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Backgrounds: Freezing of gait (FoG) is a common and debilitating symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD) that can lead to falls and reduced quality of life. Wearable sensors have been used to detect FoG, but current methods have limitations in accuracy and practicality. In this paper, we aimed to develop a deep learning model using pressure sensor data from wearable insoles to accurately detect FoG in PD patients. Methods: We recruited 14 PD patients and collected data frommultiple trials of a standardized walking test using the Pedar insole system. We proposed temporal convolutional neural network (TCNN) and applied rigorous data filtering and selective participant inclusion criteria to ensure the integrity of the dataset. We mapped the sensor data to a structured matrix and normalized it for input into our TCNN. We used a train-test split to evaluate the performance of the model. Results: We found that TCNN model achieved the highest accuracy, precision, sensitivity, specificity, and F1 score for FoG detection compared to othermodels. The TCNN model also showed good performance in detecting FoG episodes, even in various types of sensor noise situations. Conclusions: We demonstrated the potential of using wearable pressure sensors andmachine learningmodels for FoG detection in PD patients. The TCNNmodel showed promising results and could be used in future studies to develop a real-time FoG detection system to improve PD patients' safety and quality of life. Additionally, our noise impact analysis identifies critical sensor locations, suggesting potential for reducing sensor numbers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Double microcatheter technique (dMC) can be the alternative to Single microcatheter technique (sMC) for challenging cases, but there is lack of studies comparing dMC to sMC especifically for small ruptured aneurysms. Our objective was to compare the safety and efficacy of dMC to sMC in treating small (≤5 mm) and tiny (≤3 mm) ruptured aneurysms. Methods: This study focused on 91 out of 280 patients who had ruptured aneurysms and underwent either single or double microcatheter coil embolization. These patients were treated with either single or double microcatheter coil embolization. We divided the patients into two groups based on the procedural method and evaluated clinical features and outcomes. Subgroup analyses were conducted specifically for tiny aneurysms, comparing the two methods, and within the dMC group, we also examined whether the aneurysm was tiny or not. In addition, univariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the impact of coil packing density. Results: The mean values for most outcome measures in the dMC group were higher than those in the sMC group, but these differences did not reach statistical significance (coil packing density, 45.739% vs. 39.943%; procedural complication, 4.17% vs. 11.94%; recanalization, 8.3% vs. 10.45%; discharge discharge modified Rankin Scale (mRS), 1.83 vs. 1.97). The comparison between tiny aneurysms and other sizes within the dMC group did not reveal any significant differences in terms of worse outcomes or increased risk. The only factor that significantly influenced coil packing density in the univariate logistic regression analysis was the size of the aneurysm (OR 0.309, 95% CI 0.169–0.566, p=0.000). Conclusions: The dMC proved to be a safe and viable alternative to the sMC for treating small ruptured aneurysms in challenging cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the relationship between the C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) and neurological outcomes in patients who experienced in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) and received targeted temperature management (TTM). The study found that a higher CAR after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) was associated with a poor neurological outcome at 6 months in IHCA patients who underwent TTM. The article highlights the need for further research to confirm these findings and emphasizes the importance of studying CAR in relation to other medical conditions to improve patient outcomes. The study was supported by a grant and approved by the Chonnam National University Hospital Institutional Review Board. The authors have no conflicts of interest. [Extracted from the article]

Objective: Although maintenance treatment for mood disorders is important, the treatment discontinuation rate is reported to be high. This study aimed to investigate the dropout rates and associated factors in mood disorders. Methods: The patients in a mood disorder clinic (n = 535) were examined. Demographic and clinical factors, scores of psychometric scales, time to dropout from initial treatment in patients with bipolar disorder (BP) (n = 288) and depressive disorder (DD) (n = 143) were evaluated based on database of the mood disorder clinic. Results: Among the studied patients with BP and DD, 50% showed dropout in 4.05 and 2.17 years, respectively. The mean survival times were 8.90 years in bipolar disorder I (BP-I), 5.19 years in bipolar II disorder, 3.22 years in bipolar disorder not otherwise specified, 4.24 years in major depressive disorder, and 4.03 years in other depressive disorders. In the multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model in the BP group, diagnosis BP-I was found to be significantly related to the decrease in dropout rate (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.22, p = 0.001); however, increased past suicide attempt number was significantly related to the increase in dropout rate (HR = 1.13, p = 0.017). In the DD group, none of anxiety disorders as comorbidity, increased scores of openness, and extraversion personality were related to the increase in dropout rate. Conclusion: Patients with BP, especially BP-I, showed a lower dropout rate as compared to patients with other mood disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: Reports on the association between sarcopenic visceral obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)-associated morbidities remain scarce. We investigated the association between sarcopenia and visceral obesity, and the influence of this association on hepatic and