Objectives: This study aimed to assess the health rights of inmates in correctional facilities from the perspective of unmet needs and to explore institutional improvement plans that could yield substantial qualitative and quantitative advancements.

Methods: Data on capacity and actual occupancy, external and internal medical services, the number of inmates with mental health conditions, and cell area were obtained from the Ministry of Justice. Overall, 1,057 inmates were surveyed, representing 1.84% of the total inmate population of 57,560 as of September 30, 2016. A structured questionnaire was distributed to these inmates, and upon collection, the responses were analyzed. Furthermore, a request was submitted to the Ministry of Justice to survey the status of healthcare personnel and medical services across 52 correctional facilities nationwide.

Results: Between 2014 and 2015, the Ministry of Justice in South Korea allocated approximately 14 to 22 billion Korean won for healthcare services in correctional facilities. The major facilities with the most inmates with mental health conditions had 160 such inmates in 2014 and 161 in 2015. Overcrowding and insufficient cooling pose ongoing health risks. Inmates face challenges accessing medical care, with unmet needs for dental and psychiatric services.

Conclusion: Strategies to improve inmates’ health rights include establishing a primary healthcare system, improving governance, alleviating overcrowding, and introducing mental health programs. Emphases are placed on managing severe illnesses such as cancer, strengthening emergency care, and ensuring oversight by the National Human Rights Commission. Regular education of prison staff is also recommended to improve inmate health management.

Background/Aims: To analyze the characteristics of the sputum microbiota of patients with nontuberculous mycobacteria pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) based on treatment status. Methods: Twenty-eight sputum samples from 14 patients with NTM-PD, including 14 samples from the microbiologically cured group (7 at baseline and 7 during follow-up) and 14 from the treatment-refractory group (7 at baseline and 7 during follow-up) were included in this study. Bacterial microbiota was analyzed by sequencing the V3–V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Results: Among the 14 patients, most had infections with Mycobacterium avium complex (n = 6), followed by Mycobacterium abscessus (n = 5); three patients exhibited mixed infection with both organisms. Alpha-diversity was higher in the cured group than in the treatment refractory group in both the baseline sputum (ACE, p = 0.005; Chao1, p = 0.010; Jackknife, p = 0.022, 0.043; Shannon, p = 0.048) and follow-up sputum (ACE, p = 0.018). Linear discriminant analysis effect size revealed that several taxa showed differential distributions based on treatment status. At the species level, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Prevotella melaninogenica, Haemophilus parahaemolyticus, Haemophilus haemolyticus, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Neisseria elongata, and Prevotella denticola were more abundant in sputum from the microbiologically cured group than in that from the refractory group (all p < 0.05). Conclusions In contrast to patients with treatment-refractory NTM-PD, those with stable disease without recurrence had higher microbial diversity in their sputum, including several predominant taxa.

The inflammasome is a cytosolic multiprotein platform that plays a key role in the inflammatory response, an essential innate immune response that protects the body from pathogens and cellular danger signals. Autophagy is a fundamental cellular mechanism that maintains homeostasis through the elimination and recycling of dysfunctional molecules and subcellular elements. Many previous studies have demonstrated a functional interplay between canonical inflammasomes that were earlier discovered and autophagy in inflammatory responses and diseases.Given the increasing evidence that non-canonical inflammasomes are unique and key factors in inflammatory responses, the functional interplay between non-canonical inflammasomes and autophagy is noteworthy. Recent studies have demonstrated that non-canonical inflammasomes and autophagy are functionally correlated with inflammatory responses and diseases. This review comprehensively discusses recent studies that have investigated the functional interplay of non-canonical inflammasomes, such as mouse caspase-11 and human caspase-4, with autophagy and autophagy-related proteins in inflammatory responses and diseases and provides insight into the development of novel anti-inflammatory therapeutics by modulating the functional interplay between non-canonical inflammasomes and autophagy.

Purpose: Identifying and managing risk factors for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) is crucial because it impacts the quality of life of elderly individuals. Lifestyle factors, including physical activity (PA), and their relationship with LUTS have not been well studied. This objective of this study was to investigate the association between PA and LUTS. Materials and Methods: A total of 7,296 men were included in this cross-sectional study. PA was quantified in metabolic equivalent (MET)-hours per week, and LUTS severity was assessed using the international prostate symptom score. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between PA and LUTS, including voiding and storage symptoms. Results: The average age of the participants was 57.8 years, and the prevalence of LUTS was 41.3%. After adjusting for potential confounders, PA was inversely associated with the prevalence and severity of moderate-to-severe LUTS, showing a dose-response pattern (all p for trend <0.01). Compared to the minimal activity group, which engaged in <5 MET-hours per week of PA, the odds ratios for moderate to severe LUTS were 0.83 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.72–0.97) for men engaging in 15–30 MET-hours per week, 0.82 (95% CI: 0.71–0.95) for 30–60 MET-hours per week, and 0.72 (95% CI: 0.62–0.84) for ≥60 MET-hours per week. The possible protective effect of PA was still observed in the additional analysis for voiding and storage symptoms showing the same dose-response pattern (all p for trend <0.01). Conclusions A higher PA level was associated with a lower prevalence and severity of total, voiding, and storage LUTS in a dose-dependent manner in Korean men.

High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is a noninvasive respiratory support system that delivers air that is heated at 31°C−38°C, humidified 100%, and oxygen-enriched at a constant high flow rate of 15−60 L/min. Because of its numerous physiological benefits, convenience, and minimal side effects, HFNC has been increasingly used over the past decade in patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, yet the clinical benefits of long-term HFNC remain uncertain. Several studies have suggested its potential use as an alternative home oxygen therapy for patients with chronic stable lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease, and bronchiectasis. The use of long-term home HFNC in patients with chronic respiratory failure is an emerging area with promising potential. Despite limited clinical research, this review aims to describe the physiology of HFNC use and summarize the current evidence on its long-term application, to provide healthcare providers with insights and perspectives on the potential role of long-term home HFNC.

