Purpose: The authors aimed to identify the factors affecting interhospital transfer (“transfer”) of severe pediatric patients who visited to an emergency department (ED). Methods: Using the Korean National ED Information System, we analyzed high-acuity patients aged 18 years or younger who visited EDs of local or regional emergency centers nationwide. The high acuity was defined as a Korean Triage and Acuity Scale 1-2. To investigate the factors associated with transfer, a multilevel modeling was selected, examining independent variables at both individual- and hospital-levels with transfer as a dependent variable. Results: A model consisting of variables at individual- and hospital-levels showed the factors as follows: mode of arrival(self-transport: odds ratio, 0.48 [95% confidence interval, 0.38-0.61]; other ambulances: 0.41 [0.24-0.71]; compared with firehouse ambulance), visit at 18:00-07:59 (0.75 [0.64-0.88]), intentional injury (1.59 [1.03-2.47]; compared with non-injury), decreased level of consciousness (drowsy: 1.94 [1.33-2.84]; stupor: 4.08 [2.99-5.57]; coma: 1.81 [1.26-2.60]; compared with alert), severe illness diagnosis (1.49 [1.12-1.98]), the number of all beds in EDs (1.02 [1.01-1.04]), and acceptance for treatment (0.92 [0.87-0.98]; with increment of 1%). Conclusion This study confirms that both individual-level and hospital-level factors affect the transfer risk of severe pediatric patients in EDs. The study suggests the needs for direct transportation to specialized pediatric treatment facilities, and concentrated support for the pediatric emergency medical centers and pediatric trauma centers.

Purpose: The authors aimed to identify the factors affecting interhospital transfer (“transfer”) of severe pediatric patients who visited to an emergency department (ED). Methods: Using the Korean National ED Information System, we analyzed high-acuity patients aged 18 years or younger who visited EDs of local or regional emergency centers nationwide. The high acuity was defined as a Korean Triage and Acuity Scale 1-2. To investigate the factors associated with transfer, a multilevel modeling was selected, examining independent variables at both individual- and hospital-levels with transfer as a dependent variable. Results: A model consisting of variables at individual- and hospital-levels showed the factors as follows: mode of arrival(self-transport: odds ratio, 0.48 [95% confidence interval, 0.38-0.61]; other ambulances: 0.41 [0.24-0.71]; compared with firehouse ambulance), visit at 18:00-07:59 (0.75 [0.64-0.88]), intentional injury (1.59 [1.03-2.47]; compared with non-injury), decreased level of consciousness (drowsy: 1.94 [1.33-2.84]; stupor: 4.08 [2.99-5.57]; coma: 1.81 [1.26-2.60]; compared with alert), severe illness diagnosis (1.49 [1.12-1.98]), the number of all beds in EDs (1.02 [1.01-1.04]), and acceptance for treatment (0.92 [0.87-0.98]; with increment of 1%). Conclusion This study confirms that both individual-level and hospital-level factors affect the transfer risk of severe pediatric patients in EDs. The study suggests the needs for direct transportation to specialized pediatric treatment facilities, and concentrated support for the pediatric emergency medical centers and pediatric trauma centers.

Purpose: The authors aimed to identify the factors affecting interhospital transfer (“transfer”) of severe pediatric patients who visited to an emergency department (ED). Methods: Using the Korean National ED Information System, we analyzed high-acuity patients aged 18 years or younger who visited EDs of local or regional emergency centers nationwide. The high acuity was defined as a Korean Triage and Acuity Scale 1-2. To investigate the factors associated with transfer, a multilevel modeling was selected, examining independent variables at both individual- and hospital-levels with transfer as a dependent variable. Results: A model consisting of variables at individual- and hospital-levels showed the factors as follows: mode of arrival(self-transport: odds ratio, 0.48 [95% confidence interval, 0.38-0.61]; other ambulances: 0.41 [0.24-0.71]; compared with firehouse ambulance), visit at 18:00-07:59 (0.75 [0.64-0.88]), intentional injury (1.59 [1.03-2.47]; compared with non-injury), decreased level of consciousness (drowsy: 1.94 [1.33-2.84]; stupor: 4.08 [2.99-5.57]; coma: 1.81 [1.26-2.60]; compared with alert), severe illness diagnosis (1.49 [1.12-1.98]), the number of all beds in EDs (1.02 [1.01-1.04]), and acceptance for treatment (0.92 [0.87-0.98]; with increment of 1%). Conclusion This study confirms that both individual-level and hospital-level factors affect the transfer risk of severe pediatric patients in EDs. The study suggests the needs for direct transportation to specialized pediatric treatment facilities, and concentrated support for the pediatric emergency medical centers and pediatric trauma centers.

