Impact of complete revascularization on long-term clinical outcomes in patients with multi-vessel disease, including chronic total occlusion.

To compare the long-term prognostic effect of complete percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on cardiovascular events in chronic total occlusion (CTO) patients with the multi-vessel disease (MVD) compared with medical therapy (MT). We enrolled 441 patients with CTO and MVD who underwent PCI. The study population was divided into the CTO-PCI (n = 231) and the CTO-MT (n = 210) groups.

Effectiveness of a cognitive behavioral therapy program in stroke patients in the Republic of Korea: a mixed-methods study.

Background: This study aimed to explore the effects of a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program on stroke patients, as well as their experiences participating in the program.

Methods: This study employed a mixed-methods design, integrating qualitative case studies with quantitative analysis. We included 20 stroke patients, randomly divided into 2 groups of 10 each: an experimental group and a control group.

In Vitro Investigation of HIF-1α as a Therapeutic Target for Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy.

Backgruound: Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) involves tissue expansion and inflammation, potentially causing a hypoxic microenvironment. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α is crucial in fibrosis and adipogenesis, which are observed in TAO progression. We investigated the effects of hypoxia on orbital fibroblasts (OFs) in TAO, focusing on the role of HIF-1α in TAO progression.

The Relationship between Seropositive Rheumatoid Arthritis and Congestive Heart Failure: A Nationwide Longitudinal Cohort Study in Korea.

The aim of this nationwide longitudinal cohort study is to determine the risk of congestive heart failure (CHF) associated with a seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) population in Korea. In this study, National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort (NHIS-HEALS) data from 2002 to 2003 were used. The cohort was followed up with for 12 years until December of 2015.

Cutoff values of body mass index for severe obesity in Korean children and adolescents: the 99th percentile versus 120% of the 95th percentile.

Purpose: Several definitions for severe obesity have been used, primarily the 99th percentile of the body mass index (BMI) and 120% of the 95th BMI percentile. This study aimed to establish a standardized definition for severe obesity in children and adolescents in Korea.

Methods: The 99th BMI percentile line and 120% of the 95th BMI percentile line were constructed using 2017 Korean National Growth Charts.

Releasing of a Titanium Clamp (Craniofix) Without Mechanical Defect After Craniotomy for Acute Subdural Hemorrhage.

After craniotomy, bone flap fixation can be performed using wires, sutures, microplates, and Craniofix®. Well-margined and fixed bone flaps are important not only for postoperative brain protection but also for esthetics. Herein, we report a case of cranioplasty due to bone flap dislocation by Craniofix® clamp loosening after craniotomy with acute subdural hemorrhage removal.

Analysis of failed mechanical thrombectomy with a focus on technical reasons: Ten years of experience in a single institution.

Objective: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is an effective treatment for patients suffering from acute ischemic stroke secondary to large vessel occlusion. However, recanalization failure rates of interventions were about 20% in literature studies. We report our experience of unsuccessful MT with a focus on technical reasons.

Comparison of 6-Month and Prolonged Dual Antiplatelet Therapy after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with Biodegradable Polymer Everolimus-Eluting Stent.

Background: The optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after biodegradable-polymer (BP) everolimus-eluting stent (EES) implantation remains uncertain.

Methods: This study analyzed 793 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with BP-EES in 10 cardiovascular centers in Korea between July 2016 and January 2018. Using the prescription data at 6 months post-PCI, we divided these patients into two groups, namely, short-DAPT and prolonged-DAPT groups, which underwent DAPT for 6 and > 6 months of PCI, respectively.

Effects of Combining Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Bilateral Upper Limb Training in Stroke Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

CBT has a beneficial effect on depression and anxiety; however, the number of cases where therapy was used in patients with stroke was rare. In addition, there is still a lack of research on the effects of occupation-based training and the effects of bilateral upper limb training that provides an intervention based on patients' state of hemiplegic upper limb function. This study investigated the effects of combining CBT and occupation-based bilateral upper limb training on the depression, anxiety, upper limb function, and occupational performance.

Effects of Ponderal Index on Neonatal Mortality and Morbidities in Extremely Premature Infants.

Background: To evaluate how intrauterine stress affects extremely premature infants in terms of intrauterine growth restriction. We hypothesized that extremely premature infants with mildly-low ponderal index (MPI) would have better neonatal outcomes.

Methods: We selected 2,721 subjects of 23 to 28 weeks of gestation between 2013 and 2015 from Korean Neonatal Network database.

Comparing the effectiveness of bimanual and unimanual mirror therapy in unilateral neglect after stroke: A pilot study.

Background: Unilateral neglect in stroke patients is a major obstacle to rehabilitation, which is a great challenge for therapists.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of bimanual mirror therapy (BMT) and unimanual mirror therapy (UMT), the two protocols of mirror therapy, for the reduction of the symptoms of unilateral neglect in stroke patients.

