Background and Objectives: Pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) significantly affects children’s quality of life and learning abilities. This study aimed to evaluate the postoperative outcomes in pediatric patients who underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) for CRS. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on pediatric patients who underwent FESS for CRS at 11 university hospitals. The inclusion criteria were patients under 20 years old with bilateral disease who were operated on between January 2005 and December 2021. The data collected included demographics, clinical history, blood tests, preoperative computed tomography, and preoperative and postoperative symptom control. The Kruskal-Wallis and Fisher exact tests were used to compare the quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. Results: In total, 213 patients were enrolled. The mean age was 13.4±3.0 years, and 145 (68.1%) were male. One hundred sixty-four patients (77.0%) had nasal polyps and 33 patients (15.5%) underwent revision FESS. The preoperative symptoms, in order of prevalence, included nasal obstruction (87.8%), rhinorrhea (71.8%), a sense of postnasal drip (58.2%), hyposmia (44.6%), cough (24.4%), and facial fullness (18.3%). These symptoms were significantly alleviated for up to 3 years after surgery (p<0.001). At the time of the last follow-up, 121 patients (56.8%) were controlled, 80 (37.6%) were partly controlled, and 12 (5.6%) were uncontrolled. Patients in the uncontrolled group had higher Lund-Mackay scores, longer follow-up durations, and more instances of revision surgery compared to those in the controlled and partly controlled groups. When age was categorized into three groups, those aged 16 years or older tended to have lower Lund-Mackay scores and better control. Conclusion FESS significantly improves both the postoperative symptoms and the long-term quality of life in pediatric CRS patients. Better symptom control is associated with older age and a lower disease burden.

Purpose: Breast cancer gene (BRCA) mutation is a well-known risk factor for breast cancer, and clinical interest in prophylactic mastectomy has increased in recent years.We investigated patients who were BRCA mutation carriers and underwent contralateral risk-reducing mastectomy (RRM), focusing on the incidence of occult malignancy after contralateral RRM. Methods: Prospectively collected data of patients with breast cancer treated at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who underwent RRM with BRCA mutation who underwent RRM between January 2010 and November 2023 were included in this study.Among patients who underwent contralateral RRM, those with a primary cancer diagnosis were included, and those with occult malignancy on the contralateral RRM side were reviewed additionally. The demographics and pathologies of both primary breast cancer and occult malignancies were evaluated. Results: In our institution, 925 patients were identified as BRCA mutation carriers, and 320 patients underwent contralateral RRM along with primary breast cancer surgery. BRCA2 mutation occurred more frequently (54.8%) in the overall BRCA mutation cohort. Furthermore, we reviewed 320 patients diagnosed with breast cancer and detected as BRCA mutation carriers who underwent contralateral RRM; high proportion of them were BRCA1 mutation carriers.Interestingly, we found a low incidence of only seven patients (2.2%) with occult malignancy on contralateral RRM side, which is different from that reported in other nations. Conclusion The incidence of occult malignancy in the contralateral breast of breast cancer patients with breast cancer with BRCA mutation is significantly low, and may be influenced by several factors. Increased utilization of screening and advancements in diagnostic technologies in South Korea have reduced the chance of occult malignancy in RRM, and a variety of pathologic examination methods may affect the rate of incidence.

Purpose: Breast cancer gene (BRCA) mutation is a well-known risk factor for breast cancer, and clinical interest in prophylactic mastectomy has increased in recent years.We investigated patients who were BRCA mutation carriers and underwent contralateral risk-reducing mastectomy (RRM), focusing on the incidence of occult malignancy after contralateral RRM. Methods: Prospectively collected data of patients with breast cancer treated at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who underwent RRM with BRCA mutation who underwent RRM between January 2010 and November 2023 were included in this study.Among patients who underwent contralateral RRM, those with a primary cancer diagnosis were included, and those with occult malignancy on the contralateral RRM side were reviewed additionally. The demographics and pathologies of both primary breast cancer and occult malignancies were evaluated. Results: In our institution, 925 patients were identified as BRCA mutation carriers, and 320 patients underwent contralateral RRM along with primary breast cancer surgery. BRCA2 mutation occurred more frequently (54.8%) in the overall BRCA mutation cohort. Furthermore, we reviewed 320 patients diagnosed with breast cancer and detected as BRCA mutation carriers who underwent contralateral RRM; high proportion of them were BRCA1 mutation carriers.Interestingly, we found a low incidence of only seven patients (2.2%) with occult malignancy on contralateral RRM side, which is different from that reported in other nations. Conclusion The incidence of occult malignancy in the contralateral breast of breast cancer patients with breast cancer with BRCA mutation is significantly low, and may be influenced by several factors. Increased utilization of screening and advancements in diagnostic technologies in South Korea have reduced the chance of occult malignancy in RRM, and a variety of pathologic examination methods may affect the rate of incidence.

