1.Transformation of Pleomorphic Xanthoastrocytoma with Germline ATM Mutation into a SMARCB1-Deficient Rhabdoid Tumor: A Case Report
Hyeonseung LEE ; Hyun Jin PARK ; Bo Kyung KIM ; Kyung Taek HONG ; Hyoung Jin KANG ; Sung-Hye PARK ; Ji Hoon PHI ; June-Young KOH ; Jung Yoon CHOI
Clinical Pediatric Hematology-Oncology 2026;33(1):34-38
Secondary rhabdoid tumors (RTs) with atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor-like features rarely arise from, or coexist with, pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas (PXAs), and their clinicopathological and molecular characteristics remain poorly understood. We report a 17-year-old girl with a temporal lobe mass that, upon gross total resection, pathologically contained both RT and PXA components. Immunohistochemistry revealed loss of INI1 expression restricted to the RT component, while the PXA area retained INI1. Next-generation sequencing identified a shared BRAF::TRIM24 fusion and homozygous deletion of CDKN2A/2B in both components, indicating a shared clonal origin. Additionally, a germline ATM frameshift mutation (c.5288_5289insGA) was identified in both tumor components, making the first such report in central nervous system tumors. SMARCB1 loss was confined to the RT component, further supporting the hypotheses of clonal evolution and secondary transformation. Despite gross total resection, craniospinal irradiation, and chemotherapy, the patient developed rapid leptomeningeal dissemination and died 5 months after surgery. This case provides clinicopathological and molecular evidence for clonal evolution and secondary transformation of PXA into an RT. The presence of germline ATM mutation may have therapeutic and biological relevance. Further studies are required to clarify the pathogenesis and optimal management of these rare and aggressive tumors.
2.Optimal use and cycling strategies of Janus kinase inhibitors in ulcerative colitis: current evidence and clinical implications from the KASID Guidelines Task Force Team
Seung Min HONG ; Dong Hyun KIM ; June Hwa BAE ; Seung Yong SHIN ; Eun Mi SONG ; Ji Eun KIM ; Young Joo YANG ; Jiyoung YOON ; Sang-Bum KANG ; Eun Soo KIM ; Seong-Eun KIM ; Seong-Jung KIM ; Jun LEE ; Soo-Young NA ; Soo Jung PARK ; Sang Hyoung PARK ; Miyoung CHOI ; Myung Ha KIM ; Won MOON ; Sung-Ae JUNG ;
Intestinal Research 2026;24(1):27-37
Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors are an important treatment option for ulcerative colitis, providing rapid onset of action, oral administration, and efficacy even after biologic failure. The 3 approved agents—tofacitinib, filgotinib, and upadacitinib—differ in JAK isoform selectivity, leading to clinically meaningful differences in efficacy and safety. Evidence from network meta-analyses, clinical trials, and real-world studies consistently shows that upadacitinib provides the highest efficacy for induction and maintenance of remission, whereas filgotinib demonstrates the most favorable safety profile. The strong efficacy of upadacitinib and tofacitinib is particularly relevant in patients with severe disease, including acute severe ulcerative colitis, and upadacitinib maintains high efficacy regardless of prior advanced therapy exposure. JAK inhibitors also benefit extraintestinal manifestations. Although risks such as herpes zoster, serious infection, thromboembolism, and major cardiovascular events differ among agents, long-term data suggest generally acceptable safety when used appropriately. Intraclass JAK-to-JAK cycling is feasible, with about half of patients achieving steroid-free clinical remission in retrospective cohorts. Based on mechanistic, clinical, and real-world evidence, filgotinib may be a first-line option for patients with lower disease activity or when safety is a priority, whereas upadacitinib or tofacitinib may be preferred in higher disease activity. Strategically selecting agents may improve durability and outcomes.
3.Korean Medication Algorithm Project for Depressive Disorder 2025:Comparisons with Other Treatment Guidelines
Won-Seok CHOI ; Young Sup WOO ; Won-Myong BAHK ; Nak-Young KIM ; Jeong Seok SEO ; Sheng-Min WANG ; Won KIM ; Sung-Yong PARK ; Jung Goo LEE ; Chan-Mo YANG ; Hyung Mo SUNG ; Young-Eun JUNG ; Moon-Doo KIM ; Jong-Hyun JEONG ; Bo-Hyun YOON ; Kyung Joon MIN
Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience 2026;24(1):2-14
The sixth edition of the Korean Medication Algorithm Project for Depressive Disorder (KMAP-DD) was published in 2025. This review compared KMAP-DD 2025 with four major international clinical practice guidelines: Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments Clinical Guidelines for the Management of Major Depressive Disorders, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Depression Guideline, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists Clinical Practice Guidelines for Mood Disorders, and British Association for Psychopharmacology Guideline. While KMAP-DD is based on expert consensus, and others on evidence-based methods, overall treatment strategies for depressive episodes were fairly consistent. Especially, KMAP-DD 2025 offers more structured recommendations in areas lacking strong evidence, such as premenstrual dysphoric disorder, perinatal depression, and depression with medical comorbidities. KMAP-DD 2025 also reflected Korean clinical practice patterns emphasizing rapid symptom relief and early use of combination strategies. Despite limitations as a consensus-based guideline, KMAP-DD 2025 complements evidence-based approaches and provides practical, situation-specific guidance for real-world clinical decision-making in Korea.
