Full-thickness skin grafting (FTSG) is frequently used to reconstruct facial soft tissue defects because it provides favorable color and texture matching. Secondary cystic lesions, including milia or epidermal cysts, that develop after FTSG are rare. A 29-year-old woman sustained a dog-bite injury resulting in a 4.5× 2.5 cm defect involving the philtrum and upper lip. The philtrum was reconstructed using a full-thickness skin graft harvested from the retroauricular area, while the upper lip was repaired using a mucosal V-Y advancement flap. Ten months later, hypertrophic scarring developed, and a second FTSG was performed using contralateral retroauricular skin. Despite repeated intralesional triamcinolone injections, the grafted area became tender and pruritic, with the appearance of multiple milia-like lesions. Over the subsequent 9 months, three recurrent cystic nodules developed within the scar tissue and were serially excised. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of secondary milia. After complete excision, no recurrence was observed for over 3 years. We discuss possible contributing mechanisms, including adnexal survival within grafts and the role of remnant epidermis or ductal obstruction. Awareness of this complication may help guide donor-site selection and wound-bed preparation in perioral reconstruction.

Purpose: This study investigated how depression and peer attachment influence smartphone overdependence in elementary school students. Methods: The participants included 279 students in grades 4-6 with a mean age of 11.2 years (SD=0.8, range=10~12 years). Data were collected from December 24 to 31, 2024, and analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis. Results: All subdomains of depression were found to have positive correlations with smartphone overdependence: behavioral problems (r=.26), physiological symptoms (r=.24), self-deprecation (r=.22), loss of interest (r=.20), and depressive affect (r=.12). Conversely, smartphone overdependence showed negative associations with peer attachment subdomains: communication (r=-.25), trust (r=-.23), and alienation (r=-.19). In multiple regression analysis, peer communication (β=-.20) and depressive behavioral problems (β=.19) emerged as significant predictors of smartphone overdependence. Conclusion The findings indicate that depressive behavioral problems and peer communication are linked to smartphone overdependence in late childhood, highlighting the importance of programs aimed at reducing behavioral issues and enhancing peer communication to encourage healthier smartphone usage.

Heart diseases are a significant contributor to global morbidity and mortality, and despite their diverse and complex mechanisms, treatment options remain limited. Maltol, a natural compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, exhibits potential for addressing this need. This study evaluates the cardioprotective effects of maltol in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiac stress models and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Maltol’s cardiac cytotoxicity was assessed in rodent (H9c2) and human (AC16) cells and compared with that of dapagliflozin to illustrate its cardiac safety. In ISO-induced stress models, maltol significantly reduced hypertrophic markers and inflammation while enhancing autophagy and antioxidant pathways. In the mdx mice, a DMD model, maltol treatment improved cardiac contractility and reduced pathogenic remodeling. Enhanced phosphorylation of phospholamban and trends toward higher SERCA2a expression indicated enhanced Ca 2+ handling, which is crucial in DMD cardiomyopathy. This study demonstrated that maltol has the potential to provide therapeutic benefits for DMD and other cardiac conditions characterized by hypertrophy and inflammation, as evidenced by its well-known antioxidant properties, low cytotoxicity, and capacity to enhance cardiac function and Ca 2+ handling.

Vertebral arteriovenous fistula (VAVF) is a rare lesion characterized by an abnormal connection between the extracranial vertebral artery and the surrounding venous plexus. It typically arises due to penetrating injury, although it can occasionally result from blunt trauma. Brachial plexus injury (BPI) is also infrequently associated with VAVF. We present a rare case of VAVF caused by blunt trauma, which resulted in BPI. The patient, who had previously sustained a C2 fracture and C2–3 myelopathy from a bicycle accident, presented with new-onset weakness in the right upper extremity. His previous clinical history led to an initial suspicion of either an exacerbation of a pre-existing lesion or a shoulder injury. However, electromyography indicated that the weakness was due to BPI. Further evaluations later revealed VAVF to be the primary cause of the BPI. VAVF must be recognized as a rare potential reason for BPI, as timely intervention is essential for improving patient recovery and prognosis.

