Objective: The Daegu region experienced the first wave of the pandemic at the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in Korea. Other non-COVID-19-related treatments during a community outbreak, such as cardiovascular diseases, were expected to impact emergency departments. In acute myocardial infarctions, time is an important factor affecting the patient outcome. This study examined how community COVID-19 outbreak affected STsegment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) care in emergency departments. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on patients visiting five emergency departments in the Daegu area who were diagnosed with STEMI from February 18 to April 17 each year from 2018 to 2020. The demographic characteristics, prehospital variables, in-hospital time variables, and treatment results were collected. The cases were divided into the pre-COVID period and the COVID period for comparison. Results: The study included 254 patients (194 pre-COVID, 60 during COVID). The symptom-to-door time did not differ. Although the door-to-first doctor time was shortened (4 min vs. 2 min, P=0.01), the rate of coronary angiogram along with the door-to-angiogram time and the door-to-balloon time did not change. The length of stay in the emergency department was delayed during COVID-19 (median, 136 min vs. 404 min; P<0.01). The in-hospital length of stay and mortality were similar in both groups. Conclusion The time to treat STEMI was not delayed significantly during the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak in the Daegu area compared with the pre-pandemic period. Mortality did not change. The length of stay was elongated significantly in the emergency department but not in the hospital.

Objective: The Daegu region experienced the first wave of the pandemic at the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in Korea. Other non-COVID-19-related treatments during a community outbreak, such as cardiovascular diseases, were expected to impact emergency departments. In acute myocardial infarctions, time is an important factor affecting the patient outcome. This study examined how community COVID-19 outbreak affected STsegment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) care in emergency departments. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on patients visiting five emergency departments in the Daegu area who were diagnosed with STEMI from February 18 to April 17 each year from 2018 to 2020. The demographic characteristics, prehospital variables, in-hospital time variables, and treatment results were collected. The cases were divided into the pre-COVID period and the COVID period for comparison. Results: The study included 254 patients (194 pre-COVID, 60 during COVID). The symptom-to-door time did not differ. Although the door-to-first doctor time was shortened (4 min vs. 2 min, P=0.01), the rate of coronary angiogram along with the door-to-angiogram time and the door-to-balloon time did not change. The length of stay in the emergency department was delayed during COVID-19 (median, 136 min vs. 404 min; P<0.01). The in-hospital length of stay and mortality were similar in both groups. Conclusion The time to treat STEMI was not delayed significantly during the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak in the Daegu area compared with the pre-pandemic period. Mortality did not change. The length of stay was elongated significantly in the emergency department but not in the hospital.

Objective: The Daegu region experienced the first wave of the pandemic at the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in Korea. Other non-COVID-19-related treatments during a community outbreak, such as cardiovascular diseases, were expected to impact emergency departments. In acute myocardial infarctions, time is an important factor affecting the patient outcome. This study examined how community COVID-19 outbreak affected STsegment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) care in emergency departments. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on patients visiting five emergency departments in the Daegu area who were diagnosed with STEMI from February 18 to April 17 each year from 2018 to 2020. The demographic characteristics, prehospital variables, in-hospital time variables, and treatment results were collected. The cases were divided into the pre-COVID period and the COVID period for comparison. Results: The study included 254 patients (194 pre-COVID, 60 during COVID). The symptom-to-door time did not differ. Although the door-to-first doctor time was shortened (4 min vs. 2 min, P=0.01), the rate of coronary angiogram along with the door-to-angiogram time and the door-to-balloon time did not change. The length of stay in the emergency department was delayed during COVID-19 (median, 136 min vs. 404 min; P<0.01). The in-hospital length of stay and mortality were similar in both groups. Conclusion The time to treat STEMI was not delayed significantly during the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak in the Daegu area compared with the pre-pandemic period. Mortality did not change. The length of stay was elongated significantly in the emergency department but not in the hospital.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-related techniques can provide information related to the electrical properties of the body. Understanding the electrical properties of human tissues is crucial for developing diagnostic tools and therapeutic approaches for various medical conditions. This study reviewed the principles, development, and application of electrical conductivity mapping using MRI. To review the magnetic resonance electrical properties tomography (MREPT)-based conductivity mapping technique and its application to brain imaging, first, we explain the definition and fundamental principles of electrical conductivity, some factors that influence changes in ionic conductivity, and the background of mapping cellular conductivities. Second, we explain the concepts and applications of magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography (MREIT) and MREPT. Third, we describe our recent technical developments and their clinical applications. Finally, we explain the benefits, impacts, and challenges of MRI-based conductivity in clinical practice. MRI techniques, such as MREIT and MREPT, enabled the measurement of conductivity-related properties within the body. MREIT assessed low-frequency conductivity by applying a lowfrequency external current, whereas MREPT captured high-frequency conductivity (at the Larmorfrequency) without applying an external current. In MREIT, the subject’s safety should be ensuredbecause electrical current is applied, particularly around sensitive areas, such as the brain, or in subjects with implanted electronic devices. Our previous studies have highlighted the potential ofconductivity indices as biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease. MREPT is usually applied to humansrather than MREIT. MREPT holds promise as a noninvasive tool for characterizing tissue properties and understanding pathological conditions.

