1.Correction of Reward Processing Deficits in Youth with Disruptive Behavior and Trauma Exposure: A Pilot Study of Neural Responses to Fluoxetine
Soonjo HWANG ; Unsun CHUNG ; Ji-Woo SUK ; Stuart WHITE ; Ellen LEIBENLUFT ; Robert James Richard BLAIR
Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience 2026;24(1):129-139
Objective:
Youths with disruptive behavior disorders (DBDs) and a history of trauma exposure often exhibit deficits in neural mechanisms related to reward anticipation and assessment. This preliminary investigation examines the potential of a serotonergic agent (fluoxetine) to modulate neural activity in reward-related pathways for this population.
Methods:
Three participant groups were: (i) youth with DBDs and trauma exposure who received fluoxetine treatment for 8 weeks (n = 12); (ii) a matched group of youth with DBDs and trauma exposure who received routine regular followup in an outpatient clinic (n = 9); and (iii) typically developing youth (n = 19). All participants completed a passive avoidance fMRI task twice, 8 weeks apart (pre-treatment and post treatment for youth with DBDs).
Results:
Youth with DBDs and trauma exposure who received fluoxetine treatment compared to the other two groups showed: (i) significant improvement in externalizing, oppositional defiant disorder, irritability, anxiety-depression, and trauma-related symptoms; (ii) significantly increased recruitment of regions implicated in reward expectation (e.g., ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens), monitoring prediction error (e.g., dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, posterior parietal cortex), and inhibitory control (e.g., anterior insula, pre-supplementary motor area, anterior prefrontal cortex.
Conclusion
We provide preliminary data suggesting that a serotonergic medication can correct reward processing and provide symptom improvement in youth with DBDs and a history of trauma exposure. Given the small sample size, more rigorous studies with larger sample size are needed to confirm these results. The findings of this study could aid future clinical research and treatment for this challenging population.
2.Germline Mutations Related to Complete Remission After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients With Triple-negative Breast Cancer
Jee Hyun AHN ; Ji Soo PARK ; Dongju WON ; Seung-Tae LEE ; Suk Jun LEE ; Seung Hye YANG ; Jee Ye KIM ; Seho PARK ; Seung Il KIM ; Byeong-Woo PARK ; Min Hwan KIM ; Gun Min KIM ; Joohyuk SOHN ; Hyung Seok PARK
Journal of Breast Cancer 2026;29(2):118-127
Purpose:
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a frequent phenotype of BRCA-mutanttumors. Tumors with BRCAness may show characteristics of BRCA-mutant tumors and respond to similar treatments. Next-generation sequencing is an efficient and cost-effective method for simultaneously sequencing multiple cancer susceptibility genes, surpassing conventional Sanger testing.
Methods:
A total of 148 women with TNBC were recruited from December 2015 to November 2018, as part of a sub-analysis based on the PEARLY trial data. Of them, 103 patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT). The targeted genes related to hereditary cancers were sequenced using the 65-gene germline next-generation sequencing (gNGS) panel pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants (P&LPs) were determined by Sanger sequencing. We examined the occurrence of pathologic complete remission (ypCR) in patients with P&LPs.
Results:
The patients’ median age was 47 years (range, 27–69 years). Twenty (13.7%) of 148 patients had P&LP in six genes, including BARD1 (n = 2), BRCA1 (n = 9), BRCA2 (n = 5), CHEK2 (n = 1), RAD51C (n = 1), and RAD51D (n = 2). Among the 103 patients with NCT, 43 (41.7%) achieved ypCR (P&LPs; 9 individuals vs. non-variants; 34 individuals). Among the 103 patients with NCT, 14 (9.3%) had P&LPs. Nine of 14 patients with P&LPs, including BARD1 (n = 2), BRCA1 (n = 4), BRCA2 (n = 1), RAD51C (n = 1), and RAD51D (n = 1), achieved ypCR, showing a trend toward statistical significance (p = 0.066).
Conclusion
Germline P&LP mutations in TNBC patients can be detected by gNGS. This panel test can identify BRCA and BRCAness mutations that may predict ypCR in TNBC.
