BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to use plasma metabolites to identify clusters of breast cancer survivors and to compare their dietary characteristics and health-related factors across the clusters using unsupervised machine learning. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 419 breast cancer survivors were included in this crosssectional study. We considered 30 plasma metabolites, quantified by high-throughput nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomics. Clusters were obtained based on metabolites using 4 different unsupervised clustering methods: k-means (KM), partitioning around medoids (PAM), self-organizing maps (SOM), and hierarchical agglomerative clustering (HAC). The t-test, χ2 test, and Fisher’s exact test were used to compare sociodemographic, lifestyle, clinical, and dietary characteristics across the clusters. P-values were adjusted through a false discovery rate (FDR). RESULTS: Two clusters were identified using the 4 methods. Participants in cluster 2 had lower concentrations of apolipoprotein A1 and large high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles and smaller HDL particle sizes, but higher concentrations of chylomicrons and extremely large very-low-density-lipoprotein (VLDL) particles and glycoprotein acetyls, a higher ratio of monounsaturated fatty acids to total fatty acids, and larger VLDL particle sizes compared with cluster 1. Body mass index was significantly higher in cluster 2 compared with cluster 1 (FDR adjusted-PKM < 0.001; PPAM = 0.001; PSOM < 0.001; and PHAC = 0.043). CONCLUSION The breast cancer survivors clustered on the basis of plasma metabolites had distinct characteristics. Further prospective studies are needed to investigate the associations between metabolites, obesity, dietary factors, and breast cancer prognosis.

Background/Aims: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) frequently occurs in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly when influenced by factors such as abdominal infections, IBD flare-ups, or surgical procedures. The implications of PVT range from immediate issues such as intestinal ischemia to long-term concerns including portal hypertension and its complications. However, there is a notable gap in comprehensive studies on PVT in IBD, especially with the increasing incidence of IBD in Asia. This research aimed to evaluate the clinical features and outcomes of PVT in patients with IBD at a leading hospital in South Korea. Methods: This retrospective analysis reviewed adult patients diagnosed with both IBD and PVT from 1989 to 2021 at a renowned South Korean medical center. The study focused on patient characteristics, specifics of PVT, administered treatments, and outcomes, all confirmed through enhanced CT scans. Results: A total of 78 patients met the study’s criteria. Notably, only 20.5% (16/78) were treated with oral anticoagulants; however, a vast majority (96.2%; 75/78) achieved complete radiographic resolution (CRR). When comparing patients receiving anticoagulants to those who did not, a significant preference for anticoagulant use was observed in cases where the main portal vein was affected, as opposed to just the left or right veins (p = 0.006). However, multivariable analysis indicated that neither anticoagulant use nor previous surgeries significantly impacted CRR. Conclusions Patients with IBD and PVT generally had favorable outcomes, regardless of anticoagulant use.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to use plasma metabolites to identify clusters of breast cancer survivors and to compare their dietary characteristics and health-related factors across the clusters using unsupervised machine learning. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 419 breast cancer survivors were included in this crosssectional study. We considered 30 plasma metabolites, quantified by high-throughput nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomics. Clusters were obtained based on metabolites using 4 different unsupervised clustering methods: k-means (KM), partitioning around medoids (PAM), self-organizing maps (SOM), and hierarchical agglomerative clustering (HAC). The t-test, χ2 test, and Fisher’s exact test were used to compare sociodemographic, lifestyle, clinical, and dietary characteristics across the clusters. P-values were adjusted through a false discovery rate (FDR). RESULTS: Two clusters were identified using the 4 methods. Participants in cluster 2 had lower concentrations of apolipoprotein A1 and large high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles and smaller HDL particle sizes, but higher concentrations of chylomicrons and extremely large very-low-density-lipoprotein (VLDL) particles and glycoprotein acetyls, a higher ratio of monounsaturated fatty acids to total fatty acids, and larger VLDL particle sizes compared with cluster 1. Body mass index was significantly higher in cluster 2 compared with cluster 1 (FDR adjusted-PKM < 0.001; PPAM = 0.001; PSOM < 0.001; and PHAC = 0.043). CONCLUSION The breast cancer survivors clustered on the basis of plasma metabolites had distinct characteristics. Further prospective studies are needed to investigate the associations between metabolites, obesity, dietary factors, and breast cancer prognosis.

