Background: In the era of nucleoside analogs (NA), we investigated the safety of using hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive grafts in liver transplantation (LT) using nationwide KOTRY data. Methods: Among 4,265 adult LTs in the KOTRY registry (April 2014–January 2020), 20 (0.5%) used HBsAg(+) grafts. The S(+) group was compared with HBsAg-nega-tive groups, both HBcAb(+) (C[+]) and HBcAb(−) (SC[−]), using 1:1 propensity scorematching. Patient and graft survival were evaluated using Kaplan–Meier analysis.Cox regression was used to identify prognostic factors. Results: No significant differences were observed in patient or graft survival be-tween S(+) and C(+) or SC(−) groups. Key prognostic factors for patient survivalincluded age, HCC, MELD score, ascites, and encephalopathy. For graft survival, HCC, preoperative HCC treatment, MELD score, ascites, and encephalopathy were significant. HBV recurrence occurred in the S(+) group, but did not compromise outcomes. Conclusion In HBV-endemic regions, HBsAg(+) liver grafts can be safely used to expand the donor pool without compromising LT outcomes when combined with appropriate prophylaxis.

Purpose: Liver grafts from donors with HBV infection contributed to expanding the donor pool under the hepatitis B immunoglobulin and antiviral agents (nucleos(t)ide analogues) in the HBV-endemic area. We report long-term outcomes of liver transplantations (LTs) using grafts from donors with active or chronic HBV infection. Methods: Overall, 2,260 LTs performed in 3 major hospitals in Seoul from January 2000 to April 2019 were assessed for inclusion. Twenty-six grafts (1.2%) were obtained from HBsAg (+), HBeAb (+), or HBcAb (+) donors, and recipient outcomes were retrospectively reviewed. Donor and recipient demographics and transplantation outcomes were analyzed. Results: Sixteen deceased donor LTs were performed using active HBsAg (+) grafts. Ten other LTs were sourced from 10 living donors. There was no significant difference in survival in patients who received deceased donor LTs compared with that in those who underwent LT with non–hepatitis virus-infected grafts. Fourteen patients who were followed up for >5 years were stable, and no difference in hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence rate was observed 5 years after transplantation between transplants from donors with and those without HBV. Conclusion Considering long-term outcomes, liver grafts from donors with active HBV replication can be safely used for LT.

