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Permutation testing is a robust and popular approach for significance testing in genomic research that has the advantage of reducing inflated type 1 error rates; however, its compu-tational cost is notorious in genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Here, we developed a supercomputing-aided approach to accelerate the permutation testing for GWAS, based on the message-passing interface (MPI) on parallel computing architecture. Our application, called MPI-GWAS, conducts MPI-based permutation testing using a parallel computing approach with our supercomputing system, Nurion (8,305 compute nodes, and 563,740 central processing units [CPUs]). For 107 permutations of one locus in MPI-GWAS, it was calculated in 600 s using 2,720 CPU cores. For 107 permutations of ~30,000–50,000 loci in over 7,000 subjects, the total elapsed time was ~4 days in the Nurion supercomputer. Thus, MPI-GWAS enables us to feasibly compute the permutation-based GWAS within a reason-able time by harnessing the power of parallel computing resources.
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Background@#We evaluated the achievement of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) targets in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) according to up-to-date Korean Diabetes Association (KDA), European Society of Cardiology (ESC)/European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS), and American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines. @*Methods@#This retrospective cohort study collected electronic medical record data from patients with T2DM (≥20 years) managed by endocrinologists from 15 hospitals in Korea (January to December 2019). Patients were categorized according to guidelines to assess LDL-C target achievement. KDA (2019): Very High-I (atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease [ASCVD]) <70 mg/dL; Very High-II (target organ damage [TOD], or cardiovascular risk factors [CVRFs]) <70 mg/dL; high (others) <100 mg/dL. ESC/EAS (2019): Very High-I (ASCVD): <55 mg/dL; Very High-II (TOD or ≥3-CVRF) <55 mg/dL; high (diabetes ≥10 years without TOD plus any CVRF) <70 mg/dL; moderate (diabetes <10 years without CVRF) <100 mg/dL. ADA (2019): Very High-I (ASCVD); Very High-II (age ≥40+ TOD, or any CVRF), for high intensity statin or statin combined with ezetimibe. @*Results@#Among 2,000 T2DM patients (mean age 62.6 years; male 55.9%; mean glycosylated hemoglobin 7.2%) ASCVD prevalence was 24.7%. Of 1,455 (72.8%) patients treated with statins, 73.9% received monotherapy. According to KDA guidelines, LDL-C target achievement rates were 55.2% in Very High-I and 34.9% in Very High-II patients. With ESC/EAS guidelines, target attainment rates were 26.6% in Very High-I, 15.7% in Very High-II, and 25.9% in high risk patients. Based on ADA guidelines, most patients (78.9%) were very-high risk; however, only 15.5% received high-intensity statin or combination therapy. @*Conclusion@#According to current dyslipidemia management guidelines, LDL-C goal achievement remains suboptimal in Korean patients with T2DM.
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Purpose@#Patients who have undergone gastrectomy have unique symptoms that are not appropriately assessed using currently available tools. This study developed and validated a symptom-focused quality of life (QoL) questionnaire for patients who have received gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods Based on a literature review, patient interviews, and expert consultation by the KOrean QUality of life in Stomach cancer patients Study group (KOQUSS), the initial item pool was developed. Two large-scale developmental studies were then sequentially conducted for exploratory factor analyses for content validity and item reduction. The final item pool was validated in a separate cohort of patients and assessed for internal consistency, test-retest reliability, construct validity, and clinical validity. @*Results@#The initial questionnaire consisted of 46-items in 12 domains. Data from 465 patients at 11 institutions, followed by 499 patients at 13 institutions, were used to conduct item reduction and exploratory factor analyses. The final questionnaire (KOQUSS-40) comprised 40 items within 11 domains. Validation of KOQUSS-40 was conducted on 413 patients from 12 hospitals. KOQUSS-40 was found to have good model fit. The mean summary score of the KOQUSS-40 was correlated with the EORTC QLQ-C30 and STO22 (correlation coefficients, 0.821 and 0.778, respectively). The KOQUSS-40 score was also correlated with clinical factors, and had acceptable internal consistency (> 0.7). Test-retest reliability was greater than 0.8. Conclusion The KOQUSS-40 can be used to assess QoL of gastric cancer patients after gastrectomy and allows for a robust comparison of surgical techniques in clinical trials.
