• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.350-357
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• 2019

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate a possible association between the anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody (anti-tTG) titer and stage of duodenal mucosal damage and assess a possible cut-off value of anti-tTG at which celiac disease (CD) may be diagnosed in children in conjunction with clinical judgment. Methods: This observational study was conducted at a gastroenterology clinic in a tertiary hospital from April 2012 to May 2013. Seventy children between 6-months and 18-years-old with suspected CD underwent celiac serology and duodenal biopsy. Statistical analyses were done using SPSS 16. Diagnostic test values were determined for comparing the anti-tTG titer with duodenal biopsy. An analysis of variance and Tukey-Kramer tests were performed for comparing the means between groups. A receiver operating characteristics curve was plotted to determine various cut-off values of anti-tTG. Results: The mean antibody titer increased with severity of Marsh staging (p<0.001). An immunoglobulin (Ig) A-tTG value at 115 AU/mL had 76% sensitivity and 100% specificity with a 100% positive predictive value (PPV) and 17% negative predictive value (NPV) for diagnosis of CD (p<0.001, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75-1). Conclusion: There is an association between the anti-tTG titer and stage of duodenal mucosal injury in children with CD. An anti-tTG value of 115 AU/mL (6.4 times the upper normal limit) had 76% sensitivity, 100% specificity, with a 100% PPV, and 17% NPV for diagnosing CD (95% CI, 0.75-1). This cut-off may be used in combination with clinical judgment to diagnose CD.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.192-198
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• 2019

Objectives: Oral and maxillofacial surgeons must gain mastery of various approaches to the midface due to the increasing incidence, complexity, and severity of presenting midfacial fractures. Unlike in the case of other body parts, the need to preserve facial aesthetics makes it more difficult for the surgeon to select an approach for managing the facial injuries. The midfacial degloving (MFD) approach is a combination of intraoral and intranasal incisions made to access the midface without any external incision. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of MFD in maxillofacial surgery and to assess its advantages and complications. Materials and Methods: The MFD approach was used in five cases, with three cases treated with open reduction and internal fixation and two cases operated on for posttraumatic deformity. Nasal dorsum augmentation was completed in three cases and nasal osteotomy was performed in one case. The bicoronal flap technique was combined with MFD for frontal bone augmentation in one case. The intraoperative time required for flap completion and the ease of performing the planned procedures were noted. Postoperative evaluation was done for reduction, aesthetics, function, and complications. Results: Access was excellent for performing all planned procedures. Average time spent for flap elevation and exposure of the midface was 63 minutes. Complications like postoperative swelling, infraorbital nerve paresthesia, and intranasal crusting were all transient. No long-term complications like stenosis of the nose, sneer deformity, or weakness of the facial muscles were noticed. Additionally, no complications were noted when MFD was combined with bicoronal flap. Conclusion: Though the MFD approach is technically demanding and takes more time than other facial approaches, it should be learned and applied by maxillofacial surgeons in selective cases, as it provides complete exposure of the midface without facial scarring.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.57-64
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• 2019

Lack of incident reporting culture has been pointed out as a potential risk factor across industries. Consequently, comprehensive understanding of the factors affecting the willingness to report (WTR) is necessary. However, our knowledge on the related studies are not enough to date and even most parts of the existing studies have focused on patient safety, which makes it difficult to universally apply the factors to all industries. Therefore, this study aimed to identify WTR factors in chemical plants and evaluate the influence degree of the factors. To do this, 45 candidate factors were summarized throughout the previous studies and surveying plant safety staff. A questionnaire survey was conducted for 614 all employees from 9 chemical plants which belong to one company, and finally 32 WTR factors were identified throughout 520 responses. Of these, 19 factors were consistent with the previous studies and 13 factors were newly identified. The most influential factor was 'Views on the necessity of incident reporting', and 'Reporting practice by outcome severity', 'Fear of vilification, conflicts, blame, or sanctions' were followed. This result not only suggests various WTR factors suitable for chemical plants, but also shows need to derive specific factors that are appropriate to each industry. An empirical study could be expected to increase incident reporting by using these factors and verify its effectiveness on injury rate.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.69-75
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• 2019

