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Background Glycemic variability is associated with the development of diabetic complications and hypoglycemia. However, the effect of sodium-glucose transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors on glycemic variability is controversial. We aimed to examine the effect of dapagliflozin as an add-on therapy to insulin on the glycemic variability assessed using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods In this multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized study, 84 subjects received 10 mg of dapagliflozin (n=41) or the placebo (n=43) for 12 weeks. CGM was performed before and after treatment to compare the changes in glycemic variability measures (standard deviation [SD], mean amplitude of glycemic excursions [MAGEs]). Results At week 12, significant reductions in glycosylated hemoglobin (−0.74%±0.66% vs. 0.01%±0.65%, P

Objective To determine the most optimal needle insertion point of extensor indicis (EI) using ultrasound.Methods A total 80 forearms of 40 healthy volunteers were recruited. We identified midpoint (MP) of EI using ultrasound and set MP as optimal needle insertion point. The location of MP was suggested using distances from landmarks. Distance from MP to medial border of ulna (MP-X) and to lower margin of ulnar head (MP-Y) were measured. Ratios of MP-X to Forearm circumference (X ratio) and MP-Y to forearm length (Y ratio) were calculated. In cross-sectional view, depth of MP (Dmp), defined as middle value of superficial depth (Ds) and deep depth (Dd) was measured and suggested as proper depth of needle insertion.Results Mean MP-X was 1.37±0.14 cm and mean MP-Y was 5.50±0.46 cm. Mean X ratio was 8.10±0.53 and mean Y ratio was 22.15±0.47. Mean Dmp was 7.63±0.96 mm.Conclusion We suggested that novel optimal needle insertion point of the EI. It is about 7.6 mm in depth at about 22% of the forearm length proximal from the lower margin of the ulnar head and about 8.1% of the forearm circumference radial from medial border of ulna.

Objective High-quality intensive care, including targeted temperature management (TTM) for patients with postcardiac arrest syndrome, is a key element for improving outcomes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). We aimed to assess the status of postcardiac arrest syndrome care, including TTM and 6-month survival with neurologically favorable outcomes, after adult OHCA patients were treated with TTM, using data from the Korean Hypothermia Network prospective registry. Methods We used the Korean Hypothermia Network prospective registry, a web-based multicenter registry that includes data from 22 participating hospitals throughout the Republic of Korea. Adult comatose OHCA survivors treated with TTM between October 2015 and December 2018 were included. The primary outcome was neurological outcome at 6 months. Results Of the 1,354 registered OHCA survivors treated with TTM, 550 (40.6%) survived 6 months, and 413 (30.5%) had good neurological outcomes. We identified 839 (62.0%) patients with preClinsumed cardiac etiology. A total of 937 (69.2%) collapses were witnessed, shockable rhythms were demonstrated in 482 (35.6%) patients, and 421 (31.1%) patients arrived at the emergency department with prehospital return of spontaneous circulation. The most common target temperature was 33°C, and the most common target duration was 24 hours. Conclusion The survival and good neurologic outcome rates of this prospective registry show great improvements compared with those of an earlier registry. While the optimal target temperature and duration are still unknown, the most common target temperature was 33°C, and the most common target duration was 24 hours.

Context: Atlantoaxial instability in an athetoid dystonic cerebral palsy patient due to os odentoideum represents a rare cause of high-level cervical spinal cord injury. There is no evidence-based treatment protocol for this injury and a number of reports have debated whether nonsurgical or surgical treatment is the best option. Findings: Here, we report the case of a 32-year-old athetoid dystonic cerebral palsy patient with os odontoideum (OO) causing compressive myelopathy on the C1–2 levels. About two weeks after atlantoaxial fusion, the patient started an intensive rehabilitation program and maintained it for four weeks. He showed neurological and functional improvement at discharge after four weeks of training. There were further improvements in function and symptoms four weeks after discharge. Conclusion: Intensive rehabilitation programs are important for the recovery and good prognosis in spinal cord injury patients. However, rehabilitation of CP patients with spinal cord injury is often neglected. We provided intensive rehabilitation therapy to a patient for a cervical spinal cord injury by OO with athetoid dystonic cerebral palsy and achieved neurological and functional recovery.

OBJECTIVES To assess the diagnostic accuracy of Superb Microvascular Imaging (SMI; Canon Medical Systems, Otawara, Japan) at the subcoracoid triangle for adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder, to compare the diagnostic value of SMI with that of conventional ultrasound (US) and power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS) findings, and to investigate the correlation between vascular flow on SMI with clinical features. METHODS Our study included 39 patients with a diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis and 35 healthy patients as a control group. The echogenicity in the rotator interval and coracohumeral ligament thickness were assessed with conventional US. Vascular flow in the subcoracoid fat triangle was evaluated with SMI and PDUS (SMI and PDUS areas). A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to evaluate diagnostic accuracy. The correlation between US findings and the range of motion, pain intensity, and duration of symptoms was also evaluated. RESULTS The SMI area was higher in the adhesive capsulitis group than in the control group (2.95 versus 0 mm2 ; P < .01). The visualization of vascular flow at the subcoracoid fat triangle was superior with SMI compared with PDUS (P < .01). In the receiver operating characteristic analysis, the SMI area showed higher diagnostic performance, with an area under the curve of 0.90 compared with other US findings. The area of SMI vascular flow was also negatively correlated with external rotation and forward flexion (P < .05) in the adhesive capsulitis group. CONCLUSIONS Measurement of vascular flow at the subcoracoid fat triangle using SMI facilitated the diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis. Superb Microvascular Imaging was superior to PDUS in diagnostic performance. Vascular flow was negatively correlated with the range of motion of external rotation and forward flexion.

In patients with back or scapular pain, if there is evidence of neurological symptoms, fever, chills, malaise, or other signs of infection, the work‐up should consider the possibility of a spinal‐esophageal fistula.

