This report presents radiologic changes after clinical improvement in a patient with acute interstitial nephritis (AIN). A 45-year-old female patient was referred for decreased renal function. Eight months prior, she had undergone hysterectomy and received chemotherapy. At the start of chemotherapy, her baseline creatinine level was 0.55 mg/dL, which rose to 1.46 mg/dL. Multiple imaging modalities performed when decreased renal function was observed revealed bilateral renal enlargement with increased cortical attenuation on computed tomography (CT), cortical hyperechogenicity on ultrasonography, and diffusion restriction in the renal cortices on magnetic resonance imaging. A renal biopsy was performed, and AIN was diagnosed. Follow-up laboratory tests showed that kidney function had improved to normal levels, and CT at that time showed a reduction in the size of both kidneys. Radiologic changes can serve as clues for the diagnosis of AIN. This is the first report to confirm radiological changes after the clinical improvement of AIN, thereby providing novel information about the course of AIN.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary pulmonary rehabilitation program at Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Korea that was designed to augment respiratory function, promote patient recovery, and improve discharge outcomes.

Methods: This study was conducted as part of quality improvement activities from March to August 2023. A multidisciplinary pulmonary rehabilitation team was established, comprising specialists in rehabilitation medicine, pulmonology, and thoracic surgery, as well as physical and occupational therapists, and the nutrition team. We developed a comprehensive rehabilitation program that included stretching, strengthening exercises, aerobic training, and respiratory retraining, supplemented by individualized treatments such as bedside and ambulatory physical therapy. Evaluations before and after rehabilitation were performed using the Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale and the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Assessment Test. The primary indicators of success were an increase of over 10% in pulmonary rehabilitation consultations and an improvement in discharge-to-home rates.

Results: The total number of pulmonary rehabilitation cases rose by 79.16%, from 24 to 43, while consultations saw a 21.15% increase, from 52 to 63. Of the 63 pulmonary rehabilitation cases, 32 (50.8%) were transferred to other hospitals, 25 (39.7%) were discharged home, and 6 (9.5%) remained hospitalized.

Conclusion: The study demonstrated the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary pulmonary rehabilitation approach in improving program participation and achieving meaningful discharge outcomes. These findings underscore the potential for expanding multidisciplinary efforts and highlight the need for further studies to increase discharge-to-home rates and evaluate the long-term impacts of such programs.

Atherosclerosis is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease, characterized by inflammation and lipid accumulation in arterial walls, leading to plaque formation. Elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is a primary risk factor for atherosclerosis. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), a metabolite of vitamin A, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects and potential in regulating vascular injury. 9-cisretinoic acid (9cRA) is an active metabolite of vitamin A and activates the retinoid X receptor. This study investigates whether potassium retinoate (PA9RA), a synthetic combination of ATRA and 9cRA, offers superior efficacy in treating atherosclerosis compared to established treatments such as clopidogrel and atorvastatin. Male ApoE -/- mice were fed a Western-type diet and treated with PA9RA, clopidogrel, or atorvastatin for 10 weeks. The body weight, organ weight, serum biochemistry, and histopathology, including atherosclerotic lesion area and liver steatosis were assessed. PA9RA treatment led to a significant reduction in body weight and inguinal fat, with the 45 mg/kg/day dose showing marked efficacy in decreasing atherosclerotic lesion size and ameliorating liver steatosis. Histopathological evaluation revealed decreased foam cell formation and improved liver histology in PA9RA-treated groups compared to controls. Notable side effects included epidermal hyperplasia and gastric hyperplasia at high doses of PA9RA. PA9RA exhibits superior efficacy over clopidogrel and atorvastatin in ameliorating atherosclerosis and fatty liver in ApoE –/–mice. This study highlights PA9RA's potential as a promising therapeutic agent for atherosclerosis. Further research is needed to elucidate its mechanisms of action and assess long-term safety and efficacy.

