Background: Post-transplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy) and anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) are common pro‑ phylactic strategies for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT). Interleukin (IL)-6 is a surrogate marker for cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and acute GVHD.Method The clinical outcomes and complications of haplo-HSCT with PTCy plus ATG versus PTCy monotherapy were compared according to serum IL-6 levels at Chungnam National University Hospital (Daejeon, South Korea) from Jan‑ uary 2019 to February 2023. Results: Forty patients who underwent haplo-HSCT were analyzed. A significant difference in IL-6 levels was observed between the PTCy plus ATG and PTCy alone groups (7.47 ± 10.55 vs. 117.65 ± 127.67; p = 0.003). More patients in the PTCy plus ATG group had a CRS grade of 0 than in the PTCy alone group (p < 0.001). Serum IL-6 levels were associated with grades II–IV acute GVHD (r = 0.547, p < 0.001). The cumulative incidence (CI) of grades II–IV acute GVHD was significantly higher in the PTCy alone group (67.9% vs. 4.8%; p < 0.001). No significant difference in the CI for chronic GVHD was detected between the PTCy plus ATG and PTCy alone groups (72.1% vs. 82.0%; p = 0.730). The CI of 1-year non-relapse mortality was significantly higher in the PTCy alone group than in the PTCy plus ATG group (42.2% vs. 15.9%; p = 0.022). The 1-year overall survival (OS) was significantly better in the PTCy plus ATG group (75.9% vs. 35.3%; p = 0.011). The 1-year GVHD-free, relapse-free survival rate was 29.4% in the PTCy alone group and 54.0% in the PTCy plus ATG group (p = 0.038). Conclusion Serum IL-6 levels were higher in the PTCy alone group than in the PTCy plus ATG group. The addition of ATG before stem cell infusion affected IL-6 levels and reduced the incidences of CRS and grade II–IV acute GVHD in haplo-HSCT patients. This study suggests that PTCy plus ATG as GVHD prophylaxis in haplo-HSCT is beneficial in terms of clinical outcomes and complications of HSCT.

Background: Post-transplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy) and anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) are common pro‑ phylactic strategies for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT). Interleukin (IL)-6 is a surrogate marker for cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and acute GVHD.Method The clinical outcomes and complications of haplo-HSCT with PTCy plus ATG versus PTCy monotherapy were compared according to serum IL-6 levels at Chungnam National University Hospital (Daejeon, South Korea) from Jan‑ uary 2019 to February 2023. Results: Forty patients who underwent haplo-HSCT were analyzed. A significant difference in IL-6 levels was observed between the PTCy plus ATG and PTCy alone groups (7.47 ± 10.55 vs. 117.65 ± 127.67; p = 0.003). More patients in the PTCy plus ATG group had a CRS grade of 0 than in the PTCy alone group (p < 0.001). Serum IL-6 levels were associated with grades II–IV acute GVHD (r = 0.547, p < 0.001). The cumulative incidence (CI) of grades II–IV acute GVHD was significantly higher in the PTCy alone group (67.9% vs. 4.8%; p < 0.001). No significant difference in the CI for chronic GVHD was detected between the PTCy plus ATG and PTCy alone groups (72.1% vs. 82.0%; p = 0.730). The CI of 1-year non-relapse mortality was significantly higher in the PTCy alone group than in the PTCy plus ATG group (42.2% vs. 15.9%; p = 0.022). The 1-year overall survival (OS) was significantly better in the PTCy plus ATG group (75.9% vs. 35.3%; p = 0.011). The 1-year GVHD-free, relapse-free survival rate was 29.4% in the PTCy alone group and 54.0% in the PTCy plus ATG group (p = 0.038). Conclusion Serum IL-6 levels were higher in the PTCy alone group than in the PTCy plus ATG group. The addition of ATG before stem cell infusion affected IL-6 levels and reduced the incidences of CRS and grade II–IV acute GVHD in haplo-HSCT patients. This study suggests that PTCy plus ATG as GVHD prophylaxis in haplo-HSCT is beneficial in terms of clinical outcomes and complications of HSCT.

