Development of colonic stent simulator using three-dimensional printing technique: a simulator development study in Korea.

Background/aims: Colonic stenting plays a vital role in the management of acute malignant colonic obstruction. The increasing use of self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) and the diverse challenges posed by colonic obstruction at various locations underscore the importance of effective training for colonic stent placement.

Methods: All the components of the simulator were manufactured using silicone molding techniques in conjunction with three-dimensional (3D) printing.

Anti-fibrotic and anti-stricture effects of biodegradable biliary stents braided with dexamethasone-impregnated sheath/core structured monofilaments.

Endoscopic biliary stent insertion has been widely used for the treatment of benign biliary stricture (BBS). Thus, the development of stent materials in the perspectives of structure, mechanical properties, and biocompatibility has been also studied. However, conventional metal and plastic stents have several disadvantages, such as repeated procedures to remove or exchange them, dislodgment, restenosis, biocompatibility, and poor mechanical properties.

Preventive effect of biodegradable stents on biliary stricture and fibrosis after biliary anastomosis in a porcine model.

Purpose: The current drain tubes for preventing surgically biliary anastomotic stricture are not naturally and easily removed. If a drain tube using biodegradable material is easily available and the degradation time of the tube is well controlled, surgical anastomotic stricture and fibrosis could be prevented. The aim of this animal study was to evaluate the preventive effect of novel biodegradable stents (BS) on biliary stricture and fibrosis after duct-to-duct (DD) biliary anastomosis.

Mechanical properties and degradation process of biliary self-expandable biodegradable stents.

Objectives: The clinical outcomes and prevalence of adverse events associated with biliary biodegradable stents (BS) can differ according to degradation process and time. The aim of this study was to observe the degradation process and time of different BS prototypes, and to evaluate sequential changes in their mechanical properties.

Methods: Using an in vitro bile flow phantom model, we compared degradation time, radial force changes, and morphologic changes among four different BS prototypes: polydioxanone (PDO) BS, polyglycolide (PGA) BS, polydioxanone/poly-l-lactic acid (PDO/PLLA) sheath-core BS, and polydioxaone/magnesium (PDO/Mg) sheath-core BS.

Exploring the efficacy and safety of topical Jaungo application in patients with atopic dermatitis: A pilot randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic relapsing eczematous skin disease with an increasing prevalence. In Korea, Jaungo is a traditional medicinal ointment, which is commonly used for treating skin wounds.

Objective: Thus, we aim to explore the basic clinical efficacy and safety data for Jaungo in patients with AD.

Transcultural Adaptation and Validation of the Family Satisfaction in the Intensive Care Unit Questionnaire in a Korean Sample.

Background: A number of questionnaires designed for analyzing family members' inconvenience and demands in intensive care unit (ICU) care have been developed and validated in North America. The family satisfaction in the intensive care Unit-24 (FS-ICU-24) questionnaire is one of the most widely used of these instruments. This study aimed to translate the FS-ICU-24 questionnaire into Korean and validate the Korean version of the questionnaire.

Autonomic function in adults with allergic rhinitis and its association with disease severity and duration.

Background: The association between allergic rhinitis (AR) and the autonomic nervous system (ANS) has recently received substantial attention. However, no studies have assessed how the heart rate variability (HRV) parameters are associated with duration and disease severity in AR.

Objective: To compare the difference in autonomic conditions among individuals with AR of various durations and severities and healthy controls.

Three Cases of Cutaneous Warts Treated With Moxibustion.

Moxibustion is a treatment that uses thermal stimulation generated when herbal materials are burned, indirectly or directly, on the affected area or acupoint. Three cases are presented to report the efficacy of direct moxibustion on cutaneous warts. Three patients with chronic cutaneous warts received direct moxibustion made of Artemisia argyi (Dongbang Inc.

Association between P478S polymorphism of the filaggrin gene & atopic dermatitis.

Background & Objectives: Atopic diseases, including atopic dermatitis (AD), allergy and asthma, are complex diseases resulting from the effect of multiple genetic and interacting environmental factors on their pathophysiology. The genetic basis is incompletely understood; however, recent studies have shown an association between loss-of-function variants of the filaggrin gene (FLG) and atopic dermatitis. The aim of this study was to determine whether FLG variants can serve as a predictor for atopic diseases in Korean individuals.

Three cases of atopic dermatitis in pregnant women successfully treated with Korean medicine.

Background: Korean medicine (KM) is used in many patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), which is commonly aggravated during pregnancy. However, to date, no previous studies have reported the safety and efficacy of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapy for pregnant patients with AD and their fetus in clinical practice.

Subjects: Three pregnant women were suffering from AD that first appeared or was aggravated during pregnancy.

Autonomic conditions in tinnitus and implications for korean medicine.

Tinnitus patients suffer from not only auditory sensations but also physical, mental, and social difficulties. Even though tinnitus is believed to be associated with the autonomic nervous system, changes in autonomic conditions in tinnitus patients are not receiving much research attention. The aims of this study were to investigate the autonomic condition of tinnitus patients and to consider Korean medicine in the treatment of tinnitus with an evidence-based approach.

