The oral phase is the critical initial stage of swallowing, where the oral motor function is essential. Oral phase impairment can lead to severe complications such as malnutrition and pneumonia. Therefore, accurate assessments are clinically critical. This study systematically reviewed the characteristics and measurement elements of assessment tools for evaluating the oral function and oral motor function in adult dysphagia patients. A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and RISS databases for articles published up to June 2025.Ultimately, 43 articles were selected, and 22 standardized assessment tools identified within these studies were analyzed.The assessments were classified into standardized clinical tools (n=22) and instrument-based methods. An analysis of the standardized tools revealed a frequent focus on static measures like ‘Anterior spillage’ (54.5%) and ‘mealtime duration’ (45.5%), while dynamic aspects like ‘tongue propulsion’ (9.1%) were overlooked. The instrument-based methods, including oral diadochokinesis, chewing gum tests, and tongue pressure measurement, had the advantage of quantitatively evaluating the oral function. The results showed that an integrated and standardized assessment protocol capable of deeply evaluating the oral phase is needed. This study provides foundational data for the evidence-based application of oral phase assessments in future clinical practice and research.

Objective: We investigated the effect of our quality control (QC) program on the management strategy, completeness of the surgery, and clinical outcomes in advanced ovarian cancer. Methods: A retrospective review of medical records from January 2005 to December 2019 identified 129 patients with advanced ovarian cancer. Cases were categorized into group 1 (2005–2013) and group 2 (2014–2019) before and after implementation of the QC program.Comparisons included clinicopathological variables, operative details, recurrence and survival outcomes. Results: In Group 2 (n=44), after QC program implementation, primary debulking surgery (PDS) decreased (87.1% vs. 63.6%) and interval debulking surgery (IDS) increased (12.9% vs.36.4%), indicating a shift in surgical strategy. Optimal resection rates improved significantly for PDS in group 2 (50.0% to 75.0%, p=0.007) and remained high for IDS in both groups (81.8% vs. 81.3%, p>0.999). Post-QC, advanced debulking procedures and co-operation with other departments increased in the IDS (p<0.05). Intra/post-operative complication rates were statistically comparable (p>0.05), whereas postoperative hospital stay was significantly shorter in group 2 (17 days vs. 22 days, p=0.001). Median recurrence-free survival increased after QC, although not statistically significant (19.18 months vs. 25.38 months, p=0.855). Conclusion With QC program, treatment strategies and clinical outcomes were significantly improved in advanced ovarian cancer. Systematic QC monitoring program should be considered as routine surveillance for better surgical outcomes.

Background: Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) is widely used to correct coagulopathy. However, many transfusions are administered without adherence to guidelines. The clinical utility of pre-transfusion coagulation tests and optimal dosing strategies remains poorly defined in practice. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 181 adult patients who received FFP transfusions at a tertiary hospital from January to December 2023. Indications were selected by clinicians from a predefined checklist. Changes in prothrombin time-international normalized ratio (PT-INR), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and fibrinogen were analyzed. Multivariate linear regression was used to predict PT-INR correction. Time to post-transfusion testing was also evaluated. Results: Among 518 episodes, 39.6% of transfusions were administered to patients with a PT-INR＜1.7, indicating that the guideline criteria were not met. The median volume was 7.0 mL/kg, with only 16.2% exceeding 10 mL/kg.Pre-transfusion PT-INR was the strongest predictor of correction (β=–1.003, P＜0.001). Greater volumes of transfused FFP led to better correction, especially in individuals with PT-INR ≥3.0. The median time to follow-up testing was 8.5 hours, but showed no significant effect on correction. Conclusion FFP transfusion was most effective in patients with severe PT-INR prolongation. Frequent inappropriate transfusions and subtherapeutic dosing limited its effectiveness. These findings highlight the importance of targeted education and implementation of INR-based indications to improve FFP transfusion practices.

