Capsular contracture (CC) is a concerning issue for individuals undergoing postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) with implant-based breast reconstruction. This study investigated whether the extent of CC and implant migration differs based on implant placement and the reconstruction stage. Insertion plane and stage of breast implants were investigated, and the presence and severe cases of CC and implant migration were analyzed. Among 195 participants, 83 were in the pre-pectoral group, and 112 were in the sub-pectoral group. Two-staged surgery was performed on 116 patients, while 79 underwent direct-to-implant (DTI).Notably, The occurrence of CC (prepectoral, 17 [20.48%] and subpectoral, 42 [37.50%];p = 0.011), CC severity (prepectoral, 4 [4.82%] and subpectoral, 17 [15.17%]; p = 0.021), and implant upward migration (prepectoral, 15 [18.07%] and subpectoral, 38 [33.92%]; p = 0.014) significantly varied between the two groups. The incidence of CC was more common in the DTI group (odds ratio [OR], 2.283; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.164–4.478). Furthermore, subpectoral placement was an independent risk factor for occurrence (OR, 2.989; 95% CI, 1.476–6.054) and severity of CC (OR, 38.552; 95% CI, 1.855–801.186) and upward implant migration (OR, 2.531; 95% CI, 1.263–5.071). Our findings suggest that pre-pectoral reconstruction and the two-stage operation benefit patients who may undergo PMRT. These approaches can help reduce the incidence of CC and abnormal implant migration following radiation, leading to improved aesthetic outcomes and greater patient satisfaction.

Capsular contracture (CC) is a concerning issue for individuals undergoing postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) with implant-based breast reconstruction. This study investigated whether the extent of CC and implant migration differs based on implant placement and the reconstruction stage. Insertion plane and stage of breast implants were investigated, and the presence and severe cases of CC and implant migration were analyzed. Among 195 participants, 83 were in the pre-pectoral group, and 112 were in the sub-pectoral group. Two-staged surgery was performed on 116 patients, while 79 underwent direct-to-implant (DTI).Notably, The occurrence of CC (prepectoral, 17 [20.48%] and subpectoral, 42 [37.50%];p = 0.011), CC severity (prepectoral, 4 [4.82%] and subpectoral, 17 [15.17%]; p = 0.021), and implant upward migration (prepectoral, 15 [18.07%] and subpectoral, 38 [33.92%]; p = 0.014) significantly varied between the two groups. The incidence of CC was more common in the DTI group (odds ratio [OR], 2.283; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.164–4.478). Furthermore, subpectoral placement was an independent risk factor for occurrence (OR, 2.989; 95% CI, 1.476–6.054) and severity of CC (OR, 38.552; 95% CI, 1.855–801.186) and upward implant migration (OR, 2.531; 95% CI, 1.263–5.071). Our findings suggest that pre-pectoral reconstruction and the two-stage operation benefit patients who may undergo PMRT. These approaches can help reduce the incidence of CC and abnormal implant migration following radiation, leading to improved aesthetic outcomes and greater patient satisfaction.

Capsular contracture (CC) is a concerning issue for individuals undergoing postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) with implant-based breast reconstruction. This study investigated whether the extent of CC and implant migration differs based on implant placement and the reconstruction stage. Insertion plane and stage of breast implants were investigated, and the presence and severe cases of CC and implant migration were analyzed. Among 195 participants, 83 were in the pre-pectoral group, and 112 were in the sub-pectoral group. Two-staged surgery was performed on 116 patients, while 79 underwent direct-to-implant (DTI).Notably, The occurrence of CC (prepectoral, 17 [20.48%] and subpectoral, 42 [37.50%];p = 0.011), CC severity (prepectoral, 4 [4.82%] and subpectoral, 17 [15.17%]; p = 0.021), and implant upward migration (prepectoral, 15 [18.07%] and subpectoral, 38 [33.92%]; p = 0.014) significantly varied between the two groups. The incidence of CC was more common in the DTI group (odds ratio [OR], 2.283; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.164–4.478). Furthermore, subpectoral placement was an independent risk factor for occurrence (OR, 2.989; 95% CI, 1.476–6.054) and severity of CC (OR, 38.552; 95% CI, 1.855–801.186) and upward implant migration (OR, 2.531; 95% CI, 1.263–5.071). Our findings suggest that pre-pectoral reconstruction and the two-stage operation benefit patients who may undergo PMRT. These approaches can help reduce the incidence of CC and abnormal implant migration following radiation, leading to improved aesthetic outcomes and greater patient satisfaction.

