Background: As the population rapidly ages, older adults are increasingly likely to experience mobility problems. This study aims to explore the characteristics related to an elderly person’s willingness to live in a nursing home if they have mobility problems Methods: This study analyzed data from 9,917 older adults (5,976 young-old and 3,941 old-old) obtained from the 2020 National Survey of Older Koreans. The dependent variable was the intended place of residence for older adults with mobility problems.Independent variables included various characteristics: (1) sociodemographic and social support, (2) health and functional status, and (3) residential environment. Rao-Scott chi-square tests and survey logistic regression analyses were performed for the young-old and old-old, respectively. Results: The intention to live in a nursing home was significantly different between the young-old (30.4%) and the old-old (34.7%) (p=0.009). According to fully adjusted multivariable analyses, for the young-old, the odds ratio of intending to live in a nursing home was significantly higher in social security benefit recipients (1.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06–1.97) compared to other individuals. The odds ratio was higher in unmarried (divorced, separated, widowed, or never-married) individuals for both young-old (1.41; 95% CI, 1.22–1.63) and old-old (1.34; 95% CI, 1.09–1.65) age groups, compared to their respective married counterparts. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that in an aging society, health and social policies should be designed considering the different characteristics of the elderly to improve their health, function, and quality of life.

Background: Epidemiological data have shown that vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in Korea. Genetic factors influencing vitamin D deficiency in humans have been studied in Europe but are less known in East Asian countries, including Korea. We aimed to investigate the genetic factors related to vitamin D levels in Korean people using a genome-wide association study (GWAS). Methods: We included 12,642 subjects from three different genetic cohorts consisting of Korean participants. The GWAS was performed on 7,590 individuals using linear or logistic regression meta- and mega-analyses. After identifying significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), we calculated heritability and performed replication and rare variant analyses. In addition, expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) analysis for significant SNPs was performed. Results: rs12803256, in the actin epsilon 1, pseudogene (ACTE1P) gene, was identified as a novel polymorphism associated with vitamin D deficiency. SNPs, such as rs11723621 and rs7041, in the group-specific component gene (GC) and rs11023332 in the phosphodiesterase 3B (PDE3B) gene were significantly associated with vitamin D deficiency in both meta- and mega-analyses. The SNP heritability of the vitamin D concentration was estimated to be 7.23%. eQTL analysis for rs12803256 for the genes related to vitamin D metabolism, including glutamine-dependent NAD(+) synthetase (NADSYN1) and 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR7), showed significantly different expression according to alleles. Conclusion The genetic factors underlying vitamin D deficiency in Korea included polymorphisms in the GC, PDE3B, NADSYN1, and ACTE1P genes. The biological mechanism of a non-coding SNP (rs12803256) for DHCR7/NADSYN1 on vitamin D concentrations is unclear, warranting further investigations.

Background and Objectives: Ankyloglossia often results in articulation disorders, which depends on age, articulation ability, and mobility of the tongue. A primary treatment strategy includes surgery and/or speech therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the changes of the tongue length, tongue mobility, and percentage of consonants correct (PCC) after frenotomy.We investigated the optimal surgery timing for ankyloglossia. Subjects and Methods: A total of 136 patients underwent frenotomy for the tongue tie between January 2016 and December 2019. There were 90 males and 46 females, with the mean age of 5.23, which ranged from 2 to 10 years. The length of the tongue was measured for all patients during the operation preoperatively and postoperatively. The mobility of the tongue and PCC were performed preoperatively and 1 month after surgery by two speech therapists. Patients were divided according to age into three groups: 2-3 years, 4-5 years, and over 6 years old. Results: The mean tongue length of all age groups was significantly elongated after surgery(p<0.05). After frenotomy, the mobility of tongue, including horizontal protrusion, protrusion with upward pointing, circumlocution, and lateral movement, was improved. Also, PCCs of all age groups were significantly improved after surgery (p<0.05). Conclusion Frenotomy can be an effective procedure for children with ankyloglossia in all age groups. After frenotomy, length of the tongue, mobility of the tongue and PCC were significantly improved.

The conventional radiologic method for liver segmentation is based on the position of the hepatic and portal veins. However, during surgery, liver segments are resected based on the distribution of hepatic portal blood flow. This discrepancy can lead to a number of problems, such as miscommunication among clinicians, missing the location of the segment with the hepatic mass, and the risk of extended hepatic resection. We suggest a novel method to determine hepatic segments based on portal blood flow, as in the surgical approach, but by using high and low mechanical indexes in contrast-enhanced ultrasonography with Sonazoid. This approach is helpful for preoperatively determining hepatic segments and reducing the risk of missing the location of a hepatic tumor or extended hepatic resection.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) are rare. They are characterized by myofibroblastic spindle cell proliferation with a varying degree of inflammatory cell infiltration. IMT can occur in any anatomic location but has been reported in the lung, mesentery, and omentum, mainly in children or young adults. It rarely occurs in the pancreas and is often difficult to distinguish from other tumors, including some malignant ones. Therefore, it can be challenging to make a radiological diagnosis of IMT. Here, we present a case of IMT that occurred in the pancreas head of a middle-aged female. The patient’s ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging findings are presented along with a review of the literature.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) are rare. They are characterized by myofibroblastic spindle cell proliferation with a varying degree of inflammatory cell infiltration. IMT can occur in any anatomic location but has been reported in the lung, mesentery, and omentum, mainly in children or young adults. It rarely occurs in the pancreas and is often difficult to distinguish from other tumors, including some malignant ones. Therefore, it can be challenging to make a radiological diagnosis of IMT. Here, we present a case of IMT that occurred in the pancreas head of a middle-aged female. The patient’s ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging findings are presented along with a review of the literature.

The Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics appointed a task force to establish clinical practice guidelines for the management of unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP). These guidelines cover a comprehensive range of management-related factors, including the diagnosis and treatment of UVFP, and provide in-depth information based on current, up-to-date knowledge. Detailed evidence profiles are provided for each recommendation. The CORE databases, including OVID Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and KoreaMed, were searched to identify all relevant papers, using a predefined search strategy. When insufficient evidence existed, expert opinions and Delphi questionnaires were used to fill the evidence gap. The committee developed 16 evidence-based recommendations in six categories: initial evaluation (R1–4), spontaneous recovery (R5), medical treatment (R6), surgical treatment (R7–14), voice therapy (R15), and aspiration prevention (R16). The goal of these guidelines is to assist general otolaryngologists and speech-language pathologists who are primarily responsible for treating patients with UVFP. These guidelines are also intended to facilitate understanding of the condition among other health-care providers, including primary care physicians, nurses, and policy-makers.

Korean Society of Thyroid-Head and Neck Surgery appointed a Task Force to provide guidance on the implementation of a surgical treatment of oral cancer. MEDLINE databases were searched for articles on subjects related to “surgical management of oral cancer” published in English. Results were restricted to systematic reviews, randomized control trials/controlled clinical trials, and observational studies. The quality of evidence was rated with use RoBANS (Risk of Bias Assessment Tool for Nonrandomized Studies) and AMSTAR (A Measurement Tool to Assess the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews). Evidence-based recommendations for practice were ranked according to the American College of Physicians grading system. Additional directives are provided as expert opinions and Delphi questionnaire when insufficient evidence existed. The Committee developed 68 evidence-based recommendations in 34 categories intended to assist clinicians and patients and counselors, and health policy-makers. Proper surgical treatment selection for oral cancer, which is directed by patient- and subsite-specific factors, remains the greatest predictor of successful treatment outcomes. These guidelines are intended for use in conjunction with the individual patient's treatment goals.
Advisory Committees ; Bias (Epidemiology) ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Counseling ; Expert Testimony ; Humans ; Mouth Neoplasms ; Neck ; Republic of Korea

Periogen is a new caries activity test using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The aim of this study was to assess the validity of Periogen by evaluating the correlation with dmft, dmfts indices and comparing with Cariview and caries risk assessment tool (CAT).83 children under 6 participated in this study. Dmft, dmfts indices and CAT were collected through an examination of oral health status. Plaque samples for Periogen and Cariview were collected and manipulated according to the manufactures' instructions.The correlation coefficient of Periogen, Cariview and CAT with the dmfts index were 0.38, 0.56 and 0.66 in each (p < 0.01). The sensitivity of Periogen, Cariview and CAT were 43%, 76% and 95% and specificity were 80%, 72% and 74% respectively. Area under curve under the receiver operating characteristic curves in each method indicated 0.69, 0.81 and 0.85.CAT and Cariview were more effective in evaluation the risk of dental caries than Periogen so far. To be used Periogen clinically, more improvements for higher validity were needed.
Animals ; Area Under Curve ; Cats ; Child ; Dental Caries ; Humans ; Methods ; Oral Health ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Risk Assessment ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Thymic adenocarcinoma is extremely rare. Although its histologic features have been occasionally reported, a lack of description of the cytologic features has hampered the prompt and accurate diagnosis of this condition. Herein, we describe the cytologic findings and histology of four aspiration cytology specimens of thymic adenocarcinoma. The specimens were obtained from primary tumors, metastatic lymph nodes, and pericardial effusions. All four specimens showed three-dimensional glandular clusters with a loss of polarity and nuclear overlapping. One specimen had extensive extracellular mucinous material. Three specimens contained tumor cells with intracytoplasmic vacuoles. While the specimen with extracellular mucin showed relatively mild cytologic atypia, other specimens exhibited more atypical cytologic changes: irregular nuclear membranes, a coarse chromatin pattern, and prominent nucleoli. The cytologic features were correlated with the histologic features in each case of enteric type thymic adenocarcinoma. The differential diagnosis included other thymic carcinomas, yolk sac tumors, and metastatic adenocarcinoma from the lung or colorectum.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle* ; Chromatin ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Endodermal Sinus Tumor ; Lung ; Lymph Nodes ; Mediastinum ; Mucins ; Nuclear Envelope ; Pericardial Effusion ; Thymoma ; Thymus Gland ; Vacuoles