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Objective@#: Deep learning is a machine learning approach based on artificial neural network training, and object detection algorithm using deep learning is used as the most powerful tool in image analysis. We analyzed and evaluated the diagnostic performance of a deep learning algorithm to identify skull fractures in plain radiographic images and investigated its clinical applicability. @*Methods@#: A total of 2026 plain radiographic images of the skull (fracture, 991; normal, 1035) were obtained from 741 patients. The RetinaNet architecture was used as a deep learning model. Precision, recall, and average precision were measured to evaluate the deep learning algorithm’s diagnostic performance. @*Results@#: In ResNet-152, the average precision for intersection over union (IOU) 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5, were 0.7240, 0.6698, and 0.3687, respectively. When the intersection over union (IOU) and confidence threshold were 0.1, the precision was 0.7292, and the recall was 0.7650. When the IOU threshold was 0.1, and the confidence threshold was 0.6, the true and false rates were 82.9% and 17.1%, respectively. There were significant differences in the true/false and false-positive/false-negative ratios between the anteriorposterior, towne, and both lateral views (p=0.032 and p=0.003). Objects detected in false positives had vascular grooves and suture lines. In false negatives, the detection performance of the diastatic fractures, fractures crossing the suture line, and fractures around the vascular grooves and orbit was poor. @*Conclusion@#: The object detection algorithm applied with deep learning is expected to be a valuable tool in diagnosing skull fractures.
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Purpose@#This multi-center, retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the long-term survival in patients who underwent surgical resection for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and to identify the benefit of adjuvant therapy following surgery. @*Materials and Methods@#The data of 213 patients who underwent surgical resection for SCLC at four institutions were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who received neoadjuvant therapy or an incomplete resection were excluded. @*Results@#The mean patient age was 65.29±8.93 years, and 184 patients (86.4%) were male. Lobectomies and pneumonectomies were performed in 173 patients (81.2%), and 198 (93%) underwent systematic mediastinal lymph node dissections. Overall, 170 patients (79.8%) underwent adjuvant chemotherapy, 42 (19.7%) underwent radiotherapy to the mediastinum, and 23 (10.8%) underwent prophylactic cranial irradiation. The median follow-up period was 31.08 months (interquartile range, 13.79 to 64.52 months). The 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival were 53.4% and 46.9%, respectively. The 5-year OS significantly improved after adjuvant chemotherapy in all patients (57.4% vs. 40.3%, p=0.007), and the survival benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy was significant in patients with negative node pathology (70.8% vs. 39.7%, p=0.004). Adjuvant radiotherapy did not affect the 5-year OS (54.6% vs. 48.5%, p=0.458). Age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.032; p=0.017), node metastasis (HR, 2.190; p < 0.001), and adjuvant chemotherapy (HR, 0.558; p=0.019) were associated with OS. @*Conclusion@#Adjuvant chemotherapy after surgical resection in patients with SCLC improved the OS, though adjuvant radiotherapy to the mediastinum did not improve the survival or decrease the locoregional recurrence rate.
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Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability and prognostic significance of the high-risk feature (HRF) in patients with T3N0 colon cancer. @*Methods@#We included 1,205 patients with pT3N0 colon cancer treated with curative radical resection between 2012 and 2016. HRF was defined as lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, poorly/undifferentiated histology, margin involvement, and preoperative obstruction. We investigated the relationships between the number and type of HRF and recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS), as well as the effect of adjuvant treatment. @*Results@#A total of 751 of the patients (62.3%) had more than 1 HRF and 515 of the patients (42.7%) underwent adjuvant treatment. Patients who had more than 2 HRFs had a significantly worse 5-year RFS and OS compared to patients who had neither HRF nor even one HRF. According to the findings of the multivariate analysis, the presence of multiple HRFs was a risk factor for a lower RFS and OS. When the quantity and type of HRF were taken into consideration in the multivariate analysis, adjuvant chemotherapy was not found to be linked with RFS or OS in patients with pT3N0 colon cancer. @*Conclusion@#In the present study, adjuvant treatment based on the current guideline of treatment indication was unable to enhance the prognosis of patients with pT3N0 colon cancer. The role of adjuvant treatment in T3N0 colon cancer must be examined with the HRF count in mind.