3.Sentinel Safety Monitoring System for Adverse Events of Special Interest Associated With Non-NIP Vaccines in Korea
Hakjun HYUN ; Jung Yeon HEO ; Yu Jung CHOI ; Eliel NHAM ; Jin Gu YOON ; Ji Yun NOH ; Joon Young SONG ; Woo Joo KIM ; Won Suk CHOI ; Min Joo CHOI ; Yu Bin SEO ; Jacob LEE ; Hee Jin CHEONG
Journal of Korean Medical Science 2025;40(16):e152-
South Korea’s current vaccination policies leave a surveillance gap for non-National Immunization Program (NIP) vaccines. In this study, we proposed a sentinel surveillance approach for monitoring the safety of non-NIP vaccines. Vaccination data were collected retrospectively among patients hospitalized with pre-defined adverse events of special interest (AESI) by reviewing electronic medical records in five university hospitals. This approach incorporates expert assessment to determine the causal relationship. We confirmed that 16 patients had received non-NIP vaccines among 860 patients diagnosed with AESI.We concluded one case of preeclampsia was possibly related to tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis vaccination. We propose a multi-hospital-based, retrospective assessment system for predefined AESIs as an alternative to active vaccine safety monitoring method. These efforts are expected to enhance both the accuracy and timeliness of safety monitoring in South Korea.
4.Impact of single-port laparoscopic approach on scar assessment by patients and observers: a multicenter retrospective study
Sung Uk BAE ; Kyeong Eui KIM ; Chang-Woo KIM ; Ji-Hoon KIM ; Woon Kyung JEONG ; Yoon-Suk LEE ; Seong Kyu BAEK ; Suk-Hwan LEE ; Jun-Gi KIM
Annals of Coloproctology 2025;41(2):154-161
Purpose:
This study aimed to compare the wound cosmesis of a single-incision approach on scar assessment after laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer.
Methods:
This study included 32 patients undergoing single-port laparoscopic surgery (SPLS) and 61 patients undergoing multiport laparoscopic surgery (MPLS) for colon cancer at 3 tertiary referral hospitals between September 2011 and December 2019. We modified and applied the Korean version of the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) to assess cosmetic outcomes. To assess the interobserver reliability using intraclass correlation coefficient values for the Observer Scar Assessment Scale (OSAS), the surgeons evaluated 5 images of postoperative scars.
Results:
No significant differences were observed in the time before the return of normal bowel function, time to sips of water and soft diet initiation, length of in-hospital stay, and postoperative complication rate. The SPLS group had a shorter total incision length than the MPLS group. The POSAS favored the SPLS approach, revealing significant differences in the Patient Scar Assessment Scale (PSAS), OSAS, and overall scores. The SPLS approach was an independent factor influencing the POSAS, PSAS, and OSAS scores. Eleven colorectal surgeons had a significantly substantial intraclass coefficient.
Conclusion
The cosmetic outcomes of SPLS as assessed by the patients and surgeons were superior to those of MPLS in colon cancer. Reducing the number of ports is an independent factor affecting scar assessment by patients and observers.
5.Impact of single-port laparoscopic approach on scar assessment by patients and observers: a multicenter retrospective study
Sung Uk BAE ; Kyeong Eui KIM ; Chang-Woo KIM ; Ji-Hoon KIM ; Woon Kyung JEONG ; Yoon-Suk LEE ; Seong Kyu BAEK ; Suk-Hwan LEE ; Jun-Gi KIM
Annals of Coloproctology 2025;41(2):154-161
Purpose:
This study aimed to compare the wound cosmesis of a single-incision approach on scar assessment after laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer.
Methods:
This study included 32 patients undergoing single-port laparoscopic surgery (SPLS) and 61 patients undergoing multiport laparoscopic surgery (MPLS) for colon cancer at 3 tertiary referral hospitals between September 2011 and December 2019. We modified and applied the Korean version of the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) to assess cosmetic outcomes. To assess the interobserver reliability using intraclass correlation coefficient values for the Observer Scar Assessment Scale (OSAS), the surgeons evaluated 5 images of postoperative scars.
