Objectives: . Sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC) often invades the orbit. The treatment approach for sinonasal cancer that has spread to the orbit varies across medical centers and depends on the extent of the invasion. The decision to preserve the orbit in the treatment strategy is made on a case-by-case basis and results in varying outcomes. Currently, a multimodal treatment regimen, which may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy (RT), or concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT), is commonly adopted for managing sinonasal cancers. This study aims to assess the prognosis of sinonasal SqCC with orbital invasion from various perspectives. Methods: . We conducted a retrospective review of patients with primary sinonasal SqCC invading the orbit who were treated at Seoul National University Hospital and Seoul National University Bundang Hospital between 2009 and 2018. The extent of the tumor, orbital invasion, treatment strategies, recurrence rates, and survival rates were analyzed. Results: . Overall survival and disease-free survival (DFS) rates showed no significant differences based on the grade of orbital invasion. When tumor resection with orbit preservation was employed as the definitive treatment, DFS was significantly extended compared to cases where surgery was not the definitive treatment (RT or CCRT). Additionally, there was no significant difference in DFS between patients who underwent orbit exenteration and those who underwent tumor resection with orbit preservation as the definitive treatment. Conclusion . Tumor resection with orbit preservation as the definitive treatment appears to be the preferred approach, prolonging DFS and increasing the likelihood of longer-term survival in cases of SqCC with orbital invasion.

Objectives: . The recent expansion of eligibility for cochlear implantation (CI) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to include infants as young as 9 months has reignited debates concerning the clinically appropriate cut-off age for pediatric CI. Our study compared the early postoperative trajectories of receptive and expressive language development in children who received CI before 9 months of age with those who received it between 9 and 12 months. This study involved a unique pediatric cohort with documented etiology, where the timing of CI was based on objective criteria and efforts were made to minimize the influence of parental socioeconomic status. Methods: . A retrospective review of 98 pediatric implantees recruited at a tertiary referral center was conducted. The timing of CI was based on auditory and language criteria focused on the extent of delay corresponding to the bottom 1st percentile of language development among age-matched controls, with patients categorized into very early (CI at <9 months), early (CI at 9–12 months) and delayed (CI at 12–18 months) CI groups. Postoperative receptive/expressive language development was assessed using the Sequenced Language Scale for Infants receptive and expressive standardized scores and percentiles. Results: . Only the very early CI group showed significant improvements in receptive language starting at 3 months post-CI, aligning with normal-hearing peers by 9 months and maintaining this level until age 2 years. During this period (<2 years), all improvements were more pronounced in receptive language than in expressive language. Conclusion . CI before 9 months of age significantly improved receptive language development compared to later CI, with improvements sustained at least up to the age of 2. This study supports the consideration of earlier CI, beyond pediatric Food and Drug Administration labeling criteria (>9 months), in children with profound deafness who have a clear deafness etiology and language development delays (<1st percentile).

