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Background and Objectives@#Air pollution, particularly particulate matter (PM), has a variety of adverse effects on human health. PM is known to induce cell death through various pathways, including pyroptosis. Despite its significance, research on PM-induced pyroptosis in nasal epithelial cells remains limited. This study aimed to explore PM-induced pyroptosis in cultured human nasal epithelial cells. @*Methods@#For the in vitro experiments, human nasal epithelial cells were cultured. Cell viability was assessed using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, while cell death was evaluated through propidium iodide (PI) staining and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release measurement. Protein expression levels related to pyroptosis were examined via western blot using antibodies against NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), cleaved caspase-1 (CASP1 P20), gasdermin D (GSDMD)-N, and glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase. Immunofluorescent staining with a CASP1 P20 antibody was conducted to visualize cellular localization. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was utilized to quantify interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 protein levels. @*Results@#Treatment with PM resulted in decreased cell viability, elevated LDH release, and intensified PI staining, indicating cell death. Pyroptosis was confirmed by the elevated expression of NLRP3, CASP1 P20, and GSDMD-N, along with increased levels of IL-1β and IL-18. Inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome with MCC950 reduced the PM-induced effects on protein expression and cytokine release, highlighting the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in PM-triggered pyroptosis in human nasal epithelial cells. @*Conclusion@#We showed that PM triggers pyroptosis in human nasal epithelial cells, driven by NLRP3 inflammasome-dependent signaling pathways.
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Purpose@#This study examined the one-year mortality after locking plate fixation for distal femur fractures and the risk factors related to death. @*Materials and Methods@#From July 2011 to June 2020, 128 patients who underwent locking plate fixation for distal femur fractures were analyzed retrospectively. Epidemiologic information of the patients, characteristics related to fracture and surgery, and death were investigated. The risk factors related to death were investigated using Cox analysis, and a subgroup analysis was also performed based on the age of 65 years. @*Results@#The one-year mortality rate after locking plate fixation for distal femur fractures was 3.9%, and the mortality rates in patients younger than 65 years and older than 65 years were 0% and 6.7%, respectively. There were no significant risk factors related to death in the total population. On the other hand, in patients aged 65 years or older, however, high-energy fracture and high comorbidity index increased the risk of death after surgery by 6.9-fold and 1.9-fold, respectively. @*Conclusion@#The one-year mortality rate for the total patients was 3.9%, but the mortality rate for patients over 65 years of age increased to 6.7%. High-energy fractures and high comorbidity index were risk factors related to death after surgery for distal femur fractures in patients aged 65 years or older.
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Background@#Guselkumab is a monoclonal antibody that selectively targets interleukin-23 in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis. Several multinational clinical studies have reported on its efficacy. However, data on its efficacy and safety in Korean patients are currently very limited. @*Objective@#This study evaluated the real-world efficacy and safety of guselkumab for treating patients with moderate to severe psoriasis in Korea. @*Methods@#This single-center retrospective study included 40 patients treated with guselkumab for at least 12 weeks.Electronic medical records were reviewed for demographics, clinical characteristics, psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score, body surface area, and adverse events. @*Results@#The average PASI score at baseline (12.0±8.3) was significantly reduced to 3.3±3.8 at week 12, 2.2±2.2 at week 36, and 1.6±1.5 at week 52. At week 60, 93%, 60%, and 33% of patients achieved a PASI of 75, 90, and 100, respectively. Obesity, psoriatic arthritis, and previous biologics treatment experience were not significant indicators of guselkumab treatment efficacy. Seven patients reported adverse events; however, none discontinued guselkumab treatment. @*Conclusion@#Guselkumab is an effective and safe treatment option for moderate to severe psoriasis in Korea.
