Do-It-Yourself Open Artificial Pancreas System in Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: Real-World Data

Few studies have been conducted among Asian children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) using do-it-yourself artificial pancreas system (DIY-APS). We evaluated real-world data of pediatric T1DM patients using DIY-APS. Data were obtained for 10 patients using a DIY-APS with algorithms. We collected sensor glucose and insulin delivery data from each participant for a period of 4 weeks. Average glycosylated hemoglobin was 6.2%±0.3%. The mean percentage of time that glucose level remained in the target range of 70 to 180 mg/dL was 82.4%±7.8%. Other parameters including time above range, time below range and mean glucose were also within the recommended level, similar to previous commercial and DIY-APS studies. However, despite meeting the target range, unadjusted gaps were still observed between the median basal setting and temporary basal insulin, which should be handled by healthcare providers.

Mean and Variability of Lipid Measurements and Risk for Development of Subclinical Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction

Background@#Subclinical left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is an emerging consequence of increased insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia is one of the few correctable risk factors of LVDD. This study evaluated the role of mean and visit-to-visit variability of lipid measurements in risk of LVDD in a healthy population. @*Methods@#This was a 3.7-year (interquartile range, 2.1 to 4.9) longitudinal cohort study including 2,817 adults (median age 55 years) with left ventricular ejection fraction >50% who underwent an annual or biannual health screening between January 2008 and July 2016. The mean, standard deviation (SD), coefficient of variation (CV), variability independent of the mean (VIM), and average real variability of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), apolipoprotein B (apoB), non-HDL-C, and triglycerides were obtained from three to six measurements during the 5 years preceding the first echocardiogram. @*Results@#Among the 2,817 patients, 560 (19.9%) developed LVDD. The mean of no component of lipid measurements was associated with risk of LVDD. CV (hazard ratio [HR], 1.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10 to 1.67), SD (HR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.57), and VIM (HR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.55) of LDL-C and all the variability parameters of apoB were significantly associated with development of LVDD. The association between CV-LDL and risk of LVDD did not have significant interaction with sex, increasing/decreasing trend at baseline, or use of stain and/or lipid-modifying agents. @*Conclusion@#The variability of LDL-C and apoB, rather than their mean, was associated with risk for LVDD.

Serum Carcinoembryonic Antigen as a Biomarker for Medullary Thyroid Cancer

Background and Objectives@#The lack of known elevated biomarkers in cancer surveillance is a challenge for diagnostics. However, few studies have assessed the proportion of patients with medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) that presented with elevated serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level. @*Materials and Methods@#This was a retrospective study of 115 patients treated for MTC at Samsung Medical Center between 1995 and 2017. Serum calcitonin and CEA levels that were available at one of the following time points were included: (a) within 3 months before the initial surgery, (b) when a structural recurrence was confined to the neck, or (c) when a distant metastasis was identified during follow-up. Considering the high false-positive rate of serum CEA testing, 5 ng/mL was selected as the cut-off threshold. @*Results@#The sensitivity of CEA at the time of diagnosis was 54%, but it significantly increased with anatomical stage, from 20% in stage I to 88% in stage IV (p for trend ＜0.001). At the time of diagnosis, larger tumor size, more frequent gross extra-thyroidal extension, more frequent N1b, and a higher number of metastatic lymph nodes were significantly observed in CEA-positive patients compared with CEA-negative patients (p＜0.05). The sensitivity of CEA at the time of recurrence was 56% for local recurrence and 80% for distant recurrence. @*Conclusion@#The CEA value was associated with anatomical stage as a biomarker for MTC and could be used to predict poor prognosis. However, serum CEA testing plays a limited role in diagnosis and follow-up of MTC because it can show normal values even in advanced disease.