Sarcopenia is a prevalent complication in patients with chronic kidney disease and is associated with poor quality of life, morbidity, and mortality. Several candidate biomarkers have been evaluated for this condition. This study assessed the serum cystatin C to creatinine (serum cystatin C/Cr) ratio as a potential biomarker for sarcopenia in patients with non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease. Methods: This study enrolled 517 outpatients. Muscle mass (lean tissue index) was measured using a bioimpedance spectroscopic device, and muscle strength (handgrip strength) was also measured. Sarcopenia was defined as a combination of low muscle strength and low muscle mass. Results: Sarcopenia was observed in 25.5% of patients, and the mean serum cystatin C/Cr ratio was significantly higher in patients with sarcopenia than in those without it (1.14 ± 0.26 vs. 1.01 ± 0.27, p < 0.001). The prevalence of sarcopenia and low lean tissue index increased as the cystatin C/Cr ratio increased. The negative predictive value of the cystatin C/Cr ratio for sarcopenia or low lean tissue index was ≥80%. Multivariate analyses revealed that when the serum cystatin C/Cr ratio increased by 1, the risk of sarcopenia, low lean tissue index, and low handgrip strength increased by 4.6-, 7.2-, and 2.6-fold, respectively (p = 0.003, p < 0.001, and p = 0.048). The association was maximized in patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate of <30 mL/min/1.73 m2. Conclusion: Calculating the serum cystatin C/Cr ratio could be helpful for detecting and managing sarcopenia in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Background: Anti-heparin/platelet factor 4 (PF4) antibodies may trigger severe thrombotic complications in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Tetrameric PF4 has a high affinity for extracellular DNA, which is a key component of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs); therefore, the interactions between anti-heparin/PF4 antibodies and NETs can contribute to prothrombotic events. This prospective observational study included both incident and maintenance HD (MHD) patients. Methods: Anti-heparin/PF4 antibody levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; an optical density > 1.8 was regarded as clinically significant. In incident HD patients, we additionally measured serum nucleosome levels as representative markers of NETs, and the contributions of anti-heparin/PF4 and increased serum nucleosome levels to the primary functional patency loss of vascular access was assessed. Results: The frequency of anti-heparin/PF4 antibodies was significantly higher in incident HD patients compared to MHD patients (23.6% vs. 7.7%). Serum nucleosome levels, as well as the white blood cell counts, neutrophil counts, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels, were significantly higher in anti-heparin/PF4 antibody-positive patients compared to the control. Platelet counts tended to be lower in the patients with anti-heparin/PF4 of >1.8 than in the controls. Relative risk calculations showed that the presence of anti-heparin/PF4 antibodies increased the risk of primary functional patency failure by 4.28-fold, and this risk increased further with higher nucleosome levels. Furthermore, in the anti-heparin/PF4 antibody-positive group, the time to first vascular intervention was much shorter, and the risk of repeated intervention was higher, compared to the controls. Conclusion In incident HD patients, the presence of anti-heparin/PF4 antibodies was associated with increased NET formation; this could be a strong predictor of vascular access complications.

Background: To determine the effects of Jerusalem Artichoke extract (JAE) and inulin on blood glucose levels and insulin secretion in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice.
Methods: Thirty four mice were divided into a normal control group and three experimental groups: diabetic control, JAE, and inulin. STZ (50 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally to induce diabetes in the three experimental groups. The JAE and inulin groups were fed 10 g/kg JAE or fed 1 g/kg inulin, respectively, for 6 weeks. Fasting glucose was checked weekly. After 6 weeks, the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed, and the insulin level was checked.
Results: Four mice from the JAE group (n = 9) died and autopsies revealed inflammation and ulceration of skin lesions on the chest areas. Fasting glucose levels were not decreased in the inulin or JAE group relative to diabetic control group. In the OGTT at 60 minutes and 120 minutes, the serum glucose levels were significantly higher in the inulin group (572.6 ± 52.0 mg/dL and 555.8 ± 72.9 mg/dL, respectively) than in diabetic control group (484.3 ± 81.6 mg/dL and 467.3 ± 111.1 mg/dL, respectively). Insulin levels were not increased in the inulin group relative to the diabetic control group.
Conclusion These results indicate that JAE and inulin might not be useful therapeutic strategies for diabetes mellitus and indiscreet intake of Jerusalem Artichoke could exacerbate to diabetes.

