Objectives: Gastric dysplasia is primarily treated using endoscopic resection. Although argon plasma coagulation (APC) is an alternative treatment for older patients or those with bleeding tendencies, studies have reported a higher rate of local recurrence after APC than after endoscopic resection. Using pathological examinations, this study aimed to investigate the incidence and associated causative factors of residual dysplasia following APC. Methods: This prospective study recruited patients with low-grade gastric dysplasia from March 2020 to February 2021 and conducted follow-up examinations for 15 months after enrollment of the last patient. The patients were randomly assigned to undergo APC at an output power setting of 45, 60, or 80 W. Results: Residual lesions were found in 13 of 68 patients (19.1%) during the 24-h follow-up endoscopy and biopsy. The Ki-67 index, a marker of cellular proliferation, was significantly associated with the presence of residual lesions. The presence of residual dysplasia at the three-month follow-up was associated with the presence of residual lesions at the 24-h follow-up and a positive Ki-67 index. Only three of the 13 patients with residual lesions 24 h after APC demonstrated residual lesions at the three-month follow up. No post-procedural complications were observed. Conclusions Residual dysplasia may persist even after APC and cause local recurrence. If Ki-67-positive cells are detected in the remnant tissue following APC, additional interventions should be considered.

Objectives: Gastric dysplasia is primarily treated using endoscopic resection. Although argon plasma coagulation (APC) is an alternative treatment for older patients or those with bleeding tendencies, studies have reported a higher rate of local recurrence after APC than after endoscopic resection. Using pathological examinations, this study aimed to investigate the incidence and associated causative factors of residual dysplasia following APC. Methods: This prospective study recruited patients with low-grade gastric dysplasia from March 2020 to February 2021 and conducted follow-up examinations for 15 months after enrollment of the last patient. The patients were randomly assigned to undergo APC at an output power setting of 45, 60, or 80 W. Results: Residual lesions were found in 13 of 68 patients (19.1%) during the 24-h follow-up endoscopy and biopsy. The Ki-67 index, a marker of cellular proliferation, was significantly associated with the presence of residual lesions. The presence of residual dysplasia at the three-month follow-up was associated with the presence of residual lesions at the 24-h follow-up and a positive Ki-67 index. Only three of the 13 patients with residual lesions 24 h after APC demonstrated residual lesions at the three-month follow up. No post-procedural complications were observed. Conclusions Residual dysplasia may persist even after APC and cause local recurrence. If Ki-67-positive cells are detected in the remnant tissue following APC, additional interventions should be considered.

Objectives: Gastric dysplasia is primarily treated using endoscopic resection. Although argon plasma coagulation (APC) is an alternative treatment for older patients or those with bleeding tendencies, studies have reported a higher rate of local recurrence after APC than after endoscopic resection. Using pathological examinations, this study aimed to investigate the incidence and associated causative factors of residual dysplasia following APC. Methods: This prospective study recruited patients with low-grade gastric dysplasia from March 2020 to February 2021 and conducted follow-up examinations for 15 months after enrollment of the last patient. The patients were randomly assigned to undergo APC at an output power setting of 45, 60, or 80 W. Results: Residual lesions were found in 13 of 68 patients (19.1%) during the 24-h follow-up endoscopy and biopsy. The Ki-67 index, a marker of cellular proliferation, was significantly associated with the presence of residual lesions. The presence of residual dysplasia at the three-month follow-up was associated with the presence of residual lesions at the 24-h follow-up and a positive Ki-67 index. Only three of the 13 patients with residual lesions 24 h after APC demonstrated residual lesions at the three-month follow up. No post-procedural complications were observed. Conclusions Residual dysplasia may persist even after APC and cause local recurrence. If Ki-67-positive cells are detected in the remnant tissue following APC, additional interventions should be considered.

Postoperative colorectal imaging studies play an important role in the detection of surgical complications and disease recurrence. In this pictorial essay, we briefly describe methods of surgery, imaging findings of their early and late complications, and postsurgical recurrence of cancer and inflammatory bowel disease.

Postoperative colorectal imaging studies play an important role in the detection of surgical complications and disease recurrence. In this pictorial essay, we briefly describe methods of surgery, imaging findings of their early and late complications, and postsurgical recurrence of cancer and inflammatory bowel disease.

Objectives: Gastric dysplasia is primarily treated using endoscopic resection. Although argon plasma coagulation (APC) is an alternative treatment for older patients or those with bleeding tendencies, studies have reported a higher rate of local recurrence after APC than after endoscopic resection. Using pathological examinations, this study aimed to investigate the incidence and associated causative factors of residual dysplasia following APC. Methods: This prospective study recruited patients with low-grade gastric dysplasia from March 2020 to February 2021 and conducted follow-up examinations for 15 months after enrollment of the last patient. The patients were randomly assigned to undergo APC at an output power setting of 45, 60, or 80 W. Results: Residual lesions were found in 13 of 68 patients (19.1%) during the 24-h follow-up endoscopy and biopsy. The Ki-67 index, a marker of cellular proliferation, was significantly associated with the presence of residual lesions. The presence of residual dysplasia at the three-month follow-up was associated with the presence of residual lesions at the 24-h follow-up and a positive Ki-67 index. Only three of the 13 patients with residual lesions 24 h after APC demonstrated residual lesions at the three-month follow up. No post-procedural complications were observed. Conclusions Residual dysplasia may persist even after APC and cause local recurrence. If Ki-67-positive cells are detected in the remnant tissue following APC, additional interventions should be considered.

