The Delay in Confirming COVID-19 Cases Linked to a Religious Group in Korea / 예방의학회지

Objectives@#As of March 3, 2020, the Shincheonji religious group accounted for the majority of Korean cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Nonetheless, the most likely cause of the broad spread of COVID-19 among members of the Shincheonji religious group remains largely unknown. @*Methods@#We obtained data of laboratory-confirmed cases related to the Shincheonji religious group from press releases by Korean public health authorities and news reports. We measured the period from the date of illness onset to the date of COVID-19 confirmation. @*Results@#We analysed data from 59 cases (median age, 30 years). The estimated median period between the date of symptom onset and the date of COVID-19 confirmation was 4 days (95% confidence interval, 1-12). @*Conclusions@#There was a delay in COVID-19 confirmation from the date of illness onset among the cases linked to the Shincheonji religious group. This delay likely contributed to the occurrence of many cases of COVID-19 in the group.

Prostate Safety of Androgen Replacement Therapy Focusing on Prostate Specific Antigen / 대한남성과학회지

Purpose: The greatest concern in the androgen replacement therapy (ART) is the possible side effects to the prostate. We evaluated the effects of ART focusing on the prostate specific antigen (PSA). Materials and Methods: From 2003 to 2006, 47 patients 44 to 75 years old (mean age 60.1) received ART. At baseline and after ART, digital rectal examination, serum testosterone and PSA measurement and transrectal ultrasonography were evaluated. Mean follow-up was 7.9 months (range 1 to 41). Patients were classified into two groups based on the initial PSA level, as PSA levels of 2.5 ng/ml or greater (group 1) (n=29) and PSA levels of less than 2.5 ng/ml (group 2) (n=18). Results: ART significantly increased serum testosterone, PSA and free PSA levels. However, prostate volume did not change significantly. When serum PSA was compared, the increase of PSA levels was greater than in high PSA group (group 1) than in group 2, although the ratio between the two groups in PSA increase was 38.3% for group 2 and 18.2% for group 1, respectively. A total of 4 patients (16.7% of group 1 and 3.4% of group 2) with a serum PSA level greater than 4 ng/ml after ART underwent a prostate biopsy but no patients were found to have prostate carcinoma. Conclusions: Rates of PSA elevation (>4 ng/ml) and prostate biopsies were higher in patients with high baseline PSA level (> or =2.5 ng/ml) than in those with PSA level less than 2.5 ng/ml who received ART. However, our findings suggest that an increased risk of prostate cancer was not associated with ART.

Bone Ingrowth into Harris-Galante Porous-coated Acetabular Cup Retrieved during Revision

Purpose: To investigate the extent of bone ingrowth into the porous-coated acetabular cups as well as the factors that correlated with bone ingrowth in total hip arthroplasty. Materials and Methods: Thirty six Harris-Galante porous-coated acetabular cups that were retrieved through revision surgery were examined in this study. Acetabular cups retrieved due to infection or severely destroyed cups (ed note: severe what?) were excluded. The extent of bone ingrowth into the acetabular cups was grossly measured, and its correlation with the variables including age, gender, weight, height, the duration of fixation, size, number of screws, inclination and anteversion was statistically analyzed. Results: The mean proportion of bone ingrowth was 52.9 21.9%(2~90%) and less than 30% in three cups(8.3%). The pattern and the location of bone ingrowth were not consistent. There was no correlation between the extent of bone ingrowth and age, gender, weight, height, the duration of fixation, cup size, number of screws, size, inclination and anteversion. Conclusion: Harris-Galante porous-coated acetabular cups showed satisfactory bone ingrowth regardless of the variables associated with the demographic or surgical conditions. Surface treatments with a fiber-metal porouscoating appears to be suitable for cementless acetabular cups in terms of the long term results.