Purpose: The authors aimed to identify the factors affecting interhospital transfer (“transfer”) of severe pediatric patients who visited to an emergency department (ED). Methods: Using the Korean National ED Information System, we analyzed high-acuity patients aged 18 years or younger who visited EDs of local or regional emergency centers nationwide. The high acuity was defined as a Korean Triage and Acuity Scale 1-2. To investigate the factors associated with transfer, a multilevel modeling was selected, examining independent variables at both individual- and hospital-levels with transfer as a dependent variable. Results: A model consisting of variables at individual- and hospital-levels showed the factors as follows: mode of arrival(self-transport: odds ratio, 0.48 [95% confidence interval, 0.38-0.61]; other ambulances: 0.41 [0.24-0.71]; compared with firehouse ambulance), visit at 18:00-07:59 (0.75 [0.64-0.88]), intentional injury (1.59 [1.03-2.47]; compared with non-injury), decreased level of consciousness (drowsy: 1.94 [1.33-2.84]; stupor: 4.08 [2.99-5.57]; coma: 1.81 [1.26-2.60]; compared with alert), severe illness diagnosis (1.49 [1.12-1.98]), the number of all beds in EDs (1.02 [1.01-1.04]), and acceptance for treatment (0.92 [0.87-0.98]; with increment of 1%). Conclusion This study confirms that both individual-level and hospital-level factors affect the transfer risk of severe pediatric patients in EDs. The study suggests the needs for direct transportation to specialized pediatric treatment facilities, and concentrated support for the pediatric emergency medical centers and pediatric trauma centers.

GITR (glucocorticoid-induced TNF receptor) is a recently identified member of the TNF receptor superfamily. The receptor is preferentially expressed on CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and GITR signals break the suppressive activity of the subset. In this study, we wanted to reveal the in vivo function of GITR in herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection. A single injection of anti-GITR mAb (DTA-1) immediately after viral infection significantly increased the number of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells expressing CD25, an activation surface marker, and secreting IFN-gamma. We confirmed these in vivo observations by showing ex vivo that re-stimulation of CD4+ or CD8+ T cells with a CD4+ or CD8+ T-cell-specific HSV-1 peptide, respectively, induced a significant elevation in cell proliferation and in IFN-gamma secretion. Our results indicate that GITR signals play a critical role in the T-cell immunity to HSV-1.
Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal/pharmacology ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology ; Cell Proliferation ; Female ; Glucocorticoids/*pharmacology ; Herpes Simplex/*immunology ; Herpesvirus 1, Human/pathogenicity ; *Immunity, Cellular ; Interferon Type II/secretion ; *Lymphocyte Activation ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Peptide Fragments/metabolism ; Receptors, Interleukin-2/metabolism ; Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor/genetics/immunology/*metabolism ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor/genetics/immunology/*metabolism ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; T-Lymphocytes/*immunology/metabolism/virology

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate the usefulness of combining transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) to evaluate corticospinal tract (CST) integrity and subsequently predict ambulatory function after middle cerebral artery (MCA) stroke. METHODS: Forty-three patients with first MCA stroke underwent TMS and DTT to evaluate CST integrity. Patients were classified into four groups according to the presence of motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) obtained from the tibialis anterior muscle and CST integrity. Motor impairment and functional status were assessed using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Functional Ambulation Category, and Korean modified Barthel Index, both at the time of admission and after 4 weeks of rehabilitation. RESULTS: Patients with the presence of both measurable MEPs and a preserved CST showed better motor recovery and ambulatory function than other groups at the 4-week follow-up. Intact CSTs were not visualized in patients without detectable MEPs. Among the patients displaying MEPs, those with preserved CSTs showed better recovery of paretic lower extremities. CONCLUSIONS: Combined assessment using TMS and DTT to evaluate CST integrity confers advantages in predicting motor and ambulation recovery in patients with MCA stroke.
Diffusion* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Locomotion ; Lower Extremity ; Middle Cerebral Artery ; Pyramidal Tracts ; Rehabilitation ; Stroke* ; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation* ; Walking*

OBJECTIVE: To determine the supratentorial area associated with poststroke dysphagia, we assessed the diffusion tensor images (DTI) in subacute stroke patients with supratentorial lesions. METHODS: We included 31 patients with a first episode of infarction in the middle cerebral artery territory. Each subject underwent brain DTI as well as a videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) and patients divided were into the dysphagia and non-dysphagia groups. Clinical dysphagia scale (CDS) scores were compared between the two groups. The corticospinal tract volume (TV), fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were calculated for 11 regions of interest in the supratentorial area—primary motor cortex, primary somatosensory cortex, supplementary motor cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, parieto-occipital cortex, insular cortex, posterior limb of the internal capsule, thalamus, and basal ganglia (putamen and caudate nucleus). DTI parameters were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Among the 31 subjects, 17 were diagnosed with dysphagia by VFSS. Mean TVs were similar across the two groups. Significant inter-group differences were observed in two DTI values: the FA value in the contra-lesional primary motor cortex and the ADC value in the bilateral posterior limbs of the internal capsule (all p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The FA value in the primary motor cortex on the contra-lesional side and the ADC value in the bilateral PLIC can be associated with dysphagia in middle cerebral artery stroke.
Anisotropy ; Basal Ganglia ; Brain ; Cerebral Cortex ; Deglutition ; Deglutition Disorders* ; Diffusion ; Extremities ; Gyrus Cinguli ; Humans ; Infarction ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery* ; Internal Capsule ; Middle Cerebral Artery* ; Motor Cortex ; Prefrontal Cortex ; Pyramidal Tracts ; Somatosensory Cortex ; Stroke ; Thalamus