Background: Post-transplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy) and anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) are common pro‑ phylactic strategies for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT). Interleukin (IL)-6 is a surrogate marker for cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and acute GVHD.Method The clinical outcomes and complications of haplo-HSCT with PTCy plus ATG versus PTCy monotherapy were compared according to serum IL-6 levels at Chungnam National University Hospital (Daejeon, South Korea) from Jan‑ uary 2019 to February 2023. Results: Forty patients who underwent haplo-HSCT were analyzed. A significant difference in IL-6 levels was observed between the PTCy plus ATG and PTCy alone groups (7.47 ± 10.55 vs. 117.65 ± 127.67; p = 0.003). More patients in the PTCy plus ATG group had a CRS grade of 0 than in the PTCy alone group (p < 0.001). Serum IL-6 levels were associated with grades II–IV acute GVHD (r = 0.547, p < 0.001). The cumulative incidence (CI) of grades II–IV acute GVHD was significantly higher in the PTCy alone group (67.9% vs. 4.8%; p < 0.001). No significant difference in the CI for chronic GVHD was detected between the PTCy plus ATG and PTCy alone groups (72.1% vs. 82.0%; p = 0.730). The CI of 1-year non-relapse mortality was significantly higher in the PTCy alone group than in the PTCy plus ATG group (42.2% vs. 15.9%; p = 0.022). The 1-year overall survival (OS) was significantly better in the PTCy plus ATG group (75.9% vs. 35.3%; p = 0.011). The 1-year GVHD-free, relapse-free survival rate was 29.4% in the PTCy alone group and 54.0% in the PTCy plus ATG group (p = 0.038). Conclusion Serum IL-6 levels were higher in the PTCy alone group than in the PTCy plus ATG group. The addition of ATG before stem cell infusion affected IL-6 levels and reduced the incidences of CRS and grade II–IV acute GVHD in haplo-HSCT patients. This study suggests that PTCy plus ATG as GVHD prophylaxis in haplo-HSCT is beneficial in terms of clinical outcomes and complications of HSCT.

Background: Aimed to report the prevalence and predisposing factors affecting subscapularis muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration (MAFI) in patients without a subscapularis tear, and to analyze the effect of this condition on surgical outcomes. Methods: Between 2020 and 2022, 153 patients (mean age 58.1 ± 10.2 years; 84 men and 69 women) who underwent repair of posterosuperior cuff tears, with no subscapularis tears identified during arthroscopy were retrospectively analyzed. Baseline characteristics, preoperative and follow-up (6 months) magnetic resonance imaging findings, arthroscopic findings, and clinical outcomes (>1 year) were recorded. Results: The prevalence of subscapularis MAFI (Goutallier grade 1 or 2) was 73.9% (113/153), of which the prevalence of Goutallier grade 2 was 23.5% (36/153). From multivariable logistic regression analysis, female sex (odds ratio [OR], 5.6; 95% CI, 1.7–18.6; P=0.005), older age (OR, 1.1; 95% CI, 1.0–1.1; P=0.052), advanced supraspinatus MAFI by Goutallier grade (OR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.5–6.9; P=0.004), and synovitis (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.1–7.9; P=0.030) were identified as independent predisposing factors for subscapularis MAFI. However, patients with preoperative subscapularis MAFI exhibited similar final range of motion, pain and function, and belly press strength compared to those without preoperative subscapularis MAFI. Conclusions Subscapularis MAFI is frequently observed conditions even in the absence of subscapularis tears, and this condition could be affected by supraspinatus MAFI, female sex, older age, and synovitis. However, because subscapularis MAFI does not affect the surgical outcome, surgeons need not be concerned about this condition when repairing posterosuperior rotator cuff tear.Level of evidence: IV.

