Min Kyu Kang

Yeungnam University · Division of Internal Medicine

Background Although low skeletal muscle mass (LSMM) is known to increase the risk of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), limited reports have described the relationship between LSMM and advanced fibrosis. Here, we investigated the association between LSMM and advanced liver fibrosis in NAFLD patients. Methods Fatty liver was diagnosed using...

Background and aim: Recently, sarcopenia has been proposed as an additional risk factor of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and there have been no studies in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. We aimed to analyze the clinical associations between sarcopenia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in inflammatory bowel disease patients. Met...

Background/aims: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can reportedly cause gastrointestinal symptoms. Therefore, we investigated the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients with diarrhea. Methods: We included 118 COVID-19 patients admitted to a single hospital from February 20 to March 31, 2020. Medical records with clinical characteristics...

Purpose: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is independently associated with the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the association of AF with advanced liver fibrosis, which is related to all-cause, cardiovascular, and liver-related mortality, has not been established in NAFLD patients. We aimed to investigate the association...

Background and aim: Changing terminology of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is recently proposed by expert panels based on metabolic dysregulations. However, clinical evidences for the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in MAFLD are limited. The aim of this study is evalua...

We aimed to compare the associations of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) with coronary artery calcification (CAC). Patients who simultaneously underwent ultrasonography to diagnose hepatic steatosis and cardiac computed tomography to detect CAC were inc...

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most lethal malignancies worldwide, with poor prognosis owing to its high frequency of recurrence and metastasis. Moreover, most patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage owing to a lack of early detection markers. Exosomes, which are characterized by their cargos of stable intracellular messengers, su...

Simple Summary Research on the clinical impact of body composition parameters, such as myosteatosis, in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is limited. Our study examined the effects of computed tomography-based body composition measurements and traditional risk factors on the survival outcomes of sorafenib-treated HCC patients. Myosteatos...

The clinical significance of hsa_circ_0004018 and hsa_circ_0003570 in patients with hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-HCC) is unclear. We aimed to explore the clinical significance and prognostic utility of these two circular RNAs (circRNAs) in patients with HBV-HCC. Based on 86 paired tissue samples of HCC and adjacent non-HC...

This cross-sectional study enrolled 267 patients with metabolic risk factors and established non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in the prospective cohort. The performance of fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score (≥1.3) to diagnose advanced fibrosis using transient elastography (liver stiffness measurement [LSM] ≥8 kPa) was analyzed. Comparing patients with type...

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a representative neglected tropical disease (NTD) with increased morbidity and mortality but is ignored and overlooked in developed countries. Serological and radiographic findings are helpful in distinguishing these parasites; however, conflicting results of these can make it difficult to diagnose if medical knowledge...

Background and Objectives: Advanced liver fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can be a major predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events and cardiac complications. However, the clinical significance of cardiac symptoms and abnormal electrocardiography (ECG) findings in patients with NAFLD associated with advanced...

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) is the fifth most common hematologic disorder in the United States, and its prevalence has been rising in Western countries. Among the subtypes of NHL, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) mostly involves the lymph nodes, stomach, and gastrointestinal tract, whereas hepatic involvement of DLBCL is rare. On serologic te...

Body composition, including sarcopenia, adipose tissue, and myosteatosis, is associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes in patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). However, few studies have identified the impact of body composition, including pre-existing risk factors, on COVID-19 mortality. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effec...

Purpose Tenofovir disoproxil (TD), modified from tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), was developed as a salt-free formulation, removing fumarate to improve the ease of oral intake by reducing the tablet’s size. We evaluated the maintenance of antiviral effects and overall safety profile of TD 245 mg after switching from TDF 300 mg in patients with...

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are potential biomarkers owing to their stability, tissue specificity, and abundance. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of hsa_circ_0003570 expression and to investigate its potential as a biomarker in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We evaluated hsa_circ_0003570 expression in 121 HCC tissue samples, it...

Low skeletal muscle mass (LSMM) has emerged as a potential risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, its clinical implications in patients with lean NAFLD have not yet been elucidated. We investigated the role of LSMM in patients with lean NAFLD. Lean NAFLD was defined as a body mass index of ≤23 kg/m2. Using bioelectrical...

