OBJECTIVE To conduct a clinical rapid evaluation of the marketed proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 （PCSK9） inhibitors in China， including evolocumab， tafolecimab， recaticimab， ebronucimab， ongericimab and inclisiran. METHODS Based on the Rapid Guide for Drug Evaluation and Selection in Chinese Medical Institutions （second edition）， drug instructions， clinical diagnosis and treatment guidelines， and literature for six drugs were retrieved from CNKI， Wanfang Data， VIP， PubMed， Embase， Cochrane Library and related official websites. The clinical rapid evaluation was conducted from five aspects： pharmaceutical characteristics， effectiveness， safety， economy， and other attributes. RESULTS The pharmaceutical characteristics， effectiveness， safety， economy， other attributes， and total score of evolocumab scored 24， 27， 15.7， 10， 5.3， and 82 points， respectively. Tafolecimab scored 23.5， 23， 11.5， 9.97， 4.6， and 72.57 points， respectively. Recaticimab scored 20.5， 22， 15.5， 6.37， 3.5， and 67.87 points. Ebronucimab scored 20， 23， 11， 6.48， 3.5， and 63.98 points. Ongericimab scored 20.5， 23， 8.5， 4.83， 3.5， and 60.33 points. Inclisiran scored 25.5， 24， 13， 6.48， 5， and 73.98 points. CONCLUSIONS Evolocumab is the optimal choice for treating hypercholesterolemia and is recommended as the first-line option. Tafolecimab is the second-line option， and recaticimab is suitable for patients who are sensitive to drug adverse reactions. Inclisiran is suitable for patients with poor compliance. Ebronucimab and ongericimab are weakly recommended due to their later market introduction. Clinicians should make individualized drug selections based on factors such as patient risk level and compliance requirements.

ObjectiveNeuroinflammation plays a crucial role in both the onset and progression of ischemic stroke, exerting a significant impact on the recovery of the central nervous system. Excessive neuroinflammation can lead to secondary neuronal damage, further exacerbating brain injury and impairing functional recovery. As a result, effectively modulating and reducing neuroinflammation in the brain has become a key therapeutic strategy for improving outcomes in ischemic stroke patients. Among various approaches, targeting immune regulation to control inflammation has gained increasing attention. This study aims to investigate the role of in vitro induced regulatory T cells (Treg cells) in suppressing neuroinflammation after ischemic stroke, as well as their potential therapeutic effects. By exploring the mechanisms through which Tregs exert their immunomodulatory functions, this research is expected to provide new insights into stroke treatment strategies. MethodsNaive CD4⁺ T cells were isolated from mouse spleens using a negative selection method to ensure high purity, and then they were induced in vitro to differentiate into Treg cells by adding specific cytokines. The anti-inflammatory effects and therapeutic potential of Treg cells transplantation in a mouse model of ischemic stroke was evaluated. In the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model, after Treg cells transplantation, their ability to successfully migrate to the infarcted brain region and their impact on neuroinflammation levels were examined. To further investigate the role of Treg cells in stroke recovery, the changes in cytokine expression and their effects on immune cell interactions was analyzed. Additionally, infarct size and behavioral scores were measured to assess the neuroprotective effects of Treg cells. By integrating multiple indicators, the comprehensive evaluation of potential benefits of Treg cells in the treatment of ischemic stroke was performed. ResultsTreg cells significantly regulated the expression levels of both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in vitro and in vivo, effectively balancing the immune response and suppressing excessive inflammation. Additionally, Treg cells inhibited the activation and activity of inflammatory cells, thereby reducing neuroinflammation. In the MCAO mouse model, Treg cells were observed to accumulate in the infarcted brain region, where they significantly reduced the infarct size, demonstrating their neuroprotective effects. Furthermore, Treg cell therapy notably improved behavioral scores, suggesting its role in promoting functional recovery, and increased the survival rate of ischemic stroke mice, highlighting its potential as a promising therapeutic strategy for stroke treatment. ConclusionIn vitro induced Treg cells can effectively suppress neuroinflammation caused by ischemic stroke, demonstrating promising clinical application potential. By regulating the balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, Treg cells can inhibit immune responses in the nervous system, thereby reducing neuronal damage. Additionally, they can modulate the immune microenvironment, suppress the activation of inflammatory cells, and promote tissue repair. The therapeutic effects of Treg cells also include enhancing post-stroke recovery, improving behavioral outcomes, and increasing the survival rate of ischemic stroke mice. With their ability to suppress neuroinflammation, Treg cell therapy provides a novel and effective strategy for the treatment of ischemic stroke, offering broad application prospects in clinical immunotherapy and regenerative medicine.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the safety of fondaparinux in pregnancy and provide reference for its rational clinical application. METHODS A search was conducted in databases including CNKI， Wanfang， PubMed， Embase， and Elsevier （the search time was from the construction of the database to December 17， 2024） to collect case report literature on fondaparinux use during pregnancy. Patient demographic information， fondaparinux use during pregnancy， concomitant medications， clinical manifestations， and treatment details were extracted for descriptive statistical analysis. RESULTS A total of 17 case reports regarding the use of fondaparinux during pregnancy were collected， involving 42 patients from 11 countries and 47 pregnancy records. Among these， 20 cases involved the use of fondaparinux for the prevention of pregnancy-related venous thromboembolism （VTE）， while 27 cases were fondaparinux treatment due to related conditions. A total of 29 occurrences of the patients were treated with fondaparinux due to a （family） history of VTE. Nine occurrences of complicated pregnancies were reported， and 35 patients had records of comorbidities or relevant medical histories. The adverse events that occurred during pregnancy with the use of fondaparinux include postpartum hemorrhage （7 cases） and excessive anticoagulation caused by inappropriate dosage （1 case）. Among the 7 cases of postpartum hemorrhage， 3 cases had a blood loss of no less than 1 000 mL （including 2 cases with uterine atony）， 3 cases had a drug discontinuation time of ≤12 h. CONCLUSIONS Based on the existing literature， the safety of fondaparinux during pregnancy is generally manageable， with the main adverse event being postpartum hemorrhage. The dosage， interval between discontinuation，comorbidities/medical history， and concomitant medications of fondaparinux may be the main causes of its adverse events.

