Shoulder diseases, including adhesive capsulitis, rotator cuff tear, and osteoarthritis of the glenohumeral joint, can significantly impair daily activities in older adult patients. This review aims to examine the radiologic findings associated with these shoulder conditions in older patients, providing insights for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. Adhesive capsulitis, commonly known as frozen shoulder, leads to pain and restricted movement, thereby causing shoulder dysfunction. Recent advances in diagnostic technology have greatly enhanced the sensitivity and accuracy of diagnosing this condition through radiologic evaluations, including MRI, magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA), and high-resolution ultrasound. Rotator cuff disease is another frequent issue in older adults, with full-thickness tears occurring in 50%–80% of cases. Both MRI and MRA are highly sensitive and specific in identifying rotator cuff tears. Additionally, ultrasonography is recognized for its high sensitivity and specificity in detecting tears of the supraspinatus tendon. Although osteoarthritis of the glenohumeral joint is less commonly prevalent, its advanced stages can severely affect the function of the upper extremity. Plain radiography is typically the first imaging technique used to assess this type of osteoarthritis. As the condition worsens, CT is utilized to measure glenoid bone loss, glenoid version, and inclination, which are crucial for accurate surgical planning. Each imaging modality provides distinct benefits: plain radiographs for initial structural assessment, ultrasonography for real-time evaluation of soft tissues, MRI/MRA for detailed visualization of capsular and tendinous lesions, and CT for precise bony analysis.

This review examines the challenges associated with occupational disease surveillance in Korea, particularly emphasizing the limitations of current data sources such as the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance (IACI) statistics and special health examinations. The IACI system undercounts cases due to its emphasis on severe diseases and restrictions on approvals. Special health examinations, although they cover a broad workforce, are constrained by their annual scheduling, which leads to missed acute illnesses and subclinical conditions. The paper also explores the history of occupational disease surveillance in Korea, highlighting the fragmented and disease-specific approach of earlier systems. The authors introduce the newly established Korea Occupational Disease Surveillance Center (KODSC), a comprehensive nationwide system designed to gather, analyze, and interpret data on occupational diseases through a network of regional centers. By incorporating hospital-based surveillance and focusing on acute poisonings and other sentinel events, the KODSC aims to overcome the limitations of previous systems and promote collaboration with various agencies. Although it is still in the early stages of implementation, the KODSC demonstrates potential for improving data accuracy and contributing valuable insights for public health policy.

Helicobacter pylori causes gastric cancer and peptic ulcers, and eradication therapy can reduce the incidence of cancer in high-risk groups. In Korea, discrepancies between the reimbursement criteria and clinical guidelines create clinical challenges. This study investigated the perceptions and practices of experts regarding H. pylori testing during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and any subsequent eradication therapy. An anonymous 8-question survey was conducted among 51 experts attending the 2024 Korean College of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research Summer Workshop. Only 2% of the experts tested all patients. Testing was performed in 54% of patients with a family history of gastric cancer, 32% of those with atrophic gastritis, 42% of those with dyspeptic symptoms, and 62% of those with iron-deficiency anemia. Among patients with suspected infections (based on endoscopic findings) and eligible for selective reimbursement, 82% underwent H. pylori testing. Age did not influence testing decisions for 60% of the experts, and 57% considered factors other than age when deciding on eradication therapy. The practices of the experts varied depending on the patient’s clinical condition and economic burden. Aligning clinical guidelines with the reimbursement criteria is necessary to reduce confusion and ensure appropriate patient care.

Objectives: The success of Helicobacter pylori eradication using clarithromycin-based triple therapy relies on the bacteria being sensitive to clarithromycin. This study evaluated the diagnostic performance of two frequently used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods (AllplexTM H. pylori & ClariR Assay [Seegene] and Ezplex® HP-CLA Real-time PCR [SML Genetree]) to detect H. pylori infection and identify point mutations associated with clarithromycin resistance. Methods: Patients who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy between August 2023 and April 2024 at Incheon St. Mary’s Hospital were enrolled in this study. The diagnostic performance of the Allplex method was evaluated against the rapid urease test (RUT), culture, and Ezplex HP-CLA methods. Point mutation detection using the Allplex and Ezplex methods was compared with the results of gene sequencing. The rates of H. pylori eradication following Ezplex-based tailored therapy were also analyzed. Results: Eighty-seven gastric biopsy specimens were analyzed. For diagnosing H. pylori infections, Allplex demonstrated kappa values of 0.670 compared with RUT, 0.468 compared with culture, and 0.880 compared with Ezplex. Among the 87 bacterial isolates subjected to gene sequencing to detect clarithromycin resistance-associated point mutations, the Allplex and Ezplex methods demonstrated 74 and 76 concordant results, respectively. The H. pylori eradication rate using Ezplex-based tailored therapy was 90.7%. Conclusions This study demonstrated that both the Allplex and Ezplex methods are helpful for diagnosing H. pylori infections and detecting clarithromycin resistance. Furthermore, the Ezplex method was clinically effective for guiding tailored therapy to yield successful H. pylori eradication.