Detoxification combining fasting with fluid therapy for refractory cases of severe atopic dermatitis.

To introduce and determine the clinical benefits of a detoxification program that combines fasting with fluid therapy for refractory cases of severe atopic dermatitis (AD), we performed a retrospective chart review of inpatients with AD from March 2010 to February 2012 at the Department of Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology and Dermatology of Korean Medicine in the Kyung Hee Medical Center. Patients were treated with the detoxification program, which combined fasting with fluid therapy, and herbal medicine, herbal wet wrap dressings, or acupuncture treatment when clinically necessary. The primary outcome was the SCORAD total index.

Long-term effect of acupuncture for treatment of tinnitus: a randomized, patient- and assessor-blind, sham-acupuncture-controlled, pilot trial.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term effect of acupuncture for treatment of tinnitus.

Study Design: This study is a randomized, patient- and assessor-blind, sham-acupuncture-controlled, pilot trial.

Subjects: Participants were adults (18-60 years old) with chronic (≥6 months), unilateral tinnitus, and without moderate or severe hearing loss.

Anti-inflammatory effect of Keigai-rengyo-to extract and acupuncture in male patients with acne vulgaris: a randomized controlled pilot trial.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the efficacy and interaction of Keigai-rengyo-to extract (KRTE) and acupuncture in male patients with acne and the feasibility of a large clinical trial.

Design: A randomized, assessor single-blinded, 2×2 factorial trial was conducted. The trial is registered with the Clinical Research Information Service, Republic of Korea: KCT0000071.

Clinical effect of pricking blood at neiyingxiang (ExHN 9) on non-allergic rhinopathy: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Non-allergic rhinopathy (NAR), formerly known as vasomotor rhinitis, is a non-allergic and non-infectious chronic disease that is accompanied by nasal hyperemia, rhinorrhea, and no increase in the number of eosinophils. Although the medications for NAR, including intranasal corticosteroids and intranasal antihistamine, have been used in clinical practice, given the relative paucity of effective therapy with available medications, alternative non-pharmacologic treatments could play an important role in treating NAR. Acupuncture treatment is representative potential alternative therapy for the treatment of various diseases, including rhinitis.

Interaction and efficacy of Keigai-rengyo-to extract and acupuncture in male patients with acne vulgaris: a study protocol for a randomized controlled pilot trial.

Background: In consideration of patients seeking to use traditional Chinese medicine, an evidence-based potentiality for safe and effective use of herbal medicine and acupuncture in treatment of acne vulgaris has been suggested. However, despite common use of a combination of herbal medicine and acupuncture in clinical practice, the current level of evidence is insufficient to draw a conclusion for an interaction and efficacy of herbal medicine and acupuncture. Therefore, considering these methodological flaws, this study was designed to assess the interaction and efficacy of an available herbal medicine, Keigai-rengyo-to extract (KRTE), and acupuncture for treatment of acne using the 2 × 2 factorial design and the feasibility of a large clinical trial.

Enhanced hypothalamic leptin signaling in mice lacking dopamine D2 receptors.

The dopamine D(2) receptor (D2R) plays a critical role in diverse neurophysiological functions. D2R knock-out mice (D2R(-/-)) show reduced food intake and body weight while displaying an increased basal energy expenditure level, compared with their wild type littermates. Thus, these mice show a lean phenotype.

Etomidate should be used carefully for emergent endotracheal intubation in patients with septic shock.

Etomidate and midazolam are the most popular drugs among the induction agents for emergent endotracheal intubation. The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence of adrenal insufficiency and mortality between the septic shock patients who received etomidate (ETM group) and those who received midazolam (MDZ group). Between November 2004 and September 2006, 65 patients were analyzed in this study.

Usefulness of 64-slice multidetector computed tomography as an initial diagnostic approach in patients with acute chest pain.

Background: Recently, multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) has been proposed as an accurate diagnostic tool to evaluate for coronary artery disease. However, the role of MDCT as part of the initial diagnostic for evaluating acute chest pain is less well established.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled patients presenting with acute chest pain to the emergency department (ED) and risk stratified them based on the pretest probability for an acute coronary syndrome (ACS): (1) very low, (2) low, (3) intermediate, (4) high, and (5) very high or definite.

Experience of a Korean disaster medical assistance team in Sri Lanka after the South Asia tsunami.

On 26 December 2004, a huge tsunami struck the coasts of South Asian countries and it resulted in 29,729 deaths and 16,665 injuries in Sri Lanka. This study characterizes the epidemiology, clinical data and time course of the medical problems seen by a Korean disaster medical assistance team (DMAT) during its deployment in Sri Lanka, from 2 to 8 January 2005. The team consisting of 20 surgical and medical personnel began to provide care 7 days after tsunami in the southern part of Sri Lanka, the Matara and Hambantota districts.