Background: Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a major cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children, with a rising incidence of macrolide resistance. Early diagnosis is crucial for reducing the disease burden; however, current diagnostic tools have limitations.We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of serological assays and their performance based on symptom onset in children with CAP. Methods: From September 2023 to September 2024, we prospectively enrolled children with CAP, classified as M. pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) or non-MPP, from 16 hospitals in Korea. Serological testing included chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) and ELISA for detecting IgM and IgG, along with particle agglutination (PA) for total antibody measurements. Serological responses were analyzed at different times after symptom onset (0–4, 5–9, and 10–21 days). Results: Among 472 children with CAP (362 MPP, 110 non-MPP), 138 (29.2%) underwent PA testing, and 334 (70.8%) underwent IgM testing. PA at a 1:640 cutoff showed 48.0% sensitivity and 100% specificity. CLIA and ELISA showed comparable sensitivities (69.1% vs. 69.2%) and specificities (76.9% vs. 66.7%) for IgM testing. Seropositivity increased significantly with time since symptom onset (P for trend < 0.001), reaching 97.9% for IgM, 62.5% for IgG, and 94.7% for PA at 10–21 days. Conclusions The time post-symptom onset significantly influenced the diagnostic utility of serological tests for pediatric MPP, which showed limited value during the early stage of illness. These findings emphasize the importance of symptom onset-based interpretation of serological test results and their utility in complementing PCR when optimizing MPP diagnosis in children.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a practitioner-led empowerment program on self-sufficiency motivation, self-esteem, and self-efficacy among low-income service recipients at self-sufficiency centers. Methods: A quasi-experimental repeated-measures design was used. Participants were recipients of social services from 11 local self-sufficiency centers in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. In total, 100 participants were recruited, with 51 assigned to the experimental group and 49 assigned to the control group. The experimental group received an eight-session program delivered by center practitioners who had been trained by mental health nurses, whereas the control group received usual services. Self-sufficiency motivation, self-esteem, and self-efficacy were assessed at three time points: baseline (pretest: T0), immediately after the intervention (post-test: T1), and 4 weeks after the intervention (follow-up: T2). Results: Using generalized estimating equations, participants in the experimental group showed significantly greater improvements than those in the control group at both T1 and T2 in self-sufficiency motivation (T1: B=1.61, p=.030; T2: B=2.88, p<.001), self-esteem (T1: B=2.77, p<.001; T2: B=2.78, p<.001), and self-efficacy (T1: B=3.95, p=.004; T2: B=4.19, p<.001). Conclusion The practitioner-led program is associated with significant short-term improvements in psychosocial determinants of self-sufficiency among low-income service recipients. These findings may inform the development of community nursing interventions that support the psychosocial foundations of independent living in this population and provide a basis for training programs designed to strengthen the capacity of practitioners at local self-sufficiency centers (Clinical Research Information Service of Korea registration number: KCT0010027; registration date: December 12, 2024).

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic and relapsing gastrointestinal disorder characterized by the reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus, leading to troublesome symptoms and/or complications. Since the publication of the 2020 Seoul Consensus on GERD, significant new evidence has emerged, particularly regarding acid-suppressive therapies and diagnostic approaches. This 2025 focused update aims to refine GERD management strategies by incorporating the latest evidence on acid suppressive therapies and regional considerations in Asian populations. This study builds on the 2020 Seoul Consensus by integrating systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and expert consensuses to offer updated recommendations for the definition and medical treatment of GERD. These guidelines incorporate recent advances in acid-suppressive therapies, particularly potassium-competitive acid blockers, and adopt updated diagnostic frameworks in accordance with the Lyon Consensus 2.0. Key clinical questions were identified and structured using the following format: Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome. The resulting recommendations address the initial treatment, long-term maintenance strategies, and role of personalized therapy based on disease severity, such as the grade of reflux esophagitis. Six key statements are presented: updated definition and classification of GERD (Statement 1); initial and long-term treatment strategies tailored to GERD phenotypes, such as non-erosive reflux disease, mild erosive esophagitis, and severe erosive esophagitis (Statements 2-5); and dose optimization strategies for long-term safety (Statement 6). These guidelines aim to support gastroenterologists and general healthcare providers in making individualized evidence-based decisions for GERD management.

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.

Background and Objectives: Clinical characteristics and outcomes in acute heart failure (AHF) vary by phenotype. We assessed phenotype-specific features, treatment patterns, and outcomes in a nationwide Korean cohort. Methods: The Korean Heart Failure III registry prospectively enrolled 7,351 AHF admissions at 47 hospitals. Among 6,777 patients with available left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), phenotypes were defined as heart failure with reduced EF (HFrEF, ≤40%), mildly reduced EF (HFmrEF,41–49%), or preserved EF (HFpEF, ≥50%). The primary endpoint was a 12-month composite of all-cause death or heart transplantation, evaluated from index admission and, among hospital survivors, from discharge. We used inverse probability weighting (multinomial generalized boosted models with stabilized, trimmed weights) and weighted Cox proportional-hazards models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs). Results: Phenotype distribution was 58.9% HFrEF, 13.6% HFmrEF, and 27.5% HFpEF. Crude 12-month composite rates from index admission were 13.4% (HFrEF), 12.7% (HFmrEF), and 16.8% (HFpEF). After weighting, from index admission, HFmrEF (HR, 0.892; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.731–1.088) and HFpEF (HR, 1.101; 95% CI, 0.939–1.291) did not differ from HFrEF; from discharge, HFpEF had modestly higher risk (HR, 1.207; 95% CI, 1.008–1.445) whereas HFmrEF did not (HR, 1.039; 95% CI, 0.844–1.279). Hyponatremia and chronic kidney disease were consistent adverse markers, while angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/ angiotensin II receptor blocker use at discharge was protective. Conclusions Across the EF spectrum, phenotypes showed distinct profiles and risk. Postdischarge risk was modestly higher in HFpEF, supporting phenotype-tailored care and systematic discharge optimization in Korean patients with AHF.

