DR. MATTHEW YONGWON SUH, MD

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This research reviewed different ways to improve emergency care for people living with dementia. The study found that tailored approaches, like specialized geriatric emergency units and methods such as music therapy, helped reduce the chances of patients returning to the emergency department or needing to be hospitalized within 30 days. It’s crucial to create consistent and effective care practices in emergency rooms for this vulnerable group to enhance their health outcomes. Who this helps: This helps patients living with dementia and their caregivers.

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This study looked at how effective a treatment called yttrium-90 radioembolization is for patients with a specific type of liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) that has started to invade a nearby blood vessel, while still keeping good liver function. Researchers treated 48 patients and found that 83% showed tumor improvement, with a median survival time of about 47 months. If the treatment delivered a higher dose of radiation (over 600 Gy), patients experienced even better outcomes, living longer and achieving higher tumor response rates. Who this helps: This helps patients with liver cancer, particularly those with localized portal vein invasion.

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This study looked at how blocking a protein called C1q might help prevent brain damage during the development of epilepsy in mice. Researchers found that when C1q was blocked at a critical time after seizures, it reduced harmful cell activity, preserved important connections between brain cells, and decreased abnormal electrical activity in the brain. This matters because it shows a possible new treatment approach that could help protect brain function in people at risk of developing epilepsy. Who this helps: Patients with epilepsy and those at risk for developing it.

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This study looked at smoking habits in South Korea to understand how age, the year of the survey, and the birth year of individuals affect smoking rates. Researchers found that smoking rates have been declining but have recently stalled, especially among younger people born in the 1980s and later; in men, smoking declined after the early 20s, while in women it dropped after the early 40s. Additionally, smoking rates and smoking frequency increased among women after the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for more tailored tobacco control strategies, particularly for those with lower education and higher alcohol consumption. Who this helps: This helps public health officials and policymakers aiming to reduce smoking rates, especially among specific groups in the population.

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This study looked at how different types of imaging can help doctors better understand and treat gastric cancer, which is a serious health issue worldwide. It found that using a new imaging technique called FAPI PET/CT is more effective than the traditional [18F]FDG method, especially for certain types of tumors that don't respond well to glucose-based imaging. FAPI PET/CT can detect tumors more reliably, even those that might be missed by the old method, which is crucial for treatment decisions. Who this helps: This helps patients with gastric cancer and their doctors by providing better diagnostic tools.

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This study focused on improving the precision of brain scans by accurately identifying specific areas called striatal subregions, which is important for diagnosing conditions like Parkinson’s disease. The researchers developed a new model, called StriaSeg-iARM, that achieved a high accuracy score of 0.91 when segmenting these areas using brain imaging data from multiple scanners. This is significant because better accuracy in identifying brain regions can lead to more reliable assessments of neurodegenerative diseases. Who this helps: Patients with neurodegenerative disorders and their doctors.

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This study looked at a treatment called radioembolization using specially designed tiny beads containing a radioactive substance (yttrium-90) for patients with a type of liver cancer called intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Out of 23 patients treated without needing to measure a specific lung-related side effect, 52% experienced a partial reduction in their tumors, and the remaining 48% had stable disease. This is important because it shows that this simplified treatment method could be effective and easier for patients with smaller tumors, providing good cancer control without complicated assessments. Who this helps: Patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and their doctors.

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This study looked at how to best teach health care workers to calm down aggressive patients and visitors using verbal techniques. Out of over 4,300 studies reviewed, 56 met the necessary criteria, and 12 were found to have strong evidence that combining classroom learning with hands-on practice, like role-playing, is the most effective way to teach these skills. This is important because better training can help reduce workplace violence and improve safety for both patients and staff. Who this helps: Patients and health care workers.