Background and Objectives: Pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) significantly affects children’s quality of life and learning abilities. This study aimed to evaluate the postoperative outcomes in pediatric patients who underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) for CRS. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on pediatric patients who underwent FESS for CRS at 11 university hospitals. The inclusion criteria were patients under 20 years old with bilateral disease who were operated on between January 2005 and December 2021. The data collected included demographics, clinical history, blood tests, preoperative computed tomography, and preoperative and postoperative symptom control. The Kruskal-Wallis and Fisher exact tests were used to compare the quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. Results: In total, 213 patients were enrolled. The mean age was 13.4±3.0 years, and 145 (68.1%) were male. One hundred sixty-four patients (77.0%) had nasal polyps and 33 patients (15.5%) underwent revision FESS. The preoperative symptoms, in order of prevalence, included nasal obstruction (87.8%), rhinorrhea (71.8%), a sense of postnasal drip (58.2%), hyposmia (44.6%), cough (24.4%), and facial fullness (18.3%). These symptoms were significantly alleviated for up to 3 years after surgery (p<0.001). At the time of the last follow-up, 121 patients (56.8%) were controlled, 80 (37.6%) were partly controlled, and 12 (5.6%) were uncontrolled. Patients in the uncontrolled group had higher Lund-Mackay scores, longer follow-up durations, and more instances of revision surgery compared to those in the controlled and partly controlled groups. When age was categorized into three groups, those aged 16 years or older tended to have lower Lund-Mackay scores and better control. Conclusion FESS significantly improves both the postoperative symptoms and the long-term quality of life in pediatric CRS patients. Better symptom control is associated with older age and a lower disease burden.

Purpose: Breast cancer gene (BRCA) mutation is a well-known risk factor for breast cancer, and clinical interest in prophylactic mastectomy has increased in recent years.We investigated patients who were BRCA mutation carriers and underwent contralateral risk-reducing mastectomy (RRM), focusing on the incidence of occult malignancy after contralateral RRM. Methods: Prospectively collected data of patients with breast cancer treated at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who underwent RRM with BRCA mutation who underwent RRM between January 2010 and November 2023 were included in this study.Among patients who underwent contralateral RRM, those with a primary cancer diagnosis were included, and those with occult malignancy on the contralateral RRM side were reviewed additionally. The demographics and pathologies of both primary breast cancer and occult malignancies were evaluated. Results: In our institution, 925 patients were identified as BRCA mutation carriers, and 320 patients underwent contralateral RRM along with primary breast cancer surgery. BRCA2 mutation occurred more frequently (54.8%) in the overall BRCA mutation cohort. Furthermore, we reviewed 320 patients diagnosed with breast cancer and detected as BRCA mutation carriers who underwent contralateral RRM; high proportion of them were BRCA1 mutation carriers.Interestingly, we found a low incidence of only seven patients (2.2%) with occult malignancy on contralateral RRM side, which is different from that reported in other nations. Conclusion The incidence of occult malignancy in the contralateral breast of breast cancer patients with breast cancer with BRCA mutation is significantly low, and may be influenced by several factors. Increased utilization of screening and advancements in diagnostic technologies in South Korea have reduced the chance of occult malignancy in RRM, and a variety of pathologic examination methods may affect the rate of incidence.

Background and Objectives: Pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) significantly affects children’s quality of life and learning abilities. This study aimed to evaluate the postoperative outcomes in pediatric patients who underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) for CRS. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on pediatric patients who underwent FESS for CRS at 11 university hospitals. The inclusion criteria were patients under 20 years old with bilateral disease who were operated on between January 2005 and December 2021. The data collected included demographics, clinical history, blood tests, preoperative computed tomography, and preoperative and postoperative symptom control. The Kruskal-Wallis and Fisher exact tests were used to compare the quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. Results: In total, 213 patients were enrolled. The mean age was 13.4±3.0 years, and 145 (68.1%) were male. One hundred sixty-four patients (77.0%) had nasal polyps and 33 patients (15.5%) underwent revision FESS. The preoperative symptoms, in order of prevalence, included nasal obstruction (87.8%), rhinorrhea (71.8%), a sense of postnasal drip (58.2%), hyposmia (44.6%), cough (24.4%), and facial fullness (18.3%). These symptoms were significantly alleviated for up to 3 years after surgery (p<0.001). At the time of the last follow-up, 121 patients (56.8%) were controlled, 80 (37.6%) were partly controlled, and 12 (5.6%) were uncontrolled. Patients in the uncontrolled group had higher Lund-Mackay scores, longer follow-up durations, and more instances of revision surgery compared to those in the controlled and partly controlled groups. When age was categorized into three groups, those aged 16 years or older tended to have lower Lund-Mackay scores and better control. Conclusion FESS significantly improves both the postoperative symptoms and the long-term quality of life in pediatric CRS patients. Better symptom control is associated with older age and a lower disease burden.

