Acquired fluconazole resistance (FR) in bloodstream infection (BSI) isolates of Candida albicans is rare. We investigated the FR mechanisms and clinical features of 14 fluconazole non-susceptible (FNS; FR and fluconazole-susceptible dose-dependent) BSI isolates of C. albicans recovered from Korean multicenter surveillance studies during 2006–2021. Mutations causing amino acid substitutions (AASs) in the drug-target gene ERG11 and the FR-associated transcription factor genes TAC1 , MRR1, and UPC2 of the 14 FNS isolates were compared with those of 12 fluconazole-susceptible isolates. Of the 14 FNS isolates, eight and seven had Erg11p (K143R, F145L, or G464S) and Tac1p (T225A, R673L, A736T, or A736V) AASs, respectively, which were previously described in FR isolates. Novel Erg11p, Tac1p, and Mrr1p AASs were observed in two, four, and one FNS isolates, respectively. Combined Erg11p and Tac1p AASs were observed in seven FNS isolates. None of the FR-associated Upc2p AASs were detected. Of the 14 patients, only one had previous azole exposure, and the 30-day mortality rate was 57.1% (8/14). Our data show that Erg11p and Tac1p AASs are likely to contribute to FR in C. albicans BSI isolates in Korea and that most FNS C. albicans BSIs develop without azole exposure.

Background and Objectives: Inherited arrhythmia (IA) is a more common cause of sudden cardiac death in Asian population, but little is known about the genetic background of Asian IA probands. We aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and analyze the genetic underpinnings of IA in a Korean cohort. Methods: This study was conducted in a multicenter cohort of the Korean IA Registry from 2014 to 2017. Genetic testing was performed using a next-generation sequencing panel including 174 causative genes of cardiovascular disease. Results: Among the 265 IA probands, idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (IVF) and Brugada Syndrome (BrS) was the most prevalent diseases (96 and 95 cases respectively), followed by long QT syndrome (LQTS, n=54). Two-hundred-sixteen probands underwent genetic testing, and 69 probands (31.9%) were detected with genetic variant, with yield of pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant as 6.4%. Left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly lower in genotype positive probands (54.7±11.3 vs. 59.3±9.2%, p=0.005). IVF probands showed highest yield of positive genotype (54.0%), followed by LQTS (23.8%), and BrS (19.5%). Conclusions There were significant differences in clinical characteristics and genetic yields among BrS, LQTS, and IVF. Genetic testing did not provide better yield for BrS and LQTS. On the other hand, in IVF, genetic testing using multiple gene panel might enable the molecular diagnosis of concealed genotype, which may alter future clinical diagnosis and management strategies.

Background: This study was aimed to identify the safety signals of metoclopramide in Korea Adverse Event Reporting System (KAERS) database by proportionality analysis methods. Methods: The study was conducted using Korea Institute of Drug Safety and Risk Management-Korea Adverse Event Reporting System Database (KIDS-KD) reported from January 2013 to December 2017 through KAERS. Signals of metoclopramide that satisfied the data-mining indices of proportional reporting ratio (PRR), reporting odds ratio (ROR) and information component (IC) were defined. The detected signals were checked whether they included in drug labels in the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Micromedex® . Results: A total number of drug AE reports associated with all drugs of data in this study was 2,665,429. Among them, the number of AE reports associated with metoclopramide was 22,583. Forty-two meaningful signals of metoclopramide were detected that satisfied with the criteria of data-mining indicies. Especially neurological signals including extrapyramidal reactions, represented in the safety letter of regulatory agencies were identified in this study. Conclusion Neurological signals of metoclopramide including extrapyramidal reactions were detected. It is believed that this search for signals can contribute to ensuring safety in the use of metoclopramide.