This study evaluated whether the grey-white matter ratio (GWR) assessed via early brain computed tomography (CT) within 2 h after the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) following cardiac arrest is associated with poor neurological outcomes after 6 months in post-cardiac arrest patients treated with targeted temperature management (TTM).This study used data from the Korean Hypothermia Network prospective registry obtained from November 2015 to October 2017 to assess patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) who underwent brain CT within 2 h following the ROSC. The primary endpoint was the neurological outcome 6 months post-cardiac arrest (cerebral performance category; CPC). The GWR was measured using early brain CT images. The subgroup analysis examined the difference in GWRs obtained from early and repeated brain CT.Five-hundred-twelve patients were enrolled. Good (CPC 1-2) and poor (CPC 3-5) neurological outcomes were observed in 162 (31.6%) and 350 (68.4%) patients, respectively. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the GWR measured using early brain CT was a statistically nonsignificant predictor of poor neurologic outcomes (p = 0.727). In patients with poor outcomes, the mean GWR obtained from early and repeated CT images were 1.171 ± 0.058 and 1.091 ± 0.133, respectively (p 0.001); there was no statistically significant difference between the GWRs in patients with good outcomes.The GWR assessed via early brain CT alone is not an independent factor predictive of poor neurologic outcomes but could be useful when used with repeated CT data.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to present a technique for measuring physiologic distal tibiofibular syndesmosis widening using 3-dimensional ultrasonography (3D-US) with an evaluation of its reliability, and to determine whether there were differences in the measurements between different dynamic stress tests. Methods We retrospectively evaluated 3D-US of 20 subjects with normal ankle syndesmosis. 3D-US was performed in neutral (N), dorsiflexion with external rotation (DFER), and weight-bearing standing (WB) positions at the anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament level in both ankles for comparison. Using 3D-US volume data, axial images were reconstructed at the level of the lateral prominence of the anterior tibial tubercle to ensure consistent measurements of the tibiofibular clear space (TFCS) by two radiologists. Results There was a wide range of TFCS values among the subjects (N, 1.2 to 4.2 mm; DFER, 2.3 to 4.8 mm; WB, 1.7 to 4.6 mm). When both ankles of each subject were evaluated, the side-to-side differences were less than 1 mm in all positions, with high intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values between both ankles (ICC, 0.85 to 0.93). The inter-rater agreement for all TFCS measurements between the two radiologists was excellent (ICC, 0.81 to 0.96). In comparisons between the two dynamic stress tests, the TFCS was significantly wider in the DFER position than in the WB position (DFER vs. WB, 3.3 mm vs. 2.9 mm; P

Background: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of acarbose add-on therapy in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who are inadequately controlled with metformin and sitagliptin. Methods: A total of 165 subjects were randomized to metformin and sitagliptin (Met+Sita, n=65), metformin, sitagliptin, and acarbose (Met+Sita+Acarb, n=66) and sitagliptin and acarbose (Sita+Acarb, exploratory assessment, n=34) therapy in five insti tutions in Korea. After 16 weeks of acarbose add-on or metformin-switch therapy, a triple combination therapy was maintained from week 16 to 24. Results: The add-on of acarbose (Met+Sita+Acarb group) demonstrated a 0.44%±0.08% (P

To evaluate the role of Dixon T2-weighted water-fat separation technique in predicting the outcome of lumbar transforaminal epidural injections (TFESIs). Patients who underwent TFESI of a single spinal nerve within 3 months after magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam between August 2018 and April 2020 were identified. The patients were classified into positive or negative outcome groups based on the response to the TFESI procedure. Two musculoskeletal radiologists measured the signal intensity of the injected side spinal nerves, contralateral side spinal nerves, and subcutaneous fat on axial Dixon T2-weighted water-only images, and the diameter of spinal nerve on axial Dixon T2-weighted in-phase images of the pre-procedural MRI. The measured values of the injected side spinal nerves were compared between the two groups and with the contralateral side spinal nerve. A total of 94 patients were included, 76 in the positive outcome group and 18 in the negative outcome group. The mean signal intensity and the nerve-to-fat signal ratio of the injected side spinal nerve were significantly higher in the positive outcome group than in the negative outcome group (793.78 vs. 679.19, p = 0.016; 4.21 vs. 3.28, p = 0.003). In the positive outcome group, the diameter of the spinal nerve was significantly higher on the injected side than on the contralateral side (6.91 mm vs. 6.37 mm, p = 0.016). The mean signal intensity and the nerve-to-fat signal ratio of the spinal nerve on axial Dixon T2-weighted water-only images can help predict patient response to the TFESI. • Applying the Dixon technique to lumbar spine MRI can help predict patient response to the TFESI procedure. • An increased nerve-to-fat signal ratio and mean spinal nerve signal intensity on axial Dixon T2-weighted water-only images predicted favorable TFESI outcomes.

Background. Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a critical disease encountered in the emergency department (ED). Despite the development of diagnostic tools, it may be difficult to diagnose ACS because of atypical symptoms and equivocal test results. We investigated the difference in the rates of revisit and undetected ACS between adult and elderly patients who visited the ED with chest pain. Method. Data from 11,323 patients who visited the ED with chest pain at university hospitals in Korea were retrospectively analyzed. The cohort was categorized into two age groups: the adult (30–64 years) and elderly (>65 years). Baseline characteristic data (age, sex, vital signs, triage category, etc.) were obtained. We selected patients who revisited the ED within 30 d and investigated whether ACS was diagnosed. Result. The revisit rate was higher in the elderly (12%) than in the adult group (8.3%). The rate of undetected ACS among the revisited patients was 2.91% (18/7,186) in adults and 6.08% (16/1,998) in elderly patients. Conclusion. Elderly patients with chest pain had an increased rate of ED revisits and undetected ACS than adult patients. We recommend that old patients should be hospitalized to observe the progression of cardiac complaints or receive short-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) does not respond to cytotoxic chemotherapy. While several anti-angiogenic agents have been evaluated in single-arm phase II trials, the role of chemotherapy is still controversial because ACC is usually stable without chemotherapy and lack of randomized trials. Here, we conducted the first randomized trial to evaluate the efficacy of axitinib as compared to observation in ACC. METHODS: In this multicenter, prospective phase II trial, we enrolled recurred, metastatic ACC patients who had progressed within the past 9 months. Patients were randomly assigned to either axitinib (5 mg twice daily) or observation at a 1:1 ratio. Crossover from observation to axitinib was permitted for patients who showed progression. The primary endpoint was a 6-month progression-free survival (PFS) rate. The secondary endpoints included objective response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS), PFS, duration of response, and adverse events. FINDINGS: Sixty patients were randomly allocated to axitinib or observation, with response evaluation conducted in 54 patients. With a median follow-up of 25.4 months, the 6-month PFS rate was 73.0% with axitinib and 23.0% with observation. Median PFS was significantly different ( P < 0.001) between the two arms. The ORR of axitinib was 0.0%. The disease control rate was 100.0% with axitinib and 51.9% with observation. After crossover, ORR of axitinib in the observation arm was 11.5%. Median OS was not reached with axitinib versus 27.2 months with observation ( P = 0.226). The most frequently reported adverse events for axitinib were oral mucositis and fatigue. INTERPRETATION: In this first randomized trial in patients with recurred or metastatic ACC, axitinib significantly increased the 6-month PFS rate as compared to observation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02859012) FUNDING STATEMENT: Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Research Foundation, and National R&D Program for Cancer Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Republic of Korea (1720150). DECLARATION OF INTERESTS: BK received research funding from MSD, AstraZeneca, and Ono Pharmaceutical and served as an advisor for AstraZeneca, MSD, Handok, CBS Bio and Genexine outside of the current work. M-J A received research funding from AstraZeneca and received honoraria from AstraZeneca, Lilly, Novartis, MSD, TAKEDA, Alpha pharmaceutical, Roche, Ono Pharmaceutical and served as an advisor or consultancy for AstraZeneca, Lilly, Novartis, MSD, TAKEDA, Alpha Pharmaceutical, Roche and Ono pharmaceutical. K-W L received honoraria from BMS, Lilly, Genexine and received research funding from Macrogenics, MSD, Ono Pharmaceutical, Green Cross Corp. ASLAN Pharmaceuticals and AstraZeneca/MedImmune, Five Prime Therapeutics, LSK BioPharma, Merck, Array BioPharma, Pharmacyclics, Pfizer, ALX Oncology, Zymeworks, BeiGene, Daiichi Sankyo, Taiho Pharmaceutical, and served as an advisor or consultancy for Bayer. S-BK received research funding from Novartis, Sanofi- Genzyme, Dongkook Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd and served as an advisor or consultancy for Novartis, Astrazeneca, Lilly, Enzychem, Dae Hwa Pharmaceutical Co.,Ltd, ISU Abxis and Daiichi-Sankyo.YY served as an advisor or consultancy for Lilly.MKK received honoraria from Janssen Korea. All other authors declare no competing interests. ETHICS APPROVAL STATEMENT: The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board of each participating institution.

