Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccinations on deaths of the COVID-19 cases in some elderly long-term care facilities (LTCF) in Gwangju Metropolitan City. Methods: The study subjects were 659 COVID-19 cases in residents of 7 elderly LTCF, Gwangju, from 21 Dec. 2021 to 28 Jan. 2022. The used variables were confirmed dates for COVID-19, demographic characteristics, co-morbidities, presentation of symptoms, death and vaccination related characteristics including type of vaccine, doses and dates. Vaccination status were classified as not vaccinated, partially and fully vaccinated. The associations of vaccination status and deaths of COVID-19 cases were tested by chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: The rates of not vaccinated, partially vaccinated and fully vaccinated were 19.4%, 10.2% and 70.4%, respectively. The mortality rate of the cases was 6.4%.The death rate by vaccination status was 16.4% in not vaccinated, 15.4% in partially vaccinated and 2.6% in fully vaccinated, showing a statistically significant difference. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence intervals, CIs) of death compared to fully vaccinated were 7.64 (3.87-16.34) in non-vaccinated, and 6.97 (3.44-14.14) in partially vaccinated. Conclusions COVID-19 vaccination seems to work effectively in preventing deaths of COVID-19 cases of elderly LTCF residents. This finding support that fully vaccinations in high risk group such as elderly LTCF residents is very important for one of strategies of COVID-19 management.

OBJECTIVES: Klinefelter syndrome is the most common genetic cause of male infertility and presents with 47, XXY mainly or 46, XX/47, XXY mosaicism. It is characterized by hypogonadism and azoospermia due to testicular failure, however, sporadic cases of natural pregnancies have been reported. With the development of testicular sperm extraction (TESE) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), sperm can be retrieved successfully and ART is applied in these patients for pregnancy. It has been suggested that the risk of chromosome aneuploidy for both sex chromosome and autosome is increased in the sperms from 47, XXY germ cells. Considering the risk for chromosomal aneuploidy in the offspring, preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) could be applied as a safe and more effective treatment option in Klinefelter syndrome. The aim of this study is to assess the outcome of PGD cycles by using FISH for sex chromosome and autosome in patients with Klinefelter syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From Jan. 2001 to Dec. 2003, PGD was attempted in 8 cases of Klinefelter syndrome but TESE was failed to retrieve sperm in the 3 cases, therefore PGD was performed in 8 cycles of 5 cases (four 47, XXY and one 46, XY/47, XXY mosaicism). In one case, ejaculated sperm was used and in 4 cases, TESE sperm was used for ICSI. After fertilization, blastomere biopsy was performed in 6~10 cell stage embryo and the chromosome aneuploidy was diagnosed by using FISH with CEP probes for chromosome X, Y and 17 or 18. RESULTS: A total of 127 oocytes were retrieved and ICSI was performed in 113 mature oocytes. The fertilization rate was 65.3+/-6.0% (mean+/-SEM) and 76 embryos were obtained. Blastomere biopsy was performed in 61 developing embryos and FISH analysis was successful in 95.1% of the biopsied blastomeres (58/61). The rate of balanced embryos for chromosome X, Y and 17 or 18 was 39.7+/-6.9%. The rate of aneuploidy for sex chromosome (X and Y) was 45.9+/-5.3% and 43.2+/-5.8% for chromosome 17 or 18, respectively. Embryo transfer was performed in all 8 cycles and mean number of transferred embryos was 2.5+/-0.5. In 2 cases, clinical pregnancies were obtained and normal 46, XX and 46, XY karyotypes were confirmed by amniocentesis, respectively. Healthy male and female babies were delivered uneventfully at term. CONCLUSION: The patients with Klinefelter syndrome can benefit from ART with TESE and ICSI. Considering the risk of aneuploidy for both sex chromosome and autosome in the sperms and embryos of Klinefelter syndrome, PGD could be offered as safe and more effective treatment option.
Amniocentesis ; Aneuploidy ; Azoospermia ; Biopsy ; Blastomeres ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17 ; Embryo Transfer ; Embryonic Structures ; Female ; Fertilization ; Germ Cells ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Infertility, Male ; Karyotype ; Klinefelter Syndrome* ; Male ; Mosaicism ; Oocytes ; Pregnancy ; Preimplantation Diagnosis* ; Prostaglandins D ; Sex Chromosomes ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; Spermatozoa

