Most-cited are based on citations from 2024 ~ 2026.
, Won Kim Understanding the effects of sex and sex differences on liver health and disease is crucial for individualized healthcare and informed decision-making for patients with liver disease. The impact of sex on liver disease varies according to its etiology. Women have a lower prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) than men. However, postmenopausal women face a higher risk of advanced liver fibrosis due to hormonal influences. Sex differences affect the pathogenesis of MASLD, which involves a complex process involving several factors such as hormones, obesity, and the gut microbiome. Furthermore, sex-related differences in the development of MASLDrelated hepatocellular carcinoma have been observed. The sex-specific characteristics of MASLD necessitate an individualized management approach based on scientific evidence. However, research in this area has been lacking. This article reviews the current understanding of sex differences in MASLD.
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, Eun-Kyoung Pang Citations
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Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains the leading cause of mortality worldwide, driven primarily by atherogenesis. Recent efforts to understand sex differences in CAD have revealed distinct patterns in disease burden, risk factors, and clinical presentations. This review examines these sex differences in CAD, underscoring the importance of customized diagnostic and management strategies. Although men typically have higher rates of CAD prevalence and incidence, women face unique challenges, such as delayed diagnosis, atypical symptoms, and lower rates of medication prescription. Hormonal, genetic, and lifestyle factors all play a role in these disparities, with estrogen notably reducing CAD risk in women. Nontraditional risk factors, including chronic inflammation, psychological stress, socioeconomic status, and reproductive history, also contribute to CAD development and are often neglected in clinical settings. Addressing these differences requires increased awareness, more accurate diagnosis, and equitable healthcare access for both sexes. Furthermore, greater inclusion of women in CAD research is essential to better understand sex-specific mechanisms and optimize treatment outcomes. Personalizing CAD management based on sex-specific knowledge has the potential to improve prognosis and decrease disease incidence for both men and women.
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FLASH radiotherapy (FLASH-RT) is an innovative approach that delivers ultra-high dose rates exceeding 40 Gy in less than a second, aiming to widen the therapeutic window by minimizing damage to normal tissue while maintaining tumor control. This review explores the advancements, mechanisms, and clinical applications of FLASH-RT across various radiation sources. Electrons have been predominantly used due to technical feasibility, but their limited penetration depth restricts clinical application. Protons, offering deeper tissue penetration, are considered promising for treating deep-seated tumors despite challenges in beam delivery. Preclinical studies demonstrate that FLASH-RT reduces normal tissue toxicity in the lung, brain, skin, intestine, and heart without compromising antitumor efficacy. The mechanisms underlying the FLASH effect may involve oxygen depletion leading to transient hypoxia, reduced DNA damage in normal tissues, and modulation of immune and inflammatory responses. However, these mechanisms are incompletely understood, and inconsistent results across studies highlight the need for further research. Initial clinical studies, including treatment of cutaneous lymphoma and bone metastases, indicate the feasibility and potential benefits of FLASH-RT in patients. Challenges for clinical implementation include technical issues in dosimetry accuracy at ultra-high dose rates, adaptations in treatment planning systems, beam delivery methods, and economic considerations due to specialized equipment requirements. Future directions will involve comprehensive preclinical studies to optimize irradiation parameters, large-scale clinical trials to establish standardized protocols, and technological advancements to overcome limitations. FLASH-RT holds the potential to revolutionize radiotherapy by reducing normal tissue toxicity and improving therapeutic outcomes, but significant research is required for real-world clinical applications.