Aims We investigated the long-term effect of changes in hepatic steatosis on the risk of developing T2DM. Methods We evaluated 3510 participants from the 2001-2016 Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study. Those with significant alcohol consumption or T2DM during 2001–2004 were excluded. Steatosis was defined as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease-liver...

Imaging plays an important role in assessing the severity of COVID-19 pneumonia. Recent COVID-19 research indicates that the disease progress propagates from the bottom of the lungs to the top. However, chest radiography (CXR) cannot directly provide a quantitative metric of radiographic opacities, and existing AI-assisted CXR analysis methods do n...

Background/aims: Although several studies have shown that sarcopenia is associated with poor outcomes in colorectal cancer patients, the impact of sarcopenia on the development of colorectal neoplasia remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence and association of colorectal neoplasia, especially advanced colorectal neoplasia, in adults wi...

Federated learning (FL) is a method used for training artificial intelligence models with data from multiple sources while maintaining data anonymity, thus removing many barriers to data sharing. Here we used data from 20 institutes across the globe to train a FL model, called EXAM (electronic medical record (EMR) chest X-ray AI model), that predic...

Ketone body production, an alternative fuel upon low glucose availability, reduces hepatic fat accumulation. However, its clinical implications have not been established in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We investigated the association between spontaneous fasting ketonuria and liver fibrosis in patients with NAFLD without p...

Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) is a rare condition characterized by chronic relapsing noninfectious bone inflammation of unknown etiology. Although CRMO is considered an extraintestinal manifestation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, most cases of CRMO are associated with Crohn’s disease; very few are associated with u...

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) represent potential biomarkers because of their highly stable structure and robust expression pattern in clinical samples. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of a recently identified circRNA, hsa_circ_0005986; determine its clinical significance; and evaluate its potential as a biomarker of hepatocellular...

Parenchymal extinction is characterized by the irreversible loss of hepatocytes and their eventual replacement by fibrous tissue, along with the alteration of the sinusoidal architecture and the obstruction of the small portal and hepatic veins. In clinical practice, radiologic modalities are not sufficient for differentiating between parenchymal e...

Adipose tissue and skeletal muscle is associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study evaluates the association between body composition and histologic severity in patients with NAFLD. Using the cross-sectional CT images at the level of L3 vertebra and the histologic findings of 178 patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD, we analyz...

Sarcopenia and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are associated with subclinical atherosclerosis. We aimed to investigate the association between low skeletal muscle mass (LSMM) and subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with NAFLD. A total of 683 patients with ultrasound-confirmed NAFLD who underwent carotid ultrasonography were enrolled r...

Background/aims: Recent data indicate the presence of liver enzyme abnormalities in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to evaluate the clinical features and treatment outcomes of COVID-19 patients with abnormal liver enzymes. Methods: We performed a retrospective, multicenter study of 874 COVID-19 patients admitted to fi...

Background: Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is a reliable non-invasive alternative to liver biopsy for assessing liver fibrosis. There are limited data regarding an association between liver fibrosis by MRE and risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Aim: To investigate the association of high-risk CVD phenotype determined by coronary artery...

Purpose As of August 30th, there were in total 25.1 million confirmed cases and 845 thousand deaths caused by coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) worldwide. With overwhelming demands on medical resources, patient stratification based on their risks is essential. In this multi-center study, we built prognosis models to predict severity outcomes,...

In recent years, deep learning-based image analysis methods have been widely applied in computer-aided detection, diagnosis and prognosis, and has shown its value during the public health crisis of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Chest radiograph (CXR) has been playing a crucial role in COVID-19 patient triaging, diagnosing...

Purpose: Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a prognostic marker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We investigated the prognostic value of AFP levels in patients who achieved complete response (CR) to transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for HCC. Materials and methods: Between 2005 and 2018, 890 patients with HCC who achieved a CR to TACE were recrui...

‘Federated Learning’ (FL) is a method to train Artificial Intelligence (AI) models with data from multiple sources while maintaining anonymity of the data thus removing many barriers to data sharing. During the SARS-COV-2 pandemic, 20 institutes collaborated on a healthcare FL study to predict future oxygen requirements of infected patients using i...

In recent years, deep learning-based image analysis methods have been widely applied in computer-aided detection, diagnosis and prognosis, and has shown its value during the public health crisis of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Chest radiograph (CXR) has been playing a crucial role in COVID-19 patient triaging, diagnosing...