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This study looked at how well a new treatment, called radioembolization, works for patients with localized liver cancer, specifically hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Researchers examined data from 160 patients and found that a dose of radiation known as virtual tumor absorbed dose (vTAD) greater than 600 Gy is a strong predictor of complete treatment response, with 37.5% of patients achieving this outcome. This is important because it can help doctors better plan treatments and improve outcomes for patients with this type of cancer. Who this helps: Patients with localized hepatocellular carcinoma and their doctors.

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This study looked at a rare type of cancer called adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) that affects the salivary glands. Researchers found that certain factors, like the size and growth rate of tumors, are linked to higher levels of a specific marker (PSMA) in the cancer. Seven patients who received Lu-PSMA therapy had limited success, suggesting that while some patients might benefit from this treatment, more research is needed to determine who will respond best. Who this helps: This research helps patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma and their doctors by identifying factors that could guide treatment decisions.

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This study looked at how South Korea's national program for screening gastric cancer (GC), started in 2002, affected the number of people diagnosed with the disease in Seoul. Researchers found that after the program began, the incidence of gastric cancer actually increased by 11% compared to areas without the screening, peaking at a 26% increase in 2011 before starting to decline. This matters because it suggests that while screening can lead to more diagnoses initially, healthcare providers need to be prepared for this increased demand for care, even as the long-term benefits of screening are still unclear. Who this helps: Patients and healthcare providers.

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This study looked at how the balance between energy intake (the calories we eat) and energy expenditure (the calories we burn) affects sleep duration among Korean adults. Researchers found that women with a balanced energy intake and expenditure (specifically in the second, third, and fourth groups based on balance) had lower risks of sleeping less than 6 hours a night, showing odds ratios of 0.71, 0.75, and 0.76, respectively. This matters because it suggests that maintaining a healthy energy balance can lead to better sleep for women, which is crucial for overall health. Who this helps: This helps women aiming to improve their sleep quality.

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This study focused on craniofacial osteomas, which are harmless bone tumors that mostly grow in the face and skull. Researchers looked at 141 patients and found that these tumors frequently occur in the frontal bone and are more common in women, accounting for 79% of cases. They established a clear method for diagnosing and treating these tumors, which proved effective as no patients experienced recurrences within six months after surgery. Who this helps: This benefits patients with craniofacial osteomas and their doctors by providing better diagnosis and treatment options.

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This study focused on identifying people at high risk for gastric cancer, a serious health issue in Asia, using a new machine-learning model. The researchers found that their model, called XGBoost, was the most effective, predicting cancer risk with around 76% accuracy in internal tests and 71% accuracy in external tests. Key factors that raised the risk included age, sex, Helicobacter pylori infection, smoking, and certain stomach conditions. Who this helps: Patients at risk for gastric cancer who need better screening.

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This study looked at the experiences of emergency medicine resident physicians with law enforcement in hospital emergency departments. Researchers interviewed 24 residents from three different cities and found that these doctors often faced unclear authority when law enforcement tried to take control of patient care. They noted that the presence of police could negatively impact the treatment experience for certain patients, especially patients of color, and often disrupted the workflow in the emergency department. Who this helps: This research benefits emergency medicine residents and ultimately their patients by highlighting issues that can be addressed to improve care.

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Researchers studied a method called radioembolization for patients with colorectal cancer that has spread to the liver, specifically targeting tumors smaller than 7 cm. They found that by skipping a lung safety test, this approach remained effective, with about 12.5% of patients showing no signs of cancer after treatment, 59.4% experiencing some improvement, and a good chance of not having their tumors grow again after one and two years (70.8% and 54.1%, respectively). This matters because it simplifies the treatment process while still achieving positive results without increasing side effects. Who this helps: This helps patients with colorectal cancer that has spread to the liver by providing a simpler and effective treatment option.

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This study looked at the experiences and preferences of underrepresented residents in emergency medicine as they applied to residency programs. Researchers interviewed 18 residents, finding that they favored environments where they felt safe to express their identities, valued having mentors who shared their backgrounds, and preferred informal interactions with other trainees. The findings highlight the importance of creating supportive spaces and offering representation to improve the application experience for these applicants. Who this helps: This benefits prospective emergency medicine residents from underrepresented backgrounds.