4.Age- and disability-based trends in potentially preventable hospitalizations: evidence from nationwide claims data in Korea
Hyejung YOON ; Boyoung JEON ; Seyune LEE ; Daesung CHOI ; Se-Youn JUNG ; Dong-Min SON ; Yong Joo RHEE ; Juhyeon MOON ; So Youn PARK ; In-Hwan OH ; Young-il JUNG
Epidemiology and Health 2026;48(1):e2026012-
OBJECTIVES:
Individuals with disabilities are at greater risk of hospitalization than the general population. We examined 10-year trends in potentially preventable hospitalizations (PPH) in Korea, comparing individuals with and without disabilities and assessing age-specific patterns.
METHODS:
Using National Health Information Database claims data (2010–2019), we established a fixed cohort of newly registered individuals with disabilities and control subjects statistically matched (1:1.5) at baseline. Annual PPH rates among patients with each condition were calculated and age- and sex-standardized according to Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Health Care Quality Indicators definitions. Trends and annual percent changes (APCs) were analyzed by disability status and age group (non-older: 30–64; older adults: ≥65 years).
RESULTS:
Between 2010 and 2019, PPH rates declined significantly in both groups. Among individuals with disabilities, the steepest decline was observed for hypertension (APC, −15.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI], −17.7 to −13.7), whereas congestive heart failure showed the largest reduction among individuals without disabilities (APC, −7.8%; 95% CI, −10.8 to −4.7). Declines were generally greater among non-older adults aged 30–64 years, regardless of disability status. The disparity between disability and non-disability groups narrowed over the decade, primarily due to larger improvements among non-older adults. Older adults with disabilities consistently exhibited the highest PPH rates for most conditions, whereas younger individuals with disabilities had the highest rates for diabetes.
CONCLUSIONS
PPH rates declined over the decade among both individuals with and without disabilities, particularly for hypertension and among non-older adults. However, older adults with disabilities remain at elevated risk, underscoring the need for targeted strategies to improve access to community-based primary care.
5.Establishing an Active Vaccine Safety Surveillance System Using Large Scale Databases in Korea: Lessons and Scalable Insights for Global Application
Jin Gu YOON ; Eliel NHAM ; Yu Jung CHOI ; Min Joo CHOI ; Won Suk CHOI ; Young Kyung YOON ; Yu Bin SEO ; Hakjun HYUN ; Jung Yeon HEO ; Jin-Soo LEE ; Chung-Jong KIM ; Ji Yun NOH ; Joon Young SONG ; Hee Jin CHEONG
Journal of Korean Medical Science 2026;41(1):e47-
Vaccines are highly effective, but rare or delayed adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) require post-licensure surveillance beyond clinical trials. Korea lacks a comprehensive, active, database-based framework, yet key assets exist: nationwide claims databases (National Health Insurance Service/Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service), the national immunization registry (Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency’s Immunization Registry Information System) for National Immunization Program (NIP) and non-NIP vaccines, and increasingly standardized hospital electronic health records.We propose a federated, code to data architecture with data linkages between these data.Implementation should adopt a common data model (CDM), standardized case definitions, latency accounting, and transparent public reporting under strong privacy governance. Major challenges include multi step administrative approvals for data linkage, incomplete capture of adult non-NIP vaccinations, heterogeneous hospital data structures, and strict data protection constraints. Strategic priorities are to streamline statutory and administrative processes for public health use, mandate or enable claims-based capture of adult vaccinations, enhance CDM based interoperability, and develop secure hubs for aggregated outputs. With these measures, Korea will be well positioned to establish a scalable active surveillance system capable of detecting rare AEFIs, supporting transparent and evidence-based communication, and ensuring equitable injury compensation grounded in domestic data.
7.Short-Term Outcomes of Novel Refractive Extended Depth-of-Focus Lens: Stage 1 Epiretinal Membrane vs. Normal Retina
Jiwon CHOI ; Sang Min LEE ; Jae Won CHOI ; Min Ji PARK ; Joo Heon ROH ; Tae Heon LEE ; Sun A KIM ; Su Hey CHAE ; Hee Seong YOON ; Jung Yup KIM
Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society 2026;67(2):47-54
Purpose:
We compared short-term clinical outcomes after cataract surgery with implantation of a novel refractive extended depth-of-focus TECNIS PureSee intraocular lens (IOL) between patients with stage 1 epiretinal membrane (ERM)—characterized by a thin membrane over the macula with preserved foveal depression―and those with a normal retina.
