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Currently, various types of transarterial treatments are performed for hepatocellular carcinoma from the early to advanced stages. Its indications and efficacy have been widely investigated. However, procedure-related complications have not been updated in the literature, although new types of transarterial treatments, such as drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization and transarterial radioembolization, are common in daily practice. Herein, a comprehensive literature review was carried out, and complications were organized according to the organs affected and treatment modalities.
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Background@#This study evaluated the diagnostic yield and positive predictive factors of post-percutaneous core needle biopsy (PCNB) sputum cytology in diagnosing malignancy. @*Methods@#This retrospective study included patients who underwent PCNB at a single center from January 2014 to March 2022. Patient demographics, lung lesion characteristics on computed tomography, underlying lung disease, post-PCNB complications, histopathologic results of PCNB, post-PCNB sputum specimens, and final diagnoses were reviewed. The diagnostic yields and related factors were analyzed. @*Results@#Overall, 177 consecutive patients with sputum specimens obtained after PCNB for intrapulmonary lesions were enrolled. Among them, 152 patients had a final diagnosis of malignancy. Diagnostic sputum specimens with atypical or malignant cells were obtained in 12 patients. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of sputum cytology were 7.89%, 100%, 20.90%, 100%, and 15.15%, respectively. Lesion size, air-bronchogram, lesion multiplicity, and the cell type of squamous cell and adenocarcinoma differed significantly between the groups with diagnostic versus non-diagnostic sputum (p<0.05). The lesion size (odds ratio [OR], 1.035; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.008–1.064; p=0.013), presence of air-bronchogram (OR, 23.485; 95% CI, 2.532–217.316; p=0.005), and squamous cell carcinoma (OR, 7.397; 95% CI, 1.773–30.865; p=0.006) were significantly associated with a diagnostic sputum specimen post-PCNB. @*Conclusions@#Although post-PCNB sputum cytology had low sensitivity in diagnosing lung cancer, it showed diagnostic results in some peripheral lung cancer patients who have squamous cell types, relatively large tumors, and air-bronchograms in the lesions.
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Purpose@#This study aimed to analyze interventions for bereaved families and evaluate their effectiveness, with the ultimate goal of supporting evidence-based nursing for bereaved families. @*Methods@#Research trends were identified based on a search of domestic databases from January 2000 to December 2022, and a meta-analysis was conducted on interventions for bereaved families. Forty-five papers were selected, and information was extracted on participants, research design, and interventions. A meta-analysis of seven papers was performed, and the effect size was calculated. @*Results@#Fourteen papers dealt with interventions for middle-aged women who had lost their spouses, 20 used qualitative research methods, and 20 were on art therapy programs. Thirty studies had fewer than 10 participants, and most interventions had 60~120 minutes per session and 9~16 sessions in total.There were seven randomized controlled trials, and all studies included in the quality evaluation showed a low risk of bias. Four papers measured grief as an outcome, and the effect size was -1.9577 (95% CI: -2.9206 to -0.9947), indicating that the treatment significantlydecreased grief (P＜0.001). Six papers measured depression as an outcome, and the effectsize was -1.6775 (95% CI: -2.1835 to -1.1716), showing that the treatment significantly decreased depression (P＜0.001). @*Conclusion@#Intervention programs for bereaved families were shown to be effective in relieving grief and depression. However, programs should be developed that target middle-aged men who have lost their spouses and children who have lost their parents. Randomized controlled trials should also be conducted on interventions to reduce grief and depression.
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Purpose@#This study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Korean version of the Quality of Life in LifeThreatening Illness - Family Carer Version 3 (QOLLTI-F v3) among Korean family caregivers of patients with terminal cancers. @*Methods@#A total of 198 family caregivers of terminal cancer patients were investigated using the Korean version of QOLLTI-F v3. Its psychometric properties were examined in terms of factor structure, convergent validity, discriminant validity, criterion validity and internal consistency. @*Results@#The convergent validity of the Korean version of QOLLTI-F v3 showed that the standardized regression weights for each item were above .50 except for two out of 16 items, the average variance extracted was above .50 for four out of five factors, and the critical ratio ranged from .50 to .85. The discriminant validity of the items across all factors was confirmed. The value for Cronbach’s α of 16 items was .84. @*Conclusion@#The Korean version of the QOLLTI-F v3 is a reliable instrument with acceptable convergent and high discriminant validity for measuring the quality of life of families of people with life-threatening illnesses, including families of people with terminal cancers.
