Analysis of Prevalence of Anemia according to Severity of Atopic Dermatitis

Background@#Inflammatory diseases can increase the prevalence of anemia. Recent studies confirmed that the prevalence of anemia is increased by atopic dermatitis (AD), a chronic inflammatory disease. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the correlation between AD severity and prevalence of anemia. @*Methods@#We used data of pediatric patients from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA-PPS-2016). We included pediatric patients (<18 years) with AD diagnosis who were prescribed medications for AD. We applied a propensity score method with inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) adjusting for differences in prevalence of confounders and performed IPTW logistic regression to evaluate associations between the anemia and severity of AD. @*Results@#In total, 91,501 patients (mild AD: 47,054 patients; moderate-to-severe AD: 44,447 patients) <18 years who were prescribed drugs for AD were analyzed. Analysis of the probability of patients with mild AD and prevalence of anemia as a reference revealed an odds ratio (OR) of 1.159 (95% CI, 1.109-1.212; p<0.001) in moderate-to-severe AD patients, indicating a correlation between anemia prevalence and AD severity. Subgroup analysis according to gender, age group, and type of health insurance revealed there was an association between AD severity and anemia except in patients equal or older than 7 years. @*Conclusion@#The prevalence of anemia increased with AD severity despite adjusting for confounding factors. Our results support the hypothesis that AD can cause anemia, and anemia prevalence could be increased in severe AD patients. Further studies are needed to establish a pathological basis.

Analysis of Prevalence of Anemia according to Severity of Atopic Dermatitis

Background@#Inflammatory diseases can increase the prevalence of anemia. Recent studies confirmed that the prevalence of anemia is increased by atopic dermatitis (AD), a chronic inflammatory disease. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the correlation between AD severity and prevalence of anemia. @*Methods@#We used data of pediatric patients from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA-PPS-2016). We included pediatric patients (<18 years) with AD diagnosis who were prescribed medications for AD. We applied a propensity score method with inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) adjusting for differences in prevalence of confounders and performed IPTW logistic regression to evaluate associations between the anemia and severity of AD. @*Results@#In total, 91,501 patients (mild AD: 47,054 patients; moderate-to-severe AD: 44,447 patients) <18 years who were prescribed drugs for AD were analyzed. Analysis of the probability of patients with mild AD and prevalence of anemia as a reference revealed an odds ratio (OR) of 1.159 (95% CI, 1.109-1.212; p<0.001) in moderate-to-severe AD patients, indicating a correlation between anemia prevalence and AD severity. Subgroup analysis according to gender, age group, and type of health insurance revealed there was an association between AD severity and anemia except in patients equal or older than 7 years. @*Conclusion@#The prevalence of anemia increased with AD severity despite adjusting for confounding factors. Our results support the hypothesis that AD can cause anemia, and anemia prevalence could be increased in severe AD patients. Further studies are needed to establish a pathological basis.

Neonatal Patent Ductus Arteriosus Ligation Operations Performed by Adult Cardiac Surgeons

BACKGROUND: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) ligation is usually performed by congenital cardiac surgeons. However, due to the uneven distribution of congenital cardiac surgeons in South Korea, many institutions depend solely on adult cardiac surgeons for congenital cardiac diseases. We report the outcomes of PDA ligations performed by adult cardiac surgeons at our institution. METHODS: The electronic medical records of 852 neonates at Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea from November 2010 to May 2014 were reviewed to identify patients with PDA. RESULTS: Of the 111 neonates with a diagnosis of PDA, 26 (23%) underwent PDA ligation. PDAs were ligated within 28 days of birth (mean, 14.5±7.8 days), and the mean gestational age of these patients was 30.3±4.6 weeks (range, 26 to 40 weeks) with a mean birth weight of 1,292.5±703.5 g (range, 480 to 3,020 g). No residual shunts through the PDA were found on postoperative echocardiography. There was 1 case of 30-day mortality (3.8%) due to pneumonia, and 6 cases of in-hospital mortality (23.1%) after 30 days, which is comparable to results from other centers with congenital cardiac surgery programs. CONCLUSION: Although our outcomes may not be generalizable to all hospital settings without a congenital cardiac surgery program, in select centers, PDA ligations can be performed safely by adult cardiac surgeons if no congenital cardiac surgery program is available.