Purpose: Since 2012, acetaminophen can be accessed easily not only at pharmacies but also at convenience stores. The relationship between the easy access of acetaminophen and the risk of poisoning has been controversial. Several studies also reported different results regarding the risk of acetaminophen poisoning after access to acetaminophen was relaxed. This study examined the long-term effects on the risk of acetaminophen poisoning after easy access to acetaminophen was implemented. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of an emergency department (ED)-based in-depth Injury Surveillance Cohort by the Korea Center for Disease Control and prevention from 2011 to 2018. Poisoning cases were selected from the Cohort, and the incidence of acetaminophen poisoning and the characteristics of the cases of acetaminophen poisoning were analyzed. The purchase path and the amount of ingestion in acetaminophen poisoning were sub-analyzed from data of six EDs. Results: Of 57,326 poisoning cases, 4.0% (2,272 cases) were acetaminophen poisoning. Of 2,272 cases of acetaminophen poisoning, 42.8% (974 cases) required in-patient care after ED management. Two hundred and sixty-four of these 964 cases required intensive care. The rates of cases that required in-patient treatment and the rates of cases that required intensive care increased from 29.4% in 2011 to 48.1% in 2018, and from 3.1% in 2011 to 15.2% in 2018, respectively (p<0.001, p<0.001). In the poisoning group with in-depth toxic surveillance (n=15,908), the incidence and proportion of acetaminophen (AAP) poisoning increased from 55 cases per year to 187 cases per year and 4.9% to 6.1%, respectively (p=0.009, p<0.001, respectively). The most common age group of acetaminophen poisoning was teenagers, which is different from the most common age group of other pharmaceutical agents: the middle age group of 40-49 years (p<0.001). Of 15,908 in-depth toxic surveillance patients, 693 patients had AAP poisoning, of whom 377 cases (54.2%) purchased acetaminophen from a non-pharmacy. The proportions of the purchase path from non-pharmacy were 41.4% at 2011-12 and 56.4% (2013-18) (p=0.004). The amount of acetaminophen ingestion was 13.5±14.3 g at 2011-12 and 13.9±15.1 g at 2013-18 (p=0.794). Conclusion Although the incidence of acetaminophen poisoning did not increase remarkably in the short term after the implementation of the new regulation, the incidence of acetaminophen poisoning has increased slightly during the study period of 2017-18. In addition, the proportion of the purchase path from non-pharmacies has increased since the emergence of new regulations for the easy access of acetaminophen in 2012. The incidence of acetaminophen poisoning might have been affected after the increasing accessibility of acetaminophen in convenience stores. Continuous control of acetaminophen poisoning is required. Furthermore, the prevention of acetaminophen poisoning should be focused on teenagers with specialized school education programs.

Purpose: Since 2012, acetaminophen can be accessed easily not only at pharmacies but also at convenience stores. The relationship between the easy access of acetaminophen and the risk of poisoning has been controversial. Several studies also reported different results regarding the risk of acetaminophen poisoning after access to acetaminophen was relaxed. This study examined the long-term effects on the risk of acetaminophen poisoning after easy access to acetaminophen was implemented. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of an emergency department (ED)-based in-depth Injury Surveillance Cohort by the Korea Center for Disease Control and prevention from 2011 to 2018. Poisoning cases were selected from the Cohort, and the incidence of acetaminophen poisoning and the characteristics of the cases of acetaminophen poisoning were analyzed. The purchase path and the amount of ingestion in acetaminophen poisoning were sub-analyzed from data of six EDs. Results: Of 57,326 poisoning cases, 4.0% (2,272 cases) were acetaminophen poisoning. Of 2,272 cases of acetaminophen poisoning, 42.8% (974 cases) required in-patient care after ED management. Two hundred and sixty-four of these 964 cases required intensive care. The rates of cases that required in-patient treatment and the rates of cases that required intensive care increased from 29.4% in 2011 to 48.1% in 2018, and from 3.1% in 2011 to 15.2% in 2018, respectively (p<0.001, p<0.001). In the poisoning group with in-depth toxic surveillance (n=15,908), the incidence and proportion of acetaminophen (AAP) poisoning increased from 55 cases per year to 187 cases per year and 4.9% to 6.1%, respectively (p=0.009, p<0.001, respectively). The most common age group of acetaminophen poisoning was teenagers, which is different from the most common age group of other pharmaceutical agents: the middle age group of 40-49 years (p<0.001). Of 15,908 in-depth toxic surveillance patients, 693 patients had AAP poisoning, of whom 377 cases (54.2%) purchased acetaminophen from a non-pharmacy. The proportions of the purchase path from non-pharmacy were 41.4% at 2011-12 and 56.4% (2013-18) (p=0.004). The amount of acetaminophen ingestion was 13.5±14.3 g at 2011-12 and 13.9±15.1 g at 2013-18 (p=0.794). Conclusion Although the incidence of acetaminophen poisoning did not increase remarkably in the short term after the implementation of the new regulation, the incidence of acetaminophen poisoning has increased slightly during the study period of 2017-18. In addition, the proportion of the purchase path from non-pharmacies has increased since the emergence of new regulations for the easy access of acetaminophen in 2012. The incidence of acetaminophen poisoning might have been affected after the increasing accessibility of acetaminophen in convenience stores. Continuous control of acetaminophen poisoning is required. Furthermore, the prevention of acetaminophen poisoning should be focused on teenagers with specialized school education programs.

