Osteoid osteoma accounts for approximately 10% of all benign bone tumors, but only approximately 4% of cases occur in the foot and ankle area. Periarticular osteoid osteoma frequently manifests with nonspecific clinical symptoms that mimic other conditions, potentially leading clinicians down a diagnostic side path and resulting in delayed or missed diagnoses compared to extra-articular osteoid osteoma. Although plain radiographs may show nonspecific findings, magnetic resonance imaging can detect bone marrow edema and surrounding soft tissue changes. Computed tomography is the most accurate modality for diagnosis. This paper reports the case of a 26-year-old female diagnosed with periarticular osteoid osteoma of the calcaneus and was treated with arthroscopic localized curettage at the author’s institution.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Lutein, a dietary carotenoid, plays a crucial role in protecting eye health as an anti-inflammatory agent and antioxidant. Green leafy vegetables constitute a major source of lutein; however, comparative studies on different consumption methods are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the bioavailability of lutein from lutein-rich foods, namely, raw vegetables and raw vegetable juice. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In this study, 18 adults were recruited. They were randomly divided into three groups: commercial lutein supplement (LUT, 20 mg), raw vegetable (RV), and raw vegetable juice (RVJ) groups. Blood was collected at 0-, 4-, 6-, 8-, 12-, 24-, and 30-h intervals after the consumption of each test meal. Participants’ serum lutein levels were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Considering lutein’s wellestablished anti-inflammatory properties, changes in inflammatory status were assessed by measuring serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels. Furthermore, urinary metabolomic profiling was conducted using 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to evaluate metabolic alterations. RESULTS: After consuming each lutein-rich food, participants’ blood lutein levels were analyzed, and the serum concentration peaked at 12 h (0.37 ± 0.13 μg/mL), 24 h (0.61 ± 0.18 μg/mL), and 30 h (0.42 ± 0.16 μg/mL) after RV, LUT, and RVJ consumption, respectively.Additionally, hs-CRP levels decreased following lutein-rich food consumption. Twelve hours after consumption, hs-CRP levels decreased to 0.81 and 0.83 mg/L in the RV and RVJ groups, respectively. Twenty-four hours after consumption, they further decreased to 0.68 and 0.74 mg/L in the LUT and RVJ groups, respectively. Thirty hours after consumption, a reduction to 0.61 mg/L was observed in the RVJ group. Furthermore, after consuming each luteinrich food, N-acetyl glycoprotein levels decreased at 24 h, reflecting metabolic alterations potentially associated with lutein metabolism. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that the short-term consumption of lutein-rich foods, regardless of their type or source, potentially yields health benefits.

Purpose: The male predominance in the incidence of gastric cancer (GC) is established; however, sex differences in the prognosis of GC remain controversial. As such, this study analyzed the prognosis of patients with GC based on age and sex. Materials and Methods: Data from 14,739 patients diagnosed with GC at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital between 2003 and 2023 were analyzed. Baseline characteristics, histological types of GC, overall and GC-specific survival rates (age and stage stratification), and associated risk factors were analyzed. Results: Females were significantly younger (p < 0.001) and exhibited more gastric body cancers (p < 0.001) and tumors with diffuse-type or poorly differentiated histology (p < 0.001) than males. Females exhibited an advantage over males in terms of overall survival (p=0.004), but not in GC-specific survival. However, age stratification revealed significant sex differences, that females < 50 years of age exhibited survival disadvantages (p < 0.001); however, this trend was reversed with age, and females > 60 years exhibited survival advantages (p < 0.001) for both overall and GC-specific survival. This may be explained by the lower ratio of diffuse-type GC as females age. Furthermore, in the analysis according to stage, females with stage IV disease exhibited significant survival disadvantages, with significantly younger age and a higher proportion of diffuse-type GC which exhibits aggressive features, resulting in poorer survival than in males. Conclusion Age and stage stratification revealed significant differences in survival between the sexes, which can be helpful for public health strategies.

