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Background/Aims@#The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has increased rapidly as a consequence of more sedentary lifestyles and a Westernized diet. Fracture is a major clinical problem in older people, but few large-scale cohort studies have evaluated the relationship between NAFLD and fracture. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether the fatty liver index (FLI), which represents the severity of NAFLD, can predict fracture risk. @*Methods@#We analyzed the relationship between the FLI and incident fracture using multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and data for 180,519 individuals who underwent National Health check-ups in the Republic of Korea between 2009 and 2014. @*Results@#A total of 2,720 participants (1.5%) were newly diagnosed with fracture during the study period (median 4.6 years). The participants were grouped according to FLI quartiles (Q1, 0 to <5.653; Q2, 5.653 to <15.245; Q3, 15.245 to <37.199; and Q4 ≥37.199). The cumulative fracture incidence was significantly higher in the highest FLI group than in the lowest FLI group (Q4, 986 [2.2%] and Q1, 323 [0.7%]; p<0.001). The adjusted hazard ratio indicated that the highest FLI group was independently associated with a higher incidence of fracture (hazard ratio for Q4 vs Q1, 2.956; 95% confidence interval, 2.606 to 3.351; p<0.001). FLI was significantly associated with a higher incidence of fracture, independent of the baseline characteristics of the participants. @*Conclusions@#Our data imply that the higher the FLI of a Korean patient is, the higher their risk of osteoporotic fracture, independent of key confounding factors.
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The aim of this study was to develop evidence-based recommendations for determining the surgical extent in patients with locally invasive differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Locally invasive DTC with gross extrathyroidal extension invading surrounding anatomical structures may lead to several functional deficits and poor oncological outcomes. At present, the optimal extent of surgery in locally invasive DTC remains a matter of debate, and there are no adequate guidelines. On October 8, 2021, four experts searched the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases; the identified papers were reviewed by 39 experts in thyroid and head and neck surgery. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to assess the quality of evidence, and to develop and report recommendations. The strength of a recommendation reflects the confidence of a guideline panel that the desirable effects of an intervention outweigh any undesirable effects, across all patients for whom the recommendation is applicable. After completing the draft guidelines, Delphi questionnaires were completed by members of the Korean Society of Head and Neck Surgery. Twenty-seven evidence-based recommendations were made for several factors, including the preoperative workup; surgical extent of thyroidectomy; surgery for cancer invading the strap muscles, recurrent laryngeal nerve, laryngeal framework, trachea, or esophagus; and surgery for patients with central and lateral cervical lymph node involvement. Evidence-based guidelines were devised to help clinicians make safer and more efficient clinical decisions for the optimal surgical treatment of patients with locally invasive DTC.
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Objective:To explore the effect of repeated high-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on the severity and symptoms of Internet addiction.Methods:Fifty college students with different degrees of Internet addiction were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, each of 25. In addition to psycho-behavioral therapy, the treatment group was given 10Hz rTMS over the left DLPFC for 40 days, while the control group was given sham stimulation. Before the experiment and after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment, both groups were evaluated using the Internet Addiction Diagnostic Scale (IAT), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) and a visual analogue scale (VAS).Results:After 4 weeks the average total BIS-11 score, attention factor score and VAS score of the treatment group were significantly better than the control group′s averages and better than before the treatment. After 8 weeks of treatment, the average IAT scores, BIS-11 scores on each item and VAS scores of the treatment group had decreased significantly more and were still significantly better than the control group′s averages.Conclusion:High frequency rTMS can safely and effectively relieve the symptoms of Internet addiction, at least among college students.
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Objective:To explore any effect of working memory training on executive functioning and ability in the activities of daily living after a stroke.Methods:Forty-six stroke survivors were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group, each of 23. Both groups received conventional cognitive rehabilitation (including computer-assisted cognition training and virtual reality training using upper limb rehabilitation robots), while the experimental group also received working memory training. Before, as well as after 4 and 8 weeks of the treatment, both groups′ executive functioning was evaluated using the Trail Making test, the Frontal Assessment Battery and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test-64. Ability in the activities of daily living was quantified using the functional independence measures (FIMs).Results:There were no significant differences between the two groups in any of the measurements before the training. After 4 weeks the average scores of the experimental group on all four instruments were significantly higher than the control group′s averages. After 8 weeks the average scores had improved significantly more. The treatment group performed significantly better than the control group throughout.Conclusions:Working memory training can improve executive functioning and the daily life of stroke survivors.
