Fabrication of 3D-Printed Implant for Two-Stage Ear Reconstruction Surgery and Its Clinical Application

Purpose@#Ear reconstruction is one of the most difficult areas in the field of reconstructive surgery. Due to limitations of the current practice, a novel method of auricular reconstruction is needed. Major advancements in three-dimensional (3D) printing technique have rendered the process of ear reconstruction more favorable. Herein, we present our experience in designing and clinically using 3D implants in both 1st and 2nd stage ear reconstruction surgery. @*Materials and Methods@#After obtaining 3D CT data from each patient, a 3D geometric ear model was created using mirroring and segmentation processes. The 3D-printed implant design resembles but does not exactly match the normal ear shape, and can be inserted in harmony with the currently used surgical technique. The 2nd stage implant was designed to minimize dead space and support the posterior ear helix. The 3D implants were finally fabricated with a 3D printing system and used in ear reconstruction surgery in our institute. @*Results@#The 3D implants were manufactured for application to the currently used two-stage technique while maintaining the shape of the patient’s normal ear. The implants were successfully used for ear reconstruction surgery in microtia patients. A few months later, the 2nd stage implant was used in the 2nd stage operation. @*Conclusion@#The authors were able to design, fabricate, and apply patient-specific 3D-printed ear implants for 1st and 2nd stage ear reconstruction surgeries. This design, combined with 3D bioprinting technique, may be a future alternative for ear reconstruction.

Neovascular Glaucoma Associated with Chronic Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

Purpose@#To demonstrate the clinical features and natural course of chronic retinal detachment-associated neovascular glaucoma. @*Methods@#Ten patients, diagnosed with chronic retinal detachment-associated neovascular glaucoma during 2007-2016 were retrospectively investigated. Besides chronic retinal detachment, no patients had any neovascular glaucoma-predisposing conditions, such as carotid artery disease. Retinal perfusion status was evaluated from the fundus fluorescein angiography images. @*Results@#The mean age of patients was 57.5 years (range, 22-78 years). Complete retinal reattachment was achieved in three eyes, while partial or total chronic retinal detachment persisted in seven eyes. Wide-angle fundus fluorescein angiography revealed peripheral retinal capillary obstruction and severe nonperfusion. Neovascular glaucoma developed 213.4 months (range, 17-634 months) after retinal detachment. Three eyes received Ahmed valve implantation, while five eyes received intravitreal bevacizumab injection. Intraocular pressure was controlled in 10 eyes. Two eyes developed phthisis bulbi during follow-up. @*Conclusions@#In eyes with a chronic retinal detachment history, iris neovascularization and neovascular glaucoma can develop due to retinal capillary obstruction and chronic retinal ischemia, even after achieving retinal reattachment. We suggest regular follow-up examinations for patients with chronic retinal detachment, particularly for eyes with retinal nonperfusion, as detected on fundus fluorescein angiography.

Assessment of acute inhalation toxicity of citric acid and sodium hypochlorite in rats

Background@#Citric acid (CA) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) have been used to disinfect animals to protect them against avian influenza and foot-and-mouth disease. @*Objectives@#We performed a good laboratory practice (GLP)-compliant animal toxicity study to assess the acute toxic effects of CA and NaOCl aerosol exposure in Sprague-Dawley rats. @*Methods@#Groups of five rats per sex were exposed for 4 h to four concentrations of the two chemicals, i.e., 0.00, 0.22, 0.67, and 2.00 mg/L, using a nose-only exposure. After a single exposure to the chemicals, clinical signs, body weight, and mortality was observed during the observation period. On day 15, an autopsy, and then gross findings, and histopathological analysis were performed. @*Results@#After exposure to CA and NaOCl, body weight loss was observed but recovered.Two males died in the CA 2.00 mg/L group and, two males and one female died in the 2.00 mg/L NaOCl group. In the gross findings and histopathological analysis, discoloration of the lungs was observed in the CA exposed group and inflammatory lesions with discoloration of the lungs were observed in the NaOCl exposed group. These results suggest that the lethal concentration 50 (LC50) of CA is 1.73390 mg/L for males and > 1.70 mg/L for females. For NaOCl, the LC50 was 2.22222 mg/L for males and 2.39456 mg/L for females. @*Conclusions@#The Globally Harmonized System is category 4 for both CA and NaOCl. In this study, the LC50 results were obtained through a GLP-based acute inhalation toxicity assessment. These results provide useful data to reset safety standards for CA and NaOCl use.

