Initial Experience With Robotic Modified Radical Neck Dissection Using the da Vinci Xi System Through the Bilateral Axillo-Breast Approach.

Objectives: The bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA) to robotic thyroidectomy has been extended to modified radical neck dissection (MRND). This study assessed outcomes in patients who underwent robotic MRND through BABA using the da Vinci Xi system.

Methods: The medical records of 40 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy, bilateral central neck dissection, and MRND from September 2018 to March 2020 were reviewed retrospectively, including 12 who underwent robotic surgery and 28 who underwent open surgery.

Bilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss with Sweet syndrome: A case report.

Introduction: Sweet syndrome (SS) is an idiopathic autoimmune disease which has been associated with various extracutaneous manifestations. Otologic symptoms secondary to SS are characterized by bilateral, progressive, sensorineural hearing loss, which requires auditory rehabilitation with, for example, cochlear implantation.

Patient Concerns: A 43-year-old woman complaining of bilateral sudden hearing loss visited the Emergency Department of our University.

Mechanical Thrombectomy in Basilar Artery Occlusion: Clinical Outcomes Related to Posterior Circulation Collateral Score.

Background And Purpose: Basilar artery occlusion (BAO) is associated with a high risk of disability and mortality. The objective of this study was to investigate prognostic factors in patients with acute basilar artery occlusion treated with mechanical thrombectomy, focusing on collateral status and recanalization time from symptom onset.

Methods: Eligible patients from January 2012 to October 2019 who underwent endovascular treatment due to acute BAO were reviewed.

Metallic Stent Mesh Coated with Silver Nanoparticles Suppresses Stent-Induced Tissue Hyperplasia and Biliary Sludge in the Rabbit Extrahepatic Bile Duct.

Recent therapeutic strategies to suppress restenosis after biliary stent placement are insufficient. Here, we demonstrate the usefulness of a self-expandable metal stent (SEMS), a stent mesh coated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), for suppression of both stent-induced tissue hyperplasia and biliary sludge formation in the rabbit bile duct. The AgNP-coated SEMSs were prepared using a simple bio-inspired surface modification process.

The prognostic value of platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio on in-hospital mortality in admitted adult traffic accident patients.

Background: The predictive value of platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in acute illness is well known, but further evaluation is needed in traffic accident patients.

Methods: This retrospective observational study enrolled consecutive adult patients involved in traffic accidents who were admitted to the study hospital's emergency department during 1 year. The initial platelet and lymphocyte counts after arrival at the emergency department were the variables of interest.

Lemon balm and dandelion leaf extract synergistically alleviate ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity by enhancing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.

We investigated the effect of a 2:1 (w/w) mixture of lemon balm and dandelion extracts (LD) on ethanol (EtOH)-mediated liver injury and explored the underlying mechanisms. Administration of LD synergistically reduced relative liver weight and decreased the levels of serum biomarkers of hepatic injury. Histopathological and biochemical analyses indicated that LD synergistically attenuated hepatic accumulation of triacylglycerides (TGs) and restored the levels of mRNAs related to fatty acid metabolism.

Change in basilar artery length and bending according to aging and vertebral artery dominance: A longitudinal study.

This study aimed to investigate the basilar artery (BA) geometric changes in a longitudinal study. 154 subjects with normal vertebrobasilar arterial systems on magnetic resonance angiography were assigned into two groups: 1) non-dominant vertebral artery (VA) and 2) VA dominance. We defined the dominant VA as either that the VA is 3 millimeters larger in diameter or the VA is connected to BA in a more straight angle.

Quantitative CT-based structural alterations of segmental airways in cement dust-exposed subjects.

Background: Dust exposure has been reported as a risk factor of pulmonary disease, leading to alterations of segmental airways and parenchymal lungs. This study aims to investigate alterations of quantitative computed tomography (QCT)-based airway structural and functional metrics due to cement-dust exposure.

Methods: To reduce confounding factors, subjects with normal spirometry without fibrosis, asthma and pneumonia histories were only selected, and a propensity score matching was applied to match age, sex, height, smoking status, and pack-years.

A 12-week, randomized, double-blind study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of liver function after using fermented ginseng powder (GBCK25).

Background: Recently, clinical research has suggested that red ginseng components play a role in liver protection and combating fatigue. However, fermented ginseng has not been analyzed for liver-protective or anti-fatigue effects.

Objective: This study evaluates the positive effects of fermented ginseng powder (GBCK25) on liver function.

Roles of PI3K pan-inhibitors and PI3K-δ inhibitors in allergic lung inflammation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Meta-analysis can be applied to study the effectiveness of the summary estimates for experimental papers, producing objective and unbiased results. We investigated the effects of phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) on the inflammatory profile in allergic mouse models, which are currently under development in signal transduction materials. PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science databases were searched for relevant literature using the search terms " PI3K inhibitor" and "allergy" or "asthma".

Mustard Seed () Extract Exhibits Antiproliferative Effect against Human Lung Cancer Cells through Differential Regulation of Apoptosis, Cell Cycle, Migration, and Invasion.