This report presents the latest statistics on the stroke population in South Korea, sourced from the Clinical Research Collaborations for Stroke in Korea-National Institute for Health (CRCS-K-NIH), a comprehensive, nationwide, multicenter stroke registry. The Korean cohort, unlike western populations, shows a male-to-female ratio of 1.5, attributed to lower risk factors in Korean women. The average ages for men and women are 67 and 73 years, respectively.Hypertension is the most common risk factor (67%), consistent with global trends, but there is a higher prevalence of diabetes (35%) and smoking (21%). The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (19%) is lower than in western populations, suggesting effective prevention strategies in the general population. A high incidence of large artery atherosclerosis (38%) is observed, likely due to prevalent intracranial arterial disease in East Asians and advanced imaging techniques.There has been a decrease in intravenous thrombolysis rates, from 12% in 2017–2019 to 10% in 2021, with no improvements in door-to-needle and door-to-puncture times, worsened by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. While the use of aspirin plus clopidogrel for noncardioembolic stroke and direct oral anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation is well-established, the application of direct oral anticoagulants for non-atrial fibrillation cardioembolic strokes in the acute phase requires further research. The incidence of early neurological deterioration (13%) and the cumulative incidence of recurrent stroke at 3 months (3%) align with global figures. Favorable outcomes at 3 months (63%) are comparable internationally, yet the lack of improvement in dependency at 3 months highlights the need for advancements in acute stroke care.

This study examined the colostrum nutritive composition, immunoglobulin (Ig), and microbial community in Holstein and Jersey dairy cows according to the time after calving. The experiment used seven Holstein and three Jersey dairy cows. Colostrum was collected immediately after calf calving, 12, and 24 hours, and stored at −80°C until analysis. An analysis of the nutritive composition in colostrum was performed using LactoScop. The immune indicators were analyzed using an ELISA Kit, and the microbial community was assessed using a Macrogen Inc. The protein level was high in all colostrum samples from Holstein dairy cows compared with Jersey dairy cows, but there was no significant difference according to the time after calving. Immune index analysis revealed high IgG and IgA concentrations in the colostrum of Holstein cows immediately after calving and 12 and 24 hours after calving, but the differences were not significant. The microbial community at the genus level revealed Staphylococcus to be predominant at a high rate in the colostrum of Holstein dairy cows and Enterococcus in Jersey dairy cows 12 hours after calving. Pseudomonas was predominant at a high rate in the colostrum of Jersey lactating cows immediately and 12 hours after calving. Chryseobacterium was predominant at a high rate in Holstein dairy cows 12 and 24 hours after calving. In conclusion, these results are expected to be used as research data on the correlation between quality, immunity, and microbial community in the colostrum. In the future, beneficial microorganisms in the colostrum of domestic dairy cows can be used to improve the growth and immunity of Holstein and Jersey calves and assist in research related to postbiotics industrialization.

Cough is the most common respiratory symptom that can have various causes. It is a major clinical problem that can reduce a patient’s quality of life. Thus, clinical guidelines for the treatment of cough were established in 2014 by the cough guideline committee under the Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases. From October 2018 to July 2020, cough guidelines were revised by members of the committee based on the first guidelines. The purpose of these guidelines is to help clinicians efficiently diagnose and treat patients with cough. This article highlights the recommendations and summary of the revised Korean cough guidelines. It includes a revised algorithm for the evaluation of acute, subacute, and chronic cough. For a chronic cough, upper airway cough syndrome (UACS), cough variant asthma (CVA), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) should be considered in differential diagnoses. If UACS is suspected, first-generation antihistamines and nasal decongestants can be used empirically. In cases with CVA, inhaled corticosteroids are recommended to improve cough. In patients with suspected chronic cough due to symptomatic GERD, proton pump inhibitors are recommended. Chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, bronchiolitis, lung cancer, aspiration, intake of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, intake of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, habitual cough, psychogenic cough, interstitial lung disease, environmental and occupational factors, tuberculosis, obstructive sleep apnea, peritoneal dialysis, and unexplained cough can also be considered as causes of a chronic cough. Chronic cough due to laryngeal dysfunction syndrome has been newly added to the guidelines.

