Pneumonia Prevalence Upon Chest Radiography According to Vaccination Status Among Patients Under 50 Years of Age With Coronavirus Disease 2019

Background@#Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination is effective in preventing the disease transmission and progression. However, the relatively mild disease course of the omicron variant and the decrease in antibodies over time after vaccination raise questions about the effectiveness of vaccination, especially in young people. We compared the prevalence of pneumonia and chest X-ray severity score according to vaccination status among patients < 50 years old with COVID-19. @*Methods@#From January 17 to March 17, 2022, 579 patients with COVID-19, who were < 50 years old and had a known vaccination history in our institution, were all included in this study. All patients underwent initial chest radiography, and follow-up chest radiographs were obtained every two days until discharge. Pneumonia was scored from the radiographs using the Brixia scoring system. The scores of the six lung zones were added for a total score ranging from 0 to 18. Patients were divided into four groups according to 10-year age intervals. Differences between groups were analyzed using the χ2 or Fisher’s exact tests for categorical variables and the Kruskal–Wallis test or analysis of variance for continuous variables. @*Results@#Among patients aged 12–19 years, the prevalence of pneumonia did not differ depending on vaccination status (non-vaccinated vs. vaccinated, 1/47 [2.1%] vs. 1/18 [5.6%]; P = 0.577).Among patients in their 20s, the prevalence of pneumonia was significantly higher among nonvaccinated patients than among vaccinated patients (8/28, 28.6% vs. 7/138, 5.1%, P < 0.001), similar to patients in their 40s (32/52 [61.5%] vs. 18/138 [13.0%]; P < 0.001). The chest X-ray severity score was also significantly higher in non-vaccinated patients than that in vaccinated patients in their 20s to their 40s (P < 0.001), but not among patients aged 12–19 years (P = 0.678). @*Conclusion@#In patients aged 20–49 years, vaccinated patients had a significantly lower prevalence of pneumonia and chest X-ray severity score than non-vaccinated patients.

The Process of Situational Awareness Embodiment of Perioperative Scrub Nurses: An Analytic Induction Approach / 기본간호학회지

Purpose@#This study aimed to identify and explore how perioperative scrub nurses embody their situational awareness to elucidate the association between research and application. @*Methods@#This qualitative study employed an analytical induction approach. The analytical method reconstructed by Bloor (1978) and modified by Johnson (2004) was used to investigate and analyze the phenomenon in clinical practice. The study was conducted from January 12 to May 20, 2019. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews; the study subjects included 12 perioperative scrub nurses working at three university hospitals. @*Results@#Perioperative scrub nurses embodied situational awareness by comparing and identifying general and abnormal situations throughout surgical procedures, setting priorities in their tasks, responding to situations according to the degree of emergency in the operating room, and developing an integrated view. Perioperative scrub nurses embodied situational awareness through typical patterns involving empirical cases based on experiences, apprenticeship-oriented training, information exchange among surgical team members, and self-directed simulation. Professional responsibility and the level of surgical emergency played an essential role in embodying these patterns. @*Conclusion@#These findings will provide practical categories that will contribute to the development of strategies for practical education of novice perioperative scrub nurses and nursing students.

Screening Clinic for Coronavirus Disease 2019 to Prevent Intrahospital Spread in Daegu, Korea: a Single-Center Report

There is still a paucity of studies on real-world outcome of screening clinic for hospital protection from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). As the number of COVID-19 cases was growing rapidly in Daegu, Korea, we started operating an active screening clinic outside the hospital premises. Over two weeks, 2,087 patients were screened using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, with 42 confirmed cases. Before the screening clinic period, an average of 36 beds (maximum 67 beds) per day were closed due to unrecognized COVID-19 patients entering the hospital. In contrast, after the screening clinic operated well, only one event of closing emergency room (25 beds) occurred due to a confirmed COVID-19 case of asymptomatic patient. We report the operational process of screening clinic for COVID-19 and its effectiveness in maintaining the function of tertiary hospitals.

