Purpose: This study examined nationwide data regarding laparoscopic and robotic surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC) in Korea. Methods: Nationwide data concerning patients who underwent surgery for CRC from 2019 to 2023 were obtained from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database. Results: From 2019 to 2023, a total of 109,573 patients with CRC underwent surgical resection in Korea. Among these, open, laparoscopic, and robotic surgery comprised 17.2%, 71.5%, and 11.3%, respectively. Open surgery decreased from 18.3% in 2019 to 15.2% in 2023, whereas robotic surgery increased from 10.3% in 2019 to 12.7% in 2023. Regarding rectal cancer, the rate of robotic surgery increased from 23.0% in 2019 to 28.2% in 2023, and the rate of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) increased from 86.9% in 2019 to 89.2% in 2023.Patients with National Health Insurance had significantly shorter lengths of hospital stay after surgery than those with medical aid for all surgical methods (p < 0.0001). With respect to hospital size, 74,282 CRC surgeries (67.8%) were performed in tertiary general hospitals and 33,050 (30.2%) in general hospitals. By the region, 47,140 cases (43.0%) were performed in Seoul, 19,961 (18.2%) in Gyeonggi, and 7,417 (6.8%) in Daegu. Ostomy was created in 16,222 CRC surgeries (14.8%). Conclusion The rate of MIS adoption for CRC in Korea has increased, reaching 84.7% in 2023. The rate of laparoscopic surgery exceeded 70% and has plateaued. In contrast, the rate of robotic surgery adoption has steadily increased, particularly for rectal cancer, where it surpassed 28% in 2023.

Background: The increasing incidence and mortality rates of tuberculosis among older individuals who suffer from multiple morbidities and are vulnerable to malnutrition are major obstacles to efforts to eradicate tuberculosis in the Republic of Korea. Herein, we identified the factors associated with mortality during anti-tuberculosis treatment in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods: We conducted a case-control study and extracted data from the database of a multi-center prospective observational cohort study in Korea. Among the participants with rifampicin-susceptible pulmonary tuberculosis, the survival group was defined as those who successfully completed treatment within one year, whereas the mortality group was defined as those who died during treatment. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with TB mortality. Results: Among 1,119 participants with pulmonary TB registered between 2019 and 2021, 799 and 59 were grouped in the survival and mortality groups, respectively. Age, positive smear results, alarming symptoms, nutrition risk score, Charlson comorbidity index score, and initial standard treatment regimen were significant based on univariable analysis and were selected for the multivariable logistic regression model. Nutrition risk score (adjusted odds ratio, 2.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.72–3.48) and Charlson comorbidity index score (adjusted odds ratio, 1.62; 95% confidence interval, 1.35–1.94) remained statistically significant in the multivariate analysis. Conclusion Nutritional status and comorbidities at baseline were identified as important factors associated with mortality in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Background: The increasing incidence and mortality rates of tuberculosis among older individuals who suffer from multiple morbidities and are vulnerable to malnutrition are major obstacles to efforts to eradicate tuberculosis in the Republic of Korea. Herein, we identified the factors associated with mortality during anti-tuberculosis treatment in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods: We conducted a case-control study and extracted data from the database of a multi-center prospective observational cohort study in Korea. Among the participants with rifampicin-susceptible pulmonary tuberculosis, the survival group was defined as those who successfully completed treatment within one year, whereas the mortality group was defined as those who died during treatment. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with TB mortality. Results: Among 1,119 participants with pulmonary TB registered between 2019 and 2021, 799 and 59 were grouped in the survival and mortality groups, respectively. Age, positive smear results, alarming symptoms, nutrition risk score, Charlson comorbidity index score, and initial standard treatment regimen were significant based on univariable analysis and were selected for the multivariable logistic regression model. Nutrition risk score (adjusted odds ratio, 2.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.72–3.48) and Charlson comorbidity index score (adjusted odds ratio, 1.62; 95% confidence interval, 1.35–1.94) remained statistically significant in the multivariate analysis. Conclusion Nutritional status and comorbidities at baseline were identified as important factors associated with mortality in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Background: The increasing incidence and mortality rates of tuberculosis among older individuals who suffer from multiple morbidities and are vulnerable to malnutrition are major obstacles to efforts to eradicate tuberculosis in the Republic of Korea. Herein, we identified the factors associated with mortality during anti-tuberculosis treatment in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods: We conducted a case-control study and extracted data from the database of a multi-center prospective observational cohort study in Korea. Among the participants with rifampicin-susceptible pulmonary tuberculosis, the survival group was defined as those who successfully completed treatment within one year, whereas the mortality group was defined as those who died during treatment. