Background and Objectives: We evaluated the effect of diabetes on the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and clinical outcomes in patients following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stent implantation. Methods: A total of 6,688 patients who underwent PCI were selected from five different registries led by Korean Multicenter Angioplasty Team. They were categorized according to their BMI into the following groups: underweight (<18.5 kg/m 2 ), normal weight (18.5–24.9 kg/m 2 ), overweight to obese (≥25.0 kg/m 2 ). Major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), defined as a composite of death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, stroke, and target-vessel revascularization, were compared according to the BMI categories (underweight, normal and overweight to obese group) and diabetic status. All subjects completed 1-year follow-up. Results: Among the 6,688 patients, 2,561 (38%) had diabetes. The underweight group compared to normal weight group had higher 1-year MACCE rate in both non-diabetic (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 2.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04–4.84; p=0.039) and diabetic patients (adjusted HR, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.61–5.07; p<0.001). The overweight to obese group had a lower MACCE rate than the normal weight group in diabetic patients (adjusted HR, 0.67 [0.49–0.93]) but not in non-diabetic patients (adjusted HR, 1.06 [0.77–1.46]), with a significant interaction (p-interaction=0.025). Conclusions Between the underweight and normal weight groups, the association between the BMI and clinical outcomes was consistent regardless of the presence of diabetes.However, better outcomes in overweight to obese over normal weight were observed only in diabetic patients. These results suggest that the association between BMI and clinical outcomes may differ according to the diabetic status.

Tables and figures are commonly adopted methods for presenting specific data or statistical analysis results. Figures can be used to display characteristics and distributions of data, allowing for intuitive understanding through visualization and thus making it easier to interpret the statistical results. To maximize the positive aspects of figure presentation and increase the accuracy of the content, in this article, the authors will describe how to choose an appropriate figure type and the necessary components to include. Additionally, this article includes examples of figures that are commonly used in research and their essential components using virtual data.

Purpose: The study aimed to examine whether prophylactic surfactant replacement therapy (SRT) with less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) by tracheal catheterization in a group of spontaneously breathing preterm infants would improve clinical outcomes compared to prophylactic SRT with the INtubation-SURfactantExtubation (INSURE) method. Methods: We compared 20 spontaneously breathing preterm infants, 25 to 29 weeks of gestation or with a birth weight of less than 1,250 g, treated with prophylactic SRT using a gastric tube (LISA group), to the 20 spontaneously breathing preterm infants matched by gestational age and birth weight, managed with prophylactic SRT via the INSURE method (INSURE group, historical control). Results: The LISA group had lower rates of mechanical ventilation (MV) 72 hours after birth (P=0.019) and at any time (P=0.025), lower frequency of bradycardia during SRT (P=0.031), and lower median duration of MV than the INSURE group (P=0.038). In multivariate analysis, the LISA method was associated with a significantly lower likelihood of receiving invasive ventilation during hospitalization (odds ratio [OR], 0.029; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.001 to 0.938; P=0.046) and a decreased frequency of bradycardia during SRT (OR, 0.020; 95% CI, 0.001 to 0.535; P=0.020) as compared to the INSURE method. Conclusion Prophylactic SRT using LISA via tracheal catheterization in preterm infants may significantly reduce exposure to MV during hospitalization and bradycardia during surfactant administration.

Purpose: We examined the factors associated with nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) failure in late preterm and term infants with respiratory distress after birth. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on late preterm and term infants with respiratory distress after birth from January 2015 to December 2020. The medical records of 132 infants, who received NIPPV as primary respiratory therapy before 6 hours of age, were retrospectively examined. We excluded five neonates who were either transferred to another hospital (n=2) or presented with congenital anomalies (n=3). Results: The remaining 127 neonates were divided into the NIPPV success group (n=82) and NIPPV failure group (n=45). NIPPV failure was associated with birth in a community hospital, the need for a surfactant, and a high maximum respiratory severity score (RSS ≥2.5) on the first day of life. In the subgroup analysis, NIPPV failure in late preterm infants was associated with a lower gestational age, birth in a community hospital, and an RSS ≥2.5 on the first day of life. In addition, NIPPV failure in term infants was associated with birth in a community hospital, the need for a surfactant, and an RSS ≥2.5 on the first day of life. Conclusion Birth in a community hospital, the need for a surfactant, and an RSS ≥2.5 on the first day of life were significant factors associated with NIPPV failure in late preterm and term infants.