MMP26: A Potential Biomarker for Prostate Cancer / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

The application of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the screening and diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa) has improved the clinical management of PCa patients.However,the PSA assay has been faced with criticism due to its potential association with over-diagnosis and subsequent overtreatment of indolent patients.Matrix metalloproteinase-26 (MMP26) is a member of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and has been reported to be highly expressed in many cancers.This investigation evaluated the potential of serum MMP26 as a biomarker for PCa.The level of serum MMP26 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 160 subjects including PCa group (n=80),benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) group (n=40) and control group (n=40).Furthermore,we evaluated the expression of MMP26 in tissues by immunohistochemistry.The results showed the serum MMP26 levels were significantly higher in PCa group than in BPH group and control group.Similarly,the MMP26 protein was positive in PCa tissues and negative in BPH tissues and control tissues.In conclusion,these results suggested MMP26 could be used as a potential serum biomarker in the diagnosis of PCa.

The influence of plateau on 24 h ambulatory blood pressure of healthy young males / 军事医学

Objective To study the differences in 24 h ambulatory blood pressure of healthy young men between the plateau and the plains.Methods A total of 100 young men were enrolled in this study.They underwent 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring on the plateau and on the plains respectively.The data was analyzed by SPSS.17.Results The 24 h mean systolic blood pressure (24HMSBP) and diastolic blood pressure (24HMDBP),day (6:00-22:00) mean systolic blood pressure (DMSBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DMDBP),night (22:00-6:00) mean systolic blood pressure (NMSBP) and diastolic blood pressure (NMDBP),24 h mean heart rate (24MHR),HRmax,HRmin,24 h systolic blood pressure load (24HSBPL) and diastolic blood pressure load (24HDBPL),day (6:00-22:00) systolic blood pressure load (DSBPL) and diastolic blood pressure load (DDBPL),night (22:00-6:00) systolic blood pressure load (NSBPL) and diastolic blood pressure load (NDBPL) were significantly different between the plateau and plains (all P ＜ 0.05).However,the systolic blood pressure decrease rate (SBPDR) and the diastolic blood pressure decrease rate (DBPDR),day systolic blood pressure coefficient of variation (DSBPCV) and diastolic blood pressure coefficient of variation (DBPCV),night systolic blood pressure coefficient of variation (NSBPCV) and diastolic blood pressure coefficient of variation (NBPCV) were not significantly different (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion The systolic blood pressure (SBP)and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) on the plateau are significantly higher than those on the plains.24HMDBP and DMDBP increase more significantly on the plateau than those of SBP.The blood pressure load (BPL) on the plateau is higher than that on the plains,with a higher degree of dispersion,so are the 24 h mean heart rate (24MHR),HRmax,and HRmin.

Docetaxel injection and Capecitabine tablets combined with Oxaliplatin injection in postoperative chemotherapy for esophageal cancer / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To investigate the efficacy of Docetaxel injection and Capecitabine tablets combined with Oxaliplatin injection in chemotherapy for patients after esophageal cancer surgery. Methods    We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 101 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent radical surgery from June 2010 to December 2012, including 58 males and 43 females. According to the different treatment methods they were divided into a study group (58 patients, 32 males and 26 females, postoperatively receiving Docetaxel injection, Capecitabine tablets, Oxaliplatin injection and chemotherapy) and a control group (43 patients, 26 males and 17 females, taking Docetaxel injection and Capecitabine tablets for 4 consecutive courses). We compared the difference in the outcomes between the two groups. Results    There was no significant difference in the level of serum anticancer antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125), carbohydrate antigen 199 (CA199) and squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC) before chemotherapy between two groups (P>0.05). After chemotherapy, the level of serum CEA, CA125, CA199, SCC in the study group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). The 1-year survival rate of the study group was 92.59% and the 2-year survival rate was 70.37%, which were not significantly different from those of the control group  (P>0.05). The 3-year survival rate of the study group was significantly higher than that of the control group (57.41 % vs. 32.43%, P<0.05). The mean survival time of the study group was longer than that of the control group (31 months vs. 22 months, P=0.001). Conclusion    Docetaxel injection and Capecitabine tablets combined with Oxaliplatin injection for the treatment of esophageal cancer surgery can significantly reduce levels of tumor markers in serum after esophageal cancer surgery, and is favorable for the long-term survival of patients, but adverse reactions should be noted.

Hemolytic Anemia Case Caused by an Inverted Inner Felt after Bentall Operation

A 26-yr-old male patient reported worsened dyspnea, dizziness one year after an emergency Bentall operation for type A aortic dissection. There was evidence of hemolytic anemia and aortogram revealed a significant stenosis at the distal anastomosis site. During the reoperation, we found the inner felt at the distal anastomosis was inverted causing a significant stenosis. The reoperation successfully resolved this problem. Here, we report a rare case of hemolytic anemia caused by an inverted inner felt after Bentall operation.

