Chronic recurrent sialadenitis is characterized by repeated inflammation of the salivary glands, leading to ductal structural abnormalities and salivary stasis, often resulting in megaducts. This study evaluates the efficacy of ultrasonography as a diagnostic and follow-up tool for the management of chronic recurrent sialadenitis. Three patients underwent sialendoscopy, which involved ductal dilation, removal of mucous plugs, and steroid administration. Ultrasonography was used postoperatively to monitor changes in ductal structure, including megaduct size, and to assess clinical outcomes.All three cases showed marked improvement in clinical symptoms after treatment. Ultrasonography demonstrated a reduction in megaduct size and provided real-time visualization of ductal and glandular changes. Compared to traditional imaging methods such as magnetic resonance imaging or sialography, ultrasonography offered a practical and safe option for follow-up assessment. This study highlights the utility of ultrasonography as an accessible, non-invasive, and effective tool for evaluating treatment outcomes in chronic recurrent sialadenitis. By offering detailed visualization of ductal changes and facilitating longitudinal follow-up, ultrasonography can optimize the management of this condition.

Purpose: This study evaluated the postoperative quality of life (QoL) after various types of gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted in Korea using the Korean Quality of Life in Stomach Cancer Patients Study (KOQUSS)-40, a new QoL assessment tool focusing on postgastrectomy syndrome. Overall, 496 patients with gastric cancer were enrolled, and QoL was assessed at 5 time points: preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Results: Distal gastrectomy (DG) and pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) showed significantly better outcomes than total gastrectomy (TG) and proximal gastrectomy (PG) with regard to total score, indigestion, and dysphagia. DG, PPG, and TG also showed significantly better outcomes than PG in terms of dumping syndrome and worry about cancer. Postoperative QoL did not differ significantly according to anastomosis type in DG, except for Billroth I anastomosis, which achieved better bowel habit change scores than the others. No domains differed significantly when comparing double tract reconstruction and esophagogastrostomy after PG. The total QoL score correlated significantly with postoperative body weight loss (more than 10%) and extent of resection (P<0.05 for both).Reflux as assessed by KOQUSS-40 did not correlate significantly with reflux observed on gastroscopy 1 year postoperatively (P=0.064). Conclusions Our prospective observation using KOQUSS-40 revealed that DG and PPG lead to better QoL than TG and PG. Further study is needed to compare postoperative QoL according to anastomosis type in DG and PG.

Purpose: This study evaluated the postoperative quality of life (QoL) after various types of gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted in Korea using the Korean Quality of Life in Stomach Cancer Patients Study (KOQUSS)-40, a new QoL assessment tool focusing on postgastrectomy syndrome. Overall, 496 patients with gastric cancer were enrolled, and QoL was assessed at 5 time points: preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Results: Distal gastrectomy (DG) and pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) showed significantly better outcomes than total gastrectomy (TG) and proximal gastrectomy (PG) with regard to total score, indigestion, and dysphagia. DG, PPG, and TG also showed significantly better outcomes than PG in terms of dumping syndrome and worry about cancer. Postoperative QoL did not differ significantly according to anastomosis type in DG, except for Billroth I anastomosis, which achieved better bowel habit change scores than the others. No domains differed significantly when comparing double tract reconstruction and esophagogastrostomy after PG. The total QoL score correlated significantly with postoperative body weight loss (more than 10%) and extent of resection (P<0.05 for both).Reflux as assessed by KOQUSS-40 did not correlate significantly with reflux observed on gastroscopy 1 year postoperatively (P=0.064). Conclusions Our prospective observation using KOQUSS-40 revealed that DG and PPG lead to better QoL than TG and PG. Further study is needed to compare postoperative QoL according to anastomosis type in DG and PG.

