Purpose: To evaluate the compatibility and usability of test results obtained from the IDRA and Keratograph 5M in clinical settings by comparing their performance in patients with dry eye disease. Methods: From December 27 to 30, 2022, a study was conducted on 30 patients diagnosed with dry eye utilizing both the Keratograph 5M and IDRA devices. The parameters compared and analyzed included lipid layer thickness, tear meniscus height, tear film break-up time, and meibography. A paired t-test was used for statistical comparison. The lipid layer thickness in the Keratograph 5M was graded on a scale from 0 to 4 based on thickness. Results: No significant differences were found between the two devices in tear film break-up time, tear meniscus height, and meibography (p = 0.148, 0.072, 0.124, respectively). However, the tear lipid layer thickness measured by IDRA showed a proportional relationship with the grade assigned by the Keratograph 5M (Kendall R = 0.217, p = 0.037; Spearman R = 0.260, p = 0.045). Conclusions The IDRA device offers the advantage of performing multiple dry eye tests; simultaneously, thereby saving time compared to the Keratograph 5M. Both devices can be used compatibly with IDRA particularly advantageous for providing a numerical value for tear lipid layer thickness which enhances the convenience of dry eye diagnosis and treatment.

Purpose: To evaluate the compatibility and usability of test results obtained from the IDRA and Keratograph 5M in clinical settings by comparing their performance in patients with dry eye disease. Methods: From December 27 to 30, 2022, a study was conducted on 30 patients diagnosed with dry eye utilizing both the Keratograph 5M and IDRA devices. The parameters compared and analyzed included lipid layer thickness, tear meniscus height, tear film break-up time, and meibography. A paired t-test was used for statistical comparison. The lipid layer thickness in the Keratograph 5M was graded on a scale from 0 to 4 based on thickness. Results: No significant differences were found between the two devices in tear film break-up time, tear meniscus height, and meibography (p = 0.148, 0.072, 0.124, respectively). However, the tear lipid layer thickness measured by IDRA showed a proportional relationship with the grade assigned by the Keratograph 5M (Kendall R = 0.217, p = 0.037; Spearman R = 0.260, p = 0.045). Conclusions The IDRA device offers the advantage of performing multiple dry eye tests; simultaneously, thereby saving time compared to the Keratograph 5M. Both devices can be used compatibly with IDRA particularly advantageous for providing a numerical value for tear lipid layer thickness which enhances the convenience of dry eye diagnosis and treatment.

Purpose: To evaluate the compatibility and usability of test results obtained from the IDRA and Keratograph 5M in clinical settings by comparing their performance in patients with dry eye disease. Methods: From December 27 to 30, 2022, a study was conducted on 30 patients diagnosed with dry eye utilizing both the Keratograph 5M and IDRA devices. The parameters compared and analyzed included lipid layer thickness, tear meniscus height, tear film break-up time, and meibography. A paired t-test was used for statistical comparison. The lipid layer thickness in the Keratograph 5M was graded on a scale from 0 to 4 based on thickness. Results: No significant differences were found between the two devices in tear film break-up time, tear meniscus height, and meibography (p = 0.148, 0.072, 0.124, respectively). However, the tear lipid layer thickness measured by IDRA showed a proportional relationship with the grade assigned by the Keratograph 5M (Kendall R = 0.217, p = 0.037; Spearman R = 0.260, p = 0.045). Conclusions The IDRA device offers the advantage of performing multiple dry eye tests; simultaneously, thereby saving time compared to the Keratograph 5M. Both devices can be used compatibly with IDRA particularly advantageous for providing a numerical value for tear lipid layer thickness which enhances the convenience of dry eye diagnosis and treatment.

