Bleeding after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), one of the most common postprocedural adverse events, is the main cause of increased readmission rates and hospital costs. Generally, the incidence of post-ESD bleeding is estimated to be about 5%. However, the incidence of bleeding is particularly increased in high-risk patients. In particular, it has an incidence of over 50% in patients that use antithrombotic agents. The well-known risk factors for post-ESD bleeding include antithrombotic therapy, lesions in the proximal stomach, specimen size >4 cm, and concomitant renal disease. Currently, the number of patients at a high risk of post-ESD bleeding has been increasing. This may be due to the aging society and the increase in the usage of antithrombotic agents. Therefore, several strategies have been employed to prevent post-ESD bleeding. These strategies include acid inhibition therapy, preventive hemostasis using Doppler endoscopic ultrasound and artery-selective clipping, second look endoscopy, the closings method, and the shield methods. However, these methods are technically demanding, which hinders their wide usage in clinical practice. Recently, several hemostatic powders have been developed and clinically used in the treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding. In this article, we review the risk factors for post-ESD bleeding and the recently introduced prevention methods. Moreover, we aimed to explore realistic and appropriate strategies for the prevention of post-ESD bleeding.

Bleeding after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), one of the most common postprocedural adverse events, is the main cause of increased readmission rates and hospital costs. Generally, the incidence of post-ESD bleeding is estimated to be about 5%. However, the incidence of bleeding is particularly increased in high-risk patients. In particular, it has an incidence of over 50% in patients that use antithrombotic agents. The well-known risk factors for post-ESD bleeding include antithrombotic therapy, lesions in the proximal stomach, specimen size >4 cm, and concomitant renal disease. Currently, the number of patients at a high risk of post-ESD bleeding has been increasing. This may be due to the aging society and the increase in the usage of antithrombotic agents. Therefore, several strategies have been employed to prevent post-ESD bleeding. These strategies include acid inhibition therapy, preventive hemostasis using Doppler endoscopic ultrasound and artery-selective clipping, second look endoscopy, the closings method, and the shield methods. However, these methods are technically demanding, which hinders their wide usage in clinical practice. Recently, several hemostatic powders have been developed and clinically used in the treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding. In this article, we review the risk factors for post-ESD bleeding and the recently introduced prevention methods. Moreover, we aimed to explore realistic and appropriate strategies for the prevention of post-ESD bleeding.

Achalasia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are on opposite ends of the spectrum of lower esophageal sphincter dysfunction. Heartburn is the main symptom of GERD. However, heartburn and regurgitation are frequently observed in patients who have achalasia. The diagnosis of achalasia might be delayed because these symptoms are misinterpreted as gastroesophageal reflux. Here, we reviewed the clinical characteristics of patients with the erroneous diagnosis of GERD who actually had untreated achalasia.
Diagnosis ; Esophageal Achalasia* ; Esophageal Sphincter, Lower ; Gastroesophageal Reflux* ; Heartburn ; Humans

This review focuses on the current options for fertility preservation in patients with high risk of premature ovarian failure. Available cryopreservation options include embryo cryopreservation, oocyte cryopreservation, and ovarian tissue cryopreservation. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation has been tried for some time in animals, but only recently successful pregnancy and livebirth in human has been reported. Options of developing follicles and restoring fertility after ovarian tissue cryopreservation are autotransplantation, xenotransplantation, and tissue culture. This review discusses the merits and faults of each option and future directions for developing and standardizing the ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation procedure, systemically covering previously published data.
Animals ; Autografts ; Cryopreservation* ; Embryonic Structures ; Fertility ; Fertility Preservation ; Humans ; Oocytes ; Pregnancy ; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency ; Transplantation, Heterologous

Objectives: : This study aimed to characteristic the systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic pressure, pulse pressure, glucose, creatine, and lipid profile. This study also aimed to investigate the prevalence of hypertension and the relationship between hypertension and the lipid profile in Uzbekistan. Methods: The subjects consisted of 58 Uzbekistan subjects recruited from Ewha Medical Care patients. Blood samples were collected from the patients for the lipid profile and random glucose and creatinine levels. Paired t tests were used for the group means and a chi-square or Fisher’s exact test for categorical variables. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: Among the 58 patients constituting the baseline population, hypertension developed in 42 patients. Among them, the triglyceride (TG) level was significantly higher in the hypertension group than normal group (173.19 vs. 127.06 mg/dL, P=0.014). The SBP had a positive correlation with the TG (r=0.979, P<0.01) and creatinine (r=0.002, P<0.05) levels and also, the pulse pressure had a positive correlation with the cholesterol level (r=0.539, P<0.05). A multivariate analysis (adjusted for age and sex) indicated that there was a positive correlation between the SBP and TG level (r=0.941, P<0.05). Conclusion There was a positive correlation between the SBP and TG level in the Uzbekistan population according to this study.