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, Erik von Elm
, Douglas G. Altman
, Peter C. Gøtzsche, Cynthia D. Mulrow
, Stuart J. Pocock, Charles Poole, James J. Schlesselman, Matthias Egger 의학 연구의 대부분은 관찰 연구이다. 관찰 연구의 보고는 종종 불충분한 품질을 보이기도 한다. 부실한 보고는 연구의 강점과 약점을 평가하고 연구
결과의 일반화 가능성을 평가하는 데 방해가 된다. 방법론 전문가, 연구자, 편집자 그룹은 경험적 근거와 이론적 고려 사항을 고려하여 관찰 연구
보고의 질을 개선하기 위한 역학 STROBE 권고안을 개발했다. STROBE statement은 논문의 제목, 초록, 서론, 방법, 결과 및
토론 부분에 대한 22개 항목의 체크리스트로 구성되어 있다. 18개 항목은 코호트연구, 환자 대조군 연구, 단면연구에 공통으로 적용되며, 4개
항목은 세 가지 연구설계 각각에 따라 다르다. STROBE statement는 저자에게 관찰 연구에 대한 보고를 개선하는 방법에 대한 지침을
제공하고 심사자, 편집자 및 독자가 연구를 비판적으로 평가하고 해석하는 데 도움이 된다. 이 설명 문서는 STROBE statement의 사용,
이해 및 보급을 향상 시키는 것이 목적이다. 각 체크리스트 항목의 의미와 근거가 제시되어 있다. 각 항목에 대해 하나 또는 여러 개의 출판된
예시 논문과 가능한 경우 관련 경험적 연구 및 방법론 문헌에 대한 내용이 참고사항으로 제공된다. 유용한 흐름도의 예도 포함되어 있다. 본 문서
및 관련 웹사이트(
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, Sooyoung Huh, Haesook Seo During the COVID-19 pandemic, the first seasonal influenza epidemic was declared in the 37th week of 2022 in Korea and has continued through the winter of 2023–2024. However, this finding has not been observed in the United States and Europe. The present study aimed to determine whether the prolonged influenza epidemic in Korea from 2022 to 2023 was caused by using a different influenza epidemic threshold compared to the thresholds used in the United States and Europe.
Korea, the United States, and Europe use different methods to set seasonal influenza epidemic thresholds. First, we calculated the influenza epidemic thresholds for influenza seasons using the different methods of those three regions. Using these epidemic thresholds, we then compared the duration of influenza epidemics for the most recent three influenza seasons.
The epidemic thresholds estimated by the Korean method were lower than those by the other methods, and the epidemic periods defined using the Korean threshold were estimated to be longer than those defined by the other regions’ thresholds.
A low influenza epidemic threshold may have contributed to the prolonged influenza epidemic in Korea, which was declared in 2022 and has continued until late 2023. A more reliable epidemic threshold for seasonal influenza surveillance needs to be established in Korea.
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, Jongmin Oh, Eunji Mun, Jung Eun Choi, Kyung Hee Kim, Ji Hyen Lee, Hae Soon Kim, Eunhee Ha The worldwide incidence of precocious puberty, which is associated with negative health outcomes, is increasing. Several studies have suggested that environmental factors contribute to the development of precocious puberty alongside genetic factors. Some epidemiological studies have provided limited evidence suggesting an association between exposure to air pollution and changes in pubertal development. This systematic review aimed to summarize existing evidence on the association between air pollution exposure and precocious puberty. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we searched two databases (PubMed and Web of Science) until August 2023. The included studies assessed the association between air pollutant exposure and the risk of precocious puberty, early menarche, or pubertal development. Two authors independently performed study selection and data extraction. A meta-analysis and analysis of the risk of bias were infeasible due to the limited number of studies and the heterogeneity among them. The literature search resulted in 184 studies, from which we included six studies with sample sizes ranging from 437 to 4,074 participants. The studies reported heterogeneous outcomes. Four studies found that increased exposure to air pollution was related to earlier pubertal onset. One study was inconclusive, and another suggested that air pollutant exposure may delay the onset of thelarche. Most studies suggest that exposure to air pollutants accelerates pubertal development; however, the results from the available studies are inconsistent. More extensive and well-designed longitudinal studies are required for a comprehensive understanding of the association between air pollution and precocious puberty.