BACKGROUND: This study is intended to propose not only to introduce and evaluate the 2 years Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) professional on-the-job training program that has been implemented in Samsung Medical Center on September of 2009, but also to develop the CRC future education program. METHODS: It is surveyed with self-report type for the 53 trainees, 18 non-trainees, and 17 investigators, the participants worked in Samsung Medical Center, and the major contents of the survey were general characteristics, training program evaluations, CRC qualification evaluation, and job satisfaction. The collected data was analyzed at the 0.05 level of significance by using SAS 9.1 version. RESULTS: The training program is conducted as 4 phases, each phase assessed separately. The Professional A course got the highest satisfaction, and it was deal with quality control (Mean=4.11 ~ 4.33). Most of the investigators answered that the trainees have high priority to be hired in the future (very much=82.45). The non-trainees answered that the training program would be helpful to improve the job competency and qualification (very much=22.2 %, somewhat=55.6 %) and 88.9 % of them answered that they have intention to participate in the training program. Finally, compared to non-trainees, the trainees have more job attachment (P=0.0036) and intention to continue CRC (P=0.0045). CONCLUSION: The CRC professional training program in Samsung Medical Center, as on the job training for 2 years, satisfies the investigators and trainees with positive effect on CRC job satisfaction and job stability. Based on this study, the education program with good quality should be developed considering the characteristics for each institution and close research field.
Humans ; Inservice Training ; Intention ; Job Satisfaction ; Korea ; Phenothiazines ; Quality Control ; Research Personnel

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reliability and validity of Korean version of AST (K-AST) as a bedside screening test of apraxia in patients with stroke for early and reliable detection. METHODS: AST was translated into Korean, and the translated version received authorization from the author of AST. The performances of K-AST in 26 patients (21 males, 5 females; mean age 65.42±17.31 years) with stroke (23 ischemic, 3 hemorrhagic) were videotaped. To test the reliability and validity of K-AST, the recorded performances were assessed by two physiatrists and two occupational therapists twice at a 1-week interval. The patient performances at admission in Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE), self-care and transfer categories of Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and motor praxis area of Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment, the second edition (LOTCA-II) were also evaluated. Scores of motor praxis area of LOTCA-II was used to assess the validity of K-AST. RESULTS: Inter-rater reliabilities were 0.983 (p<0.001) at the first assessment and 0.982 (p<0.001) at the second assessment. For intra-rater (test-retest) reliabilities, the values of four raters were 0.978 (p<0.001), 0.957 (p<0.001), 0.987 (p<0.001), and 0.977 (p<0.001). K-AST showed significant correlation (r=0.758, p<0.001) with motor praxis area of LOTCA-II test. K-AST also showed positive correlations with the total FIM score (r=0.694, p<0.001), the selfcare category of FIM (r=0.705, p<0.001) and the transfer category of FIM (r=653, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: K-AST is a reliable and valid test for bedside screening of apraxia.
Apraxias* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Occupational Therapy ; Reproducibility of Results* ; Self Care ; Stroke ; Upper Extremity

Purpose: This study aimed to develop and assess the feasibility and effectiveness of digital therapeutics for supportive care after gastrectomy.Materials and Method: The study included 39 patients with gastric cancer who underwent minimally invasive gastrectomy and were able to use a mobile application (app) on their smartphones. The developed research app automatically calculates and provides daily targets for calorie and protein intake based on the patient’s body mass index (BMI). Patients recorded their daily diets, weights, and symptoms in the app and completed special questionnaires to assess the feasibility of the app in real-world clinical practice. Results: At the 10-week follow-up, the mean questionnaire scores for ease of learning, usability, and effectiveness of the app (primary endpoint) were 2.32±0.41, 2.35±0.43, and 2.4±0.39 (range: 0–3), respectively. Patients were classified as underweight (<18.5, n=4), normal (18.5–24.9, n=24), or overweight (≥25.0, n=11) according to predischarge BMI.Underweight patients showed higher compliance with app usage and a higher rate of achieving the target calorie and protein intake than normal weight and overweight patients (98% vs. 77% vs. 81%, p=0.0313; 102% vs. 75% vs. 61%, P=0.0111; 106% vs. 79% vs. 64%, P=0.0429). Two patients transitioned from underweight to normal weight (50.0%), one patient (4.3%) transitioned from normal weight to underweight, and two patients (22.2%) transitioned from overweight to normal weight. Conclusions The mobile app is feasible and useful for postoperative supportive care in terms of ease of learning, usability, and effectiveness. Digital therapeutics may be an effective way to provide supportive care for postgastrectomy patients, particularly in terms of nutrition.