Ultra-bright, efficient and stable perovskite light-emitting diodes.

Metal halide perovskites are attracting a lot of attention as next-generation light-emitting materials owing to their excellent emission properties, with narrow band emission1-4. However, perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs), irrespective of their material type (polycrystals or nanocrystals), have not realized high luminance, high efficiency and long lifetime simultaneously, as they are influenced by intrinsic limitations related to the trade-off of properties between charge transport and confinement in each type of perovskite material5-8. Here, we report an ultra-bright, efficient and stable PeLED made of core/shell perovskite nanocrystals with a size of approximately 10 nm, obtained using a simple in situ reaction of benzylphosphonic acid (BPA) additive with three-dimensional (3D) polycrystalline perovskite films, without separate synthesis processes. During the reaction, large 3D crystals are split into nanocrystals and the BPA surrounds the nanocrystals, achieving strong carrier confinement. The BPA shell passivates the undercoordinated lead atoms by forming covalent bonds, and thereby greatly reduces the trap density while maintaining good charge-transport properties for the 3D perovskites. We demonstrate simultaneously efficient, bright and stable PeLEDs that have a maximum brightness of approximately 470,000 cd m-2, maximum external quantum efficiency of 28.9% (average = 25.2 ± 1.6% over 40 devices), maximum current efficiency of 151 cd A-1 and half-lifetime of 520 h at 1,000 cd m-2 (estimated half-lifetime >30,000 h at 100 cd m-2). Our work sheds light on the possibility that PeLEDs can be commercialized in the future display industry.

Permeable Bioelectronics toward Biointegrated Systems.

Bioelectronics integrates electronics with biological organs, sustaining the natural functions of the organs. Organs dynamically interact with the external environment, managing internal equilibrium and responding to external stimuli. These interactions are crucial for maintaining homeostasis. Additionally, biological organs possess a soft and stretchable nature; encountering objects with differing properties can disrupt their function. Therefore, when electronic devices come into contact with biological objects, the permeability of these devices, enabling interactions and substance exchanges with the external environment, and the mechanical compliance are crucial for maintaining the inherent functionality of biological organs. This review discusses recent advancements in soft and permeable bioelectronics, emphasizing materials, structures, and a wide range of applications. The review also addresses current challenges and potential solutions, providing insights into the integration of electronics with biological organs.

Efficient Polycrystalline Single-Cation Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes by Simultaneous Intracrystal and Interfacial Defect Passivation.

Polycrystalline perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) have shown great promise with high efficiency and easy processability. However, PeLEDs using single-cation polycrystalline perovskite emitters have demonstrated low efficiency due to defects within the grains and at the interfaces between the perovskite layer and the charge injection contact. Thus, simultaneous defect engineering of perovskites to suppress exciton loss within the grains and at the interfaces is crucial for achieving high efficiency in PeLEDs. Here, 1,8-octanedithiol which is a strong nucleophile, is used to increase the luminescence efficiency of a single-cation perovskite by suppressing non-radiative recombination within the grains of their polycrystalline emitter film as well as at their interface with an anode. The dithiol additive performs a multifunctional role in defect passivation, spatial confinement of excitons, and prevention of exciton quenching at the interface between the perovskite layer and the underlying hole-injection layer. Photoluminescence studies demonstrate that incorporating the dithiol additive significantly enhances the charge carrier dynamics in perovskites, resulting in an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of up to 23.46% even in a simplified PeLED that does not use a hole-injection layer. This represents the highest level of EQE achieved among devices utilizing polycrystalline single-cation perovskites.

iRhom2 deficiency reduces sepsis-induced mortality associated with the attenuation of lung macrophages in mice.