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Objective@#To determine correlations of alternation motor rate (AMR), sequential motor rate (SMR), and maximum phonation time (MPT) with the severity of dysphagia in subacute stroke patients. @*Methods@#This was a retrospective chart review study. Data of 171 subacute stroke patients were analyzed. Patient’s AMR, SMR, and MPT data were collected from their language evaluations. Video fluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) was done. Data of dysphagia scales including penetration-aspiration scale (PAS), American Speech-Language-Hearing Association National Outcomes Measurement System (ASHA-NOMS) scale, clinical dysphagia scale (CDS), and videofluoroscopic dysphagia scale (VDS) were obtained. AMR, SMR, and MPT were compared between a non-aspirator group and an aspirator group. Correlations of AMR, SMR, and MPT with dysphagia scales were analyzed. @*Results@#AMR ("ka"), SMR, and modified Rankin Scale were significant associated factors between non-aspirator group and aspirator group, while AMR ("pa"), AMR ("ta"), and MPT were not. AMR, SMR, and MPT showed significant correlations with PAS score, ASHA-NOMS scale, CDS, VDS oral, and VDS pharyngeal scores. The cut-off value for distinguishing non-aspirator group and aspiration group was 18.5 for AMR ("ka") (sensitivity of 74.4%, specificity of 70.8%) and 7.5 for SMR (sensitivity of 89.9%, specificity of 61.0%). AMR and SMR were significantly lower in before-swallow aspiration group. @*Conclusion@#Articulatory diadochokinetic tasks that can be easily performed at the bedside would be particularly helpful in determining the oral feeding possibility of subacute stroke patients who cannot undergo VFSS, which is the gold standard for dysphagia assessment.
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We describe the case of a 49-year-old right hand-dominant woman with myositis of the biceps brachii muscle unrelated to the inoculation site following Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination on the deltoid muscle of the left shoulder. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has involved global spread, and different vaccines including inactivated, protein, vectored, and nucleic acid vaccines have been developed and administered. Common side effects of COVID-19 vaccines include general manifestations such as headache, fever, and fatigue, and various musculoskeletal symptoms. Here, we present a case of myositis occurring in the biceps brachii muscle unrelated to the inoculation site, which has not been reported previously, accompanied by a literature review.
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We analyzed 1,079 forensic autopsies conducted in 2021 by the National Forensic Service Daejeon Institute from the Jungbu province in the central part of South Korea, for their manner and cause of death. Among the manner of death (n=1,079), 45.3% (n=489) were categorised as unnatural, 39.5% (n=426) as natural, and 15.2% (n=164) were unknown. Among the unnatural deaths (n=489), 40.7% (n=199) were accidents, 36.8% (n=180) were suicides, 14.1% (n=69) were undetermined, and 8.4% (n=41) were homicides. The major causes of unnatural deaths (n=489) were by trauma, causing 34.4% (n=168), poisoning causing 26.8% (n=131), and asphyxia causing 17.2% (n=84). The major cause of death by trauma (n=168) was falling at 46.4% (n=78), and by asphyxia (n=84) was strangulation at 76.2% (n=64). Among natural deaths (n=426), heart disease was the major cause at 49.8% (n=212) followed by vascular disease at 16.7% (n=71). In future, a time-series statistical analysis on the manner and causes of death in Jungbu province may provide insight and allow for more advanced interpretations about both healthcare and public safety.
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Background@#Recent studies have reported that psoriasis is associated with the development of metabolic syndrome. Genome-wide association studies have been used to discover gene variant markers that occur frequently in case group in relation to specific diseases. @*Objective@#The aim of the present study was to investigate the variants of specific genes involved in metabolic syndrome associated with psoriasis. @*Methods@#A total of 95 psoriasis patients were recruited and divided into two groups: one with metabolic syndrome (38 patients) and the other without (57 patients). After genotyping, imputation, and quality checking, the association between the several single nucleotide polymorphisms and metabolic syndrome in psoriasis was tested, followed by gene set enrichment analysis. @*Results@#We found 76 gene polymorphisms that conferred an increased risk for metabolic syndrome in patients with psoriasis. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs17154774 of FRMD4A, rs77498336 of GPR116, rs75949580 and rs187682251 of MAPK4) showed the strongest association between metabolic syndrome and psoriasis. The epidermal growth factor receptor protein was located at the center of the protein interactions for the gene polymorphisms. @*Conclusion@#This study identified several previously unknown polymorphisms associated with metabolic syndrome in psoriasis. These results highlight the potential for future genetic studies to elucidate the development, and ultimately prevent the onset, of metabolic syndrome in patients with psoriasis.
