Factors Affecting the Response and Patient Satisfaction of Topical Immunotherapy in Alopecia Areata: A Nationwide Study.

Background: Contact immunotherapy using diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) is a recommended treatment for severe alopecia areata (AA); however, few clinical factors are known, and few standardized application methods affecting therapeutic efficacy have been devised.

Objective: To confirm the therapeutic response of DPCP immunotherapy in AA, first we analyze the factors influencing its outcome and patient satisfaction levels, after which we standardize the DPCP treatment method for better outcomes.

Methods: We utilized a nationwide questionnaire-based survey to assess patient satisfaction and undertook a medical record review involving 412 patients currently undergoing treatment for DPCP.

Salvage treatment of forearm arteriovenous fistula with small caliber inflow distal artery by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty.

Background: Dysfunctional distal arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) with small caliber distal inflow arteries theoretically require percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) throughout the entire arterial length. However, in clinical practice, whole distal inflow arterial PTA is not frequently performed due to concerns about possible arterial rupture. Therefore, we investigated the safety and efficacy of this procedure at our center, comparing it with the standard venous PTA.

IL-17A and Th17 Cells Contribute to Endometrial Cell Survival by Inhibiting Apoptosis and NK Cell Mediated Cytotoxicity of Endometrial Cells via ERK1/2 Pathway.

Immune status including the immune cells and cytokine profiles has been implicated in the development of endometriosis. In this study, we analyzed Th17 cells and IL-17A in peritoneal fluid (PF) and endometrial tissues of patients with (n=10) and without (n=26) endometriosis. Our study has shown increased Th17 cell population and IL-17A level in PF with endometriosis patients.

Evaluation of outcomes with permanent vascular access in an elderly Korean population based on the National Health Insurance Service database.

Introduction: As nearly half of patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) who initiate hemodialysis (HD) are over 65 years old (commonly defined as elderly), the fistula first strategy is controversial even in HD patients ≥65 years.

Methods: In Korea's National Health Insurance Service database from 2008 to 2019, 41,989 elderly (≥ 65 years) HD patients were retrospectively reviewed to identify their clinical characteristics and outcomes. Vascular access (VA) patencies, risk factors associated with patencies and patient survival between arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and arteriovenous graft (AVG) were compared.

Diagnostic Usefulness of Diffusion-Weighted MRI for Axillary Lymph Node Evaluation in Patients with Breast Cancer.

This study aimed to determine whether apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and morphological features on diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) can discriminate metastatic axillary lymph nodes (ALNs) from benign in patients with breast cancer. Two radiologists measured ADC, long and short diameters, long-to-short diameter ratio, and cortical thickness and assessed eccentric cortical thickening, loss of fatty hilum, irregular margin, asymmetry in shape or number, and rim sign of ALNs on DW-MRI and categorized them into benign or suspicious ALNs. Pathologic reports were used as a reference standard.

New prognostic scoring system for mortality in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis by modifying the gender, age, and physiology model with desaturation during the six-minute walk test.

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive fibrosing interstitial lung disease (ILD) with variable and heterogeneous clinical course. The GAP (gender, age, and physiology) model had been used to predict mortality in patients with IPF, but does not contain exercise capacity. Therefore, our aim in this study was to develop new prognostic scoring system in the Korea IPF Cohort (KICO) registry.

Parent caregivers' preferences and satisfaction with currently provided childhood cancer survivorship care.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the level of satisfaction of parent caregivers of childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) with currently provided survivorship care and their preferences for survivorship care provider.

Methods: Study subjects were parent caregivers recruited at three hospitals in Korea. Study data were collected from self-administered questionnaires and medical records.

Impact of Pediatric Alopecia Areata on Quality of Life of Patients and Their Family Members: A Nationwide Multicenter Questionnaire Study.

Background: Pediatric alopecia areata (AA) can affect the quality of life (QoL) of patients and their family members. Research on the QoL and burden on family members in pediatric AA is limited.

Objective: This nationwide multicenter questionnaire study described the QoL and burden of the family members of patients with pediatric AA.

Quantitative analysis of choroidal blood flow parameters in optical coherence tomography and angiography in central serous chorioretinopathy.

Purpose: To evaluate the choriocapillaris (CC) flow in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) and determine the relationship between CC flow void with the choroidal thickness (CT) and choroidal vascularity index (CVI).

Methods: Retrospective analysis of 20 patients with CSC (40 eyes, including unaffected fellow eyes) and 20 age- and sex-matched controls. After compensation with optical coherence tomography (OCT) en-face structural image, the CC flow void (%) was measured using the phansalkar threshold with a window radius of 3 and 15 pixels.

A global perspective on improving patient care in uncomplicated urinary tract infection: expert consensus and practical guidance.

Objectives: Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (uUTIs) are a common problem in female patients. Management is mainly based on empirical prescribing, but there are concerns about overtreatment and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), especially in patients with recurrent uUTIs.

Methods: A multidisciplinary panel of experts met to discuss diagnosis, treatment, prevention, guidelines, AMR, clinical trial design and the impact of COVID-19 on clinical practice.

Factors associated with the comprehensive needs of caregivers of childhood cancer survivors in Korea.

