Computed Tomography-Based Novel Prediction Model for the Outcome of Shockwave Lithotripsy in Proximal Ureteral Stones.

Introduction And Objectives: Computed tomography (CT) is one of the most commonly used diagnostic modalities for urinary stone disease. In this study we developed a CT and clinical parameter-based prediction model for shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) outcome in proximal ureteral stones.

Materials And Methods: Data from 223 patients with single proximal ureteral stones treated with SWL between January 2009 and January 2015 were reviewed retrospectively.

De novo Transcriptome Generation and Annotation for Two Korean Endemic Land Snails, Aegista chejuensis and Aegista quelpartensis, Using Illumina Paired-End Sequencing Technology.

Aegista chejuensis and Aegista quelpartensis (Family-Bradybaenidae) are endemic to Korea, and are considered vulnerable due to declines in their population. The limited genetic resources for these species restricts the ability to prioritize conservation efforts. We sequenced the transcriptomes of these species using Illumina paired-end technology.

Selective Manipulation of Neural Circuits.

Unraveling the complex network of neural circuits that form the nervous system demands tools that can manipulate specific circuits. The recent evolution of genetic tools to target neural circuits allows an unprecedented precision in elucidating their function. Here we describe two general approaches for achieving circuit specificity.

CpG Oligodeoxynucleotide Inhibits Cockroach-Induced Asthma via Induction of IFN-γ⁺ Th1 Cells or Foxp3⁺ Regulatory T Cells in the Lung.

Purpose: CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG-ODN), a TLR9 agonist, activates innate immunity and induces Th1 response. Although the immune modulatory effect of CpG-ODN has been extensively studied, its function in cockroach extract-induced allergic asthma has not been studied. Here, we investigated the inhibitory function of CpG-ODN in cockroach extract-induced asthma in mice with different treatment schemes.

Transcriptome Profile of the Asian Giant Hornet (Vespa mandarinia) Using Illumina HiSeq 4000 Sequencing: De Novo Assembly, Functional Annotation, and Discovery of SSR Markers.

Vespa mandarinia found in the forests of East Asia, including Korea, occupies the highest rank in the arthropod food web within its geographical range. It serves as a source of nutrition in the form of Vespa amino acid mixture and is listed as a threatened species, although no conservation measures have been implemented. Here, we performed de novo assembly of the V.

Sequencing, De Novo Assembly, and Annotation of the Transcriptome of the Endangered Freshwater Pearl Bivalve, Cristaria plicata, Provides Novel Insights into Functional Genes and Marker Discovery.

Background: The freshwater mussel Cristaria plicata (Bivalvia: Eulamellibranchia: Unionidae), is an economically important species in molluscan aquaculture due to its use in pearl farming. The species have been listed as endangered in South Korea due to the loss of natural habitats caused by anthropogenic activities. The decreasing population and a lack of genomic information on the species is concerning for environmentalists and conservationists.

Room for Quality Improvement in Endoscopist-Directed Sedation: Results from the First Nationwide Survey in Korea.

Background/aims: This study sought to characterize the current sedation practices of Korean endoscopists in real-world settings.

Methods: All active members of the Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy were invited to complete an anonymous 35-item questionnaire.

Results: The overall response rate was 22.

Transcriptome Characterization for Non-Model Endangered Lycaenids, Protantigius superans and Spindasis takanosis, Using Illumina HiSeq 2500 Sequencing.

The Lycaenidae butterflies, Protantigius superans and Spindasis takanosis, are endangered insects in Korea known for their symbiotic association with ants. However, necessary genomic and transcriptomics data are lacking in these species, limiting conservation efforts. In this study, the P.

Short-term changes in tinnitus pitch related to audiometric shape in sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Objective: Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is frequently accompanied by tinnitus. This study investigated the relationships between new-onset tinnitus and audiometric parameters in SSNHL patients.

Methods: Sixty-one patients with SSNHL with new-onset tinnitus were enrolled.

Colon Transit Time May Predict Inadequate Bowel Preparation in Patients With Chronic Constipation.

Background/aims: We evaluated whether colonic transit time (CTT) can predict the degree of bowel preparation in patients with chronic constipation undergoing scheduled colonoscopy in order to assist in the development of better bowel preparation strategies for these patients.

Methods: We analyzed the records of 160 patients with chronic constipation from March 2007 to November 2012. We enrolled patients who had undergone a CTT test followed by colonoscopy.

High Dietary Sodium Intake Assessed by Estimated 24-h Urinary Sodium Excretion Is Associated with NAFLD and Hepatic Fibrosis.

Background: Although high sodium intake is associated with obesity and hypertension, few studies have investigated the relationship between sodium intake and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We evaluated the association between sodium intake assessed by estimated 24-h urinary sodium excretion and NAFLD in healthy Koreans.

Methods: We analyzed data from 27,433 participants in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (2008-2010).

High zinc ion supplementation of more than 30 μM can increase monoclonal antibody production in recombinant Chinese hamster ovary DG44 cell culture.

Effects of high ZnSO4·7H2O supplementation on cell growth and monoclonal antibody (mAb) production in chemically defined suspension cultures of recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (rCHO) DG44 cells were examined. The supplementation of ZnSO4·7H2O up to 120 μM gradually increased specific mAb production rate of rCHO DG44 cells in the early growth phase (0-4 days of culture). The ZnSO4·7H2O concentration for enhancing mAb production without any cytotoxic effects on cell growth was 30-60 μM.

Wunderlich syndrome as the first manifestation of an extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma.

