1.Health Effects of Sugar-Sweetened and Artificially Sweetened Beverages: Umbrella Review and Evidence-Based Consensus Statement of the Korean Diabetes Association and the Korean Nutrition Society
Jong Han CHOI ; SuJin SONG ; Soo Kyoung KIM ; Jae Won CHO ; Jae Hyun BAE ; Shinje MOON ; Jeong Hyun LIM ; YeonHee LEE ; Ji-Yun HWANG ; YoonJu SONG ; Sang Soo KIM
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2026;50(1):32-46
Background:
Excess intake of added sugars contributes to obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cardiovascular disease (CVD), and premature mortality. Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), the main source of added sugars, are consistently linked to adverse outcomes. Artificially sweetened beverages (ASBs) have been suggested as short-term substitutes, but evidence regarding benefits and harms remains inconclusive, and guidance is lacking.
Methods:
This consensus statement draws on a structured evidence review combining two approaches: an updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing short- to intermediate-term effects of replacing SSBs with ASBs on weight and metabolic outcomes; and an umbrella review of systematic reviews of cohort studies evaluating long-term associations of SSBs and ASBs with major outcomes, including mortality, CVD, and T2DM.
Results:
In 14 RCTs (3–76 weeks), replacing SSBs with ASBs produced modest reductions in body weight (–0.73 kg) and body fat (–0.72%), with inconsistent effects on glycemic and cardiometabolic markers. Evidence from 20 systematic reviews of cohorts (up to 34 years follow-up) showed that higher intake of both SSBs and ASBs was associated with increased risks of T2DM, CVD, and mortality, with relative risks for ASBs similar to those for SSBs.
Conclusion
ASBs may serve as a short-term substitution for individuals with high SSB intake, particularly those at elevated metabolic risk. However, regular or long-term use is not recommended due to uncertain safety and potential reinforcement of sweet preference. Public health strategies should emphasize reducing both SSBs and ASBs, prioritizing water and unsweetened beverages as the ultimate goal.
2.Retrohepatic inferior vena cava interposition in living donor liver transplantation for a pediatric patient with advanced hepatoblastoma
Jung-Man NAMGOONG ; Shin HWANG ; Gil-Chun PARK ; Hyunhee KWON ; Suhyeon HA ; Sujin GANG ; Jueun PARK ; Kyung Mo KIM ; Seak Hee OH
Annals of Liver Transplantation 2025;5(1):54-60
Replacement of the retrohepatic inferior vena cava (IVC) after concurrent resection of IVC and tumor-bearing liver is regarded as a feasible living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) technique to cope with tumors around the IVC. This method can make the resection extent of LDLT comparable to that of deceased-donor liver transplantation. We present one pediatric LDLT case with IVC replacement using an enlarged iliac vein conduit to treat advanced hepatoblastoma. The patient was a 33-monthold and 12 kg-weighing girl suffering from large multiple hepatoblastomas invading the retrohepatic IVC. At 2-month waiting after deciding LDLT, we obtained a coldstored iliac vein graft and LDLT was performed with the father’s left lateral section graft. A 1.3 cm-wide and 10 cm-long iliac vein was transformed to be a 2 cm-wide and 5 cm-long vein graft through a double-barrel unification venoplasty. The left lateral section graft was implanted along the standard procedure of LDLT. The patient recovered uneventfully and is undergoing scheduled adjuvant chemotherapy. IVC replacement with vein homograft is a feasible option for LDLT in pediatric patients with advanced liver malignancy.
3.Digital Therapeutics for Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Literature Review of Current Evidence, Target Population, and Implementation Challenges
Journal of Korean Academy of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing 2025;34(Special Issue):36-46
Purpose:
Recent evidence indicates that digital therapeutics effectively enhance cognitive function for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents. This review presents evidence-based recommendations regarding the use of digital therapeutics in rehabilitation and clinical settings for ADHD treatment, synthesizing findings from randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
Methods:
The review examined records up to September 30, 2025, across three main databases: PubMed, Embase, and ProQuest Nursing, ultimately including nineteen RCTs. Key information extracted from these studies included the authors, treatment methods and intensity, outcome measures, and results.