Objective The reliable risk factors for mortality of COVID-19 has not evaluated in well-characterised cohort. This study aimed to identify risk factors for in-hospital mortality within 56 days in patients with severe infection of COVID-19. Design Retrospective multicentre cohort study. Setting Five tertiary hospitals of Daegu, South Korea. Parti...

Early and accurate diagnosis of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is essential for patient isolation and contact tracing so that the spread of infection can be limited. Computed tomography (CT) can provide important information in COVID-19, especially for patients with moderate to severe disease as well as those with worsening cardiopulmonary status....

Non-invasive diagnostic markers are needed to ease the diagnosis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) among patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) LeXis is related to cholesterol metabolism and hepatic steatosis in mice, and its batch genome conversion in humans is TCONS_00016452. Here, we aimed...

Background/Aims: Although coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread rapidly worldwide, the implication of pre-existing liver disease on the outcome of COVID-19 remains unresolved. Methods: A total of 1,005 patients who were admitted to five tertiary hospitals in South Korea with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 were included in this study. Clinic...

Purpose. Imaging plays an important role in assessing severity of COVID 19 pneumonia. However, semantic interpretation of chest radiography (CXR) findings does not include quantitative description of radiographic opacities. Most current AI assisted CXR image analysis framework do not quantify for regional variations of disease. To address these, we...

Background and aims: Clinical evidence for the benefits of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) is lacking in advanced liver disease. We evaluated the potential benefits of long-term oral BCAA supplementation in patients with advanced liver disease. Methods: Liver cirrhosis patients with Child-Pugh (CP) scores from 8 to 10 were prospectively recru...

Background: Advanced liver fibrosis is the most important prognostic factor in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), growth arrest-specific transcript 5 (GAS5), is associated with the inhibition of liver fibrogenesis, and its levels are decreased in cirrhotic liver. Methods: We analyzed 51 patients with NAFLD...

Synchronous gastric cancer and adenomatous colorectal polyp in patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae-induced pyogenic liver abscess (KP-PLA) and bacteremia is a rare presentation. A 58-year-old man with a 6-month history of diabetes mellitus (DM) presented with febrile sensation and dull abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. Subs...

Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-associated autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a very rare subtype of autoimmune hepatitis and characterized by marked elevated serum IgG and hepatic infiltration of IgG4-expressing plasma cells. Pathologic confirmation of hepatic IgG4-expressing plasma cells is usually required for the final diagnosis of IgG4-associated AIH. Her...

Imatinib mesylate is currently used as the first-line treatment for metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Imatinib-induced hepatotoxicity in patients with GIST is very rare. Its features vary from subclinical elevation of serum aminotransferase to clinically apparent acute hepatitis, which is associated with immunologic reactions. Ima...

Background: Because of its efficacy and safety, polyethylene glycol (PEG) is generally used to prepare for colonoscopy. However, the side effects of PEG, including nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, pain, and general weakness, tend to decrease patient compliance and satisfaction. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy and safety...

Background and Aim Nonadherence is a risk factor of disease worsening in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We analyzed the frequency, predictors, and clinical outcomes of patients with IBD who are lost to follow‐up in outpatient clinics. Methods Medical records of 784 IBD patients visiting our IBD clinic between January 2010 and December 2015 were...

Sorafenib is the most widely used multikinase inhibitor in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite its efficacy, only a small proportion of patients experience tumor regression. Hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) can be used as an alternative treatment for HCC. A total of 139 patients with advanced HCC, treated with...

Objective: To report a rate case of paraneoplastic jaundice as a manifestation of prostate cancer is very rare. Clinical presentation and intervention: We report on a case of paraneoplastic syndrome in a 72-year-old man with prostate cancer that manifested with idiopathic jaundice. Although steroids can be used as treatment in patients with pros...

Objective: To compare the efficacy of and mortality after lamivudine (LAM), tenofovir (TDF), and entecavir (ETV) treatment in patients with severe acute chronic hepatitis B (CHB) exacerbation. Methods: We analyzed 91 patients with severe acute CHB exacerbation treated with LAM (n=28), TDF (n=26), or ETV (n=37) for 10 years. The primary endpoint...

The gastrointestinal tract(GI) is the most frequently involved site of mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. Stomach is the most common site of involvement among the GI tract. In some case of MALT lymphoma, it is detected in colon. Almost all diagnosis is established by pathological examination of the surgical or endoscopic specimens....