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) diagnosis using Kellgren-Lawrence scores is commonly used to help decision-making during assessment of the severity of OA with assessment of pain, function and muscle strength. The association between Kellgren-Lawrence scores and functional/clinical outcomes remains controversial in patients with knee OA. Objects: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between Kellgren-Lawrence scores and knee pain associated with OA, function during daily living and sports activities, quality of life, and knee muscle strength in patients with knee OA. Methods: We recruited 66 patients with tibiofemoral knee OA and determined knee joint Kellgren-Lawrence scores using standing anteroposterior radiographs. Self-reported knee pain, daily living function, sports/recreation function, and quality of life were measured using the knee injury and OA outcome score (KOOS). Knee extensors and flexors were assessed using a handheld dynamometer. We performed Spearman's rank correlation analyses to evaluate the relationships between Kellgren-Lawrence and KOOS scores or muscle strength. Results: Kellgren-Lawrence scores were significantly negatively correlated with KOOS scores for knee pain, daily living function, sports/recreation function, and quality of life. Statistically significant negative correlations were found between Kellgren-Lawrence scores and knee extensor strength but not flexor strength. Conclusion: Higher Kellgren-Lawrence scores were associated with more severe knee pain and lower levels of function in daily living and sports/recreation, quality of life, and knee extensor strength in patients with knee OA. Therefore, we conclude that knee OA assessment via self-reported KOOS and knee extensor strength may be a cost-effective alternative to radiological exams.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2021

Background: Recent studies about completely displaced midshaft clavicle fractures have reported that their nonunion/malunion rates were significantly higher in conservatively treated patients compared to surgically treated patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factors associated with treatment decisions for midshaft clavicle fractures and also the factors that affect patient satisfaction with their treatment choice. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 75 patients who had been diagnosed with a midshaft clavicle fracture and were treated conservatively at a single institution between March 1, 2013, and December 31, 2014. Their medical records were reviewed to investigate the severity of the initial vertical displacement. A telephone survey was carried out to identify the presence of any patient-perceived deformity and determine if the patient eventually underwent surgery and whether the patient would prefer surgery if the injury recurred. Results: Significantly more patients with vertical displacement ≥100% (9/28) eventually underwent surgery compared to patients with vertical displacement <100% (3/32, p=0.028). Patients with vertical displacement ≥100% (13/28) were significantly more likely to prefer surgery compared to patients with vertical displacement <100% (7/32, p=0.044). Among the conservatively treated patients, nine of 32 participants with a patient-perceived deformity and one of 16 without a patient-perceived deformity responded that they would prefer to receive surgery in same situation in the future (p=0.079). Conclusions: Patients with a midshaft clavicle fracture with vertical displacement of ≥100% may eventually require surgical treatment. When conservative treatment is carried out, the long-term patient results may be unsatisfactory due to perceived residual deformities.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.47-57
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• 2022

Stiripentol is an anti-epileptic drug for the treating of refractory status epilepticus. It has been reported that stiripentol can attenuate seizure severity and reduce seizure-induced neuronal damage in animal models of epilepsy. The objective of the present study was to investigate effects of post-treatment with stiripentol on cognitive deficit and neuronal damage in the cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) region of the hippocampus proper following transient ischemia in the forebrain of gerbils. To evaluate ischemia-induced cognitive impairments, passive avoidance test and 8-arm radial maze test were performed. It was found that post-treatment with stiripentol at 20 mg/kg, but not 10 or 15 mg/kg, reduced ischemia-induced memory impairment. Transient ischemia-induced neuronal death in the CA1 region was also significantly attenuated only by 20 mg/kg stiripentol treatment after transient ischemia. In addition, 20 mg/kg stiripentol treatment significantly decreased ischemia-induced astrocyte damage and immunoglobulin G leakage. In brief, stiripentol treatment after transient ischemia ameliorated transient ischemia-induced cognitive impairment in gerbils, showing that pyramidal neurons were protected and astrocyte damage and blood brain barrier leakage were significantly attenuated in the hippocampus. Results of this study suggest stiripentol can be developed as a candidate of therapeutic drug for ischemic stroke.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.279-285
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• 2022

Background; In the event of an industrial accident, the appropriate choice of hospital is important for worker health and prognosis. This study investigates whether the choice of hospital by the employer in the case of industrial accidents affects the prognosis of injured employees. Methods; Data from the 2018 Panel Study of Workers' Compensation Insurance in Korea were used in an unmatched case-controlled study. The exposure variable is "hospital selection by an employer," and the outcome variable is 'worker's disability." Odds ratios (ORs) were estimated by modified Poisson regression and adjusted for age, gender, underlying disease, injury severity, and workplace size and stratified by industrial classification. The group at increased risk was analyzed and stratified by age, gender, and area. Results; In the construction industry, hospital selection by the employer was significantly associated with increased risk of disability (adjusted OR 1.26; 95% confidence interval [CI]; 1.20-1.32) and severe disability (adjusted OR 1.38; 95% CI; 1.08-1.76) among the injured. Female and younger workers not living in the Seoul capital area were more at risk of disability and severe disability than those living in the Seoul capital area. Conclusions; Hospital selection by employers affects the prognosis of workers injured in an industrial accident. For protecting workers' health and safety, workplace emergency medical systems should be improved, and the selection of appropriate hospitals to supply treatment should be reviewed.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.84 no.3
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• pp.200-208
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• 2021

