Objective: To investigate the relationship between the torque onset angle (TOA) of the isokinetic test for knee extensors in the paretic side and walking related balance in subacute stroke patients. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients with first-ever strokes who have had at least two isokinetic tests within 6 months of onset. 102 patients satisfied the inclusion criteria. The characteristics of walking related balance were measured with the Berg Balance Scale sub-score (sBBS), Timed Up and Go test (TUG), 10-m Walk Test (10MWT) and Functional Independence Measure sub-score (sFIM). The second isokinetic test values of the knee extensor such as peak torque, peak torque to weight ratio, hamstring/quadriceps ratio, TOA, torque stop angle, torque at 30 degrees, and peak torque asymmetry ratio between paretic and non-paretic limb were also taken into account. Pearson’s correlation, simple regression and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the correlation between TOA and walking related balance. Results: TOA of the knee extensor of the paretic limb showed significant correlations with BBS, sBBS, TUG, 10MWT, and sFIM according to Pearson’s correlation analysis. TOA also had moderate to good correlations with walking related balance parameters in partial correlation analysis. In multiple regression analysis, TOA of the paretic knee extensor was significantly associated with walking related balance parameters. Conclusion This study demonstrated that TOA of the paretic knee extensor is a predictable parameter of walking related balance. Moreover, we suggest that the ability to recruit muscle quickly is important in walking related balance.

Dysphagia is a common problem in children with a tracheostomy tube. Such children are at risk of malnutrition, developmental problems, increased medical complications, and pose an increased burden on their caregivers. Therefore, proper evaluation and dysphagia rehabilitation are necessary for children with a tracheostomy tube.Also, as many such children experience serious complications, it is necessary to consider decannulation as early as possible, soon after the indication for tracheostomy placement is resolved. Decannulation should be performed safely as per the appropriate protocol.

Objective: To compare the changes in blood urea nitrogen/creatinine (BUN/Cr) ratio, a dehydration status indicator, among patients with mild dysphagia depending on the addition of fluid thickeners. Methods: A total of 81 patients who underwent serial dietary trials of the videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) and displayed penetration signs with a penetration-aspiration scale of 4 or less during the liquid trials were enrolled and classified into two groups according to the dietary instructions from the VFSS results. Group A comprised patients who were permitted to freely consume water with a regular diet. Group B comprised patients allowed to take a regular diet but with the addition of a fluid thickener while ingesting water. To analyze whether the patients of each group were dehydrated, we calculated the serum BUN/Cr ratio using blood tests, which were performed within 1 week of the VFSS test date and 1 month later. Results: There were 4 cases of suspected pneumonia within 1 month after the VFSS test, with no significant differences between the two groups. The BUN/Cr ratio of the 1-month follow-up blood test when compared to the initial blood test showed a significant decrease in Group A (P=0.022) compared with Group B (P=0.033). Conclusion Patients with mild dysphagia who consumed water freely showed a decrease in the BUN/Cr ratio compared to those who added fluid thickeners to their drinking water.

Purpose: This single-arm phase II trial investigate the efficacy and safety of S-1 plus oxaliplatin (SOX) in patients with metastatic breast cancer. Materials and Methods: Patients with metastatic breast cancer previously treated with anthracyclines and taxanes were enrolled. Patients received S-1 (40-60 mg depending on patient’s body surface area, twice a day, day 1-14) and oxaliplatin (130 mg/m2, day 1) in 3 weeks cycle until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumor 1.1. Secondary endpoints included time-to-progression (TTP), duration-of-response (DoR), overall survival (OS), and adverse events. Results: A total of 87 patients were enrolled from 11 institutions in Korea. Hormone receptor was positive in 54 (62.1%) patients and six (6.9%) had human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–positive disease. Forty-eight patients (85.1%) had visceral metastasis and 74 (55.2%) had more than three sites of metastases. The ORR of SOX regimen was 38.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 26.9 to 50.0) with a median TTP of 6.0 months (95% CI, 5.1 to 6.9). Median DoR and OS were 10.3 months (95% CI, 5.5 to 15.1) and 19.4 (95% CI, not estimated) months, respectively. Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia was reported in 28 patients (32.1%) and thrombocytopenia was observed in 23 patients (26.6%). Conclusion This phase II study showed that SOX regimen is a reasonable option in metastatic breast cancer previously treated with anthracyclines and taxanes.

Background/Aims: Daratumumab has shown an encouraging antitumor effect in patients with multiple myeloma (MM), and was known to alter the immune properties by off-targeting immunosuppressive cells. Here, we aimed to evaluate the change in absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) as a surrogate marker for predicting survival outcomes of patients treated with daratumumab. Methods: Between 2018 and 2021, the medical records of patients with relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM) treated with daratumumab monotherapy at 10 centers in South Korea were reviewed. We collected the ALC data at pre-infusion (D0), day 2 after the first infusion (D2), and prior to the third cycle of daratumumab therapy (D56). Results: Fifty patients who were administered at least two cycles of daratumumab were included. Overall response rate was 54.0% after two cycles of daratumumab treatment. On D2, almost all patients experienced a marked reduction in ALC. However, an increase in ALC on D56 (ALCD56) was observed in patients with non-progressive disease, whereas failure of ALC recovery was noted in those with progressive disease. Patients with ALCD56 > 700/μL (n = 39, 78.0%) had prolonged progression- free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) than those with ALCD56 ≤ 700/μL (median PFS: 5.8 months vs. 2.6 months, p = 0.025; median OS: 24.1 months vs. 6.1 months, p = 0.004). In addition, ALCD56 >700/μL was a significant favorable prognostic factor for PFS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.22; p = 0.003) and OS (HR, 0.23; p = 0.012). Conclusions Increase in ALC during daratumumab treatment was significantly associated with prolonged survival outcomes in patients with RRMM. The ALC value can predict clinical outcomes in patients treated with daratumumab.