Background: The need to develop a more effective intervention to obtain a functional recovery of stroke patients who are unable to perform land-based treadmill gait training has been widely reported. Thus, this pilot study aimed to identify a gait training type that could lead to improved gait and respiratory functioning in adult patients with chronic severe hemiplegic stroke.Objectives: To examine whether underwater treadmill or/and overground gait training could be more effective in stroke patients.Methods: In this single-blinded, randomized, controlled, comparative study, 22 patients with severe hemiplegic stroke in a rehabilitation hospital were randomly assigned to the experimental (underwater treadmill gait training) or control group (overground gait training). All participants performed a 60-min neurodevelopmental treatment (five times/week for 12 weeks). Each group performed 30-min underwater or overground gait training (two times/week for 12 weeks). Gait and respiratory function were measured before and after the 12-week training.Results: For the walking variables, step-time difference changes post-training showed significant differences between the groups (-.06 vs. +.04 s, p < .05). Both groups showed significant increases in the maximal voluntary volume (MVV) at post compared to pre training (p < .05). The post-training MVV values were significantly different between the two groups (+23.35 vs. +4.76 L, p < .05).Conclusions: In severe stroke patients, underwater treadmill gait training can be more effective in improving gait and respiratory function than overground gait training and could be an effective clinical intervention tool for the training of such patients.

Although immune-checkpoint inhibitors have become a new therapeutic option for recurrent/metastatic non-small cell lung cancers (R/M-NSCLC), its clinical benefit in the real-world is still unclear. We investigated 1181 Korean patients with programmed death-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1)-positive [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥ 10% by the SP263 assay or ≥ 50% by the 22C3 assay] R/M-NSCLC treated with pembrolizumab or nivolumab after failure of platinum-based chemotherapy. The median age was 67 years, 13% of patients had ECOG-PS ≥ 2, and 27% were never-smokers. Adenocarcinoma was predominant (61%) and 18.1% harbored an EGFR activating mutation or ALK rearrangement. Pembrolizumab and nivolumab were administered to 51.3% and 48.7, respectively, and 42% received them beyond the third-line chemotherapy. Objective response rate (ORR) was 28.6%. Pembrolizumab group showed numerically higher ORR (30.7%) than the nivolumab group (26.4%), but it was comparable with that of the nivolumab group having PD-L1 TPS ≥ 50% (32.4%). Median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 2.9 (95% CI 0–27.9) and 10.7 months (95% CI 0–28.2), respectively. In multivariable analysis, concordance of TPS ≥ 50% in both PD-L1 assays and the development of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) were two significant predictors of better ORR, PFS, and OS. EGFR mutation could also predict significantly worse OS outcomes. The real-world benefit of later-line anti-PD1 antibodies was comparable to clinical trials in patients with R/M-NSCLC, although patients generally were more heavily pretreated and had poorer ECOG-PS. Concordantly high PD-L1 TPS ≥ 50% and development of irAE could independently predict better treatment outcomes, while EGFR mutation negatively affected OS.

Background This retrospective study investigated the association between clinical features and MRI findings in patients with early adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder. Methods The study included 29 patients with early adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder. The clinical diagnostic criteria were significantly restricted passive range of motion (ROM) and a symptom duration of up to 9 months. Various measurements related to adhesive capsulitis, including humeral and glenoid capsular thickness in the axillary recess, maximal axillary capsular thickness, coracohumeral ligament thickness, and anterior capsular thickness were measured on MRI. Abnormal humeral and glenoid capsular hyperintensity in the axillary recess, abnormal hyperintensity in the rotator interval, and obliteration of the subcoracoid fat triangle were also evaluated. Correlations between MRI findings and clinical features, including limited ROM, pain, and symptom duration were sought. Results Maximal axillary and humeral capsular thickness measured on MRI were negatively correlated with ROM for internal rotation. Also, hyperintensity in axillary recess and glenoid capule were correlated with ROM for abduction. Humeral capsular hyperintensity was correlated with ROM for forward flexion. There were no MRI findings that showed correlations with ROM for external rotation and severity of pain. The hyperintensity in the humeral capsule among MRI findings was only correlated with duration of symptoms. Conclusions MRI can be useful for assessment of several measures of clinical impairment in patients with adhesive capsulitis. Thickening and hyperintensity of the joint capsule in the axillary recess on MRI is associated with limited ROM and duration of symptoms.

