Rheological Behavior of High-Performance Shotcrete Mixtures Containing Colloidal Silica and Silica Fume Using the Bingham Model.

There have been numerous studies on shotcrete based on strength and durability. However, few studies have been conducted on rheological characteristics, which are very important parameters for evaluating the pumpability and shootability of shotcrete. In those studies, silica fume has been generally used as a mineral admixture to simultaneously enhance the strength, durability, pumpability, and shootability of shotcrete.

Erratum: Field Cancerization in Sporadic Colon Cancer.

In the version of this article initially published, the first affiliation (affiliation number 1) was incorrectly stated as "Division of Gastroentorology, Department of Internal Medicine." The correct affiliation is "Department of Internal Medicine."

Field Cancerization in Sporadic Colon Cancer.

Background/aims: Aberrant DNA methylation has a specific role in field cancerization. Certain molecular markers, including secreted frizzled-related protein 2 (SFRP2), tissue factor pathway inhibitor 2 (TFPI2 ), N-Myc downstream-regulated gene 4 (NDRG4) and bone morphogenic protein 3 (BMP3), have previously been shown to be hypermethylated in colorectal cancer (CRC). We aim to examine field cancerization in CRC based on the presence of aberrant DNA methylation in normal-appearing tissue from CRC patients.

A clear liquid diet is not mandatory for polyethylene glycol-based bowel preparation for afternoon colonoscopy in healthy outpatients.

Background/aims: A dietary regimen consisting of a clear liquid diet (CLD) for at least 24 hours is recommended for colonoscopy preparation. However, this requirement results in problems in patient compliance with bowel preparation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a CLD compared with a regular diet (RD) for colonoscopy preparation using a polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution.

Seasonal variation in months of birth and symptom flares in Korean patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background/aims: Seasonal variation may influence the development and exacerbation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, most epidemiologic studies on this topic have been conducted in Western countries. The purpose of this study was to determine whether birth dates and symptom flares follow a seasonal pattern in Korean patients with IBD.

Enhanced A-FABP expression in visceral fat: potential contributor to the progression of NASH.

Background/aims: Adipose tissue is an active endocrine organ that secretes various metabolically important substances including adipokines, which represent a link between insulin resistance and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The factors responsible for the progression from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis remain elusive, but adipokine imbalance may play a pivotal role. We evaluated the expressions of adipokines such as visfatin, adipocyte-fatty-acid-binding protein (A-FABP), and retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP-4) in serum and tissue.

Association between red cell distribution width and disease activity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Recent studies have suggested that a higher red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is associated with disease activity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the RDW in IBD patients without anemia has not been investigated.

Aim: This study aimed to determine whether or not RDW could be used for the assessment of disease activity in IBD patients with and without anemia.

[Usefulness of model for end-stage liver disease score for predicting mortality after intra-abdominal surgery in patients with liver cirrhosis in a single hospital].

Background/aims: Recent studies have suggested that the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score is superior to the Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score as a predictor of postoperative mortality, especially up to 90 days. This study aimed to determine whether MELD score can predict the postoperative outcome of patients with liver cirrhosis in Korea.

Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 98 patients with liver cirrhosis who underwent intra-abdominal surgery under generalized anesthesia between March 2003 and December 2008 at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital.

Prediction of mortality in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis by Charlson Comorbidity Index using ICD-10 database.

Background/aims: Many patients with end-stage renal disease have additional comorbidities that are important to clinical study and impact the patient's outcome. The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) is a popular tool and a strong predictor of outcome in end-stage renal disease patients. We obtained comorbidity data from the hospital discharge database using the International Classification of Disease, 10th revision (ICD-10) and analyzed the mortality rate in incident patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (HD).

A case of metachronous metastasis to the breast from non-small cell lung carcinoma.

Breast metastases from an extramammary primary tumor are very rare and the prognosis for such patients is generally poor. We report here on a case of a 42-year-old female with metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer to the breast, and she is now being followed up on an outpatient basis. In 2004, she presented with a solitary pulmonary nodule in the left lung, and this lesion had been noted to have gradually increased in size over time.