Purpose: This study aims to compare the general characteristics, life-style, health examination results, and sick leave days by airmen medical examination decision and to investigate factors affecting sick leave days. Methods: We obtained data from 2,361 Korean pilots who worked for a commercial airline. Comparison of the results by airmen medical examination decision (Fit or waver) was conducted using the x 2 test or Fisher’s exact test. Factors affecting sick leave days were analyzed using logistic regression. Results: Age, smoking history, blood pressure, obesity, and fasting blood sugar level were significantly different between the Fit and Waver groups. Rate of using sick leave long-term was higher in the Waver than in the Fit. Sick leave days were significantly associated with age, habits of drinking, and smoking in the Fit group. Conclusion This study demonstrated the health risk factors that affect the number of sick leave days. By providing basic data for the health care of workers, it is expected to be applicable to the provision of health promotion and disease prevention programs for workers.

The mechanism of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in schizophrenia remains unclear, with limited research available. Previous studies have reported ECT-induced changes in protein markers, including neurotrophic factors, inflammatory markers, and signaling proteins, but findings have been inconsistent. This study reviews existing literature on protein changes associated with ECT and explores potential molecular mechanisms underlying its effects. Additionally, we present pilot findings from 34 patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who underwent ECT at Seoul National University Hospital. Blood samples collected before and after ECT were analyzed via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), with Pearson’s correlation analysis examining their association with symptom changes. Talin 2 emerged as a potential biomarker linked to clinical improvement. However, given the small sample size, these findings require cautious interpretation. Further research is needed to clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying ECT’s therapeutic effects in schizophrenia.

The mechanism of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in schizophrenia remains unclear, with limited research available. Previous studies have reported ECT-induced changes in protein markers, including neurotrophic factors, inflammatory markers, and signaling proteins, but findings have been inconsistent. This study reviews existing literature on protein changes associated with ECT and explores potential molecular mechanisms underlying its effects. Additionally, we present pilot findings from 34 patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who underwent ECT at Seoul National University Hospital. Blood samples collected before and after ECT were analyzed via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), with Pearson’s correlation analysis examining their association with symptom changes. Talin 2 emerged as a potential biomarker linked to clinical improvement. However, given the small sample size, these findings require cautious interpretation. Further research is needed to clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying ECT’s therapeutic effects in schizophrenia.

The mechanism of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in schizophrenia remains unclear, with limited research available. Previous studies have reported ECT-induced changes in protein markers, including neurotrophic factors, inflammatory markers, and signaling proteins, but findings have been inconsistent. This study reviews existing literature on protein changes associated with ECT and explores potential molecular mechanisms underlying its effects. Additionally, we present pilot findings from 34 patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who underwent ECT at Seoul National University Hospital. Blood samples collected before and after ECT were analyzed via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), with Pearson’s correlation analysis examining their association with symptom changes. Talin 2 emerged as a potential biomarker linked to clinical improvement. However, given the small sample size, these findings require cautious interpretation. Further research is needed to clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying ECT’s therapeutic effects in schizophrenia.

The mechanism of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in schizophrenia remains unclear, with limited research available. Previous studies have reported ECT-induced changes in protein markers, including neurotrophic factors, inflammatory markers, and signaling proteins, but findings have been inconsistent. This study reviews existing literature on protein changes associated with ECT and explores potential molecular mechanisms underlying its effects. Additionally, we present pilot findings from 34 patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who underwent ECT at Seoul National University Hospital. Blood samples collected before and after ECT were analyzed via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), with Pearson’s correlation analysis examining their association with symptom changes. Talin 2 emerged as a potential biomarker linked to clinical improvement. However, given the small sample size, these findings require cautious interpretation. Further research is needed to clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying ECT’s therapeutic effects in schizophrenia.

