OBJECTIVE: This study presents a preliminary report on the chest radiographic and computed tomography (CT) findings of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pneumonia in Korea.MATERIALS AND METHODS: As part of a multi-institutional collaboration coordinated by the Korean Society of Thoracic Radiology, we collected nine patients with COVID-19 infections who had undergone chest radiography and CT scans. We analyzed the radiographic and CT findings of COVID-19 pneumonia at baseline. Fisher's exact test was used to compare CT findings depending on the shape of pulmonary lesions.RESULTS: Three of the nine patients (33.3%) had parenchymal abnormalities detected by chest radiography, and most of the abnormalities were peripheral consolidations. Chest CT images showed bilateral involvement in eight of the nine patients, and a unilobar reversed halo sign in the other patient. In total, 77 pulmonary lesions were found, including patchy lesions (39%), large confluent lesions (13%), and small nodular lesions (48%). The peripheral and posterior lung fields were involved in 78% and 67% of the lesions, respectively. The lesions were typically ill-defined and were composed of mixed ground-glass opacities and consolidation or pure ground-glass opacities. Patchy to confluent lesions were primarily distributed in the lower lobes (p = 0.040) and along the pleura (p < 0.001), whereas nodular lesions were primarily distributed along the bronchovascular bundles (p = 0.006).CONCLUSION: COVID-19 pneumonia in Korea primarily manifested as pure to mixed ground-glass opacities with a patchy to confluent or nodular shape in the bilateral peripheral posterior lungs. A considerable proportion of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia had normal chest radiographs.
Cooperative Behavior ; Coronavirus ; Humans ; Korea ; Lung ; Pleura ; Pneumonia ; Radiography ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Thorax ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVE: The causal association of human papillomavirus (HPV) in uterine cervical cancer was well established and this oncogenic virus was reported to be a biomarker for overall recurrence and central pelvic recurrence. The objective of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the role of HPV DNA testing in early detection of recurrence among cervical cancer survivors after radiotherapy.METHODS: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis by means of searching electronic databases for published articles between January 1984 and June 2018, on the basis of standard systematic review guidelines prescribed by major agencies namely Cochrane Collaboration (https://www.cochrane.org) and Campbell Collaboration (https://www.campbellcollaboration.org). The meta-analysis component was further modified appropriately for the synthesis of sensitivity and specificity results.RESULTS: A total of 1,055 cervical cancer cases who had received pelvic radiation with or without chemotherapy from ten cohort studies were evaluated. The overall pooled sensitivity and specificity of HPV DNA testing was 0.84 (95% confidence interval [CI]= 0.66–0.94) and 0.35 (95% CI=0.20–0.54) respectively. The positive likelihood ratio was 1.3 (95% CI=1.0–1.7) and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.45 (95% CI=0.18–1.10) with an estimated diagnostic odds ratio of 3 (95% CI=1–9).CONCLUSION: The screening for HPV DNA testing during follow-up facilitates early detection of recurrence after radiotherapy.
Cervix Uteri ; Cohort Studies ; Cooperative Behavior ; DNA ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Human Papillomavirus DNA Tests ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Odds Ratio ; Oncogenic Viruses ; Radiotherapy ; Recurrence ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Survivors ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

Asia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cooperative Behavior ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Humans ; International Cooperation ; Japan ; Korea ; Liver ; Lung Neoplasms ; Mass Screening ; Oceania ; Taiwan ; Thailand ; Thyroid Neoplasms

Abdomen ; Asia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cooperative Behavior ; Education ; Humans

The creatinine-based Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation can be calculated according to race, sex, and creatinine concentration (subgroup equation) or in the form expressed by one equation (single equation). Minor differences in the constants used in the CKD-EPI equations (subgroup vs single equations) could result in a significant difference in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). We evaluated the impact of this difference in 79,709 Korean patients. The eGFR was calculated as an integer using the single and subgroup CKD-EPI equations. The differences in eGFR and GFR categories between the equations were analyzed. eGFR was higher in the subgroup equation than the single equation by 1 mL/min/1.73 m² for 12,476 (27.4%) Korean females. The GFR category based on the subgroup equation was reclassified using the single equation for 352 (0.77%) females. Based on the results, the constant of the single equation was optimized. There was no difference in eGFR values between equations using a multiplier of 1.0213 instead of 1.018 for the “white or other” females constant in the single CKD-EPI equation. Clinicians should carefully apply the CKD-EPI equation because eGFR values may differ by 1 mL/min/1.73 m² depending on the manner of calculation. To minimize these differences, the constants of the single equation should be revised.
Continental Population Groups ; Cooperative Behavior ; Creatinine ; Epidemiology ; Female ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic

BACKGROUND: Open reduction and internal fixation using a volar locking plate has been increasingly performed for distal radius fractures. Both conventional and minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) techniques are widely used to treat distal radius fractures. However, it is unclear which of the techniques yields better outcomes after surgery for distal radius fractures. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to compare the benefits of conventional and MIPO techniques for distal radius fractures in terms of clinical outcomes. METHODS: Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials electronic databases were searched for articles comparing the outcomes of the conventional and MIPO techniques and published up until July 2017. Data search, extraction, analysis, and quality assessment were performed based on the Cochrane Collaboration guidelines. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using various outcome measures. RESULTS: Four clinical studies were included in the analysis. No significant clinical differences were found between the techniques in clinical hand scoring, grip strength, and range of motion. However, patient satisfaction after surgery was significantly higher in the MIPO group than that in the conventional group (standard mean difference, −0.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.79 to −0.29; I2 = 0%). Furthermore, although there were no significant differences in volar tilt and ulnar variance between the two groups, radial inclination revealed a significant difference between the two groups (radial inclination: weighted mean difference, 1.20; 95% CI, 0.25 to 2.15; I2 = 19%). CONCLUSIONS: Both conventional and MIPO techniques were effective for patients with distal radius fractures. Despite limited high quality evidence to compare osteosynthesis with a volar locking plate via the conventional and MIPO techniques, the present study showed that the MIPO technique was associated with more favorable patient satisfaction.
Cooperative Behavior ; Fracture Fixation ; Hand ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Patient Satisfaction ; Radius Fractures ; Radius ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effects of smartphone-based mobile learning for nurses and nursing students. METHODS: Electronic literature search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, SCOPUS, Web of Science, ProQuest Central, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and Educational Resource Information Center (ERIC) was conducted. Two authors independently reviewed empirical studies for inclusion and extracted the design, sample size, intervention method, outcome variables, and statistical values of them. Methodological quality was assessed using Cochrane collaboration risk of bias tool. To estimate the effect size, meta-analysis was performed using R meta program. RESULTS: Authors identified 11 randomized or nonrandomized controlled trials of a total of 3,419 studies. Overall effect sizes by random-effects model was large [Hedges'g (g) = 1.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.72−1.52], with learning attitude (g = 1.69), skills (g = 1.41), knowledge (g = 1.47), and confidence in performance (g = 1.54). For heterogeneity, subgroup analyses using meta-analysis of variance were performed, but no significant difference was found. Finally, a funnel plot and Egger's regression test along with trim-and-fill analysis and fail-safe N were conducted to check for publication bias, but no significant bias was detected. CONCLUSION: Smartphone-based mobile learning had significantly positive influence on nursing students' knowledge, skills, confidence in performance, and learning attitude. Smartphone-based mobile learning may be an alternative or supportive method for better education in nursing fields.
Bias (Epidemiology) ; Cooperative Behavior ; Education ; Education, Nursing ; Humans ; Information Centers ; Learning ; Methods ; Nursing ; Population Characteristics ; Publication Bias ; Sample Size ; Smartphone ; Students, Nursing

Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is a well-known pathological condition in oncology derived from the use of bisphosphonates (BPs) and denosumab. Many molecular and immunological targets have been introduced for daily use in cancer treatment in recent years; consequently, new cases of ONJ have been reported in association with these drugs, especially if administered with BPs and denosumab. When the drugs are administered alone, ONJ is rarely seen. The objective of our study was to analyze the recent literature relative to the association of ONJ with these new drugs highlighting the pathogenic, clinical and therapeutic aspects. The close collaboration between maxillofacial surgeon, oncologist, dentist, and dental hygienist remains the most important aspect for the prevention, prompt recognition, and treatment of this pathology.
Angiogenesis Modulating Agents ; Cooperative Behavior ; Denosumab ; Dental Hygienists ; Dentists ; Diphosphonates ; Humans ; Immunomodulation ; Immunotherapy ; Jaw ; Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons ; Oral Manifestations ; Osteonecrosis ; Pathology

Suicide is the fifth-leading cause of death in Korea, accounting for 4.4% of all deaths. Therefore, suicide is a serious medical problem, as well as a social problem. In this paper, we provide a social psychiatric perspective on suicide and recommend suicide prevention strategies based on programs with roots in the Gwangju mental health pilot project and an analysis of suicide patterns in Seoul. First, early intervention and active case management are mandatory to prevent suicide among individuals with mental illnesses such as depression, schizophrenia, and alcohol use disorder. To this end, mental health and welfare centers, addiction management centers, suicide prevention centers, and care program after a suicide attempt in the emergency department of general hospitals should collaborate via a multidisciplinary approach. Second, crisis intervention should be provided in collaboration with the police, government officials, and mental health agencies to people who are at immediate risk of suicide. Additionally, case management services should be expanded for individuals who are treated at hospitals for psychiatric illness. Third, social welfare services should be offered to low-income individuals at risk of suicide. Fourth, the mass media should restrict reporting about suicide and follow the relevant reporting guidelines. Finally, access to methods of committing suicide, such as charcoal for burning and agrichemical poisoning, should be regulated by the government. Proactive psychosocial strategies implemented with government support will prevent suicide-related deaths and decrease the suicide rate in Korea.
Burns ; Case Management ; Cause of Death ; Charcoal ; Cooperative Behavior ; Crisis Intervention ; Depression ; Early Intervention (Education) ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Gwangju ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Korea ; Mass Media ; Mental Health ; Occupational Groups ; Pilot Projects ; Poisoning ; Police ; Schizophrenia ; Seoul ; Social Problems ; Social Welfare ; Suicide

Team communication, teamwork, and interprofessional collaboration are critical and the basis for patient safety in a more diverse and complex clinical environment. This study explored the current status of teamwork, team communication, and interprofessionalism in the context of patient safety within undergraduate medical education. A scoping review of the literature published since 2010 was undertaken. Fifteen papers were included for final review. The most commonly used educational methods were off-line lectures and simulations. Standard team communication tools suggested in TeamSTEPPS (team strategies and tools to enhance performance patient safety) were covered in some of the research. Knowledge, skills, and teamwork attitudes, interprofessional collaboration, and/or patient safety were improved in most of the papers. In the previous studies of team communication, the content and method of education, and the change in knowledge and attitudes of the individuals have been widely reported, but more research is needed regarding the method of evaluating the teamwork itself. In addition, education on team communication as well as patient safety and interprofessionalism is lacking. As the importance of team communication in patient safety increases, more attention is needed on this topic in undergraduate medical education.
Cooperative Behavior ; Education ; Education, Medical, Undergraduate ; Humans ; Lectures ; Methods ; Patient Safety