DNA extraction and sex determination for human teeth dated 3000 years ago unearthed in Xi'an / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To extracted DNA from ancient human teeth dated 3000 years ago unearthed in Xi'an and determine the genders for the individuals.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty five ancient human teeth were studied. A 'Reverse-root-canal' technique and a Chelex-100 solution were used to extract the DNA. Specific primers for Amelogenin gene were designed for PCR amplification.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Genomic DNA was successfully extracted from 30 samples, for which 8 were determined to be males and 22 were females.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The 'Reverse-root-canal' technique may be used for extracting DNA from ancient human teeth. Genetics method can supplement physical anthropology for determination of sex for ancient samples.</p>

Complications of a Tube Thoracostomy Performed by Emergency Medicine Residents

PURPOSE: A tube thoracostomy is an invasive procedure that places patients at risk for complications. Tube thoracostomies are frequently performed by emergency medicine residents. Thus, the purpose of the study was to assess both the complication rate for tube thoracostomies performed by emergency medicine residents and the factors associated with these complications. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all patients who had undergone a tube thoracostomy performed by emergency medicine residents between January 2008 and February 2009 was conducted at a university hospital. Complications were divided into major and minor complications and into immediate and delayed complications. Complications requiring corrective surgical intervention, requiring the administration of blood products, or involving situations requiring intravenous antibiotics were defined as major. Complications that were detected within 2 hours were defined as immediate. RESULTS: Tube thoracostomies were performed in 189 patients, and 70 patients(37%) experienced some complications. Most complications were immediate and minor. In multiple logistic regressions, BMI, hypotension and resident seniority were significantly associated with complications. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of complications was similar to these in previous reports on the complications of a tube thoracostomy. Most complications from tube thoracostomies performed by emergency medicine residents were immediate and minor complications. Thus, emergency medicine residents should be allowed to perform closed tube thoracostomies instead of thoracic surgeons.

Anti-inflammatory and Anti-oxidant Effects of Sophora flavescens Root Extraction in Lipopolysaccharide-activated Raw 264.7 Cells / 대한의진균학회지

BACKGROUND: The macrophages activated by lipopolisaccharide produce numerous molecules and proteins, such as tumor necrotic factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1beta, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and free radicals, associated with inflammation. The response was occurred by intracellular cascaded, NF-kappaB pathway. So, the regulation of this pathway is very important in control of inflammation. OBJECTIVE: In this study, the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects of Sophora flavescens that is used empirically in oriental medicine and folk remedy were evaluated and the mechanism of the effects was studied. METHODS: By using the root extracts of Sophora flavescens, we performed experiment in LPS and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-activated Raw 264.7 cells. We measured the production of NO, PGE2 and expression of iNOS and COX-2 in activated Raw 264.7 cells with Sophora flavescens root extract. Also, we tested anti-oxidant effect of Sophora flavescens root extracts by ELISA kit in activated Raw 264.7 cells, and the free radical scavenging effect of material itself by DPPH assay. RESULTS: The Sophora flavescens root extracts decreased the production of NO (p<0.001) and PGE2 (p<0.01) in Raw 264.7 cells activated by LPS and IFN-gamma. The expression of proteins, iNOS and COX-2, suppressed along with the elevated concentration of Sophora flavescens root extracts. The result of DPPH assay was that the test material itself had scavenging effect for free radical (p<0.001). And the antioxidant activity in activated Raw 264.7 cells was increased with the level of the Sophora flavescens root extracts (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The Sophora flavescens root extracts suppressed the production of NO and PGE2 through the decreased expression of iNOS and COX-2. And the Sophora flavescens root extracts had the scavenging effect about free radicals itself and increased the antioxidant activity in activated macrophages.

Dorsal Cavoatrial Bypass for Congenital Interruption of IVC / 대한흉부외과학회지

Congenital interruption of the inferior vena cava (IVC) can lead to secondary hepatic congestion, portal hypertension, and liver cirrhosis. A 49-year-old woman was admitted to the gynecology department with symptoms of menorrhalgia, known uterine myoma, and anemia. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) and venography performed at our hospital revealed congenital interruption of the IVC. The patient underwent retrohepatic cavoatrial bypass surgery with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) 16-mm ringed graft via posterolateral thoracotomy, and recovered without major complications. A retroperitoneal approach via posterolateral thoracotomy provides appropriate visualization during dorsal cavoatrial bypass in treating patients with congenital interruption of IVC.

