Purpose: Since 1995, the Korean Gastric Cancer Association (KGCA) has been periodically conducting nationwide surveys on patients with surgically treated gastric cancer. This study details the results of the survey conducted in 2023. Materials and Methods: The survey was conducted from March to December 2024 using a standardized case report form. Data were collected on 86 items, including patient demographics, tumor characteristics, surgical procedures, and surgical outcomes. The results of the 2023 survey were compared with those of previous surveys. Results: Data from 12,751 cases were collected from 66 institutions. The mean patient age was 64.6 years, and the proportion of patients aged ≥71 years increased from 9.1% in 1995 to 31.7% in 2023. The proportion of upper-third tumors slightly decreased to 16.8% compared to 20.9% in 2019. Early gastric cancer accounted for 63.1% of cases in 2023.Regarding operative procedures, a totally laparoscopic approach was most frequently applied (63.2%) in 2023, while robotic gastrectomy steadily increased to 9.5% from 2.1% in 2014.The most common anastomotic method was the Billroth II procedure (48.8%) after distal gastrectomy and double-tract reconstruction (51.9%) after proximal gastrectomy in 2023.However, the proportion of esophago-gastrostomy with anti-reflux procedures increased to 30.9%. The rates of post-operative mortality and overall complications were 1.0% and 15.3%, respectively. Conclusions The results of the 2023 nationwide survey demonstrate the current status of gastric cancer treatment in Korea. This information will provide a basis for future gastric cancer research.

Purpose: Since 1995, the Korean Gastric Cancer Association (KGCA) has been periodically conducting nationwide surveys on patients with surgically treated gastric cancer. This study details the results of the survey conducted in 2023. Materials and Methods: The survey was conducted from March to December 2024 using a standardized case report form. Data were collected on 86 items, including patient demographics, tumor characteristics, surgical procedures, and surgical outcomes. The results of the 2023 survey were compared with those of previous surveys. Results: Data from 12,751 cases were collected from 66 institutions. The mean patient age was 64.6 years, and the proportion of patients aged ≥71 years increased from 9.1% in 1995 to 31.7% in 2023. The proportion of upper-third tumors slightly decreased to 16.8% compared to 20.9% in 2019. Early gastric cancer accounted for 63.1% of cases in 2023.Regarding operative procedures, a totally laparoscopic approach was most frequently applied (63.2%) in 2023, while robotic gastrectomy steadily increased to 9.5% from 2.1% in 2014.The most common anastomotic method was the Billroth II procedure (48.8%) after distal gastrectomy and double-tract reconstruction (51.9%) after proximal gastrectomy in 2023.However, the proportion of esophago-gastrostomy with anti-reflux procedures increased to 30.9%. The rates of post-operative mortality and overall complications were 1.0% and 15.3%, respectively. Conclusions The results of the 2023 nationwide survey demonstrate the current status of gastric cancer treatment in Korea. This information will provide a basis for future gastric cancer research.

Purpose: Since 1995, the Korean Gastric Cancer Association (KGCA) has been periodically conducting nationwide surveys on patients with surgically treated gastric cancer. This study details the results of the survey conducted in 2023. Materials and Methods: The survey was conducted from March to December 2024 using a standardized case report form. Data were collected on 86 items, including patient demographics, tumor characteristics, surgical procedures, and surgical outcomes. The results of the 2023 survey were compared with those of previous surveys. Results: Data from 12,751 cases were collected from 66 institutions. The mean patient age was 64.6 years, and the proportion of patients aged ≥71 years increased from 9.1% in 1995 to 31.7% in 2023. The proportion of upper-third tumors slightly decreased to 16.8% compared to 20.9% in 2019. Early gastric cancer accounted for 63.1% of cases in 2023.Regarding operative procedures, a totally laparoscopic approach was most frequently applied (63.2%) in 2023, while robotic gastrectomy steadily increased to 9.5% from 2.1% in 2014.The most common anastomotic method was the Billroth II procedure (48.8%) after distal gastrectomy and double-tract reconstruction (51.9%) after proximal gastrectomy in 2023.However, the proportion of esophago-gastrostomy with anti-reflux procedures increased to 30.9%. The rates of post-operative mortality and overall complications were 1.0% and 15.3%, respectively. Conclusions The results of the 2023 nationwide survey demonstrate the current status of gastric cancer treatment in Korea. This information will provide a basis for future gastric cancer research.

