Background: With the growth of the Internet, social media platforms have emerged as major sources of medical information. We assessed the reliability, quality, and accuracy of the most-viewed YouTube videos containing information on the effect of vitamin C on the common cold. Methods: The YouTube videos were searched on August 1, 2022, using the keywords: (“ascorbic acid” OR “vitamin C” OR “Sodium Ascorbate” OR “L-ascorbic”) AND “common cold”. The 30 most-viewed videos were included in our study. The reliability and quality of the videos were analyzed using modified DISCERN and Global Quality Scales, respectively. When the videos included at least one correct or inaccurate scientific statement about the effect of vitamin C on the common cold, they were classified as accurate or misleading videos, respectively; those without any pertinent information were considered neither accurate nor misleading. If a video contained both accurate and inaccurate statements, it was classified as misleading. Results: Of the 30 most-viewed videos, 73% were unreliable, and 67% contained misleading information and were of a poor quality. Of these 30 videos, 14 videos were produced and posted by customers who were not specialized in medicine or nutrition. Moreover, these videos were of significantly lower reliability, quality, and accuracy than those produced by nutrition or fitness channels or by medical or nutrition professionals. Conclusion The reliability, quality, and accuracy of videos uploaded by non-professionals were low. Therefore, video creators should upload reliable, high-quality videos to ensure the dissemination of accurate medical information.

In Korea, the COVID-19 pandemic began and the situation was very serious due to the rapid increase in confirmed cases. In this study, we conducted a study that included the online class environment, learning environment including living environment, and overall life of medical students who are experiencing sudden changes in environment due to COVID-19, to help medical students' academic and school life, and to provide medical services. We want to help improve the quality of education. The subjects of the study are 6 grades from the 1st year of pre-medical school to the 4th year of the medical department attending a medical school in the Daegu area in the 2021 school year, and a total of 450 are studied. In addition, a survey was conducted on students who agreed to the study, and it consisted about the online learning environment and overall living conditions. As a result of the study, there were no gender differences in the online learning environment and overall life amid the COVID-19 pandemic. There were differences between pre-medical and medical students in the online learning environment, and overall life. Due to the sudden COVID-19 pandemic, medical students were faced with an online learning environment that they could not choose. They took care of the physical resources provided by the school on their own and learned the importance of this.

Background: and Purpose The current study analyzed the interictal epileptiform discharge (IED)-related hemodynamic response and aimed to determine the clinical usefulness of simultaneous electroencephalography and functional magnetic resonance imaging (EEG-fMRI) in defining the epileptogenic zone (EZ) in children with focal epilepsy. Methods: Patients with focal epilepsy showing IEDs on conventional EEG were evaluated using EEG-fMRI. Statistical analyses were performed using the times of spike as events modeled with multiple hemodynamic response functions. The area showing the most significant t-value for blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) changes was compared with the presumed EZ. Moreover, BOLD responses between -9 and +9 s around the spike times were analyzed to track the hemodynamic response patterns over time. Results: Half (n=13) of 26 EEG-fMRI investigations of 19 patients were successful. Two patients showed 2 different types of spikes, resulting in 15 analyses. The maximum BOLD response was concordant with the EZ in 11 (73.3%) of the 15 analyses. In 10 (66.7%) analyses, the BOLD response localized the EZs more specifically. Focal BOLD responses in the EZs occurred before IEDs in 11 analyses and were often widespread after IEDs. Hemodynamic response patterns were consistent in the same epilepsy syndrome or when repeating the investigation in the same patients. Conclusions EEG-fMRI can provide additional information for localizing the EZ in children with focal epilepsy, and also reveal the pathogenesis of pediatric epilepsy by evaluating the patterns in the hemodynamic response across time windows of IEDs.

Several medications are approved to treat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Korea including nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, remdesivir, and regdanvimab. There is potential drug-drug interaction between antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and the medications used to treat COVID-19. Several AEDs such as phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, and primidone are strong cytochrome P450 inducers and can inhibit the drugs used for COVID-19. Particularly, these drugs are contraindicated with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid®). There is a weaker drug-drug interaction between the AEDs and remdesivir. No significant interaction has been reported between the AEDs and molnupiravir. Pharmacokinetic interactions of the AEDs are important in effective management of COVID-19 in patients with epilepsy.