Methods: Twenty-eight individuals were randomly assigned to the BMT or UMT groups.

Positive nodal status is still a risk factor for long-term survivors of non-small cell lung cancer 5 years after complete resection.

Background: Lung cancer has a poor prognosis; the number of long-term survivors (LTSs) is small compared with that of other cancers. Few studies have focused on late recurrence in LTSs with lung cancer. The purpose of this study was to analyze the risk factors for survival and late recurrence in LTSs after disease-free period of 5 years.

Body Fat Plays an Important Role in of Bioimpedance Spectroscopy-Based Dry Weight Measurement Error for Patients with Hemodialysis.

Accurate dry weight (DW) estimation is important for hemodialysis patients. Although bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) is commonly used to measure DW, the BIS-based DW frequently differs from the clinical DW. We analyzed the characteristics of patients whose BIS-based DWs were over- and underestimated.

Risk factors for deep vein thrombosis even using low-molecular-weight heparin after total knee arthroplasty.

Background: With an increase in deep vein thrombosis (DVT) following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in the Asian population, most surgeons today use a form of prophylactic anticoagulant agents in patients after TKA. Nevertheless, DVT occasionally develops even in these patients with prophylaxis. The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors for DVT after TKA in cases of postoperative low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) use.

A novel approach to dry weight adjustments for dialysis patients using machine learning.

Background And Aims: Knowledge of the proper dry weight plays a critical role in the efficiency of dialysis and the survival of hemodialysis patients. Recently, bioimpedance spectroscopy(BIS) has been widely used for set dry weight in hemodialysis patients. However, BIS is often misrepresented in clinical healthy weight.

Change of Pyogenic and Tuberculous Spondylitis between 2007 and 2016 Year : A Nationwide Study.

Objective: We attempted to compare the incidence of pyogenic spondylitis (PS) and tuberculous spondylitis (TS) between 2007 and 2016. Furthermore, we investigated the patients who underwent surgery in 2016 compared to that in 2007.

Methods: We used a nationwide database managed by the Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) in 2007 and 2016.

Current Status of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery in Daejeon and Chungcheong Province: Early Experiences after Public Medical Insurance Coverage in 2019.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the current status of bariatric and metabolic surgery in Daejeon and Chungcheong province and to describe the early experiences after public medical insurance coverage in 2019.

Materials And Methods: Between January 2019 and August 2019, 64 cases of bariatric and metabolic surgery were performed in patients with morbid obesity or uncontrolled type 2 diabetes. We prospectively collected and analyzed data regarding the patients' demographics and comorbidities, surgical results, and early complications.

Additional postdilatation using noncompliant balloons after everolimus-eluting stent implantation: Results of the PRESS trial.

Background: There are limited data on the clinical value of routine postdilatation using noncompliant balloons after contemporary drug-eluting stent implantation.

Hypothesis: Additional postdilatation using noncompliant balloons after everolimus-eluting stent implantation could provide better clinical outcomes.

Methods: We randomly assigned 1774 patients with coronary artery disease to undergo additional high-pressure postdilatation using noncompliant balloons and moderate-pressure dilatation using stent balloons after everolimus-eluting stent implantation.

Effects of patient-specific mobility therapy for TMJ, neck, and shoulder dysfunction after submandibular gland tumor surgery: a case report.

 This case report describes a patient-specific mobility therapy (PSMT) program to restore range of motion (ROM) and overcome functional limitations of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), neck, and shoulder in a 48-year-old man who underwent submandibular gland tumor surgery. The patient also received transcutaneous electrical stimulation and ultrasound to relieve pain. Treatment was provided four sessions per week for four weeks.

Serum developmental endothelial locus-1 is associated with severity of sepsis in animals and humans.

Disruption of the endothelial glycocalyx has a prominent role in the pathophysiology of sepsis. Developmental endothelial locus-1 (Del-1) is an endothelial-derived anti-inflammatory factor. We hypothesized that degradation of the endothelial glycocalyx during sepsis may increase serum Del-1.

Safety and Effectiveness of Peramivir in Korean Adult Influenza Patients: Prospective Observational Study Based on Post-Marketing Surveillance Data.

Background: The safety and clinical effectiveness data of peramivir in the real clinical field are limited. A prospective observational study was conducted based on the post-marketing surveillance data to evaluate the post-marketing safety and effectiveness of peramivir in Korean adults with seasonal influenza.

Methods: Among adults aged 20 years or older who were diagnosed with influenza A or B, patients who started peramivir within 48 hours from the initial symptoms of influenza were enrolled.

Evaluation of the efficacy of the National Early Warning Score in predicting in-hospital mortality via the risk stratification.

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of the National Early Warning Score (NEWS) in predicting in-hospital mortality.

Materials And Methods: This was a retrospective observational study and the electronic medical records of the patients were reviewed based on NEWS at the time of admission.

Results: The performance of NEWS was effective in predicting hospital mortality (area under the curve: 0.