Interstitial Lung Disease and Lung Cancer Development: A 5-Year Nationwide Population-Based Study / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: In this nationwide 5-year longitudinal population-based study, we aimed at investigating the incidence of lung cancer among patients with interstitial lung disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data was collected from the Korean National Health Insurance Research Database from 49,773,195 Korean residents in 2009. Thirteen thousand six hundred and sixty-six patients with interstitial lung disease diagnosed January-December 2009. The end of follow-up was June 30, 2014. Up to four matching chronic obstructive pulmonary disease controls were selected to compare the lung cancer high-risk group based on age, sex, diagnosis date (within 30 days), and hospital size. The number of patients with newly developed lung cancer was determined. RESULTS: The incidences of lung cancer were 126.98, 156.62, and 370.38 cases per 10,000 person-years (2,732, 809, and 967 cases of cancer, respectively) in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial lung disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with interstitial lung disease groups, respectively. Of the 879 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, 112 developed lung cancer (incidence, 381.00 cases per 10,000 person-years). CONCLUSION: Incidence of lung cancer among patients with interstitial lung disease was high. Interstitial lung diseases have a high potential for developing into lung cancer, even when concurrent with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Current strategy for chronic pain after spinal surgery

Failed back surgery syndrome was recently renamed, as chronic pain after spinal surgery (CPSS) by international classification of disease-11. CPSS is a challenging clinical condition. It has a variety of causes associated with preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative periods. Also, psychosocial factors should be considered. Diagnostic tools must be used differently, for each patient. Imaging and interventional nerve block for diagnosis, should be used properly. Strategy of management requires a multidisciplinary approach. The effect of conservative management (medication, interventional management) and invasive procedure (spinal cord stimulator, intrathecal drug delivery system) has been studied by many researchers. However, an evidence-based guide on management of CPSS, remains necessary, and further research is needed. This review focuses on understanding and clinical approaches for CPSS.

Sterile Pyometra in Two Dogs

Two young dogs were referred to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of Konkuk University, one for examination of vaginal discharge and the other after being hit by a car. Dog 1 exhibited a high neutrophil count on Gram-stained vaginal smears, marked leukocytosis on a complete blood count, and uterine enlargement on ultrasonography. In dog 2, a markedly enlarged right uterine horn containing echogenic debris was found incidentally on ultrasonography. A tentative diagnosis of pyometra was made in both cases and ovariohysterectomy was performed. Purulent material was collected from each uterine horn and submitted separately for aerobic and anaerobic bacterial culture; all culture results were negative. The white blood cell count revealed normal limits 2 days post operation in dog 1 and 4 days post operation in dog 2. Positive bacterial cultures are usually obtained from dogs with pyometra, and antibiotic selection is based on the results of culture and sensitivity testing in the event of failure of empiric antibiotic therapy. However, in the cases reported here, no bacterial growth was identified from the uterine samples despite the presence of purulent material. A short course of empiric antibiotic therapy was administered. This is the first known report describing sterile pyometra in dogs.

Intracranial hemorrhage induced uncontrolled seizure in a deceased donor liver transplant patient: a case report / 대한마취과학회지

Seizure is the second most common neurologic complication after liver transplantation and may be caused by metabolic abnormalities, electrolyte imbalance, infection, and immunosuppressant toxicity. A 61-year-old male patient underwent liver transplantation due to hepatitis B virus-related liver cirrhosis with portal systemic encephalopathy. The immediate postoperative course of the patient was uncomplicated. However, on postoperative day (POD) 6, weakness developed in both lower extremities. No abnormal findings were detected on a brain computed tomography (CT) scan on POD 8, but a generalized tonic clonic seizure developed which was difficult to control even with multiple antiepileptic drugs. A follow-up brain CT scan on POD 15 showed a 2.7 cm sized acute intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) in the left parietal lobe. The patient's mental status improved after 2 months and he was able to communicate through eye blinking or head shaking. Our case reports an acute ICH that manifested into a refractory seizure in a patient who underwent a liver transplant.

