True Posterior Communicating Artery Aneurysms with High Risk of Rupture despite Very Small Diameter

Objective@#: This retrospective study investigated the clinical and angiographic characteristics of ruptured true posterior communicating artery (PCoA) aneurysms in comparison with junctional PCoA aneurysms presenting with a subarachnoid hemorrhage. @*Methods@#: The medical records and radiological data of 93 consecutive patients who underwent three-dimensional rotational angiography and surgical or endovascular treatment for a ruptured junctional or true PCoA aneurysm over an 8-year period were examined. @*Results@#: The maximum diameter of the ruptured true PCoA aneurysm (n=13, 14.0%) was significantly smaller than that of the ruptured junctional PCoA aneurysms (n=80, 4.45±1.44 vs. 7.68±3.36 mm, p=0.001). In particular, the incidence of very small aneurysms <4 mm was 46.2% (six of 13 patients) in the ruptured true PCoA aneurysm group, yet only 2.5% (two of 80 patients) in the ruptured junctional PCoA aneurysm group. Meanwhile, the diameter of the PCoA was significantly larger in the true PCoA aneurysm group than that in the junctional PCoA aneurysm group (1.90±0.57 vs. 1.15±0.49 mm, p<0.001). In addition, the ipsilateral PCoA/P1 ratio was significantly larger in the true PCoA aneurysm group than that in the group of a junctional PCoA aneurysm (mean PCoA/P1 ratio±standard deviation, 2.67±1.22 vs. 1.14±0.88; p<0.001). No between-group difference was identified for the modified Fisher grade, clinical grade at admission, and 3-month modified Rankin Scale score. @*Conclusion@#: A true PCoA aneurysm was found to be associated with a larger PCoA and ruptured at a smaller diameter than a junctional PCoA aneurysm. In particular, the incidence of a ruptured aneurysm with a very small diameter <4 mm was significantly higher among the patients with a true PCoA aneurysm.

The Risk Factors and Pregnancy Outcomes of 48 Cases of Heterotopic Pregnancy from a Single Center

The purpose of this study was to investigate risk factors that are associated with heterotopic pregnancy (HP) following in vitro fertilization (IVF)-embryo transfer (ET) and to demonstrate the outcomes of HP after the surgical treatment of ectopic pregnancies. Forty-eight patients from a single center, who were diagnosed with HP between 1998 and 2012 were included. All of the patients had received infertility treatments, such as Clomid with timed coitus (n = 1, 2.1%), superovulation with intrauterine insemination (n = 7, 14.6%), fresh non-donor IVF-ET (n = 33, 68.8%), and frozen-thawed cycles (n = 7, 14.6%). Eighty-four additional patients were randomly selected as controls from the IVF registry database. HP was diagnosed at 7.5 ± 1.2 weeks (range 5.4-10.3) gestational age. In six cases (12.5%), the diagnosis was made three weeks after the patients underwent treatment for abortion. There were significant differences in the history of ectopic pregnancy (22.5% vs. 3.6%, P = 0.002). There were no significant differences in either group between the rates of first trimester intrauterine fetal loss (15.0% vs. 13.1%) or live birth (80.0% vs. 84.1%) after the surgical treatment for ectopic pregnancy. The risk factors for HP include a history of ectopic pregnancy (OR 7.191 [1.591-32.513], P = 0.010), abortion (OR 3.948 [1.574-9.902], P = 0.003), and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) (OR 10.773 [2.415-48.060], P = 0.002). In patients undergoing IVF-ET, history of ectopic pregnancy, abortion, and OHSS may be risk factors for HP as compared to the control group of other IVF patients. The surgical treatment of HP does not appear to affect the rates of first trimester fetal loss or live birth.

