The angiography-guided spot versus entire stenting in patients with long coronary lesions trial: Study design and rationale for a randomized controlled trial protocol.

Background: : Long-stenting, even with a second-generation drug-eluting stent (DES), is an independent predictor of restenosis and stent thrombosis in patients with long coronary lesions. Spot-stenting, i.e.

Effectiveness of [(124)I]-PET/CT and [(18)F]-FDG-PET/CT for localizing recurrence in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

Although the prognosis of patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) is generally encouraging, a diagnostic dilemma is posed when an increasing level of serum thyroglobulin (Tg) is noted, without detection of a recurrent tumor using conventional imaging tools such as the iodine-131 whole-body scanning (the [(131)I] scan) or neck ultrasonography (US). The objective of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of [(124)I]-PET/CT and [(18)F]-FDG-PET/CT in terms of accurate detection of both iodine- and non-iodine-avid recurrence, compared with that of conventional imaging such as the [(131)I] scan or neck ultrasonography (US). Between July 2009 and June 2010, we prospectively studied 19 DTC patients with elevated thyroglobulin levels but who do not show pathological lesions when conventional imaging modalities are used.

Assessment of vitamin B(6) status in Korean patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes.

The purpose of this study was to assess vitamin B(6) intake and status in Korean patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. Sixty-four patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes and 8-11% glycated hemoglobin (A1C), along with 28 age-matched non-diabetic subjects, participated. Dietary vitamin B(6) intake was estimated by the 24 hour recall method and plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) was measured.

Associations of polymorphisms of the angiotensinogen M235 polymorphism and angiotensin-converting-enzyme intron 16 insertion/deletion polymorphism with preeclampsia in Korean women.

Objective: The contribution of genetic factors to preeclampsia has been well documented. However, there has not been any study done on the association between preeclampsia and the angiotensinogen (AGT) M235T polymorphism and angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) intron 16 insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism among Korean preeclampsia women. We performed a hospital-based case-control study on Korean women to investigate the association between preeclampsia and the angiotensinogen M235T polymorphism and also to determine the association between preeclampsia and the angiotensin-converting-enzyme intron 16 polymorphism.

Anaphylaxis caused by benzalkonium in a nebulizer solution.

Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is commonly used as a bactericidal preservative in nebulizer solutions, and can cause paradoxical onchoconstriction following nebulizing therapy in some asthmatics. We describe a case of anaphylactic shock in a 23-yr-old asthmatic woman following an intradermal skin test with a salbutamol solution containing BAC. Since she complained of cough and dyspnea after inhalation therapy with a nebulizer solution, we conducted an intradermal skin test using the same solution, which contained BAC.

No association of the TGF-beta1 gene polymorphisms with the renal progression in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) patients.

Background: Two genetic loci, PKD I and PKD2, have been identified as being responsible for ADPKD, and PKD1 is known to be associated with a poor prognosis. However, the presence of an intrafamilial study clinical diversity suggests that there are disease-modifying loci. Because the mechanism ofthe renal failure in ADPKD includes a cystic growth and tubulointerstitial atrophy and fibrosis, we studied the associations between 2 polymorphisms in the TGF-beta1 gene, which are known to be associated with chronic tubulointerstitial inflammation, and ADPKD progression in Korean patients.

Acute renal failure after thrombotic agent therapy due to excessive bleeding after cosmetic liposuction.

Suction lipoplasty is practiced popularly for obesity control and cosmetic purposes and severe complications are rare. We report the first documented case of acute renal failure, with anuric period, that developed after excessive bleeding following cosmetic liposuction. The use of homocoagulase and the presence of rhabdomyolysis might have contributed to the acute renal failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation observed in this case.

Measurement of first-ray mobility in normal vs. hallux valgus patients.

Hypermobility of the first ray is one causative factor in development of hallux valgus and an important factor in the treatment of hallux valgus, but measuring first-ray motion is difficult. There are two known ways of measuring first-ray motion. One is measuring the bony angle on the lateral foot X-ray using a modified Coleman block.

Genetic heterogeneity in Korean families with autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD): the first Asian report.

Background: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common hereditary renal disease in adults, and the prevalence of this disease within the chronic haemodialysis patient population is known to be approximately 2% in Korea. So far, three genetic locus have been identified as being responsible for ADPKD, and approximately 85% of the cases in Western countries are related to the PKD1 gene. However, little information is available concerning the pattern of linkage analysis in Asian populations.

Medial and lateral discoid meniscus in the same knee.

To our knowledge, only 1 case of medial and lateral discoid meniscus in the same knee has been reported. We report on 2 cases of medial and lateral discoid meniscus in the same knee.

Up-Regulation and redistribution of Bax in ultraviolet B-irradiated melanocytes.

Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation may activate or deteriorate cultured human epidermal melanocytes, depending on the doses and culture conditions. It is also reported that cultured human epidermal melanocytes derived from different pigmentary phenotypes showed different responses to UVB radiation. In this study, we examined whether apoptosis of melanocytes can be induced by physiologic doses of UVB irradiation using cultured human epidermal melanocytes derived from oriental males of skin types III and IV.

High toxicity of sulfasalazine in adult-onset Still's disease.

Objective: Sulfasalazine (SSZ) is an anti-rheumatic drug that has been used to treat chronic arthritis. In many reports, the use of SSZ in children with systemic onset juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) revealed frequent side effects which required discontinuation of the drug. We examined whether there were frequent side effects of SSZ in patients with adult-onset Still's Disease (AOSD).

Evidence for the expression of a second CD6 ligand by synovial fibroblasts.

Objective: CD6, a cell surface glycoprotein expressed primarily on T cells, may function as a costimulatory molecule and may play a role in autoreactive immune responses. Recently, a CD6 ligand termed CD166 (previously known as activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule [ALCAM]) has been identified and shown to be expressed on activated T cells, B cells, thymic epithelium, keratinocytes, and in rheumatoid arthritis synovial tissue. However, the results of functional studies have suggested the existence of a second CD6 ligand.

Placement of intravenous cannulae prior to ambulatory phlebectomy.

Background: Ambulatory phlebectomy (AP) is a popular outpatient procedure for the removal of varicose veins. One of the major obstacles of AP is the disappearance and shift of the veins to be removed when the patient is positioned horizontally.

Objective: We aimed to verify the usefulness of preoperative placement of intravenous cannulae.

Tibial tuberosity avulsion fracture combined with meniscal tear.

Avulsion fractures of the tibial tuberosity are uncommon injuries. They usually occur during athletic activities in adolescents. The classification of these injuries has been divided into three types.

Subcutaneous sacrococcygeal myxopapillary ependymoma.

We report a case of myxopapillary ependymoma presenting as a primary tumor of the subcutaneous tissue in the sacrococcygeal region. The mass was large, well-encapsulated, lobulated, and multiseptated, with varying signal intensity on T1- and T2-weighted MR images caused by hemorrhagic necrosis, blood degradation products, and calcification. Only a small viable portion enhanced after administration of contrast material.

Giant-cell interstitial pneumonia in a gas station worker.

Giant-cell interstitial Pneumonia (GIP) is a very uncommon respiratory disease. The majority of cases of GIP are caused by exposure to cobalt, tungsten and other hard metals. In this report, we describe GIP in a patient who worked in gas station and dealt in propane gas vessels.