Purpose: Smoking is causally related to alcohol use disorder. Although polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are major neurotoxic pollutants in tobacco smoke, evidence is lacking on the role of PAHs in the relationship between smoking and alcohol use disorder. This study investigated the types of PAHs associated with smoking and whether exposure to those PAHs mediated the effect of smoking on alcohol use disorder. Materials and Methods: A total of 968 male firefighters were analyzed. Smoking history and cumulative pack-years were obtained using self-reported questionnaires. Alcohol use disorder was defined using the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test.PAH exposure was assessed by urinary metabolites. Regression analyses were performed between exposure (smoking), outcome (alcohol use disorder), and mediator (PAH metabolites) variables. A mediation analysis was performed to test the indirect effect of PAH metabolites on the association between smoking and alcohol use disorder. All analyses were repeated for 770 participants who were followed up after 2 years, while alcohol use disorder was redefined from follow-up data ensuring the temporal sequence of the variables. Results: Both 2-naphthol [β=0.78, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.59–0.98] and 2-hydroxyfluorene (β=0.69, 95% CI: 0.56–0.82) were associated with smoking history. Furthermore, 2-naphthol and 2-hydroxyfluorene mediated the associations of smoking history (proportion mediated: 14.2%, 23.6% respectively) or cumulative pack-years (proportion mediated: 14.4%, 25.4% respectively) with alcohol use disorder. The results were consistent in longitudinal settings. Conclusion Exposure to PAHs mediated the association between tobacco smoking and alcohol use disorder. PAH exposure from tobacco may increase the risk of addictive disorders.

Low-dose radiotherapy (LDRT) has been explored as a treatment option for various inflammatory diseases; however, its application in the context of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is lacking. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism underlying LDRT-based treatment for RA and standardize it. LDRT reduced the total numbers of immune cells, but increased the apoptotic CD4+ T and B220+ B cells, in the draining lymph nodes of collagen induced arthritis and K/BxN models. In addition, it significantly reduced the severity of various pathological manifestations, including bone destruction, cartilage erosion, and swelling of hind limb ankle. Post-LDRT, the proportion of apoptotic CD4+ T and CD19 + B cells increased significantly in the PBMCs derived from human patients with RA. LDRT showed a similar effect in fibroblast-like synoviocytes as well. In conclusion, we report that LDRT induces apoptosis in immune cells and fibro-blast-like synoviocytes, contributing to attenuation of arthritis.

Purpose: Smoking is causally related to alcohol use disorder. Although polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are major neurotoxic pollutants in tobacco smoke, evidence is lacking on the role of PAHs in the relationship between smoking and alcohol use disorder. This study investigated the types of PAHs associated with smoking and whether exposure to those PAHs mediated the effect of smoking on alcohol use disorder. Materials and Methods: A total of 968 male firefighters were analyzed. Smoking history and cumulative pack-years were obtained using self-reported questionnaires. Alcohol use disorder was defined using the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test.PAH exposure was assessed by urinary metabolites. Regression analyses were performed between exposure (smoking), outcome (alcohol use disorder), and mediator (PAH metabolites) variables. A mediation analysis was performed to test the indirect effect of PAH metabolites on the association between smoking and alcohol use disorder. All analyses were repeated for 770 participants who were followed up after 2 years, while alcohol use disorder was redefined from follow-up data ensuring the temporal sequence of the variables. Results: Both 2-naphthol [β=0.78, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.59–0.98] and 2-hydroxyfluorene (β=0.69, 95% CI: 0.56–0.82) were associated with smoking history. Furthermore, 2-naphthol and 2-hydroxyfluorene mediated the associations of smoking history (proportion mediated: 14.2%, 23.6% respectively) or cumulative pack-years (proportion mediated: 14.4%, 25.4% respectively) with alcohol use disorder. The results were consistent in longitudinal settings. Conclusion Exposure to PAHs mediated the association between tobacco smoking and alcohol use disorder. PAH exposure from tobacco may increase the risk of addictive disorders.

Purpose: Smoking is causally related to alcohol use disorder. Although polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are major neurotoxic pollutants in tobacco smoke, evidence is lacking on the role of PAHs in the relationship between smoking and alcohol use disorder. This study investigated the types of PAHs associated with smoking and whether exposure to those PAHs mediated the effect of smoking on alcohol use disorder. Materials and Methods: A total of 968 male firefighters were analyzed. Smoking history and cumulative pack-years were obtained using self-reported questionnaires. Alcohol use disorder was defined using the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test.PAH exposure was assessed by urinary metabolites. Regression analyses were performed between exposure (smoking), outcome (alcohol use disorder), and mediator (PAH metabolites) variables. A mediation analysis was performed to test the indirect effect of PAH metabolites on the association between smoking and alcohol use disorder. All analyses were repeated for 770 participants who were followed up after 2 years, while alcohol use disorder was redefined from follow-up data ensuring the temporal sequence of the variables. Results: Both 2-naphthol [β=0.78, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.59–0.98] and 2-hydroxyfluorene (β=0.69, 95% CI: 0.56–0.82) were associated with smoking history. Furthermore, 2-naphthol and 2-hydroxyfluorene mediated the associations of smoking history (proportion mediated: 14.2%, 23.6% respectively) or cumulative pack-years (proportion mediated: 14.4%, 25.4% respectively) with alcohol use disorder. The results were consistent in longitudinal settings. Conclusion Exposure to PAHs mediated the association between tobacco smoking and alcohol use disorder. PAH exposure from tobacco may increase the risk of addictive disorders.