Vein Crossover Bypass Surgery for a Chronic Femoral Vein Ligation: A case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

A twenty six year old man was admitted to our clinic for bleeding from a venous ulcer of the left leg. His left femoral vein had been ligated for bleeding control after a traffic accident that happened when he was 5 years old. He had a varicose vein, stasis dermatitis, and a venous ulcer on his left leg. To shunt left femoral venous return to the right femoral vein, we did a crossover bypass with arteriovenous fistula using the right greater saphenous vein. To get good patency of the arteriovenous fistula, the bypass graft was closed 6 weeks after the initial operation. He maintained his left leg circumference relatively well for 6 months after the operation. We report the case of a patient who had a vein crossover bypass for a chronic femoral vein ligation.

Treatment of varicose vein

High venous pressure in leg from walking in erect position can lead the development of defective valves and reflux, and superficial veins may become elongated and tortuous. Women are more prone to varicose vein due to hormonal influences and pregnancy. Besides long standing occupation and female gender, there are other risk factors including age, family history, obesity, and prior deep vein thrombosis. Recently developed health related quality of life has contributed to concern more about varicose vein and develop the treatment modalities of varicose vein. Because of the chronicity of the development of varicose vein, most patients are usually accustomed to high venous pressure of their leg and feel minor or no discomfort. Among the reasons to seek for the treatment of varicose vein, cosmetic purpose is the most common. Most patients prefer non-surgical treatment including sclerotheraphy to surgical intervention. High ligation and stripping of varicose vein has remained as the standard treatment of varicose vein with excellent long term results. Minimal invasive non-surgical treatments including radiofrequency ablation and endovenous laser treatment have shown less scars and earlier mobility. Newer treatment modalities have to prove comparable long term results, not merely better cosmetic and short term results. We reviewed about the development of varicose vein and the treatment modalities including preventive measures. Correct comprehension of the patient and proper application of the treatment modality are essential for the good result without recurrence after the treatment of varicose vein.

Immunohistochemical Study on the Distribution of Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein 7 (IGFBP7) in the Central Nervous System of Adult Rats / 체질인류학회지

In the present study, we performed immunohistochemical studies to investigate the detailed distribution of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) in the central nervous system of adult rats. Twelve adult (4~6 month old) Sprague-Dawley rats were examined in this study. Immunohistochemistry using specific antibodies against IGFBP7 was performed in accordance with the free-floating method. In the present study, IGFBP7 immunoreactivity was observed in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, brainstem, cerebellum and spinal cord. In the cerebral cortex, heavily stained neurons were seen in layers II-VI. In the hippocampus, pyramidal cells in CA1-3 region were strongly immunoreactive for IGFBP7. Strong immunoreactive neurons were also found in the supraoptic nucleus, paraventricular nucleus, periaqueductal gray and oculomotor nucleus. In the cerebellum, IGFBP7 immunoreactivity was prominent in the Purkinje cells and cerebellar output neurons. IGFBP7-immunoreactive neurons were prominent in the superior vestibular nucleus, cochlear nucleus, trigeminal motor nucleus, nucleus of the trapezoid, and facial nucleus. IGFBP7-immunoreactive neurons were also observed mainly in the anterior horn of the spinal cord. The first demonstration of IGFBP7 localization in the whole brain may provide useful data for the future investigations on the structural and functional properties of IGFBP7.

Angioleiomyosarcoma Arising from the Deep Femoral Vein: A report of one case / 대한흉부외과학회지

A 69-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for deep vein thrombosis, and he had experienced two episodes of left leg swelling: one happened after an 11 hour-air trip from Europe in June 2007, and the other developed 3 days after an operation for a herniated lumbar disc in July 2007. We treated him for a deep vein thrombosis of the deep femoral vein after admission. However, we arrived at the final diagnosis of angioleiomyosarcoma after the operation for the tentative diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis. We removed the firmly engorged deep femoral vein on the second operation. We report here on a case of angioleiomyosarcoma that arose from the deep femoral vein.

Intravenous Remifentanil Infusion during EVLT for Varicose Vein / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: We compared the analgesic effects of an intravenous infusion of remifentanil with local lidocaine injection during endovenous laser treatments (EVLT) for varicose veins. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In order to compare the efficacy of analgesia between the lidocaine group (n=15) and the remifentanil group (n=15), we measure the pain intensity of the patients, with using the visual analogue scale, during EVLT and at the first week, the second week, the third week and the fourth week after EVLT. RESULT: The remifentanil group showed significantly less pain intensity during EVLT (p0.3). CONCLUSION: The result showed that the intravenous infusion of remifentanil during EVLT can be a good option to reduce pain during EVLT for treating varicose veins.