Survey-Based Analysis of the Clinical Treatment Status of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Korea

Background@#The quality-of-life of patients with irritable bowel syndrome is low; incorrect diagnosis/treatment causes economic burden and inappropriate consumption of medical resources. This survey-based study aimed to analyze the current status of irritable bowel syndrome treatment to examine differences in doctors’ perceptions of the disease, and treatment patterns. @*Methods@#From October 2019 to February 2020, the irritable bowel syndrome and Intestinal Function Research Study Group of the Korean Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility conducted a survey on doctors working in primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare institutions. The questionnaire included 37 items and was completed anonymously using the NAVER platform (a web-based platform), e-mails, and written forms. @*Results@#A total of 272 doctors responded; respondents reported using the Rome IV diagnostic criteria (amended in 2016) for diagnosing and treating irritable bowel syndrome.Several differences were noted between the primary, secondary, and tertiary physicians’ groups. The rate of colonoscopy was high in tertiary healthcare institutions. During a colonoscopy, the necessity of random biopsy was higher among physicians who worked at tertiary institutions. ‘The patient did not adhere to the diet’ as a reason for ineffectiveness using low-fermentable oligo-, di-, and mono-saccharides, and polyols diet treatment was higher among physicians in primary/secondary institutions, and ‘There are individual differences in terms of effectiveness’ was higher among physicians in tertiary institutions. In irritable bowel syndrome constipation predominant subtype, the use of serotonin type 3 receptor antagonist (ramosetron) and probiotics was higher in primary/secondary institutions, while serotonin type 4 receptor agonist was used more in tertiary institutions. In irritable bowel syndrome diarrhea predominant subtype, the use of antispasmodics was higher in primary/secondary institutions, while the use of serotonin type 3 receptor antagonist (ramosetron) was higher in tertiary institutions. @*Conclusion@#Notable differences were observed between physicians in primary/secondary and tertiary institiutions regarding the rate of colonoscopy, necessity of random biopsy, the reason for the ineffectiveness of low-fermentable oligo-, di-, and mono-saccharides, and polyols diet, and use of drug therapy in irritable bowel syndrome. In South Korea, irritable bowel syndrome is diagnosed and treated according to the Rome IV diagnostic criteria, revised in 2016.

Dysphagia Requiring Medical Attention in Parkinson’s Disease:A Korean Population-Based Study

Background@#Patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) experience both motor and non-motor symptoms, including dysphagia. Although PD is closely associated with dysphagia, the prevalence or risk of dysphagia in PD is unclear, especially in Asian countries. @*Methods@#The prevalence of PD and dysphagia with PD in the general population was analyzed using the Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database. The prevalence per 100,000 persons of PD and dysphagia with PD from 2006 to 2015 was analyzed in the general population aged ≥ 40 years. Patients newly diagnosed with PD between 2010 and 2015 were compared with those without PD. @*Results@#The prevalence of PD and dysphagia in patients with PD increased continuously during the study period and was highest in the ninth decade of life. The percentage of patients with dysphagia in patients with PD increased with age. Patients with PD showed an adjusted hazard ratio of 3.132 (2.955–3.320) for dysphagia compared to those without PD. @*Conclusion@#This nationwide study showed increasing trends in the prevalence of PD and dysphagia among patients with PD in Korea between 2006 and 2015. The risk of dysphagia was three times higher in patients with PD than that in those without PD, highlighting the importance of providing particular attention.

Temporary Surgical Management of Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Premature Infants

Post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) in preterm infant is common, life-threatening and the main cause of bad developmental outcomes. Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt is used as the ultimate treatment for PHH. Low birth weight and low gestational age are the combination of worse prognostic factors while the single most important prognostic factor of VP shunting is age. Aggressive and early intervention have better effect in intraventricular hemorrhage and intracranial pressures control. It reduces infection rate and brain damage resulted in delayed shunt insertion. It is extremely important to let PHH infants get older and gain weight to have internal organs to be matured before undergoing VP shunt. As premature infants undergo shunt after further growth, shunt-related complications would be reduced. So temporary surgical intervention is critical for PHH infants to have them enough time until permanently shunted.

