A Case of Small Hepatocellular Carcinoma Who Showed Complete Response by Combined Therapy of Transarterial Chemoembolization and Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy

In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), surgical resection or local ablation therapy is limited because of severe liver dysfunction or tumor location. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has beed used widely as palliative treatment. Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) is a more recent and effective treatment for early stage HCC. We report a case with small HCC with complete response by TACE combined with SBRT.

Breast abscess caused by Staphylococcus aureus in 2 adolescent girls with atopic dermatitis / 소아과

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease in children. Patients with AD experience a high rate of colonization of the skin surface by Staphylococcus aureus. Because of a skin barrier defect, there is a potential risk of staphylococcal invasive infection in patients with AD. Here, we present 2 cases of breast abscess caused by S. aureus in 2 adolescent girls with severe AD. Methicillin-sensitive S. aureus was identified from the breast abscess material. They were treated with appropriate antibiotics, however surgical drainage of the abscess was needed in case 1. Identical strains were found from the breast abscess material as well as the lesional and the nonlesional skin of the patients through matrixassisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight analysis. We characterized the differential abundance of Firmicutes phylum in patients' skin in microbiota analysis. In particular, S. aureus, a member of Firmicutes, differed significantly between the lesional and the normal-appearing skin. Our cases demonstrate the potential severity of bacterial deep tissue infection in AD and the dysbiosis of skin microbiota may be involved in inflammation in AD.

Clinical Utility of Rapid Plasma Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin Assays for Diagnosing Acute Kidney Injury in Critically Ill Newborn Infants

PURPOSE: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) has been identified as an early marker of acute kidney injury (AKI). This study was designed to evaluate the clinical utility of the rapid plasma NGAL assay for diagnosing AKI in critically ill newborn infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). METHODS: The medical records of 178 critically ill newborn infants >34 weeks of gestational age who underwent plasma NGAL measurement during the first week of life in the Korea University Ansan Hospital NICU from February 2011 to August 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Plasma NGAL levels were measured at bedside by using a commercial competitive immunoassay kit simultaneously with serum creatinine (Cr) level determination. RESULTS: Of 178 newborn infants enrolled in this study (study group), 25 infants had AKI (AKI group) while 153 infants had no AKI (control group). The plasma NGAL level in the AKI group (114.0 [76.5–281.5] ng/mL) was significantly higher than that in the control group (74.0 [52.5–122.5] ng/mL, P=0.001). Moreover, plasma NGAL levels were found to be correlated with serum Cr levels in the study group (r=0.208, P=0.005). Plasma NGAL achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.705 for detecting AKI (95% confidence interval: 0.593–0.817). The best cutoff plasma NGAL level for AKI diagnosis was 100 ng/mL. CONCLUSION: The rapid plasma NGAL assay has diagnostic value for AKI in critically ill newborn infants >34 weeks of gestational age. Further investigations with a larger population are needed to confirm the potential use of plasma NGAL levels for diagnosing AKI in newborn infants.

Hypolipidaemic Effect of Hericium erinaceum Grown in Artemisia capillaris on Obese Rats

In this study, ethanolic extracts from Hericium erinaceum cultivated with Artemisia capillaris (HEAC) were assessed for their ability to lower the cholesterol levels of male Sprague-Dawley rats fed a high-fat diet. Rats were randomly subdivided into seven test groups. Each group contained eight rats fed a high-fat diet during a growth period lasting 4 wk. Supplementation with the extracts was performed once a day for 2 wk after the high-fat diet. The control group (rats fed a high-fat diet) showed a high efficiency ratio (feed efficiency ratio) value compared to the normal group. Biochemical parameters, including total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c), and triglyceride (TG) levels dramatically increased in the control group compared to the normal group. High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) content in the control group was also significantly lower relative to the normal group. Two positive control groups, treated with simvastatin and atorvastatin, had lowered TC, LDL-c, and TG levels, and increased HDL-c content compared to the control group. Treatment with the tested extracts, including HEAC, ethanolic extracts from Hericium erinaceum, and ethanolic extracts from Artemisia capillaris reduced TC, LDL-c, and TG levels and elevated HDL-c content in the hyperlipidemia rats. The atherogenic index and cardiac risk factor values for the HEAC-treated group were 0.95 and 1.95, respectively. Simvastatin- and atorvastatin-treated groups showed atherogenic index values of 1.56 and 1.69, respectively, and cardiac risk factor values of 2.56 and 2.69, respectively. These results show HEAC possesses an ability to cure hyperlipidemia in rats and may serve as an effective natural medicine for treating hyperlipidemia in humans.

