Background: Infantile hemangioma (IH) is a common benign vascular tumor that occurs during infancy. Oral propranolol is used as a first-line treatment. However, standardized guidelines for evaluating treatment efficacy, particularly the appropriate timing and parameters for Doppler ultrasound (US), have not been established. This study reports on the evaluation of therapeutic efficacy of oral propranolol solution in IH patients using Doppler US, and aims to propose the appropriate timing and parameters for using Doppler US based on this experience. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 120 patients with IH who were treated with oral propranolol solution and maintained for over 6 months from May 2017 to April 2023. Doppler US evaluation of IH was performed at diagnosis, 1-2 and 6-12 months after treatment initiation, and 6 months post-therapy cessation. A complete response (CR) was identified as a reduction in vascularity along with a decrease in longest diameter (LD) or thickness of 50% or more. Recurrence was evaluated based on increased vascularity or size 6 months after treatment discontinuation. Results: Of 120 patients with IH, 82 females and 38 males were analyzed. IH was first detected at a median age of 12 days (range, 1-240 days), and treatment began at 76 days (range, 27-570 days), continuing for an average of 10.4 months (range, 5-24 months). Initial Doppler US measurements showed an LD of 2.65±1.52 cm and a thickness of 0.79±0.55 cm, with prominent vascularity. After 1-2 months of treatment, LD and thickness decreased by 12.9% and 25.9%, respectively. By 6-12 months, reductions reached 37.2% and 53.6%. CR occurred in 77 patients (64.2%) after 6-12 months of treatment. Eleven patients (9.2%) experienced a recurrence. Conclusion Doppler US is a valuable modality for evaluating the characteristics, treatment response, and recurrence of IH treated with oral propranolol.

Background: Despite the increase in daily alcohol intake in recent decades and the implementation of national health screenings, effective management strategies for alcohol consumption remain outdated. This review evaluates intervention studies on screening and behavioral counseling for unhealthy alcohol use, with the aim of enhancing the effectiveness of interventions and improving health outcomes. Methods: On the basis of the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation)- ADOLOPMENT framework, systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials were examined to investigate the effectiveness of screening and counseling interventions in reducing unhealthy alcohol use. Five key questions were generated, and an evaluation and quality assessment of existing systematic reviews and new evidence related to each key question were conducted. Results: Updating the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and Cochrane 2018 reviews, we identified five new randomized trials that evaluated screening and counseling interventions for unhealthy alcohol use. For Key Question 2, the sensitivity and specificity of the new screening studies were consistent with those of prior research. Brief interventions were confirmed to reduce alcohol use (Key Question 4a), although additional research is required for a wider array of health outcomes. One study highlighted the benefits of counseling interventions for newborn health indicators in pregnant women (Key Question 4b). No new evidence was found regarding the harms of screening (Key Question 3) or alcohol use reduction interventions (Key Question 5). Conclusion This review supports the continued use of brief interventions to reduce alcohol consumption in highrisk groups and highlights the need for culturally tailored research in Korea.

High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is a noninvasive respiratory support system that delivers air that is heated at 31°C−38°C, humidified 100%, and oxygen-enriched at a constant high flow rate of 15−60 L/min. Because of its numerous physiological benefits, convenience, and minimal side effects, HFNC has been increasingly used over the past decade in patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, yet the clinical benefits of long-term HFNC remain uncertain. Several studies have suggested its potential use as an alternative home oxygen therapy for patients with chronic stable lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease, and bronchiectasis. The use of long-term home HFNC in patients with chronic respiratory failure is an emerging area with promising potential. Despite limited clinical research, this review aims to describe the physiology of HFNC use and summarize the current evidence on its long-term application, to provide healthcare providers with insights and perspectives on the potential role of long-term home HFNC.

