Background and Objectives: In chronic heart failure (HF), natriuretic peptide (NP) levels are higher in atrial fibrillation (AF) compared to sinus rhythm (SR). However, due to the loss of atrial contraction, AF patients are prone to hemodynamic decompensation at earlier stages.Since NP levels reflect disease severity, acutely decompensated AF patients may exhibit lower NP levels compared to SR patients, who retain greater hemodynamic reserve. Methods: We analyzed 5,048 patients with acute HF from the Korea Acute Heart Failure registry with available NP data. NP levels and echocardiographic parameters were compared between AF and SR patients. The association of NP levels with in-hospital and one-year mortality was also assessed according to cardiac rhythm. Results: Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were measured in 2,027 and 3,021 patients, respectively. NP levels were lower in AF than in SR (median BNP, 740 vs. 1,044 pg/mL; median NT-proBNP, 4,420 vs. 5,198 pg/mL), particularly in HF with reduced or mildly reduced ejection fraction. A similar trend was observed regardless of HF onset or etiology. AF patients had smaller left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic diameter and larger left atrial size compared to SR patients. Higher NP tertiles were associated with increased in-hospital and one-year mortality in both groups. Conclusions In acute HF, NP levels are lower in AF than in SR. AF patients also exhibited smaller LV chamber sizes. Nevertheless, NP levels remain strong predictors of outcomes in both AF and SR patients.

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a flexible eye shield phantom to acquire artifact-free computed tomography (CT) images for electron beam radiotherapy. Methods: A flexible eye shield phantom for a newly designed eye shield was fabricated. Because of metal artifacts caused by an eye shield composed of high-density materials such as tungsten or lead, CT image acquisition is not appropriate for treatment planning because of inaccurate dose calculation and organ-at-risk delineation. To acquire artifact-free CT images, a mold of the same size as the outer dimension of the metallic eye shield was manufactured using 3D printing. The flexible eye shield phantom was imaged using a Philips Brilliance CT Big Bore under the same condition as the measurement. The phantom image with an average of 200 Hounsfield unit (HU) was imported into the treatment planning systems (TPS) and assigned a value of 26,750 HU to consider the material density of tungsten. The dosimetric comparison using a 6-MeV electron beam was performed. Measurement was performed using a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor detector for point doses at 3 and 10 mm. Results: The artifact-free CT images using a flexible eye shield phantom without air bubbles were transferred into the TPS. The dose at 10 mm calculated using the TPS agreed with the ionchamber measurements within 2 cGy. Conversely, a larger dose discrepancy between the measured and calculated doses was found at 3 mm depth. Conclusions The flexible eye shield phantom was successfully fabricated to apply electron treatment planning by acquiring artifact-free CT images. The dose calculated using the artifact-free image was comparable to the measured dose at lens depth when applying an eye shield.

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a flexible eye shield phantom to acquire artifact-free computed tomography (CT) images for electron beam radiotherapy. Methods: A flexible eye shield phantom for a newly designed eye shield was fabricated. Because of metal artifacts caused by an eye shield composed of high-density materials such as tungsten or lead, CT image acquisition is not appropriate for treatment planning because of inaccurate dose calculation and organ-at-risk delineation. To acquire artifact-free CT images, a mold of the same size as the outer dimension of the metallic eye shield was manufactured using 3D printing. The flexible eye shield phantom was imaged using a Philips Brilliance CT Big Bore under the same condition as the measurement. The phantom image with an average of 200 Hounsfield unit (HU) was imported into the treatment planning systems (TPS) and assigned a value of 26,750 HU to consider the material density of tungsten. The dosimetric comparison using a 6-MeV electron beam was performed. Measurement was performed using a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor detector for point doses at 3 and 10 mm. Results: The artifact-free CT images using a flexible eye shield phantom without air bubbles were transferred into the TPS. The dose at 10 mm calculated using the TPS agreed with the ionchamber measurements within 2 cGy. Conversely, a larger dose discrepancy between the measured and calculated doses was found at 3 mm depth. Conclusions The flexible eye shield phantom was successfully fabricated to apply electron treatment planning by acquiring artifact-free CT images. The dose calculated using the artifact-free image was comparable to the measured dose at lens depth when applying an eye shield.

