Background/Aims: This study assessed the long-term efficacy and safety of tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) in real-world settings. Methods: Patients who were candidates for TAF treatment and were followed up at 12-week intervals over 192 weeks were enrolled in this study. Results: One hundred and forty-four patients (50 treatment-naive and 94 treatment-experienced) were included in this study. The cumulative incidence rates of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma at 192 weeks were 3.9% and 0.7%, respectively. In treatment-naive patients, the rates of a virological response, HBeAg conversion, and HBsAg loss at 192 weeks were 100%, 33.3%, and 2%, respectively. The treatment-naive patients exhibited higher baseline HBsAg levels than the treatment-experienced patients (4.31 log10IU/mL vs. 3.97 log10IU/mL). A significant decrease in the HBsAg levels from the baseline was observed at 144 and 192 weeks in the treatment-naive patients (p=0.01). The baseline body mass index (BMI) <25 kg/m2 (p=0.02) and HBsAg <3.3 log10IU/mL (p=0.04) were identified as predictive factors for a decrease in HBsAg ≥0.5 log10IU/mL at 48 weeks. The eGFR levels were consistently lower in the treatment-experienced patients throughout the study. Although the treatment-naive patients showed no abnormal increases in urinary URBP, the treatment-experienced patients showed elevated urinary β2MG and NAG levels at the baseline, which decreased over the treatment course. The total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein levels were similar in both groups. Conclusions Prolonging the TAF treatment duration enhances the virological response rate. The decline in HBsAg levels was more significant in the treatment-naive patients than in the treatment-experienced patients. The baseline BMI <25 kg/m2 and HBsAg <3.3 log10IU/mL were predictive factors for a significant decline in HBsAg at 48 weeks. TAF has high renal safety and no significant impact on lipid levels.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Background/Aims: This study assessed the long-term efficacy and safety of tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) in real-world settings. Methods: Patients who were candidates for TAF treatment and were followed up at 12-week intervals over 192 weeks were enrolled in this study. Results: One hundred and forty-four patients (50 treatment-naive and 94 treatment-experienced) were included in this study. The cumulative incidence rates of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma at 192 weeks were 3.9% and 0.7%, respectively. In treatment-naive patients, the rates of a virological response, HBeAg conversion, and HBsAg loss at 192 weeks were 100%, 33.3%, and 2%, respectively. The treatment-naive patients exhibited higher baseline HBsAg levels than the treatment-experienced patients (4.31 log10IU/mL vs. 3.97 log10IU/mL). A significant decrease in the HBsAg levels from the baseline was observed at 144 and 192 weeks in the treatment-naive patients (p=0.01). The baseline body mass index (BMI) <25 kg/m2 (p=0.02) and HBsAg <3.3 log10IU/mL (p=0.04) were identified as predictive factors for a decrease in HBsAg ≥0.5 log10IU/mL at 48 weeks. The eGFR levels were consistently lower in the treatment-experienced patients throughout the study. Although the treatment-naive patients showed no abnormal increases in urinary URBP, the treatment-experienced patients showed elevated urinary β2MG and NAG levels at the baseline, which decreased over the treatment course. The total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein levels were similar in both groups. Conclusions Prolonging the TAF treatment duration enhances the virological response rate. The decline in HBsAg levels was more significant in the treatment-naive patients than in the treatment-experienced patients. The baseline BMI <25 kg/m2 and HBsAg <3.3 log10IU/mL were predictive factors for a significant decline in HBsAg at 48 weeks. TAF has high renal safety and no significant impact on lipid levels.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

We describe the updated Korean Society of Gynecologic Oncology (KSGO) practice guideline for the management of cervical cancer, version 5.1. The KSGO announced the fifth version of its clinical practice guidelines for the management of cervical cancer in March 2024. The selection of the key questions and the systematic reviews were based on data available up to December 2022. Between 2023 and 2024, substantial findings from large-scale clinical trials and new advancements in cervical cancer research remarkably emerged. Therefore, based on the existing version 5.0, we updated the guidelines with newly accumulated clinical data and added 4 new key questions reflecting the latest insights in the field of cervical cancer. For each question, recommendation was formulated with corresponding level of evidence and grade of recommendation, all established through expert consensus.

We describe the updated Korean Society of Gynecologic Oncology (KSGO) practice guideline for the management of cervical cancer, version 5.1. The KSGO announced the fifth version of its clinical practice guidelines for the management of cervical cancer in March 2024. The selection of the key questions and the systematic reviews were based on data available up to December 2022. Between 2023 and 2024, substantial findings from large-scale clinical trials and new advancements in cervical cancer research remarkably emerged. Therefore, based on the existing version 5.0, we updated the guidelines with newly accumulated clinical data and added 4 new key questions reflecting the latest insights in the field of cervical cancer. For each question, recommendation was formulated with corresponding level of evidence and grade of recommendation, all established through expert consensus.

We describe the updated Korean Society of Gynecologic Oncology (KSGO) practice guideline for the management of cervical cancer, version 5.1. The KSGO announced the fifth version of its clinical practice guidelines for the management of cervical cancer in March 2024. The selection of the key questions and the systematic reviews were based on data available up to December 2022. Between 2023 and 2024, substantial findings from large-scale clinical trials and new advancements in cervical cancer research remarkably emerged. Therefore, based on the existing version 5.0, we updated the guidelines with newly accumulated clinical data and added 4 new key questions reflecting the latest insights in the field of cervical cancer. For each question, recommendation was formulated with corresponding level of evidence and grade of recommendation, all established through expert consensus.

