A rare case of metastatic brachial plexopathy as an initial presentation of recurrent breast cancer mimicking shoulder disorder and peripheral nerve entrapment - A case report.

Background: The clinical manifestations of metastatic brachial plexopathy include pain, sensory loss, paresthesia, weakness, and reduced range of motion. These symptoms closely resemble those of shoulder disorders and peripheral nerve entrapment, which are commonly diagnosed in pain clinics, increasing the risk of misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis, particularly in patients with a history of malignancy.

Case: A 51-year-old woman with a history of breast cancer in complete remission for 19 years presented with shoulder pain, arm weakness, and tingling in the fingers.

Validity and reliability of the integrated palliative care outcome scale (IPOS) in Korea: a multicenter study of terminally ill cancer patients.

Background: The Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale (IPOS) is a key tool for assessing the quality of palliative care using patient-reported outcomes. This study aimed to culturally adapt and translate the IPOS to Korean and verify its psychometric properties for use in palliative care settings.

Methods: The IPOS was translated and culturally adapted, followed by validation in 119 terminally ill cancer patients and 28 healthcare providers across six Hospice and Palliative Care Units from September 2023 to January 2024.

Examining the hedge performance of US dollar, VIX, and gold during the coronavirus pandemic: Is US dollar a better hedge asset?

This study utilizes the hedging potential of the U.S. Dollar Index (USDX) during the COVID-19 period, specifically comparing its positive effects on optimal portfolio weights and hedging ratios with those of traditional hedging assets, such as the VIX and gold.

Diterpene and biflavone derivatives from Thuja koraiensis and their cytotoxicities against A549 cells.

During the screening of the cytotoxicity of rare Korean endemic plants, the extract of Thuja koraiensis Nakai displayed potent cytotoxicity against the adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial A549 cell line. Through a series of separations via column chromatography, three undescribed abietanes, an undescribed labdane along with a labdane, and a biflavonoid were purified from methylene chloride (CHCl) fraction possessing a potent cytotoxic effect. Extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data analyses, in combination with quantum chemical calculations were conducted to establish the planar and absolute configurations of thujakoraienes A-C.

Effect of surgical pleth index-guided remifentanil administration on perioperative outcomes in elderly patients: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

Background: During general anesthesia, the surgical pleth index (SPI) monitors nociception. The evidence of SPI in the elderly remains scarce. We aimed to investigate whether there is a difference in perioperative outcomes following intraoperative opioid administration according to the surgical pleth index (SPI) value versus hemodynamic parameters (heart rate or blood pressure) in elderly patients.

Effect of Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone Surfactant on Characteristics of Iron-Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized by Using Recycled Waste Permanent Magnets.

In this study, iron oxide nanoparticles (FeO NPs) were synthesized by using Fe solution recycled from NdFeB permanent magnet scrap. Furthermore, the effect of polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVP) as a surfactant on the characteristics of the FeO NPs was investigated. Firstly, Fe solution was prepared by using 10% HSO solution and NaSO salt.

Risk Assessment of Perioperative Respiratory Adverse Events and Validation of the COLDS Score in Children with Upper Respiratory Tract Infection.

Children are at greater risk of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), which can pose a higher risk of perioperative respiratory adverse events (PRAEs), than adults. The purpose of this study was to validate the COLDS score as a pre-anesthetic risk assessment tool for predicting the possibility of PRAEs. Children aged under 18 years and undergoing elective surgery were retrospectively included.

The effect of newly designed dual-channel elastomeric pump for intravenous patient-controlled analgesia after total laparoscopic hysterectomy: a randomized, double-blind, prospective study.

Background: A newly designed intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device with a dual-channel elastomeric infusion pump has been recently introduced. One channel is a continuous line with a constant flow rate basal infusion, while the other channel has an adjustable flow rate and bolus function and is labeled as a selector-bolus channel. This study compared dual and single-channel intravenous PCA in terms of clinical effect and quality of recovery.

Protective Effect of Ulinastatin on Cognitive Function After Hypoxia.

Ulinastatin (UTI) has neuroprotective properties. Neurologic insults, including hypoxia and use of anesthetic agents, cause postoperative cognitive dysfunction and alter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) function. This study aimed to assess whether UTI could preserve learning and memory using a zebrafish hypoxic behavior model and biomarkers.

The usefulness of dual channel elastomeric pump for intravenous patient-controlled analgesia in geriatrics: a randomized, double-blind, prospective study.

Background: Intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) is often used in the postoperative period. However, determining an appropriate opioid dose is difficult. A previous study suggested the usefulness of variable-rate feedback infusion.

Efficacy and Safety of Sugammadex for the Reversal of Rocuronium-Induced Neuromuscular Blockade in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Sugammadex is widely used in anesthesia to reverse rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade (NMB). In patients with compromised kidney function, most drugs show alteration of their pharmacokinetic profile with reduced clearance. The purpose of this article is to examine the efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and safety of sugammadex in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients receiving general anesthesia, using a systematic review.

Identification of stemness and differentially expressed genes in human cementum-derived cells.

