Automatic segmentation of large bowl obstruction area with hough transform from erect abdominal radiograph images

Large bowel obstruction is less frewuent but often appears acute and needs emergent treatment. Erect abdominal radiograph is usually the first imaging study performed in patients suspected of having large bowel obstruction. However, that mordality suffers from operator subjectivity thus a fully automatic computer aied tool is necessary. In this paper, we peopose an automatic large bowel feature (air-fluid region) segmentation method based on Canny edge detection and Hough transform. In experiment, the proposed method was successful in finding target region from large bowel obstruction patients’ radiographic images in all 30 cases provided. Whilie limited only applicable to the large bowel obstruction cases, the proposed method is practically feasible in application

Bloody nipple discharge in an infant

Although milky nipple discharge appears frequently in infants, bloody nipple discharge is a very rare finding. We experienced a 4-month-old, breast-fed infant who showed bilateral bloody nipple discharge with no signs of infection, engorgement, or hypertrophy. The infant's hormonal examination and coagulation tests were normal, and an ultrasound examination revealed mammary duct ectasia. The symptoms resolved spontaneously within 6 weeks without any specific treatment, except that we advised the mother to refrain from taking herbal medicine. Since no such case has been previously reported in Korea, we present this case with a brief review of the literature

Vertical ridge augmentation feasibility using unfixed collagen membranes and particulate bone substitutes: A 1- to 7-year retrospective single-cohort observational study

AIM To determine whether vertical ridge augmentation (VRA) can be obtained through guided bone regeneration (GBR) using exclusively resorbable collagen membranes and particulate bone substitutes without additional stabilization. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study retrospectively examined 22 participants who underwent VRA with staged or simultaneous implant placement. The vertical defects of all participants were filled with particulate bone substitutes and covered with resorbable collagen membranes. The augmented sites were stabilized with unfixed collagen membranes and the flap without any additional fixation. The augmented tissue height was assessed using cone-beam computed tomography at baseline, immediately after surgery, and at annual follow-ups. RESULTS The vertical bone gain of the 22 augmented sites amounted to 6.48 ± 2.19 mm (mean ± SD) immediately after surgery and 5.78 ± 1.72 mm at 1- to 7-year follow-up. Of the 22 augmented sites, 18 exhibited changes of less than 1 mm, while the other 4 showed changes of greater than 1 mm. Histological observation of three representative cases revealed new bone apposition on the remaining material. CONCLUSION The present findings indicate that GBR procedures using exclusively collagen membranes and particulate biomaterials without any additional fixation are feasible options for VRA

Point Mutation of Hoxd12 in Mice

Purpose: Genes of the HoxD cluster play a major role in vertebrate limb development, and changes that modify the Hoxd12 locus affect other genes also, suggesting that HoxD function is coordinated by a control mechanism involving multiple genes during limb morphogenesis. In this study, mutant phenotypes were produced by treatment of mice with chemical mutagen, N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU). We analyzed mutant mice exhibiting the specific microdactyly phenotype and examined the genes affected. Materials and Methods: We focused on phenotype characteristics including size, bone formation, and digit morphology of ENU-induced microdactyly mice. The expressions of several molecules were analyzed by genome-wide screening and quantitative real-time PCR to define the affected genes. Results: We report on limb phenotypes of an ENU-induced A-to-C mutation in the Hoxd12 gene, resulting in alanine-to-serine conversion. Microdactyly mice exhibited growth defects in the zeugopod and autopod, shortening of digits, a missing tip of digit I, limb growth affected, and dramatic increases in the expressions of Fgf4 and Lmx1b. However, the expression level of Shh was not changed Hoxd12 point mutated mice. Conclusion: These results suggest that point mutation rather than the entire deletion of Hoxd12, such as in knockout and transgenic mice, causes the abnormal limb phenotype in microdactyly mice. The precise nature of the spectrum of differences requires further investigation.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

