Background: It is unclear whether long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) has a potential carcinogenic effect on the colorectum. Methods: We reviewed a consecutive series of neurosurgery outpatients who underwent two or more colonoscopies between January 2014 and April 2023. Patients in whom the timing of endoscopy was not in accordance with the guidelines and those without a history of previous endoscopy were excluded. In the second colonoscopy, the risk of adenomatous colon polyps was evaluated depending on whether the patient had taken a PPI. Results: In total, 520 patients were enrolled. In the multivariate analysis related to the risk of adenomatous colon polyps, age and aspirin use for >5 years were identified as significant factors. After excluding patients who had taken aspirin for >5 years, the patients were divided into three groups: those who had taken PPIs for >12 months, those who had taken PPIs for >3 months but <12 months, and those who had not taken PPIs. The risk of adenomatous colon polyps in these groups was 35.2%, 32.8%, and 22.8%, respectively (p=0.10). In the post-hoc analysis, there was a significant difference between patients who took PPIs and those who did not (p=0.03). In the multivariate analysis, a history of PPI use for >12 months was a significant risk factor for the development of advanced colon polyps (p=0.03). Conclusion Prolonged PPI use appears to increase the risk of developing adenomatous and advanced colon polyps.

Background: It is unclear whether long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) has a potential carcinogenic effect on the colorectum. Methods: We reviewed a consecutive series of neurosurgery outpatients who underwent two or more colonoscopies between January 2014 and April 2023. Patients in whom the timing of endoscopy was not in accordance with the guidelines and those without a history of previous endoscopy were excluded. In the second colonoscopy, the risk of adenomatous colon polyps was evaluated depending on whether the patient had taken a PPI. Results: In total, 520 patients were enrolled. In the multivariate analysis related to the risk of adenomatous colon polyps, age and aspirin use for >5 years were identified as significant factors. After excluding patients who had taken aspirin for >5 years, the patients were divided into three groups: those who had taken PPIs for >12 months, those who had taken PPIs for >3 months but <12 months, and those who had not taken PPIs. The risk of adenomatous colon polyps in these groups was 35.2%, 32.8%, and 22.8%, respectively (p=0.10). In the post-hoc analysis, there was a significant difference between patients who took PPIs and those who did not (p=0.03). In the multivariate analysis, a history of PPI use for >12 months was a significant risk factor for the development of advanced colon polyps (p=0.03). Conclusion Prolonged PPI use appears to increase the risk of developing adenomatous and advanced colon polyps.

Purpose: To examine the factors impacting cone contrast sensitivity in Koreans aged > 60 years who are scheduled for cataract surgery and do not have congenital color vision deficiencies. Methods: The ColorDx Cone contrast test HD® (CCT-HD; Konan Medical, Inc., CA, USA) was administered to 33 Korean individuals (33 eyes) to evaluate CCT scores before and after cataract surgery, as well as changes in CCT scores according to the degree of progression by cataract type. Correlations between CCT scores and age, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), regional retinal thickness, and length of the photoreceptor outer segment (PROS) at the fovea were analyzed in pseudophakic eyes. Results: Average scores for short-, medium-, and long-wavelength cone contrast sensitivity tests (S-CCT, M-CCT, and L-CCT, respectively) improved after surgery (p = 0.010, p = 0.001, and p = 0.028, respectively). Comparing CCT score changes before and after surgery by cataract progression, higher cataract grades were associated with greater CCT score changes, though the differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). In pseudophakic eyes, S-CCT scores negatively correlated with age (p = 0.017). No significant correlations were found between S-CCT, M-CCT, and L-CCT scores and BCVA, whereas S-CCT, M-CCT, and L-CCT scores positively correlated with PROS at the fovea (p < 0.001). Conclusions Cone contrast sensitivity in individuals aged > 60 years is influenced by age and cataract status and may serve as a valuable indicator of visual function in clinical research.