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with TB mortality. Results: Among 1,119 participants with pulmonary TB registered between 2019 and 2021, 799 and 59 were grouped in the survival and mortality groups, respectively. Age, positive smear results, alarming symptoms, nutrition risk score, Charlson comorbidity index score, and initial standard treatment regimen were significant based on univariable analysis and were selected for the multivariable logistic regression model. Nutrition risk score (adjusted odds ratio, 2.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.72–3.48) and Charlson comorbidity index score (adjusted odds ratio, 1.62; 95% confidence interval, 1.35–1.94) remained statistically significant in the multivariate analysis. Conclusion Nutritional status and comorbidities at baseline were identified as important factors associated with mortality in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Purpose: This study examined nationwide data regarding laparoscopic and robotic surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC) in Korea. Methods: Nationwide data concerning patients who underwent surgery for CRC from 2019 to 2023 were obtained from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database. Results: From 2019 to 2023, a total of 109,573 patients with CRC underwent surgical resection in Korea. Among these, open, laparoscopic, and robotic surgery comprised 17.2%, 71.5%, and 11.3%, respectively. Open surgery decreased from 18.3% in 2019 to 15.2% in 2023, whereas robotic surgery increased from 10.3% in 2019 to 12.7% in 2023. Regarding rectal cancer, the rate of robotic surgery increased from 23.0% in 2019 to 28.2% in 2023, and the rate of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) increased from 86.9% in 2019 to 89.2% in 2023.Patients with National Health Insurance had significantly shorter lengths of hospital stay after surgery than those with medical aid for all surgical methods (p < 0.0001). With respect to hospital size, 74,282 CRC surgeries (67.8%) were performed in tertiary general hospitals and 33,050 (30.2%) in general hospitals. By the region, 47,140 cases (43.0%) were performed in Seoul, 19,961 (18.2%) in Gyeonggi, and 7,417 (6.8%) in Daegu. Ostomy was created in 16,222 CRC surgeries (14.8%). Conclusion The rate of MIS adoption for CRC in Korea has increased, reaching 84.7% in 2023. The rate of laparoscopic surgery exceeded 70% and has plateaued. In contrast, the rate of robotic surgery adoption has steadily increased, particularly for rectal cancer, where it surpassed 28% in 2023.

Background: The increasing incidence and mortality rates of tuberculosis among older individuals who suffer from multiple morbidities and are vulnerable to malnutrition are major obstacles to efforts to eradicate tuberculosis in the Republic of Korea. Herein, we identified the factors associated with mortality during anti-tuberculosis treatment in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods: We conducted a case-control study and extracted data from the database of a multi-center prospective observational cohort study in Korea. Among the participants with rifampicin-susceptible pulmonary tuberculosis, the survival group was defined as those who successfully completed treatment within one year, whereas the mortality group was defined as those who died during treatment. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with TB mortality. Results: Among 1,119 participants with pulmonary TB registered between 2019 and 2021, 799 and 59 were grouped in the survival and mortality groups, respectively. Age, positive smear results, alarming symptoms, nutrition risk score, Charlson comorbidity index score, and initial standard treatment regimen were significant based on univariable analysis and were selected for the multivariable logistic regression model. Nutrition risk score (adjusted odds ratio, 2.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.72–3.48) and Charlson comorbidity index score (adjusted odds ratio, 1.62; 95% confidence interval, 1.35–1.94) remained statistically significant in the multivariate analysis. Conclusion Nutritional status and comorbidities at baseline were identified as important factors associated with mortality in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Purpose: This study examined nationwide data regarding laparoscopic and robotic surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC) in Korea. Methods: Nationwide data concerning patients who underwent surgery for CRC from 2019 to 2023 were obtained from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database. Results: From 2019 to 2023, a total of 109,573 patients with CRC underwent surgical resection in Korea. Among these, open, laparoscopic, and robotic surgery comprised 17.2%, 71.5%, and 11.3%, respectively. Open surgery decreased from 18.3% in 2019 to 15.2% in 2023, whereas robotic surgery increased from 10.3% in 2019 to 12.7% in 2023. Regarding rectal cancer, the rate of robotic surgery increased from 23.0% in 2019 to 28.2% in 2023, and the rate of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) increased from 86.9% in 2019 to 89.2% in 2023.Patients with National Health Insurance had significantly shorter lengths of hospital stay after surgery than those with medical aid for all surgical methods (p < 0.0001). With respect to hospital size, 74,282 CRC surgeries (67.8%) were performed in tertiary general hospitals and 33,050 (30.2%) in general hospitals. By the region, 47,140 cases (43.0%) were performed in Seoul, 19,961 (18.2%) in Gyeonggi, and 7,417 (6.8%) in Daegu. Ostomy was created in 16,222 CRC surgeries (14.8%). Conclusion The rate of MIS adoption for CRC in Korea has increased, reaching 84.7% in 2023. The rate of laparoscopic surgery exceeded 70% and has plateaued. In contrast, the rate of robotic surgery adoption has steadily increased, particularly for rectal cancer, where it surpassed 28% in 2023.