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Objective@#This study aimed to investigate the impact of baseline values and temporal changes in body composition parameters, including skeletal muscle index (SMI) and visceral adipose tissue area (VAT), measured using serial computed tomography (CT) imaging on the prognosis of operable breast cancers in Asian patients. @*Materials and Methods@#This study retrospectively included 627 Asian female (mean age ± standard deviation [SD], 53.6 ± 8.3 years) who underwent surgery for stage I–III breast cancer between January 2011 and September 2012. Body composition parameters, including SMI and VAT, were semi-automatically calculated on baseline abdominal CT at the time of diagnosis and follow-up CT for post-treatment surveillance. Serial changes in SMI and VAT were calculated as the delta values. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the association of baseline and delta SMI and VAT values with disease-free survival. @*Results@#Among 627 patients, 56 patients (9.2%) had breast cancer recurrence after a median of 40.5 months. The mean value ± SD of the baseline SMI and baseline VAT were 43.7 ± 5.8 cm2 /m2 and 72.0 ± 46.0 cm2 , respectively. The mean value of the delta SMI was -0.9 cm2 /m2 and the delta VAT was 0.5 cm2 . The baseline SMI and VAT were not significantly associated with disease-free survival (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.983; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.937–1.031; p = 0.475 and adjusted HR, 1.001; 95% CI, 0.995–1.006; p = 0.751, respectively). The delta SMI and VAT were also not significantly associated with disease-free survival (adjusted HR, 0.894; 95% CI, 0.766–1.043; p = 0.155 and adjusted HR, 1.001; 95% CI, 0.989–1.014; p = 0.848, respectively). @*Conclusion@#Our study revealed that baseline and early temporal changes in SMI and VAT were not independent prognostic factors regarding disease-free survival in Asian patients undergoing surgery for breast cancer.
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Objective:To study the efficacy and safety of less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) combined with bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) ventilation in premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).Methods:Premature infants with RDS at gestational age of 26~32 weeks in the NICU of our hospital from January 2020 to October 2021 were enrolled in this randomized controlled trial. They were randomly assigned to the LISA+BiPAP group or the intubation-surfactant-extubation (INSURE) + nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) group, and given the corresponding treatment according to the group. The blood gas analysis at 1 h and 6 h after intratracheal instillation of pulmonary surfactant (PS), medication, noninvasive respiratory support time, total oxygen use time, weaning failure rate and endotracheal intubation rate within 72 h after PS administration were compared between the two groups, as well as the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).Results:A total of 86 preterm infants with RDS were enrolled in the study, including 44 in the LISA+BiPAP group and 42 in the INSURE+NCPAP group. Arterial partial pressure of oxygen in the LISA+BiPAP group at 1 h and 6 h after intratracheal instillation of PS were higher than those in the INSURE+NCPAP group, while PaCO 2 and oxygenation index (OI) were lower than those in the INSURE+NCPAP group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The duration of noninvasive respiratory support time [(12.2±8.7) d vs. (16.0 ±7.6) d], total oxygen use time [(16.6 ±8.3) d vs. (20.3±7.4) d], length of hospitalization[(22.6±10.3) d vs. (27.1±12.6) d], weaning failure rate [(11.4% (5/44) vs. 31.0% (13/42)], endotracheal intubation rate within 72 h after PS administration [11.4% (5/44) vs. 28.6% (12/42)], and re-administration of PS [18.2% (8/44) vs. 38.1% (16/42)] in the LISA+BiPAP group were lower than those in the INSURE+NCPAP group, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The time needed for intubation and the incidence of regurgitation in the LISA+BiPAP group were lower than those in the INSURE+NCPAP group, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The incidence of BPD in the LISA+BiPAP group was lower than those in the INSURE+NCPAP group [11.4% (5/44) vs. 31.0% (13/42)] ( P<0.05), the difference was also statistically significant ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of other complications between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:LISA combined with BiPAP can effectively improve oxygenation, reduce the mechanical ventilation rate, shorten the duration of non-invasive respiratory support, and reduce the incidence of BPD in the treatment of premature infants with RDS at the gestational age of 26~32 weeks.