Is Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Safe in Patients 90 Years of Age and Older?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This case-control study evaluated the safety and efficacy of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients 90 years of age and older. METHODS: From January 2005 to August 2011, 5,070 cases of ERCP were performed at our institution. Of these, 43 cases involved patients 90 years of age and older (mean age, 91.7+/-1.9 years). A control group of 129 cases (mean age, 65.7+/-14.8 years) was matched by the patient sex, sphincterotomy, and presence of choledocholithiasis using a propensity score. The patients' medical records were retrospectively reviewed for comorbidity, periampullary diverticulum, urgent procedure, conscious sedation, technical success, procedure duration, ERCP-related complication, and death. RESULTS: Between the case and control groups, there was no significant difference with regard to comorbidity, periampullary diverticulum, and urgent procedure. Conscious sedation was performed significantly less in the patient group versus the control group (28 [65%] vs 119 [92%], respectively; p=0.000). There was no significant difference in the technical success, procedure duration, or ERCP-related complications. In both groups, there was no major bleeding or perforation related to ERCP. Post-ERCP pancreatitis occurred significantly less in the patient group compared to the control group (0 vs 13 [10%], respectively; p=0.004). One death occurred from respiratory arrest in the case group. CONCLUSIONS: ERCP can be performed safely and successfully in patients aged 90 years and older without any significant increase in complications.

Development of Clinical Guideline for the Diagnosis and Evaluation of Depression: Focused on Diagnosis Guideline / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to develop guideline for use in diagnosis of depression. METHODS: Development of this guideline was processed according to the ADAPTE manual, which was developed for adaptation of good clinical practice guidelines. Important key questions were determined, and a systematic review of clinical practice guidelines was performed. The contents of guidelines selected by comparison of the methodological quality and currency were evaluated with regard to the applicability and acceptability. Answers to key questions and clinical recommendations were established by peer review. RESULTS: There has been no evidence on strategies to improve the accuracy and rate of diagnosis of depression. The screening tools for depression were useful in diagnosis of depression in clinical practice. CONCLUSION: The results of this study may suggest the necessity of strategies to improve the validity and reliability of diagnosis of depression. In contrast, scales for screening depression can be useful in diagnosis of depression. This guideline did not include systematic reviews regarding useful scales for diagnosis of depression. In the future, amendment of this guideline might be needed in order to supplement limitations.

Development of Clinical Guideline for the Diagnosis and Evaluation of Depression: Focused on Evaluation Guideline / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to develop guideline for evaluation of depression. METHODS: Development of this guideline was processed according to the ADAPTE manual, which was developed for adaptation of good clinical practice guidelines. Important key questions were determined, and a systematic review of clinical practice guidelines was performed. The contents of guidelines selected by comparison of the methodological quality and currency were evaluated with regard to the applicability and acceptability. Answers to key questions and clinical recommendations were established by peer review. RESULTS: Careful evaluations on the characteristics of depression, including subtype, severity, suicidality, and psychiatric and physical comorbidities were recommended because these factors can have an influence on course and prognosis in treatment of depression. CONCLUSION: The results of this study may contribute to the systematic evaluation of depression, based on clinical importance. However, this guideline did not include systematic reviews regarding useful scales for evaluation of depression. In the future, amendment of this guideline might be needed in order to supplement limitations.

A survey of the satisfaction of patients who have undergone implant surgery with and without employing a computer-guided implant surgical template

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the degree of subjective pain and the satisfaction of patients who have undergone an implant treatment using a computer-guided template. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey was conducted for 135 patients who have undergone implant surgery with and without the use of the computer-guided template during the period of 2012 and 2013 in university hospitals, dental hospitals and dental clinics that practiced implant surgery using the computer-guided template. Likert scale and VAS score were used in the survey questions, and the independent t-test and One-Way ANOVA were performed (alpha=.05). RESULTS: The route that the subjects were introduced to the computer-guided implant surgery using a surgical template was mostly advices by dentists, and the most common reason for which they chose to undergo such surgery was that it was accurate and safe. Most of them gave an answer that they were willing to recommend it to others. The patients who have undergone the computer-guided implant surgery felt less pain during the operation and showed higher satisfaction than those who have undergone conventional implant surgery. Among the patients who have undergone computer-guided implant surgery, those who also had prior experience of surgery without a computer-guided template expressed higher satisfaction with the former (P<.05). CONCLUSION: In this study, it could be seen that the patients who have undergone computer-guided implant surgery employing a surgical template felt less pain and had higher satisfaction than those with the conventional one, and the dentist's description could provide the confidence about the safety of surgery.

