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Purpose@#The purpose of this study is to determine the level of health equity in relation to cancer incidence. @*Materials and Methods@#We used the National Health Insurance claims data of the National Health Insurance Service between 2005 and 2022 and annual health insurance and medical aid beneficiaries between 2011 and 2021 to investigate the disparities of cancer incidence. We calculated age-sex standardized cancer incidence rates by cancer and year according to the type of insurance and the trend over time using the annual percentage change. We also compared the hospital type of the first diagnosis by cancer type and year and cancer incidence rates by cancer type and region in 2021 according to the type of insurance. @*Results@#The total cancer incidence increased from 255,971 in 2011 to 325,772 cases in 2021. The absolute difference of total cancer incidence rate between the NHI beneficiaries and the medical aid (MA) recipients increased from 510.1 cases per 100,000 population to 536.9 cases per 100,000 population. The odds ratio of total cancer incidence for the MA recipients increased from 1.79 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.77 to 1.82) to 1.90 (95% CI, 1.88 to 1.93). Disparities in access to hospitals and regional cancer incidence were profound. @*Conclusion@#This study examined health inequities in relation to cancer incidence over the last decade. Cancer incidence was higher in the MA recipients, and the gap was widening. We also found that regional differences in cancer incidence still exist and are getting worse. Investigating these disparities between the NHI beneficiaries and the MA recipients is crucial for implementing of public health policies to reduce health inequities.
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Background@#Current guidelines recommend using nirmatrelvir-ritonavir for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treatment, but its potential drug interactions and contraindications limit its applicability in certain categories of patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate the real-world effectiveness of molnupiravir and nirmatrelvir-ritonavir in managing COVID-19 among hospitalized patients. @*Methods@#We conducted a retrospective cohort study among hospitalized COVID-19 patients who received molnupiravir or nirmatrelvir-ritonavir and did not require baseline supplemental oxygen from February 2022 to January 2023. We compared the effectiveness of molnupiravir and nirmatrelvir-ritonavir with a focus on disease progression. @*Results@#The study included 401 high-risk, hospitalized adult COVID-19 patients who received molnupiravir or nirmatrelvir-ritonavir. No significant difference was found in disease progression, the composite outcome of disease progression (4.0% vs. 1.4%, P = 0.782), and O2 supplementation via nasal prong (21.8% vs. 14.8%, P = 0.115) between the patients treated with molnupiravir and those treated with nirmatrelvir-ritonavir. This finding was similar after 1:1 propensity-score matching. In the multivariate analysis, molnupiravir treatment was not significantly associated with progression to severe disease. @*Conclusion@#In conclusion, our findings suggest that similar to nirmatrelvir-ritonavir, molnupiravir has a distinct potential role in COVID-19 treatment, transcending its current perceived status as only a secondary option.
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Background@#We aimed to investigate mortality, severity, and risk of hospitalization in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with cancer. @*Methods@#Data of all patients aged 40–79 years from the Korean Disease Control and Prevention Agency-COVID19-National Health Insurance Service who were diagnosed with COVID-19 between January 1, 2020 and March 31, 2022, in Korea were included. After 1:1 propensity score matching, 397,050 patients with cancer and 397,050 patients without cancer were enrolled in the main analysis. A cancer survivor was defined as a patient who had survived 5 or more years since the diagnosis of cancer. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to compare the risk of COVID-19 according to the diagnosis of cancer and time since diagnosis. @*Results@#Cancer, old age, male sex, incomplete vaccination against COVID-19, lower economic status, and a higher Charlson comorbidity index were associated with an increased risk of hospitalization, hospitalization with severe state, and death. Compared to patients without cancer, the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for hospitalization, hospitalization with severe state, and death in patients with cancer were 1.09 (1.08–1.11), 1.17 (1.11–1.24), and 1.94 (1.84–2.05), respectively. Compared to patients without cancer, the ORs (95% CIs) for hospitalization in cancer survivors, patients with cancer diagnosed 2–5 years, 1–2 years, and < 1 year ago were 0.96 (0.94–0.98), 1.10 (1.07–1.13), 1.30 (1.25–1.34), and 1.82 (1.77–1.87), respectively; the ORs (95% CIs) for hospitalization for severe disease among these patients were 0.90 (0.85–0.97), 1.22 (1.12–1.32), 1.60 (1.43–1.79), and 2.29 (2.09–2.50), respectively. @*Conclusion@#The risks of death, severe state, and hospitalization due to COVID-19 were higher in patients with cancer than in those without; the more recent the diagnosis, the higher the aforementioned risks. Cancer survivors had a lower risk of hospitalization and hospitalization with severe disease than those without cancer.
