Purpose: Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a life-threatening disease requiring immediate treatment. This multicenter retrospective cohort study aimed to analyze the mortality rate and risk factors associated with EPN. Materials and Methods: Between January 2011 and February 2021, 217 patients diagnosed with EPN via computed tomography who visited 14 teaching hospitals were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical data, including age, sex, comorbidities, Huang and Tseng classification, hydronephrosis, acute kidney injury, blood and urine tests, surgical interventions, percutaneous drainage, and conservative treatments, were compared between the survival and death groups. Risk factors for mortality due to EPN were analyzed using univariate and multivariate methods. Results: The mean age of survivors and deceased patients was 67.8 and 69.0 years, respectively (p=0.136). The sex distribution (male/female) was 48/146 and 8/15, respectively (p=0.298). Of the 217 patients, 23 died, resulting in a mortality rate of 10.6%. In univariate analysis, the Huang and Tseng classification (p=0.004), platelet count (p=0.005), and acute kidney injury (p=0.007) were significantly associated with mortality from EPN. In multivariate analysis, only the Huang and Tseng classification (p=0.029) was identified as a risk factor. Mortality rates according to the Huang and Tseng classification were as follows: class I (5.88%), class II (7.50%), class IIIa (14.28%), class IIIb (25.00%), and class IV (23.07%). Conclusions EPN is associated with a high mortality rate. Among various clinical factors, the Huang and Tseng classification was the most significant indicator for predicting mortality.

This case report presents an 81-year-old edentulous female patient with congenital cleft lip and palate, rehabilitated with a maxillary obturator and a mandibular complete denture. A defect in the hard palate causes nasal leakage and hypernasalization of speech. Velopharyngeal insufficiency due to a defect in the soft palate causes reflux during swallowing and decreased clarity of pronunciation.The anatomical structures, such as Passavant’s ridge, were considered to prevent respiratory problems when impression taking. We achieved satisfactory results including velopharyngeal closure for pronunciation, mastication, and swallowing, as well as improved aesthetics. Therefore, we report the process and considerations of the treatment.

Purpose: Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a life-threatening disease requiring immediate treatment. This multicenter retrospective cohort study aimed to analyze the mortality rate and risk factors associated with EPN. Materials and Methods: Between January 2011 and February 2021, 217 patients diagnosed with EPN via computed tomography who visited 14 teaching hospitals were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical data, including age, sex, comorbidities, Huang and Tseng classification, hydronephrosis, acute kidney injury, blood and urine tests, surgical interventions, percutaneous drainage, and conservative treatments, were compared between the survival and death groups. Risk factors for mortality due to EPN were analyzed using univariate and multivariate methods. Results: The mean age of survivors and deceased patients was 67.8 and 69.0 years, respectively (p=0.136). The sex distribution (male/female) was 48/146 and 8/15, respectively (p=0.298). Of the 217 patients, 23 died, resulting in a mortality rate of 10.6%. In univariate analysis, the Huang and Tseng classification (p=0.004), platelet count (p=0.005), and acute kidney injury (p=0.007) were significantly associated with mortality from EPN. In multivariate analysis, only the Huang and Tseng classification (p=0.029) was identified as a risk factor. Mortality rates according to the Huang and Tseng classification were as follows: class I (5.88%), class II (7.50%), class IIIa (14.28%), class IIIb (25.00%), and class IV (23.07%). Conclusions EPN is associated with a high mortality rate. Among various clinical factors, the Huang and Tseng classification was the most significant indicator for predicting mortality.

Background: and Purpose The National Brain Biobank of Korea (NBBK) is a brain bank consortium supported by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and the Korea National Institute of Health, and was launched in 2015 to support research into neurodegenerative disease dementia (NDD). This study aimed to introduce the NBBK and describes clinicopathological correlations based on analyses of data collected from the NBBK. Methods: Four hospital-based brain banks have been established in South Korea: Samsung Medical Center Brain Bank (SMCBB), Seoul National University Hospital Brain Bank (SNUHBB), Pusan National University Hospital Brain Bank (PNUHBB), and Myongji Hospital Brain Bank (MJHBB). Clinical and pathological data were collected from these brain banks using standardized protocols. The prevalence rates of clinical and pathological diagnoses were analyzed in order to characterize the clinicopathological correlations. Results: Between August 2016 and December 2023, 185 brain specimens were collected and pathologically evaluated (SNUHBB: 117; PNUHBB: 27; SMCBB: 34; MJHBB: 7). The age at consent was 70.8±12.6 years, and the age at autopsy was 71.7±12.4 years. The four-most-common clinical diagnoses were Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia (20.0%), idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (15.1%), unspecified dementia (11.9%), and cognitively unimpaired (CU) (11.4%).Most cases of unspecified dementia had a pathological diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) vasculopathy (31.8%) or AD (31.8%). Remarkably, only 14.2% of CU cases had normal pathological findings. The three-most-common pathological diagnoses were AD (26.5%), CNS vasculopathy (14.1%), and Lewy body disease (13.5%). Conclusions These clinical and neuropathological findings provide a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying NDD in South Korea.

