Methylome analysis reveals alterations in DNA methylation in the regulatory regions of left ventricle development genes in human dilated cardiomyopathy.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the main causes of heart failure (called cardiomyopathies) in adults. Alterations in epigenetic regulation (i.e.

A genome-wide association analysis of chromosomal aberrations and Hirschsprung disease.

Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is a neurocristopathy characterized by the absence of intramural ganglion cells along variable lengths of the gastrointestinal tract. Although the RET proto-oncogene is considered to be the main risk factor for HSCR, only about 30% of the HSCR cases can be explained by variations in previously known genes including RET. Recently, copy number variation (CNV) and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) have emerged as new ways to understand human genomic variation.

The Effect of Debridement of Coexisting Partial Ligament Injuries on Outcomes Following Arthroscopic Osteosynthesis for Minimally Displaced Scaphoid Nonunions.

Purpose: Partial intercarpal ligament injuries can coexist with scaphoid nonunions. However, whether these injuries should be debrided simultaneously when scaphoid nonunions are treated is unclear. The purpose of this study was to compare union rates and clinical outcomes after arthroscopic management of scaphoid nonunions, in which coexisting partial ligament injuries were, or were not, simultaneously debrided.

Ceramic cement as a potential stand-alone treatment for bone fractures: An in vitro study of ceramic-bone composites.

Background: A vertebral burst fracture (VBF) treated with vertebroplasty using a ceramic cement consists of four regions; native bone fragments, native ceramic cement, ceramic cement-trabecular bone (ceramic-bone) composite and ceramic-bone interface. Although the mechanical properties of native bone and native ceramic cements have been well investigated, the mechanical properties of ceramic-bone composite and ceramic-bone interface remain unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the mechanical properties of ceramic-bone composites and ceramic-bone interfaces.

In silico investigation of vertebroplasty as a stand-alone treatment for vertebral burst fractures.

Background: The use of percutaneous vertebroplasty as a stand-alone treatment for stable vertebral burst fractures has been investigated in vitro and in clinical studies. These studies present inconsistent results on the mechanical response of vertebroplasty-treated burst fractures. In addition, observations of the loss of sagittal alignment after vertebroplasty raise questions on the applicability of vertebroplasty for burst fractures.

Regulation of multidrug resistance 1 expression by CDX2 in ovarian mucinous adenocarcinoma.

Epithelial ovarian cancer is an aggressive gynecological malignancy with a high mortality rate. Resistance against chemotherapeutic agents often develops in ovarian cancer patients, contributing to high recurrence rates. The multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1/ABCB1) gene encodes P-glycoprotein, which affects the pharmacokinetic properties of anticancer agents.

Two- to Four-Year Follow-up Results of Total Knee Arthroplasty Using a New High-Flexion Prosthesis.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate minimum 2-year follow-up results of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) performed using a new high-flexion prosthesis design (LOSPA).

Materials And Methods: The 2- to 4-year results of 191 consecutive TKAs (177 patients) with the LOSPA posterior-stabilized prosthesis were evaluated. The patients were assessed clinically and radiographically using the Knee Society scoring system (KSS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC).

Is Routine Thromboprophylaxis Needed in Korean Patients Undergoing Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty?

This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and the natural course of venous thromboembolism (VTE) without thromboprophylaxis to ascertain whether routine thromboprophylaxis is necessary following unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) in Korean patients. The medical records and multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) imaging of the consecutive 77 UKAs in 70 patients were reviewed. In all patients, MDCTs were undertaken preoperatively and at 1-week after surgery, and VTE symptoms were evaluated.

Factors Influencing Outcomes after Ulnar Nerve Stability-Based Surgery for Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Purpose: Simple decompression of the ulnar nerve has outcomes similar to anterior transposition for cubital tunnel syndrome; however, there is no consensus on the proper technique for patients with an unstable ulnar nerve. We hypothesized that 1) simple decompression or anterior ulnar nerve transposition, depending on nerve stability, would be effective for cubital tunnel syndrome and that 2) there would be determining factors of the clinical outcome at two years.