Postoperative colorectal imaging studies play an important role in the detection of surgical complications and disease recurrence. In this pictorial essay, we briefly describe methods of surgery, imaging findings of their early and late complications, and postsurgical recurrence of cancer and inflammatory bowel disease.

Objectives: Gastric dysplasia is primarily treated using endoscopic resection. Although argon plasma coagulation (APC) is an alternative treatment for older patients or those with bleeding tendencies, studies have reported a higher rate of local recurrence after APC than after endoscopic resection. Using pathological examinations, this study aimed to investigate the incidence and associated causative factors of residual dysplasia following APC. Methods: This prospective study recruited patients with low-grade gastric dysplasia from March 2020 to February 2021 and conducted follow-up examinations for 15 months after enrollment of the last patient. The patients were randomly assigned to undergo APC at an output power setting of 45, 60, or 80 W. Results: Residual lesions were found in 13 of 68 patients (19.1%) during the 24-h follow-up endoscopy and biopsy. The Ki-67 index, a marker of cellular proliferation, was significantly associated with the presence of residual lesions. The presence of residual dysplasia at the three-month follow-up was associated with the presence of residual lesions at the 24-h follow-up and a positive Ki-67 index. Only three of the 13 patients with residual lesions 24 h after APC demonstrated residual lesions at the three-month follow up. No post-procedural complications were observed. Conclusions Residual dysplasia may persist even after APC and cause local recurrence. If Ki-67-positive cells are detected in the remnant tissue following APC, additional interventions should be considered.

Background: It is well known that a large number of patients with diabetes also have dyslipidemia, which significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination drugs consisting of metformin and atorvastatin, widely used as therapeutic agents for diabetes and dyslipidemia. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group and phase III multicenter study included adults with glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels >7.0% and <10.0%, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) >100 and <250 mg/dL. One hundred eighty-five eligible subjects were randomized to the combination group (metformin+atorvastatin), metformin group (metformin+atorvastatin placebo), and atorvastatin group (atorvastatin+metformin placebo). The primary efficacy endpoints were the percent changes in HbA1c and LDL-C levels from baseline at the end of the treatment. Results: After 16 weeks of treatment compared to baseline, HbA1c showed a significant difference of 0.94% compared to the atorvastatin group in the combination group (0.35% vs. −0.58%, respectively; P<0.0001), whereas the proportion of patients with increased HbA1c was also 62% and 15%, respectively, showing a significant difference (P<0.001). The combination group also showed a significant decrease in LDL-C levels compared to the metformin group (−55.20% vs. −7.69%, P<0.001) without previously unknown adverse drug events. Conclusion The addition of atorvastatin to metformin improved HbA1c and LDL-C levels to a significant extent compared to metformin or atorvastatin alone in diabetes and dyslipidemia patients. This study also suggested metformin’s preventive effect on the glucose-elevating potential of atorvastatin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia, insufficiently controlled with exercise and diet. Metformin and atorvastatin combination might be an effective treatment in reducing the CVD risk in patients with both diabetes and dyslipidemia because of its lowering effect on LDL-C and glucose.

Background: Limited data are available on the mortality rates of patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to analyze the relationship between COVID-19 and clinical outcomes for patients receiving ECMO. Methods: We retrospectively investigated patients with COVID-19 pneumonia requiring ECMO in 19 hospitals across Korea from January 1, 2020 to August 31, 2021. The primary outcome was the 90-day mortality after ECMO initiation. We performed multivariate analysis using a logistic regression model to estimate the odds ratio (OR) of 90-day mortality. Survival differences were analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier (KM) method. Results: Of 127 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia who received ECMO, 70 patients (55.1%) died within 90 days of ECMO initiation. The median age was 64 years, and 63% of patients were male. The incidence of ECMO was increased with age but was decreased after 70 years of age. However, the survival rate was decreased linearly with age. In multivariate analysis, age (OR, 1.048; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.010–1.089; P = 0.014) and receipt of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) (OR, 3.069; 95% CI, 1.312–7.180; P = 0.010) were significantly associated with an increased risk of 90-day mortality. KM curves showed significant differences in survival between groups according to age (65 years) (log-rank P = 0.021) and receipt of CRRT (log-rank P = 0.004). Conclusion Older age and receipt of CRRT were associated with higher mortality rates among patients with COVID-19 who received ECMO.