This case report presents an 81-year-old edentulous female patient with congenital cleft lip and palate, rehabilitated with a maxillary obturator and a mandibular complete denture. A defect in the hard palate causes nasal leakage and hypernasalization of speech. Velopharyngeal insufficiency due to a defect in the soft palate causes reflux during swallowing and decreased clarity of pronunciation.The anatomical structures, such as Passavant’s ridge, were considered to prevent respiratory problems when impression taking. We achieved satisfactory results including velopharyngeal closure for pronunciation, mastication, and swallowing, as well as improved aesthetics. Therefore, we report the process and considerations of the treatment.

This case report presents an 81-year-old edentulous female patient with congenital cleft lip and palate, rehabilitated with a maxillary obturator and a mandibular complete denture. A defect in the hard palate causes nasal leakage and hypernasalization of speech. Velopharyngeal insufficiency due to a defect in the soft palate causes reflux during swallowing and decreased clarity of pronunciation.The anatomical structures, such as Passavant’s ridge, were considered to prevent respiratory problems when impression taking. We achieved satisfactory results including velopharyngeal closure for pronunciation, mastication, and swallowing, as well as improved aesthetics. Therefore, we report the process and considerations of the treatment.

Background: Patients with diabetes are known to be at high risk for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), but the accurate annual risk data for new-onset ESKD is still limited. In South Korea, the prevalence and incidence of ESKD are increasing more rapidly compared to the global average. This study aimed to determine the incidence rate (IR) of ESKD by diabetes status from 2012 to 2022. Methods: Using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service, we calculated the IR and hazard ratio (HR) for newonset ESKD in the general population. Individuals were categorized based on diabetes status into nondiabetes, impaired fasting glucose (IFG), diabetes duration <5 and ≥5 years. Results: Among the participants, 67.6% were nondiabetic, 22.3% had IFG, and 10% had diabetes. In Korea, the IRs of ESKD were 139 per million population (pmp) for nondiabetes, 188 pmp for IFG, 632 pmp for diabetes <5 years, and 3,403 pmp for diabetes ≥5 years. An advanced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) category was the strongest risk factor for ESKD development. However, even in patients with normal renal function, those with long-standing diabetes had a 14-fold higher risk of ESKD compared to nondiabetic individuals. The risk of ESKD associated with diabetes increased exponentially with declining renal function. Notably, IFG showed an increasing tendency for ESKD in younger patients (<65 years) with early-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD; eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m²). Conclusion Longer diabetes duration amplifies ESKD risk, particularly as renal function declines. Even in patients with normal renal function, long-standing diabetes significantly increases ESKD risk, while IFG is associated with elevated risk only in younger individuals with early-stage CKD.

Purpose: Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a life-threatening disease requiring immediate treatment. This multicenter retrospective cohort study aimed to analyze the mortality rate and risk factors associated with EPN. Materials and Methods: Between January 2011 and February 2021, 217 patients diagnosed with EPN via computed tomography who visited 14 teaching hospitals were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical data, including age, sex, comorbidities, Huang and Tseng classification, hydronephrosis, acute kidney injury, blood and urine tests, surgical interventions, percutaneous drainage, and conservative treatments, were compared between the survival and death groups. Risk factors for mortality due to EPN were analyzed using univariate and multivariate methods. Results: The mean age of survivors and deceased patients was 67.8 and 69.0 years, respectively (p=0.136). The sex distribution (male/female) was 48/146 and 8/15, respectively (p=0.298). Of the 217 patients, 23 died, resulting in a mortality rate of 10.6%. In univariate analysis, the Huang and Tseng classification (p=0.004), platelet count (p=0.005), and acute kidney injury (p=0.007) were significantly associated with mortality from EPN. In multivariate analysis, only the Huang and Tseng classification (p=0.029) was identified as a risk factor. Mortality rates according to the Huang and Tseng classification were as follows: class I (5.88%), class II (7.50%), class IIIa (14.28%), class IIIb (25.00%), and class IV (23.07%). Conclusions EPN is associated with a high mortality rate. Among various clinical factors, the Huang and Tseng classification was the most significant indicator for predicting mortality.