Sepsis has a high mortality rate and leads to multi-organ failure, including lung injury. Inactive rhomboid protease family protein (iRhom2) has been identified as accountable for the release of TNF-α, a crucial mediator in the development of sepsis. This study aimed to evaluate the role of iRhom2 in sepsis and sepsis-induced acute lung injury (ALI). TNF-α and IL-6 secretion in vitro by peritoneal macrophages from wild-type (WT) and iRhom2 knoukout (KO) mice was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced murine sepsis model was used for in vivo experiments. To evaluate the role of iRhom2 deficiency on survival during sepsis, both WT and iRhom2 KO mice were monitored for 8 consecutive days following the CLP. For histologic and biochemical examination, the mice were killed 18 h after CLP. iRhom2 deficiency improved the survival of mice after CLP. iRhom2 deficiency decreased CD68+ macrophage infiltration in lung tissues. Multiplex immunohistochemistry revealed that the proportion of Ki-67+ CD68+ macrophages was significantly lower in iRhom2 KO mice than that in WT mice after CLP. Moreover, CLP-induced release of TNF-α and IL-6 in the serum were significantly inhibited by iRhom2 deficiency. iRhom2 deficiency reduced NF-kB p65 and IκBα phosphorylation after CLP. iRhom2 deficiency reduces sepsis-related mortality associated with attenuated macrophage infiltration and proliferation in early lung injury. iRhom2 may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of sepsis and early stage of sepsis-induced ALI. Thus, iRhom2 may be a potential therapeutic target for the management of sepsis and sepsis-induced ALI.

Effectiveness of Early Thiopurine Use in Korean Patients With Moderate-to-Severe Ulcerative Colitis: A Prospective Multicenter Cohort (MOSAIK) Study.

BACKGROUND: Thiopurines play an important role in the management of steroid-refractory and steroid-dependent ulcerative colitis. However, the effectiveness of the early use of thiopurines in ulcerative colitis remains controversial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this multicenter prospective cohort (MOSAIK) study, we divided patients with ulcerative colitis into those who underwent early (within 6 mo of diagnosis) and late (6 mo after diagnosis) thiopurine therapy to determine the effectiveness of early thiopurine treatment. The primary outcome was the cumulative rate of clinical relapse (Mayo score >2 points). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression was used to identify independent clinical factors associated with the outcomes. RESULTS: Overall, 333 patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis were included. Of the 118 patients treated with thiopurines, 65 (55.1%) and 53 (44.9%) received thiopurine therapy within and after 6 months of diagnosis. The cumulative use rate of thiopurines was 38.9% at 3 years after diagnosis. The median initial dose of thiopurines was 0.7 mg/kg (0.3 to 2.0); the median maintenance dose was 1.1 mg/kg (0.3 to 2.4). The cumulative rate of clinical relapse was not significantly different between patients who started thiopurine therapy within 6 months of diagnosis and those who started therapy 6 months after diagnosis (P=0.712). The presence of extraintestinal manifestations (hazard ratio: 4.674, 95% CI: 1.210-18.061, P=0.025) independently predicted an increased risk of clinical relapse. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ulcerative colitis who received early thiopurine therapy did not differ significantly in terms of clinical relapse compared with those who received late therapy.

Atopic dermatitis is associated with the clinical course of inflammatory bowel disease.

OBJECTIVES: There are a few studies about the relationship between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and atopic dermatitis (AD). It is implied that both diseases have common pathophysiologic mechanisms and can affect each other. However, little information is available on the effect of AD on the clinical course of patients with IBD. METHODS: This is a multi-center, retrospective, observational study. We define AD as a chronic eczematoid dermatosis diagnosed by dermatologists. Patients with concurrent IBD and AD were defined as a case group. Age, gender, and IBD subtype-matched patients without AD were included as a reference group. RESULTS: The numbers of patients in the case and reference groups were 61 and 122 respectively. There was a significantly shorter biologics-free survival in the case group than that in the reference group according to the multivariable-adjusted Cox regression analysis with the onset age, disease duration, smoking status, use of steroid, use of immunomodulator, initial C-reactive protein, initial erythrocyte sedimentation rate, presence of other allergic diseases and initial disease severity [hazard ratio (HR) 1.828, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.022-3.271, p = .042]. The trend was consistent in the subgroup analysis with ulcerative colitis (HR 3.498, 95% CI 1.066-11.481, p = .039), but not with Crohn's disease (HR 1.542, 95% CI 0.720-3.301, p = .265). CONCLUSIONS: AD showed a significant effect on the biologics-free survival of patients with IBD and especially the UC subtype. Further mechanistic research is required to elucidate the pathogenesis of AD on the clinical course of IBD.

