Objective: This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of lurasidone (160 mg/day) compared to quetiapine XR (QXR; 600 mg/day) in the treatment of acutely psychotic patients with schizophrenia. Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to 6 weeks of double-blind treatment with lurasidone 160 mg/day (n=105) or QXR 600 mg/day (n=105). Primary efficacy measure was the change from baseline to week 6 in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score and Clinical Global Impressions severity (CGI-S) score. Adverse events, body measurements, and laboratory parameters were assessed. Results: Lurasidone demonstrated non-inferiority to QXR on the PANSS total score. Adjusted mean±standard error change at week 6 on the PANSS total score was -26.42±2.02 and -27.33±2.01 in the lurasidone and QXR group, respectively. The mean difference score was -0.91 (95% confidence interval -6.35–4.53). The lurasidone group showed a greater reduction in PANSS total and negative subscale on week 1 and a greater reduction in end-point CGI-S score compared to the QXR group. Body weight, body mass index, and waist circumference in the lurasidone group were reduced, with significantly lower mean change compared to QXR. Endpoint changes in glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein levels were also significantly lower. The most common adverse drug reactions with lurasidone were akathisia and nausea. Conclusion Lurasidone 160 mg/day was found to be non-inferior to QXR 600 mg/day in the treatment of schizophrenia with comparable efficacy and tolerability. Adverse effects of lurasidone were generally tolerable, and beneficial effects on metabolic parameters can be expected.

Background: There is no consensus established on postoperative rehabilitation after medial meniscus posterior root tear (MMPRT) repair, including when and how physicians can apply range of motion (ROM) exercise, weight-bearing (WB), brace use, and return to sports (RTS). The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature on postoperative rehabilitation characteristics of MMPRT repair regarding ROM, WB, brace use, and RTS. Methods: A literature search was performed using the Medline/PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Embase databases. The inclusion criteria were English language, human clinical studies, and studies describing rehabilitation protocols after MMPRT repair such as ROM, WB, brace use, and RTS. Abstracts, case reports, cohort studies, controlled laboratory studies, human cadaveric or animal studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses were excluded. Results: Thirteen studies were included. Of the 12 ROM studies, ROM was started immediately within 1 or 2 days after operation in 6 studies and after 2 to 3 weeks of knee immobilization in the rest. Of the 13 WB studies, partial weight-bearing was initiated 1 to 4 weeks after operation in 8 studies and 6 weeks in the rest. Of the 9 brace studies, patients were immobilized by a splint for 2 weeks in 3 studies, and in the rest, a brace with full extension was applied for 3 to 6 weeks after several days of splint application.Of the 7 RTS studies, RTS was allowed at 6 months in 6 studies and 5 to 7 months in 1 study. Conclusions This systematic review revealed conservative rehabilitation protocols were more widely adapted as ROM and WB were restricted at certain degrees during postoperative periods in most protocols analyzed. However, it is impossible to identify a consensus on rehabilitation protocols as the protocols analyzed in this review were distinct each other and heterogeneous. In the future, a well-designed comparative study among different rehabilitation protocols is essential to establish a consensus.

Background: Lower limb balance ability is reduced after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). However, the recovery of balance based on functional test scores after ACLR is not known because the correlation between balance and clinical scores remains unclear. We aimed to analyze the correlation between lower limb balance assessed by functional test and clinical knee test scores after ACLR. Methods: We evaluated lower limb balance using the anterior-posterior stability index (APSI) of the Biodex Balance System (BBS).Patients underwent clinical tests to evaluate the knee, including the Tegner activity score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective score, Lysholm score, and KT-2000 arthrometer measurement, hamstring per quadriceps muscle strength ratio at 60°/sec (HQ ratio), and functional performance tests (single-leg hop and single-leg vertical jump tests) 1 year after ACLR.We used a paired t-test to compare continuous preoperative and postoperative variables and Pearson’s correlation coefficient to determine the relationship between BBS-APSI and clinical scores. Results: Forty-eight patients (35 men and 13 women; mean age, 28.9 ± 8.3 years) were included. The follow-up period and BBSAPSI were 12.4 ± 2.0 months and 0.9 ± 0.4, respectively. Tegner activity score, IKDC subjective score, Lysholm score, and KT-2000 arthrometer measurement improved significantly postoperatively (p < 0.001). BBS-APSI was correlated with the Tegner activity score (r = –0.335, p = 0.020), IKDC subjective score (r = –0.301, p = 0.037), Lysholm score (r = –0.323, p = 0.025), single-leg hop test results (r = –0.300, p = 0.038), and single-leg vertical jump test results (r = –0.336, p = 0.019). There was no correlation between KT-2000 arthrometer measurement and HQ ratio. Conclusions BBS-APSI was correlated with functional performance test scores after ACLR, rendering the BBS-APSI as a useful assessment tool to evaluate postoperative functional recovery. Continuously improving balance after ACLR could be useful for functional recovery after surgery.

