• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.36-43
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• 2024

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can lead to acute respiratory failure, which frequently necessitates invasive mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). However, the limited availability of ECMO resources poses challenges to patient selection and associated decision-making. Consequently, this retrospective single-center study was undertaken to evaluate the characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients with COVID-19 receiving ECMO. Methods: Between March 2020 and July 2022, 65 patients with COVID-19 were treated with ECMO and were subsequently reviewed. Patient demographics, laboratory data, and clinical outcomes were examined, and statistical analyses were performed to identify risk factors associated with mortality. Results: Of the patients studied, 15 (23.1%) survived and were discharged from the hospital, while 50 (76.9%) died during their hospitalization. The survival group had a significantly lower median age, at 52 years (interquartile range [IQR], 47.5-61.5 years), compared to 64 years (IQR, 60.0-68.0 years) among mortality group (p=0.016). However, no significant differences were observed in other underlying conditions or in factors related to intervention timing. Multivariable analysis revealed that the requirement of a change in ECMO mode (odds ratio [OR], 366.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.92-69911.92; p=0.0275) and the initiation of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) (OR, 139.15; 95% CI, 1.95-9,910.14; p=0.0233) were independent predictors of mortality. Conclusion: Changes in ECMO mode and the initiation of CRRT during management were associated with mortality in patients with COVID-19 who were supported by ECMO. Patients exhibiting these factors require careful monitoring due to the potential for adverse outcomes.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.116-122
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• 2024

Background: Due to the importance of evidence-based research in plastic surgery, the authors of this study aimed to assess the accuracy of ChatGPT in generating novel systematic review ideas within the field of craniofacial surgery. Methods: ChatGPT was prompted to generate 20 novel systematic review ideas for 10 different subcategories within the field of craniofacial surgery. For each topic, the chatbot was told to give 10 "general" and 10 "specific" ideas that were related to the concept. In order to determine the accuracy of ChatGPT, a literature review was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and Cochrane. Results: In total, 200 total systematic review research ideas were generated by ChatGPT. We found that the algorithm had an overall 57.5% accuracy at identifying novel systematic review ideas. ChatGPT was found to be 39% accurate for general topics and 76% accurate for specific topics. Conclusion: Craniofacial surgeons should use ChatGPT as a tool. We found that ChatGPT provided more precise answers with specific research questions than with general questions and helped narrow down the search scope, leading to a more relevant and accurate response. Beyond research purposes, ChatGPT can augment patient consultations, improve healthcare equity, and assist in clinical decision-making. With rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), it is important for plastic surgeons to consider using AI in their clinical practice to improve patient-centered outcomes.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.81 no.6
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• pp.1504-1510
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• 2020

In this case report, we present the radiologic and pathologic findings of atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) in the male breast. It is well known that a high-risk lesion such as ADH is a precursor of breast cancer in females. However, the clinical significance of these lesions in the male breast is still uncertain because male breasts mainly consist of ducts without lobule formation, unlike the female breast. To our knowledge, imaging findings of ADH in the male breast have not been reported previously, except for a few studies on the pathologic findings of these lesions. Through this paper, we would like to present the possible imaging features of this high-risk lesion in the male breast and review the related literature.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.23 no.7
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• pp.763-772
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• 2022

Objective: Preoperative differential diagnosis of follicular-patterned lesions is challenging. This multicenter cohort study investigated the clinicoradiological characteristics relevant to the differential diagnosis of such lesions. Materials and Methods: From June to September 2015, 4787 thyroid nodules (≥ 1.0 cm) with a final diagnosis of benign follicular nodule (BN, n = 4461), follicular adenoma (FA, n = 136), follicular carcinoma (FC, n = 62), or follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC, n = 128) collected from 26 institutions were analyzed. The clinicoradiological characteristics of the lesions were compared among the different histological types using multivariable logistic regression analyses. The relative importance of the characteristics that distinguished histological types was determined using a random forest algorithm. Results: Compared to BN (as the control group), the distinguishing features of follicular-patterned neoplasms (FA, FC, and FVPTC) were patient's age (odds ratio [OR], 0.969 per 1-year increase), lesion diameter (OR, 1.054 per 1-mm increase), presence of solid composition (OR, 2.255), presence of hypoechogenicity (OR, 2.181), and presence of halo (OR, 1.761) (all p < 0.05). Compared to FA (as the control), FC differed with respect to lesion diameter (OR, 1.040 per 1-mm increase) and rim calcifications (OR, 17.054), while FVPTC differed with respect to patient age (OR, 0.966 per 1-year increase), lesion diameter (OR, 0.975 per 1-mm increase), macrocalcifications (OR, 3.647), and non-smooth margins (OR, 2.538) (all p < 0.05). The five important features for the differential diagnosis of follicular-patterned neoplasms (FA, FC, and FVPTC) from BN are maximal lesion diameter, composition, echogenicity, orientation, and patient's age. The most important features distinguishing FC and FVPTC from FA are rim calcifications and macrocalcifications, respectively. Conclusion: Although follicular-patterned lesions have overlapping clinical and radiological features, the distinguishing features identified in our large clinical cohort may provide valuable information for preoperative distinction between them and decision-making regarding their management.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2024

