Home-Based Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation to Enhance Cognition in Stroke: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a promising tool for improving poststroke cognitive function. Home-based rehabilitation is increasingly required for patients with stroke, and additional benefits are expected if supplemented with remotely supervised tDCS (RS-tDCS). We evaluated the cognitive improvement effect and feasibility of RS-tDCS in patients with chronic stroke.

Measurement of Nasalance Scores Without Touching the Philtrum for Better Comfort During Speech Assessment and Therapy: A Preliminary Study.

Objective: The Kay Pentax nasometer uses a separator plate that touches the philtrum of a patient to separate the nasal and oral sound energies for nasalance measurement. However, the separator plate can restrict the natural movement of the patient's upper lip and generate unpleasant pressure on the patient's philtrum. The present study was intended to measure nasalance scores without touching the philtrum for better comfort during speech assessment and therapy.

The efficacy and safety of irsogladine maleate in nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug or aspirin-induced peptic ulcer and gastritis.

Background/aims: Irsogladine maleate, an enhancer of gastric mucosal protective factors, has demonstrated its efficacy for various gastric mucosal injuries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of irsogladine for prevention of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or aspirin-induced peptic ulcer and gastritis.

Methods: In this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, exploratory clinical trial, 100 patients over 50 years of age who needed continuous NSAIDs or aspirin for more than 8 weeks were randomly assigned to either test group (irsogladine maleate 2 mg, twice daily, 39 patients for full analysis) or placebo group (37 patients for full analysis).

A High Ki67/BCL2 Index Could Predict Lower Disease-Free and Overall Survival in Intestinal-Type Gastric Cancer.

Background: The heterogeneity of gastric cancer makes the identification of potential prognostic indicators particularly important. The Ki67 and BCL2 proteins are known prognostic markers for different types of cancer. Ki67 is associated with cell proliferation, whereas BCL2 has antiproliferative roles.

Invasion Depth Measured in Millimeters is a Predictor of Survival in Patients with Distal Bile Duct Cancer: Decision Tree Approach.

Background: AJCC staging system is unreliable for predicting survival in distal bile duct (DBD) cancer patients, due to inter-observer variation. Measured depth of invasion (DOI) is suggested to be more accurate to predict patients' clinical outcome in extra-hepatic cholangiocarcinomas, but its significance in DBD cancer and cutoff values are still debatable. This study aimed to identify the optimal cutoff value of DOI in relation to prognosis in DBD cancer patients.

Hybrid Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery with Sentinel Lymph Node Navigation for Deep Early Gastric Cancer in the Fundic Region.

For patients refusing surgical treatment for deep early gastric cancer, hybrid natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery with sentinel lymph node navigation is a potential treatment option, particularly when the anatomic location of the cancer has low probability of lymph node metastasis. We report a case of deep early gastric cancer of the fundus beyond the endoscopic submucosal dissection indication that was treated by hybrid natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery with sentinel lymph node navigation. In a conventional approach, a total gastrectomy would have been needed; however, the patient refused surgical intervention.

Increased risk of asymptomatic gallstones in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Background/aims: The relationship between Crohn's disease and gallstones is established. However, the prevalence and risk factors for gallstones in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) are not yet well understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of gallstones in patients with UC.

Alcohol drinking increased the risk of advanced colorectal adenomas.

Background/aims: Age, sex, gene and life style are modulating risks for colon cancer. Although alcohol intake may impact on colorectal adenoma, clear association has not been established yet. We aimed to investigate effects of alcohol consumption on the characteristics of colorectal adenoma.

Osler-Weber-Rendu disease presenting as recurrent portosystemic encephalopathy in a 75-year-old female patient.

Osler-Weber-Rendu disease is a rare autosomal dominant disorder of fibrovascular tissues, characterized by a classic triad of mucocutaneous telangiectasias, recurrent hemorrhages, and a familial occurrence. Portosystemic encephalopathy in a patient with Osler-Weber-Rendu disease is rare, but we experienced a case presenting with recurrent portosystemic encephalopathy in Osler-Weber-Rendu disease. We report on a case of a 75-year-old female presenting with an altered mentality.

Refractory duodenal Crohn's disease successfully treated with infliximab.

Crohn's disease (CD) may involve any part of the gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the anus. Approximately >90% of cases occur in the small bowel and colon. Upper gastrointestinal involvement, especially duodenal manifestation, is relatively rare.

A case report of primary duodenal tuberculosis mimicking a malignant tumor.

Tuberculosis remains a serious infectious disease with primary features of pulmonary manifestation in Korea. However, duodenal tuberculosis is rare in gastrointestinal cases of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Here, we report a case of primary duodenal tuberculosis mistaken as a malignant tumor and diagnosed with QuantiFERON-TB GOLD (Cellestis Ltd.