Effectiveness and safety of adalimumab in patients with intestinal Behçet's disease: a real-world prospective observational study in South Korea.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal Behçet's disease (BD) is characterized by typical gastrointestinal ulcers in patients with BD followed by complications such as bleeding, perforation and fistula. Biologic agents are currently under active investigation to delay the disease course. Various data regarding infliximab are available, but there is relatively lack of data regarding adalimumab. METHODS: This was a multicenter, real-world prospective observational study to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of adalimumab in intestinal BD. The primary endpoint was disease activity at each follow up, including disease activity index for intestinal Behçet's disease (DAIBD), serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level, and endoscopic findings. The secondary endpoint was the incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). RESULTS: A total of 58 patients were enrolled and 8 of them were excluded. Adverse events were reported in 72.0% of patients with 122 events. ADRs were reported in 24.0% with 28 events. For adverse events, arthralgia was most commonly reported (13.1%: 16/122) and only one experienced critical adverse event (0.82%, 1/122: death due to stroke). On multivariable regression analysis, a longer disease duration was significantly associated with decreased ADRs [Odds ratio 0.976 (0.953-0.999, 95% CI); p = 0.042]. Clinical response rates as assessed by DAIBD were 90.9% at Week 12 and 89.7% at Week 56, respectively. The mean serum CRP level at baseline was significantly decreased after 12 weeks (3.91 ± 4.93 to 1.26 ± 2.03 mg/dL; p = 0.0002). CONCLUSION: Adalimumab was found to be safe and effective in Korean patients with intestinal BD. A longer disease duration was significantly associated with decreased ADRs.

Protective role of Acinetobacter and Bacillus for Escherichia coli O157:H7 in biofilms against sodium hypochlorite and extracellular matrix-degrading enzymes.

Foodborne pathogenic bacteria in multi-species biofilms in food manufacturing facilities have been suspected to be the cause of cross-contamination leading to foodborne illness. We studied if cafeteria kitchen-associated bacterial isolates can have any protective effect on E. coli O157:H7 in biofilm against extracellular polymeric substances (EPS)-degrading enzymes and sodium hypochlorite. We investigated multi-species biofilm-forming ability and the efficacy of EPS-degrading enzymes using crystal violet assay. The susceptibility of E. coli O157:H7 to sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) was evaluated using propidium monoazide combined with quantitative PCR (PMA-qPCR). Then, a combined treatment with enzymes followed by NaClO was also tested. Most cafeteria kitchen isolates of Acinetobacter and Bacillus were able to form biofilms. Several of them showed a protective effect on E. coli O157:H7 against NaClO after forming multi-species biofilms, particularly in Acinetobacter. This protective effect on E. coli O157:H7 was also noticed after the enzyme or the combined treatment with NaClO. Our results give us an insight into the protective role of food-associated environmental bacteria for E. coli O157:H7 in biofilms against common sanitizers and warrant further study to develop effective control methods. Our study also highlights the importance of preventing contamination or biofilm formation by environmental microorganisms, eventually reducing foodborne illness.