Clinico-pathologic Parameters for Prediction of Microsatellite Instability in Colorectal Cancer / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: Although the incidence of microsatellite instability (MSI) accounts for 10-15% of cases of colorectal cancer, its clinical application for all colorectal cancers has widened. We attempted to identify clinical and pathological parameters that may be helpful in selection of patients with MSI-high (MSI-H). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 120 resected colorectal cancers were enrolled retrospectively for this MSI study. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and denaturing high performance liquid chromatography and/or real time PCR methods with five markers and immunohistochemistry (IHC) for MLH1 and MSH2 were performed for analysis of cancer and blood specimens. Clinico-pathologic parameters, including IHC, were investigated in order to determine their usefulness as predictive factors of MSI. RESULTS: Among 120 cases of colorectal cancer, MSI was observed in 15 cases (12.5%), including 11 cases of MSI-H and four cases of MSI-low. Patients with MSI were younger, less than 50 years old, had a family history of cancer, Rt. sided colon cancer and/or synchronous multiple colorectal cancer, mucinous histologic type, and serum carcinoembryonic antigen group in the normal range. Results of multivariate analysis showed Bethesda guidelines, Rt. sided and/or synchronous multiple colorectal cancer, and negative expression of IHC for MLH1, which was consistently associated with MSI-H. MSI-H colorectal tumors have met at least one of these three parameters and their sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 72.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Bethesda guidelines, tumor location, and negative expression of MLH1 protein are important parameters for selection of patients with colorectal cancers for MSI testing. MSI testing is recommended for patients showing any of these three parameters.

Study on Standardization of Korean Version of Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire : The Optimal Cutoff Scores / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: An exact diagnosis and comorbidity analysis are important in psychiatric disorders. The Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire (PDSQ) is both useful as a self-reporting test for screening psychiatric disorders and available for clinical settings due to its simplicity and convenience. This study, as a part of standardization of Korean version of Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire (K-PDSQ), evaluated optimal cutoff scores. METHODS: The samples were 696 patients in total, who were selected from the psychiatric departments of 3 university hospitals from March 2008 to August 2011. Diagnosing by Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview-Plus (MINI-Plus), we evaluated sensitivity, specificity, cutoff scores, ROC curve, and area under the curve (AUC) of K-PDSQ. SPSS version 12.0 for Windows and MedCalc version 12.0 were used to analyze the results. RESULTS: With a cutoff score of 9 for major depressive disorder in K-PDSQ, both the sensitivity and specificity were 80%. The cutoff scores of PTSD, OCD, panic disorder, agoraphobia, psychosis, alcohol related problem, GAD, hypochondriasis, and social phobia of K-PDSQ were 5, 2, 4, 2, 1, 2, 5, 4, and 5, respectively. In most of the subscales, each AUC was above 0.75. CONCLUSION: By applying the cutoff scores estimated above, we expect K-PDSQ to help provide diagnostic assessments and to grasp comorbidities before a clinical interview in the setting of busy outpatient clinics.

Suicidality in Major Depressive Disorder : The Impact of Psychiatric Comorbidity / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: Generally, major depressive disorder (MDD) with psychiatric comorbidities is associated with a high suicide rate. However, this relationship has not been studied much in Korea. In this study, we evaluated the suicidality in MDD with psychiatric comorbidities. METHODS: This study was performed on patients who visited the psychiatric department of three university hospitals in the Gyeongbuk area from March 2008 to September 2011. In total, 776 patients were evaluated with the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview-Plus (MINI-Plus), and 288 with MDD were recruited for the study. Suicidality and suicidal risks were evaluated in the MINI-Plus questionnaire. RESULTS: MDD patients with comorbidities had a significantly higher suicidality and suicidal risk than patients with pure MDD. Suicidality was significantly higher in an anxiety disorder group with comorbidity than in the pure MDD group. As the total number of comorbidities got higher, the suicidality increased, and suicidal risks had significant differences depending on the total number of comorbidities. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that an MDD patient with comorbidities has a higher suicidality and suicidal risk. In clinical settings, comorbid MDD patients should be approached with more aggressive psychiatric intervention of their suicidal thoughts and actions.