coronary comorbidities. Methods: The appendicular skeletal muscle mass to visceral fat area ratio (SV ratio) was evaluated using bioelectric impedance analysis. NAFLD and significant liver fibrosis were assessed using transient elastography, and high atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk was defined as a 10-year ASCVD risk score >10%. Sarcopenia was defined as appendicular skeletal muscle mass adjusted by body mass index (<0.789 for men and <0.512 for women). Results: In total, 82.0% (n=1,205) of the entire study population had NAFLD, and 14.6% of these individuals (n=176) exhibited significant liver fibrosis. Individuals with the lowest SV ratio had a significantly increased risk of NAFLD, significant liver fibrosis, and high ASCVD risk (all p<0.05). Individuals with both the lowest SV ratio and sarcopenia had the highest risk of developing NAFLD (odds ratio [OR]=3.11), significant liver fibrosis (OR=2.03), and high ASCVD risk (OR=4.15), compared with those with a higher SV ratio and without sarcopenia (all p<0.05). Conclusions: Low SV ratio combined with sarcopenia was significantly associated with an increased risk of NAFLD, significant liver fibrosis, and high ASCVD risk among individuals with a high risk of NAFLD [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To investigate the real-world safety and effectiveness of dulaglutide in Korean adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: This was a real-world, prospective, non-interventional post-marketing safety study conducted from May 26, 2015 to May 25, 2021 at 85 Korean healthcare centers using electronic case data. Data on patients using dulaglutide 0.75 mg/0.5 mL or the dulaglutide 1.5 mg/0.5 mL single-use pens were collected and pooled. The primary objective was to report the frequency and proportion of adverse and serious adverse events that occurred. The secondary objective was to monitor the effectiveness of dulaglutide at 12 and 24 weeks by evaluating changes in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose, and body weight. Results: Data were collected from 3,067 subjects, and 3,022 subjects who received =1 dose (of any strength) of dulaglutide were included in the safety analysis set (53% female, mean age 56 years; diabetes duration 11.2 years, mean HbA1c 8.8%). The number of adverse events reported was 819; of these, 68 (8.3%) were serious adverse events. One death was reported. Adverse events were mostly mild in severity; 60.81% of adverse events were considered related to dulaglutide. This study was completed by 72.73% (2,198/3,022) of subjects. At 12/24 weeks there were significant (P<0.0001) reductions from baseline in least-squares mean HbA1c (0.96%/0.95%), fasting blood glucose (26.24/24.43 mg/dL), and body weight (0.75/1.21 kg). Conclusion: Dulaglutide was generally well tolerated and effective in real-world Korean individuals with T2DM. The results from this study contribute to the body of evidence for dulaglutide use in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Progressive ischemic brain injury after cardiac arrest can cause damage to the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, particularly the pituitary gland. This may impact serum osmolality (SOsm) and urine osmolality (UOsm) in patients who have experienced out-ofhospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). We assumed that a low ratio of UOsm to SOsm (USR) is related to poor outcomes among OHCA patients. Therefore, the present study was designed to evaluate the association between the USR within 72 h after the restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and 6-month neurological outcomes in OHCA patients. Methods: This prospective, observational study included OHCA patients with targeted temperature management at Chonnam National University Hospital in Gwangju, Korea, between January 2016 and December 2022. We collected SOsm and UOsm data at admission (T0) and 24 (T1), 48 (T2), and 72 h (T3) after ROSC. The primary outcome was a poor neurological outcome at 6 months defined by cerebral performance categories 3, 4, or 5. Results: This study included 319 patients. The mean UOsm and USRs at T0, T1, T2, and T3 of patients with poor outcomes were lower than those of patients with good outcomes. Multivariable analysis indicated that the USRs at T1 (odds ratio [OR], 0.363; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.221-0.594), T2 (OR, 0.451; 95% CI, 0.268-0.761), and T3 (OR, 0.559; 95% CI, 0.357-0.875) were associated with a poor outcome. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves of USRs at T0, T1, T2, and T3 for predicting poor outcomes were 0.615 (95% CI, 0.559-0.669), 0.711 (95% CI, 0.658-0.760), 0.724 (95% CI, 0.671-0.772), and 0.751 (95% CI, 0.699-0.797), respectively. Conclusions: The USRs within 72 h of ROSC were associated with poor neurological outcomes at 6 months in OHCA patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the incidence of Mycobacterium abscessus infection has recently increased significantly, treatment is difficult because this bacterium is resistant to most anti-tuberculosis drugs. In particular, M. abscessus is often resistant to available macrolide antibiotics, so therapeutic options are extremely limited. Hence, there is a pressing demand to create effective drugs or therapeutic regimens for M. abscessus infections. The aim of the investigation was to assess the capability of isoegomaketone (iEMK) as a therapeutic option for treating M. abscessus infections. We determined the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of iEMK for both reference and clinically isolated M. abscessus strains. In addition to time-kill and biofilm formation assays, we evaluated iEMK's capability to inhibit M. abscessus growth in macrophages using an intracellular colony counting assay. iEMK inhibited the growth of reference and clinically isolated M. abscessus strains in macrophages and demonstrated effectiveness at lower concentrations against macrophageinfected M. abscessus than when used to treat the bacteria directly. Importantly, iEMK also exhibited anti-biofilm properties and the potential to mitigate macrolideinducible resistance, underscoring its promise as a standalone or adjunctive therapeutic agent. Overall, our results suggest that further development of iEMK as a clinical drug candidate is promising for inhibiting M. abscessus growth, especially considering its dual action against both planktonic bacteria and biofilms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a study on the use of biomarkers, specifically neuron-specific enolase (NSE), in predicting the prognosis of cardiac arrest survivors. The study found that combining NSE values with other predictors improved the accuracy of prognostic predictions compared to using single predictors alone. The article also includes a table comparing different combinations of predictors and their performance in determining poor neurological outcomes. The study suggests that using a multi-modal approach that incorporates NSE levels can enhance the accuracy of outcome predictions, although further research is needed to confirm these findings. [Extracted from the article]