Objectives: Poor oral hygiene is known to be associated with gastric cancer, but this remains controversial. In this study, we investigated the association between oral health and gastric cancer in Korean adults using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Methods: We analyzed data of 79501 patients with gastric cancer and 41856805 individuals without gastric cancer (control group) using the 7th and 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016–2019) records. Layer and colony variables and weights were used for the complex sample design. We performed logistic regression analysis of complex samples to analyze factors that affect gastric cancer development. Results: Patients with gastric cancer were older and had a higher prevalence of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes and a higher rate of current smoking and alcohol consumption than individuals without gastric cancer (p<0.001). Regarding oral health-related factors, the prevalence of very uncomfortable chewing difficulty was significantly higher in patients with gastric cancer (14.4% vs. 3.6%, p<0.001). On multivariate analysis of factors associated with gastric cancer, chewing difficulty showed the highest odds ratio (5.351, 95% confidence interval 2.128–8.982). Patients with very uncomfortable chewing difficulty had high rates of previous dental nerve treatment, gum disease treatment, tooth extraction or intraoral surgery, and prosthetic repair (p<0.001). Conclusions Oral health-related chewing difficulties were associated with gastric cancer, which may be attributable to poor oral hygiene and degradation of oral microbiota. Patients at risk of gastric cancer warrant timely medical interventions to address their oral health and chewing difficulties.

Background: Aimed to report the prevalence and predisposing factors affecting subscapularis muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration (MAFI) in patients without a subscapularis tear, and to analyze the effect of this condition on surgical outcomes. Methods: Between 2020 and 2022, 153 patients (mean age 58.1 ± 10.2 years; 84 men and 69 women) who underwent repair of posterosuperior cuff tears, with no subscapularis tears identified during arthroscopy were retrospectively analyzed. Baseline characteristics, preoperative and follow-up (6 months) magnetic resonance imaging findings, arthroscopic findings, and clinical outcomes (>1 year) were recorded. Results: The prevalence of subscapularis MAFI (Goutallier grade 1 or 2) was 73.9% (113/153), of which the prevalence of Goutallier grade 2 was 23.5% (36/153). From multivariable logistic regression analysis, female sex (odds ratio [OR], 5.6; 95% CI, 1.7–18.6; P=0.005), older age (OR, 1.1; 95% CI, 1.0–1.1; P=0.052), advanced supraspinatus MAFI by Goutallier grade (OR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.5–6.9; P=0.004), and synovitis (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.1–7.9; P=0.030) were identified as independent predisposing factors for subscapularis MAFI. However, patients with preoperative subscapularis MAFI exhibited similar final range of motion, pain and function, and belly press strength compared to those without preoperative subscapularis MAFI. Conclusions Subscapularis MAFI is frequently observed conditions even in the absence of subscapularis tears, and this condition could be affected by supraspinatus MAFI, female sex, older age, and synovitis. However, because subscapularis MAFI does not affect the surgical outcome, surgeons need not be concerned about this condition when repairing posterosuperior rotator cuff tear.Level of evidence: IV.

Objectives: Poor oral hygiene is known to be associated with gastric cancer, but this remains controversial. In this study, we investigated the association between oral health and gastric cancer in Korean adults using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Methods: We analyzed data of 79501 patients with gastric cancer and 41856805 individuals without gastric cancer (control group) using the 7th and 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016–2019) records. Layer and colony variables and weights were used for the complex sample design. We performed logistic regression analysis of complex samples to analyze factors that affect gastric cancer development. Results: Patients with gastric cancer were older and had a higher prevalence of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes and a higher rate of current smoking and alcohol consumption than individuals without gastric cancer (p<0.001). Regarding oral health-related factors, the prevalence of very uncomfortable chewing difficulty was significantly higher in patients with gastric cancer (14.4% vs. 3.6%, p<0.001). On multivariate analysis of factors associated with gastric cancer, chewing difficulty showed the highest odds ratio (5.351, 95% confidence interval 2.128–8.982). Patients with very uncomfortable chewing difficulty had high rates of previous dental nerve treatment, gum disease treatment, tooth extraction or intraoral surgery, and prosthetic repair (p<0.001). Conclusions Oral health-related chewing difficulties were associated with gastric cancer, which may be attributable to poor oral hygiene and degradation of oral microbiota. Patients at risk of gastric cancer warrant timely medical interventions to address their oral health and chewing difficulties.

