Prevalence and trends of cigarette smoking among adults with HIV infection compared with the general population in Korea.

Objectives: This study compared the current smoking prevalence among adults with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection to that of the general Korean population and analyzed changes in smoking prevalence and cessation rates from 2009 to 2020.

Methods: The study included a total of 10,980 adults with HIV infection who underwent a health screening examination (NHIS-NHID), 1,230 individuals with HIV infection who participated in the Korea HIV/AIDS Cohort (KoCosHIV), and 76,783 participants from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). We estimated the current smoking prevalence and the quit ratio, defined as the ratio of former smokers to ever-smokers.

Enhancing thermoelectric efficiency of highly conductive CuSbTe2 alloy by reducing electrical thermal conductivity via heavy Se doping.

Recently, CuSbTe2, one of the I-V-VI-based compounds, has received attention as a promising thermoelectric (TE) material that exhibits a narrow bandgap with high electrical conductivity. In this study, the evolution of electrical and thermal transport properties of CuSbTe2 by heavy Se doping was investigated by synthesizing a series of CuSb(Te1-xSex)2 (x = 0, 0.1, 0.

Significant reduction of lattice thermal conductivity observed in CuInTe-CuAlTe solid-solution alloys.

CuInTe and CuAlTe, which are ternary chalcogenide compounds with the same tetragonal structure, are considered as thermoelectric materials owing to high Seebeck coefficients with large bandgaps of ∼1.08 and 1.96 eV, respectively.

Endoscopic decompression of severe post-tuberculosis kyphosis related ossification of the ligamentum flavum: case report and literature review.

Purpose: Spinal tuberculosis, if not promptly treated, can lead to kyphotic deformity, causing persistent neurological abnormalities and discomfort. Spinal cord compression can occur due to ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) at the apex of kyphosis. Traditional surgical interventions, including osteotomy and fixation, pose challenges and risks.

The Effects of Longer Use of Teriparatide on Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes after Spinal Fusion in Geriatric Patients.

: Teriparatide is an anabolic agent for osteoporosis and is believed to improve the bone healing process. Previous studies showed that teriparatide could enhance not only fracture healing but also spine fusion. It has been reported that use of teriparatide could promote the spine fusion process and decrease mechanical complications.

Association between obesity and cancer risk in adults with HIV in Korea.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the association between obesity and cancer risk as well as site-specific cancer risks in adults with HIV using a nationwide health screening database in Korea.

Methods: Of the 16,671 adults with a new diagnosis of HIV from 2004 to 2020, 456 incident cancer cases and 1814 individually matched controls by sex, year of birth, year of HIV diagnosis, and follow-up duration (1 : 4 ratio) were included in this nested case-control study. The association between obesity (BMI ≥25 kg/m 2 ) and cancer risks was estimated and presented as odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).

Prevention of Cytomegalovirus Infection in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: Guidelines by the Korean Society of Infectious Diseases and the Korean Society for Transplantation.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most important opportunistic viral pathogen in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. The Korean guideline for the prevention of CMV infection in SOT recipients was developed jointly by the Korean Society for Infectious Diseases and the Korean Society of Transplantation. CMV serostatus of both donors and recipients should be screened before transplantation to best assess the risk of CMV infection after SOT.

Coronal vertical fracture of vertebral body following minimally invasive lateral lumbar interbody fusion: risk factor analysis in consecutive case series.

Background: To investigate the incidence and risk factors of coronal vertical vertebral body fracture (CV-VBF) during lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) for degenerative lumbar disease.

Methods: Clinical data, including age, sex, body mass index, and bone mineral density, were reviewed. Radiological assessments, such as facet joint arthrosis, intervertebral disc motion, index disc height, and cage profiles, were conducted.

Comparison of influence of intercalation and substitution of Cu on electrical and thermoelectric transport properties of InSe alloys.

Layered post-transition-metal chalcogenides, such as InSe, InSe, SnSe, and SnSe, have recently been investigated as semiconducting electronic materials and thermoelectric materials owing to their adjustable electrical transport properties either by doping or alloying. Herein, the influence of intercalation doping and substitutional doping of Cu in layered InSe alloys on electrical and thermoelectric transport properties was investigated and compared by synthesizing varied compositions of CuInSe and InCuSe. It was found that Cu was intercalated in CuInSe samples ( = 0.

Different decision-making in spine metastasis management among radiation oncologists and orthopedic surgeons: a Korean online survey study.

Purpose: To understand the current practice of radiation oncologists (ROs) and orthopedic surgeons (OSs) regarding spine metastasis.

Methods: In 2022, an internet-based survey was conducted for ROs and OSs who treat spinal metastasis in Korea. Respondents were asked to choose the treatment option for two clinical scenarios.

Anterior Column Realignment Through Open Pre-posterior Release-Anterior-Posterior Fusion Versus Hybrid Minimally Invasive-Anterior-Posterior Fusion for Dynamic Sagittal Imbalance of the Spine.

Study Design: Retrospective comparative study.

Objectives: To investigate the clinical and radiological outcomes after anterior column realignment (ACR) through pre-posterior release-anterior-posterior surgery (PAP) and minimally invasive surgery -lateral lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-LLIF) using hybrid anterior-posterior surgery (AP).

Methods: A total of 91 patients who underwent ACR with long fusions from T10 vertebra to the sacropelvis with a follow-up period of at least 2 years after corrective surgery for adult spinal deformity were included and divided into two groups by surgical method: AP and PAP.

Is robotic surgery beneficial for the treatment of endometrial cancer? A comparison with conventional laparoscopic surgery.

The objective of this study was to compare the oncologic outcomes between those who underwent robotic surgery or conventional laparoscopic surgery for endometrial cancer. We performed a retrospective review of patients from a single institution who underwent either laparoscopic or robotic surgery for the treatment of endometrial cancer between January 2010 and December 2020. Tumor characteristics, recurrence rate, disease-free survival, and overall survival were compared according to surgical approach.

Nutritional index in relation to prognosis of endometrial cancer.

Evaluate the prognostic value of the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) in patients with endometrial cancer (EC). Laboratory and clinicopathological data from 370 patients who were diagnosed with EC between January 2010 and December 2021 were reviewed. The PNI was analyzed for correlations with recurrence and survival.

Application of -Derived Recombinant Human Bone Morphogenic Protein-2 to Unstable Spinal Fractures.

(1) Background: Recently, -derived recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (-derived rhBMP-2) has been increasingly applied to different types of spinal surgeries and reported to achieve successful fusion. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of rhBMP-2 in patients undergoing posterior instrumented fusions for unstable spinal fractures. (2) Methods: This study included ten consecutive patients undergoing spinal surgery using -derived rhBMP-2 with more than one year of follow-up.

Risk of lymphadenopathy from SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in Korea: a self-controlled case series analysis.

Objectives: To assess the risk of lymphadenopathy following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination.

Methods: A self-controlled case series design was used to determine whether the risk of lymphadenopathy was higher in the 1-day to 42-day risk interval after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination compared to the control period. In addition, subgroup analyses were conducted according to baseline characteristics, time since vaccination, and sensitivity analyses adjusted for the length of the risk interval.

High-dose (60 Gy) intensity-modulated radiotherapy with concurrent weekly cisplatin followed by intracavitary radiation in locally advanced cervical cancer: A phase II prospective clinical trial.

Objective: Radiotherapy dose-escalation using intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) has been necessary to improve treatment results in cervical cancer.

Methods: This was a phase II prospective clinical trial. 88 patients with FIGO II-IVa cervical cancer were enrolled in a single center.