1.Multicenter evaluation of the PASS score as a negative predictive tool and the impact of inter-observer variability in pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma risk stratification
Sungyeon JUNG ; Hye-Ri SHIN ; Su-Jin SHIN ; Hee Young NA ; Soon-Won HONG ; So Yeon PARK ; Chan Kwon JUNG ; Kyeong Cheon JUNG ; Young Lyun OH ; Jae-Kyung WON
Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine 2026;60(2):202-213
The Pheochromocytoma of the Adrenal Gland Scaled Score (PASS) is widely used for risk stratification in pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL), but its clinical utility is limited by inter-observer variability of its parameters and inconsistent predictive performance. Methods: We conducted a multicenter retrospective study of 1,518 patients with PPGL from five tertiary referral centers in Korea. Prognostic utility of PASS system was assessed using logistic regression, Kaplan-Meier analysis, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Inter-observer variability was inferred by comparing area under the ROC curve (AUCs) across institutions. Simplified PASS systems were developed based on multivariable analysis of key histopathological parameters. Results: The PASS system was a significant predictor of adverse events and recurrence-free survival. Although the PASS system demonstrated only modest discriminative ability (AUC, 0.673), it showed a high negative predictive value (NPV, 0.885), supporting its usefulness as a screening tool for benign behavior. However, there was significant inter-institutional variability in PASS performance (AUC; range, 0.513 to 0.727; p < .05). The 3-factor Simple PASS, which incorporates necrosis, spindling, and mitotic figures, exhibited less inter-observer variation. The 4-factor Simple PASS, which adds vascular invasion to the 3-factor model, also showed reduced inter-observer variability and improved AUC and NPV compared to the original PASS system. Conclusions: In this multicenter cohort, the PASS system demonstrated high NPV and screening potential, but significant inter-observer variability remains a challenge. Simplification of the PASS system and enhanced pathologist training may improve reproducibility and clinical utility in PPGL risk stratification.
2.Current and Emerging Therapies Targeting the IL-23/IL-17 Axis in Psoriasis
Sang-Jun HAN ; Go-Yeon JUNG ; Gyeong-Cheon LEE ; Dae-Hee KI ; Byung-Seok KIM
Biomolecules & Therapeutics 2026;34(3):519-529
Over the past two decades, experimental and clinical evidence has established the interleukin-23 (IL-23)/interleukin-17 (IL-17) axis as a key mediator of psoriatic inflammation. IL-23, primarily derived from activated dendritic cells, supports the survival and pathogenic function of type 17 immune cells, which subsequently release IL-17A, IL-17F, and IL-22 to promote keratinocyte activation and recruit inflammatory leukocytes. These mechanistic insights have directly translated into the development of highly effective biologic therapies targeting IL-17 or IL-23, substantially improving the management of psoriasis. Beyond injectable biologics, growing efforts to overcome limitations related to long-term adherence, cost, and accessibility have accelerated the development of non-injectable therapeutic approaches. Oral and topical small-molecule agents, including selective tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitors and IL-23 receptor antagonists, are now broadening the therapeutic options. At the same time, progress in molecular engineering, artificial intelligence–guided protein design, and spatial multi-omic technologies are refining therapeutic discovery and enabling more precise targeting of pathogenic immune circuits. In this review, we outline the current understanding of the IL-23/IL-17 pathway in psoriasis pathogenesis and provide a critical overview of approved and emerging therapies directed at this pathway. We also address key biological and translational challenges, including tissue-specific cytokine functions, interspecies differences, and long-term safety considerations, and discuss how these factors may inform future strategies for precision immunotherapy in psoriasis.
3.Ultrafast MRI for Pediatric Brain Assessment in Routine Clinical Practice
Hee Eun MOON ; Ji Young HA ; Jae Won CHOI ; Seung Hyun LEE ; Jae-Yeon HWANG ; Young Hun CHOI ; Jung-Eun CHEON ; Yeon Jin CHO
Korean Journal of Radiology 2025;26(1):75-87
Objective:
To assess the feasibility of ultrafast brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in pediatric patients.