Results:
No significant differences were observed in the time before the return of normal bowel function, time to sips of water and soft diet initiation, length of in-hospital stay, and postoperative complication rate. The SPLS group had a shorter total incision length than the MPLS group. The POSAS favored the SPLS approach, revealing significant differences in the Patient Scar Assessment Scale (PSAS), OSAS, and overall scores. The SPLS approach was an independent factor influencing the POSAS, PSAS, and OSAS scores. Eleven colorectal surgeons had a significantly substantial intraclass coefficient.
Conclusion
The cosmetic outcomes of SPLS as assessed by the patients and surgeons were superior to those of MPLS in colon cancer. Reducing the number of ports is an independent factor affecting scar assessment by patients and observers.
6.Impact of single-port laparoscopic approach on scar assessment by patients and observers: a multicenter retrospective study
Sung Uk BAE ; Kyeong Eui KIM ; Chang-Woo KIM ; Ji-Hoon KIM ; Woon Kyung JEONG ; Yoon-Suk LEE ; Seong Kyu BAEK ; Suk-Hwan LEE ; Jun-Gi KIM
Annals of Coloproctology 2025;41(2):154-161
Purpose:
This study aimed to compare the wound cosmesis of a single-incision approach on scar assessment after laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer.
Methods:
This study included 32 patients undergoing single-port laparoscopic surgery (SPLS) and 61 patients undergoing multiport laparoscopic surgery (MPLS) for colon cancer at 3 tertiary referral hospitals between September 2011 and December 2019. We modified and applied the Korean version of the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) to assess cosmetic outcomes. To assess the interobserver reliability using intraclass correlation coefficient values for the Observer Scar Assessment Scale (OSAS), the surgeons evaluated 5 images of postoperative scars.
Results:
No significant differences were observed in the time before the return of normal bowel function, time to sips of water and soft diet initiation, length of in-hospital stay, and postoperative complication rate. The SPLS group had a shorter total incision length than the MPLS group. The POSAS favored the SPLS approach, revealing significant differences in the Patient Scar Assessment Scale (PSAS), OSAS, and overall scores. The SPLS approach was an independent factor influencing the POSAS, PSAS, and OSAS scores. Eleven colorectal surgeons had a significantly substantial intraclass coefficient.
Conclusion
The cosmetic outcomes of SPLS as assessed by the patients and surgeons were superior to those of MPLS in colon cancer. Reducing the number of ports is an independent factor affecting scar assessment by patients and observers.
7.Impact of single-port laparoscopic approach on scar assessment by patients and observers: a multicenter retrospective study
Sung Uk BAE ; Kyeong Eui KIM ; Chang-Woo KIM ; Ji-Hoon KIM ; Woon Kyung JEONG ; Yoon-Suk LEE ; Seong Kyu BAEK ; Suk-Hwan LEE ; Jun-Gi KIM
Annals of Coloproctology 2025;41(2):154-161
Purpose:
This study aimed to compare the wound cosmesis of a single-incision approach on scar assessment after laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer.
Methods:
This study included 32 patients undergoing single-port laparoscopic surgery (SPLS) and 61 patients undergoing multiport laparoscopic surgery (MPLS) for colon cancer at 3 tertiary referral hospitals between September 2011 and December 2019. We modified and applied the Korean version of the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) to assess cosmetic outcomes. To assess the interobserver reliability using intraclass correlation coefficient values for the Observer Scar Assessment Scale (OSAS), the surgeons evaluated 5 images of postoperative scars.
Results:
No significant differences were observed in the time before the return of normal bowel function, time to sips of water and soft diet initiation, length of in-hospital stay, and postoperative complication rate. The SPLS group had a shorter total incision length than the MPLS group. The POSAS favored the SPLS approach, revealing significant differences in the Patient Scar Assessment Scale (PSAS), OSAS, and overall scores. The SPLS approach was an independent factor influencing the POSAS, PSAS, and OSAS scores. Eleven colorectal surgeons had a significantly substantial intraclass coefficient.
Conclusion
The cosmetic outcomes of SPLS as assessed by the patients and surgeons were superior to those of MPLS in colon cancer. Reducing the number of ports is an independent factor affecting scar assessment by patients and observers.
