Objective: This study examined whether the changes in reimbursement coverage of brain magnetic resonance image (MRI) affected practice for patients who visited the emergency department with dizziness as the chief complaint. Methods: Among the 5,423 patients who visited the emergency department for dizziness in 2017, 2019, and 2021, 4,497 patients were included in the study retrospectively and investigated by brain diffusion-weighted MRI and the presence of cerebral infarction on brain diffusion-weighted MRI. This study examined whether there was a significant difference before and after the change. Results: In 2017, 2019, and 2021, 1,489, 1,570, and 1,438 patients with dizziness visited the emergency department, respectively. The number of patients who underwent a brain MRI scan gradually increased from 237 (15.9%) in 2017 to 628 (40.0%) in 2019 and 948 (65.9%) in 2021 (P<0.001). The number of positive findings on brain MRI scan increased gradually from 30 patients (2.0%) in 2017 to 47 patients (3.0%) in 2019 and 53 patients (3.7%) in 2021 (P=0.025). The ratio of positive findings of brain MRI scans to the number of patients who underwent brain MRI scans decreased gradually to 12.7% in 2017, 7.5% in 2019, and 5.6% in 2021 (P=0.001). Conclusion The changes in the reimbursement coverage of brain MRI affect the number of brain MRI scans and the detection of cerebral infarction.

Cohort Studies ; Coinfection ; Hepatitis B virus ; HIV Infections ; HIV ; Humans ; Immunization, Secondary ; Korea ; Parturition ; Prevalence ; Vaccination

From December 2006 to December 2016, 1093 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) individuals < 70 years enrolled in Korea human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) cohort were analyzed to investigate the prevalence of HIV/HBV co-infection rate and hepatitis B virus surface antibody (HBsAb) positive rate based on birth year. The HBV co-infection prevalence rate was the highest (8.8%) in patients born between 1960 and 1964 and the lowest (0%) among those born between 1995 and 1999. A decreasing linear trend of HBV co-infection rate was observed according to the 5-year interval changes. HBsAb-positive rate was only 58.1% in our study. The national HBV vaccination programs have effectively lowered the HBV co-infection rate in HIV population. However, it is identified that the HIV population has low HBsAb positive rate. Further evidences supporting efficacy of booster immunization for HBsAb negative HIV patients are required and efforts should be made to increase HBsAb positive rates among HIV patients to prevent horizontal transmission.

BACKGROUND: Enhancement and maintenance of the stemness of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is one of the most important factors contributing to the successful in vivo therapeutic application of these cells. In this regard, three-dimensional (3D) spheroid formation has been developed as reliable method for increasing the pluripotency of MSCs. Moreover, using a new protocol, we have previously shown that dental tissues of extracted wisdom teeth can be effectively cryopreserved for subsequent use as a source of autologous stem cells. The main purpose of this study is to analyze the stemness and in vitro osteogenic differentiation potential of 3D spheroid dental MSCs compared with conventional monolayer cultured MSCs. METHODS: In this study, MSC-characterized stem cells were isolated and cultured from long-term cryopreserved dental follicles (hDFSCs), and then 2D hDFSCs were cultured under 3D spheroid-forming conditions using a newly designed microchip dish. The spheroids (3D hDFSCs) thus produced were investigated and characterized with respect to stemness, MSC marker expression, apoptosis, cell cycle analysis, extracellular matrix (ECM) production, and osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation properties. RESULTS: In terms of MSC and senescence markers, spheroid cells showed no difference when compared with 2D hDFSCs; however, 3D hDFSCs were observed to have a higher proportion of cell cycle arrest and a larger number of apoptotic cells. Moreover, spheroids showed substantially increased levels of pluripotency marker (early transcription factors) and ECM protein expression. Compared with 2D hDFSCs, there was also a notable enhancement in the osteogenic induction potential of spheroids, although no differences were observed with respect to in vitro adipogenesis. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the application of a spheroid culture system for dental follicle-derived stem cells using a microchip dish. Although further studies are needed, including in vivo transplantation, the results obtained in this study indicate that spheroid hDFSCs derived from cryopreserved dental follicle tissues could be used as a valuable source of autologous stem cells for bone tissue regeneration.
Adipogenesis ; Aging ; Apoptosis ; Bone and Bones ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; Dental Sac ; Extracellular Matrix ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Methods ; Molar, Third ; Osteogenesis ; Regeneration ; Stem Cells

From December 2006 to December 2016, 1,429 patients enrolled in the Korea human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) Cohort Study were investigated. Based on the year of diagnosis, the time interval between HIV diagnosis and initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) was analyzed by dividing it into 2 years. The more recent the diagnosis, the more likely rapid treatment was initiated (P < 0.001) and the proportion of patients starting ART on the same day of HIV diagnosis was increased in 2016 (6.5%) compared to that in 2006 (1.7%). No significant difference in the median values of CD4+ cell counts according to the diagnosis year was observed. In the past 20 years, the time from the HIV diagnosis to the initiation of ART was significantly reduced. Rapid treatment was being implemented at the HIV diagnosis, regardless of CD4+ cell count. Considering the perspective “treatment is prevention,” access to more rapid treatment is necessary at the time of HIV diagnosis.
CD4 Lymphocyte Count ; Cohort Studies ; Diagnosis ; HIV Infections ; HIV ; Humans ; Korea