The mechanism of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in schizophrenia remains unclear, with limited research available. Previous studies have reported ECT-induced changes in protein markers, including neurotrophic factors, inflammatory markers, and signaling proteins, but findings have been inconsistent. This study reviews existing literature on protein changes associated with ECT and explores potential molecular mechanisms underlying its effects. Additionally, we present pilot findings from 34 patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who underwent ECT at Seoul National University Hospital. Blood samples collected before and after ECT were analyzed via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), with Pearson’s correlation analysis examining their association with symptom changes. Talin 2 emerged as a potential biomarker linked to clinical improvement. However, given the small sample size, these findings require cautious interpretation. Further research is needed to clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying ECT’s therapeutic effects in schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVES: This study constructed a comprehensive database of dietary antioxidants and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) to facilitate the estimation of daily antioxidant intake using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). This database was applied to 3 general population-based cohorts (n=195,961) within the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES). METHODS: To establish a database of 412 foods derived from recipes of a 106-item FFQ, we followed a pre-established standardized protocol. This included the selection of source databases, matching of foods, substitution of unmatched items with identical foods and input of values, and assessment of coverage. For each food, the TAC was estimated by summing the individual antioxidant capacities, calculated by multiplying the amount of each antioxidant by its vitamin C equivalent antioxidant capacity. RESULTS: We identified 48 antioxidants across 5 classes: retinol, carotenoids, vitamins C and E, and flavonoids, with flavonoids divided into 7 subclasses. TAC values were then established. Coverage exceeded 90.0% for retinol, carotenoids, vitamin C, and vitamin E, while coverage for flavonoids was 60.9%. The daily intakes of 4 antioxidant classes—all but vitamin E—were higher in women than in men. The Ansan-Ansung cohort exhibited the highest levels of dietary TAC, vitamin E, and flavonoids, while the Health Examinees Study cohort displayed the highest values for retinol, carotenoids, and vitamin C. CONCLUSIONS We customized a comprehensive antioxidant database for the KoGES FFQ, achieving relatively high coverage. This expansion could support research investigating the impact of dietary antioxidants on the development of chronic diseases targeted by the KoGES.

One complication related to local anesthesia in the dental clinic is a broken needle. Although rare, a broken needle may be difficult to retrieve. Dental radiographs and 3D CT have been used in the past to confirm the location of a broken needle. We present the case of a broken needle, which was successfully removed using a careful, microscopic approach.
Anesthesia, Local ; Dental Clinics ; Needles*

Lidocaine, a local anesthetic commonly used in dental treatments, is capable of causing allergies or adverse effects similar to allergic reactions. However, the frequency of such occurrences in actual clinical settings is very rare, and even clinical tests on patients with known allergies to local anesthetics may often show negative results. When adverse effects, such as allergy to lidocaine, are involved, patients can be treated by testing other local anesthetics and choosing a local anesthetic without any adverse effects, or by performing dental treatment under general anesthesia in cases in which no local anesthetic without adverse effects is available. Along with a literature review, the authors of the present study report on two cases of patients who tested positive on allergy skin tests for lidocaine and bupivacaine and subsequently underwent successful dental treatments with either general anesthesia or a different local anesthetic.
Anesthesia, Dental* ; Anesthesia, General ; Anesthetics, Local ; Bupivacaine ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity* ; Lidocaine* ; Skin Tests

Background: Glomus tumors are benign vascular tumors derived from the glomus body, a neuromuscular vascular tissue responsible for regulating the temperature and blood flow of the skin. Ultrasonography (USG) is a useful tool for diagnosing glomus tumors; nevertheless, data on Korean patients with glomus tumors are limited. Objective: This study aimed to describe USG findings of subungual glomus tumors in Korean patients. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and USG readings of 20 cases of glomus tumors in the nail apparatus diagnosed from January 2015 to December 2021. Results: Twenty patients were included in this study. Four patients (20.0%) were male and 16 (80.0%) were female. The age of onset ranged from 18∼86 years, with a mean of 45.2 years. USG findings showed hypoechoic echogenicity in all cases. Tumor size ranged from 2.3∼10 mm (mean±standard deviation, 5.5±1.9 mm). The tumor shape observed on USG was oval in 16 cases (80.0%), lobulated in three cases (15.0%), and round in one case (5.0%). Tumor boundaries were well-defined in 18 cases (90.0%) and ill-defined in two cases. Posterior acoustic enhancement and cortical erosion were observed in 19 (95.0%) and 17 cases (85.0%), respectively. Increased vascularity was observed in 19 cases (95.0%). Conclusion This study revealed characteristic USG features of glomus tumors. USG is a helpful tool for the diagnosis and management of glomus tumors.