Clinical outcomes and quality of life of home health care patients.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) in home health care patients according to change in health status outcomes between the start of care and discharge or 60 days, whichever came first.

Methods: This is a prospective descriptive study. The convenience sample consisted of 100 home health care patients, who started receiving home health care services from a home health care agency in the United States.

Activated platelet supernatant can augment the angiogenic potential of human peripheral blood stem cells mobilized from bone marrow by G-CSF.

Platelets not only play a role in hemostasis, but they also promote angiogenesis and tissue recovery by releasing various cytokines and making an angiogenic milieu. Here, we examined autologous 'activated platelet supernatant (APS)' as a priming agent for stem cells; thereby enhance their pro-angiogenic potential and efficacy of stem cell-based therapy for ischemic diseases. The mobilized peripheral blood stem cells ((mob)PBSCs) were isolated from healthy volunteers after subcutaneous injection of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor.

Needlescopic resection of small and superficial pulmonary nodule after computed tomographic fluoroscopy-guided dual localization with radiotracer and hookwire.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a needlescopic resection for small and superficial pulmonary nodules after dual localization with radiotracer and hookwire.

Methods: Computed tomography (CT) fluoroscopy-guided dual marking with hookwire and (99m)Tc-phytate was performed on 36 small and superficial pulmonary nodules of 34 patients, just before the needlescopic procedure. This method was carried out through one introducer needle, after an initial single puncture.

Tumour size is related to the curability of signet ring cell early gastric cancer with endoscopic submucosal dissection: a retrospective single centre study.

Background: Endoscopic submucosal dissection is applied in selected cases of signet ring cell early gastric cancer. However, factors related to curability of signet ring cell early gastric cancer with this method have not been fully evaluated. Our aim was to evaluate factors related to incomplete resection in signet ring cell early gastric cancer with endoscopic submucosal dissection.

Topical epidermal growth factor for the improvement of acne lesions: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, split-face trial.

Acne is one of the most common adverse events associated with the use of anticancer agents, such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors. Based on data from several previous reports, we predicted that topical application of EGF could improve acne vulgaris. To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of topical recombinant human EGF (rhEGF) cream for the treatment of facial acne vulgaris.

Sexual Behavior and Sexual Satisfaction according to Gender in Korean Patients with Cancer.

Purpose: This study was done to investigate sexual behavior and sexual satisfaction according to gender difference in Korean patients with cancer.

Methods: In this study, a convenience sample of Korean patients with cancer who visited hospitals in J City was used. Data were collected between September and December 2012using structured questionnaires: Sexual frequency scale and General sexual satisfaction index (GSSI).

Poor prognosis of hypocoagulability assessed by thrombin generation assay in disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Overall assessment of the hemostatic system including procoagulant and anticoagulant changes may help assess the clinical status and prognosis of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). The thrombin generation assay provides useful information about the global hemostatic status. Therefore, we measured several parameters of global hemostatic potential by the thrombin generation assay in patients suspected of having DIC.

[Identification of subgroups with lower level of stroke knowledge using decision-tree analysis].

Purpose: This study was performed to explore levels of stroke knowledge and identify subgroups with lower levels of stroke knowledge among adults in Korea.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was used and data were collected in 2012. A national sample of 990 Koreans aged 20 to 74 years participated in this study.

Changes in plasma levels of natural anticoagulants in disseminated intravascular coagulation: high prognostic value of antithrombin and protein C in patients with underlying sepsis or severe infection.

Background: Dysfunctional natural anticoagulant systems enhance intravascular fibrin formation in disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and plasma levels of natural anti coagulants can be used in the diagnosis and prognosis of DIC. Herein, the diagnostic value of 4 natural anticoagulants was assessed, and the prognostic value of antithrombin and protein C were validated in a large population.

Methods: Part 1 study included 126 patients with clinically suspected DIC and estimated plasma levels of 4 candidate anticoagulant proteins: antithrombin, protein C, protein S, and protein Z.

Significance of local international sensitivity index systems for monitoring warfarin and liver function.

Objectives: Use of a local calibrator has been recommended for standardization of the international normalized ratio (INR) and international sensitivity index (ISI). We investigated the performance of two commercial local calibrators for warfarin monitoring and determined the significance of liver-specific INR.

Methods: ISI values were determined using the World Health Organization (WHO) method and two commercial local calibrators.

High coagulation factor levels and low protein C levels contribute to enhanced thrombin generation in patients with diabetes who do not have macrovascular complications.

Aims: A prothrombotic state characterized by activation of the coagulation system has been implicated in the pathogenesis of vascular complications in diabetes mellitus. Recently, a thrombin generation assay was introduced as a laboratory assessment of global hemostatic potential. We used this thrombin generation assay to investigate global hemostatic potential in patients with diabetes who did not have macrovascular complications.

Diagnostic and prognostic significance of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Background: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) exists as monomers, homodimers, and NGAL/matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) complexes. Circulating neutrophils are activated in ongoing disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC); therefore, plasma NGAL levels are likely to be increased in DIC. We investigated the diagnostic performance of the plasma NGAL level in predicting acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with DIC and determined the prognostic value of NGAL.