Purpose: Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a prognostic marker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We investigated the prognostic value of AFP levels in patients who achieved complete response (CR) to transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for HCC. Materials and Methods: Between 2005 and 2018, 890 patients with HCC who achieved a CR to TACE were recruited. An AFP responder was defined as a patient who showed elevated levels of AFP (>10 ng/mL) during TACE, but showed normalization or a >50% reduction in AFP levels after achieving a CR. Results: Among the recruited patients, 569 (63.9%) with naïve HCC and 321 (36.1%) with recurrent HCC after complete resection were treated. Before TACE, 305 (34.3%) patients had multiple tumors, 219 (24.6%) had a maximal tumor size >3 cm, and 22 (2.5%) had portal vein tumor thrombosis. The median AFP level after achieving a CR was 6.36 ng/mL. After a CR, 473 (53.1%) patients experienced recurrence, and 417 (46.9%) died [median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of 16.3 and 62.8 months, respectively]. High AFP levels at CR (>20 ng/mL) were independently associated with a shorter PFS [hazard ratio (HR)=1.403] and OS (HR=1.284), together with tumor multiplicity at TACE (HR=1.518 and 1.666, respectively). AFP non-responders at CR (76.2%, n=359 of 471) showed a shorter PFS (median 10.5 months vs. 15.5 months, HR=1.375) and OS (median 41.4 months vs. 61.8 months, HR=1.424) than AFP responders (all p=0.001). Conclusion High AFP levels and AFP non-responders were independently associated with poor outcomes after TACE. AFP holds clinical implications for detailed risk stratification upon achieving a CR after TACE.

Background: and Purpose: Blood pressure (BP) control is strongly recommended, but BP control rate has not been well studied in patients with stroke. We evaluated the BP control rate with fimasartan-based antihypertensive therapy initiated in patients with recent cerebral ischemia. Methods: This multicenter, prospective, single-arm trial involved 27 centers in South Korea. Key inclusion criteria were recent cerebral ischemia within 90 days and high BP [systolic blood pressure (SBP) >140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) >90 mm Hg]. BP lowering was initiated with fimasartan. BP management during the follow-up was at the discretion of the responsible investigators. The primary endpoint was the target BP goal achievement rate (<140/90 mm Hg) at 24 weeks. Key secondary endpoints included achieved BP and BP changes at each visit, and clinical events (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03231293). Results: Of 1,035 patients enrolled, 1,026 were included in the safety analysis, and 951 in the efficacy analysis. Their mean age was 64.1 years, 33% were female, the median time interval from onset to enrollment was 10 days, and the baseline SBP and DBP were 162.3±16.0 and 92.2±12.4 mm Hg (mean±SD). During the study period, 55.5% of patients were maintained on fimasartan monotherapy, and 44.5% received antihypertensive therapies other than fimasartan monotherapy at at least one visit. The target BP goal achievement rate at 24-week was 67.3% (48.6% at 4-week and 61.4% at 12-week). The mean BP was 139.0/81.8±18.3/11.7, 133.8/79.2±16.4/11.0, and 132.8/78.5±15.6/10.9 mm Hg at 4-, 12-, and 24-week. The treatment-emergent adverse event rate was 5.4%, including one serious adverse event. Conclusions Fimasartan-based BP lowering achieved the target BP in two-thirds of patients at 24 weeks, and was generally well tolerated.

Background: and Purpose: Blood pressure (BP) control is strongly recommended, but BP control rate has not been well studied in patients with stroke. We evaluated the BP control rate with fimasartan-based antihypertensive therapy initiated in patients with recent cerebral ischemia. Methods: This multicenter, prospective, single-arm trial involved 27 centers in South Korea. Key inclusion criteria were recent cerebral ischemia within 90 days and high BP [systolic blood pressure (SBP) >140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) >90 mm Hg]. BP lowering was initiated with fimasartan. BP management during the follow-up was at the discretion of the responsible investigators. The primary endpoint was the target BP goal achievement rate (<140/90 mm Hg) at 24 weeks. Key secondary endpoints included achieved BP and BP changes at each visit, and clinical events (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03231293). Results: Of 1,035 patients enrolled, 1,026 were included in the safety analysis, and 951 in the efficacy analysis. Their mean age was 64.1 years, 33% were female, the median time interval from onset to enrollment was 10 days, and the baseline SBP and DBP were 162.3±16.0 and 92.2±12.4 mm Hg (mean±SD). During the study period, 55.5% of patients were maintained on fimasartan monotherapy, and 44.5% received antihypertensive therapies other than fimasartan monotherapy at at least one visit. The target BP goal achievement rate at 24-week was 67.3% (48.6% at 4-week and 61.4% at 12-week). The mean BP was 139.0/81.8±18.3/11.7, 133.8/79.2±16.4/11.0, and 132.8/78.5±15.6/10.9 mm Hg at 4-, 12-, and 24-week. The treatment-emergent adverse event rate was 5.4%, including one serious adverse event. Conclusions Fimasartan-based BP lowering achieved the target BP in two-thirds of patients at 24 weeks, and was generally well tolerated.

