Purpose: To compare the clinical outcomes of XEN45 gel stent implantation surgery (ab externo, open conjunctiva) with those of trabeculectomy. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed electronic medical record of 57 patients (62 eyes) treated with XEN implantation surgery (ab externo, open conjunctival approach) between April 1, 2021, and July 31, 2023, by the same surgeon. Preoperative clinical data including intraocular pressure (IOP), the number of glaucoma medications, and visual acuity were collected from 1 day to 12 months postoperatively. These data were compared and analyzed with those of 67 patients (78 eyes) received trabeculectomy between February 1, 2017, and April 30, 2022, by the same surgeon. Statistical analyses were performed with p < 0.05 as significant. Results: Complete surgical success rate was 33.9% and 57.7% of the XEN and trabeculectomy groups, respectively (p = 0.005). The qualified success rate was 79.0% and 93.6%, respectively (p = 0.011). Postoperatively, the XEN group used more glaucoma medications than the trabeculectomy group (1.21 ± 1.05 vs. 0.69 ± 0.90, p = 0.003 at postoperative month 12). After postoperative month 1, the XEN group had a higher IOP (15.77 ± 5.07 mmHg vs. 13.17 ± 3.81 mmHg; at postoperative month 12, p = 0.001) and lower corneal astigmatism than the trabeculectomy group (1.32 ± 0.79 diopters vs. 1.88 ± 1.45 diopters, p = 0.020 at postoperative month 6). There was no significant difference in preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (logMAR) between the groups at any of the follow-up period (favorable visual acuity subgroup; logMAR < 0.7). Postoperative complications were 0 cases of XEN group and 13 cases of trabeculectomy group (0% vs. 16.7%, p = 0.001). Also, XEN surgery (24 minutes 40 seconds ± 6 minutes 26 seconds) had a shorter operation time than the trabeculectomy (40 minutes 18 seconds ± 8 minutes 27 seconds, p < 0.001). Conclusions Compared to trabeculectomy, XEN surgery (ab externo, open conjunctiva) showed relatively lower effectiveness (surgical success rate, IOP reduction). However, it demonstrated advantages as a minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, including a surgical success rate approaching about 80%, stability in inducing corneal astigmatism, fewer postoperative complications, and shorter operation times.

Background and Objectives: The Fractional Flow Reserve and Intravascular UltrasoundGuided Intervention Strategy for Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Intermediate Stenosis (FLAVOUR) trial demonstrated non-inferiority of fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) compared with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided PCI. We sought to investigate the cost-effectiveness of FFR-guided PCI compared to IVUS-guided PCI in Korea. Methods: A 2-part cost-effectiveness model, composed of a short-term decision tree model and a long-term Markov model, was developed for patients who underwent PCI to treat intermediate stenosis (40% to 70% stenosis by visual estimation on coronary angiography).The lifetime healthcare costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were estimated from the healthcare system perspective. Transition probabilities were mainly referred from the FLAVOUR trial, and healthcare costs were mainly obtained through analysis of Korean National Health Insurance claims data. Health utilities were mainly obtained from the Seattle Angina Questionnaire responses of FLAVOUR trial participants mapped to EQ-5D. Results: From the Korean healthcare system perspective, the base-case analysis showed that FFR-guided PCI was 2,451 U.S. dollar lower in lifetime healthcare costs and 0.178 higher in QALYs compared to IVUS-guided PCI. FFR-guided PCI remained more likely to be cost-effective over a wide range of willingness-to-pay thresholds in the probabilistic sensitivity analysis. Conclusions Based on the results from the FLAVOUR trial, FFR-guided PCI is projected to decrease lifetime healthcare costs and increase QALYs compared with IVUS-guided PCI in intermediate coronary lesion, and it is a dominant strategy in Korea.

Background: Recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (rhFSH) is commonly used to treat female infertility, but its short half-life necessitates multiple doses. Even corifollitropin alfa, with an extended half-life, requires supplementary injections of rhFSH after 7 days. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a long-acting follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) formulation using anti-serum albumin Fab-associated (SAFA) technology to avoid additional injections and enhance ovarian function. Methods: SAFA-FSH was synthesized using a Chinese hamster ovary expression system. Its biological efficacy was confirmed through assays measuring its ability to stimulate cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production, estradiol synthesis, and the expression of human cytochrome P450 family 19 subfamily A member 1 (hCYP19α1) and human steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (hSTAR) in human ovarian granulosa (KGN) cells. To evaluate the effects of SAFA-FSH, we compared its impact on serum estradiol levels and ovarian weight increase with that of rhFSH in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats using the modified Steelman-Pohley test. Results: The results indicated that SAFA-FSH induces cAMP synthesis in KGN cells and upregulates the expression of hCYP19α1 and hSTAR in a dose-dependent manner. Female SD rats, aged 21 days, receiving daily subcutaneous human chorionic gonadotropin injections for 5 days exhibited a significant increase in serum estradiol levels and ovarian weight when administered SAFA-FSH on the first day or when given nine injections of rhFSH over 5 days. Notably, the group receiving SAFA-FSH on the first and third days demonstrated an even greater rise in serum estradiol levels and ovarian weight. Conclusion These findings suggest that SAFA-FSH presents a promising alternative to current rhFSH treatments for female infertility. However, further research is essential to thoroughly assess its safety and efficacy in clinical contexts.