Objectives: : This study aimed to characteristic the systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic pressure, pulse pressure, glucose, creatine, and lipid profile. This study also aimed to investigate the prevalence of hypertension and the relationship between hypertension and the lipid profile in Uzbekistan. Methods: The subjects consisted of 58 Uzbekistan subjects recruited from Ewha Medical Care patients. Blood samples were collected from the patients for the lipid profile and random glucose and creatinine levels. Paired t tests were used for the group means and a chi-square or Fisher’s exact test for categorical variables. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: Among the 58 patients constituting the baseline population, hypertension developed in 42 patients. Among them, the triglyceride (TG) level was significantly higher in the hypertension group than normal group (173.19 vs. 127.06 mg/dL, P=0.014). The SBP had a positive correlation with the TG (r=0.979, P<0.01) and creatinine (r=0.002, P<0.05) levels and also, the pulse pressure had a positive correlation with the cholesterol level (r=0.539, P<0.05). A multivariate analysis (adjusted for age and sex) indicated that there was a positive correlation between the SBP and TG level (r=0.941, P<0.05). Conclusion There was a positive correlation between the SBP and TG level in the Uzbekistan population according to this study.

OBJECTIVE: Different angiographic protocols may influence the radiation dose and image quality. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of filtration and focal spot size on radiation dose and image quality for diagnostic cerebral angiography using an in-vitro model and in-vivo patient groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Radiation dose and image quality were analyzed by varying the filtration and focal spot size on digital subtraction angiography exposure protocols (1, inherent filtration + large focus; 2, inherent + small; 3, copper + large; 4, copper + small). For the in-vitro analysis, a phantom was used for comparison of radiation dose. For the in-vivo analysis, bilateral paired injections, and patient cohort groups were compared for radiation dose and image quality. Image quality analysis was performed in terms of contrast, sharpness, noise, and overall quality. RESULTS: In the in-vitro analysis, the mean air kerma (AK) and dose area product (DAP)/frame were significantly lower with added copper filtration (protocols 3 and 4). In the in-vivo bilateral paired injections, AK and DAP/frame were significantly lower with filtration, without significant difference in image quality. The patient cohort groups with added filtration (protocols 3 and 4) showed significant reduction of total AK and DAP/patient without compromise to the image quality. Variations in focal spot size showed no significant differences in radiation dose and image quality. CONCLUSION: Addition of filtration for angiographic exposure studies can result in significant total radiation dose reduction without loss of image quality. Focal spot size does not influence radiation dose and image quality. The routine angiographic protocol should be judiciously investigated and implemented.
Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Cerebral Angiography* ; Cohort Studies ; Copper ; Filtration* ; Humans ; Noise ; Radiation Exposure

Intestinal tuberculosis is an infection of the gastrointestinal tract by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. To the best of our knowledge, solitary intestinal tuberculosis accompanied by intestinal obstruction, particularly in the middle of the small intestine, is extremely rare. We report a case of solitary jejunal tuberculosis in a 49-year-old man with no underlying disease. He was admitted a few days after the onset of diffuse abdominal discomfort. Upon evaluation, we initially considered a malignancy of the distal jejunum with ileus due to the presence of a mass. Therefore, he underwent laparoscopic resection of the small bowel. Unexpectedly, the histologic specimen showed a chronic caseating granulomatous lesion with acid-fast bacilli. Ultimately, he was diagnosed with solitary jejunal tuberculosis. He was successfully treated with anti-tuberculosis drugs without any complications.
Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Ileus ; Immunocompetence ; Intestinal Obstruction* ; Intestine, Small ; Jejunum ; Middle Aged ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis* ; Tuberculosis, Gastrointestinal

Purpose: This study aimed to examine 12-year trends in hospitalization rates for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC) and factors affecting hospitalization. Materials and Methods: This study used data on Korean National Health Insurance and Medical Aid patients aged 19 and over who used medical services at least once between January 2008 and December 2019 with an ACSC as their major diagnosis. As of 2019, a total of 12324071 patients were included. To check for any changes in hospitalization, age- and sex-standardized hospitalization rates were obtained for each condition and insurance type, and multiple logistic regression was performed to identify factors affecting hospitalization. Results: The collective average ACSC hospitalization rate decreased from 5.0% in 2008 to 4.2% in 2019. Specifically, hospitalization rates for hypertension (1.4% in 2008; 0.8% in 2019), diabetes (5.8% in 2008; 3.3% in 2019), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma (4.1% in 2008; 3.2% in 2019) decreased, while rates for pneumonia (24.5% in 2008; 28.1% in 2019) and urinary tract infection (UTI) (5.7% in 2008; 6.4% in 2019) increased. The rate for heart failure decreased 2.3% between 2008 and 2012 and then rebounded. The odds of hospitalization among Medical Aid patients were 1.45–4.20 times higher than those of National Health Insurance patients. Conclusion Differences in trends were confirmed for ACSC hospitalization rates among different conditions and insurance types in Korea. These results suggest the need for policy reforms aimed at reducing hospitalization for heart failure, pneumonia, and UTI, especially among Medical Aid patients.