Background and Objectives: Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) is a device that generate vapor by heating e-cigarettes liquid. E-cigarette damages the respiratory immune system and renders the respiratory tract vulnerable to inflammations. However, there are no studies on how the inflammatory reactions in respiratory epithelial cells caused by e-cigarette occur, and the effects of Korean red ginseng (KRG) and saponin on inflammation induced by e-cigarette are unknown. This study aimed to compare the inflammatory reactions caused by e-cigarette and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and to investigate the effects of KRG and saponin on cytokine and mucin expression induced by e-cigarette in respiratory epithelial cells.Subjects and Method In bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung tissue of mice, the effects of KRG and saponin on cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, IL-8) and mucin 5AC/5B (MUC5AC/5B) expression induced by e-cigarette were investigated using real-time polymerase chain reaction, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, and immunohistochemistry staining. Results: Inflammatory cells, cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8) and MUC5AC/5B messenger RNA expression and protein production were increased by e-cigarette, similar to LPS. KRG and saponin decreased the expression of cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8) and MUC5AC/5B induced by e-cigarette. KRG and saponin showed effects similar to that of dexamethasone. Conclusion E-cigarette causes inflammation similar to that caused by LPS. KRG and saponin regulate the expression of cytokine and MUC5AC/5B increased by e-cigarette in respiratory epithelial cells. KRG and saponin may be an effective therapeutic option for inflammatory responses induced by e-cigarette in respiratory epithelial cells.

Background and Objectives: Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) is a device that generate vapor by heating e-cigarettes liquid. E-cigarette damages the respiratory immune system and renders the respiratory tract vulnerable to inflammations. However, there are no studies on how the inflammatory reactions in respiratory epithelial cells caused by e-cigarette occur, and the effects of Korean red ginseng (KRG) and saponin on inflammation induced by e-cigarette are unknown. This study aimed to compare the inflammatory reactions caused by e-cigarette and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and to investigate the effects of KRG and saponin on cytokine and mucin expression induced by e-cigarette in respiratory epithelial cells.Subjects and Method In bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung tissue of mice, the effects of KRG and saponin on cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, IL-8) and mucin 5AC/5B (MUC5AC/5B) expression induced by e-cigarette were investigated using real-time polymerase chain reaction, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, and immunohistochemistry staining. Results: Inflammatory cells, cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8) and MUC5AC/5B messenger RNA expression and protein production were increased by e-cigarette, similar to LPS. KRG and saponin decreased the expression of cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8) and MUC5AC/5B induced by e-cigarette. KRG and saponin showed effects similar to that of dexamethasone. Conclusion E-cigarette causes inflammation similar to that caused by LPS. KRG and saponin regulate the expression of cytokine and MUC5AC/5B increased by e-cigarette in respiratory epithelial cells. KRG and saponin may be an effective therapeutic option for inflammatory responses induced by e-cigarette in respiratory epithelial cells.

Background and Objectives: Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) is a device that generate vapor by heating e-cigarettes liquid. E-cigarette damages the respiratory immune system and renders the respiratory tract vulnerable to inflammations. However, there are no studies on how the inflammatory reactions in respiratory epithelial cells caused by e-cigarette occur, and the effects of Korean red ginseng (KRG) and saponin on inflammation induced by e-cigarette are unknown. This study aimed to compare the inflammatory reactions caused by e-cigarette and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and to investigate the effects of KRG and saponin on cytokine and mucin expression induced by e-cigarette in respiratory epithelial cells.Subjects and Method In bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung tissue of mice, the effects of KRG and saponin on cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, IL-8) and mucin 5AC/5B (MUC5AC/5B) expression induced by e-cigarette were investigated using real-time polymerase chain reaction, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, and immunohistochemistry staining. Results: Inflammatory cells, cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8) and MUC5AC/5B messenger RNA expression and protein production were increased by e-cigarette, similar to LPS. KRG and saponin decreased the expression of cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8) and MUC5AC/5B induced by e-cigarette. KRG and saponin showed effects similar to that of dexamethasone. Conclusion E-cigarette causes inflammation similar to that caused by LPS. KRG and saponin regulate the expression of cytokine and MUC5AC/5B increased by e-cigarette in respiratory epithelial cells. KRG and saponin may be an effective therapeutic option for inflammatory responses induced by e-cigarette in respiratory epithelial cells.

Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in South Korea, imposing substantial physical, emotional, and financial burdens on patients and society. Despite the high burden of symptom and complex care needs of HF patients, palliative care and hospice services remain underutilized in South Korea due to cultural, institutional, and knowledge-related barriers. This position statement from the Korean Society of Heart Failure emphasizes the need for integrating palliative and hospice care into HF management to improve quality of life and support holistic care for patients and their families. By clarifying the role of palliative care in HF and proposing practical referral criteria, this position statement aims to bridge the gap between HF and palliative care services in South Korea, ultimately improving patient-centered outcomes and aligning treatment with the goals and values of HF patients.

Background and Objectives: Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) is a device that generate vapor by heating e-cigarettes liquid. E-cigarette damages the respiratory immune system and renders the respiratory tract vulnerable to inflammations. However, there are no studies on how the inflammatory reactions in respiratory epithelial cells caused by e-cigarette occur, and the effects of Korean red ginseng (KRG) and saponin on inflammation induced by e-cigarette are unknown. This study aimed to compare the inflammatory reactions caused by e-cigarette and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and to investigate the effects of KRG and saponin on cytokine and mucin expression induced by e-cigarette in respiratory epithelial cells.Subjects and Method In bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung tissue of mice, the effects of KRG and saponin on cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, IL-8) and mucin 5AC/5B (MUC5AC/5B) expression induced by e-cigarette were investigated using real-time polymerase chain reaction, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, and immunohistochemistry staining. Results: Inflammatory cells, cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8) and MUC5AC/5B messenger RNA expression and protein production were increased by e-cigarette, similar to LPS. KRG and saponin decreased the expression of cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8) and MUC5AC/5B induced by e-cigarette. KRG and saponin showed effects similar to that of dexamethasone. Conclusion E-cigarette causes inflammation similar to that caused by LPS. KRG and saponin regulate the expression of cytokine and MUC5AC/5B increased by e-cigarette in respiratory epithelial cells. KRG and saponin may be an effective therapeutic option for inflammatory responses induced by e-cigarette in respiratory epithelial cells.

Background and Objectives: Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) is a device that generate vapor by heating e-cigarettes liquid. E-cigarette damages the respiratory immune system and renders the respiratory tract vulnerable to inflammations. However, there are no studies on how the inflammatory reactions in respiratory epithelial cells caused by e-cigarette occur, and the effects of Korean red ginseng (KRG) and saponin on inflammation induced by e-cigarette are unknown. This study aimed to compare the inflammatory reactions caused by e-cigarette and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and to investigate the effects of KRG and saponin on cytokine and mucin expression induced by e-cigarette in respiratory epithelial cells.Subjects and Method In bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung tissue of mice, the effects of KRG and saponin on cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, IL-8) and mucin 5AC/5B (MUC5AC/5B) expression induced by e-cigarette were investigated using real-time polymerase chain reaction, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, and immunohistochemistry staining. Results: Inflammatory cells, cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8) and MUC5AC/5B messenger RNA expression and protein production were increased by e-cigarette, similar to LPS. KRG and saponin decreased the expression of cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8) and MUC5AC/5B induced by e-cigarette. KRG and saponin showed effects similar to that of dexamethasone. Conclusion E-cigarette causes inflammation similar to that caused by LPS. KRG and saponin regulate the expression of cytokine and MUC5AC/5B increased by e-cigarette in respiratory epithelial cells. KRG and saponin may be an effective therapeutic option for inflammatory responses induced by e-cigarette in respiratory epithelial cells.