Comparison of Inofoam(R) and Medifoam(R) for Donor Site Dressing after Split Thickness Skin Graft in Burn Patients

PURPOSE: Inofoam(R) is a hydrocellular material developed recently for wound dressing. In the present study, the efficacy of Inofoam(R) for donor site dressing after split thickness skin graft (STSG) was evaluated and compared with that of Medifoam(R). METHODS: The study was conducted on 15 patients with third degree of burn underwent STSG from Nov. 2011 to Feb. 2012. Donor sites were divided into groups of Inofoam(R) and Medifoam(R). The duration of wound healing, pain score and exudate absorption ratio were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The duration of wound healing time was 10.7+/-2.2 days in Inofoam(R) group, 10.5+/-2.0 days in Medifoam(R) group (P>0.05). On postoperative 1 day, the exudate absorption ratio in was 341.6+/-59.3% in Inofoam(R) group and 349.0+/-41.8% in Medifoam(R) group. There were no significant differences in wound healing duration, swelling ratio, and pain score between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study shows that the efficacy of a recently used polyurethane foam Inofoam(R) for donor site dressing is as effective as that of Medifoam(R).

Korean Version of the Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98: Reliability and Validity

OBJECTIVE: The aims of the present study were 1) to standardize the validity and reliability of the Korean version of Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 (DRS-R98-K) and 2) to establish the optimum cut-off value, sensitivity, and specificity for discriminating delirium from other non-delirious psychiatric conditions. METHODS: Using DSM-IV criteria, 157 subjects (69 delirium, 29 dementia, 32 schizophrenia, and 27 other psychiatric patients) were enrolled. Subjects were evaluated using DRS-R98-K, DRS-K, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE-K), and Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) scale. RESULTS: DRS-R98-K total and severity scores showed high correlations with DRS-K. They were significantly different across all groups (p=0.000). However, neither MMSE-K nor CGI-S distinguished delirium from dementia. All DRS-R98-K diagnostic items (#14-16) and items #1 and 2 significantly discriminated delirium from dementia. Cronbach's alpha coefficient revealed high internal consistency for DRS-R98-K total (r=0.91) and severity (r=0.89) scales. Interrater reliability (ICC between 0.96 and 1) was very high. Using receiver operating characteristic analysis, the area under the curve of DRS-R98-K total score was 0.948 between the delirium group and all other groups and 0.873 between the delirium and dementia groups. The best cut-off scores in DRS-R98-K total score were 18.5 and 19.5 between the delirium and the other three groups and 20.5 between the delirium and dementia groups. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that DRS-R98-K is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing delirium severity and diagnosis and discriminating delirium from dementia and other psychiatric disorders in Korean patients.

Diagnostic usefulness of the random urine Na/K ratio in cirrhotic patients with ascites: a pilot study / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Twenty-four hour urinary sodium excretion (24-h UNa) of greater than 78 mmol/day is important in the management of cirrhotic ascites. Although the random urine sodium-to-potassium ratio (UNa/K) is strongly correlated with 24-h UNa, and approximately 95% of patients with a random UNa/K greater than 1 have 24-h UNa greater than 78 mmol, few data have been published on the correlation between 24-h UNa and random UNa/K. We evaluated diagnostic value of morning and afternoon random UNa/K (AM UNa/K and PM UNa/K, respectively) with 24-h UNa. METHODS: A total of 42 male patients were enrolled from October 2007 to March 2008. Each patient collected 5 mL of urine twice at random times during 24-h urine collection (at 10-12 a.m. and 3-5 p.m.). ROC curve analysis was performed to evaluate the feasibility of AM and PM UNa/K for differentiating 24-h UNa greater than 78 mmol/day. RESULTS: Forty patients with a 24-h urinary creatinine of greater than 15 mg/kg were analyzed. The 24-h UNa, AM UNa/K, and PM UNa/K were 107.9+/-91.2 mmol (mean+/-SD), 3.44+/-3.64, and 3.97+/-4.60, respectively. When compared with 24-h UNa greater than 78 mmol, AUROC values for AM and PM UNa/K were 0.861 (95% CI, 0.715-0.950) and 0.929 (95% CI, 0.802-0.986), respectively (P=0.0001). No difference was found between the AUROC for AM and PM UNa/K (95% CI, -0.161-0.153, P=0.113). UNa/K greater than 1.25 was sensitive and specific for prediction of 24-h UNa greater than 78 mmol. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that anytime random UNa/K greater than 1.25 is an accurate, cost-effective, and convenient method for replacing 24-h UNa. Large multicentered cohort studies are needed to confirm our results.

