Reliability of the Non-contact TONO-i Tonometer Compared with the Goldmann Applanation Tonometer

Purpose@#The accuracy and agreement of intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements using a noncontact self-measuring tonometer, TONO-i, compared with the Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT). @*Methods@#A total of 35 healthy participants and 42 primary open angle or normal tension glaucoma patients were enrolled in this study. TONO-i and GAT measurements were obtained and the mean difference in IOPs was analyzed using a paired t-test. IOP agreement was calculated using the two-way random effects model. Bland-Altman analysis and simple linear regression were used to estimate the disagreement between IOP measurements. @*Results@#The mean IOPs measured using the TONO-i and GAT were 15.9 ± 3.3 mmHg and 16.4 ± 5.1 mmHg, respectively. In glaucoma patients, the mean values measured using the TONO-i (16.7 ± 4.1 mmHg) were lower than those measured using the GAT (17.9 ± 6.1 mmHg; p < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference among the healthy participants (p = 0.273). The intraclass coefficients (95% confidence interval) for all participants, normal participants, and glaucoma patients were 0.847 (0.702-0.920), 0.882 (0.804-0.941), and 0.828 (0.742-0.887), respectively, indicating good agreement between the IOP measurements. The mean difference and limits of agreement were not statistically significant. As IOP increased, the absolute difference between the GAT and TONO-i measurements also increased. @*Conclusions@#The TONO-i, a novel tonometer, may be used reliably for IOP self-measurement and detecting IOP elevations. However, caution must be exercised because of the possibility of underestimating high IOPs.

Erratum: Prevalence of germline BRCA mutations among women with carcinoma of the peritoneum or fallopian tube / 부인종양

The original article contained errors.

Prevalence of germline BRCA mutations among women with carcinoma of the peritoneum or fallopian tube / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to assess the frequency of germline mutations in patients with peritoneal carcinoma (PC) or the fallopian tube carcinoma (FTC), using a multi-gene panel. METHODS: Twenty-six patients diagnosed with either PC or FTC between January 2013 and December 2016 were recruited consecutively. Germline DNA was sequenced using a 6-gene next generation sequencing (NGS) panel following genetic counseling. Surgico-medical information was obtained from hospital records. Genetic variations were detected using the panel and were cross-validated by Sanger direct sequencing. RESULTS: Germline BRCA1/2 mutations were identified in 6 patients (23.1%). Four were detected in patients with PC and 2 were in FTC patients. No mutations were detected in TP53, PTEN, CDH1, or PALB2. We identified 11 variant of uncertain significance (VUS) in 9 patients; 2 in BRCA1, 3 in BRCA2, 2 in TP53, and 4 in CDH1. We also detected a CDH1 c.2164+16->A VUS in 3 patients. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of germline BRCA1/2 mutations in patients with PC or FTC is comparable to that of BRCA1/2 mutations in epithelial ovarian cancer patients.

Validation of fetus aneuploidy in 221 Korean clinical samples using noninvasive chromosome examination: Clinical laboratory improvement amendments-certified noninvasive prenatal test

PURPOSE: We developed and validated a fetal trisomy detection method for use as a noninvasive prenatal test (NIPT) including a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-certified bioinformatics pipeline on a cloud-based computing system using both Illumina and Life Technology sequencing platforms for 221 Korean clinical samples. We determined the necessary proportions of the fetal fraction in the cell-free DNA (cfDNA) sample for NIPT of trisomies 13, 18, and 21 through a limit of quantification (LOQ) test. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Next-generation sequencing libraries from 221 clinical samples and three positive controls were generated using Illumina and Life Technology chemistries. Sequencing results were uploaded to a cloud and mapped on the human reference genome (GRCh37/hg19) using bioinformatics tools. Based on Z-scores calculated by normalization of the mapped read counts, final aneuploidy reports were automatically generated for fetal aneuploidy determination. RESULTS: We identified in total 29 aneuploid samples, and additional analytical methods performed to confirm the results showed that one of these was a false-positive. The LOQ test showed that the proportion of fetal fraction in the cfDNA sample would affect the interpretation of the aneuploidy results. CONCLUSION: Noninvasive chromosome examination (NICE), a CLIA-certified NIPT with a cloud-based bioinformatics platform, showed unambiguous success in fetus aneuploidy detection.

