Multi-view Cross-Modality MR Image Translation for Vestibular Schwannoma and Cochlea Segmentation

In this work, we propose a multi-view image translation framework, which can translate contrast-enhanced T1 (ceT1) MR imaging to high-resolution T2 (hrT2) MR imaging for unsupervised vestibular schwannoma and cochlea segmentation. We adopt two image translation models in parallel that use a pixel-level consistent constraint and a patch-level contrastive constraint, respectively. Thereby, we can augment pseudo-hrT2 images reflecting different perspectives, which eventually lead to a high-performing segmentation model. Our experimental results on the CrossMoDA challenge show that the proposed method achieved enhanced performance on the vestibular schwannoma and cochlea segmentation.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure

Comparison of total body irradiation-based or non-total body irradiation-based conditioning regimens for allogeneic stem cell transplantation in pediatric leukemia patients

Purpose : This study aims to compare the outcome of total body irradiation (TBI)- or non-TBI-containing conditioning regimens for leukemia in children. Methods : We retrospectively evaluated 77 children conditioned with TBI (n=40) or non-TBI (n=37) regimens, transplanted at Chonnam National University Hospital between January 1996 and December 2007. The type of transplantation, disease status at the time of transplant, conditioning regimen, engraftment kinetics, development of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), complications, cause of deaths, overall survival (OS), and event-free survival (EFS) were compared between the 2 groups. Results : Among 34 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), 28 (82.4%) were in the TBI group, while 72.7% (24/33) of patients with myeloid leukemia were in the non-TBI group. Although the 5-year EFS of the 2 groups was similar for all patients (62% vs 63%), the TBI group showed a better 5-year EFS than the non-TBI group when only ALL patients were analyzed (65% vs 17%&#59; P =0.005). In acute myelogenous leukemia patients, the non-TBI group had better survival tendency (73% vs 38%&#59; P=0.089). The incidence of GVHD, engraftment, survival, cause of death, and late complications was not different between the 2 groups. Conclusion : The TBI and non-TBI groups showed comparable results, but the TBI group showed a significantly higher 5-year EFS than the non-TBI group in ALL patients. Further prospective, randomized controlled studies involving larger number of patients are needed to assess the late-onset complications and to compare the socioeconomic quality of life

Genetic Variations Mir-10Aa\u3eT, Mir-30Ca\u3eG, Mir-181At\u3eC, and Mir-499Ba\u3eG and the Risk of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss in Korean Women

This study investigated the genetic association between recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and microRNA (miRNA) polymorphisms in miR-10aA\u3eT, miR-30cA\u3eG, miR-181aT\u3eC, and miR-499bA\u3eG in Korean women. Blood samples were collected from 381 RPL patients and 281 control participants, and genotyping of miR-10aA\u3eT, miR-30cA\u3eG, miR-181aT\u3eC, and miR-499bA\u3eG was carried out by TaqMan miRNA RT-Real Time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Four polymorphisms were identified, including miR-10aA\u3eT, miR-30cA\u3eG, miR-181aT\u3eC, and miR-499bA\u3eG. MiR-10a dominant model (AA vs. AT + TT) and miR-499bGG genotypes were associated with increased RPL risk (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.520, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.038−2.227, p = 0.032; AOR = 2.956, 95% CI = 1.168−7.482, p = 0.022, respectively). Additionally, both miR-499 dominant (AA vs. AG + GG) and recessive (AA + AG vs. GG) models were significantly associated with increased RPL risk (AOR = 1.465, 95% CI = 1.062−2.020, p = 0.020; AOR = 2.677, 95% CI = 1.066−6.725, p = 0.036, respectively). We further propose that miR-10aA\u3eT, miR-30cA\u3eG, and miR-499bA\u3eG polymorphisms effects could contribute to RPL and should be considered during RPL patient evaluation

Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Kinase 4 Promotes Vascular Calcification via SMAD1/5/8 Phosphorylation

Vascular calcification, a pathologic response to defective calcium and phosphate homeostasis, is strongly associated with cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. In this study, we have observed that pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4) is upregulated and pyruvate dehydrogenase complex phosphorylation is increased in calcifying vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and in calcified vessels of patients with atherosclerosis, suggesting that PDK4 plays an important role in vascular calcification. Both genetic and pharmacological inhibition of PDK4 ameliorated the calcification in phosphate-treated VSMCs and aortic rings and in vitamin D3-treated mice. PDK4 augmented the osteogenic differentiation of VSMCs by phosphorylating SMAD1/5/8 via direct interaction, which enhances BMP2 signaling. Furthermore, increased expression of PDK4 in phosphate-treated VSMCs induced mitochondrial dysfunction followed by apoptosis. Taken together, our results show that upregulation of PDK4 promotes vascular calcification by increasing osteogenic markers with no adverse effect on bone formation, demonstrating that PDK4 is a therapeutic target for vascular calcification

