Metastatic tumors to the hand are rare and often overlooked by clinicians. Here, we report a rare case of phalangeal metastasis of right 4th finger in a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma. Treatment was given with right 4th finger disarticulation. This report suggests that physicians must take consideration into the possibility of metastatic tumors in patients with bone lesions on hands and a history of malignancy.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Disarticulation ; Fingers ; Hand ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis

This study investigated the effects of soyoligosaccharide consumption on lipid profile of plasma, liver and feces and immune responses in Sprague-Dawley male rats. Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats 4-wk-old were provided the soyoligosaccharide containing diets for 4 weeks (0, 100 g/kg diet); each of these diets was supplemented with either 70 or 200 g fat/kg diet, giving a total of 4 experimental groups. The effect of weight reduction was most significantly observed in the group fed low fat and soyoligosacchairde diet. The plasma total lipid and cholesterol contents were not changed by either fat proportion or soyoligosaccharide supplementation in the diets. Also the plasma triglyceride lowering effect by soyoligosaccharide was not observed in rats fed either low fat or high fat diet. However, the significant decrease in TG contents was found with rats fed high fat diets compared to the control/no soyoligosaccharide diet. Elevation of plasma LDL-cholesterol and reduction of HDL-cholesterol by feeding high fat diet was not altered by supplementing soyoligosaccharide. This was also applied to the liver lipid profiles. The significant increases in liver total lipid, triglycerides and cholesterol by high fat diet was not abolished by feeding soyoligosaccharide. However, the desirable effects of feeding soyoligosaccharide were found with total lipid and cholesterol excretion through feces in rats fed high fat diets. Immune organ weights and spleen cell proliferations did not affected by experimental diets. These results demonstrated that soyoligosaccharide intakes increased the lipid output via feces, especially in rats fed the high fat diet, but more researches are needed on immune responses.
Animals ; Cholesterol ; Diet* ; Diet, High-Fat ; Feces ; Humans ; Lipid Metabolism* ; Liver ; Male ; Organ Size ; Plasma ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spleen ; Triglycerides ; Weight Loss

OBJECTIVES: Vitamin C has various functions such as antioxidative effect and supporting absorption of iron (Fe). Aim of this present study was to provide vitamin C nutrition information and to briefly evaluate absorption interaction of vitamin C and Fe content of vitamin C emphasized products. METHODS: Vitamin C emphasized foods including beverages, cereal, snacks, chocolate products, other cocoa products, and sugary products were examined by HPLC. Fe contents in samples after dry-ashing were examined by ICP. RESULTS: Vitamin C content ranges in various products tested were the following: beverages (n=11) 20.15 ± 0.08~845.41 ± 6.07 mg, cereal (n=11) 52.50 ± 0.23~262.50 ± 0.07 mg, snacks (n=1) 50.00 ± 0.25 mg, chocolate products (n=1) 311.73 ± 2.44 mg, other cocoa products (n=1) 311.73 ± 2.44 mg, other sugary products (n=2) 52.50 ± 0.23~262.50 ± 0.07 mg. Vitamin C (n=27) analysis values ranged from 82 to 450% of the labeled value. Vitamin C content in vitamin C emphasized food (n=6) was estimated 7.7 times~56.6 times more than Fe content. CONCLUSIONS: Analyzed samples ranged more than 80% of the labeled value in vitamin C emphasized products, which complied with food labeling regulation. But, beverages (n=3), cereal (n=4), chocolate products (n=1) were 2 times more than the labeled value. To provide accurate nutrition information, food manufactures should supervise nutrition labeling and understand the interactions between nutrients. Also, consumer should decide about the adequate amount of nutrient intake by thoroughly checking nutrition labeling.
Absorption ; Ascorbic Acid* ; Beverages ; Cacao ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Edible Grain ; Food Labeling ; Iron ; Snacks ; Vitamins*

Twin pregnancies are at substantially higher risks for premature delivery than singleton pregnancies. This further increases their risk of perinatal and infant mortality. Recently there has been a marked increase in multiple pregnancies as a direct result of assisted reproductive technology. Cervical incompetency is a condition in which a pregnant woman's cervix begins to dilate and efface before her pregnancy has reached term. And multiple pregnancies and pregnancies by in vitro fertilization (IVF) have been increasing the risk of cervical incompetency. In twin pregnancy during preterm delivery, successful delayed-interval deliveries may improve the neonatal outcomes of the second fetus. We report a case of a delayed interval delivery in twin pregnancy of incompetent of cervix with an interval of 28 days after 3rd emergency cerclage.
Cervix Uteri ; Emergencies* ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro* ; Fetus ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Mortality ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Multiple ; Pregnancy, Twin* ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted ; Twins*

Twin pregnancies are at substantially higher risks for premature delivery than singleton pregnancies. This further increases their risk of perinatal and infant mortality. Recently there has been a marked increase in multiple pregnancies as a direct result of assisted reproductive technology. Cervical incompetency is a condition in which a pregnant woman's cervix begins to dilate and efface before her pregnancy has reached term. And multiple pregnancies and pregnancies by in vitro fertilization (IVF) have been increasing the risk of cervical incompetency. In twin pregnancy during preterm delivery, successful delayed-interval deliveries may improve the neonatal outcomes of the second fetus. We report a case of a delayed interval delivery in twin pregnancy of incompetent of cervix with an interval of 28 days after 3rd emergency cerclage.
Cervix Uteri ; Emergencies* ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro* ; Fetus ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Mortality ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Multiple ; Pregnancy, Twin* ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted ; Twins*

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the relationship between orthodontic treatment and temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in South Korean population. METHODS: This study obtained data from the 2012 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The final sample size was 5,567 participants who were ≥ 19 years of age. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between orthodontic treatment and TMD. RESULTS: Participants who underwent orthodontic treatment showed higher educational level, lower body mass index, reduced chewing difficulty, and reduced speaking difficulty. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for orthodontic treatment and TMD were 1.614 (1.189–2.190), 1.573 (1.162–2.129) and 1.612 (1.182–2.196) after adjusting for age, sex and psychosocial factors. Adjusted ORs and their 95% CIs for orthodontic treatment and clicking were 1.778 (1.289–2.454), 1.742 (1.265–2.400) and 1.770 (1.280–2.449) after adjusting for confounding factors. However, temporomandibular joint pain and functional impairment was not associated with orthodontic treatment. CONCLUSIONS Temporomandibular joint pain and dysfunction was not associated with orthodontic treatment.