We recently encountered an extremely rare case of spontaneous perirenal hemorrhage in a 34-year-old man. He initially had undergone radical nephrectomy owing to suspicion of renal cell carcinoma. The final diagnosis was extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma.

17β-Estradiol induces odontoblastic differentiation via activation of the c-Src/MAPK pathway in human dental pulp cells.

The present study is aimed at investigating the effects of the exogenous estrogen 17β-estradiol (E2) on odontoblastic differentiation in human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) immotalized with hTERT gene and their molecular mechanism. Proliferation was detected by BrdU assay, and odontoblast differentiation induction was evaluated by the expression of dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP), dentin sialoprotein (DSP) and dentin matrix protein1 (DMP1), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mineralization. Estrogen receptor-α (ER-α), c-Src, and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) were examined and their inhibitors were used to determine the roles on odontogenic induction.

A Novel Foam Contrast Agent Suitable for Fluoroscopic Interventional Procedure: Comparative Study of Physical Properties and Experimental Intervention in Animal Model.

In fluoroscopic contrast study for interventional procedure, liquid contrast agent may be diluted in body fluid, losing its contrast effect. We developed a novel contrast agent of "foam state" to maintain contrast effect for enough time and performed a comparative study of physical properties and its usefulness in experimental intervention in animal model. The mean size of microbubble of foam contrast was 13.

Arginine as an eluent overcomes the hindrance of monoclonal antibody quantification by dextran sulfate in protein A affinity chromatography.

Analytical chromatography using protein A affinity columns was employed for the fast and simple quantitative analysis of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) from suspension cultures of recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (rCHO) cells. Reliable results could not be obtained from analysis of rCHO cell culture supernatants containing dextran sulfate using elution buffers such as phosphate, glycine, or MgCl2 . These problems increased as the number of analysis and the concentration of dextran sulfate in samples increased.

Clinical outcome and predictors of treatment response in foam sodium tetradecyl sulfate sclerotherapy of venous malformations.

Objectives: To evaluate clinical outcomes and their predictors in patients with venous malformation (VM) treated with foam sodium tetradecyl sulfate (STS) sclerotherapy.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated clinical outcomes of foam STS sclerotherapy in 86 patients with 91 VMs to assess reduction in pain and mass after treatment. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to determine possible predictors of clinical outcome with foam STS sclerotherapy.

Early Stage Hepatocellular Carcinomas Not Feasible for Ultrasound-Guided Radiofrequency Ablation: Comparison of Transarterial Chemoembolization Alone and Combined Therapy with Transarterial Chemoembolization and Radiofrequency Ablation.

Purpose: To report the results of combined therapy with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for early stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) considered infeasible for ultrasound (US)-guided RFA in comparison with those of TACE monotherapy.

Methods: From January 2007 through December 2010, 91 patients with early or very early stage HCC infeasible for US-guided RFA received either TACE alone (TACE group; n = 54) or TACE immediately followed by RFA (TACE-RFA group; n = 37) as a first-line treatment. 1-month tumor response, time to progression (TTP), and overall survival (OS) rates were calculated.

The clinical significance of a second transurethral resection for T1 high-grade bladder cancer: Results of a prospective study.

Purpose: This study was designed to estimate the value of a second transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) procedure in patients with initially diagnosed T1 high-grade bladder cancer.

Materials And Methods: Between August 2009 and January 2013, a total of 29 patients with T1 high-grade bladder cancer prospectively underwent a second TURBT procedure. Evaluation included the presence of previously undetected residual tumor, changes to histopathological staging or grading, and tumor location.

Role of transcription factor Sp1 in the 4-O-methylhonokiol-mediated apoptotic effect on oral squamous cancer cells and xenograft.

Recently, biphenolic components derived from the Magnolia family have been studied for anti-cancer, anti-stress, and anti-inflammatory pharmacological effects. However, the pharmacological mechanism of action of 4-O-methylhonokiol (MH) is not clear in oral cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of MH in apoptosis and its molecular mechanism in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell lines, HN22 and HSC4, as well as tumor xenografts.

Experience of direct percutaneous sac injection in type II endoleak using cone beam computed tomography.

Cone beam CT, usually used in dental area, could easily obtain 3-dimensional images using cone beam shaped ionized radiation. Cone beam CT is very useful for direct percutaneous sac injection (DPSI) which needs very precise measurement to avoid puncture of inferior vena cava or vessel around sac or stent graft. Here we describe two cases of DPSI using cone beam CT.

Feasibility and efficacy of primary tractography during percutaneous catheter drainage.

Background: The indication of percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) has expanded with the development of guiding modalities. Since serious complications still occur, efforts and new techniques have been continuously searched for safer PCD.

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of primary tractography for establishing a safe needle pathway during PCD.

Electrolyte changes after bowel preparation for colonoscopy: A randomized controlled multicenter trial.

Aim: To investigate the electrolyte changes between 2-L polyethylene glycol with ascorbic acid 20 g (PEG-Asc) and 4-L PEG solutions.

Methods: From August 2012 to February 2013, a total of 226 patients were enrolled at four tertiary hospitals. All patients were randomly allocated to a PEG-Asc group or a 4-L PEG.

Clinical and microbiological characteristics of spontaneous acute prostatitis and transrectal prostate biopsy-related acute prostatitis: Is transrectal prostate biopsy-related acute prostatitis a distinct acute prostatitis category?

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the clinical and microbiological characteristics between acute bacterial prostatitis and transrectal biopsy-related acute prostatitis.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 135 patients hospitalized for acute prostatitis in three urological centers between 2004 and 2013. Acute bacterial prostatitis was diagnosed according to typical symptoms, findings of physical examination, and laboratory test results.