PURPOSE: To identify the factors associated with differential diagnosis of neonatal bacterial meningitis at the earliest opportunities possible and to evaluate the value of the bacterial meningitis score especially in neonates. METHODS: We conducted a single-center, retrospective study of neonates diagnosed meningitis at our hospital between January 2000 and March 2014. We compared the general characteristics, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, bacterial meningitis scores between the bacterial group and the aseptic group. RESULTS: Bacterial meningitis differs significantly from aseptic meningitis in platelet count, the cerebrospinal fluid polymorphonuclear leukocyte count, and the serum protein including also the albumin (P<0.05). Except two infants, the bacterial meningitis score over 2 accurately predict bacterial meningitis in the other 11 infants. CONCLUSION: The bacterial meningitis score appears highly useful to identify neonatal infants with bacterial meningitis. However, its diagnostic and prognostic value is just ‘adjunctive’, because low score cannot rule out bacterial meningitis.
Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn* ; Meningitis* ; Meningitis, Aseptic ; Meningitis, Bacterial* ; Neutrophils ; Platelet Count ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the clinical characteristics, frequency of renal abnormalities and benefits of a top-down approach in children with their first febrile urinary tract infection (UTI). METHODS: We reviewed 308 patients retrospectively who were admitted to Yeungnam University Hospital and were treated for their first febrile UTI from February 2006 to December 2013. We performed a comparative analysis of laboratory findings and results of imaging techniques including a Tc-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) renal scan. RESULTS: Among the patients, 69% (213/308) were males, and 90% (277/308) had their first UTI episode during infancy. A DMSA renal scan was performed on all patients, and showed positive findings in 60% (184/308) of cases. Laboratory indices of inflammation were significantly higher in the DMSA-positive group (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the age distribution between the two groups. In the DMSA-positive group, 165 patients underwent voiding cystourethrography (VCUG), and 58 (35%) cases demonstrated vesicoureteral reflux. In total, 110 patients in the DMSA-positive group, underwent repeat scanning at 6 months; 33 children (30%) demonstrated static scarring, but 77 (70%) had improved completely. The concordance of the ultrasonography (US) and VCUG was low. Older patients had more renal scarring. CONCLUSION: DMSA is a sensitive method for assessing the severity of inflammation and kidney injury. However, the ability of US to predict renal parenchymal damage was limited. A top-down approach in children with their first febrile UTI showed significant value.
Age Distribution ; Child* ; Cicatrix ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Kidney ; Male ; Methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Succimer ; Technetium Tc 99m Dimercaptosuccinic Acid ; Treatment Outcome* ; Ultrasonography ; Urinary Tract Infections* ; Urinary Tract* ; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the clinical characteristics, frequency of renal abnormalities and benefits of a top-down approach in children with their first febrile urinary tract infection (UTI). METHODS: We reviewed 308 patients retrospectively who were admitted to Yeungnam University Hospital and were treated for their first febrile UTI from February 2006 to December 2013. We performed a comparative analysis of laboratory findings and results of imaging techniques including a Tc-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) renal scan. RESULTS: Among the patients, 69% (213/308) were males, and 90% (277/308) had their first UTI episode during infancy. A DMSA renal scan was performed on all patients, and showed positive findings in 60% (184/308) of cases. Laboratory indices of inflammation were significantly higher in the DMSA-positive group (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the age distribution between the two groups. In the DMSA-positive group, 165 patients underwent voiding cystourethrography (VCUG), and 58 (35%) cases demonstrated vesicoureteral reflux. In total, 110 patients in the DMSA-positive group, underwent repeat scanning at 6 months; 33 children (30%) demonstrated static scarring, but 77 (70%) had improved completely. The concordance of the ultrasonography (US) and VCUG was low. Older patients had more renal scarring. CONCLUSION: DMSA is a sensitive method for assessing the severity of inflammation and kidney injury. However, the ability of US to predict renal parenchymal damage was limited. A top-down approach in children with their first febrile UTI showed significant value.
Age Distribution ; Child* ; Cicatrix ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Kidney ; Male ; Methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Succimer ; Technetium Tc 99m Dimercaptosuccinic Acid ; Treatment Outcome* ; Ultrasonography ; Urinary Tract Infections* ; Urinary Tract* ; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux

BACKGROUND: Total body irradiation (TBI) has been traditionally used as a conditioning regimen prior to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in patients with pediatric leukemia. However, TBI can cause late sequelae such as growth impairment, cataract, hormone abnormalities, infertility, neurocognitive effects, and secondary malignancy in pediatric patients.METHODS: This single center retrospective study included 22 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who were aged <18 years and underwent HSCT between May 1999 and December 2014; seven patients received a TBI-based regimen and 15 received a non-TBI regimen.RESULTS: The overall survival and event-free survival rates in the TBI group were not significantly different from those in the non-TBI group (overall survival rate 71% vs. 73%, respectively; P=0.906; event-free survival rate 71% vs. 73%, respectively P=0.923).CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that non-TBI conditioning regimens can be an alternative treatment option of the treatment of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia undergoing HSCT.
Cataract ; Child ; Disease-Free Survival ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; Humans ; Infertility ; Leukemia ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Whole-Body Irradiation

BACKGROUND: We conducted this experimental study to examine whether human adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are effective in achieving a recovery of damaged renal tubular epithelial cells in an animal model of cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury using rats. METHODS: To examine the in vitro effects of ADSCs in improving nephrotoxicity, we treated mouse renal tubular epithelial cells with both ADSCs and cisplatin mouse renal tubular epithelial cells. And we equally divided 30 male white Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats into the three groups: the control group (intraperitoneal injection of a sterile saline), the cisplatin group (intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin) and the ADSC group (intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin and the hADSC via the caudal vein). At five days after the treatment with cisplatin, serum levels of blood urine nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine were measured from each SD rat. We performed histopathologic examinations of tissue samples obtained from the kidney. RESULTS: The degree of the expression of TNF-alpha and that of Bcl-2 were significantly higher and lower respectively, in cisplatin group (P<0.05). Serum levels of BUN (P=0.027) and creatinine (P=0.02) were significantly higher in cisplatin group. On histopathologic examinations, there was a significant difference in the ratio of the renal injury between cisplatin group and ADSC group (P=0.002). CONCLUSION: The ADSCs might have a beneficial effect in regenerating the damaged renal tubular epithelial cells.
Acute Kidney Injury* ; Animals* ; Cisplatin ; Creatinine ; Epithelial Cells* ; Humans* ; Kidney ; Kidney Tubules ; Male ; Mice ; Models, Animal* ; Nitrogen ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stem Cells* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and causative organisms of meningitis in the Daegu region and seek a useful tool for the early prediction of bacterial meningitis in children. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 115 pediatric patients diagnosed with bacterial or aseptic meningitis at Yeungnam university hospital in Daegu from March 2012 to July 2013. We evaluated their clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, clinical courses, bacterial meningitis scores and complications. RESULTS: The subjects included 106 with aseptic meningitis and 9 with bacterial meningitis. At the time of visit, fever was the most frequent symptom, followed by headache, vomiting and neck stiffness. In cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, white blood cell (WBC) count were higher in the bacterial meningitis group (1423.8+/-1980.4 vs. 120.0+/-161.6 mg/dL). Mean CSF protein was 219.4+/-183.6 mg/dL in bacterial meningitis and 42.4+/-27.0 mg/dL in aseptic meningitis (P <0.001). Bacterial meningitis score (BMS) were higher in the group with bacterial meningitis. Abnormal radiological findings were found in 44% of the group with bacterial meningitis. CONCLUSION: Although the clinical features between the groups were similar, the CSF analysis revealed significant differences statistically. Furthermore, BMS could be helpful to predict bacterial meningitis in children. During the outbreak of aseptic meningitis, it might reduce unnecessary hospital admissions and antibiotic treatments.
Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Child ; Daegu ; Fever ; Headache ; Humans ; Leukocytes ; Medical Records ; Meningitis ; Meningitis, Aseptic* ; Meningitis, Bacterial ; Neck ; Retrospective Studies ; Vomiting