Current Use of Depression Rating Scales in Mental Health Setting

OBJECTIVE: This study was to investigate the current use of depression rating scales by psychiatrists and clinical psychologists in Korea. METHODS: The questionnaires from many psychiatrists and clinical psychologists were included in the analysis. The questionnaire was composed of items about examining the percentage of patients clinically using depression rating scales, reasons for not use of them, the degree of satisfaction, the perceived agreement rate between the result of depression rating scales and doctor's clinical interview in the evaluation of patients with depressive symptoms. Data were analyzed by chi-square and independent t-test. RESULTS: The clinical use of depression rating scales was more frequent in the psychologists than in the psychiatrists. The purposes for using depression rating scales were assessed into six areas, there was no significant difference in between two groups, and both groups pointed out their purpose as rating of severity and screening. The reasons for not using scales were that their interview may be sufficient for diagnosis and assessment of depressive patients and they are not familiar with the use of depression rating scales. The psychiatrists usually prefer the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Symptom Checklist 90-Revision (SCL-90-R) in order of frequency, and the clinical psychologists are more likely to use the BDI, Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory and SCL-90-R. Overall rate of satisfaction in the use of the scales was 67.29+/-14.45% and overall perceived agreement rate was 70.89+/-16.45%. CONCLUSION: Currently used depression rating scales at the clinical practice were not various. Therefore, to heighten clinicians' utility of these depression rating scales measures, either educational efforts or advertisements, or both, will be necessary to spread them wildly.

Association of Apolipoprotein E Gene Polymorphism With Cognitive Function of the Elderly Residents in a Rural Community

BACKGROUND: It is not clear whether polymorphism of the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene influences the cognition of community residents. The aim of this study was to establish the association between ApoE gene polymorphism and cognitive function in an elderly rural community in Korea. METHODS: A total of 388 subjects aged 65 and over were recruited. Demographic characteristics, past history of illness, and scores on the Korean version of the Mini Mental State Examination (K-MMSE), the Geriatric Depression Scale . Short Form (GDS-S), and the Korean version of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (K-IADL) were evaluated. The lipid profile and ApoE genotype were sampled from 377 of the participants. RESULTS: Of the entire cohort, 75% had less than 6 years of education, and 30% were illiterate. The frequencies of the ApoE epsilon2, ApoE epsilon3, and ApoE epsilon4 alleles were 48 (6.6%), 372 (86.9%), and 49 (6.5%), respectively. The K-MMSE score was much lower in those with two ApoE epsilon3 alleles than in those with only one ( p=0.046). However, the numbers of ApoE epsilon2 alleles (p=0.976) and ApoE epsilon4 alleles (p=0.934) carried by the individual were not associated with K-MMSE score. Both K-IADL (p<0.001) and GDS-S (p<0.001) scores were significantly correlated with K-MMSE score. Grouping of the participants into three groups according to K-MMSE score (i.e., 0-17 , 18-24, and 25-30) also revealed that this score was correlated with K-IADL score (p<0001), GDS-S score (p<0.001), and the ApoE epsilon3 allele (p=0.035). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the ApoE epsilon3 allele has a negative influence on cognitive function (K-MMSE) in this rural community. Surprisingly, we were unable to detect any relationship between the ApoE epsilon4 allele and cognitive function. There was a positive correlation between K-MMSE, K-IADL, and GDS-S scores.

