The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has underscored the limitations of traditional diagnostic methods, particularly in ensuring the safety of healthcare workers and patients during infectious outbreaks. Smartphone-based digital stethoscopes enhanced with artificial intelligence (AI) have emerged as potential tools for addressing these challenges by enabling remote, efficient, and accessible auscultation. Despite advancements, most existing systems depend on additional hardware and external processing, increasing costs and complicating deployment. This review examines the feasibility and limitations of smartphone-based digital stethoscopes powered by AI, focusing on their ability to perform real-time analyses of audible and inaudible sound frequencies. We also explore the regulatory barriers, data storage challenges, and diagnostic accuracy issues that must be addressed to facilitate broader adoption. The implementation of these devices in veterinary medicine is discussed as a practical step toward refining their applications. With targeted improvements and careful consideration of existing limitations, smartphone-based AI stethoscopes could enhance diagnostic capabilities in human and animal healthcare settings.

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has underscored the limitations of traditional diagnostic methods, particularly in ensuring the safety of healthcare workers and patients during infectious outbreaks. Smartphone-based digital stethoscopes enhanced with artificial intelligence (AI) have emerged as potential tools for addressing these challenges by enabling remote, efficient, and accessible auscultation. Despite advancements, most existing systems depend on additional hardware and external processing, increasing costs and complicating deployment. This review examines the feasibility and limitations of smartphone-based digital stethoscopes powered by AI, focusing on their ability to perform real-time analyses of audible and inaudible sound frequencies. We also explore the regulatory barriers, data storage challenges, and diagnostic accuracy issues that must be addressed to facilitate broader adoption. The implementation of these devices in veterinary medicine is discussed as a practical step toward refining their applications. With targeted improvements and careful consideration of existing limitations, smartphone-based AI stethoscopes could enhance diagnostic capabilities in human and animal healthcare settings.

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has underscored the limitations of traditional diagnostic methods, particularly in ensuring the safety of healthcare workers and patients during infectious outbreaks. Smartphone-based digital stethoscopes enhanced with artificial intelligence (AI) have emerged as potential tools for addressing these challenges by enabling remote, efficient, and accessible auscultation. Despite advancements, most existing systems depend on additional hardware and external processing, increasing costs and complicating deployment. This review examines the feasibility and limitations of smartphone-based digital stethoscopes powered by AI, focusing on their ability to perform real-time analyses of audible and inaudible sound frequencies. We also explore the regulatory barriers, data storage challenges, and diagnostic accuracy issues that must be addressed to facilitate broader adoption. The implementation of these devices in veterinary medicine is discussed as a practical step toward refining their applications. With targeted improvements and careful consideration of existing limitations, smartphone-based AI stethoscopes could enhance diagnostic capabilities in human and animal healthcare settings.

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has underscored the limitations of traditional diagnostic methods, particularly in ensuring the safety of healthcare workers and patients during infectious outbreaks. Smartphone-based digital stethoscopes enhanced with artificial intelligence (AI) have emerged as potential tools for addressing these challenges by enabling remote, efficient, and accessible auscultation. Despite advancements, most existing systems depend on additional hardware and external processing, increasing costs and complicating deployment. This review examines the feasibility and limitations of smartphone-based digital stethoscopes powered by AI, focusing on their ability to perform real-time analyses of audible and inaudible sound frequencies. We also explore the regulatory barriers, data storage challenges, and diagnostic accuracy issues that must be addressed to facilitate broader adoption. The implementation of these devices in veterinary medicine is discussed as a practical step toward refining their applications. With targeted improvements and careful consideration of existing limitations, smartphone-based AI stethoscopes could enhance diagnostic capabilities in human and animal healthcare settings.

