Purpose: We aimed to evaluate whether pediatric emergency practice has improved since the introduction of pediatric specialist care (PSC). Methods: Retrospective observational study was conducted using the data retrieved from the emergency department (ED) of a tertiary university hospital in Cheongju, Korea. Patients younger than 19 years who visited the ED from January 2019 through December 2023 were enrolled in this study. Hospitalization (overall and intensive care unit [ICU]), in-hospital mortality, and return visit within 24 hours were compared between the periods before (January 2019-January 2021) and after (June 2021-December 2023) the introduction of PSC. Adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated for the outcomes using multivariable logistic regression. Results: During the study period, a total of 36,162 patients visited the ED. The visits increased from 12,196 before to 22,387 after the introduction of PSC (increase by 83.6%). Annual numbers of the visits have increased since 2020 and reached 10,942 in 2023. After the introduction of PSC, decreases were noted in the hospitalization (adjusted odds ratio, 0.67; 95% confidence interval, 0.62-0.72) and return visit within 24 hours (0.73; 0.61-0.88). Hospitalization to the ICU increased (2.90; 2.29-3.69), while there was no significant difference in the in-hospital mortality (1.31; 0.77-2.25). Conclusion After the introduction of PSC, overall hospitalization and return visit decreased, while hospitalization to the ICU increased without a difference in the in-hospital mortality. Multidisciplinary efforts are needed to continue providing the pediatric specialist-centered emergency practice.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify any difference in user experience between tablet- and augmented reality (AR) glasses-based tele-exercise programs in elderly women. Methods: Participants in the AR group (n = 14) connected Nreal glasses with smartphones to display a pre-recorded exercise program, while each member of the tablet group (n = 13) participated in the same exercise program using an all-in-one personal computer. The program included sitting or standing on a chair, bare-handed calisthenics, and muscle strengthening using an elastic band. The exercise movements were presented first for the upper and then the lower extremities, and the total exercise time was 40 minutes (5 minutes of warm-up exercises, 30 minutes of main exercises, and 5 minutes of cool-down exercises). To evaluate the user experience, a questionnaire consisting of a 7-point Likert scale was used as a measurement tool. In addition, the Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to assess differences between the two groups. Results: Of the six user experience scales, attractiveness (p = 0.114), stimulation (p = 0.534), and novelty (p = 0.916) did not differ significantly between the groups. However, efficiency (p = 0.006), perspicuity (p = 0.008), and dependability (p = 0.049) did vary significantly between groups. Conclusions When developing an AR glasses-based exercise program for the elderly, the efficiency, clarity, and stability of the program must be considered to meet the participants’ needs.

Cell-based therapies have been used as promising treatments for several untreatable diseases. However, cellbased therapies have side effects such as tumorigenesis and immune responses. To overcome these side effects, therapeutic effects of exosomes have been researched as replacements for cell-based therapies. In addition, exosomes reduced the risk that can be induced by cell-based therapies. Exosomes contain biomolecules such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids that play an essential role in cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions during biological processes. Since the introduction of exosomes, those have been proven perpetually as one of the most effective and therapeutic methods for incurable diseases. Much research has been conducted to enhance the properties of exosomes, including immune regulation, tissue repair, and regeneration. However, yield rate of exosomes is the critical obstacle that should be overcome for practical cell-free therapy. Three-dimensional (3D) culture methods are introduced as a breakthrough to get higher production yields of exosomes. For example, hanging drop and microwell were well known 3D culture methods and easy to use without invasiveness. However, these methods have limitation in mass production of exosomes. Therefore, a scaffold, spinner flask, and fiber bioreactor were introduced for mass production of exosomes isolated from various cell types. Furthermore, exosomes treatments derived from 3D cultured cells showed enhanced cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and immunosuppressive properties. This review provides therapeutic applications of exosomes using 3D culture methods.