Proposed Motor Scoring System in a Porcine Model of Parkinson's Disease induced by Chronic Subcutaneous Injection of MPTP

Destruction of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) is a common pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease (PD). Characteristics of PD patients include bradykinesia, muscle rigidity, tremor at rest and disturbances in balance. For about four decades, PD animal models have been produced by toxin-induced or gene-modified techniques. However, in mice, none of the gene-modified models showed all 4 major criteria of PD. Moreover, distinguishing between PD model pigs and normal pigs has not been well established. Therefore, we planned to produce a pig model for PD by chronic subcutaneous administration of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), neurotoxin. Changes in behavioral patterns of pigs were thoroughly evaluated and a new motor scoring system was established for this porcine model that was based on the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) in human PD patients. In summary, this motor scoring system could be helpful to analyze the porcine PD model and to confirm the pathology prior to further examinations, such as positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT), which is expensive, and invasive immunohistochemistry (IHC) of the brain.

Xanthoangelol and 4-Hydroxyderricin Are the Major Active Principles of the Inhibitory Activities against Monoamine Oxidases on Angelica keiskei K

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) have been widely used as antidepressants. Recently, there has been renewed interest in MAO inhibitors. The activity-guided fractionation of extracts from Angelica keiskei Koidzumi (A. keiskei K.) led to the isolation of two prenylated chalcones, xanthoangelol and 4-hydroxyderricin and a flavonoid, cynaroside. These three isolated compounds are the major active ingredients of A. keiskei K. to inhibit the MAOs and DBH activities. Xanthoangelol is a nonselective MAO inhibitor, and a potent dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) inhibitor. IC50 values of xanthoangelol to MAO-A and MAO-B were calculated to be 43.4 microM, and 43.9 microM. These values were very similar to iproniazid, which is a nonselective MAO inhibitor used as a drug against depression. The IC50 values of iproniazid were 37 microM, and 42.5 microM in our parallel examination. Moreover, IC50 value of xanthoangelol to DBH was calculated 0.52 microM. 4-Hydroxyderricin is a potent selective MAO-B inhibitor and also mildly inhibits DBH activity. The IC50 value of 4-hydroxyderricin to MAO-B was calculated to be 3.43 microM and this value was higher than that of deprenyl (0.046 microM) used as a positive control for selective MAO-B inhibitor in our test. Cynaroside is a most potent DBH inhibitor. The IC50 value of cynaroside to DBH was calculated at 0.0410 microM. Results of this study suggest that the two prenylated chalcones, xanthoangelol and 4-hydroxyderricin isolated from A. keiskei K., are expected for potent candidates for development of combined antidepressant drug. A. keiskei K. will be an excellent new bio-functional food material that has the combined antidepressant effect.

Predictable Factors of Histologic Discrepancy of Gastric Cancer between the Endoscopic Forceps Biopsy and Endoscopic Treatment Specimen / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recently, variable gastrointestinal track tumors including early stage malignancies are treated by endoscopic procedure. However, the discrepancy of histologic diagnosis may sometimes exist between the pretreatment forceps biopsy results and those of post treatment specimen. So the prediction of malignant lesion is important in the aspect of treatment selection. In this study, we investigated the predictable factors of the histologic discrepancy through the clinical, endoscopic features of the lesion diagnosed as adenocarcinoma in the post-endoscopic treatment specimen after the adenoma was diagnosed by the endoscopic forceps biopsy. METHODS: From March 2005 to April 2009, 129 gastric tumor lesions (129 patients) which were not diagnosed as malignancy and treated with endoscopic procedure were enrolled retrospectively. We compared the pretreatment endoscopic forceps biopsy results and post-treatment specimen biopsy results, then, analyzed the tumor characteristics. RESULTS: Twenty-one cases (16.3%) were diagnosed as malignancy after endoscopic treatment. Especially, discrepancy occurred more frequently in depressed lesions than in flat or elevated lesions (41.7% vs. 13.7%, p=0.012), and in lesions diagnosed as high grade adenomas than low or moderate grade adenomas (33.3% vs. 11.1%. p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: In cases of depressed type lesions in the pretreatment endoscopy or those diagnosed as high grade adenoma in the pretreatment forceps biopsy, we should consider combined malignant lesion. Therefore, treatment modalities ensuring accurate diagnosis and potentially curative resection, should be carefully selected and performed in cases which have these features.

