Endoscopic Thyroidectomy via an Axillo-Breast Approach without Gas Insufflation for Benign Thyroid Nodules and Micropapillary Carcinomas: Preliminary Results

PURPOSE: To examine the feasibility of endoscopic thyroidectomy (ET) via an axillo- breast approach without gas insufflation for large thyroid tumors and micropapillary carcinomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patients in the benign group were separated into groups 1 (n=95, <4 cm in tumor diameter) and 2 (n=37, ≥4 cm in tumor diameter). Also, 57 patients in the micropapillary carcinoma group underwent an endoscopic hemithyroidectomy (HT) (group 3) and were compared with 60 patients who received conventional open HT (group 4). Postoperative functional outcome, local complications, surgical outcomes, and pathological outcomes were compared between the groups. RESULTS: In the benign group, there was no significant difference in mean operating time, hospital stay, or overall perioperative complications between the two groups. In the micropapillary carcinoma group, mean operating time and hospital stay in group 3 were significantly longer than in group 4 (p=0.015 and p≤0.001). The overall perioperative complications did not differ significantly between the groups. The postoperative cosmetic result was better in groups 1-3 (endo group) than in group 4 (open group). CONCLUSION: ET via a gasless axillo-breast approach seems to be a safe procedure even for benign thyroid lesions ≥4 cm and micropapillary carcinomas. Although it has the advantage of better cosmetic results over open thyroidectomy, there is room for improvement in terms of lessening its invasiveness and shortening the operative time.ope

Peliosis Hepatis with Hemorrhagic Necrosis and Rupture: a Case Report with Emphasis on the Multi-Detector CT Findings

We report here on an uncommon case of peliosis hepatis with hemorrhagic necrosis that was complicated by massive intrahepatic bleeding and rupture, and treated by emergent right lobectomy. We demonstrate the imaging findings, with emphasis on the triphasic, contrast-enhanced multidetector CT findings, as well as reporting the clinical outcome in a case of peliosis hepatis with fatal hemorrhage

Traumatic Experiences and Mental Health of North Korean Refugees in South Korea

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted at Hanawon-a government sponsored educational facility for the settlement of North Korean refugees during their initial phase in South Korea-in 2004 to explore their mental health status and traumatic experiences in North Korea and during their escape period. METHODS: A survey was conducted in November 2004 with 62 North Korean refugees at Hanawon, and the Trauma Checklist was used to measure their traumatic experiences. To measure their psychological-mental health status, the Personality Assessment Inventory was administered. RESULTS: In comparison with the traumatic experiences of the North Korean refugees found in the study conducted in 2001 at Hanawon using the same methods, the current study showed a relatively lower frequency of traumatic experiences among the participants. The Personality Assessment Inventory results revealed that the study participants scored higher than average South Koreans in all clinical scales. Particularly, their mania (62.51) and schizophrenia (61.75) scores were above 60, a clinically meaningful score. In the gender comparison, the males exhibited meaningfully higher levels of alcohol problem, non-support, and warmth scale scores. CONCLUSION: Compared to the 2001 study, the overall traumatic experiences among North Korean refugees participated in this study. But continous support is necessary for their successful adaptation to South Korean Society have declined. The North Korean refugees at Hanawon experienced difficulties maintaining their mental health and the men in particular requested more intensive care and support for this purpose.ope