Background: Most epidemiologic studies of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) to date have been conducted in Western populations, whereas no studies have been conducted in Asian populations. In this study, the incidence and trend of ACLR in Korea were investigated through an epidemiological big data analysis. Methods: The data were collected by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service from 2008 to 2016 in Korea. Patient records with the coding of cruciate ligament reconstruction were allocated, and ACLR patients were further refined by medical diagnosis coding. The total number and incidence of ACLR procedures per 100,000 person-years were investigated and more detailed analysis was conducted according to sex and age. Furthermore, concomitant surgical procedures performed during ACLR were investigated. Results: The total number and incidence of ACLR procedures rose from 10,248 and 21.8 to 14,500 and 29.1 between 2008 and 2016, respectively. The incidence of ACLR procedures increased by 33.5% over this 9-year period. Over this period, the total number and incidence increased from 8,543 and 36.4 to 11,534 and 46.4, respectively, in males and from 1,705 and 7.2 to 2,966 and 11.9, respectively, in females. ACLR was performed more frequently in males than in females; however, the increase rate was higher in females than males. ACLR was performed most frequently in patients in their 20s, followed by patients in their 30s, 40s, and 10s. The most frequent concomitant procedures performed during ACLR were meniscectomy (13.6% in 2008 and 9.8% in 2016) and meniscal repair (5.8% in 2008 and 8.8% in 2016). Conclusions The incidence of ACLR consistently rose between 2008 and 2016 in Korea. The current study will enhance our understanding of the epidemiology of ACLR, which is needed to devise cost-effective preventive measures.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We investigated the status of infliximab use in intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)-resistant Kawasaki disease (KD) patients and the incidence of coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs) according to treatment regimens. METHODS: Between March 2010 and February 2017, 16 hospitals participated in this study. A total of 102 (32.3±19.9 months, 72 males) who received infliximab at any time after first IVIG treatment failure were enrolled. Data were retrospectively collected using a questionnaire. RESULTS: Subjects were divided into two groups according to the timing of infliximab administration. Early treatment (group 1) had shorter fever duration (10.5±4.4 days) until infliximab infusion than that in late treatment (group 2) (16.4±4.5 days; p < 0.001). We investigated the response rate to infliximab and the incidence of significant CAA (z-score >5). Overall response rate to infliximab was 89/102 (87.3%) and the incidence of significant CAA was lower in group 1 than in group 2 (1/42 [2.4%] vs. 17/60 [28.3%], p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the early administration of infliximab may reduce the incidence of significant CAA in patients with IVIG-resistant KD. However, further prospective randomized studies with larger sample sizes are required.
Aneurysm ; Coronary Vessels ; Fever ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous ; Incidence ; Infliximab ; Korea ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; Sample Size ; Treatment Failure

The aim of this study was to identify the three-dimensional topography of the sphenoid door jamb (SDJ) in the lateral orbital wall and to propose navigational guidelines for safe deep lateral decompression using surgical landmarks. The 120 orbits and SDJs of 60 subjects were three-dimensionally reconstructed using Mimics software. The mean volumes of the orbit and SDJ were 24.3 mm³ and 2.0 mm³, respectively. The mean distances from the lateral orbital margin (LOM) to the anterior and posterior margins of the SDJ were 13.2 and 36.3 mm, respectively. The mean distances from the superior orbital fissure to the LOM and to the posterior margin of the SDJ were 40.2 mm and 4.6 mm, respectively. The mean distances from the inferior orbital fissure (IOF) to the anterior and posterior margins of the SDJ were 3.8 mm and 20.5 mm, respectively. In the superior approach of the orbit, it can be predicted that the area up to 3 cm posterior from the LOM is safe, while 1 cm posterior from the safe zone could be a dangerous zone. In the inferior approach of the orbit, the safe area will be about 1 cm posterior from the anterior tip of the IOF, and the area up to 1 cm posterior from the safe zone should be approached with extreme care.
Decompression ; Graves Disease ; Orbit

BACKGROUND: Meniscus surgeries are frequently performed in orthopaedics. However, their current status is not well known in many countries, including Korea. This study aimed to investigate the national trends of meniscus surgery in Korea. METHODS: Information from the national database was acquired through the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service from 2010 to 2017. All cases coded as meniscectomy or meniscus repair were included. The total number and incidence of cases of meniscus surgery per 100,000 persons were determined, and the results were stratified by age and gender. The meniscus repair ratio for the total number of meniscus surgeries was evaluated. RESULTS: The total number and incidence of meniscectomy cases were 65,752 and 137, respectively, in 2010, which increased to 74,088 and 154, respectively, in 2017. The number of meniscectomies increased by 12.67% in 8 years. The total number and incidence of meniscus repair cases were 9,055 and 18, respectively, in 2010, which increased to 14,947 and 31 in 2017. The number of meniscus repairs increased by 65.04%. The meniscus repair ratio was 12.1% in 2010, which increased to 16.8% in 2017. The highest peak was noted for patients who underwent meniscus surgeries in their 50s and 60s. Meniscectomy was performed more frequently in women (57%) than in men (43%), whereas repair was performed more frequently in men (54%) than in women (46%) over the study period. CONCLUSION: The total number and incidence of meniscus surgeries increased from 2010 to 2017; the number and incidence of meniscus repair procedures increased more rapidly than those of meniscectomy, with the peak treatment age for both surgeries being in the 50s and 60s. The current study will contribute to understanding the epidemiology of meniscus surgery, its prevention, and cost-saving measures in Korea.
Epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Insurance, Health ; Korea ; Male