AFP-producing acinar cell carcinoma treated by pancreaticoduodenectomy in a patient with a previous radical subtotal gastrectomy by gastric cancer.

We report a case of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-producing acinar cell carcinoma (ACC) of the pancreas. The tumor was diagnosed in a 72 yearold female after radical subtotal gastrectomy (Billroth I) due to early gastric cancer six months before. The initial serum AFP levels were increased to 2,254.

Epidemiology and clinical features of post-transplant bloodstream infection: an analysis of 222 consecutive liver transplant recipients.

Background: Bloodstream infection (BSI) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in liver transplant (LT) recipients. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiology and clinical features of post-transplant BSI in LT recipients.

Materials And Methods: The microbiology, frequency, and outcome of post-transplant BSI in the first year after LT were retrospectively analyzed in 222 consecutive patients who had received liver transplants at a single center between 2005 and 2011.

Thoracoscopic color and fluorescence imaging system for sentinel lymph node mapping in porcine lung using indocyanine green-neomannosyl human serum albumin: intraoperative image-guided sentinel nodes navigation.

Purpose: This study was performed to validate a newly developed sentinel lymph node (SLN) targeting tracer, indocyanine green-neomannosyl human serum albumin (ICG:MSA), and a thoracoscopic version of the intraoperative color and fluorescence imaging system (ICFIS) for lung cancer SLN mapping.

Methods: ICG alone or ICG:MSA (5 μg/kg) was injected into the rat thigh, and the results were compared. The fluorescence signal-to-background ratios of SLNs were recorded and evaluated over a 2-h period by using ICFIS.

Anti-obesity effects of black ginseng extract in high fat diet-fed mice.

Black ginseng is produced by a repeated steaming process. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-obesity effects of black ginseng ethanol extract (BG-EE) in high fat (HF) diet-fed mice. Two groups were fed either a normal control (NC) diet or a HF diet (45% kcal fat).

Clinical performance of anticardiolipin and antiβ2 glycoprotein I antibodies using a new automated chemiluminescent assay: superior thrombotic prediction of combined results measured by two different methods.

The anticardiolipin (aCL) and antibeta2-glycoprotein I (aβ2GPI) antibodies are used to diagnosis antiphospholipid syndrome. It would be possible to use two or more methods to improve the diagnostic sensitivity of aCL and aβ2GPI. In this study, we investigated the laboratory performance of a new chemiluminescent assay and explored whether the combined results of aCL and aβ2GPI measured by two different methods predict thrombotic risk better.

Additional role of sarcopenia to waist circumference in predicting the odds of metabolic syndrome.

Background & Aims: It is unclear whether sarcopenia contributes to the prediction of metabolic dysregulations in addition to that predicted by waist circumference.

Methods: Subjects consisted of 6832 adult participants in the 2009 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, grouped into categories of waist circumference (normal vs. high).

Plasma haemostatic potential of haemodialysis patients assessed by thrombin generation assay: hypercoagulability in patients with vascular access thrombosis.

Introduction: Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on maintenance haemodialysis are predisposed to bleeding and thrombotic events. Recently thrombin generation assay (TGA) has been introduced as a laboratory assessment of global haemostatic potential. We investigated the global haemostatic potential assessed by TGA in ESRD patients on haemodialysis and patients who developed vascular access thrombosis.

Optical biomarkers for breast cancer derived from dynamic diffuse optical tomography.

Diffuse optical tomography (DOT) is a noninvasive, nonionizing imaging modality that uses near-infrared light to visualize optically relevant chromophores. A recently developed dynamic DOT imaging system enables the study of hemodynamic effects in the breast during a breath-hold. Dynamic DOT imaging was performed in a total of 21 subjects (age 54±10  years) including 3 healthy subjects and 18 subjects with benign (n=8) and malignant (n=14) masses.

Presurgical corticosteroid treatment improves corneal transplant survival in mice.

Purpose: To examine the effects of presurgical corticosteroid treatment for normal-risk penetrating keratoplasty (NRPK), high-risk penetrating keratoplasty (HRPK), and high-risk penetrating keratoplasty plus lensectomy.

Methods: We used 3 corneal transplantation models (NRPK, HRPK, and high-risk penetrating keratoplasty plus lensectomy). For each model, we tried to compare the effect of corticosteroid treatment according to different timetables as follows: The first trial began with a corticosteroid injection given 2 weeks before the PK and continued until 4 weeks after the PK (group 1).

Thoracoscopic needle aspiration biopsy for a centrally located solitary pulmonary nodule.

Thoracoscopic needle aspiration is a good alternative for a centrally-located solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) suspected of being lung cancer without severe pleural adhesion. The authors report the technique of thoracoscopic needle aspiration biopsy in a SPN just in the medial aspect of the truncus anterior pulmonary artery and the right upper lobe bronchus.

Feasibility test of utilizing Saccharophagus degradans 2-40(T) as the source of crude enzyme for the saccharification of lignocellulose.

In the conversion of lignocellulose into high-value products, including fuels and chemicals, the production of cellulase and the enzymatic hydrolysis for producing fermentable sugar are the largest contributors to the cost of production of the final products. The marine bacterium Saccharophagus degradans 2-40(T) can degrade more than ten different complex polysaccharides found in the ocean, including cellulose and xylan. Accordingly, S.