Sang-Heon Lee

• Konkuk University Medical Center

Background Fractional flow reserve (FFR) or angiography-guided complete revascularization is not evaluated in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients with multivessel disease and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Objectives To evaluate impact of FFR-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for AMI patients with multivess...

Background The benefit of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) for cardiogenic shock (CS) patients is still on controversy and the previous results regarding clinical outcome according to etiology are conflicting. Objectives This study aimed to report real-world clinical outcome of VA-ECMO treatment for CS patients according...

Background and Objectives The purpose of this study was to compare and analyze the 18- year change in the relative value scale (RVS) in otolaryngology in relation to other surgical departments so as to help make future policy decisions.Subjects and Method Data on RVSs and addition rates, the deparments of main managed care, frequency of practice, a...

Background Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by ectopic bone formation. The anti-inflammatory function of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) inhibitor has been reported in bone metabolism, but its utility in AS has not previously been investigated. Methods We assessed DPP4 level in serum, synovial fluid, and fa...

Th2 inflammation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) play crucial roles in the pathophysiology of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). This study aimed to investigate the hypothesis that MMP-12, produced by M2 macrophages, induces EMT in nasal epithelial cells, thereby contributing to airway inflammation and remodeling in CRSw...

Many studies on osteoblasts have suggested that Wnt5a plays a crucial role in excessive osteoblast activity, which is responsible for ectopic new bone formation, but research on osteoclasts in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) remains relatively limited. This study aimed to explore whether Wnt5a influences osteoclast-mediated bone resorption in curdlan-i...

Objective We aimed to investigate the effect of risk score-guided dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) from real-world clinical practice in Korea. Methods 984 patients with ACS undergoing PCI with bioabsorbable-polymer everolimus eluting stent were en...

Background Murray law-based quantitative flow ratio (μFR) is an emerging technique which requires only one projection of coronary angiography with similar accuracy with quantitative flow ratio (QFR). However, it has not been validated for evaluation of non-infarct related artery (non-IRA) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) setting. Therefore, our...

Background Microvascular resistance reserve (MRR) is a novel index reflecting coronary microcirculatory function, irrespective of epicardial coronary artery stenosis. There is limited evidence regarding whether MRR can be an independent prognostic tool in patients with stable ischemic heart disease (IHD). Objective To evaluate clinical outcomes ac...

Background Sarcopenia is an aging-related condition characterized by loss of skeletal muscle mass and is an indicator of subclinical atherosclerosis. The relationship between sarcopenia and long-term clinical outcomes in patients with advanced coronary artery disease who have undergone coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is not fully understood....

Background Data on contemporary clinical practice and long-term outcomes for sex differences in elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) presenting with cardiogenic shock (CS) is limited. Purpose This study aimed to investigate contemporary clinical data and long-term clinic...

Background There are no clinical data regarding efficacy of intravascular imaging-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) compared with angiography-guided PCI in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and cardiogenic shock. Purpose The current study sought to evaluate the impact of intravascular imaging-guided PCI in patients with...

Background The data regarding long-term outcomes of early versus delayed invasive strategies in elderly patients who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) is limited. Purpose We aimed to investigate the long-term clinical benefit of early versus delayed invasive strategi...

Background The tumor immune microenvironment in cancer treatment response and resistance is of increasing interest. This retrospective study characterized and investigated programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), PD-L2, and the immune gene expression signature and their association with clinical outcomes in locoregionally advanced head and neck squamous...

Background: While polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) are emerging as potentially significant health threats, linked to cancer and reproductive dysfunction, their precise effects on human health remain largely unknown. We aimed to investigate the underlying mechanisms promoting microplastic-induced damage in the reproductive system. Methods: Thir...

Background Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has become widely available but molecular profiling-guided therapy (MGT) had not been well established in the real world due to lack of available therapies and expertise to match treatment. Our study was designed to test the feasibility of a nationwide platform of NGS-guided MGT recommended by a central m...

Background and Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the factors that influence deep sleep restoration in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) following positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy. Methods In total, 363 patients diagnosed with OSA who received PAP therapy over at least 3 months were enrolled in the study. Polysomnographic para...

Olfactory dysfunction (OD) has been reported in individuals who have recovered from COVID-19. Those with OD after COVID-19 (COVID-19 group) exhibited more severe psychiatric symptoms than those with OD from other etiologies (non-COVID-19 group). This study aimed to investigate the differences in psychological symptoms and related clinical factors b...

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease, characterized by excessive new bone formation. We previously reported that the complement factor H-related protein-5 (CFHR5), a member of the human factor H protein family, is significantly elevated in patients with AS compared to other rheumatic diseases. However, the pathophysiologica...