Materials and Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed 194 pediatric patients aged 0 to 19 years (median 10.2 years) who underwent both ultrafast and conventional brain MRI between May 2019 and August 2020. Ultrafast MRI sequences included T1 and T2-weighted images (T1WI and T2WI), fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), T2*-weighted image (T2*WI), and diffusion-weighted image (DWI). Qualitative image quality and lesion evaluations were conducted on 5-point Likert scales by two blinded radiologists, with quantitative assessment of lesion count and size on T1WI, T2WI, and FLAIR sequences for each protocol. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analyses were used for comparison.
Results:
The total scan times for equivalent image contrasts were 1 minute 44 seconds for ultrafast MRI and 15 minutes 30 seconds for conventional MRI. Overall, image quality was lower in ultrafast MRI than in conventional MRI, with mean quality scores ranging from 2.0 to 4.8 for ultrafast MRI and 4.8 to 5.0 for conventional MRI across sequences (P < 0.001 for T1WI, T2WI, FLAIR, and T2*WI for both readers; P = 0.018 [reader 1] and 0.031 [reader 2] for DWI). Lesion detection rates on ultrafast MRI relative to conventional MRI were as follows: T1WI, 97.1%; T2WI, 99.6%; FLAIR, 92.9%; T2*WI, 74.1%; and DWI, 100%. The ICC (95% confidence interval) for lesion size measurements between ultrafast and conventional MRI was as follows: T1WI, 0.998 (0.996–0.999); T2WI, 0.998 (0.997–0.999); and FLAIR, 0.99 (0.985–0.994).
Conclusion
Ultrafast MRI significantly reduces scan time and provides acceptable results, albeit with slightly lower image quality than conventional MRI, for evaluating intracranial abnormalities in pediatric patients.
4.Ultrafast MRI for Pediatric Brain Assessment in Routine Clinical Practice
Hee Eun MOON ; Ji Young HA ; Jae Won CHOI ; Seung Hyun LEE ; Jae-Yeon HWANG ; Young Hun CHOI ; Jung-Eun CHEON ; Yeon Jin CHO
Korean Journal of Radiology 2025;26(1):75-87
Objective:
To assess the feasibility of ultrafast brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in pediatric patients.
Materials and Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed 194 pediatric patients aged 0 to 19 years (median 10.2 years) who underwent both ultrafast and conventional brain MRI between May 2019 and August 2020. Ultrafast MRI sequences included T1 and T2-weighted images (T1WI and T2WI), fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), T2*-weighted image (T2*WI), and diffusion-weighted image (DWI). Qualitative image quality and lesion evaluations were conducted on 5-point Likert scales by two blinded radiologists, with quantitative assessment of lesion count and size on T1WI, T2WI, and FLAIR sequences for each protocol. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analyses were used for comparison.
Results:
The total scan times for equivalent image contrasts were 1 minute 44 seconds for ultrafast MRI and 15 minutes 30 seconds for conventional MRI. Overall, image quality was lower in ultrafast MRI than in conventional MRI, with mean quality scores ranging from 2.0 to 4.8 for ultrafast MRI and 4.8 to 5.0 for conventional MRI across sequences (P < 0.001 for T1WI, T2WI, FLAIR, and T2*WI for both readers; P = 0.018 [reader 1] and 0.031 [reader 2] for DWI). Lesion detection rates on ultrafast MRI relative to conventional MRI were as follows: T1WI, 97.1%; T2WI, 99.6%; FLAIR, 92.9%; T2*WI, 74.1%; and DWI, 100%. The ICC (95% confidence interval) for lesion size measurements between ultrafast and conventional MRI was as follows: T1WI, 0.998 (0.996–0.999); T2WI, 0.998 (0.997–0.999); and FLAIR, 0.99 (0.985–0.994).