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Objective@#The Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson’s Disease–Cognition (SCOPA-Cog) was developed to assess cognition in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Korean version of the SCOPACog (K-SCOPA-Cog). @*Methods@#We enrolled 129 PD patients with movement disorders from 31 clinics in South Korea. The original version of the SCOPA-Cog was translated into Korean using the translation-retranslation method. The test–retest method with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient were used to assess reliability. Spearman’s rank correlation analysis with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Korean version (MOCA-K) and the Korean Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE) were used to assess concurrent validity. @*Results@#The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.797, and the ICC was 0.887. Spearman’s rank correlation analysis revealed a significant correlation with the K-MMSE and MOCA-K scores (r = 0.546 and r = 0.683, respectively). @*Conclusion@#Our results demonstrate that the K-SCOPA-Cog has good reliability and validity.
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As a widely used anti-tumor drug and anti-rheumatic drug in clinic, methotrexate (MTX) has many toxic and side effects, including gastrointestinal mucosa injury, central nervous system injury, liver and kidney function injury, etc. They often bring great trouble to the follow-up treatment of patients. The clarification of the mechanism of MTX toxicity to various organs has become the key to rescue the toxicity. The purpose of the article is to review the toxicity mechanism of MTX in various organs, so as to save the patients from the adverse reactions in clinical treatment.
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Owing to the advancement in pharmaceutical technology, traditional Chinese medicine industry has seen rapid development. Preferring conventional manufacturing mode, pharmaceutical enterprises of traditional Chinese medicine have no effective process detection tools and process control methods. As a result, the quality of the final products mainly depends on testing and the quality is inconsistent in the same batch. Process analytical technology(PAT) for traditional Chinese medicine manufacturing, as one of the key advanced manufacturing techniques, can break through the bottleneck in quality control of medicine manufacturing, thus improving the production efficiency and product quality and reducing the material and energy consumption. It is applicable to the process control and real-time release of advanced manufacturing modes such as intelligent manufacturing and continuous manufacturing. This paper summarized the general idea of PAT for traditional Chinese medicine manufacturing. Through the analysis of the characteristics and status quo of the technology, we summed up the methodology for the continuous application and improvement of PAT during the whole life-cycle of traditional Chinese medicine. The five key procedures(process understanding, process detection, process modeling, process control, and continuous improvement) were summarized, and the application was reviewed. Finally, we proposed suggestions for the technical and regulatory challenges in implementing PAT in traditional Chinese medicine industry. This paper aims to provide a reference for development and application of PAT in advanced manufacturing, intelligent manufacturing, and continuous manufacturing of traditional Chinese medicine industry.
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Technology, Pharmaceutical , Drug Industry , Quality Controlالملخص
The Guidelines of the 2019 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the 5th Society of Lipid and Atherosclerosis (KSoLA) for the Management of Dyslipidemia advocate a more intensive lipid-lowering strategy. However, there is a lack of evidence regarding the current status of lipid management in Korean patients in real-world practice. The Korean Society of Myocardial Infarction conducted a survey among its members of the Korean Society of Cardiology on the new lipid guidelines. Although most participants were aware of the changes in the ESC and the KSoLA guidelines, more than half of them did not agree with lowering the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels to < 55 mg/dL, because its safety and efficacy have not yet been proven in Koreans. A substantial disparity exists between lipid management guidelines and current clinical practices, highlighting the necessity for clinical research that specifically targets East Asians and Koreans to bridge this gap.
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Objectives@#：The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors that influencing mental health literacy. @*Methods@#：We obtained data on 2016 general population from the Korean Mental Health Literacy Survey (2021) conducted by Ministry of Health and Welfare. Multiple regression analysis was used to evaluate the associations between sociodemographic characteristics and the score of questionnaire items in Korean Mental Health Literacy Survey. @*Results@#：Among the factors, female (p<0.001), higher age (p=0.005), higher income level (p<0.001) were significantly correlated with higher score of questionnaire items. Awareness of mental health center & commu-nity addiction management center (p=0.002), awareness of mental health hotline service (p<0.001) were also significantly associated with higher response score. @*Conclusions@#：The factors affecting mental health literacy could be considered when providing community mental health services.
