Background/Aims: Endoscopic anti-reflux therapy is a therapeutic option for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), providing durable effects. However, clinical data from Korea remain limited. This study evaluates the clinical outcomes of endoscopic radiofrequency Stretta therapy in Korean patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 71 patients with GERD who underwent Stretta therapy at 2 tertiary hospitals in Korea between November 2015 and July 2021. Clinical outcomes, including patient satisfaction, medication cessation or reduction, and complications, were evaluated. Pre- and post-procedural esophageal manometry and 24-hour pH monitoring test results were also analyzed. Results: Patient satisfaction rates at 1, 6, and 12 months post-procedure were 54.7% (35/64), 70.0% (28/40), and 75.0% (21/28), respectively. Medication cessation or reduction was achieved in 31.2% (20/64) at 1 month, 70.0% (28/40) at 6 months, and 67.9% (19/28) at 12 months. Esophageal manometry (n = 21) showed no significant changes in mean lower esophageal sphincter pressure (18.7 mmHg [2.5-52.9] vs 17.4 mmHg [0.0-43.0], P = 0.702) or mean integrated relaxation pressure (8.2 mmHg [0.0-28.0] vs 10.1 mmHg [0.0-31.0], P = 0.840). The 24-hour pH monitoring (n = 18) demonstrated a nonsignificant decrease in acid exposure time (pH < 4) from 2.3% (0.0-8.4) to 1.6% (0.0-7.3) (P = 0.182). Similarly, the DeMeester score decreased non-significantly from 8.4 (0.8-27.7) to 6.6 (0.8-21.8) (P = 0.352). No procedure-related complications occurred. Conclusion Endoscopic radiofrequency Stretta therapy appears to be a safe treatment option for GERD and may provide favorable patient satisfaction and medication reduction.

Purpose: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a particularly aggressive subtype of breast cancer, with approximately 30% of patients eventually developing brain metastases (BM), which result in poor outcomes. An understanding of the tumor microenvironment (TME) at both primary and metastatic sites offers insights into the mechanisms underlying BM and potential therapeutic targets. Materials and Methods: Spatial RNA sequencing (spRNA-seq) was performed on primary TNBC and paired BM tissues from three patients, one of whom had previously received immune checkpoint inhibitors before BM diagnosis. Specimen regions were categorized into tumor, proximal, and distal TME based on their spatial locations. Gene expression differences across these zones were analyzed, and immune cell infiltration was estimated using TIMER. A gene module analysis was conducted to identify key gene clusters associated with BM. Results: Distinct gene expression profiles were noted in the proximal and distal TMEs. In BM, the proximal TME exhibited neuronal gene expression, suggesting neuron-tumor interactions compared to tumor, and upregulation of epithelial genes compared to the distal TME. Immune cell analysis revealed dynamic changes in CD8+ T cells and macrophages across the tumor and TME zones. Gene module analysis identified five key modules, including one related to glycolysis, which correlated with patient survival. Drug repurposing analysis identified potential therapeutic targets, including VEGFA, RAC1, EGLN3, and CAMK1D. Conclusion This study provides novel insights into the transcriptional landscapes in TNBC BM using spRNA-seq, emphasizing the role of neuron-tumor interactions and immune dynamics. These findings suggest new therapeutic strategies and underscore the importance of further research.

This study describes a unique case of single mucin-rich brain metastasis in a patient with breast cancer, mimicking the T2-fluid attenuation inversion recovery (FLAIR) mismatch sign and masquerading as an isocitrate dehydrogenase-mutant astrocytoma. This case highlights the importance of considering mucin-rich lesions in the differential diagnosis of intracranial tumors exhibiting T2-FLAIR mismatch. Clinicians must recognize the potential convergence in imaging characteristics between these metastases and gliomas to guarantee prompt and accurate patient care.

In fully edentulous patients with severe mandibular alveolar bone resorption, the retention and stability of a mandibular complete denture may be limited. There are two primary impression techniques for complete denture fabrication: the open-mouth impres-sion technique and the closed-mouth impression technique. These two methods differ in how they achieve retention and stability, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. The study aims to compare the difference in supporting area, retention, and patient satisfaction between mandibular complete dentures fabricated using two impression techniques: the open-mouth impres-sion technique and the closed-mouth impression technique.

Proper placentation during early pregnancy is a key factor for maintaining a healthy pregnancy. Placental insufficiency leads to critical complications such as preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and fetal demise. These complications are often associated with pathological findings of restricted remodeling and obstructive lesions of the myometrial spiral arteries, which have high recurrence rates during subsequent pregnancies. Currently, there are no pharmacological interventions other than aspirin for the prevention of preeclampsia. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), a well-known antimalarial drug, reduces inflammatory and thrombotic changes in vessels. For decades, the use of HCQ for autoimmune diseases has resulted in the successful prevention of both arterial and venous thrombotic events and has been extended to the treatment of lupus and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome during pregnancy. HCQ reduces the risk of preeclampsia with lupus by up to 90%. Several recent studies have investigated whether HCQ improves pregnancy outcomes in women with a history of poor outcomes. In addition, in vitro and animal studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of HCQ in improving endothelial dysfunction and alleviating hypertension and proteinuria. Therefore, we hypothesized that HCQ has the potential to attenuate the vascular inflammatory and thrombogenic pathways associated with placental insufficiency and conducted a multicenter clinical trial on the efficacy of combining aspirin with HCQ for pregnancies at high risk for preeclampsia in Korea. This study summarizes the potential effects of HCQ on pregnancies with placental insufficiency and the implications of HCQ treatment in the field of obstetrics.

In fully edentulous patients with severe mandibular alveolar bone resorption, the retention and stability of a mandibular complete denture may be limited. There are two primary impression techniques for complete denture fabrication: the open-mouth impres-sion technique and the closed-mouth impression technique. These two methods differ in how they achieve retention and stability, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. The study aims to compare the difference in supporting area, retention, and patient satisfaction between mandibular complete dentures fabricated using two impression techniques: the open-mouth impres-sion technique and the closed-mouth impression technique.