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, Karel G M Moons, Paula Dhiman, Richard D Riley, Andrew L Beam, Ben Van Calster
, Marzyeh Ghassemi, Xiaoxuan Liu, Johannes B Reitsma, Maarten van Smeden, Anne-Laure Boulesteix, Jennifer Catherine Camaradou, Leo Anthony Celi, Spiros Denaxas, Alastair K Denniston, Ben Glocker, Robert M Golub, Hugh Harvey, Georg Heinze, Michael M Hoffman, André Pascal Kengne, Emily Lam, Naomi Lee, Elizabeth W Loder, Lena Maier-Hein, Bilal A Mateen, Melissa D McCradden, Lauren Oakden-Rayner, Johan Ordish, Richard Parnell, Sherri Rose, Karandeep Singh, Laure Wynants, Patricia Logullo Citations
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, Haeryoung Kim Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths
worldwide, with poor clinical outcomes due to challenges in early detection and
limited efficacy of current treatments such as receptor tyrosine kinase
inhibitors and immunotherapy. HCC exhibits significant heterogeneity at both
histopathological and molecular levels, complicating its management but offering
potential for personalized therapeutic approaches. This review outlines the
morpho-molecular heterogeneity of HCC and summarizes various histological
subtypes, including steatohepatitic, clear cell, macrotrabecular-massive,
scirrhous, lymphocyte-rich, and fibrolamellar HCCs. Each subtype possesses
distinct clinical, histological, and molecular features; for instance,
steatohepatitic HCC is associated with metabolic dysfunction and shows
IL-6/JAK/STAT activation, while clear cell HCCs often have
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Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to pose significant public health
challenges in Korea, with syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia,
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, Pyoeng Gyun Choe The rise of multidrug-resistant organisms represents a serious global public health concern. In Korea, the increasing prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) is particularly concerning due to the difficulties associated with treatment. Data from the Korea Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System indicate a yearly increase in CRE cases, with carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales being the predominant type. The capacity of CRE to resist multiple broad-spectrum antibiotics leads to higher medical costs and mortality rates, underscoring the need for urgent action. Effective prevention is crucial to curbing CRE outbreaks and transmission. Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) play a key role and require commitment from healthcare professionals to minimize unnecessary antibiotic use, as well as from policymakers to ensure adherence to ASP guidelines. Given the complexity of CRE transmission, ASP efforts must be integrated with infection control strategies for maximum effectiveness. These strategies include adherence to standard and contact precautions, environmental disinfection, preemptive isolation, and comprehensive education and training for healthcare personnel. Additionally, surveillance testing for patients at high risk for CRE and the use of real-time diagnostic kits can facilitate early detection and reduce further transmission. Strategies for the prevention of CRE infection should be tailored to specific healthcare settings. Ongoing research is essential to update and refine infection control guidelines and effectively prevent CRE outbreaks.
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This study analyzed drug-induced death statistics in Korea between 2011 and 2021.
Cause-of-death statistics data from Statistics Korea were examined based on the Korean Standard Classification of Diseases and Causes of Death and the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th revision.
In 2021, there were 559 drug-induced deaths, marking a 172.7% increase compared to 2011, which recorded 205 deaths. The rate of drug-induced deaths per 100,000 people was 1.1 in 2021, up 153.6% from 0.4 in 2011. The mortality rate for men aged 25−34 years and women aged 35−44 years each increased fourfold from 2011 to 2021: from 0.3 to 1.2 for the former and 0.3 to 1.3 for the latter. Of the drug-induced deaths in 2021, 75.0% (419/559) were due to intentional self-harm, and 10.4% (58/559) were accidental. The number of deaths attributed to medical narcotics in 2021 was 169, a 5.5-fold increase from 2011. The most commonly implicated drugs in these deaths were sedative-hypnotic drugs, benzodiazepines, and opioids. Sedative-hypnotic drugs and benzodiazepines were frequently involved in cases of intentional self-harm, while opioids and psychostimulants were more often associated with accidental deaths.
The death rate from drug-induced causes is considerably lower in Korea than in the United States (1.1 vs. 29.2). However, the number of such deaths has increased recently. Since these deaths occur predominantly among younger age groups and are often the result of intentional self-harm, there is a clear need for systematic management and the implementation of targeted policies.