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Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a congenital vascular disease in which interventional radiologists can play both diagnostic and therapeutic roles in patient management. The diagnosis of pulmonary AVM is simple and can usually be made based on CT images. Endovascular treatment, that is, selective embolization of the pulmonary artery feeding the nidus of the pulmonary AVM, and/or selectively either the nidus or draining vein, has become a first-line treatment with advances in interventional devices. However, some vascular diseases can simulate pulmonary AVMs on CT and pulmonary angiography.This subset can confuse interventional radiologists and referring physicians. Vascular mimickers of pulmonary AVM have not been widely known and described in detail in the literature, although some of these require surgical correction, while others require regular follow-up. This article reviews the clinical and radiologic features of pulmonary AVMs and their mimickers.
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BACKGROUND@#The use of mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (mBMSCs) represents a promising strategy for performing preclinical studies in the field of cell-based regenerative medicine; however, mBMSCs obtained via conventional isolation methods have two drawbacks, i.e., (i) they are heterogeneous due to frequent macrophage contamination, and (ii) they require long-term culturing for expansion. @*METHODS@#In the present study, we report a novel strategy to generate highly pure mBMSCs using liposomal clodronate.This approach is based on the properties of the two cell populations, i.e., BMSCs (to adhere to the plasticware in culture dishes) and macrophages (to phagocytose liposomes). @*RESULTS@#Liposomal clodronate added during the first passage of whole bone marrow culture was selectively engulfed by macrophages in the heterogeneous cell population, resulting in their effective elimination without affecting the MSCs.This method allowed the generation of numerous high-purity Sca-1 ＋ CD44 ＋ F4/80 - mBMSCs ([ 95%) with just one passaging. Comparative studies with mBMSCs obtained using conventional methods revealed that the mBMSCs obtained in the present study had remarkably improved experimental utilities, as demonstrated by in vitro multilineage differentiation and in vivo ectopic bone formation assays. @*CONCLUSION@#Our newly developed method, which enables the isolation of mBMSCs using simple and convenient protocol, will aid preclinical studies based on the use of MSCs.
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Purpose@#This study aimed to describe nurses’ perceived needs and barriers to pediatric palliative care (PPC). @*Methods@#Mixed methods with an embedded design were applied. An online survey was conducted for nurses who participated in the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium- Pediatric Palliative Care (ELNEC-PPC) train-the-trainer program, of whom 63 responded. Quantitative data were collected with a survey questionnaire developed through the Delphi method. The 47 items for needs and 15 items for barriers to PPC were analyzed with descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were collected through openended questions and analyzed with topic modeling techniques. @*Results@#The mean scores of most subdomains of the PPC needs were 3.5 or higher out of 4, and those of PPC barriers ranged from 3.22 to 3.56, indicating the items in the questionnaire developed in this study properly reflect each factor. The needs for PPC were divided into 4 categories: “children and adolescents,” “families,” “PPC management system,” and “community-based PPC.” Meanwhile, PPC barriers were divided into 3 categories: “healthcare delivery system,” “healthcare provider,” and “client.” The keywords derived from the topic modeling were perception, palliative, children, and education for necessities and lack, perception, medical care, professional care providers, service, and system for barriers to PPC. @*Conclusion@#In this study, by using mixed-methods, items of nurses’ perceived needs and barriers to PPC were identified, categorized, and weighted, and their meanings were explored. For the stable establishment of PPC, the priority should be given to improving perceptions of PPC, establishing an appropriate system, and training professional care providers.
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Acute puerperal uterine inversion is a rare postpartum obstetric complication; however, without rapid diagnosis and appropriate management, it is life-threatening. Substantial bleeding hinders the verification of a partially inverted uterus, possibly delaying the treatment. Herein, we present the report of a 32-year-old female presenting with massive postpartum bleeding managed by uterine artery embolization. The peculiar course of the uterine artery bowing inferiorly along the inverted fundus during embolization could uncover the uterine inversion, which was not diagnosed by physical examination and CT. In conclusion, uterine artery embolization is not only an effective therapeutic strategy for postpartum hemorrhage but also a valuable tool for diagnosing uterine inversion.