Materials And Methods: Forty-one patients with cubital tunnel syndrome underwent simple decompression (n=30) or anterior transposition (n=11) according to an assessment of intra-operative ulnar nerve stability.

Are the Oxford(®) medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty new instruments reducing the bearing dislocation risk while improving components relationships? A case control study.

Introduction: The recently introduced Microplasty(®) system is an upgrade of conventional phase III instrumentation. However, little is known of its impact on the position of the implant following the Oxford(®) mobile-bearing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). This study investigated whether the Microplasty(®) instrumentation system can improve the positioning of the implant and reduce the rate of early failure.

Modeling the status, trends, and impacts of wild bee abundance in the United States.

Wild bees are highly valuable pollinators. Along with managed honey bees, they provide a critical ecosystem service by ensuring stable pollination to agriculture and wild plant communities. Increasing concern about the welfare of both wild and managed pollinators, however, has prompted recent calls for national evaluation and action.

Confirmatory factor analysis of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire in Singaporean kindergartners.

Background: The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) assesses behavioural adjustment in children aged 3 to 16 years. To ascertain the appropriateness of the scale for a specific population, it is important to examine whether the distinctiveness of the scale dimensions can be verified empirically.

Aims: Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test explicitly which of three models better explain our data, and whether model fit was improved by the addition of method factors.

Serum Uric Acid Is Associated with Cerebral White Matter Hyperintensities in Patients with Acute Lacunar Infarction.

Background And Purpose: The Effect of Cilostazol in Acute Lacunar Infarction Based on Pulsatility Index of Transcranial Doppler (ECLIPse) study showed a significant decrease in transcranial Doppler pulsatility index (PI) with cilostazol treatment after 90 days of acute lacunar infarction. The aim of this analysis was to perform a subgroup analysis of the ECLIPse study to explore the relationship between serum uric acid (UA) and the volume of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) in patients with acute lacunar infarction.

Methods: The ECLIPse was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted in Korea.

Is High-Flexion Total Knee Arthroplasty a Valid Concept? Bilateral Comparison With Standard Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the high-flexion total knee prosthesis significantly improves knee flexion in vivo.

Methods: Forty-four patients undergoing same-day bilateral total knee arthroplasty for primary osteoarthritis of both knees were randomized to receive a standard posterior-stabilized knee prosthesis (P.F.

Comparison of genetic variations of the SLCO1B1, SLCO1B3, and SLCO2B1 genes among five ethnic groups.

Organic anion-transporting polypeptide (OATP; gene symbol, SLCO) transporters are generally involved in the uptake of multiple drugs and their metabolites at most epithelial barriers. The pattern of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in these transporters may be determinants of interindividual variability in drug disposition and response. The objective of this study was to define the distribution of SNPs of three SLCO genes, SLCO1B1, SLCO1B3, and SLCO2B1, in a Korean population and other ethnic groups.

The Patient's Perception Does Not Differ Following Subvastus and Medial Parapatellar Approaches in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Simultaneous Bilateral Randomized Study.

This simultaneous bilateral randomized study investigated whether patients would perceive the difference between the subvastus approach (SVA) and the medial parapatellar approach (MPA) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). In 50 patients scheduled to undergo same-day bilateral TKA, one knee was randomly assigned to SVA and the other to MPA. Patient-reported measures (pain, Western Ontario McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index score, and side preference) and physician-assessed measures (isokinetic muscle strength, range of motion, and Knee Society score) were compared.

Pathologic Finding of Thymic Carcinoma Accompanied by Myasthenia Gravis.

Background And Purpose: The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified thymic carcinoma and other thymomas (types A, AB, and B) as different neoplasms. Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an early sign of thymoma and theoretically does not accompany thymic carcinoma; however, cases of thymic carcinoma with MG have been reported. Whether thymic carcinoma can accompany MG has yet to be established.

Is Arthroscopic Bone Graft and Fixation for Scaphoid Nonunions Effective?

Background: Arthroscopic management of scaphoid nonunions has been advanced as a less invasive technique that allows evaluation of associated intrinsic and extrinsic ligamentous injuries; however, few studies have documented the effectiveness of arthroscopic treatment of scaphoid nonunions and which intraarticular pathologies coexist with scaphoid nonunions.

