Background and Objectives: Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have been proposed as potential biomarkers in atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF), but their role in patients with AF and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remains uncertain. Methods: We measured serum levels of 4 candidate miRNAs (miR-21, miR-146a, miR-146b, and miR-328) using quantitative polymerase chain reaction in 45 patients with persistent AF and HFpEF and five non-AF arrhythmia controls (Healthy). Expression levels were normalized to miR-16 and expressed as fold change (2−ΔCt ). Baseline (V1) and 3–6 months follow-up (V2) samples were analyzed, and comparisons were performed using non-parametric tests. Results: At baseline, none of the 4 miRNAs differed significantly between AF patients and Healthy controls; miR-21, 1.24 ± 0.55 vs. 1.15 ± 0.32 (P = 0.57); miR-146a, 0.66 ± 0.35 vs. 0.65 ± 0.06 (P = 0.71); miR-146b, 0.12 ± 0.07 vs. 0.11 ± 0.01 (P = 0.90); and miR-328, 0.08 ± 0.05 vs. 0.07 ± 0.03 (P = 0.95), all P > 0.5. Baseline comparisons were analyzed using relative expression values (2−ΔCt , normalized to miR-16), while longitudinal changes between V1 and V2 were assessed using fold change (2−ΔΔCt ). No significant longitudinal changes were observed across treatment groups. Conclusions In patients with persistent AF and HFpEF/HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction, circulating miR-21, miR-146a, miR-146b, and miR-328 showed no significant differences compared with the non-AF arrhythmia control group and did not change after 6 months of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system-targeted therapy. These pilot data suggest that the short-term utility of biomarkers is limited and warrants validation in larger, randomized cohorts.

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.

Purpose: Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage (EJAL) represents a severe postoperative complication following total or proximal gastrectomy. Treatment strategies include conservative management, endoscopic interventions, and surgery; however, comparative data remain limited. This study aimed to compare clinical outcomes of different strategies to identify the optimal approach based on anastomotic defect size. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study reviewed 100 patients diagnosed with EJAL between January 2015 and October 2024. Patients were categorized into four groups:conservative management, endoscopic vacuum-assisted closure (E-VAC), other endoscopic treatments, and surgery. The primary outcomes were leakage duration and length of hospital stay after EJAL diagnosis, whereas the secondary outcome was time to C-reactive protein normalization. Subgroup analyses were performed according to defect size. Results: Among the 100 patients, 76 were male and 24 were female, with a mean age of 65.7 years. Conservative treatment was the most common modality (53%), followed by other endoscopic treatments (19%), E-VAC (14%), and surgery (14%). In patients with a defect size <1 cm, conservative treatment was associated with significantly shorter leakage duration (P=0.035) and earlier resumption of diet (P=0.029) compared with endoscopic treatment.Among those with defects ≥2 cm, E-VAC demonstrated the most favorable median outcomes across all variables; however, statistical significance was not achieved because of the small sample size. Conclusions Conservative treatment appears to be the most effective treatment strategy for EJAL with anastomotic defects <1 cm. For larger defects (≥2 cm), E-VAC may offer clinical benefit, although further studies are needed to confirm its efficacy. These findings highlight the importance of individualized treatment selection based on defect size.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare the detection ability of quality of life (QoL) changes and responsiveness of the KOrean QUality of life in Stomach cancer patients Study group (KOQUSS)-40 and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ). Materials and Methods: A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted to evaluate QoL changes after various gastrectomies between January 2021 and April 2022. Participants were instructed to complete the KOQUSS-40 and EORTC QLQ-C30/STO22 preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. QoL changes over time and QoL responsiveness were assessed for each questionnaire. Results: Data from 491 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer at 22 institutions were analyzed. The summary scores of the KOQUSS-40 and EORTC QLQ-STO22 showed significant differences between the total and proximal gastrectomy groups (p=0.044 and p=0.038, respectively), but no difference was observed for the EORTC QLQ-C30. Dysphagia on the KOQUSS-40 was significantly different between the total and proximal gastrectomy groups (p=0.031); however, dysphagia on the EORTC QLQ-STO22 did not differ. The responsiveness of the KOQUSS-40 was similar to that of the EORTC QLQ in patients who experienced ≥ 10% body weight loss, but approximately 10% less in patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy than the EORTC QLQ. Conclusion KOQUSS-40 has several advantages over EORTC QLQ-C30/STO22 when comparing QoL between the total and proximal gastrectomy groups. The findings provide information for researchers investigating the QoL of patients who have undergone curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

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: Asthma remission has recently emerged as an aspirational treatment goal, yet its definition remains inconsistent across studies and expert groups. The absence of a standardized framework hampers its application in clinical practice and research, particularly in Korea where biologics use is rapidly increasing. This study aimed to establish a consensus definition of clinical remission in severe asthma among Korean experts. Methods: A two-round modified Delphi survey, followed by a focused third round, was conducted among 28 board-certified pulmonologists from the Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases (KATRD). The questionnaire consisted of six domains and 27 items. Responses were analyzed using agreement rates, interquartile ranges, and content validity ratios to determine consensus levels. Results: Consensus was reached on defining clinical remission as a composite of no exacerbations, no systemic corticosteroid use, sustained symptom control (Asthma Control Test ≥20 on at least three occasions over 12 months), and stabilization and optimization of pulmonary function while on maintenance treatment. Experts agreed that pulmonary function should be assessed based on clinical judgment rather than absolute thresholds. Complete remission was additionally defined as fulfilling all clinical remission criteria with normalization of type 2 inflammation (blood eosinophils <300/μL and fractional exhaled nitric oxide <25 ppb). Conclusion This Delphi consensus provides a regionally relevant and pragmatic framework for defining remission in severe asthma. These statements may help guide clinical practice, inform guideline development, and support future research on remission as a treatment goal.