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Purpose@#Tumor radioresistance and dose-limiting toxicity restrict the curative potential of radiotherapy, requiring novel approaches to overcome the limitations and augment the efficacy. Here, we investigated the effects of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) activation and autophagy induction by irradiation on antiapoptotic proteins and the effectiveness of the BH3 mimetic ABT-737 as a radiosensitizer using K-ras mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells and a Kras G12D :p53 fl/fl mouse (KP mouse) model. @*Materials and Methods@#A549 and H460 cells were irradiated, and the expression of Bcl-2 family proteins, JAK/STAT transcriptional pathway, and autophagic pathway were evaluated by immunoblotting. The radiosensitizing effects of ABT-737 were evaluated using A549 and H460 cell lines with clonogenic assays and also by a KP mouse model with microcomputed tomography and immunohistochemistry. @*Results@#In A549 and H460 cells and mouse lung tissue, irradiation-induced overexpression of the antiapoptotic molecules BclxL, Bcl-2, Bcl-w, and Mcl-1 through JAK/STAT transcriptional signaling induced dysfunction of the autophagic pathway. After treatment with ABT-737 and exposure to irradiation, the number of surviving clones in the cotreatment group was significantly lower than that in the group treated with radiation or ABT-737 alone. In the KP mouse lung cancer model, cotreatment with ABT-737 and radiation-induced significant tumor regression; however, body weight changes in the combination group were not significantly different, suggesting that combination treatment did not cause systemic toxicity. @*Conclusion@#These findings supported the radiosensitizing activity of ABT-737 in preclinical models, and suggested that clinical trials using this strategy may be beneficial in K-ras mutant NSCLC.
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Background@#Although respiratory tract infection is one of the most important factors triggering acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AE-COPD), limited data are available to suggest an epidemiologic pattern of microbiology in South Korea. @*Methods@#A multicenter observational study was conducted between January 2015 and December 2018 across 28 hospitals in South Korea. Adult patients with moderate-to-severe acute exacerbations of COPD were eligible to participate in the present study. The participants underwent all conventional tests to identify etiology of microbial pathogenesis. The primary outcome was the percentage of different microbiological pathogens causing AE-COPD. A comparative microbiological analysis of the patients with overlapping asthma–COPD (ACO) and pure COPD was performed. @*Results@#We included 1,186 patients with AE-COPD. Patients with pure COPD constituted 87.9% and those with ACO accounted for 12.1%. Nearly half of the patients used an inhaled corticosteroid-containing regimen and one-fifth used systemic corticosteroids. Respiratory pathogens were found in 55.3% of all such patients. Bacteria and viruses were detected in 33% and 33.2%, respectively. Bacterial and viral coinfections were found in 10.9%. The most frequently detected bacteria were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (9.8%), and the most frequently detected virus was influenza A (10.4%). Multiple bacterial infections were more likely to appear in ACO than in pure COPD (8.3% vs. 3.6%, p=0.016). @*Conclusion@#Distinct microbiological patterns were identified in patients with moderate-to-severe AE-COPD in South Korea. These findings may improve evidence-based management of patients with AE-COPD and represent the basis for further studies investigating infectious pathogens in patients with COPD.