Objective: Apnea in newborns is defined as a respiratory pause of 20 seconds or longer, or apnea accompanied by bradycardia or cyanosis. To date, research on neonatal apnea has focused on premature infants born within 34 weeks of gestation. The aim of this study is to present clinical significance of apnea in full-term infants compared with late premature infants born over 34 weeks of gestation. Methods: In a retrospective study, we reviewed medical records of neonates born over 34 weeks of gestation hospitalized for apnea and their mothers from November 2020 to May 2024. A total of 124 neonates were collected and divided into full-term infants (n=54) and late preterm infants (n=70) groups. Results: The mean gestational age of full-term and late preterm infants was 38 +5 weeks and 35 +2weeks, and the mean birth weight was 3.16 kg and 2.14 kg. Apnea was associated with diseases in 44.4% of full-term infants and 38.6% of late preterm infants. The rates of multiple births, small for gestational age, and cesarean section deliveries were significantly higher in late preterm infants.Apnea occurred significantly earlier and recovered faster in full-term infants. Neurologic disease was significantly more occurred in full-term infants (P=0.021). Especially, cerebral infarction and seizure were diagnosed only in full-term infants. Conclusion Apnea occurred earlier in full-term infants and severe neurologic diseases were significantly more found in full-term infants compared with late preterm infants. A close examination is needed in full-term infants with apnea.

Objective: This study hypothesized that physical status, temperament and characteristics, and neurocognitive functions of basketball players could predict the result of Korean Basketball League (KBL) draft selection. Methods: We recruited the number of 89 college elite basketball players (KBL selection, n=44; non-KBL selection, n=45), and the number of 82 age-matched healthy comparison subjects who major in sports education in college. All participants were assessed with the Temperament and Character Inventory, Sports Anxiety Scales, Beck Depression Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale-10, Trail Making Test, and Computerized Neuro-cognitive Test for Emotional Perception and Mental Rotation. Results: Current results showed that physical status, temperament and characteristics, and neurocognitive functions of college basketball players could predict the KBL draft selection. Among temperament and characteristics, novelty seeking and reward dependence were associated with KBL draft selection. The basketball performances including average scores and average rebound were associated with Emotional Perception and Mental Rotation. Conclusion In order to be a good basketball player for a long time, it was confirmed that temperamental factors and neurocognitive factors were very closely related. Furthermore, it is also judged that these results can be used as basic data to predict potential professional basketball players.