The over-the-scope clip (OTSC) system is a powerful full-thickness suturing device used for closing refractory bleeding, perforations, and fistulas in gastrointestinal diseases, offering greater force than conventional clips. Here, we report two cases of pancreatobiliary disease treated using OTSC. The first case involved the successful OTSC ligation of a colonic fistula caused by necrotizing pancreatitis, and the second was a duodenal perforation due to stent migration, which was also successfully treated with OTSC. These cases indicate that OTSC can be beneficial for pancreatobiliary diseases, potentially eliminating the need for surgery when endoscopic treatment is successful.

Background: Acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) is a rare and severe lung condition characterized by a rapid accumulation of eosinophils in the alveoli, leading to respiratory distress. This study analyzed the clinical characteristics of affected patients, aiming to shed light on the relationship between cigarette smoking and AEP. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 17 cases of AEP, focusing on patients' smoking habits, clinical symptoms, diagnostic findings, and treatment outcomes. Data were collected from medical records, imaging studies, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) findings. Results: The study cohort consisted primarily of male military personnel (94.1%), with a mean age of 20.8 years. Symptoms generally appeared approximately 2.82 days prior to hospitalization, with a mean body temperature at admission of 37.6 °C. The mean initial peripheral blood white blood cell count was 15.3×103/μL, with eosinophil percentages starting at 0.2%, peaking at a mean of 16.1%, and reaching as high as 32.4%. BAL fluid analysis showed a mean eosinophil level of 46.6%±15.1% (range, 17%–67%). In most cases, radiological examinations revealed bilateral ground-glass opacities, interlobular septal thickening, various degrees of airspace consolidation, and bilateral pleural effusions. Steroid treatment was administered to 70.5% of patients, lasting a mean of 8.3 days and resulting in significant improvements. Conclusions These cases reinforce the strong link between cigarette smoking and AEP. Additionally, these cases demonstrate the importance of obtaining a detailed smoking history and thorough diagnostic assessments, including BAL, in order to facilitate a more rapid diagnosis and early initiation of corticosteroid treatment.

Heart diseases are a significant contributor to global morbidity and mortality, and despite their diverse and complex mechanisms, treatment options remain limited. Maltol, a natural compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, exhibits potential for addressing this need. This study evaluates the cardioprotective effects of maltol in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiac stress models and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Maltol’s cardiac cytotoxicity was assessed in rodent (H9c2) and human (AC16) cells and compared with that of dapagliflozin to illustrate its cardiac safety. In ISO-induced stress models, maltol significantly reduced hypertrophic markers and inflammation while enhancing autophagy and antioxidant pathways. In the mdx mice, a DMD model, maltol treatment improved cardiac contractility and reduced pathogenic remodeling. Enhanced phosphorylation of phospholamban and trends toward higher SERCA2a expression indicated enhanced Ca 2+ handling, which is crucial in DMD cardiomyopathy. This study demonstrated that maltol has the potential to provide therapeutic benefits for DMD and other cardiac conditions characterized by hypertrophy and inflammation, as evidenced by its well-known antioxidant properties, low cytotoxicity, and capacity to enhance cardiac function and Ca 2+ handling.

Background: We investigated whether nutritional intake is associated with physical activity (PA) and handgrip strength (HGS) in individuals with airflow limitation. Methods: This study analyzed data from the 2014 and 2016 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We assessed total protein intake (g/day), caloric intake (kcal/day), and other nutritional intakes, using a 24-hour dietary recall questionnaire. HGS was measured three times for each hand using a digital grip strength dynamometer, and PA was assessed as health-enhancing PA. Airflow limitation was defined as a forced expiratory volume/forced vital capacity ratio of 0.7 in individuals over 40 years of age. Participants were categorized into groups based on their PA levels and HGS measurements: active aerobic PA vs. non-active aerobic PA, and normal HGS vs. low HGS. Results: Among the 622 individuals with airflow limitation, those involved in active aerobic PA and those with higher HGS had notably higher total food, calorie, water, protein, and lipid intake. The correlations between protein and caloric intake with HGS were strong (correlation coefficients=0.344 and 0.346, respectively). The forest plots show that higher intakes of food, water, calories, protein, and lipids are positively associated with active aerobic PA, while higher intakes of these nutrients are inversely associated with low HGS. However, in the multivariate logistic regression analysis, no significant associations were observed between nutritional intake and active aerobic PA or HGS. Conclusion Nutritional intake was found to not be an independent factor associated with PA and HGS. However, the observed correlations suggest potential indirect effects that warrant further investigation.