Questions/purposes: (1) What are the outcomes of arthroscopic management of scaphoid nonunions as assessed by the proportion of patients achieving osseous union, visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, grip strength, range of motion, Mayo Wrist Score (MWS), and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score? (2) What complications are associated with arthroscopic scaphoid nonunion management? (3) What forms of intraarticular pathology are associated with scaphoid nonunions?

Methods: Between 2008 and 2012, we treated 80 patients surgically for scaphoid nonunions. Of those, 45 (56%) had arthroscopic management.

Ulnar nerve stability-based surgery for cubital tunnel syndrome via a small incision: a comparison with classic anterior nerve transposition.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of ulnar nerve stability-based surgery via a small incision with those of classic anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve for cubital tunnel syndrome.

Methods: From March 2008 to December 2013, 107 patients with cubital tunnel syndrome underwent simple decompression or anterior transposition via a small incision, according to an ulnar nerve stability-based decision based on an assessment of intraoperative ulnar nerve stability (group A, n = 51), or anterior transposition via a classic incision (group B, n = 56). Clinical outcome was assessed using grip and pinch strength, two-point discrimination, the mean of the disabilities of arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) survey, and the modified Bishop scale.

The effect of water on the mechanical properties of soluble and insoluble ceramic cements.

Ceramic cements are good candidates for the stabilization of fractured bone due to their potential ease of application and biological advantages. New formulations of ceramic cements have been tested for their mechanical properties, including strength, stiffness, toughness and durability. The changes in the mechanical properties of a soluble cement (calcium sulfate) upon water-saturation (saturation) was reported in our previous study, highlighting the need to test ceramic cements using saturated samples.

Genetic variants of IL-11 associated with risk of Hirschsprung disease.

Background: Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is a congenital and heterogeneous disorder characterized by the absence of enteric ganglia during enteric nervous system (ENS) development. Our recent genome-wide association study has identified a variant (rs6509940) of interleukin-11 (IL-11) as a potential susceptible locus for HSCR. As interleukins play important roles in the ENS, we further studied associations with HSCR of nine common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on IL-11.

Association Analysis of SLC6A20 Polymorphisms With Hirschsprung Disease.

Purpose: Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is a congenital and heterogeneous disorder, which is caused by no neuronal ganglion cells in part or all of distal gastrointestinal tract. Recently, our genome-wide association study has identified solute carrier family 6, proline IMINO transporter, member 20 (SLC6A20) as one of the potential risk factors for HSCR development. This study performed a replication study for the association of SLC6A20 polymorphisms with HSCR and an extended analysis to investigate further associations for subgroups and haplotypes.

Open debridement and prosthesis retention is a viable treatment option for acute periprosthetic joint infection after total knee arthroplasty.

Purpose: Open debridement with prosthesis retention (ODPR) has been considered as a reasonable treatment option for acute periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, multiple recent studies have challenged this contention. This study was undertaken to determine the success rate of ODPR, whether the success rate was affected by the ODPR timing or by the microorganisms.

Association analysis of PDE4B polymorphisms with schizophrenia and smooth pursuit eye movement abnormality in a Korean population.

Schizophrenia is a debilitating mental disorder with a high heritability rate. Located on chromosome 1p31.3, the human cAMP-specific 3',5'-cyclic phosphodiesterase 4B (PDE4B) gene has been considered as an important candidate gene for the risk of schizophrenia.

Efficacy and Safety of a Novel Three-Step Medial Release Technique in Varus Total Knee Arthroplasty.

We investigated the efficacy and safety of our novel three-step medial release technique in varus total knee arthroplasty (TKA) over time. Two hundred sixty seven consecutive varus TKAs were performed by applying the algorithmic release technique which consisted of sequential release of the deep medial collateral ligament (step 1), the semimembranosus (step 2), and multiple needle puncturing of the superficial medial collateral ligament (step 3). One hundred seventeen, 114, and 36 knees were balanced after step 1, 2, and 3 releases, respectively.