Background/Aims: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) frequently occurs in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly when influenced by factors such as abdominal infections, IBD flare-ups, or surgical procedures. The implications of PVT range from immediate issues such as intestinal ischemia to long-term concerns including portal hypertension and its complications. However, there is a notable gap in comprehensive studies on PVT in IBD, especially with the increasing incidence of IBD in Asia. This research aimed to evaluate the clinical features and outcomes of PVT in patients with IBD at a leading hospital in South Korea. Methods: This retrospective analysis reviewed adult patients diagnosed with both IBD and PVT from 1989 to 2021 at a renowned South Korean medical center. The study focused on patient characteristics, specifics of PVT, administered treatments, and outcomes, all confirmed through enhanced CT scans. Results: A total of 78 patients met the study’s criteria. Notably, only 20.5% (16/78) were treated with oral anticoagulants; however, a vast majority (96.2%; 75/78) achieved complete radiographic resolution (CRR). When comparing patients receiving anticoagulants to those who did not, a significant preference for anticoagulant use was observed in cases where the main portal vein was affected, as opposed to just the left or right veins (p = 0.006). However, multivariable analysis indicated that neither anticoagulant use nor previous surgeries significantly impacted CRR. Conclusions Patients with IBD and PVT generally had favorable outcomes, regardless of anticoagulant use.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to use plasma metabolites to identify clusters of breast cancer survivors and to compare their dietary characteristics and health-related factors across the clusters using unsupervised machine learning. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 419 breast cancer survivors were included in this crosssectional study. We considered 30 plasma metabolites, quantified by high-throughput nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomics. Clusters were obtained based on metabolites using 4 different unsupervised clustering methods: k-means (KM), partitioning around medoids (PAM), self-organizing maps (SOM), and hierarchical agglomerative clustering (HAC). The t-test, χ2 test, and Fisher’s exact test were used to compare sociodemographic, lifestyle, clinical, and dietary characteristics across the clusters. P-values were adjusted through a false discovery rate (FDR). RESULTS: Two clusters were identified using the 4 methods. Participants in cluster 2 had lower concentrations of apolipoprotein A1 and large high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles and smaller HDL particle sizes, but higher concentrations of chylomicrons and extremely large very-low-density-lipoprotein (VLDL) particles and glycoprotein acetyls, a higher ratio of monounsaturated fatty acids to total fatty acids, and larger VLDL particle sizes compared with cluster 1. Body mass index was significantly higher in cluster 2 compared with cluster 1 (FDR adjusted-PKM < 0.001; PPAM = 0.001; PSOM < 0.001; and PHAC = 0.043). CONCLUSION The breast cancer survivors clustered on the basis of plasma metabolites had distinct characteristics. Further prospective studies are needed to investigate the associations between metabolites, obesity, dietary factors, and breast cancer prognosis.

Background/Aims: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) frequently occurs in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly when influenced by factors such as abdominal infections, IBD flare-ups, or surgical procedures. The implications of PVT range from immediate issues such as intestinal ischemia to long-term concerns including portal hypertension and its complications. However, there is a notable gap in comprehensive studies on PVT in IBD, especially with the increasing incidence of IBD in Asia. This research aimed to evaluate the clinical features and outcomes of PVT in patients with IBD at a leading hospital in South Korea. Methods: This retrospective analysis reviewed adult patients diagnosed with both IBD and PVT from 1989 to 2021 at a renowned South Korean medical center. The study focused on patient characteristics, specifics of PVT, administered treatments, and outcomes, all confirmed through enhanced CT scans. Results: A total of 78 patients met the study’s criteria. Notably, only 20.5% (16/78) were treated with oral anticoagulants; however, a vast majority (96.2%; 75/78) achieved complete radiographic resolution (CRR). When comparing patients receiving anticoagulants to those who did not, a significant preference for anticoagulant use was observed in cases where the main portal vein was affected, as opposed to just the left or right veins (p = 0.006). However, multivariable analysis indicated that neither anticoagulant use nor previous surgeries significantly impacted CRR. Conclusions Patients with IBD and PVT generally had favorable outcomes, regardless of anticoagulant use.