Medially and distally inserted tuberosity screw fixation of the osteotomized tubercle is safe and effective in retro-tubercular bi-planar opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop a safe and effective method of inserting one tuberosity screw and to determine whether retro-tubercular (RT)-Open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) with tuberosity screw fixation can be conducted to overcome the problem of osteotomized tubercle and produce favorable outcomes compared to RT-OWHTO without tuberosity screw fixation. METHODS: From 2018 to 2020, patients who underwent bi-planar RT-OWHTO were allocated as two groups (RT-OWHTO without tuberosity screw fixation as group I and with screw fixation as group II). Computed tomography (CT) was used to analyze osteotomy configurations such as RT gap and tip distance, and union of the main and second plane osteotomy sites. The RT gap distance was measured as the length of the osteotomy gap. The RT tip distance was measured as the length of the gap at the tip of the tibial tubercle. Post-operative complications were analyzed also. To evaluate the neurovascular (NV) approximity of screw fixation group, the pre-operative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images were referenced on the post-operative CT for the assessment of the safe zone. RESULTS: In total, 44 knees in group I and 46 knees in group II were enrolled. The RT gap distance (2.58 ± 0.69 mm vs. 0.57 ± 0.57 mm; p < .001) and RT tip distance (4.31 ± 1.60 mm vs. 1.48 ± 1.42 mm; p < .001) were significantly larger in group I than in group II. The sum of union grade in the second plane osteotomy site (17.93 ± 2.18 points vs. 22.24 ± 2.57 points; p < .001) was statistically different between two groups at three months post operatively. Post-operative tuberosity prominence occurred in five knees only in group I (p = 0.025), although tibial tuberosity fracture developed in seven cases in group II compared with two cases in group I with no statistical significance. NV was safe when the screw was inserted medially. CONCLUSION: RT-OWTHO with one-screw fixation for the tuberosity was effective in terms of tuberosity prominence and the union of the second plane osteotomy site. However, it also produced another problem, such as tuberosity fracture. In addition, a tuberosity screw was safe when it was inserted in the medial-distal direction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Cohort study; level III.

Map Space Modeling Method Reflecting Safety Margin in Coastal Water Based on Electronic Chart for Path Planning.

Map space composition is the first step in ship route planning. In this study, a map modeling method for path planning is proposed. This method incorporates the safety margin based on the theory of geographic space existing in coastal waters, maneuvering space according to ship characteristics, and the psychological buffer space of a ship navigator. First, the obstacle area was segmented using the binary method-a segmentation method-based on the international standard electronic chart image. Next, the margin space was incorporated through the morphological algorithm for the obstacle area. Finally, to minimize the space lost during the route search, the boundary simplification of the obstacle area was performed through the concave hull method. The experimental results of the proposed method resulted in a map that minimized the area lost due to obstacles. In addition, it was found that the distance and path-finding time were reduced compared to the conventional convex hull method. The study shows that the map modeling method is feasible, and that it can be applied to path planning.

Is there any benefit in the combined ligament reconstruction with osteotomy compared to ligament reconstruction or osteotomy alone?: Comparative outcome analysis according to the degree of medial compartment osteoarthritis with anterior or posterior cruciate ligament insufficiency.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of middle-aged patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) insufficiency by assessing different groups: high tibial osteotomy (HTO), HTO with combined ligament reconstruction, and isolated ligament reconstruction according to the alignment change and medial compartment osteoarthritis (OA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2014 to 2019, middle-aged (40-65 years) patients with knee instability were enrolled in this retrospective study. They were categorized into three groups: group I, HTO; group II, HTO with combined ACL or PCL reconstruction; and group III, isolated ligament reconstruction. Radiological outcomes, including Kellgren-Lawrence grade, mechanical femorotibial angle (mFTA), weight-bearing line (WBL) ratio, and posterior tibial slope were compared. Knee stability and clinical outcomes were also compared. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients completed the final assessment. Group I was older than other two groups (p = 0.006). Groups I and II had a higher body mass index (p = 0.043) and more preoperative varus alignment than group III (p < 0.001). OA severity was ranked in the order of group I, II, and III (p < 0.001). Group I showed more valgus alignment than group II after HTO (p = 0.024 for mFTA and 0.044 for WBL ratio, respectively). Compared to their preoperative status, all three groups showed significant improvement in knee stability (p < 0.001); however, group I showed inferior knee stability regardless of ACL or PCL reconstruction (p < 0.001 and 0.043, respectively). All clinical scores significantly improved in the three groups (p < 0.001), and they showed comparable clinical outcomes in the final assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Our strategy in managing middle-aged patients with knee instability according to the varus alignment and medial degeneration showed favorable stability and clinical outcomes. Middle-aged patients with knee instability should be managed with different strategies depending on their status. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Case-control study; Level-III.