Background: Skipping breakfast is associated with an increased risk of chronic inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to examine the association between breakfast-eating habits and inflammation, using high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) as a marker. Methods: A total of 4,000 Korean adult males with no history of myocardial infarction, angina, stroke, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, or current smoking were included. Data from the 2016–2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used for analysis. The frequency of breakfast consumption was assessed through a questionnaire item in the dietary survey section asking participants about their weekly breakfast consumption routines over the past year. Participants were categorized into two groups, namely “0–2 breakfasts per week” and “3–7 breakfasts per week”; hs-CRP concentrations were measured through blood tests. Results: Comparing between the “infrequent breakfast consumption (0–2 breakfasts per week)” and “frequent breakfast consumption (3–7 breakfasts per week)” groups, the mean hs-CRP was found to be significantly higher in the “infrequent breakfast consumption” group, even after adjusting for age, body mass index, physical activity, alcohol consumption, systolic blood pressure, blood pressure medication, fasting blood glucose, and triglycerides (mean hs-CRP: frequent breakfast consumption, 1.36±0.09 mg/L; infrequent breakfast consumption, 1.17±0.05 mg/L; P-value=0.036). Conclusion Less frequent breakfast consumption was associated with elevated hs-CRP levels. Further large-scale studies incorporating adjusted measures of daily eating patterns as well as food quality and quantity are required for a deeper understanding of the role of breakfast in the primary prevention of chronic inflammatory diseases.

This report presents radiologic changes after clinical improvement in a patient with acute interstitial nephritis (AIN). A 45-year-old female patient was referred for decreased renal function. Eight months prior, she had undergone hysterectomy and received chemotherapy. At the start of chemotherapy, her baseline creatinine level was 0.55 mg/dL, which rose to 1.46 mg/dL. Multiple imaging modalities performed when decreased renal function was observed revealed bilateral renal enlargement with increased cortical attenuation on computed tomography (CT), cortical hyperechogenicity on ultrasonography, and diffusion restriction in the renal cortices on magnetic resonance imaging. A renal biopsy was performed, and AIN was diagnosed. Follow-up laboratory tests showed that kidney function had improved to normal levels, and CT at that time showed a reduction in the size of both kidneys. Radiologic changes can serve as clues for the diagnosis of AIN. This is the first report to confirm radiological changes after the clinical improvement of AIN, thereby providing novel information about the course of AIN.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary pulmonary rehabilitation program at Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Korea that was designed to augment respiratory function, promote patient recovery, and improve discharge outcomes.

Methods: This study was conducted as part of quality improvement activities from March to August 2023. A multidisciplinary pulmonary rehabilitation team was established, comprising specialists in rehabilitation medicine, pulmonology, and thoracic surgery, as well as physical and occupational therapists, and the nutrition team. We developed a comprehensive rehabilitation program that included stretching, strengthening exercises, aerobic training, and respiratory retraining, supplemented by individualized treatments such as bedside and ambulatory physical therapy. Evaluations before and after rehabilitation were performed using the Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale and the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Assessment Test. The primary indicators of success were an increase of over 10% in pulmonary rehabilitation consultations and an improvement in discharge-to-home rates.

Results: The total number of pulmonary rehabilitation cases rose by 79.16%, from 24 to 43, while consultations saw a 21.15% increase, from 52 to 63. Of the 63 pulmonary rehabilitation cases, 32 (50.8%) were transferred to other hospitals, 25 (39.7%) were discharged home, and 6 (9.5%) remained hospitalized.

Conclusion: The study demonstrated the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary pulmonary rehabilitation approach in improving program participation and achieving meaningful discharge outcomes. These findings underscore the potential for expanding multidisciplinary efforts and highlight the need for further studies to increase discharge-to-home rates and evaluate the long-term impacts of such programs.

Atherosclerosis is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease, characterized by inflammation and lipid accumulation in arterial walls, leading to plaque formation. Elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is a primary risk factor for atherosclerosis. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), a metabolite of vitamin A, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects and potential in regulating vascular injury. 9-cisretinoic acid (9cRA) is an active metabolite of vitamin A and activates the retinoid X receptor. This study investigates whether potassium retinoate (PA9RA), a synthetic combination of ATRA and 9cRA, offers superior efficacy in treating atherosclerosis compared to established treatments such as clopidogrel and atorvastatin. Male ApoE -/- mice were fed a Western-type diet and treated with PA9RA, clopidogrel, or atorvastatin for 10 weeks. The body weight, organ weight, serum biochemistry, and histopathology, including atherosclerotic lesion area and liver steatosis were assessed. PA9RA treatment led to a significant reduction in body weight and inguinal fat, with the 45 mg/kg/day dose showing marked efficacy in decreasing atherosclerotic lesion size and ameliorating liver steatosis. Histopathological evaluation revealed decreased foam cell formation and improved liver histology in PA9RA-treated groups compared to controls. Notable side effects included epidermal hyperplasia and gastric hyperplasia at high doses of PA9RA. PA9RA exhibits superior efficacy over clopidogrel and atorvastatin in ameliorating atherosclerosis and fatty liver in ApoE –/–mice. This study highlights PA9RA's potential as a promising therapeutic agent for atherosclerosis. Further research is needed to elucidate its mechanisms of action and assess long-term safety and efficacy.