Background: Povidone-iodine (PVP-I) is an antiseptic and a disinfectant with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against various pathogens. However, it is unclear whether PVP-I nasal instillation can suppress mucosal inflammation in non-eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) mice. Objective: This study aimed to explore the anti-inflammatory ef...

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is an inflammation of the nasal and paranasal sinus mucosa, and eosinophilic CRS (eCRS) is a subtype characterized by significant eosinophil infiltration and immune response by T-helper-2 cells. The pathogenesis of eCRS is heterogeneous and involves various environmental and host factors. Proteases from external sources...

The aim of this study was to analyze the association between various parameters related to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and coronary artery calcium (CAC) volume. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 315 male subjects who underwent standard polysomnography (PSG) and coronary artery computed tomography. In this study, we found that onl...

To investigate whether the defects in transient receptor potential canonical 4 (TRPC4), which is strongly expressed in the hippocampus, are implicated in ASD, we examined the social behaviors of mice in which Trpc4 was deleted (Trpc4−/−). Trpc4−/− mice displayed the core symptoms of ASD, namely, social disability and repetitive behaviors. In microa...

Introduction Dacomitinib showed superior progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival compared to gefitinib in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in the ARCHER1050 study. However, because that study did not include patients with brain metastases, the efficacy...

Background Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA)-derived fractional flow reserve (FFRCT) is per-vessel index reflecting cumulative hemodynamic burden while percutaneous coronary intervention is per-lesion treatment that relieves ischemia in a focal lesion. Purpose We sought to evaluate additive prognostic value of local gradient of FFRCT...

Background Complete revascularization either angiography-guided or fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided can improve the clinical outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and multivessel disease. However, there is concern that angiography-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) may result in unnecessary PCI of non-infarct...

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is often performed using a tendon graft. However, the predominant synthesis of fibrotic scar tissue (type III collagen) occurs during the healing process of the tendon graft, resulting in a significantly lower mechanical strength than that of normal ACL tissue. In this study, ACL-derived cells were re...

Double-strand RNA(dsRNA), which can induce inflammation, can be generated by necrotic keratinocytes in the skin environment. As an analog of dsRNA, polyinosinic–polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)) is used to induce inflammation via the Toll-like Receptor 3 (TLR3) signaling pathway. Inotodiol, isolated from Inonotus obliquus, known as Chaga mushroom, is...

Irradiation injury, especially caused by UVB, of the skin is one of the critical reasons for skin inflammation and damage. The present study aimed to explore the protective effect of Syzygium formosum leafy extract (SFLE) and its mechanism of action against UVB-induced damages of human keratinocytes. In this study, SFLE was prepared from 100 kg dri...

Background: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by ectopic bone formation. The anti-inflammatory function of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) inhibitor has been reported in bone metabolism, but its utility in AS has not previously been investigated. Methods: We assessed DPP4 level in serum, synovial fluid, and f...

Objective Bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 2 (BMPR2) has been associated with radiographic changes in ankylosing spondylitis (AS), but further characterization of the cellular signaling pathway in osteoprogenitor (OP) is not clearly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of BMPR2 and bone morphogenetic protein 2...

Objective To demonstrate the immune landscape of blood and synovial cells in the setting of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) through the analysis of both single‐cell transcriptome and surface protein expression, and to unveil the molecular characteristics of pathogenic Th17 cells. Methods This study included 40 individuals with active AS, 20 individual...

Objective: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) exhibits paradoxical bone features typically characterized by new bone formation and systemic bone loss. Although abnormal kynurenine (Kyn), a tryptophan metabolite, has been closely linked to the disease activity of AS, the distinct role of its pathological bone features remains unknown. Methods: Kynurenin...

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disorder characterized by upper airway obstruction during sleep. To reduce the morbidity of OSA, sleep specialists have explored various methods of managing the condition, including manifold positive airway pressure (PAP) techniques and surgical procedures. Nasal obstruction can cause significant discomfort...

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of cefetamet pivoxil for the treatment of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis in Korean patients compared to treatment with cefdinir. Methods A prospective, multicenter, randomized double-blind, comparative study was conducted by the Departments of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at 17 ho...

Objectives Mortality following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a key quality measurement in clinical practice. This study investigated the 10-year trends of mortality following PCI in an unselected nationwide cohort. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting A nationwide study in South Korea. Participants PCI claim data from 2006 to...

Background In a few studies, obesity was associated with better outcomes in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS). Although this phenomenon, the “obesity paradox”, reportedly manifests differently based on sex in other disease entities, it has not yet been investigated in CS patients. Methods and results 1,227 patients with CS from The REtrospectiv...

Background Sex-specific survival following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) varies among studies. This might be clarified using relative survival, which adjusts observed survival in relation to that seen in sex- and age-matched general population. We investigated sex-specific relative survival after PCI. Methods A total of 48,783 patients...