Deep learning model for diagnosing gastric mucosal lesions using endoscopic images: development, validation, and method comparison.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Endoscopic differential diagnoses of gastric mucosal lesions (benign gastric ulcer, early gastric cancer [EGC], and advanced gastric cancer) remain challenging. We aimed to develop and validate convolutional neural network-based artificial intelligence (AI) models: lesion detection, differential diagnosis (AI-DDx), and invasion depth (AI-ID; pT1a vs pT1b among EGC) models. METHODS: This study included 1366 consecutive patients with gastric mucosal lesions from 2 referral centers in Korea. One representative endoscopic image from each patient was used. Histologic diagnoses were set as the criterion standard. Performance of the AI-DDx (training/internal/external validation set, 1009/112/245) and AI-ID (training/internal/external validation set, 620/68/155) was compared with visual diagnoses by independent endoscopists (stratified by novice [<1 year of experience], intermediate [2-3 years of experience], and expert [>5 years of experience]) and EUS results, respectively. RESULTS: The AI-DDx showed good diagnostic performance for both internal (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUROC] = .86) and external validation (AUROC = .86). The performance of the AI-DDx was better than that of novice (AUROC = .82, P = .01) and intermediate endoscopists (AUROC = .84, P = .02) but was comparable with experts (AUROC = .89, P = .12) in the external validation set. The AI-ID showed a fair performance in both internal (AUROC = .78) and external validation sets (AUROC = .73), which were significantly better than EUS results performed by experts (internal validation, AUROC = .62; external validation, AUROC = .56; both P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The AI-DDx was comparable with experts and outperformed novice and intermediate endoscopists for the differential diagnosis of gastric mucosal lesions. The AI-ID performed better than EUS for evaluation of invasion depth.

rs2671655 single nucleotide polymorphism modulates the risk for gastric cancer in Helicobacter pylori-infected individuals: a genome-wide association study in the Korean population.

OBJECTIVE: To identify genetic variations which is associated with gastric cancer (GC) risk according to Helicobacter pylori infection. METHODS: This study incorporated 527 GC patients and 441 controls from a cohort at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. The associations between GC risk and single nucleotide polymorphisms were calculated, stratified by H. pylori status, adjusting for age, sex, and smoking. mRNA expression from non-cancerous gastric mucosae was evaluated using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: In the entire cohort, genome-wide association study showed no significant variants reached the genome-wide significance level. In the H. pylori-positive group, rs2671655 (chr17:47,468,020;hg19, GH17J049387 enhancer region) was identified at a genome-wide significance level, which was more pronounced in diffuse type GC. There was no significant variant in the H. pylori-negative group, indicating the effect modification of rs2671655 by H. pylori. Among the target genes of GH17J049387 enhancer (PHB1, ZNF652 and SPOP), PHB1 mRNA was expressed more in cases than in controls, who were not affected by H. pylori. By contrast, an increase in ZNF652 and SPOP in GC was observed only in the H. pylori-negative group (P < 0.05). Mediation analysis showed that PHB1 (P = 0.0238) and SPOP (P = 0.0328) mediated the effect of rs2671655 on GC risk. The polygenic risk score was associated with the number of rs2671655 risk alleles only in the H. pylori-positive group (P = 0.0112). CONCLUSION: After H. pylori infection, rs2671655 may increase GC risk, especially in diffuse-type GC, by regulating the expression of several genes that consequently modify susceptibility to GC.

