Objective: To assess whether computed tomography (CT) conversion across different scan parameters and manufacturers using a routable generative adversarial network (RouteGAN) can improve the accuracy and variability in quantifying interstitial lung disease (ILD) using a deep learning-based automated software. Materials and Methods: This study included patients with ILD who underwent thin-section CT. Unmatched CT images obtained using scanners from four manufacturers (vendors A-D), standard- or low-radiation doses, and sharp or medium kernels were classified into groups 1–7 according to acquisition conditions. CT images in groups 2–7 were converted into the target CT sty le (Group 1: vendor A, standard dose, and sharp kernel) using a RouteGAN. ILD was quantified on original and converted CT images using a deep learning-based software (Aview, Coreline Soft). The accuracy of quantification was analyzed using the dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and pixel-wise overlap accuracy metrics against manual quantification by a radiologist. Five radiologists evaluated quantification accuracy using a 10-point visual scoring system. Results: Three hundred and fifty CT slices from 150 patients (mean age: 67.6 ± 10.7 years; 56 females) were included. The overlap accuracies for quantifying total abnormalities in groups 2–7 improved after CT conversion (original vs. converted: 0.63vs. 0.68 for DSC, 0.66 vs. 0.70 for pixel-wise recall, and 0.68 vs. 0.73 for pixel-wise precision; P < 0.002 for all). The DSCs of fibrosis score, honeycombing, and reticulation significantly increased after CT conversion (0.32 vs. 0.64, 0.19 vs. 0.47, and 0.23 vs. 0.54, P < 0.002 for all), whereas those of ground-glass opacity, consolidation, and emphysema did not change significantly or decreased slightly. The radiologists’ scores were significantly higher (P < 0.001) and less variable on converted CT. Conclusion CT conversion using a RouteGAN can improve the accuracy and variability of CT images obtained using different scan parameters and manufacturers in deep learning-based quantification of ILD.

Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an effective treatment option for patients with heart failure (HF) and left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony. However, the problem of some patients not responding to CRT remains unresolved. This study aimed to propose a novel in silico method for CRT simulation. Methods: Three-dimensional heart geometry was constructed from computed tomography images. The finite ele‑ ment method was used to elucidate the electric wave propagation in the heart. The electric excitation and mechani‑ cal contraction were coupled with vascular hemodynamics by the lumped parameter model. The model parameters for three-dimensional (3D) heart and vascular mechanics were estimated by matching computed variables with measured physiological parameters. CRT effects were simulated in a patient with HF and left bundle branch block (LBBB). LV end-diastolic (LVEDV) and end-systolic volumes (LVESV), LV ejection fraction (LVEF), and CRT responsiveness measured from the in silico simulation model were compared with those from clinical observation. A CRT responder was defined as absolute increase in LVEF ≥ 5% or relative increase in LVEF ≥ 15%. Results: A 68-year-old female with nonischemic HF and LBBB was retrospectively included. The in silico CRT simu‑ lation modeling revealed that changes in LVEDV, LVESV, and LVEF by CRT were from 174 to 173 mL, 116 to 104 mL, and 33 to 40%, respectively. Absolute and relative ΔLVEF were 7% and 18%, respectively, signifying a CRT responder.In clinical observation, echocardiography showed that changes in LVEDV, LVESV, and LVEF by CRT were from 162 to 119 mL, 114 to 69 mL, and 29 to 42%, respectively. Absolute and relative ΔLVESV were 13% and 31%, respectively, also signifying a CRT responder. CRT responsiveness from the in silico CRT simulation model was concordant with that in the clinical observation. Conclusion This in silico CRT simulation method is a feasible technique to screen for CRT non-responders in patients with HF and LBBB.

Background: Excessive citrate load during therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) can cause metabolic alkalosis with compensatory hypercarbia and electrolyte disturbances. If TPE is required immediately before ABO-incompatible (ABOi) liver transplant (LT) surgery, metabolic derangement and severe electrolyte disturbance could worsen during LT anesthesia.Case: We report two ABOi LT cases who received TPE on the day of surgery because isoagglutinin titers did not be dropped below 1:8. One case had a surprisingly high metabolic alkalosis with a pH of 7.73 immediately after tracheal intubation because of hyperventilation during mask bagging. The other experienced sudden ventricular tachycardia and blood pressure drop after surgical incision accompanied with severe hypokalemia of 1.8 mmol/L despite supplementation with potassium. Conclusions Special attention should be paid to patients who just completed TPE the operative day morning as they are vulnerable to severe acid-base disturbances and life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias in ABOi LT.

