Performance of a Novel CT-Derived Fractional Flow Reserve Measurement to Detect Hemodynamically Significant Coronary Stenosis.

Background: Fractional flow reserve (FFR) based on computed tomography (CT) has been shown to better identify ischemia-causing coronary stenosis. However, this current technology requires high computational power, which inhibits its widespread implementation in clinical practice. This prospective, multicenter study aimed at validating the diagnostic performance of a novel simple CT based fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) calculation method in patients with coronary artery disease.

Clinical safety and effectiveness of the Genoss drug-eluting stent in real-world clinical practice.

Background/aims: The Genoss DES™ is a novel, biodegradable, polymer-coated, sirolimus-eluting stent with a cobalt- chromium stent platform and thin strut. Although the safety and effectiveness of this stent have been previously investigated, real-world clinical outcomes data are lacking. Therefore, the aim of this prospective, multicenter trial was to evaluate the clinical safety and effectiveness of the Genoss DES™ in all-comer patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Validation of the diagnostic performance of 'HeartMedi V.1.0', a novel CT-derived fractional flow reserve measurement, for patients with coronary artery disease: a study protocol.

Introduction: Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) is widely used for non-invasive coronary artery evaluation, but it is limited in identifying the nature of functional characteristics that cause ischaemia. Recent computational fluid dynamic (CFD) techniques applied to CCTA images permit non-invasive computation of fractional flow reserve (FFR), a measure of lesion-specific ischaemia. However, this technology has limitations, such as long computational time and the need for expensive equipment, which hinder widespread use.

Safety and Efficacy of a New Ultrathin Sirolimus-Eluting Stent with Abluminal Biodegradable Polymer in Real-World Practice.

Background And Objectives: Recently, Genoss drug-eluting stent (DES)™ stent comprising cobalt-chromium platform with an ultrathin strut thickness, sirolimus, and an abluminal biodegradable polymer was developed. Owing to the lack of substantial evidence for the safety and efficacy of this stent, we report 12-month results of the Genoss DES™ stent.

Methods: We analyzed subjects who were eligible for a 12-month follow-up from the ongoing Genoss DES™ registry, which is a prospective, single-arm, observational, multicenter trial to investigate the clinical outcomes after the successful Genoss DES™ stent implantation among all-comers.

Outcomes and clinical relevance of stool multiplex bacterial polymerase chain reaction in patients with acute diarrhea: single center experience.

Background/aims: Diagnostic stool multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing has attracted considerable interest, because of its high sensitivity, short turnaround time, and ability to detect multiple organisms simultaneously. This study investigates the clinical usefulness of a stool multiplex bacterial PCR in patients with acute diarrhea.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the stool multiplex bacterial PCR results, clinical parameters, and clinical courses of patients hospitalized because of acute diarrhea between August 2014 and November 2016.

A prospective randomized clinical study evaluating the efficacy and compliance of oral sulfate solution and 2-L ascorbic acid plus polyethylene glycol.

Background/aims: Oral sulfate solution (OSS) is an emerging cleansing agent for bowel preparation. However, data comparing OSS to other conventional bowel preparations in Asian patients are limited. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of OSS to ascorbic acid plus polyethylene glycol (AA + PEG) in Asian patients.

Clinical value of procalcitonin for suspected nosocomial bloodstream infection.

Background/aims: Procalcitonin (PCT) may prove to be a useful marker to exclude or predict bloodstream infection (BSI). However, the ability of PCT levels to differentiate BSI from non-BSI episodes has not been evaluated in nosocomial BSI.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients ≥ 18 years of age with suspected BSI that developed more than 48 hours after admission.

Spontaneous Bleeding from Internal Pudendal Artery associated with Abciximab after Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Successful Treatment with Percutaneous Gel-Foam Embolization.

We describe a case of spontaneous bleeding from a branch of the right internal pudendal artery that resulted in massive scrotal swelling in a patient who had underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention with the use of abciximab concurrent with conventional anticoagulation and dual antiplatelet therapies for the treatment of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. This unusual complication was promptly identified by percutaneous peripheral arteriography and successfully treated with gel-foam embolization.

A vegetarian diet does not protect against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): A cross-sectional study between Buddhist priests and the general population.