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Objective@#This study aimed to explore the feasibility of cognitive-behavioral model hypochondriasis regarding coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) among firefighters. In addition, we examined the possible role of their grief reaction and intolerance of uncertainty in the model of COVID-related hypochondriasis. @*Methods@#An anonymous online survey was done on October 27–28, 2022, among firefighters who witnessed people’s death. Demographic characteristics were collected, and their psychological states were assessed using rating scales such as the Obsession with COVID-19 Scale (OCS), Coronavirus Reassurance-Seeking Behaviors Scale (CRBS), Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S), Pandemic Grief Scale (PGS), and Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale–12 (IUS-12). @*Results@#Their OCS score was expected by the CRBS (β=0.30, p<0.001), FCV-19S (β=0.10, p<0.001), PGS (β=0.29, p<0.001), and IUS12 (β=0.04, p=0.024) (F=134.5, p<0.001). The COVID-related cognitive-behavioral model of hypochondriasis was feasible among firefighters who witnessed people’s death. Their pandemic grief reaction and intolerance of uncertainty directly influenced their preoccupation with coronavirus, and viral anxiety and coronavirus reassurance-seeking behavior mediated the relationship. @*Conclusion@#Firefighters’ viral anxiety and coronavirus reassurance-seeking behavior mediated the influence of pandemic grief reaction or intolerance of uncertainty on the preoccupation with coronavirus.
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Objective@#We aimed to explore whether nursing professionals’ psychological states affect their grief response for a patient’s death in the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) inpatients’ ward. @*Methods@#Survey was conducted among frontline nursing professionals working in COVID-19 inpatients wards at three tertiary-level affiliated hospitals of the University of Ulsan during April 7–26, 2022. Participants’ information such as age, years of employment, or marital status were collected, and their responses to rating scales including Pandemic Grief Scale (PGS) for healthcare workers, Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemics-9 items (SAVE-9), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Loneliness and Social Isolation Scale, and Insomnia Severity Scale (ISI) were collected. @*Results@#All 251 responses were analyzed. We observed that 34% reportedly suffered from depression. The linear regression analysis showed that a high PGS score was expected by high SAVE-9 (β=0.12, p=0.040), high PHQ-9 (β=0.25, p<0.001), high loneliness (β=0.17, p=0.006), and high ISI score (β=0.16, p=0.006, F=20.05, p<0.001). The mediation analysis showed that the depression of nursing professionals directly influenced their pandemic grief reaction, and their work-related stress and viral anxiety, insomnia severity, and loneliness partially mediated the association. @*Conclusion@#We confirm that frontline nursing professionals’ depression directly influenced their grief reaction, and their work-related stress and viral anxiety, insomnia severity, and loneliness partially mediated the association. We hope to establish a psychological and social support system for the mental health of nurses working in the COVID-19 wards.
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Objective@#North Korean defectors (NKDs) have experienced substantial difficulties during the migration and settlement in South Korea. They have a high prevalence of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicidal behaviors. The high prevalence of mental disorders among NKDs can lead to a high suicide rate. However, there are no suicide prevention programs for NKDs. This study aims to customize a suicide prevention program with content suitable for NKDs’ particular circumstances. @*Methods@#A multidisciplinary research team developed this program based on domestic and international gatekeeper training programs for suicide prevention and articles related to suicide prevention. @*Results@#We developed a multi-part gatekeeper training program, “Suicide CARE for NKDs.” In the “Introduction,” trainees learn about the need for the program and its importance. In “Careful observation,” trainees learn to recognize linguistic, behavioral, and situational signals of suicide risk. In “Active listening,” trainees learn how to ask about suicidal thoughts and to listen empathetically. In “Risk evaluation and expert referral,” trainees learn to evaluate suicide risk and to connect NKDs with institutes or services. @*Conclusion@#We expect this program to become useful for training gatekeepers to prevent suicide among NKD. A future follow-up study is needed to confirm the efficacy of the program.