We aimed to explore the distribution of intraoperative lactic acid (LA) level during liver transplantation (LT) and determine the optimal cutoff values to predict post-LT 30-day and 90-day mortality. Methods: Intraoperative LA data from 3,338 patients were collected between 2008 to 2019 and all-cause mortalities within 30 and 90 days were retrospectively reviewed. Of the three LA levels measured during preanhepatic, anhepatic, and neohepatic phase of LT, the peak LA level was selected to explore the distribution and predict early post-LT mortality. To determine the best cutoff values of LA, we used a classification and regression tree algorithm and maximally selected rank statistics with the smallest P value. Results: The median intraoperative LA level was 4.4 mmol/L (range: 0.5–34.7, interquartile range: 3.0–6.2 mmol/L). Of the 3,338 patients, 1,884 (56.4%) had LA levels > 4.0 mmol/L and 188 (5.6%) had LA levels > 10 mmol/L. Patients with LA levels > 16.7 mmol/L and 13.5–16.7 mmol/L showed significantly higher 30-day mortality rates of 58.3% and 21.2%, respectively. For the prediction of the 90-day mortality, 8.4 mmol/L of intraoperative LA was the best cutoff value. Conclusions: Approximately 6% of the LT recipients showed intraoperative hyperlactatemia of > 10 mmol/L during LT, and those with LA > 8.4 mmol/L were associated with significantly higher early post-LT mortality.

Olfactory disorders one of the most frequent distinctive symptoms of COVID-19 infection. COVID-19-induced olfactory disorder can be classified as post-infectious olfactory dysfunction (PIOD). The effect of drugs on olfactory disorder following upper respiratory infection, including PIOD, has not been clearly established, which adds to the difficulty with treating the disorder. However, the effect of olfactory training on PIOD has been confirmed by numerous studies. As such, olfactory training is gaining attention, and has taken on greater importance, as the sole treatment for COVID-19–induced olfactory disorder in this pandemic age. This review describes the effect of olfactory training for COVID-19–induced olfactory disorder by analyzing the relevant literature.

Background: Generally, lactate levels > 2 mmol/L represent hyperlactatemia, whereas lactic acidosis is often defined as lactate > 4 mmol/L. Although hyperlactatemia is common finding in liver transplant (LT) candidates, association between lactate and organ failures with Acute-on-chronic Liver Failure (ACLF) is poorly studied. We searched the important variables for pre-LT hyperlactatemia and examined the impact of preoperative hyperlactatemia on early mortality after LT. Methods: A total of 2,002 patients from LT registry between January 2008 and February 2019 were analyzed. Six organ failures (liver, kidney, brain, coagulation, circulation, and lung) were defined by criteria of EASL-CLIF ACLF Consortium. Variable importance of preoperative hyperlactatemia was examined by machine learning using random survival forest (RSF). Kaplan-Meier Survival curve analysis was performed to assess 90-day mortality. Results: Median lactate level was 1.9 mmol/L (interquartile range: 1.4, 2.4 mmol/L) and 107 (5.3%) patients showed > 4.0 mmol/L. RSF analysis revealed that the four most important variables for hyperlactatemia were MELD score, circulatory failure, hemoglobin, and respiratory failure. The 30-day and 90-day mortality rates were 2.7% and 5.1%, whereas patients with lactate > 4.0 mmol/L showed increased rate of 15.0% and 19.6%, respectively. Conclusion About 50% and 5% of LT candidates showed pre-LT hyperlactatemia of > 2.0 mmol/L and > 4.0 mmol/L, respectively. Pre-LT lactate > 4.0 mmol/L was associated with increased early post-LT mortality. Our results suggest that future study of correcting modifiable risk factors may play a role in preventing hyperlactatemia and lowering early mortality after LT.

