PURPOSE: In this study, we investigated both the characteristics of right colon cancer (RTCC) in comparison with those of left colon cancer (LTCC) and the impact of the location of the colon cancer on the prognosis. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the cases of 974 patients with nonmetastatic colon cancer who had undergone surgery with a curative intent from January 2001 to December 2011. RTCC was defined as a tumor located proximal to the splenic flexure. The characteristics of RTCC cancer were investigated by using descriptive analyses, and their impacts on the prognosis were assessed by using a Cox multivariate regression. RESULTS: Compared to LTCC, RTCC showed a female-dominant feature, and an undifferentiated pathology was more frequently observed. The number of lymph nodes retrieved from patients with RTCC was significantly higher than that retrieved from patients with LTCC. During 75 months of follow-up, peritoneal recurrence was more common in patients with RTCC than it was in patients with LTCC, and among the patients with stage III colon cancer, the disease-free and the overall survival rates were significantly worse in patients with RTCC. After adjustments with the other prognostic factors associated with colon cancer had been made, a tumor located at the right colon was found to be independently associated with poor prognosis. CONCLUSION: RTCC showed unique clinicopathologic features and was associated with a poorer prognosis.
Colon* ; Colon, Transverse ; Colonic Neoplasms* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Pathology ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

No abstract available.
Histiocytosis* ; Humans ; Mycobacterium haemophilum* ; Mycobacterium*

BACKGROUND: Plasma soluble cluster determinant 36 (sCD36) level is closely related with insulin resistance and atherosclerosis, but little is known whether it could be a surrogate for estimating risk of developing diabetes or not. To address this, we evaluated association between sCD36 index, the product of sCD36 and fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and then compared with triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index which has been suggested simple index for insulin resistance. METHODS: This was cross-sectional study, and participants were classified as normal glucose tolerance (NGT), prediabetes, and T2DM according to glucose tolerance. The formula of TyG index was ‘ln [FPG (mg/dL)×triglyceride (mg/dL)/2],’ and the sCD36 index was ‘ln [sCD36 (pg/mL)×FPG (mg/dL)/2].’ RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-five subjects (mean age, 55.2 years) were enrolled, and patients with T2DM were 75. Both indexes were significantly increased in prediabetes and T2DM rather than NGT, and sCD36 index was positively correlated with both glycosylated hemoglobin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (r=0.767 and r=0.453, respectively; P<0.05) and negatively with homeostasis model assessment estimate of β-cell function (r=−0.317). The odds ratio (OR) of sCD36 index for T2DM was 4.39 (95% confidential interval, 1.51 to 12.77) after adjusting age, gender, blood pressure, smoking, alcohol, non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. However, OR of TyG index did not remained significance after adjustment. CONCLUSION: sCD36 index has an independent association with the risk of T2DM, and showed better correlation than TyG index. These results suggest sCD36 index might be useful surrogate marker for the risk of diabetes.
Atherosclerosis ; Biomarkers ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; C-Reactive Protein ; Cholesterol ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Lipoproteins ; Odds Ratio ; Plasma ; Prediabetic State ; Prevalence* ; Smoke ; Smoking

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to establish normative values and to identify age-related change in physical examinations that are commonly used while evaluating patients with cerebral palsy (CP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred four healthy volunteers (mean age 36 years, standard deviation 15 years) were enrolled and divided into four age groups: 13−20, 21−35, 36−50, and 51 years and older. The eighteen physical examination tests for CP were selected by five orthopedic surgeons in consensus-building session. The measurements were taken by three orthopedic surgeons. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the measures of physical examination among all the age groups, except for the Staheli test (p=0.002). The post hoc test revealed that the mean hip extension was 2.7° higher in the 13−20-year-old group than in the other age groups. The bilateral popliteal angle had a tendency to increase in those over 36-years-old. There were 31 participants (30%) with a unilateral popliteal angle greater than 40°. CONCLUSION: We documented normative values that can be widely used for evaluating CP in patients 13 years and older.
Cerebral Palsy* ; Healthy Volunteers ; Hip ; Humans ; Orthopedics ; Physical Examination* ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Surgeons

BACKGROUND: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common disease that may contribute to morbidity and mortality among trauma patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). This study evaluated the associations between trauma factors and the development of VAP in ventilated patients with multiple rib fractures. METHODS: We retrospectively and consecutively evaluated 101 patients with multiple rib fractures who were ventilated and managed at our hospital between January 2010 and December 2015, analyzing the associations between VAP and trauma factors in these patients. Trauma factors included sternal fracture, flail chest, diaphragm injury, traumatic aortic dissection, combined cardiac injury, pulmonary contusion, pneumothorax, hemothorax, hemopneumothorax, abbreviated injury scale score, thoracic trauma severity score, and injury severity score. RESULTS: Forty-six patients (45.5%) had at least 1 episode of VAP, 10 (21.7%) of whom died in the ICU. Of the 55 (54.5%) patients who did not have pneumonia, 9 (16.4%) died in the ICU. Using logistic regression analysis, we found that VAP was associated with severe lung contusion (odds ratio, 3.07; 95% confidence interval, 1.12 to 8.39; p=0.029). CONCLUSION: Severe pulmonary contusion (pulmonary lung contusion score 6–12) is an independent risk factor for VAP in ventilated trauma patients with multiple rib fractures.
Abbreviated Injury Scale ; Contusions ; Diaphragm ; Flail Chest ; Hemopneumothorax ; Hemothorax ; Humans ; Injury Severity Score ; Intensive Care Units ; Logistic Models ; Lung ; Lung Injury ; Mortality ; Pneumonia* ; Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated ; Pneumothorax ; Retrospective Studies ; Rib Fractures* ; Ribs* ; Risk Factors* ; Thoracic Injuries ; Wounds and Injuries