Occult Blood in Feces Is Associated with Increased Risk of Psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: The fecal immunochemistry test (FIT) has been proposed as a surrogate marker of intestinal inflammation. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that is linked to underlying systemic inflammatory conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease. METHODS: We investigated the association between occult blood in feces and the risk of psoriasis using data from the National Health Insurance System. This study was conducted involving 1,395,147 individuals who underwent health examinations from January 2009 to December 2012 and were followed up until the end of 2017. RESULTS: The incidence of psoriasis (per 1,000 person-years) was 3.76 versus 4.14 (FIT-negative versus FIT-positive group) during a median follow-up of 6.68 years. In the multivariable-adjusted model, the hazard ratios for psoriasis were 1.03 for one positive FIT result, 1.12 for two positive FIT results, and 1.34 for three positive FIT results compared with negative FIT results. CONCLUSION: The risk of psoriasis was significantly increased in patients with positive FIT results compared to the FIT-negative population.

Excessively Increased Joint-Line Obliquity After Medial Opening-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy Is Associated With Inferior Radiologic and Clinical Outcomes: What Is Permissible Joint-Line Obliquity.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the permissible joint-line obliquity (JLO) based on radiologic and clinical outcomes with midterm follow-up after medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO). METHODS: Patients who had undergone MOWHTO from March 2014 to May 2016 were retrospectively evaluated. They were divided into 4 groups based on JLO as represented by postoperative medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA). Radiologic parameters including MPTA, joint-line orientation angle (JLOA), joint-line convergence angle (JLCA), posterior tibial slope, weightbearing line ratio (WBLR), and coronal translation were analyzed. Clinical outcomes were evaluated with American Knee Society Score (AKSS), Western Ontario and McMaster University Index, and short-form 36 health survey (SF-36). The changes between preoperation and final follow-up in JLOA and MPTA were defined as ΔJLOA and ΔMPTA. RESULTS: A total of 135 knees were finally included (MPTA ≤90.32° as group I; 90.33° to 92.62° as group II; 92.74° to 95.22° as group III; and ≥95.23° as group IV). The last follow-up MPTA, JLOA, and JLCA values were different between the groups (P < .001, P < .001, and P = .015, respectively). WBLR and JLOA positively correlated with MPTA; however, WBLR showed an abrupt increase at MPTA >96.5°, and the JLOA distribution tended to be greater than the regression line at MPTA >96°. Moreover, ΔJLOA was not as large as ΔMPTA. The percentage of patients attaining a minimal clinically important difference was significantly lower in the AKSS-functional score and SF-36 physical component summary in group IV (P = .008 and 0.021, respectively). CONCLUSION: The JLOA did not change as much as the MPTA, but an MPTA >95.2° abruptly increased the JLOA and valgus overcorrection after MOWHTO. Poor clinical outcomes were more evident in excessive MPTA (>95.2°) than in mildly undercorrected or properly corrected MPTA (<95.2°). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, retrospective cohort study.

Impact of comprehensive optical diagnosis training using Workgroup serrAted polypS and Polyposis classification on detection of adenoma and sessile serrated lesion.