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This study looked at how changes in blood flow and pressure relate to the growth of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) using scans from eight patients over time. The researchers found that as AAAs expanded, the average wall shear stress (a measure of blood flow against the vessel wall) decreased significantly, while factors like endothelial cell activation and pressure were closely linked to aneurysm growth. Specifically, the study found very strong associations, with values over 0.9 for these measures, indicating these changes could help in understanding and tracking the disease. Who this helps: This benefits doctors and patients by providing better ways to monitor AAA progression.

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This study looked at how people with serious mental illness (SMI) are affected by being jailed in San Francisco. It found that these individuals spend more time in jail, get arrested more often, and face higher rates of homelessness and substance use problems compared to people without SMI. Investing in mental health services, housing, and support for substance use could help reduce their chances of being incarcerated and improve their overall well-being. Who this helps: This research benefits individuals with serious mental illness and the communities that support them.

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This study focused on creating a new sensor that can measure three important gases in the brain—nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen sulfide (HS)—at the same time during epileptic seizures. The researchers found that when seizures occurred, NO levels increased first, followed by CO and then HS, showing a clear sequence in how these gases interact during brain activity. This finding matters because it provides new insights into the chemical communication in the brain during seizures, which could lead to better understanding and treatment of epilepsy. Who this helps: This helps patients with epilepsy and their doctors.

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This study looked at how scans using a special imaging technique called PET/CT can predict outcomes for patients with a type of advanced breast cancer (ER+/HER2-) treated with specific medications (CDK4/6 inhibitors and endocrine therapy). Researchers found that certain scan results were linked to better or worse survival outcomes, with specific numbers indicating that a higher maximum tumor activity level predicted shorter survival times. For example, patients with a maximum activity level of 7.6 or higher had a 41% greater risk of disease progression compared to those below that level. Who this helps: This information benefits patients with ER+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer by providing more insight into their treatment outlook.

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This study created updated guidelines for colorectal cancer screening in South Korea to help identify cancer early in average-risk adults aged 45-74. The guidelines recommend either a colonoscopy every 10 years or a Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) every 1-2 years, as these methods effectively reduce the risk of death from colorectal cancer. The research found strong evidence for FIT and moderate evidence for colonoscopy, while CT colonography and stool DNA tests were not recommended due to lack of sufficient evidence. Who this helps: This benefits average-risk adults in South Korea and healthcare providers involved in cancer screening.

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This study looks at the National Cancer Screening Program (NCSP) in Korea, which began in 1999 to help detect various cancers early. By 2019, the program expanded to screen for more types of cancer, including stomach, liver, and colorectal cancers, and increased participation among people with health insurance. As a result, the program has significantly lowered cancer rates and improved survival rates, for example, the five-year survival rates for stomach and colorectal cancers have greatly increased, showing the program’s success in saving lives. Who this helps: This helps patients and their families by improving cancer detection and survival rates.

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This study focused on developing a new type of soft, closed-loop neuroprosthetic system designed to help people regain movement and sensation. Researchers created a special material that can heal itself and work continuously without losing effectiveness, showing promising results for use in prosthetic devices over four weeks without major issues. This advancement is important because it can lead to better long-term solutions for patients with nerve damage or sensory-motor function loss. Who this helps: Patients recovering from nerve injuries or who need prosthetic limbs.

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This research examines whether adding testing for Helicobacter pylori (a bacteria linked to stomach cancer) to South Korea’s National Gastric Cancer Screening Program would be cost-effective. The study will compare two methods: regular endoscopy every two years and endoscopy plus H pylori testing at age 40. The cost-effectiveness will be measured by comparing costs to the quality of life gained, with a focus on the price of implementing the new screening strategy. Who this helps: This benefits patients at risk of gastric cancer and healthcare providers involved in cancer screening.