Background Serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) could be used as a predictive marker of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) who are managed with targeted temperature management (TTM). However, the NGAL measurement timepoints vary from immediately after ROSC to several days later. The primary objective of this study was to determine an association between AKI and NGAL, both immediately (ROSC-NGAL) and 3 h after ROSC (3 h-NGAL), in OHCA patients with TTM. The secondary objective was to ascertain the association between NGAL levels in the early post-ROSC phase and the neurologic outcomes at discharge. Methods This prospective observational study was conducted between January 2016 and December 2018 and enrolled adult OHCA patients (≥18 years) with TTM after ROSC. The serum NGAL level was measured both immediately and 3 h after ROSC. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the associations between AKI, poor neurologic outcome, and NGAL. Results Among 861 OHCA patients, 89 patients were enrolled. AKI occurred in 48 (55.1%) patients. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, 3 h-NGAL was significantly associated with AKI (odds ratio [OR] 1.022; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.009–1.035; p = 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 3 h-NGAL for AKI was 0.910 (95% CI 0.830–0.960), and a cut-off value of 178 ng/mL was identified. Both ROSC-NGAL and 3 h-NGAL were not significantly associated with poor neurologic outcome on multivariate logistic regression analysis (ROSC-NGAL; OR 1.017; 95% CI 0.998–1.036; p = 0.084, 3 h-NGAL; OR 0.997; 95% CI 0.992–1.001; p = 0.113). Conclusions The serum NGAL concentration measured 3 h after ROSC is an excellent early predictive marker for AKI in OHCA patients treated with TTM. Future research is needed to identify the optimal measurement timepoint to establish NGAL as a predictor of neurologic outcome and to validate the findings of this research.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of wearing a pelvic compression belt during trunk stability exercise on balance and gait ability in patients with stroke. DESIGN Thirty-six patients with stroke participated and were randomly allocated to three groups: the paretic group (trunk stability exercise wearing a pelvic belt on the paretic side), the nonparetic group (trunk stability exercise wearing a pelvic belt on the nonparetic side), or the control group (trunk stability exercise without a pelvic belt). Walking and balancing abilities were assessed before and after trunk stabilization exercise. RESULTS Significantly larger gains were identified in the paretic group than in the control group for all variables (P < 0.017). In addition, significantly larger gains were observed in the paretic group than in the nonparetic group (P < 0.017) (limit of stability, 15.6%; stance phase of paretic side, 4.1%; 10-m walking test, -10.1%; 6-min walking test, 4.6%). CONCLUSION Wearing a pelvic belt on the paretic side during trunk stabilization exercise seems to be more effective at improving the balancing and walking abilities of patients with stroke than wearing a pelvic compression belt on the nonparetic side or not wearing a pelvic belt.

This study evaluated whether inter-hospital transfer (IHT) after the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) was associated with poor neurological outcomes after 6 months in post-cardiac-arrest patients treated with targeted temperature management (TTM). We used data from the Korean Hypothermia Network prospective registry from November 2015 to December 2018. These out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients had either received post-cardiac arrest syndrome (PCAS) care at the same hospital or had been transferred from another hospital after ROSC. The primary endpoint was the neurological outcome 6 months after cardiac arrest. Subgroup analyses were performed to determine differences in the time from ROSC to TTM induction according to the electrocardiography results after ROSC. We enrolled 1326 patients. There were no significant differences in neurological outcomes between the direct visit and IHT groups. In patients without ST elevation, the mean time to TTM was significantly shorter in the direct visit group than in the IHT group. IHT after achieving ROSC was not associated with neurologic outcomes after 6 months in post-OHCA patients treated with TTM, even though TTM induction was delayed in transferred patients.

Background The effect of renal replacement therapy (RRT) on the outcomes of severe acute kidney injury (AKI) after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the association of RRT with 6-month mortality in patients with severe AKI treated with targeted temperature management (TTM) after OHCA. Methods This was a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected multicentre observational cohort study that included adult OHCA patients treated with TTM across 22 hospitals in South Korea between October 2015 and December 2018. AKI was diagnosed using the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes criteria. The primary outcome was 6-month mortality and the secondary outcome was cerebral performance category (CPC) at 6 months. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to define the role of RRT in stage 3 AKI. Results Among 10,426 patients with OHCA, 1373 were treated with TTM. After excluding those who died within 48 h of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and those with pre-arrest chronic kidney disease, our study cohort comprised 1063 patients. AKI developed in 590 (55.5%) patients and 223 (21.0%) had stage 3 AKI. Among them, 115 (51.6%) were treated with RRT. The most common treatment modality among RRT patients was continuous renal replacement therapy (111 [96.5%]), followed by intermittent haemodialysis (4 [3.5%]). The distributions of CPC (1–5) at 6 months for the non-RRT vs. the RRT group were 3/108 (2.8%) vs. 12/115 (10.4%) for CPC 1, 0/108 (0.0%) vs. 1/115 (0.9%) for CPC 2, 1/108 (0.9%) vs. 3/115 (2.6%) for CPC 3, 6/108 (5.6%) vs. 6/115 (5.2%) for CPC 4, and 98/108 (90.7%) vs. 93/115 (80.9%) for CPC 5, respectively (P = 0.01). The RRT group had significantly lower 6-month mortality than the non-RRT group (93/115 [81%] vs. 98/108 [91%], P = 0.04). Multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that RRT was independently associated with a lower risk of death in patients with stage 3 AKI (hazard ratio, 0.569 [95% confidence interval, 0.377–0.857, P = 0.01]). Conclusion Dialysis interventions were independently associated with a lower risk of death in patients with stage 3 AKI treated with TTM after OHCA.

Objective: Several abbreviated versions of the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) have been developed and used widely in clinical settings. This paper provides evidence supporting the use of abbreviated versions of AUDIT by comparing the utility of various abbreviated versions and determining the cut-off values for the population of South Korea. Methods: Data were obtained from the 4th to 6th Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. After calculating the whole AUDIT score, the cut-off value of at-risk drinking proposed by the World Health Organization was applied and the study sample was divided into normal and at-risk drinking groups. Receiver operating characteristic curves were drawn for the AUDIT-3rd question (Q3) alone, AUDIT-quantity and frequency (QF), AUDIT-consumption (C), AUDIT-4, and AUDIT-primary clinic (PC), and the optimal cut-off values were obtained for each group. Results: A total of 46,450 subjects were analyzed. The at-risk drinking group comprised 29.2% of all subjects. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of the abbreviated versions of AUDIT increased from 0.954 to 0.991 as the number of questions was increased from one to four. The differences in the AUROC between the abbreviated versions of AUDIT were statistically significant. The most appropriate cut-off values for AUDIT-Q3 alone, AUDIT-QF, AUDIT-C, AUDIT-4, and AUDIT-PC for adults over age 19 were 2, 4, 5, 6, and 4 points, respectively. Conclusion: As the number of items analyzed increased from one to four, the AUROC increased to a statistically significant level. The cut-off values for the abbreviated versions of AUDIT were similar in South Korea to other countries.