Objectives: . Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep-related breathing disorder that is strongly influenced by obesity, the most important modifiable risk factor. Effective weight management is therefore essential for optimal OSA care. This guideline provides updated, evidence-based recommendations for the evaluation and management of obesity in adults with OSA, incorporating recent advances in lifestyle, pharmacologic, and surgical interventions. Methods: . The Korean Society of Sleep and Breathing convened a multidisciplinary panel. A systematic literature search was performed across major databases through 2025. Evidence was appraised using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach, and recommendations were formulated by consensus using the Evidence-to-Decision framework. Results: . Eight statements were developed. Key recommendations include recognizing obesity as a major risk factor; routinely assessing overweight and obesity; and implementing structured weight reduction through diet, exercise, and behavioral therapy. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists are recommended when lifestyle interventions are insufficient, and bariatric/metabolic surgery is advised for severe obesity unresponsive to nonsurgical treatment. Weight loss improves the apnea-hypopnea index, symptoms, and cardiometabolic markers and may reduce positive airway pressure needs. Continued follow-up is recommended even after clinical improvement. Conclusion . Weight management is a core component of OSA treatment. This guideline offers practical, evidence-based strategies to support clinicians in delivering effective, obesity-focused care for adults with OSA.

This study examined sleep-related characteristics among university students and the associations between sleep quality, dietary habits, and diet quality.Three hundred and ninety-three university students (206 men and 187 women) enrolled at universities in the Chungcheong region of Korea participated in this study between November and December 2023. Data on the general characteristics, dietary habits, sleep status, and the Nutrition Quotient (NQ) for adults were collected using a structured questionnaire. The sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index– Korean version (PSQI-K). The participants were classified into a good sleeper group (PSQI-K≤5) and a poor sleeper group (PSQI-K≥6). The dietary habits and NQ scores were compared according to the sleep quality. Compared with good sleepers, poor sleepers had a significantly higher prevalence of eating alone at least once per day (P<0.01) and higher scores for unhealthy dietary behaviors, including overeating, eating quickly, a preference for salty food, skipping meals, and irregular meal timing (P<0.05). Although the total NQ scores and balance and practice domain scores did not differ according to sleep quality, the moderation domain scores were significantly lower among poor sleepers, particularly in men (P<0.05). In conclusion, poor sleep quality among university students was associated with unhealthy dietary habits and lower diet quality related to dietary restraint. These findings highlight the importance of improving sleep quality as a part of health education and dietary intervention programs for university students.

Objective: Cognitive impairment is common in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), and few pharmacological options are available for treating this condition. We evaluated the effects of a digital cognitive training program (SUPERBRAIN), which was previously shown to be effective in populations at risk of Alzheimer’s disease, on cognitive function in individuals with PD. Methods: Twenty-three individuals with PD and mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI) from four clinics were randomized to the intervention (n=16) or control (n=7) groups. The intervention group completed a 12-week, home-based, tablet-based cognitive training program (25–30 min/day, 7 days/week). Cognitive outcomes were assessed using the Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery pre- and post-intervention. Results: The adherence rate was 79.36%. The intervention group showed significant improvements in the Seoul Verbal Learning Test (SVLT) delayed recall and the Controlled Oral Word Association Test, while no changes were observed in the control group. Analysis of covariance confirmed greater SVLT improvement in the intervention group (F statistic=7.15, p=0.015, partial η2=0.28). Conclusion SUPERBRAIN is feasible and can improve cognitive function in individuals with PD-MCI.

Objective: This study aims to understand the structure of meaning in life among patients with cancer through the validation of the Meaning in Life Scale among Korean patients (K-MiLS) with cancer. Methods: From August 2021 to November 2022, participants were recruited from multiple sites in South Korea. Participants completed related questionnaires, including the MiLS, on the web or mobile. Test-retest reliability was assessed between 2 and 4 weeks after the initial assessment. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses and Pearson’s correlations were used to evaluate the reliability and validity of the MiLS. A multiple regression analysis was conducted to examine the sociodemographic and disease-related variables correlated with the MiLS. Regarding concurrent validity, a hierarchical regression analysis was performed. Results: The results (n=345) indicated that the K-MiLS has a four-factor structure: Harmony and Peace; Life Perspective, Purpose, and Goals; Confusion and Lessened Meaning; and Benefits of Spirituality. Regarding convergent and discriminant validity, K-MiLS was negatively correlated with Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory while showing a significantly positive correlation with the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, Self-Compassion Scale, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General, and Functional Social Support Questionnaire. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that the demographic variable influencing MiLS was religious affiliation. Conclusion The K-MiLS had a multidimensional four-factor structure similar to that of the original version. It is also a reliable and valid measure for assessing cancer survivors’ meaning in life after a cancer diagnosis.

