Background: We evaluated severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)-specific humoral and cellular responses for up to 6 months after the 3rd dose of ancestral coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination in people living with HIV (PLWH) and healthy controls (HCs) who were not infected with COVID-19. Methods: Anti-spike receptor-binding domain IgG (anti-RBD IgG) concentrations using chemiluminescence immunoassay and neutralizing antibodies using focus reduction neutralization test (FRNT) were assessed at 1 week after each dose of vaccination, and 3 and 6 months after the 3rd dose in 62 PLWH and 25 HCs. T-cell responses using intracellular cytokine stain were evaluated at 1 week before, and 1 week and 6 months after the 3rd dose. Results: At 1 week after the 3rd dose, adequate anti-RBD IgG (> 300 binding antibody unit /mL) was elicited in all PLWH except for one patient with 36 CD4 T-cell count/mm3 . The geometric mean titers of 50% FRNT against wild type (WT) and omicron BA.5 strains of SARS-CoV-2 in PLWH with CD4 T-cell count ≥ 500 cells/mm3(high CD4 recovery, HCDR) were comparable to HC, but they were significantly decreased in PLWH with CD4 T-cell count < 500/mm3 (low CD4 recovery, LCDR). After adjusting for age, gender, viral suppression, and number of preexisting comorbidities, CD4 T-cell counts < 500/mm3 significantly predicted a poor magnitude of neutralizing antibodies against WT, omicron BA.5, and XBB 1.5 strains among PLWH. Multivariable linear regression adjusting for age and gender revealed that LCDR was associated with reduced neutralizing activity (P = 0.017) and interferon-γ-producing T-cell responses (P = 0.049 for CD T-cell; P = 0.014 for CD8 T-cell) against WT, and strongly associated with more decreased cross-neutralization against omicron BA.5 strains (P < 0.001). Conclusion HCDR demonstrated robust humoral and cell-mediated immune responses after a booster dose of ancestral SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, whereas LCDR showed diminished immune responses against WT virus and more impaired cross-neutralization against omicron BA.5 strain.

Background: We evaluated severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)-specific humoral and cellular responses for up to 6 months after the 3rd dose of ancestral coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination in people living with HIV (PLWH) and healthy controls (HCs) who were not infected with COVID-19. Methods: Anti-spike receptor-binding domain IgG (anti-RBD IgG) concentrations using chemiluminescence immunoassay and neutralizing antibodies using focus reduction neutralization test (FRNT) were assessed at 1 week after each dose of vaccination, and 3 and 6 months after the 3rd dose in 62 PLWH and 25 HCs. T-cell responses using intracellular cytokine stain were evaluated at 1 week before, and 1 week and 6 months after the 3rd dose. Results: At 1 week after the 3rd dose, adequate anti-RBD IgG (> 300 binding antibody unit /mL) was elicited in all PLWH except for one patient with 36 CD4 T-cell count/mm3 . The geometric mean titers of 50% FRNT against wild type (WT) and omicron BA.5 strains of SARS-CoV-2 in PLWH with CD4 T-cell count ≥ 500 cells/mm3(high CD4 recovery, HCDR) were comparable to HC, but they were significantly decreased in PLWH with CD4 T-cell count < 500/mm3 (low CD4 recovery, LCDR). After adjusting for age, gender, viral suppression, and number of preexisting comorbidities, CD4 T-cell counts < 500/mm3 significantly predicted a poor magnitude of neutralizing antibodies against WT, omicron BA.5, and XBB 1.5 strains among PLWH. Multivariable linear regression adjusting for age and gender revealed that LCDR was associated with reduced neutralizing activity (P = 0.017) and interferon-γ-producing T-cell responses (P = 0.049 for CD T-cell; P = 0.014 for CD8 T-cell) against WT, and strongly associated with more decreased cross-neutralization against omicron BA.5 strains (P < 0.001). Conclusion HCDR demonstrated robust humoral and cell-mediated immune responses after a booster dose of ancestral SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, whereas LCDR showed diminished immune responses against WT virus and more impaired cross-neutralization against omicron BA.5 strain.