Objective: This study aimed to compare the accuracy of robotic spine surgery and conventional pedicle screw fixation in lumbar degenerative disease. We evaluated clinical and radiological outcomes to demonstrate the noninferiority of robotic surgery. Methods: This study employed propensity score matching and included 3 groups: robot-assisted mini-open posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) (robotic surgery, RS), c-arm guided minimally invasive surgery transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (C-arm guidance, CG), and freehand open PLIF (free of guidance, FG) (54 patients each). The mean follow-up period was 2.2 years. The preoperative spine condition was considered. Accuracy was evaluated using the Gertzbein-Robbins scale (GRS score) and Babu classification (Babu score). Radiological outcomes included adjacent segmental disease (ASD) and mechanical failure. Clinical outcomes were assessed based on the visual analogue scale, Oswestry Disability Index, 36-item Short Form health survey, and clinical ASD rate. Results: Accuracy was higher in the RS group (p < 0.01) than in other groups. The GRS score was lower in the CG group, whereas the Babu score was lower in the FG group compared with the RS group. No significant differences were observed in radiological and clinical outcomes among the 3 groups. Regression analysis identified preoperative facet degeneration, GRS and Babu scores as significant variables for radiological and clinical ASD. Mechanical failure was influenced by the GRS score and patients' age. Conclusion: This study showed the superior accuracy of robotic spine surgery compared with conventional techniques. When combined with minimally invasive surgery, robotic surgery is advantageous with reduced ligament and muscle damage associated with traditional open procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recurrent parotid sialocele is rare and challenging to treat. Treatment options are limited for cases of parotid sialocele that recur despite ductal ligation. This case study presents a patient who underwent wide excision of the right buccal mucosa due to squamous cell carcinoma. During the wide excision, a segment of the parotid duct was excised, and ductal ligation was performed to prevent the occurrence of a sialocele, followed by reconstruction using a folded anterolateral thigh free flap. Twenty-two days after surgery, parotid sialocele occurred despite the initial ductal ligation and subsequent ductal ligation was performed; however, the sialocele recurred. As an alternative therapeutic option, a transdermal scopolamine patch was applied for 3 weeks, with one patch used every 3 days. The results were encouraging, with complete resolution of the sialocele. A transdermal scopolamine offers a noninvasive, convenient method of treating parotid sialocele with minimal side effects. The successful outcome of this case suggests that a transdermal scopolamine can be an effective therapeutic option for recurrent parotid sialocele in conjunction with surgical treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Hepatic ketogenesis is a key metabolic pathway that regulates energy homeostasis. Some related controversies exist regarding the pathogenesis of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). We aimed to investigate whether intact ketogenic capacity could reduce the risk of MAFLD based on transient electrography (TE) in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods: A total of 361 subjects with newly diagnosed T2D were recruited and classified into two groups based on the median serum bhydroxybutyrate (bHB) level, referred to as the intact and impaired ketogenesis groups. The glucometabolic relevance of ketogenic capacity and associations of the baseline serum b-HB and MAFLD assessed with TE were investigated. Results: Compared to the impaired ketogenesis group, the intact ketogenesis group showed better insulin sensitivity, lower serum triglyceride levels, and higher glycated hemoglobin levels. The controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) was lower in the intact ketogenesis group without statistical significance (289.7 ± 52.1 vs. 294.5 ± 43.6; p=0.342) but the prevalence of moderate-severe steatosis defined by CAP =260 dB/m was significantly lower in the intact group. Moreover, intact ketogenesis was significantly associated with a lower risk of moderate-severe MAFLD after adjusting for potential confounders (adjusted odds ratio 0.55, 95% confidence interval 0.30-0.98; p=0.044). Conclusion: In drug-naïve, newly diagnosed T2D patients, intact ketogenesis predicted a lower risk of moderate-severe MAFLD assessed by TE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) is associated with the inflammatory response in various diseases. However, studies on the use of the PLR for the prognosis of elderly patients with severe trauma are lacking. In this study, we examined the relationship between the PLR and in-hospital mortality in elderly patients with severe trauma. Methods: This retrospective observational study included elderly (≥65 years) patients who were admitted for severe trauma (as defined by an Injury Severity Score [ISS] ≥ 16) between January--December 2022. We conducted multivariate analysis to assess the association between the PLR and in-hospital mortality using logistic regression of relevant covariates. We also performed