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Asthma is the most common chronic respiratory disease, affecting 1% to 18% of the population worldwide. It is characterized by various respiratory symptoms, such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and cough, and variable airflow limitation. People with asthma often have periods of worsened symptoms and airway obstruction called exacerbations, which can be fatal. We would like to provide the updated clinical management protocols for patients with asthma.Current Concepts: The goal of asthma treatment is to control symptoms adequately and minimize exacerbations. Anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator therapies are the mainstay of asthma treatment and are recommended as a stepwise approach. The pharmacological treatment of asthma involves evaluating and reviewing the current control status based on the symptoms, future risk of exacerbation, comorbidities, side effects, and patient’s satisfaction. Asthma symptoms in some patients remain uncontrolled despite intensive treatment. The development of biomarkers, evaluation of the patient’s phenotype, and personalized treatment, including biologics, can provide new and effective treatment opportunities.Discussion and Conclusion: Successful asthma management can be achieved through accurate diagnosis of asthma, evaluation of the control stages, correct use of controllers and relievers, adjustment of asthma triggers, personalized approach, and training in self-management.
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Background@#This study aimed to present the surgical facilitation of neurovascular bundle (NVB) sparing using the toggling technique (30° lens down/up switching) and to evaluate erectile dysfunction (ED) recovery after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). @*Methods@#We assessed 144 patients (group with toggling, n = 72; group without toggling, n = 72) who underwent RARP with bilateral NVB sparing using propensity score matching.Inclusion criteria were ≥ 1 year follow-up and preoperative potency as per the Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) questionnaire (≥ 17 points). Recovery of ED after RARP was defined as return to baseline sexual function or self-assessment regarding successful intercourse. The subjective surgeon’s nerve sparing (SNS) score and tunneling success rates were used to evaluate surgical facilitation. The recovery rate of ED between the groups was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier analysis. @*Results@#A better ED recovery trend was confirmed according to the SNS score (R 2 = 0.142, P = 0.004). In the analysis of NVB sparing ease, the toggling group showed higher SNS scores (on right/left side: P = 0.011 and < 0.001, respectively) and overall tunneling success rates (87% vs. 74%, P = 0.001) than the group without toggling. Overall, ED recovery rates were 82% (59/72) and 75% (54/72) in the groups with and without toggling, respectively, at the 1-year follow-up (P = 0.047), and the toggling group showed a faster ED recovery rate at 3 months (47% vs. 35%, P = 0.013). In a specific analysis of the potent cohort (< 60 years, bilateral full NVB spared, SHIM score ≥ 22), the ED recovery rate reached 87% (14/16) in the toggling group. @*Conclusion@#The retrograde early release with the toggling technique improves the facilitation of NVB sparing, leading to improved ED recovery.
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Objective@#: Although full-endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion (Endo-LIF) has been tried as the latest alternative technique to minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interobody fusion (MIS-TLIF) since mid-2010, the evidence is still lacking. We compared the clinical outcome and safety of Endo-LIF to MIS-TLIF for lumbar degenerative disease. @*Methods@#: We systematically searched electronic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library to find literature comparing Endo-LIF to MIS-TLIF. The results retrieved were last updated on December 11, 2020. The perioperative outcome included the operation time, blood loss, complication, and hospital stay. The clinical outcomes included Visual analog scale (VAS) of low back pain and leg pain and Oswestry disability index (ODI), and the radiological outcome included pseudoarthosis rate with 12-month minimum follow-up. @*Results@#: Four retrospective observational studies and one prospective observational study comprising 423 patients (183 Endo-LIF and 241 MIS-TLIF) were included, and the pooled data analysis revealed low heterogeneity between studies in our review. Baseline characteristics including age and sex were not different between the two groups. Operation time was significantly longer in Endo- LIF (mean difference [MD], 23.220 minutes; 95% confidence interval [CI], 10.669–35.771; p=0.001). However, Endo-LIF resulted in less perioperative blood loss (MD, -144.710 mL; 95% CI, 247.941–41.478; p=0.023). Although VAS back pain at final (MD, -0.120; p=0.586), leg pain within 2 weeks (MD, 0.005; p=0.293), VAS leg pain at final (MD, 0.099; p=0.099), ODI at final (MD, 0.141; p=0.093) were not different, VAS back pain within 2 weeks was more favorable in the Endo-LIF (MD, -1.538; 95% CI, -2.044 to -1.032; p<0.001). On the other hand, no statistically significant group difference in complication rate (relative risk [RR], 0.709; p=0.774), hospital stay (MD, -2.399; p=0.151), and pseudoarthrosis rate (RR, 1.284; p=0.736) were found. @*Conclusion@#: Relative to MIS-TLIF, immediate outcomes were favorable in Endo-LIF in terms of blood loss and immediate VAS back pain, although complication rate, mid-term clinical outcomes, and fusion rate were not different. However, the challenges for Endo-LIF include longer operation time which means a difficult learning curve and limited surgical indication which means patient selection bias. Larger-scale, well-designed study with long-term follow-up and randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm and update the results of this systematic review.