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Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) combined with caffeine citrate in the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in preterm infants receiving continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) ventilation.Methods:From August 2019 to April 2021, a total of 112 preterm infants with RDS (26 weeks≤gestational age ≤32 weeks) who were hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Xuzhou Central Hospital, were chosen as research subjects. The patients were randomly divided into the LISA combined treatment group ( n=58) and the INSURE group ( n=54). In the LISA combined treatment group, a LISA tube was inserted through the vocal cords under direct vision with a direct laryngoscope and then infused with pulmonary surfactant (PS) into the lung when NCPAP ventilation was applied, and caffeine citrate was given intravenously. In the INSURE group, the patients were endotracheally intubated and infused with PS into the lung through an endotracheal tube, and then extubated and put on NCPAP again. The following indicators were examined: the general clinical data, results of blood gas analysis at 1 h and 6 h after infusion of PS into the lung, clinical efficacy and related complications. Results:①No significant differences were found between the two groups in the general clinical data (all P>0.05).Intra-group comparison within LISA combined treatment group or INSURE group showed that partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO 2), partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO 2) of blood gas analysis and PaO 2/fraction of inspired oxygen (P/F) at 1 h and 6 h after infused PS into the lung were all improved compared to those of before treatment, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The PaO 2 and P/F in the LISA combined treatment group at 1 h and 6 h after breath support therapy were higher than those in the INSURE group, while PaCO 2 was lower than that in the INSURE group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The duration of noninvasive ventilation, total oxygen inhalation, re-administration of PS, failure rate of machine withdrawal, the rate of tracheal intubation within 72 h and the times of apnea in the LISA combined treatment group were significantly shorter, or lower, or less than those in the INSURE group [3.0 (1.0, 18.0) d vs. 7.5 (2.0, 22.0) d, 5.5 (3.0, 21.0) d vs. 10.5 (4.0, 28.0) d, 9 (15.5%) vs. 17 (31.5%), 6 (10.3%) vs. 14 (25.9%), 5 (8.6%) vs. 12 (22.2%), 5.0 (3.0, 21.0) times vs. 15.0 (4.0, 28.0) times], and the differences were all statistically significant (all P<0.05). The incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in the LISA combined treatment group was less than that in the INSURE group [(5 (8.6%) vs. 13 (24.1%)], and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in other complications( P>0.05). Conclusions:Compared with INSURE, the LISA technique combined with caffeine citrate can effectively improve oxygenation, reduce the mechanical ventilation rate, shorten the duration of noninvasive mechanical ventilation, and reduce the incidence of BPD in the treatment of premature infants with RDS at the gestational age of 26-32 weeks.
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Objective:To study the influences of different levels of hyperbilirubinemia on the myocardium of newborn rats.Methods:Ninety-six 7-day-old newborn SD rats were selected and randomly assigned into control group (n=32, intraperitoneal injection of normal saline 0.5 ml), test group 1 (n=32, intraperitoneal injection of bilirubin solution 100 mg/kg) and test group 2 (n=32, intraperitoneal injection of bilirubin solution 200 mg/kg). Four time points were set at 0 h, 8 h, 24 h and 48 h. The general conditions of 8 rats from every group at each time point were recorded. The total serum bilirubin (TSB), cardiac troponin I (cTnI),heart fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) were examined. The heart was removed and the pathological changes of the myocardium were observed under microscope. The caspase-3, B-cell lymphoma-2 protein (bcl-2) and bcl-2-associated X protein (bax) were tested. Using SPSS 20.0 statistical software, two-way ANOVA analysis of variance was conducted.Results:The TSB in test group 1 and 2 at 8~48 h were 2.5~4.4 times and 3.5~7.4 times higher than at 0 h [(20.8±3.0~36.5±10.4) μmol/L and (31.9±12.3~67.4±19.0) μmol/L vs. (8.4±2.1) μmol/L and (9.1±2.9) μmol/L]. No significant changes existed in cardiac histopathology at each time point among the three groups. At 48 h, as TSB level increased, the expression of apoptosis-related proteins caspase-3 and bax increased and the expression of bcl-2 decreased. Significant differences existed in the protein levels between any two groups (all P<0.05), except that bcl-2 in test group 1 was similar to control group ( P=0.255). With the prolonged duration of hyperbilirubinemia in test group 2, the expression of caspase-3 and bax increased, while the expression of bcl-2 decreased. Statistically significant differences existed in the protein levels between any two time points (all P<0.05), except that bax in 8 h subgroup was similar to 12 h subgroup ( P=0.820), and bcl-2 in 8 h subgroup was similar to 0 h subgroup ( P=0.064). The cTnI at 8 h, 24 h and 48 h in test group 1 and 2 were all significantly higher than the control group (all P<0.05),however, no significant differences existed between test group 1 and 2 (all P>0.05). H-FABP and BNP showed no significant differences among the three groups at any time point (all P>0.05). Conclusions:Hyperbilirubinemia can induce apoptosis of myocardial cells in newborn rats in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Hyperbilirubinemia shows no significant effects on cardiac tissue pathology. Hyperbilirubinemia may cause mild injury to myocardium of newborn rats. The injury shows no correlation with TSB level and BNP level was not influenced.