Rhabdomyolysis with Acute Kidney Injury Successfully Treated with External Cooling / 계명의대학술지

Hyperthermia can cause severe complications such as rhabdomyolysis, which can induce acute kidney injury. Normal thermoregulation can be disturbed by high fever, and maintenance of a normal body temperature by external cooling can reduce oxygen consumption, and increase vascular tone. Several studies have been conducted to determine the effectiveness of external cooling in treat rhabdomyolysis or renal failure. We report a case of rhabdomyolysis leading to multiple organ dysfunction, including renal failure. The use of an external cooling device achieved fever control and successfully treated rhabdomyolysis and renal failure.

Cicatricial Fibromatosis Diagnosis after Suspected Local Recurrence at the Bronchial Stump Following Lobectomy for Lung Cancer

A mass excision surrounding the bronchial stump was performed to exclude malignancy in a 42-year-old man who had undergone a right lower lobectomy for lung cancer. The mass was identified as a cicatricial fibroma. Cicatricial fibromatosis, which is desmoid fibromatosis that arises in a surgical scar, is a well-known clinical condition. It consists of histologically benign neoplasms. Their occurrence after thoracic surgery is extremely rare. Biopsy or excision of suspicious lesions is very important for diagnosis. R0 resection remains the principal outcome for intra-thoracic desmoid fibromatosis. We report that a cicatricial fibromatosis in the subcarinal space was removed after suspicion of local recurrence at the bronchial stump follwing lobectomy for lung cancer.

A prospective cohort study of latent tuberculosis in adult close contacts of active pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Korea

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the diagnosis and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in adult close contacts of active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients in Korea. METHODS: Adult close contacts of active pulmonary TB patients were recruited at a regional tertiary hospital in Korea. The participants were tested for LTBI using the tuberculin skin test (TST) and/or QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT-G) test. LTBI patients, who consented to treatment, were randomly assigned to receive isoniazid for 9 months (9INH) or rifampin for 4 months (4RIF). RESULTS: We examined 189 adult close contacts (> 18 years) of 107 active pulmonary TB patients. The TST and QFT-G were positive (≥ 10 mm) in 75/183 (39.7%) and 45/118 (38.1%) tested participants, respectively. Among 88 TST or QFT-G positive LTBI participants, 45 participants were randomly assigned to receive 4RIF (n = 21) or 9INH (n = 24), respectively. The average treatment duration for the 4RIF and 9INH groups was 3.3 ± 1.3 and 6.1 ± 2.7 months, respectively. Treatment was completed in 25 participants (4RIF, n = 16; 9INH, n = 9). LTBI participants who accepted treatment were more likely to be women and have more cavitary lesions on the chest radiographs of index cases and positive TST and QFT-G results compared to those who refused treatment. CONCLUSIONS: About 40% of adult close contacts of active pulmonary TB patients had LTBI; about 50% of these LTBI participants agreed to treatment.

In-situ observation for growth of hierarchical metal-organic frameworks and their self-sequestering mechanism for gas storage.

Although structures with the single functional constructions and micropores were demonstrated to capture many different molecules such as carbon dioxide, methane, and hydrogen with high capacities at low temperatures, their feeble interactions still limit practical applications at room temperature. Herein, we report in-situ growth observation of hierarchical pores in pomegranate metal-organic frameworks (pmg-MOFs) and their self-sequestering storage mechanism, not observed for pristine MOFs. Direct observation of hierarchical pores inside the pmg-MOF was evident by in-situ growth X-ray measurements while self-sequestering storage mechanism was revealed by in-situ gas sorption X-ray analysis and molecular dynamics simulations. The results show that meso/macropores are created at the early stage of crystal growth and then enclosed by micropore crystalline shells, where hierarchical pores are networking under self-sequestering mechanism to give enhanced gas storage. This pmg-MOF gives higher CO2 (39%) and CH4 (14%) storage capacity than pristine MOF at room temperature, in addition to fast kinetics with robust capacity retention during gas sorption cycles, thus giving the clue to control dynamic behaviors of gas adsorption.