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Background@#In lung transplantation, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) compatibility is not included in the lung allocation score system or considered when placing donor allografts.However, HLA matching may affect the outcomes of lung transplantation. This study evaluated the current assessment status, prevalence, and effects of HLA crossmatching in lung transplantation in Korean patients using nationwide multicenter registry data. @*Methods@#Two hundred and twenty patients who received lung transplantation at six tertiary hospitals in South Korea between March 2015 and December 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical data, including general demographic characteristics, primary diagnosis, and pretransplant status of the recipients and donors registered by the Korean Organ Transplant Registry, were retrospectively analyzed. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank tests. @*Results@#Complement-dependent cytotoxic crossmatch (CDC-XM) was performed in 208 patients (94.5%) and flow cytometric crossmatch (flow-XM) was performed in 125 patients (56.8%). Among them, nine patients (4.1%) showed T cell- and/or B cell-positive crossmatches. The incidences of postoperative complications, including primary graft dysfunction, acute rejection, and chronic allograft dysfunction in positively crossmatched patients, were not significant compared with those in patients without mismatches.Moreover, Kaplan-Meier analyses showed poorer 1-year survival in patients with positive crossmatch according to CDC-XM (P < 0.001) and T lymphocyte XM (P = 0.002) than in patients without mismatches. @*Conclusion@#Positive CDC and T lymphocyte crossmatching results should be considered in the allocation of donor lungs. If unavailable, the result should be considered for postoperative management in lung transplantation.
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Purpose@#This study aimed to stratify risk factors and vein levels for postoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after lower-extremity orthopedic surgery. @*Methods@#Ninety-nine patients who underwent Doppler ultrasonography after lower-extremity orthopedic surgery were enrolled. Medical records were reviewed for anesthesia duration, type of surgery, body weight, height, and cardiovascular risk factors (including history of smoking, diabetes mellitus or hypertension, blood pressure, and total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein [HDL] cholesterol levels), and the DVT treatment. Ultrasound diagnosis of DVT was made according to a routine protocol. The relationships between selected factors and the presence of DVT were assessed using univariate and multivariate regression analyses. @*Results@#Thirty-three (33%) patients were found to have calf DVT. The mean age, weight, and height of the non-DVT and postoperative DVT patients were 55.1 years versus 65.4 years, 70.5 kg versus 61.2 kg, and 163.3 cm versus 157.0 cm, respectively. Total cholesterol/HDL levels in the non-DVT and DVT patients were 70.6/20.7 mg/dL and 90.8/26.0 mg/dL, retrospectively. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the non-DVT and DVT patients were 133.6/80.2 mm Hg and 132.2/78.1 mmHg, respectively. The mean duration of anesthesia was 173.9 versus 199.9 minutes, and the operative time was 136.4 minutes versus 161.0 minutes. Older age (P=0.005) and lower body weight (P=0.002) were significantly associated with postoperative DVT. No other significant between-group differences were found (P>0.05). The patients with ultrasound-identified DVT received antithrombotic treatment. None of them had distant thromboembolism. @*Conclusion@#After lower-extremity orthopedic surgery, the calf veins in elderly patients with low body weight are susceptible to thrombosis; they would most likely benefit from postoperative ultrasonography.