This article underscores the importance of integrating comprehensive palliative care for noncancer patients who are undergoing hemodialysis, with an emphasis on the aging populations in Asian nations such as Taiwan, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and China. As the global demographic landscape shifts towards an aging society and healthcare continues to advance, a marked increase has been observed in patients undergoing hemodialysis who require palliative care. This necessitates an immediate paradigm shift to incorporate this care, addressing the intricate physical, psychosocial, and spiritual challenges faced by these individuals and their families. Numerous challenges impede the provision of effective palliative care, including difficulties in prognosis, delayed referrals, cultural misconceptions, lack of clinician confidence, and insufficient collaboration among healthcare professionals. The article proposes potential solutions, such as targeted training for clinicians, the use of telemedicine to facilitate shared decision-making, and the introduction of time-limited trials for dialysis to overcome these obstacles. The integration of palliative care into routine renal treatment and the promotion of transparent communication among healthcare professionals represent key strategies to enhance the quality of life and end-of-life care for people on hemodialysis. By embracing innovative strategies and fostering collaboration, healthcare providers can deliver more patient-centered, holistic care that meets the complex needs of seriously ill patients within an aging population undergoing hemodialysis.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.52 no.8
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• pp.563-575
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• 2022

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is one of the most common inheritable cardiomyopathies. Contemporary management strategies, including the advent of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators and effective anticoagulation, have substantially improved the clinical course of HCM patients; however, the disease burden of HCM is still high in Korea. Sudden cardiac death (SCD), atrial fibrillation and thromboembolic risk, dynamic left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction, and heart failure (HF) progression remain important issues in HCM. SCD in HCM can be effectively prevented with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. However, appropriate patient selection is important for primary prevention, and the 5-year SCD risk score and the presence of major SCD risk factors should be considered. Anticoagulation should be initiated in all HCM patients with atrial fibrillation regardless of the CHA2DS2-VASc score, and non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants are the first option. Symptomatic dynamic LVOT obstruction is first treated medically with negative inotropes, and if symptoms persist, septal reduction therapy is considered. The recently approved myosin inhibitor mavacamten is promising. HF in HCM is usually related to diastolic dysfunction, while about 5% of HCM patients show reduced left ventricular ejection fraction <50%, also referred to as "end-stage" HCM. Myocardial fibrosis plays an important role in the progression to advanced HF in patients with HCM. Patients who do not respond to guideline-directed medical therapy can be considered for heart transplantation. The development of imaging techniques, such as myocardial deformation on echocardiography and late gadolinium enhancement on cardiac magnetic resonance, can provide better risk evaluation and decision-making for management strategies in HCM.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.85 no.4
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• pp.693-704
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• 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) technology is actively being applied for the interpretation of medical imaging, such as chest X-rays. AI-based software medical devices, which automatically detect various types of abnormal findings in chest X-ray images to assist physicians in their interpretation, are actively being commercialized and clinically implemented in Korea. Several important issues need to be considered for AI-based detection assistant tools to be applied in clinical practice: the evaluation of performance and efficacy prior to implementation; the determination of the target application, range, and method of delivering results; and monitoring after implementation and legal liability issues. Appropriate decision making regarding these devices based on the situation in each institution is necessary. Radiologists must be engaged as medical assessment experts using the software for these devices as well as in medical image interpretation to ensure the safe and efficient implementation and operation of AI-based detection assistant tools.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.41
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• pp.6.1-6.10
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• 2019

Background: Osteomyelitis is an intraosseous inflammatory disease characterized by progressive inflammatory osteoclasia and ossification. The use of quantitative analysis to assist interpretation of osteomyelitis is increasingly being considered. The objective of this study was to perform early diagnosis of osteomyelitis on digital panoramic radiographs using basic functions provided by picture archiving and communication system (PACS), a program used to show radiographic images. Methods: This study targeted a total of 95 patients whose symptoms were confirmed as osteomyelitis under clinical, radiologic, pathological diagnosis over 11 years from 2008 to 2017. Five categorized patients were osteoradionecrosis, bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of jaw (BRONJ, suppurative and sclerosing type), and bacterial osteomyelitis (suppurative and sclerosing type), and the control group was 117 randomly sampled. The photographic density in a certain area of the digital panoramic radiograph was determined and compared using the "measure area rectangle," one of the basic PACS functions in INFINITT PACS^® (INFINITT Healthcare, Seoul, South Korea). A conditional inference tree, one type of decision making tree, was generated with the program R for statistical analysis with SPSS^®. Results: In the conditional inference tree generated from the obtained data, cases where the difference in average value exceeded 54.49 and the difference in minimum value was less than 54.49 and greater than 12.81 and the difference in minimum value exceeded 39 were considered suspicious of osteomyelitis. From these results, the disease could be correctly classified with a probability of 88.1%. There was no difference in photographic density value of BRONJ and bacterial osteomyelitis; therefore, it was not possible to classify BRONJ and bacterial osteomyelitis by quantitative analysis of panoramic radiographs based on existing research. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that it is feasible to measure photographic density using a basic function in PACS and apply the data to assist in the diagnosis of osteomyelitis.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.193-214
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• 1998