Purpose: Periodontal treatment aims at complete regeneration of the periodontium, and developing strategies for periodontal regeneration requires a deep understanding of the tissues composing the periodontium. In the present study, the stemness characteristics and gene expression profiles of cementum-derived cells (CDCs) were investigated and compared with previously established human stem cells. Candidate marker proteins for CDCs were also explored.

Characterization of Nickel Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized under Low Temperature.

In this study, ultrafine nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO NPs) were well synthesized using a simple wet chemical method under low temperature, 300 °C. An Ni(OH) precursor was well precipitated by dropping NHOH into an Ni(Ac) solution. TG-DTA showed that the weight of the precipitate decreases until 300 °C; therefore, the precursor was heat-treated at 300 °C.

Comparison of the effects of dexmedetomidine and remifentanil on perioperative hemodynamics and recovery profile of patients undergoing laryngeal microsurgery: A prospective randomized double-blinded study.

Background: Laryngeal microsurgery (LMS) causes hemodynamic instability and postoperative agitation, cough, pain, nausea, and vomiting. Moreover, because of a short operation time, it is associated with challenging anesthetic management. The aim of this study was to compare the usefulness of continuous administration of dexmedetomidine and remifentanil in inducing general anesthesia in patients undergoing LMS.

Comparison between the trapezius and adductor pollicis muscles as an acceleromyography monitoring site for moderate neuromuscular blockade during lumbar surgery.

Acceleromyography at the adductor pollicis located in a distal part of the body may not reflect the degree of neuromuscular blockade (NMB) at the proximally located muscles manipulated during lumbar surgery. We investigated the usefulness and characteristics of acceleromyographic monitoring at the trapezius for providing moderate NMB during lumbar surgery. Fifty patients were randomized to maintain a train-of-four count 1-3 using acceleromyography at the adductor pollicis (group A; n = 25) or the trapezius (group T; n = 25).

HbA1c changes in patients with diabetes following periodontal therapy.

Purpose: This retrospective cohort study aimed to assess the effect of nonsurgical periodontal therapy on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in patients with both type 2 diabetes and chronic periodontitis.

Methods: The intervention cohort (IC) comprised 133 patients with type 2 diabetes who received nonsurgical periodontal treatment, while the matching cohort (MC) included 4787 patients with type 2 diabetes who visited the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism of Asan Medical Center. The patients in each cohort were divided into 3 groups according to their baseline HbA1c level: subgroup 1, HbA1c <7%; subgroup 2, 7%≤ HbA1c <9%; and subgroup 3, HbA1c ≥9%.

Accuracy of periodontal probe visibility in the assessment of gingival thickness.

Purpose: The present study was undertaken to examine whether periodontal probe visibility (PV) accurately reflects gingival thickness (GT) and to identify factors affecting PV using cluster and multivariate analyses.

Methods: The clinical characteristics of the maxillary central incisors (n=90 subjects) were examined. Clinical photographs, sex, PV, probing depth, gingival width, papilla height, GT as measured with an ultrasonic device, and the ratio of crown width to crown length were recorded.

Korean Version of the Patient Dignity Inventory: Translation and Validation in Patients With Advanced Cancer.

Context: The goal of palliative care is to maximize the quality of life and thus maintain the dignity of patients facing problems associated with a life-threatening illness. The Patient Dignity Inventory (PDI) is an instrument used to measure various sources of distress that can impact patients' sense of dignity at the end of life.

Objectives: We aimed to obtain a Korean translation of the PDI (PDI-K) and evaluate its psychometric properties in patients with advanced cancer.

Differential expression of microRNAs in the saliva of patients with aggressive periodontitis: a pilot study of potential biomarkers for aggressive periodontitis.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare microRNA (miRNA) gene expression in saliva using miRNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) arrays in healthy and aggressive periodontitis (AP) patients.

Methods: PCR arrays of 84 miRNAs related to the human inflammatory response and autoimmunity from the saliva samples of 4 patients with AP and 4 healthy controls were performed. The functions and diseases related to the miRNAs were obtained using TAM 2.

Different classes of videoscopes and direct laryngoscopes for double-lumen tube intubation in thoracic surgery: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Background: Double-lumen tube is commonly used in thoracic surgeries that need one-lung ventilation, but its big size and stiff structure make it harder to perform intubation than a conventional tracheal intubation tube.

Objectives: To investigate the effectiveness and safety of videoscopes for double-lumen tube insertion. The primary outcome was the success rate of first attempt intubation.

Nitrogen-Bearing Carbon Nanoparticles by Pyrolytic Decomposition of Piperazine Citrate Macromolecules for Cellular Imaging.

In this work, highly photoluminescent carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) are fabricated by pyrolytic decomposition of piperazine citrate at high pressure and high temperature. Piperazine serves as a hydrolytic, surface-passivating, and N-doping agent, facilitating the formation of a photopolymer. The as-synthesized CNPs, without any surface protection/passivation, exhibit excellent photolumi-nescence and a maximum quantum yield of 84%.