8.Impact of single-port laparoscopic approach on scar assessment by patients and observers: a multicenter retrospective study
Sung Uk BAE ; Kyeong Eui KIM ; Chang-Woo KIM ; Ji-Hoon KIM ; Woon Kyung JEONG ; Yoon-Suk LEE ; Seong Kyu BAEK ; Suk-Hwan LEE ; Jun-Gi KIM
Annals of Coloproctology 2025;41(2):154-161
Purpose:
This study aimed to compare the wound cosmesis of a single-incision approach on scar assessment after laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer.
Methods:
This study included 32 patients undergoing single-port laparoscopic surgery (SPLS) and 61 patients undergoing multiport laparoscopic surgery (MPLS) for colon cancer at 3 tertiary referral hospitals between September 2011 and December 2019. We modified and applied the Korean version of the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) to assess cosmetic outcomes. To assess the interobserver reliability using intraclass correlation coefficient values for the Observer Scar Assessment Scale (OSAS), the surgeons evaluated 5 images of postoperative scars.
Results:
No significant differences were observed in the time before the return of normal bowel function, time to sips of water and soft diet initiation, length of in-hospital stay, and postoperative complication rate. The SPLS group had a shorter total incision length than the MPLS group. The POSAS favored the SPLS approach, revealing significant differences in the Patient Scar Assessment Scale (PSAS), OSAS, and overall scores. The SPLS approach was an independent factor influencing the POSAS, PSAS, and OSAS scores. Eleven colorectal surgeons had a significantly substantial intraclass coefficient.
Conclusion
The cosmetic outcomes of SPLS as assessed by the patients and surgeons were superior to those of MPLS in colon cancer. Reducing the number of ports is an independent factor affecting scar assessment by patients and observers.
9.Sentinel Safety Monitoring System for Adverse Events of Special Interest Associated With Non-NIP Vaccines in Korea
Hakjun HYUN ; Jung Yeon HEO ; Yu Jung CHOI ; Eliel NHAM ; Jin Gu YOON ; Ji Yun NOH ; Joon Young SONG ; Woo Joo KIM ; Won Suk CHOI ; Min Joo CHOI ; Yu Bin SEO ; Jacob LEE ; Hee Jin CHEONG
Journal of Korean Medical Science 2025;40(16):e152-
South Korea’s current vaccination policies leave a surveillance gap for non-National Immunization Program (NIP) vaccines. In this study, we proposed a sentinel surveillance approach for monitoring the safety of non-NIP vaccines. Vaccination data were collected retrospectively among patients hospitalized with pre-defined adverse events of special interest (AESI) by reviewing electronic medical records in five university hospitals. This approach incorporates expert assessment to determine the causal relationship. We confirmed that 16 patients had received non-NIP vaccines among 860 patients diagnosed with AESI.We concluded one case of preeclampsia was possibly related to tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis vaccination. We propose a multi-hospital-based, retrospective assessment system for predefined AESIs as an alternative to active vaccine safety monitoring method. These efforts are expected to enhance both the accuracy and timeliness of safety monitoring in South Korea.
10.Sentinel Safety Monitoring System for Adverse Events of Special Interest Associated With Non-NIP Vaccines in Korea
Hakjun HYUN ; Jung Yeon HEO ; Yu Jung CHOI ; Eliel NHAM ; Jin Gu YOON ; Ji Yun NOH ; Joon Young SONG ; Woo Joo KIM ; Won Suk CHOI ; Min Joo CHOI ; Yu Bin SEO ; Jacob LEE ; Hee Jin CHEONG
Journal of Korean Medical Science 2025;40(16):e152-
South Korea’s current vaccination policies leave a surveillance gap for non-National Immunization Program (NIP) vaccines. In this study, we proposed a sentinel surveillance approach for monitoring the safety of non-NIP vaccines. Vaccination data were collected retrospectively among patients hospitalized with pre-defined adverse events of special interest (AESI) by reviewing electronic medical records in five university hospitals. This approach incorporates expert assessment to determine the causal relationship. We confirmed that 16 patients had received non-NIP vaccines among 860 patients diagnosed with AESI.We concluded one case of preeclampsia was possibly related to tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis vaccination. We propose a multi-hospital-based, retrospective assessment system for predefined AESIs as an alternative to active vaccine safety monitoring method. These efforts are expected to enhance both the accuracy and timeliness of safety monitoring in South Korea.

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