Background/Aims: This study assessed the long-term efficacy and safety of tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) in real-world settings. Methods: Patients who were candidates for TAF treatment and were followed up at 12-week intervals over 192 weeks were enrolled in this study. Results: One hundred and forty-four patients (50 treatment-naive and 94 treatment-experienced) were included in this study. The cumulative incidence rates of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma at 192 weeks were 3.9% and 0.7%, respectively. In treatment-naive patients, the rates of a virological response, HBeAg conversion, and HBsAg loss at 192 weeks were 100%, 33.3%, and 2%, respectively. The treatment-naive patients exhibited higher baseline HBsAg levels than the treatment-experienced patients (4.31 log10IU/mL vs. 3.97 log10IU/mL). A significant decrease in the HBsAg levels from the baseline was observed at 144 and 192 weeks in the treatment-naive patients (p=0.01). The baseline body mass index (BMI) <25 kg/m2 (p=0.02) and HBsAg <3.3 log10IU/mL (p=0.04) were identified as predictive factors for a decrease in HBsAg ≥0.5 log10IU/mL at 48 weeks. The eGFR levels were consistently lower in the treatment-experienced patients throughout the study. Although the treatment-naive patients showed no abnormal increases in urinary URBP, the treatment-experienced patients showed elevated urinary β2MG and NAG levels at the baseline, which decreased over the treatment course. The total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein levels were similar in both groups. Conclusions Prolonging the TAF treatment duration enhances the virological response rate. The decline in HBsAg levels was more significant in the treatment-naive patients than in the treatment-experienced patients. The baseline BMI <25 kg/m2 and HBsAg <3.3 log10IU/mL were predictive factors for a significant decline in HBsAg at 48 weeks. TAF has high renal safety and no significant impact on lipid levels.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

ObjectiveTo investigate the role of silent information regulatory protein （SIRT6）/hypoxia-inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α） pathway in regulating the reprogramming of glucose metabolism in ulcerative colitis （UC） and the mechanism of intervention of Shaoyaotang. MethodsForty-eight c57bL/6 mice were randomly divided into a blank group， a model group， a Mesalazine group （0.42 g·kg^-1）， a Shaoyaotang group （31.08 g·kg^-1）， an inhibitor group （OSS-128167， 50 mg·kg^-1）， and an inhibitor + Shaoyaotang group （50 mg·kg^-1 OSS-128167 + 31.08 g·kg^-1 Shaoyaotang）. A UC model was established by the administration of 2.5% dextran sulfate sodium （DSS） solution for mice in other groups for 7 d， except for the blank group. The mice in each group were treated with saline， Mesalazine， Shaoyaotang， inhibitor， and inhibitor + Shaoyaotang， respectively， for 7 d. The mice were necropsied 24 h after the last administration of the drug. The blood was collected from the orbital region， and colon tissue was taken. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the pathological changes in colon tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to detect serum interleukin （IL）-10， IL-17， and IL-6 levels. A biochemical method was used to detect glucose and lactate dehydrogenase A （LDHA） levels. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） was employed to detect IL-22 and transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁） levels in colon tissue， and Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） were used to detect relative protein and mRNA expressions of SIRT6， HIF-1α， and LDHA. ResultsCompared with those of the blank group， disease activity index （DAI） scores of mice in the model group and inhibitor group were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The length of colon tissue was significantly shortened， and colon tissue was congested and eroded. The pathohistological scores were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The levels of serum inflammatory factors IL-17 and IL-6 were significantly elevated， and the levels of IL-10 were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The protein expressions of IL-22 and TGF-β₁ were significantly reduced in colon tissue （P<0.01）. The relative protein and mRNA expressions of SIRT6 were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and the relative protein and mRNA expressions of HIF-1α and LDHA and the contents of glucose and lactate were significantly elevated （P<0.01）. The level of inflammation in the colon of the mice in the inhibitor group was more severe than that in the model group （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Mesalazine group， the Shaoyaotang group， and the inhibitor + Shaoyaotang group showed reduced colonic injury， significant decrease in serum IL-17 and IL-6， significant increase in IL-10 （P<0.01）， significant increase in the protein expressions of IL-22 and TGF-β₁ in colon tissue （P<0.01）， significant increase in the protein expressions of SIRT6 and the relative mRNA expressions （P<0.01）， and significant reduction in the protein expressions of HIF-1α and LDHA， the relative mRNA expressions， and the contents of glucose and lactate （P<0.01）. Compared with those in the Shaoyaotang group， the serum IL-17 and IL-6 were significantly increased， and IL-10 was significantly decreased in the inhibitor + Shaoyaotang group （P<0.01）. The protein expressions of IL-22 and TGF-β₁ in colon tissue were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The expressions of SIRT6 protein and the relative mRNA expressions were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The protein expressions of HIF-1α and LDHA， the relative mRNA expressions， and the contents of glucose and lactate were significantly elevated （P<0.01）. However， the difference between the Shaoyaotang group and the Mesalazine group was not significant. ConclusionShaoyaotang can effectively treat DSS-induced mice with UC through the SIRT6/HIF-1α pathway， and its mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of the SIRT6/HIF-1α pathway and glucose metabolism reprogramming and the inhibition of glycolysis.