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We investigated the status of infliximab use in intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)-resistant Kawasaki disease (KD) patients and the incidence of coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs) according to treatment regimens. METHODS: Between March 2010 and February 2017, 16 hospitals participated in this study. A total of 102 (32.3±19.9 months, 72 males) who received infliximab at any time after first IVIG treatment failure were enrolled. Data were retrospectively collected using a questionnaire. RESULTS: Subjects were divided into two groups according to the timing of infliximab administration. Early treatment (group 1) had shorter fever duration (10.5±4.4 days) until infliximab infusion than that in late treatment (group 2) (16.4±4.5 days; p < 0.001). We investigated the response rate to infliximab and the incidence of significant CAA (z-score >5). Overall response rate to infliximab was 89/102 (87.3%) and the incidence of significant CAA was lower in group 1 than in group 2 (1/42 [2.4%] vs. 17/60 [28.3%], p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that the early administration of infliximab may reduce the incidence of significant CAA in patients with IVIG-resistant KD. However, further prospective randomized studies with larger sample sizes are required.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The present study investigated the hypothesis that a highly pure linear β-1,3-glucan produced by Agrobacterium sp. R259 enhances human natural killer (NK) cell activity and suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokines. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In an eight-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 83 healthy adults with white blood cell counts of 4,000-8,000 cells/µL were participated and randomly assigned to take two capsules per day containing either 350 mg β-1,3-glucan or placebo. Six participants withdrew their study consent or were excluded due to NK cell activity levels outside the normal range. NK cell activity and serum levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and cytokines, such as interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were measured. RESULTS: NK cell activity and the serum levels of IL-10 were significantly higher from baseline to week 8 in the β-glucan group compared with the placebo group (P = 0.048, P = 0.029). Consumption of β-1,3-glucan also significantly increased NK cell activity compared with placebo after adjusting for smoking and stress status (P = 0.009). In particular, the effect of β-1,3-glucan on NK cell activity was greater in participants with severe stress than in those experiencing mild stress. However, the administration β-1,3-glucan did not significantly modulate the levels of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-12, TNF-α and IgG compared with the placebo. CONCLUSION: The results showed that supplementation with bacterial β-1,3-glucan significantly increased NK cell activity without causing any adverse effects. Additionally, the beneficial effect of β-1,3-glucan on NK cell activity was greater in participants experiencing severe stress.
Adult* ; Agrobacterium* ; Capsules ; Cytokines ; Glucans ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Interferons ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-12 ; Interleukin-2 ; Interleukin-4 ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukins ; Killer Cells, Natural* ; Leukocyte Count ; Reference Values ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The earliest atrial (A)/ventricular (V) activation potential, or accessory pathway (AP) potential are commonly used as ablation targets for atrioventricular (AV) APs. However, these targets are sometimes ambiguous. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We reviewed 119 catheter ablation cases in 112 patients diagnosed with orthodromic atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (AVRT) or Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome. Local A/V amplitude potentials with the earliest activation or AP potential were measured shortly before achieving antegrade AP conduction block, ventriculoatrial block during right ventricle (RV) pacing, or AVRT termination with no AP conduction. RESULTS: APs were located in the left lateral (55.5%), left posterior (17.6%), left posteroseptal (10.1%), midseptal (1.7%), right posteroseptal (7.6%), right posterior (1.7%), and right lateral (5.9%) regions. The mean earliest activation time was 16.7±15.5 ms, mean A/V potential was 1.1±0.9/1.0±0.9 mV, and mean A/V ratio was 1.7±2.0. There was no statistically significant difference between the activation methods (antegrade vs. RV pacing vs. orthodromic AVRT) or AP locations (left vs. right atrium). However, when the local A/V ratio was divided into 3 groups (≤0.6, 1.0±0.3, and ≥1.4), the antegrade approach resulted in an A/V ratio greater than 1.0±0.3 (86.7%, p=0.007), and the orthodromic AVRT state resulted in a ratio of less than 1.0±0.3 (87.5%, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The mean local A/V potential and ratio did not differ by activation method or AP location. However, a different A/V ratio based on activation method (≥1.0±0.3, antegrade approach; and ≤1.0±0.3, orthodromic AVRT state) could be a good adjuvant marker for targeting AV APs.
Catheter Ablation* ; Catheters* ; Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Methods ; Tachycardia ; Tachycardia, Supraventricular