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Purpose@#Patients who have undergone gastrectomy have unique symptoms that are not appropriately assessed using currently available tools. This study developed and validated a symptom-focused quality of life (QoL) questionnaire for patients who have received gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods Based on a literature review, patient interviews, and expert consultation by the KOrean QUality of life in Stomach cancer patients Study group (KOQUSS), the initial item pool was developed. Two large-scale developmental studies were then sequentially conducted for exploratory factor analyses for content validity and item reduction. The final item pool was validated in a separate cohort of patients and assessed for internal consistency, test-retest reliability, construct validity, and clinical validity. @*Results@#The initial questionnaire consisted of 46-items in 12 domains. Data from 465 patients at 11 institutions, followed by 499 patients at 13 institutions, were used to conduct item reduction and exploratory factor analyses. The final questionnaire (KOQUSS-40) comprised 40 items within 11 domains. Validation of KOQUSS-40 was conducted on 413 patients from 12 hospitals. KOQUSS-40 was found to have good model fit. The mean summary score of the KOQUSS-40 was correlated with the EORTC QLQ-C30 and STO22 (correlation coefficients, 0.821 and 0.778, respectively). The KOQUSS-40 score was also correlated with clinical factors, and had acceptable internal consistency (> 0.7). Test-retest reliability was greater than 0.8. Conclusion The KOQUSS-40 can be used to assess QoL of gastric cancer patients after gastrectomy and allows for a robust comparison of surgical techniques in clinical trials.
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The accuracy and convenience of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), which efficiently evaluates glycemic variability and hypoglycemia, are improving. There are two types of CGM: professional CGM and personal CGM. Personal CGM is subdivided into real-time CGM (rt-CGM) and intermittently scanned CGM (isCGM). CGM is being emphasized in both domestic and foreign diabetes management guidelines. Regardless of age or type of diabetes, CGM is useful for diabetic patients undergoing multiple insulin injection therapy or using an insulin pump. rt-CGM is recommended for all adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D), and can also be used in type 2 diabetes (T2D) treatments using multiple insulin injections. In some cases, short-term or intermittent use of CGM may be helpful for patients with T2D who use insulin therapy other than multiple insulin injections and/or oral hypoglycemic agents. CGM can help to achieve A1C targets in diabetes patients during pregnancy. CGM is a safe and cost-effective alternative to self-monitoring blood glucose in T1D and some T2D patients. CGM used in diabetes management works optimally with proper education, training, and follow up. To achieve the activation of CGM and its associated benefits, it is necessary to secure sufficient repetitive training and time for data analysis, management, and education. Various supports such as compensation, insurance coverage expansion, and reimbursement are required to increase the effectiveness of CGM while considering the scale of benefit recipients, policy priorities, and financial requirements.
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Purpose@#This study evaluated differences and shifting patterns in the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of 5-year gastric cancer survivors after either a distal subtotal gastrectomy (DSG) or total gastrectomy (TG). @*Materials and Methods@#We analyzed the prospectively collected HRQoL data of 528 patients who survived 5 years without recurrence using the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Core Quality of Life Questionnaire and the EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire-Stomach module according to the type of surgery. The purpose was to identify the proportion of patients with deteriorating HRQoL and to assess the clinical significance of these changes. @*Results@#Deteriorating HRQoL was prevalent in both groups, including a large proportion of the DSG group. Decreased overall health status and scores on several function scales were less in the DSG group, while increases on the symptom scales were higher in the TG group. For most of the scales, gaps in HRQoL during the early postoperative period did not merge within the 5 years. Scores on the diarrhea and body image scales revealed “moderate changes” in both groups. @*Conclusions@#During the 5-year period after surgery, the TG group suffered from inferior HRQoL compared to the DSG group. However, a large proportion of the DSG group also suffered HRQoL deterioration. In general, the TG group experienced more HRQoL decline, with diarrhea and body image being the major concerns for both groups. To improve HRQoL after gastrectomy, patients must be better informed about post-gastrectomy symptoms. These symptoms must be vigorously investigated, and medical interventions should be available parallel to nutritional support. Favorable evidence of function-preserving gastrectomy should be established and disseminated to improve the HRQoL of early gastric cancer patients.
