The study investigated the effects of an intradialytic exercise program on autonomic function and dialysis efficacy in maintenance hemodialysis in 18 patients. The patients undertook a 6-month intradialysis exercise program. Each session consisted of a 5-minute warm-up, 40-minute main exercise program, and 5-minute cool-down period. Autonomic symptom questionnaire and autonomic function test by heart rate variability on supine and standing position, and dialysis efficacy were assessed at the beginning and end of the study by comparison using the Wilcoxson signed rank test. Heart rate variability in the supine position was not improved. In the standing position the ratio between the low frequency and high frequency (LF/HF) increased significantly after 6 months of exercise (p<0.05), with the LF component being normally dominant. Statistical differences were evident at 6 months in autonomic symptoms questionnaire and autonomic function (p<0.05), but not in dialysis efficacy. The results suggest that intradialytic exercise is an effective therapy to improve autonomic symptoms and a heart rate variability parameter.
Dialysis ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Renal Dialysis ; Supine Position

PURPOSE: To report the accuracy of intraocular lens (IOL) formulas according to axial length, anterior chamber depth, and mean corneal curvature when performing biometry with an immersion type A-scan with mannual keratomery and an IOL Master®. METHODS: Retrospective medical chart reviews were carried out for 82 eyes of 65 patients who underwent cataract surgery performed by a single surgeon. Biometry was performed using IOL Master®, mannual keratometry, and immersion type A-scan ultrasound in sequence. Prediction diopter was obtained using Sanders-Retzlaff-Kraff/Theoretical (SRK-T) and Holladay 1 formulas calculated with the biometric value measured by mannual keratomery and A-scan, and using SRK-T and, Holladay 2 formulas with IOL Master®. The final refractive outcome was determined as manifested refraction at least 7 weeks after the surgery, and it was compared with the preoperative prediction dipoter (D) of the IOL formulas. RESULTS: Mean axial length and mean keratomtric measurements as determined by A-scan with mannual keratomery showed significant statistical differences from those of IOL Master®. However, there was no difference in postoperative mean absolute error between biometric measurements, or among formulas according to axial length, anterior chamber depth, or mean corneal curvature. However, the percentage of actual refraction within ±0.50 D of the intended refraction was dirrerent among the four formalas according to axial length, anterior chamber dept, mean corneal curvature. CONCLUSIONS: Biometry measurement using the immersion-type A-scan with mannual keratomery is as accurate as that using IOL Master® for predicting the postoperative refractive state of cataract surgery. However, it is suggested that the best IOL formula be chosen according to axial length, anterior chamber depth, and mean corneal curvature.
Anterior Chamber ; Biometry ; Cataract ; Humans ; Immersion ; Interferometry* ; Lenses, Intraocular* ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the oncologic outcomes of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) in high-risk prostate cancer (PCa), we compared the surgical margin status and biochemical recurrence-free survival (BCRFS) rates between retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP) and RARP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comparative analysis was conducted of high-risk PCa patients who underwent RRP or RARP by a single surgeon from 2007 to 2013. High-risk PCa was defined as clinical stage> or =T3a, biopsy Gleason score 8-10, or prostate-specific antigen>20 ng/mL. Propensity score matching was performed to minimize selection bias, and all possible preoperative and postoperative confounders were matched. A Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to assess the 5-year BCRFS, and Cox regression models were used to evaluate the effect of the surgical approach on biochemical recurrence. RESULTS: A total of 356 high-risk PCa patients (106 [29.8%] RRP and 250 [70.2%] RARP) were included in the final cohort analyzed. Before adjustment, the mean percentage of positive cores on biopsy and pathologic stage were poorer for RRP versus RARP (p=0.036 vs. p=0.054, respectively). The unadjusted 5-year BCRFS rates were better for RARP than for RRP (RRP vs. RARP: 48.1% vs. 64.4%, p=0.021). After adjustment for preoperative variables, the 5-year BCRFS rates were similar between RRP and RARP patients (48.5% vs. 59.6%, p=0.131). The surgical approach did not predict biochemical recurrence in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Five-year BCRFS rates of RARP are comparable to RRP in high-risk PCa. RARP is a feasible treatment option for high-risk PCa.
Aged ; Databases, Factual ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Grading ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prostatectomy/*methods ; Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology/*surgery ; Robotic Surgical Procedures/*methods ; Treatment Outcome