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Purpose@#This study aimed to develop and validate a predictive model for the assessment of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) in men, prior to prostate biopsies, based on bi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (bpMRI) and clinical parameters. @*Materials and Methods@#We retrospectively analyzed 300 men with clinical suspicion of prostate cancer (prostate-specific antigen [PSA] ≥ 4.0 ng/mL and/or abnormal findings in a digital rectal examination), who underwent bpMRI-ultrasound fusion transperineal targeted and systematic biopsies in the same session, at a Korean university hospital. Predictive models, based on Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data Systems scores of bpMRI and clinical parameters, were developed to detect csPCa (intermediate/high grade [Gleason score ≥ 3+4]) and compared by analyzing the areas under the curves and decision curves. @*Results@#A predictive model defined by the combination of bpMRI and clinical parameters (age, PSA density) showed high discriminatory power (area under the curve, 0.861) and resulted in a significant net benefit on decision curve analysis. Applying a probability threshold of 7.5%, 21.6% of men could avoid unnecessary prostate biopsy, while only 1.0% of significant prostate cancers were missed. @*Conclusion@#This predictive model provided a reliable and measurable means of risk stratification of csPCa, with high discriminatory power and great net benefit. It could be a useful tool for clinical decision-making prior to prostate biopsies.
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Purpose@#Calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) use has improved lung transplantation outcomes. However, significant perioperative complications in patients receiving CNI can deteriorate the early course of lung transplantation. To date, there is no consensus regarding the optimal agent for the induction regimen after lung transplantation. We aimed to determine the efficacy of basiliximab induction with delayed CNI initiation in the prevention of acute complications without compromising immunosuppression in high-risk patients. @*Materials and Methods@#Between January 2013 and December 2019, 236 patients at a single lung transplant center were retrospectively reviewed. Forty-one patients (17.4%) received basiliximab induction, and 195 patients (82.6%) received a routine triple-drug regimen without induction. The primary endpoint was postoperative acute kidney injury with several other postoperative outcomes as secondary end-points. @*Results@#Preoperatively, the induction group had a higher proportion of patients who were admitted before transplantation (95.1% vs. 47.7%, p<0.001) and received intensive unit care (90.2% vs. 33.8%, p<0.001) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) (87.8% vs. 20.0%, p<0.001) compared to the non-induction group. No significant differences were observed in the incidence of acute rejection between groups (p=0.657), although lower incidence of postoperative complications, including acute kidney injuries or culture-proven infections, were observed in the induction group. However, the differences were not statistically significant. A subgroup analysis of high-risk and preoperative ECMO support groups showed similar results. @*Conclusion@#Basiliximab induction with delayed CNI initiation for high-risk patients might decrease the incidence of perioperative complications, including acute renal failure, without increasing the risk of acute rejection.
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Background@#Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy has become the major surgical option for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Endoscopic instruments such as stapler cartridges are essential for VATS procedures. In this study, we investigated the factors that affect the number of stapler cartridges used in VATS lobectomy. @*Methods@#A retrospective analysis was conducted of patients who underwent complete VATS lobectomy for NSCLC from January 2013 to December 2015. @*Results@#In total, 596 patients underwent complete VATS lobectomy. The average number of stapler cartridges used for VATS lobectomy was 5.3±1.9. The number of stapler cartridges used for VATS lobectomy was higher in men (5.5±1.9 vs. 5.0±18, p=0.006), those aged older than 70 years (5.5±2.1 vs. 5.1±1.7, p=0.038), those who underwent upper or middle lobectomy procedures (5.7±1.9 vs. 4.1±1.2, p<0.001), those with a higher fissure sum average (p<0.001), and those in whom surgery was performed by a surgeon with a preference for staplers (5.6±2.0 vs. 4.9±1.6, p<0.001). @*Conclusion@#The number of stapler cartridges required to perform VATS lobectomy in NSCLC patients appears to be influenced by sex, age, the location of the tumor, the degree of fissure development, and the surgeon’s preference.