Purpose: To compare the clinical outcomes of XEN45 gel stent implantation surgery (ab externo, open conjunctiva) with those of trabeculectomy. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed electronic medical record of 57 patients (62 eyes) treated with XEN implantation surgery (ab externo, open conjunctival approach) between April 1, 2021, and July 31, 2023, by the same surgeon. Preoperative clinical data including intraocular pressure (IOP), the number of glaucoma medications, and visual acuity were collected from 1 day to 12 months postoperatively. These data were compared and analyzed with those of 67 patients (78 eyes) received trabeculectomy between February 1, 2017, and April 30, 2022, by the same surgeon. Statistical analyses were performed with p < 0.05 as significant. Results: Complete surgical success rate was 33.9% and 57.7% of the XEN and trabeculectomy groups, respectively (p = 0.005). The qualified success rate was 79.0% and 93.6%, respectively (p = 0.011). Postoperatively, the XEN group used more glaucoma medications than the trabeculectomy group (1.21 ± 1.05 vs. 0.69 ± 0.90, p = 0.003 at postoperative month 12). After postoperative month 1, the XEN group had a higher IOP (15.77 ± 5.07 mmHg vs. 13.17 ± 3.81 mmHg; at postoperative month 12, p = 0.001) and lower corneal astigmatism than the trabeculectomy group (1.32 ± 0.79 diopters vs. 1.88 ± 1.45 diopters, p = 0.020 at postoperative month 6). There was no significant difference in preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (logMAR) between the groups at any of the follow-up period (favorable visual acuity subgroup; logMAR < 0.7). Postoperative complications were 0 cases of XEN group and 13 cases of trabeculectomy group (0% vs. 16.7%, p = 0.001). Also, XEN surgery (24 minutes 40 seconds ± 6 minutes 26 seconds) had a shorter operation time than the trabeculectomy (40 minutes 18 seconds ± 8 minutes 27 seconds, p < 0.001). Conclusions Compared to trabeculectomy, XEN surgery (ab externo, open conjunctiva) showed relatively lower effectiveness (surgical success rate, IOP reduction). However, it demonstrated advantages as a minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, including a surgical success rate approaching about 80%, stability in inducing corneal astigmatism, fewer postoperative complications, and shorter operation times.

Purpose: To compare the clinical outcomes of XEN45 gel stent implantation surgery (ab externo, open conjunctiva) with those of trabeculectomy. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed electronic medical record of 57 patients (62 eyes) treated with XEN implantation surgery (ab externo, open conjunctival approach) between April 1, 2021, and July 31, 2023, by the same surgeon. Preoperative clinical data including intraocular pressure (IOP), the number of glaucoma medications, and visual acuity were collected from 1 day to 12 months postoperatively. These data were compared and analyzed with those of 67 patients (78 eyes) received trabeculectomy between February 1, 2017, and April 30, 2022, by the same surgeon. Statistical analyses were performed with p < 0.05 as significant. Results: Complete surgical success rate was 33.9% and 57.7% of the XEN and trabeculectomy groups, respectively (p = 0.005). The qualified success rate was 79.0% and 93.6%, respectively (p = 0.011). Postoperatively, the XEN group used more glaucoma medications than the trabeculectomy group (1.21 ± 1.05 vs. 0.69 ± 0.90, p = 0.003 at postoperative month 12). After postoperative month 1, the XEN group had a higher IOP (15.77 ± 5.07 mmHg vs. 13.17 ± 3.81 mmHg; at postoperative month 12, p = 0.001) and lower corneal astigmatism than the trabeculectomy group (1.32 ± 0.79 diopters vs. 1.88 ± 1.45 diopters, p = 0.020 at postoperative month 6). There was no significant difference in preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (logMAR) between the groups at any of the follow-up period (favorable visual acuity subgroup; logMAR < 0.7). Postoperative complications were 0 cases of XEN group and 13 cases of trabeculectomy group (0% vs. 16.7%, p = 0.001). Also, XEN surgery (24 minutes 40 seconds ± 6 minutes 26 seconds) had a shorter operation time than the trabeculectomy (40 minutes 18 seconds ± 8 minutes 27 seconds, p < 0.001). Conclusions Compared to trabeculectomy, XEN surgery (ab externo, open conjunctiva) showed relatively lower effectiveness (surgical success rate, IOP reduction). However, it demonstrated advantages as a minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, including a surgical success rate approaching about 80%, stability in inducing corneal astigmatism, fewer postoperative complications, and shorter operation times.