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Background/Aims@#Bleeding events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have important prognostic implications. Data on the influence of an abnormal ankle-brachial index (ABI) on both ischemic and bleeding events in patients undergoing PCI are limited. @*Methods@#We included patients who underwent PCI with available ABI data (abnormal ABI, ≤ 0.9 or > 1.4). The primary endpoint was the composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and major bleeding. @*Results@#Among 4,747 patients, an abnormal ABI was observed in 610 patients (12.9%). During follow-up (median, 31 months), the 5-year cumulative incidence of adverse clinical events was higher in the abnormal ABI group than in the normal ABI group: primary endpoint (36.0% vs. 14.5%, log-rank test, p < 0.001); all-cause death (19.4% vs. 5.1%, log-rank test, p < 0.001); MI (6.3% vs. 4.1%, log-rank test, p = 0.013); stroke (6.2% vs. 2.7%, log-rank test, p = 0.001); and major bleeding (8.9% vs. 3.7%, log-rank test, p < 0.001). An abnormal ABI was an independent risk factor for all-cause death (hazard ratio [HR], 3.05; p < 0.001), stroke (HR, 1.79; p = 0.042), and major bleeding (HR, 1.61; p = 0.034). @*Conclusions@#An abnormal ABI is a risk factor for both ischemic and bleeding events after PCI. Our study findings may be helpful in determining the optimal method for secondary prevention after PCI.
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@#Abstract: Objective To investigate the current status of streptomycin resistance of Yersinia pestis caused by point mutations of rpsL gene in Qinghai, so as to provide theoretical basis for precise clinical medication and prevention of drug resistance of human plague outbreak in South area of Qinghai Province in the future. Methods A total of 104 representative strains of Yersinia pestis collected from plague patients, vector insects and intermediate hosts in South area of Qinghai Province from 1957 to 2009 were screened, isolated and cultured by Hiss agar plates. The DNA of representative Yersinia pestis was extracted by sodium dodecyl sulfate lysis and phenol-chloroform method. The primers forward primer and reverse primer and TaqMan-MGB probes probe1 [FAM] and probe2 [VIC] were designed for the rpsL gene of streptomycin resistance gene in China. Real-time PCR with TaqMan-MGB fluorescent probe was used to detect the mutations of rpsL gene in streptomycin resistance locus of 104 strains of Yersinia pestis in South area of Qinghai Province. Results The FAM test results of 104 strains in South area of Qinghai Province were positive, corresponding to the detection of rpsL (128 : A ), RFU peak >1 000,negative <200. VIC test results of all tested strains were negative, corresponding to the detection of rpsL (128:G), RFU peak <200, positive >1 000. That is, no strains with rpsL gene mutation related to streptomycin resistance were found in the 104 strains of Yersinia pestis in Qingnan Province. Conclusion This study provides basic data on the distribution of streptomycin resistance of Yersinia pestis in South area of Qinghai Province, and lays a foundation for preventing the occurrence of drug resistance and clinical treatment of Yersinia pestis in South area of Qinghai Province.
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@#Abstract: Objective To observe the phenotypic characteristics of 3 wild-type plague phages under different experimental environments, providing scientific evidence for the identification of phage biological characteristics and the study of their interaction with host bacteria in the future. Methods The sensitivity of 3 wild-type plague phages were detected by using liquid culture method, emisolid medium method and micro-liquid culture method based on OmniLog TM microbial identification system. Results The growth result based on LB liquid medium showed that the growth of plague phage 476 for 20-24 hours at both 28 ℃ and 37 ℃was better than that of plague phages 087 and 072204 at 37 ℃, and the growth of plague phages 087 was better than that of plague phages 072204 at 37 ℃. With the attenuated plague bacterium EV76 as the host bacterium, phage 476 was able to form visible plaque on double-layer agar medium for 20-20 hours at both 28 ℃ and 37 ℃, phages 087 and 072204 were only able to form opaque plaque on double-layer agar medium for 20-24 hours at 37 ℃. The growth results based on OmniLogTM system showed that when plague phage was lysed in EV76 strain at 33 ℃, the first row appeared as a straight line with a peak of no more than 100 in the 96-well microplate curve chart. As the phage quantity decreased, the dilution plate appeared with growth curve similar to EV76 strain in turn, and the color of tetrazolium dyes in the experimental wells gradually deepened as the phage number decreased and the host bacteria number increased. Therefore, it indicates that phage 476 was sensitively at both 28 ℃ and 37 ℃, while phage 087 and 072204 were temperature-dependent only at 37 ℃ to attenuated plague bacterium EV76. Conclusions The lysing ability of 3 wild-type plague phages are temperature-dependent, and the growth results are consistent under the three experimental conditions.