Association of Urinary N-Acetyl-β-D-Glucosaminidase with Cardiovascular Autonomic Neuropathy in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus without Nephropathy

Background@#Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is a common microvascular complication of diabetes and related to albuminuria in diabetic nephropathy (DN). Urinary N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (uNAG) is a renal tubular injury marker which has been reported as an early marker of DN even in patients with normoalbuminuria. This study evaluated whether uNAG is associated with the presence and severity of CAN in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) without nephropathy. @*Methods@#This cross-sectional study comprised 247 subjects with T1DM without chronic kidney disease and albuminuria who had results for both uNAG and autonomic function tests within 3 months. The presence of CAN was assessed by age-dependent reference values for four autonomic function tests. Total CAN score was assessed as the sum of the partial points of five cardiovascular reflex tests and was used to estimatethe severity of CAN. The correlations between uNAG and heart rate variability (HRV) parameters were analyzed. @*Results@#The association between log-uNAG and presence of CAN was significant in a multivariate logistic regression model (adjusted odds ratio, 2.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08 to 5.28; P=0.031). Total CAN score was positively associated with loguNAG (β=0.261, P=0.026) in the multivariate linear regression model. Log-uNAG was inversely correlated with frequency-domain and time-domain indices of HRV. @*Conclusion@#This study verified the association of uNAG with presence and severity of CAN and changes in HRV in T1DM patients without nephropathy. The potential role of uNAG should be further assessed for high-risk patients for CAN in T1DM patients without nephropathy.

Association of Urinary N-Acetyl-β-D-Glucosaminidase with Cardiovascular Autonomic Neuropathy in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus without Nephropathy

Background@#Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is a common microvascular complication of diabetes and related to albuminuria in diabetic nephropathy (DN). Urinary N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (uNAG) is a renal tubular injury marker which has been reported as an early marker of DN even in patients with normoalbuminuria. This study evaluated whether uNAG is associated with the presence and severity of CAN in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) without nephropathy. @*Methods@#This cross-sectional study comprised 247 subjects with T1DM without chronic kidney disease and albuminuria who had results for both uNAG and autonomic function tests within 3 months. The presence of CAN was assessed by age-dependent reference values for four autonomic function tests. Total CAN score was assessed as the sum of the partial points of five cardiovascular reflex tests and was used to estimatethe severity of CAN. The correlations between uNAG and heart rate variability (HRV) parameters were analyzed. @*Results@#The association between log-uNAG and presence of CAN was significant in a multivariate logistic regression model (adjusted odds ratio, 2.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08 to 5.28; P=0.031). Total CAN score was positively associated with loguNAG (β=0.261, P=0.026) in the multivariate linear regression model. Log-uNAG was inversely correlated with frequency-domain and time-domain indices of HRV. @*Conclusion@#This study verified the association of uNAG with presence and severity of CAN and changes in HRV in T1DM patients without nephropathy. The potential role of uNAG should be further assessed for high-risk patients for CAN in T1DM patients without nephropathy.

The Effect of Knee Joint Traction Therapy on Pain, Physical Function, and Depression in Patients with Degenerative Arthritis

PURPOSE: To identify the effect of knee joint traction therapy on pain, physical function, and depression in patients with degenerative arthritis.METHODS: In total, 30 patients with degenerative arthritis were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the experimental group, who underwent knee joint traction therapy, and the control group, who underwent general physical therapy (15 patients per group). Pain was measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS), physical function was measured using the Western ontario and McMaster universities osteoarthritis (WOMAC) index, and depression was measured using the Beck depression inventory (BDI). The VAS, WOMAC score, and BDI score were recorded before and after the 4-week treatment.RESULTS: As a result of comparison within groups, the experimental and control group showed significant difference for VAS, WOMAC and BDI after the experiment (p<0.05). In comparison between the two groups, the experimental group in which knee joint traction was applied showed more significant change in VAS, WOMAC and BDI than the control group (p<0.05).CONCLUSION: This study showed that knee joint traction therapy was effective in improving pain, physical function, and depression in patients with degenerative arthritis.