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ObjectiveTo observe the effect of aerobic exercise on core symptoms and executive function in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). MethodsFrom June, 2020 to December, 2021, 64 children with ADHD at outpatient in Dushu Lake Hospital were randomly divided into control group (n = 32) and observation group (n = 32). The control group sat down and watched the cartoon for 20 minutes, and the observation group performed cycling exercise while watching the cartoon, for twelve weeks. The core symptoms were assessed with Conners Parent Symptom Questionnaire (PSQ), while the inhibition, conversion and refresh functions were assessed with the psychological test software E-Prime 2.0 system. ResultsAfter twelve weeks of treatment, the PSQ factor scores decreased in the observation group (t > 4.775, P < 0.001), and were lower than that of the the control group (t > 3.184, P < 0.001). The response time and accuracy of inhibition, conversion, and refresh functions decreased in the observation group (t > 2.259, P < 0.05), and were lower than that of the control group (t > 2.007, P < 0.05). ConclusionAerobic exercise could reduce the core symptoms of poor attention and hyperactivity impulsivity, and improve the executive functioning in children with ADHD.
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Background@#The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiologic outcomes of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) using a small glenoid baseplate in patients with a small glenoid and to analyze the contributing factors to scapular notching. @*Methods@#A total of 71 RTSAs performed using a 25-mm baseplate were evaluated at a mean of 37.0 ± 3.3 months. Shoulder function was evaluated using American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) for satisfaction, and active range of motion. Scapular neck angle (SNA), prosthesis-scapular neck angle (PSNA), peg glenoid rim distance (PGRD), and sphere bone overhang distance (SBOD) were measured to assess the effects on scapular notching. @*Results@#Shoulder function (ASES: 39.4 ± 13.8 preoperative vs. 76.2 ± 9.5 at last follow-up, p< 0.001), VAS for pain (6.1 ± 1.8 vs. 1.7 ± 1.4, p < 0.001), SANE for satisfaction (7.0 ± 11.8 vs. 83.4 ± 15.3, p < 0.001), and active forward flexion (115.6° ± 40.1° vs. 141.6° ± 17.2°, p< 0.001) were significantly improved. The mean diameter of the inferior glenoid circle was 26.0 ± 3.0 mm and the mean glenoid vault depth was 24.0 ± 4.5 mm. Scapular notching was found in 13 patients (18.3%) and acromial fracture in 2 patients (2.8%). There were no significant differences in preoperative SNA and PSNA at postoperative 3 years between patients with and without scapular notching (101.6° ± 10.5° and 110.8° ± 14.9° vs. 97.3° ± 13.3° and 104.9° ± 12.4°; p = 0.274 and p= 0.142, respectively). PGRD and SBOD were significantly different between patients with scapular notching and without scapular notching (24.8 ± 1.6 mm and 2.6 ± 0.5 mm vs. 21.9 ± 1.9 mm and 5.8 ± 1.9 mm; p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). @*Conclusions@#RTSA using a 25-mm baseplate in a Korean population who had relatively small glenoids demonstrated low complication rates and significantly improved clinical outcomes. Scapular notching can be prevented by proper positioning of the baseplate and glenosphere overhang using size-matched glenoid baseplates.
