Risk factors associated with difficult gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection: predicting difficult ESD.

Background And Study Aim: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a widely accepted treatment for superficial gastric neoplasms. Difficult ESD can lead to complications, such as bleeding and perforation. To predict difficult ESD procedures, we analyzed the factors associated with difficult ESD.

Temporal differences in improvement of nasal obstruction between primary and revision septoplasty.

Background: Septoplasty is one of most frequently performed surgeries in otorhinolaryngologic clinics to improve nasal obstruction by correcting nasal septal deformities. Many patients require revision surgery for persistent nasal obstruction. However, the outcomes and sources of revision septoplasty are unclear.

Let's rethinking about the safety of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor in the patients with erectile dysfunction after radical prostatectomy.

As the radical prostatectomy (RP) for the patient diagnosed as localized prostate cancer has been increasing, erectile dysfunction (ED) associated with RP is increased and ED after RP is a significant risk factor to reduce the quality of life for the patient after RP. Therefore, the treatment concept called penile rehabilitation was introduced and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE5I) is used widely for the prostate cancer patient after RP. Generally PDE5I is considered as safe and effective drug for the prostate cancer patient after RP.

Clinical features of negative pathologic results after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection.

Background: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is widely used for the treatment of gastric superficial neoplasms. Negative pathologic results after ESD can confuse the endoscopists and patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reasons for and the factors associated with negative pathologic results after ESD.

The Effect of Seoritae Extract in Men with Mild to Moderate Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Suggestive of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

We evaluated the effects of Seoritae extract (SE) on mild to moderate lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Seventy-six subjects with mild to moderate LUTS suggestive of BPH were prospectively recruited from the urology outpatient clinic and assigned to either SE (4200 mg or 6 tablets 3 times a day) or matching placebo. The primary outcome variable, the International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS), was evaluated at baseline and at 4 and 12 weeks.

The Poisoning Information Database Covers a Large Proportion of Real Poisoning Cases in Korea.

The poisoning information database (PIDB) provides clinical toxicological information on commonly encountered toxic substances in Korea. The aim of this study was to estimate the coverage rate of the PIDB by comparing the database with the distribution of toxic substances that real poisoning patients presented to 20 emergency departments. Development of the PIDB started in 2007, and the number of toxic substances increased annually from 50 to 470 substances in 2014.

Upper Airway Variation and Frequent Alcohol Consumption Can Affect Compliance With Continuous Positive Airway Pressure.

Objectives: Compliance with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment remains a primary concern for improving treatment outcomes of obstructive sleep apnea. There are few studies that have considered the role of upper airway anatomy on the compliance with CPAP. We hypothesized that upper airway anatomy would influence the compliance with CPAP.

Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Drainage without Fluoroscopic Guidance for Extraluminal Complicated Cysts.

Background. Endoscopic ultrasound- (EUS-) guided drainage is generally performed under fluoroscopic guidance. However, improvements in endoscopic and EUS techniques and experience have led to questions regarding the usefulness of fluoroscopy.

Are Urologists Performing Semi-rigid Ureteroscopic Lithotripsy Safe From Radiation Exposure? A Guidance to Reduce the Radiation Dose.

Objective: To measure radiation exposure of urologists during ureteroscopic (URS) lithotripsy, and hence estimating the number of procedures that can be performed safely considering the annually permissible radiation dose, and to identify influential variables.

Materials And Methods: The radiation exposure dose was measured at the neck, chest, arm, and hands of a single urologist who performed 49 URS lithotripsies. The number of annually performed URS lithotripsies was estimated based on the annual permissible occupational exposure radiation dose guidelines.

Adjunctive α-lipoic acid reduces weight gain compared with placebo at 12 weeks in schizophrenic patients treated with atypical antipsychotics: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study.

α-Lipoic acid (ALA) has been reported to be effective in reducing body weight in rodents and obese patients. Our previous open trial showed that ALA may play a role in reducing weight gain in patients with schizophrenia on atypical antipsychotics. The present study evaluated the efficacy of ALA in reducing weight and BMI in patients with schizophrenia who had experienced significant weight gain since taking atypical antipsychotics.

Risk Factors of Submucosal or Lymphovascular Invasion in Early Gastric Cancer <2 cm.

Although prediction of submucosal (SM) or lymphovascular (LV) invasion is important before endoscopic resection of early gastric cancer (EGC), it can only be confirmed following endoscopic resection. After endoscopic resection, patients with SM or LV invasion may require additional surgery due to high risk of lymph node metastasis.We conducted a retrospective study to identify risk factors for SM or LV invasion before endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of EGC.

Procalcitonin determined at emergency department as na early indicator of progression to septic shock in patient with sepsis associated with ureteral calculi.

Introduction: To investigate the role of initial procalcitonin (PCT) level as an early predictor of septic shock for the patient with sepsis induced by acute pyelonephritis (APN) secondary to ureteral calculi.

Materials And Methods: The data from 49 consecutive patients who met criteria of sepsis due to APN following ureteral stone were collected and divided into two groups: with (n=15) or without (n=34) septic shock. The clinical variables including PCT level for this outcome were retrospectively compared by univariate analysis, followed by multivariable logistic regression model.

A Randomized Comparative Study of 24- and 6-Hour Infusion of Nafamostat Mesilate for the Prevention of Post-Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Pancreatitis: A Prospective Randomized Comparison Trial.