Background and Objectives: Patients who overdose on doxylamine, hypnotic agent, usually exhibit good outcomes, but some experience serious complications. Some patients who present with normal creatinine phosphokinase levels in the emergency department later develop rhabdomyolysis during observation. We investigated factors associated with delayed-onset rhabdomyolysis in patients with doxylamine overdoses. Methods: Our investigation period was between 1 January 2011 and 29 February 2016. The initial blood samples were obtained for arterial blood gas analysis and measurements of the levels of electrolytes, creatinine phosphokinase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase. Urine analyses including pH and occult blood analyses were performed. Follow-up samples were obtained at 6 and 12 h after admission. Delayed-onset rhabdomyolysis was defined by a follow-up serum creatinine phosphokinase level greater than fivefold the upper limit of normal (>1000 IU/L). Comparisons of categorical variables between groups were performed using either the χ2 or Fisher exact tests. Continuous variables were compared between groups using the Mann–Whitney U test. Results: A total of 337 patients were enrolled. The large amount of ingested doxylamine (odds ratio = 7.002), tachycardia (odds ratio = 2.809), low arterial blood gas analysis pH (odds ratio = 2.267), and presence of occult blood in the urine (odds ratio = 2.048) were significant associated with delayed-onset rhabdomyolysis. Conclusion: Laboratory follow-up examinations were required for patients, ingested more than 18 mg/kg doxylamine poisoning, who had pulses exceeding 120 beats/min, had arterial blood gas analysis pH values below 7.3 on blood and urine testing, and/or exhibited the presence of occult blood in the urine, even if the initial creatinine phosphokinase level was normal.

Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers. water extract (EAW) was investigated for its anti-obesity effects in C57BL/6J mice on a high-fat diet. Mice were divided into groups fed normal and high-fat diets (ND and HFD, respectively), and HFD mice were treated with EAW (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day) for 8 weeks. Inhibition of HFD-induced obesity by EAW was evaluated using biochemical parameters, immunohistochemistry, real-time PCR, and immunoblot assay. EAW supplementation significantly diminished the final body weight, adipose tissue size, and epididymal adipose tissue volume compared with mice with obesity induced by HFD (p

This study examined whether the walking and balance ability of adult patients with chronic hemiplegic stroke are associated differentially with the degree of gain after two types of gait intervention. Twenty-four subjects with hemiplegic stroke were enrolled in this randomized study. Each subject participated in one of two gait intervention strategies: gait training with auditory feedback caused by active weight bearing on the paralyzed side (experimental group; EG), or general gait intervention over the ground (control group; CG). The walking and balance abilities were assessed before and after gait intervention. Significant improvements in the 10-m walking test, functional gait assessment (FGA) score, and center of pressure (COP) path length were observed after gait training in both groups (p 0.05). The EG showed a larger increase in the 10-m walking test, FGA score, and COP path length in the state of eyes opened and closed than the CG (18.2%, 27.0%, 24.8%, and 18.2%, respectively). The auditory feedback caused by active weight bearing on the paralyzed side appeared to be a more effective approach for improving the walking and balance ability in adult patients with hemiplegic stroke during walking training than general gait intervention.

Purpose This study was conducted to identify and to functionally characterize genetic variants in ST3GAL5 and ST8SIA1 in Korean patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO). Materials and methods Genetic analyses were conducted using DNA samples from TAO patients (n=50) and healthy subjects (n=48) to identify TAO-specific genetic variants of ST3GAL5 or ST8SIA1. The effect of each genetic variant on the transcription or expression of these genes was examined. Additionally, correlations between functional haplotypes of ST3GAL5 or ST8SIA1 and clinical characteristics of the patients were investigated. Results Six promoter variants and one nonsynonymous variant of ST3GAL5 were identified, and four major promoter haplotypes were assembled. Additionally, three promoter variants and two major haplotypes of ST8SIA1 were identified. All ST3GAL5 and ST8SIA1 variants identified in TAO patients were also found in healthy controls. Promoter activity was significantly decreased in three promoter haplotypes of ST3GAL5 and increased in one promoter haplotype of ST8SIA1. Transcription factors activating protein-1, NKX3.1, and specificity protein 1 were revealed as having roles in transcriptional regulation of these haplotypes. The nonsynonymous variant of ST3GAL5, H104R, did not alter the expression of ST3GAL5. While no differences in clinical characteristics were detected in patients possessing the functional promoter haplotypes of ST3GAL5, exophthalmic values were significantly lower in patients with the ST8SIA1 haplotype, which showed a significant increase in promoter activity. Conclusion These results from genotype-phenotype analysis might suggest a possible link between the ST8SIA1 functional promoter haplotype and the clinical severity of TAO. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted.

Spinal cord infarction is a rare condition and is easily misdiagnosed owing to its initial non-specific manifestation. We report a case of a 77–year-old man who presented with chest pain and upper back pain initially, and was misdiagnosed with a myocardial infarction. Four hours after admission, he complained of numbness in his entire left leg below the knee, with rapid deterioration of neurological symptoms. After 9 hours, loss of sensation progressed up to the T4 dermatome, strength of both lower extremities deteriorated to grade 0, and decrease in anal tone and deep tendon reflex was observed. Initial magnetic resonance imaging findings were normal; however, a signal change occurred 3 days after symptom onset. When patients present with acute chest pain and neurologic symptoms, the possibility of ischemic cardiac disease as well as any neurological manifestations must be investigated. Emergency physicians must remember the value of serial physical examinations.

Glyphosate-surfactant is one of the most commonly used herbicides in the world. Its key component, glyphosate, is a competitive inhibitor of the shikimate pathway, a metabolic pathway found only in plants. However, severe intoxication, including lethal cases by ingestion of, glyphosate-surfactant has been reported. We describe the full recovery of two patients from glyphosate-polyoxyethyleneamine surfactant intoxication and multi-organ system failure following continuous renal replacement therapy. Both patients developed persistent shock, acute kidney injury, lactic acidosis, hyperkalaemia and multi-organ failure despite of resuscitation. We believe that continuous renal replacement therapy should be initiated immediately for removal of glyphosate-polyoxyethyleneamine surfactant in patients with signs of cardiopulmonary compromise, lactic acidosis, and renal failure. We propose the addition of glyphosate-polyoxyethyleneamine surfactant to the list of toxins for which early haemodialysis should be indicated.