Purpose: Osteosynthesis of a clavicular fracture can obtain good clinical results even with conservative treatment. The development of surgical techniques and improvements in internal fixation have led to the use of metal plates and screws. Although there are intramedullary nails or minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis that can reduce soft tissue damage, these techniques are not used often because most require a skin incision about the length of the metal plate to be inserted. This study compared the postoperative pain to determine the appropriate injection depth. Materials and Methods: A prospective, single-institute, single-blind, randomized study was designed. The patients in the study had clavicular fractures and who underwent the removal of implant. The patients judged to have difficulty indicating pain were excluded.Ropivacaine was injected between plate fixation and muscle suturing. The visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) use, and additional pain medication usage were measured after surgery and every 4 hours. Results: Thirty-four clavicle shaft fracture patients were classified into 16 patients in the subcutaneous injection group and 18 in the muscle injection group. Seventeen implant removal patients were divided into eight patients in the subcutaneous injection group and another nine in the muscle injection group. In the fracture group, the mean VAS for the subcutaneous injection group was 4.20±2.68 immediately after surgery, 4.47±1.85 at 4 hours, 1.93±1.44 at 24 hours, and 1.60±1.35 at 48 hours. The mean VAS for the muscle injection group was 4.23±1.59 immediately after surgery, 3.00±1.47 at 4 hours, 1.69±1.03 at 24 hours, and 1.31±1.11 at 48 hours; the mean VAS score was not statistically significant in the two groups (p=0.332). In the implant removal group, the mean VAS for the subcutaneous injection group was 4.75±1.58 immediately after surgery, 3.75±1.04 at 4 hours, 1.75±0.89 at 24 hours, and 1.75±0.89 at 48 hours. The mean VAS for the muscle injection group was 3.78±1.20 immediately after surgery, 3.22±0.83 at 4 hours, 1.89±1.17 at 24 hours, and 1.11±1.01 at 48 hours; the mean VAS score was not statistically significant in the two groups (p=0.181). Conclusion The postoperative VAS pain score and PCA usage were not statistically significant regardless of the ropivacaine injection site in clavicular surgery, but each group had significantly different VAS pain scores and PCA usage according to time after surgery. In addition, the muscle injection group tended to have a lower average VAS than the subcutaneous injection group in the implant removal patient group.

Purpose: Osteosynthesis of a clavicular fracture can obtain good clinical results even with conservative treatment. The development of surgical techniques and improvements in internal fixation have led to the use of metal plates and screws. Although there are intramedullary nails or minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis that can reduce soft tissue damage, these techniques are not used often because most require a skin incision about the length of the metal plate to be inserted. This study compared the postoperative pain to determine the appropriate injection depth. Materials and Methods: A prospective, single-institute, single-blind, randomized study was designed. The patients in the study had clavicular fractures and who underwent the removal of implant. The patients judged to have difficulty indicating pain were excluded.Ropivacaine was injected between plate fixation and muscle suturing. The visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) use, and additional pain medication usage were measured after surgery and every 4 hours. Results: Thirty-four clavicle shaft fracture patients were classified into 16 patients in the subcutaneous injection group and 18 in the muscle injection group. Seventeen implant removal patients were divided into eight patients in the subcutaneous injection group and another nine in the muscle injection group. In the fracture group, the mean VAS for the subcutaneous injection group was 4.20±2.68 immediately after surgery, 4.47±1.85 at 4 hours, 1.93±1.44 at 24 hours, and 1.60±1.35 at 48 hours. The mean VAS for the muscle injection group was 4.23±1.59 immediately after surgery, 3.00±1.47 at 4 hours, 1.69±1.03 at 24 hours, and 1.31±1.11 at 48 hours; the mean VAS score was not statistically significant in the two groups (p=0.332). In the implant removal group, the mean VAS for the subcutaneous injection group was 4.75±1.58 immediately after surgery, 3.75±1.04 at 4 hours, 1.75±0.89 at 24 hours, and 1.75±0.89 at 48 hours. The mean VAS for the muscle injection group was 3.78±1.20 immediately after surgery, 3.22±0.83 at 4 hours, 1.89±1.17 at 24 hours, and 1.11±1.01 at 48 hours; the mean VAS score was not statistically significant in the two groups (p=0.181). Conclusion The postoperative VAS pain score and PCA usage were not statistically significant regardless of the ropivacaine injection site in clavicular surgery, but each group had significantly different VAS pain scores and PCA usage according to time after surgery. In addition, the muscle injection group tended to have a lower average VAS than the subcutaneous injection group in the implant removal patient group.