Incidence and Risk Factors of Short Axial Length of the Proximal Femur: A Caution in the Use of Femoral Neck System in Patients with Garden Type I/II Femoral Neck Fractures

Background@#In 2018, Femoral Neck System (FNS), a dedicated fixator for femoral neck fractures, was introduced. This device has been in increasing use because it provides excellent rotational and angular stability. However, the shortest bolt of FNS is 75 mm long. Thus, it is not usable when the axial length of the proximal femur (ALPF), the distance between the innominate tubercle and the surface of the femoral head, is less than 80 mm. In this study, we investigated the incidence and associated factors of small ALPF (< 80 mm) in femoral neck fracture patients. @*Methods@#We measured the ALPF on preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans of 261 patients (166 women and 55 men), who were operated due to nondisplaced or impacted femoral neck fractures. The ALPF was measured on reconstructed oblique coronal images along the femoral neck. We evaluated the distribution of ALPF, calculated the incidence of small ALPF (< 80 mm), and correlated it with patient’s height, weight, body mass index, age, bone mineral density (T-score), and caput-column-diaphysis angle. @*Results@#The ALPF ranged from 67.4 mm to 107.1 mm (mean, 88.4 mm; standard deviation, 7.2 mm). In 19 patients (8.6%, 19 / 221), the length was < 80 mm. The ALPF was strongly correlated with height (correlation coefficient = 0.707, R2 = 0.500, p < 0.001) and moderately correlated with weight (correlation coefficient = 0.551, R2 = 0.304, p < 0.001). The T-score was moderately correlated with the ALPF (correlation coefficient = 0.433, R2 = 0.187, p < 0.001). The age was moderately correlated with the ALPF (correlation coefficient = –0.353, R2 = 0.123, p < 0.001). @*Conclusions@#A considerable percentage of femoral neck fracture patients (8.6%) had small proximal femurs (ALPF < 80 mm), which cannot be operated with FNS. We recommend measuring the ALPF using reconstructed oblique coronal CT images or scaled hip radiographs: en face view of the femoral neck prior to surgery in patients with short stature and/or low body weight. If the ALPF is < 80 mm, the surgeon should prepare other fixation devices.

Midterm Results of Total Hip Arthroplasty for Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Patients in South Korea

Background@#Studies have reported that osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is more prevalent in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is considered reasonable management of ONFH. However, only scarce data exist on the outcomes of THA for HIV-infected patients in South Korea. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the midterm results of HIV-positive patients who underwent THA for ONFH. @*Methods@#We performed a retrospective review of HIV-infected patients with ONFH who underwent THA in our institution from 2005 to 2021. Twenty-two hips in 15 patients underwent THAs with cementless implants. The clinical and radiographic evaluation was performed at each follow-up, and any complication was recorded. @*Results@#The mean follow-up period was 5.2 years (range, 1.0–16.0 years). The mean age of the HIV infected patients with osteonecrosis at the time of surgery was 44.7 ± 11.6 years. ONFH occurred 9.8 ± 3.7 years after the initial diagnosis of HIV infection.The average modified Harris hip score improved from 58.3 ± 14.8 to 95.2 ± 11.3 at the latest follow-up. Surgical complications such as infection, nerve injury, or dislocation were not present. The radiographic evidence of stable fixation by bone ingrowth without migration was seen in all implants. @*Conclusions@#Our data suggest that THA is a safe and valid option of treatment for ONFH in well-controlled HIV-infected patients in Korea. Further large-scale nationwide studies are warranted.

Cyclophosphamide, Bortezomib, and Dexamethasone Consolidation in Patients with Multiple Myeloma after Stem Cell Transplantation: The KMM130 Study / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Purpose@#A three-drug combination of cyclophosphamide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (CVD) shows significant efficacy and manageable toxicity as induction therapy in patients with multiple myeloma. @*Materials and Methods@#In this phase II study, we enrolled 45 patients who achieved a very good partial response (VGPR) or partial response (PR) after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) and evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of CVD consolidation. CVD consolidation comprised three cycles of cyclophosphamide 300 mg/m2 orally on days 1, 8, and 15, and bortezomib 1.3 mg/m2 subcutaneously on days 1, 8, 15, and 22, along with dexamethasone 20 mg orally or intravenously on days 1 and 2, 8 and 9, 15 and 16, and 22 and 23. @*Results@#At enrollment, 39 patients (86.7%) showed VGPR, and nine (13.3%) presented with PR. Nineteen patients (45.2%) achieved a complete response or better as their best response after the end of consolidation. Overall, 22 of 42 patients (52.4%) experienced an improved response status with CVD consolidation. Three-year overall survival and progression-free survival rates were 89.0% and 42.7%, respectively. The most common non-hematologic toxicities were peripheral neuropathy and infection (20.5%), with no grade ≥ 3 neuropathy observed. @*Conclusion@#These results showed that CVD consolidation therapy improved the response with reasonable toxicity in patients with residual disease after ASCT. This trial was registered with the Clinical Research Information Service, Republic of Korea (KCT0001327).