Purpose: This study aimed to review our experience with the explantation of infected endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) grafts. Methods: This single-center, retrospective, observational study analyzed the data of 12 consecutive patients who underwent infected aortic stent graft explantation following EVAR between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2019, of which 11 underwent in situ graft reconstruction following graft removal. The presentation symptoms, infection route, original pathology of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA), graft materials, and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Results: Six patients underwent total explantation, whereas 5 underwent removal of only the fabric portions. For in situ reconstructions, prosthetic grafts and banked allografts were used in 8 and 3 patients, respectively. Four mechanisms of graft infection were noted in 11 patients: 4 had bacteremia from systemic infections, 3 had persistent infections following EVAR of primary infected AAA, 3 had ascending infections from adjacent abscesses, and 1 had an aneurysm sac erosion resulting in an aortoenteric fistula. No infection-related postoperative complications or reinfections occurred during the mean 65.27-month (standard deviation, ±52.51) follow-up period. One patient died postoperatively because of the rupture of the proximal aortic wall pseudoaneurysm that had occurred during forceful bare stent removal. Conclusion Regardless of graft material, in situ graft reconstruction is safe for interposition in treating an infected aortic stent graft following EVAR. In our experience, the residual bare stent is no longer a risk factor for reinfection. Therefore, it is important not to injure the proximal aortic wall when removing the bare stent by force.

Background: We report our experiences with prepectoral placement breast implant surgery using Supporix (HansBioMed), a porcine acellular dermal matrix (PADM), for cosmetic and reconstructive indications. The clinical efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness of PADM were also discussed. Methods: A single-center, retrospective study was designed from December 2017 to December 2019. The participants were Korean women who underwent PADM-assisted prepectoral breast implant surgery performed by two surgeons. All complications were registered and analyzed. A systematic review and meta-analysis of complication rates after PADM-assisted prepectoral breast implant surgery were conducted for comparison with other studies. A subgroup analysis was performed according to the operation type: the cosmetic breast surgery (CBS) group, the immediate implant-based breast reconstruction (IIBR) group, and the delayed implant-based breast reconstruction (DIBR) group. Results: Twenty breasts in 16 patients were included in our study (median follow-up period, 8.25 months). In a systematic review, 20 publications with a total of 2,504 breasts in 1,921 women were quantitively analyzed. The overall complication rates in our study and other studies were 14% and 24% in the total group analysis, 0% and 12% in the CBS group, 62% and 26% in the IIBR group, and 0% and 28% in the DIBR group, respectively. Conclusions Our data support the effectiveness of PADM-assisted prepectoral breast implant surgery, which was comparable to other studies. PADM was effective for reducing seroma and hematoma in the revision CBS group and the DIBR group. In the IIBR group, it was helpful in preventing implant loss and explantation.

In November 2021, 14 international travel-related severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) B.1.1.529 (omicron) variant of concern (VOC) patients were detected in South Korea. Epidemiologic investigation revealed community transmission of the omicron VOC. A total of 80 SARS-CoV-2 omicron VOC-positive patients were identified until December 10, 2021 and 66 of them reported no relation to the international travel.There may be more transmissions with this VOC in Korea than reported.

Objectives: ：The purpose of this study was to identify the change in the reasons for referrals before and after the COVID-19 outbreak among students who were referred to the one hospital-linked Wee center in Dalseo-gu, Daegu. Methods: ：324 students who were referred to one hospital-linked Wee center for personal counseling from January 1, 2019 to December 31 were included. In the initial session of individual counseling, 3 of the chief reasons among 27 emotional and/or behavioral problems were indicated. This reason was divided into before and after COVID-19 to determine whether there is a difference, and whether there is a difference between before and after COVID-19 depending on the school level. Results: ：The most frequent emotional and/or behavioral problem was ‘interpersonal problems’ in both pre- COVID-19 and post- COVID-19 groups. In post- COVID-19 group, ‘anxiety’ was significantly increased, whereas ‘conduct problems,’ ‘impulsivity’ and ‘inattention’ were significantly decreased. In elementary students group, only ‘conduct problems’ was significantly decreased after COVID-19 and the same result was shown in middle and high school students group. Conclusions ：The study showed that after COVID-19 pandemics in Daegu the difference of students’ problems was noted, and internalizing problems seem to increase rather than externalizing problems. This result calls upon schools to plan for students’ further mental health care measures.

In cases of unstable cervical traumatic lesions, the biomechanical superiority of the cervical pedicle screw (CPS) allows the lesion to be stabilized effectively. In this study, we review and summarize the indications, technical guidelines, and potential neurovascular complications and their prevention of the use of the CPS for trauma. For patients with fractured lamina or lateral mass, a CPS is reliable for stabilization. In addition, the CPS can penetrate through a linear cervical spinal pedicle fracture gap and could stabilize three-column injury. CPS reduce the range of surgical approach and preserve the motion segment using short-segment fixation. Fluoroscopy-guided CPS insertion is popular and cost-effective. Image-guided navigation systems improve accuracy. Three-dimensional template-guided CPS placement is simple to use. Most spine surgeons can perform laminoforaminotomy easily. Freehand technique that can be performed quickly without heavy equipment is suitable for emergency situation. Possible complications due to screw misplacement are vertebral artery injury owing to a laterally misplaced screw, dural sac or spinal cord injury from a medially misplaced screw, and nerve root injury caused by a superiorly or inferiorly misplaced screw. To prevent neurovascular complications, meticulous preoperative anatomical evaluation and following the five steps are most important.

The small GTP-binding protein Rab25 is associated with tumor formation and progression. However, recent studies have shown discordant effects of Rab25 on cancer cell progression depending on cell lineage. In the present study, we elucidate the underlying mechanisms by which Rab25 induces cellular invasion. We demonstrate that Rab25 increases β1 integrin levels and subsequent activation of EGFR and upregulation of VEGF-A expression, leading to increased Snail expression, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and cancer cell invasiveness. Strikingly, we identify that Snail mediates Rab25-induced cancer cell invasiveness through fascin expression and that ectopic expression of Rab25 aggravates metastasis of ovarian cancer cells to the lung. We thus demonstrate a novel role of a β1 integrin/EGFR/VEGF-A/Snail signaling cascade in Rab25-induced cancer cell aggressiveness through induction of fascin expression, thus providing novel biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for Rab25-expressing cancer cells.
Biomarkers ; Cell Lineage ; Ectopic Gene Expression ; GTP-Binding Proteins ; Lung ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Snails ; Up-Regulation ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

OBJECTIVE: To investigate appropriate treatment time and useful bone turnover markers (BTMs) for monitoring bone turnover during the postmenopausal period, we analyzed changes of two bone resorption markers; serum carboxyterminal telopeptide of collagen I (s-CTX), urine deoxypyridinoline (u-DPD), one bone formation marker; serum osteocalcin (s-OC), and bone mineral density (BMD) in Korean postmenopausal women. METHODS: Seventy-eight menopausal women were divided into three groups according to postmenopausal period: group I (0–5 years), group II (6–10 years), group III (≥10 years). All groups were subdivided into an osteoporosis group (T-score≤-2.5) and a non-osteoporosis group (T-score>-2.5). BTMs such as s-CTX, u-DPD, s-OC, and BMD (g/cm²) were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in all patients. Analysis of variables among groups based on the postmenopausal period was performed using ANOVA. RESULTS: There was significant negative correlation between BMD and postmenopausal period. The levels of all BTMs including s-CTX, u-DPD, and s-OC were highest in group II and the increased levels of all BTMs subsequently declined in group III. The levels of BTMs were higher in the osteoporosis groups than in the non-osteoporosis groups in all subjects. It was statistically significant that the level of s-CTX in group I was higher in the osteoporosis group than in the non-osteoporosis group. CONCLUSION: This study showed that bone resorption and bone formation were the highest 5–10 years after menopause, and s-CTX is more useful than u-DPD among the bone resorption markers. It’s important to measure serially both BMD and BTM within 10 years after menopause for accurate diagnosis and management for postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Bone Density* ; Bone Remodeling ; Bone Resorption ; Collagen ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Menopause ; Osteocalcin* ; Osteogenesis ; Osteoporosis ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; Postmenopause*