A portrait drawing of the 17th century Korean scholar based on craniofacial reconstruction / 대한해부학회지

As a technique mainly hiring in forensic investigation field to identify the descents, craniofacial reconstruction (CFR) is also used in archaeology to create the faces from ancient or medieval human remains, when there is little information about his/her appearance. Eung-Cheok Ko (1531–1605) was a writer and scholar in the mid Joseon period. In January of 2019, His mummified body was found at Gumi, Kyeonsangbuk-do, Korea. The remains were anthropologically examined, and archaeological CFR was also requested for this case. This report reveals the case’s facial reconstruction process and his portrait that is drawn based on the 3-dimensional CFR result.

Bean extract-based gargle for efficient diagnosing COVID-19 at early-stage using rapid antigen tests: a clinical, prospective, diagnostic study

ImportanceThe antigen-based rapid diagnostic test (Ag-RDT), using saliva specimens, is fast, non-invasive and suitable for SARS-CoV-2 self-testing, unlike nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) testing. ObjectiveTo assess the diagnostic sensitivity of a novel Beanguard gargle (BG)-based virus detection method for early diagnosis of COVID-19. DesignThis clinical trial was conducted at Gunsan Medical Center, Namwon Medical Center, and Jeonbuk National University Hospital, between May 7 and July 7, 2021. SettingPaired NPS and BG-based saliva specimens collected from COVID-19 patients and healthy individuals were analyzed using NPS-RT-PCR, BG-RT-PCR, and BG-Ag-RDTs. ParticipantsThe study comprised 102 COVID-19-positive patients hospitalized after governmental screening process and 100 healthy individuals. Forty-five COVID-19 patients were sampled within 6 days of illness and 57 within 7-15 days; 27 were categorized as asymptomatic and 75, as symptomatic. Eight and 2 patients carried the SARS-CoV-2 Alpha and Delta variants, respectively. InterventionThe diagnostic performances of BG-Ag-RDT, BG-RT-PCR, and NPS-RT-PCR for detecting SARS-CoV-2 were compared. Main outcomesThe sensitivities of BG-Ag-RDT and BG-RT-PCR towards salivary viral detection were highly concordant, with no discrimination between symptomatic, asymptomatic, or SARS-CoV-2 variant cases. ResultsAmong total participants (mean age, 43.7 years), 51% were women. BG-Ag-RDTs showed high sensitivity (97.8%, [95% CI, 88.4% to 99.6%]) and specificity (100%, [95% CI, 96.3% to 100%) in 45 patients within 6 days of illness and could detect all cases of SARS-CoV-2 Alpha and Delta variants. In 11 asymptomatic early-stage cases, both BG-Ag-RDTs and BG-RT-PCR showed excellent sensitivity and specificity of 100% (95% CI, 74.1% to 100% and 95% CI, 20.7% to 100%, respectively). The interaction between SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins and truncated canavalin, an active ingredient from bean extract (BE) and the ultrastructural features of SARS-CoV-2 particles coated with BE were observed. The detachment of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain from hACE2 increased as the BE concentration increased, allowing the release of the virus from hACE2 for early diagnosis. Conclusions and RelevanceUsing BG-based saliva remarkably enhances the Ag-RDT diagnostic performance as an alternative to NPS and enables rapid and accurate COVID-19 self-testing and mass screening, supporting efficient COVID-19 management. Trial RegistrationKCT0006438 Key PointsO_ST_ABSQuestionC_ST_ABSHow can we collect SARS-CoV-2 from oral cavity to improve the sensitivity of antigen-based rapid diagnostic test (Ag-RDT)? FindingsIn this clinical study involving 102 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, the Ag-RDT test using Beanguard gargle-based saliva specimens showed significantly enhanced sensitivity and specificity towards detection of SARS-CoV-2 along with Alpha and Delta variants in all patients tested within 6 days of illness. MeaningOur self-testing method represents an attractive alternative to nasopharyngeal swab RT-PCR for the early diagnosis of symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19 cases.