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, Paola De Castro, Sera Tort, Mirjam Curno Citations
, Majid Afshar, Saleem Ameen, Yindalon Aphinyanaphongs, Shan Chen, Giovanni Cacciamani, Dina Demner-Fushman, Dmitriy Dligach, Roxana Daneshjou, Chrystinne Fernandes, Lasse Hyldig Hansen, Adam Landman, Lisa Lehmann, Liam G. McCoy, Timothy Miller, Amy Moreno, Nikolaj Munch, David Restrepo, Guergana Savova, Renato Umeton, Judy Wawira Gichoya, Gary S. Collins, Karel G. M. Moons, Leo A. Celi, Danielle S. Bitterman Citations
, An-Wen Chan
, Gary S. Collins, Asbjørn Hróbjartsson
, David Moher, Kenneth F. Schulz, Ruth Tunn, Rakesh Aggarwal
, Michael Berkwits, Jesse A. Berlin, Nita Bhandari, Nancy J. Butcher, Marion K. Campbell, Runcie C. W. Chidebe, Diana Elbourne, Andrew Farmer, Dean A. Fergusson, Robert M. Golub, Steven N. Goodman, Tammy C. Hoffmann, John P. A. Ioannidis, Brennan C. Kahan, Rachel L. Knowles, Sarah E. Lamb, Steff Lewis, Elizabeth Loder, Martin Offringa, Philippe Ravaud, Dawn P. Richards, Frank W. Rockhold, David L. Schriger, Nandi L. Siegried, Sophie Staniszewska, Rod S. Taylor, Lehana Thabane, David Torgerson, Sunita Vohra, Ian R. White, Isabelle Boutron Citations
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, Bruno B. Andrade
, Ju Sang Kim, Yoolwon Jeong Citations
This review examines the challenges associated with occupational disease surveillance in Korea, particularly emphasizing the limitations of current data sources such as the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance (IACI) statistics and special health examinations. The IACI system undercounts cases due to its emphasis on severe diseases and restrictions on approvals. Special health examinations, although they cover a broad workforce, are constrained by their annual scheduling, which leads to missed acute illnesses and subclinical conditions. The paper also explores the history of occupational disease surveillance in Korea, highlighting the fragmented and disease-specific approach of earlier systems. The authors introduce the newly established Korea Occupational Disease Surveillance Center (KODSC), a comprehensive nationwide system designed to gather, analyze, and interpret data on occupational diseases through a network of regional centers. By incorporating hospital-based surveillance and focusing on acute poisonings and other sentinel events, the KODSC aims to overcome the limitations of previous systems and promote collaboration with various agencies. Although it is still in the early stages of implementation, the KODSC demonstrates potential for improving data accuracy and contributing valuable insights for public health policy.
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, Minsung Kim Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols are designed to minimize surgical stress, preserve physiological function, and expedite recovery through standardized perioperative care for primary colorectal surgery patients. This narrative review explores the benefits of current ERAS protocols in improving outcomes for these patients and provides insights into future advancements. Numerous studies have shown that ERAS protocols significantly reduce the length of hospital stays by several days compared to conventional care. Additionally, the implementation of ERAS is linked to a reduction in postoperative complications, including lower incidences of surgical site infections, anastomotic leaks, and postoperative ileus. Patients adhering to ERAS protocols also benefit from quicker gastrointestinal recovery, marked by an earlier return of bowel function. Some research indicates that colorectal cancer patients undergoing surgery with ERAS protocols may experience improved overall survival rates. High compliance with ERAS protocols leads to better outcomes, yet achieving full adherence continues to be a challenge. Despite these advantages, implementation challenges persist, with compliance rates affected by varying clinical practices and resource availability. However, the future of ERAS looks promising with the incorporation of prehabilitation strategies and technologies such as wearable devices and telemedicine. These innovations provide real-time monitoring, enhance patient engagement, and improve postoperative follow-up, potentially transforming perioperative care in colorectal surgery and offering new avenues for enhanced patient outcomes.