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Purpose@#This study aimed to construct and test a hypothetical model to explain the predictive factors and causal pathways for exercise levels in patients with ankylosing spondylitis based on the self-determination theory. A conceptual framework was constructed assuming that autonomy support by health care providers would satisfy the three basic psychological needs of patients, which would increase their autonomous motivation for exercise, resulting in its initiation and continuation. @*Methods@#This cross-sectional study included 221 patients with ankylosing spondylitis who were visiting rheumatology clinics in two tertiary hospitals. Health Care Climate Questionnaire-exercise regularly, Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction scale, Behavior Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire-2, and exercise level were used to collect data. @*Results@#The fitness of the hypothetical model met the recommended level (χ2/df ≤ 3, SRMR ≤ .08, RMSEA ≤ .08, GFI ≥ .90, AGFI ≥ .85, NFI ≥ .90, TLI ≥ .90, CFI ≥ .90). The model effect analysis revealed that autonomy support by health care providers had a positive effect on patients' autonomy, competence, relatedness, autonomous motivation, and exercise level. Competence and relatedness had positive effects on autonomous motivation and exercise level, respectively. Autonomous motivation had a positive effect on exercise level. @*Conclusion@#The predictive factors of exercise level in patients with ankylosing spondylitis were autonomous motivation, health care providers' autonomy support, competence, and relatedness. Considering these factors, we recommend the development of an effective program for improving exercise levels in these patients.
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Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to identify the influences of nursing students perfectionism tendencies and their perception of instructor caring on incivility experienced by nursing students during clinical practice. @*Methods@#A descriptive correlational study was conducted. The participants were 244 nursing students from five universities in B city. Data were analyzed using an independent t-test, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, Scheffé test and a stepwise regression analysis. @*Results@#The mean score for incivility in nursing students was 2.61 out of 5 points. The explanatory power of the model for incivility was in nursing students 52.8% of the variance in training in student’s university hospital (β=-.15, p=.002), total period of clinical practice (β=.17, p<.001), confidence through caring (β=-.23, p<.001), respectful sharing (β=-.15, p=.005), supportive learning climate (β=-.15, p=.005), self-oriented perfectionism (β=.14, p=.004), and socially prescribed perfectionism (β=.18, p<.001). @*Conclusion@#The research results suggest that instructor caring is an important factor in regard to the incivility of nursing students. Organizational efforts and institutional devices will be needed to improve the incivility in clinical environments. By communicating with students and showing them respect, clinical nurses will help nursing students cope with incivility and recognize the clinical practice education environment positively.
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BACKGROUND@#The delivery of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP2) by using various carriers has been used to successfully induce bone formation in many animal models. However, the effect of multiple administration of rhBMP2 on bone formation and BMP2 antibody production has not been determined. Our aim was to examine the bone formation activity of rhBMP2 and serum levels of anti-BMP2 antibodies following the repeated administration of rhBMP2 in mice. @*METHODS@#Absorbable collagen sponges or polyphosphazene hydrogels containing rhBMP2 were subcutaneously implanted or injected into one side on the back of six-week-old C57BL/6 mice. Three or 4 weeks later, the same amount of rhBMP2 was administered again with the same carrier into the subcutaneous regions on the other side of the back or into calvarial defects. The effects of a single administration of rhBMP2 on the osteoinductive ability in the ectopic model were compared with those of repeated administrations. In vivo ectopic or orthotopic bone formation was evaluated using microradiography and histological analyses. Serum concentrations of anti-rhBMP2 antibodies were measured by ELISAs. @*RESULTS@#Re-administration of the same amount of rhBMP2 into the subcutaneous area showed a comparable production of ectopic bone as after the first administration. The bone forming ability of repeated rhBMP2 administrations was equal to that of single rhBMP2 administration. The administration of rhBMP2 into calvarial defects, following the first subcutaneous administration of rhBMP2 on the back, completely recovered the defect area with newly regenerated bone within 3 weeks. Repeated administration of rhBMP2 at 4-week intervals did not significantly alter the serum levels of antiBMP2 antibodies and did not induce any inflammatory response. The serum obtained from rhBMP2-exposed mice had no effect on the ability of rhBMP2 to induce osteogenic gene expressions in MC3T3-E1. @*CONCLUSION@#We suggest that the osteoinductive ability of rhBMP2 is not compromised by repeated administrations. Thus, rhBMP2 can be repeatedly used for bone regeneration at various sites within a short duration.
