OBJECTIVES: We estimated the population prevalence of antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), including unreported infections, through a Korea Seroprevalence Study of Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Retention and Transmission (K-SEROSMART) in 258 communities throughout Korea. METHODS: In August 2022, a survey was conducted among 10,000 household members aged 5 years and older, in households selected through two stage probability random sampling. During face-to-face household interviews, participants self-reported their health status, COVID-19 diagnosis and vaccination history, and general characteristics. Subsequently, participants visited a community health center or medical clinic for blood sampling. Blood samples were analyzed for the presence of antibodies to spike proteins (anti-S) and antibodies to nucleocapsid proteins (anti-N) SARS-CoV-2 proteins using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. To estimate the population prevalence, the PROC SURVEYMEANS statistical procedure was employed, with weighting to reflect demographic data from July 2022. RESULTS: In total, 9,945 individuals from 5,041 households were surveyed across 258 communities, representing all basic local governments in Korea. The overall population-adjusted prevalence rates of anti-S and anti-N were 97.6% and 57.1%, respectively. Since the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has reported a cumulative incidence of confirmed cases of 37.8% through July 31, 2022, the proportion of unreported infections among all COVID-19 infection was suggested to be 33.9%. CONCLUSIONS The K-SEROSMART represents the first nationwide, community-based seroepidemiologic survey of COVID-19, confirming that most individuals possess antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and that a significant number of unreported cases existed. Furthermore, this study lays the foundation for a surveillance system to continuously monitor transmission at the community level and the response to COVID-19.

Objective: Dysphagia is a common clinical condition characterized by difficulty in swallowing. It is sub-classified into oropharyngeal dysphagia, which refers to problems in the mouth and pharynx, and esophageal dysphagia, which refers to problems in the esophageal body and esophagogastric junction. Dysphagia can have a significant negative impact one’s physical health and quality of life as its severity increases. Therefore, proper assessment and management of dysphagia are critical for improving swallowing function and preventing complications. Thus a guideline was developed to provide evidence-based recommendations for assessment and management in patients with dysphagia. Methods: Nineteen key questions on dysphagia were developed. These questions dealt with various aspects of problems related to dysphagia, including assessment, management, and complications. A literature search for relevant articles was conducted using Pubmed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and one domestic database of KoreaMed, until April 2021. The level of evidence and recommendation grade were established according to the Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology. Results: Early screening and assessment of videofluoroscopic swallowing were recommended for assessing the presence of dysphagia. Therapeutic methods, such as tongue and pharyngeal muscle strengthening exercises and neuromuscular electrical stimulation with swallowing therapy, were effective in improving swallowing function and quality of life in patients with dysphagia. Nutritional intervention and an oral care program were also recommended. Conclusion This guideline presents recommendations for the assessment and management of patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia, including rehabilitative strategies.

Activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase δ syndrome (APDS)1 is caused by gain-of-function mutations in PIK3CD, which encodes the catalytic p110δ subunit of phosphoinositide 3 kinase. We describe three patients with APDS1, the first thereof in Korea. Therein, we investigated clinical manifestations of APDS1 and collected data on the efficacy and safety profile of sirolimus, a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor and pathway-specific targeted medicine. The same heterozygous PIK3CD mutation was detected in all three patients (E1021K). After genetic diagnosis, all patients received sirolimus and experienced an excellent response, including amelioration of lymphoproliferation and improvement of nodular mucosal lymphoid hyperplasia in the gastrointestinal tract. The median trough level of sirolimus was 5.5 ng/mL (range, 2.8–7.5) at a dose of 2.6–3.6 mg/m2. Two patients who needed highdose, short-interval, immunoglobulin-replacement treatment (IGRT) had a reduced requirement for IGRT after initiating sirolimus, and the dosing interval was extended from 2 and 3 weeks to 4 weeks. The IgG trough level after sirolimus treatment (median, 594 mg/dL; range, 332–799 mg/dL) was significantly higher than that before sirolimus treatment (median, 290 mg/dL; range, 163–346 mg/dL) (p<0.001). One episode of elevated serum creatinine with a surge of sirolimus (Patient 2) and episodes of neutropenia and oral stomatitis (Patient 1) were observed. We diagnosed the first three patients with APDS1 in Korea. Low-dose sirolimus may alleviate clinical manifestations thereof, including hypogammaglobulinemia.

Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) improves the neurological outcome in patients after cardiac arrest and neonatal hypoxic brain injury. We studied the safety and feasibility of mild TH in patients with poor-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) after successful treatment. Patients were allocated randomly to either the TH group (34.5°C) or control group after successful clipping or coil embolization. Eleven patients received TH for 48 hours followed by 48 hours of slow rewarming. Vasospasm, delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI), functional outcome, mortality, and safety profiles were compared between groups. We enrolled 22 patients with poor-grade SAH (Hunt & Hess Scale 4, 5 and modified Fisher Scale 3, 4). In the TH group, 10 of 11 (90.9%) patients had a core body temperature of < 36°C for > 95% of the 48-hour treatment period. Fewer patients in the TH than control group (n = 11, each) had symptomatic vasospasms (18.1% vs. 36.4%, respectively) and DCI (36.3% vs. 45.6%, respectively), but these differences were not statistically significant. At 3 months, 54.5% of the TH group had a good-to-moderate functional outcome (0–3 on the modified Rankin Scale [mRS]) compared with 9.0% in the control group (P = 0.089). Mortality at 1 month was 36.3% in the control group compared with 0.0% in the TH group (P = 0.090). Mild TH is feasible and can be safely used in patients with poor-grade SAH. Additionally, it may reduce the risk of vasospasm and DCI, improving the functional outcomes and reducing mortality. A larger randomized controlled trial is warranted.
Aneurysm ; Body Temperature ; Brain Injuries ; Brain Ischemia ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Hypothermia, Induced* ; Mortality ; Pilot Projects* ; Prospective Studies* ; Rewarming ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage* ; Vasospasm, Intracranial

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the association between skeletal maturation and adrenal androgen levels in obese children and adolescents. METHODS: Fifty-three children and adolescents (aged 7–15 years) diagnosed as obese or overweight were investigated. Anthropometric measurements, bone age (BA) determination, serum biochemical analyses, and hormonal measurements were performed. The difference between BA and chronological age (BA–CA, dBACA) was calculated and used to represent the degree of advanced skeletal maturation. RESULTS: Thirty-one subjects were classified into the obese group and 22 subjects into the overweight group. Insulin resistance as calculated by the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was significantly higher in the obese group than in the overweight group (4.03±2.20 vs. 2.86±1.11, P=0.026). The skeletal maturation of the obese group was advanced, but the dBACA did not differ between the obese and overweight groups statistically (1.43±1.35 vs. 0.91±1.15, P=0.141). Serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) levels were significantly higher in subjects with dBACA>1 compared to those with dBACA≤1 (104.3±62.2 vs. 59.6±61.0, P=0.014). Correlation analyses demonstrated that dBACA was positively correlated with body mass index standard deviation scores (r=0.35, P=0.010), fasting insulin (r=0.36, P=0.009), HOMA-IR (r=0.30, P=0.031), and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (r=0.331, P=0.028). In multivariate linear regression analysis, HOMA-IR (P=0.026) and serum DHEA-S (P=0.032) were positively correlated with the degree of advanced skeletal maturation. CONCLUSION: Advanced skeletal maturation is associated with increased insulin resistance and elevated DHEA-S levels in obese children and adolescents.
Adolescent* ; Age Determination by Skeleton ; Androgens ; Body Mass Index ; Child* ; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ; Fasting ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Linear Models ; Obesity ; Overweight