A Case of Portal Vein Thrombosis by Protein C and S Deficiency Completely Recanalized by Anticoagulation Therapy / 전남의대학술지

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a rare form of venous thrombosis that affects the hepatic portal vein flow, which can lead to portal hypertension. Treatment of PVT includes anticoagulants, thrombolysis, insertion of shunts, bypass surgery, and liver transplantation. Single anticoagulation therapy is not regarded as a curative treatment but can be associated with a reduction in new thrombotic episodes. We experienced a case of acute total occlusion of PVT provoked by protein C and S deficiency syndrome. PVT was completely recanalized with oral anticoagulant therapy following low molecular weight heparin therapy.

A Case of Portal Vein Thrombosis by Protein C and S Deficiency Completely Recanalized by Anticoagulation Therapy / 전남의대학술지

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a rare form of venous thrombosis that affects the hepatic portal vein flow, which can lead to portal hypertension. Treatment of PVT includes anticoagulants, thrombolysis, insertion of shunts, bypass surgery, and liver transplantation. Single anticoagulation therapy is not regarded as a curative treatment but can be associated with a reduction in new thrombotic episodes. We experienced a case of acute total occlusion of PVT provoked by protein C and S deficiency syndrome. PVT was completely recanalized with oral anticoagulant therapy following low molecular weight heparin therapy.

A Case of Ampullary Adenomyoma Associated with Dilatations of Pancreatic and Biliary Ducts / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Adenomyoma is a nonneoplastic lesion that can be found anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract, but it's rarely found in the ampulla of Vater. To the best of our knowledge, it is a benign lesion, but most cases are misdiagnosed as carcinoma or adenoma by a preoperative endoscopic or radiologic procedure, and this leads to unnecessarily extensive surgical resection. We report here on a case of ampulla of Vater adenomyoma that resulted in biliary and pancreatic duct dilatation. The tumor was diagnosed by endoscopic papillectomy.

A Case of Lymphoid Polyp in the Ampulla of Vater Associated with Tubulopapillary Adenoma / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Lymphoid polyp is a very rare disease that commonly occurs in the rectum. It is a benign, focal or diffuse lesion that typically occurs where clusters of lymphoid follicles are present. The polyp is composed of well differentiated lymphoid tissue. It can generally be differentiated from malignant lymphoma by the proliferation of normal lymphoid tissue, which has a prominent follicular pattern and a clearly defined germinal center. There have been only a few reports of lymphoid polyps of the rectum, and there have been no reports of lymphoid polyp in the ampulla of Vater. We experienced a case of lymphoid polyp in the ampulla of Vater associated with tubulopapillary adenoma, and the patient first presented with jaundice, weight loss and general weakness.

AIDS presenting with severe thrombocytopenia: A case report / 대한내과학회지

The hematologic manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) are common and may cause symptoms that are life threatening and impair the quality of life in these patients1). The most important of these manifestations is cytopenia. Among cytopenias, thrombocytopenia is caused by immune-mediated destruction of platelets, in addition to inadequate platelet production2). Thrombocytopenia has been reported in 5~15% of HIV-seropositive patients3). Profound thrombocytopenia (< 20,000/mm3) is rare (occurs in only 1.5% of cases) and presents only during advanced AIDS. With the exception of thrombocytopenia associated with advanced AIDS, severe thrombocytopenia in AIDS patients is extremely rare3). There are only a few reports of AIDS patients who first presented with severe thrombocytopenia. Here we report the case study of an AIDS patient who first presented with severe thrombocytopenia, mild abdominal distension, and edema in both lower legs. A brief review of the relevant literature is also presented.

