This report presents the latest statistics on the stroke population in South Korea, sourced from the Clinical Research Collaborations for Stroke in Korea-National Institute for Health (CRCS-K-NIH), a comprehensive, nationwide, multicenter stroke registry. The Korean cohort, unlike western populations, shows a male-to-female ratio of 1.5, attributed to lower risk factors in Korean women. The average ages for men and women are 67 and 73 years, respectively.Hypertension is the most common risk factor (67%), consistent with global trends, but there is a higher prevalence of diabetes (35%) and smoking (21%). The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (19%) is lower than in western populations, suggesting effective prevention strategies in the general population. A high incidence of large artery atherosclerosis (38%) is observed, likely due to prevalent intracranial arterial disease in East Asians and advanced imaging techniques.There has been a decrease in intravenous thrombolysis rates, from 12% in 2017–2019 to 10% in 2021, with no improvements in door-to-needle and door-to-puncture times, worsened by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. While the use of aspirin plus clopidogrel for noncardioembolic stroke and direct oral anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation is well-established, the application of direct oral anticoagulants for non-atrial fibrillation cardioembolic strokes in the acute phase requires further research. The incidence of early neurological deterioration (13%) and the cumulative incidence of recurrent stroke at 3 months (3%) align with global figures. Favorable outcomes at 3 months (63%) are comparable internationally, yet the lack of improvement in dependency at 3 months highlights the need for advancements in acute stroke care.

The microdeletion syndrome of chromosome 2p15p16.1 (MIM: 612513) is an extremely rare contiguous gene deletion syndrome. Microdeletions of varying sizes in the 2p15-16.1 region are associated with developmental delay, intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, hypotonia, and craniofacial dysmorphism. Previous studies have identified two critical regions: the proximal 2p15 and distal 2p16.1 regions. BCL11A, PAPOLG, and REL genes play crucial roles in patients with 2p16.1 microdeletion. To our knowledge, only 39 patients have been reported as having 2p15p16.1 microdeletion syndrome. Here, we present another patient with 2p15p16.1 microdeletion syndrome. A nine-month-old boy was referred to our clinic for the psychomotor delay, facial dysmorphism, and congenital hypothyroidism. During his follow-up visits, he was diagnosed with global developmental delay, intellectual disability, abnormal behavior, hypotonia, microcephaly, and abnormal electroencephalography. Using a chromosomal microarray for genetic analysis, a novel, de novo, 622 kb microdeletion of 2p16.1 was identified as one of the critical regions of the 2p15p16.1 microdeletion syndrome. This is the first case of its kind in Korea. We have discussed our case and literature reviews to clarify the relationship between the genes involved and clinical phenotypes in 2p15p16.1 microdeletion syndrome.

Background: s/Aims: Rebleeding of gastric varices (GVs) after endoscopic variceal obturation (EVO) can be fatal. This study was performed to evaluate the usefulness of computed tomography (CT) for the prediction of rebleeding after EVO GV bleeding. Methods: Patients who were treated with EVO for GV bleeding and underwent CT before and after EVO were included. CT images of the portal phase showing pretreatment GVs and feeding vessels, and nonenhanced images showing posttreatment cyanoacrylate impaction were reviewed. Results: Fifty-three patients were included. Their mean age was 60.6±11.6 years, and 40 patients (75.5%) were men. Alcoholic liver disease was the most frequent underlying liver disease (45.3%). Complete impaction of cyanoacrylate in GVs and feeding vessels were achieved in 40 (75.5%) and 24 (45.3%) of patients, respectively. During the follow-up, GV rebleeding occurred in nine patients, and the cumulative incidences of GV rebleeding at 3, 6, and 12 months were 11.8%, 18.9%, and 18.9%, respectively. The GV rebleeding rate did not differ significantly according to the complete cyanoacrylate impaction in the GV, while it differed significantly according to complete cyanoacrylate impaction in the feeding vessels. The cumulative incidences of GV rebleeding at 3, 6, and 12 months were 22.3%, 35.2%, and 35.2%, respectively, in patients with incomplete impaction in feeding vessels, and there was no rebleeding during the follow-up period in patients with complete impaction in the feeding vessels (p=0.002). Conclusions Abdominal CT is useful in the evaluation of the treatment response after EVO for GV bleeding. Incomplete cyanoacrylate impaction in feeding vessels is a risk factor for GV rebleeding.

PURPOSE: Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) has been considered a terminal condition and cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIEPC) is regarded as an alternative therapeutic option. This study aimed to evaluate the 30-day clinical outcomes of CRS/HIPEC and the feasibility of the surgery by investigating the morbidity and mortality in Inje University Hospital.METHODS: Data were retrospectively collected from 19 patients with PC who underwent CRS/HIPEC at Inje University Hospital in 2018. We evaluated pre-, intra-operative parameters and postoperative clinical outcomes and early complications.RESULTS: The mean operating time was 506.95 minutes and the mean blood loss was 837.11 mL. Six cases (31.58%) had morbidity of grade III or above. A longer operating time (≥560 minutes, P=0.038) and large blood loss (≥700 mL, P=0.060) were positively correlated with grade III or worse postoperative complications.CONCLUSION: Our early experience with CRS/HIPEC resulted in a 31.58% morbidity rate of grade III and above, with risk factors being longer operating time and greater intraoperative blood loss. As the surgical team's skills improve, a shorter operating time with less intraoperative blood loss could result in better short-term outcomes of CRS/HIPEC.
Carcinoma ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Korea ; Mortality ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: Although satisfactory mid- to long-term results of rotational acetabular osteotomy for early osteoarthritis secondary to acetabular dysplasia have been reported, there is still controversy about the long-term effects of this surgery in more advanced osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the radiographic progression of osteoarthritic changes after rotational acetabular osteotomy in acetabular dysplasia according to the preoperative Tönnis grade and evaluate its effects after minimum 10-year follow-up. METHODS: We performed 71 consecutive rotational acetabular osteotomies in 64 patients with symptomatic acetabular dysplasia between November 1984 and April 2005. Of these, 46 hips (four hips with Tönnis grade 0, 30 with grade 1, and 12 with grade 2) whose clinical and radiographic findings were available after minimum 10-year follow-up were evaluated in this study. The mean age at the time of surgery was 39.0 years (range, 18 to 62 years) and the average follow-up duration was 17.3 years (range, 10.0 to 27.7 years). Clinical and radiographic evaluations were performed according to the preoperative Tönnis grade. RESULTS: The average Harris hip score improved from 71.8 (range, 58 to 89) to 85.1 (range, 62 to 98). The radiographic parameters also improved in all Tönnis grades after the index surgery. Although the improvement of radiographic parameters was not different between preoperative Tönnis grades, the incidence of osteoarthritic progression was significantly different between grades (zero in Tönnis grade 0, four in Tönnis grade 1, and 10 in Tönnis grade 2; p < 0.001). The mean age at the time of surgery was also significantly older in osteoarthritic progression patients (p < 0.002). Kaplan-Meier survivorship analysis, with radiographic progression of osteoarthritis as the endpoint, predicted a 10-year survival rate of 100% in Tönnis grade 0, 85.7% in Tönnis grade 1, and 14.3% in Tönnis grade 2 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The outcome of rotational acetabular osteotomy in most hips with Tönnis grade 0 and 1 was satisfactory after an average of 17 years of follow-up. The incidence of osteoarthritic progression was higher in Tönnis grade 2 and older age. Our results support that early joint preserving procedure is essential in the case of symptomatic dysplastic hips.
Acetabulum* ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Hip ; Humans ; Incidence ; Joints ; Osteoarthritis* ; Osteotomy* ; Survival Rate

PURPOSE: To compare visual and anatomical outcomes of intravitreal injections of bevacizumab and dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex) treatment for macular edema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent intravitreal bevacizumab administered monthly on a pro re nata (PRN) basis (26 eyes, IVB group) or an initial 700-µg dexamethasone implant followed by a bevacizumab PRN injection (20 eyes, IVD group) for treatment of macular edema associated with BRVO. We compared best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT). We also measured ellipsoid zone recovery rate and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer volume within the center 6 mm zone. A linear mixed model analysis was performed to compare serial changes in BCVA and CMT. RESULTS: Both groups showed significant improvement in BCVA and significant reduction in CMT. However, BCVA in the first month was significantly better in the IVD group (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution, IVD group 0.21 ± 0.26 vs. IVB group 0.39 ± 0.30, p = 0.038) and the 1-month CMT was thinner in the IVD group (IVD group 270.0 ± 62.0 µm vs. IVB group 338.9 ± 122.6 µm, p = 0.028), and these trends were maintained during the 6-month follow-up. The IVD group showed more rapid macular edema resolution (p = 0.049); however, there were no significant differences in ellipsoid zone recovery rate (p = 0.268) or ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer volume between the two groups (p = 0.459). CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences in final visual or anatomical outcomes between the two groups; however, initial dexamethasone implant injection followed by bevacizumab PRN injection initially showed more rapid improvement in vision and BRVO-associated macular edema resolution compared to intravitreal bevacizumab administered monthly on a PRN basis.
Bevacizumab ; Dexamethasone ; Edema ; Follow-Up Studies ; Ganglion Cysts ; Humans ; Intravitreal Injections ; Macular Edema ; Retinal Vein Occlusion ; Retinal Vein ; Retinaldehyde ; Retrospective Studies ; Visual Acuity

We used a survey about the need for an educational training of infectious disease response staff in Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) and officer in metropolitan cities and provincial government to conduct field epidemiological investigation. The survey was conducted from January 25 to March 15, 2016. A total of 173 participants were selected from four different groups as follows: 27 clinical specialists, 22 Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) officers, 82 KCDC staff, and 42 local health department officials. Results revealed that 83% of KCDC staff and 95% of local health department officials agreed on the need for educational training to strengthen capability of personnel to conduct epidemic research and investigation. The level of their need for training was relatively high, while self-confidence levels of individuals to conduct epidemic research and investigation was low. It was concluded that there was a need to develop training programs to enhance the ability of public health officials, EIS officers, KCDC staff, and local health department personnel to conduct epidemic research and investigation.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.) ; Communicable Diseases* ; Education* ; Epidemiology* ; Intelligence ; Korea* ; Public Health ; Specialization ; State Government ; Surveys and Questionnaires

We used a survey about the need for an educational training of infectious disease response staff in Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) and officer in metropolitan cities and provincial government to conduct field epidemiological investigation. The survey was conducted from January 25 to March 15, 2016. A total of 173 participants were selected from four different groups as follows: 27 clinical specialists, 22 Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) officers, 82 KCDC staff, and 42 local health department officials. Results revealed that 83% of KCDC staff and 95% of local health department officials agreed on the need for educational training to strengthen capability of personnel to conduct epidemic research and investigation. The level of their need for training was relatively high, while self-confidence levels of individuals to conduct epidemic research and investigation was low. It was concluded that there was a need to develop training programs to enhance the ability of public health officials, EIS officers, KCDC staff, and local health department personnel to conduct epidemic research and investigation.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.) ; Communicable Diseases ; Education ; Epidemiology ; Intelligence ; Korea ; Public Health ; Specialization ; State Government ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical significance of upper and lower extremity transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)-induced motor evoked potentials (MEPs) in patients with parkinsonism. METHODS: Twenty patients (14 men, 6 women; mean age 70.5±9.1 years) suffering from parkinsonism were included in this study. All participants underwent single-pulse TMS session to assess the corticospinal excitability of the upper and lower extremity motor cortex. The resting motor threshold (RMT) was defined as the lowest stimulus intensity able to evoke MEPs of an at least 50 µV peak-to-peak amplitude in 5 of 10 consecutive trials. Five sweeps of MEPs at 120% of the RMT were performed, and the mean amplitude and latency of the MEPs were calculated. Patients were also assessed using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part III (UPDRS-III) and the 5-meter Timed Up and Go (5m-TUG) test. RESULTS: There was a significant positive correlation between the RMTs of MEPs in the upper and lower extremities (r=0.612, p=0.004) and between the amplitude of MEPs in the upper and lower extremities (r=0.579, p=0.007). The RMT of upper extremity MEPs showed a significant negative relationship with the UPDRS-III score (r=-0.516, p=0.020). In addition, RMTs of lower extremity MEPs exhibited a negative relationship with the UPDRS-III score, but the association was not statistically significant (r=-406, p=0.075). CONCLUSION: These results indicated that the RMT of MEPs reflect the severity of motor dysfunction in patients with parkinsonism. MEP is a potential quantitative, electrodiagnostic method to assess motor function in patients with parkinsonism.
Evoked Potentials, Motor ; Female ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Motor Cortex ; Parkinson Disease ; Parkinsonian Disorders* ; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation* ; Upper Extremity

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we characterized human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) obtained by different culture methods to establish the most suitable methodology for dental tissue engineering and regenerative endodontic applications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HDPCs were isolated by the outgrowth method (HDPCs-OG), the enzymatic digestion method (collagenase/dispase/trypsin, HDPCs-ED), or the combination of both methods (HDPCs-Combined). The expression of mesenchymal stem cell markers (CD105, CD90, and CD73) was investigated. In vitro differentiation capacities of HDPCs into adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic lineages were compared. Differentiation markers were analyzed by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting. RESULTS: Our data indicated that whole HDPCs-ED, HPDCs-OG, and HDPCs-Combined could be differentiated into adipogenic, chrondrogenic, and osteogenic cell types. However, we found that the methods for isolating and culturing HDPCs influence the differentiation capacities of cells. HDPCs-OG and HDPCs-ED were preferably differentiated into adipogenic and osteogenic cells, respectively. Differentiation markers shown by RT-PCR and western blotting analysis were mostly upregulated in the treated groups compared with the control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirmed that cell populations formed by two different culture methods and the combined culture method exhibited different properties. The results of this study could provide an insight into regenerative endodontic treatment using HDPCs.
Antigens, Differentiation ; Blotting, Western ; Dental Pulp* ; Digestion ; Humans* ; In Vitro Techniques* ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Methods* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Stem Cells* ; Tissue Engineering