Purpose: Osteosynthesis of a clavicular fracture can obtain good clinical results even with conservative treatment. The development of surgical techniques and improvements in internal fixation have led to the use of metal plates and screws. Although there are intramedullary nails or minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis that can reduce soft tissue damage, these techniques are not used often because most require a skin incision about the length of the metal plate to be inserted. This study compared the postoperative pain to determine the appropriate injection depth. Materials and Methods: A prospective, single-institute, single-blind, randomized study was designed. The patients in the study had clavicular fractures and who underwent the removal of implant. The patients judged to have difficulty indicating pain were excluded.Ropivacaine was injected between plate fixation and muscle suturing. The visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) use, and additional pain medication usage were measured after surgery and every 4 hours. Results: Thirty-four clavicle shaft fracture patients were classified into 16 patients in the subcutaneous injection group and 18 in the muscle injection group. Seventeen implant removal patients were divided into eight patients in the subcutaneous injection group and another nine in the muscle injection group. In the fracture group, the mean VAS for the subcutaneous injection group was 4.20±2.68 immediately after surgery, 4.47±1.85 at 4 hours, 1.93±1.44 at 24 hours, and 1.60±1.35 at 48 hours. The mean VAS for the muscle injection group was 4.23±1.59 immediately after surgery, 3.00±1.47 at 4 hours, 1.69±1.03 at 24 hours, and 1.31±1.11 at 48 hours; the mean VAS score was not statistically significant in the two groups (p=0.332). In the implant removal group, the mean VAS for the subcutaneous injection group was 4.75±1.58 immediately after surgery, 3.75±1.04 at 4 hours, 1.75±0.89 at 24 hours, and 1.75±0.89 at 48 hours. The mean VAS for the muscle injection group was 3.78±1.20 immediately after surgery, 3.22±0.83 at 4 hours, 1.89±1.17 at 24 hours, and 1.11±1.01 at 48 hours; the mean VAS score was not statistically significant in the two groups (p=0.181). Conclusion The postoperative VAS pain score and PCA usage were not statistically significant regardless of the ropivacaine injection site in clavicular surgery, but each group had significantly different VAS pain scores and PCA usage according to time after surgery. In addition, the muscle injection group tended to have a lower average VAS than the subcutaneous injection group in the implant removal patient group.

Background/Aims: H2 receptor antagonists (H2RA) have been used to treat gastritis by inhibiting gastric acid. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are more potent acid suppressants than H2RA.However, the efficacy and safety of low-dose PPI for treating gastritis remain unclear. The aim was to investigate the efficacy and safety of low-dose PPI for treating gastritis. Methods: A double-blind, noninferiority, multicenter, phase 3 clinical trial randomly assigned 476 patients with endoscopic erosive gastritis to a group using esomeprazole 10 mg (DW1903) daily and a group using famotidine 20 mg (DW1903R1) daily for 2 weeks. The full-analysis set included 319 patients (DW1903, n=159; DW1903R1, n=160) and the per-protocol set included 298 patients (DW1903, n=147; DW1903R1, n=151). The primary endpoint (erosion improvement rate) and secondary endpoint (erosion and edema cure rates, improvement rates of hemorrhage, erythema, and symptoms) were assessed after the treatment. Adverse events were compared. Results: According to the full-analysis set, the erosion improvement rates in the DW1903 and DW1903R1 groups were 59.8% and 58.8%, respectively. According to the per-protocol analysis, the erosion improvement rates in the DW1903 and DW1903R1 groups were 61.9% and 59.6%, respectively. Secondary endpoints were not significantly different between two groups except that the hemorrhagic improvement rate was higher in DW1903 with statistical tendency. The number of adverse events were not statistically different. Conclusions DW1903 of a low-dose PPI was not inferior to DW1903R1 of H2RA. Thus, lowdose PPI can be a novel option for treating gastritis (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05163756).