Transferrin saturation (TSAT) has been used as an indicator of iron deficiency. However, there is no consensus regarding its optimal range for patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We aimed to analyze the effect of TSAT on the prognosis of patients with non-dialysis CKD (NDCKD). Methods: From 2011 to 2016, 2157 NDCKD patients with baseline TSAT measurements were followed for 10 years. Patients were divided into three groups based on baseline TSAT values: <25%, ≥25% and <45%, and ≥45%. All-cause mortality and 4-point major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were analyzed using multivariable Cox regression analysis. Other iron biomarkers and mortality were also analyzed. Results: During a mean follow-up of 7.1 ± 2.9 years, 182 of a total of 2,157 patients (8.4%) died. Compared with the TSAT ≥25% and <45% group, the TSAT <25% group showed significantly increased all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.44; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02–2.03; p = 0.04). The occurrence of 4-point MACE was significantly increased in univariable analysis in the TSAT <25% group (HR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.02–2.15; p = 0.04), but it was not significant in the multivariable analysis (HR, 1.38; 95% CI, 0.89–2.15; p = 0.15). Tertile comparisons of the iron-to-log-ferritin ratio showed increased mortality in the first tertile group. Conclusion: TSAT <25% is an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality in patients with NDCKD and care should be taken to prevent TSAT values of <25%. Other indicators, such as serum iron and iron-to-log-ferritin ratio, may also be used to assess iron deficiency.

Purpose: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of repeated injections of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes on the erectile dysfunction (ED) of bilateral cavernous nerve injury (BCNI) rat model and to identify potential target genes of these injections. Materials and Methods: MSC-derived exosomes were isolated using an aqueous two-phase system. Rats were randomly assigned into four groups: Normal, BCNI, exosome once, and exosome-repeat groups. After four weeks, we measured the intracavernosal pressure (ICP)/mean arterial pressure (MAP) ratio to evaluate erectile function and examined cavernous nerve tissues for histological and molecular analyses. RNA sequencing in penile tissues was used to determine differentially expressed genes and was verified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were used for in vitro studies to analyze biological roles. Results: The ICP/MAP ratios in the exosome-once and exosome-repeat groups were significantly increased compared to those in the BCNI group. Interestingly, the ICP/MAP ratio showed a greater increase in the exosome-repeat group, which also showed significantly increased smooth muscle/collagen ratio, α-smooth muscle actin and neuronal nitric oxide synthase expression, and cyclic guanosine monophosphate level compared to the BCNI and exosome-once groups. Three genes were significantly differentially expressed in the exosome group, among which Ras homolog family member B promoted cell proliferation and angiogenesis of HUVECs. Conclusions Repeated injections of MSC-derived exosomes can be effective in the treatment of rat models with ED induced by cavernous nerve injury.

Purpose: The clinical characteristics of headaches vary by age among pediatric patients. Red flag signs are key factors in differentiating secondary headaches and should be considered in the context of the patient’s age. Methods: This study involved a retrospective chart review of pediatric patients presenting with headaches. Patients were categorized by age into three groups: pre-school age (under 6 years), school-age (6 to 12 years), and adolescence (over 12 years). Demographic data, headache characteristics, laboratory findings, and neuroimaging results were evaluated. Overall, 17 potential red flags were assessed. Results: A total of 687 patients were included, of whom 102 were of pre-school age, 314 were school-aged, and 271 were adolescents. The frequency of overweight/obesity was found to increase with age. The pre-school age group experienced a shorter period from symptom onset to presentation and a briefer duration of pain. In contrast, adolescents displayed a longer period from symptom onset, a greater frequency of headaches occurring at least three times per week, and a higher rate of headache episodes lasting over 3 days. Children under 6 years old were more commonly diagnosed with secondary headaches than older children. Across age groups, secondary headaches were suspected when systemic symptoms such as fever were present, when the headache had a sudden onset, when the patient responded poorly to medication, or when abnormal neurological signs and symptoms were observed. Conclusion The clinical features of pediatric patients vary by age group. Clinicians should consider red flag signs in the context of patient age and individual characteristics.

Purpose: Electroencephalography (EEG) is useful for clarifying the association between cortical activity and cognitive processes in children. We investigated whether EEG abnormalities were correlated with developmental delay/intellectual disability (DD/ID) in the absence of clinical seizures. Methods: We retrospectively identified 166 children with DD/ID who underwent EEG at Pusan National University Hospital between January 2011 and December 2021. We compared clinical characteristics and test results between those with normal and those with abnormal EEGs. Additionally, we analyzed EEG abnormalities in relation to neurodevelopmental disorders, specifically autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Results: Of the 166 patients, 39 (23.5%) displayed abnormal EEGs, while 127 (76.5%) had normal EEGs. Of the former, 25 (64.1%) patients exhibited epileptiform discharges, including 22 (56.3%) with focal and three (7.7%) with generalized discharges. Focal discharges most frequently affected the central area (35.9%). Twenty patients (51.3%) exhibited rhythmic slowing patterns. Epilepsy diagnoses were significantly more common among patients with abnormal EEGs (n=8, 20.5%) than among those with normal EEGs (n=9, 7.1%) (P<0.001). Of 22 patients with ASD, five (12.8%) had abnormal EEGs. Of 13 patients with ADHD, five (36.4%) had abnormal EEGs, all with epileptiform discharges. Two patients with ASD and two with ADHD exhibited rhythmic slowing. Abnormal EEG findings were significantly more common among those with genetic abnormalities compared to genetically normal patients (26 vs. 13, P=0.017). Conclusion EEG represents a potential screening tool for children with DD. Abnormal EEG findings are associated with increased epilepsy risk, informing diagnosis and treatment planning.