AIDS presenting with severe thrombocytopenia: A case report / 대한내과학회지

The hematologic manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) are common and may cause symptoms that are life threatening and impair the quality of life in these patients1). The most important of these manifestations is cytopenia. Among cytopenias, thrombocytopenia is caused by immune-mediated destruction of platelets, in addition to inadequate platelet production2). Thrombocytopenia has been reported in 5~15% of HIV-seropositive patients3). Profound thrombocytopenia (< 20,000/mm3) is rare (occurs in only 1.5% of cases) and presents only during advanced AIDS. With the exception of thrombocytopenia associated with advanced AIDS, severe thrombocytopenia in AIDS patients is extremely rare3). There are only a few reports of AIDS patients who first presented with severe thrombocytopenia. Here we report the case study of an AIDS patient who first presented with severe thrombocytopenia, mild abdominal distension, and edema in both lower legs. A brief review of the relevant literature is also presented.

Concurrent IgA Nephropathy and Minimal Change Disease in a Patient with Polycythemia Vera: A Case Report / 대한신장학회지

Polycythemia vera is a hematopoietic stem cell disease, characterized by sustained and excessive proliferation of erythrocytic, granurocytic and megakaryocytic cells in the bone marrow resulting in pancytosis in peripheral blood. There have been a few reports of glomerulonephritis with polycythemia vera, most of which were IgA nephropathy. We report a case of a polycythemia vera associated with proteinuria. We confirmed the polycythemia vera according to World Health Organization criteria. Renal pathology showed IgA nephropathy and minimal change disease. Periodic phlebotomy was done and hydroxyurea was administered without specific managements for renal disease. After 3-month treatment, hemoglobin level decreased and proteinurea disappeared.

An Outbreak of Scabies in Neurosurgery-Intensive Care Unit of a General Hospital / 병원감염관리

BACKGROUND: Scabies outbreaks have been reported in long-term care facilities, but less commonly in acute care facilities. We experienced an outbreak of scabies that occurred in neurosurgery-intensive care unit of a general hospital, Seoul, Korea. METHODS: An outbreak of scabies was noticed on September 2006 when hospital staffs of NICU were diagnosed with scabies. The infection control nurse reviewed medical records and interviewed all of patient in NICU and health care workers. The epidemic spread of scabies from a patient to other patient, hospital employees and their families and associates was identified from historical, clinical, and microbiologic skin preparation data. RESULTS: Forty-three NICU patients and 22 health care workers were investigated. Five scabies cases were identified in total of 42 cases who are exposed to index case with attack rate of 11.9%. The attack rate of scabies in health care workers and NICU patients were 10% and 13.6%, respectively. Tertiary cases also occurred among the family members of workers, with a tertiary attack rate of 44%. CONCLUSION: The patient of acute care facilities also have chances of being exposed to scabies outbreak, since sensorimotor deficits or cognitive disorders make it difficult for individuals to communicate and understand the implication of risky contacts.