Purpose: This study compared the diagnostic performance of the modified Korean Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (K-TIRADS) for thyroid malignancy with three international guidelines. Methods: From June to September 2015, 5,708 thyroid nodules (≥1.0 cm) in 5,081 consecutive patients who underwent thyroid ultrasound (US) at 26 institutions were evaluated. The US features of the thyroid nodules were retrospectively reviewed and classified according to all four guidelines. In the modified K-TIRADS, the biopsy size threshold was changed to 2.0 cm for K-TIRADS 3 and 1.0 or 1.5 cm for K-TIRADS 4 (K-TIRADS1.0cm and K-TIRADS1.5cm, respectively). We compared the diagnostic performance and unnecessary fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) rates for thyroid malignancy between the modified K-TIRADS and three international guidelines. Results: Of the 5,708 thyroid nodules, 4,597 (80.5%) were benign and 1,111 (19.5%) were malignant. The overall sensitivity was highest for the modified K-TIRADS1.0cm (91.0%), followed by the European (EU)-TIRADS (84.6%), American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists/American College of Endocrinology/Associazione Medici Endocrinologi (AACE/ACE/AME) (80.5%), American College of Radiology (ACR)-TIRADS (76.1%), and modified K-TIRADS1.5cm (76.1%). For large nodules (>2.0 cm), the sensitivity increased to 98.0% in both the modified K-TIRADS1.0cm and K-TIRADS1.5cm. For small nodules (≤2.0 cm), the unnecessary FNAB rate was lowest with the modified K-TIRADS1.5cm (17.6%), followed by the ACR-TIRADS (18.6%), AACE/ACE/AME (19.3%), EU-TIRADS (28.1%), and modified K-TIRADS1.0cm (31.2%). Conclusion The modified K-TIRADS1.5cm can reduce the unnecessary FNAB rate for small nodules (1.0-2.0 cm), while maintaining high sensitivity for detecting malignancies >2.0 cm.

Purpose: We compared perinatal characteristics, clinical outcomes, and treatment between late preterm infants born at 34 weeks and 35 to 36 weeks of gestation.
Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 254 neonates (gestational age 34+0 to +6 weeks) who were born at Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital between July 1, 2013 and June 31, 2018. Late preterm infants were categorized into two groups: Group 1 (born at 34 weeks, n=88) and Group 2 (born at 35 to 36 weeks, n=162). We compared the clinical outcomes, treatment, and readmission within 12 months after birth between two groups.
Results: Group 1 showed higher frequencies of antenatal steroid administration, premature membrane rupture, maternal antibiotic use, and histologic chorioamnionitis. Group 1 also had significantly more medical problems such as respiratory distress, feed ing intolerance, gavage feeding, neonatal jaundice, apnea or bradycardia, and hypocalcemia. Treatment during hospital stay including respiratory support, nutritional sup port, and antibiotics use over 24 hours was also significantly higher in Group 1. In addition, delayed discharge was more frequent in Group 1.
Conclusion Late preterm infants born at 34 weeks gestation had significantly higher morbidity, required more aggressive management, and more often had delayed discharge compared to those in late preterm infants born at 35 to 36 weeks’ gestation.

Objective: ：Older adults are at greater risk for malnutrition than younger adults, and malnutrition can be associated with a variety of mental problems. This study was undertaken to investigate differences in mental health indicators according to nutritional risk administered to elderly people living in the community. Methods: ：Nutritional risk score was assessed using the ‘Determine Your Nutrition Health’ checklist, developed by the Nutritional Screening Initiative. The study enrolled 400 elderly people living in the community. Study subjects were divided into 3 groups based on their nutritional risk score: good nutrition (score ≤2; n=275), moderate nutritional risk (score 3-5; n=63), and high nutritional risk (score ≥6; n=62). The General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), suicide risk screening tool, memory decline awareness, sleep disorder questionnaire, and health-related quality of life (EuroQoL-5 dimension, EQ-5D) were used to assess mental health problems. Statistical analyses were performed using chi-square test, analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation analysis. Results: ：In the high nutrition risk group, GHQ-12 score was highest. In the good nutrition group, subjective memory impairment score and sleep difficulty were lowest, and EQ-5D index was highest. The risk of suicide tended to increase with increasing nutritional risk. Nutritional risk score was significantly correlated with GHQ-12, subjective memory impairment, sleep latency time, total sleep duration, sleep difficulty, and EQ-5D index. Conclusion ：This study confirms that nutritional risk in the elderly is related to various psychological symptoms and low quality of life. High nutritional risk in the elderly warrants clinical attention to mental health and quality of life.