Neurofibromatosis 1 is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by cafe-au-lait spots, cutaneous neurofibroma, and bony deformities. Vascular abnormality such as stenosis, aneurysm, or rupture associated with neurofibromatosis 1 is rare. Rupture of vertebral artery aneurysm into the thoracic cavity is extremely rare. The outcomes of patients with aneurysmal ruptures are very poor when spontaneous hemothorax occur. A 31-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with left shoulder pain and with both lower chest wall pain and left supraclavicular area swelling. The chest computed tomography scan revealed about 4-cm pseudo-aneurysm probable arising from the left vertebral artery with large hematoma at left supraclavicular area. Neurofibromatosis 1 is generally being regarded as a benign disease but has the potential for serious vascular complications. When aneurysms were ruptured, cervical hematoma, hemothorax, or hypotension was developed. It is potentially a life-threatening condition, so it must require emergent management. Emergency physicians must remember the relation of neurofibromatosis 1 and serious vascular complications and ensure rapid access to rule out vascular lesions, so as to prevent the life-threatening condition.

Introduction: Accidental foreign bodies ingestion is common in emergency department. However, if the objects are sharp, the complication rate is higher. Toothpick can cause severe complications of gastrointestinal tract due to being long, sharp ends on both sides, slender, and resistant to digestion. Case presentation: A 64-year-old man presented to the emergency department with fever and right upper abdominal pain for 3 days. The physical examination revealed severe pain with rebound tenderness in the right upper abdominal quadrant and positive Murphy’s sign. The provisional diagnosis of acute cholecystitis was made. The contrast abdominal-pelvic computed tomography scan revealed linear-shaped lesion penetrating hepatic flexure of colon and proximal transverse colon. The patient showed deterioration of vital sign, and therefore, emergency laparotomy was performed. Colon perforation by wooden toothpick was diagnosed. Discussion and conclusion: Toothpick ingestion without awareness is rare but fatal, especially when physicians failed to suspect foreign body ingestion. We think of this as one of the differential diagnoses, so we use contrast computed tomography scan.

Background Endotracheal tube (ETT) obstruction or narrowing in patients undergoing general anesthesia due to dissection of reinforced ETT is unusual. Case Report A 26-year-old woman was transferred to the emergency department due to drowsy mental status after surgery. She was intubated by reinforced ETT with grossly normal external appearance, but the inner layer of ETT was dissected, the inner diameter was narrowed, and the extent of protrusion of inner layer of ETT was more severe at the distal end. Therefore, the patient had to breathe through a very small diameter ETT, and hypercapnia and CO2 narcosis developed. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? Although rare, obstruction by dissection of ETT can be life-threatening if diagnosis is delayed. Therefore, emergency physicians should keep in mind the possibility of ETT dissection when peak airway pressures or EtCO2 values are elevated in intubated patients.

Background The anterior surgical approach to the cervical spine is known to be safe, and damage to the hypoglossal nerve and trigeminal pathway after the surgery is uncommon. However, once damage to those nerves occurs, the patient's quality of life can be severely impaired by discomfort and disability. Case Description We report the case of a 59-year-old male with concomitant and irreversible hypoglossal nerve and trigeminal system dysfunction after cervical spine surgery by the anterior approach confirmed by an electrodiagnostic study. He had undergone anterior cervical disc fusion through right-sided approach for a herniated intervertebral disc on the C3-4 level and direct cord compression. He had difficulty with tongue movement, dysarthria, and hypesthesia along the lower margin of the right mandible immediately after the surgery. An electrodiagnostic study revealed hypoglossal neuropathy and trigeminal somatosensory pathway dysfunction. Even though the patient received rehabilitation therapy for impaired tongue movement for more than 2 years, this function did not recover. Conclusions It is important to be aware of the complexity of the anatomy of vulnerable structures, including hypoglossal nerves and the trigeminal nerve system at the cervical spine level, to prevent damage to important neural structures during surgical procedures.

Obesity is one of the major public health problems in the world because it is implicated in metabolic syndromes, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. The objective of this study was to investigate whether Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers. (EAP) extract suppresses reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and fat accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells by activating an AMP-dependent kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway. Our results showed that EAP water extract significantly inhibits ROS production, adipogenesis, and lipogenesis during differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. In addition, EAP decreased mRNA and protein levels of proliferator-activated receptor &gamma, (PPAR&gamma, ) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBP&alpha, ). Moreover, EAP suppressed mRNA expressions of fatty acid synthase (FAS), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), adipocyte protein 2 (aP2) in a dose-dependent manner. Whereas, EAP upregulated adiponectin expression, phosphorylation levels of AMPK and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT-1) protein level during differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. These results suggest that EAP water extract can exert ROS-linked anti-obesity effect through the mechanism that might involve inhibition of ROS production, adipogenesis and lipogenesis via an activating AMPK signaling pathway.

Neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) involves the central and peripheral nervous system in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It is essential to specify the problems faced by patients with NPSLE because it causes diverse disabilities and impairs quality of life. After performing a comprehensive evaluation, tailored management should be provided for the patient's specific problems. We report here the case of a 30-year-old female with SLE who experienced serious neuropsychiatric symptoms cerebral infarction followed by posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome and peripheral polyneuropathy. We systemically assessed the patient using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health model as a clinical problem-solving tool and provided comprehensive rehabilitation by focusing on her problems.

Epigastric pain is a common symptom in the emergency department. Most epigastric pain is not fatal, except in acute myocardial infarction, aortic dissection, and abdominal aneurysm rupture. Epigastric pain can also be the only symptom of isolated spontaneous gastric artery dissection. We report the case of a 51-year-old woman diagnosed with neurofibromatosis who initially presented with only epigastric pain. She was initially misdiagnosed with gastritis, treated conservatively, and discharged. Two hours later, she returned to the emergency department with persistent epigastric pain and rebound tenderness in the epigastric area. Angiography revealed a left hepatic arterial aneurysm and right gastric artery dissection, which were subsequently embolized. Although extremely rare, patients presenting with epigastric pain at risk of vasculopathies should be considered for isolated spontaneous gastric artery dissection. Early recognition and definitive therapy lead to a favorable outcome.