Cementless Hip Arthroplasty Using a Long Double-Tapered Rectangular Stem in Patients with Osteoporotic Proximal Femoral Fractures or Reoperation / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Purpose@#This study examined the clinical and radiological results of cementless hip arthroplasty using a long double-tapered rectangular stem in cases with osteoporotic proximal femoral fractures or in reoperation cases. @*Materials and Methods@#This was a retrospective study on patients treated with a Benfix ® stem (Corentec, Cheonan, Korea) by a single surgeon at a single tertiary institution from September 2011 to August 2020, where 92 hips were treated. Thirty-nine patients were followed up for less than one year. Excluding those patients, the mean follow-up duration was 3.0 years (range 1–8 years). The patients’ deaths were confirmed through data from the Ministry of Interior and Safety. Clinical outcomes were assessed using a modified Harris hip score (mHHS), and radiologic outcomes, such as fixation and subsidence, were assessed by surgeons who did not participate in the surgery. @*Results@#mHHS improved from 45 to 79 points at the latest follow-up, and thigh pain was not observed in 53 patients who were followed up for more than one year. Notching of the stem was not noted. The average subsidence was approximately 1 mm in postoperative one year.Three peri-prosthetic fractures (PPF), one deep prosthetic infection, and one superficial wound infection were observed. Stem loosening occurred in one of these PPF cases, and stem revision surgery was done. All complications occurred within one year postoperatively. The one- and five-year mortality were 21.1% and 50.0%, respectively. @*Conclusion@#The short-term and mid-term results of the cementless hip arthroplasty using long double-tapered rectangular stem appeared encouraging and could be a viable option in osteoporotic proximal femoral fractures or reoperation cases. However, most complications occurred within one postoperative year, and the one-year mortality was relatively high. A long-term follow-up would be necessary with a larger cohort to evaluate its longevity.

Effectiveness of C1 Laminectomy for Chiari Malformation Type 1: Posterior Fossa Volume Expansion and Syrinx-Volume Decrease Rate

Purpose@#This study aimed to analyze the effect of foramen magnum decompression with C1 laminectomy (C1L) for Chiari malformation type 1 (CM-1) in terms of improving clinical symptoms, expanding posterior fossa volume, and decreasing syrinx volume. @*Materials and Methods@#Between January 2007 and June 2019, 107 patients with CM-1 were included. The median patient age was 13±13 years (range: 9 months–60 years), female-to-male ratio was 1:1, and average length of tonsil herniation was 13±5 mm (range: 5–24 mm). Surgical techniques were divided into four groups based on duraplasty or C1L usage. Among the study subjects, 38 patients underwent duraplasty and had their syrinx volumes measured separately on serial magnetic resonance imaging. A three-dimensional visualization software was used to evaluate the syrinx-volume decrease rate. @*Results@#Bony decompression exhibited a mere 20% volume expansion of the lower-half posterior fossa. C1L offered a 3% additional volume expansion, which rose to 5% when duraplasty was added (p=0.029). There were no significant differences in complication rate when C1L was combined with duraplasty (p=0.526). Syrinx volumes were analyzed in 38 patients who had undergone duraplasty. Among them, 28 patients who had undergone duraplasty without C1L demonstrated a 5.9% monthly decrease in syrinx volume, which was 7.5% in the remaining 10 patients with C1L (p=0.040). @*Conclusion@#C1L was effective in increasing posterior fossa volume expansion, both with and without duraplasty. A more rapid decrease in syrinx volume occurred when C1L was combined with duraplasty.