Cytokine expression of microscopic colitis including interleukin-17.

Background/aims: Microscopic colitis is characterized by chronic watery diarrhea with specific pathological changes that can be diagnosed by microscopic examination. We performed immunohistochemical analysis of proinflammatory cytokines to investigate the pathogenic mechanism of microscopic colitis.

Methods: This study consisted of six patients with lymphocytic colitis, six patients with collagenous colitis, and six patients with functional diarrhea but normal pathology.

Gastric outlet obstruction due to gastric amyloidosis mimicking malignancy in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis.

Amyloidosis is a group of disorders characterized by the extracellular accumulation of insoluble, fibrillar proteins in various organs and tissues. It is classified, on the basis of the identity of the precursor protein, as primary, secondary, or familial amyloidosis. Gastrointestinal amyloidosis usually presents as bleeding, ulceration, malabsorption, protein loss, and diarrhea.

A case of colon perforation due to enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma.

Enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma (EATL) is an extremely rare disease, which is often related to gluten-sensitive enteropathy. It is an uncommon intestinal lymphoma with very poor prognosis and high mortality rate. In the absence of specific symptoms or radiological findings, it is difficult to diagnose early.

Colon transit time according to physical activity and characteristics in South Korean adults.

Aim: To investigate factors contributing to the colon transit time (CTT), physical activity and characteristics were examined.

Methods: Forty-seven Korean adults (males, n = 23; females, n = 24) took a capsule containing 20 radio-opaque markers to measure the CTT. The subjects used an accelerometer to measure the physical activity and underwent a bioelectrical impedance analysis to determine the physical characteristics.

[A case of Crohn's disease having normal delivery after infliximab treatment during early pregnancy].

Infliximab is a chimeric IgG1 monoclonal antibody to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a used in the treatment of steroid refractory or dependent Crohn's disease (CD). Patients with active CD are more likely to experience stillbirth, preterm labor, or small for gestational aged babies. The safety of administering infliximab in pregnant patients is not well documented.

[Updated guidelines 2012 for gastroesophageal reflux disease].

In 2010, a Korean guideline for the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was made by the Korean Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, in which the definition and diagnosis of GERD were not included. The aim of this guideline was to update the clinical approach to the diagnosis and management of GERD in adult patients. This guideline was developed by the adaptation process of the ADAPTE framework.

A case of colonic mucinous adenocarcinoma in 19-year-old male patient.

Colorectal cancer is rare in teenagers, especially without known risk factors. Colon cancer in young age is more likely to be diagnosed at advanced-stage, to present unfavorable tumor histology such as mucinous carcinoma, and poor outcome. We report a case of sporadic mucinous adenocarcinoma of the colon in a 19-year-old male patient without any risk factors.

A Case of Oral-contraceptive Related Ischemic Colitis in Young Woman.

Ischemic colitis is generally considered a disease of the elderly. The causes of ischemic colitis include low-flow states due to cardiac dysfunction or hypovolemia and certain medications including estrogen. Here we report a case of ischemic colitis in a 26-year-old woman.

[A case of idiopathic sclerosing mesenteritis with retroperitoneal fibrosis].

Sclerosing mesenteritis is a rare inflammatory disease of the bowel mesentery. It produces tumor-like masses of the mesentery composed of varying degrees of fibrosis, chronic inflammation, and fat necrosis. It has been described variously as fibrosing mesenteritis, retractile mesenteritis, mesenteric Weber Christian disease, and systemic nodular panniculitis.

Aortic dissection and rupture in a child.

After developing sudden severe chest pain, an 11-year-old boy presented to the emergency room with chest pain and palpitations and was unable to stand up. The sudden onset of chest pain was first reported while swimming at school about 30 minutes prior to presentation. Arterial blood pressure (BP) was 150/90 mmHg, heart rate was 120/minute, and the chest pain was combined with shortness of breath and diaphoresis.

Clinical effectiveness of percutaneous angioplasty for acute and chronic mesenteric ischemia: a six case series.

Intestinal ischemia is divided into three categories, namely, acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI), chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI), and colonic ischemia. AMI can result from arterial or venous thrombi, emboli, and vasoconstriction secondary to low-flow states. It is an urgent condition which can result in high mortality rate.

[The prevalence of Yersinia infection in adult patients with acute right lower quadrant pain].

Background/aims: Clinical manifestations of intestinal yersiniosis include enterocolitis, mesenteric adenitis, and terminal ileitis presenting with fever, right lower quadrant pain, and leukocytosis. According to a previous Korean study in 1997, Yersinia was revealed in two among 15 adult patients with mesenteric adenitis (13%). However, recent reports on the prevalence of Yersinia infection in adult patients are few.