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This study looked at the causes of death for 87 individuals in Massachusetts prisons between 2021 and 2023. It found that many deaths were related to infections (28%), chronic diseases (25%), and cancer (22%), with 41.7% of infection-related deaths due to COVID-19. The research highlights that nearly half of those who died had chronic conditions that might qualify them for medical parole, suggesting that more people could benefit from this process to reduce suffering in custody. Who this helps: This helps patients in prison who may be eligible for medical parole due to serious health conditions.

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This study focused on the link between a brain chemical called GABA and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Researchers found that people with PTSD had high levels of GABA in a specific part of the brain, which was connected to worse symptoms and blood flow issues. By using a new drug called KDS2010, they were able to reduce these problems in mouse models and showed that this drug is safe for humans, moving it closer to helping PTSD patients in the future. Who this helps: This research could benefit patients with PTSD by providing them with new treatment options.

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This research reviewed how often a specific gene deletion, called MTAP, appears in various solid and blood cancers. Among the 352 studies reviewed, it was found that MTAP deletions were most frequent in glioblastoma (26%-60%) and least common in gastric cancer (4%-14%). Understanding these deletions could help develop new treatments that specifically target cancers with this gene loss, improving care for patients. Who this helps: This information benefits cancer patients and doctors looking for targeted therapies.

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This study looked at why older adults from low-income backgrounds frequently visit the emergency department (ED). Researchers interviewed 68 older patients who visited the ED at least four times in the past year, finding that 63% had unmet health-related social needs, but more importantly, issues like limited access to regular doctor visits and complicated medical conditions drove their ED use. The findings highlight the need for better outpatient care options, which could help reduce unnecessary emergency visits for these patients. Who this helps: This helps patients who are older and face socioeconomic challenges.

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This study looked at how patients with neuroendocrine tumors respond to a specific treatment called [Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE. Researchers found that out of 26 patients, 20 responded well to the treatment, and they showed different gene expression patterns in their blood compared to the 6 patients who did not respond. Specifically, 13 genes related to the immune system were more active in patients who didn’t respond, highlighting the role of the immune system in treatment outcomes. Who this helps: This benefits patients by potentially identifying who will respond better to the treatment based on their blood markers.

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This study examined the use of a dye called indocyanine green (ICG) to help identify biliary atresia, a condition that affects bile flow in infants. The researchers found that while ICG can show how the liver is working, there can be problems with relying on this method for diagnosis due to potential inaccuracies. This is important because misdiagnosing biliary atresia could delay necessary treatment for infants. Who this helps: Patients with biliary atresia and their families.

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This study looked at how different cervical cancer screening methods and HPV vaccination can work together to reduce cases of cervical cancer in South Korea. Researchers found that women who undergo screenings every two years, starting at age 20, could see the lowest cervical cancer cases (47,358) and deaths (34,242) by the year 2100. The best strategy, which includes HPV testing every two years, could lead to the elimination of cervical cancer as early as 2034 if enough people are screened and vaccinated. Who this helps: This benefits women at risk for cervical cancer and healthcare providers focusing on prevention efforts.

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This study looked at two ways to treat liver cancer tumors larger than 5 cm: a quicker, same-day approach and a traditional multi-day approach. Researchers found that both methods led to similar success rates, with about 87.7% of patients responding well to the same-day treatment and 89.2% responding to the longer treatment, while severe side effects were slightly lower in the same-day group (15.8% compared to 21.7%). This is important because it shows that patients can receive effective treatment in a single day without significantly increasing risks. Who this helps: Patients with large liver tumors.

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This research looked at how different social and economic factors affect whether women in Asian countries get screened for breast and cervical cancer. The review examined 48 studies and found that women with higher education levels were more likely to participate in screenings for both types of cancer. For breast cancer, having a family history also played a role, while factors like household income and medical insurance were important for cervical cancer screenings. These findings highlight the need for targeted strategies to improve screening rates and reduce inequalities in healthcare access. Who this helps: This helps women in Asian countries who may struggle to access cancer screenings.