PD-1 deficiency protects experimental colitis via alteration of gut microbiota

Programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) is a coinhibitory molecule and plays a pivotal role in immune regulation. Here, we demonstrate a role for PD-1 in pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Wild-type (WT) mice had severe wasting disease during experimentally induced colitis, while mice deficient for PD-1 (PD-1(-/-)) did not develop colon inflammation. Interestingly, PD-1(-/-) mice cohoused with WT mice became susceptible to colitis, suggesting that resistance of PD-1(-/-) mice to colitis is dependent on their gut microbiota. 16S rRNA gene-pyrosequencing analysis showed that PD-1(-/-) mice had altered composition of gut microbiota with significant reduction in Rikenellaceae family. These altered colon bacteria of PD-1(-/-) mice induced less amount of inflammatory mediators from colon epithelial cells, including interleukin (IL)-6, and inflammatory chemokines. Taken together, our study indicates that PD-1 expression is involved in the resistance to experimental colitis through altered bacterial communities of colon.112Ysciescopuskc

Quantitative Iodine-123 single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography for Iodine-131 therapy of an autonomously functioning thyroid nodule

Purpose Autonomously functioning thyroid nodules (AFTNs) are treated with iodine-131 (I-131) therapy, which increases the risk of permanent hypothyroidism; however, the risk can be reduced by separately estimating the accumulated activity for the AFTN and extranodular thyroid tissue (ETT). Methods A quantitative I-123 single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT (5mCi) was performed in one patient with unilateral AFTN and T3 thyrotoxicosis. The I-123 concentrations measured at 24h were 12.26µCi/mL and 0.11µCi/mL in the AFTN and contralateral ETT, respectively. Thus, the I-131 concentrations and radioactive iodine uptake expected at 24h by 5mCi of I-131 were 38.59µCi/mL and 0.31 for the AFTN and 0.34µCi/mL and 0.007 for the contralateral ETT. The weight was calculated as CT-measured volume multiplied by 1.03. Results In the AFTN patient with thyrotoxicosis, we administered 30mCi of I-131, which would maximize the 24-h I-131 concentration in the AFTN (226.86µCi/g) and maintain a tolerable concentration in the ETT (1.97µCi/g). The percentage of I-131 uptake at 48h post I-131 administration was 62.6%. The patient achieved a euthyroid state at 14weeks and maintained the state until 2years post I-131 administration with an AFTN volume reduction of 61.38%. Conclusion The pre-therapeutic planning of quantitative I-123 SPECT/CT may enable a therapeutic window for I-131 therapy, which directs optimal I-131 activity to effectively treat AFTN while preserving the normal thyroid tissue.Key points Question: Is it feasible for I-123 SPECT/CT to be used for planning of I-131 therapy in an autonomously functioning thyroid nodule (AFTN)? Pertinent findings: The radioactive iodine uptake of the AFTN and extranodular normal thyroid tissue can be accurately estimated using the I-123 quantitative SPECT/CT. Implications for patient care: Patient-tailored I-131 therapy can be possible using the pre-therapeutic I-123 SPECT/CT-based planning in patients with AFTN.This study was supported by a grant from the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital Research Fund (Grant No. 02-2021-0050)

How lessons learned from the 2015 Middle East respiratory syndrome outbreak affected the response to coronavirus disease 2019 in the Republic of Korea

The Republic of Korea (ROK) experienced a public health crisis due to Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) in 2015 and is currently going through the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Lessons learned from the disastrous MERS outbreak were reflected in the preparedness system, and the readiness capabilities that were subsequently developed enabled the country to successfully flatten the epidemic curve of COVID-19 in late February and March 2020. In this review, we summarize and compare the epidemiology and response of the ROK to the 2015 MERS outbreak and the COVID-19 epidemic in early 2020. We emphasize that, because further COVID-19 waves seem inevitable, it is urgent to develop comprehensive preparedness and response plans for the worst-case scenarios of the COVID-19 pandemic. Simultaneously strengthening healthcare capacity to endure the peak demand and implementing smart strategies to sustain social distancing and public hygiene are necessary until safe and effective therapeutics and vaccines against COVID-19 are available.Peer reviewe