Background and Objectives: The Fractional Flow Reserve and Intravascular UltrasoundGuided Intervention Strategy for Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Intermediate Stenosis (FLAVOUR) trial demonstrated non-inferiority of fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) compared with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided PCI. We sought to investigate the cost-effectiveness of FFR-guided PCI compared to IVUS-guided PCI in Korea. Methods: A 2-part cost-effectiveness model, composed of a short-term decision tree model and a long-term Markov model, was developed for patients who underwent PCI to treat intermediate stenosis (40% to 70% stenosis by visual estimation on coronary angiography).The lifetime healthcare costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were estimated from the healthcare system perspective. Transition probabilities were mainly referred from the FLAVOUR trial, and healthcare costs were mainly obtained through analysis of Korean National Health Insurance claims data. Health utilities were mainly obtained from the Seattle Angina Questionnaire responses of FLAVOUR trial participants mapped to EQ-5D. Results: From the Korean healthcare system perspective, the base-case analysis showed that FFR-guided PCI was 2,451 U.S. dollar lower in lifetime healthcare costs and 0.178 higher in QALYs compared to IVUS-guided PCI. FFR-guided PCI remained more likely to be cost-effective over a wide range of willingness-to-pay thresholds in the probabilistic sensitivity analysis. Conclusions Based on the results from the FLAVOUR trial, FFR-guided PCI is projected to decrease lifetime healthcare costs and increase QALYs compared with IVUS-guided PCI in intermediate coronary lesion, and it is a dominant strategy in Korea.

Cerebellar ataxia, neuropathy, and vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a biallelic expansion of pentanucleotide repeats in the RFC1 gene. Previous studies have reported up to 22% of patients with late-onset ataxia harbor this pathogenic repeat expansion. Despite its relatively high prevalence, CANVAS is often underdiagnosed because the disease is not well recognized and genetic testing is not performed in clinical practice. Here, we present a patient with characteristic clinical features, confirmed by genetic testing.

Neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease (NIID) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the presence of eosinophilic nuclear inclusions in neurons and somatic cells. It clinically manifests as cognitive decline, seizures, and autonomic dysfunction. A 44-year-old man presented with a transient visual field defect and hemiparesis. Based on characteristic imaging findings and pathological findings, NIID was suspected and diagnosed through genetic testing. This case emphasizes the importance of comprehensive clinical phenotype analysis and accurate genetic diagnosis.

Background: and Purpose This study evaluated the diagnostic utility of an anti-signal-recognition particle 54 (anti-SRP54) antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as well as the clinical, serological, and pathological characteristics of patients with SRP immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM). Methods: We evaluated 87 patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy and 107 healthy participants between January 2002 and December 2023. The sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA for anti-SRP54 antibodies were assessed, and the clinical profiles of patients with antiSRP54 antibodies were determined. Results: The ELISA for anti-SRP54 antibodies had a sensitivity and specificity of 88% and 99%, respectively, along with a test–retest reliability of 0.92 (p<0.001). The 32 patients diagnosed with anti-SRP IMNM using a line-blot immunoassay included 28 (88%) who tested positive for anti-SRP54 antibodies using the ELISA, comprising 12 (43%) males and 16 (57%) females whose median ages at symptom onset and diagnosis were 43.0 years and 43.5 years, respectively. Symptoms included proximal muscle weakness in all 28 (100%) patients, neck weakness in 9 (32%), myalgia in 15 (54%), dysphagia in 5 (18%), dyspnea in 4 (14%), dysarthria in 2 (7%), interstitial lung disease in 2 (7%), and myocarditis in 2 (7%). The median serum creatine kinase (CK) level was 7,261 U/L (interquartile range: 5,086–10,007 U/L), and the median anti-SRP54 antibody level was 2.0 U/mL (interquartile range: 1.0–5.6 U/mL). The serum CK level was significantly higher in patients with coexisting anti-Ro-52 antibodies. Conclusions This study has confirmed the reliability of the ELISA for anti-SRP54 antibodies and provided insights into the clinical, serological, and pathological characteristics of South Korean patients with anti-SRP IMNM.