PURPOSE: Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (RAAA) is a rare, extremely dangerous condition. Previous studies have published preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data; however, there are not enough studies on the preoperative factors alone. Here we studied the preoperative predictors of 30-day mortality in patients with RAAA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, consecutive review of the medical records of 57 patients who received management for RAAA between February 2005 and December 2016. We analyzed the association between preoperative predictors and 30-day mortality in patients with RAAA. The initial systolic blood pressure (SBP) and hemoglobin level (HbL), which were proven as significant predictors by multivariate logistic regression analysis, were compared using receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: Overall, early mortality was 29.8%. Results of logistic regression analysis found that 30-day mortality in patients with RAAA was associated with the initial SBP (odds ratio [OR], 0.922; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.874–0.973; P=0.003) and initial HbL (OR, 0.513; 95% CI, 0.289–0.91; P=0.023). Area under the curves were 0.89 for the initial SBP and 0.78 for the initial HbL. The initial SBP with a cut-off value of 90 mmHg had a sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 88.2%. At a cut-off of 10.5, the sensitivity and specificity of HbL for death were 75% and 70.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The initial SBP and HbL are independent preoperative predictors of early mortality in patients with RAAA.
Aneurysm ; Aorta ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal* ; Blood Pressure ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Medical Records ; Mortality* ; Retrospective Studies ; ROC Curve ; Rupture ; Sensitivity and Specificity

We report a rare case of dyspnea caused by a cardiac tumor in a 53-year-old woman. The patient had undergone a cardiac tumor (inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, 6.2 × 4.2 × 3.3 cm) resection at our institute 13 months earlier. We performed preoperative evaluations which revealed a cardiac tumor originating from the posterior wall of the left atrium. Cardiac autotransplantation surgery (cardiac explantation, ex vivo tumor resection, cardiac reconstruction, and cardiac reimplantation) was successfully performed for the complete resection of the recurrent tumor without major postoperative complications. The patient showed good physical conditions for 21 months after the surgery. Cardiac autotransplantation is a safe and feasible technique for the complete resection of complex left atrial tumors.
Autografts* ; Dyspnea ; Female ; Heart Atria ; Heart Neoplasms ; Heart* ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Myofibroblasts* ; Postoperative Complications ; Transplantation ; Transplantation, Autologous*

BACKGROUND: Skin laser treatment has improved significantly and has become an effective treatment approach for many skin diseases while also having applications for beauty treatments. However, since skin laser transfers energy directly to the skin, the misuse of such treatment may result in permanent damage to skin tissues. OBJECTIVE: This survey of Korean adults, conducted to obtain their perspectives on and their treatment experience with skin laser treatment, will be used to determine the current status of skin laser treatment and to identify necessary changes to ensure proper and safe conduct of skin laser treatment. METHODS: From April 5th to April 12th, 2016, a survey was conducted to obtain information regarding the perspectives and the treatment experience of adults aged 20~59 years. RESULTS: Approximately 50% of the participants had experience with skin laser treatment, and among these, 24.7% had not received treatment at a dermatology clinic. Compared to treatment at a dermatology clinic, the danger of side effects was 1.7 times higher at a non-dermatology clinic, 2 times higher at a skin care shop, and 5.3 times higher at an Oriental medical clinic. Among patients who received skin laser treatment, 16.1% experienced side effects, and among these, 1 out of 4 patients visited a non-dermatologist for treatment of these side effects. CONCLUSION: The results of the survey showed that in order for the public to receive safe and effective skin laser treatment based on professional diagnosis, there is a definitive need to provide correct information to the public and to implement changes to ensure proper understanding of skin laser treatment among this population.
Adult ; Beauty ; Dermatology ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Skin Care ; Skin Diseases ; Skin*

BACKGROUND: Pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (P5P), a coenzyme of the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) reactions, is required to measure aminotransferase levels (IFCC method). However, a modified IFCC method that uses a reagent devoid of P5P is commonly used in laboratories in Korea. To determine the differences between the two methods, we compared aminotransferase levels measured by using the IFCC method and modified IFCC method. METHODS: Serum levels of AST and ALT, with and without P5P, were measured in 2,318 patients. Based on the allowable limits of performance set by the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA), differences between the two methods were analyzed under various conditions. RESULTS: Higher AST and ALT values were obtained by the IFCC method compared to modified IFCC method, showing significant differences between the two methods (AST, 5.8±14.2 IU/L; ALT, 2.8±6.9 IU/L) (P<0.001). Values exceeding RCPA criteria were more frequently observed in emergency orders (AST, 65.8%; ALT, 14.4%) than in routine orders (AST, 3.2%; ALT, 9.6%), as well as in inpatient wards (AST, 70.4%; ALT, 18.5%) compared to outpatient clinics (AST, 56.6%; ALT, 10.0%). However, the differences between the two methods were not significant among the disease groups, except for the acute myocardial infarction group. CONCLUSIONS: The method using reagents without P5P underestimated aminotransferase activity. The effect of P5P was more significant in patients with acute myocardial infarction, considered as P5P-deficient. In conclusion, the IFCC method with P5P should be applied for measuring AST and ALT serum levels.
Alanine Transaminase ; Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Australasia ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Indicators and Reagents ; Inpatients ; Korea ; Liver Function Tests ; Methods ; Myocardial Infarction ; Pyridoxal Phosphate

No abstract available.
Humans ; Microsporum* ; Siblings* ; Tinea Capitis* ; Tinea*