The incidence of COVID-19 infection between Korea and Japan,was compared focusing on three periods covering 2020.1~2021.10, 2021.11~2021.12, and 2022.1~2022.4. Between 2020.1 and 2021.10, by population, the incidence of COVID-19 infection in Korea had always been lower than in Japan and was called “Korean protection”, its contributing factors being as follows: 1. learning from the experience of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, 2. thorough PCR examinations, 3. comprehensive triage policy, 4. efforts of medical staff, 5. cooperation between the citizens and government. In Korea between 2021.11 and 2021.12, the number of newly infected cases, hospitalized cases, and deaths per week increased 3.5-, 2.6-, and 4.8-fold, respectively, compared with October cases. The main reason for this increase was attributed to the so-called "with corona" policy adopted by the Korean government during the same period. In contrast, during the same period, the number of newly infected cases per day dropped dramatically to less than 1,000 in Japan, attributed to the high rate of vaccination implementation and adherence to social restrictions. Between 2022.1 and 2022.4, the Omicron variant (BA1 and BA2) of COVID-19 became prevalent in both countries. Especially, since March 12, an infection explosion occurred in Korea with over 300,000 people recorded consecutively every day. During the same period, in Japan, the number of newly infected cases remained at less than one hundred thousand. Intercommunication is needed between the two countries to attain COVID-19 containment.

No abstract available.
Arteries* ; Prognosis*

No abstract available.
Gyeongsangbuk-do* ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the characteristics of the bronchiectasis in diffuse panbronchiolitis using HRCT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 12 HRCT scans and two bronchography of 12 patients with diffuse panbronchiolitis(DPB). According to Akira et al., DPB was classified into four types: small nodules around the end of bronchovascular branchings(CT type I), small nodules in the centrilobular area connected with small branching linear opacities(CT type II), nodules accompanied by ring-shaped or small ductal opacities connected to proximal bronchovascular bundles(CT type III), large cystic opacities accompanied by dilated proximal bronchi(CT type IV). We compared the type and the extent of bronchiectasis, CTtypes of DPB, and pulmonary function test. RESULTS: Bronchiectasis was defined in 12 cases with the tubular type predominantly involving small and medium-sized bronchi. These bronchiectasis involved the proximal bronchi of the centrilobular lesions of DPB. Among eight cases of advanced DPB(CT type III & IV) which extended to both upper lobes, seven showed tubular bronchiectasis at the same area. Cystic bronchiectasis was shown in eight cases predominantly involving right middle lobe(n=7). There was no linear correlation between the values of pulmonary function test and CTtypes of DPB. CONCLUSION: Characteristic feature of the bronchiectasis in DPB is the tubular ectasis predominantly involving the small and medium-sized bronchi. DPB with associated tubular bronchiectasis can involve whole lung field in advanced cases. HRCT is useful not only to depict the findings of DPB but also to demonstrate the extent of lesion.
Bronchi ; Bronchiectasis* ; Bronchography ; Humans ; Lung ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Retrospective Studies

No abstract available.

BACKGROUND: CHROMagar Candida is a new differential medium that allows selective isolation and identification of clinically significant yeasts. We evaluated the use of this medium to identify Candida species directly from positive blood culture bottles. METHODS: A total of 152 positive blood culture bottles (51 Candida albicans, 29 Candida troficalis, 28 Candida parapsilosis, 26 Candida glabrata, 10 Candida krusei, 4 Candida pelliculosa. 1 Candida guilliermonidii, 3 C. albicans plus C. glabrata) were directly subcultures to CHROMagar (Hardy diagnostics. USA) and incubated for 48 h. Colony appearance on CHROMagar was assessed independently by three observers. RESULTS: CHROMagar correctly identified 95.4%, 92 1% and 91.4% of Candida app. from blood cultures by the three observers. respectively. There was 91.4% agree cent between the observers. Expected colony appearance on CHROMagar was 100% for C. albicans. 97.7% for C. tropicalis, 96.7% for C. krusei, 94 9% for C. glabrata but 88.1% for C. parapsilosis. Three mixed candidemias, not detected by conventional methods, were detected by CHROMagar. CONCLUSIONS: CHROMagar permits earlier recognition of major Cardida app. in positive blood cultures and more reliable detection of mixed candidemias.
Candida albicans ; Candida glabrata ; Candida* ; Candidemia ; Yeasts

Background: The Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score is an immunonutritional test tool based on serum albumin, total cholesterol, and lymphocyte counts. It has been studied as a simple prognostic predictor for various carcinomas. This study aimed to investigate the association between preoperative CONUT scores and the clinicopathological characteristics in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients. Methods: This study included 2,403 PTC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy between 2012 and 2016 at a single tertiary medical center. The CONUT scores were calculated based on preoperative blood tests. The clinicopathological characteristics were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were categorized by the CONUT score (relatively low, 0–2; relatively high, 3–5). Results: Among the 2,997 PTC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy at Pusan National University Hospital between 2012 and 2016, those without preoperative blood test were excluded (n=149). Finally 2,403 patients were analyzed after excluding 439 patients taking lipid-lowering drugs and six patients without available T stage data after surgery. Based on the CONUT score, the relatively high score group had a lower body mass index (23.7±3.3 kg/m2 vs. 21.9±2.9 kg/m2, P<0.001), more advanced T stage (T stage 3/4, 5.9% vs. 11.4%, P=0.045), and higher extrathyroidal extension (2.1% vs. 7.6%, P=0.005). Conclusion Patients included in this large, single-center study all had a preoperative CONUT score of 0–5, but this study demonstrated that higher preoperative CONUT scores were significantly associated with advanced T stage and extrathyroidal extension. The CONUT score, which can be easily used in clinical practice, is thought to be helpful in predicting the aggressiveness of PTC.