Amplification of distinct α-synuclein fibril conformers through protein misfolding cyclic amplification

Amyloid fibril formation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Fibrillation generates numerous conformers. Presumably, the conformers may possess specific biological properties, thus providing a biochemical framework for strains of prions. However, the precise relationship between various fibril conformers and their pathogenic functions has not been determined because of limited accessibility to adequate amounts of fibrils from tissue samples. α-Synuclein is one such protein, and it has been implicated in Parkinson disease. Using a technique known as protein misfolding cyclic amplification, originally developed for amplifying prions, we established a procedure through which the amplification of α-synuclein fibrils is possible. With a trace amount of seeds, we succeeded in amplifying α-synuclein fibrils. The replication of the seeds was faithful in terms of conformation even after multiple rounds of cyclic amplification. Moreover, two transgenic mouse strains each representing a distinct synucleinopathy were used to investigate different conformers by using this technique. The amplified α-synuclein fibrils derived from the tissue extracts of these two strains led to the production of two different fibril conformers with distinct proteinase K digestion profiles. Together, our results demonstrated that a trace amount of α-synuclein fibrils in tissue extracts could be amplified with their conformations conserved. This procedure should be useful in amplifying α-synuclein fibrils from the brains and body fluids of patients afflicted with synucleinopathies and may serve as a potential diagnostic tool for Parkinson disease and other synucleinopathies.

Bizarre Parosteal Osteochondromatous Proliferation of Middle Phalanx: A Case Report

Although bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation does not frequently occur, this calcified, osteal, chondromatous tumor has relatively high recurrence rates and presents clinical, radiological, histological features that can be classified with other lesions. And it is a benign disease that until now, there were no death or metastasis reports because of this tumor. This proliferation is hard to distinguish between other benign tumors and non-neoplastic lesions if it is occurred in small bone of hand or foot. We experienced bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation of middle phalanx of the little finger, and report this case and the review of relevant literature.

Intraneural Ganglion of Ulnar Nerve in Proximal Forearm: Case Report

Cubital tunnel syndrome is a compressive neuropathy of the ulnar nerve posterior to the medial epicondyle of the elbow. The etiology is either idiopathic, or secondary to deformity, ectopic ossification, space occupying lesion, or osteophytes in elbow osteoarthritis. As a rare cause of cubital tunnel syndrome, we report an intraneural ganglion of ulnar nerve developed in proximal forearm with symptoms of ulnar neuropathy.

Surgical Outcome of Stable Scaphoid Nonunion without Bone Graft

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of Acutrak-screw fixation without bone-graft for the treatment of stable scaphoid nonunion and to assess its prognostic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients who underwent internal fixation using Acutrak-screw without bone graft for stable scaphoid nonunion were studied. Standard radiographs and CT were analyzed for degenerative changes (presence of cystic change and periscaphoid osteoarthritis), the nonunion site using fragment ratio and union. Clinically, patients age and the interval to surgery were evaluated. RESULTS: Mean follow-up duration was 31 months and 11 of 15 (73.3 percentages) cases healed at mean time of 12.8 weeks. Fragment ratio of nonunion site was 37.2 percentages in nonunion group and 54.2 percentages in union group (p=0.016). Presence of cystic change and periscaphoid osteoarthritis showed no singnificant statistical difference in both groups. Younger age lower than 20 years was closely related with bone union (p=0.001). But there were little correlation between bone union and interval to surgery. CONCLUSION: Internal fixation without bone graft showed 73.3 percentages of overall union rate in the treatment of stable scaphoid nonunion. And young patients who have distally located stable scaphoid nonunion can be successfully treated with internal fixation without bone graft.