Objectives: Poor oral hygiene is known to be associated with gastric cancer, but this remains controversial. In this study, we investigated the association between oral health and gastric cancer in Korean adults using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Methods: We analyzed data of 79501 patients with gastric cancer and 41856805 individuals without gastric cancer (control group) using the 7th and 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016–2019) records. Layer and colony variables and weights were used for the complex sample design. We performed logistic regression analysis of complex samples to analyze factors that affect gastric cancer development. Results: Patients with gastric cancer were older and had a higher prevalence of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes and a higher rate of current smoking and alcohol consumption than individuals without gastric cancer (p<0.001). Regarding oral health-related factors, the prevalence of very uncomfortable chewing difficulty was significantly higher in patients with gastric cancer (14.4% vs. 3.6%, p<0.001). On multivariate analysis of factors associated with gastric cancer, chewing difficulty showed the highest odds ratio (5.351, 95% confidence interval 2.128–8.982). Patients with very uncomfortable chewing difficulty had high rates of previous dental nerve treatment, gum disease treatment, tooth extraction or intraoral surgery, and prosthetic repair (p<0.001). Conclusions Oral health-related chewing difficulties were associated with gastric cancer, which may be attributable to poor oral hygiene and degradation of oral microbiota. Patients at risk of gastric cancer warrant timely medical interventions to address their oral health and chewing difficulties.

Background: Aimed to report the prevalence and predisposing factors affecting subscapularis muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration (MAFI) in patients without a subscapularis tear, and to analyze the effect of this condition on surgical outcomes. Methods: Between 2020 and 2022, 153 patients (mean age 58.1 ± 10.2 years; 84 men and 69 women) who underwent repair of posterosuperior cuff tears, with no subscapularis tears identified during arthroscopy were retrospectively analyzed. Baseline characteristics, preoperative and follow-up (6 months) magnetic resonance imaging findings, arthroscopic findings, and clinical outcomes (>1 year) were recorded. Results: The prevalence of subscapularis MAFI (Goutallier grade 1 or 2) was 73.9% (113/153), of which the prevalence of Goutallier grade 2 was 23.5% (36/153). From multivariable logistic regression analysis, female sex (odds ratio [OR], 5.6; 95% CI, 1.7–18.6; P=0.005), older age (OR, 1.1; 95% CI, 1.0–1.1; P=0.052), advanced supraspinatus MAFI by Goutallier grade (OR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.5–6.9; P=0.004), and synovitis (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.1–7.9; P=0.030) were identified as independent predisposing factors for subscapularis MAFI. However, patients with preoperative subscapularis MAFI exhibited similar final range of motion, pain and function, and belly press strength compared to those without preoperative subscapularis MAFI. Conclusions Subscapularis MAFI is frequently observed conditions even in the absence of subscapularis tears, and this condition could be affected by supraspinatus MAFI, female sex, older age, and synovitis. However, because subscapularis MAFI does not affect the surgical outcome, surgeons need not be concerned about this condition when repairing posterosuperior rotator cuff tear.Level of evidence: IV.

Background: Aimed to report the prevalence and predisposing factors affecting subscapularis muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration (MAFI) in patients without a subscapularis tear, and to analyze the effect of this condition on surgical outcomes. Methods: Between 2020 and 2022, 153 patients (mean age 58.1 ± 10.2 years; 84 men and 69 women) who underwent repair of posterosuperior cuff tears, with no subscapularis tears identified during arthroscopy were retrospectively analyzed. Baseline characteristics, preoperative and follow-up (6 months) magnetic resonance imaging findings, arthroscopic findings, and clinical outcomes (>1 year) were recorded. Results: The prevalence of subscapularis MAFI (Goutallier grade 1 or 2) was 73.9% (113/153), of which the prevalence of Goutallier grade 2 was 23.5% (36/153). From multivariable logistic regression analysis, female sex (odds ratio [OR], 5.6; 95% CI, 1.7–18.6; P=0.005), older age (OR, 1.1; 95% CI, 1.0–1.1; P=0.052), advanced supraspinatus MAFI by Goutallier grade (OR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.5–6.9; P=0.004), and synovitis (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.1–7.9; P=0.030) were identified as independent predisposing factors for subscapularis MAFI. However, patients with preoperative subscapularis MAFI exhibited similar final range of motion, pain and function, and belly press strength compared to those without preoperative subscapularis MAFI. Conclusions Subscapularis MAFI is frequently observed conditions even in the absence of subscapularis tears, and this condition could be affected by supraspinatus MAFI, female sex, older age, and synovitis. However, because subscapularis MAFI does not affect the surgical outcome, surgeons need not be concerned about this condition when repairing posterosuperior rotator cuff tear.Level of evidence: IV.