Four soluble factors—putrescine, glucosamine, nicotinamide, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) inhibitor BP-1-102—were shown to differentiate bone marrow mononucleated cells (BMNCs) into functional insulin-producing cells (IPCs) in vitro. Transplantation of these IPCs improved hyperglycemia in diabetic mice. However, the role of endogenous BMNC regeneration in this effect was unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of these factors on in vivo BMNC differentiation into IPCs in diabetic mice. Mice were orally administered the factors for 5 days, twice at 2-week intervals, and monitored for 45–55 days. Glucose tolerance, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, and pancreatic insulin content were measured. Chimeric mice harboring BMNCs from insulin promoter luciferase/green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic mice were used to track endogenous BMNC fate. These factors lowered blood glucose levels, improved glucose tolerance, and enhanced insulin secretion. Immunostaining confirmed IPCs in the pancreas, showing the potential of these factors to induce β-cell regeneration and improve diabetes treatment.

Background: Hypercalcemia of malignancy (HCM), a major metabolic complication of cancer, is often managed with bisphosphonates (BP) and, increasingly, with denosumab. We aimed to compare the effectiveness and safety of denosumab with that of BP, with or without calcitonin, in treating HCM. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary hospital from 2017 to 2022 and included 317 patients treated for HCM. Participants were divided into three treatment groups: denosumab, intravenous (IV) BP only, and IV BP combined with calcitonin. The primary outcomes measured were changes in calcium levels and the incidence of hypocalcemia. Analysis of covariance was used to adjust for age, sex, body mass index, creatinine level, type of malignancy, and the use of furosemide and steroids. Results: The mean participant age was 65 years, and 37.5% were female. After adjustment, both denosumab and IV BPs were found to effectively lower calcium levels. Denosumab led to a decrease of 2.0 mg/dL (−15.9%), while IV BP alone resulted in a reduction of 1.8 mg/dL (−13.9%). The largest reduction, of 2.7 mg/dL (−20.9%), occurred with IV BP and calcitonin. Both denosumab and IV BP+calcitonin yielded their lowest calcium levels within 48 hours, whereas the IV BP only group reached a nadir within 72 hours. Despite these differences in treatment effectiveness, hypocalcemia occurred significantly less frequently in the denosumab group compared to the other groups. Conclusion Denosumab and IV BP were similarly effective in reducing calcium levels. However, IV BP combined with calcitonin yielded a more rapid and pronounced decrease.

Background/Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) 3.0 for predicting mortality and liver-related complications compared with the Child-Pugh classification, albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade, the MELD, and the MELD sodium (MELDNa) score. Methods: We evaluated a multicenter retrospective cohort of incorporated patients with cirrhosis between 2013 and 2019. We conducted comparisons of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of the MELD3.0 and other models for predicting 3-month mortality. Additionally, we assessed the risk of cirrhosis-related complications according to the MELD3.0 score. Results: A total of 3,314 patients were included. The mean age was 55.9±11.3 years, and 70.2% of the patients were male. Within the initial 3 months, 220 patients (6.6%) died, and the MELD3.0had the best predictive performance among the tested models, with an AUROC of 0.851, outperforming the Child-Pugh classification, ALBI grade, MELD, and MELDNa. A high MELD3.0score was associated with an increased risk of mortality. Compared with that of the group with a MELD3.0 score <10 points, the adjusted hazard ratio of the group with a score of 10–20 pointswas 2.176, and that for the group with a score of ≥20 points was 4.892. Each 1-point increase inthe MELD3.0 score increased the risk of cirrhosis-related complications by 1.033-fold. The risk of hepatorenal syndrome showed the highest increase, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.149, followed by hepatic encephalopathy and ascites. Conclusions The MELD3.0 demonstrated robust prognostic performance in predicting mortality in patients with cirrhosis. Moreover, the MELD3.0 score was linked to cirrhosis-related complications, particularly those involving kidney function, such as hepatorenal syndrome and ascites.