Purpose: Myosteatosis, defined as fat infiltration in muscle tissue, has been linked to poor outcomes in various cancers. However, the prognostic impact of myosteatosis on renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remains poorly understood. This study evaluated the predictive value of myosteatosis based on an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven computed tomography (CT) analysis in patients with localized RCC who underwent partial nephrectomy. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 170 patients with localized RCC who underwent partial nephrectomy at a single institution between 2011 and 2017. Myosteatosis was assessed on CT scans using an AI-based tool. The patients were categorized into 2 groups according to the presence or absence of myosteatosis. The clinical outcomes, including disease-free survival (DFS), were compared to determine the prognostic significance of myosteatosis. Results: Of 170 patients, 36 (21.2%) were diagnosed with myosteatosis. These patients were older and had a higher body mass index. The myosteatosis group had a higher proportion of females than the no myosteatosis group. Lymphovascular invasion and tumor necrosis were prevalent pathological features in patients with myosteatosis. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that myosteatosis was associated with significantly shorter DFS (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis confirmed that myosteatosis independently predicted adverse outcomes in patients with localized RCC. Conclusion AI-based CT analysis of myosteatosis is a reliable method for improving the risk stratification of patients with localized RCC. Patients with myosteatosis demonstrate poor pathological features and shorter DFS. These findings highlight the potential of AI-driven body composition analysis to refine prognostic models and personalized treatment strategies.

Purpose: Myosteatosis, defined as fat infiltration in muscle tissue, has been linked to poor outcomes in various cancers. However, the prognostic impact of myosteatosis on renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remains poorly understood. This study evaluated the predictive value of myosteatosis based on an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven computed tomography (CT) analysis in patients with localized RCC who underwent partial nephrectomy. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 170 patients with localized RCC who underwent partial nephrectomy at a single institution between 2011 and 2017. Myosteatosis was assessed on CT scans using an AI-based tool. The patients were categorized into 2 groups according to the presence or absence of myosteatosis. The clinical outcomes, including disease-free survival (DFS), were compared to determine the prognostic significance of myosteatosis. Results: Of 170 patients, 36 (21.2%) were diagnosed with myosteatosis. These patients were older and had a higher body mass index. The myosteatosis group had a higher proportion of females than the no myosteatosis group. Lymphovascular invasion and tumor necrosis were prevalent pathological features in patients with myosteatosis. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that myosteatosis was associated with significantly shorter DFS (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis confirmed that myosteatosis independently predicted adverse outcomes in patients with localized RCC. Conclusion AI-based CT analysis of myosteatosis is a reliable method for improving the risk stratification of patients with localized RCC. Patients with myosteatosis demonstrate poor pathological features and shorter DFS. These findings highlight the potential of AI-driven body composition analysis to refine prognostic models and personalized treatment strategies.

Purpose: Myosteatosis, defined as fat infiltration in muscle tissue, has been linked to poor outcomes in various cancers. However, the prognostic impact of myosteatosis on renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remains poorly understood. This study evaluated the predictive value of myosteatosis based on an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven computed tomography (CT) analysis in patients with localized RCC who underwent partial nephrectomy. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 170 patients with localized RCC who underwent partial nephrectomy at a single institution between 2011 and 2017. Myosteatosis was assessed on CT scans using an AI-based tool. The patients were categorized into 2 groups according to the presence or absence of myosteatosis. The clinical outcomes, including disease-free survival (DFS), were compared to determine the prognostic significance of myosteatosis. Results: Of 170 patients, 36 (21.2%) were diagnosed with myosteatosis. These patients were older and had a higher body mass index. The myosteatosis group had a higher proportion of females than the no myosteatosis group. Lymphovascular invasion and tumor necrosis were prevalent pathological features in patients with myosteatosis. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that myosteatosis was associated with significantly shorter DFS (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis confirmed that myosteatosis independently predicted adverse outcomes in patients with localized RCC. Conclusion AI-based CT analysis of myosteatosis is a reliable method for improving the risk stratification of patients with localized RCC. Patients with myosteatosis demonstrate poor pathological features and shorter DFS. These findings highlight the potential of AI-driven body composition analysis to refine prognostic models and personalized treatment strategies.