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Background@#Lichen amyloidosis is a chronic pruritic skin disorder associated with atopic dermatitis, however, the pathogenetic link between these two conditions remains to be elucidated. Only limited research has been performed on patients diagnosed with both pruritic dermatological conditions. @*Objective@#This study aimed to analyze the clinical features of lichen amyloidosis associated with atopic dermatitis. @*Methods@#We conducted a matched case-control study of incident lichen amyloidosis with atopic dermatitis between March 2020 and February 2022. Among the 2,481 patients with atopic dermatitis, 20 patients diagnosed with lichen amyloidosis and atopic dermatitis were included as case patients, and 20 patients diagnosed with atopic dermatitis were enrolled as controls. The controls were matched to cases (1:1) by age and sex. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of the patients. @*Results@#The prevalence of lichen amyloidosis associated with atopic dermatitis was approximately 0.8%, with a male:female sex ratio of 2.33:1. The recorded onset of lichen amyloidosis associated with atopic dermatitis was more common in adult patients, with moderate-tosevere atopic dermatitis. Lichen amyloidosis lesions in patients with atopic dermatitis were most commonly found on the extremities, sparing the head and neck region. The presence of lichen amyloidosis had no significant impact on severity of atopic dermatitis. @*Conclusion@#In patients with lichen amyloidosis associated with atopic dermatitis, the clinical manifestations of lesions are similar to those of conventional lichen amyloidosis lesions in terms of morphology and regional distribution. Further research is required to elucidate the link between the pathogenesis of these two pruritic dermatological conditions.
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Purpose@#Triage tools play a vital role in classifying the severity of children in emergency departments (EDs). We investigated the association between the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale (KTAS) and severity of dyspnea in the ED. @*Methods@#We conducted a retrospective study of children aged 3-14 years with dyspnea who visited the ED from January 2015 through December 2021. They were divided into severe (KTAS level 1-3) and non-severe (KTAS level 4-5) groups. Between the groups, we compared the clinical characteristics, including age, sex, associated symptoms, vital signs, route of visit, treatment at ED, and outcomes. @*Results@#Among a total of 468 children with dyspnea, 267 and 201 were assigned to the severe and non-severe groups, respectively. The severe group had higher frequencies of fever (21.7% vs. 13.9%; P = 0.031), cough (53.2% vs. 43.3%; P = 0.034), systemic steroids (42.3% vs. 25.9%; P < 0.001), intravenous fluids (47.6% vs. 25.4%; P < 0.001), oxygen therapy (16.5% vs. 6.5%; P = 0.001), inotropics (4.1% vs. 1.0%; P = 0.042), and hospitalization (24.7% vs. 11.9%; P = 0.002). The severe group also showed a higher mean heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature, and lower mean oxygen saturation (all Ps < 0.001). Among these findings, fever, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, intravenous fluids, oxygen therapy, inotropics, and hospitalization remained significantly different between the groups after defining the severe group as a KTAS level 1-2. @*Conclusion@#This study shows the association between KTAS and severity of dyspnea in the ED. Therefore, KTAS may reflect not only the initial clinical conditions but also emergency measures and outcomes in children with dyspnea who visit EDs.
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Thrombocytopenia is one of the rare signs of both the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and COVID-19 vaccination. An 85-year-old man was diagnosed with immune thrombocytopenia and COVID-19, 7 days after COVID-19 vaccination. The patient was successfully treated with a short course of intravenous immunoglobulin and oral corticosteroids.