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a progressive complication among patients with diabetes and the most common cause of end-stage kidney disease. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are known to play a role in kidney disease, thus this study aimed to determine their role in the development of diabetic kidney disease using diabetic murine models. Results: Protein and histological analyses revealed that db/db mice and streptozotocin DN models expressed no significant NET-related proteins, myeloperoxidase, citrullinated histone H3 (citH3), neutrophil elastase, and lymphocyte antigen 6 complex locus G6D (Ly6G). However, the inflamed individuals in the DN model showed that citH3 and Ly6G were highly deposited in the renal system based on immunohistochemistry images. In vitro, NET treatment did not induce apoptosis in glomerular endothelial and renal tubular epithelial cells. NET inhibition by DNase administration demonstrated no significant changes in cell apoptosis. Conclusions NET-related proteins were only expressed in the DN model with tubulointerstitial inflammation. Our study revealed that NETs are only induced in mice with hyperglycemia-induced inflammation.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore whether there are differences in smoking status between two regions of Wonju-City and Chuncheon-City, Gangwon State, and to determine whether the experience of smoking cessation programs in the region affects quit attempts. Methods: The study design was a cross-sectional study in which adults aged 19 and older living in two cities were surveyed using a pre-developed mobile app to investigate social capital for smoking cessation, and a total of 600 citizens were participated, including 310 in Wonju-City and 290 in Chuncheon-City.The statistical analysis was conducted using chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. Results: Wonju-City had a higher prevalence of current smoking than Chuncheon-City. Among smoking cessation programs operated by local public health centers, Wonju-City had a lower odds ratio for experience with smoking cessation education than Chuncheon-City (OR=0.52, 95% CI=0.33 to 0.81). When examining the effect of smoking cessation program experience on quit attempts, in Wonju-City, citizens who had completed smoking cessation education and used a smoking cessation clinic were more likely to attempt to quit than those who had not (OR=2.31 and OR=2.29, respectively). In Chuncheon-City, citizens who were aware of smoking cessation support services were 2.26 times more likely to attempt to quit smoking than those who were not, but statistical significance was not reached due to the small sample size. Conclusion Therefore, healthcare organizations in both regions should develop more practical intervention strategies to increase smokers' quit attempts, reduce smoking rates in the community, and address regional disparities.

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a progressive complication among patients with diabetes and the most common cause of end-stage kidney disease. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are known to play a role in kidney disease, thus this study aimed to determine their role in the development of diabetic kidney disease using diabetic murine models. Results: Protein and histological analyses revealed that db/db mice and streptozotocin DN models expressed no significant NET-related proteins, myeloperoxidase, citrullinated histone H3 (citH3), neutrophil elastase, and lymphocyte antigen 6 complex locus G6D (Ly6G). However, the inflamed individuals in the DN model showed that citH3 and Ly6G were highly deposited in the renal system based on immunohistochemistry images. In vitro, NET treatment did not induce apoptosis in glomerular endothelial and renal tubular epithelial cells. NET inhibition by DNase administration demonstrated no significant changes in cell apoptosis. Conclusions NET-related proteins were only expressed in the DN model with tubulointerstitial inflammation. Our study revealed that NETs are only induced in mice with hyperglycemia-induced inflammation.