receiver operating characteristic curve analysis to examine the prognostic performance of the PLR for in-hospital mortality. Results: Among the 222 patients included in the study, the in-hospital mortality rate was 19.4% (43). The PLR of non-survivors was lower than that of survivors (62.1 vs 124.5). The areas under the curve (AUC) of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score ≤12, ISS, hemoglobin level, and PLR for predicting in-hospital mortality were 0.730 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.667-0.787), 0.771 (95% CI 0.710-0.824), 0.657 (95% CI 0.591-0.719), and 0.730 (95% CI 0.667-0.788), respectively. The AUC of the PLR was not significantly different from that of GCS score ≤12 and ISS for predicting in-hospital mortality. Multivariate analysis showed that the PLR was independently associated with in-hospital mortality (odds ratio: 0.993; 95% CI 0.987-0.999). Conclusion: Low platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio is independently associated with in-hospital mortality in elderly patients with severe trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Elevated levels of troponin-I (TnI) are common in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients. However, studies evaluating the prognostic value of TnI clearance in OHCA patients are lacking. We aimed to examine how TnI clearance (TnI-C) differed according to the neurological outcome group and mortality group at 6 months. Methods: This retrospective observational study involved adults (=18 years) who were treated for an OHCA between January 2019 and December 2022. The TnI-Cs were calculated for days 1 to 2 (TnI-C1st) and 2 to 3 (TnI-C2nd) after the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). The primary outcome was a poor neurological outcome at 6 months, defined by cerebral performance categories 3, 4, and 5. The secondary outcome was 6-month mortality. Results: A total of 227 patients were included. A poor neurological outcome and mortality at 6-months were reported in 150 (66.1%) and 118 (52.0%) patients, respectively. The TnI-C1st was significantly lower in patients with a poor outcome compared with good outcome patients (neurological outcome at 6 months, 54.4% vs. 42.3%; 6-month mortality, 52.1% vs. 42.7%, respectively). In the multivariable analyses, a TnI-C1st <50% was associated with a poor neurological outcome (odds ratio [OR] 2.078, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.080-3.995, p = 0.028) and mortality (OR 2.131, 95% CI 1.114-4.078, p = 0.022) at 6 months. Conclusions: After ROSC, TnI-C1st <50% was associated with a poor neurological outcome and mortality at 6 months in OHCA patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Recently, we developed allele-discriminating priming system (ADPS) technology. This method increases the sensitivity of conventional quantitative polymerase chain reaction up to 100 folds, with limit of detection, 0.01%, with reinforced specificity. This prospective study aimed to develop and validate the accuracy of ADPS epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) Mutation Test Kit using clinical specimens. Materials and Methods In total 189 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor tissues resected from patients with non-small cell lung cancer were used to perform a comparative evaluation of the ADPS EGFR Mutation Test Kit versus the cobas EGFR Mutation Test v2, which is the current gold standard. When the two methods had inconsistent results, next-generation sequencing-based CancerSCAN was utilized as a referee. Results The overall agreement of the two methods was 97.4% (93.9%-99.1%); the positive percent agreement, 95.0% (88.7%-98.4%); and the negative percent agreement, 100.0% (95.9%-100.0%). EGFR mutations were detected at a frequency of 50.3% using the ADPS EGFR Mutation Test Kit and 52.9% using the cobas EGFR Mutation Test v2. There were 10 discrepant mutation calls between the two methods. CancerSCAN reproduced eight ADPS results. In two cases, mutant allele fraction was ultra-low at 0.02% and 0.06%, which are significantly below the limit of detection of the cobas assay and CancerSCAN. Based on the EGFR genotyping by ADPS, the treatment options could be switched in five patients. Conclusion The highly sensitive and specific ADPS EGFR Mutation Test Kit would be useful in detecting the patients who have lung cancer with EGFR mutation, and can benefit from the EGFR targeted therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Visuospatial memory impairment is a common symptom of Alzheimer’s disease; however, conventional visuospatial memory tests are insufficient to fully reflect visuospatial memory impairment in daily life. Methods: To address patients’ difficulties in locating and recalling misplaced objects, we introduced a novel visuospatial memory test, the Hidden Objects Test (HOT), conducted in a virtual environment. We categorized HOT scores into prospective memory, item free-recall, place free-recall, item recognition, and place-item matching scores. To validate the VR memory test, we compared HOT scores among individuals with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), and normal controls (NC), and also compared these scores with those of conventional neuropsychological tests. We tracked the participants’ movement paths in the virtual environment and assessed basic features, such as total distance, duration, and speed. Additionally, we performed walking trajectory pattern mining such as outlier and stay-point detection. Results: We designed and implemented the HOT to simulate a house’s living room and assess participants’ ability to locate hidden objects. Our preliminary results showed that the total HOT score differed among 17 patients with AD, 14 with aMCI, and 15 NC (p  <  0.001). The total HOT score correlated positively with conventional memory test scores (p  <  0.001). Walking trajectories showed that patients with AD and aMCI wandered rather than going straight to the hidden objects. In terms of basic features, the total duration was significantly greater in AD than in NC (p  =  0.008). In terms of trajectory pattern mining, the number of outliers, which were over 95% of the estimated trajectory, was significantly higher in AD than in NC (p  =  0.002). The number