Feasibility of Wearable Digital Healthcare Devices Among Korean Male Seafarers: A Pilot Study.

Background/objectives: This study is a pilot evaluation of the applicability of wearable digital healthcare devices for Korean male seafarers. Seafarers are exposed to health risks due to unstable and confined living conditions, and their access to healthcare services becomes significantly challenging, especially with the substantial decrease in physical activity onboard. This study aimed to monitor the physical activity of these seafarers through wearable devices and evaluate the potential of managing their health using these technologies.

Histopathologic fate of resected pulmonary pure ground glass nodule: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Pure ground glass nodules (GGNs) have been increasingly detected through lung cancer screening programs. However, there were limited reports about pathologic characteristics of pure GGN. Here we presented a meta-analysis of the histologic outcome and proportion analysis of pure GGN.

Clinical implications of changes in metabolic syndrome status after kidney transplantation: a nationwide prospective cohort study.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is prevalent in patients with end-stage kidney disease, and kidney transplantation is expected to modify the metabolic status. However, whether changes in metabolic status at the time of transplantation affect recipient outcomes remains unclear.

Methods: We analyzed 4187 recipients registered in a nationwide prospective cohort from 2014 to 2020.

Immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Cross-Sectional Study in Korea.

Eighty-five Korean kidney transplant recipients who received three doses of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine were tested with anti-receptor binding domain (RBD) antibody and neutralizing antibody. High anti-RBD antibody (≥ 100 U/mL) and neutralizing antibody responses (≥ 30%) were detected in 51/85 (60.0%) patients.

Prognosis of Spontaneous Pneumothorax/Pneumomediastinum in Coronavirus Disease 2019: The CoBiF Score.

Pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum are associated with high mortality in invasively ventilated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients; however, the mortality rates among non-intubated patients remain unknown. We aimed to analyze the clinical features of COVID-19-associated pneumothorax/pneumomediastinum in non-intubated patients and identify risk factors for mortality. We searched PubMed Scopus and Embase from January 2020 to December 2021.

Impact of donor hypertension on graft survival and function in living and deceased donor kidney transplantation: a nationwide prospective cohort study.

Objectives: Hypertensive living donors are potential candidates to expand the kidney donor pool. However, the impact of donor hypertension on graft survival and function remains to be clarified.

Methods: We analyzed 3907 kidney transplant recipients registered in a nationwide prospective cohort from 2014 to 2018.

Limited cryoablation reduces hospital stay and opioid consumption compared to thoracic epidural analgesia after minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum.

pain following minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE) is a critical concern that leads to a prolonged hospital stay and high doses of opiates administered to the patients. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of intraoperative cryoanalgesia (cryoablation of the intercostal nerves) during MIRPE. We retrospectively analyzed the data of 64 patients who underwent MIRPE and received cryoanalgesia or epidural analgesia between January 2019 and January 2021.

Early Postoperative Pneumothorax Might Not Be 'True' Recurrence.

Objectives: To date, there is no consensual definition of what constitutes a postoperative recurrence of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP), despite there being many studies reporting a high incidence of recurrence. This study aims to describe the long-term recurrence rates of pneumothorax and to suggest a possible way to differentiate recurrence events based on temporal patterns.

Methods: This single-center study retrospectively evaluated all postoperative recurrence of PSP from January 2007 to May 2019.

Percutaneous Electromagnetic Transthoracic Nodule Localization for Ground Glass Nodules.

Background: A recent increase in the incidental detection of ground glass nodules (GGNs) has created a need for improved diagnostic accuracy in screening for malignancies. However, surgical diagnosis remains challenging, especially via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Herein, we present the efficacy of a novel electrical navigation system for perioperative percutaneous transthoracic nodule localization.

Synergistic impact of pre-sensitization and delayed graft function on allograft rejection in deceased donor kidney transplantation.

The aim of this study is to investigate whether or not delayed graft function (DGF) and pre-transplant sensitization have synergistic adverse effects on allograft outcome after deceased donor kidney transplantation (DDKT) using the Korean Organ Transplantation Registry (KOTRY) database, the nationwide prospective cohort. The study included 1359 cases between May 2014 and June 2019. The cases were divided into 4 subgroups according to pre-sensitization and the development of DGF post-transplant [non-pre-sensitized-DGF(-) (n = 1097), non-pre-sensitized-DGF(+) (n = 127), pre-sensitized-DGF(-) (n = 116), and pre-sensitized-DGF(+) (n = 19)].

Unraveling the Genomic Architecture of the CYP3A Locus and ADME Genes for Personalized Tacrolimus Dosing.

Background: Tacrolimus (TAC) is an immunosuppressant widely prescribed following an allogenic organ transplant. Due to wide interindividual pharmacokinetic (PK) variability, optimizing TAC dosing based on genetic factors is required to minimize nephrotoxicity and acute rejections.

Methods: We enrolled 1133 participants receiving TAC from 4 cohorts, consisting of 3 with kidney transplant recipients and 1 with healthy males from clinical trials.

The role of postoperative radiotherapy in stage II and III thymoma: a Korean multicenter database study.

