Objective: Dysphagia is a common clinical condition characterized by difficulty in swallowing. It is sub-classified into oropharyngeal dysphagia, which refers to problems in the mouth and pharynx, and esophageal dysphagia, which refers to problems in the esophageal body and esophagogastric junction. Dysphagia can have a significant negative impact one’s physical health and quality of life as its severity increases. Therefore, proper assessment and management of dysphagia are critical for improving swallowing function and preventing complications. Thus a guideline was developed to provide evidence-based recommendations for assessment and management in patients with dysphagia. Methods: Nineteen key questions on dysphagia were developed. These questions dealt with various aspects of problems related to dysphagia, including assessment, management, and complications. A literature search for relevant articles was conducted using Pubmed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and one domestic database of KoreaMed, until April 2021. The level of evidence and recommendation grade were established according to the Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology. Results: Early screening and assessment of videofluoroscopic swallowing were recommended for assessing the presence of dysphagia. Therapeutic methods, such as tongue and pharyngeal muscle strengthening exercises and neuromuscular electrical stimulation with swallowing therapy, were effective in improving swallowing function and quality of life in patients with dysphagia. Nutritional intervention and an oral care program were also recommended. Conclusion This guideline presents recommendations for the assessment and management of patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia, including rehabilitative strategies.

OBJECTIVES: We estimated the population prevalence of antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), including unreported infections, through a Korea Seroprevalence Study of Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Retention and Transmission (K-SEROSMART) in 258 communities throughout Korea. METHODS: In August 2022, a survey was conducted among 10,000 household members aged 5 years and older, in households selected through two stage probability random sampling. During face-to-face household interviews, participants self-reported their health status, COVID-19 diagnosis and vaccination history, and general characteristics. Subsequently, participants visited a community health center or medical clinic for blood sampling. Blood samples were analyzed for the presence of antibodies to spike proteins (anti-S) and antibodies to nucleocapsid proteins (anti-N) SARS-CoV-2 proteins using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. To estimate the population prevalence, the PROC SURVEYMEANS statistical procedure was employed, with weighting to reflect demographic data from July 2022. RESULTS: In total, 9,945 individuals from 5,041 households were surveyed across 258 communities, representing all basic local governments in Korea. The overall population-adjusted prevalence rates of anti-S and anti-N were 97.6% and 57.1%, respectively. Since the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has reported a cumulative incidence of confirmed cases of 37.8% through July 31, 2022, the proportion of unreported infections among all COVID-19 infection was suggested to be 33.9%. CONCLUSIONS The K-SEROSMART represents the first nationwide, community-based seroepidemiologic survey of COVID-19, confirming that most individuals possess antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and that a significant number of unreported cases existed. Furthermore, this study lays the foundation for a surveillance system to continuously monitor transmission at the community level and the response to COVID-19.

Procalcitonin (PCT) is a useful bacterial infection biomarker with the potential for guiding antibiotic therapy. We evaluated the concordance of three automated PCT immunoassays: Kryptor (BRAHMS GmbH, Hennigsdorf, Germany), Atellica IM 1600 (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Munich, Germany), and Cobas e801 (Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany). In 119 serum samples with a PCT concentration < 5.00 μg/L, Kryptor (reference assay) was compared with the other two immunoassays by Spearman’s rank correlation, regression analysis, and concordance at two antibiotic stewardship medical decision points: 0.25 and 0.50 μg/L. The Atellica IM 1600 and Cobas e801 results showed high correlations with those of Kryptor, with correlation coefficient (ρ) values of 0.97 and 0.99, respectively. However, negative biases were observed in both immunoassays (slope/y-intercept: 0.75/–0.00 for Atellica IM 1600; 0.88/–0.01 for Cobas e801). Atellica IM 1600 and Cobas e801 demonstrated excellent concordance with Kryptor at both medical decision points, with linearly weighted κ values of 0.90 and 0.92, respectively, despite discrepancies, which were more prominent at the 0.25 μg/L medical decision point. Based on these biases and discrepancies, the alternate use of different PCT immunoassays in repeat examinations is inadvisable. Standardization is required before comparing the results of different PCT immunoassays.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the effect of integrated nursing using cognicise and neurofeedback on cognition and ⍺ waves among elderly individuals. Methods: This quasi-experimental single group pretest-posttest study included 29 Korean adults aged 65 years or older who participated at a senior welfare center in Y city from February to May 2019. Each integrated nursing session consisted of cognicise (10 minutes) and neurofeedback (20 minutes). Subjects participated twice a week for 10 weeks. Structured questionnaires to assess participants' general characteristics and the Korean version of the Mini-Mental Status Examination for Dementia Screening (K-MMSE-DS) were applied. Alpha waves were measured using BrainMaster. Results: Following the integrated nursing program, alpha waves improved in F3 (t=2.41, p=.023), C3 (t=3.00, p=.006), C4 (t=2.60, p=.015), P3 (t=2.43, p=.022), O1 (t=2.30, p=.029), T3 (t=3.05, p=.005), T4 (t=2.28, p=.030), T5 (t=2.91, p=.007), Fz (t=2.30, p=.029), Cz (t=2.73, p=.011), and Pz (t=2.23, p=.034). Most subjects experienced improvement in concentration after participating in the intervention. Conclusion This study provides evidence for the use of a neuroscientific approach including brain wave measurement to improve cognitive health among community-living elderly people.

