Longitudinal multi-trajectory phenotypes of severe eosinophilic asthma on type 2 biologics treatment.

Background: Limited understanding exists regarding the progression trajectory of severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA) patients on type 2 biologics therapies.

Objective: We aim to explore distinct longitudinal phenotypes of these patients based on crucial asthma biomarkers.

Methods: We enrolled 101 adult patients with SEA.

Associations of Financial Toxicity with Employment Concerns and Cancer-Related Distress: A Cross-Sectional Survey among Korean Working-Age Cancer Survivors.

Purpose: Although South Korea's health insurance has a co-payment-decreasing policy for cancer survivors, information on the extent of financial toxicity and its related factors is limited. We assessed the level of financial toxicity and the association of high levels of financial toxicity with employment concerns after diagnosis and cancer-related distress in working-age cancer survivors.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted.

Peak width of skeletonized mean diffusivity as a marker of small vessel disease in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis.

Objective: White matter abnormalities in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and hippocampal sclerosis (HS) are well known. Peak width of skeletonized mean diffusivity (PSMD) is a novel marker for quantifying white matter integrity that may reflect small vessel disease. In this study, we aimed to quantify the extent of white matter damage in patients with TLE and HS by using PSMD.

The benefits of touched vertebra concept for the selection of the lowest instrumented vertebra in thoracic curves of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Purpose: To assess the benefits of using the touched vertebra (TV) rule in Lenke classification for thoracic curves of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Methods: A total of 141 AIS patients with thoracic curves determined by Suk classification were divided based on whether the lowest instrumented vertebra (LIV) matched the TV into groups of mTV (n = 84, LIV = TV), TV- (n = 21, LIV above TV), and TV+ (n = 36, LIV below TV) for 5-year follow-up. The radiological parameters were the central sacral vertical line (CSVL)-LIV distance, distal end vertebra rotation, coronal, and sagittal parameters.

Clinical Implications of the Skip Phenomenon in Patients with Persistent Bacteremia.

Intermittent negative blood cultures, known as the skip phenomenon (SP), frequently occur in patients with bacteremia (SAB), yet the clinical implications of SP in persistent SAB are not well understood. In this retrospective cohort study conducted at four university hospitals, SP was observed in 25 (11.3%) of 221 patients with persistent SAB.

Effects of multi directional chin tuck against resistance exercise on tongue pressure and thickness and suprahyoid muscle activity.

The chin tuck against resistance (CTAR) exercise is a therapeutic method developed to activate and strengthen the oropharyngeal muscles related to swallowing in patients experiencing post-stroke dysphagia. However, existing CTAR exercises could be improved by considering the complex characteristics of the suprahyoid muscles. To investigate the efficacy of multidirectional (md-) CTAR on tongue pressure and suprahyoid muscle activity in older adults.

Clinical outcome and complications after simultaneous bilateral medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy.

Background: The literature provides limited evidence regarding postoperative outcomes and complications following simultaneous bilateral medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO). This study aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes and complications associated with simultaneous bilateral MOWHTO.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 72 knees from 36 patients (mean age, 58.

Anterolateral rotatory instability of the elbow: a possible etiology of primary osteoarthritis.

Background: The purpose of this study is to describe anterolateral rotatory instability (ALRI) as a possible etiology of primary osteoarthritis (OA) of the elbow.

Methods: We examined 76 fresh frozen cadaveric elbows (male:female, 56:20; mean age, 81 years) for patterns of cartilage erosion that could be due to ALRI. These included erosions on the lateral trochlear ridge (LTR) lesion, crescent rim of the radial head (RC) lesion or the ventral capitellum (VC) lesion.

Exploring Traits Associated With Central Sensitization Features in Patients With Chronic Cough.

The concept of cough hypersensitivity suggests that central sensitization plays a role in the pathophysiology of chronic cough. However, it remains unclear which traits are associated with central sensitization features in patients with chronic cough. A cohort of 317 Korean patients with newly referred chronic cough underwent clinical evaluations.

Efficacy and Safety of Montelukast+Levocetirizine Combination Therapy Compared to Montelukast Monotherapy for Allergic Rhinitis in Children.

Purpose: The combination therapy of leukotriene receptor antagonists and antihistamines may alleviate allergic rhinitis (AR) symptoms better than monotherapy. This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of Monterizine, a fixed-dose combination of montelukast and levocetirizine, compared to montelukast monotherapy in pediatric patients with AR.

Methods: One hundred seventy-six children aged 6 to 14 years with perennial AR symptoms were recruited.

Clinical Characteristics of T2-Low and T2-High Asthma-Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Overlap: Findings From COREA Cohort.

Purpose: Despite the emerging biologics, biomarkers and treatment options for asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) overlap (ACO) are still limited, requiring further research.

Methods: We enrolled 378 ACO patients from a multicenter real-world asthma cohort in Korea and compared the clinical characteristics, lung function, and exacerbation between type 2 (T2)-high and T2-low groups. We used the following comparisons: 1) low vs.

Identification of essential genes for Acanthamoeba castellanii excystation during encystation and excystation.

Acanthamoeba is an opportunistic pathogen that causes Acanthamoeba keratitis, granulomatous amoebic encephalitis, and other cutaneous diseases. The life cycle of Acanthamoeba consists of 2 stages of trophozoites and cysts. Under adverse environmental conditions, Acanthamoeba encysts, while the conditions become favorable for growth, it reverts to the trophozoite form.

Early management of adult sepsis and septic shock: Korean clinical practice guidelines.

Background: Despite recent advances and global improvements in sepsis recognition and supportive care, mortality rates remain high, and adherence to sepsis bundle components in Korea is low. To address this, the Korean Sepsis Alliance, affiliated with the Korean Society of Critical Care Medicine, developed the first sepsis treatment guidelines for Korea based on a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: A de novo method was used to develop the guidelines.

Comparison of In-Shoe Pedobarographic Variables between 2 Orthoses during Toe and Heel Gaits.

Background: The choice of an appropriate type of orthosis depends on the patient's specific condition and needs. Different types of orthoses can affect plantar pressure distribution during certain gait patterns. Toe and heel gaits are common patterns of gait assigned for optimal recovery in patients with foot or ankle injuries.

The association between small vessel disease and obstructive sleep apnea: a peak width of skeletonized mean diffusivity-based study.

Purpose: Peak width of skeletonized mean diffusivity (PSMD) is a novel marker of small vessel disease in the brain. This study aimed to investigate the association between small vessel disease and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) using PSMD.

Methods: We enrolled patients with OSA and age- and sex-matched healthy controls, and performed diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) using a 3-tesla MRI scanner in them.

Poor Prognostic Effects of Lymphocytopenia Induced by Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy in Rectal Cancer.

Background: We evaluated the prognostic effect of lymphocytopenia caused by preoperative radiation therapy and chemotherapy in patients with rectal cancer.

Methods: A total of 147 patients with rectal cancer who underwent preoperative chemoradiotherapy and surgical resection between 2008 to 2021 participated. Lymphocyte nadir less than 500/μl were defined as lymphocytopenia in this study.

Thirty-Day Mortality of Persistent Methicillin-Resistant Bacteremia: Insights from a Retrospective Cohort Study.

Although glycopeptides remain the preferred treatment for methicillin-resistant (MRSA) bacteremia, the treatment of persistent MRSA bacteremia has been challenging. We investigated real-world treatment strategies for persistent MRSA bacteremia, with a specific emphasis on the use of antimicrobial agents and the frequency of changes during the treatment course. We retrospectively identified patients with persistent MRSA bacteremia in four university-affiliated hospitals between 2017 and 2021.