Background: Colorectal carcinomas (CRCs) with caudal-type homeobox 2 (CDX2) loss are recognized to pursue an aggressive behavior but tend to be accompanied by a high density of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). However, little is known about whether there is an interplay between CDX2 loss and TIL density in the survival of patients with CRC. Methods: Stage III CRC tissues were assessed for CDX2 loss using immunohistochemistry and analyzed for their densities of CD8 TILs in both intraepithelial (iTILs) and stromal areas using a machine learning-based analytic method. Results: CDX2 loss was significantly associated with a higher density of CD8 TILs in both intraepithelial and stromal areas. Both CDX2 loss and a high CD8 iTIL density were found to be prognostic parameters and showed hazard ratios of 2.314 (1.050–5.100) and 0.378 (0.175–0.817), respectively, for cancer-specific survival. A subset of CRCs with retained CDX2 expression and a high density of CD8 iTILs showed the best clinical outcome (hazard ratio of 0.138 [0.023–0.826]), whereas a subset with CDX2 loss and a high density of CD8 iTILs exhibited the worst clinical outcome (15.781 [3.939–63.230]). Conclusions Altogether, a high density of CD8 iTILs did not make a difference in the survival of patients with CRC with CDX2 loss. The combination of CDX2 expression and intraepithelial CD8 TIL density was an independent prognostic marker in adjuvant chemotherapy-treated patients with stage III CRC.

Objective: This study aims to understand the structure of meaning in life among patients with cancer through the validation of the Meaning in Life Scale among Korean patients (K-MiLS) with cancer. Methods: From August 2021 to November 2022, participants were recruited from multiple sites in South Korea. Participants completed related questionnaires, including the MiLS, on the web or mobile. Test-retest reliability was assessed between 2 and 4 weeks after the initial assessment. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses and Pearson’s correlations were used to evaluate the reliability and validity of the MiLS. A multiple regression analysis was conducted to examine the sociodemographic and disease-related variables correlated with the MiLS. Regarding concurrent validity, a hierarchical regression analysis was performed. Results: The results (n=345) indicated that the K-MiLS has a four-factor structure: Harmony and Peace; Life Perspective, Purpose, and Goals; Confusion and Lessened Meaning; and Benefits of Spirituality. Regarding convergent and discriminant validity, K-MiLS was negatively correlated with Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory while showing a significantly positive correlation with the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, Self-Compassion Scale, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General, and Functional Social Support Questionnaire. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that the demographic variable influencing MiLS was religious affiliation. Conclusion The K-MiLS had a multidimensional four-factor structure similar to that of the original version. It is also a reliable and valid measure for assessing cancer survivors’ meaning in life after a cancer diagnosis.

Microglial activation during aging is associated with neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment. Galectin-3 plays a crucial role in microglial activation and phagocytosis. However, the role of galectin-3 in the aged brain is not completely understood. In the present study, we investigated aging-related mechanisms and microglial galectin-3 expression in the mouse hippocampus using female 6-, 12-, and 24-month-old C57BL/6 mice. Western blot analysis revealed neurodegeneration, blood-brain barrier leakage, and increased levels of neuroinflammation-related proteins in 24-month-old mice compared to 6- and 12-month-old mice. Immunohistochemistry revealed an increase in activated microglia in the hippocampus of 24-month-old mice compared to 6- and 12-month-old mice. Furthermore, we found more galectin-3 and triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-2-positive microglia in 24-month-old mice compared to 6- and 12-month-old mice. Using primary mouse microglial cells, galectin -3 was also increased by lipopolysaccharide treatment. These findings suggest that galectin-3 may play an important role in microglial activation and neuroinflammation during brain aging.