Purpose: To examine the factors impacting cone contrast sensitivity in Koreans aged > 60 years who are scheduled for cataract surgery and do not have congenital color vision deficiencies. Methods: The ColorDx Cone contrast test HD® (CCT-HD; Konan Medical, Inc., CA, USA) was administered to 33 Korean individuals (33 eyes) to evaluate CCT scores before and after cataract surgery, as well as changes in CCT scores according to the degree of progression by cataract type. Correlations between CCT scores and age, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), regional retinal thickness, and length of the photoreceptor outer segment (PROS) at the fovea were analyzed in pseudophakic eyes. Results: Average scores for short-, medium-, and long-wavelength cone contrast sensitivity tests (S-CCT, M-CCT, and L-CCT, respectively) improved after surgery (p = 0.010, p = 0.001, and p = 0.028, respectively). Comparing CCT score changes before and after surgery by cataract progression, higher cataract grades were associated with greater CCT score changes, though the differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). In pseudophakic eyes, S-CCT scores negatively correlated with age (p = 0.017). No significant correlations were found between S-CCT, M-CCT, and L-CCT scores and BCVA, whereas S-CCT, M-CCT, and L-CCT scores positively correlated with PROS at the fovea (p < 0.001). Conclusions Cone contrast sensitivity in individuals aged > 60 years is influenced by age and cataract status and may serve as a valuable indicator of visual function in clinical research.

Background: It is unclear whether long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) has a potential carcinogenic effect on the colorectum. Methods: We reviewed a consecutive series of neurosurgery outpatients who underwent two or more colonoscopies between January 2014 and April 2023. Patients in whom the timing of endoscopy was not in accordance with the guidelines and those without a history of previous endoscopy were excluded. In the second colonoscopy, the risk of adenomatous colon polyps was evaluated depending on whether the patient had taken a PPI. Results: In total, 520 patients were enrolled. In the multivariate analysis related to the risk of adenomatous colon polyps, age and aspirin use for >5 years were identified as significant factors. After excluding patients who had taken aspirin for >5 years, the patients were divided into three groups: those who had taken PPIs for >12 months, those who had taken PPIs for >3 months but <12 months, and those who had not taken PPIs. The risk of adenomatous colon polyps in these groups was 35.2%, 32.8%, and 22.8%, respectively (p=0.10). In the post-hoc analysis, there was a significant difference between patients who took PPIs and those who did not (p=0.03). In the multivariate analysis, a history of PPI use for >12 months was a significant risk factor for the development of advanced colon polyps (p=0.03). Conclusion Prolonged PPI use appears to increase the risk of developing adenomatous and advanced colon polyps.

Purpose: To examine the factors impacting cone contrast sensitivity in Koreans aged > 60 years who are scheduled for cataract surgery and do not have congenital color vision deficiencies. Methods: The ColorDx Cone contrast test HD® (CCT-HD; Konan Medical, Inc., CA, USA) was administered to 33 Korean individuals (33 eyes) to evaluate CCT scores before and after cataract surgery, as well as changes in CCT scores according to the degree of progression by cataract type. Correlations between CCT scores and age, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), regional retinal thickness, and length of the photoreceptor outer segment (PROS) at the fovea were analyzed in pseudophakic eyes. Results: Average scores for short-, medium-, and long-wavelength cone contrast sensitivity tests (S-CCT, M-CCT, and L-CCT, respectively) improved after surgery (p = 0.010, p = 0.001, and p = 0.028, respectively). Comparing CCT score changes before and after surgery by cataract progression, higher cataract grades were associated with greater CCT score changes, though the differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). In pseudophakic eyes, S-CCT scores negatively correlated with age (p = 0.017). No significant correlations were found between S-CCT, M-CCT, and L-CCT scores and BCVA, whereas S-CCT, M-CCT, and L-CCT scores positively correlated with PROS at the fovea (p < 0.001). Conclusions Cone contrast sensitivity in individuals aged > 60 years is influenced by age and cataract status and may serve as a valuable indicator of visual function in clinical research.