of stay points, an index in which participants stayed in the same position for more than 2  s, was significantly higher in patients with AD and aMCI compared with NC (AD vs. NC: p  =  0.003, aMCI vs. NC: p  =  0.019). Conclusion: The HOT simulating real life showed potential as an ecologically valid test for assessing visuospatial memory function in daily life. Walking trajectory analysis suggested that patients with AD and aMCI wandered rather than going straight toward the hidden objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors are currently used to treat patients with diabetes. Previous studies have demonstrated that treatment with SGLT-2 inhibitors is accompanied by altered metabolic phenotypes. However, it has not been investigated whether the hypothalamic circuit participates in the development of the compensatory metabolic phenotypes triggered by the treatment with SGLT-2 inhibitors. Methods: Mice were fed a standard diet or high-fat diet and treated with dapagliflozin, an SGLT-2 inhibitor. Food intake and energy expenditure were observed using indirect calorimetry system. The activity of hypothalamic neurons in response to dapagliflozin treatment was evaluated by immunohistochemistry with c-Fos antibody. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to determine gene expression patterns in the hypothalamus of dapagliflozin-treated mice. Results: Dapagliflozin-treated mice displayed enhanced food intake and reduced energy expenditure. Altered neuronal activities were observed in multiple hypothalamic nuclei in association with appetite regulation. Additionally, we found elevated immunosignals of agouti-related peptide neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. Conclusion: This study suggests the functional involvement of the hypothalamus in the development of the compensatory metabolic phenotypes induced by SGLT-2 inhibitor treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Enavogliflozin is a novel sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor currently under clinical development. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of enavogliflozin as an add-on to metformin in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) against dapagliflozin. Methods: In this multicenter, double-blind, randomized, phase 3 study, 200 patients were randomized to receive enavogliflozin 0.3 mg/day (n=101) or dapagliflozin 10 mg/day (n=99) in addition to ongoing metformin therapy for 24 weeks. The primary objective of the study was to prove the non-inferiority of enavogliflozin to dapagliflozin in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) change at week 24 (non-inferiority margin of 0.35%) (Clinical trial registration number: NCT04634500). Results: Adjusted mean change of HbA1c at week 24 was -0.80% with enavogliflozin and -0.75% with dapagliflozin (difference, -0.04%; 95% confidence interval, -0.21% to 0.12%). Percentages of patients achieving HbA1c <7.0% were 61% and 62%, respectively. Adjusted mean change of fasting plasma glucose at week 24 was -32.53 and -29.14 mg/dL. An increase in urine glucosecreatinine ratio (60.48 vs. 44.94, P<0.0001) and decrease in homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (-1.85 vs. -1.31, P=0.0041) were significantly greater with enavogliflozin than dapagliflozin at week 24. Beneficial effects of enavogliflozin on body weight (-3.77 kg vs. -3.58 kg) and blood pressure (systolic/diastolic, -5.93/-5.41 mm Hg vs. -6.57/-4.26 mm Hg) were comparable with those of dapagliflozin, and both drugs were safe and well-tolerated. Conclusion: Enavogliflozin added to metformin significantly improved glycemic control in patients with T2DM and was noninferior to dapagliflozin 10 mg, suggesting enavogliflozin as a viable treatment option for patients with inadequate glycemic control on metformin alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: More than half of patients with acute ischemic stroke develop poststroke cognitive impairment (PSCI), a significant barrier to future neurological recovery. Thus, predicting cognitive trajectories post-AIS is crucial. Our primary objective is to determine whether brain network properties from electroencephalography (EEG) can predict post-stroke cognitive function using machine learning approach. Methods: We enrolled consecutive stroke patients who underwent both EEG during the acute stroke phase and cognitive assessments 3 months post-stroke. We preprocessed acute stroke EEG data to eliminate low-quality epochs, then performed independent component analysis and quantified network characteristics using iSyncBrain®. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA). We initially categorized participants based on the lateralization of their lesions and then developed machine learning models to predict cognitive status in the left and right hemisphere lesion groups. Results: Eighty-seven patients were included, and the accuracy of lesion laterality prediction using EEG attributes was 97.0%. In the left hemispheric lesion group, the network attributes of the theta band were significantly correlated with MoCA scores, and higher global efficiency, clustering coefficient, and lower characteristic path length were associated with higher MoCA scores. Most features related to cognitive scores were selected from the frontal lobe. The predictive powers (Rsquared) were 0.76 and 0.65 for the left and right stroke groups, respectively. Conclusion: Estimating EEG-based network properties in the acute phase of ischemic stroke through a machine learning model has a potential to predict cognitive outcomes after ischemic stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proximal junction kyphosis (PJK) is a common imaging finding after long-level fusion, and proximal junctional failure (PJF) is an aggravated form of the progressive disease spectrum of PJK. This includes vertebral fracture of upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) or UIV+1, instability between UIV and UIV+1, neurological deterioration requiring surgery. Many studies have reported on PJK and PJF after long segment instrumentation for adult spinal deformity (ASD). In particular, for spine deformity surgeons, risk factors and prevention strategies of PJK and PJF are very important to minimize reoperation. Therefore, this