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Purpose@#Recent history of malignancy without 5-year disease-free interval is an absolute contraindication for lung transplantation (LTx). However, in rare cases, lung cancer may be incidentally diagnosed in the explanted lung of recipients. We evaluated the prevalence, 5-year survival, and prognosis of incidental lung cancer after LTx. @*Materials and Methods@#Medical records of patients who underwent LTx at Severance Hospital between January 1, 2012 and June 30, 2019 were reviewed. Patients with incidental lung cancer were included, and those with histologically proven pre-transplant lung cancer were excluded. @*Results@#Of the 247 patients who underwent LTx, 6 (2.4%) were diagnosed with incidental lung cancer. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) was the underlying lung disease in all patients. The median interval from the last preoperative computed tomography (CT) screening to LTx was 26 days. The most common histological type of incidental lung cancer was adenocarcinoma (n=4, 66.7%).All Stage IV cases were misdiagnosed as fibrosis on preoperative chest CT. Patients with incidental lung cancer showed lower 5-year survival than those without malignancy (median survival: 8.5 months vs. not reached, p=0.047, respectively). Patients with Stage III or IV demonstrated lower 5-year survival than those with Stage I or II and those without malignancy (median survival: 5 months, 19 months, and not reached, respectively, p=0.011). @*Conclusion@#Multidisciplinary preoperative screening and serial imaging studies within short intervals are required to differentiate lung malignancy from fibrotic foci. Furthermore, active pathologic examination of suspicious lung lesions is required in patients at high risk for lung cancer.
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Purpose@#Data on the distribution and impact of panel reactive antibodies (PRA) and donor specific antibodies (DSA) before lung transplantation in Asia, especially multi-center-based data, are limited. This study evaluated the prevalence of and effects of PRA and DSA levels before lung transplantations on outcomes in Korean patients using nationwide multicenter registry data. @*Materials and Methods@#This study included 103 patients who received a lung transplant at five tertiary hospitals in South Korea between March 2015 and December 2017. Mortality, primary graft dysfunction (PGD), and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) were evaluated. @*Results@#Sixteen patients had class I and/or class II PRAs exceeding 50%. Ten patients (9.7%) had DSAs with a mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) higher than 1000, six of whom had antibodies with a high MFI (≥2000). DSAs with high MFIs were more frequently observed in patients with high-grade PGD (≥2) than in those with no or low-grade (≤1) PGD. In the 47 patients who survived for longer than 9 months and were evaluated for BOS after the transplant, BOS was not related to DSA or PRA levels. One-year mortality was more strongly related to PRA class I exceeding 50% than that under 50% (0% vs. 16.7%, p=0.007). @*Conclusion@#Preoperative DSAs and PRAs are related to worse outcomes after lung transplantation. DSAs and PRAs should be considered when selecting lung transplant recipients, and recipients who have preoperative DSAs with high MFI values and high PRA levels should be monitored closely after lung transplantation.
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Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a malignant glandular neoplasm that commonly occurs in the salivary glands. Primary cutaneous adenoid cystic carcinoma (PCACC) is a rare form of ACC that primarily presents on the skin. A diagnosis of a primary tumor arising in the skin can be made only after excluding metastatic deposits from other, more common sites. PCACC tends to infiltrate and recur locally but rarely metastasizes to distant organs and lymph nodes. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a PCACC of the chest wall in Korea. We report this case and literature review to raise awareness of this rare tumor.