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AIM: To analyze the clinical and histopathological composition of orbital tumors and tumor-like lesions.METHODS: Retrospective case-series study. The clinical histopathological data of 699 cases(707 eyes)with orbital tumor and tumor-like lesions who treated in the orbital disease and ophthalmic plastic department of Tianjin Eye Hospital between January 2010 and December 2020 were collected. All the pathology diagnosis results were divided into three categories which were benign tumor, borderline tumor and malignant tumor according to the eighth edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system and the 2018 World Health Organization Classification of tumors of the eye. All cases were divided into four groups according to age, including 0～17 years old, 18～39 years old, 40～59 years old, 60 years and above. The histological composition of each group was analyzed.RESULTS: Among the 699 cases(707 eyes), 311 patients(316 eyes)were male and 388 patients(391 eyes)were female. The patient's age at diagnosis ranged from 1 to 84 years(mean 39.9±2.2)years. The right orbit was involved in 307 patients, the left orbit in 384 patients, and 8 patients in bilateral orbit. There were 598 patients(604 eyes, 85.6%)with benign tumor and tumor-like lesions, 7 patients(7 eyes, 1.0%)with borderline tumor, and 94 patients(96 eyes, 13.4%)with malignant tumors. The top 5 benign tumor and tumor-like lesions were cavernous hemangioma(110 cases, 15.7%), dermoid cysts(96 cases, 13.7%), pleomorphic adenomas(54 cases, 7.7%), inflammatory pseudotumors(38 cases, 5.4%), and schwannomas(29 cases, 4.1%)respectively. The top 5 borderline and malignant tumors were non-Hodgkin lymphomas(42 cases, 41.6%), solitary fibrous tumors(12 cases, 11.9%), adenoid cystic carcinomas(11 cases, 10.9%), metastatic tumor(9 cases, 8.9%), and rhabdomyosarcoma(8 cases, 7.9%), respectively. Among the common orbital benign tumors and tumor-like lesions, cavernous hemangioma and pleomorphic adenoma showed a female predominance. Among the common borderline and malignant tumors, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and mesenchymal chondrosarcoma showed a male predominance. The most common benign and malignant tumors were dermoid cysts, rhabdomyosarcomas respectively in group under 18 years old. And dermoid cysts and solitary fibrous tumors were the most common benign and malignant tumors respectively in patients between 18 and 39 years old. Cavernous hemangioma and non-Hodgkin lymphomas were the most common benign and malignant tumors respectively in patients between 40 and 59 years old. While cavernous hemangioma and non-Hodgkin lymphomas were the most common benign and malignant tumors respectively in cases over 60 years old.CONCLUSION: Most orbital tumors and tumor-like lesions are benign. The most common benign orbital tumor is cavernous hemangioma, followed by dermoid cyst. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the most common malignant orbital tumor.
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Background@#The epidemiology of influenza is commonly used to understand and establish relevant health policies for emerging respiratory infections, including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, Korea has no confirmed nationwide data on influenza incidence, severity, and mortality rate. @*Methods@#We conducted a cross-sectional study to obtain epidemic data on influenza at the national level using National Health Insurance claims data during 2010 to 2020. Influenza cases were defined as 90-day timeframe episodes based on all inpatient and outpatient claims data with disease code J09, J10, and J11. Influenza incidence, severity, and mortality rate were calculated, and logistic regressions were performed to assess the associations of demographic characteristics and comorbidity with influenza-related hospitalization, severe illness, and death. @*Results@#There were 0.3–5.9% influenza cases in the population from 2010 to 2020, with 9.7–18.9%, 0.2–0.9%, and 0.03–0.08% hospitalized, used in the intensive care unit, and dead, respectively. Age-standardized incidence and mortality rates were 424.3–6847.4 and 0.2–1.9 per 100,000 population, respectively. While more than half of the influenza cases occurred in populations aged younger than 20 years, deaths in older than 60 years accounted for more than two-thirds of all deaths. @*Conclusion@#This study provided the simplest but most important statistics regarding Korean influenza epidemics as a reference. These can be used to understand and manage other new acute respiratory diseases, including COVID-19, and establish influenza-related policies.