Results:
Game-based therapies were the most used interventions to improve cognitive functions such as inhibition, working memory, response time, and social skills for ADHD in children and adolescents. While digital therapeutics showed greater effectiveness in experimental groups compared to control groups, it's important to note that five studies included control groups that did not receive any treatment.
Conclusion
Moving forward, digital therapeutics for ADHD should be developed as personalized and age-specific interventions, with ongoing research to determine the optimal treatment intensity. Overall, this review suggests that digital therapeutics significantly enhance cognitive function for ADHD in children and adolescent population.
4.Findings of Angiography and Carotid Vessel Wall Imaging Associated with Post-Procedural Clinical Events after Carotid Artery Stenting
Sujin JEON ; Heejae PARK ; Hyo Sung KWAK ; Seung Bae HWANG
Neurointervention 2024;19(1):14-23
Purpose:
Vessel wall imaging (VWI) for carotid plaque is better for detecting unstable carotid plaque such as intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH), lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC), and thin/ruptured fibrous cap. However, the role of VWI before carotid artery stenting (CAS) is unclear. Thus, this study aimed to determine the findings of symptomatic carotid stenosis before CAS on angiography and carotid VWI and to evaluate the imaging findings associated with post-procedural clinical events after CAS.
Materials and Methods:
This retrospective study included 173 consecutive patients who underwent carotid VWI, CAS, and post-procedural diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) after CAS. Findings of unstable plaque on carotid VWI and unstable findings on angiography were analyzed. We also analyzed the incidence of post-procedural clinical events, any stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), and death within 30 days of CAS.
Results:
Of 173 patients, 101 (58.4%) had initial ischemic symptoms and positive findings on DWI. Symptomatic patients were significantly higher in patients with IPH than in patients without IPH (62.4% vs. 45.8%, P=0.031). Degree of stenosis, thrombus of the stenotic lesion, flow delay of internal carotid artery, and flow arrest by filter thrombus had significantly higher prevalence in the symptomatic group. Twenty patients (11.6%) had post-procedural clinical events such as any stroke, clinical symptoms, and/or MI. Hyperlipidemia and intraluminal thrombus on angiography were identified as significant factors influencing post-procedural events after CAS.
Conclusion
An intraluminal thrombus on angiography was identified as a significant factor influencing post-procedural clinical events after CAS.
5.Portal vein interposition in living donor liver transplantation for a pediatric patient with hepatoblastoma invading the portal vein
Jung-Man NAMGOONG ; Shin HWANG ; Gil-Chun PARK ; Hyunhee KWON ; Suhyeon HA ; Sujin GANG ; Jueun PARK ; Kyung Mo KIM ; Seak Hee OH
Annals of Liver Transplantation 2024;4(2):134-140
Liver transplantation is accepted as an effective therapeutic option for unresectable hepatoblastoma. We present a pediatric case of hepatoblastoma patient with portal vein (PV) tumor thrombosis (PVTT) that occluded the main PV completely despite aggressive neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The patient was a 4-year and 2-month-old 17-kg boy suffering from hepatoblastoma with PVTT, which was partially regressed by neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Viable PVTT remained after right trisectionectomy and repetition of systemic chemotherapy. To remove the tumor completely, we performed living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) using his father’s left liver graft.The native PV was completely occluded with PVTT and abundant pericholedochal collaterals developed. The native PV was meticulously dissected to fully expose the superior mesenteric vein-splenic vein confluence. This confluence portion was deeply clamped and opened to use as a viable PV inflow source. A cold-stored fresh external iliac vein homograft was anastomosed to the confluence portion as an end-to-end fashion and passed through the native retropancreatic PV tract after mechanical dilatation of the tract. Left liver graft implantation was performed using standard procedures of pediatric LDLT. The patient recovered uneventfully. He will undergo scheduled adjuvant chemotherapy. Customized design for PV reconstruction using interposition vein graft with viable PV inflow source can result in successful PV reconstruction with complete removal of PVTT.