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Preserving intact genetic material and delivering it to the next generation are the most significant tasks of living organisms. The integrity of DNA sequences is under constant threat from endogenous and exogenous factors. The accumulation of damaged or incompletely-repaired DNA can cause serious problems in cells, including cell death or cancer development. Various DNA damage detection systems and repair mechanisms have evolved at the cellular level. Although the mechanisms of these responses have been extensively studied, the global RNA expression profiles associated with genomic instability are not well-known. To detect global gene expression changes under different DNA damage and hypoxic conditions, we performed RNA-seq after treating human cervical cancer cells with ionizing radiation (IR), hydroxyurea, mitomycin C (MMC), or 1% O2 (hypoxia). Results showed that the expression of 184–1037 genes was altered by each stimulus. We found that the expression of 51 genes changed under IR, MMC, and hypoxia. These findings revealed damage-specific genes that varied differently according to each stimulus and common genes that are universally altered in genetic instability.
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Background@#Glucocorticoids are one of the current standard agents for moderate to severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treatment based on the RECOVERY trial. Data on the real clinical application of steroids for COVID-19 are scarce and will help guide the optimal use of steroids. We described the current prescription pattern of steroids for COVID-19 and investigated the factors related to specific practices. @*Methods@#All adults aged ≥ 19 years who were diagnosed with COVID-19 by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and admitted to one of 3 study hospitals from 8 December 2020 to 30 June 2021 were enrolled. Demographic and clinical data, including medications and oxygen therapy, were retrospectively collected from electronic medical records. The severity of comorbidities and COVID-19 were measured. The subjects were divided into steroid and nonsteroid groups, and the steroid group was then subdivided into standard and higher/longer groups. @*Results@#Among a total of 805 patients, 217 (27.0%) were treated with steroids. The steroid group showed a higher rate of oxygen therapy (81.1% vs. 2.7%), more concomitant use of remdesivir (77.4% vs. 1.4%) or antibiotics (79.3% vs. 4.3%), and a higher proportion of high risk according to National Early Warning Score-2 score (30.0% vs. 0.9%) or severe risk according to National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease Ordinal Scale score (81.1% vs. 2.7%) than the nonsteroid group. The mortality of the steroid group was 4.6%. In the steroid group, 82.5% received a standard or lower dose of steroids within ten days, and 17.5% (38/217) received a higher or longer dose of steroids. Multivariate analysis showed that initial lymphopenia (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.89–0.99) and high level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (aOR, 1.00; 95% CI, 1.00–1.01) were independent risk factors for higher doses or longer steroid use. @*Conclusion@#The dose and duration of steroids were in line with current guidelines in 82.5% of COVID-19 patients, but the outliers may need tailored therapy according to surrogate markers, such as initial lymphopenia or high level of LDH.
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We report a case of neurolymphomatosis of lumbosacral plexus. A 63-year-old man, who had no past history except for diabetes mellitus, complained of severe pain and weakness on left lower extremity. Idiopathic lumbosacral plexopathy was diagnosed by electromyography. There were no abnormal findings except for FDG-PET/CT and MRI. They showed high uptake and thickening lesion in sciatic nerve and sacral plexus. However, about 7 months later, mass like lesion in left thigh was detected by FDG-PET/CT and MRI. Also, multiple hypermetabolic lesions were found in brain. Through brain biopsy, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma was confirmed. When a patient with idiopathic lumbosacral plexopathy complains of severe pain, it is necessary to consider FDG-PET/CT and MRI to differentiate neurolymphomatosis, even in patients who have no past history of lymphoma before. Especially, if FDG-PET/CT and MRI show sciatic and/or lumbosacral plexus lesion, neurolymphomatosis of lumbosacral plexus should be considered.