Background and Objectives: Although several studies have compared the characteristics of Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHS) with Bell’s palsy (BP), the differences in comorbid symptoms and prognosis according to symptoms have not been determined. This study therefore evaluated the differences in otologic symptoms and prognosis between patients with these two conditions.Subjects and Method The medical records of 118 patients with RHS and 215 patients with BP were retrospectively reviewed. Factors compared in these two groups included otologic symptoms, general health condition, electroneurography (ENoG) and House-Brackmann grades. Results: Age, sex, body mass index, lipid profiles, ENoG, rate of diabetes, and side of palsy did not differ significantly between patients with RHS and BP (p>0.05). The rates of hearing disturbance, tinnitus, vertigo, and postauricular pain were significantly higher in RHS (p<0.05 each). Hearing disturbance was more frequent in patients with severe Bell’s facial palsy than with moderate Bell’s facial palsy (p<0.05). The prognosis of patients with BP and RHS who had otologic symptoms did not differ from those who had not (p>0.05). Additionally, in patients with facial paralysis, diabetes was associated with hearing disturbance and vertigo symptoms and dyslipidemia was associated with postauricular pain (p<0.05 each). Conclusion Otologic symptoms were more common in RHS than in BP. However, the prognosis of RHS and BP were not related to otologic symptoms. In patients with facial palsy hearing disturbance and vertigo were associated with diabetes and hypertension. Also, dyslipidemia was associated with post auricular pain.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in retention and wear pattern of Locator® and ADD-TOC attachments on a digital milled bar by performing chewing simulation and repeated insertion/removal of prostheses in fully edentulous models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Locator (Locator®; Zest Anchors Inc., Escondido, CA, USA) was selected as the control group and ADD-TOC (ADDTOC; PNUAdd Co., Ltd., Busan, Republic of Korea) as the experimental group. A CAD-CAM milled bar was mounted on a master model and 3 threaded holes for connecting a bar attachment was formed using a tap. Locator and ADD-TOC attachments were then attached to the milled bar. Simulated mastication and repeated insertion/removal were performed over 400,000 cyclic loadings and 1,080insertions/removals, respectively. Wear patterns on deformed attachment were investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: For the ADD-TOC attachments, chewing simulation and repeated insertion/removal resulted in a mean initial retentive force of 24.43 ± 4.89 N, which were significantly lower than that of the Locator attachment, 34.33 ± 8.25 N (P < .05). Amounts of retention loss relative to baseline for the Locator and ADD-TOC attachments were 21.74 ± 7.07 and 8.98 ± 5.76 N (P < .05). CONCLUSION CAD-CAM milled bar with the ADD-TOC attachment had a lower initial retentive force than the Locator attachment. However, the ADD-TOC attachment might be suitable for long-term use as it showed less deformation and had a higher retentive force after simulated mastication and insertion/removal repetitions.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of four surface treatment methods to improve zirconia roughness and three types of resin cement on the shear bond strength (SBS). Materials and methods: A total of 120 zirconia blocks were randomly divided into four surface treatments: non-treatment (Control), airborne-particle abrasion (APA) with 50 μm Al2O3 (APA50), APA with 125 μm Al2O3(APA125), and ZrO2 slurry (ZA). Three resin cements (Panavia F 2.0, Superbond C&B, and Variolink N) were applied to the surface-treated zirconia specimens. All specimens were subjected to SBS testing using a universal testing machine. The surface of the representative specimens of each group was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). SBS data were analyzed with oneway ANOVA, two-way ANOVA test and post-hoc Tukey HSD Test (α=.05). Results: In the surface treatment method, APA125, APA50, ZA, and Control showed high shear bond strength in order, but there was no significant difference between APA125 and APA50 (P >.05). Also, ZA showed significantly higher shear bond strength than Control (P <.05). In the resin cement type, Panavia F 2.0, Superbond C&B, and Variolink N showed significantly higher shear bond strength in order (P <.05). In SEM images, the zirconia surfaces of the APA50 and APA125 showed quite rough and irregular shapes, and the zirconia surface of the ZA was observed small irregular porosity and rough surfaces. Conclusion APA and ZrO 2 slurry were enhanced the surface roughness of zirconia, and Panavia F 2.0 containing MDP showed the highest shear bond strength with zirconia.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of four surface treatment methods to improve zirconia roughness and three types of resin cement on the shear bond strength (SBS). Materials and methods: A total of 120 zirconia blocks were randomly divided into four surface treatments: non-treatment (Control), airborne-particle abrasion (APA) with 50 μm Al2O3 (APA50), APA with 125 μm Al2O3(APA125), and ZrO2 slurry (ZA). Three resin cements (Panavia F 2.0, Superbond C&B, and Variolink N) were applied to the surface-treated zirconia specimens. All specimens were subjected to SBS testing using a universal testing machine. The surface of the representative specimens of each group was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). SBS data were analyzed with oneway ANOVA, two-way ANOVA test and post-hoc Tukey HSD Test (α=.05). Results: In the surface treatment method, APA125, APA50, ZA, and Control showed high shear bond strength in order, but there was no significant difference between APA125 and APA50 (P >.05). Also, ZA showed significantly higher shear bond strength than Control (P <.05). In the resin cement type, Panavia F 2.0, Superbond C&B, and Variolink N showed significantly higher shear bond strength in order (P <.05). In SEM images, the zirconia surfaces of the APA50 and APA125 showed quite rough and irregular shapes, and the zirconia surface of the ZA was observed small irregular porosity and rough surfaces. Conclusion APA and ZrO 2 slurry were enhanced the surface roughness of zirconia, and Panavia F 2.0 containing MDP showed the highest shear bond strength with zirconia.

BACKGROUND: Retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF) is a rare disease characterized by fibroinflammatory tissue in the periaortic or periiliac retroperitoneum, where it frequently encases ureters. There is emerging evidence that a subset of this disease is part of a spectrum of multisystemic autoimmune diseases collectively referred to as “immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease”. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 27 idiopathic RPF patients and identified a subset as IgG4-related RPF, which we categorized according to recently published comprehensive diagnostic criteria. We compared clinical and laboratory characteristics and response to treatment between the two groups. RESULTS: Of 27 total patients, 16 (59.3%) were diagnosed as having IgG4-related RPF, and these were predominantly male. They were also significantly older and more likely to have other organ involvement, hydronephrosis, and postrenal acute kidney injury (AKI) compared to those with idiopathic RPF. However, there was no difference in response rate to systemic steroid treatment. CONCLUSION: IgG4-related RPF accounts for a substantial portion of RPF cases previously identified as “idiopathic RPF” in Korea. Clinical and laboratory characteristics of IgG4-related RPF are similar to those of idiopathic RPF except for a striking male predominance, older age, and higher incidence of postrenal AKI in IgG4-related RPF. More comprehensive, prospective studies are needed to clearly distinguish IgG4-related RPF from idiopathic RPF based on clinical manifestation and to further assess treatment response and long-term prognosis.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis ; Immunoglobulins ; Incidence ; Korea ; Male ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies ; Rare Diseases ; Retroperitoneal Fibrosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Strikes, Employee ; Ureter