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, Jeong-Ju Yoo, Sang Gyune Kim, Young Seok Kim Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a critical health concern in Korea, ranking as the second leading cause of cancer mortality and imposing substantial economic burdens, particularly among the working-age population. This review examines recent advancements in treating advanced HCC, referencing the updated 2022 HCC guidelines and the Barcelona Clinical Liver Cancer system. Historically, first-line systemic therapies included sorafenib and lenvatinib, with regorafenib, cabozantinib, or ramucirumab serving as second-line options. Since 2020, immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown superior overall survival than sorafenib, leading to the adoption of combination therapies such as atezolizumab with bevacizumab and durvalumab with tremelimumab as first-line treatments. The IMbrave150 study demonstrated that atezolizumab–bevacizumab significantly extended median overall survival and progression-free survival, with the longest survival reported in any phase 3 trial for advanced HCC. Similarly, the HIMALAYA study indicated that durvalumab combined with tremelimumab significantly improved survival rates. Second-line therapies now include regorafenib, cabozantinib, ramucirumab, nivolumab with ipilimumab, and pembrolizumab, each offering benefits for specific patient populations. Nonetheless, these therapies are associated with side effects that require careful management. Traditional targeted therapies can lead to hypertension, cardiovascular events, and hand-foot skin reactions, whereas immune checkpoint inhibitors may cause immune-related adverse events affecting the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and endocrine system. Clinicians must be well-versed in these treatments and their potential side effects to provide optimal patient care. The emergence of combination therapies targeting complex biological pathways signifies a new paradigm in HCC treatment, emphasizing the importance of continuous education and vigilant monitoring to optimize patient outcomes.
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, YoungMoon Goh, Jungwon Kwak Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming various medical fields, including radiation oncology. This review explores the integration of AI into radiation oncology, highlighting both challenges and opportunities. AI can improve the precision, efficiency, and outcomes of radiation therapy by optimizing treatment planning, enhancing image analysis, facilitating adaptive radiation therapy, and enabling predictive analytics. Through the analysis of large datasets to identify optimal treatment parameters, AI can automate complex tasks, reduce planning time, and improve accuracy. In image analysis, AI-driven techniques enhance tumor detection and segmentation by processing data from CT, MRI, and PET scans to enable precise tumor delineation. In adaptive radiation therapy, AI is beneficial because it allows real-time adjustments to treatment plans based on changes in patient anatomy and tumor size, thereby improving treatment accuracy and effectiveness. Predictive analytics using historical patient data can predict treatment outcomes and potential complications, guiding clinical decision-making and enabling more personalized treatment strategies. Challenges to AI adoption in radiation oncology include ensuring data quality and quantity, achieving interoperability and standardization, addressing regulatory and ethical considerations, and overcoming resistance to clinical implementation. Collaboration among researchers, clinicians, data scientists, and industry stakeholders is crucial to overcoming these obstacles. By addressing these challenges, AI can drive advancements in radiation therapy, improving patient care and operational efficiencies. This review presents an overview of the current state of AI integration in radiation oncology and insights into future directions for research and clinical practice.
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The availability of combined antiretroviral therapy has significantly reduced the number of new HIV infections and the associated mortality, and HIV infection has become a chronic disease with long-term survival. In Korea, more than 1,000 new HIV infections have been registered annually since 2013. After peaking at 1,223 in 2019, the number of new infections decreased between 2020 and 2023. In 2023, the majority of newly HIV-infected people were men, and the proportions of young people under 40 years, homosexual contacts and foreigners increased. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related deaths from opportunistic infections associated with immunosuppression and AIDS-defining cancers are gradually decreasing, whereas non-AIDS defining comorbidities such as non-AIDS defining cancers, cardiovascular disease and metabolic complications are emerging as major causes of death. Since the introduction of zidovudine, approximately 30 antiretroviral drugs have been approved for the treatment of HIV infection. Early and continuous antiretroviral treatment for all people living with HIV is an effective strategy for maintaining viral suppression and preventing transmission of HIV infection. In conclusion, achieving the 95–95–95 target among those living with HIV in Korea requires multifaceted efforts to improve early diagnosis, early and proper treatment of HIV infection including the management of chronic diseases, and adherence to antiretroviral therapy.