Background: Transfusions in pediatrics need to be performed carefully because of various variables, such as the blood volume and immature immune system. As a result, adverse transfusion reactions may appear differently from adults. This study examined the frequency and types of adverse transfusion reactions in pediatric patients. Methods: From January 2018 to December 2021, this study was conducted on 58 children who requested red blood cells, platelets, and plasma blood components from Chungbuk National University Hospital. The frequency and types of adverse transfusion reactions were analyzed retrospectively by reviewing blood transfusion-related medical records and compared with previous studies. Results: Approximately 0.9% of total blood components were transfused into pediatric patients; 1,179 units of blood components were transfused. The number of transfusions for red blood cells, platelets, and plasma was 383, 712, and 84 units, respectively. Among 58 patients, 23 adverse transfusion reactions were observed in 15 (25.9%) patients. Of these, 18 were febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reactions, and five were allergic transfusion reactions. Febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reactions occurred in 66.7% of cases with red blood cells, and allergic transfusion reactions occurred with platelets in 60% of cases. Conclusion This paper reported the incidence and types of adverse transfusion reactions in pediatric patients. This is expected to be more frequent in pediatric patients than adults, but most of them were relieved by supportive treatment because the symptoms were mild. As the awareness of hemovigilance is still low, it is essential to recognize and deal with adverse transfusion reactions through continuous education.

Purpose: To summarize the results of chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) for copy number variants (CNVs) detection and clinical utility in a single tertiary hospital. Materials and Methods: We performed CMA in 46 patients over the course of two years. Detected CNVs were classified into five categories according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines and correlated with clinical manifestations. Results: A total of 31 CNVs were detected in 19 patients, with a median CNV number per patient of two CNVs. Among these, 16 CNVs were classified as pathogenic (n=3) or likely pathogenic (LP) (n=11) or variant of uncertain significance (n=4). The 16p11.2 deletion and 16p13.11 deletion classified as LP were most often detected in 6.5% (3/46), retrospectively. CMA diagnostic yield was 24.3% (9/37 patients) for symptomatic patients. The CNVs results of the commercial newborn screening test using next generation sequencing platforms showed high concordance with CMA results. Conclusion CMA seems useful as a first-tier test for developmental delay with or without congenital anomalies. However, the classification and interpretation of CMA still remained a challenge. Further research is needed for evidence-based interpretation.

Background: Blood transfusion is frequently performed as a supportive therapy during the diagnosis and chemotherapy of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This study examined the frequency of blood transfusion and analyzed the correlation with the treatment response during induction therapy in patients with AML. Methods: From January 2018 to December 2020, blood transfusion information was collected from 23 patients diagnosed with AML during induction therapy. The frequency and volumes of blood transfusions according to the treatment response were collected and analyzed with the overall survival retrospectively. Results: The blood transfusion was performed in all patients with AML during induction therapy. The transfusion frequency and volumes were a median of five (1∼13) times and nine (2∼27) units for red blood cells, respectively.In the platelets, the median frequency was seven (2∼21) times, and the transfusion volumes were 42 (12∼128) units. At the time of the treatment response evaluation, the transfusion dependence was 0% in morphological complete remission and 20% in the morphological leukemic-free state for both RBC and platelets, and 78% for RBC and 67% for platelets in treatment failure. Although not statistically significant, transfusion independence for more than eight weeks after induction therapy showed a better overall survival (P=0.312). Conclusion When the treatment response was good, the dependence on blood transfusion decreased. The transfusion frequency is expected to help predict the patient's treatment response and prognosis along with the peripheral blood counts.

Background: Blood transfusion is frequently performed as a supportive therapy during the diagnosis and chemotherapy of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This study examined the frequency of blood transfusion and analyzed the correlation with the treatment response during induction therapy in patients with AML. Methods: From January 2018 to December 2020, blood transfusion information was collected from 23 patients diagnosed with AML during induction therapy. The frequency and volumes of blood transfusions according to the treatment response were collected and analyzed with the overall survival retrospectively. Results: The blood transfusion was performed in all patients with AML during induction therapy. The transfusion frequency and volumes were a median of five (1∼13) times and nine (2∼27) units for red blood cells, respectively.In the platelets, the median frequency was seven (2∼21) times, and the transfusion volumes were 42 (12∼128) units. At the time of the treatment response evaluation, the transfusion dependence was 0% in morphological complete remission and 20% in the morphological leukemic-free state for both RBC and platelets, and 78% for RBC and 67% for platelets in treatment failure. Although not statistically significant, transfusion independence for more than eight weeks after induction therapy showed a better overall survival (P=0.312). Conclusion When the treatment response was good, the dependence on blood transfusion decreased. The transfusion frequency is expected to help predict the patient's treatment response and prognosis along with the peripheral blood counts.