review aims to help reduce the occurrence of PJK and PJF by updating the latest contents of PJK and PJF by 2023, focusing on the risk factors and prevention strategies of PJK and PJF. We conducted a search on multiple database for articles published until February 2023 using the search keywords “proximal junctional kyphosis,” “proximal junctional failure,” “proximal junctional disease,” and “adult spinal deformity.” Finally, 103 papers were included in this study. Numerous factors have been suggested as potential risks for the development of PJK and PJF, including a high body mass index, inadequate postoperative sagittal balance and overcorrection, advanced age, pelvic instrumentation, and osteoporosis. Recently, with the increasing elderly population, sarcopenia has been emphasized. The quality and quantity of muscle in the surgical site have been suggested as new risk factor. Therefore, spine surgeon should understand the pathophysiology of PJK and PJF, as well as individual risk factors, in order to develop appropriate prevention strategies for each patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of add-on gemigliptin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who had inadequate glycemic control with metformin and dapagliflozin. Methods: In this randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, double-blind, phase III study, 315 patients were randomized to receive either gemigliptin 50 mg (n=159) or placebo (n=156) with metformin and dapagliflozin for 24 weeks. After the 24-week treatment, patients who received the placebo were switched to gemigliptin, and all patients were treated with gemigliptin for an additional 28 weeks. Results: The baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups, except for body mass index. At week 24, the least squares mean difference (standard error) in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) changes was -0.66% (0.07) with a 95% confidence interval of -0.80% to -0.52%, demonstrating superior HbA1c reduction in the gemigliptin group. After week 24, the HbA1c level significantly decreased in the placebo group as gemigliptin was administered, whereas the efficacy of HbA1c reduction was maintained up to week 52 in the gemigliptin group. The safety profiles were similar: the incidence rates of treatment-emergent adverse events up to week 24 were 27.67% and 29.22% in the gemigliptin and placebo groups, respectively. The safety profiles after week 24 were similar to those up to week 24 in both groups, and no new safety findings, including hypoglycemia, were noted. Conclusion: Add-on gemigliptin was well tolerated, providing comparable safety profiles and superior efficacy in glycemic control over placebo for long-term use in patients with T2DM who had poor glycemic control with metformin and dapagliflozin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The ketogenic pathway is an effective mechanism by which the liver disposes of fatty acids (FAs) to the peripheral tissues. Impaired ketogenesis is presumed to be related to the pathogenesis of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), but the results of previous studies have been controversial. Therefore, we investigated the association between ketogenic capacity and MAFLD in subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods: A total of 435 subjects with newly diagnosed T2D was recruited for the study. They were classified into two groups based on median serum β-hydroxybutyrate (β-HB) level: intact vs. impaired ketogenesis groups. The associations of baseline serum β-HB and MAFLD indices of hepatic steatosis index, NAFLD liver fat score (NLFS), Framingham Steatosis index (FSI), Zhejian University index, and Chinese NAFLD score were investigated. Results: Compared to the impaired ketogenesis group, the intact ketogenesis group showed better insulin sensitivity, lower serum triglyceride level, and higher low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and glycated hemoglobin levels. Serum levels of liver enzymes were not different between the two groups. Of the hepatic steatosis indices, NLFS (0.8 vs. 0.9, p=0.045) and FSI (39.4 vs. 47.0: p=0.041) were significantly lower in the intact ketogenesis group. Moreover, intact ketogenesis was significantly associated with lower risk of MAFLD as calculated by FSI after adjusting for potential confounders (adjusted odds ratio 0.48, 95% confidence interval 0.25-0.91, p=0.025). Conclusions: Our study suggests that intact ketogenesis might be associated with decreased risk of MAFLD in T2D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spinal cord injury (SCI) has a significant negative effect on the quality of life due to permanent neurologic damage and economic burden by continuous treatment and rehabilitation. However, determining the correct approach to ensure optimal clinical outcomes can be challenging and remains highly controversial. In particular, with the introduction of the concept of early decompression in brain pathology, the discussion of the timing of decompression in SCI has emerged. In addition to that, the concept of "time is spine" has been added recently, and the mortality and complications caused by SCI have been reduced by providing timely and professional treatment to patients. However, there are many difficulties in establishing international clinical guidelines for the timing of early decompression in SCI because policies for each country and medical institution differ according to the circumstances of medical infrastructure and economic conditions in the surgical treatment of SCI. Therefore, we aim to provide a current review of timing of early decompression in patient with SCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS) is a rare multisystem disorder characterized by a clinical triad of polyostotic fibrous dysplasia (FD), skin pigmentation, and hyperfunctioning endocrinopathies. A 42-year-old man visited our medical hospital for the treatment of intermittent headaches and was diagnosed with MAS with acromegaly. This patient showed various clinical features of MAS, including pituitary adenoma, polyostotic FD, and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. The FD lesions showed characteristic radiographic features, such as widespread, sclerotic bony lesions