Objective: Tic disorders can affect the quality of life in both childhood and adolescence. Many factors are involved in the etiology of tic disorders, and the genetic and epigenetic factors of tic disorders are considered complex and heterogeneous. Methods: In this study, the differentially methylated regions (DMRs) between normal controls (n = 24; aged 6−15; 7 females) and patients with tic disorders (n = 16; aged 6−15; 5 females) were analyzed. We performed an epigenome-wide association study of tic disorders in Korean children. The tics were assessed using Yale Global Tic Severity Scale. The DNA methylation data consisted of 726,945 cytosine phosphate guanine (CpG) sites, assessed using the Illumina Infinium MethylationEPIC (850k) BeadChip. The DNA methylation data of the 40 participants were retrieved, and DMRs between the four groups based on sex and tic disorder were identified. From 28 male and 16 female samples, 37 and 38 DMRs were identified, respectively. We analyzed the enriched terms and visualized the network, heatmap, and upset plot. Results: In male, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis revealed hypomethylated patterns in the ligand, receptor, and second signal transductors of the PI3K-Akt and MAPK signaling pathway (most cells were indicated as green color), and in female, the opposite patterns were revealed (most cells were indicated as red color). Five mental disorder-related enriched terms were identified in the network analysis. Conclusion Here, we provide insights into the epigenetic mechanisms of tic disorders. Abnormal DNA methylation patterns are associated with mental disorder-related symptoms.

Background: Recent diabetes management guidelines recommend that sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) or glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) with proven cardiovascular benefits should be prioritized for combination therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and established cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study was aimed at evaluating SGLT2i or GLP-1RA usage rates and various related factors in patients with T2DM and established CVD. Methods: We enrolled adults with T2DM aged ≥30 years who were hospitalized due to established CVD from January 2019 to May 2020 at 13 secondary and tertiary hospitals in Korea in this retrospective observational study. Results: Overall, 2,050 patients were eligible for analysis among 2,107 enrolled patients. The mean patient age, diabetes duration, and glycosylated hemoglobin level were 70.0 years, 12.0 years, and 7.5%, respectively. During the mean follow-up duration of 9.7 months, 25.7% of the patients were prescribed SGLT2is after CVD events. However, only 1.8% were prescribed GLP-1RAs. Compared with SGLT2i non-users, SGLT2i users were more frequently male and obese. Furthermore, they had a shorter diabetes duration but showed worse glycemic control and better renal function at the time of the event. GLP-1RA users had a longer duration of diabetes and worse glycemic control at the time of the event than GLP-1RA non-users. Conclusion The SGLT2i or GLP-1RA prescription rates were suboptimal in patients with T2DM and established CVD. Sex, body mass index, diabetes duration, glycemic control, and renal function were associated with the use of these agents.

Background: and Purpose Unlike other immune-mediated neuropathies, anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) neuropathy is often refractory to immunotherapy. It is necessary to compare the relative efficacies of various immunotherapies and develop objective biomarkers in order to optimize its clinical management. Methods: This study recruited 91 patients with high anti-MAG antibody titers from 7 tertiary hospitals in South Korea. We analyzed the baseline characteristics, therapeutic outcomes, and nerve conduction study (NCS) findings of 68 patients and excluded 23 false positive cases. Results: The rate of positive responses to treatment was highest using zanubrutinib (50%) and rituximab (36.4%), followed by corticosteroids (16.7%), immunosuppressants (9.5%), intravenous immunoglobulin (5%), and plasma exchange (0%). Disability and weakness were significantly associated with multiple NCS parameters at the time of diagnosis, especially distal compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitudes. Moreover, the longitudinal trajectory of the average CMAP amplitudes paralleled the clinical courses, with a 16.2 percentile decrease as an optimal cutoff for predicting a clinical exacerbation (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve=0.792). Conclusions Our study supports the use of NCS as an objective marker for estimating disease burden and tracking clinical changes in patients with anti-MAG neuropathy. We have described the beneficial effects of rituximab and a new drug, zanubrutinib, compared with conventional immunotherapies.