6.Associations of Polyp Characteristics in Children and Adolescents Presenting with Less Than Five Colorectal Polyps: A Full Colonoscopy Is Still Required
Ju Young KIM ; Yu Bin KIM ; Sujin CHOI ; Yoo Min LEE ; Hyun Jin KIM ; Soon Chul KIM ; Hyo-Jeong JANG ; So Yoon CHOI ; Dae Yong YI ; Yoon LEE ; You Jin CHOI ; Yunkoo KANG ; Kyung Jae LEE ; Suk Jin HONG ; Jun Hyun HWANG ; Sanggyu KWAK ; Byung-Ho CHOE ; Ben KANG
Gut and Liver 2023;17(3):441-448
Background/Aims:
A full colonoscopy is currently required in children and adolescents with colorectal polyps, because of their potential of neoplastic transformation and complications such as intussusception. We aimed to analyze the associations of polyp characteristics in children and adolescents with colorectal polyps. Based on these findings, we also aimed to reevaluate the necessity of conducting a full colonoscopy.
Methods:
Pediatric patients <18 years of age who had undergone a colonoscopic polypectomy and those with <5 colorectal polyps were included in this multicenter, retrospective study. Baseline clinicodemographics, colonoscopic and histologic findings were investigated.
Results:
A total of 91 patients were included. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that polyp size was the only factor associated with the presence of any polyps located proximal to the splenic flexure (odds ratio [OR], 2.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28 to 4.28; p=0.007). Furthermore, polyp location proximal to the splenic flexure and sessile morphology were associated with the presence of any adenomatous polyp (OR, 8.51; 95% CI, 1.43 to 68.65; p=0.023; OR, 18.41; 95% CI, 3.45 to 173.81; p=0.002, respectively).
Conclusions
In children and adolescents presenting with <5 colorectal polyps, polyp size and the presence of any adenomatous polyp were positively associated with polyp location proximal to the splenic flexure. This finding supports the necessity of a full colonoscopic exam in pediatric patients with colorectal polyps for the detection of polyps before the occurrence of complications such as intussusception or neoplastic transformation.
7.Correlations Between Psychological Status and Perception of Facial Expression
Sujin BAE ; Eunhee RHEE ; Beom Seuk HWANG ; Young Don SON ; Ji Hyun BAE ; Doug Hyun HAN
Psychiatry Investigation 2022;19(6):435-442
Objective:
Facial affect recognition is associated with neuropsychological status and psychiatric diseases. We hypothesized that facial affect recognition is associated with psychological status and perception of other affects.
Methods:
A total of 80 images depicting facial affect, including 20 Neutral, 20 Angry, 20 Fear, and 20 Sad, were screened for use in our research. A total of 100 healthy individuals were asked to rate these images using a 10-point Likert scale and complete psychological scales assessing the emotional statuses and cognitive functions.
Results:
The participants’ emotional state of aggression, attention, and impulsivity may have been associated with their interpretation of the Angry facial expressions. The participants often rated the Angry facial expressions as Fear. The participants rated Fear images as Angry or Sad. In response to a Sad facial expression, the participants reported psychological statuses of attention and impulsivity which were associated with the facial expression rating. The participants rated the Sad expression as Angry or Fear.
Conclusion
The psychological statuses of the participants were significantly correlated with their interpretation of facial affects. In particular, a psychological state of attention was often correlated with incorrect affect ratings. Attention and impulsivity could affect the rating of the sad facial expressions.