Dental caries found in the human skull of Tang dynasty excavated fron Xi'an / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the status of dental caries in the human of Tang dynasty.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>All teeth in 62 human skulls of Tang dynasty excavated from the Chang'an county in Xi'an city were examined and analyzed by statistics. The difference of prevalence in different group including age, sex and tooth position was tested with Chi-square test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The prevalence of dental caries was 62.9%. And there were 92 caries teeth, which was 14.6% of the whole teeth. The root caries (33.3%) was more than the occlusal caries (28.7%). The most frequent recorded caries were the third molar, followed by the second molar, then the first molar. There was no significant difference between male and female.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The dental caries was popular in human of Tang dynasty, but the prevalence lowers than the modern people. And with the human evolution and the improvement of the social productivity, the prevalence of dental caries was gradually ascending.</p>

The Effects of Chest Injury in the Early Deaths of Trauma Patients / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: In the studies of the distribution of time to death in trauma patients, the early deaths within several hours after injury were a large component of total trauma deaths. Due to the development of trauma system, overall mortality of trauma was decreased, but trauma is still the major cause of deaths. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From January 1994 to December 2003, trauma patients who had been admitted and had expired at tertiary hospital were enrolled. There was a total of 400 cases, a retrospective study was done to determine the distribution of trauma mortality according to the part of the body that were severely injured part and compared the difference between early deaths within 6 hours and late deaths after 6 hours. We also analysed the risk factors of early deaths due to trauma. RESULT: In severe injury to the head and abdomen, the distribution of mortality was bimodal. But, in severe chest injuries, the distribution was log-shape and most early deaths were almost of trauma related. The average of GCS were 5.86+/-4.15 for the early deaths and 8.24+/-5.02 for the late deaths (p <0.05). The AIS of thorax were 2.66+/-1.87 for the early deaths and 1.55+/-1.76 for late deaths. The risk factors for early mortality were non-EMS transportation (odds ratio 3.474), high AIS (odds ratio 1.491) and GCS (odds ratio 0.859). CONCLUSION: In trauma patients, the causes of early mortality were severe brain injury and massive hemorrhage. Also severe chest injuries were the major cause of the early deaths in truama. Early diagnosis of chest injury can frequently be missed in the acute trauma setting. Therefore, high index of suspicion, a careful examination, and aggressive surgical treatment are important in multiple trauma patients.

Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Traumatic Diaphragm Injury and Comparison of Scoring Systems as Predictors / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Because of high morbidity and mortality, traumatic diaphragm injury remains a diagnostic challenge. In this study, we evaluate that some factors and scores can be used as predictors. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From May 1995 to June 2003, 23 patients with traumatic diaphragm injury were enrolled. We examined the clinical features of patients. RTS, TRISS, ISS and APACHE II scores for each patient are calculated for analyzing the relationship of mortality and ICU duration. RESULT: The study identified 15 men (65.2%) and 8 women (34.8%). There are right sided diaphragmatic injury in 11 patients (47.8%), left sided in 11 (47.8%), and both sided in 1 (0.4%). Plain X-ray, CT, upper GI contrast study and esophagogastroscopy were used as diagnostic tools. Age, hemodynamic status, early diagnosis are not associated with outcome. As prognostic factor, RTS and ISS are associated with mortality and there was negative relationship between RTS and ICU duration (r=0.737, p=0.026). CONCLUSION: An early diagnosis of traumatic diaphragm injury can frequently be missed in the acute trauma setting. So high index of suspicion and a careful examination are important in multiple trauma patients. An RTS can probably be used effectively as a predictor for the severity and prognosis in patients with traumatic diaphragm injury.

Study with large slice technique and tissue microarray on lymph node involvement and micro-metastasis of rectal cancer / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study lymph node involvement and micro-metastasis of rectal cancer with large slice technique and tissue microarray.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Large slice technique, combined with tissue microarray,was used in pathologic study of 31 patients after total mesorectal excision (TME) for rectal cancer.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Nine hundred and ninety- two lymph nodes were harvested and 148 were positive. More than 40% of positive lymph nodes were located in the outer layer of the mesorectum and in the same side of the mesorectum as the primary tumor was. Circumferential margin involvement was observed in 12 cases and correlated with the numbers of metastatic lymph nodes (Beta =1.166, P=0.041). Micrometastasis was found in 9 cases with negative pathological lymph nodes, but not correlated with tumor differentiation and stage (P> 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Large slice technique combined with tissue microarray facilitates the detection of lymph node involvement and micrometastasis. There is a predominance of lymph node metastasis in the outer layer and the same side of the mesorectum. Micrometastasis can be discovered in different stages of rectal cancer.</p>