BACKGROUND: Skin laser treatment has improved significantly and has become an effective treatment approach for many skin diseases while also having applications for beauty treatments. However, since skin laser transfers energy directly to the skin, the misuse of such treatment may result in permanent damage to skin tissues. OBJECTIVE: This survey of Korean adults, conducted to obtain their perspectives on and their treatment experience with skin laser treatment, will be used to determine the current status of skin laser treatment and to identify necessary changes to ensure proper and safe conduct of skin laser treatment. METHODS: From April 5th to April 12th, 2016, a survey was conducted to obtain information regarding the perspectives and the treatment experience of adults aged 20~59 years. RESULTS: Approximately 50% of the participants had experience with skin laser treatment, and among these, 24.7% had not received treatment at a dermatology clinic. Compared to treatment at a dermatology clinic, the danger of side effects was 1.7 times higher at a non-dermatology clinic, 2 times higher at a skin care shop, and 5.3 times higher at an Oriental medical clinic. Among patients who received skin laser treatment, 16.1% experienced side effects, and among these, 1 out of 4 patients visited a non-dermatologist for treatment of these side effects. CONCLUSION: The results of the survey showed that in order for the public to receive safe and effective skin laser treatment based on professional diagnosis, there is a definitive need to provide correct information to the public and to implement changes to ensure proper understanding of skin laser treatment among this population.
Adult ; Beauty ; Dermatology ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Skin Care ; Skin Diseases ; Skin*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of scleral suture for the sclerotomy wound leakage and the clinical outcomes in 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy with fluid-air exchange. METHODS: A retrospective, comparative chart review of 75 eyes of 75 patients who underwent 23-gauge transconjunctival vitrecomy with fluid air exchange was performed. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the scleral suture used at the end of the operation, sclera-sutured group and sutureless group. The amount of intraocular gas remnants was measured to compare the degree of sclerotomy wound leakage and the postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) and reoperation rate were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean IOP on postoperative day 1, 7 and 14 was 15.5 +/- 4.0 mm Hg in the sclera-sutured group and 15.8 +/- 6.2 mm Hg in the sutureless group, without statistical difference (p = 0.874). The percentage of intraocular gas remnants in eyes on postoperative day 1 was significantly higher in the sclera-sutured group (92.9 +/- 9.7%) than in the sutureless group (82.4 +/- 16.2%; p = 0.002) as well as on postoperative days 7 and 14. The reoperation rate was not statistically significantly different between the sclera-sutured group (6.5%) and sutureless group (9.1%; p = 0.683) CONCLUSIONS: In the cases of 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy with fluid-air exchange, the scleral suture may be effective to prevent the sclerotomy wound leakage and maintain the intraocular gas longer, but there was no statistically significant difference in the final success rate between the 2 groups. However, as more intraocular gas remained in the sclera-sutured group than in the sutureless group statistically, the scleral suture should be considered in cases that require long-term gas tamponade.
Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies ; Sutures* ; Vitrectomy* ; Wounds and Injuries