Purpose: Caregivers of childhood cancer survivors (CCS) have diverse needs, which should be addressed to provide comprehensive cancer care. We aimed to evaluate the unmet needs of caregivers of CCS.

Methods: The subjects were 700 caregivers recruited at three major hospitals in South Korea.

Use of Autologous Stem Cells in Lumbar Spinal Fusion: A Systematic Review of Current Clinical Evidence.

Study Design: Systematic review.

Objectives: To systematically review, critically appraise and synthesize evidence on use of autologous stem cells sources for fusion in the lumbar spine.

Methods: A systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE and ClinicalTrials.

Correction to: Chemoradiation in elderly patients with glioblastoma from the multi‑institutional GBM‑molRPA cohort: is short‑course radiotherapy enough or is it a matter of selection?

The name of author Do Hoon Lim was incorrect in the initial online publication. The original article has been corrected.

Comparison of vascular access patency and patient survival between native arteriovenous fistula and synthetic arteriovenous graft according to age group.

Introduction: Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is historically known to be the ideal option for vascular access (VA) for hemodialysis compared with arteriovenous graft (AVG). However, this approach has been recently questioned in the aging population because of their poor vessel quality and multiple comorbidities.

Methods: Data from a total of 2200 patients from the VA category of The Catholic Medical Center nephrology registry from March 2009 to February 2017 were analyzed.

Chemoradiation in elderly patients with glioblastoma from the multi-institutional GBM-molRPA cohort: is short-course radiotherapy enough or is it a matter of selection?

Background: The optimal radiotherapy regimen in elderly patients with glioblastoma treated by chemoradiation needs to be addressed. We provide the results of a comparison between conventionally fractionated standard radiotherapy (CRT) and short-course radiotherapy (SRT) in those patients treated by temozolomide-based chemoradiation.

Methods: Patients aged 65 years or older from the GBM-molRPA cohort were included.

Correction to: influenza vaccination in caregivers of childhood cancer survivors.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake in affiliation of the 1st, 4th, and corresponding author.

Influenza vaccination in caregivers of childhood cancer survivors.

Purpose: An increased risk of influenza-related morbidity and mortality in childhood cancer survivors could be significantly reduced through vaccinations. This study aimed to examine influenza vaccination practices by caregivers of childhood cancer survivors.

Methods: Study subjects were 364 caregivers, recruited at three major hospitals in South Korea.

Transjugular insertion of biliary stent in patients with malignant biliary obstruction complicated by ascites with/without coagulopathy: a prospective study of 12 patients.

Purpose: In patients with malignant biliary obstruction complicated by massive ascites, when endoscopy fails, safe routes for biliary decompression are needed as an alternative to percutaneous approach. We aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of transjugular insertion of biliary stent (TIBS) in patients with malignant biliary obstruction complicated by massive ascites with or without coagulopathy.

Methods: From March 2012 to December 2017, a total of 12 consecutive patients with malignant biliary obstructions treated with TIBS were enrolled in this study.

Transcriptional Regulator TonEBP Mediates Oxidative Damages in Ischemic Kidney Injury.

TonEBP (tonicity-responsive enhancer binding protein) is a transcriptional regulator whose expression is elevated in response to various forms of stress including hyperglycemia, inflammation, and hypoxia. Here we investigated the role of TonEBP in acute kidney injury (AKI) using a line of TonEBP haplo-deficient mice subjected to bilateral renal ischemia followed by reperfusion (I/R). In the TonEBP haplo-deficient animals, induction of TonEBP, oxidative stress, inflammation, cell death, and functional injury in the kidney in response to I/R were all reduced.

Epidemiology of Bearing Dislocations After Mobile-Bearing Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty: Multicenter Analysis of 67 Bearing Dislocations.

Background: This study investigated the epidemiology and causes of bearing dislocations following mobile-bearing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (MUKA) and determined whether the incidence of primary bearing dislocations decreases as surgeon experience increases.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the bearing dislocations following MUKAs performed by 14 surgeons with variable experience levels. Causes of bearing dislocations were determined based on the surgical records, radiographs, and operator's suggestion.

Coenzyme Q alleviates tacrolimus-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in kidney.

The major side effect of tacrolimus (Tac) is nephrotoxicity. We studied whether supplementation of coenzyme Q, (CoQ) a potent antioxidant, can reduce Tac-induced nephrotoxicity improving mitochondrial function. In an study, CoQ reduced the production of Tac-induced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and abolished the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential in proximal tubular cell line.

Clinical features and prognosis of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) share common risk factors. They could therefore be expressed in a single patient. However, the prevalence, clinical characteristics and prognosis of individuals with comorbid IPF and COPD are not known.

Transitions in Problematic Internet Use: A One-Year Longitudinal Study of Boys.

Objective: Longitudinal studies may help elucidate the factors associated with Problematic Internet Use (PIU); however, little prospective research has been conducted on the subject. The aim of the current study was to prospectively examine PIU in children/adolescents and identify the possible risk factors associated with transitions in PIU severity.

Methods: 650 middle-school boys were surveyed at two points one year apart and assessed for PIU using the Internet Addiction Proneness Scale for Youth (KS-II) and on other psychological characteristics.