A Nationwide Population-Based Study on the Association between Rosacea and Psychiatric Disorders: New Findings of Behavioral Disorders / 대한피부과학회지

Background@#Rosacea is a chronic skin inflammatory disorder that almost always occurs on the face, which can cause emotional stress and affect self-esteem. Rosacea is associated with psychiatric disorders, but there have been few studies on the relationship between rosacea and psychiatric disorders in Koreans. @*Objective@#We aimed to investigate the risk of psychiatric disorders in Korean patients with rosacea. @*Methods@#Data were obtained from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort. The database was collected according to the Korean Standard Classification of Diseases version 6, which is based on the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision. This study was conducted with 595 patients diagnosed with rosacea from 2002 to 2013. A total of 2,380 controls were set by performing 1:4 matching for sex, age, and index year. @*Results@#The incidence of psychiatric disorders was higher in patients with rosacea (114/595, 19.16%) than in patients without rosacea (319/2,380, 13.40%), with a significant difference (p＜0.001). Among several types of psychiatric disorders, the prevalence of anxiety disorder and behavioral disorder was significantly higher in the rosacea patients than in patients without rosacea (p=0.008 and p=0.044, respectively). The adjusted hazard ratio for psychiatric disorders in patients with rosacea was 1.543 (95% confidence interval=1.238∼1.922, p＜0.001). @*Conclusion@#Rosacea is associated with many types of psychiatric disorders. Awareness of the psychological impact of rosacea might be helpful in improving patient quality of life.

Acute coronary syndrome in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis: a Korean single-centre cohort study

Objective@#This study investigated the incidence and patterns of the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) after AAV diagnosis and searched for the predictors of ACS in a single-centre cohort of Korean patients diagnosed with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). @*Methods@#A total of 262 patients with AAV were included in this study. ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-STEMI (NSTEMI), and unstable angina (UA) were defined as ACS in this study. Only ACS that occurred during or after AAV diagnosis was counted. @*Results@#The incidence of ACS in patients with AAV was 2.7% (7 patients), and the most common type of ACS was NSTEMI regardless of the affected site or the number of coronary arteries. Five patients with ACS were diagnosed with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and all of them had myeloperoxidase (MPO)-ANCA (or perinuclear [P]-ANCA), whereas the remaining two patients were diagnosed with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). Of the seven patients, 2 patients experienced ACS within the first year after AAV diagnosis, and 2 experienced ACS 5 years after AAV diagnosis. Among clinical variables, only the male sex was a predictor of ACS during the follow-up period in patients diagnosed with AAV. @*Conclusion@#The incidence of ACS was 2.7%, and the most common type of ACS was NSTEMI in Korean patients with AAV.

Validity and Reliability of the Korean-Translated Version of the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale in Cerebellar Ataxia

Objective@#The International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) is a semiquantitative clinical scale for ataxia that is widely used in numerous countries. The purpose of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of the Korean-translated version of the ICARS. @*Methods@#Eighty-eight patients who presented with cerebellar ataxia were enrolled. We investigated the construct validity using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). We also investigated the internal consistency using Cronbach’s α and intrarater and interrater reliability using intraclass correlation coefficients. @*Results@#The Korean-translated ICARS showed satisfactory construct validity using EFA and CFA. It also revealed good interrater and intrarater reliability and showed acceptable internal consistency. However, subscale 4 for assessing oculomotor disorder showed moderate internal consistency. @*Conclusion@#This is the first report to investigate the validity and reliability of the Korean-translated ICARS. Our results showed excellent construct and convergent validity. The reliability is also acceptable.

Current status of ultrasonography in national cancer surveillance program for hepatocellular carcinoma in South Korea: a large-scale multicenter study

Background@#/Aim: Abdominal ultrasonography (USG) is recommended as a surveillance test for high-risk groups for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to analyze the current status of the national cancer surveillance program for HCC in South Korea and investigate the effects of patient-, physician-, and machine-related factors on HCC detection sensitivity. @*Methods@#This multicenter retrospective cohort study collected surveillance USG data from the high-risk group for HCC (liver cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis B or C >40 years of age) at eight South Korean tertiary hospitals in 2017. @*Results@#In 2017, 45 experienced hepatologists or radiologists performed 8,512 USG examinations. The physicians had a mean 15.0±8.3 years of experience; more hepatologists (61.4%) than radiologists (38.6%) participated. Each USG scan took a mean 12.2±3.4 minutes. The HCC detection rate by surveillance USG was 0.3% (n=23). Over 27 months of follow-up, an additional 135 patients (0.7%) developed new HCC. The patients were classified into three groups based on timing of HCC diagnosis since the 1st surveillance USG, and no significant intergroup difference in HCC characteristics was noted. HCC detection was significantly associated with patient-related factors, such as old age and advanced fibrosis, but not with physician- or machine-related factors. @*Conclusions@#This is the first study of the current status of USG as a surveillance method for HCC at tertiary hospitals in South Korea. It is necessary to develop quality indicators and quality assessment procedures for USG to improve the detection rate of HCC.