Background/Aims: Little is known about the clinical course of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients undergoing anti-tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We aimed to investigate the clinical course of HBV infection and IBD and to analyze liver dysfunction risks in patients undergoing anti-TNF-α therapy. Methods: This retrospective multinational study involved multiple centers in Korea, China, Tai-wan, and Japan. We enrolled IBD patients with chronic or resolved HBV infection, who received anti-TNF-α therapy. The patients’ medical records were reviewed, and data were collected using a web-based case report form. Results: Overall, 191 patients (77 ulcerative colitis and 114 Crohn’s disease) were included, 28.3% of whom received prophylactic antivirals. During a median follow-up duration of 32.4 months, 7.3% of patients experienced liver dysfunction due to HBV reactivation. Among patients with chronic HBV infection, the proportion experiencing liver dysfunction was significantly higher in the non-prophylaxis group (26% vs 8%, p=0.02). Liver dysfunction occurred in one patient with resolved HBV infection. Antiviral prophylaxis was independently associated with an 84% reduction in liver dysfunction risk in patients with chronic HBV infection (odds ratio, 0.16; 95% confidence interval, 0.04 to 0.66; p=0.01). The clinical course of IBD was not associated with liver dysfunction or the administration of antiviral prophylaxis. Conclusions Liver dysfunction due to HBV reactivation can occur in HBV-infected IBD patients treated with anti-TNF-α agents. Careful monitoring is needed in these patients, and antivirals should be administered, especially to those with chronic HBV infection.

Nasopharyngeal swabs have been widely to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Nasopharyngeal COVID-19 testing is a generally safe and well-tolerated procedure, but numerous complications have been reported in the media. Therefore, the present study aimed to review and document adverse events and suggest procedural references to minimize preventable but often underestimated risks. A total of 27 articles were selected for the review of 842 related documents in PubMed, Embase, and KoreaMed. The complications related to nasopharyngeal COVID-19 testing were reported to be rarely happened, ranging from 0.0012 to 0.026%. Frequently documented adverse events were retained swabs, epistaxis, and cerebrospinal fluid leakage, often associated with high-risk factors, including severe septal deviations, pre-existing skull base defects, and previous sinus or transsphenoidal pituitary surgery. Appropriate techniques based on sufficient anatomical knowledge are mandatory for clinicians to perform nasopharyngeal COVID-19 testing. The nasal floor can be predicted by the line between the nostril and external ear canal. For safe testing, the angle of swab insertion in the nasal passage should remain within 30° of the nasal floor. The swab was gently inserted along the nasal septum just above the nasal floor to the nasopharynx and remained on the nasopharynx for several seconds before removal. Forceful insertion should be attempted, and alternative examinations should be considered, especially in vulnerable patients. In conclusion, patients and clinicians should be aware of rare but possible complications and associated highrisk factors. The suggested procedural pearls enable more comfortable and safe nasopharyngeal COVID-19 testing for both clinicians and patients.

Objective: Patients who have suffered a stroke may experience dysphagia, which could raise the risk of aspiration pneumonia and death. This is also a complication prevalent in older adults with various comorbidities. This study aimed at investigating the association between head lifting strength and dysphagia, particularly in each of the two phases of dysphagia, namely the oral and the pharyngeal phase, in stroke patients. Methods: We prospectively recruited 64 patients within six months of their first-ever stroke. Head lifting strength, handgrip strength, and calf circumference were measured. The severity of dysphagia was evaluated using the videofluoroscopic dysphagia scale (VDS). Partial correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were applied to examine the association between head lifting strength and dysphagia. Results: The subjects were comprised of 31 men and 33 women with a mean age of 63 years. The median National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was 5.5 (interquartile range 4.0-8.0). Based on the penetration-aspiration scale, 46 participants had dysphagia without aspiration and 18 had dysphagia with aspiration. The head lifting strength in the non-aspiration group was higher compared with the aspiration group. The head lifting strength was significantly correlated with the VDS-pharyngeal phase (r=−0.715) and the penetration-aspiration scale (r=−0.662). In the multiple linear regression analysis, head lifting strength was independently associated with pharyngeal-phase dysphagia (P＜0.001). Conclusion Head lifting strength is significantly associated with the severity of dysphagia in the pharyngeal phase.

The present study examined cortical cerebral microinfarcts (CMIs) on a 3T magnetic resonance imaging and investigated the impact of CMIs on the comprehensive functional outcomes during the post-stroke rehabilitation period. Patients with acute phase of firstever ischemic stroke were retrospectively recruited (n = 62) and divided into 2 groups with and without CMIs. Clinical parameters including age, sex, stroke lesion laterality, location, the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, as well as history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and smoking were obtained. Functional outcomes were assessed twice at baseline and one month later with the Korean version of the MiniMental State Examination, the Berg balance scale (BBS), and the functional independence measure. Partial correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine the relationship between the presence of CMIs and the change in functional outcomes. At least one CMI was reported in 27 patients, who were older (p = 0.043). The presence of CMIs was significantly associated with functional impairment in all 3 functional outcomes, after controlling for confounding factors (p < 0.05). CMIs might contribute to poor functional outcomes during the post-stroke rehabilitation period. These results suggest that CMIs should be considered when establishing rehabilitation treatment strategies or making a prognosis.