High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is a noninvasive respiratory support system that delivers air that is heated at 31°C−38°C, humidified 100%, and oxygen-enriched at a constant high flow rate of 15−60 L/min. Because of its numerous physiological benefits, convenience, and minimal side effects, HFNC has been increasingly used over the past decade in patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, yet the clinical benefits of long-term HFNC remain uncertain. Several studies have suggested its potential use as an alternative home oxygen therapy for patients with chronic stable lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease, and bronchiectasis. The use of long-term home HFNC in patients with chronic respiratory failure is an emerging area with promising potential. Despite limited clinical research, this review aims to describe the physiology of HFNC use and summarize the current evidence on its long-term application, to provide healthcare providers with insights and perspectives on the potential role of long-term home HFNC.

Background: Despite the increase in daily alcohol intake in recent decades and the implementation of national health screenings, effective management strategies for alcohol consumption remain outdated. This review evaluates intervention studies on screening and behavioral counseling for unhealthy alcohol use, with the aim of enhancing the effectiveness of interventions and improving health outcomes. Methods: On the basis of the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation)- ADOLOPMENT framework, systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials were examined to investigate the effectiveness of screening and counseling interventions in reducing unhealthy alcohol use. Five key questions were generated, and an evaluation and quality assessment of existing systematic reviews and new evidence related to each key question were conducted. Results: Updating the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and Cochrane 2018 reviews, we identified five new randomized trials that evaluated screening and counseling interventions for unhealthy alcohol use. For Key Question 2, the sensitivity and specificity of the new screening studies were consistent with those of prior research. Brief interventions were confirmed to reduce alcohol use (Key Question 4a), although additional research is required for a wider array of health outcomes. One study highlighted the benefits of counseling interventions for newborn health indicators in pregnant women (Key Question 4b). No new evidence was found regarding the harms of screening (Key Question 3) or alcohol use reduction interventions (Key Question 5). Conclusion This review supports the continued use of brief interventions to reduce alcohol consumption in highrisk groups and highlights the need for culturally tailored research in Korea.

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.

High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is a noninvasive respiratory support system that delivers air that is heated at 31°C−38°C, humidified 100%, and oxygen-enriched at a constant high flow rate of 15−60 L/min. Because of its numerous physiological benefits, convenience, and minimal side effects, HFNC has been increasingly used over the past decade in patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, yet the clinical benefits of long-term HFNC remain uncertain. Several studies have suggested its potential use as an alternative home oxygen therapy for patients with chronic stable lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease, and bronchiectasis. The use of long-term home HFNC in patients with chronic respiratory failure is an emerging area with promising potential. Despite limited clinical research, this review aims to describe the physiology of HFNC use and summarize the current evidence on its long-term application, to provide healthcare providers with insights and perspectives on the potential role of long-term home HFNC.

Background: Despite the increase in daily alcohol intake in recent decades and the implementation of national health screenings, effective management strategies for alcohol consumption remain outdated. This review evaluates intervention studies on screening and behavioral counseling for unhealthy alcohol use, with the aim of enhancing the effectiveness of interventions and improving health outcomes. Methods: On the basis of the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation)- ADOLOPMENT framework, systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials were examined to investigate the effectiveness of screening and counseling interventions in reducing unhealthy alcohol use. Five key questions were generated, and an evaluation and quality assessment of existing systematic reviews and new evidence related to each key question were conducted. Results: Updating the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and Cochrane 2018 reviews, we identified five new randomized trials that evaluated screening and counseling interventions for unhealthy alcohol use. For Key Question 2, the sensitivity and specificity of the new screening studies were consistent with those of prior research. Brief interventions were confirmed to reduce alcohol use (Key Question 4a), although additional research is required for a wider array of health outcomes. One study highlighted the benefits of counseling interventions for newborn health indicators in pregnant women (Key Question 4b). No new evidence was found regarding the harms of screening (Key Question 3) or alcohol use reduction interventions (Key Question 5). Conclusion This review supports the continued use of brief interventions to reduce alcohol consumption in highrisk groups and highlights the need for culturally tailored research in Korea.