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to investigate relationship between the horse racing addiction and the health status indicators. METHODS: Surveys were conducted with visitors of the Korea Racing Association in Gyeonggi-do, from September 1 to September 24, 2017. We used the questionnaire, which contains questions to assess the horse racing addiction, mood depression, health-related quality of life, smoking amount, alcohol dependency, etc. Survey data were analyzed through t-test, chi-square test, logistic regression analysis, and multiple regression analysis by SPSS program (IBM Corp., Chicago, IL, USA). RESULTS: The pathological gambling group was 47.5% (n=38) of the visitors, and they showed a different racecourse use behavior compared to the normal group. In addition, we found that the pathological gambling group had a significantly different health-related quality of life score and a depression score from the normal group, and that the addiction score and the depression score had a linear correlation. CONCLUSIONS: Among the racecourse visitors, the ratio of the pathological gambler was considerably high, and the pathological gambling group showed different health-related quality of life score and a depression score compared to the normal group; especially, the depression score has a significant correlation with horse racing addiction. Therefore, the horse racing association and the health authorities should recognize the seriousness of the horse racing addiction, make an effort to select high risk users, and prepare a program to prevent pathological gambling.
Continental Population Groups ; Depression ; Gambling ; Gyeonggi-do ; Health Status Indicators ; Horses ; Humans ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Quality of Life ; Smoke ; Smoking

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to investigate relationship between the horse racing addiction and the health status indicators. METHODS: Surveys were conducted with visitors of the Korea Racing Association in Gyeonggi-do, from September 1 to September 24, 2017. We used the questionnaire, which contains questions to assess the horse racing addiction, mood depression, health-related quality of life, smoking amount, alcohol dependency, etc. Survey data were analyzed through t-test, chi-square test, logistic regression analysis, and multiple regression analysis by SPSS program (IBM Corp., Chicago, IL, USA). RESULTS: The pathological gambling group was 47.5% (n=38) of the visitors, and they showed a different racecourse use behavior compared to the normal group. In addition, we found that the pathological gambling group had a significantly different health-related quality of life score and a depression score from the normal group, and that the addiction score and the depression score had a linear correlation. CONCLUSIONS Among the racecourse visitors, the ratio of the pathological gambler was considerably high, and the pathological gambling group showed different health-related quality of life score and a depression score compared to the normal group; especially, the depression score has a significant correlation with horse racing addiction. Therefore, the horse racing association and the health authorities should recognize the seriousness of the horse racing addiction, make an effort to select high risk users, and prepare a program to prevent pathological gambling.

BACKGROUND: To determine the natural progression of conservatively treated rotator cuff tears, we evaluated changes in radiologic and clinical parameters in patients whose recalcitrant tears were neglected after conservative treatment. METHODS: A total of 73 patients with recalcitrant rotator cuff tears in spite of conservative treatment were included in this study. We measured changes in tear size and in the extent of fatty infiltration of the rotator cuff by comparing the initial and final follow-up magnetic resonance imagings (MRIs). To determine factors influencing the change in tear size, we collected the medical history of patients taken at the time of initial admission. RESULTS: The average follow-up period was 20.1 months, and the average increase in tear size across this period was 6.2 mm. In terms of steroid injection, we found that the increases in tear size of the steroid injection group (p=0.049) and of the sub-group that had received more than three steroid injections (p=0.010) were significantly greater than that of the non-steroid injection group. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the increase in cuff tear size was on average 6.2 mm across the follow-up period, indicating that neglecting cuff tears may cause them to progress into more severe tears. We also observed that a history of steroid injection might be a possible risk factor for a worse prognosis of cuff tears. Therefore, we suggest that patients with rotator cuff tears and a history of steroid injection are recommended aggressive modes of treatment such as surgery.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies* ; Risk Factors ; Rotator Cuff* ; Tears*