OBJECTIVES: Many interventions have been attempted to improve adenoma detection rate (ADR) and sessile serrated lesion detection rate (SDR), and one of these interventions is educational training to recognize polyp characteristics. This study aimed to investigate the change in polyp detection rates of endoscopists before and after comprehensive training through the Gangnam-Real Time Optical Diagnosis (Gangnam-READI) program. METHODS: Fifteen gastroenterologists participated in a 1-year comprehensive training program that consisted of ex vivo and in vivo training that encompasses knowledge and skills in endoscopic characterization of colonic polyps using the Workgroup serrAted polypS and Polyposis (WASP) classification. We evaluated the impact of the training program by comparing the overall and individual ADR and SDR 6 months before and after the training. RESULTS: Overall, 18,280 polyps (9337 adenomas and 855 sessile serrated lesion) were collected. The optical diagnosis training had no significant impact on the difference in ADR after training compared to before training (47.7% vs. 46.5%, P = 0.608). A tendency for a decrease in ADR variance was noted among the endoscopists after training (74.9 vs. 32.7, P = 0.121). The overall pre-training period SDR was 4.5% and showed a statistically significant increase to 5.6%, 8.0%, and 7.1% in the first and second half of the training period, and post-training period, respectively (P = 0.003). The optical diagnosis training did not decrease variance in SDR (8.9 vs. 8.8, P = 0.985). CONCLUSION: Comprehensive optical diagnosis training with WASP classification has a significant impact on increasing the overall SDR of expert endoscopists.

Longitudinal Change in Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone and Risk of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease worldwide and a major cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality.1 Although our understanding of its classic risk factors has improved, the prevalence of NAFLD has increased rapidly; thus, further investigation of modifiable risk factors for NAFLD is needed.

Atopic Diseases Are Associated With Development of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in Korea: A Nationwide Population-based Study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The association between atopic diseases and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) is unclear. We conducted a nationwide population-based study in Korea to investigate the effect of atopic diseases on the development of IBD. METHODS: A total of 9,923,521 participants, who received a medical check-up in 2009, were included and followed through 2017. The presence of any atopic diseases, including atopic dermatitis (AD), allergic rhinitis (AR), and asthma, was evaluated. Patients who developed IBD, including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), were identified using claims data from National Health Insurance; the association between atopic diseases and the risk of IBD was evaluated using Cox proportional hazard models, and presented as adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) with 95% CIs. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up period of 7.3 years, 1419 patients (0.014%) developed CD and 5897 patients (0.059%) developed UC. The incidences of CD (per 100,000 person-years) were 3.756, 2.248, and 2.346 in patients with AD, AR, or asthma, respectively. The incidences of UC were 11.952, 9.818, and 9.358 in patients with AD, AR, or asthma, respectively. Multivariable analysis revealed that the aHRs for incident CD in patients with AD, AR, or asthma were 2.02, 1.33, and 1.60 (95% CIs, 1.118-3.663, 1.149-1.529, and 1.193-2.136, respectively) compared with controls. The risks of incident UC in patients with AD, AR, or asthma were 1.51, 1.32, and 1.29 (95% CIs, 1.082-2.104, 1.229-1.410, and 1.115-1.491, respectively) compared with controls. Moreover, an increase in the number of atopic diseases gradually increased the risk for CD and UC; for 1 or 2 or more atopic diseases, the aHRs for CD were 1.35 and 1.65 (95% CIs, 1.171-1.560 and 1.146-2.376), and the aHRs for UC were 1.30 and 1.49 (95% CIs, 1.211-1.392 and 1.249-1.774), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Based on a nationwide population-based study in Korea, patients with any atopic disease, including AD, AR, or asthma, have an increased risk for CD and UC. The risk for IBD increases with the increase in the number of atopic diseases.