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This study looked at how emergency room doctors perceive the care of incarcerated patients in the U.S. They found that many doctors believe there is unfair treatment of these patients and are unsure about the best ways to handle their care, especially when it comes to working with law enforcement and coordinating with correctional facilities. Overall, the findings highlight a need for better guidelines and understanding in treating incarcerated patients. Who this helps: This helps patients who are incarcerated, as well as the doctors treating them.

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This research focused on how a specific treatment called PSMA-targeted radioligand therapy (RLT) works for Asian men with prostate cancer. The study found that even though Asian patients often have more aggressive cancer and different genetic factors than Western patients, the treatment appears to be just as effective and safe; however, it is important to manage dosages carefully to avoid side effects like low blood cell counts. This knowledge is crucial because it helps tailor cancer treatment to the unique needs of Asian patients, potentially leading to better outcomes. Who this helps: Patients with prostate cancer, particularly those of Asian descent.

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This study looked at how consistently people in South Korea participated in regular gastric cancer screenings over 10 years. It found that while 59% of participants completed most of the screenings, 10% stopped after their initial test. Men, particularly those with lower incomes or self-employed, were less likely to keep up with screenings, which shows that not everyone has equal access to preventive care and highlights the need for tailored support to get more people screened. Who this helps: This helps patients at risk for gastric cancer and healthcare providers aiming to improve screening rates.

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This study looked at patients with a type of blood cancer called relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who had a partial response to chemotherapy before undergoing a stem cell transplant. Researchers found that certain measurements from PET scans taken before the transplant could help predict how long patients would stay cancer-free after the procedure. Specifically, if the tumor-to-liver ratio on the PET scan was 4.2 or higher, patients had a worse outcome, with a median event-free survival of about 10 months. Who this helps: This research benefits patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and their doctors by providing better tools for predicting treatment outcomes.

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This study looked at the health priorities of people with dementia and their caregivers during visits to the emergency department and hospital. Researchers interviewed 14 Hispanic patients and 19 caregivers, finding that these individuals prioritize maintaining social connections and independence, find hospitalizations to be stressful, and feel that their care preferences aren't adequately considered during discussions with medical staff. The findings highlight the importance of having conversations about health priorities to ensure that care aligns with what truly matters to patients and their caregivers. Who this helps: This helps patients with dementia and their caregivers by promoting better communication with healthcare teams.

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This study looked at how post-treatment imaging can predict whether a healthy part of the liver will grow in size after a specific cancer treatment called transarterial radioembolization (TARE) for liver cancer. Researchers found that, on average, the healthy lower part of the liver grew by 12.7% after treatment, and they discovered that higher radiation doses to the non-cancerous section of the liver were linked to more significant growth. This is important because predicting liver growth helps doctors manage treatment plans better and improve patient outcomes. Who this helps: This research benefits patients with liver cancer and their doctors.

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This study looked at a new imaging tool for prostate cancer called [Cu]Cu-NGUL, designed to target a specific marker found in prostate cancer cells. Researchers found that this tool was very effective, showing over 99% success in preparation and significantly higher uptake in prostate cancer cells (5 times more than non-cancer cells) within just a couple of hours. This is important because it may provide doctors a better way to detect and treat prostate cancer safely. Who this helps: This benefits patients with prostate cancer and their doctors.

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This research looked at how the blood-brain barrier (BBB) behaves differently in various blood vessel types during certain brain conditions, specifically severe seizures and inflammation. The study found that during seizures, the BBB leakage occurred mainly in arteries, while in inflammatory conditions, it happened more in veins. Understanding these differences is crucial because it could lead to better treatments for brain diseases. Who this helps: This helps doctors and researchers working on brain disorders.

