Background: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is one of the leading causes of neonatal earlyonset sepsis, resulting in high mortality and significant comorbidity. Intrapartum penicillin prophylaxis is recommended for pregnant women with GBS colonization to prevent vertical transmission. For pregnant women at high risk of anaphylaxis to penicillin, clindamycin is recommended only if the susceptibility of GBS isolates has been identified. We retrospectively examined the GBS detection rate and clindamycin resistance among Korean women of reproductive age over the last 20 years. Methods: Microbiologic studies using vaginal, vaginal–rectal or vaginal–perianal swabs from female patients 15–49 years of age during 2003–2022 were reviewed. Annual GBS detection rates and clindamycin resistance rates were calculated. The study period was divided into two periods (period 1, 2003–2015; period 2, 2016–2022) based on the introduction of universal culture-based GBS screening in our center in 2016. GBS detection rates and clindamycin resistance rates were compared between the periods using χ2 tests. Results: A total of 14,571 women were tested 16,879 times and GBS was isolated in 1,054 tests (6.2%), with 423 clindamycin-resistant isolates (40.1%). The GBS detection rate increased from 3.4% (301/8,869) in period 1 to 9.4% (2,753/8,010) in period 2 (P < 0.001). Even during period 1, the GBS detection rate was higher in 2009–2015 compared to 2003–2008 (P < 0.001). Clindamycin resistance rates have remained at similar levels since 2009, which were 39.5% (199/301) in period 1 and 40.2% (303/753) in period 2 (P = 0.833). Conclusion This study demonstrated that GBS detection rates in Korean women of reproductive age significantly increased almost three times during the twenty years of the study period, with a persistently high clindamycin resistance rate of up to 40%.

Background: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is one of the leading causes of neonatal earlyonset sepsis, resulting in high mortality and significant comorbidity. Intrapartum penicillin prophylaxis is recommended for pregnant women with GBS colonization to prevent vertical transmission. For pregnant women at high risk of anaphylaxis to penicillin, clindamycin is recommended only if the susceptibility of GBS isolates has been identified. We retrospectively examined the GBS detection rate and clindamycin resistance among Korean women of reproductive age over the last 20 years. Methods: Microbiologic studies using vaginal, vaginal–rectal or vaginal–perianal swabs from female patients 15–49 years of age during 2003–2022 were reviewed. Annual GBS detection rates and clindamycin resistance rates were calculated. The study period was divided into two periods (period 1, 2003–2015; period 2, 2016–2022) based on the introduction of universal culture-based GBS screening in our center in 2016. GBS detection rates and clindamycin resistance rates were compared between the periods using χ2 tests. Results: A total of 14,571 women were tested 16,879 times and GBS was isolated in 1,054 tests (6.2%), with 423 clindamycin-resistant isolates (40.1%). The GBS detection rate increased from 3.4% (301/8,869) in period 1 to 9.4% (2,753/8,010) in period 2 (P < 0.001). Even during period 1, the GBS detection rate was higher in 2009–2015 compared to 2003–2008 (P < 0.001). Clindamycin resistance rates have remained at similar levels since 2009, which were 39.5% (199/301) in period 1 and 40.2% (303/753) in period 2 (P = 0.833). Conclusion This study demonstrated that GBS detection rates in Korean women of reproductive age significantly increased almost three times during the twenty years of the study period, with a persistently high clindamycin resistance rate of up to 40%.

Background: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is one of the leading causes of neonatal earlyonset sepsis, resulting in high mortality and significant comorbidity. Intrapartum penicillin prophylaxis is recommended for pregnant women with GBS colonization to prevent vertical transmission. For pregnant women at high risk of anaphylaxis to penicillin, clindamycin is recommended only if the susceptibility of GBS isolates has been identified. We retrospectively examined the GBS detection rate and clindamycin resistance among Korean women of reproductive age over the last 20 years. Methods: Microbiologic studies using vaginal, vaginal–rectal or vaginal–perianal swabs from female patients 15–49 years of age during 2003–2022 were reviewed. Annual GBS detection rates and clindamycin resistance rates were calculated. The study period was divided into two periods (period 1, 2003–2015; period 2, 2016–2022) based on the introduction of universal culture-based GBS screening in our center in 2016. GBS detection rates and clindamycin resistance rates were compared between the periods using χ2 tests. Results: A total of 14,571 women were tested 16,879 times and GBS was isolated in 1,054 tests (6.2%), with 423 clindamycin-resistant isolates (40.1%). The GBS detection rate increased from 3.4% (301/8,869) in period 1 to 9.4% (2,753/8,010) in period 2 (P < 0.001). Even during period 1, the GBS detection rate was higher in 2009–2015 compared to 2003–2008 (P < 0.001). Clindamycin resistance rates have remained at similar levels since 2009, which were 39.5% (199/301) in period 1 and 40.2% (303/753) in period 2 (P = 0.833). Conclusion This study demonstrated that GBS detection rates in Korean women of reproductive age significantly increased almost three times during the twenty years of the study period, with a persistently high clindamycin resistance rate of up to 40%.