Schaaf-Yang syndrome (SYS) is a rare genomic imprinting disorder caused by truncating mutations in the paternally derived MAGE family member L2 ( MAGEL2 ) allele. It is also responsible for Prader-Willi syndrome, characterized by neonatal hypotonia, developmental delay, intellectual disability, respiratory distress in early infancy, and arthrogrypo...

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a chronic inflammatory sinonasal disease characterized by eosinophilic infiltration and new bone formation (NBF). These changes indicate the severity and prognosis of CRSwNP and may be closely linked to each other. Methods: We performed RNA-sequencing to screen specific osteogenic...

Mucopolysaccharidosis type IVA (MPS IVA) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by a deficiency in N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfatase, which results in skeletal and connective tissue abnormalities, as well as various non-skeletal manifestations. Although enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) is recommended as the first-line treatment, the outcomes...

Background To compare the incidences of aortic regurgitation, atrial fibrillation (AF), and atrioventricular (AV) block II–III between radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (r-axSpA) patients and the general population (GP). Methods National Health Insurance Services data were used. R-axSpA patients ( N = 8877) and the age- and sex-matched GP ( N =...

Povidone-iodine (PVP-I) is an antiseptic and a disinfectant with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against various pathogens. However, it is unclear whether PVP-I nasal instillation can suppress mucosal inflammation in non-eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) mice. This study aimed to explore the anti-inflammatory effects and underlying mo...

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic inflammatory arthritis in which primary prevention is key. However, the impact of lifestyle and comorbidities on RA development is unknown. Data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS)-national sample cohort from 2002 to 2016 were used. At baseline, demographic characteristics, socioeconomic...

Objective To compare the drug retention times and clinical efficacy of alternative tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) and secukinumab in primary and secondary non-responders with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods AS patients treated with biologics and enrolled in the Korean College of Rheumatology BIOlogics registry were examined. Patients...

Background We evaluated the efficacy of adjuvant durvalumab after neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Patients and methods This randomized, double-blind, phase II study included patients with ESCC who underwent curative surgery after neoadjuvant CCRT. Patients were randomized...

Objectif : évaluer les caractéristiques échographiques des glandes salivaires (EGS), cliniques et biologiques dans le syndrome de Gougerot-Sjögren primitif (SGSp) du sujet âgé. Méthodes : nous avons inclus pendant une période de plus de 4 ans, des patients porteurs d’un SGSp issus de deux hôpitaux universitaires. Le score EGS (0-48) et le volume de...

Background Dunnione has anti-inflammatory properties arising from its ability to alter the ratio of NAD⁺/NADH through NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) enzymatic action, followed by subsequent inhibition of NF-κB and inflammatory cytokines. Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory skin disorder in which the IL-23/Th17 axis plays an important role...

Objective To compare findings on salivary gland ultrasonography (SGUS) and salivary gland scintigraphy in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS). Methods The study cohort included patients newly diagnosed with pSS who underwent SGUS and salivary gland scintigraphy at the same time at our tertiary care hospital. Baseline demographics, labor...

Background: Neuropathy is a common chronic complication in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Statin and metformin are commonly used medications in T2DM patients, and some studies showed statin- or metformin-induced neuropathy. Aim: To evaluate the incidence of neuropathy among patients with T2DM associated with statin and metformin therapies. Me...

Purpose To investigate salivary gland ultrasonography (SGUS) findings in primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) patients positive for the anti-centromere antibody (ACA) and compare these with those in ACA-negative pSS patients. Methods We analyzed demographic, clinical, laboratory, and SGUS data of pSS patients who fulfilled the 2002 American-European C...

The clinical data on the biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (bDMARD) use in late-onset ankylosing spondylitis (LOAS) is limited. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the drug efficacy and retention rate of bDMARDs in LOAS and compare it to young-onset ankylosing spondylitis (YOAS). Data of patients with AS receiving bDMARDs were extracted...

The advantage of handheld type surgical microscope is that the size of the probe is small and light, and the working distance(o to 30 cm) and field of view (306°) can be adjusted. Also, a short working distance will minimize the loss of light source energy. However, the currently developed handheld type surgical microscope is still large, heavy, an...

Background Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have increased levels of interleukin-18 (IL-18) and decreased levels of IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP) in the serum and synovial fluid (SF) compared to those in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) or in healthy controls. In this study, we evaluated the effects of IL-18BP on osteoclastogenesis and T...

Background Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Coronary artery calcium (CAC) score quantifies the severity of atherosclerosis. We estimated CVD risk using several methods and compared these with the CAC score to identify the most suitable CVD risk calculator in RA patients. Meth...