Angiolymphoid Hyperplasia with Eosinophilia (ALHE) of the Oral Cavity: a Case Report

Depression and Its Infl uencing Factors among Korean Medical and Engineering Students in Urban Areas using Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: It is a well known fact that students majoring in medicine and engineering suffer from higher stress level and depression than students in other majors. This study was done to assess the prevalence of depression and the infl uencing factors among the university students majoring in either medicine or engineering and to compare the depression prevalence between the two groups. METHODS: The study randomly selected 640 students either majoring in medicine or engineering from two universities in Kyung-Gi province, Korea. Each of 320 students majoring in either of the two majors from each university was recruited. Among 640 students, 360 students, who were composed of 172 medical students and 188 engineering students was finally chosen for the analysis. The Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale was used to measure the depression state. RESULTS: The average Zung depression score of university students was 49.2 alpha 9.8. Medical students had a higher score of 52.4 alpha 9.3 as compared to engineering students, who scored 46.3 +/- 9.4. Overall depression rate was 42.8%. Medical students had a higher depression rate (52.3%) than engineering students (34.0%). The logistic analysis showed that infl uencing factors on depression state were sex, grade, major, stress and satisfactory sleep. The main source of stress for medical students was the grades from classes whereas job search was for engineering students. There were differences between the two groups in managing the stress. Medical students chose alcohol drinking or smoking for stress management whereas engineering students playing selected video games as their outlet. CONCLUSION: Medical students from urban areas seemed to be depressed more than engineering students. Their stress management methods among the subjects were drinking, smoking, and playing video games which may cause further physical and psychological problems in the future.

Erratum: Bone scan appearance and biochemical markers of the bone metabolism in hemodialysis patients / 대한내과학회지

No abstract available.

Short-term Results of Cementless Ceramic-on-ceramic Articulation Total Hip Arthroplasty

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the short-term results of ceramic articulation total hip arthroplasty in cementless total hip arthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 142 hips were followed-up for more than 2 years after cementless total hip arthroplasty using ceramic-on-ceramic articulation. The mean age and follow-up period was 58.3 years and 3.0 years, respectively. The Harris hip score and postoperative hip pain were analyzed clinically. The radiological results were assessed using various radiological indices. RESULTS: At the last follow-up, the Harris hip score improved from 58.1 points preoperatively to 93.2 points postoperatively. There were 4 cases (2.8%) of significant hip pain. Radiologically, all the stems demonstrated stable fixation. The inclination of the acetabular cup was changed significantly in 2 cases (1.4%), which were diagnosed as being loosened. A radiolucent line was observed around the stem in 9 cases (6.3%), and around the cup in 3 (2.1%). Endosteal new bone formation was observed around the stem in 50 cases (35%), and around the cup in 55 (38.5%). No osteolysis was observed around the stem and the cup. CONCLUSION: The short-term results of ceramic on ceramic articulation hip arthroplasty were excellent without osteolysis.