A clinical study of emergency room visits for oral and maxillofacial lacerations

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated patients with oral and maxillofacial lacerations who visited the emergency room over a three-year period in an effort to determine the optimal treatment for these injuries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study examined 1,742 patients with oral and maxillofacial lacerations with 2,014 different laceration locations who visited the emergency room of Pusan National University Hospital (Busan, Korea) over three years, from January 2011 to December 2013. Patients were classified by sex, age, visit day, cause of injury, injury site, and the presence or absence of soft tissue and tooth injuries. RESULTS: The male to female ratio was 2.50:1. Patients under 10 years old were seen most frequently. Most emergency room visits were on weekends. Among intra-oral lacerations, the lip area was the most vulnerable site; among extra-oral lacerations, the chin area was most frequently injured. The most frequent etiology was a slip down. Most lacerations occurred without bone fracture or tooth damage. CONCLUSION: Laceration may differ in large part as compared with the fracture. Therefore, it is necessary to continue collecting data on oral and maxillofacial lacerations to establish optimal emergency room diagnosis and treatment strategies.

Predictive factors of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for the response to transarterial chemoembolization in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The predictive role of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) before performing transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has not been determined. We assessed the possible predictive factors of CEUS for the response to TACE. METHODS: Seventeen patients with 18 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) underwent TACE. All of the tumors were studied with CEUS before TACE using a second-generation ultrasound contrast agent (SonoVue(R), Bracco, Milan, Italy). The tumor response to TACE was classified with a score between 1 and 4 according to the remaining enhancing-tumor percentage based on modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (mRECIST): 1, enhancing tumor or =75%). A score of 1 was defined as a "good response" to TACE. The predictive factors for the response to TACE were evaluated during CEUS based on the maximum tumor diameter, initial arterial enhancing time, arterial enhancing duration, intensity of arterial enhancement, presence of a hypoenhanced pattern, and the feeding artery to the tumor. RESULTS: The median tumor size was 3.1 cm. The distribution of tumor response scores after TACE in all tumors was as follows: 1, n=11; 2, n=4; 3, n=2; and 4, n=1. Fifteen tumors showed feeding arteries. The presence of a feeding artery and the tumor size (< or =5 cm) were the predictive factors for a good response (P=0.043 and P=0.047, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a feeding artery and a tumor size of less than 5 cm were the predictive factors for a good response of HCC to TACE on CEUS.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a patient with oral cancer

A patient with squamous cell carcinoma on the left mandible presented with symptoms similar to acute coronary syndrome just after surgery. The exact etiology was unclear, but following transthoracic echocardiogram, takotsubo cardiomyopathy was diagnosed. This is a rare, acute, and reversible form of heart failure, and the patient recovered completely within weeks. Related risk factors are believed to include extended surgery times and extended time under general anesthesia. Early recognition, followed by postoperative control of pain and anxiety are crucial to patient recovery.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a patient with oral cancer

A patient with squamous cell carcinoma on the left mandible presented with symptoms similar to acute coronary syndrome just after surgery. The exact etiology was unclear, but following transthoracic echocardiogram, takotsubo cardiomyopathy was diagnosed. This is a rare, acute, and reversible form of heart failure, and the patient recovered completely within weeks. Related risk factors are believed to include extended surgery times and extended time under general anesthesia. Early recognition, followed by postoperative control of pain and anxiety are crucial to patient recovery.

Clinical Characteristics of Bilateral versus Unilateral Chronic Subdural Hematoma / 대한신경손상학회지