[Purpose] This study compared the activity of the quadriceps femoris muscle according to the angle of ankle abduction during a lunge exercise. [Subjects and Methods] Fifteen male healthy volunteers participated in the study. All participants performed the lunge exercise with different angles of ankle abduction (0°, 20°, 40°, 60°). The activity of the rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL) and vastus medialis oblique (VMO) muscles were recorded for the four angles by using a surface electromyography system. [Results] There were significant differences between the rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL) and vastus medialis oblique (VMO) with every angle of the ankle joint. The most significantly increased muscle activity was evident in the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) when the ankle abduction was 60°. [Conclusion] These findings suggest that as the ankle abduction angle increases during the lunge exercise, the muscle activity of the quadriceps femoris muscle increases and this could be helpful in the selective muscle strengthening of the vastus medialis oblique muscle (VMO) with the ankle in the 60° abduction position.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy on the pain and function of patients with degenerative knee arthritis. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty patients with degenerative knee arthritis were divided into a conservative physical therapy group (n=10) and an extracorporeal shock wave therapy group (n=10). Both groups received general conservative physical therapy, and the extracorporeal shock wave therapy was additionally treated with extracorporeal shock wave therapy after receiving conservative physical therapy. Both groups were treated three times a week over a four-week period. The visual analogue scale was used to evaluate pain in the knee joints of the subjects, and the Korean Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index was used to evaluate the function of the subjects. [Results] The comparison of the visual analogue scale and Korean Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index scores within each group before and after the treatment showed statistically significant declines in scores in both the conservative physical therapy group and extracorporeal shock wave therapy group. A group comparison after the treatment showed statistically significant differences in these scores in the extracorporeal shock wave therapy group and the conservative physical therapy group. [Conclusion] extracorporeal shock wave therapy may be a useful nonsurgical intervention for reducing the pain of patients with degenerative knee arthritis and improving these patients' function.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the cervical flexion angle on muscle fatigue and pain in the cervical erector spinae and upper trapezius in normal adults in their 20s. [Subjects and Methods] The study’s subjects were 14 normal adults. After sitting on a chair with their back against the wall, they held a smartphone with both hands for 10 minutes and fatigue and pain in the neck and shoulder muscles were measured at different cervical flexion angles (0°, 30°, and 50°). Electromyography was performed to analyze the muscle fatigue of the right upper trapezius, left upper trapezius, right cervical erector spinae, and left cervical erector spinae, and a CommanderTM Algometer was used to measure pain. The cervical range of motion was used as an instrument to compare and analyze the cervical flexion angles. [Results] The study’s results showed statistically significant differences in the muscle fatigue and pain of the right upper trapezius and left upper trapezius depending on the cervical flexion angle and a post-hoc test showed statistically significant lower levels of muscle fatigue and pain at 50° than at 0° or 30°. No statistically significant differences were found between the right cervical erector spinae and left cervical erector spinae. [Conclusion] The cervical flexion angle during smartphone use may influence the muscle fatigue and pain of the upper trapezius.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of changes in support and inclined boards on lower-extremity muscle activity. [Subjects and Methods] The study subjects were 15 healthy adult males. Aero-Step equipment was used as an unstable support, and an inclined board was used to maintain angles of 0° and 20°. Electromyography was employed to analyze lower-extremity muscle activity. [Results] The vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, rectus femoris, gastrocnemius, soleus, and tibialis anterior muscles showed significant differences according to changes in the support and inclined board. In post-hoc tests the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and rectus femoris muscles showed significantly increased activity when exercises were performed on the unstable inclined board (20°) than the stable support (0°), unstable support (0°), or stable inclined board (20°). The gastrocnemius, soleus, and tibialis anterior muscles showed significantly increased activity when exercises were performed on the unstable support (0°), stable inclined board (20°), or unstable inclined board (20°) than on the stable support (0°). [Conclusion] An unstable support and increased slope of the inclined board may increase lower-extremity muscle activity.

Background There has been a steady increase in the aging population and an increase in the need for long-term care beds in institutions and hospitals (LTCHs) in Korea. The aim of this study was to investigate prognosis and to identify factors contributing to mortality of critically ill patients with respiratory problems who were directly transferred to intensive care units (ICU) from LTCHs. Methods Following a retrospective review of clinical data and radiographic findings between July 2009 and September 2016, we included 111 patients with respiratory problems who had visited the emergency room (ER) transferred from LTCHs due to respiratory symptoms and who were then admitted to the ICU. Results The mean age of the 111 patients was 79 years, and 71 patients (64%) were male. Pneumonia developed in 98 patients (88.3%), pulmonary thromboembolism in 4 (3.6%) and pulmonary tuberculosis in 3 (2.7%). Overall mortality was 19.8% (22/111). Multiple-drug-resistant (MDR) pathogens (odds ratio [OR], 17.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.96–155.40) and serum albumin levels

Introduction The extensor hallucis longus (EHL) muscle is important for diagnosis of neurologic lesions. It is also a target muscle for treatment. We investigated EHL with ultrasonography to determine optimal needle placement for safety and accuracy. Methods A total of 96 legs of 48 healthy volunteers were examined through ultrasonography. Four published electromyographic methods for finding the EHL were assessed. We identified the midpoint of EHL (MD) using landmarks to determine optimal needle placement. Results Mean values of bimalleolar line-MD on skin (MD-S) and tibial crest-MD-S were 10.5 ± 1.2 cm and 3.6 ± 0.4 cm, respectively. The depth of MD was 1.6 ± 0.2 cm. According to 4 EMG methods, the probability of needle penetrating EHL was 13% to 79% and that of needle penetrating the neurovascular bundle was 50% to 89%. Conclusions Using ultrasonography, we could determine optimal needle placement in the EHL. Muscle Nerve 59:331-336, 2019.

[Purpose] This study examines the effect of isometric contraction of the upper limb on the affected side in the supine position on the activity of body trunk muscles on the opposite side of normal adults. [Participants and Methods] The research participants included 10 normal adults. A handheld dynamometer device was used to measure the isometric contraction of the upper limb. The muscle activity of the body trunk was analyzed by electromyography. [Results] The muscle activities of rectus abdominis, internal oblique abdominis, erector spinae muscle, and multifidus muscle of the body trunk on the opposite side were significantly larger in the case of the adduction and flexion of the shoulder joint on the affected side than in the case of abduction and extension. [Conclusion] The isometric contraction induced by the adduction and flexion of the shoulder joint on the affected side altered the muscle activity of the body trunk on the opposite side.