악성림프종에서 SV40 Large T Antigen의 검색

Background : The association of simian virus 40 (SV40) with certain types of human cancers, including malignant lymphomas, has been a topic of interest for some time. Although the virus is distributed worldwide, its incidences vary according to the specific types of tumors, and the epidemiological areas. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of SV40 in malignant lymphomas among Korean patients. Methods : One hundred seventy three cases of malignant lymphomas were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining for SV40 large T antigen (TAg), using an extremely sensitive, tyramide based, catalyzed signal amplification method. Results: From 158 non-Hodgkin`s lymphomas, including 115 diffuse large B-cell lymphomas, and 15 Hodgkin`s lymphomas, none of the cases were positive for SV40 TAg. Conclusions : SV40 does not appear to be related to the pathogenesis of malignant lymphomas among Koreans.Amara K, 2007, INT J CANCER, V121, P2693, DOI 10.1002/ijc.23038Lee HS, 2007, CLIN CANCER RES, V13, P4154, DOI 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-07-0173Shah KV, 2007, INT J CANCER, V120, P215, DOI 10.1002/ijc.22425Vilchez RA, 2006, HUM PATHOL, V37, P1130, DOI 10.1016/j.humpath.2006.04.020Doerries K, 2006, ADV EXP MED BIOL, V577, P102Vilchez RA, 2005, VIROLOGY, V342, P38, DOI 10.1016/j.virol.2005.06.053Paik JH, 2005, HISTOPATHOLOGY, V47, P281, DOI 10.1111/j.1365-2559.2005.02222.xSui LF, 2005, PATHOLOGY, V37, P157, DOI 10.1080/00313020500058474Heinsohn S, 2005, HAEMATOLOGICA, V90, P94VILCHEZ RA, 2005, HAEMATOLOGICA, V90, P6Jin M, 2004, J MED VIROL, V74, P668Brousset P, 2004, INT J CANCER, V112, P533, DOI 10.1002/IJC.20397Barbanti-Brodano G, 2004, VIROLOGY, V318, P1, DOI 10.1016/j.virol.2003.09.004Nakatsuka S, 2003, CANCER RES, V63, P7606MacKenzie J, 2003, J NATL CANCER I, V95, P1001Vilchez RA, 2003, AM J MED, V114, P675, DOI 10.1016/S002-9343(03)0087-1Chang MS, 2003, J PATHOL, V199, P447, DOI 10.1002/path.1302Vivaldi A, 2003, J CLIN ENDOCR METAB, V88, P892, DOI 10.1210/jc.2002-020436STRATTON K, 2003, IMMUNIZATION SAFETYVilchez RA, 2002, LANCET, V359, P817Shivapurkar N, 2002, LANCET, V359, P851JAFFE E, 2001, PATHOLOGY GENETICS TMartini F, 1998, INT J CANCER, V78, P669NUMA F, 1995, CANCER RES, V55, P4676GLUZMAN Y, 1981, CELL, V23, P175ONEILL FJ, 1981, VIROLOGY, V112, P800FRAUMENI JF, 1963, JAMA-J AM MED ASSOC, V185, P713

Principal components ancestry adjustment for Genetic Analysis Workshop 17 data

Statistical tests on rare variant data may well have type I error rates that differ from their nominal levels. Here, we use the Genetic Analysis Workshop 17 data to estimate type I error rates and powers of three models for identifying rare variants associated with a phenotype: (1) by using the number of minor alleles, age, and smoking status as predictor variables; (2) by using the number of minor alleles, age, smoking status, and the identity of the population of the subject as predictor variables; and (3) by using the number of minor alleles, age, smoking status, and ancestry adjustment using 10 principal component scores. We studied both quantitative phenotype and a dichotomized phenotype. The model with principal component adjustment has type I error rates that are closer to the nominal level of significance of 0.05 for single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in noncausal genes for the selected phenotype than the model directly adjusting for population. The principal component adjustment model type I error rates are also closer to the nominal level of 0.05 for noncausal SNPs located in causal genes for the phenotype. The power for causal SNPs with the principal component adjustment model is comparable to the power of the other methods. The power using the underlying quantitative phenotype is greater than the power using the dichotomized phenotype

KITENIN increases invasion and migration of mouse squamous cancer cells and promotes pulmonary metastasis in a mouse squamous tumor model

AbstractKAI1 C-terminal interacting tetraspanin (KITENIN) is reported to promote metastasis in mouse colon cancer models. We investigated the role of KITENIN on the progression of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). In a preliminary clinical study using resected tissues from head and neck SCC patients, KITENIN was highly expressed in tumors and metastatic lymph nodes, while KAI1 was more increased in adjacent mucosa than in tumor. KITENIN-transfected mouse squamous cancer (SCC VII/KITENIN) cells showed significantly higher invasion, migration, and proliferation than empty vector-transfected cells. In syngeneic mouse squamous tumor models, more increased tumor volume and enhanced lung metastasis were found in SCC VII/KITENIN cells-injected mice. Thus, KITENIN increases invasion and migration of squamous cancer cells and thereby promotes distant metastasis in mouse squamous tumor models

Is Cognitive Function in Adults with Hearing Impairment Improved by the Use of Hearing Aids?