Complications Including Capsular Contracture in Direct-to-Implant Breast Reconstruction With Textured Anatomical Versus Smooth Round Implants: A Single Center Retrospective Analysis / 한국유방암학회지

Purpose@#Implant-based breast reconstruction is the most common reconstruction method used after mastectomy in breast cancer patients. Many studies have compared the smooth round implants and textured anatomical implants. This study aimed to compare the complications, including capsular contracture, between these two implants used in direct-toimplant (DTI) breast reconstruction. @*Methods@#This retrospective chart review was performed using a prospectively maintained database from a single center. We identified patients who underwent mastectomy with DTI single-stage breast reconstruction at our hospital between August 2011 and June 2021. The overall complications, including capsular contracture, postoperative infection, seroma, hematoma, implant rupture, implant exposure, rippling, implant malposition, and nipple necrosis, were analyzed. @*Results@#In total, 340 breasts of 323 patients were reconstructed by the DTI approach using either textured anatomical (n = 203) or smooth round (n = 137) implants. The incidence of overall complications and capsular contracture was significantly lower with smooth round implants than with textured anatomical implants. Multivariate analysis showed that smooth round implants were associated with a reduced risk of overall complications (odds ratio [OR], 0.465; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.265–0.813) and capsular contracture (OR, 0.475; 95% CI, 0.235–0.962). Particularly, smooth round implants were associated with a decreased risk of overall complications in patients not receiving adjuvant chemotherapy and a decreased risk of capsular contracture in patients with body mass index < 25 kg/m2 and in those not receiving adjuvant radiotherapy. @*Conclusion@#Smooth round implants demonstrated a decreased risk of overall complications and capsular contracture when compared with textured anatomical implants. These results may be utilized in counseling patients regarding the advantages and disadvantages of smooth round implants in DTI breast reconstruction.

Compositional changes in fecal microbiota associated with clinical phenotypes and prognosis in Korean patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Background/Aims@#The fecal microbiota of Korean patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) was investigated with respect to disease phenotypes and taxonomic biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of IBD. @*Methods@#Fecal samples from 70 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients, 39 Crohn’s disease (CD) patients, and 100 healthy control individuals (HC) were collected. The fecal samples were amplified via polymerase chain reaction and sequenced using Illumina MiSeq. The relationships between fecal bacteria and clinical phenotypes were analyzed using the EzBioCloud database and 16S microbiome pipeline. @*Results@#The alpha-diversity of fecal bacteria was significantly lower in UC and CD (P<0.05) compared to that in HC. Bacterial community compositions in UC and CD were significantly different from that of HC according to Bray-Curtis dissimilarities, and there was also a difference between community composition in UC and CD (P=0.01). In UC, alpha-diversity was further decreased when the disease was more severe and the extent of disease was greater, and community composition significantly differed depending on the extent of the disease. We identified 9 biomarkers of severity and 6 biomarkers of the extent of UC. We also identified 5 biomarkers of active disease and 3 biomarkers of ileocolonic involvement in CD. Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcus gnavus were biomarkers for better prognosis in CD. @*Conclusions@#The fecal microbiota profiles of IBD patients were different from those of HC, and several bacterial taxa may be used as biomarkers to determine disease phenotypes and prognosis. These data may also help discover new therapeutic targets for IBD.

Long-term Effects of the Eradication of Helicobacter pylori on Metabolic Parameters, Depending on Sex, in South Korea