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Background and Objectives@#Smoking is well-established as a risk factor for coronary artery disease. However, recent studies demonstrated favorable results, including reduced mortality, among smokers, which are referred to as the “smoker's paradox”. This study examined the impact of smoking on clinical outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). @*Methods@#Patients with AMI undergoing PCI between 2004 and 2014 were enrolled and classified according to smoking status. The primary endpoint was a composite of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) including cardiac death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and revascularization. @*Results@#Among the 10,683 patients, 4,352 (40.7%) were current smokers. Smokers were 10.7 years younger and less likely to have comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, stroke, and prior PCI. Smokers had less MACE (hazard ratio [HR], 0.644; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.594–0.698; p<0.001) and cardiac death (HR, 0.494; 95% CI, 0.443–0.551; p<0.001) compared to nonsmokers during the 5 years in an unadjusted model. However, after propensity-score matching, smokers showed higher risk of MACE (HR, 1.125; 95% CI, 1.009–1.254; p=0.034) and cardiac death (HR, 1.190; 95% CI, 1.026–1.381; p=0.022). Smoking was a strong independent predictor of lung cancer (propensityscore matched HR, 2.749; 95% CI, 1.416–5.338; p=0.003). @*Conclusions@#In contrast to the unadjusted model, smoking is associated with worse cardiovascular outcome and higher incidence of lung cancer after adjustment of various confounding factors. This result can be explained by the characteristics of smokers, which were young and had fewer comorbidities.
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Cervicovaginal venous malformations are extremely rare. Sclerotherapy is proven to be effective for superficial venous malformations but not for venous malformations in the lower genital tract of female. A 52-year-old female presented with intermittent vaginal bleeding. The amount of vaginal bleeding gradually increased over 3 months. Contrast-enhanced pelvis CT showed several phleboliths and dilated vessels, but pelvic angiography showed no early draining veins, nidus, or feeding artery. We performed transvaginal direct puncture and ethanol sclerotherapy rather than surgical treatment because she wanted to preserve the uterus. After four sessions of sclerotherapy, she had significantly decreased vaginal bleeding without complications. Here, we report the first case of cervicovaginal venous malformations successfully treated with transvaginal direct puncture and ethanol sclerotherapy.
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Congenital defects of the pericardium, which are generally asymptomatic, are rare disorders characterized by complete or partial absence of the pericardium. Here, we report a rare case of a 19-year-old male who was incidentally diagnosed with congenital absence of the left pericardium during examination for symptoms of pneumothorax. Chest radiography and CT revealed a collapsed left lung without any evidence of trauma, no unusual findings of free air spaces along the right side of the ascending aorta, heart shifted toward the left side of the thorax, and a shallow chest. Subsequent thoracoscopy confirmed the absence of the left pericardium and displacement of the heart toward the left thoracic cavity. We further discuss the correlation between radiologic images and surgical findings of a congenital pericardial defect associated with spontaneous pneumothorax.
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The levoatriocardinal vein is an uncommon pulmonary venous abnormality that connects the left atrium or pulmonary vein with the systemic vein. It is distinct from partial anomalous pulmonary venous return in that the former forms a connection with the left atrium through the normal pulmonary vein whereas the latter involves pulmonary venous drainage to the systemic vein. Herein, we describe a case of the levoatriocardinal vein initially misdiagnosed as a pulmonary arteriovenous malformation using chest radiography and chest CT. The levoatriocardinal vein combined with pulmonary venous varix was confirmed using pulmonary angiography.To the best of our knowledge, this unusual coexistence of the levoatriocardinal vein and pulmonary venous varix has not been reported in English literature.