Objective: To investigate the clinical features and associated underlying conditions of isolated tuberculous myositis (ITBM), a rare extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Methods: A systematic literature search and a multicenter survey were performed using a triangulation strategy. Data from the identified ITBM cases were extracted and analyzed to determine the underlying conditions, clinical presentations, treatments, and outcomes. Results: Based on the systematic review, we identified 58 ITBM, including 9 pediatric, cases in the literature published from 1981 to 2021: 25 (43.1%) immunocompromised and 33 (56.9%) non-immunocompromised patients. Immunocompromised cases had a significant shorter symptom duration (median 30.0 vs. 75.0 days) and a higher prevalence of multilocular involvement (20.8% vs. 0%). Among 24 immunocompromised adult patients, dermatomyositis/polymyositis (DM/PM; n=10, 41.7%) were the most common underlying diseases in adults with ITBM identified in the systematic review. Over the past 20 years, 11 Korean adults with ITBM were identified in the multicenter survey. Of 7 immunocompromised cases, two (28.6%) were DM/PM patients. TB death rate of immunocompromised patients was 0.0% and 5/23 (21.7%) in the pediatric and adult ITBM cases identified in the systematic review, respectively, and 3/7 (42.9%) in survey-identified ITBM cases. Conclusion ITBM has a unique clinical presentation including fever, tenderness, local swelling, overlying erythema, abscess formation and was associated with a grave outcome, especially in immunocompromised hosts. DM/PM was a highly prevalent underlying disease in both systematic review-identified and survey-identified immunocompromised ITBM patients.

To develop a clinical practice guideline for vaccination in patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic disease (AIIRD), the Korean College of Rheumatology and theKorean Society of Infectious Diseases developed a clinical practice guideline according to the clinical practice guideline development manual. Since vaccination is unlikely to cause AIIRD or worsen disease activities, required vaccinations are recommended. Once patients are diagnosed with AIIRD, treatment strategies should be established and, at the same time, monitor their vaccination history. It is recommended to administer vaccines when the disease enters the stabilized stage. Administering live attenuated vaccines in patients with AIIRD who are taking immunosuppressants should be avoided. Vaccination should be considered in patients with AIIRD, prior to initiating immunosuppressants. It is recommended to administer influenza, Streptococcus pneumoniae, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, herpes zoster, measlesmumps- rubella virus, human papillomavirus, and tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis vaccines in patients with AIIRD; such patients who planned to travel are generally recommended to be vaccinated at the recommended vaccine level of healthy adults. Those who live in a household with patients with AIIRD and their caregivers should also be vaccinated at levels that are generally recommended for healthy adults.

To develop a clinical practice guideline for vaccination in patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic disease (AIIRD), the Korean College of Rheumatology and the Korean Society of Infectious Diseases developed a clinical practice guideline according to the clinical practice guideline development manual. Since vaccination is unlikely to cause AIIRD or worsen disease activities, required vaccinations are recommended. Once patients are diagnosed with AIIRD, treatment strategies should be established and, at the same time, monitor their vaccination history. It is recommended to administer vaccines when the disease enters the stabilized stage. Administering live attenuated vaccines in patients with AIIRD who are taking immunosuppressants should be avoided. Vaccination should be considered in patients with AIIRD, prior to initiating immunosuppressants. It is recommended to administer influenza, Streptococcus pneumoniae, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, herpes zoster, measles-mumps-rubella virus, human papillomavirus, and tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis vaccines in patients with AIIRD; such patients who planned to travel are generally recommended to be vaccinated at the recommended vaccine level of healthy adults. Those who live in a household with patients with AIIRD and their caregivers should also be vaccinated at levels that are generally recommended for healthy adults.

Crossed occlusion can be treated either by overdenture and telescopic denture or by placing an implant at the edentulous area to reestablish the support on the occlusion. If alveolar bony support is sufficient and an the environment where an implant is inserted is favorable to restoring the masticatory and aesthetic function of a patient, the implant-supported fixed prosthesis can provide more definitive occlusal support and more aid for other oral functions. In this case report, a patient with a severe residual alveolar bone resorption following the extraction of teeth and who had a crossed occlusion was treated with sinus bone graft and alveolar bone augmentation in order to place the implants at prosthetically position. The definitive restoration was made to reflect the patient's occlusal and aesthetic function using the CAD/CAM double scanning method. Finally, the treatment had the masticatory and aesthetic function adequately restored, which is reported here.
Bone Resorption ; Denture, Overlay ; Dentures ; Humans ; Methods ; Mouth Rehabilitation* ; Mouth* ; Prostheses and Implants* ; Tooth ; Transplants

