Introduction: There remains little evidence on rehabilitation protocols for proximal humerus fractures (PHFs), although early mobilisation has been associated with positive clinical outcomes. There may be a potential role in allowing patients with more stable fractures to undergo an accelerated rehabilitation process to facilitate quicker return to function, although it must be balanced with safety concerns of premature mobilisation and logistical concerns of implementation with excessive stratification. The study aim was to report the overall safety and outcomes of a simple and implementable 2-tier stratified rehabilitation protocol based on fracture stability adopted by our institution for nonoperatively treated PHFs. Materials and methods: Patients in our institution (level 1 trauma centre) with non-operatively treated PHFs underwent a stratified rehabilitation protocol that classified patients into Accelerated versus Standard arms - with more stable fractures undergoing an accelerated rehabilitation programme. The Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Score (QuickDASH), EuroQol-5-Dimensions (EQ5D) questionnaires, shoulder range of motion (ROM) and grip strength were measured at six months and one year postinjury. The frequency of adverse events requiring surgical intervention was noted. Results: We included 164 patients and 43% (71/164) went through the accelerated protocol. Overall, patients had favourable OSS (median[range] 47[44-48]), EQ5D (median [range] 1.0[0.82-1.00]), QuickDASH scores (median[range] 2.3[0- 10.7]), and shoulder ROM and grip strength above the requirement for functional activities of daily living at 1 year. There were no adverse events reported 1-year post-injury. Conclusion: This study was the first to report the safety and outcomes of a stratified rehabilitation protocol for PHFs. Our simple 2-tier stratified rehabilitation protocol which allowed a shorter period of rehabilitation and earlier return to function for patients with more stable PHFs is implementable, safe and had overall favourable functional outcome scores.

Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji strategi yang digunakan untuk mencegah gangguan muskuloskeletal akibat kerja (WMSDs) dalam kalangan ahli fisioterapi dari segi kesedaran, keberkesanan, galakan, dan halangan. Kajian kualitatif telah dilakukan dalam kalangan ahli fisioterapi di Malaysia menggunakan metodologi keratan rentas, dengan platform dalam talian digunakan untuk menjalankan temu bual semi-struktur secara individu. Analisis tematik menunjukkan bahawa 13 peserta menyedari kaedah berbeza yang digunakan oleh ahli fisioterapi untuk mencegah WMSD. Peserta menyedari kepentingan menggunakan strategi yang berkesan untuk mencegah WMSD, seperti mengekalkan mekanik badan yang betul (61.5%), melakukan senaman fizikal (23.1%), memastikan ergonomik tempat kerja yang sesuai (15.4%), mempunyai kakitangan yang mencukupi (15.4%), menggunakan peralatan (15.4%), dan mempraktikkan teknik memanaskan badan yang betul (7.7%). Peserta kerap mempromosikan penggunaan alatan dan peralatan (53.8%), mengekalkan mekanik dan postur badan yang betul (46.2%), dan menerima pendidikan (30.8%) sebagai strategi pencegahan utama. Namun begitu, terdapat halangan untuk mengambil bahagian dalam langkah pencegahan, seperti kekurangan peralatan, beban kerja yang tinggi, dan kakitangan yang tidak mencukupi. Penemuan menunjukkan bahawa ahli fisioterapi sedar dan menyokong idea bahawa melaksanakan strategi khusus boleh membantu mencegah WMSD. Namun begitu, keputusannya menggariskan kepentingan untuk mempertimbangkan halangan ini untuk meningkatkan keberkesanan strategi pencegahan dalam intervensi amalan klinikal.

Background: The skin barrier serves as the primary defense against environmental factors. Mongolia’s extreme climate conditions may contribute to skin barrier impairment, increased trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), and decreased skin moisture. Objective: To determine and compare skin moisture, TEWL, and skin pH levels in children. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in June 2023 with 104 relatively healthy children selected through random sampling. Skin physiological parameters, including skin moisture, skin pH and TEWL were measured following the EEMCO (European Group on Efficacy Measurement of Cosmetics and Other Topical Products) guidelines using the Multi Skin Test MC750 device (Courage+Khazaka Electronics, Germany) at nine different sites. Data analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel and Stata-14 software. Results: Among the participants, 51.9% (n=54) reported having dry skin (p<0.0001). Additionally, 64.5% (n=67) used moisturizers, but their usage did not show a statistically significant difference in skin moisture (p=0.929), skin pH (p=0.378), or TEWL (p=0.332). 14.42% (n=15) had extremely dry skin, while 85.58% (n=89) had dry skin, with no participants falling within the normal skin moisture range. TEWL showed a moderate inverse correlation with age (r=-0.331, p=0.0006). When analyzed by age groups, skin moisture (p=0.023) and TEWL (p=0.038) differed significantly between groups. Conclusion Skin moisture and TEWL significantly differ across age groups. Given that all participants had dry skin, moisturization is crucial. Mongolia’s extreme climate is likely a key contributing factor to childhood skin dryness.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between body composition and glaucoma by analyzing the associations between anthropometric and ocular parameters. Methods: A total of 494 eyes from 247 patients were reviewed from a general health examination database at a tertiary hospital. Anthropometric parameters were assessed using a multifrequency bioelectrical impedance device. Mean ocular perfusion pressure (MOPP) was calculated based on systolic and diastolic blood pressures and intraocular pressure (IOP). Retinal thickness and other ocular parameters were analyzed for their association with body composition. Results: A total of 221 eyes from 221 patients, including 104 with glaucoma, were enrolled in the final analysis. The prevalence of sarcopenia was significantly higher in patients with glaucomatous damage than in those without (p = 0.025). Higher IOP showed significant associations with lower MOPP (p < 0.001), higher body mass index (BMI; p = 0.001), and higher waist to hip ratio (p = 0.001). Retinal thickness was not significantly associated with body composition parameters, including BMI and appendicular lean mass adjusted with squared height. Higher MOPP was significantly correlated with lower IOP (p < 0.001), higher BMI (p < 0.001), higher waist to hip ratio (p < 0.001), and higher appendicular lean mass divided by squared height (p = 0.009). Conclusions Skeletal muscle mass and BMI were significantly associated with MOPP. Since low MOPP is a known risk factor for glaucoma, its association with skeletal muscle mass may indicate a relationship between systemic muscle health, ocular blood perfusion, and glaucomatous damage. Further large-scale studies are needed to validate these associations between skeletal muscle mass and glaucoma and explore their clinical implications.