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Background@#Microcirculatory disturbances are typically most severe during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), which occurs during cardiac surgeries. If microvascular reactivity compensates for microcirculatory disturbances during CPB, tissue hypoxemia can be minimized. The primary aim of this study was to assess whether microvascular reactivity during CPB could predict major adverse events (MAE) after cardiac surgery. @*Methods@#This prospective observational study included 115 patients who underwent elective on-pump cardiac surgeries. A vascular occlusion test (VOT) with near-infrared spectroscopy was performed five times for each patient: before the induction of general anesthesia, 30 min after the induction of general anesthesia, 30 min after applying CPB, 10 min after protamine injection, and post-sternal closure. The postoperative MAE was recorded. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve analysis was performed for the prediction of MAE using the recovery slope. @*Results@#Of the 109 patients, MAE occurred in 32 (29.4%). The AUROC curve for the recovery slope during CPB was 0.701 (P < 0.001; 95% CI [0.606, 0.785]). If the recovery slope during CPB was < 1.08%/s, MAE were predicted with a sensitivity of 62.5% and specificity of 72.7%. @*Conclusions@#Our study demonstrated that the recovery slope of the VOT during CPB could predict MAE after cardiac surgery. These results support the idea that disturbances in microcirculation induced by CPB can predict the development of poor clinical outcomes, thereby demonstrating the potential role of microvascular reactivity as an early predictor of MAE after cardiac surgery.
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Background@#Neurokinin-1 (NK1) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) play a vital role in pain pathogenesis, and these proteins’ antagonists have attracted attention as promising pharmaceutical candidates. The authors investigated the antinociceptive effect of co-administration of the CGRP antagonist and an NK1 antagonist on pain models compared to conventional single regimens. @*Methods@#C57Bl/6J mice underwent sciatic nerve ligation for the neuropathic pain model and were injected with 4% formalin into the hind paw for the inflammatory pain model. Each model was divided into four groups: vehicle, NK1 antagonist, CGRP antagonist, and combination treatment groups. The NK1 antagonist aprepitant (BIBN4096, 1 mg/kg) or the CGRP antagonist olcegepant (MK-0869, 10 mg/ kg) was injected intraperitoneally. Mechanical allodynia, thermal hypersensitivity, and anxiety-related behaviors were assessed using the von Frey, hot plate, and elevated plus-maze tests. The flinching and licking responses were also evaluated after formalin injection. @*Results@#Co-administration of aprepitant and olcegepant more significantly alleviated pain behaviors than administration of single agents or vehicle, increasing the mechanical threshold and improving the response latency. Anxiety-related behaviors were also markedly improved after dual treatment compared with either naive mice or the neuropathic pain model in the dual treatment group. Flinching frequency and licking response after formalin injection decreased significantly in the dual treatment group. Isobolographic analysis showed a meaningful additive effect between the two compounds. @*Conclusions@#A combination pharmacological therapy comprised of multiple neuropeptide antagonists could be a more effective therapeutic strategy for alleviating neuropathic or inflammatory pain.
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Background@#This study assessed the effect of a single bolus administration of lidocaine on the prevention of tourniquet-induced hypertension (TIH) and compared the effect of lidocaine to that of ketamine in patients undergoing general anesthesia. @*Methods@#This randomized, controlled, double-blind study included 75 patients who underwent lower limb surgery using a tourniquet. The patients were administered lidocaine (1.5 mg/kg, n = 25), ketamine (0.2 mg/kg, n = 25) or placebo (n = 25). The study drugs were administered intravenously 10 min before tourniquet inflation. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR) were measured before tourniquet inflation, after tourniquet inflation for 60 min at 10 min intervals, and immediately after tourniquet deflation. The incidence of TIH, defined as an increase of 30% or more in SBP or DBP during tourniquet inflation, was also recorded. @*Results@#SBP, DBP, and HR increased significantly over time in the control group compared to those in the lidocaine and ketamine groups for 60 min after tourniquet inflation (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P = 0.007, respectively). The incidence of TIH was significantly lower in the lidocaine (n = 4, 16%) and ketamine (n = 3, 12%) group than in the control group (n = 14, 56%) (P = 0.001). @*Conclusion@#Single-bolus lidocaine effectively attenuated blood pressure increase due to tourniquet inflation, with an effect comparable to that of bolus ketamine.
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Background and Objectives@#Polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) plate has been recognized for its biocompatibility and biomechanical properties and used widely in various clinical fields. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness and reliability of PLGA plate as a graft material in septorhinoplasty.Subjects and Method Medical records were retrospectively analyzed for patients who underwent septorhinoplasty including extracorporeal septoplasty from January 2017 to June 2020. We evaluated demographics, diagnosis, operation techniques, and complications of PLGA plate as a graft material used in these patients. @*Results@#A total of 33 patients were enrolled in this study. Twenty-eight were male and 5 were female. The median age was 32 years old. The follow-up period after surgery was 6-32 months, and the mean follow-up period was 18.03 months. The PLGA plate was used in unilateral spreader graft (n=17), bilateral spreader graft (n=10), batten graft (n=3), strengthening of septal extension graft (n=2) and columellar strut graft (n=3), and fixing L-strut during extracorporeal septoplasty (n=12). During the follow-up period, no patient experienced extrusion or exposure of the grafts. Mild complications, such as redness of the columella skin, granulation in the marginal incision site, and pain on the nasal dorsum were observed in three patients; these complications were temporary and patients improved with conservative treatments. @*Conclusion@#The PLGA plate may be a useful graft material in correcting deviated nose especially when the harvested septal cartilage is insufficient and if used carefully in limited locations such as L-strut and columella.