OBJECTIVE: Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a common intracranial hemorrhage that is associated with significant morbidity. Bilateral lesions are occasionally found in neurosurgical practice. The purpose of this study is to analyze clinical characteristics of bilateral CSDH compared with unilateral CSDH. METHODS: Between January 2005 and January 2013, the authors treated 114 surgical patients with CSDH. Clinical presentations, precipitating factors, computed tomography (CT) findings, postoperative complications, and outcomes of patients were retrospectively analyzed in the bilateral and unilateral CSDH groups. RESULTS: Bilateral CSDH was identified in 28 (24.6%) of the 114 CSDH patients. The mean age was 77.85 years in the bilateral CSDH group. The frequency of altered consciousness as a presenting symptom was significantly higher in the bilateral CSDH, and that of hemiparesis was significantly higher in the unilateral CSDH (p=0.015). Diabetes mellitus was more common in the bilateral CSDH (p=0.001). CT scans revealed significant differences in the degree of midline shift (p=0.001). The mean modified Rankin scale at discharge was 1.5 in the bilateral CSDH group and 0.6 in the unilateral group (p=0.019). CONCLUSION: Bilateral CSDH showed different clinical characteristics from unilateral CSDH. Bilateral CSDH is prone to occurrence in the patient of old and diabetics. The patients of bilateral CSDH seem to reveal worse mental status and neurologic sign than unilateral CSDH in both baseline and postoperative state.

Withdrawal: Animal Models in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

This article has been retracted.

Prediction of Outcome after Traumatic Brain Injury Using Clinical and Neuroimaging Variables

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The functional outcome of traumatic brain injury (TBI) varies widely. The aim of this study was to identify the factors predicting outcome following TBI. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled acute TBI patients, and assessed them clinically and radiologically using brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Functional outcome was measured using the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at 3 months after TBI. A GOS score of < or =4 was regarded as an unfavorable outcome. We performed multivariate analysis to investigate the association between clinicoradiological variables and outcome. RESULTS: Forty-two patients completed the clinical evaluation in the acute phase and outcome measurement at 3 months. Motorcycle accident was associated with unfavorable outcome [odds ratio (OR)=38.3, p=0.022]. If the patients were the victims of the accident, they were more likely to have an unfavorable outcome (OR=21.3, p=0.037). All seven patients with a low Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score (i.e., < or =8) at 24 or 48 h after TBI were also found to have an unfavorable outcome. The presence of diffuse axonal injury (DAI) was a significant predicting factor of an unfavorable outcome (OR=8.48, p=0.042). CONCLUSIONS: Motorcycle accident, being an accident victim, and a lower GCS score at 24 hours or more after the accident were found to be unfavorable prognostic variables. DAI was the only radiologic variable predicting an unfavorable outcome. Thus, it is important to identify DAI by applying MRI in the acute phase.

Animal Models in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder affected by multiple genetic, hormonal and environmental factors, which makes it impossible to identify the exact cause of this ailment by only investigating SLE patients, who are genetically heterogeneous, and live in various environments. Therefore, the study of mouse models of lupus has provided valuable clues to help identify, and to validate, novel molecular pathways and targets implicated in the pathogenesis of the disease. While there is no perfect model to reflect all the disease phenotypes observed in human patients, disease subsets are represented in various animal models, which allows modulation of a particular pathophysiological pathway, resulting in the possibility of dissecting its specific contribution to disease development. Spontaneous mouse models of lupus have led to identification of numerous susceptibility loci, from which several candidate genes have been found, while induced models of lupus have provided insight into the role of environmental factors, as well as a better understanding of the cellular mechanisms by which SLE develops. Animal models also allow us to screen and evaluate potential preventive and therapeutic agents. Correlation of specific pathways in animal models to subsets of human disease offers the unique possibility of more accurate preclinical predictions of efficacy for single or combinatorial therapeutic approaches in the clinic. Here, we introduce various animal models of SLE, and review current data focused on genetic factors that are associated with susceptibility or phenotypes of lupus, leading into the present understanding of the genetic basis in lupus pathogenesis.

A Case of Spontaneous Remission of Acute Pulmonary Embolism / 결핵및호흡기질환

Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) ranges from asymptomatic to often fatal, incidentally discovered emboli to massive embolism causing immediate death. Acute PE may occur rapidly and unpredictably and may be difficult to diagnose. Mortality and complications can be reduced by prompt diagnosis and therapy. Untreated PE is associated with a mortality rate of approximately 30 percents. Most patients with PE have endogenous fibrinolysis, although it is not effective enough to prevent PE. A case of spontaneous remission of untreated acute PE has not previously been reported. Here we present a case of spontaneously resolved acute PE without any treatment.