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a flexible eye shield phantom to acquire artifact-free computed tomography (CT) images for electron beam radiotherapy. Methods: A flexible eye shield phantom for a newly designed eye shield was fabricated. Because of metal artifacts caused by an eye shield composed of high-density materials such as tungsten or lead, CT image acquisition is not appropriate for treatment planning because of inaccurate dose calculation and organ-at-risk delineation. To acquire artifact-free CT images, a mold of the same size as the outer dimension of the metallic eye shield was manufactured using 3D printing. The flexible eye shield phantom was imaged using a Philips Brilliance CT Big Bore under the same condition as the measurement. The phantom image with an average of 200 Hounsfield unit (HU) was imported into the treatment planning systems (TPS) and assigned a value of 26,750 HU to consider the material density of tungsten. The dosimetric comparison using a 6-MeV electron beam was performed. Measurement was performed using a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor detector for point doses at 3 and 10 mm. Results: The artifact-free CT images using a flexible eye shield phantom without air bubbles were transferred into the TPS. The dose at 10 mm calculated using the TPS agreed with the ionchamber measurements within 2 cGy. Conversely, a larger dose discrepancy between the measured and calculated doses was found at 3 mm depth. Conclusions The flexible eye shield phantom was successfully fabricated to apply electron treatment planning by acquiring artifact-free CT images. The dose calculated using the artifact-free image was comparable to the measured dose at lens depth when applying an eye shield.

With advancements in both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments, significant changes have occurred in heart failure (HF) management. The previous Korean HF registries, namely the Korea Heart Failure Registry (KorHF-registry) and Korean Acute Heart Failure Registry (KorAHF-registry), no longer accurately reflect contemporary acute heart failure (AHF) patients. Our objective is to assess contemporary AHF patients through a nationwide registry encompassing various aspects, such as clinical characteristics, management approaches, hospital course, and long-term outcomes of individuals hospitalized for AHF in Korea. This prospective observational multicenter cohort study (KorHF III) is organized by the Korean Society of Heart Failure. We aim to prospectively enroll 7,000 or more patients hospitalized for AHF at 47 tertiary hospitals in Korea starting from March 2018. Eligible patients exhibit signs and symptoms of HF and demonstrate either lung congestion or objective evidence of structural or functional cardiac abnormalities in echocardiography, or isolated right-sided HF. Patients will be followed up for up to 5 years after enrollment in the registry to evaluate long-term clinical outcomes. KorHF III represents the nationwide AHF registry that will elucidate the clinical characteristics, management strategies, and outcomes of contemporary AHF patients in Korea.

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a flexible eye shield phantom to acquire artifact-free computed tomography (CT) images for electron beam radiotherapy. Methods: A flexible eye shield phantom for a newly designed eye shield was fabricated. Because of metal artifacts caused by an eye shield composed of high-density materials such as tungsten or lead, CT image acquisition is not appropriate for treatment planning because of inaccurate dose calculation and organ-at-risk delineation. To acquire artifact-free CT images, a mold of the same size as the outer dimension of the metallic eye shield was manufactured using 3D printing. The flexible eye shield phantom was imaged using a Philips Brilliance CT Big Bore under the same condition as the measurement. The phantom image with an average of 200 Hounsfield unit (HU) was imported into the treatment planning systems (TPS) and assigned a value of 26,750 HU to consider the material density of tungsten. The dosimetric comparison using a 6-MeV electron beam was performed. Measurement was performed using a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor detector for point doses at 3 and 10 mm. Results: The artifact-free CT images using a flexible eye shield phantom without air bubbles were transferred into the TPS. The dose at 10 mm calculated using the TPS agreed with the ionchamber measurements within 2 cGy. Conversely, a larger dose discrepancy between the measured and calculated doses was found at 3 mm depth. Conclusions The flexible eye shield phantom was successfully fabricated to apply electron treatment planning by acquiring artifact-free CT images. The dose calculated using the artifact-free image was comparable to the measured dose at lens depth when applying an eye shield.

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a flexible eye shield phantom to acquire artifact-free computed tomography (CT) images for electron beam radiotherapy. Methods: A flexible eye shield phantom for a newly designed eye shield was fabricated. Because of metal artifacts caused by an eye shield composed of high-density materials such as tungsten or lead, CT image acquisition is not appropriate for treatment planning because of inaccurate dose calculation and organ-at-risk delineation. To acquire artifact-free CT images, a mold of the same size as the outer dimension of the metallic eye shield was manufactured using 3D printing. The flexible eye shield phantom was imaged using a Philips Brilliance CT Big Bore under the same condition as the measurement. The phantom image with an average of 200 Hounsfield unit (HU) was imported into the treatment planning systems (TPS) and assigned a value of 26,750 HU to consider the material density of tungsten. The dosimetric comparison using a 6-MeV electron beam was performed. Measurement was performed using a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor detector for point doses at 3 and 10 mm. Results: The artifact-free CT images using a flexible eye shield phantom without air bubbles were transferred into the TPS. The dose at 10 mm calculated using the TPS agreed with the ionchamber measurements within 2 cGy. Conversely, a larger dose discrepancy between the measured and calculated doses was found at 3 mm depth. Conclusions The flexible eye shield phantom was successfully fabricated to apply electron treatment planning by acquiring artifact-free CT images. The dose calculated using the artifact-free image was comparable to the measured dose at lens depth when applying an eye shield.