Bone scan appearance and biochemical markers of the bone metabolism in hemodialysis patients / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: The gold standard for a diagnosis of ROD is performing a bone biopsy. We need other non-invasive diagnostic techniques because of this procedure's invasiveness. In this study, we evaluated the value of a radionucleotide bone scan and the various biochemical markers for determining the bone metabolism in hemodialysis patients . METHODS: This study evaluated 118 hemodialysis patients who underwent 99mTc-MDP bone scanning and blood tests for such biochemical markers as osteocalcin and c-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen. Two nuclear medicine physicians read the bone scan images semi-quantitatively for six bone areas and the soft tissue, and they assigned a score of 0, 1 or 2 to the findings. RESULTS: The patients were categorized into 3 classes: iPTH or =200 pg/mL. For the group with a iPTH > or =200 pg/mL, the Ca, P product, alkaline phophatase and osteocalcin levels were increased, and the serum aluminum level was decreased compared to the other groups. When the bone scans were analyzed, the sum of the bone uptake scores was higher in the group with an iPTH > or =200 pg/mL while the soft tissue uptake score was higher in the group with an iPTH <50 pg/mL. The most common type of patient was a patient with an iPTH <50 pg/mL, and adynamic bone disease may be the most prevalent type of ROD. CONCLUSIONS: The bone scan findings correlated with the iPTH level in hemodialysis patients. Bone scans can provide additional information if this is combined with other biological markers. We stillneed to confirm its usefulness by conducting a comparative study with using bone biopsy.

Overgrowth Following TibialShaft Fractures in Children / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: To assess the comparative growth of the four long bones of the lower extremities after the tibial shaft fractures in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-eight children (age, 8.2+/-2.6) with tibial shaft fractures treated with a closed reduction and a long leg cast were enrolled in this study. The mean follow-up was 54.4 months (range, 24-96). The medical records and Bell-Thompson images were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The clinical results were excellent in all cases. The fractured tibia showed overgrowth (4.4+/-3.3 mm) compared with the contralateral side. The ipsilateral femur showed mild over-growth (0.9 mm+/-3.7), and the final leg length discrepancy was 5.3 mm+/-5.4. Four ipsilateral femurs showed overgrowth >10 mm. Gender, the level of the fractures and associated fibular fractures did not affect the overgrowth of the fractured tibia (p>0.05). However, age might affect the amount of overgrowth (p=0.005). CONCLUSION: Tibial shaft fractures in children treated with a long leg cast showed variable overgrowth. The final leg length discrepancy was influenced by the overgrowth of the ipsilateral femur as well as by overgrowth of the tibia.

Comparison of the Efficacy of Transperineal Intraprostatic Injection and Oral Administration of Fluoroquinolone in Men with Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis-Seminal Vesiculitis / 대한비뇨기과학회지

Purpose: Although oral antibiotic therapy remains the most common treatment modality for chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP), it is known to have problems, such as potential adverse effects and the development of bacterial resistance. We compared the effects of oral and local injection therapies, with fluoroquinolones, in patients diagnosed as having chronic bacterial prostatitis/seminal vesiculitis, from Tc-99m ciprofloxacin imaging. Materials and Methods: The study randomly included 79 patients with symptom of prostatitis, who also showed hot uptake in the prostate or seminal vesicle on Tc-99m ciprofloxacin imaging. A total of 53 patients received oral antibiotics for 3 months. In 26 patients, a local injection of ciprofloxacin into the prostate and/or seminal vesicle was performed via the transperineal route, with transrectal ultrasonography guidance. Four- glass tests and Tc-99m ciprofloxacin imaging were performed, and the patients were asked to complete National institute of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) questionnaires at the baseline and 3 months after the initiation of therapy. Results: The total score or subscores from the NIH-CPSI and bacteriological study after treatment was significantly decreased in both groups compared to that before treatment. The complete cure rate, based on the Tc-99m ciprofloxacin imaging findings, was significantly higher in the local injection (23.1%) than the oral therapy group (16.9%, p<0.024). In the local injection group, 15 men (57.7%) showed transient hematuria and/or bloody ejaculation, but without any serious side effects. Conclusions: A transperineal lesional injection of fluoroquinolone will be a valuable therapeutic alternative in men with chronic bacterial prostatitis/ seminal vesiculitis; although a long term outcome study will be required.