Conclusion
Ultrafast MRI significantly reduces scan time and provides acceptable results, albeit with slightly lower image quality than conventional MRI, for evaluating intracranial abnormalities in pediatric patients.
5.Ultrafast MRI for Pediatric Brain Assessment in Routine Clinical Practice
Hee Eun MOON ; Ji Young HA ; Jae Won CHOI ; Seung Hyun LEE ; Jae-Yeon HWANG ; Young Hun CHOI ; Jung-Eun CHEON ; Yeon Jin CHO
Korean Journal of Radiology 2025;26(1):75-87
Objective:
To assess the feasibility of ultrafast brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in pediatric patients.
Materials and Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed 194 pediatric patients aged 0 to 19 years (median 10.2 years) who underwent both ultrafast and conventional brain MRI between May 2019 and August 2020. Ultrafast MRI sequences included T1 and T2-weighted images (T1WI and T2WI), fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), T2*-weighted image (T2*WI), and diffusion-weighted image (DWI). Qualitative image quality and lesion evaluations were conducted on 5-point Likert scales by two blinded radiologists, with quantitative assessment of lesion count and size on T1WI, T2WI, and FLAIR sequences for each protocol. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analyses were used for comparison.
Results:
The total scan times for equivalent image contrasts were 1 minute 44 seconds for ultrafast MRI and 15 minutes 30 seconds for conventional MRI. Overall, image quality was lower in ultrafast MRI than in conventional MRI, with mean quality scores ranging from 2.0 to 4.8 for ultrafast MRI and 4.8 to 5.0 for conventional MRI across sequences (P < 0.001 for T1WI, T2WI, FLAIR, and T2*WI for both readers; P = 0.018 [reader 1] and 0.031 [reader 2] for DWI). Lesion detection rates on ultrafast MRI relative to conventional MRI were as follows: T1WI, 97.1%; T2WI, 99.6%; FLAIR, 92.9%; T2*WI, 74.1%; and DWI, 100%. The ICC (95% confidence interval) for lesion size measurements between ultrafast and conventional MRI was as follows: T1WI, 0.998 (0.996–0.999); T2WI, 0.998 (0.997–0.999); and FLAIR, 0.99 (0.985–0.994).
Conclusion
Ultrafast MRI significantly reduces scan time and provides acceptable results, albeit with slightly lower image quality than conventional MRI, for evaluating intracranial abnormalities in pediatric patients.
6.Ultrafast MRI for Pediatric Brain Assessment in Routine Clinical Practice
Hee Eun MOON ; Ji Young HA ; Jae Won CHOI ; Seung Hyun LEE ; Jae-Yeon HWANG ; Young Hun CHOI ; Jung-Eun CHEON ; Yeon Jin CHO
Korean Journal of Radiology 2025;26(1):75-87
Objective:
To assess the feasibility of ultrafast brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in pediatric patients.
Materials and Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed 194 pediatric patients aged 0 to 19 years (median 10.2 years) who underwent both ultrafast and conventional brain MRI between May 2019 and August 2020. Ultrafast MRI sequences included T1 and T2-weighted images (T1WI and T2WI), fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), T2*-weighted image (T2*WI), and diffusion-weighted image (DWI). Qualitative image quality and lesion evaluations were conducted on 5-point Likert scales by two blinded radiologists, with quantitative assessment of lesion count and size on T1WI, T2WI, and FLAIR sequences for each protocol. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analyses were used for comparison.