Two open-label, randomized, two-period crossover studies were conducted to investigate the pharmacokinetic (PK) properties, safety, and bioequivalence of the test formulation (KD4004), a new fixed-dose combination (FDC) formulation of dapagliflozin and metformin extended release (XR) tablets, relative to the reference formulation (10 mg dapagliflozin/1,000 mg metformin XR FDC tablet) in healthy subjects under fasting (Part A) and fed (Part B) conditions. After giving the dose, serial blood samples were collected for a period of 48 hours. Primary PK parameters (AUC 0-t and C max ) were used to assess bioequivalence between two dapagliflozin/metformin XR (10/1,000 mg) FDC formulations under fed and fasting conditions. Safety and tolerability were also evaluated. Part A and Part B were completed by 32 and 37 subjects, respectively. Bioequivalence of the two FDC formulations of dapagliflozin and metformin XR tablets was established in both the fasted and the fed conditions as the 90% confidence interval of the ratios of adjusted geometric means for AUC 0-t and C max were contained within the predefined range of 0.800–1.250 bioequivalence criteria. Single-dose administration of dapagliflozin and metformin XR was safe and well tolerated as the two FDC formulations. In conclusion, both FDC formulations of dapagliflozin and metformin XR tablets were bioequivalent in fed and fasted subjects. All treatments were well tolerated.

Background: Resorption of alveolar bone is a common sequela of tooth loss and presents a clinical problem, espe‑ cially in the esthetic zone. When ridge resorption occurs, adequate bone augmentation is essential to obtain satis‑ factory esthetic results. The purpose of this study was to determine the increase and retention rate of bone height or width in patients who received extensive bone augmentation and to analyze factors affecting its prognosis and stability. Methods: This study was performed on patients who received extensive bone augmentation by sausage technique at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Ewha Womans University Mok-dong Hospital from January 1, 2018, to February 28, 2022. CBCT images were taken before and 6 months after surgery to compare the amount of increase in bone height or width at the graft site. They were measured using reliable points such as adjacent implants or cephalometric landmarks, inferior alveolar nerve canals as reference points. Results: A total of 8 patients underwent extensive bone grafting during the given period (mean age was 53.75 years, 2 males and 6 females). Four patients received horizontal augmentation, and 4 received vertical augmentation. When divided by surgical site, 4 patients are in maxilla and 4 in mandible. The average amount of increase in bone width or bone height was 5.38 mm, and the retention rate was about 79.9% after 6 months. The retention rate of horizontal augmentation was 88.8%, which was higher than that of vertical augmentation, which was 74.5%. The maxillary area accounted for 92.2%, and the amount of bone resorption was lower than that of the mandibular area, which was 72.6%. The average stitch out period was about 2.4 weeks, and postoperative dehiscence was observed about 37.5% of the total, more frequently in the mandible (50.0%) than in the maxilla (25.0%). Conclusion In conclusion, extensive bone augmentation achieved significant horizontal or vertical bone height or width increase, and the retention rate after 6 months was also high. In addition, surgery in the maxillary region showed a more successful bone augmentation than in the mandible, with a higher maintenance rate and fewer cases of dehiscence.

Background and Objectives: This study aims to investigate the lip movements area (LMA) and vowel space area according to depression.Materials and Method The participants diagnosed with voice disorders or thyroid cancer before treatment and surgery. All participants completed the depression questionnaire and recorded five vowels (/a, i, u, e, o/) phonation while shooting. Among the total 64 participants, there were 19 participants in the depressive disorders group and 45 participants in non-depressive group. The analysis parameters were LMA, vowel space areas (Area3 & Area5), formant centralization ratio (FCR), fundamental frequency (F0) and voice intensity (intensity). Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was applied, and age was treated as a covariate to correct for lip movement that could deteriorate as age increased. Results: As a result of MANOVA, there was no significant difference between groups (p=0.517). Looking at the LMA, both male and female in the depressive disorder group showed a lower mean value than the non-depressive disorders group. The Area3 and FCR of the depressive disorder group were higher than those in the non-depressive disorders group, whereas for the Area5, the mean value of female in the depressive disorder group was higher than that of the non-depressive disorder group and the male’s non-depressive disorder group had a slightly higher mean value. Conclusion The voice intensity according to the presence or absence of depressive disorder was similar, but the depressive disorder group tended to show narrower oral area with smaller lip opening.