Background: The increasing incidence and mortality rates of tuberculosis among older individuals who suffer from multiple morbidities and are vulnerable to malnutrition are major obstacles to efforts to eradicate tuberculosis in the Republic of Korea. Herein, we identified the factors associated with mortality during anti-tuberculosis treatment in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods: We conducted a case-control study and extracted data from the database of a multi-center prospective observational cohort study in Korea. Among the participants with rifampicin-susceptible pulmonary tuberculosis, the survival group was defined as those who successfully completed treatment within one year, whereas the mortality group was defined as those who died during treatment. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with TB mortality. Results: Among 1,119 participants with pulmonary TB registered between 2019 and 2021, 799 and 59 were grouped in the survival and mortality groups, respectively. Age, positive smear results, alarming symptoms, nutrition risk score, Charlson comorbidity index score, and initial standard treatment regimen were significant based on univariable analysis and were selected for the multivariable logistic regression model. Nutrition risk score (adjusted odds ratio, 2.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.72–3.48) and Charlson comorbidity index score (adjusted odds ratio, 1.62; 95% confidence interval, 1.35–1.94) remained statistically significant in the multivariate analysis. Conclusion Nutritional status and comorbidities at baseline were identified as important factors associated with mortality in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Background: The increasing incidence and mortality rates of tuberculosis among older individuals who suffer from multiple morbidities and are vulnerable to malnutrition are major obstacles to efforts to eradicate tuberculosis in the Republic of Korea. Herein, we identified the factors associated with mortality during anti-tuberculosis treatment in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods: We conducted a case-control study and extracted data from the database of a multi-center prospective observational cohort study in Korea. Among the participants with rifampicin-susceptible pulmonary tuberculosis, the survival group was defined as those who successfully completed treatment within one year, whereas the mortality group was defined as those who died during treatment. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with TB mortality. Results: Among 1,119 participants with pulmonary TB registered between 2019 and 2021, 799 and 59 were grouped in the survival and mortality groups, respectively. Age, positive smear results, alarming symptoms, nutrition risk score, Charlson comorbidity index score, and initial standard treatment regimen were significant based on univariable analysis and were selected for the multivariable logistic regression model. Nutrition risk score (adjusted odds ratio, 2.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.72–3.48) and Charlson comorbidity index score (adjusted odds ratio, 1.62; 95% confidence interval, 1.35–1.94) remained statistically significant in the multivariate analysis. Conclusion Nutritional status and comorbidities at baseline were identified as important factors associated with mortality in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Background: The increasing incidence and mortality rates of tuberculosis among older individuals who suffer from multiple morbidities and are vulnerable to malnutrition are major obstacles to efforts to eradicate tuberculosis in the Republic of Korea. Herein, we identified the factors associated with mortality during anti-tuberculosis treatment in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods: We conducted a case-control study and extracted data from the database of a multi-center prospective observational cohort study in Korea. Among the participants with rifampicin-susceptible pulmonary tuberculosis, the survival group was defined as those who successfully completed treatment within one year, whereas the mortality group was defined as those who died during treatment. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with TB mortality. Results: Among 1,119 participants with pulmonary TB registered between 2019 and 2021, 799 and 59 were grouped in the survival and mortality groups, respectively. Age, positive smear results, alarming symptoms, nutrition risk score, Charlson comorbidity index score, and initial standard treatment regimen were significant based on univariable analysis and were selected for the multivariable logistic regression model. Nutrition risk score (adjusted odds ratio, 2.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.72–3.48) and Charlson comorbidity index score (adjusted odds ratio, 1.62; 95% confidence interval, 1.35–1.94) remained statistically significant in the multivariate analysis. Conclusion Nutritional status and comorbidities at baseline were identified as important factors associated with mortality in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Background: The increasing incidence and mortality rates of tuberculosis among older individuals who suffer from multiple morbidities and are vulnerable to malnutrition are major obstacles to efforts to eradicate tuberculosis in the Republic of Korea. Herein, we identified the factors associated with mortality during anti-tuberculosis treatment in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods: We conducted a case-control study and extracted data from the database of a multi-center prospective observational cohort study in Korea. Among the participants with rifampicin-susceptible pulmonary tuberculosis, the survival group was defined as those who successfully completed treatment within one year, whereas the mortality group was defined as those who died during treatment. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with TB mortality. Results: Among 1,119 participants with pulmonary TB registered between 2019 and 2021, 799 and 59 were grouped in the survival and mortality groups, respectively. Age, positive smear results, alarming symptoms, nutrition risk score, Charlson comorbidity index score, and initial standard treatment regimen were significant based on univariable analysis and were selected for the multivariable logistic regression model. Nutrition risk score (adjusted odds ratio, 2.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.72–3.48) and Charlson comorbidity index score (adjusted odds ratio, 1.62; 95% confidence interval, 1.35–1.94) remained statistically significant in the multivariate analysis. Conclusion Nutritional status and comorbidities at baseline were identified as important factors associated with mortality in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

The purpose of this study is to examine the market and usage status of veterinary orthopedic materials, and to propose revisions to the standards and specifications for these materials. A survey of 153 animal hospitals indicated that knee and fracture surgeries are the most common, utilizing products such as fracture fixation plates and surgical drills extensively. Nevertheless, due to the limited availability of animal-specific options, many hospitals resort to using orthopedic products designed for humans, raising concerns about their suitability and safety. A substantial portion of hospitals (42.5%) utilize human products because of their lower cost and perceived effectiveness. Moreover, 93 hospitals reported difficulties with the use of human orthopedic products due to the absence of animal-specific reference values, underscoring the necessity for appropriate guidelines. The supplier survey revealed a concentration on producing or importing vital products like screws and plates; however, inconsistencies in safety testing were observed. The study underscores the critical need to develop orthopedic devices specific to animals, establish veterinary reference values, and standardize safety assessments across the industry. These enhancements are vital to improve the safety, efficacy, and availability of veterinary orthopedic products, ultimately enhancing treatment outcomes for animals.