Background/Aims: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are effective in treating cancer. However, various immune-related adverse events (irAEs) have become prevalent, with ICI-induced colitis being the most common gastrointestinal irAE. Thus, we aimed to investigate the incidence and risk factors of ICI-induced colitis in Korean patients with cancer. Methods: This retrospective study included patients treated with ICIs between October 2015 and June 2022 in two tertiary referral centers in Daegu, Korea. The incidence of ICI-induced colitis was determined using electronic medical records. Risk factors for ICI-induced colitis were identified using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results: We included 1,478 patients with ICI-treated cancer. The incidence of ICI-induced colitis was 3.5% (n = 52/1,478). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab was a risk factor for ICI-induced colitis (p = 0.006; odds ratio, 9.768; 95% confidence interval, 1.93–49.30). Conclusions ICI-induced colitis had an incidence rate of 3.5% and was associated with the combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab. Most patients with ICI-induced colitis developed mild symptoms that improved with supportive care alone, making ICI therapy resumption possible.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) presents significant clinical challenges, highlighting the importance of understanding its molecular mechanisms. While store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) is known to play an essential role in tumorigenesis and metastasis, its specific implications across various RCC subtypes remain underexplored.This study analyzed SOCE-related mRNA profiles from the KIRC and KIRP projects in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, focusing on differential gene expression and overall survival outcomes. Functional studies in clear cell RCC (Caki-1) and papillary RCC cell lines (pRCC, Caki-2) revealed increased expression of Orai1 and Orai3, along with STIM1, exhibited in both subtypes, with decreased STIM2 and increased Orai2 expression in pRCC. Notably, Orai3 expression had a gender-specific impact on survival, particularly in females with pRCC, where it inversely correlated with STIM2 expression. Functional assays showed Orai3 dominance in Caki-2 and Orai1 in Caki-1. Interestingly, 2-APB inhibited SOCE in Caki-1 but enhanced it in Caki-2, suggesting Orai3 as the primary SOCE channel in pRCC. Knockdown of Orai1 and Orai3 reduced cell migration and proliferation via regulating focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and Cyclin D1 in both cell lines. These findings highlight the critical roles of Orai1 and Orai3 in RCC metastasis, with Orai3 linked to poorer prognosis in females with pRCC. This study offers valuable insights into RCC diagnostics and potential therapeutic strategies targeting ORAI channels and STIM proteins.

Heart diseases are a significant contributor to global morbidity and mortality, and despite their diverse and complex mechanisms, treatment options remain limited. Maltol, a natural compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, exhibits potential for addressing this need. This study evaluates the cardioprotective effects of maltol in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiac stress models and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Maltol’s cardiac cytotoxicity was assessed in rodent (H9c2) and human (AC16) cells and compared with that of dapagliflozin to illustrate its cardiac safety. In ISO-induced stress models, maltol significantly reduced hypertrophic markers and inflammation while enhancing autophagy and antioxidant pathways. In the mdx mice, a DMD model, maltol treatment improved cardiac contractility and reduced pathogenic remodeling. Enhanced phosphorylation of phospholamban and trends toward higher SERCA2a expression indicated enhanced Ca 2+ handling, which is crucial in DMD cardiomyopathy. This study demonstrated that maltol has the potential to provide therapeutic benefits for DMD and other cardiac conditions characterized by hypertrophy and inflammation, as evidenced by its well-known antioxidant properties, low cytotoxicity, and capacity to enhance cardiac function and Ca 2+ handling.

Donepezil, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, is widely used for managing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), yet its clinical response varies widely among individuals. This study aims to investigate the influence of CYP2D6 genetic variants on donepezil concentration, treatment response, and adverse effects in Korean patients with AD dementia. We conducted a longitudinal study involving 76 patients receiving either 5 mg or 10 mg of donepezil. Genetic testing identified 9 CYP2D6 alleles, categorizing patients by metabolizing abilities. Blood sampling for plasma concentrations of donepezil were performed at steady-state. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were conducted at 12, 24 and 36 months after the initiation of treatment. Adverse events were collected throughout the study period.Donepezil plasma concentrations differed significantly among metabolizer statuses (mean 56.8 ± 27.1 ng/ml in normal metabolizers vs. 69.6 ± 30.1 ng/ml in intermediate metabolizers, p = 0.042), but these differences did not affect cognitive function over three years as assessed by MMSE. Additionally, there was no significant correlation between donepezil plasma concentration and adverse events. Our study is the first to elucidate the associations between CYP2D6 genotype and the concentration, clinical response or adverse events of donepezil in Korean patients with AD dementia. Larger studies are necessary to fully understand the impact of CYP2D6 genetic variants on therapeutic outcomes with donepezil.