Purpose: This study aimed to develop and implement an antimicrobial stewardship education program for physician assistant nurses and to evaluate its effects on their knowledge and clinical performance. Methods: A quasi-experimental, single-group pre-post design was conducted with 50 physician assistant nurses at a university hospital in Seoul, Republic of Korea. The antimicrobial stewardship education program, developed using the ADDIE model, consisted of 12 sessions including lectures and case-based learning (CBL)-based discussions.Knowledge was measured before and immediately after the intervention, while performance was assessed pre-intervention and four weeks post-program. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Results: Knowledge scores significantly improved from 44.65±7.45 to 58.50±10.11 (p<.001), and all subdomains showed significant increases (p<.001). Performance scores increased from 3.68±0.77 to 4.28±0.68 (p<.001). Knowledge gain did not differ significantly between the medical and surgical departments (p=.710). Likewise, after adjusting for pre-test scores, no significant difference in performance improvement was observed between the two departments (ANCOVA, p=.170). These results indicate that the program was effective across both departments regardless of their characteristics. Conclusion The antimicrobial stewardship education program improved both knowledge and performance among physician assistant nurses. This program may contribute to the standardization of antimicrobial stewardship education and to appropriate antimicrobial use and the reduction of antimicrobial resistance.

RESULTS: Resveratrol significantly reduced cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling in aging hearts. In addition, resveratrol significantly ameliorated aging-induced mitochondrial dysfunction (e.g., decreased oxygen respiration and increased hydrogen peroxide emission) and mitochondria-dependent apoptotic signaling (the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening sensitivity, and cleaved caspase-3 protein levels).Resveratrol also significantly attenuated aging-induced apoptosis (determined via cleaved caspase-3 staining and TUNEL-positive myonuclei) in cardiac muscles. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that resveratrol treatment has a beneficial effect on aging-induced cardiac remodeling by ameliorating mitochondrial dysfunction and inhibiting mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in the heart.

The initial molecular cytogenetic characteristics of blasts plays a significant role in determining the treatment course of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL).B-ALL with intrachromosomal amplification of chromosome 21 (iAMP21) has been well known to have unfavorable prognosis. Also, there are previously recognized germline mutations that increase the risk of ALL, such as trisomy 21, Down syndrome. This case report is about a 16-year-old girl who presented with lymphadenitis, purpura, and fever followed by initial lab of elevated white blood cell with blasts.She had some notable facial features, but no typical Down syndrome related one.Bone marrow biopsy and fluorescence in situ hybridization finalized the diagnosis as B-ALL with iAMP21, high-risk group. The minimal residual disease-negative complete remission was achieved after the induction chemotherapy with Korean multicenter high-risk protocol. However, abnormal karyotype was sustained in bone marrow. Microarrays with her buccal swab raised the possibility that the abnormal karyotype was not from the leukemic blasts but rather from the germline. Although she underwent scheduled chemotherapy uneventfully as slow early responder type, thrombocytopenia and abnormal karyotype persisted, leading to the diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia. Additional chemotherapy and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation was performed which resulted in engraftment. This case highlights the discovery of a constitutional genetic aberration, which played like a silent yet critical background factor for B-ALL with iAMP21. As the number of reported cases are limited, the role of germline chromosome 21 mutation as the indicator for prognosis of B-ALL should be studied further.

Background: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a rare complication of lung transplantation with poorly understood risk factors and clinical characteristics. This study aimed to examine the occurrence, risk factors, and clinical data of patients who developed PRES following lung transplantation. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 147 patients who underwent lung transplantation between February 2013 and December 2023. The patients were diagnosed with PRES based on the clinical symptoms and radiological findings. We compared the baseline characteristics and clinical information, including primary lung diseases and immunosuppressive therapy related to lung transplantation operations, between the PRES and non-PRES groups. Results: PRES manifested in 7.5% (n=11) of the patients who underwent lung transplantation, with a median onset of 15 days after operation. Seizures were identified as the predominant clinical manifestation (81.8%, n=9) in the group diagnosed with PRES. All patients diagnosed with PRES recovered fully. Patients with PRES were significantly associated with connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease (45.5% vs. 18.4%, P=0.019, odds ratio=9.808; 95% CI, 1.064–90.386; P=0.044). Nonetheless, no significant variance was observed in the type of immunotherapy, such as the use of calcineurin inhibitors, blood pressure, or acute renal failure subsequent to lung transplantation. Conclusions PRES typically manifests shortly after lung transplantation, with seizures being the predominant initial symptom. The presence of preexisting connective tissue disease as the primary lung disease represents a significant risk factor for PRES following lung transplantation.