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Influenza presents a considerable disease burden, particularly among adults over 65 years old. In this population, the disease is associated with high rates of infection, hospitalization, and mortality. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of influenza on older adults and to evaluate the effectiveness of influenza vaccines within this demographic. A literature search was conducted using PubMed to identify relevant English-language studies published from January 2000 to January 2024. The analysis indicated that influenza-related hospitalization rates (ranging from 10.1 to 308.3 per 100,000 persons) and all-cause excess mortality rates (1.1 to 228.2 per 100,000 persons) were notably high in older adults, although these rates varied over time and by location. Hospitalization rates due to influenza increased considerably after the age of 50 years, with the highest rates observed in individuals aged 85 years and older. Excess mortality attributable to influenza also rose with age, with rates between 17.9 and 223.5 per 100,000 persons in those over 75 years old. The effectiveness of influenza vaccines in preventing severe infections requiring hospitalization was found to be only 37% in individuals aged 65 years and older. The unadjuvanted, standard-dose influenza vaccine had an estimated effectiveness of just 25% against laboratory-confirmed influenza and between 37% and 43.7% in preventing hospitalizations. Therefore, considering the substantial burden of influenza and the limited efficacy of standard vaccines, the use of highly immunogenic influenza vaccines should be prioritized for older adults.
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, Min Hyouk Beak, Won-joong Kim Although sciatica is commonly associated with lumbar spinal issues, it is important to acknowledge that non-spinal factors can also play a significant role in this condition. This is particularly relevant for female patients, in whom gynecologic conditions can lead to secondary sciatic neuropathy. Herein, we report the case of a 66-year-old woman who experienced posterolateral right lower extremity radiating pain. We initially performed a lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injection, but the pain persisted. Subsequently, hip MRI revealed sciatic neuropathy adjacent to the pedunculated portions of a uterine myoma. We then performed a sub-gluteal sciatic nerve block under ultrasound guidance, resulting in significant relief of her pain. In conclusion, hip MRI can be helpful for the differential diagnosis of sciatica, and ultrasound-guided sciatic nerve block can be considered an appropriate and effective treatment option.
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, So Hyun Ahn, Rena Lee This study aimed to develop an accurate pediatric bone age prediction model by utilizing deep learning models and contrast conversion techniques, in order to improve growth assessment and clinical decision-making in clinical practice.
The study employed a variety of deep learning models and contrast conversion techniques to predict bone age. The training dataset consisted of pediatric left-hand X-ray images, each annotated with bone age and sex information. Deep learning models, including a convolutional neural network , Residual Network 50 , Visual Geometry Group 19, Inception V3, and Xception were trained and assessed using the mean absolute error (MAE). For the test data, contrast conversion techniques including fuzzy contrast enhancement, contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization (HE) , and HE were implemented. The quality of the images was evaluated using peak signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), mean squared error, SNR, coefficient of variation, and contrast-to-noise ratio metrics. The bone age prediction results using the test data were evaluated based on the MAE and root mean square error, and the t-test was performed.
The Xception model showed the best performance (MAE=41.12). HE exhibited superior image quality, with higher SNR and coefficient of variation values than other methods. Additionally, HE demonstrated the highest contrast among the techniques assessed, with a contrast-to-noise ratio value of 1.29. Improvements in bone age prediction resulted in a decline in MAE from 2.11 to 0.24, along with a decrease in root mean square error from 0.21 to 0.02.
This study demonstrates that preprocessing the data before model training does not significantly affect the performance of bone age prediction when comparing contrast-converted images with original images.