BACKGROUND: Use of GlideScope® laryngoscopes and lightwands for tracheal intubation does not require much force. Theoretically, less stimulation can reduce hemodynamic changes during intubation. We investigated the hemodynamic response to tracheal intubation using different laryngoscope types during remifentanil infusion. METHODS: Sixty American Society of Anesthesiologists class I-II patients were compared in terms of tracheal intubation time, hemodynamic changes, and postoperative pharyngeal complications when using a GlideScope®, lightwand, or Macintosh laryngoscope. Propofol and rocuronium were injected and remifentanil was infused for three minutes. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured before and 1, 3, and 5 minutes after tracheal intubation. Patients were assessed for postoperative oral and tracheal bleeding as well as hoarseness, dysphagia, and sore throat. RESULTS: Intubation time was prolonged in the GlideScope® group. All three groups showed a significant decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure 1, 3, and 5 minutesafter tracheal intubation. Heart rates increased significantly in all three groups immediately after intubation as well as 1 minute later in the GlideScope® group. However, there were no differences in blood pressure, heart rate, or the occurrence of hoarseness, dysphagia, and sore throat among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: No differences in hemodynamic change were found among the three different techniques.
Blood Pressure ; Deglutition Disorders ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics* ; Hemorrhage ; Hoarseness ; Humans ; Intubation* ; Laryngoscopes* ; Pharyngitis ; Propofol

BACKGROUND: Use of GlideScope® laryngoscopes and lightwands for tracheal intubation does not require much force. Theoretically, less stimulation can reduce hemodynamic changes during intubation. We investigated the hemodynamic response to tracheal intubation using different laryngoscope types during remifentanil infusion. METHODS: Sixty American Society of Anesthesiologists class I-II patients were compared in terms of tracheal intubation time, hemodynamic changes, and postoperative pharyngeal complications when using a GlideScope®, lightwand, or Macintosh laryngoscope. Propofol and rocuronium were injected and remifentanil was infused for three minutes. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured before and 1, 3, and 5 minutes after tracheal intubation. Patients were assessed for postoperative oral and tracheal bleeding as well as hoarseness, dysphagia, and sore throat. RESULTS: Intubation time was prolonged in the GlideScope® group. All three groups showed a significant decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure 1, 3, and 5 minutesafter tracheal intubation. Heart rates increased significantly in all three groups immediately after intubation as well as 1 minute later in the GlideScope® group. However, there were no differences in blood pressure, heart rate, or the occurrence of hoarseness, dysphagia, and sore throat among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: No differences in hemodynamic change were found among the three different techniques.
Blood Pressure ; Deglutition Disorders ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics* ; Hemorrhage ; Hoarseness ; Humans ; Intubation* ; Laryngoscopes* ; Pharyngitis ; Propofol

PURPOSE: Currently, insufficient data exist to evaluate the relationship between angiographic late loss (LL) and long-term clinical outcome after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation. In this study, we hypothesized that angiographic LL between 0.3 and 0.6 mm correlate with favorable long-term clinical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were enrolled in the present study if they had undergone both DES implantation in single coronary vessel and a subsequent follow-up angiogram (n=634). These individuals were then subdivided into three groups based on their relative angiographic LL: group I (angiographic LL <0.3 mm, n=378), group II (angiographic LL between 0.3 and 0.6 mm, n=124), and group III (angiographic LL >0.6 mm, n=134). During a 5-year follow-up period, all subjects were tracked for critical events, defined as any cause of death or myocardial infarction, which were then compared among the three groups. RESULTS: Mean follow-up duration was 63.0+/-10.0 months. Critical events occurred in 25 subjects in group I (6.6%), 5 in group II (4.0%), and 17 in group III (12.7%), (p=0.020; group I vs. group II, p=0.293; group II vs. group III, p=0.013). In a subsequent multivariate logistic regression analysis, chronic renal failure [odds ratio (OR)=3.29, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.48-7.31, p=0.003] and long lesion length, defined as lesion length >28 mm (OR=1.88, 95% CI: 1.02-3.46, p=0.042) were independent predictors of long-term critical events. CONCLUSION: This retrospective analysis fails to demonstrate that post-DES implantation angiographic LL between 0.3 and 0.6 mm is protective against future critical events.
Adult ; Aged ; Angiography/*methods ; Coronary Artery Disease/*surgery ; Coronary Vessels/surgery ; *Drug-Eluting Stents ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic/complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Odds Ratio ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention/methods ; Prosthesis Failure ; Retrospective Studies ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

Neointimal hyperplasia is the main mechanism of stent restenosis. Therefore, drug-eluting stents have replaced bare metal stents because there is less neointima and scar formation. Recently, some cases of stent restenosis after using a bare metal stent were found to involve calcification, not neointimal hyperplasia, and regarded as de novo atherosclerosis. We report unusual circular calcification inside a drug-eluting stent, which we called neointimal calcification.
Atherosclerosis ; Cicatrix ; Drug-Eluting Stents ; Hyperplasia ; Neointima ; Stents

Neointimal hyperplasia is the main mechanism of stent restenosis. Therefore, drug-eluting stents have replaced bare metal stents because there is less neointima and scar formation. Recently, some cases of stent restenosis after using a bare metal stent were found to involve calcification, not neointimal hyperplasia, and regarded as de novo atherosclerosis. We report unusual circular calcification inside a drug-eluting stent, which we called neointimal calcification.
Atherosclerosis ; Cicatrix ; Drug-Eluting Stents ; Hyperplasia ; Neointima ; Stents