Paragangliomas are rare extra-adrenal neoplasms of neural crest origin. The neoplasms may develop at various sites, but most are located in the para-aortic space along the sympathetic chain. A paraganglioma in the bile duct is very rare; only four cases of such tumors in the hepatic bile duct have been reported to date. Herein, we report on the first Korean case of a malignant paraganglioma in the common hepatic duct (with hepatic metastases) in a 75-year-old male. Computed tomography of the abdomen revealed a heterogeneously enhancing lesion in the common hepatic duct with dilatation of the intrahepatic ducts. After balloon sweeping, the mass exited spontaneously through the Ampulla of Vater. The mass was about 1.5 × 1.3 × 0.5 cm in its dimensions and the surface appeared to be necrotic and edematous. Microscopically, the tumor cells were arranged in a Zellballen pattern. The tumor was diagnosed as a malignant paraganglioma.
Abdomen ; Aged ; Ampulla of Vater ; Bile Ducts ; Dilatation ; Hepatic Duct, Common* ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neural Crest ; Paraganglioma*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gallbladder polyps (GBP) are a common clinical finding and may possess malignant potential. We conducted this study to determine whether visceral obesity is a risk factor for GBP. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed records of subjects who received both ultrasonography and computed tomography with measurements of the areas of visceral adipose tissue and total adipose tissue (TAT) on the same day as health checkups. RESULTS: Ninety-three of 1,615 subjects (5.8%) had GBP and were compared with 186 age- and sex-matched controls. VAT (odds ratio [OR], 2.941; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.325 to 6.529; p=0.008 for the highest quartile vs the lowest quartile) and TAT (OR, 3.568; 95% CI, 1.625 to 7.833; p=0.002 for the highest quartile vs the lowest quartile) were independent risk factors together with hypertension (OR, 2.512; 95% CI, 1.381 to 4.569; p=0.003), diabetes mellitus (OR, 2.942; 95% CI, 1.061 to 8.158; p=0.038), hepatitis B virus positivity (OR, 3.548; 95% CI, 1.295 to 9.716; p=0.014), and a higher level of total cholesterol (OR, 2.232; 95% CI, 1.043 to 4.778; p=0.039 for <200 mg/dL vs > or =240 mg/dL). Body mass index and waist circumference were not meaningful variables. CONCLUSIONS: Visceral obesity measured by VAT and TAT was associated with GBP irrespective of body mass index or waist circumference.
Adipose Tissue/ultrasonography ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Cholesterol/blood ; Diabetes Complications ; Female ; Gallbladder Diseases/blood/epidemiology/*etiology ; Hepatitis B/complications ; Humans ; Hypertension/complications ; Intra-Abdominal Fat/ultrasonography ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity, Abdominal/blood/*complications/ultrasonography ; Odds Ratio ; Polyps/blood/epidemiology/*etiology ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine an appropriate energy level of breakfast with less risk of chronic disease for Korean adults. METHODS: Using data from the 2007~2009 Korean National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey, from a total of 12,238 adults aged 19~64, the final 7,769 subjects were analyzed except subjects who were undergoing treatment for cancer or metabolic disorder. According to the percent of breakfast energy intake versus their estimated energy requirement (EER), the subjects were divided into four groups: < 10% (very low, VL), 10~20% (low, L), 20~30% (moderate, M), > or = 30% (sufficient, S). All data were analyzed on the metabolic risk and nutritional state after application of weighted value and adjustment of sex, age, residential area, income, education, job or jobless, and energy intake using a general linear model or logistic regression. RESULTS: The subjects of group S were 16.9% of total subjects, group M 39.2%, group L 37.6%, and group VL 6.3%. The VL group included more male subjects, younger-aged (19 to 40 years), urban residents, higher income, higher education, and fewer breakfasts eaters together with family members. Among the 4 groups, the VL group showed the highest waist circumference, while the S group showed the lowest waist circumference, body mass index, and serum total cholesterol. The groups of VL and L with lower intake of breakfast energy showed high percent of energy from protein and fat, and low percent of energy from carbohydrate. With the increase of breakfast energy level, intake of energy, most nutrients and food groups increased, and the percentage of subjects consuming nutrients below EAR decreased. The VL group showed relatively higher intake of snacks, sugar, meat and eggs, oil, and seasonings, and the lowest intake of vegetable. Risk of obesity by waist circumference was highest in the VL group by 1.90 times of the S group and the same trend was shown in obesity by BMI. Risk of dyslipidemia by serum total cholesterol was 1.84 times higher in the VL group compared to the S group. Risk of diabetes by Glu-FBS (fasting blood sugar) was 1.57 times higher in the VL group compared to the S group. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that higher breakfast energy level is positively related to lower metabolic risk and more desirable nutritional state in Korean adults. Therefore, breakfast energy intake more than 30% of their own EER would be highly recommended for Korean adults.
Adult* ; Body Mass Index ; Breakfast* ; Cholesterol ; Chronic Disease ; Dyslipidemias ; Ear ; Education ; Eggs ; Energy Intake ; Humans ; Korea ; Linear Models ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Meat ; Nutrition Surveys* ; Obesity ; Ovum ; Seasons ; Snacks ; Vegetables ; Waist Circumference