Laparoscopy versus Open Nephroureterectomy in Prognostic Outcome of Patients with Advanced Upper Tract Urothelial Cancer: A Retrospective, Multicenter, Propensity-Score Matching Analysis / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare oncologic outcomes between open nephroureterectomy (ONU) and laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (LNU) in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of consecutive ONU and LNU cases from five tertiary institutions were retrospectively analyzed between 2000 and 2012. The propensity-score matching methodology was used to compare the two surgical approaches in terms of age, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, tumor location, grade, pathologic T and N categories, the presence of lymphovascular invasion, and follow-up duration. The Kaplan-Meier with log-rank tests and clustered Cox regression were used to compare the estimated rates of survival for each surgical approach and to investigate the effect of the surgical approach on each prognostic outcome. RESULTS: Six hundred thirty-eight propensity-score matching pairs (n=1,276) were compared; LNU was significantly better than ONU in all types of survival, including intravesical recurrence-free survival (IVRFS), disease-free survival, overall survival (OS), and cancer-specific survival (CSS) (p < 0.05). The 3-year OS and CSS rates were significantly higher with LNU than with ONU (p < 0.05). Compared with ONU, LNU had significantly better 3-year OS and CSS rates (82.9% and 86.2% vs. 78.3% and 81.8%); there were no differences at 5 years. In subgroup analysis of the early-staged group, advanced-stage group, lymph node–positive group, and lymph node–negative group, the two approaches did not significantly affect prognostic outcomes, except LNU improved the IVRFS in the lymph node–negative or no history of previous bladder cancer group. CONCLUSION: LNU had a significantly better prognostic outcome than ONU after propensity-score matching.

Application of the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Risk Models in Patients with Metastatic Non-Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Multi-Institutional Retrospective Study Using the Korean Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Registry / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: The International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC) and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) risk models were developed predominantly with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Accordingly, whether these two models could be applied to metastatic non-clear cell RCC (mNCCRCC) as well has not been well-known and was investigated herein. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From the Korean metastatic RCC registry, a total of 156 patients (8.1%) with mNCCRCC among the entire cohort of 1,922 patients were analyzed. Both models were applied to predict first-line progression-free survival (PFS), total PFS, and cancer-specific survival (CSS). RESULTS: The median first-line PFS, total PFS, and CSS were 5, 6, and 24 months, respectively. The IMDC risk model reliably discriminated three risk groups to predict survival: the median first-line PFS, total PFS, and CSS for the favorable, intermediate, and poor risk groups were 9, 5, and, 2 months (p=0.001); 14, 7, and 2 months (p < 0.001); and 41, 21, and 8 months (p < 0.001), all respectively. The MSKCC risk model also reliably differentiated three risk groups: 9, 5, and, 2 months (p=0.005); 10, 7, and 3 months (p=0.002); and 50, 21, and 8 months (p < 0.001), also all respectively. The concordance indices were 0.632 with the IMDC model and 0.643 with the MSKCC model for first-line PFS: 0.748 and 0.655 for CSS. CONCLUSION: The current IMDC and MSKCC risk models reliably predict first-line PFS, total PFS, and CSS in mNCCRCC.

Vocal Cord Palsy after Left Pulmonary Artery Stent Insertion / 전남의대학술지

No abstract available.

Prostatectomy Provides Better Symptom-Free Survival Than Radiotherapy Among Patients With High-Risk or Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer After Neoadjuvant Hormonal Therapy

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare the radiation therapy (RT) and radical prostatectomy (RP) of high-risk or locally advanced prostate cancer (PC) patients after neoadjuvant hormonal therapy (NHT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated patients underwent RT (42 patients) or RP (152 patients) after NHT at a single center during 2003–2014. Times to biochemical recurrence (BCR), pelvic local recurrence (PLR), metastasis, clinical painful symptom progression (CPSP), castration-resistant PC (CRPC), and overall survival were compared between the RT and RP groups, after adjustment for TN stage, using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. RESULTS: Significant inter-group differences were observed for age, Gleason score, initial PSA, and clinical and pathological T stages (all p 0.05). The independent predictor of CPSP was RP (hazard ratio, 0.291; p=0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Despite significantly different baseline parameters, RP provided better CPSP-free survival than RT among patients with localized high-risk or locally advanced PC.

Clinical application of S-Detect to breast masses on ultrasonography: a study evaluating the diagnostic performance and agreement with a dedicated breast radiologist