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BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES@#Obesity is associated with the impaired regulation of T cells characterized by increased numbers of Th1 and Th17 cells and the dysregulation of vitamin D metabolism. Both obesity and vitamin D have been reported to affect autophagy; however, a limited number of studies have investigated the effects of vitamin D on T cell autophagy in obese mice. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether in vitro treatment with vitamin D affects the proliferation, function, and autophagy of T cells from obese and control mice.MATERIALS/METHODS: Five-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were fed control or high-fat diets (10% or 45% kcal fat: CON or HFDs, respectively) for 12 weeks. Purified T cells were stimulated with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 monoclonal antibodies and cultured with either 10 nM 1,25(OH)2D3 or 0.1% ethanol (vehicle control). The proliferative response; expression of CD25, Foxp3, RORγt, and autophagy-related proteins (LC3A/B, SQSTM1/P62, BECLIN-1, ATG12); and the production of interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-17A, and IL-10 by T cells were measured. @*RESULTS@#Compared with the CON group, T cell proliferation tended to be lower, and the production of IFN-γ was higher in the HFD group. IL-17A production was reduced by 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment in both groups. The LC3 II/I ratio was higher in the HFD group than the CON group, but P62 did not differ. We observed no effect of vitamin D treatment on T cell autophagy. @*CONCLUSIONS@#Our findings suggest that diet-induced obesity may impair the function and inhibit autophagy of T cells, possibly leading to the dysregulation of T cell homeostasis, which may be behind the aggravation of inflammation commonly observed in obesity.
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Purpose@#This retrospective study was aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes in patients with osteonecrosis of the jaw who were receiving oral versus intravenous (IV) bisphosphonate (BP). @*Materials and methods@#This retrospective study enrolled subjects who had been diagnosed with medicationrelated osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) during the period from July 2010 to June 2014. Information regarding the following demographic and clinical characteristics was collected: demographic data, administration route and type of BP, duration of BP medication, primary disease, number of involved sites, location of the lesion, number of surgeries, outcome of treatments, and laboratory test. All the patients were divided into oral and IV BP groups; and the between-group differences were compared. @*Results@#Total 278 patients were divided into two groups as per the route of BP administration. The proportion of oral BP-related MRONJ group were more dominant over IV BP group (oral BP, n = 251; IV BP, n = 27). In the IV BP group, the average dosing duration (31.4 months) was significantly shorter than that in the oral BP group (53.1 months) (P < 0.001). The average number of involved sites in the oral BP group (1.21 ± 0.48) was smaller than that in the IV BP group (1.63 ± 0.84) (P < 0.001). The average number of surgeries was higher in the IV BP group (1.65 ± 0.95) as compared to that in the oral BP group (0.98 ± 0.73) (P < 0.001). Outcome after the surgery for MRONJ after IV BP was poor than oral BP group. @*Conclusion@#IV administration of BP causes greater inhibition of bone remodeling and could lead more severe inflammation. Therefore, even if the duration of IV administration of BP is shorter than that of oral BP, the extent of the lesion could be more extensive. Therefore, the result suggests that the MRONJ after IV BP for cancer patients needs to be considered as different characteristics to oral BP group for osteoporosis patents.
