Objective: PD-1 inhibitors have demonstrated improved health outcomes in cancer patients. PD-1 inhibitors are well-tolerated and associated with immune-related adverse events. The objectives of this study are to analyze use patterns of PD-1 inhibitors in patients with cancer and to investigate the incidence of thyroid-related adverse reactions in patients treated with PD-1 inhibitors. Methods: The study included patients who had been administered PD-1 inhibitors (either nivolumab or pembrolizumab) at the Samsung Medical Center between October 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017. Data was collected from electronic medical records and tested using Mann-Whitney tests and Chi-Square tests for statistical significance. Associations between PD-1 inhibitors and incidence of adverse events were tested using Cox regression for age, gender, BMI, ECOG PS and medication. Results: Two hundred fifteen patients were identified as eligible for analyses. Thyroid-related adverse events occurred in 20% of patients (n=43). Thyroid function tests (TFTs) was performed in 109 patients (50.7%). Positive results of PD-L1 testing were found in 53.2% of the 94 patients who had the test. Approved doses of nivolumab (3 m/kg) and pembrolizumab (200 mg) were administered in 70.4% and 53% of patients, respectively. The analysis of risk factor of thyroid-related adverse reaction did not show statistically significant differences (Cox regression). Conclusion Thyroid-related adverse events are common in patients treated with PD-1 inhibitors and hypothyroidism is the most frequent adverse reaction. Routine TFTs monitoring is strongly recommended to evaluate thyroid function in real-world clinical practice.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify individual and occupational factors influencing burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and compassion satisfaction in military officers who experienced supporting civilians in responding to COVID-19. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on 140 special forces’ military officers who experienced responding to disasters within 3 months. Data were collected through an online survey from September to November 2021. Results: The mean scores for burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and compassion satisfaction were 21.67±6.03, 20.54±8.21, and 39.72±8.12 out of 50, respectively. The significant factors that influenced burnout and secondary traumatic stress were ‘higher passive stress copying styles’ (B=0.17, p<.001; B=0.31, p=<.001, respectively) and ‘lower social support (B=-0.11, p=.031; B=-0.10, p=.001, respectively). The compassion satisfaction was more significantly associated with ‘higher self-efficacy’ (B=0.37, p=<.001), ‘higher active stress copying styles’ (B=0.19, p=.006), and ‘education responding to disasters’ (B=2.04, p=.029). Conclusion The results suggest that the strategies to increase social support, self-efficacy, and active stress coping styles should be considered in developing educational programs for military officers responding to disasters to minimize burnout, secondary traumatic stress and to improve compassion satisfaction.

Objective: PD-1 inhibitors have demonstrated improved health outcomes in cancer patients. PD-1 inhibitors are well-tolerated and associated with immune-related adverse events. The objectives of this study are to analyze use patterns of PD-1 inhibitors in patients with cancer and to investigate the incidence of thyroid-related adverse reactions in patients treated with PD-1 inhibitors. Methods: The study included patients who had been administered PD-1 inhibitors (either nivolumab or pembrolizumab) at the Samsung Medical Center between October 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017. Data was collected from electronic medical records and tested using Mann-Whitney tests and Chi-Square tests for statistical significance. Associations between PD-1 inhibitors and incidence of adverse events were tested using Cox regression for age, gender, BMI, ECOG PS and medication. Results: Two hundred fifteen patients were identified as eligible for analyses. Thyroid-related adverse events occurred in 20% of patients (n=43). Thyroid function tests (TFTs) was performed in 109 patients (50.7%). Positive results of PD-L1 testing were found in 53.2% of the 94 patients who had the test. Approved doses of nivolumab (3 m/kg) and pembrolizumab (200 mg) were administered in 70.4% and 53% of patients, respectively. The analysis of risk factor of thyroid-related adverse reaction did not show statistically significant differences (Cox regression). Conclusion Thyroid-related adverse events are common in patients treated with PD-1 inhibitors and hypothyroidism is the most frequent adverse reaction. Routine TFTs monitoring is strongly recommended to evaluate thyroid function in real-world clinical practice.

A yeast-like strain was isolated from the brain abscess of a patient diagnosed with astrocytoma. Morphological and molecular analysis on D1/D2 domain in the 26S rRNA gene and internal transcript spacer region of the strain revealed that the strain belonged to the genus Pseudozyma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the isolation of a Pseudozyma strain from brain abscess.
Aged ; Astrocytoma/*complications ; Brain Abscess/complications/diagnosis/*microbiology ; Brain Diseases/*complications ; DNA, Fungal/genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Mycological Typing Techniques ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal/genetics ; Ustilaginales/classification/genetics/*isolation &purification