Purpose: Obesity refers to a condition in which there is excessive fat in the body and is caused by an imbalanced diet and a decrease in physical activity. Accordingly, regular exercise is reported to help improve and prevent obesity. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of short-term resistance training (RT) on weight loss, lipid profiles, blood pressure, atherogenic indices, and inflammation in middle-aged mice. Methods: Adult mice (7.5-month-old) were randomly divided into three groups comprising 7 mice per group: a normal diet group (NDC); a high-fat diet group (HDC, 45% total calories as fat); and a high-fat diet plus resistance training group (HDRT). The mice in the resistance training group performed climbing exercises using a ladder for the experimental period of 5 days/week for 4 weeks. The indicated intensity load was adjusted by individual % of animal body weight. The load gradually increased every week, and a total of 4 repetitions/set and 3 sets/day with 1 minute of rest provided between sets were performed. After sacrifice, analysis of serum and mRNA expression in the tissues were performed. Results: The HDC group showed a significant increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP) compared to the NDC group, while the HDRT group had a lower SBP relative to the HDC group. RT significantly improved blood lipid levels (triglycerides [TG], low-density lipoprotein [LDL], non-high-density lipoprotein [nonHDL], and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [VLDL-C]). Arteriosclerosis improved through resistance training as observed in the changes in the arteriosclerosis indices (atherogenic index of plasma [AIP], Castelli risk index [CRI]-I, CRI-II, and atherogenic coefficient [AC]). In addition, the HDRT group showed decreased mRNA expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (Tnfa), interleukin-1 beta (Il-1b), and Il-6 in muscle tissue when compared with the HDC. Conclusion This study confirmed that RT improves blood lipids and inflammation profiles, regulates blood pressure, and improves atherosclerosis in obese mice.

Purpose: Obesity refers to a condition in which there is excessive fat in the body and is caused by an imbalanced diet and a decrease in physical activity. Accordingly, regular exercise is reported to help improve and prevent obesity. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of short-term resistance training (RT) on weight loss, lipid profiles, blood pressure, atherogenic indices, and inflammation in middle-aged mice. Methods: Adult mice (7.5-month-old) were randomly divided into three groups comprising 7 mice per group: a normal diet group (NDC); a high-fat diet group (HDC, 45% total calories as fat); and a high-fat diet plus resistance training group (HDRT). The mice in the resistance training group performed climbing exercises using a ladder for the experimental period of 5 days/week for 4 weeks. The indicated intensity load was adjusted by individual % of animal body weight. The load gradually increased every week, and a total of 4 repetitions/set and 3 sets/day with 1 minute of rest provided between sets were performed. After sacrifice, analysis of serum and mRNA expression in the tissues were performed. Results: The HDC group showed a significant increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP) compared to the NDC group, while the HDRT group had a lower SBP relative to the HDC group. RT significantly improved blood lipid levels (triglycerides [TG], low-density lipoprotein [LDL], non-high-density lipoprotein [nonHDL], and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [VLDL-C]). Arteriosclerosis improved through resistance training as observed in the changes in the arteriosclerosis indices (atherogenic index of plasma [AIP], Castelli risk index [CRI]-I, CRI-II, and atherogenic coefficient [AC]). In addition, the HDRT group showed decreased mRNA expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (Tnfa), interleukin-1 beta (Il-1b), and Il-6 in muscle tissue when compared with the HDC. Conclusion This study confirmed that RT improves blood lipids and inflammation profiles, regulates blood pressure, and improves atherosclerosis in obese mice.

Purpose: Obesity refers to a condition in which there is excessive fat in the body and is caused by an imbalanced diet and a decrease in physical activity. Accordingly, regular exercise is reported to help improve and prevent obesity. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of short-term resistance training (RT) on weight loss, lipid profiles, blood pressure, atherogenic indices, and inflammation in middle-aged mice. Methods: Adult mice (7.5-month-old) were randomly divided into three groups comprising 7 mice per group: a normal diet group (NDC); a high-fat diet group (HDC, 45% total calories as fat); and a high-fat diet plus resistance training group (HDRT). The mice in the resistance training group performed climbing exercises using a ladder for the experimental period of 5 days/week for 4 weeks. The indicated intensity load was adjusted by individual % of animal body weight. The load gradually increased every week, and a total of 4 repetitions/set and 3 sets/day with 1 minute of rest provided between sets were performed. After sacrifice, analysis of serum and mRNA expression in the tissues were performed. Results: The HDC group showed a significant increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP) compared to the NDC group, while the HDRT group had a lower SBP relative to the HDC group. RT significantly improved blood lipid levels (triglycerides [TG], low-density lipoprotein [LDL], non-high-density lipoprotein [nonHDL], and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [VLDL-C]). Arteriosclerosis improved through resistance training as observed in the changes in the arteriosclerosis indices (atherogenic index of plasma [AIP], Castelli risk index [CRI]-I, CRI-II, and atherogenic coefficient [AC]). In addition, the HDRT group showed decreased mRNA expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (Tnfa), interleukin-1 beta (Il-1b), and Il-6 in muscle tissue when compared with the HDC. Conclusion This study confirmed that RT improves blood lipids and inflammation profiles, regulates blood pressure, and improves atherosclerosis in obese mice.

Background/Aims: The risk factors and clinical impacts of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) remain controversial, and no data have been reported in Korea. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiology and importance of CAPA diagnostic efforts and to identify the predictors of CAPA and the impacts on clinical outcomes. Methods: Between January 2020 and May 2021, data of severely to critically ill COVID-19 patients were extracted from seven hospitals of the Catholic Medical Center through a clinical data warehouse. Corticosteroid use was subcategorized into total cumulative dose, early 7-day dose, mean daily dose, and duration of use. Results: A total of 2,427 patients were screened, and 218 patients were included. CAPA was diagnosed in 4.6% (10/218) of all hospitalized and 11.2% (10/89) of intensive care unit patients. Total cumulative dose (over 1,000 mg as methylprednisolone) and daily high-dose corticosteroid use (over 60 mg/day) were independent predictors but not early 7-day high-dose corticosteroid use (over 420 mg/week) (odds ratio [OR], 1.731; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.350 to 8.571) nor prolonged use (OR, 2.794; 95% CI, 0.635 to 13.928). In-hospital overall mortality was 11.9% (26 of 218). CAPA itself did not affect the outcome; rather, daily high-dose steroid use significantly increased the 30-day mortality (hazard ratio, 5.645; 95% CI, 1.225 to 26.091). Conclusions CAPA was not uncommon, especially in critically ill patients. Daily high-dose corticosteroid use was the predictor of CAPA and associated with high mortality rates. High-dose corticosteroids use after early inflammatory phase should be avoided, and active surveillance methods for CAPA are essential for those high-risk patients.

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is defined as the occurrence of spontaneous wheals, angioedema, or both for >6 weeks in the absence of specific causes. It is a common condition associated with substantial disease burden both for affected individuals and societies in many countries, including Korea. CSU frequently persists for several years and requires high-intensity treatment; therefore, patients experience deteriorations in quality of life and medication-associated complications. During the last decade, there have been major advances in the pharmacological treatment of CSU and there is an outstanding need for evidence-based guidelines that reflect clinical practice in Korea. The guidelines reported here represent a joint initiative of the Korean Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Clinical Immunology and the Korean Dermatological Association, and aim to provide evidence-based guidance for the management of CSU in Korean adults and children. In Part 1, disease definition, guideline scope and development methodology as well as evidence-based recommendations on the use of antihistamines and corticosteroids are summarized.

Sepsis is one of the significant causes of morbidity and mortality. The burden caused by sepsis has continued to increase in recent years in the Korea, highlighting the urgent need for the implementation of strategies to improve sepsis treatment outcomes. We therefore designed a web-based sepsis registry system (“Korean Registry for Improving Sepsis Survival” [KISS]) protocol to be used in hospitals in the Korea for evaluation of the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of patients with sepsis, via an analysis of outcome predictors. The inclusion criteria of this registry are as follows: adult patients ≥18 years admitted to the participating hospitals who are diagnosed with sepsis or septic shock. Demographic and clinical information data of the patients will be collected from hospital medical records and will be recorded in a case report form, which will be entered into a web-based data management system. The analysis of the collected data will be performed as follows: (1) epidemiological and clinical characteristics of sepsis and septic shock, (2) application of sepsis bundles and antibiotic stewardship, and (3) audit and feedback. In conclusion, we aim to build the comprehensive web-based sepsis registry in the Korea through a nation-wide network of participating hospitals. Information collected and analyzed through the KISS can be used for further improvements in the clinical management of sepsis. Furthermore, the KISS will facilitate research leading to the formulation of public health policies regarding sepsis bundle and antibiotic stewardship strategies in the Korea.

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is defined as the occurrence of spontaneous wheals, angioedema, or both for >6 weeks in the absence of specific causes. It is a common condition associated with substantial disease burden both for affected individuals and societies in many countries, including Korea. CSU frequently persists for several years and requires high-intensity treatment; therefore, patients experience deteriorations in quality of life and medication-associated complications. During the last decade, there have been major advances in the pharmacological treatment of CSU and there is an outstanding need for evidence-based guidelines that reflect clinical practice in Korea. The guidelines reported here represent a joint initiative of the Korean Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Clinical Immunology and the Korean Dermatological Association, and aim to provide evidence-based guidance for the management of CSU in Korean adults and children. In Part 1, disease definition, guideline scope and development methodology as well as evidence-based recommendations on the use of antihistamines and corticosteroids are summarized.

A 6-year-old boy with underlying hemolytic anemia of unknown etiology, atopic dermatitis, and recurrent urticaria visited our hospital because of acute respiratory failure induced by influenza A. Despite mechanical ventilation after endotracheal intubation along with inhalation of nitric oxide, respiratory acidosis and hypoxemia persisted. Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) insertion was performed to provide respiratory support. After performing flexible bronchoscopy, we found that thick mucus plugs were obstructing the right bronchus intermedius and the upper lobe orifice. After bronchial washing and removal of the plugs, we were able to wean the patient off VV ECMO and transfer him to the general ward. He was discharged without any neurologic or pulmonary sequelae.
Acidosis, Respiratory ; Anemia, Hemolytic ; Anoxia ; Bronchi ; Bronchitis ; Bronchoscopy ; Child ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ; Humans ; Influenza A virus ; Influenza, Human ; Inhalation ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Male ; Mucus ; Nitric Oxide ; Patients' Rooms ; Plastics ; Pneumonia ; Respiration, Artificial ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Urticaria

PURPOSE: An axillary crutch is the most commonly used assistive device in foot and ankle patients who require nonweightbearing. On the other hand, its use frequently induces axillary or wrist pain and critical neurovascular injuries have been reported in several studies. This study compared the clinical outcomes of patients using the knee walker and axillary crutch. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed comparing the utility of a knee walker and axillary crutch as a nonweightbearing ambulatory aid for 62 foot and ankle patients treated between November 2016 and March 2018. A comparative study of the two orthosis could be performed because all the patients temporarily used an axillary crutch before or after the use of a knee walker. A demographic study and comparative analysis based on the visual analogue scale (VAS) satisfaction score (0~100), complications, and fall down history were evaluated. Furthermore, under the assumption of having retreatment, their preference of orthosis between the knee walker and axillary crutch was investigated. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 36.5 and the mean duration of ambulation with a knee walker and axillary crutch were 5.2 and 2.4 weeks. The VAS satisfaction score of the knee walker and crutch was 88.8 and 27.5, respectively (p < 0.05). The most frequent complications of the knee walker and crutch were ipsilateral knee pain (6 cases) and axillary or wrist pain (56 cases), respectively. No case of falling down occurred during knee walker ambulation, but there were two cases of crutch ambulation. Fifty-eight patients (93.5%) preferred the knee walker and four patients (6.5%) preferred a crutch. CONCLUSION: Compared to the axillary crutch, the knee walker afforded lower complication and higher satisfaction. Most patients preferred the knee walker to a crutch. Therefore, the knee walker is an efficient and safe orthosis for foot and ankle patients who require nonweightbearing.
Accidental Falls ; Ankle* ; Foot* ; Hand ; Humans ; Knee* ; Orthotic Devices ; Retreatment ; Retrospective Studies ; Self-Help Devices ; Walkers* ; Walking ; Wrist

This correction is being published to correct the corresponding author's name and information in the article.