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This study assessed preoperative quality of life (QoL) of gastric cancer patients exposed to inconsistent illness information by pre-post-operative stage discordance. The impact of information-stressors on patients’ QoL was investigated to determine information processing as a potential target for QoL management. Early-stage gastric cancer (EsGC) and late-stage gastric cancer (LsGC) groups based on their final stage were categorized by the consistency of preoperative staging information that was being shared. Those with consistent preoperative staging information were rated as EsGC (n=1,420) and LsGC (n=153) controls. EsGC and LsGC patients with misdirected information about their LsGC and EsGC were categorized as EsGC/iLsGC (n=32) and LsGC/iEsGC (n=55), respectively. Preoperative QoL data was obtained using EORTC QLQ-C30 and -STO22. QoL outcomes of EsGC/iLsGC and LsGC/iEsGC were compared with those of the EsGC and LsGC controls. QoL outcomes of the EsGC/iLsGC group matched that of EsGC control, but were significantly better than those of LsGC control on multiple scales including global health status/QoL, physical/role/social-functioning, and ten symptom scales/items. On the other hand, QoL outcomes of LsGC/iEsGC group were significantly better than those of LsGC control on multiple scales (global health status/ QoL, physical/role-functioning, and nine symptom scales/items) while they roughly matched with those of EsGC control. Intensified information-stressors did not exacerbate QoL beyond the influence of the patients’ medical condition, while de-intensified information-stressor improved QoL. Fear of negatively impacting QoL should not prevent the sharing of stressful illness information. As the de-intensified information- stressor improves QoL, information processing is recommended as a potential target for QoL management in cancer patients.
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Purpose@#Preoperative positivity of serum tumor markers has been associated with poor long-term survival among patients with gastric cancer. However, there have been a considerable number of patients who have experienced a normalization of tumor markers (negative conversion) after curative treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between postoperative tumor marker conversion and survival after gastrectomy among gastric carcinoma patients. @*Methods@#We analyzed the clinical data of 129 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy with elevated preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen or carbohydrate antigen 19-9 between January 2009 and December 2013. @*Results@#Positive tumor markers converted to negative markers 6 months after surgery in 91 patients (70.5%). The patients with a negative conversion of tumor markers had significantly better outcomes than those without negative conversion (overall survival [OS] 63.9 months vs. 41.1 months, P<0.001; disease-free survival [DFS] 59.3 months vs. 33.2 months, P<0.001). Multivariate analyses showed that tumor marker conversion and lymph node metastasis were independent predictors of OS and DFS. During follow-up, tumor markers became elevated again (positive reconversion) in 23 patients (25.3%), with a negative conversion of tumor markers at 6 months after gastrectomy. Among the patients with a positive reconversion of tumor markers, gastric cancer recurred in 18 patients (78.3%). @*Conclusion@#Negative tumor marker conversion after curative gastrectomy strongly predicts a better prognosis. Patients without negative tumor marker conversion and those with positive reconversion after normalization should be carefully monitored because of the high possibility of recurrence.
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Purpose@#We evaluated the changes in body composition (BC) and quality of life (QoL) in patients who underwent gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer. @*Methods@#BC data using segmental multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis and QoL data from the EORTC (European Organisation for the Research and Treatment of Cancer) gathered via QLQ-C30 and QLQ-STO22 questionnaires were obtained from 300 patients preoperatively and at 1, 2, and 3 years after surgery. In total, 114 patients underwent total gastrectomy (TG group) and 186 underwent distal gastrectomy (DG group). @*Results@#According to BC analysis, at 3 years postoperatively, the average body weight (P = 0.002), protein mass (P = 0.028), body fat mass (P = 0.009), skeletal muscle mass (P = 0.037), and visceral fat area (P = 0.012) was significantly decreased in the TG group than in the DG group compared to the preoperative. In the QLQ-C30, physical functioning (P = 0.001), role functioning (P = 0.013), and fatigue (P = 0.005) showed significantly worse QoL in the TG group than in the DG group at 2 and 3 years postoperatively. In the QLQ-STO22, pain (P = 0.001), reflux symptoms (P = 0.009), eating restrictions (P = 0.001), anxiety (P = 0.008), taste (P = 0.011), and body image (P = 0.014) showed greater continuous deterioration postoperatively in the TG group than in the DG group. @*Conclusion@#Persistent deterioration of BC and QoL is a serious concern following total gastrectomy. Long-term management of BC is required after gastrectomy and efforts should be made to improve the QoL in patients as soon as possible, postoperatively.