Background: We evaluated severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)-specific humoral and cellular responses for up to 6 months after the 3rd dose of ancestral coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination in people living with HIV (PLWH) and healthy controls (HCs) who were not infected with COVID-19. Methods: Anti-spike receptor-binding domain IgG (anti-RBD IgG) concentrations using chemiluminescence immunoassay and neutralizing antibodies using focus reduction neutralization test (FRNT) were assessed at 1 week after each dose of vaccination, and 3 and 6 months after the 3rd dose in 62 PLWH and 25 HCs. T-cell responses using intracellular cytokine stain were evaluated at 1 week before, and 1 week and 6 months after the 3rd dose. Results: At 1 week after the 3rd dose, adequate anti-RBD IgG (> 300 binding antibody unit /mL) was elicited in all PLWH except for one patient with 36 CD4 T-cell count/mm3 . The geometric mean titers of 50% FRNT against wild type (WT) and omicron BA.5 strains of SARS-CoV-2 in PLWH with CD4 T-cell count ≥ 500 cells/mm3(high CD4 recovery, HCDR) were comparable to HC, but they were significantly decreased in PLWH with CD4 T-cell count < 500/mm3 (low CD4 recovery, LCDR). After adjusting for age, gender, viral suppression, and number of preexisting comorbidities, CD4 T-cell counts < 500/mm3 significantly predicted a poor magnitude of neutralizing antibodies against WT, omicron BA.5, and XBB 1.5 strains among PLWH. Multivariable linear regression adjusting for age and gender revealed that LCDR was associated with reduced neutralizing activity (P = 0.017) and interferon-γ-producing T-cell responses (P = 0.049 for CD T-cell; P = 0.014 for CD8 T-cell) against WT, and strongly associated with more decreased cross-neutralization against omicron BA.5 strains (P < 0.001). Conclusion HCDR demonstrated robust humoral and cell-mediated immune responses after a booster dose of ancestral SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, whereas LCDR showed diminished immune responses against WT virus and more impaired cross-neutralization against omicron BA.5 strain.

Background: We evaluated severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)-specific humoral and cellular responses for up to 6 months after the 3rd dose of ancestral coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination in people living with HIV (PLWH) and healthy controls (HCs) who were not infected with COVID-19. Methods: Anti-spike receptor-binding domain IgG (anti-RBD IgG) concentrations using chemiluminescence immunoassay and neutralizing antibodies using focus reduction neutralization test (FRNT) were assessed at 1 week after each dose of vaccination, and 3 and 6 months after the 3rd dose in 62 PLWH and 25 HCs. T-cell responses using intracellular cytokine stain were evaluated at 1 week before, and 1 week and 6 months after the 3rd dose. Results: At 1 week after the 3rd dose, adequate anti-RBD IgG (> 300 binding antibody unit /mL) was elicited in all PLWH except for one patient with 36 CD4 T-cell count/mm3 . The geometric mean titers of 50% FRNT against wild type (WT) and omicron BA.5 strains of SARS-CoV-2 in PLWH with CD4 T-cell count ≥ 500 cells/mm3(high CD4 recovery, HCDR) were comparable to HC, but they were significantly decreased in PLWH with CD4 T-cell count < 500/mm3 (low CD4 recovery, LCDR). After adjusting for age, gender, viral suppression, and number of preexisting comorbidities, CD4 T-cell counts < 500/mm3 significantly predicted a poor magnitude of neutralizing antibodies against WT, omicron BA.5, and XBB 1.5 strains among PLWH. Multivariable linear regression adjusting for age and gender revealed that LCDR was associated with reduced neutralizing activity (P = 0.017) and interferon-γ-producing T-cell responses (P = 0.049 for CD T-cell; P = 0.014 for CD8 T-cell) against WT, and strongly associated with more decreased cross-neutralization against omicron BA.5 strains (P < 0.001). Conclusion HCDR demonstrated robust humoral and cell-mediated immune responses after a booster dose of ancestral SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, whereas LCDR showed diminished immune responses against WT virus and more impaired cross-neutralization against omicron BA.5 strain.