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This study looked at how being in prison affects whether aging inmates can get into nursing homes after being released for medical reasons. Researchers called 74 nursing homes in Rhode Island and found that before mentioning prison, 52.5% said they had beds available within a month, but that dropped to 26.2% after disclosing the patient’s incarceration. Among those with serious criminal records, the rejection rate was 70.5%, showing that a history of incarceration greatly limits access to necessary care. Who this helps: This helps aging inmates who need nursing home care after being released.

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This study looked at how well the Korean National Lung Cancer Screening Program (KNLCS) worked from 2019 to 2023. It found that the number of people getting screened for lung cancer increased from 24.7% to 51.2%, particularly among higher-income individuals. At the same time, the rate of positive screening results decreased from 9.1% to 7.0%, indicating improvements in the screening process and fewer false positives over time. Who this helps: This benefits patients, especially current smokers at risk for lung cancer.

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This study looked at medical parole applications in Massachusetts from 2022 to 2023 to understand what factors influence whether these applications are approved. Out of 31 cases analyzed, the researchers found that having support from the prison superintendent and a medical assessment indicating that the inmate cannot perform daily activities independently significantly increased the chances of getting approved. Interestingly, a history of disciplinary issues didn't seem to hurt applicants' chances; in fact, it was linked to a higher likelihood of approval. This matters because it shows that recommendations from prison officials and medical evaluations play a critical role in deciding who gets medical parole. Who this helps: This helps patients who are aging or seriously ill in prison and advocates seeking medical parole for them.

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The study focused on creating guidelines for a medical imaging technique called lymphoscintigraphy, which is used to diagnose and evaluate lymphedema, a condition that causes swelling, usually in the arms or legs. The guidelines were developed to help healthcare providers perform the procedure safely and effectively, ensuring they can interpret the results accurately to improve patient care. This matters because proper diagnosis and monitoring of lymphedema can lead to better treatment options and outcomes for patients suffering from this condition. Who this helps: This helps patients with lymphedema and their healthcare providers.

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This study looked at how different doses of radiation affect the treatment outcomes for 90 patients with liver cancer who underwent a specific procedure called transarterial radioembolization (TARE). The researchers found that 63.3% of patients achieved a complete response to treatment, with small tumor volumes receiving less than 22.8 mL of radiation being a strong predictor of this success. This information is important because it can help doctors better understand how to tailor treatments for individual patients based on their tumor characteristics, potentially improving their chances of successful outcomes. Who this helps: This helps patients with liver cancer and their doctors.

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This study looked at how much data is needed to train computer models for accurately identifying and segmenting medical images, specifically for finding colorectal polyps and brain tumors. The researchers found that using up to 80% of available data led to the best results, with the most effective model achieving an accuracy score of 0.86 for polyps and 0.79 for brain tumors. This is important because it shows that collecting a moderate amount of high-quality data can be enough to create effective tools for medical imaging, helping improve patient diagnosis and treatment. Who this helps: This benefits patients and healthcare providers by improving diagnostic accuracy in medical imaging.

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This study looked at conflicts faced by healthcare professionals who have to choose between their duties to patients and the interests of other parties, especially in places like jails and prisons. It found that these conflicts can lead to serious issues, including denying care, violating patient privacy, and even administering harmful treatments. Recognizing and addressing these conflicts is important because they can affect the quality of care that patients receive, but better training and awareness can help reduce these problems. Who this helps: This helps patients in custodial settings and the healthcare professionals who care for them.

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This study looked at how certain brain cells, called microglia, affect neurons in areas around glioma tumors, which are a type of brain cancer. Researchers found that neurons near gliomas become overly excited and this is linked to a significant drop in a specific molecule (P2RY12) in microglia - about a 50% reduction. This matters because understanding how microglia contribute to increased neuron activity in gliomas could lead to new treatments for managing symptoms and improving brain function in patients. Who this helps: This helps patients with glioma by providing insights into potential treatment options.