ObjectivesIn the present study, we investigated whether speech-related cognitive function and speech recognition ability under background noise in adults with hearing impairment are improved with the use of hearing aids.MethodsParticipants were recruited from the ENT Department of Eulji Hospital from September 2008 to July 2009. The study group comprised 18 participants (mean age, 69.5±8.3 years) with sensorineural hearing loss who were fitted with hearing aids, and the control group comprised 11 participants of equivalent age (mean age, 63.1±11.8 years) who were not fitted with hearing aids. All participants were assessed using the computerized Korean visual verbal learning test (VVLT) and words-in-noise (WIN) test prior to fitting of hearing aids for the study group and initially for the control group. Both groups were reassessed in both tests after 6 months. For each group, differences in the results between the two assessments were compared using the Friedman test.ResultsThere was no difference in mean age between the study group and control group. In the study group, total VVLT score (reflecting short-term memory) was significantly improved from before hearing aid use to 6 months after hearing aid use (P0.05).ConclusionThe speech-related cognitive function of individuals with hearing impairment improved after using hearing aids. This finding indicates that hearing aids may induce acclimatization of the central auditory system

Correlation of Swallowing Function With Bilateral Diaphragmatic Movement in Hemiplegic Stroke Patients

Objective To investigate difference in bilateral diaphragm movement of patients with tracheal aspiration according to post stroke residue severity and determine correlations of Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS), residue scale, and bilateral diaphragm movement. Methods A total of 47 patients diagnosed with hemiplegic stroke were enrolled in this study. PAS, severity of valleculae, and pyriform sinus retention during videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) were assessed. Bilateral fluoroscopic diaphragm movements during spontaneous breathing and forced breathing were measured. Results Patients with tracheal aspiration (PAS≥6) had significantly (p=0.035) lower ipsilateral diaphragm movement during spontaneous breathing. Post-swallow residue severity showed statistically significant (p=0.028) difference in patients with ipsilateral diaphragm movement during forced breathing. In linear regression analysis, PAS showed weak correlations with ipsilateral spontaneous diaphragm movement (r=0.397, p=0.006), ipsilateral forced diaphragm movement (r=0.384, p=0.008), and contralateral forced diaphragm movement (r=0.323, p=0.027). Weak correlation was also observed between post swallow residue severity and ipsilateral diaphragm movement during spontaneous breathing (r=0.331, p=0.023) and forced breathing (r=0.343, p=0.018). Conclusion We confirmed the relationship between swallowing function and bilateral diaphragm movement in this study. The severity of dysphagia after hemiplegic stroke was correlated with bilateral diaphragm movement. Further longitudinal studies are needed to assess the effect of breathing exercise on post-stroke dysphagia

Epithelial Barrier Theory: The Role of Exposome, Microbiome, and Barrier Function in Allergic Diseases

Allergic diseases are a major public health problem with increasing prevalence. These immune-mediated diseases are characterized by defective epithelial barriers, which are explained by the epithelial barrier theory and continuously emerging evidence. Environmental exposures (exposome) including global warming, changes and loss of biodiversity, pollution, pathogens, allergens and mites, laundry and dishwasher detergents, surfactants, shampoos, body cleaners and household cleaners, microplastics, nanoparticles, toothpaste, enzymes and emulsifiers in processed foods, and dietary habits are responsible for the mucosal and skin barrier disruption. Exposure to barrier-damaging agents causes epithelial cell injury and barrier damage, colonization of opportunistic pathogens, loss of commensal bacteria, decreased microbiota diversity, bacterial translocation, allergic sensitization, and inflammation in the periepithelial area. Here, we review scientific evidence on the environmental components that impact epithelial barriers and microbiome composition and their influence on asthma and allergic diseases. We also discuss the historical overview of allergic diseases and the evolution of the hygiene hypothesis with theoretical evidence