Background: It is unclear whether long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) has a potential carcinogenic effect on the colorectum. Methods: We reviewed a consecutive series of neurosurgery outpatients who underwent two or more colonoscopies between January 2014 and April 2023. Patients in whom the timing of endoscopy was not in accordance with the guidelines and those without a history of previous endoscopy were excluded. In the second colonoscopy, the risk of adenomatous colon polyps was evaluated depending on whether the patient had taken a PPI. Results: In total, 520 patients were enrolled. In the multivariate analysis related to the risk of adenomatous colon polyps, age and aspirin use for >5 years were identified as significant factors. After excluding patients who had taken aspirin for >5 years, the patients were divided into three groups: those who had taken PPIs for >12 months, those who had taken PPIs for >3 months but <12 months, and those who had not taken PPIs. The risk of adenomatous colon polyps in these groups was 35.2%, 32.8%, and 22.8%, respectively (p=0.10). In the post-hoc analysis, there was a significant difference between patients who took PPIs and those who did not (p=0.03). In the multivariate analysis, a history of PPI use for >12 months was a significant risk factor for the development of advanced colon polyps (p=0.03). Conclusion Prolonged PPI use appears to increase the risk of developing adenomatous and advanced colon polyps.

Although gemcitabine-based regimens are widely used as an effective treatment for pancreatic cancer, acquired resistance to gemcitabine has become an increasingly common problem. Therefore, a novel therapeutic strategy to treat gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer is urgently required. Piceamycin has been reported to exhibit antiproliferative activity against various cancer cells; however, its underlying molecular mechanism for anticancer activity in pancreatic cancer cells remains unexplored. Therefore, the present study evaluated the antiproliferation activity of piceamycin in a gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer cell line and patient-derived pancreatic cancer organoids. Piceamycin effectively inhibited the proliferation and suppressed the expression of alpha-actinin-4, a gene that plays a pivotal role in tumorigenesis and metastasis of various cancers, in gemcitabine-resistant cells. Long-term exposure to piceamycin induced cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase and caused apoptosis. Piceamycin alsoinhibited the invasion and migration of gemcitabine-resistant cells by modulating focal adhesion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition biomarkers. Moreover, the combination of piceamycin and gemcitabine exhibited a synergistic antiproliferative activity in gemcitabine-resistant cells. Piceamycin also effectively inhibited patient-derived pancreatic cancer organoid growth and induced apoptosis in the organoids. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that piceamycin may be an effective agent for overcoming gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer.

Purpose: This study aimed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a preceptor educational program in a children’s hospital. The program’s impact was assessed by measuring improvements in clinical competency, communication competency, and leadership competency. Methods: Four day pediatric nurse preceptor education program was developed using the ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation) model. A single-group pretest-posttest design was employed to assess the program’s effects with seventeen participants who were newly trained preceptors. Additionally, participant satisfaction with the program was measured. Results: Following the implementation of the program, significant improvements were observed in clinical competency (Z=-3.62, p<.001), communication competency (Z=-2.77, p=.006), leadership competency (Z=-2.08, p=.038), other competence (Z=-2.64, p=.008), and total competency (Z=-3.52, p<.001) among participants. The overall satisfaction score was 4.41±0.62 on a 5-point scale. Conclusion The pediatric nurse preceptor educational program significantly enhances the overall nursing competencies of preceptor nurses in a children’s hospital. Further research is needed to evaluate the effects of this preceptorship on newly graduated nurses.

Background/Aims: Compared with other regimens, concomitant therapy (CT) used as a first-line regimen for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is associated with higher eradication rates. We compared the efficacy of tailored therapy (TT) using bismuth added to standard triple therapy (STT) with CT. Methods: This consecutive study performed between September 2020 and 2021 included 210 patients with H. pylori infection. Two participating gastroenterologists prescribed TT and CT. Multiplex PCR assays were performed before eradication therapy to identify the relevant point mutations and confirm clarithromycin resistance in the TT group (n=105). Patients who showed negative PCR results received 14-day STT and those with positive PCR results received a 14-day regimen of bismuth added to STT. The other group (n=105) received 10-day CT. Results: Based on per-protocol analysis, eradication rates in the TT and CT groups were 89.2% (91/102) and 81.6% (84/103), respectively. We observed no statistically significant intergroup differences in eradication rates (P=0.12). The frequency of estimated clarithromycin resistance confirmed using multiplex PCR assays was 32.4% (34/105), and the eradication rate associated with bismuth add-on STT was 76.5% (26/34) in patients with clarithromycin resistance. Conclusions Considering the current and emerging trends in antibiotic resistance, a therapeutic strategy using TT (bismuth add-on STT) is recommended to minimize unnecessary administration of antibiotics.