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to compare the diet quality and diversity according to types of obesity categorized by body mass index and waist circumference among Korean adults aged 19-64 years. METHODS: This study used the data of the 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES-V) and included 11,081 study participants. Type of obesity was categorized into 4 groups (Type 1: BMI obesity + abdominal obesity; Type 2: BMI obesity only; Type 3: abdominal obesity only; Type 4: Normal). To compare the diet quality and diversity according to obesity type, ANCOVA (Analysis of covariance) was used with stratification of age groups (19-44 years, 45-64 years). RESULTS: With regard to comparative analysis of diet quality, there were significant differences between diet qualities in energy, protein, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, phosphorous and iron and type of obesity in the 19-44 age group, while there were significant differences between diet qualities on protein, vitamin C, phosphorous and type of obesity in the 45-64 age group. There was no significant difference between diet diversity score and type of obesity in Korean adults. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that in Korean adults, diet qualities of some nutrients were different among obesity types, while diet diversity was not. These observations should be considered in an effort to improve intake of over-and deficient nutrients and in further studies to evaluate the effects of nutrient quality on obesity.
Adult* ; Ascorbic Acid ; Body Mass Index ; Diet* ; Humans ; Iron ; Korea ; Niacin ; Nutrition Surveys ; Obesity* ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Riboflavin ; Waist Circumference

BACKGROUND: In a noisy hospital setting, it is not easy to induce hypnosis or sedation calmly. Although the noise stress has been neglected, it seems to disturb a patient's sleep or induction of sedation. Therefore, we tried to evaluate the effects of loud operating room (OR) background noise on bispectral index (BIS) during monitored anesthesia care (MAC) by using an audiometer and BIS monitor. METHODS: Thirty adult patients (ASA class I) were scheduled two times for nasal or dental procedures at an interval of two or three days. In a randomized, cross-over study design, we prospectively compared the BIS values according to the loudness of OR noise in two different depths of sedation during MAC. Propofol target controlled infusion (TCI) was started at a propofol target concentration (CT) 2.0 microgram/ml using a DiprifusorTM with flash mode until a BIS 80 and/or a modified Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation (mOAAS) score of 4 (group 1), and BIS 75 and/or mOAAS score 3 (group 2) was obtained. We evaluated the effect site concentrations and the elapsed time and checked the BIS at 50, 80, 110, and 120 dB of sound pressure level (SPL) in both groups. RESULTS: The BIS at 80, 110 and 120 dB of SPL in group 1 was significantly increased compared to those at 50 dB (P < 0.05). Similarly, the BIS at 110 and 120 dB of SPL in group 1 was significantly increased compared to those at 80 dB (P < 0.05). The patients in their twenties were most susceptible to loud OR noise during sedation. CONCLUSIONS: The loud OR background noise might be possible to interfere with induction of sedation to a degree, which was more noticeable on light to moderate sedation than for deep sedation.
Adult ; Anesthesia* ; Conscious Sedation ; Cross-Over Studies ; Deep Sedation ; Humans ; Hypnosis ; Noise* ; Operating Rooms* ; Propofol ; Prospective Studies

Prostate cancer is one of the most frequent malignancies in men, and it has metastasis mainly to bones and lungs. Metastasis to cervical region is rare, and thyroid gland is one of the rarest organs with only few reports. In this case, we discuss a rare case of metastatic prostate cancer to thyroid gland and cervical lymph nodes, showing features similar to those of anaplastic thyroid cancer. A 73-year-old man with a history of prostate cancer was referred to our hospital with neck mass suggestive of anaplastic thyroid cancer, detected by fine-needle aspiration. Further examinations, including core needle biopsy, were done and it was confirmed as metastasis of prostate cancer. We focused on shortcomings of fine-needle aspiration and advantages of core-needle biopsy to avoid misdiagnosis. In addition, before diagnosis of head and neck cancer, patient’s history of other carcinomas must always be considered during differential diagnosis of metastatic lesions.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to confirm whether the paracentric inversions of fetuses and parents may be harmless. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We report 10 cases (0.14%) with paracentric inversions among 7,181 prenatal cases observed during prenatal diagnosis performed at Cheil General Hospital between January 2009 and June 2013. We used cytogenetic GTL- and RBG-banding techniques. RESULTS: Of the 10 cases, nine cases were transmitted from each of the parents, and one case was de novo. Nine cases were phenotypically normal up to one month of age after birth. One case was lost to follow-up. We present prenatal diagnosis and follow-up examination of the fetuses with paracentric inversion. CONCLUSION: Based on our cases, most paracentric inversions are considered to be harmless. The precise identification of paracentric inversions might be clinically important and helpful for genetic counseling.
Amniocentesis ; Chorionic Villi Sampling ; Cytogenetics ; Female ; Fetus ; Follow-Up Studies ; Genetic Counseling ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Lost to Follow-Up ; Parents ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis*

The interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) is a potential stroke treatment candidate. Intranasal delivery is a novel method thereby a therapeutic protein can be penetrated into the brain parenchyma by bypassing the blood-brain barrier. Thus, this study tested whether intranasal IL-1RA can provide neuroprotection and brain penetration in transient cerebral ischemia. In male Sprague-Dawley rats, focal cerebral ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 1 h. The rats simultaneously received 50 mg/kg human IL-1RA through the intranasal (IN group) or intraperitoneal route (IP group). The other rats were given 0.5 mL/kg normal saline (EC group). Neurobehavioral function, infarct size, and the concentration of the administered human IL-1RA in the brain tissue were assessed. In addition, the cellular distribution of intranasal IL-1RA in the brain and its effect on proinflammatory cytokines expression were evaluated. Intranasal IL-1RA improved neurological deficit and reduced infarct size until 7 days after MCAO (p<0.05). The concentrations of the human IL-1RA in the brain tissue 24 h after MCAO were significantly greater in the IN group than in the IP group (p<0.05). The human IL-1RA was confirmed to be co-localized with neuron and microglia. Furthermore, the IN group had lower expression of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α at 6 h after MCAO than the EC group (p<0.05). These results suggest that intranasal IL-1RA can reach the brain parenchyma more efficiently and provide superior neuroprotection in the transient focal cerebral ischemia.
Administration, Intranasal* ; Animals ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; Brain ; Brain Ischemia* ; Cytokines ; Humans ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein ; Interleukin-1* ; Ischemic Attack, Transient ; Male ; Methods ; Microglia ; Models, Animal* ; Necrosis ; Neurons ; Neuroprotection ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stroke

The majority of patients with an advanced-stage ovarian cancer relapse within approximately 18 months after completion of the first-line therapy. Recurrent ovarian cancer commonly presents as peritoneal seeding, while other distant sites are anywhere including the pleura, liver, lung, central nervous system, spleen, skin, bone, and breast. As pulmonary metastases usually occur through hematogenous or lymphangitic routes, the pattern of the metastases of ovarian cancer is multiple and scattered diffusely. The solitary pulmonary metastasis of ovarian cancer is an extremely rare condition, thus it can be misdiagnosed as a primary lung cancer, unless physician has a clinical suspicion. Herein, we introduce a case of solitary pulmonary metastasis of ovarian cancer which occurred 9 years after the curative surgery and chemotherapy.
Breast ; Central Nervous System ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Liver ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lung* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Ovarian Neoplasms* ; Pleura ; Recurrence* ; Skin ; Spleen ; Thoracic Surgical Procedures

No abstract available.
Hemoglobinuria, Paroxysmal* ; Humans ; Prednisolone*

BACKGROUND: Use of universal leukoreduction for prevention of leukocyte associated transfusion reactions is common practice in many countries. This study was conducted in order to evaluate the performance of a newly developed leukoreduction filter for red blood cells (RBCs), the RF300 (Kolon Industries, Inc, Gumi, Korea). METHODS: Filtration time, RBC recovery, residual leukocyte count, and leukocyte removal rate were evaluated. To assess the quality of RBCs after filtration, percent hemolysis was monitored for a period of 21 days. Performance of the RF300 (N=78) was compared with that of the Bio-R O2 plus (Fresenius, Hamburg, Germany), the Pall Purecell RC (Pall Co., Washington, USA), and the Sepacell R-500N (Asahi, Tokyo, Japan). RESULTS: The shortest filtration time was observed using the RF300 (P<0.05). Using the RF300, recovery of RBC was 96.5%, which was higher than that of two filters (P<0.05). Mean residual leukocyte count was 0.26x10(6)/unit, with a leukocyte removal rate of 3 log. Using the RF300, mean percent hemolysis was 0.32% at day 21, which was comparable with that of two filters, but lower than that of one filter (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The RF300 meets all established quality requirements for conduct of safe and effective leukoreduction of RBCs.
Blood Group Incompatibility ; Collodion ; Erythrocytes ; Filtration ; Hemolysis ; Leukocyte Count ; Leukocytes ; Tokyo ; Washington