Background: Despite various therapeutic modalities for keloids have been introduced; however, their therapeutic effects are limited. Therefore, the development of a new approach for inhibiting collagen production by scar fibroblasts is needed. Objective: To investigate the effect of electrical stimulation using a low-frequency and low-intensity alternating current on collagen and MMP-1 levels in human dermal fibroblasts. Methods: Low-frequency (20 kHz) and low-intensity (1 V/cm) electrical stimulations were applied to primary dermal fibroblasts. The production of type I procollagen and expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 were evaluated. Transcriptomic analyses were conducted to explore the possible modes of action of electrical stimulation. Results: Electrical stimulation effectively suppressed type I procollagen production and increased MMP-1 expression. In addition, transcriptomic analyses revealed that electrical stimulation altered the gene expression associated with membrane permeability and the structure of cellular membranes. Validation using real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed that electrical stimulation significantly altered the expression of mechanosensitive ion channels (PIEZO2) and membrane-bound protein organizing caveolae (CAVIN2). Conclusion Electrical stimulation using low-frequency and low-intensity alternating currents effectively modulates extracellular matrix homeostasis by altering the cellular membrane structure and function. Our findings suggest a promising therapeutic approach for the management of keloids and hypertrophic scars.

Purpose: This study evaluated the treatment outcomes of benign and malignant tumors of the foot to establish the treatment guidelines for foot tumors. Materials and Methods: Eighty-three (41 male and 42 female) cases were included in the study. All patients were treated in a single institution from January 2006 to December 2022. The mean age was 43 years (range, 12–92). The mean follow-up period was 91 months (range, 5–208 months). The location of the tumor, recurrence following surgery, histologic diagnosis, overall five-year survival rate, and disease-specific five-year survival rate were evaluated. The oncologic results were analyzed at the final follow-up. Results: Benign tumors were found in 60 cases and malignant tumors were found in 23 cases. The 41 male cases composed 25 cases of benign tumors and 16 cases of malignant tumors. The 42 female cases composed 35 cases of benign tumors and seven cases of malignant tumors. The tumor locations were 61 cases in the forefoot, five in the midfoot, and 17 in the hindfoot. Reoperation was performed in two cases due to recurrence. An un-planned excision was done in two cases, which led to secondary wide resections. The overall five-year survival rate was 65.9% (58.3% in males and 85.7% in females). The disease-specific five-year survival rate was 62.3% (62.5% in males and 66.7% in females). The oncologic outcomes of 23 malignant cases were continuous disease-free in 16 cases and died of disease in seven cases at the final follow-up. Conclusion Benign foot tumors were dominant (72%) in this study. The preferred location was the forefoot, with statistical significance (p<0.05). There were no statistical significant differences between males and females (p>0.05). This study provides the guidelines for treating benign and malignant foot tumors by analyzing the treatment and oncologic outcomes.

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: While Korea maintains a low prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the number of newly diagnosed cases has been steadily rising, reaching approximately 1,000 annually in recent years. The 2022 annual report from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency revealed that women living with HIV (WLWH) constitute 6.4% of the total confirmed people living with the HIV population, totaling 1,219 individuals. Despite this, only a few studies have focused on WLWH in Korea. This study aims to analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of WLWH in Korea. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively collected data by reviewing the medical records of all WLWH who visited 10 urban referral hospitals across Korea between January 2005 and May 2023. Results: A total of 443 WLWH were enrolled in this study. The predominant risk exposure was heterosexual contact, with 235 (53%) participants either married or cohabiting with a male partner at their initial clinic visit. Among the participants, 334 (77.7%) were Korean, 27 (6.1%) were Southeast Asian, and 19 (4.3%) were African. Antiretroviral therapy was initiated by 404 WLWH (91.2%). We observed 118 pregnancies in WLWH following their HIV diagnosis, resulting in 78 live births (66.1%), 18 induced abortions (15.2%), 10 pre-viable fetal losses (8.5%), and four stillbirths (3.4%). Over a cumulative follow-up duration of 3,202.1 years, the incidence rates of breast and cervical cancers were both 2.18 per 1,000 person-years. Additionally, the incidence rates of pelvic inflammatory disease, cervical intraepithelial neoplasm (above grade II), and osteoporosis were 4.67, 11.21, and 13.39 per 1,000 patient-years, respectively. Conclusion This is the first multicenter study to investigate the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of WLWH in Korea. The incidence and prevalence of diseases in women, including breast cancer, cervical cancer, and chronic comorbidities, are high in WLWH in Korea; therefore, further research and efforts are needed to manage these diseases.