Cough is the most common respiratory symptom that can have various causes. It is a major clinical problem that can reduce a patient’s quality of life. Thus, clinical guidelines for the treatment of cough were established in 2014 by the cough guideline committee under the Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases. From October 2018 to July 2020, cough guidelines were revised by members of the committee based on the first guidelines. The purpose of these guidelines is to help clinicians efficiently diagnose and treat patients with cough. This article highlights the recommendations and summary of the revised Korean cough guidelines. It includes a revised algorithm for the evaluation of acute, subacute, and chronic cough. For a chronic cough, upper airway cough syndrome (UACS), cough variant asthma (CVA), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) should be considered in differential diagnoses. If UACS is suspected, first-generation antihistamines and nasal decongestants can be used empirically. In cases with CVA, inhaled corticosteroids are recommended to improve cough. In patients with suspected chronic cough due to symptomatic GERD, proton pump inhibitors are recommended. Chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, bronchiolitis, lung cancer, aspiration, intake of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, intake of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, habitual cough, psychogenic cough, interstitial lung disease, environmental and occupational factors, tuberculosis, obstructive sleep apnea, peritoneal dialysis, and unexplained cough can also be considered as causes of a chronic cough. Chronic cough due to laryngeal dysfunction syndrome has been newly added to the guidelines.

Asthma ; Bronchitis ; Cohort Studies ; Cough ; Diagnosis ; Disease Management ; Eosinophils ; Epidemiology ; Female ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Humans ; Korea ; Lung Diseases ; Multivariate Analysis ; Observational Study ; Pregnant Women ; Retrospective Studies ; Tuberculosis

BACKGROUND: Chronic cough is defined as a cough lasting more than 8 weeks and socio-economic burden of chronic cough is enormous. The characteristics of chronic cough in Korea are not well understood. The Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases (KATRD) published guidelines on cough management in 2014. The current study evaluated the clinical characteristics of chronic cough in Korea and the efficacy of the KATRD guidelines. METHODS: This was a multi-center, retrospective observational study conducted in Korea. The participants were over 18 years of age. They had coughs lasting more than 8 weeks. Subjects with current pulmonary diseases, smokers, ex-smokers with more than 10 pack-years or who quit within the past 1 year, pregnant women, and users of cough-inducing medications were excluded. Evaluation and management of cough followed the KATRD cough-management guidelines. RESULTS: Participants with chronic cough in Korea showed age in the late forties and cough duration of more than 1 year. Upper airway cough syndrome was the most common cause of cough, followed by cough-variant asthma (CVA). Gastro-esophageal reflux diseases and eosinophilic bronchitis were less frequently observed. Following the KATRD cough-management guidelines, 91.2% of the subjects improved after 4 weeks of treatment. Responders were younger, had a longer duration of cough, and an initial impression of CVA. In univariate and multivariate analyses, an initial impression of CVA was the only factor related to better treatment response. CONCLUSION The causes of chronic cough in Korea differed from those reported in other countries. The current Korean guidelines proved efficient for treating Korean patients with chronic cough.

BACKGROUND: Chronic cough is defined as a cough lasting more than 8 weeks and socio-economic burden of chronic cough is enormous. The characteristics of chronic cough in Korea are not well understood. The Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases (KATRD) published guidelines on cough management in 2014. The current study evaluated the clinical characteristics of chronic cough in Korea and the efficacy of the KATRD guidelines. METHODS: This was a multi-center, retrospective observational study conducted in Korea. The participants were over 18 years of age. They had coughs lasting more than 8 weeks. Subjects with current pulmonary diseases, smokers, ex-smokers with more than 10 pack-years or who quit within the past 1 year, pregnant women, and users of cough-inducing medications were excluded. Evaluation and management of cough followed the KATRD cough-management guidelines. RESULTS: Participants with chronic cough in Korea showed age in the late forties and cough duration of more than 1 year. Upper airway cough syndrome was the most common cause of cough, followed by cough-variant asthma (CVA). Gastro-esophageal reflux diseases and eosinophilic bronchitis were less frequently observed. Following the KATRD cough-management guidelines, 91.2% of the subjects improved after 4 weeks of treatment. Responders were younger, had a longer duration of cough, and an initial impression of CVA. In univariate and multivariate analyses, an initial impression of CVA was the only factor related to better treatment response. CONCLUSION The causes of chronic cough in Korea differed from those reported in other countries. The current Korean guidelines proved efficient for treating Korean patients with chronic cough.