Background: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is one of the leading causes of neonatal earlyonset sepsis, resulting in high mortality and significant comorbidity. Intrapartum penicillin prophylaxis is recommended for pregnant women with GBS colonization to prevent vertical transmission. For pregnant women at high risk of anaphylaxis to penicillin, clindamycin is recommended only if the susceptibility of GBS isolates has been identified. We retrospectively examined the GBS detection rate and clindamycin resistance among Korean women of reproductive age over the last 20 years. Methods: Microbiologic studies using vaginal, vaginal–rectal or vaginal–perianal swabs from female patients 15–49 years of age during 2003–2022 were reviewed. Annual GBS detection rates and clindamycin resistance rates were calculated. The study period was divided into two periods (period 1, 2003–2015; period 2, 2016–2022) based on the introduction of universal culture-based GBS screening in our center in 2016. GBS detection rates and clindamycin resistance rates were compared between the periods using χ2 tests. Results: A total of 14,571 women were tested 16,879 times and GBS was isolated in 1,054 tests (6.2%), with 423 clindamycin-resistant isolates (40.1%). The GBS detection rate increased from 3.4% (301/8,869) in period 1 to 9.4% (2,753/8,010) in period 2 (P < 0.001). Even during period 1, the GBS detection rate was higher in 2009–2015 compared to 2003–2008 (P < 0.001). Clindamycin resistance rates have remained at similar levels since 2009, which were 39.5% (199/301) in period 1 and 40.2% (303/753) in period 2 (P = 0.833). Conclusion This study demonstrated that GBS detection rates in Korean women of reproductive age significantly increased almost three times during the twenty years of the study period, with a persistently high clindamycin resistance rate of up to 40%.

Background: Olfactory dysfunction is a frequently encountered sensory disorder that increases with aging, assessed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); however, reference quantitative values for associated anatomical structures have rarely been suggested. The aim of this study was to assess the parameters of the olfactory bulbs (OBs) and olfactory sulcus (OS) in Korean adults according to age, along with their olfactory function. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 217 consecutive patients (104 men, 113 women;mean age, 52.4 ± 15.6 years) who underwent sellar MRI and olfactory function testing before transsphenoidal approach at a single tertiary center from March 2022 to December 2023. Based on the T2-weighted MRI, we evaluated the quantitative size parameters and morphological features of patients’ OB and OS, along with their olfactory function test scores. We assessed the relationship between OB volume and age in pairwise correlations. Results: The mean OB volume was 45.6 ± 15.3 mm 3 in all patients. The patients’ mean Korean version of the Sniffin’ Sticks (KVSS) test II score was 26.8 ± 4.1. OB volume (P < 0.001), height (P < 0.001), and anteroposterior diameter (APD) (P < 0.001) differed significantly among the different age groups. Reduced OB volume was significantly associated with aging (r = –0.58, P < 0.001) and a decline in olfactory function scores (r = 0.34, P < 0.001). Conclusion Based on MRI, we proposed reference OB and OS values in adults of different age groups, highlighting the reduction in OB parameters, especially height and APD along with volume associated with aging and olfactory decline. These values can be useful for evaluating adult patients undergoing MRI for olfactory dysfunction.

Background: Olfactory dysfunction is a frequently encountered sensory disorder that increases with aging, assessed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); however, reference quantitative values for associated anatomical structures have rarely been suggested. The aim of this study was to assess the parameters of the olfactory bulbs (OBs) and olfactory sulcus (OS) in Korean adults according to age, along with their olfactory function. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 217 consecutive patients (104 men, 113 women;mean age, 52.4 ± 15.6 years) who underwent sellar MRI and olfactory function testing before transsphenoidal approach at a single tertiary center from March 2022 to December 2023. Based on the T2-weighted MRI, we evaluated the quantitative size parameters and morphological features of patients’ OB and OS, along with their olfactory function test scores. We assessed the relationship between OB volume and age in pairwise correlations. Results: The mean OB volume was 45.6 ± 15.3 mm 3 in all patients. The patients’ mean Korean version of the Sniffin’ Sticks (KVSS) test II score was 26.8 ± 4.1. OB volume (P < 0.001), height (P < 0.001), and anteroposterior diameter (APD) (P < 0.001) differed significantly among the different age groups. Reduced OB volume was significantly associated with aging (r = –0.58, P < 0.001) and a decline in olfactory function scores (r = 0.34, P < 0.001). Conclusion Based on MRI, we proposed reference OB and OS values in adults of different age groups, highlighting the reduction in OB parameters, especially height and APD along with volume associated with aging and olfactory decline. These values can be useful for evaluating adult patients undergoing MRI for olfactory dysfunction.