Objective: The emergency department (ED) serves as the initial point of contact for many sepsis patients, but crowding can affect the timely delivery of essential interventions, such as antibiotics. This paper explores the relationship between antibiotics administration and ED crowding in the context of sepsis management. Methods: This single-center study at a tertiary care hospital included adult patients aged 18 and above who visited the emergency department from January 2018 to December 2022. Patients showing signs of septic shock upon arrival were selected as the study population. This study examined factors such as emergency department occupancy, antibiotic administration time, and their correlation with timely antibiotic treatment. Results: This study of 839 adult patients with septic shock found a weak correlation (P=0.107) between the time to antibiotic administration and department occupancy. Delayed antibiotic administration was observed when the occupancy exceeded 100%. On the other hand, there was no significant correlation between antibiotic administration within one hour and department occupancy. Conclusion Various factors, such as ED bed occupancy, medical staffing, resource allocation, and patient acuity, must be considered when comprehensively evaluating the impact of ED overcrowding on treating septic shock and other conditions.

Background/Aims: This study aimed to assess the impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic on nationally notifiable infectious diseases (NNIDs) in South Korea. Methods: Long-term data on seven NNIDs from 2018 to 2021 were analyzed to identify trends and change points using a change point detection technique. The timings of the NPI implementations were compared to the identified change points to determine their association. Results: Varicella, mumps, and scarlet fever showed a significant decrease in incidence following the implementation of NPIs during the COVID-19 pandemic. These diseases, which are primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets, demonstrated a clear response to NPIs. However, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) showed an increasing trend unrelated to the timing of NPI implementation, suggesting the complex nature of controlling healthcare-associated infections. Hepatitis A, hepatitis C, and scrub typhus did not show significant changes associated with NPIs, likely due to their non-respiratory route of transmission. Conclusions NPIs effectively controlled NNIDs, particularly those transmitted through respiratory infections. However, the impact varied depending on the disease. Understanding the effectiveness and limitations of NPIs is crucial for developing comprehensive public health strategies during infectious disease outbreaks.

Splenic artery embolization plays an important role in the management of various medical and surgical conditions that are non-traumatic in etiology, in addition to its well-established and widely discussed role in managing splenic trauma. In nontraumatic emergencies of catastrophic bleeding originating from the spleen or splenic artery, splenic artery embolization can be effective in achieving hemostasis as a definitive management, temporary stabilizing measure, or preoperative optimization technique. In addition to emergency clinical conditions, splenic artery embolization can be performed electively as an alternative to splenectomy for managing patients with hypersplenism.Herein, we report 6 cases of splenic artery embolization performed at our center to highlight its various indications. This article aims to demonstrate the role of splenic artery embolization in different clinical scenarios and the considerations behind the techniques employed through illustrative cases.

Low-dose radiotherapy (LDRT) has been explored as a treatment option for various inflammatory diseases; however, its application in the context of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is lacking. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism underlying LDRT-based treatment for RA and standardize it. LDRT reduced the total numbers of immune cells, but increased the apoptotic CD4+ T and B220+ B cells, in the draining lymph nodes of collagen induced arthritis and K/BxN models. In addition, it significantly reduced the severity of various pathological manifestations, including bone destruction, cartilage erosion, and swelling of hind limb ankle. Post-LDRT, the proportion of apoptotic CD4+ T and CD19 + B cells increased significantly in the PBMCs derived from human patients with RA. LDRT showed a similar effect in fibroblast-like synoviocytes as well. In conclusion, we report that LDRT induces apoptosis in immune cells and fibro-blast-like synoviocytes, contributing to attenuation of arthritis.

Low-dose radiotherapy (LDRT) has been explored as a treatment option for various inflammatory diseases; however, its application in the context of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is lacking. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism underlying LDRT-based treatment for RA and standardize it. LDRT reduced the total numbers of immune cells, but increased the apoptotic CD4+ T and B220+ B cells, in the draining lymph nodes of collagen induced arthritis and K/BxN models. In addition, it significantly reduced the severity of various pathological manifestations, including bone destruction, cartilage erosion, and swelling of hind limb ankle. Post-LDRT, the proportion of apoptotic CD4+ T and CD19 + B cells increased significantly in the PBMCs derived from human patients with RA. LDRT showed a similar effect in fibroblast-like synoviocytes as well. In conclusion, we report that LDRT induces apoptosis in immune cells and fibro-blast-like synoviocytes, contributing to attenuation of arthritis.