Background: and Purpose Previous research on patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) has shown a 0.5% incidence of major gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) requiring blood transfusion during hospitalization. The existing literature has insufficiently explored the long-term incidence in this population despite the decremental impact of GIB on stroke outcomes. Methods: We analyzed the data from a cohort of patients with AIS admitted to 14 hospitals as part of a nationwide multicenter prospective stroke registry between 2011 and 2013. These patients were followed up for up to 6 years. The occurrence of major GIB events, defined as GIB necessitating at least two units of blood transfusion, was tracked using the National Health Insurance Service claims data. Results: Among 10,818 patients with AIS (male, 59%; mean age, 68±13 years), 947 (8.8%) experienced 1,224 episodes of major GIB over a median follow-up duration of 3.1 years. Remarkably, 20% of 947 patients experienced multiple episodes of major GIB. The incidence peaked in the first month after AIS, reaching 19.2 per 100 person-years, and gradually decreased to approximately one-sixth of this rate by the 2nd year with subsequent stabilization. Multivariable analysis identified the following predictors of major GIB: anemia, estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 , and a 3-month modified Rankin Scale score of ≥4. Conclusion Patients with AIS are susceptible to major GIB, particularly in the first month after the onset of AIS, with the risk decreasing thereafter. Implementing preventive strategies may be important, especially for patients with anemia and impaired renal function at stroke onset and those with a disabling stroke.

Objectives: Clinical situations that make it challenging to differentiate odontogenic cysts from non-odontogenic cysts and benign tumors of the jaw include cases with cystic conditions accompanied by secondary infection, impacted teeth, cortical thinning and expansion, or external root resorption.This study aimed to identify risk factors for complications in patients undergoing cyst enucleation of the jaw, propose a clinical model, and determine the necessary indications for preoperative root canal of adjacent teeth. Materials and Methods: A review of surgical, pathological, and radiological reports, as well as medical records, was conducted. Pathological diagnosis, lesion size, history of preoperative endodontic treatment of the adjacent tooth, operator details, surgical procedures, age, gender, and complications (with severity) were analyzed. Results: This study involved 77 patients (55 men, 22 women) and found 10 complications. Procedure type (cyst enucleation only, apicoectomy and bone graft, or bone graft only) and lesion size were significant risk factors. Preoperative root canal therapy and men gender also tended to positively correlate with complications, while age was not a factor. Conclusion Within the limitations of our study, additional procedures contributed to lower risk of complications with the exception of bone graft.A large cyst size was also associated with a higher risk of complications. It is important to consider the possibility of a second procedure and take thorough precautions to prevent infection when performing bone grafts. Patients should be informed of these risks in advance, scheduled for regular follow-up, and provided additional treatment when necessary.

Background/Aims: We investigated the clinical practice patterns of Korean endoscopists for the endoscopic resection of colorectal polyps. Methods: From September to November 2021, an online survey was conducted regarding the preferred resection methods for colorectal polyps, and responses were compared with the international guidelines. Results: Among 246 respondents, those with <4 years, 4–9 years, and ≥10 years of experiencein colonoscopy practices accounted for 25.6%, 34.1%, and 40.2% of endoscopists, respectively. The most preferred resection methods for non-pedunculated lesions were cold forceps polypectomy for ≤3 mm lesions (81.7%), cold snare polypectomy for 4–5 mm (61.0%) and 6–9 mm (43.5%) lesions, hot endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for 10–19 mm lesions (72.0%), precut EMR for 20–25 mm lesions (22.0%), and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for ≥26 mm lesions (29.3%). Hot EMR was favored for pedunculated lesions with a head size <20 mm and stalk size <10 mm (75.6%) and for those with a head size ≥20 mm or stalk size ≥10 mm (58.5%). For suspected superficial and deep submucosal lesions measuring 10–19 mm and ≥20 mm, ESD (26.0% and 38.6%) and surgery (36.6% and 46.3%) were preferred, respectively. The adherence rate to the guidelines ranged from 11.2% to 96.9%, depending on the size, shape, and histology of the lesions. Conclusions Adherence to the guidelines for endoscopic resection techniques varied depend-ing on the characteristics of colorectal polyps. Thus, an individualized approach is required to increase adherence to the guidelines.

Background: and Purpose Previous research on patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) has shown a 0.5% incidence of major gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) requiring blood transfusion during hospitalization. The existing literature has insufficiently explored the long-term incidence in this population despite the decremental impact of GIB on stroke outcomes. Methods: We analyzed the data from a cohort of patients with AIS admitted to 14 hospitals as part of a nationwide multicenter prospective stroke registry between 2011 and 2013. These patients were followed up for up to 6 years. The occurrence of major GIB events, defined as GIB necessitating at least two units of blood transfusion, was tracked using the National Health Insurance Service claims data. Results: Among 10,818 patients with AIS (male, 59%; mean age, 68±13 years), 947 (8.8%) experienced 1,224 episodes of major GIB over a median follow-up duration of 3.1 years. Remarkably, 20% of 947 patients experienced multiple episodes of major GIB. The incidence peaked in the first month after AIS, reaching 19.2 per 100 person-years, and gradually decreased to approximately one-sixth of this rate by the 2nd year with subsequent stabilization. Multivariable analysis identified the following predictors of major GIB: anemia, estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 , and a 3-month modified Rankin Scale score of ≥4. Conclusion Patients with AIS are susceptible to major GIB, particularly in the first month after the onset of AIS, with the risk decreasing thereafter. Implementing preventive strategies may be important, especially for patients with anemia and impaired renal function at stroke onset and those with a disabling stroke.