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.

Background: Olfactory dysfunction is a frequently encountered sensory disorder that increases with aging, assessed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); however, reference quantitative values for associated anatomical structures have rarely been suggested. The aim of this study was to assess the parameters of the olfactory bulbs (OBs) and olfactory sulcus (OS) in Korean adults according to age, along with their olfactory function. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 217 consecutive patients (104 men, 113 women;mean age, 52.4 ± 15.6 years) who underwent sellar MRI and olfactory function testing before transsphenoidal approach at a single tertiary center from March 2022 to December 2023. Based on the T2-weighted MRI, we evaluated the quantitative size parameters and morphological features of patients’ OB and OS, along with their olfactory function test scores. We assessed the relationship between OB volume and age in pairwise correlations. Results: The mean OB volume was 45.6 ± 15.3 mm 3 in all patients. The patients’ mean Korean version of the Sniffin’ Sticks (KVSS) test II score was 26.8 ± 4.1. OB volume (P < 0.001), height (P < 0.001), and anteroposterior diameter (APD) (P < 0.001) differed significantly among the different age groups. Reduced OB volume was significantly associated with aging (r = –0.58, P < 0.001) and a decline in olfactory function scores (r = 0.34, P < 0.001). Conclusion Based on MRI, we proposed reference OB and OS values in adults of different age groups, highlighting the reduction in OB parameters, especially height and APD along with volume associated with aging and olfactory decline. These values can be useful for evaluating adult patients undergoing MRI for olfactory dysfunction.

Purpose: To identify the optimal photobiomodulation (PBM) parameters using molecular, histological, and erectile function analysis in cavernous nerve injury. Materials and Methods: A cavernous nerve injury was induced in 8-week-old C57BL/6J male mice that were subsequently divided randomly into age-matched control groups. Erectile function tests, penile histology, and Western blotting were performed 2 weeks after surgery and PBM treatment. Results: The PBM treatment was administered for five consecutive days with a light-emitted diode (LED) device that delivers 660 nm±3% RED light, and near infra-red 830 nm±2% promptly administered following nerve-crushing surgery and achieved a notable restoration of erectile function approximately 90% of the control values. Subsequent in-vitro and ex-vivo analyses revealed the regeneration of neurovascular connections in both the dorsal root ganglion and major pelvic ganglion, characterized by the sprouting of neurites. Furthermore, the expression levels of neurotrophic, survival, and angiogenic factors exhibited a substantial increase across all groups subjected to PBM treatment. Conclusions The utilization of PBM employing LED with 660 nm, 830 nm, and combination of both these wavelengths, exhibited significant efficacy to restore erectile function in a murine model of cavernous nerve injury. Thus, the PBM emerges as a potent therapeutic modality with notable advantages such as efficacy, noninvasiveness, and non-pharmacological interventions for erectile dysfunction caused by nerve injury.

Purpose: To identify the optimal photobiomodulation (PBM) parameters using molecular, histological, and erectile function analysis in cavernous nerve injury. Materials and Methods: A cavernous nerve injury was induced in 8-week-old C57BL/6J male mice that were subsequently divided randomly into age-matched control groups. Erectile function tests, penile histology, and Western blotting were performed 2 weeks after surgery and PBM treatment. Results: The PBM treatment was administered for five consecutive days with a light-emitted diode (LED) device that delivers 660 nm±3% RED light, and near infra-red 830 nm±2% promptly administered following nerve-crushing surgery and achieved a notable restoration of erectile function approximately 90% of the control values. Subsequent in-vitro and ex-vivo analyses revealed the regeneration of neurovascular connections in both the dorsal root ganglion and major pelvic ganglion, characterized by the sprouting of neurites. Furthermore, the expression levels of neurotrophic, survival, and angiogenic factors exhibited a substantial increase across all groups subjected to PBM treatment. Conclusions The utilization of PBM employing LED with 660 nm, 830 nm, and combination of both these wavelengths, exhibited significant efficacy to restore erectile function in a murine model of cavernous nerve injury. Thus, the PBM emerges as a potent therapeutic modality with notable advantages such as efficacy, noninvasiveness, and non-pharmacological interventions for erectile dysfunction caused by nerve injury.