Background/aims: There is limited data that supports a role for a vegetarian diet in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between vegetarian diets and NAFLD, considering metabolic syndrome and obesity.

Materials And Methods: This is a cross-sectional, retrospective study comparing the prevalence of NAFLD of 615 Buddhist priests and age-, sex-, Body mass index (BMI)-and presence/absence of metabolic syndrome-matched controls who underwent routine health checkups in a health promotion center.

Colistin treatment in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii pneumonia patients: Incidence of nephrotoxicity and outcomes.

Colistimethate sodium (CMS) is increasingly used to treat multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacilli infections. However, the incidence of CMS-associated nephrotoxicity has not been evaluated in patients with carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) pneumonia. This retrospective study included 120 patients with CRAB pneumonia treated with intravenous CMS for ≥72 h.

Effect of anemia correction on left ventricular structure and filling pressure in anemic patients without overt heart disease.

Background/aims: There are few data on the effects of low hemoglobin levels on the left ventricle (LV) in patients without heart disease. The objective of this study was to document changes in the echocardiographic variables of LV structure and function after the correction of anemia without significant cardiovascular disease.

Methods: In total, 34 iron-deficiency anemia patients (35 ± 11 years old, 32 females) without traditional cardiovascular risk factors or cardiovascular disease and 34 age- and gender-matched controls were studied.

Controlling mold releasing propensity--the role of surface energy and a multiple chain transfer agent.

As the desired feature size of mold-assisted lithography decreases rapidly efficient demolding process becomes more challenging due to strong adhesion between polymeric resists and fine-featured molds. We synthesized new macromolecular additives and investigated the effects of surface energy and contraction of resist materials on demolding propensity by monitoring the adhesion force between the resist and the applied mold. The resist's surface energy was controlled, as inferred from water contact angle measurements, by chemically modifying its hydroxyl functionality.

Delayed ventricular septal rupture after percutaneous coronary intervention in acute myocardial infarction.

In the era before reperfusion therapy, ventricular septal rupture complicated 1approximate3% of acute myocardial infarctions (AMI) usually 3-5 days after onset. Studies have reported a positive correlation between the incidence of septal perforation and total occlusion of the coronary arteries. A 70-year old female patient was referred to the emergency room with the diagnosis of acute anterior myocardial infarction (MI) and recent cerebral infarction.

Glomerular crescents are responsible for chronic graft dysfunction in post-transplant IgA nephropathy.

Information is limited regarding the histological features related to chronic graft dysfunction and failure in patients with IgA nephropathy developing after renal transplantation. The prevalence and significance of glomerular crescents in post-transplant IgAN including recurrent, de novo and transmitted forms (TxIgAN), were studied. Renal morphology was evaluated in 71 patients of TxIgAN, obtained at more than 6 months post-transplant, and compared with regard to the presence (C-TxIgAN) or absence (N-TxIgAN) of glomerular crescents.

Gastric adenocarcinoma after renal transplantation.

Background/aims: Little is known of the characteristics of gastric adenocarcinoma after renal transplantation. This study was performed to find out the incidence and clinicopathological features of gastric adenocarcinoma after renal transplantation in an endemic area for gastric cancer.

Methodology: Between April 1979 and March 2001, fourteen gastric adenocarcinoma patients (0.

Postoperative liver regeneration and complication in live liver donor after partial hepatectomy for living donor liver transplantation.

The safety of donor is the first priority during whole procedure in living donor liver transplantation. We evaluated the short-term results of partial living donor liver transplantation in the view of donor safety. We prospectively evaluated the extent of liver regeneration, the recovery of liver function, and the perioperative complications in 41 live liver donors for partial liver transplantation at our institution.

Autoantibody against, malondialdehyde-modified low density lipoprotein in patients with non-diabetic unstable angina: a potential role in immunologic reaction of plaque instability.

The role of autoantibody against oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is still unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine whether autoantibodies against malondialdehyde (MDA)-modified LDL are associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) and clinical presentations of CAD in non-diabetic patients without acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We determined the serum levels of autoantibody against MDA-modified LDL by ELISA in 71 patients with angiographically significant CAD (> or = 50% diameter stenosis in at least 1 vessel) and 80 controls without angiographically significant CAD.