Background: and Purpose This study evaluated the diagnostic utility of an anti-signal-recognition particle 54 (anti-SRP54) antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as well as the clinical, serological, and pathological characteristics of patients with SRP immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM). Methods: We evaluated 87 patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy and 107 healthy participants between January 2002 and December 2023. The sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA for anti-SRP54 antibodies were assessed, and the clinical profiles of patients with antiSRP54 antibodies were determined. Results: The ELISA for anti-SRP54 antibodies had a sensitivity and specificity of 88% and 99%, respectively, along with a test–retest reliability of 0.92 (p<0.001). The 32 patients diagnosed with anti-SRP IMNM using a line-blot immunoassay included 28 (88%) who tested positive for anti-SRP54 antibodies using the ELISA, comprising 12 (43%) males and 16 (57%) females whose median ages at symptom onset and diagnosis were 43.0 years and 43.5 years, respectively. Symptoms included proximal muscle weakness in all 28 (100%) patients, neck weakness in 9 (32%), myalgia in 15 (54%), dysphagia in 5 (18%), dyspnea in 4 (14%), dysarthria in 2 (7%), interstitial lung disease in 2 (7%), and myocarditis in 2 (7%). The median serum creatine kinase (CK) level was 7,261 U/L (interquartile range: 5,086–10,007 U/L), and the median anti-SRP54 antibody level was 2.0 U/mL (interquartile range: 1.0–5.6 U/mL). The serum CK level was significantly higher in patients with coexisting anti-Ro-52 antibodies. Conclusions This study has confirmed the reliability of the ELISA for anti-SRP54 antibodies and provided insights into the clinical, serological, and pathological characteristics of South Korean patients with anti-SRP IMNM.

Purpose: Since 1995, the Korean Gastric Cancer Association (KGCA) has been periodically conducting nationwide surveys on patients with surgically treated gastric cancer. This study details the results of the survey conducted in 2023. Materials and Methods: The survey was conducted from March to December 2024 using a standardized case report form. Data were collected on 86 items, including patient demographics, tumor characteristics, surgical procedures, and surgical outcomes. The results of the 2023 survey were compared with those of previous surveys. Results: Data from 12,751 cases were collected from 66 institutions. The mean patient age was 64.6 years, and the proportion of patients aged ≥71 years increased from 9.1% in 1995 to 31.7% in 2023. The proportion of upper-third tumors slightly decreased to 16.8% compared to 20.9% in 2019. Early gastric cancer accounted for 63.1% of cases in 2023.Regarding operative procedures, a totally laparoscopic approach was most frequently applied (63.2%) in 2023, while robotic gastrectomy steadily increased to 9.5% from 2.1% in 2014.The most common anastomotic method was the Billroth II procedure (48.8%) after distal gastrectomy and double-tract reconstruction (51.9%) after proximal gastrectomy in 2023.However, the proportion of esophago-gastrostomy with anti-reflux procedures increased to 30.9%. The rates of post-operative mortality and overall complications were 1.0% and 15.3%, respectively. Conclusions The results of the 2023 nationwide survey demonstrate the current status of gastric cancer treatment in Korea. This information will provide a basis for future gastric cancer research.