Lazertinib is an oral, third-generation, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This case report presents a rare instance of small cell carcinoma transformation in pancreatic metastasis in a patient with EGFR-mutated NSCLC undergoing treatment with lazertinib. Small cell carcinoma transformation indicates a mechanism of treatment resistance, and tissue biopsy is essential to confirm this. When isolated progression of a lesion is suspected during TKI therapy in EGFR-mutated NSCLC, histological evaluation is necessary to confirm the transformation for the treatment strategy.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive treatment modality used as an alternative to surgery in patients with benign thyroid nodules, recurrent thyroid cancers (RTCs), and primary thyroid microcarcinomas. The Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology (KSThR) initially developed recommendations for the optimal use of RFA for thyroid tumors in 2009 and revised them in 2012 and 2017. As new meaningful evidence has accumulated since 2017 and in response to a growing global interest in the use of RFA for treating malignant thyroid lesions, the task force committee members of the KSThR decided to update the guidelines on the use of RFA for the management of RTCs based on a comprehensive analysis of current literature and expert consensus.

Background: Hemolysis is an important preanalytical factor that influences laboratory test results. Because arterial blood gas analysis (ABGA) is performed using whole blood, it is difficult to visually check whether a specimen is hemolyzed, and even blood gas analyzers cannot detect hemolysis. However, there is insufficient consensus on the parameters that are influenced by hemolyzed specimens. This study aimed to determine the effect of hemolysis on ABGA results. Methods: One hundred residual arterial blood specimens were collected from Severance Hospital between March and April 2022. Samples were aliquoted into three groups for mechanical hemolysis. Hemolysis was induced using 16-, 22-, and 26-gauge needles and measured using the Profile pHOx Ultra Blood Gas Analyzer (Nova Biomedical, USA). The remaining blood was centrifuged, and the hemolysis index was determined using the plasma. Results: Among the parameters, pH and K increased, whereas pCO 2 , Na,Ca 2+ , and HCO 3− decreased. The values of Hb, Mg2+ , and Hct did not change with the degree of hemolysis, although there was a difference between the two groups. The values of pCO 2 , Hb, K, and Ca 2+ increased as the degree of hemolysis increased, with % biases exceeding the desirable bias. Conclusions This study confirmed that hemolysis significantly influences pH, pCO 2 , and K. Therefore, when clinical findings and blood gas analysis results are inconsistent, clinicians should be cautious of spurious hemolysis when interpreting the results.

Objectives: To assess the trends and disparities in the utilization of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/ computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) in Korea between 2018 and 2022, with a focus on disease classification, patient demographics, and regional distribution. Methods: This national surveillance retrospective study uses data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) database, which includes all FDG PET/CT examinations conducted in Korea from 2018 to 2022. Disease classifications, cancer types, age groups, gender, and geographic regions were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Utilization rates per 100,000 population were calculated for regional comparisons. Results: FDG PET/CT utilization increased by 25.4%, from 174,885 examinations in 2018 to 219,377 in 2022. Older age groups (60 years and above) accounted for the majority of examinations, with males undergoing more examinations than females. Oncology remained the primary indication, with lung, colorectal, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma leading in examination numbers. The number of examinations performed on patients aged 60 and above increased at a higher rate compared to those under 60. Significant geographic disparities were found, with Seoul reporting the highest utilization rate (1,114.3 examinations per 100,000 population), while Gyeongbuk exhibited much lower rate (26.2 examinations per 100,000 population). Conclusions This study highlights the growing utilization of FDG PET/CT in Korea, particularly among older adults, with significant gender differences in cancer types. The findings also reveal disparities in FDG PET/CT utilization across regions, indicating varying access to advanced imaging technology.