in the cranial bones, mixed radiolucent-radiopaque multilocular lesions in the mandible, and radiolucent lesions in the axial and appendicular skeleton. Over the years, the patient had been hospitalized multiple times due to accidental bony fractures associated with the fragile bony state of FD. This report presents a retrospective description of a case of MAS, with a review of the relevant literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The inflammatory response that occurs following cardiac arrest can determine the long-term prognosis of patients who survive out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. We evaluated the correlation between C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR) following cardiac arrest and long-term mortality. Methods: The current retrospective observational study examined patients with post-cardiac arrest syndrome (PCAS) treated with targeted temperature management at a single tertiary care hospital. We measured CAR at four time points (at admission and then 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours after) following cardiac arrest. The primary outcome was the patients' 6-month mortality. We performed multivariable and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) analyses to investigate the relationship between CAR and 6-month mortality. Results: Among the 115 patients, 52 (44.1%) died within 6 months. In the multivariable analysis, CAR at 48 hours (odds ratio [OR], 1.130; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.027-1.244) and 72 hours (OR, 1.241; 95% CI, 1.059-1.455) after cardiac arrest was independently associated with 6-month mortality. The AUCs of CAR at admission and 24, 48, and 72 hours after cardiac arrest for predicting 6-month mortality were 0.583 (95% CI, 0.489-0.673), 0.622 (95% CI, 0.528-0.710), 0.706 (95% CI, 0.615-0.786), and 0.762 (95% CI, 0.675-0.835), respectively. Conclusions: CAR at 72 hours after cardiac arrest was an independent predictor for long-term mortality in patients with PCAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) may experience neuropathic symptoms, such as back pain, radiating pain, and neurogenic claudication. Although the long-term outcomes of both nonsurgical and surgical treatments are similar, surgery may provide short-term benefits, including improved symptoms and lower risk of falling. Decompression is mainly used for surgical treatment, and depending on the decompression degree and associated instability, combination therapy may be given. Minimally invasive surgery has been demonstrated to produce excellent results in the treatment of LSS. Thus, an approach aimed at understanding the overall pathophysiology and treatment methods of LSS is expected to have a better therapeutic effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mucocele of the paranasal sinuses is a benign, slow-growing, expansile lesion. Maxillary sinus mucoceles are usually associated with painless bulging of the cheek; however, orbital expansion is rarely observed. Maxillary sinus mucoceles can be classified as primary or secondary according to their etiology. An impediment to sinus ostium ventilation is thought to be the cause of primary mucocele, while sequestering of residual mucosa after surgery in the wound and long-term retention of tissue fluid have been suggested to lead to the formation of secondary mucocele. This report presents 2 cases of primary and secondary mucoceles, with a focus on radiographic features. As primary and superiorly positioned secondary maxillary sinus mucoceles are uncommon and their close proximity to the orbit predisposes the patient to significant morbidity, the authors expect that this report will contribute to a better understanding and diagnosis of maxillary sinus mucocele involving the orbit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: Metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has recently been introduced to compensate for the conventional concept of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We explored whether fibrotic burden determines the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) among subjects with MAFLD. Methods: We recruited 9,444 participants from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2008 to 2011). Liver fibrosis was identified using the fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index and NAFLD fibrosis score. The 10-year ASCVD risk score (>10%) was used to determine a high probability ASCVD risk. For sensitivity analysis, propensity score matching was assessed to subjects with aged 40 to 75 years free from ASCVD. Results: The prevalence of MAFLD was 38.0% (n=3,592). The ASCVD risk scores stratified in quartile were positively correlated to MAFLD and FIB-4 defined-significant liver fibrosis (p for trend <0.001). Individuals with both MAFLD and FIB-4 defined-significant liver fibrosis had a greater chance of high probability ASCVD risk (odds ratio [OR]=2.40; p<0.001) than those without MAFLD. The impact of MAFLD on high probability ASCVD risk was greater than that of significant liver fibrosis (OR=4.72 for MAFLD vs OR=1.88 for FIB-4 defined-significant liver fibrosis; all p<0.001). Among participants with MAFLD, low muscle mass enhanced the risk of significant liver fibrosis (OR=1.56 to 2.43; p<0.001). When NAFLD fibrosis score was applied to define significant liver fibrosis, similar findings were observed. Conclusions: Individuals with MAFLD had a substantial ASCVD risk compared to those without MAFLD. Accompanying significant liver fibrosis further enhanced the risk of ASCVD among subjects with MAFLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To evaluate prescription trends and clinical factors of the sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) use according to the presence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) or heart failure (HF) in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: Prescription patterns of SGLT2i use between 2015 and 2019 were determined using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database of claims. Results: Of all patients with T2DM (n=4,736,493), the annual prescription rate of SGLT2i increased every year in patients with ASCVD (from 2.2% to 10.7%) or HF (from 2.0% to 11.1%). After the first hospitalization for ASCVD (n=518,572), 13.7% (n=71,259) of patients initiated SGLT2i with a median of 10.6 months. After hospitalization for HF (n=372,853), 11.2% (n=41,717) of patients initiated SGLT2i after a median of 8.8 months. In multivariate regression for hospitalization, older age (per 10 years, odds ratio [OR], 0.