OBJECTIVES: Postoperative cheek cyst (POCC) is a late postoperative complication of radical maxillary sinus surgery including the Caldwell-Luc (C-L) operation. The present study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic outcomes of surgical treatment for POCC and to assess the clinical factors correlated to these outcomes. METHODS: This study included 57 patients (67 nostrils) diagnosed with POCC who underwent surgical drainage. The medical records of the patients were retrospectively reviewed for radiological findings, treatment modalities, residual symptoms, and recurrences. RESULTS: In total, 30 patients were male and 27 patients were female with a mean age of 55 years, and the patients were usually diagnosed with POCC 28.2 years after radical surgery. Endonasal endoscopic marsupialization was performed via inferior meatal antrostomy, and if possible, middle meatal antrostomy was performed at the same time. In patients with cysts that were difficult to reach using an endonasal endoscopic approach, additional open C-L approaches were performed. The median follow-up period was 19.4 months. Overall, adequate drainage and symptomatic relief were achieved in 91% (61/67) of the patients. The recurrence rate was significantly higher in patients who had anterolateral POCC. Failure to achieve symptomatic relief was correlated to a smaller cyst and the use of the open C-L approach for drainage. CONCLUSION: The location and size of the cyst as well as the use of the open surgical approach were important factors in predicting the therapeutic outcome of POCC. The time point of treatment and surgical approaches should be based on the above-mentioned findings.
Cheek ; Drainage ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Maxillary Sinus ; Medical Records ; Mucocele ; Postoperative Complications ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND/AIMS: A high body mass index (BMI) is known to correlate with better survival in patients on hemodialysis (HD). However, the impacts of body composition and sarcopenia on survival have not been well studied in this population. METHODS: One hundred and forty-two prevalent HD patients were recruited and followed prospectively for up to 4.5 years. Low muscle mass (measured using a portable, whole-body, bioimpedance spectroscopic device) was defined as a lean tissue index (LTI) two standard deviations (SD) or more below the normal gender-specific mean for young people. Low muscle strength was a handgrip strength (HGS) of less than 30 kg in males and less than 20 kg in females. Sarcopenia was considered present when both LTI and HGS were reduced. RESULTS: The mean age was 59.8 ± 13.1 years; 57.0% were male and 47.2% had diabetes. Forty-seven patients (33.1%) had sarcopenia. During follow-up, 28 patients (19.7%) died, and low LTI (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 2.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10 to 6.97) and low HGS (HR 5.65; 95% CI, 1.99 to 16.04) were independently associated with mortality. Sarcopenia was a significant predictor for death (HR, 6.99; 95% CI, 1.84 to 26.58; p = 0.004) and cardiovascular events (HR, 4.33; 95% CI, 1.51 to 12.43; p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS Sarcopenia was strongly associated with long-term mortality and cardiovascular events in HD patients. Assessment of muscle strength and muscle mass may provide additional prognostic information to survival in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF1) is a master transcription factor that induces the transcription of genes involved in the metabolism and behavior of stem cells. HIF1-mediated adaptation to hypoxia is required to maintain the pluripotency and survival of stem cells under hypoxic conditions. HIF1 activity is well known to be tightly controlled by the alpha subunit of HIF1 (HIF1α). Understanding the regulatory mechanisms that control HIF1 activity in stem cells will provide novel insights into stem cell biology under hypoxia. Recent research has unraveled the mechanistic details of HIF1α regulating processes, suggesting new strategies for regulating stem cells. This review summarizes recent experimental studies on the role of several regulatory factors (including calcium, 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase, microtubule network, importin, and coactivators) in regulating HIF1α activity in stem cells.
Anoxia ; Biology ; Calcium ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 ; Karyopherins ; Metabolism ; Microtubules ; Stem Cells ; Transcription Factors