Distribution of Glomus Tumors in Fingers

PURPOSE: Glomus tumor has known as smaller than 1 cm, hard to palpate, therefore patients often suffer from chronic pain. Based on our experiences about glomus tumors, we would like to evaluate their distributions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study includes 24 cases that underwent surgery for clinically diagnosed glomus tumor from January, 2001 to May, 2009. Clinical symptoms were firstly evaluated and ultrasonography in 8 cases and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in 5 cases were performed for more accurate diagnosis and localization. Complete resection with biopsy was done in all cases. RESULTS: According to pathologic findings, 20 out of 24 cases were reported as glomus tumor, and the other 4 cases were 2 fibrous tumor with chronic inflammation, 1 hemangioma, and 1 neuroma. Twenty glomus tumors at dorsal side under the nail were distributed to proximal radial in 11 cases, proximal ulnar in 6 cases, distal radial in 2 cases and distal ulnar in 1 case. Tumors were more frequently found at proximal in 17 cases(85%) and at radial side in 13 cases(65%). CONCLUSIONS: Glomus tumors tend to occur under nail of proximal and radial part. We think that accurate diagnosis and location of glomus tumors are needed to complete surgical resection.

The Radiologic and Clinical Changes after Open Complete Repair of Massive Rotator Cuff Tears

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the preoperative and postoperative radiologic findings of patients with complete repairs after massive rotator cuff tears along with the incidence of re-tear and the clinical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study evaluated 33 cases who had open complete repairs for massive rotator cuff tears and these patients were followed up for more than 24 months. The clinical evaluation was performed according to the shoulder joint function test of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), and the degree of arthritis related to the massive rotator cuff tears was evaluated using the Hamada classification. RESULTS: The ASES scores improved from 37.6 preoperatively to 85.6 postoperatively. The mean preoperative acromio-humeral interval (AHI) score was 6.5 mm, which increased to 9.3 mm immediately after surgery, and there was a decreased to 6.5 mm noted at the last follow up. The lower radiology stages of arthritis according to the classification showed better preoperative and postoperative results. CONCLUSION: An open complete repair as the surgical treatment for a massive rotator cuff tear showed satisfactory results for pain relief and an improvement in the shoulder joint function though re-tear after surgery.

Plate Fixation of AO Type C3 Fractures of the Distal Radius

PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical and radiographic results of open reduction and internal fixation with plate in AO type C3 distal radius fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We treated 18 fractures and the mean follow up was 16 months. The average age was 47.1 years old, 12 male and 6 female were included. There were 9 C3.1 fracture, 5 C3.2 and 4 C3.3. Green & O'Brien's modified clinical scoring system and Demerit Point system were applied to evaluate clinical results, for radiographic evaluation, radial length, radial inclination, volar tilt, and Sarmiento's Criteria for Anatomic results were assessed. RESULTS: Clinical results were 5 of excellent, 7 of good, and 6 of fair by Green & O'Brien's score and were 5 of excellent, 6 of good, and 7 of fair by Demerit point. There was no significant difference of radiographic results between immediate postoperation and last follow-up, and Sarmiento's Criteria showed 8 excellent, 4 good, and 6 fair. CONCLUSION: The open reduction and internal fixation with plate in AO type C3 distal radius is considered as a good treatment method that particularly benefits from fracture stable fixation without fixation loss and early rehabilitation.

Diagnosis of the Deep Vein Thrombosis with Multidetector-Row Computed Tomographic Venography after Total Knee Arthroplasty / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: Using the 64-channel multidetector-row computed tomographic venography (MDCT venography), we tried to know the incidence of the deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after total knee arthroplasty and the effectiveness of MDCT venography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From April 2006 to December 2006, two groups of 280 consecutive patients, who underwent primary total knee arthroplasty, were enrolled in this study. We performed antithrombotic chemotherapy on the patients who were confirmed to have symptomatic DVT. RESULTS: For the first 140 consecutive cases, DVT was found in 48 (34%) patients and only 5 (3.6%) showed clinical symptoms of DVT. For the next 140 cases, 12 (8.6%) cases showed symptoms of DVT and in them 7 (5.0%) of these cases was diagnosed with symptomatic DVT. All the patients had recovered at the last follow-up and no other complications occurred in our series. CONCLUSION: Sixty four-channel MDCT venography is valuable as a diagnostic test for DVT after total knee arthroplasty in terms of efficacy and accuracy. Antithrombotic chemotherapy is recommended