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The coronary sinus (CS) is the venous drainage system of the heart. CS ostium atresia is a rarely seen cardiac malformation. Congenital atresia of the CS is usually found together with persistent left superior vena cava (LSVC) and other cardiac malformations. However, isolated congenital atresia of the CS is very rare. We present a rare case of isolated congenital atresia of the CS connecting the left atrium and coronary veins without persistent LSVC in a 58-year-old female.
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Purpose@#This study developed a cognitive behavioral therapy program aimed at altering the physical condition, emotions, and behaviors of fibromyalgia patients, and confirmed the program’s clinical applicability. The program was developed by analyzing previous studies conducting in-depth interviews with fibromyalgia patients, drawing on cognitive behavior theory to establish the program contents, recruiting experts to test its validity, and conducting a preliminary survey. @*Methods@#To confirm the program’s effect, this study used a randomized controlled trial design. The participants were outpatients diagnosed with fibromyalgia in Dong-A University Hospital, Busan. The 30 patients in the experimental group took part in the program, which comprised 8 sessions (90 to 120 minutes) based on cognitive behavior theory, delivered over 8 weeks. Hypothesis testing was carried out using the repeated measures ANOVA. @*Results@#The analysis revealed significant differences between the experimental and control groups in positive automatic thoughts, pain, fatigue, depression, and interpersonal relationships. However, there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of sleep disorders and negative automatic thoughts. @*Conclusion@#This program is a positive effect on physical condition, emotions, and behaviors. It is thus expected to be used to help fibromyalgia patients improve their disease conditions.
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We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate whether intralipid administration improved the outcomes of in vitro fertilization. Online databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Medline, and Embase) were searched until March 2020. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the role of intralipid administration during in vitro fertilization were considered. We analyzed the rates of clinical pregnancy and live birth as primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes included the rates of chemical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, and missed abortion. We reviewed and assessed the eligibility of 180 studies. Five RCTs including 840 patients (3 RCTs: women with repeated implantation failure, 1 RCT: women with recurrent spontaneous abortion, 1 RCT: women who had experienced implantation failure more than once) met the selection criteria. When compared with the control group, intralipid administration significantly improved the clinical pregnancy rate (risk ratio [RR], 1.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23–1.79), ongoing pregnancy rate (RR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.31–2.53), and live birth rate (RR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.44–2.38). However, intralipid administration had no beneficial effect on the miscarriage rate (RR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.48–1.17). A funnel plot analysis revealed no publication bias. Our findings suggest that intralipid administration may benefit women undergoing in vitro fertilization, especially those who have experienced repeated implantation failure or recurrent spontaneous abortion. However, larger, well-designed studies are needed to confirm these findings.
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Cervicovaginal venous malformations are extremely rare. Sclerotherapy is proven to be effective for superficial venous malformations but not for venous malformations in the lower genital tract of female. A 52-year-old female presented with intermittent vaginal bleeding. The amount of vaginal bleeding gradually increased over 3 months. Contrast-enhanced pelvis CT showed several phleboliths and dilated vessels, but pelvic angiography showed no early draining veins, nidus, or feeding artery. We performed transvaginal direct puncture and ethanol sclerotherapy rather than surgical treatment because she wanted to preserve the uterus. After four sessions of sclerotherapy, she had significantly decreased vaginal bleeding without complications. Here, we report the first case of cervicovaginal venous malformations successfully treated with transvaginal direct puncture and ethanol sclerotherapy.
ABSTRACT
Congenital defects of the pericardium, which are generally asymptomatic, are rare disorders characterized by complete or partial absence of the pericardium. Here, we report a rare case of a 19-year-old male who was incidentally diagnosed with congenital absence of the left pericardium during examination for symptoms of pneumothorax. Chest radiography and CT revealed a collapsed left lung without any evidence of trauma, no unusual findings of free air spaces along the right side of the ascending aorta, heart shifted toward the left side of the thorax, and a shallow chest. Subsequent thoracoscopy confirmed the absence of the left pericardium and displacement of the heart toward the left thoracic cavity. We further discuss the correlation between radiologic images and surgical findings of a congenital pericardial defect associated with spontaneous pneumothorax.