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, Ssirai Kim, Sun Young Lee This study reviewed quantitative research on the health of sexual and gender minorities (SGMs) in Korea and aimed to propose a role for healthcare professionals in improving their health and access to medical care. We searched PubMed through February 29, 2024 for articles published since 2000, using terms related to SGMs and the keyword “Korea.” This process yielded 33 quantitative studies on Korean SGMs. Of these, 17 focused on sexual minorities and 16 on gender minorities. The findings indicate that Korean SGMs experience many symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as high rates of suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts. They also report diminished health-related quality of life. SGM individuals who have faced discrimination or pressure to change their sexual or gender identity face an elevated risk of mental health issues. To improve the health of Korean SGMs and improve their access to healthcare, we recommend several approaches. First, more research on the health of Korean SGMs is necessary. Second, education and training programs for health professionals are essential to promote their understanding of SGM health issues and their advocacy for SGM health. Third, strategies are required to develop and implement program interventions that improve SGM health, such as increasing the availability of gender-affirming care, which is known to benefit the health of transgender and gender-diverse individuals. Finally, healthcare professionals should actively advocate for SGM health and call for shifts in public perception and institutional change, grounded in a broad understanding of SGMs and their health needs.
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, Zhong Yuan, Hu Yao Blood and urine are commonly used specimens for clinical testing, and their contents, particularly exosomal microRNA (miRNA), are diverse, reflecting the metabolic activities of tissues and organs in the body.
Blood and urine samples were collected from six healthy adults. Exosomes were then enriched from these samples, followed by sequencing and bioinformatic analysis of exosomal miRNA.
The comparative analysis of miRNAs in blood and urine revealed that 41 miRNAs were more abundant in blood, while 61 were found at lower levels. Notably, hsa-miR-934 was among those with higher expression in blood, whereas hsa-miR-425-5p was one of the miRNAs with lower expression. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis indicated that the target mRNAs of differentially expressed exosomal miRNAs (DEexo-miRNAs) in both blood and urine are implicated in various signaling pathways, including proteoglycans in cancer, axonal guidance, and the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. Additionally, the target mRNAs associated with DEexo-miRNAs in urine were also linked to processes such as ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis and the phosphatidylinositol signaling system. In contrast, the target mRNAs corresponding to DEexo-miRNAs in blood were involved in the FoxO signaling pathway and chronic myeloid leukemia, among others.
This study observed differential expression of exosomal miRNAs in blood and urine, thereby enriching the available library of exosomal miRNA for these two sample types. It also lays the groundwork for the detection of exosomal biomarkers from blood and urine.
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, Zekeriya Temircan The present study aims to examine the frequency of sleep disorders and the level of sleep quality, as well as their relationship with health-related quality of life in cancer patients.
This multi-center cross-sectional survey included 333 cancer patients ranging in age from 16 to 72 years, between June 15, 2017, and August 30, 2018 at the Ankara Oncology Hospital and Erciyes University Kemal Dedeman Oncology Hospital Polyclinic. Data were collected via various surveys conducted through face-to-face interviews, including following measurement tools: Short Form 36 Health Questionnaire, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Epworth Sleepiness, and the Berlin Sleep Questionnaire for obstructive sleep apnea. Face-to-face interviews were carried out with patients who presented for an initial examination or follow-up and were awaiting their appointments.
The most commonly reported sleep disorders were daytime sleepiness (36.9%), sleep respiratory disorders (34.8%), insomnia (29.4%), and parasomnias (28.8%). Good sleepers were found to have significantly higher physical (40.20±10.08 vs. 33.21±8.06; P<0.001) and mental component scores (43.54±8.25 vs. 38.20±7.52; P<0.001) than poor sleepers. Conversely, individuals with insomnia (P<0.01), daytime sleepiness (P<0.001), sleep-respiratory disorders (P<0.05), and bruxism (P<0.001) showed significantly lower scores in both physical and mental components. Additionally, those with restless legs syndrome had a significantly lower physical component score (P<0.001), and those with parasomnias had significantly lower mental component scores.
Cancer patients exhibited moderate average sleep quality scores, with over half of them demonstrating low quality sleep patterns. Sleep disorders significantly impacted their health-related quality of life.
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, Jihyun Ahn Citations
, Duck Sun Ahn Citations
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, Sohyun Ahn, Ji Yeon Byun Citations
, Hyun Bin Choi, Young-Seok Kim, Sang Gyune Kim Citations
, Seoyoung Kim, Dohyoung Rim Citations
, Won Woong Lee, Haewoo Lee, Jin Yong Jun, Jin-Won Noh Citations
, Bong-Kwang Jung, Hyun-Jong Yang Citations
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