Purpose: This study evaluated the treatment outcomes of benign and malignant tumors of the foot to establish the treatment guidelines for foot tumors. Materials and Methods: Eighty-three (41 male and 42 female) cases were included in the study. All patients were treated in a single institution from January 2006 to December 2022. The mean age was 43 years (range, 12–92). The mean follow-up period was 91 months (range, 5–208 months). The location of the tumor, recurrence following surgery, histologic diagnosis, overall five-year survival rate, and disease-specific five-year survival rate were evaluated. The oncologic results were analyzed at the final follow-up. Results: Benign tumors were found in 60 cases and malignant tumors were found in 23 cases. The 41 male cases composed 25 cases of benign tumors and 16 cases of malignant tumors. The 42 female cases composed 35 cases of benign tumors and seven cases of malignant tumors. The tumor locations were 61 cases in the forefoot, five in the midfoot, and 17 in the hindfoot. Reoperation was performed in two cases due to recurrence. An un-planned excision was done in two cases, which led to secondary wide resections. The overall five-year survival rate was 65.9% (58.3% in males and 85.7% in females). The disease-specific five-year survival rate was 62.3% (62.5% in males and 66.7% in females). The oncologic outcomes of 23 malignant cases were continuous disease-free in 16 cases and died of disease in seven cases at the final follow-up. Conclusion Benign foot tumors were dominant (72%) in this study. The preferred location was the forefoot, with statistical significance (p<0.05). There were no statistical significant differences between males and females (p>0.05). This study provides the guidelines for treating benign and malignant foot tumors by analyzing the treatment and oncologic outcomes.

Objectives: This study examined the changes in the characteristics of high-risk suicide groups in South Korea before and after the COVID-19 pandemic using the Korean Cohort for the Model Predicting a Suicide and Suicide-related Behavior (K-COMPASS) cohort. Methods: The K-COMPASS is a longitudinal cohort study that started in 2015. The participants included suicide attempters and individuals with suicidal ideation from various hospitals and mental health centers in South Korea. This study compared the sociodemographic and psychiatric characteristics of 800 participants from the first cohort (2015–2019) with 511 participants from the second and third cohorts (2019–2024). Data were collected through structured interviews and validated scales. Results: The second and third cohort participants were younger, had a higher proportion of females, and exhibited more severe psychiatric symptoms and higher suicidal risk than the first cohort. The prevalence of physical illnesses decreased, while the use of psychiatric medications and the severity of mental health issues increased. In addition, significant sociodemographic changes were observed, such as higher educational levels and urban residency. Conclusion Significant shifts in the characteristics of high-risk suicide groups were observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for targeted mental health interventions focusing on younger individuals and females to prevent suicide in high-risk groups.

Objectives: This study examined the changes in the characteristics of high-risk suicide groups in South Korea before and after the COVID-19 pandemic using the Korean Cohort for the Model Predicting a Suicide and Suicide-related Behavior (K-COMPASS) cohort. Methods: The K-COMPASS is a longitudinal cohort study that started in 2015. The participants included suicide attempters and individuals with suicidal ideation from various hospitals and mental health centers in South Korea. This study compared the sociodemographic and psychiatric characteristics of 800 participants from the first cohort (2015–2019) with 511 participants from the second and third cohorts (2019–2024). Data were collected through structured interviews and validated scales. Results: The second and third cohort participants were younger, had a higher proportion of females, and exhibited more severe psychiatric symptoms and higher suicidal risk than the first cohort. The prevalence of physical illnesses decreased, while the use of psychiatric medications and the severity of mental health issues increased. In addition, significant sociodemographic changes were observed, such as higher educational levels and urban residency. Conclusion Significant shifts in the characteristics of high-risk suicide groups were observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for targeted mental health interventions focusing on younger individuals and females to prevent suicide in high-risk groups.