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Background/Aims@#Atrial arrhythmia (AA) occasionally occurs after lung transplantation (LT); however, risk factors for AA and their impact on clinical outcomes are inconsistent. We aimed to investigate the incidence, predisposing factors, and clinical outcomes of AA after LT. @*Methods@#We retrospectively evaluated 153 consecutive patients who underwent LT between January 2010 and August 2016. An AA episode was defined as a documented atrial fibrillation (AF), atrial flutter, or atrial tachycardia on 12-lead electrocardiography or episodes lasting ≥ 30 seconds on telemetry monitoring. @*Results@#The mean follow-up time was 22.0 ± 19.1 months. Postoperative AA occurred in 46 patients (30.1%) after LT. Patients with postoperative AA were older, had larger body surface area, and had an increased incidence of paroxysmal AF prior to transplantation, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and postoperative tracheostomy than patients without AA. Preoperative right atrial pressure (RAP) (odds ratio [OR], 1.19; p = 0.005) and longer periods of mechanical ventilation (OR, 1.03; p = 0.008) were found to be independent risk factors for AA after surgery. Development of AA was a significant predictor of long-term overall mortality (hazard ratio, 2.75; p = 0.017). @*Conclusions@#Patients with elevated preoperative RAP and long-term ventilator care had a higher risk of AA after LT. Further, AA after LT was associated with poor long-term survival.
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Background@#Rosacea is a common skin disease associated with increased expression of cathelicidin, kallikrein 5 (KLK5), toll-like receptor (TLR) 2, and abnormal barrier function. Recently, it was reported that hyaluronan (HA) could influence immune function via various receptors and HA oligosaccharides (oligo-HAs) could suppress TLR-dependent cytokine expression. @*Objective@#We investigated if oligo-HAs could influence on inflammation and epidermal barrier induced by LL-37, which had a major role in rosacea. @*Methods@#We cultured normal human keratinocytes and treated them with LL-37 and oligo-HAs or the LL-37 alone. A rosacea-like BALB/c mouse model injected with LL-37 was used to determine the role of oligo-HAs in rosacea in vivo. @*Results@#Interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α release was suppressed when keratinocytes were co-treated with oligo- HAs and LL-37 compared with keratinocytes treated with LL-37 only. Treatment with oligo-HAs resulted in decreased transepidermal water loss as well as improved redness. Decreased inflammatory cell infiltration, IL-17A and KLK5 expression and increased CD44 and filaggrin expression were also noted. @*Conclusion@#Our findings suggest that oligo-HA improves rosacea-like phenotype through anti-inflammatory and epidermal barrier improving effect.
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Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)–ultrasound (US) fusion transperineal targeted biopsy (FTB) and fusion template systematic biopsy (FSB) for prostate cancer (PCa) and clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) (intermediate/high grade [Gleason score ≥ 3+4]) based on bi-parametric MRI (bpMRI). @*Materials and methods@#Retrospectively, we analyzed 300 patients with elevated prostate-specific antigen (≥ 4.0 ng/mL) and/or abnormal findings in a digital rectal examination at the Korea University Hospital. All 300 men underwent bpMRI-US fusion transperineal FTB and FSB in the period from April 2017 to March 2019. @*Results@#PCas were detected in 158 of 300 men (52.7%), and the prevalence of csPCa was 34.0%. CsPCas were detected in 12 of 102 (11.8%) with Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) 3, 42 of 92 (45.7%) with PI-RADS 4, respectively; and 45 of 62 (72.6%) men with PI-RADS 5, respectively. BpMRI showed a sensitivity of 95.1% and negative predictive value of 89.6% for csPCa. FTB detected additional csPCa in 33 men (12.9%) compared to FSB. Compared to FTB, FSB detected additional csPCa in 10 men (3.9%). @*Conclusion@#BpMRI-US FTB and FSB improved detection of PCa and csPCa. The accuracy of bi-parametric MRI is comparable with that of multi-parametric MRI. Further, it is rapid, simpler, cheaper, and no side effects of contrast media. Therefore, it is expected that bpMRI-US transperineal FTB and FSB could be a good alternative to conventional US-guided transrectal biopsy, which is the current gold standard.