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of S-Detect when applied to breast ultrasonography (US), and the agreement with an experienced radiologist specializing in breast imaging. METHODS: From June to August 2015, 192 breast masses in 175 women were included. US features of the breast masses were retrospectively analyzed by a radiologist who specializes in breast imaging and S-Detect, according to the fourth edition of the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System lexicon and final assessment categories. Final assessments from S-Detect were in dichotomized form: possibly benign and possibly malignant. Kappa statistics were used to analyze the agreement between the radiologist and S-Detect. Diagnostic performance of the radiologist and S-Detect was calculated, including sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value, accuracy, and area under the receiving operator characteristics curve. RESULTS: Of the 192 breast masses, 72 (37.5%) were malignant, and 120 (62.5%) were benign. Benign masses among category 4a had higher rates of possibly benign assessment on S-Detect for the radiologist, 63.5% to 36.5%, respectively (P=0.797). When the cutoff was set at category 4a, the specificity, PPV, and accuracy was significantly higher in S-Detect compared to the radiologist (all P<0.05), with a higher area under the receiver operator characteristics curve of 0.725 compared to 0.653 (P=0.038). Moderate agreement (k=0.58) was seen in the final assessment between the radiologist and S-Detect. CONCLUSION: S-Detect may be used as an additional diagnostic tool to improve the specificity of breast US in clinical practice, and guide in decision making for breast masses detected on US.

Long-Term Prognosis for Patients with Kawasaki Disease Complicated by Large Coronary Aneurysm (diameter ≥6 mm)

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Some patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) develop large coronary aneurysms and subsequent coronary stenosis or obstruction, leading to ischemic heart disease. This study examined the long-term outcomes of patients with KD complicated by large coronary aneurysms. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The medical records of 71 patients (53 men and 18 women) diagnosed with large coronary aneurysms (diameter ≥6 mm) between December 1986 and December 2013 were retrospectively reviewed from our institutional database. RESULTS: The mean age at onset was 4.6±3.3 years, and the mean follow-up duration was 12.5±6.9 years. Maximum coronary artery internal diameter ranged from 6.1 to 25 mm. Giant coronary aneurysms occurred in 48 patients and coronary aneurysms 6-8 mm in diameter developed in 23 patients. Coronary stenosis and/or complete occlusion occurred in 30 patients (42.3%). Catheter and/or surgical interventions (mean: 1.5 interventions, range: 1-5 interventions) were performed in 20 patients (28.2%), 9 months to 18 years after KD onset, resulting in 33.7% cumulative coronary intervention rates at 20 years after onset. There were no differences in cumulative coronary intervention rates between two coronary aneurysm groups (6-8 mm vs. ≥8 mm). Myocardial infarction occurred in 7 patients with a giant aneurysm and there was one death. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term survival of patients with KD complicated by large coronary aneurysm was good even though 28.2% of patients underwent multiple catheter or surgical interventions. Careful follow-up is also necessary in KD patients with coronary aneurysms 6-8 mm in diameter, such as those with giant aneurysms.

The Effects of Abdominal Obesity on the Increased Prevalence Rate of Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Patients

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between abdominal obesity, benign prostatic hyperplasia, hypertension and diabetes mellitus. METHODS: A total of 318 male subjects aged 50 years and older participated in this study after excluding the subjects with cancer or missing information about diabetes or hypertension from five outpatient clinics in Seoul and the suburbs. Abdominal obesity was evaluated using visceral fat area, and the prevalence of benign prostatic hyperplasia was assessed via the International Prostate Symptom Score. The presence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus was determined by questionnaire. RESULTS: Abdominal obesity was related with benign prostatic hyperplasia and both abdominal obesity and benign prostatic hyperplasia were related with the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Benign prostatic hyperplasia patients with abdominal obesity exhibited a higher prevalence rate of hypertension and diabetes mellitus than those without abdominal obesity. In patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia, abdominal obesity exhibited a significantly association with the presence of diabetes mellitus, but no association was observed regarding the prevalence of hypertension. CONCLUSION: Benign prostatic hyperplasia and abdominal obesity increase the prevalence rate of hypertension and diabetes mellitus, respectively. In particular, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus, but not hypertension, was associated with abdominal obesity in benign prostatic hyperplasia patients.

Effects of Logotherapy on Life Respect, Meaning of Life, and Depression of Older School-age Children

PURPOSE: This study was done to identify effects of a life-esteemed education applied logotherapy on life respect, meaning of life, and depression on older elementary school students. METHODS: A nonequivalent control group and non-synchronized design was conducted with a convenience sample of 142 students. The program named 'My Precious Life'. consisted of one session per week for five weeks. Students were assigned to the experimental group (n=70) or the control group (72). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square, Fisher's exact test, t-test, and repeated measured ANOVA with the SPSS/PC 18.0 program. RESULTS: Meaning of life and life respect increased significantly and depression decreased significantly for participants in the experimental group. CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicate that life-esteemed education applied logotherapy is effective in improving meaning of life and life respect and in decreasing depression in elementary school students. It can also be used to prevent existential distress and to intervene as a motif for having hope in life.