A Retrospective Study of Sintered Porous-Surfaced Dental Implants in Restoring the Posterior Maxilla

PURPOSE: The purpose of this retrospective report was to analyze long-term survival rate of sintered porous-surfaced dental implant (Endopore(R) Dental Implant system, Innova Corporation, Toronto, ON, Canada). METHODS: 61 partially edentulous patients were received a total of 127 Endopore dental implants in the maxilla. Of the 127 implants, 24 implants were restored with individual (ie, non-splinted) crowns, while 103 implants were splinted to other implants. Medical records and radiographs were evaluated and analyzed by the cumulative survival rate, location of implants, implants length and diameter, crown/implant ratio and whether the implant was splinted. Chi squire test was used statistically. RESULT: Of the 127 implants, 8 implants (6.3%) were removed and and cumulative survival rate was 93.7%. CONCLUSION: Endopore implants showed satisfactory results after up to 8 years function periods in the edentulous posterior maxilla.

Anti-CCP antibodies predict progression of palindromic rheumatism to rheumatoid arthritis / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Palindromic rheumatism (PR) is an episodic arthropathy that may precede typical rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The objective of this study was to determine whether anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies in patients with PR contribute to the progression to RA. METHODS: The study group included 115 patients who were initially diagnosed with PR. Baseline serum samples were stored and analyzed for the presence of anti-CCP antibodies, APF, and RF or for anti-CCP antibodies and HLA-DR4. A multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictive factors for progression to RA. RESULTS: The anti-CCP antibodies APF and RF were found in 33.3%, 28.9%, and 35.7% of the 115 patients with PR, and 36 (31.3%) of these patients eventually progressed to RA. Comparing the risk factors for patients who progressed to RA (31.3%) and those who did not (68.7%), only the presence of anti-CCP antibodies was found to affect progression to RA (95% CI for OR, 0.0001-0.114; p<0.001). HLA-DR4-positivity was noted in 40% of the patients with PR, although it did not affect progression to RA and was not significantly associated with the presence of anti-CCP antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-CCP antibodies are found more frequently in patients with PR who eventually progress to RA. Therefore, anti-CCP antibody testing of patients with PR may facilitate prediction of progression to RA.

Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Near-Infrared Irradiated Cell Culture Media / 대한진단검사의학회지

BACKGROUND: Near-infrared light (NIR, 0.8-1.5 micrometer light) has been used in therapeutic devices for various injuries such as infected, ischemic and hypoxic wound. NIR-emitting technology has been developed recently in Korea. We hypothesized that NIR may have an anti-inflammatory effect and investigated the effect of NIR-irradiated media on cell culture. METHODS: Three kinds of cell lines, CAPE (vascular endothelial cell), NIH3T3 (fibroblast), and RD (smooth muscle cell) cells were cultured for 4 days in 10% FBS-containing media (1x10(4) cells/well), which were irradiated or not irradiated (control) by Eco-NFIR Drive (Model #0210, Ecowavetech, Korea). The cells were stimulated by 10 mcg/mL of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Cellular proliferation was measured by methylthiazol tetrazolium assay. Expression of interleukin (IL)-1 beta and nitric oxide was measured by ELISA. Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was measured by immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: NIR-irradiated medium was favorable for CAPE cell proliferation (N=8, P=0.000). IL-1 beta secretion from LPS-stimulated NIH3T3 cells incubated in the NIR medium was below that of control medium (N=4, P=0.026). Nitrate production seemed to be low in NIR-irradiated medium although statistically insignificant (N=4, P=0.076). Expression of iNOS of the LPS-stimulated cells was decreased in NIR medium, however, Cox-2 expression was not different between the two media. CONCLUSIONS: NIR-irradiated medium supported vascular endothelial cell proliferation and showed an anti-inflammatory effect on fibroblast culture. These results can be used as basic data for future research on the clinical application of NIR.