8.A Fibroma of Tendon Sheath Causing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:A Case Report of an Atypical Clinical Presentation
Ara KO ; Geun Young LEE ; Sujin KIM ; Jaesung LEE ; Hye Won HWANG
Journal of the Korean Radiological Society 2021;82(6):1600-1605
Fibroma of the tendon sheath is a benign slow-growing fibrous tumor. Although rare, cases occurring in the upper extremities usually involve the fingers. It appears as a well-defined, roundor oval-shaped mass originating from the flexor tendon. Abundant fibrous stroma makes fibromas appear as a low intensity mass in all MRI sequences. Most of the fibromas manifest as painless soft tissue masses. Herein, we report a case of fibroma of the tendon sheath with an unusual clinical presentation, triggering carpal tunnel syndrome during wrist movement.
9.Posterior dental compensation and occlusal function in adults with different sagittal skeletal malocclusions
Soonshin HWANG ; Yoon Jeong CHOI ; Sooin JUNG ; Sujin KIM ; Chooryung J CHUNG ; Kyung Ho KIM
The Korean Journal of Orthodontics 2020;50(2):98-107
OBJECTIVE:
The aim of this study was to compare posterior tooth inclinations, occlusal force, and contact area of adults with different sagittal malocclusions.
METHODS:
Transverse skeletal parameters and posterior tooth inclinations were evaluated using cone beam computed tomography images, and occlusal force as well as contact area were assessed using pressure-sensitive films in 124 normodivergent adults. A linear mixed model was used to cluster posterior teeth into maxillary premolar, maxillary molar, mandibular premolar, and mandibular molar groups. Differences among Class I, II, and III groups were compared using an analysis of variance test and least significant difference post-hoc test. Correlations of posterior dental inclinations to occlusal function were analyzed using Pearson's correlation analysis.
RESULTS:
In male subjects, maxillary premolars and molars had the smallest inclinations in the Class II group while maxillary molars had the greatest inclinations in the Class III group. In female subjects, maxillary molars had the smallest inclinations in the Class II group, while maxillary premolars and molars had the greatest inclinations in the Class III group. Occlusal force and contact area were not significantly different among Class I, II, and III groups.
CONCLUSIONS
Premolar and molar inclinations showed compensatory inclinations to overcome anteroposterior skeletal discrepancy in the Class II and III groups; however, their occlusal force and contact area were similar to those of Class I group. In subjects with normodivergent facial patterns, although posterior tooth inclinations may vary, difference in occlusal function may be clinically insignificant in adults with Class I, II, and III malocclusions.
10.Prevalence of Sleep Disturbance in Korean University Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Korean Journal of Health Promotion 2020;20(2):49-57
Background:
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at investigating the current status and prevalence of sleep disturbance in Korean university students and provide evidence to develop appropriate strategies for improving sleep disturbance.
Methods:
Pooled prevalence of sleep disturbance in Korean university students was assessed using PubMed, CINAHL, Research Information Sharing Service, National Assembly Library, Korean studies Information Service System, and Korea Citation Index databases. A total of 1,843 studies were retrieved from the literature search, and 14 studies were included in the analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using comprehensive meta-analysis software.
Results:
The overall pooled prevalence was 48.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 41.6-56.3%). Subgroup analyses revealed that the pooled prevalence rates were 59.2% (95% CI, 38.8-50.7%) in the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)-based and 26.0% (95% CI, 19.5-33.9%) in non-PSQI-based studies, 23.2% (95% CI, 15.6-33.1%) in low-quality and 56.9% (95% CI, 49.3-64.2%) in moderate-quality studies, 35.6% (95% CI, 33.4-37.8%) in studies published before 2010 and 51.4% (95% CI, 42.9-59.8%) in studies published since 2011.
Conclusions
The prevalence of sleep disturbance is higher in university students. Therefore, further studies are needed to identify sleep problems of university students and gain future-oriented insights to develop mediation strategies.

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