Chronic recurrent sialadenitis is characterized by repeated inflammation of the salivary glands, leading to ductal structural abnormalities and salivary stasis, often resulting in megaducts. This study evaluates the efficacy of ultrasonography as a diagnostic and follow-up tool for the management of chronic recurrent sialadenitis. Three patients underwent sialendoscopy, which involved ductal dilation, removal of mucous plugs, and steroid administration. Ultrasonography was used postoperatively to monitor changes in ductal structure, including megaduct size, and to assess clinical outcomes.All three cases showed marked improvement in clinical symptoms after treatment. Ultrasonography demonstrated a reduction in megaduct size and provided real-time visualization of ductal and glandular changes. Compared to traditional imaging methods such as magnetic resonance imaging or sialography, ultrasonography offered a practical and safe option for follow-up assessment. This study highlights the utility of ultrasonography as an accessible, non-invasive, and effective tool for evaluating treatment outcomes in chronic recurrent sialadenitis. By offering detailed visualization of ductal changes and facilitating longitudinal follow-up, ultrasonography can optimize the management of this condition.

Purpose: This study evaluated the postoperative quality of life (QoL) after various types of gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted in Korea using the Korean Quality of Life in Stomach Cancer Patients Study (KOQUSS)-40, a new QoL assessment tool focusing on postgastrectomy syndrome. Overall, 496 patients with gastric cancer were enrolled, and QoL was assessed at 5 time points: preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Results: Distal gastrectomy (DG) and pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) showed significantly better outcomes than total gastrectomy (TG) and proximal gastrectomy (PG) with regard to total score, indigestion, and dysphagia. DG, PPG, and TG also showed significantly better outcomes than PG in terms of dumping syndrome and worry about cancer. Postoperative QoL did not differ significantly according to anastomosis type in DG, except for Billroth I anastomosis, which achieved better bowel habit change scores than the others. No domains differed significantly when comparing double tract reconstruction and esophagogastrostomy after PG. The total QoL score correlated significantly with postoperative body weight loss (more than 10%) and extent of resection (P<0.05 for both).Reflux as assessed by KOQUSS-40 did not correlate significantly with reflux observed on gastroscopy 1 year postoperatively (P=0.064). Conclusions Our prospective observation using KOQUSS-40 revealed that DG and PPG lead to better QoL than TG and PG. Further study is needed to compare postoperative QoL according to anastomosis type in DG and PG.

Chronic recurrent sialadenitis is characterized by repeated inflammation of the salivary glands, leading to ductal structural abnormalities and salivary stasis, often resulting in megaducts. This study evaluates the efficacy of ultrasonography as a diagnostic and follow-up tool for the management of chronic recurrent sialadenitis. Three patients underwent sialendoscopy, which involved ductal dilation, removal of mucous plugs, and steroid administration. Ultrasonography was used postoperatively to monitor changes in ductal structure, including megaduct size, and to assess clinical outcomes.All three cases showed marked improvement in clinical symptoms after treatment. Ultrasonography demonstrated a reduction in megaduct size and provided real-time visualization of ductal and glandular changes. Compared to traditional imaging methods such as magnetic resonance imaging or sialography, ultrasonography offered a practical and safe option for follow-up assessment. This study highlights the utility of ultrasonography as an accessible, non-invasive, and effective tool for evaluating treatment outcomes in chronic recurrent sialadenitis. By offering detailed visualization of ductal changes and facilitating longitudinal follow-up, ultrasonography can optimize the management of this condition.