Purpose: This study compares the clinical features of children who underwent Hotz’s operation for epiblepharon before and after the COVID-19 pandemic focusing on body mass index (BMI). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the randomized charts of 976 children diagnosed with epiblepharon who underwent Hotz’s operation in our hospital from March 2016 to December 2022. Patients were divided into two groups: those who underwent surgery from March 2016 to December 2019 (before the pandemic, group 1) and those who had it from August 2020 to December 2022 (after the pandemic, group 2). Patients were further categorized into age groups (0-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-11, and 12-14 years) for comparison of clinical features. Results: Groups 1 and 2 included 714 and 262 patients, respectively. In group 2, BMI was significantly higher in the 6-8 and 9-11 groups and skin fold height was also higher. Conclusions In regard to clinical features, BMI was greater after the COVID-19 pandemic in children aged 6–11 years, and skin fold height was higher across all age groups. These changes are likely due to lifestyle modifications associated with the pandemic.

Purpose: To investigate the impact of nasal septal deviation and septoplasty on dacryocystorhinostomy progression. Methods: From March 2015 to January 2022, we reviewed the medical records of primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (PANDO) patients who underwent dacryocystorhinostomy at Konyang University Hospital. Patients were categorized into groups: those without septal deviation (group 1), those with septal deviation on the same side as the surgical site (group 2), and those with septal deviation on the opposite side (group 3). Septoplasty was performed in cases of symptomatic septal deviation on the same side. We assessed whether the presence, type, and correction of septal deviation influenced the postoperative outcome of dacryocystorhinostomy. Results: The study included 204 patients: 94 in group 1, 60 in group 2, and 50 in group 3. No significant differences were observed in the type, degree of nasal septum deviation, surgery duration, success rate, and symptom improvement period across the groups. When group 2 was subdivided into those who did not undergo septoplasty (group 2A) and those who did (group 2B), no differences were noted. Conclusions Nasal septum deviation and septoplasty did not influence the outcomes of dacryocystorhinostomy. Septoplasty may be unnecessary for PANDO patients without symptomatic nasal septum deviation.

Purpose: This study compares the clinical features of children who underwent Hotz’s operation for epiblepharon before and after the COVID-19 pandemic focusing on body mass index (BMI). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the randomized charts of 976 children diagnosed with epiblepharon who underwent Hotz’s operation in our hospital from March 2016 to December 2022. Patients were divided into two groups: those who underwent surgery from March 2016 to December 2019 (before the pandemic, group 1) and those who had it from August 2020 to December 2022 (after the pandemic, group 2). Patients were further categorized into age groups (0-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-11, and 12-14 years) for comparison of clinical features. Results: Groups 1 and 2 included 714 and 262 patients, respectively. In group 2, BMI was significantly higher in the 6-8 and 9-11 groups and skin fold height was also higher. Conclusions In regard to clinical features, BMI was greater after the COVID-19 pandemic in children aged 6–11 years, and skin fold height was higher across all age groups. These changes are likely due to lifestyle modifications associated with the pandemic.

Purpose: To investigate the impact of nasal septal deviation and septoplasty on dacryocystorhinostomy progression. Methods: From March 2015 to January 2022, we reviewed the medical records of primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (PANDO) patients who underwent dacryocystorhinostomy at Konyang University Hospital. Patients were categorized into groups: those without septal deviation (group 1), those with septal deviation on the same side as the surgical site (group 2), and those with septal deviation on the opposite side (group 3). Septoplasty was performed in cases of symptomatic septal deviation on the same side. We assessed whether the presence, type, and correction of septal deviation influenced the postoperative outcome of dacryocystorhinostomy. Results: The study included 204 patients: 94 in group 1, 60 in group 2, and 50 in group 3. No significant differences were observed in the type, degree of nasal septum deviation, surgery duration, success rate, and symptom improvement period across the groups. When group 2 was subdivided into those who did not undergo septoplasty (group 2A) and those who did (group 2B), no differences were noted. Conclusions Nasal septum deviation and septoplasty did not influence the outcomes of dacryocystorhinostomy. Septoplasty may be unnecessary for PANDO patients without symptomatic nasal septum deviation.