Objective: : The purpose of this study is identify the operation status of the neurosurgical care units (NCUs) in neurosurgical residency training hospitals nationwide and determine needed changes by comparing findings with those obtained from the Korean Neurosurgical Society (KNS) and Korean Society of Neurointensive Care Medicine (KNIC) survey of 2010.Method : This survey was conducted over 1 year in 86 neurosurgical residency training hospitals and two neurosurgery specialist hospitals and focused on the following areas : 1) the current status of the infrastructure and operating systems of NCUs in Korea, 2) barriers to installing neurointensivist team systems, 3) future roles of the KNS and KNIC, and 4) a handbook for physicians and practitioners in NCUs. We compared and analyzed the results of this survey with those from a KNIC survey of 2010. Results: : Seventy seven hospitals (87.5%) participated in the survey. Nineteen hospitals (24.7%) employed a neurointensivist or faculty member; Thirty seven hospitals (48.1%) reported high demand for neurointensivists, and 62 hospitals (80.5%) stated that the mandatory deployment of a neurointensivist improved the quality of patient care. Forty four hospitals (57.1%) believed that hiring neurointensivist would increase hospital costs, and in response to a question on potential earnings declines. In terms of potential solutions to these problems, 70 respondents (90.9%) maintained that additional fees were necessary for neurointensivists’ work, and 64 (83.1%) answered that direct support was needed of the personnel expenses for neurointensivists. Conclusion : We hope the results of this survey will guide successful implementation of neurointensivist systems across Korea.

No abstract available.
Exophiala* ; Phaeohyphomycosis*

Nocardiosis is a rare but potentially life-threatening infectious disease caused by several species of the genus Nocardia (N.), which are aerobic, filamentous, gram-positive bacilli. A definitive diagnosis depends on the isolation and identification of Nocardia species. But identification from clinical specimens may involve performing invasive techniques on the patient and lengthy process (take up to 1 or 3 weeks) owing to slow growth, and require a professional microbiologist. Currently the genus Nocardia is best identified using 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Recently matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has launched a new era in the routine microbiology laboratory. This method has proved its efficacy for the identification and diagnosis of microorganism. MALDI-TOF MS has potential for use as a rapid (within 1 hour) and dependable method for the identification of Nocardia species with reproducibility and cost effectiveness. We report a 76-year-old woman who suffered from ulcer with papules on her right wrist and forearm. A biopsy of the skin showed granulomatous inflammation with central suppuration. A bacterial isolate from the skin was identified to be N. brasiliensis on comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing and MALDI-TOF MS. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of nocardiosis in Korea caused by N. brasiliensis identified on MALDI-TOF MS.
Aged ; Biopsy ; Communicable Diseases ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Diagnosis* ; Female ; Forearm ; Genes, rRNA ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Korea ; Mass Spectrometry* ; Methods ; Nocardia ; Nocardia Infections* ; Sequence Analysis ; Skin ; Suppuration ; Ulcer ; Wrist

A 71-year-old man presented with pain in the left eye that revealed a 3x3 mm deep corneal stromal infiltrate, with a 2x2 mm epithelial defect. The patient started topical moxifloxacin, voriconazole 2%, and natamycin for 2 weeks. However, the treatment was not effective and the corneal infiltration worsened. Subsequently, the patient underwent therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty. Thick brown/gray mold colonies on Potato Corn Meal Tween 80 agar was isolated from excised corneal tissue and on slide culture many septated, and club-shaped ascospores were revealed. Histological findings also showed numerous hyphae scattered in corneal tissue. A. alternata colonies were confirmed by 18S rRNA sequencing. Intracameral voriconazole was injected every other day for 2 weeks to eliminate remaining fungi on the deep corneal stroma. The remaining corneal infiltration was improved one month after the injection. During 5 months postoperative follow up, the infection did not recurred. In conclusion, deep corneal infection of A. alternata was effectively treated with intracameral voriconazole injection.
Agar ; Aged ; Alternaria* ; Corneal Stroma ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fungi ; Humans ; Hyphae ; Keratitis* ; Keratoplasty, Penetrating ; Meals ; Natamycin ; Polysorbates ; Solanum tuberosum ; Zea mays