This report presents radiologic changes after clinical improvement in a patient with acute interstitial nephritis (AIN). A 45-year-old female patient was referred for decreased renal function. Eight months prior, she had undergone hysterectomy and received chemotherapy. At the start of chemotherapy, her baseline creatinine level was 0.55 mg/dL, which rose to 1.46 mg/dL. Multiple imaging modalities performed when decreased renal function was observed revealed bilateral renal enlargement with increased cortical attenuation on computed tomography (CT), cortical hyperechogenicity on ultrasonography, and diffusion restriction in the renal cortices on magnetic resonance imaging. A renal biopsy was performed, and AIN was diagnosed. Follow-up laboratory tests showed that kidney function had improved to normal levels, and CT at that time showed a reduction in the size of both kidneys. Radiologic changes can serve as clues for the diagnosis of AIN. This is the first report to confirm radiological changes after the clinical improvement of AIN, thereby providing novel information about the course of AIN.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary pulmonary rehabilitation program at Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Korea that was designed to augment respiratory function, promote patient recovery, and improve discharge outcomes.

Methods: This study was conducted as part of quality improvement activities from March to August 2023. A multidisciplinary pulmonary rehabilitation team was established, comprising specialists in rehabilitation medicine, pulmonology, and thoracic surgery, as well as physical and occupational therapists, and the nutrition team. We developed a comprehensive rehabilitation program that included stretching, strengthening exercises, aerobic training, and respiratory retraining, supplemented by individualized treatments such as bedside and ambulatory physical therapy. Evaluations before and after rehabilitation were performed using the Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale and the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Assessment Test. The primary indicators of success were an increase of over 10% in pulmonary rehabilitation consultations and an improvement in discharge-to-home rates.

Results: The total number of pulmonary rehabilitation cases rose by 79.16%, from 24 to 43, while consultations saw a 21.15% increase, from 52 to 63. Of the 63 pulmonary rehabilitation cases, 32 (50.8%) were transferred to other hospitals, 25 (39.7%) were discharged home, and 6 (9.5%) remained hospitalized.

Conclusion: The study demonstrated the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary pulmonary rehabilitation approach in improving program participation and achieving meaningful discharge outcomes. These findings underscore the potential for expanding multidisciplinary efforts and highlight the need for further studies to increase discharge-to-home rates and evaluate the long-term impacts of such programs.

Atherosclerosis is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease, characterized by inflammation and lipid accumulation in arterial walls, leading to plaque formation. Elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is a primary risk factor for atherosclerosis. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), a metabolite of vitamin A, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects and potential in regulating vascular injury. 9-cisretinoic acid (9cRA) is an active metabolite of vitamin A and activates the retinoid X receptor. This study investigates whether potassium retinoate (PA9RA), a synthetic combination of ATRA and 9cRA, offers superior efficacy in treating atherosclerosis compared to established treatments such as clopidogrel and atorvastatin. Male ApoE -/- mice were fed a Western-type diet and treated with PA9RA, clopidogrel, or atorvastatin for 10 weeks. The body weight, organ weight, serum biochemistry, and histopathology, including atherosclerotic lesion area and liver steatosis were assessed. PA9RA treatment led to a significant reduction in body weight and inguinal fat, with the 45 mg/kg/day dose showing marked efficacy in decreasing atherosclerotic lesion size and ameliorating liver steatosis. Histopathological evaluation revealed decreased foam cell formation and improved liver histology in PA9RA-treated groups compared to controls. Notable side effects included epidermal hyperplasia and gastric hyperplasia at high doses of PA9RA. PA9RA exhibits superior efficacy over clopidogrel and atorvastatin in ameliorating atherosclerosis and fatty liver in ApoE –/–mice. This study highlights PA9RA's potential as a promising therapeutic agent for atherosclerosis. Further research is needed to elucidate its mechanisms of action and assess long-term safety and efficacy.