Taste Change after Middle Ear Surgery / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: During middle ear surgery, surgeons manipulate the chorda tympani nerve (CTN) at various degrees and warn the post-operative taste changes to patients preoperatively. The purpose of this study is to assess how many patients suffer from taste disturbance after surgery and the characteristics of their disease factors and surgical factors in patients complaining of it. In addition, it was designed to evaluate the clinical availability of electrogustometry (EGM)compared with subjective taste symptoms. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: One hundred thirty-one patients underwent middle ear surgery. Patients were divided to three groups, only tympanoplasty, tympano-ossiculoplasty without mastoidectomy and tympanoplasty with mastoidectomy. They were analysed by operative findings of CTN preserved, stretched, cut. The CTN function was measured at one day before surgery and one month after surgery by EGM. Taste questionnaires were given to all patients before and after surgery for one year. The results of EGM and questionnaires were compared with each other. RESULTS: In pre-operative EGM results of unilateral surgery, the lesion side of tongue had more elevated threshold of EGM than the contralateral side. In the post-operative EGM, any statistical factor was not significant and EGM results was not correlated with subjective symptoms. The results of the test questionnaraires was that thirty-three patients (25%) reported taste change. In tympanoplasty-preserved CTN group, more patients suffered from taste change than mastoidedctomy-cut CTN group. Symptoms were decreased taste sensation, dysgeusia, and decreased general sensation of tongue. Subjective recovery time was on the average of 2.7 months (two weeks to one year) after surgery. CONCLUSION: EGM was not correlated with subjective symptoms after surgery. Iatrogenic CTN injury in advanced middle ear infection may not cause taste disturbance. Surgeons should have efforts to preserve CTN in even mild middle ear diseases.

Effects of AIF on Knee Osteoarthritis Patients: Double-blind, Randomized Placebo-controlled Study

Anti-inflammatory factor (AIF) is a water soluble extract of three herbs, Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F. H. Chen, Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch and Eleutherococcus senticosus. The present study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of herb extracts, AIF, on Korean knee osteoarthritis patients for six weeks. Fifty seven patients with knee osteoarthritis, ranging from 43 to 73 years of age, who fulfilled the "American College of Rheumatology" (ACR) classification of idiopathic osteoarthritis of knee and radiographic criteria were randomly selected and enrolled for the study. After initial screening and resting period, two capsules each of AIF (Each capsule contains; 400 mg) and similar identical placebo were administered twice a day to both groups. Pain intensity at second, fourth, and sixth weeks of study as well as one week after discontinuation of drugs was assessed by using 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS). Changes in the Korean version of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (K-WOMAC) index score were compared at the initiation and completion of the study. VAS assessed by patients were significantly reduced (at visit 2; 54.64+/-14.72, at visit 4, 37.32+/-16.58, p<0.001) after AIF administration. Results showed an improvement in the physical function of K-WOMAC scale which was significantly higher (p=0.013) in AIF than placebo group, and decreases of total K-WOMAC score were also significantly higher (p=0.030) in AIF groups than placebo group. No serious adverse effect was observed, and there was no difference in incidence of adverse effect between AIF and placebo groups. In this population of Korean patients with knee osteoarthritis, AIF was found to be safe, tolerable and effective for symptomatic improvement of pain and physical function.

Recognitional study about patients and caregivers' understanding of clinical trial

PURPOSE: International guidelines and national laws have been formulated to protect human subjects in research. Recently, many efforts have been tried to contribute to better awareness and knowledge about the link between quality systems and protection to develop better quality procedures in health research. In this study, to improve the understandings about health research, awareness about health research was evaluated with questionnaires for patients and care-givers in our institute. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 339 persons responded to the questionnaires. 128 persons were patients with mild symptoms and 69 were caregivers. 123 were male and 179 were female. Dominant educational level was college graduates and were 166 and economic status was middle-class (247). Questionnaires was composed of 18 items; 7 demographical characteristics items, 7 understanding of clinical trials items, 4 understandings of IRB (Institutional Review Board) concepts items. RESULTS: 71.7% of responder have informations about clinical trials by TV and 23.9% by newspapers. 22.3% have never heard about clinical trials. Knowledge level about clinical trials was thought to be a middle level and subjects of clinical trials were animals (62.5%), patients (54.9%), normal persons (25.4%), plants (11.8%). Objects to be included in clinical trials were pharmaceuticals (62.2%), cell therapy (58.7%), medical device (30.4%), health promotion foods (14.5%). Answer about 'Intention to be the participant" were no in 56% and yes in 34.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Although mass media contributed to the spread of understandings about clinical trials, 22.3% did not know about health research. To improve the awareness and understandings about health research, television (TV) can be the most effective method and the safety about human subject protection should be certified.