Background and Objectives: The number of people with heart failure (HF) is increasing worldwide, and the social burden is increasing as HF has high mortality and morbidity. We aimed to provide updated trends on the epidemiology of HF in Korea to shape future social measures against HF. Methods: We used the National Health Information Database of the National Health Insurance Service to determine the prevalence, incidence, hospitalization rate, mortality rate, comorbidities, in-hospital mortality, and healthcare cost of patients with HF from 2002 to 2020 in Korea. Results: The prevalence of HF in the total Korean population rose from 0.77% in 2002 to 2.58% (1,326,886 people) in 2020. Although the age-standardized incidence of HF decreased over the past 18 years, the age-standardized prevalence increased. In 2020, the hospitalization rate for any cause in patients with HF was 1,166 per 100,000 persons, with a steady increase from 2002. In 2002, the HF mortality was 3.0 per 100,000 persons, which rose to 15.6 per 100,000 persons in 2020. While hospitalization rates and in-hospital mortality for patients with HF increased, the mortality rate for patients with HF did not (5.8% in 2020), and the one-year survival rate from the first diagnosis of HF improved. The total healthcare costs for patients with HF were approximately $2.4 billion in 2020, a 16-fold increase over the $0.15 billion in 2002. Conclusions The study’s results underscore the growing socioeconomic burden of HF in Korea, driven by an aging population and increasing HF prevalence.

Copolyamide fillers, such as Aquafilling, have been used off-label for breast augmentation in many countries, including Korea. However, safety concerns have arisen due to reported complications, including induration, masses, mastalgia, firmness, asymmetry, migration, infection, and dimpling. We report the case of a 33-year-old woman who presented with distant migration of copolyamide breast filler to the left lower abdomen and inguinal area following mammography for breast cancer screening. This case highlights the potential risks associated with the migration of copolyamide breast fillers, particularly in the context of cancer screening procedures, and emphasizes the importance of awareness and vigilance among clinicians and patients.

Gel bleeding following breast augmentation using silicone breast implants (SBIs) occurs when microscopic silicone droplets diffuse through the implant surface, potentially resulting in complications such as capsular contracture and immune responses related to breast implant illness. Prompt and reliable diagnostic measures are crucial, as the presentation of gel bleeding can resemble cancer, making an accurate diagnosis challenging. This report discusses a rare case of axillary silicone lymphadenopathy caused by gel bleeding in a 48-year-old woman with intact SBIs. Silicone lymphadenopathy can be suspected based on mammography, ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance imaging in patients with a history of SBI insertion, and confirmation can be obtained through a pathological examination. Excisional biopsy is generally recommended for symptomatic patients, while treatment may not be necessary for asymptomatic patients; However, removal can be considered if the patient indicates a preference for it. Patients with silicone lymphadenopathy require replacement of SBIs to examine the breast capsule and verify the integrity of the implant. This case highlights the importance of considering gel bleeding as a potential cause of silicone lymphadenopathy, even in patients with intact SBIs.