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Purpose@#Preoperative positivity of serum tumor markers has been associated with poor long-term survival among patients with gastric cancer. However, there have been a considerable number of patients who have experienced a normalization of tumor markers (negative conversion) after curative treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between postoperative tumor marker conversion and survival after gastrectomy among gastric carcinoma patients. @*Methods@#We analyzed the clinical data of 129 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy with elevated preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen or carbohydrate antigen 19-9 between January 2009 and December 2013. @*Results@#Positive tumor markers converted to negative markers 6 months after surgery in 91 patients (70.5%). The patients with a negative conversion of tumor markers had significantly better outcomes than those without negative conversion (overall survival [OS] 63.9 months vs. 41.1 months, P<0.001; disease-free survival [DFS] 59.3 months vs. 33.2 months, P<0.001). Multivariate analyses showed that tumor marker conversion and lymph node metastasis were independent predictors of OS and DFS. During follow-up, tumor markers became elevated again (positive reconversion) in 23 patients (25.3%), with a negative conversion of tumor markers at 6 months after gastrectomy. Among the patients with a positive reconversion of tumor markers, gastric cancer recurred in 18 patients (78.3%). @*Conclusion@#Negative tumor marker conversion after curative gastrectomy strongly predicts a better prognosis. Patients without negative tumor marker conversion and those with positive reconversion after normalization should be carefully monitored because of the high possibility of recurrence.
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Purpose@#We evaluated the changes in body composition (BC) and quality of life (QoL) in patients who underwent gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer. @*Methods@#BC data using segmental multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis and QoL data from the EORTC (European Organisation for the Research and Treatment of Cancer) gathered via QLQ-C30 and QLQ-STO22 questionnaires were obtained from 300 patients preoperatively and at 1, 2, and 3 years after surgery. In total, 114 patients underwent total gastrectomy (TG group) and 186 underwent distal gastrectomy (DG group). @*Results@#According to BC analysis, at 3 years postoperatively, the average body weight (P = 0.002), protein mass (P = 0.028), body fat mass (P = 0.009), skeletal muscle mass (P = 0.037), and visceral fat area (P = 0.012) was significantly decreased in the TG group than in the DG group compared to the preoperative. In the QLQ-C30, physical functioning (P = 0.001), role functioning (P = 0.013), and fatigue (P = 0.005) showed significantly worse QoL in the TG group than in the DG group at 2 and 3 years postoperatively. In the QLQ-STO22, pain (P = 0.001), reflux symptoms (P = 0.009), eating restrictions (P = 0.001), anxiety (P = 0.008), taste (P = 0.011), and body image (P = 0.014) showed greater continuous deterioration postoperatively in the TG group than in the DG group. @*Conclusion@#Persistent deterioration of BC and QoL is a serious concern following total gastrectomy. Long-term management of BC is required after gastrectomy and efforts should be made to improve the QoL in patients as soon as possible, postoperatively.
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PURPOSE: Few studies have evaluated changes in quality of life (QoL) in relation to changes in body mass index (BMI) after gastrectomy. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of postoperative changes in BMI on QoL after distal gastrectomy in gastric cancer patients. METHODS: QoL data from the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) gathered via the QLQ-C30 and QLQ-STO22 questionnaires were obtained from 1,036 patients preoperatively and at 1 year postoperatively. The patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 - decreased postoperative BMI and group 2 - unchanged or increased postoperative BMI. RESULTS: There were 577 patients in group 1 and 459 in group 2. According to global health status and functional scales, emotional functioning (P = 0.035) was significantly worse in group 1 than in group 2 at 1 year postoperatively. Furthermore, there were significant decreases in QoL symptom scale scores, including fatigue (P = 0.016), nausea and vomiting (P = 0.002), and appetite loss (P = 0.001) scores, in group 1 compared with group 2. Regarding QLQ-STO22, reflux symptoms (P = 0.020), anxiety (P = 0.003), and body image (P = 0.003) were significantly worse in group 1 than in group 2 at 1 year after surgery. CONCLUSION: BMI changes after distal gastrectomy influence QoL. Focus on controlling gastrointestinal symptoms and providing psychological support is essential in patients with decreased BMI after surgery. Patients should be offered follow-up care to assist them in maintaining BMI, for example, through dietary-behavior modifications and via intensive nutritional support, to prevent QoL deterioration after distal gastrectomy.