Background: The Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score is an immunonutritional test tool based on serum albumin, total cholesterol, and lymphocyte counts. It has been studied as a simple prognostic predictor for various carcinomas. This study aimed to investigate the association between preoperative CONUT scores and the clinicopathological characteristics in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients. Methods: This study included 2,403 PTC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy between 2012 and 2016 at a single tertiary medical center. The CONUT scores were calculated based on preoperative blood tests. The clinicopathological characteristics were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were categorized by the CONUT score (relatively low, 0–2; relatively high, 3–5). Results: Among the 2,997 PTC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy at Pusan National University Hospital between 2012 and 2016, those without preoperative blood test were excluded (n=149). Finally 2,403 patients were analyzed after excluding 439 patients taking lipid-lowering drugs and six patients without available T stage data after surgery. Based on the CONUT score, the relatively high score group had a lower body mass index (23.7±3.3 kg/m2 vs. 21.9±2.9 kg/m2, P<0.001), more advanced T stage (T stage 3/4, 5.9% vs. 11.4%, P=0.045), and higher extrathyroidal extension (2.1% vs. 7.6%, P=0.005). Conclusion Patients included in this large, single-center study all had a preoperative CONUT score of 0–5, but this study demonstrated that higher preoperative CONUT scores were significantly associated with advanced T stage and extrathyroidal extension. The CONUT score, which can be easily used in clinical practice, is thought to be helpful in predicting the aggressiveness of PTC.

Background: The Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score is an immunonutritional test tool based on serum albumin, total cholesterol, and lymphocyte counts. It has been studied as a simple prognostic predictor for various carcinomas. This study aimed to investigate the association between preoperative CONUT scores and the clinicopathological characteristics in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients. Methods: This study included 2,403 PTC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy between 2012 and 2016 at a single tertiary medical center. The CONUT scores were calculated based on preoperative blood tests. The clinicopathological characteristics were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were categorized by the CONUT score (relatively low, 0–2; relatively high, 3–5). Results: Among the 2,997 PTC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy at Pusan National University Hospital between 2012 and 2016, those without preoperative blood test were excluded (n=149). Finally 2,403 patients were analyzed after excluding 439 patients taking lipid-lowering drugs and six patients without available T stage data after surgery. Based on the CONUT score, the relatively high score group had a lower body mass index (23.7±3.3 kg/m2 vs. 21.9±2.9 kg/m2, P<0.001), more advanced T stage (T stage 3/4, 5.9% vs. 11.4%, P=0.045), and higher extrathyroidal extension (2.1% vs. 7.6%, P=0.005). Conclusion Patients included in this large, single-center study all had a preoperative CONUT score of 0–5, but this study demonstrated that higher preoperative CONUT scores were significantly associated with advanced T stage and extrathyroidal extension. The CONUT score, which can be easily used in clinical practice, is thought to be helpful in predicting the aggressiveness of PTC.

Background: The Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score is an immunonutritional test tool based on serum albumin, total cholesterol, and lymphocyte counts. It has been studied as a simple prognostic predictor for various carcinomas. This study aimed to investigate the association between preoperative CONUT scores and the clinicopathological characteristics in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients. Methods: This study included 2,403 PTC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy between 2012 and 2016 at a single tertiary medical center. The CONUT scores were calculated based on preoperative blood tests. The clinicopathological characteristics were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were categorized by the CONUT score (relatively low, 0–2; relatively high, 3–5). Results: Among the 2,997 PTC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy at Pusan National University Hospital between 2012 and 2016, those without preoperative blood test were excluded (n=149). Finally 2,403 patients were analyzed after excluding 439 patients taking lipid-lowering drugs and six patients without available T stage data after surgery. Based on the CONUT score, the relatively high score group had a lower body mass index (23.7±3.3 kg/m2 vs. 21.9±2.9 kg/m2, P<0.001), more advanced T stage (T stage 3/4, 5.9% vs. 11.4%, P=0.045), and higher extrathyroidal extension (2.1% vs. 7.6%, P=0.005). Conclusion Patients included in this large, single-center study all had a preoperative CONUT score of 0–5, but this study demonstrated that higher preoperative CONUT scores were significantly associated with advanced T stage and extrathyroidal extension. The CONUT score, which can be easily used in clinical practice, is thought to be helpful in predicting the aggressiveness of PTC.