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Subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs) refer to self-perceived cognitive decline and are related to objective cognitive decline. SCCs in cognitively normal individuals are considered a preclinical sign of subsequent cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease, and SCCs in cognitively normal patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) are also gaining attention. The aim of this review was to provide an overview of the current research on SCCs in cognitively normal patients with PD. A systematic search found a lack of consistency in the methodologies used to define and measure SCCs. Although the association between SCCs and objective cognitive performance in cognitively normal patients with PD is controversial, SCCs appear to be predictive of subsequent cognitive decline. These findings support the clinical value of SCCs in cognitively normal status in PD; however, further convincing evidence from biomarker studies is needed to provide a pathophysiological basis for these findings. Additionally, a consensus on the definition and assessment of SCCs is needed for further investigations.
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Objectives@#The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a global shortage of medical resources; therefore, we investigated whether COVID-19 impacted the quality of non-COVID-19 hospital care in Korea by comparing hospital standardized mortality rates (HSMRs) before and during the pandemic. @*Methods@#This retrospective cohort study analyzed Korean National Health Insurance discharge claim data obtained from January to June in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020. Patients’ in-hospital deaths were classified according to the most responsible diagnosis categories. The HSMR is calculated as the ratio of expected deaths to actual deaths. The time trend in the overall HSMR was analyzed by region and hospital type. @*Results@#The final analysis included 2 252 824 patients. In 2020, the HSMR increased nationwide (HSMR, 99.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 97.7 to 101.0) in comparison to 2019 (HSMR, 97.3; 95% CI, 95.8 to 98.8). In the COVID-19 pandemic zone, the HSMR increased significantly in 2020 (HSMR, 112.7; 95% CI, 107.0 to 118.7) compared to 2019 (HSMR, 101.7; 95% CI, 96.9 to 106.6). The HSMR in all general hospitals increased significantly in 2020 (HSMR, 106.4; 95% CI, 104.3 to 108.5) compared to 2019 (HSMR, 100.3; 95% CI, 98.4 to 102.2). Hospitals participating in the COVID-19 response had a lower HSMR (HSMR, 95.6; 95% CI, 93.9 to 97.4) than hospitals not participating in the COVID-19 response (HSMR, 124.3; 95% CI, 119.3 to 129.4). @*Conclusions@#This study suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic may have negatively impacted the quality of care in hospitals, especially general hospitals with relatively few beds. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to prevent excessive workloads in hospitals and to properly employ and coordinate the workforce.
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Advances in plastic surgery have included a shift toward less invasive procedures. To improve outcomes and avoid incisional surgery, numerous noninvasive face-lifting techniques have been studied. This includes thread-lifting, a technique that promises to correct facial aging with limited scarring, rapid recovery, and minimal complications. As the population ages, an increasing number of ordinary people in South Korea are undergoing thread lifting procedures for the purpose of rejuvenation. The procedure involves insertion of a thread under the skin into the subcutaneous tissue, using a long needle as a guide. Dents or barbs prevent the thread from slipping and provide uniform aggregation of soft tissue to create a new volume contour when the thread is lifted. This procedure has gained worldwide popularity and is frequently performed. However, some minor complications have been reported. In this paper, we report an unusual complication: an obstructive stone in the parotid (Stensen) duct after a thread-lifting procedure using nonabsorbable anchoring threads.
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Blue nevi, which are characterized by collections of pigment-producing melanocytes in the dermis, have a variety of clinicopathological characteristics. Plaque-type blue nevus (PTBN) is a variant of blue nevi. PTBN presents at birth or arises in early childhood, and it shows a combination of the features found in common blue nevus and cellular blue nevus. It is typically found on the dorsal surface of the hands and feet or on the head and neck, and it is usually benign and stable over time. However, reports have occasionally described malignant melanomas developing in or associated with a PTBN. Malignant blue nevi are most commonly found on the scalp. We report the case of an 88-year-old woman with a malignant melanoma associated with a PTBN of the cheek.