The Effect of 6% Hydroxyethyl Starch 130/0.4 on Hemostasis and Hemodynamic Efficacy in Off-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: a Comparison with 6% Hydroxyethyl Starch 200/0.5 / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to compare the effect of low-molecular 6% hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 130/0.4 on hemostasis and hemodynamic efficacy with that of medium-molecular 6% HES 200/0.5 in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery. METHODS: Forty-eight patients were randomized to receive up to 33 ml/kg of either 6% HES 130/0.4 or 6% HES 200/0.5. Hemodynamic variables and blood tests including thromboelastography were measured 10 min after induction (baseline value, T0), 5 min after acute loading of HES 10 ml/kg (T1) in hypovolemic patients, after sternum closure (T2), and 16 hr after intensive care unit (ICU) arrival (T3). Chest tube drainage was recorded until 16 hours after ICU arrival. RESULTS: Hemodynamic variables were similar in both groups. Chest tube drainage at 16 hr after surgery was higher in HES 200/0.5 group than that in HES 130/0.4 group. Maximum clot firmness was decreased in HES 200/0.5 group at sternal closure but not in HES 130/0.4 group. CONCLUSIONS: Both HES 200/0.5 and HES 130/0.4 were equally efficient in maintaining stable hemodynamics during off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery. However, HES 130/0.4 may reduce postoperative blood loss compared to that of HES 200/0.5 at the same dose of 33 ml/kg.

Early Hemodynamic Changes and Short-term Outcomes of Mitral Valvuloplasty versus Replacement with Chordal Preservation for Patients with Mitral Regurgitation / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Preserving the subvalvular apparatus after mitral valve replacement (MVR) results in better ventricular function and a better outcome. In conjunction, mitral valve repair (MVr) is associated with a better outcome, yet little is known about the hemodynamics and outcomes between patients undergoing MVr and MVR with chordal preservation. We prospectively evaluated the hemodynamic changes and outcomes of patients undergoing MVr and MVR with chordal preservation. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Fifty-four patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) who underwent MVR with chordal preservation (n=21) or MVr (n=33) were studied. The patients' characteristics, the intra- and postoperative hemodynamics and the use of cardiac medications, the postoperative outcome and the complications were recorded during the hospital stay. All the patients were followed up for at least 6 months postoperatively for determining their morbidity and mortality. RESULT: The patients' characteristics were similar between the groups, except for the presence of atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure which was more frequent in the MVR group. Also, the preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction was lower in the MVR group than in the MVr group (64+/-9% versus 69+/-5%, respectively, p=0.043). There were no significant differences of the hemodynamics between the groups. The use of inotropic drugs and pacemakers during the 12hrs postoperatively was more common in the MVR group than in the MVr group (48% versus 24%, p=0.025 and 52% versus 24%, p=0.035, respectively). The other postoperative outcomes were similar in both groups for at least the 6 months follow-up period. CONCLUSION: MVR with chordal preservation was comparable with regard to the hemodynamics and clinical outcomes, supporting the beneficial effect of preserving the subvalvular apparatus after MVR.

Comparison of Tranesophageal Echocardiography versus Thermodilution Method for the Assessments of Right Ventricular Function / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: It is important to evaluate the right ventricular (RV) function intraoperatively for optimal management of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The clinical relevance of thermodilution method to tranesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for the measurements of RV function during off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB) was evaluated in this study. METHODS: Fifty patients undergoing OPCAB were included. RV function was assessed with both thermodilution method and TEE after anesthesia induction (T1), 10 min after leg elevation (T2), 10 min after returning to the supine position (T3), 10 min after Y-graft formation started (T4), 10 min after sternum closure (T5) and 10 min after applying 5 cmH2O of positive end expiratory pressure (T6). Fractional area change (FAC) and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion ratio (TAPSE) were measured by TEE and compared to RV ejection fraction (RVEF) measured by thermodilution technique. RV end diastolic area (EDA) derived from TEE was compared to RV end diastolic volume index (EDVI) derived from thermodilution technique. RESULTS: There was no significant correlation between echocardiographic data and thermodilution data by linear regression analysis. However, only in patients with right coronary artery stenosis less than 90%, TAPSE and FAC were significantly correlated with RVEF (P = 0.008 and 0.01, respectively) and EDA was significantly correlated with EDVI (P = 0.013) only at T4. CONCLUSIONS: RV performance measured by thermodilution technique did not correlate well with TEE finding in severe coronary artery disease patients. The correlation was significant during hemodynamically stable period (during Y-graft formation) in patients without severe right coronary artery disease.