Development of a CD Program Applied Logotherapy for Psycho.Spiritual Care of Late Adolescents with Terminal Cancer / 한국호스피스완화의료학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop a CD program of applied logotherapy for psycho.spiritual care of late adolescents with terminal cancer. METHODS: Keller & Song's ARCS theory and a model for developing learning materials was applied to develop this program composed four distinct phases: planning, designing, developing, and evaluation stages. RESULTS: This program was entitled 'Finding meaning in my life' and consisted of 5 sessions and its educational contents were made up as follows:[First Secret] is 'learning three natures of the human mind', [Second Secret] is 'learning creative values first method to find meaning of life', [Third Secret] is 'learning experiential value as second method to find meaning of life', [Fourth Secret ] is 'learning attitudinal value as third method to find meaning of life', and [Fifth Secret] is 'Becoming the master of my life'. The sub-menu was made up of 'Beginning', 'Opening mind', 'Learning'. 'Laughing Song', 'Experiencing'. CONCLUSION: This CD program applied logotherapy with flash animation technique as an emotional and spiritual nursing intervention program for easier and more scientific application in pediatric oncology and hospice care area.

A Study on the Relationship between Self-Esteem and Meaning of Life in Higher Grade Elementary School Students

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between self-esteem and meaning of life in higher grade elementary school students. METHODS: Four hundred eighty four elementary school students in their 4 ~ 6th-grade at S, G and C City were recruited by convenient sampling. Data were collected from August to October, 2008 using a self-reported questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed by the SPSS/WIN 12.0 program with mean, standard deviation, t-test, ANOVA, Duncan's test, and Pearson's correlation. RESULTS: The average score of meaning of life was 3.07 +/- 0.38 and that of self-esteem was 3.43 +/- 0.62. There were significant differences in self-esteem according to variables region and religion, and in meaning of life scores according to variables region, grade, sex and religion. There was a significant positive correlation between self-esteem and meaning of life. CONCLUSION: Self-esteem and meaning of life should be considered as important factors for healthy development in the elementary school period. Self-esteem should be considered as a main content in developing programs for finding meaning of life for higher grade elementary school students.

Reliability and Validity of an Instrument for Adolescents Meaning in Life Scale(AMIL) / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to test the reliability and validity of an MIL instrument for adolescents. METHOD: The research design was a three-phase, methodological study. 1) The original 46 items of the Meaning in Life (MIL) Scale were reviewed and corrected partially by 20 adolescents. 2) The content was validated by an expert panel (n=15) and adolescents (n=5). 3) The instrument was validated by survey (n=468). Finally, 33 items were chosen for the adolescents meaning in life(AMIL) scale. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the 33 items was .92, confirming the high internal consistency of the instrument. 2) Eight factors were extracted through factor analysis: 'experience of love', 'making efforts for goal', 'awareness of essential being', 'awareness of self limitation', 'feeling of satisfaction', 'relation experience', 'positive thinking', and 'hope'. These factors explained 58.26% of the total variance. CONCLUSION: AMIL Scale was identified as a tool with a high degree of reliability and validity. The tool can therefore be effectively utilized to assess the degree of meaning of life in caring areas for adolescents. Studies on AMIL of different adolescent subjects are needed for further verification.

Improve Effects of Saengshik on Patient with Fatty Liver and Hyperlipidemia in Murine

To examine the effect of Saengshik on parameters related to hepatoprotective, anthropometric, blood pressure, serum lipid and blood related indices, nonalcoholic fatty liver subjects were treated with two meal portion of Saengshik in the replacement of meals for a period of three months. Weight, Body Mass Index (BMI) and systolic blood pressure were significantly decreased after the treatment. Chronically elevated serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-Glutamyl transferase (r-GTP) and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) levels showed reduction to the near normal range. Serum total triglyceride level were reduced following the treatment. Whereas, there were no changes of serum total cholesterol with Saengshik consumption. Also, additional study was conducted to investigate the effect of Saengshik supplementation to high cholesterol and fat diet on lipid metabolism in rats. Male Spraque-Dawley rats were administrated hyperlipidemiainducing diet containing 1% cholesterol and 10% lard to induce hyperlipidemia for 4 weeks and were fed on diet containing Saengshik (30%, w/w) for 7 weeks. The feeding of diet containing 30% Shaengshik significantly decreased total cholesterol (TC) contents and total triglyceride. These results demonstrate Saengshik may be beneficial for fatty liver patients in improving their lipid metabolism.