Lung cancer is the primary cause of cancer-related death worldwide, and development of novel lung cancer preventive and therapeutic agents are urgently needed. (black mustard) seeds are commonly consumed in several Asian and African countries. Mustard seeds previously exhibited significant anticancer activities against several cancer types.

Clinical evaluation of the effectiveness of a new orthotic device for the non-operative treatment of scoliosis.

Background: Bracing is one of the oldest non-operative treatments for patients with scoliosis. However, a wide variety of braces is used, and some show no effect, while others show conflicting results.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a new orthotic device for the treatment of adult scoliosis.

The effect of exercise load deviations in whole body vibration on improving muscle strength imbalance in the lower limb.

Background: The amount of patients with muscle imbalance of the left and right side increases rapidly due to an incorrect lifestyle.

Objective: We investigated the optimal exercise load required to improve muscle imbalance.

Methods: Thirty participants were enrolled in the study.

The Validity of the YMCA 3-Minute Step Test for Estimating Maximal Oxygen Uptake in Healthy Korean and Vietnamese Adults.

Background: Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is a fundamental component of physical fitness. While maximal oxygen uptake (VOmax) is the gold standard for quantifying CRF, standard maximal exercise tests using direct measurements VOmax are dependent on the availability of laboratory equipment, and thereby expensive and time consuming. Recently, an equation was formulated to indirectly estimate VOmax using the YMCA 3-minute step test.

Growth observation and orthodontic treatment of a hemifacial microsomia patient treated with distraction osteogenesis.

Hemifacial microsomia (HFM) patients may experience emotional withdrawal during their growth period due to their abnormal facial appearance. Distraction osteogenesis at an early age to improve their appearance can encourage these patients. Some abnormalities of the affected side can be overcome by distraction osteogenesis at an early age.

Not All Green Is Tophi: The Importance of Optimizing Minimum Attenuation and Using a Tin Filter to Minimize Clumpy Artifacts on Foot and Ankle Dual-Energy CT.

The clumpy artifact has a high misdiagnosis rate, but the artifact has not been well studied. The aims of this study were to evaluate the frequency and location of clumpy artifacts, the rate of misdiagnosis of clumpy artifacts as gout, and the effects of raising the minimum attenuation value and using a selective photon shield in dual-energy CT (DECT). Forty patients without gout who underwent foot and ankle DECT were enrolled in this study.

Bi-institutional experience of transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy: Challenges and outcomes.

Background: Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) is a novel remote-access endoscopic approach. In this study, we compared the surgical outcomes of TOETVA with those of conventional transcervical approach (TCA) in two tertiary hospitals.

Methods: A total of 82 patients were done by TOETVA and 233 patients received TCA between January 2018 and April 2019.

Citrus Peel Extract Ameliorates High-Fat Diet-Induced NAFLD via Activation of AMPK Signaling.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is prevalent in the elderly population, and has symptoms ranging from liver steatosis to advanced fibrosis. Citrus peel extracts (CPEs) contain compounds that potentially improve dyslipidemia; however, the mechanism of action and effects on hepatic steatosis regulation remains unclear. Current study was aimed to investigate the protective effect of CPEs extracted through hot-air drying (CPEW) and freeze-drying (CPEF) and the underlying mechanism in a rat model of high-fat diet-induced NAFLD.

Defining Treatment Response, Remission, Relapse, and Recovery in First-Episode Psychosis: A Survey among Korean Experts.

Objective: For the proper treatment of first-episode psychosis, assessment of treatment response, remission, relapse, and recovery is important. Therefore, the present study aimed to develop operational definitions of clinical outcomes in first-episode psychosis.

Methods: A questionnaire was developed by a panel of experts and underwent three revisions.

A Canine Model for Lymphangiography and Thoracic Duct Access.

Objective: To evaluate the technical feasibility of intranodal lymphangiography and thoracic duct (TD) access in a canine model.

Materials And Methods: Five male mongrel dogs were studied. The dog was placed in the supine position, and the most prominent lymph node in the groin was accessed using a 26-gauge spinal needle under ultrasonography (US) guidance.

Right-Angled Traction Bronchiectasis in Differentiating Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Without Honeycombing From Idiopathic Nonspecific Interstitial Pneumonia.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to conduct a radiopathologic evaluation of right-angled traction bronchiectasis to differentiate idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) without honeycombing from idiopathic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP).

Materials And Methods: The derivation cohort included 78 consecutive patients with idiopathic NSIP (n = 39) or IPF (n = 39) without honeycombing who underwent preoperative thin-section computed tomography scans at a single tertiary hospital. The validation cohort comprised 22 patients (14 IPF and 8 NSIP) from another institution.

Metformin coordinates osteoblast/osteoclast differentiation associated with ischemic osteonecrosis.

In this study, we aimed to identify a candidate drug that can activate endogenous Angiopoietin 1 (Ang1) expression via drug repositioning as a pharmacological treatment for avascular osteonecrosis. After incubation with 821 drugs from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug library, Ang1 expression in U2OS cell culture media was examined by ELISA. Metformin, the first-line medication for treatment of type 2 diabetes, was selected as a candidate for in vitro and in vivo experimental evaluation.