Subject(s)
Humans , Anxiety , Appetite , Body Image , Body Mass Index , Fatigue , Follow-Up Studies , Gastrectomy , Global Health , Nausea , Nutritional Support , Quality of Life , Stomach Neoplasms , Vomiting , Weights and MeasuresABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the actual compliance with chemotherapy and analyze several factors affecting the compliance in patients with gastric cancer. METHODS: From February 2012 to December 2014, we collected data of patients with gastric cancer who received adjuvant chemotherapy (TS-1 monotherapy or XELOX: capecitabine/oxaliplatin) in Korea. RESULTS: We collected data of 1,089 patients from 31 institutions. The completion rate and dose reduction rate by age (≥60 years vs. <60 years) were 57.5% vs. 76.8% (P < 0.001) and 17.9% vs. 21.3% (P = 0.354); by body mass index (BMI) (≥23 kg/m2 vs. <23 kg/m2) were 70.2% vs. 63.2% (P = 0.019) and 19.2% vs. 19.9% (P = 0.987), respectively. The compliance by American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status (ASA PS) classification was as follows: completion rate was 74.4%, 62.8%, and 60% (P = 0.001) and the dose reduction rate was 18.4%, 20.7%, and 17.8% (P = 0.946) in ASA PS classification I, II, and III, respectively. The completion rate of TS-1 and XELOX was 65.9% vs. 70.3% (P = 0.206) and the dose reduction rate was 15.7% vs. 33.6% (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the completion rate of chemotherapy by surgical oncologists and medical oncologists was 69.5% vs. 63.2% (P = 0.028) and the dose reduction rate was 17.4% vs. 22.3% (P = 0.035), respectively. CONCLUSION: The compliance was lower in patients who were older than 60 years, had BMI <23 kg/m2, and had higher ASA PS classification. Furthermore, the patients showed higher compliance when they received chemotherapy from surgical oncologists rather than from medical oncologists.
Subject(s)
Humans , Body Mass Index , Chemotherapy, Adjuvant , Classification , Compliance , Drug Therapy , Korea , Stomach NeoplasmsABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Phase angle obtained using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) provides a relatively precise assessment of the nutritional status of elderly patients. This study aimed to evaluate the significance of phase angle as a risk factor for complications after gastrectomy in elderly patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 210 elderly patients (aged ≥65 years) who had undergone gastrectomy for gastric cancer between August 2016 and August 2017. The phase angle cutoff value was calculated using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis according to sex. A retrospective analysis regarding the correlation between early postoperative complications and well-known risk factors, including the phase angle, was performed. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis revealed that the presence of two or more comorbidities (odds ratio [OR], 3.675) and hypoalbuminemia (OR, 4.059) were independent risk factors for overall complications, and female sex (OR, 2.993) was independent risk factor for severe complications. A low phase angle (OR, 2.901 and 4.348, respectively) and total gastrectomy (OR, 4.718 and 3.473, respectively) were independent risk factors for both overall and severe complications. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that preoperative low phase angle predicts the risk of overall and severe complications. Our findings suggest that BIA should be performed to assess the risk of postoperative complications in elderly patients with gastric cancer.