Purpose: We aimed to comprehensively analyze the immune cell and stromal components of tumor microenvironment at the single-cell level and identify tumor heterogeneity among the major top-derived oncogene mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data. Materials and Methods: The scRNA-seq dataset utilized in this study comprised 64369 primary tumor tissue cells from 21 NSCLC patients, focusing on mutations in EGFR, ALK, BRAF, KRAS, TP53, and the wild-type. Results: Tumor immune microenvironment (TIM) analysis revealed differential immune responses across NSCLC mutation subtypes. TIM analysis revealed different immune responses across the mutation subtypes. Two mutation clusters emerged: KRAS, TP53, and EGFR+TP53 mutations (MC1); and EGFR, BRAF, and ALK mutations (MC2). MC1 showed higher tertiary lymphoid structures signature scores and enriched populations of C2-T-IL7R, C3-T/NK-CXCL4, C9-T/NK-NKG, and C1-B-MS4A1 clusters than cluster 2. Conversely, MC2 cells exhibited higher expression levels of TNF, IL1B, and chemokines linked to alternative immune pathways. Remarkably, co-occurring EGFR and TP53 mutations were grouped as MC1. EGFR+TP53 mutations showed upregulation of peptide synthesis and higher synthetic processes, as well as differences in myeloid and T/NK cells compared to EGFR mutations. In T/NK cells, EGFR+TP53 mutations showed a higher expression of features related to cell activity and differentiation, whereas EGFR mutations showed the opposite. Conclusion Our research indicates a close association between mutation types and tumor microenvironment in NSCLC, offering insights into personalized approaches for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Aplastic anemia, mental retardation, and dwarfism (AMeD) syndrome, also known as aldehyde degradation deficiency (ADD) syndrome, is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the ALDH2 and ADH5 genes, leading to decreased activity of the aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) and alcohol dehydrogenase 5 (ADH5) enzymes, subsequently triggering enhanced cellular levels of formaldehyde and diverse multisystem manifestations. Herein, we present the case of a 7-year-old girl with AMeD syndrome, characterized by pancytopenia, developmental delay, microcephaly, epilepsy, and myelodysplastic syndrome. Whole-exome sequencing revealed compound heterozygous variants (c.832G＞C and c.678delA) in the ADH5 gene and a heterozygous pathogenic variant (c.1510G＞A) in the ALDH2 gene. This case underscores the complexity of AMeD syndrome, emphasizing the importance of genetic testing to ensure diagnosis and aid in the development of potential targeted therapeutic approaches.

Since the role of the liver in metabolic dysfunction, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, was demonstrated, studies on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) have shown associations between fatty liver disease and other metabolic diseases. Unlike the exclusionary diagnostic criteria of NAFLD, MAFLD diagnosis is based on the presence of metabolic dysregulation in fatty liver disease. Renaming NAFLD as MAFLD also introduced simpler diagnostic criteria. In 2023, a new nomenclature, steatotic liver disease (SLD), was proposed. Similar to MAFLD, SLD diagnosis is based on the presence of hepatic steatosis with at least one cardiometabolic dysfunction. SLD is categorized into metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), metabolic dysfunction and alcohol-related/-associated liver disease, alcoholrelated liver disease, specific etiology SLD, and cryptogenic SLD. The term MASLD has been adopted by a number of leading national and international societies due to its concise diagnostic criteria, exclusion of other concomitant liver diseases, and lack of stigmatizing terms. This article reviews the diagnostic criteria, clinical relevance, and differences among NAFLD, MAFLD, and MASLD from a diabetologist’s perspective and provides a rationale for adopting SLD/MASLD in the Fatty Liver Research Group of the Korean Diabetes Association.

Purpose: We aimed to comprehensively analyze the immune cell and stromal components of tumor microenvironment at the single-cell level and identify tumor heterogeneity among the major top-derived oncogene mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data. Materials and Methods: The scRNA-seq dataset utilized in this study comprised 64369 primary tumor tissue cells from 21 NSCLC patients, focusing on mutations in EGFR, ALK, BRAF, KRAS, TP53, and the wild-type. Results: Tumor immune microenvironment (TIM) analysis revealed differential immune responses across NSCLC mutation subtypes. TIM analysis revealed different immune responses across the mutation subtypes. Two mutation clusters emerged: KRAS, TP53, and EGFR+TP53 mutations (MC1); and EGFR, BRAF, and ALK mutations (MC2). MC1 showed higher tertiary lymphoid structures signature scores and enriched populations of C2-T-IL7R, C3-T/NK-CXCL4, C9-T/NK-NKG, and C1-B-MS4A1 clusters than cluster 2. Conversely, MC2 cells exhibited higher expression levels of TNF, IL1B, and chemokines linked to alternative immune pathways. Remarkably, co-occurring EGFR and TP53 mutations were grouped as MC1. EGFR+TP53 mutations showed upregulation of peptide synthesis and higher synthetic processes, as well as differences in myeloid and T/NK cells compared to EGFR mutations. In T/NK cells, EGFR+TP53 mutations showed a higher expression of features related to cell activity and differentiation, whereas EGFR mutations showed the opposite. Conclusion Our research indicates a close association between mutation types and tumor microenvironment in NSCLC, offering insights into personalized approaches for cancer diagnosis and treatment.