Gastric cancer is one of the most common cancers in both Korea and worldwide. Since 2004, the Korean Practice Guidelines for Gastric Cancer have been regularly updated, with the 4th edition published in 2022. The 4th edition was the result of a collaborative work by an interdisciplinary team, including experts in gastric surgery, gastroenterology, endoscopy, medical oncology, abdominal radiology, pathology, nuclear medicine, radiation oncology, and guideline development methodology. The current guideline is the 5th version, an updated version of the 4th edition. In this guideline, 6 key questions (KQs) were updated or proposed after a collaborative review by the working group, and 7 statements were developed, or revised, or discussed based on a systematic review using the MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and KoreaMed database. Over the past 2 years, there have been significant changes in systemic treatment, leading to major updates and revisions focused on this area.Additionally, minor modifications have been made in other sections, incorporating recent research findings. The level of evidence and grading of recommendations were categorized according to the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation system. Key factors for recommendation included the level of evidence, benefit, harm, and clinical applicability. The working group reviewed and discussed the recommendations to reach a consensus. The structure of this guideline remains similar to the 2022 version.Earlier sections cover general considerations, such as screening, diagnosis, and staging of endoscopy, pathology, radiology, and nuclear medicine. In the latter sections, statements are provided for each KQ based on clinical evidence, with flowcharts supporting these statements through meta-analysis and references. This multidisciplinary, evidence-based gastric cancer guideline aims to support clinicians in providing optimal care for gastric cancer patients.

Objective: We evaluated the occupational exposure levels of healthcare workers while conducting rotational pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (RIPAC) using cisplatin in a large animal model. Methods: We performed RIPAC using cisplatin in 6 female pigs and collected surface and air samples during the procedure. Surface samples were obtained from RIPAC devices and personal protective equipment (PPE) by wiping, and air samples were collected around the operating table.All samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry to detect platinum. Results: Among all surface samples (n=44), platinum was detected in 41 samples (93.2%) but not in all air samples (n=16). Among samples collected from RIPAC devices (n=23), minimum and maximum cisplatin levels of 0.08 and 235.09 ng/cm2 were detected, mainly because of direct aerosol exposure in the abdominal cavity. Among samples collected from healthcare workers’ PPE (n=21), 18 samples (85.7%) showed contamination levels below the detection limit, with a maximum of 0.23 ng/cm2 . There was no significant contamination among samples collected from masks, shoes, or gloves. Conclusion During the RIPAC procedures, there is a potential risk of dermal exposure, as platinum, a surrogate material for cisplatin, was detected at low concentration levels in some surface samples. However, the respiratory exposure risk was not identified, as platinum was not detected in the airborne samples in this study.

Background: The diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) often relies on pleural fluid adenosine deaminase (ADA) levels. The diagnostic utility of ADA, however, is influenced by the prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) in local populations. Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) cases can exhibit moderately elevated ADA levels comparable to those seen in TPE. As population aging potentially impacts ADA levels, global TB incidence is decreasing whereas the burden of malignancy is on the rise. Consequently, epidemiological shifts and temporal changes in ADA distribution complicate the differential diagnosis between TPE and MPE when ADA levels are within the 40–70 IU/L range. Nonetheless, data specific to this subset are scarce. Methods: This retrospective study included consecutive patients aged > 18 years with confirmed TPE and MPE, spanning from 2012 to 2023. ADA levels in pleural fluid were categorized into three groups: < 40 IU/L, 40–70 IU/L, and > 70 IU/L. The study examined annual trends in the frequency of new cases and ADA level distributions over time and identified discriminating factors between TPE and MPE in cases with ADA levels of 40–70 IU/L. Results: In total, 297 TPE and 369 MPE cases were included in this study. Over the study period, the frequency of TPE progressively declined, while that of MPE increased. In the most recent four-year period, new TPE and MPE cases with ADA levels of 40–70 IU/L occurred at comparable numbers. Multivariable analysis identified pleural fluid carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels and the number of focal pleural nodules as independent predictors for MPE. Specifically, the presence of either CEA levels > 15.7 ng/mL or more than eight pleural nodules yielded the highest diagnostic accuracy with a sensitivity of 88%, specificity of 100%, and an area under the curve of 0.95. Conclusion The differential diagnosis between TPE and MPE with pleural ADA levels of 40–70 IU/L has become increasingly critical due to evolving epidemiological patterns and ADA distribution changes over time. Pleural fluid CEA levels and the characteristics of pleural nodules may offer valuable guidance in distinguishing between TPE and MPE within this diagnostic gray zone.