Methods:
This retrospective study included 60 eyes of 60 patients who underwent cataract surgery with implantation of the TECNIS PureSee IOL between January 2024 and January 2025: 30 eyes with stage 1 ERM and 30 eyes with a normal retina. Preoperative characteristics, including age, sex distribution, cataract severity, corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), and higher-order aberrations, were compared between groups, as were IOL power and target refraction. Postoperative outcomes at 1 month―including CDVA, uncorrected distance, intermediate, and near visual acuity, ocular aberrations, and contrast sensitivity―were evaluated.
Results:
There were no significant differences in preoperative characteristics, such as age, sex distribution, cataract grade, CDVA, higher-order aberrations, IOL power, or target refraction between the two groups. At 1 month postoperatively, CDVA, uncorrected distance, intermediate, and near visual acuity, higher-order aberrations, and contrast sensitivity exhibited no significant differences between groups.
Conclusions
In this short-term analysis, the PureSee IOL demonstrated comparable efficacy and safety in cataract patients with stage 1 ERM to those with a normal retina.
8.The impact of the preoperative value of phase angle in bioelectrical impedance analysis on postoperative complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy
Young Jae CHO ; Yoon Soo CHAE ; Go-Won CHOI ; Inhyuck LEE ; Younsoo SEO ; Seulah PARK ; Youngmin HAN ; Hye-sol JUNG ; Wooil KWON ; Jin-Young JANG ; Joon Seong PARK
Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery 2026;30(1):67-75
Background:
s/Aims: Phase angle (PhA), as measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis, provides insights into hydration and nutritional status, making it a prognostic indicator of frailty. While low preoperative PhA has been linked to postoperative complications in cancer patients, its predictive value in individuals undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) has not been thoroughly investigated.This study aims to evaluate the clinical utility of preoperative PhA in predicting postoperative complications for patients undergoing PD.
Methods:
Among 41 patients who underwent PD at Seoul National University Hospital between September and December 2024, 35 were included in the analysis after excluding 6 patients who had concomitant blood vessel or other organ resections. Patients were divided into low (Comprehensive Complication Index [CCI] ≤ 20) and high (CCI > 20) complication groups based on the CCI, derived from the Clavien–Dindo classification. The differences in PhA between the two groups were analyzed, and logistic regression was performed to assess the relationship between PhA and CCI.
Results:
The mean PhA was significantly lower in the high-CCI group compared to the low-CCI group (5.7° vs. 6.7°, p = 0.025). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that PhA (odds ratio: 0.17; 95% confidence interval: 0.04–0.68; p = 0.012) was an independent predictor of high CCI. A low preoperative PhA was associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications following PD.
Conclusions
Preoperative PhA may serve as a valuable predictive indicator of postoperative complications after PD, enabling the identification of patients who could benefit from preoperative prehabilitation, including nutritional support.
10.Measuring Trends in Disability-adjusted Life Years and Life Expectancy in Korea: 2008 to 2021
Chung-Nyun KIM ; Dawit Urgi GURMU ; Young-Eun KIM ; Yoon-Sun JUNG ; Yongseok CHOI ; Minsu OCK ; Seok-Jun YOON
Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health 2026;59(1):25-34
Objectives:
This study, part of the ongoing Korean National Burden of Disease (KNBD) updates, assesses disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and disability-adjusted life expectancy (DALE) in Korea, taking into account the effects of coronavirus disease 2019 and emphasizing the importance of analyzing these metrics jointly.
Methods:
Data were obtained from Statistics Korea, the National Health Insurance Service, and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. DALYs and DALE were calculated using an incidence-based approach, following disease classification, disability weights, and estimation procedures consistent with prior KNBD research.
Results:
Compared with earlier estimates, DALYs showed a slight decline in 2020 followed by an increase in 2021, with this pattern observed across all income quintiles. For DALE, both men and women experienced modest gains relative to earlier studies; however, a decrease occurred across all income levels in 2021 compared with 2020. Regional disparities in DALE also narrowed beginning in 2020, with a more marked reduction among women.
Conclusions
Unlike previous studies, this research presents DALYs and DALE concurrently, offering a more comprehensive perspective on summary measures of population health. The post-2020 rise in DALYs underscores the growing need for effective chronic disease management. Additionally, widening income-based disparities in DALE highlight the urgency of addressing health inequities. Continued monitoring and updates of DALYs and DALE are necessary to understand and respond to these evolving trends.

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