Background: Periprosthetic osteolysis is a prevalent complication following total ankle arthroplasty (TAA), implicating various cytokines in osteoclastogenesis as pivotal in this process. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between osteolysis and the concentrations of osteoclastogenesis-related cytokines in synovial fluid and investigate its clinical value following TAA. Methods: Synovial fluid samples from 23 ankles that underwent revision surgery for osteolysis following TAA were analyzed as the osteolysis group. As a control group, we included synovial fluid samples obtained from 23 ankles during primary TAA for osteoarthritis. The receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin (OPG) ratio in these samples was quantified using sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques, and a bead-based multiplex immunoassay facilitated the detection of specific osteoclastogenesis-related cytokines. Results: RANKL levels averaged 487.9 pg/mL in 14 of 23 patients in the osteolysis group, with no detection in the control group’s synovial fluid. Conversely, a significant reduction in OPG levels was observed in the osteolysis group (p = 0.002), resulting in a markedly higher mean RANKL/OPG ratio (0.23) relative to controls (p = 0.020). Moreover, the osteolysis group had increased concentrations of various osteoclastogenesis-related cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IP-10, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1) in the synovial fluid relative to the control group. Conclusions Our results demonstrated that periprosthetic osteolysis was associated with osteoclastogenesis activation through an elevated RANKL/OPG ratio following TAA. We assume that RANKL and other osteoclastogenesis-related cytokines in the synovial fluid have clinical value as a potential marker for the development and progression of osteolysis following TAA.

Objective: In this study, we compared differences based on the gender of Korean emergency physicians to provide basic data for future emergency medicine development plans. Methods: We used data from the emergency physician survey (2020) conducted by the Korean Society of Emergency Medicine. A total of 1,303 emergency physicians responded to the survey. We adjusted demographic data relating to age, position, and work duration as an emergency physician, which could affect the differences based on gender. After propensity score matching, we compared working hours, work burden, income, motives for applying for emergency medicine, and future plans of the emergency physicians by sex. Results: The total working hours per month and night shifts per month were higher in men compared to the women. The women felt more pressure in the following areas: number of emergency patients, relationships with administrative agencies, insufficient emergency medical technician manpower, patients’ compliance, and relationships with other emergency physicians. Monthly income was higher in men. Women placed a higher value on ‘Acquiring a range of knowledge’ and ‘Degree of interest in working in the emergency room’ than men as motivation for applying for positions in emergency medicine. Regarding future plans, women placed less value on income and more on having enough free time and avoiding burnout. The retirement age was about 3 years lower for women than for men. Conclusion This study revealed gender differences in working hours, income, motivation for applying for emergency medicine, work burden, and future plans. It is expected that these differences are caused by physical limitations and socio-cultural backgrounds. It is recommended that more detailed investigations be carried out through qualitative research. These results could help in gender considerations while hiring emergency physicians.

Background and Objectives: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an effective treatment for heart failure. However, in pediatric and congenital heart disease (CHD) patients, current adult indications cannot be directly applied because of heterogeneity in anatomy and diagnosis. Therefore, CRT responses and clinical outcomes in these patients were investigated to derive possible candidates for CRT. Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed 16 pediatric and CHD patients who underwent CRT implantation at a single center in early (0.7±0.2 year) and late (4.7±0.3 years) follow-up period after CRT. Results: The median age at CRT implantation was 2.5 (0.3–37.2) years, and median follow-up duration was 6.3 (0.1–13.6) years. Thirteen had non-transvenous CRT. Two had congenital complete atrioventricular (AV) block with previous right ventricular pacing, 5 had dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) with left bundle branch block, and 9 had CHD. The mean ejection fraction of the systemic ventricle increased from 28.1±10.0% to 44.3±21.0% (p=0.003) in early and 51.8±16.3% (p=0.012) in late outcome. The mean functional class improved from 3.1±0.9 to 1.8±1.1 after CRT (p=0.003). Twelve patients (75%) showed improvement in ventricular function or functional class after CRT. Proportion of responders differed between patients without CHD (2/2 patients with complete AV block and 5/5 with DCM, 100%) and those with CHD (5/9, 56%), although statistical significance was not reached (p=0.088). Conclusions CRT improved ventricular function and functional status according to the underlying condition in pediatric and CHD patients. However, further large and longer-term studies are needed to establish the guideline for the patient selection of CRT in these patients.