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We report a case of neurolymphomatosis of lumbosacral plexus. A 63-year-old man, who had no past history except for diabetes mellitus, complained of severe pain and weakness on left lower extremity. Idiopathic lumbosacral plexopathy was diagnosed by electromyography. There were no abnormal findings except for FDG-PET/CT and MRI. They showed high uptake and thickening lesion in sciatic nerve and sacral plexus. However, about 7 months later, mass like lesion in left thigh was detected by FDG-PET/CT and MRI. Also, multiple hypermetabolic lesions were found in brain. Through brain biopsy, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma was confirmed. When a patient with idiopathic lumbosacral plexopathy complains of severe pain, it is necessary to consider FDG-PET/CT and MRI to differentiate neurolymphomatosis, even in patients who have no past history of lymphoma before. Especially, if FDG-PET/CT and MRI show sciatic and/or lumbosacral plexus lesion, neurolymphomatosis of lumbosacral plexus should be considered.
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Background and Objectives@#Even though most of the thyroid cancer shows good prognosis, de-differentiated thyroid cancer is still refractory to conventional treatments. Recently, kinase inhibitors including multi-kinase and BRAF inhibitors are widely used for treatment of de-differentiated thyroid cancers, but resistant to single kinase inhibitor treatment eventually encountered. Therefore, combination therapy may have better therapeutic effect than single therapy for thyroid cancer. In this study, we evaluated therapeutic effect of multi-kinase and BRAF inhibitor combination to anaplastic thyroid cancer cell lines with and without BRAF mutation. @*Materials and Methods@#We used anaplastic thyroid cancer cell lines with BRAF V600E mutation (8505C) and with NRAS mutation (HTh7). Both cell lines were treated with various concentration of multi-kinase inhibitor (lenvatinib) and BRAF inhibitor (vemurafenib). And combination of various concentration of both kinase inhibitors were used to treat both cell lines. Cytotoxic effect was assessed with cell counting kit-8 and therapeutic effect of single kinase inhibitor therapy and the combination therapy was compared. @*Results@#Anti-proliferative effect of vemurafenib on 8505C BRAF V600E -mutated cells was demonstrated from 0.25 μM concentration. However, HTh7 cells with NRAS mutation represented drug resistance up to 4 μM of vemurafenib. In case of lenvatinib treatment as a multi-kinase inhibitor, 8505C and HTh7 cells showed decreased cell viability dose-dependent manner. Combination treatment with vemurafenib and lenvatinib showed synergistic cytotoxic effect in BRAF mutated 8505C cell line, even at lower concentrations. @*Conclusion@#Combination treatment with multi-kinase inhibitor and BRAF inhibitor showed promising therapeutic results in BRAF mutated anaplastic thyroid cancer cell line.
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Objectives@#The purpose of this research was to examine differences between clinical variables among outpatients with schizophrenia in competitive and partial employed and unemployed groups. @*Methods@#The study subjects were 168 outpatients with schizophrenia, and these were divided into three groups, that is, competitive (n=20), partial (n=28), and unemployed (n=120) groups, based on employment status. Job and psychopathology data were collected by interview and using self-report questionnaires (self-stigma, will to recover, family attitude, perceived social support, insight into disease, self-esteem, hopelessness, and attitude to drugs). @*Results@#The proportion of male patients in the competitive employment group was greater than in the partial or unemployed groups. Education level was significantly higher, and the number of hospitalizations was significantly lower in the competitive group than in the unemployed group.Levels of self-stigma, will to recover, and perceived social support were significantly higher, and levels of self-esteem and hopelessness were significantly lower in the competitive and partial employment groups than in the unemployed group. Patients in these two groups also reported a more positive family attitude, more insight into the disease, and a more positive attitude toward drugs than patients in the unemployed group. @*Conclusion@#Most clinical variables were similar in the competitive and partial employment groups.The findings of this study suggest environmental and systematic factors are more important for the employment of outpatients with schizophrenia than disease-associated factors.