Results:
The total scan times for equivalent image contrasts were 1 minute 44 seconds for ultrafast MRI and 15 minutes 30 seconds for conventional MRI. Overall, image quality was lower in ultrafast MRI than in conventional MRI, with mean quality scores ranging from 2.0 to 4.8 for ultrafast MRI and 4.8 to 5.0 for conventional MRI across sequences (P < 0.001 for T1WI, T2WI, FLAIR, and T2*WI for both readers; P = 0.018 [reader 1] and 0.031 [reader 2] for DWI). Lesion detection rates on ultrafast MRI relative to conventional MRI were as follows: T1WI, 97.1%; T2WI, 99.6%; FLAIR, 92.9%; T2*WI, 74.1%; and DWI, 100%. The ICC (95% confidence interval) for lesion size measurements between ultrafast and conventional MRI was as follows: T1WI, 0.998 (0.996–0.999); T2WI, 0.998 (0.997–0.999); and FLAIR, 0.99 (0.985–0.994).
Conclusion
Ultrafast MRI significantly reduces scan time and provides acceptable results, albeit with slightly lower image quality than conventional MRI, for evaluating intracranial abnormalities in pediatric patients.
7.Ultrafast MRI for Pediatric Brain Assessment in Routine Clinical Practice
Hee Eun MOON ; Ji Young HA ; Jae Won CHOI ; Seung Hyun LEE ; Jae-Yeon HWANG ; Young Hun CHOI ; Jung-Eun CHEON ; Yeon Jin CHO
Korean Journal of Radiology 2025;26(1):75-87
Objective:
To assess the feasibility of ultrafast brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in pediatric patients.
Materials and Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed 194 pediatric patients aged 0 to 19 years (median 10.2 years) who underwent both ultrafast and conventional brain MRI between May 2019 and August 2020. Ultrafast MRI sequences included T1 and T2-weighted images (T1WI and T2WI), fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), T2*-weighted image (T2*WI), and diffusion-weighted image (DWI). Qualitative image quality and lesion evaluations were conducted on 5-point Likert scales by two blinded radiologists, with quantitative assessment of lesion count and size on T1WI, T2WI, and FLAIR sequences for each protocol. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analyses were used for comparison.
Results:
The total scan times for equivalent image contrasts were 1 minute 44 seconds for ultrafast MRI and 15 minutes 30 seconds for conventional MRI. Overall, image quality was lower in ultrafast MRI than in conventional MRI, with mean quality scores ranging from 2.0 to 4.8 for ultrafast MRI and 4.8 to 5.0 for conventional MRI across sequences (P < 0.001 for T1WI, T2WI, FLAIR, and T2*WI for both readers; P = 0.018 [reader 1] and 0.031 [reader 2] for DWI). Lesion detection rates on ultrafast MRI relative to conventional MRI were as follows: T1WI, 97.1%; T2WI, 99.6%; FLAIR, 92.9%; T2*WI, 74.1%; and DWI, 100%. The ICC (95% confidence interval) for lesion size measurements between ultrafast and conventional MRI was as follows: T1WI, 0.998 (0.996–0.999); T2WI, 0.998 (0.997–0.999); and FLAIR, 0.99 (0.985–0.994).
Conclusion
Ultrafast MRI significantly reduces scan time and provides acceptable results, albeit with slightly lower image quality than conventional MRI, for evaluating intracranial abnormalities in pediatric patients.
8.Retrospective Study on Risk Factors for Repeated Hospitalization in Adolescents With Suicidal and Self-Harm Behaviors
Ha-Kyung CHUNG ; So-Yeon LEE ; Hee Jin KIM ; Young-Chul JUNG ; Junghan LEE ; Keun-Ah CHEON
Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association 2025;64(4):249-257
Objectives:
This retrospective study aimed to identify the sociodemographic and clinical risk factors associated with repeated hospitalizations in adolescents with suicidal and self-harm behaviors.
Methods:
This study reviewed the medical records of 86 adolescents aged 11 to 19 years, first hospitalized between January 2019 and December 2022. The participants were categorized into a re-admission group (hospitalized three or more times within 1 year of the first admission) and a control group (hospitalized one to two times). The groups were compared based on the sociodemographic characteristics and psychological assessments.