Bi-phenotypic neoplasm refers to tumors derived from a common cancer stem cell with unique capability to differentiate histologically into two distinct tumor types. Bi-phenotypic hepatocellular carcinoma-cholangiocarcinoma (HCC-CC), although a rare tumor, is important for clinicians to recognize, since treatment options targeting both elements of the tumor are crucial. Imaging findings of bi-phenotypic HCC-CC are not specific and include features of both HCC and CC. A combination of imaging and immuno-histochemical analysis is usually needed to make the diagnosis.
CA-19-9 Antigen/metabolism ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/mortality/pathology/radiography ; Cholangiocarcinoma/mortality/pathology/radiography ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/mortality/pathology/*radiography ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Phenotype ; Risk Factors ; Survival Analysis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; alpha-Fetoproteins/analysis

PURPOSE: To find out the effect of transplanted umbilical cord blood derived human mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB- MSCs) in the rat model of bilateral cavernosal nerve injury (BCNX) MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups: Group I (7 rats, Control, Sham operation) had only bilateral cavernosal nerve crushing injury. PKH-26 fluorescent cell linker was labeled to hUCB- MSCs Group II (7 rats) had transplantation of hUCB- MSCs (3x10(5)cells/50microliter PBS) into MPG after BCNX. Group III (7 rats) had transplantation of hUCB- MSCs (3x10(5)cells/50microliter PBS) into the CC after BCNX. We detected the PKH-26 labeled MSCs in Group II, and III at four weeks after transplantation. Peak intracavernosal pressure (ICP) and ICP/mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded after pelvic nerve stimulation at 12 weeks after transplantation. RESULTS: PKH-26 labeled hUCB-MSCs were detected in MPG and CC of group II and III at four weeks after transplantation. The peak ICP was significantly higher in the Group II (69.6+/-5.9mmHg) and Group III (59.7+/-7.6mmHg) compared to Group I40.6+/-10.5mmHg) at 12 weeks after transplantation. The rates of ICP/MAP were significantly higher in Group II (32.2+/-6.4%) and Group III (57.8+/-4.9%) compared to Group I (49.5+/-2.9%) at 12 weeks after transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: The intracavernosal and major pelvic ganglion transplantation of hUCB- MSCs improve erectile function in a rat model of neurogenic impotence.
Animals ; Arterial Pressure ; Fetal Blood ; Ganglion Cysts ; Humans ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Nerve Crush ; Organic Chemicals ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Salicylamides ; Transplants ; Umbilical Cord

PURPOSE: To find out the effect of transplanted umbilical cord blood derived human mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB- MSCs) in the rat model of bilateral cavernosal nerve injury (BCNX) MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups: Group I (7 rats, Control, Sham operation) had only bilateral cavernosal nerve crushing injury. PKH-26 fluorescent cell linker was labeled to hUCB- MSCs Group II (7 rats) had transplantation of hUCB- MSCs (3x10(5)cells/50microliter PBS) into MPG after BCNX. Group III (7 rats) had transplantation of hUCB- MSCs (3x10(5)cells/50microliter PBS) into the CC after BCNX. We detected the PKH-26 labeled MSCs in Group II, and III at four weeks after transplantation. Peak intracavernosal pressure (ICP) and ICP/mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded after pelvic nerve stimulation at 12 weeks after transplantation. RESULTS: PKH-26 labeled hUCB-MSCs were detected in MPG and CC of group II and III at four weeks after transplantation. The peak ICP was significantly higher in the Group II (69.6+/-5.9mmHg) and Group III (59.7+/-7.6mmHg) compared to Group I40.6+/-10.5mmHg) at 12 weeks after transplantation. The rates of ICP/MAP were significantly higher in Group II (32.2+/-6.4%) and Group III (57.8+/-4.9%) compared to Group I (49.5+/-2.9%) at 12 weeks after transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: The intracavernosal and major pelvic ganglion transplantation of hUCB- MSCs improve erectile function in a rat model of neurogenic impotence.
Animals ; Arterial Pressure ; Fetal Blood ; Ganglion Cysts ; Humans ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Nerve Crush ; Organic Chemicals ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Salicylamides ; Transplants ; Umbilical Cord