Subject(s)
Aged , Female , Humans , Comorbidity , Electric Impedance , Gastrectomy , Hypoalbuminemia , Multivariate Analysis , Nutritional Status , Postoperative Complications , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , ROC Curve , Stomach NeoplasmsABSTRACT
PURPOSE: We evaluated the impact of postoperative body mass index (BMI) shifts on the quality of life (QoL) following total gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: QoL data collected from the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ)-C30 and QLQ-STO22 questionnaires were obtained from 417 patients preoperatively and 1 year after surgery. Patients were divided into two groups based on changes in BMI: group 1 comprised patientswhose BMIrange category dropped, and group 2 included patients who maintained or rose to a higher category compared to their preoperative BMI category. RESULTS: There were 276 patients in group 1 and 141 in group 2. QoLs with respect to the global health status and functional scales were not significantly different between the groups 1 year after surgery. However, there were significantly greater decreases in QoL in group 1 due to gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting (p=0.008), appetite loss (p=0.001), and constipation (p=0.038). Of the QLQ-STO22 parameters, dysphagia (p=0.013), pain (p=0.012), reflux symptoms (p=0.017), eating restrictions (p=0.007), taste (p=0.009), and body image (p=0.009) were associated with significantly worse QoL in group 1 than in group 2 1 year after surgery. CONCLUSION: Patients have significantly different QoLs depending on the BMI shift after total gastrectomy. Efforts to reduce the gap in QoL should include intensive nutritional support and restoration of dietary behaviors. Appropriate clinical and institutional approaches, plus active medical interventions, are required for maintaining patients’ BMIs after surgery.
Subject(s)
Humans , Appetite , Body Image , Body Mass Index , Constipation , Deglutition Disorders , Eating , Gastrectomy , Global Health , Nausea , Nutritional Support , Quality of Life , Stomach Neoplasms , Vomiting , Weights and MeasuresABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study evaluated midterm changes in body composition after open distal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer. METHODS: Data from 138 gastric cancer patients who underwent open distal gastrectomy at Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital between January 2011 and December 2012 were collected and reviewed. Patients with pathological stage I gastric cancer and with no comorbidities at diagnosis were enrolled. Body composition data from segmental multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis were obtained preoperatively and at 1, 2, and 3 years after surgery. RESULTS: The mean body weight losses at 1 and 3 years after surgery were 6.1 kg and 5.8 kg, respectively (P < 0.001). The protein mass, skeletal muscle mass, and fat-free mass decreased continuously until 3 years after surgery (0.5 kg, 1.6 kg, and 2.4 kg, respectively; P < 0.001). The average body fat mass and visceral fat area loss at 1 year after surgery were 4.7 kg and 20.5 cm2, respectively (P < 0.001). After 1 postoperative year, the body fat mass and visceral fat areas increased continuously, up to 12.2 kg and 74.2 cm2 at 3 years after surgery, respectively (+1.4 kg and +1.2 cm2, respectively). CONCLUSION: More intense nutritional and exercise programs may be important after gastric cancer surgery, especially during the first postoperative year.
Subject(s)
Humans , Adipose Tissue , Body Composition , Body Weight , Comorbidity , Diagnosis , Electric Impedance , Gastrectomy , Intra-Abdominal Fat , Muscle, Skeletal , Stomach NeoplasmsABSTRACT
Variations in the popliteal artery and its tibial branches are common and have assumed greater importance with the technological advances that have made below-knee interventional revascularization feasible. The authors report a rare anatomic variant of popliteal artery agenesis, describing the CT angiographic findings with emphasis on the differential point from the occlusive disease and reviewing the embryologic development of the lower extremity vasculature.
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BACKGROUND: Isoflurane, a common anesthetic for cardiac surgery, reduced myocardial contractility in many experimental studies, few studies have determined isoflurane's direct impact on the left ventricular (LV) contractile function during cardiac surgery. We determined whether isoflurane dose-dependently reduces the peak systolic velocity of the lateral mitral annulus in tissue Doppler imaging (S′) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. METHODS: During isoflurane-supplemented remifentanil-based anesthesia for patients undergoing cardiac surgery with preoperative LV ejection fraction greater than 50% (n = 20), we analyzed the changes of S′ at each isoflurane dose increment (1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 minimum alveolar concentration [MAC]: T1, T2, and T3, respectively) with a fixed remifentanil dosage (1.0 μg/min/kg) by using transesophageal echocardiography. RESULTS: Mean S′ values (95% confidence interval [CI]) at T1, T2, and T3 were 10.5 (8.8–12.2), 9.5 (8.3–10.8), and 8.4 (7.3–9.5) cm/s, respectively (P < 0.001 in multivariate analysis of variance test). Their mean differences at T1 vs. T2, T2 vs. T3, and T1 vs. T3 were −1.0 (−1.6, −0.3), −1.1 (−1.7, −0.6), and −2.1 (−3.1, −1.1) cm/s, respectively. Phenylephrine infusion rates were significantly increased (0.26, 0.22, and 0.47 μg/kg/min at T1, T2, and T3, respectively, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Isoflurane increments (1.0–2.0 MAC) dose-dependently reduced LV systolic long-axis performance during cardiac surgeries with a preserved preoperative systolic function.