Background: Complete resection is a standard treatment for patients with Masaoka-Koga stages II and III thymoma, however the role of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) is controversial. We analyzed data collected from 4 Korean hospitals to determine the effectiveness of PORT in stage II and III thymoma patients.

Methods: Between January 2000 and December 2013, 1,663 patients underwent surgery for thymic tumors at the 4 hospitals.

Usefulness of 3-Dimensional Body Surface Scanning in the Evaluation of Patients with Pectus Carinatum.

Background: Radiographic modalities have been commonly used to evaluate pectus carinatum (PC), and compressive orthotic bracing is the most widely accepted treatment method. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of 3-dimensional (3D) body surface scanning as an alternative modality for the evaluation of PC.

Methods: The medical records of 63 patients with PC who were treated with compressive orthotic bracing therapy between July 2017 and February 2019 were retrospectively analyzed.

The lung allocation score could evaluate allocation systems in countries that do not use the score.

Background: Evaluating allocation system effects on lung transplantation and determining systemic flaws is difficult. The purpose of this study was to assess the Korean urgency-based lung allocation system using the lung allocation score.

Methods: We reviewed transplantation patients retrospectively.

Neoadjuvant therapy for thymic neoplasms reduces tumor volume per 3D-reconstructed images but does not improve the complete resection rate.

Objectives: Complete resection of thymic neoplasms is important for achieving a favorable prognosis; however, the efficacy of neoadjuvant therapy remains controversial. We investigated the effect of induction therapy on complete resection and survival using 3-dimensionally reconstructed images to measure tumor volume.

Methods: Eighty-nine patients who underwent surgical resection for Masaoka-Koga stage III-IV thymic neoplasms between January 2000 and December 2013 were enrolled, including 71 and 18 in the primary surgery and neoadjuvant therapy groups, respectively.

Effect of Sarcopenic Overweight on Lung Transplant Based in Three-Dimensional Reconstructed Psoas Muscle Mass.

Background: In lung transplantation, preoperative sarcopenia was reported to be associated with short-term outcomes based on cross-sectional image. This study aimed to investigate the influence of psoas muscle mass (PMM) on the operative outcome and survival using three-dimensional reconstruction of PMM and to evaluate the effect of preoperative sarcopenic overweight on postoperative outcomes and survival.

Methods: A total of 107 patients who underwent double lung transplantation in one institute from January 1, 2014, to June 30, 2017, were enrolled.

Risk factors associated with postoperative prosthetic graft patency in Leriche syndrome.

Background: In Leriche syndrome, postoperative graft thrombosis remains one of the most significant clinical challenges.

Methods: We reviewed 51 patients who underwent surgery for aortoiliac occlusive disease at our hospital from January 2007 to December 2014. The factors associated with graft patency were determined using the Cox proportional hazard model.

Successful Surgical Treatment of a Recurrent Esophageal Malignant Gastrointestinal Neuroectodermal Tumor.

Malignant gastrointestinal neuroectodermal tumor (GNET) is a very rare disease entity, especially in the esophagus. The diagnosis of GNET is based on histologic, immunohistochemical, and genetic findings. The choice of treatment is complete resection, and further treatment options can be considered.

Surgical Repair of a Traumatic Tracheobronchial Injury in a Pediatric Patient Assisted with Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Tracheobronchial rupture due to blunt chest trauma is a rare but life-threatening injury in the pediatric population. Computed tomography (CT) is not always reliable in the management of these patients. An additional concern is that ventilation may be disrupted during surgical repair of these injuries.

The recovery status from delayed graft function can predict long-term outcome after deceased donor kidney transplantation.

The effect of delayed graft function (DGF) recovery on long-term graft outcome is unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the association of DGF recovery status with long-term outcome. We analyzed 385 recipients who underwent single kidney transplantation from brain-dead donors between 2004 and 2015.

Clinical significance of lactate clearance for the development of early allograft dysfunction and short-term prognosis in deceased donor liver transplantation.

This retrospective study evaluated lactate clearance (LC), measured at 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours after reperfusion, as a predictor of early allograft dysfunction (EAD) and short-term outcomes in patients receiving deceased donor liver transplantation. Of 181 transplant recipients, 44 (24.3%) developed EAD and had lower LCs than those who did not develop EAD.

Enhanced immune-modulatory effects of thalidomide and dexamethasone co-treatment on T cell subsets.

Thalidomide (TM) has been reported to have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties, and dexamethasone (DX) is known to reduce inflammation and inhibit production of inflammatory cytokines. Many studies have reported that combinatorial therapy with TM and DX is clinically used to treat multiple myeloma and lupus nephritis, but the mechanism responsible for its effects has not been elucidated. In this study, we determined that TM and DX co-treatment had an enhanced immune-modulatory effect on T cells through regulating the expression of co-stimulatory molecules.

Successful launch of an ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation program to overcome the shortage of compatible living donors: experience at a single center .

Aims: ABO-incompatible (ABOi) kidney transplantation (KT) is being increasingly performed to overcome donor shortages. However, debate persists regarding the post-transplant outcomes of ABOi KT vs. that of ABO-compatible (ABOc) KT.