Clinical Review of Endogenous Endophthalmitis in Korea: A 14-Year Review of Culture Positive Cases of Two Large Hospitals

PURPOSE: To identify the clinical features and outcomes of endogenous endophthalmitis in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 18 patients with endogenous endophthalmitis at 2 Korean hospitals, treated over a 14 year period between January 1993 and December 2006. RESULTS: The comorbidities observed in these cases were diabetes mellitus and liver cirrhosis. The most common pathogens, which were found in 7 patients each (38.9%), were Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. All patients were treated with systemic antibiotics and fortified topical antibiotics. A surgical approach including vitrectomy was performed in 9 cases (50.0%). The prognosis was generally poor, and visual acuity improved slightly in 6 patients (33.3%). CONCLUSION: In this study, diabetes mellitus and Klebsiella pneumonia showed a close relationship with endogenous endophthalmitis, respectively. Endogenous endophthalmitis is a serious risk to sight and careful attention to establishing the diagnosis and management may decrease the ocular morbidity.ope

International Child Development Accounts

This Working Paper has been submitted for inclusion in the new online edition of theEncyclopedia of Social Work, which is published by Oxford University Press. The paper discusses efforts to implement Child Development Accounts in the United States and numerous other countries. Child Development Accounts (CDAs) are subsidized savings or investment accounts to help people accumulate assets for developmental purposes and life course needs. They are envisioned as universal (everyone participates), progressive (greater subsidies for the poor), and potentially lifelong national policy. These features distinguish CDAs from most existing asset-building policies and programs around the world, which are typically regressive, giving greater benefits to the well-off. With policy innovation in recent years, several countries now have national CDA policies, and four states in the United States have statewide programs. Some of these are designed to be universal and progressive. Evidence indicates that true universality can be achieved, but only with automatic account opening and automatic deposits. In the absence of automatic features, advantaged families participate and benefit more. Today, momentum for universal and automatic features is gradually gaining traction and accelerating. At this stage in the emergence of inclusive asset-based policy, this is the most important development

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in Korea: results from the Korean Heart Rhythm Society Ablation Registry for Atrial Fibrillation (KARA)

Background This study aims to investigate the current status of AF (atrial fibrillation) catheter ablation in Korea. Methods The patients who underwent AF catheter ablation from September 2017 to December 2019 were prospectively enrolled from 37 arrhythmia centers. Demographic data, procedural characteristics, the extent of catheter ablation, acute success of the ablation lesion set, rate and independent risk factor for recurrence of AF were analyzed. Results A total of 2402 AF patients [paroxysmal AF (PAF) 45.7%, persistent AF (PeAF) 43.1% and redo AF 11.2%] were included. Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) was performed in 2378 patients (99%) and acute success rate was 97.9%. Additional non-PV ablation (NPVA) were performed in 1648 patients (68.6%). Post-procedural complication rate was 2.2%. One-year AF-free survival rate was 78.6% and the PeAF patients showed poorer survival rate than the ones with other types (PeAF 72.4%, PAF 84.2%, redo AF 80.0%). Additional NPVA did not influence the recurrence of AF in the PAF patients (PVI 17.0% vs. NPVA 14.6%, P value 0.302). However, it showed lower AF recurrence rate in the PeAF patients (PVI 34.9% vs. NPVA 24.4%, P value 0.001). Valvular heart disease, left atrial diameter, PeAF, PVI alone, need of NPVA for terminating AF, and failed ablation were independent predictors of AF recurrence. Conclusions Additional NPVA was associated better rhythm outcome in the patients with PeAF, not in the ones with PAF. The independent risk factors for AF recurrence in Korean population were similar to previous studies. Further research is needed to discover optimal AF ablation strategy.This nationwide registry study was supported by a grant from the Korean Heart Rhythm Society 2017

Very Late Stent Thrombosis due to Neointimal Rupture After Paclitaxel-Eluting Stent Implantation

We report our experience of very late stent thrombosis (VLST) in a young male patient who underwent implantation of two paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES) six years ago. The patient was compliant with standard dual antiplatelet therapy, but he presented with acute myocardial infarction which was associated with VLST. Intravascular ultrasound showed neointimal rupture with thrombus within the PES implanted in the right coronary artery. The lesion was successfully treated with balloon angioplasty without complications, however he was found to be hyporesponsive to clopidogrel when tested for adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet aggregation. The patient was discharged after uneventful recovery with triple anti-platelet therapy using aspirin, clopidogrel and cilostazol. To the best of our knowledge, a time interval of 2,223 days is the longest reported time interval between PES deployment and VLST occurrence. VLST may indeed occur in clinically stable patients, as multiple factors can influence the pathological mechanisms of VLST