Objectives: Although prolonged intravenous infusion (24 hours) of nafamostat mesilate is effective for the prevention of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis, it requires hospitalization and is expensive. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of 24- versus 6-hour intravenous infusion of 20 mg nafamostat mesilate for the prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP).

Methods: A total of 382 patients who underwent ERCP were randomly assigned into 2 groups: 24 hours or 6 hours.

Comparison of Photoselective Vaporization versus Holmium Laser Enucleation for Treatment of Benign Prostate Hyperplasia in a Small Prostate Volume.

Objective: Photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) using GreenLight and Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) is an important surgical technique for management of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). We aimed to compare the effectiveness and safety of PVP using a 120 W GreenLight laser with HoLEP in a small prostate volume.

Methods: Patients who underwent PVP or HoLEP surgery for BPH at our institutions were reviewed from May 2009 to December 2014 in this retrospective study.

Improving the synthesis of phenolic polymer using Coprinus cinereus peroxidase mutant Phe230Ala.

The F230A mutant of Coprinus cinereus peroxidase (CiP), which has a high stability against radical-inactivation, was previously reported. In the present study, the radical-robust F230A mutant was applied to the oxidative polymerization of phenol. The F230A mutant exhibited better polymerization activities than the wild-type CiP in the presence of water-miscible alcohols i.

Utilization of Western and Traditional Korean Medicine for Children and Adolescents with Mental Disorders: a Nationwide Population-based Study from 2010 to 2012.

When in need of medical treatment, Korean citizens have a choice of practitioners of western medicine (WM) or Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM). However, the two branches frequently conflict with one another, particularly with regard to mental disorders. This study was designed to compare the utilization of WM and TKM, focusing on child/adolescent patients with mental disorders.

Immunomodulatory Effects of Deokgu Thermomineral Water Balneotherapy on Oxazolone-Induced Atopic Dermatitis Murine Model.

Background: Although the therapeutic mechanism of balneotherapy for atopic dermatitis has not been clarified, many atopic patients who visit thermomineral springs have shown clinical improvements.

Objective: This study was aimed to evaluate the immunomodulatory effect of thermomineral water balneotherapy on the atopic dermatitis murine model.

Methods: The oxazolone-induced atopic dermatitis murine model was used to evaluate the therapeutic effect of balneotherapy with Deokgu thermomineral water compared with distilled water.

Neurochemical Changes Associated with Stress-Induced Sleep Disturbance in Rats: In Vivo and In Vitro Measurements.

The goal of this study was to quantitatively assess the changes in the cerebral neurochemical profile and to identify those factors that contribute to the alteration of endogenous biomolecules when rats are subjected to stress-induced sleep disturbance. We exposed Sprague-Dawley rats (controls: n = 9; stress-induced sleep perturbation rats: n = 11) to a psychological stressor (cage exchange method) to achieve stress-induced sleep perturbation. In vivo magnetic resonance imaging assessments were carried out using a high-resolution 9.

Protective Effect of Decursin Extracted from Angelica gigas in Male Infertility via Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway.

Higher testicular temperature results in altered spermatogenesis due to heat-related oxidative stress. We examined the effects of decursin extracted from Angelica gigas Nakai on antioxidant activity in vitro and in a cryptorchidism-induced infertility rat model. TM3 Leydig cell viability was measured based on oxidative stress according to treatment.

Risk Factors for Reoperation After Photoselective Vaporization of the Prostate Using a 120 W GreenLight High Performance System Laser for the Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

Objective: We investigated risk factors in a large cohort of patients who underwent reoperation after photoselective vaporization of the prostate using the 120 W GreenLight High Performance System laser for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Background Data: Complications such as recurrent/residual adenoma, urethral stricture, or bladder neck might occur after photoselective vaporization of the prostate for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Materials And Methods: We reviewed the data of 1040 patients who underwent photoselective vaporization of the prostate between April 2009 and December 2014, and analyzed the clinical data of 630 patients who completed >12 months of follow-up.

Effect of Antioxidant Flavonoids (Quercetin and Taxifolin) on In vitro Maturation of Porcine Oocytes.

Quercetin (QT) and taxifolin (TF) are structurally similar plant-derived flavonoids that have antioxidant properties and act as free radical scavengers. The objective of this study was to investigate effects of QT and TF on nuclear maturation of porcine oocytes. Effects of TF at 0, 1, 10, and 50 μg/mL on oocyte nuclear maturation (polar body extrusion) were investigated.

Metformin and AICAR regulate NANOG expression via the JNK pathway in HepG2 cells independently of AMPK.

NANOG, a marker of stemness, impacts tumor progression and therapeutic resistance in cancer cells. In human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), upregulation of NANOG is associated with metastasis and a low survival rate, while its downregulation results in a lower colony formation rate and enhanced chemosensitivity. Metformin, an agent widely used for diabetes treatment, and AICAR, another AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activator, have been reported to inhibit the growth of several types of cancer.

Nurses' clinical decision-making for preserving nursing home residents' remaining abilities.

Aims And Objectives: This study was conducted to clarify and conceptualise nurses' clinical decision-making for preserving the remaining abilities of nursing home residents suffering from physical-cognitive functional decline.

Background: Older adults experience physical, psychological and social changes, but their remaining abilities differ across individuals.

Design: This study used a qualitative research to gain a deeper understanding of nursing homes nurses' clinical decision-making.