Optimal Timing for the Administration of Capecitabine with Preoperative Chemoradiation for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: Capecitabine is an oral fluoropyrimidine carbamate and it is known as an effective radiosensitizer. Capecitabine and its metabolite reach their peak concentration in the plasma at 1~2 hours after a single oral administration of capecitabine and the levels fall rapidly thereafter. To verify the radiosensitizing effect of capecitabine that is based on such pharmacokinetic characteristics, we performed a retrospective analysis on the optimal timing of capecitabine administration with performing preoperative chemoradiation for locally advanced rectal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 171 patients who were treated with preoperative radiotherapy and concurrent capecitabine administration for rectal cancer, 56 patients were administered capecitabine at 1~2 hours before radiotherapy (group A), and at other time in the other 115 patients (group B). Total mesorectal excision was done at 4 to 6 weeks after the completion of chemoradiation. The radiosensitizing effect of capecitabine was evaluated on the basis of the pathological response. RESULTS: Complete pathological regression of the primary tumor was observed in 12 patients (21.4%) for group A and in 11 patients (9.6%) for group B (p=0.031). Residual disease less than 0.5 cm (a good response) was observed in 19 patients (33.9%) for group A and in 23 patients (20.0%) for group B (p=0.038). On multivariate analysis, the capecitabine ingestion time showed marginal significance. CONCLUSION: When performing preoperative chemoradiation for locally advanced rectal cancer, the radiosensitizing effect of capecitabine was enhanced when it was administered 1 hour before radiotherapy.

Reproducibility of Gated Myocardial Perfusion SPECT for the Assessment of Myocardial Function : Comparison with Thallium-201 and Technetium-99m-MIBI / 대한핵의학회잡지

PURPOSE: We compared the reproducibility of 201Tl and 99mTc-sestamibi (MIBI) gated SPECT measurement of myocardial function using the Germano algorithm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Gated SPECT acquisition was repeated in the same position in 30 patients who received 201Tl and in 26 who received 99mTc-MIBI. The quantification of end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), and ejection fraction (EF) on 201Tl and 99mTc-MIBI gated SPECT was processed independently using Cedars quantitative gated SPECT software. The reproducibility of the assessment of myocardial function on 201Tl gated SPECT was compared with that of 99mTc-MIBI gated SPECT. RESULTS: Correlation between the two measurements for volumes and EF was excellent by the repeated gated SPECT studies of 201Tl (r=0.928 to 0.986; p<0.05) and 99mTc-MIBI (r=0.979 to 0.997; p<0.05). However, Bland Altman analysis revealed the 95% limits of agreement (2 SD) for volumes and EF were tighter by repeated 99mTc-MIBI gated SPECT (EDV: 14.1 ml, ESV: 9.4 ml and EF: 5.5%) than by repeated 201Tl gated SPECT (EDV: 24.1 ml, ESV: 18.6 ml and EF: 10.3%). The root mean square (RMS) values of the coefficient of variation (CV) for volumes and EFs were smaller by repeated 99mTc-MIBI gated SPECT (EDV: 2.1 ml, ESV: 2.7 ml and EF: 2.3%) than by repeated 201Tl gated SPECT (EDV: 3.2 ml, ESV: 3.5 ml and EF: 5.2%). CONCLUSION: 99mTc-MIBI provides more reproducible volumes and EF than 201Tl on repeated acquisition gated SPECT. 99mTc-MIBI gated SPECT is the preferable method for the clinical monitoring of myocardial function.

Slipped Femoral Capital Epiphysis: Report of Two Cases / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Slipped femoral capital epiphysis is a rare entity in Korea and only three cases have been reported so far1,2,3). One of our cases was a unilateral mild chronic slip in a 14 year old boy with Frohlich body type. It was treated by gentle closed reduction followed by knowles' pin fixation. The other case, a 20 year old female, presented chondrolysis of the left hip. Scrutinization of roentgenograms revealed typical features of an unrecognized slipped femoral capital epiphysis. It was treated by Wagner resurfacing replacement arthroplasty.