Differentiated thyroid cancer demonstrates a wide range of clinical presentations, from very indolent cases to those with an aggressive prognosis. Therefore, diagnosing and treating each cancer appropriately based on its risk status is important. The Korean Thyroid Association (KTA) has provided and amended the clinical guidelines for thyroid cancer management since 2007. The main changes in this revised 2024 guideline include 1) individualization of surgical extent according to pathological tests and clinical findings, 2) application of active surveillance in low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma, 3) indications for minimally invasive surgery, 4) adoption of World Health Organization pathological diagnostic criteria and definition of terminology in Korean, 5) update on literature evidence of recurrence risk for initial risk stratification, 6) addition of the role of molecular testing, 7) addition of definition of initial risk stratification and targeting thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations according to ongoing risk stratification (ORS), 8) addition of treatment of perioperative hypoparathyroidism, 9) update on systemic chemotherapy, and 10) addition of treatment for pediatric patients with thyroid cancer.

This study examines the therapeutic effects of bee venom on dairy cows with clinical mastitis, a common and economically significant disease in the dairy industry. While mastitis is traditionally managed with antibiotics, the increasing problem of antibiotic resistance calls for the exploration of alternative treatments. Known for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory properties, bee venom was evaluated as a potential alternative. Fifty-one Holstein Friesian cows from five dairy farms, all diagnosed with clinical mastitis, participated in the study. Administered intramammarily for seven consecutive days, the diluted bee venom from New Techniques Laboratory Ltd. was monitored for its effects on clinical symptoms, somatic cell counts, and bacterial cultures at baseline and on days 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14 post-treatment. The results indicate that bee venom is particularly effective against gram-positive bacteria, with notable recovery observed in Staphylococcus saprophyticus infections within 5 days. However, its efficacy against gram-negative bacteria, especially E. coli, was less pronounced, showing improvement in 50% of E. coli cases by day 14. No therapeutic response was noted in cases involving Klebsiella pneumoniae. These findings support the potential of bee venom as an alternative treatment for mastitis, particularly against gram-positive infections but highlight the necessity for further research to improve its effectiveness against gram-negative bacteria and to explore its role in managing antibiotic-resistant strains.

This study was conducted to explore the efficacy of bee venom as a treatment for mastitis and to determine the optimal dosage and treatment period. When 6 mg or 12 mg of bee venom was administered to each experimental quarter of mastitis in dairy cow, the clinical symptoms in the 12 mg quarter were noticeably improved compared to those in the 6 mg quarter. There was no significant difference in the somatic cell count (SCC) in the milk between normal and mastitis quarters between the 6 and 12 mg doses, but there was a steady decrease in the 12 mg-treated quarter (p = 0.34). To determine the treatment period, bee venom was administered for 2, 4, and 7 days. After administering 12 mg of bee venom for 7 days, the SCC in the milk was compared before 6 days and after 7 days, and the SCC was significantly decreased to less than 100,000 SC/mL after 7 days (p = 0.01). In addition, to investigate the efficacy of bee venom, the minimum inhibitory concentration for S. aureus, E. coli, and coagulase negative staphylococci was measured, and the results showed that Gram-positive bacteria were more sensitive to bee venom than Gram-negative bacteria, and treatment for Gram-negative bacteria was limited. As a result of this study, it was confirmed that a dose of 12 mg of bee venom and a treatment period of more than 7 days were required to treat mastitis, and that treatment with bee venom alone against Gram-negative bacteria was negative.

The first edition of ‘A Standardized Pathology Report for Gastric Cancer’ was initiated by the Gastrointestinal Pathology Study Group of the Korean Society of Pathologists and published 17 years ago. Since then, significant advances have been made in the pathologic diagnosis, molecular genetics, and management of gastric cancer (GC). To reflect those changes, a committee for publishing a second edition of the report was formed within the Gastrointestinal Pathology Study Group of the Korean Society of Pathologists. This second edition consists of two parts: standard data elements and conditional data elements.The standard data elements contain the basic pathologic findings and items necessary to predict the prognosis of GC patients, and they are adequate for routine surgical pathology service. Other diagnostic and prognostic factors relevant to adjuvant therapy, including molecular biomarkers, are classified as conditional data elements to allow each pathologist to selectively choose items appropriate to the environment in their institution. We trust that the standardized pathology report will be helpful for GC diagnosis and facilitate large-scale multidisciplinary collaborative studies.

The first edition of ‘A Standardized Pathology Report for Gastric Cancer’ was initiated by the Gastrointestinal Pathology Study Group of the Korean Society of Pathologists and published 17 years ago. Since then, significant advances have been made in the pathologic diagnosis, molecular genetics, and management of gastric cancer (GC). To reflect those changes, a committee for publishing a second edition of the report was formed within the Gastrointestinal Pathology Study Group of the Korean Society of Pathologists. This second edition consists of two parts: standard data elements and conditional data elements. The standard data elements contain the basic pathologic findings and items necessary to predict the prognosis of GC patients, and they are adequate for routine surgical pathology service. Other diagnostic and prognostic factors relevant to adjuvant therapy, including molecular biomarkers, are classified as conditional data elements to allow each pathologist to selectively choose items appropriate to the environment in their institution. We trust that the standardized pathology report will be helpful for GC diagnosis and facilitate large-scale multidisciplinary collaborative studies.