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the public demand for information about the job of dental hygienists by mining text data collected from the online Q & A section on an Internet portal site. Methods: Text data were collected from inquiries that were posted on the Naver Q & A section from January 2003 to July 2020 using “dental hygienist job recognition,” “role recognition,” “medical assistance,” and “scaling” as search keywords. Text mining techniques were used to identify significant Korean words and their frequency of occurrence. In addition, the association between words was analyzed. Results: A total of 10,753 Korean words related to the job of dental hygienists were extracted from the text data. “Chi-lyo (treatment),” “chigwa (dental clinic),” “ske-illing (scaling),” “itmom (gum),” and “chia (tooth)” were the five most frequently used words. The words were classified into the following areas of job of the dental hygienist: periodontal disease treatment and prevention, medical assistance, patient care and consultation, and others. Among these areas, the number of words related to medical assistance was the largest, with sixty-six association rules found between the words, and “chi-lyo,” “chigwa,” and “ske-illing” as core words. Conclusion The public demand for information about the job of dental hygienists was mainly related to “chi-lyo,” “chigwa,” and “ske-illing” as core words, demonstrating that scaling is recognized by the public as the job of a dental hygienist. However, the high demand for information related to treatment and medical assistance in the context of dental hygienists indicates that the job of dental hygienists is recognized by the public as being more focused on medical assistance than preventive dental care that are provided with job autonomy.

Disseminated peritoneal leiomyomatosis (DPL) is a very rare benign disease, characterized by multiple solid subperitoneal or peritoneal smooth muscle nodules in abdominopelvic cavity and malignant transformation is extremely rare. Also, uterine smooth muscle tumors of unknown malignant potential (STUMP) is a rare tumor, which is regarded as subclassification in uterine smooth muscle tumors between benign and malignant criteria. Pathogenesis of DPL is uncertain, but increasing evidence of iatrogenic cause including laparoscopic myomectomy has been reported.We report a case of a 28-year-old female with previous history of laparoscopic myomectomy diagnosed with DPL with atypical feature and concurrent uterine STUMP using computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as well as present a review of the literature.

Background: Korean dental hygienists perform various tasks under the supervision of dentists in addition to the tasks listed in the law. Many meaningful studies have been conducted to determine the actual tasks of dental hygienists, but these studies did not show common results due to the differences in research methods or designs. Hence, this study aimed to review the reported data on the tasks of dental hygienists in Korea and to clarify them based on a systematic literature review. Methods: For the literature search, the COre, Standard, and Ideal model presented by the National Library of Medicine was referenced. Seven databases were searched for literatures published in Korea, including PubMed, and Google Scholar. Of the 352 studies found using key words, titles, and abstracts, 46 were finally extracted based on the first and second exclusion criteria. After confirming the tasks of Korean dental hygienists in 46 literatures, 136 tasks were listed and calculated as appearance rate in the literature. Results: The most common tasks in 46 studies were fluoride application (67.2%), radiography (65.4%), scaling (65.4%), sealant (60.7%), patient management and counseling (56.7%), tooth-brushing education (52.2%), impression taking with alginate (50.1%), and making temporary crowns (47.9%). The most mentioned tasks of dental hygienists in public health centers were fluoride application (100%), sealant (100%), oral health education (71.4%), public oral health program evaluation (71.4%), school fluoride mouth-rinsing program (71.4%), water fluoridation (57.1%), tooth-brushing education (57.1%), school oral health programs (57.1%), and public elderly oral health programs (57.1%). Conclusion This study showed that Korean dental hygienists had 136 tasks by reviewing 46 related studies and that the main job of Korean dental hygienists was oral disease prevention including scaling, sealant, and fluoride application.

In the brain, a reduction in extracellular osmolality causes water-influx and swelling, which subsequently triggers Cl⁻- and osmolytes-efflux via volume-regulated anion channel (VRAC). Although LRRC8 family has been recently proposed as the pore-forming VRAC which is activated by low cytoplasmic ionic strength but not by swelling, the molecular identity of the pore-forming swelling-dependent VRAC (VRAC(swell)) remains unclear. Here we identify and characterize Tweety-homologs (TTYH1, TTYH2, TTYH3) as the major VRAC(swell) in astrocytes. Gene-silencing of all Ttyh1/2/3 eliminated hypo-osmotic-solution-induced Cl⁻ conductance (I(Cl,swell)) in cultured and hippocampal astrocytes. When heterologously expressed in HEK293T or CHO-K1 cells, each TTYH isoform showed a significant I(Cl,swell) with similar aquaporin-4 dependency, pharmacological properties and glutamate permeability as I(Cl,swell) observed in native astrocytes. Mutagenesis-based structure-activity analysis revealed that positively charged arginine residue at 165 in TTYH1 and 164 in TTYH2 is critical for the formation of the channel-pore. Our results demonstrate that TTYH family confers the bona fide VRAC(swell) in the brain.
Arginine ; Astrocytes ; Brain ; Cytoplasm ; Glutamic Acid ; Humans ; Osmolar Concentration ; Permeability