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Objective@#The frequency of penetrating neck injuries has gradually increased with the development of industry and the rising crime rates. There have been few studies with penetrating neck injuries reported in Korea. Thus, we analyzed clinical factors that could differentiate between superficial and deep injuries in patients with penetrating neck injuries. @*Methods@#We investigated the medical records of 90 patients with penetrating neck injuries who visited the emergency department between January 2010 and March 2020. To identify the degree of injuries, we compared age, sex, onset and arrival time, onset-to-arrival time, initial vital signs, Glasgow Coma Scale, Revised Trauma Score, cause, mechanism, location and number of injuries, anatomical zone, alcohol intake and psychiatric history were classified as early clinical factors. @*Results@#Among 90 patients, 51 had superficial injuries, and 39 had deep injuries. The early clinical factors showing statistically significant differences were the Glasgow Coma Scale, Revised Trauma Score, cause of injury and anatomical zones. As the Glasgow Coma Scale increased by 1 point, deep injuries decreased by 0.807 times compared to superficial injuries. Homicidal injuries were 3.233 times deeper than suicidal injuries. @*Conclusion@#If the Glasgow Coma Scale is low or the cause of injury is homicide, the possibility of a deep penetrating injury is high. Therefore, it is important to treat the patient carefully, considering these factors.
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This study performed the forensic anthropological sex estimation of Koreans in a non-metric way by reconstructing three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) images of skulls. The skull CT images used in this study were 100 (51 males, 49 females), and all CT images were taken with a slice thickness of 0.75 mm and then reconstructed into 3D images using the MIMICS 23.0 program. Using the reconstructed 3D image, measurements were repeated twice. The sex determination was male if the 4 point to 5 point was relatively more in five landmarks, and female if the points of 1 to 2 were relatively more. Results of the study show that, 88 of the 100 cases matched the actual sex. Among the 12 discrepant cases, ten cases were mismatched with the actual sex even though the estimation and repeated estimation readout of sexestimating were the same. Two cases, were “unknown,” showing different sexes in the first and repeated estimations. In conclusion, this study indicated that a forensic anthropological analysis from 3D images provided accurate point information on the landmarks of skulls, showing as high an accuracy as the sex estimation method using real bones. The ten cases of sex mismatch, except the two “Unknown” cases, are considered to be errors that did not consider differences in population groups. In further studies, further establishing a nonmetric, specifically Korean methods to increase the accuracy and reliability of sex estimation is need.
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We evaluated the Standard Q COVID-19 Ag test for the diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) compared to the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test.We applied both tests to patients who were about to be hospitalized, had visited an emergency room, or had been admitted due to COVID-19 confirmed by RT-PCR. Two nasopharyngeal swabs were obtained; one was tested by RT-PCR and the other by the Standard Q COVID-19 Ag test. A total of 118 pairs of tests from 98 patients were performed between January 5 and 11, 2021. The overall sensitivity and specificity for detecting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) for the Standard Q COVID-19 Ag test compared to RT-PCR were 17.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.8–32.0%) and 100% (95% CI, 95.3–100.0%). Analysis of the results using RT-PCR cycle thresholds of ≤ 30 or ≤ 25 increased the sensitivity to 26.9% (95% CI, 13.7–46.1%), and 41.1% (95% CI, 21.6–64.0%), respectively.
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Recently, the number of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who have tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2), via the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test, after recovery has increased; this has caused a dilemma regarding the medical measures and policies. We evaluated the dynamics of viral load and anti-SARSCoV-2 antibodies in four patients with positive RT-PCR results after recovery. In all patients, the highest levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM antibodies were reached after about a month of the onset of the initial symptoms. Then, the IgG titers plateaued, and the IgM titers decreased, regardless of RT-PCR results.The IgG and IgM levels did not increase after the post-negative positive RT-PCR results in any of the patients. Our results reinforced that the post-negative positive RT-PCR results may be due to the detection of RNA particles rather than reinfection in individuals who have recovered from COVID-19.