To evaluate the usefulness of anterior capsular abnormality, thickening, and abnormal signal intensity on MRI for the diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder. This retrospective study included 29 patients with adhesive capsulitis and 20 controls. Clinical criteria with significant restricted passive motion was used for the diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis. The anterior capsular thickness and signal intensity were evaluated on the thickest portion of anterior glenohumeral joint capsule, located deep to the subscapularis muscle. In addition, the previously known MR findings of adhesive capsulitis, such as humeral and glenoid capsular thickness in axillary recess, maximal axillary capsular thickness, and coracohumeral ligament thickness, were measured. The presence of humeral and glenoid capsular abnormal hyperintensity in axillary recess, abnormal hyperintensity, and obliteration of the subcoracoid fat triangle were also evaluated. All MRI findings significantly differed between adhesive capsulitis and controls. Among MR findings, multivariable analysis showed that anterior capsular thickness, maximal axillary capsular thickness, and anterior capsular abnormal hyperintensity were variables that could differentiate adhesive capsulitis from the control group, with odds ratios of 7.97, 17.75, and 12.41, respectively (p

The objective of this study was to investigate molecular and physiological changes in response to long-term insulin glargine treatment in the skeletal muscle of OLETF rats. Male Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) and Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats aged 24 weeks were randomly allocated to either treatment with insulin for 24 weeks or no treatment, resulting in three groups. Insulin glargine treatment in OLETF rats (OLETF-G) for 24 weeks resulted in changes in blood glucose levels in intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests compared with age-matched, untreated OLETF rats (OLETF-C), and the area under the curve was significantly decreased for OLETF-G rats compared with OLETF-C rats (P < 0.05). The protein levels of MHC isoforms were altered in gastrocnemius muscle of OLETF rats, and the proportions of myosin heavy chain type I and II fibers were lower and higher, respectively, in OLETF-G compared with OLETF-C rats. Activation of myokines (IL-6, IL-15, FNDC5, and myostatin) in gastrocnemius muscle was significantly inhibited in OLETF-G compared with OLETF-C rats ( P < 0.05). MyoD and myogenin levels were decreased, while IGF-I and GLUT4 levels were increased, in the skeletal muscle of OLETF-G rats ( P < 0.05). Insulin glargine treatment significantly increased the phosphorylation levels of AMPK, SIRT1, and PGC-1α. Together, our results suggested that changes in the distribution of fiber types by insulin glargine could result in downregulation of myokines and muscle regulatory proteins. The effects were likely associated with activation of the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway. Changes in these proteins may at least partly explain the effect of insulin in skeletal muscle of diabetes mellitus.

Stroke rehabilitation requires repetitive, intensive, goal-oriented therapy. Virtual reality (VR) has the potential to satisfy these requirements. Game-based therapy can promote patients' engagement in rehabilitation therapy as a more interesting and a motivating tool. Mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet PCs can provide personalized home-based therapy with interactive communication between patients and clinicians. In this study, a mobile VR upper extremity rehabilitation program using game applications was developed. The findings from the study show that the mobile game-based VR program effectively promotes upper extremity recovery in patients with stroke. In addition, patients completed two weeks of treatment using the program without adverse effects and were generally satisfied with the program. This mobile game-based VR upper extremity rehabilitation program can substitute for some parts of the conventional therapy that are delivered one-on-one by an occupational therapist. This time-efficient, easy to implement, and clinically effective program would be a good candidate tool for tele-rehabilitation for upper extremity recovery in patients with stroke. Patients and therapists can collaborate remotely through these e-health rehabilitation programs while reducing economic and social costs.

OBJECTIVES Facial bone fractures secondary to head trauma are more common in children than in adults. Recently, multidetector row computed tomography (CT) has been considered superior to conventional radiography. Some studies have reported that facial soft tissue injuries require both facial and brain CT and that brain CT is helpful in screening facial bone fractures. However, these studies included only adult patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of brain CT and the need for additional facial CT to detect facial bone fractures in emergency pediatrics. METHODS This multicenter study was conducted retrospectively in 2 tertiary hospitals in Seoul, Republic of Korea. The data were collected from the medical records of pediatric patients younger than 8 years who had undergone both brain and facial CT on the same day in the emergency department. All CT scans were retrospectively and independently evaluated by 1 board-certified radiologist and 1 board-certified emergency medicine physician. A P value of

Several abbreviated versions of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) have been developed for use in high-volume clinical situations such as emergency departments. In this study, we developed a new abbreviated version of AUDIT called the Screening Tool for At-risk Drinking (STAD) for young and middle-aged adults, consisting of two questions that reflect the structure of the AUDIT questionnaire using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). To derive the abbreviated test considering AUDIT item structure, we performed confirmatory factor analysis on the 10 AUDIT questions in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) IV. To validate the new abbreviated test, we analyzed the sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) on the KNHANES V-VI except for the KNHANES VI-2. Based on the two-factor structure of AUDIT, question (Q) 3 and Q7 were finally selected for STAD. In validation, AUROC was significantly wider for STAD than for AUDIT-QF, which has the same number of questions. There was no significant difference between AUDIT-C, consisting of three questions, and STAD. It can be used as a simple and reliable screening test in clinical settings.

Purpose: To reduce problems caused by alcohol drinking, it is necessary to identify those with ‘at-risk drinking’ behavior to maximize therapeutic access or intervention. To this end, we sought to determine the cut-off point for screening of at-risk drinking by the Korean version of the AUDIT-C (Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test-Consumption). Materials and methods: We obtained data from the scientific research project of “the supervision of the Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDCP)” in 2010. Injured patients over an 18-year-of age who visited an emergency department of an academic tertiary hospital from May to September 2010 were recruited to perform the AUDIT. The total number of patients who underwent the screening test was 640, 12.7% of the entire patients studied. Among them, 375 patients (58.4%) were men, and 265 patients (41.4%) were women. At-risk drinking was diagnosed based on the AUDIT total score and the cut-off points of the AUDIT-C were determined. Results: Cut-off points were 5 for men [Area Under the Receiver Operation Characteristic (AUROC) 0.956], 4 for women (AUROC 0.966), and 4 in elders >65-year-of age (AUROC 0.972). Conclusion: This study is the first research about the cut-off points of Korean version of AUDIT-C for patients including women and elders to screen for at-risk drinking in South Korea. AUDIT-C is a useful and accurate tool to screen patients for at-risk drinking. Keywords: Alcohol drinking, Mass screening, Substance abuse detection, Substance abuse detection