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We aimed to assess the effect of plate hook bending in treatment of acromioclavicular (AC) dislocation by analyzing clinical and radiological results according to the angle of the plate hook (APH). Methods: This was a retrospective, observational, case-control study including 76 patients with acute AC joint dislocation that were divided into two groups according to treatment with bent or unbent plate hook. The visual analog scale (VAS), the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) shoulder score, and range of motion (ROM) were evaluated as clinical outcomes. Comparative coracoclavicular distance (CCD) was measured to evaluate radiological outcomes. Results: While the VAS and ASES of the bending group at 4 months after surgery were significantly higher (p=0.021 and p=0.019), the VAS and ASES of the bending group at other periods and ROM of the bending group showed no significant difference. The initial CCD decreased from 183.2%±25.4% to 114.3%±18.9% at the final follow-up in the bending group and decreased from 188.2%±34.4% to 119.1%±16.7% in the non-bending group, with no statistical difference (p=0.613). The changes between the initial and post-metal removal CCD were 60.2%±11.2% and 57.3%±10.4%, respectively, with no statistical difference (p=0.241). The non-bending group showed greater subacromial osteolysis (odds ratio, 3.87). Pearson’s coefficients for the correlation between APH and VAS at 4 months after surgery and for that between APH and ASES at 4 months after surgery were 0.74 and –0.63 (p=0.027 and p=0.032), respectively. Conclusions: The APH was associated with improved postoperative pain and clinical outcomes before implant removal and with reduced complications; therefore, plate hook bending is more useful clinically during plate implantation.
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Purpose@#This study examined whether mirror therapy could improve the balance, gait, and motor function of patients with subacute stroke. @*Methods@#Thirty-three patients with subacute stroke were divided randomly into three groups: experimental group1, experimental group2, and the control group. The patients in experimental group1 performed a mirror therapy program on the unaffected side of the lower extremities, and the patients in experimental group2 performed mirror therapy on the affected side of the lower extremities. Both groups performed the exercise for 30 minutes per session, five times a week for four weeks. The control group did not receive mirror therapy. BBS, POMA, 10MWT, and the BRS were used to evaluate the balance, the quality of gait, gait speed, and the motor function before and after the intervention. @*Results@#The gait speed increased significantly in the experimental groups1 and 2 after the intervention. The control group showed no significant difference in the gait speed after the intervention. The change in gait speed before and after the intervention showed a significant difference among the groups. Experimental group1 showed a significant increase in the gait speed compared to that of the control group. @*Conclusion@#This study suggests that mirror therapy could be an effective intervention to improve the gait speed of patients with subacute stroke. On the other hand, there was no difference in the effectiveness of mirror therapy and therapeutic exercise on the balance, gait, and motor function.
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Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to analyze research trends and find whether Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) of refugees could affect structural or functional changes of brains of those under MRI, focusing on volumes, functional connectivities, and metabolites. @*Methods@#A literature search was done using PubMed, Embase, RISS, and KMBase to identify studies that matched our research purpose. A total of eight studies were identified using Prisma flow diagram by two reviewers independently. @*Results@#Eight studies were identified. Three studies were on North Korean defectors as subjects. The number of studies that observed structural changes, functional changes, and metabolite changes in brains was 2, 5, and 2, respectively. Although each study observed various parts of the brain, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) was observed commonly in three studies. The PTSD group showed reduction of ACC volume and N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA) metabolite in ACC compared to the non- PTSD group. When exposed to negative stimuli, the PTSD group showed higher neural activity than the non-PTSD group, but not vice versa. @*Conclusion@#ACC showed significant difference in volume, neural activity, and NAA metabolite between the PTSD and the non-PTSD group, resulting in significant differences in structural changes, functional changes, metabolite changes, respectively. This study showed the need for conducting more research using various biomarkers to clarify the relationship between PTSD of refugees and their brain changes.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES@#This work aimed to evaluate the ability of two kinds of antioxidants, namely, grape-seed extract and sodium ascorbate, in restoring bond strength at the resin-enamel interface after bleaching.@*METHODS@#Ten groups of samples with 15 teeth per group were prepared for shear-bond-strength test at the resin-enamel interface after bleaching. The groups were as follows: control; no antioxidant; 2.5%, 5%, 10%, or 15% grape-seed extract; and 2.5%, 5%, 10%, or 15% sodium ascorbate. The peak values of shear bond strength when resin was debonded from teeth and the failure modes under a microscope were recorded. Ten other groups of teeth with two teeth per group were prepared and treated in a similar approach before resin bonding. The samples were cut vertically to the bonding interface. The structures of the bonding interface were compared by scanning electron microscopy.@*RESULTS@#No statistically significant difference in shear bond strength was found among the no-antioxidant, 2.5% grape-seed extract, and 2.5%, 5%, or 10% sodium ascorbate groups (@*CONCLUSIONS@#Immediately after bleaching, the bond strength of dental enamel significantly decreased. Bond strength can be restored by 5% grape-seed extract or 15% sodium ascorbate in 5 min.