Objective: To investigate the clinical features and associated underlying conditions of isolated tuberculous myositis (ITBM), a rare extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Methods: A systematic literature search and a multicenter survey were performed using a triangulation strategy. Data from the identified ITBM cases were extracted and analyzed to determine the underlying conditions, clinical presentations, treatments, and outcomes. Results: Based on the systematic review, we identified 58 ITBM, including 9 pediatric, cases in the literature published from 1981 to 2021: 25 (43.1%) immunocompromised and 33 (56.9%) non-immunocompromised patients. Immunocompromised cases had a significant shorter symptom duration (median 30.0 vs. 75.0 days) and a higher prevalence of multilocular involvement (20.8% vs. 0%). Among 24 immunocompromised adult patients, dermatomyositis/polymyositis (DM/PM; n=10, 41.7%) were the most common underlying diseases in adults with ITBM identified in the systematic review. Over the past 20 years, 11 Korean adults with ITBM were identified in the multicenter survey. Of 7 immunocompromised cases, two (28.6%) were DM/PM patients. TB death rate of immunocompromised patients was 0.0% and 5/23 (21.7%) in the pediatric and adult ITBM cases identified in the systematic review, respectively, and 3/7 (42.9%) in survey-identified ITBM cases. Conclusion ITBM has a unique clinical presentation including fever, tenderness, local swelling, overlying erythema, abscess formation and was associated with a grave outcome, especially in immunocompromised hosts. DM/PM was a highly prevalent underlying disease in both systematic review-identified and survey-identified immunocompromised ITBM patients.

Purpose: This study sought to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the shortening effect of the modified Weil osteotomy for the treatment of Freiberg’s disease. Materials and Methods: We reviewed 21 cases treated with the modified Weil osteotomy for Freiberg’s disease from November 2005 to June 2019. The average follow-up period was 32.5 months and the mean age of the patients was 38.3 years. The clinical results were analyzed using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) lesser metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal scale, the visual analogue scale (VAS), and the range of motion (ROM) of the metatarsophalangeal joint. In the radiologic evaluation, the length of preoperative and postoperative metatarsal shortening was compared. Results: The average AOFAS lesser metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal scale showed an improvement from 60.5 preoperatively to 90.9 at the latest follow-up. VAS showed a decrease from 5.4 preoperatively to 0.9 at the latest follow-up. ROM of the affected metatarsophalangeal joint increased from 40.2 degrees preoperatively to 58.6 degrees at the latest follow-up. The mean length of metatarsal shortening was 6.7 mm. There was no transfer metatarsalgia, osteonecrosis, and definite joint space narrowing. Conclusion Modified Weil osteotomy with second layer cutting is an effective treatment option to restore the joint surface and painless joint motion for patients with Freiberg’s disease.

Purpose: This study evaluated the results of two groups—the early group and midterm group—comparatively in the treatment of hallux valgus using a scarf osteotomy. Materials and Methods: From January 2005 to December 2009 (Group 1) and from January 2010 to December 2013 (Group 2), this study compared hallux valgus cases treated by a scarf osteotomy by a single surgeon with at least a five-year follow-up. Results: The average ages of Group 1 and Group 2 were 50.5 and 51.7 years old, respectively. The average follow-up of Groups 1 and 2 were 7.4 and 6.2 years, respectively. Groups 1 and 2 had 86 cases (53 patients) and 93 cases (64 patients) with at least a five-year followup, respectively. The average hallux valgus angle (HVA) and 1-2 intermetatarsal angle (IMA) of Group 1 were improved from 31.3° and 13.9° preoperatively to 11.3° and 6.8° at the final follow-up, respectively (p<0.001). The average HVA and 1-2 IMA of Group 2 were improved from 31.7° and 13.4° preoperatively to 8.9° and 6.6° at the final follow-up, respectively (p<0.001). The mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score of both groups increased from 48.5 and 45.0 points preoperatively to 73.7 and 82.4 points at the final follow-up, respectively. The numbers of patient-assessed subjective satisfaction of Groups 1 and 2 at the final follow-ups were as follows: excellent, 27 and 36 (31.4%, 38.7%); good, 34 and 49 (39.5%, 52.7%); fair, 13 and 5 (15.1%, 5.4%); poor, 12 and 3 (13.9%, 3.2%);respectively. Neither troughing nor stress fractures occurred in both groups. Conclusion Scarf osteotomy for treating hallux valgus is an excellent surgical method with a relatively low incidence of complications.The results in Group 2 were better than those in Group 1, showing that more surgical experience and evolution of the techniques provided better results.