The Treatment of Infected Nonunions of Femur using Sequestrectomy and Distraction Osteogenesis / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: From this study we are to know the result of distraction osteogenesis for infected nonunions of femur using sequestrectomy and Ilizarov external fixator. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 17 patients who had distraction osteogenesis using external fixator and also had more than 2.5 cm bone loss after sequestrectomy for having infected nonunions of femur from 1991 to 2005. Their average age was 32.4 (range, 10-60) years and mean follow up period was 22 (range, 14-36) months. We used Healing index as an index for bone formation. The results were divided into bone results and functional results and analyzed by grading. Also we estimated the complication according to the Paley's classification. RESULTS: After seqestrectomy, bone defect was ranged from 5cm to 13 cm (average, 7.3 cm) and The average of transportation was 5.8 cm (range, 3-10 cm). HI was 47.4 (27.17-65.80) days/cm. Solid bony union occurred in the all cases after surgery but, 4 cases needed bone graft at docking site. According to the final examination there were 2 cases with leg-length discrepancy that is bigger than 2.5 cm and the average size of was 1.0 cm. CONCLUSION: We consider distraction osteogenesis using Ilizarov external fixator as useful method to restore bone loss caused after sequestrectomy for infected nonunions of femur.

Total Ankle Arthroplasty for the Post-traumatic Osteoarthritis / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: To evaluate the short-term clinical outcomes of total ankle arthroplasty for the post-traumatic osteoarthritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen patients who had undergone total ankle arthroplasty from February 2005 to June 2006 were reviewed. Eleven patients were male and three patients were female. The mean age was 52.8 years (range, 33 to 69 years). The mean follow-up duration was 15.9 months (range, 12 to 24 months). Primary injuries were pilon fractures in eight cases, malleolar fractures in three, ankle syndesmotic injury in one, talus fracture and dislocation in one, and distal tibial physeal injury in one. Visual analogue scale (VAS), Range of motion (ROM), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and complications were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean VAS improved from 8.6 preoperatively to 2.6 at last follow-up. The mean ROM improved from 24.6 degrees preoperatively to 33.1 degrees postoperatively. The mean AOFAS score improved from 44.5 points preoperatively to 75.1 points postoperatively. Radiographically, all components were stable, but there were component malpositions in two cases, including one varus malposition of tibial component and one increased anterior translation of talar component. Complications were deep infection in one case, intraoperative malleolar fracture in three, marginal wound necrosis in two, and heterotopic ossification in one. One prosthesis was revised because of deep infection. CONCLUSION: Total ankle arthroplasty for the post-traumatic osteoarthritis is believed to be an useful method for preservation of the motion, relief of the pain and high satisfaction of patients in short-term results.

Reverse Chevron Transmalleolar Osteotomy for Exposure of the Medial Talar Dome Lesions: Operative Technique / 대한족부족관절학회지

For the adequate intraarticular exposure in medial talar dome lesions, medial malleolar osteotomy is necessary in some cases. Many operative techniques including transverse, oblique, inverted V-shape, crescentic and step-cut osteotomies of the medial malleolus have been described previously. But their techniques have several problems such as nonunion, rotation and limited access to lesions. So we introduce the new reverse chevron medial malleolar osteotomy which provides excellent access to lesions, good stability and a broad cancellous surface for rapid healing.

Effect of Glycyrrhizin on Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss Leukocyte Responses

Treatment of rainbow trout macrophages with glycyrrhizin (GL), an aqueous extract of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), enhanced their respiratory burst activity. Maximal effects were seen using concentrations of 10-100 ug/ml. GL also modulated trout lymphocytes, increasing proliferation responses to the mitogen phytohemagglutinin two-fold over a range of GL concentrations. In addition, GL elicited the release of a macrophage activating factor (MAF) kom head kidney leukocytes, as assessed by the ability of generated supernatants to increase respiratory burst activity of target macrophages. MAF activity was most apparent using 100 ug/ml GL to induce MAF release and a 48 h incubation period with the target macrophages. Finally, GL was shown to enhance the release oF MAF in response to the mitogen concanavalin A. The results suggest that GL might modulate the innate defences in fish.