Expression of MAGE and GAGE genes in the bronchogenic cancer tissues obtained by bronchoscopy / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: There has been significant progress in the identification of tumor associated antigens. Among the tumor associated antigens, MAGE (melanoma antigen), BAGE, GAGE, PRAME, NY-ESO were named as cancer/testis specific antigens since they are only expressed in the testis or cancer cells. Because of their relative specificity, they have been considered as the appropriate targets for the specific immunotherapy, or the early diagnosis of several cancers. In bronchogenic cancer, these antigens would be useful as a promising candidate in the screening test or immunotherapy. This study was to investigate the expression of MAGE and GAGE genes in the bronchogenic cancer tissues obtained by bronchoscopy. METHODS: In five normal bronchial and 26 cancer tissues obtained by bronchoscopic biopsy from 26 bronchogenic cancer patients, total cellular mRNA was extracted. Then RT PCR was run in 35 cycles, with two different kinds of primers designed to detect the several subtypes of MAGE DNA simultaneously and the similar process to detect GAGE DNA was also done. Concurrently, DNA sequencing of the isolates was done in portion to prove the isolates are cloned MAGE and GAGE DNA. With probes confirmed by DNA sequencing, the isolates were reevaluated by Southern blotting. Then the expression of MAGE or GAGE in the bronchogenic cancer tissues was evaluated by the tissue types and clinical staging. RESULTS: In the five controls, MAGE or GAGE was not detected in any specimen and beta actin was not expressed in 4 cases, suggesting the specimen might be too small to detect beta actin by 35 cycles of PCR. In the 26 cancer tissues, the expression rate of MAGE and GAGE was 42.3% (11/26) and 42.3% (11/26) respectively and MAGE or GAGE were expressed in 17 cases (65.3%). Neither clinical staging nor tissue types were associated with the expression of MAGE or GAGE. Beta actin was not detected in 11 cases of cancer specimen, but MAGE or GAGE were expressed in 10 cases of them. CONCLUSION: Using these primers in detection of MAGE or GAGE genes in the bronchoscopicbiopsy tissues seems to be effective or complimentary method in screening of bronchogenic cancer patients, who would be the candidate for the possible immunotherapy.

Drug-Resistant Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Kosin Medical Center / 결핵

BACKGROUND: We conducted a study to determine the factors associated with, patterns of, and proportion of cases of pulmonary tuberculosis with multiple drug-resistance at Kosin medical center in Pusan. METHODS: We abstracted data from 141 patients, who had active pulmonary tuberculosis and report forms of drug susceptibility between 1986 and 1994, and related the previous treatment history, the extent of lung involvement and the presence of cavities on chest X-ray films to the drug resistance. RESULTS: Overall, 59(41.8%) of the 141 cases of tuberculosis were resistant to at least one drug and 29(20.9%) of the 139 cases were resistant to isoniazid(INH) and rifampin(RIF). Among the 63 patients with previous tuberculosis therapy, 40(63.5%) had isolates that were drug-resistant and 24(38.1%) were multi-drug resistant. Among the 78 without previous therapy, 19(24.4%) had isolates that were drug-resistant and 5(7.5%) were multi-drug resistant. For all 141, resistance to INH was most common(39.0%) followed by RIF(21.6%), ethambutol(EMB, 16.3%), p-aminosalicylic acid(10.8%), streptomycin(SM, 8.7%), and pyrazinamide(PZA, 8.0%). INH, RIF and PZA resistances were independently associated with a history of previous tuberculosis therapy (odds ratio; 3.3, 7.2 and 10.8 respectively), and RIF and SM resistance were significantly high according to the extent of lung involvement on the chest films(odds ratio; 2.9 and 2.8 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude, (1) that all persons in whom pulmonary tuberculosis is diagnosed should initially receive at least four-drug therapy(INH, RIF, PZA, and EMB or SM), (2) that susceptibility testing be done in all culture-positive patient, and (3) that those with a history of previous tuberculosis therapy or those who have advanced pulmonary tuberculosis need very careful clinical and microbiological follow-up.