Background/Aims@#Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection is positively associated with metabolic syndrome (MS). However, the long-term effects of eradication therapy on MS and sex differences have not been thoroughly studied. We aimed to investigate the long-term effects of HP eradication on MS and sex differences. @*Methods@#This study included 2,267 subjects who visited a tertiary referral center between May 2003 and May 2019. HP was diagnosed by histology, a Campylobacter-like organism test, and culture, and the subjects were prospectively followed up. The participants were categorized into three groups: HP uninfected, HP infected but non-eradicated, and HP eradicated. The baseline characteristics and changes in metabolic parameters after HP eradication were compared over a 5-year follow-up period. @*Results@#Among 1,521 subjects, there was no difference in baseline metabolic parameters between the HP-uninfected (n=509) and HP-infected (n=1,012) groups, regardless of sex. Analysis of the metabolic parameters during follow-up among HP-uninfected (n=509), HP-non-eradicated (n=346), and HP-eradicated (n=666) groups showed that high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and the body mass index (BMI) increased after eradication, with a significant difference at 1-year of follow-up. In females, HDL increased after eradication (p=0.023), and the BMI increased after eradication in male subjects (p=0.010). After propensity score matching, the HDL change in female remained significant, but the statistical significance of the change in BMI in the male group became marginally significant (p=0.089). @*Conclusions@#HP eradication affected metabolic parameters differently depending on sex. HDL significantly increased only in females over time, especially at 1-year of follow-up. In contrast, BMI showed an increasing tendency over time in males, especially at the 1-year follow-up.

Perioperative Concerns and Complaints of Patients Undergoing Total Hip Arthroplasty

Background@#Preoperative concerns of patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) and their complaints during the initial postoperative period are not well investigated. We evaluated preoperative concerns of patients and patient-perceived problems during the operation and initial 5 days after the operation. @*Methods@#One hundred and thirty-two patients, who underwent primary THA at a tertiary referral hospital, were surveyed using a questionnaire and a face-to-face interview 1 day before the operation, operation day, and postoperative days 1, 2, 3, and 4. The severity of pain was assessed daily using a visual analog scale. @*Results@#The most common preoperative concern was the severity of pain after the surgery (65.2%), followed by the need of transfusion (34.8%) and postoperative rehabilitation (32.6%). Among 29 patients who could recall the experience during the operation, 12 (41.4%) suffered from shoulder pain on the contralateral side, and 6 (20.7%) answered that hammering sound had been annoying. After returning to the ward, 29 patients (22.0%) suffered from nausea, 8 (6.1%) complained of back pain, and 7 (5.3%) had ipsilateral knee pain. On postoperative day 1, 7 patients (5.3%) had persistent back pain, 8 (6.1%) had headache, and 5 (3.8%) suffered from nausea. On postoperative day 2, nine patients (6.8%) complained of radiating pain due to aggravation of preexisting spinal stenosis, 7 (5.3%) complained of weakness of the hip flexor due to periarticular injection of ropivacaine during the operation, and 5 (3.8%) had dressing-related skin problem at the wound. On postoperative days 3 and 4, patients had no problem other than hip pain. The mean pain score was the highest (3.1 ± 1.0) on postoperative day 1. @*Conclusions@#The results of this study might provide information needed to solve problems and improve satisfaction of patients undergoing THA.

The Early- to Mid-term Outcome of Novel Cementless Modular Femoral Stem in East Asian Patients

Background@#Early firm fixation of the femoral implant is crucial in total hip arthroplasty (THA) with unstable metaphysis or a large degree of femoral bone loss. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of THA using a novel cementless modular, fluted, tapered stem in such cases. @*Methods@#From 2015 to 2020, 105 hips (101 patients) had surgery performed by two surgeons at two tertiary hospitals using a cementless modular, fluted, tapered stem for periprosthetic fractures, massive bone loss, prosthetic joint infection sequelae, or tumorous condition. Clinical outcomes, radiographic results, and survivorship of the implant were evaluated. @*Results@#The average follow-up period was 2.8 years (range, 1–6.2 years). The Koval grade was 2.7 ± 1.7 preoperatively and maintained at 1.2 ± 0.8 at the latest follow-up. The plain radiograph showed bone ingrowth fixation in 89 hips (84.8%). The average stem subsidence at postoperative 1 year was 1.6 ± 3.2 mm (range, 0–11.0 mm). Five reoperations (4.8%) were needed, including 1 for acute periprosthetic fracture, 1 for recurrent dislocation, and 3 for chronic periprosthetic joint infection. Kaplan-Meier survivorship with reoperation for any reason as the endpoint was 94.1%. @*Conclusions@#The early- to mid-term results of THA with the novel cementless modular, fluted, tapered THA stem system were satisfactory clinically and radiologically. The shortcomings inherent to its modularity were not identified. This modular femoral system may provide adequate fixation and be a practical option in the setting of complicated THA.