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is responsible for approximately 20% to 30% of community-acquired pneumonia, and is well known for its diverse extrapulmonary manifestations. However, acute necrotizing pancreatits is an extremely rare extrapulmonary manifestation of M. pneumoniae infection. A 6-year-old girl was admitted due to abdominal pain, vomiting, fever, and confused mentality. Acute necrotizing pancreatitis was diagnosed according to symptoms, laboratory test results, and abdominal computed tomography scans. M. pneumoniae infection was diagnosed by a 4-fold increase in antibodies to M. pneumoniae between acute and convalescent sera by particle agglutination antibody assay. No other etiologic factors or pathogens were detected. Despite the occurrence of a large infected pseudocyst during the course, the patient was able to discharge without morbidity by early aggressive supportive care. This is the first case in Korea of a child with acute necrotizing pancreatitis associated with M. pneumoniae infection.
Abdominal Pain ; Agglutination ; Antibodies ; Child* ; Female ; Fever ; Humans ; Korea ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae* ; Mycoplasma* ; Pancreatitis ; Pancreatitis, Acute Necrotizing* ; Pneumonia ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma* ; Vomiting

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare but progressive and currently incurable disease, which is characterized by vascular remodeling in association with muscularization of the arterioles, medial thickening and plexiform lesion formation. Despite our advanced understanding of the pathogenesis of PAH and the recent therapeutic advances, PAH still remains a fatal disease. In addition, the susceptibility to PAH has not yet been adequately explained. Much evidence points to the involvement of epigenetic changes in the pathogenesis of a number of human diseases including cancer, peripheral hypertension and asthma. The knowledge gained from the epigenetic study of various human diseases can also be applied to PAH. Thus, the pursuit of novel therapeutic targets via understanding the epigenetic alterations involved in the pathogenesis of PAH, such as DNA methylation, histone modification and microRNA, might be an attractive therapeutic avenue for the development of a novel and more effective treatment. This review provides a general overview of the current advances in epigenetics associated with PAH, and discusses the potential for improved treatment through understanding the role of epigenetics in the development of PAH.
Animals ; DNA Methylation/drug effects ; Drug Discovery/methods ; *Epigenesis, Genetic/drug effects ; Genetic Therapy/methods ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary/*genetics/therapy ; MicroRNAs/*genetics

Noonan syndrome (NS) is a genetic disorder caused by autosomal dominant inheritance and is characterized by a distinctive facial appearance, short stature, chest deformity, and congenital heart disease. In individuals with NS, germline mutations have been identified in several genes involved in the RAS/mitogen-activated protein kinase signal transduction pathway. Because of its clinical and genetic heterogeneity, the conventional diagnostic protocol with Sanger sequencing requires a multistep approach. Therefore, molecular genetic diagnosis using targeted exome sequencing (TES) is considered a less expensive and faster method, particularly for patients who do not fulfill the clinical diagnostic criteria of NS. In this case, the patient showed short stature, dysmorphic facial features suggestive of NS, feeding intolerance, cryptorchidism, and intellectual disability in early childhood. At the age of 16, the patient still showed extreme short stature with delayed puberty and characteristic facial features suggestive of NS. Although the patient had no cardiac problems or chest wall deformities, which are commonly present in NS and are major concerns for patients and clinicians, the patient showed several other characteristic clinical features of NS. Considering the possibility of a genetic disorder, including NS, a molecular genetic study with TES was performed. With TES analysis, we detected a pathogenic variant of c.458A > T in KRAS in this patient with atypical NS phenotype and provided appropriate clinical management and genetic counseling. The application of TES enables accurate molecular diagnosis of patients with nonspecific or atypical features in genetic diseases with several responsible genes, such as NS.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Cryptorchidism ; Diagnosis ; Exome* ; Genetic Counseling ; Genetic Heterogeneity ; Germ-Line Mutation ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Humans ; Intellectual Disability ; Male ; Methods ; Molecular Biology ; Noonan Syndrome* ; Phenotype ; Protein Kinases ; Puberty, Delayed ; Signal Transduction ; Thoracic Wall ; Thorax ; Wills

Objective: Studies have been conducted to identify brain structural alterations related to high impulsivity in psychiatric populations. However, research on healthy subjects is relatively less extensive. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the correlation between the cortical thickness of whole brain regions and the impulsivity level in a healthy population. Methods: We included 100 healthy participants aged 19–65 years. Their T1-weighted magnetic resonance images and the 23-item Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS) score were obtained. The patients were divided into high and low impulsivity groups according to the 75th percentile score of the BIS in the sample. The thickness of each cortical region was calculated using the FreeSurfer, and the difference in cortical thickness of the whole brain between the high and low impulsivity groups was analyzed using one-way analysis of covariance including age, sex, education level, and total intracranial cavity volume as covariates. Results: The high impulsivity group showed significant cortical thinning in the left pars opercularis. The cortical thickness of the left pars opercularis significantly correlated negatively with the total, attention, and motor scores of the BIS scale. Conclusion Our findings suggest that prefrontal cortex thinning may play an important role in the development of high impulsivity in healthy adults.