The purpose of the present study was to examine the causal model of nurses' organizational commitment. Based on literature review and Fishbein's behavioral intentions model ((Fishbein. 1967: Fishbein & Ajzen. 1975). the organizational commitment was conceptualized within a motivational framework that mediate between antecedents variables and outcome variables. Antecedent variables were pay, promotional chances. continuing education opportunity. rigidity of the administration. paticipative decision making, latitude, group support, role conflict, work load, need for achievement. experience and pride for professional nursing. Outcome variable was turnover intention. The subjects were 373 nurses who were working at 2 large general hospitals located in Seoul. It represents a response rate of 94%. Data for this study was collected from August 29 to September 22 in 1997 by Questionnaire. Path analysis with LISREL 7.16 prigram was used to test the fit of the proposed conceptual model to data and to examine the causal relationships among variables. The result showed that both the proposed model and the modified model fit the data excellently. It needs to be notified, however. that path analysis can not count measurment errors: measurement error can attenuate estimates of coefficient and explanatory power. Nontheless the model revealed considerable explanatory power for organizational commitment (58%), pride for professional nursing (50%) and turnover intention(40%). In predicting nurses' organizational commitment, the findings of this study clearly demonstrated 'the pride for professional nursing' might be the most important variables of all the antecedent variables. Group support, role conflict, need for achievement were also found to be important determinants for the organizational commitment and turnover intention, The result showed experience might be a predictor for 'pride for professional nursing' and 'turnover intention' but not 'organizational commitment', 'Rigidity of the administration' and latitude were also found to have important roles in predictingr the organizational commitment, while participative decision making might have an impact on turnover intention. On the other hand promotional chance had an influence on all the outcome variables, while pay only on turnover intention. In predicting turnover intention, the result clearly revealed 'the pride for professional nursing' and 'organizational commitment' might be the most powerful predictors among all the variables. Theses results were discussed, including directions for the future research and practical implications drawn from the research were suggested.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.183-214
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• 1998

The purpose of the present study was to examine the causal model of nurses' organizational commitment. Based on literature review and Fishbein's behavioral intentions model ((Fishbein, 1967;Fishbein & Ajzen. 1975), the organizational commitment was conceptualized within a motivational framework that mediate between antecedents variables and outcome variables. Antecedent variables were pay, promotional chances, continuing education opportunity, rigidity of the administration, paticipative decision making, latitude, group support, role conflict, work load, need for achievement, experience and pride for professional nursing. Outcome variable was turnover intention. The subjects were 373 nurses who were working at 2 large general hospitals located in Seoul. It represents a response rate of 94%. Data for this study was collected from August 29 to September 22 in 1997 by Questionnaire. Path analysis with LISREL 7.16 prigram was used to test the fit of the proposed conceptual model to data and to examine the causal relationships among variables. The result showed that both the proposed model and the modified model fit the data excellently. It needs to be notified, however, that path analysis can not count measurement errors; measurement error can attenuate estimates of coefficient and explanatory power. Nontheless the model revealed considerable explanatory power for organizational commitment (58%). pride for professional nursing (50%) and turnover intention(40%). In predicting nurses' organizational commitment. the findings of this study clearly demonstrated 'the pride for professional nursing' might be the most important variables of all the antecedent variables. Group support. role conflict, need for achievement were also found to be important determinants for the organizational commitment and turnover intention. The result showed experience might be a predictor for 'pride for professional nursing' and 'turnover intention' but not 'organizational commitment'. 'Rigidity of the administration' and latitude were also found to have important roles in predictor for the organizational commitment, while participative decision making might have an impact on turnover intention. On the other hand promotional chance had an influence on all the outcome variables, while pay only on turnover intention. In predicting turnover intention, the result clearly revealed 'the pride for professional nursing' and 'organizational commitment' might be the most powerful predictors among all the variables. Theses results were discussed, including directions for the future research and practical implications drawn from the research were suggested.