Subject(s)
Humans , Anesthesia , Echocardiography , Echocardiography, Transesophageal , Heart Function Tests , Heart Valves , Isoflurane , Multivariate Analysis , Phenylephrine , Thoracic SurgeryABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is routinely used in the evaluation of thyroid nodules. However, it has several pitfalls, as has been noted in nondiagnostic and indeterminate cases. This study aims to investigate the value of BRAF(V600E) mutation co-testing in FNA cytology. METHOD: A total of 310 patients underwent BRAF(V600E) mutation co-testing in FNA cytology on thyroid nodules between June 2013 and June 2014. Of the 310 patients, 69 patients who had undergone a surgery for thyroid nodules were included in this study. The presence of the BRAF(V600E) mutation was determined by allele-specific polymerase chain reaction amplification of exon 15 of the BRAF gene. RESULTS: Of 69 cases, 33 (47.8%) were BRAF(V600E) mutation positive. The BRAF(V600E) mutation was not significantly associated with high-risk features such as tumor size, lymph node metastasis, and pathological stage. The respective diagnostic performance of FNA (P = 0.02), BRAF(V600E) mutation (P = 0.03), and ultrasonographic (P = 0.00) findings was statistically significant. The sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of FNA was 64.9%, 83.3%, and 94.8%. The sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of BRAF(V600E) mutation was 56.1%, 91.7%, and 96.9% and the US features was 91.2%, 91.7%, and 98.1% respectively. However, sensitivity of FNA with BRAF(V600E) mutation (77.2%) was lower than FNA with US (92.9%) and combination all together (92.9%). CONCLUSION: In this study, we found that US features were the most useful in preoperative differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules. BRAF(V600E) mutation co-testing in FNA cytology was also useful for diagnosis of thyroid tumors.
Subject(s)
Humans , Biopsy, Fine-Needle , Diagnosis , Diagnosis, Differential , Exons , Lymph Nodes , Methods , Neoplasm Metastasis , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Sensitivity and Specificity , Thyroid Gland , Thyroid NoduleABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends hepatitis-B virusVIruS vaccination for unvaccinated adults with diabetes. However, the Korean Diabetes Association (KDA) did not recommend hepatitis-B vaccination for unvaccinated adults with diabetes. This study was performed to assess the differences in hepatitis-B virus antigen and antibody status between Korean patients with diabetes and those without by using national survey data. METHODS: We analyzed hepatitis-B virus antigen and antibody status in 9,771 South Korean people from the general population based on the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Diabetes patients were defined as those with a measured fasting plasma glucose over 126 mg/dL or those who had been previously diagnosed with diabetes by other health care centers. RESULTS: Subjects with diabetes accounted for 812 (8.3%) among the 9771 study subjects. The prevalence ofhepatitis-B (HBsAg) seropositive subjects was not significantly different (3.9% vs. 4.6%, P = 0.09) between subjects with diabetes and those without. The prevalence of hepatitis-B antibody (HBsAb) positive subjects and unimmunized subjects was not significantly different (55.2% vs. 58.2%, P = 0.09, 40.9% vs. 37.2%, P = 0.09) between the two groups. The prevalence of unimmunized subjects decreased by age ( 70 years 48.5% vs. 42.8%) but was not significantly different between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: From this study, we conclude that there are not sufficient grounds to recommend routine hepatitis-B virus vaccination for unvaccinated Korean subjects with diabetes at this point in time in Korea. Further prospective studies will be needed.