Background: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is an increasingly recognized form of diffuse parenchymal lung disease. Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) is now classified as a human MUC1 mucin protein, and regenerating type II pneumocytes are the primary cellular source of KL-6/MUC1 in the affected lungs of patients with interstitial lung diseases (ILD). Serum KL-6/MUC1 levels have been demonstrated to be useful for the evaluation of various ILD. To determine the role of circulating KL-6 in evaluating the disease activity and management of HP. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted on 51 patients with HP and 20 healthy controls. Serum KL-6 levels were measured in both groups. Patients were further assessed based on chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), pulmonary function test, 6-minute walk test, echocardiography, bronchioalveolar lavage, and/or transbronchial biopsy. Patients were divided into the fibrotic and non-fibrotic groups according to the HRCT findings. Results: The median serum KL-6 levels were significantly higher in HP patients as compared to the control group. The median serum KL-6 levels were found to be higher in the non-fibrotic HP group (1,900 IU/mL) as compared to the fibrotic group (1,200 IU/mL). There was a significant inverse correlation between serum KL-6 serum level and the dose of steroids as well as the duration of steroid therapy. Conclusion: The presence of higher KL-6 levels in the non-fibrotic HP group implies its enhanced production by regenerating pneumocytes in response to alveolar injury. The significant association between serum KL-6 levels and the dose and the duration of steroid therapy emphasizes the significant role of steroids in the stabilization of the disease.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.294-312
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• 2023

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of GGX on an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma mice model. Methods: Balb/c mice were challenged with OVA and then treated with three concentrations of GGX (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg). After sacrifice, the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) or lungs of the mice were analyzed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting, ELISA, real-time PCR, H&E, Masson's trichrome, PAS and AB-PAS staining, and immunohistofluorescence staining. Results: GGX significantly inhibited the increase of total cells, immune cells (lymphocyte, neutrophils, macrophage, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+CD69+, CD62L-CD44high+, Gr-1+SiglecF-), and the expression of cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IFN-γ) in BALF. It also significantly inhibited the increase of total cells, immune cells (lymphocyte, neutrophils, eosinophil/macrophage, CD3+, CD19+, CD3+CD193+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+CD69+, CD62L-CD44high+, and Gr-1+SiglecF-), and the expression of IL-13, TARC, and MCP-1 in lung tissue. GGX decreased the severity of histological lung injury and the expressions of STAT3 and GATA3. Conclusion: This study suggests the probability of using GGX for the treatment of asthma by inhibiting inflammatory immune response.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.231-241
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• 2023

Purpose: Overtriage and undertriage rates are critical metrics in trauma, influenced by both trauma team activation (TTA) criteria and compliance with these criteria. Analysis of undertriaged patients at a level I trauma center revealed suboptimal compliance with existing criteria. This study assessed triage patterns after implementing compliance-focused process interventions. Methods: A physician-driven, free-text alert system was modified to a nonphysician, hospital dispatcher-guided system. The latter employed dropdown menus to maximize compliance with criteria. The preintervention period included patients who presented between May 12, 2020, and December 31, 2020. The postintervention period incorporated patients who presented from May 12, 2021, through December 31, 2021. We evaluated appropriate triage, overtriage, and undertriage using the Standardized Trauma Assessment Tool. Statistical analyses were conducted with an α level of 0.05. Results: The new system was associated with improved compliance with existing TTA criteria (from 70.3% to 79.3%, P=0.023) and decreased undertriage (from 6.0% to 3.2%, P=0.002) at the expense of increasing overtriage (from 46.6% to 57.4%, P<0.001), ultimately decreasing the appropriate triage rate (from 78.4% to 74.6%, P=0.007). Conclusions: This study assessed a workflow change designed to improve compliance with TTA criteria. Improved compliance decreased undertriage to below the target threshold of 5%, albeit at the expense of increased overtriage. The decrease in appropriate triage despite compliance improvements suggests that the current criteria at this institution are not adequately tailored to optimally balance the minimization of undertriage and overtriage. This finding underscores the importance of improved compliance in evaluating the efficacy of TTA criteria.