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.56 to 0.57), lower household income (OR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.92 to 0.95), rural residents (OR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.93 to 0.97), and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP-4i) users (OR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.81 to 0.84) were associated with lesser initiation of SGLT2i in ASCVD. Additionally, female gender (OR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.95 to 0.99) was associated with lesser initiation of SGLT2i in HF. Conclusion: The prescription rate of SGLT2i increased gradually up to 2019 but was suboptimal in patients with ASCVD or HF. After the first hospitalization for ASCVD or HF, older age, female gender, low household income, rural residents, and DPP-4i users were less likely to initiate SGLT2i. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Advances in the diagnosis and management of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and the increased use of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) have improved the quality of care and prognosis of patients with AIS since 2015. We investigated the changing trends in mortality of patients with AIS in Korea before and after 2015. Materials and methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using combined anonymized data from the Acute Stroke Assessment Registry of Korea and the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service database. Patients with ischemic stroke with precise onset time and initial National Institute of Health Stroke Scale records were included. Results: Patients receiving MT treatment increased from 256 (2.7%) pre-2015 to 1,037 (3.9%) post-2015 (p < 0.001). Overall mortality significantly decreased from pre-2015 to post-2015. In pre-2015, intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) administered within 2 h significantly reduced 3-month mortality when compared with non-IVT. While, in post-2015, IVT administered within 2 h significantly reduced the 3-month, 1-year, 2-year, and 4-year mortality (p < 0.05). MT only reduced 1-year mortality pre-2015; however, MT significantly reduced the 3-month, 1-year, and 2-year mortality post-2015 (p < 0.05). Post-stroke antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs significantly reduced the 3-month, 1-year, 2-year, and 4-year mortality post-2015. Discussion: Since 2015, faster IVT has significantly reduced the short- and long-term mortality in patients with AIS; MT reduced the 3-month, 1-year, and 2-year mortality. Post-stroke antithrombotic medication has significantly lowered the 2- and 4-year mortality since 2015. Conclusions: Changing trends in AIS management since 2015 have improved the prognosis of patients with AIS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To evaluate the clinical characteristics and causative genetic variants in autosomal optic atrophy diagnosed using next-generation sequencing (NGS). Methods: A cohort of 57 unrelated families affected with bilateral optic atrophy were recruited from two university-based tertiary referral hospitals from May 2016 to April 2022. Genetic variants were detected using a target enrichment panel consisting of 429 or 595 genes and known deep intronic variants associated with inherited eye diseases, exome sequencing, or genome sequencing. The results of detailed clinical examinations, disease-causing variants, and clinical diagnoses were analyzed. Results: Among the 57 probands, 33 (57.9%) were men, and the median age at genetic testing was 19.1 years (interquartile range, 7.6-42.5 years). We identified 22 likely causative variants in 18 families and corresponding diagnostic yields of 31.6% (95% confidence interval, 21.0-44.5%). The diagnostic rate of NGS was higher in patients with infantile or early childhood onset optic atrophy than in those with late-onset or unknown optic atrophy (18/39, 46.2% vs. 0/18, 0%, P < 0.001). Among the 22 variants, 15 were novel in our cohort. The OPA1 variants (n = 7) were found to be the major genetic causes, followed by theNR2F1 variant (n=4). The causative variants in PTPN23, TMEM126A, NBAS, and WFS1 genes were identified in 4 probands with a recessive form of optic atrophy. Conclusions: Based on the results of diagnostic NGS for optic atrophy, the causative variant could be detected in 31.6% of patients. Our study also demonstrated that NGS is unlikely to help identify molecular causes in late-onset unexplained optic atrophy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, it is estimated there are more than 2.2 billion visually impaired people. Visual diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and optic neuritis can cause irreversible profound vision loss. Many groups have investigated different approaches such as microelectronic prostheses, optogenetics, stem cell therapy, and gene therapy to restore vision. However, these methods have some limitations such as invasive implantation surgery and unknown long-term risk of genetic manipulation. In addition to the safety of ultrasound as a medical imaging modality, ultrasound stimulation can be a viable non-invasive alternative approach for the sight restoration because of its ability to non-invasively control neuronal activities. Indeed, recent studies have demonstrated ultrasound stimulation can successfully modulate retinal/brain neuronal activities without causing any damage to the nerve cells. Superior penetration depth and high spatial resolution of focused ultrasound can open a new avenue in neuromodulation researches. This review summarizes the latest research results about neural responses to ultrasound stimulation. Also, this work provides an overview of technical viewpoints in the future design of a miniaturized ultrasound transducer for a non-invasive acoustic visual prosthesis for non-surgical and painless restoration of vision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]