Improved Accuracy in Optical Diagnosis of Colorectal Polyps Using Convolutional Neural Networks with Visual Explanations.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Narrow-band imaging (NBI) can be used to determine whether colorectal polyps are adenomatous or hyperplastic. We investigated whether an artificial intelligence (AI) system can increase the accuracy of characterizations of polyps by endoscopists of different skill levels. METHODS: We developed convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for evaluation of diminutive colorectal polyps, based on efficient neural architecture searches via parameter sharing with augmentation using NBIs of diminutive (≤5 mm) polyps, collected from October 2015 through October 2017 at the Seoul National University Hospital, Healthcare System Gangnam Center (training set). We trained the CNN using images from 1100 adenomatous polyps and 1050 hyperplastic polyps from 1379 patients. We then tested the system using 300 images of 180 adenomatous polyps and 120 hyperplastic polyps, obtained from January 2018 to May 2019. We compared the accuracy of 22 endoscopists of different skill levels (7 novices, 4 experts, and 11 NBI-trained experts) vs the CNN in evaluation of images (adenomatous vs hyperplastic) from 180 adenomatous and 120 hyperplastic polyps. The endoscopists then evaluated the polyp images with knowledge of the CNN-processed results. We conducted mixed-effect logistic and linear regression analyses to determine the effects of AI assistance on the accuracy of analysis of diminutive colorectal polyps by endoscopists (primary outcome). RESULTS: The CNN distinguished adenomatous vs hyperplastic diminutive polyps with 86.7% accuracy, based on histologic analysis as the reference standard. Endoscopists distinguished adenomatous vs hyperplastic diminutive polyps with 82.5% overall accuracy (novices, 73.8% accuracy; experts, 83.8% accuracy; and NBI-trained experts, 87.6% accuracy). With knowledge of the CNN-processed results, the overall accuracy of the endoscopists increased to 88.5% (P < .05). With knowledge of the CNN-processed results, the accuracy of novice endoscopists increased to 85.6% (P < .05). The CNN-processed results significantly reduced endoscopist time of diagnosis (from 3.92 to 3.37 seconds per polyp, P = .042). CONCLUSIONS: We developed a CNN that significantly increases the accuracy of evaluation of diminutive colorectal polyps (as adenomatous vs hyperplastic) and reduces the time of diagnosis by endoscopists. This AI assistance system significantly increased the accuracy of analysis by novice endoscopists, who achieved near-expert levels of accuracy without extra training. The CNN assistance system can reduce the skill-level dependence of endoscopists and costs.

Characteristics of interval gastric neoplasms detected within two years after negative screening endoscopy among Koreans.

BACKGROUND: In Korea, where gastric cancer is highly prevalent, biennial endoscopy is recommended among individuals over 40. Even under regular screening, some are still diagnosed at advanced stages. We aimed to identify characteristics of interval gastric neoplasms (IGNs) with rapid progression. RESULTS: Newly-diagnosed gastric neoplasms detected in screening endoscopy between January 2004 and May 2016 were reviewed. Among them, those who had previous endoscopy within 2 years were enrolled. Endoscopic findings, family history of gastric cancer, smoking, and H. pylori status were analysed. Totally, 297 IGN cases were enrolled. Among them, 246 were endoscopically treatable IGN (ET-IGN) and 51 were endoscopically untreatable IGNs (EUT-IGN) by the expanded criteria for endoscopic submucosal dissection. Among EUT-IGNs, 78% were undifferentiated cancers (40/51) and 33% showed submucosal invasion (13/40). They were median 2.0 cm in size and more commonly located in the proximal stomach than ET-IGNs (70.6% vs. 41.9%, p < 0.001). EUT-IGN was independently related with age < 60 (OR, 2.09; 95%CI, 1.03-4.26, p = 0.042), H. pylori (OR, 2.81; 95%CI, 1.20-6.63, p = 0.018), and absent/mild gastric atrophy (OR, 2.67; 95%CI, 1.25-5.72, p = 0.011). Overall and disease-specific survival were not significantly different between the two groups, however EUT-IGN tended to have short disease-specific survival (overall survival, p = 0.143; disease-specific survival, p = 0.083). CONCLUSIONS: Uniform screening endoscopy with two-year interval seems not enough for rapid-growing gastric neoplasms, such as undifferentiated cancers. They tended to develop in adults younger than 60 with H. pylori infection without severe gastric atrophy. More meticulous screening, especially for proximal lesions is warranted for adults younger than 60 with H. pylori infection before development of gastric atrophy.