BACKGROUND: Endothelial dysfunction has been documented in patients with type 2 diabetes especially when combined with hypertension. We prospectively investigated the effects of pioglitazone in improving endothelial function in hypertensive type 2 diabetic patients during the 6-month follow-up. METHODS: Hypertensive type 2 diabetic patients were randomly assigned to pioglitazone (n = 25) or placebo (n = 25). Primary endpoint was to compare changes in brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (baFMD) between the 2 groups during the 6-month follow-up. Secondary endpoints were to compare changes in the circulating levels of microRNA-17, -21, 92a, -126, and -145 which have been known as indicators of endothelial cell migration and atherosclerosis progression during the 6-month follow-up. Inflammatory markers such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), high-sensitive C-reactive protein, adiponectin, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) were compared during the follow-up. RESULTS: The prevalences of risk factors such as hyperlipidemia, smoking, stroke, and family history of coronary artery disease did not show significant differences between the 2 groups. Increases in baFMD (0.33 +/- 0.34 mm vs. 0.02 +/- 0.25 mm, p < 0.05, respectively) and in the level of circulating microRNA-21 (0.23 +/- 0.05 vs. -0.06 +/- 0.04, p < 0.05, respectively) were significantly greater in the pioglitazone group when compared to the placebo group during the 6-month follow-up. No significant differences in the prevalences of new onset heart failure, fracture, and bladder cancer were noted during the follow-up between the 2 groups. Decreases in the levels of inflammatory marker such as IL-6 (-2.54 +/- 2.32 pg/mL vs. -1.34 +/- 2.12 pg/mL, p < 0.05, respectively), TNF-alpha (-1.54 +/- 1.51 pg/mL vs. 0.14 +/- 1.12 pg/mL, p < 0.05, respectively), sICAM-1 (-39 +/- 52 ng/mL vs. 6 +/- 72 ng/mL, p < 0.05, respectively), and sVCAM-1 (-154 +/- 198 ng/mL vs. -11 +/- 356 ng/mL, p < 0.05, respectively) were significantly greater in the pioglitazone group compared to the placebo group during the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: In hypertensive type 2 diabetic patients, pioglitazone may increase baFMD and circulatory microRNA-21 and decrease inflammatory cytokines including IL-6, TNF-alpha, sICAM-1, and sVCAM-1.
Adiponectin ; Atherosclerosis ; Brachial Artery* ; C-Reactive Protein ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Cytokines ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Endothelial Cells ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; Hypertension ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; Interleukin-6 ; MicroRNAs ; Prevalence ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Stroke ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether [18F]FDG uptake on PET/CT imaging before surgical staging has prognostic significance in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). METHODS: Patients with EOC were imaged with integrated PET/CT before surgical staging. Hypermetabolic lesions were measured as the standardized uptake value (SUV) in primary and metastatic tumors. SUV distribution was divided into two regions at the level of umbilicus, and the impact of the ratio between above and below umbilicus (SUVlocation ratio) on progression-free survival (PFS) was examined using Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: Between January 2004 and December 2009, 55 patients with EOC underwent preoperative PET/CT. The median duration of PFS was 11 months (range, 3 to 43 months), and twenty (36.4%) patients experienced recurrence. In univariate analysis, high SUVlocation ratio (p=0.002; hazard ratio [HR], 1.974; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.286 to 3.031) was significantly associated with recurrence. Malignant mixed mullerian tumor compared with endometrioid histology was also shown to have significance. In multivariate analysis, high SUVlocation ratio (p=0.005; HR, 2.418; 95% CI, 1.1315 to 4.447) and histology (serous, mucinous, and malignant mixed mullerian tumor compared with endometrioid type) were significantly associated with recurrence. Patients were categorized into two groups according to SUVlocation ratio (<0.3934 vs. > or =0.3934), and the Kaplan-Meier survival graph showed a significant difference in PFS between the groups (p=0.0021; HR, 9.47, log-rank test). CONCLUSION: SUV distribution showed a significant association with recurrence in patients with EOC, and may be a useful predictor of recurrence.
Disease-Free Survival ; Humans ; Mucins ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Recurrence ; Umbilicus

PURPOSE: Evaluation of the effects of a vehicle's movement/ operation on fluid flow regulators during patient transport. To determine whether or not vehicle trembling during idling and movement during patient transport are factors affecting the velocity of fluid injection. METHODS: The volume of fluid, as measured in an idling or moving vehicle, was evaluated using three different types of marketed flow regulators at three different injection speeds: 10, 20 and 40 ml/hr. RESULTS: In all cases, when the vehicle was idling or in motion, discrepancies were observed between the pre-calculated amount of fluid and the actual amount of fluid injected. However, a greater discrepancy was observed to exist in a moving vehicle. CONCLUSION: The trembling and movement of a vehicle during patient transport affects fluid injection results.
Fluid Therapy ; Humans ; Infusion Pumps ; Transportation of Patients