This study aimed to evaluate the long-term efficacy and complication of radiotherapy for benign soft tissue tumors. Five cases of benign soft tissue tumors (two plexiform neurofibromas, two juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas, and one cavernous sinus hemangioma) who underwent radiotherapy were enrolled. All patients had at least 10 years of follow-up. The median follow-up duration was 12 years (range, 10 to 27). Three patients underwent incomplete excision prior to radiotherapy. Radiation doses were either 54 Gy in 30 fractions or 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions (1.8 Gy per fraction). Every patient achieved complete remission (CR) or near-CR. The tumor volume decreased significantly within the first 2 years of follow-up and continued to decrease slowly up to 10 years; no distinct further decrease in tumor volume was observed after 10 years. One patient developed left mandibular hypoplasia 8 years after radiotherapy. Significant volume decrease was achievable within a few years after radiotherapy in benign soft tissue tumors. Therefore, radiotherapy is a viable option for unresectable or incompletely resected benign soft tissue tumors with a minimum risk of complication.

Primary cholangiocarcinoma is a rare bile duct epithelial neoplasm that can present with atypical clinical manifestations, complicating its diagnosis. A 62-year-old male showed symptoms suggestive of a complicated hepatic cyst that was later identified as intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. The patient presented with abdominal discomfort without fever. Imaging revealed a large cystic lesion in the liver. Despite the initial treatment for a presumed abscess, a biopsy confirmed cholangiocarcinoma. This case highlights the diagnostic challenge of distinguishing between benign complicated hepatic cysts and malignancies, particularly when typical markers of infection are absent. Early biopsy and vigilant assessments are crucial in such presentations to avoid a delayed diagnosis and initiate appropriate treatment.

Hepatic tuberculosis, typically associated with miliary tuberculosis, can occasionally present as localized liver lesions. This case report describes a 77-year-old male presenting with persistent abdominal pain and fever, following an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for bile duct sludge removal. Subsequent computed tomography revealed focal liver lesions. Despite initial treatment with antibiotics for a suspected inflammatory liver abscess, his condition did not improve. A liver biopsy was performed, revealing caseous granulomas, and the tuberculosis polymerase chain reaction result was positive. The patient was diagnosed with primary hepatic tuberculosis, which later disseminated. Oral anti-tuberculosis therapy was initiated and is currently being closely monitored. This case emphasizes the importance of considering hepatic tuberculosis in the differential diagnosis of liver lesions, particularly in cases involving cholestatic liver function tests, and persistent symptoms unresponsive to conventional antibiotics.

Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting the sacroiliac joints and axial spine. Along with pharmacotherapy, non-pharmacological interventions for axSpA are crucial and constitute the cornerstone of treatment. Here, we review the evidence for non-pharmacological treatment of axSpA as a basis for the 2023 Korean treatment recommendations for patients with axSpA. The effectiveness of the core non-pharmacological approaches, such as education, smoking cessation, and exercise, has been reaffirmed. High-quality research on surgical treatment is limited. However, total hip replacement is advised in patients with ongoing pain or disability and visible structural damage to the hip on imaging. Urgent spinal intervention should be considered in cases of acute spinal pain with neurological deficiency or concurrent unstable fractures. Evidence for complementary therapies, including spas and acupuncture, remains insufficient.

Background/Aims: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted global health, exacerbated metabolic health issues, and altered lifestyle behaviors. This study examined the sex-specific impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the incidence of metabolic syndrome using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Methods: Data from the KNHANES VII (2018) and VIII (2019–2021), including 15,499 participants, were analyzed. The study population was stratified by sex, and further subdivisions were conducted based on the timeframe relative to the COVID-19 outbreak. Variables such as age, education level, household income, smoking status, and high-risk drinking were analyzed to assess their influence on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Results: The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome significantly increased from 28.11% before the outbreak to 29.69% after the outbreak. Both males and females reported significant increases in waist circumference and fasting glucose levels. Age and education level differentially influenced the prevalence of metabolic syndrome between the sex. Smoking was significantly associated with increased prevalence in males, whereas high-risk drinking was associated with increased prevalence in males and decreased prevalence in females. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased the prevalence of metabolic syndrome with notable sex-specific differences. These findings highlight the need for sex-specific public health interventions to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on metabolic health.