Ultrasonography (US) is a sensitive and radiation-free technique for diagnosing deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Therefore, when DVT is clinically suspected but not detected on US, radiologists should consider a range of alternative differential diagnoses. This review article presents the imaging findings of clinical conditions that mimic DVT, which can be distinguished using a multimodal radiologic approach. Additionally, DVT mimics can be categorized into two groups based on whether a flat or normal waveform is observed on Doppler US. This article details the imaging findings and clinical presentations of DVT mimics, organized by these classifications. This information may help radiologists make more accurate diagnoses, enabling patients to receive appropriate treatment in a timely manner.

Purpose: Recent development in perioperative treatment of resectable non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have changed the landscape of early lung cancer management. The ADAURA trial has demonstrated the efficacy of adjuvant osimertinib treatment in resectable NSCLC patients; however, studies are required to show which subgroup of patients are at a high risk of relapse and require adjuvant epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment. This study evaluated risk factors for postoperative relapse among patients who underwent complete resection. Materials and Methods: Data were obtained from the Korean Association for Lung Cancer Registry (KALC-R), a database created using a retrospective sampling survey by the Korean Central Cancer Registry (KCCR) and the Lung Cancer Registration Committee. Results: A total of 3,176 patients who underwent curative resection was evaluated. The mean observation time was approximately 35.4 months. Among stage I to IIIA NSCLC patients, the EGFR-mutant subgroup included 867 patients, and 75.2%, 11.2%, and 11.8% were classified as stage I, stage II, and stage III, respectively. Within the EGFR-mutant subgroup, 44 (5.1%) and 121 (14.0%) patients showed early and late recurrence, respectively. Multivariate analysis on association with postoperative relapse among the EGFR-mutant subgroup showed that age, pathologic N and TNM stages, pleural invasion status, and surgery type were independent significant factors. Conclusion Among the population that underwent complete resection for early NSCLC with EGFR mutation, patients with advanced stage, pleural invasion, or limited resection are more likely to show postoperative relapse.

The initial molecular cytogenetic characteristics of blasts plays a significant role in determining the treatment course of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL).B-ALL with intrachromosomal amplification of chromosome 21 (iAMP21) has been well known to have unfavorable prognosis. Also, there are previously recognized germline mutations that increase the risk of ALL, such as trisomy 21, Down syndrome. This case report is about a 16-year-old girl who presented with lymphadenitis, purpura, and fever followed by initial lab of elevated white blood cell with blasts.She had some notable facial features, but no typical Down syndrome related one.Bone marrow biopsy and fluorescence in situ hybridization finalized the diagnosis as B-ALL with iAMP21, high-risk group. The minimal residual disease-negative complete remission was achieved after the induction chemotherapy with Korean multicenter high-risk protocol. However, abnormal karyotype was sustained in bone marrow. Microarrays with her buccal swab raised the possibility that the abnormal karyotype was not from the leukemic blasts but rather from the germline. Although she underwent scheduled chemotherapy uneventfully as slow early responder type, thrombocytopenia and abnormal karyotype persisted, leading to the diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia. Additional chemotherapy and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation was performed which resulted in engraftment. This case highlights the discovery of a constitutional genetic aberration, which played like a silent yet critical background factor for B-ALL with iAMP21. As the number of reported cases are limited, the role of germline chromosome 21 mutation as the indicator for prognosis of B-ALL should be studied further.

Background: This study aimed to report the short- and midterm outcomes of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) and reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) in weight-bearing shoulders. Methods: This retrospective multicenter study included 19 cases of ARCR and 10 cases of RSA performed in weight-bearing shoulders from 2009 to 2021. In the ARCR group, postoperative 6-month magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the tendon integrity. In the RSA group, scapular notching, acromial fracture, and implant failure were assessed using plain radiographs, and complications were recorded. In both groups, preoperative and postoperative range of motion and functional scores were documented, along with subjective satisfaction and arm use for weight-bearing on the shoulders. For patients followed up for > 5 years, a midterm analysis was performed. Results: The ARCR group included 8 men and 11 women (average age, 58.8 ± 8.0 years). Initially, Patte types 1, 2, and 3 were noted in 9, 8, and 2 patients, respectively, and 4 patients exhibited full-thickness subscapularis tears. Four patients showed supraspinatus retear, and 2 patients showed subscapularis retear. Retear of any rotator cuff was observed in 5 patients (26.3%). Twelve patients were followed up for > 5 years; 11 (91.7%) used their operated arm for weight-bearing and 9 (75.0%) were satisfied. The RSA group included 5 men and 5 women (average age, 74.3 ± 7.9 years). Procedures included RSAs for cuff tear arthropathy (n = 6), osteoarthritis (n = 3), and fracture nonunion (n = 1). No cases of dislocation, prosthesis loosening, or disassociation were observed throughout the follow-up. However, 1 patient required implant removal due to infection, and 4 patients showed stage 1 scapular notching. Five patients were followed up for > 5 years, all of whom expressed satisfaction and used their operated arms for weight-bearing, despite mean forward flexion (107.5° ± 12.6°) and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score (61.5 ± 5.3) being less than reported patient acceptable symptomatic state (110° and 76, respectively). Conclusions Both ARCR and RSA showed promising outcomes in terms of weight-bearing on the operated arm and subjective satisfaction at short- and midterm follow-up. Therefore, neither of these surgeries should be considered contraindicated for patients with weight-bearing shoulder conditions.