Results:
The school attendance status at the last admission was significantly different between the two groups, with the re-admission group showing greater attendance difficulties. In addition, the number of suicide attempts was higher in the re-admission group, while other sociodemographic factors and psychological assessment results showed no significant differences between the groups.
Conclusion
School attendance has emerged as a key differentiating factor in the likelihood of repeated psychiatric hospitalizations among adolescents with suicidal and self-harm behaviors.Therefore, enhancing school engagement through targeted interventions may help reduce the risk of re-admission in this vulnerable population.
9.Implementation of Pharmaceutical Care Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic Worldwide
So Yeon LEE ; Seunghyun CHEON ; Hye Won PARK ; Sang Hyeon OH ; Jee-Eun CHUNG ; Sook Hee AN
Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy 2024;34(4):242-251
Background:
This study sought to research the implementation of pharmaceutical care services and review the pharmaceutical care services used for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prevention, diagnosis, therapy, and vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods:
All articles reporting pharmacists’ implementation of pharmaceutical care services during the COVID-19 pandemic were comprehensively searched in PubMed/Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases up toJuly 7, 2021, then included in this study. Twenty-four items of pharmaceutical care services were classified into the following 5categories: patient evaluation and monitoring, clinical decision support, compounding/dispensing/administration, patient consultation and education, and drug-related policy research and development.
Results:
A total of 674 articles from 100 countrieswere included, with the United States of America being the most frequently studied country. Across the 5 classified categories,compounding/dispensing/administration was most frequently examined (28.9%), followed by patient consultation and education (25.2%). Among the 24 items of pharmaceutical care services, medicine supply management was most frequently reported on (11.4%), followed by patient consultations (11.0%). The primary implemented pharmaceutical care services for COVID-19 prevention, diagnosis, therapy, and vaccination were public health education, COVID-19 testing services, medicine supply management, and vaccination, respectively.
Conclusion
Pharmacists have implemented diverse pharmaceutical care services for COVID-19 prevention, diagnosis, therapy, and vaccination globally. Further studies should be conducted to determine the correlation between the characteristics of healthcare accessibility in a country and the implemented pharmaceutical care services for COVID-19.
10.Clinical practice recommendations for the use of next-generation sequencing in patients with solid cancer: a joint report from KSMO and KSP
Miso KIM ; Hyo Sup SHIM ; Sheehyun KIM ; In Hee LEE ; Jihun KIM ; Shinkyo YOON ; Hyung-Don KIM ; Inkeun PARK ; Jae Ho JEONG ; Changhoon YOO ; Jaekyung CHEON ; In-Ho KIM ; Jieun LEE ; Sook Hee HONG ; Sehhoon PARK ; Hyun Ae JUNG ; Jin Won KIM ; Han Jo KIM ; Yongjun CHA ; Sun Min LIM ; Han Sang KIM ; Choong-Kun LEE ; Jee Hung KIM ; Sang Hoon CHUN ; Jina YUN ; So Yeon PARK ; Hye Seung LEE ; Yong Mee CHO ; Soo Jeong NAM ; Kiyong NA ; Sun Och YOON ; Ahwon LEE ; Kee-Taek JANG ; Hongseok YUN ; Sungyoung LEE ; Jee Hyun KIM ; Wan-Seop KIM
Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine 2024;58(4):147-164
In recent years, next-generation sequencing (NGS)–based genetic testing has become crucial in cancer care. While its primary objective is to identify actionable genetic alterations to guide treatment decisions, its scope has broadened to encompass aiding in pathological diagnosis and exploring resistance mechanisms. With the ongoing expansion in NGS application and reliance, a compelling necessity arises for expert consensus on its application in solid cancers. To address this demand, the forthcoming recommendations not only provide pragmatic guidance for the clinical use of NGS but also systematically classify actionable genes based on specific cancer types. Additionally, these recommendations will incorporate expert perspectives on crucial biomarkers, ensuring informed decisions regarding circulating tumor DNA panel testing.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail