Objective: We examined sociobehavioural factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and estimated COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in the Philippines. Such studies are limited in low- and middle-income countries, especially in Asia and the Pacific. Methods: A case-control study was conducted in two hospitals in Manila, Philippines, from March 2022 to June 2023. Sociobehavioural factors and vaccination history were collected. PCR-positive individuals were cases, while PCR-negative individuals were controls. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were calculated to examine associations between sociobehavioural factors/vaccination and medically attended SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results: The analysis included 2489 individuals (574 positive cases, 23.1%; 1915 controls, 76.9%; median age [interquartile range]: 35 [27–51] years). Although education and household income were not associated with infection, being a health-care worker was (aOR: 1.45; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03–2.06). The odds of infection were higher among individuals who attended gatherings of five or more people compared to those who attended smaller gatherings (aOR: 2.58; 95% CI: 1.14–5.83). Absolute vaccine effectiveness for vaccination status was not estimated due to a high risk of bias, for example, unascertained prior infection. Moderate relative vaccine effectiveness for the first booster (32%; 95% CI: -120–79) and the second booster (48%; 95% CI: -23–78) were observed (both with wide CI), albeit with a waning trend after half a year. Discussion: The higher odds of infection among health-care workers emphasize the importance of infection prevention and control measures. Moderate relative vaccine effectiveness with a waning trend reiterates the need for more efficacious vaccines against symptomatic infection caused by circulating variants and with longer duration of protection.

Background: Non-traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) represents the most devastating subtype of stroke, charac terized by spontaneous bleeding into the brain parenchyma. This neurological emergency carries a burden of mortality and long-term disability worldwide. Timely identification causal pathways is priority objective for adequate primary and secondary prevention of ICH. Risk factors may differ between ICH subtypes, and stratified approaches to management may be appropriate. Aim: This study is to identify cause and risk factors of ICH. Materials and Methods: A single centre descriptive study was carried out in Stroke Center of the State Third Central Hospital, Mongolia, including 718 consecutive acute patients with ICH during October 2022 to September 2024. Patients were classified using SMASH-U, an etiological based classification system. Results: Out of a total of 718 cases diagnosed with ICH, hypertension caused 75.3%, amyloid angiopathy 12%, undetermined 7%, structural lesions 2.92%, systemic disease 2.37%, medication 0.48% in 718 ICH patients. The mean age of the cases was 57.5 жил, and was the most common in men of the 50-59 age group (p<0.001). The main risk factor in hypertension and amyloid angiopathy groups was arterial hypertension (93.7%), in undetermined group alcohol consumption (48%), in structural group AVM and other vascular causes (23.8%), in systemic group chronic kidney insufficiency (29.4%), in medication group atrial fibrillation (100%), respectively. Conclusion 1. ICH was mostly caused by hypertension, amyloid angiopathy, systemic disease. 2. Arterial hypertension, heart disease, atrial fibrillation, previous stroke, oral anticoagulants, smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity/BMI≥25, liver cirrhosis, chronic kidney insufficiency, AVM and other structural anomalies were the most common risk factors.

Background: Traditional Mongolian medicine utilizes complex herbal formulations for restoring bodily functions and treating various ailments. Sampilnorov, a traditional medicinal composition, is recognized for its therapeutic properties in regenerating one of the 17 qualities and 15 functions of the human body, particularly qi and its associated functions. Aim: This study aims to analyze the therapeutic potential of Sampilnorov in treating conditions related to vein disorders, fever, and musculoskeletal diseases. Materials and Methods: A literature review was conducted, focusing on the Mongolian Medicine section of the Medical Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China. The pharmacological properties, indications, and mechanisms of Sampilnorov were examined. Results: The findings suggest that Sampilnorov is a valid therapeutic system in Mongolian traditional medicine for addressing multiple physiological dysfunctions. Further clinical and pharmacological studies are necessary to validate its efficacy and mechanisms of action. Conclusion Sampilnorov pills are traditionally used for Eliminating chronic fever and lesions in the white veins, Removing yellow fluid accumulation, Treating disorders of the black and white veins, such as paralysis, gout, rheumatism, and typhoid fever, Healing damaged veins and alleviating symptoms of leprosy, kidney vein concussions, kidney heat, vein and tendon spasms, and joint sprains.

Objective: To clarify whether early mobilization is a predictive factor for ambulation recovery in elderly patients and/or patients with severe subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).Methods: This multicenter retrospective observational study included 471 patients with treated SAH (Group 1). We focused on SAH patients with a poor prognosis, including a subgroup of elderly SAH patients (age>65 years:n=203) (Group 2) and patients with severe SAH (World Federation of Neurological Societies [WFNS] grade IV or V:n=117) (Group 3). The chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare the differences between the ambulation recovery group and the non-recovery group. Multivariable logistic regression analysis modeling was used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals of early mobilization for the ambulation-recovered group within 30 days of onset compared with the unrecovered group. Other covariates examined as possible confounders of the outcome were age, sex, location of the ruptured aneurysm, modified Fisher scale score, WFNS grade, mode of treatment (surgical vs. endovascular), duration of cerebrospinal fluid drainage, days on mechanical ventilation, intracerebral hemorrhage, symptomatic cerebral vasospasm, complications, shunt placement for hydrocephalus, and time to start mobilization.Results: Early mobilization was an independent predictive factor for gait recovery in all groups. Furthermore, location of the ruptured aneurysm (anterior circulation), absence of complications, and absence of shunt placement were independent factors for ambulation recovery in all groups.Conclusion: Early mobilization in elder or/and sever patients with SAH may be a predictive factor for ambulation recovery within 30 days of onset.

Purpose: To determine the current management pattern for hordeolum and chalazion among members of the Korean Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (KSOPRS). Methods: An anonymous web-based survey was emailed to 260 current members of the KSOPRS. The survey comprised five sections: differential diagnosis, treatment strategies for hordeolum, treatment strategies for chalazion, postsurgical care, and pediatric-specific approaches. Results: Eighty KSOPRS members participated in this study (response rate, 30.8%). Redness, swelling, and pain were the most important factors for differentiating hordeolum from chalazion. For hordeolum, topical antibiotics are preferred by 59 respondents (73.8%), with 49 (83.7%) considering them effective. Most (62 respondents, 77.6%) pursue nonsurgical treatment for 5 to 14 days before considering incision and curettage. For chalazion, treatment practices are split between conservative management and invasive methods. Intralesional steroid injections are recommended by 55 respondents (68.8%), with a preference for diluted triamcinolone acetonide. Relative to hordeolum, chalazion treatment involves less frequent antibiotic use, with only 21 respondents (26.3%) always recommending antibiotic ointments. Tissue biopsy is considered for abnormal changes in the surrounding tissues (72 respondents, 90.0%) and frequent recurrence (46 respondents, 57.5%). The practices differ between pediatric and adult cases among 38 respondents (47.5%), with 31 (81.4%) extending conservative management and delaying surgical interventions in pediatric cases. Anesthesia preferences for pediatric cases varied, with 40 respondents (50.0%) favoring local anesthesia, 19 (23.8%) opting for monitored anesthesia care, and 13 (16.2%) choosing general anesthesia. Conclusions This survey of the management of hordeolum and chalazion by KSOPRS members has revealed several interesting common practices that are considered valuable by current practitioners.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is one of the most effective scaffold manufacturing techniques which might revolutionize the realm of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The scaffolds, one of the major elements of tissue engineering, along with growth factors and cells, are still one of the most promising approaches for developing organ regeneration. However, the applications of 3D-printed hard scaffolds might have limitations due to their poor surface properties, which play a crucial role in cell recruitment and infiltration, tissue-scaffold integration, and anti-inflammatory properties. Various prerequisites have been suggested for clinical applications of 3D-printed substitute for human body. Consequently, continuous amendment has been made to modify the surface properties, porosities and mechanical properties of these scaffolds. The techniques that modify the surfaces through chemical and material modifications can also be applied to facilitate the efficacy of these scaffolds. In this review, we summarized the characteristics of 3D printing technology and discuss the development direction of the latest 3D printing technology toward meeting the unmet needs in the clinic.

Background and Objectives: The sense of taste has a crucial role in maintaining good health, and this is why taste disturbance can negatively impact one’s quality of life. The purpose of this study was to investigate the etiologies, clinical characteristics, and effects of treatment in patients with taste disturbances.Subjects and Method A total of 160 patients with taste disorders, who visited our Smell and Taste Clinic from January 2021 to December 2022, were enrolled. All patients underwent chemical and electrical taste threshold tests, olfactory function tests, questionnaires including medical and dental history, and blood tests. The etiologies and clinical features of taste disorders were assessed and treatment was directed toward causative abnormalities. Factors affecting the improvement rates after treatment were evaluated. Results: Taste disorder due to olfactory disorder was the most frequent etiology, followed by laryngopharyngeal reflux, head trauma, and drug-induced. In many cases, there was a discrepancy in the severity of taste between the complaints reported by patients and the results of taste threshold tests. After treatment, 115 patients showed improvement in their taste function, and the improvement rates were significantly correlated with the age and etiologies of the taste disorders. Conclusion Careful history taking and accurate chemosensory testing were essential to establish the etiologies, nature, degree, and veracity of a patient’s complaint of taste disturbance. Appropriate treatments according to the etiologies allowed recovery of taste function in 71.9% of patients.

Hypoparathyroidism is one of the major complications of total thyroidectomy. This complication can occur when the parathyroid tissue is unintentionally removed or the parathyroid vessels is ligated. Early mapping and localization of the parathyroid tissue would be helpful to prevent such unintended complication. The authors introduce the procedures of parathyroid identification with Near-infrared autofluorescence performed in our institution.

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and safety of renal artery embolization (RAE) via transradial access (TRA) in patients with renal angiomyolipoma (AML) or renal hemorrhage. Materials and Methods: Data were collected for this prospective single-center study from 50 patients (51 ± 12 years; male:female, 11:39) who underwent RAE for renal AML (n = 46) or renal hemorrhage (n = 4) between November 2020 and January 2024. Patients with a Barbeau D waveform or a radial artery diameter of <1.5 mm were excluded. Technical success in patients with renal AML and renal hemorrhage was defined as achieving selective catheterization of the culprit artery with embolization, leading to flow stasis and the absence of bleeding evidence, respectively. Clinical success was indicated by a reduction in AML size on follow-up CT scans and the absence of bleeding signs without necessitating additional RAE. The EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-level (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire was utilized to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Results: In one patient with AML, embolization could not be performed following selective catheterization and angiography due to the lack of visible tumor vascularity, resulting in a technical success rate of 98% (49/50). The clinical success rate was 96% (48/50 patients). No instances of TRA failure, conversion to transfemoral access (TFA), or hemostasis failure were noted.During the follow-up period, no major adverse events associated with the RAE occurred. Two patients exhibited asymptomatic radial artery occlusion, and one patient displayed asymptomatic partial thrombosis of the renal artery at the first follow-up visit. The EQ-5D-5L scores were 0.90 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.86–0.95) within 24 hours post-procedure and 0.89 (95% CI: 0.85–0.92) at the first follow-up (P = 0.332). Conclusion TRA is a feasible and safe approach for performing RAE in patients with renal AML or hemorrhage. RAE performed using TRA demonstrated high HRQoL outcomes and may serve as a viable alternative to TFA for performing RAE.

Objective: The long-term efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the long-term efficacy, emphasizing single-session RFA, and identify the factors associated with cases requiring additional RFA sessions to achieve a comparable volume reduction rates (VRR). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated benign thyroid nodules treated with RFA between 2008 and 2018.Treatment efficacy at the 5- and 10-year follow-ups was analyzed. Additionally, subgroup analysis comparing technique efficacy, such as the final VRR, between the single- and multi-session RFA groups was performed. Continuous variables were analyzed using the two-sample t-test or Mann–Whitney U test, and categorical variables were analyzed using the Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test. Results: A total of 267 nodules from 237 patients (age: 46.3 ± 15.0 years; female: 210/237 [88.6%]) were included. Of these, 60 were analyzed for the 5-year follow-up (mean follow-up duration ± standard deviation: 5.8 ± 0.4 years) and 29 for the 10-year follow-up (10.9 ± 0.9 years). Single-session RFA showed a median VRR of 95.7% (5th year) and 98.8% (10th year), while multi-session RFA showed comparable median VRRs of 97.4% (5th year) and 96.9% (10th year). The vascularity type, demographic factors, nodular components, and locations did not significantly differ between the single-session and multisession RFA groups. However, nodules with pre-RFA volume <10 mL were more prevalent in the single-session RFA group than in the multi-session RFA group (5th year: 64.3% [18/28] vs. 34.4% [11/32], P = 0.040; 10th year: 75.0% [12/16] vs. 23.1% [3/13], P = 0.016). Conclusion Single-session RFA may be sufficient for achieving adequate volume reduction during long-term follow-up for small-volume benign thyroid nodules. A high VRR was maintained regardless of the nodular component, location, demographic factors, or vascularity type. However, large-volume nodules may require multiple RFA sessions to achieve a comparable VRR.