Sarcoidosis is a systemic disease of unknown cause involving multiple organs and is characterized by noncaseating granuloma. Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disease characterized by increased peripheral platelet destruction due to the presence of an antibody to the platelet and abnormal platelet production. There is no known pathogenesis that occurs concurrently with ITP and sarcoidosis. However, considering together of 2 known pathogenesis, abnormal immune response triggers either ITP or sarcoidosis. The disease that develops first stimulates secondary disease. After development of secondary disease, they stimulate each other. A few cases of ITP associated with sarcoidosis are well documented in English; however, the disease has rarely been reported in Korea. Here, we report on a case of ITP with sarcoidosis in a 29-year-old man. He suffered from easy bruising. The chest X-ray and the contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan showed bihilar lymphadenopathy and reticulonodular infiltrates. Bone marrow study and fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous needle biopsy were performed and the patient was diagnosed with sarcoidosis and ITP. He was put on 400 mg/kg of intravenous immunoglobulin for 5 days and administered oral steroids and further follow-up will be carried out. He has shown a good response without significant bleeding event. However, administration of more oral steroid and additional follow-up is required than for single disease, whether sarcoidosis or ITP.
Adult ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Biopsy, Needle ; Blood Platelets ; Bone Marrow ; Granuloma ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Korea ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Sarcoidosis* ; Steroids ; Thorax ; Thrombocytopenia*

BACKGROUND: We developed skin prick test (SPT) reagents for common inhalant allergens that reflected the real exposure in Korea. The study aim was to evaluate diagnostic usefulness and allergen potency of our inhalant SPT reagents in comparison with commercial products. METHODS: We produced eight common inhalant allergen SPT reagents using total extract (Prolagen): Dermatophagoides farinae, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, oak, ragweed, mugwort, Humulus japonicus pollens, as well as cat and dog allergens. We compared the newly developed reagents with three commercially available SPT reagents (Allergopharma, Hollister-Stier, Lofarma). We measured total protein concentrations, sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), major allergen concentration, and biological allergen potencies measured by immunoglobulin E (IgE) immunoblotting and ImmunoCAP inhibition test. RESULTS: Diagnostic values of these SPT reagents were expressed as positivity rate and concordance rate of the results from ImmunoCAP allergen-specific IgE test in 94 allergic patients. In vitro analysis showed marked differences in protein concentrations, SDS-PAGE features, major allergen concentrations, and biological allergen potencies of four different SPT reagents. In vivo analysis showed that positive rates and concordance rates of Prolagen® SPT reagents were similar compared to the three commercial SPT reagents. CONCLUSION: The newly developed Prolagen® inhalant SPT reagents are not inferior to the commercially available SPT reagents in allergy diagnosis.
Allergens ; Allergy and Immunology ; Ambrosia ; Animals ; Artemisia ; Cats ; Dermatophagoides farinae ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; Diagnosis ; Dogs ; Electrophoresis ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Humans ; Humulus ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoblotting ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulins ; In Vitro Techniques* ; Indicators and Reagents* ; Korea ; Methods* ; Pollen ; Skin* ; Sodium

Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of major psychiatric disorders among North Korean defectors (NKD) settled in South Korea. Methods: The study population consisted of 294 North Korean defectors, aged 18 to 64 years settled in South Korea for 3 years or less. Between June 1, 2016 and October 31, 2016, face-to-face interviews were conducted using the North Korean version of the WHO-Composite International Diagnostic Interview (NK-CIDI) to diagnose DSM-IV psychiatric disorders. Results: The lifetime prevalence of any DSM-IV psychiatric disorders was 62.2% in NKD and 25.0% in the general Korean population. The prevalence of specific disorders in NKD and general Korean population was as follows: 22.3% and 4.9% for major depressive disorder (MDD), 12.2% and 1.4% for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), 18.0% and 4.8% for nicotine dependence, and 14.5% and 11.2% for alcohol abuse. The incidence of every single psychiatric disorder varied in each country. For instance, the generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobia, and alcohol use disorder occurred more frequently in North Korea whereas PTSD was more prevalent in other countries. Conclusion The prevalence of psychiatric disorders among NKD was quite higher than in the general population of South Korea.

Background: The growth of Candida in respiratory secretions is usually considered colonization, and antifungal therapy is rarely required. The role of Candida colonization in the progression of bacterial pneumonia remains controversial. The aim of this study was to identify the clinical implication of Candida score by analyzinge the relationship with multidrug-resistant (MDR) pneumonia and prognosis in patients with airway Candida colonization. Materials and Methods: This study was a retrospective review of patients with airway Candida colonization by bronchial washing or bronchoalveolar lavage. The Candidascore was calculated according to the four factors (severe sepsis, surgery at baseline, total parenteral nutrition, and multifocal Candida colonization). Pneumonia related mortality or hopeless discharge expecting death was defined as a poor outcome. Results: A total of 148 patients were enrolled in the study. In a multivariate analysis model, Candida score was identified as an independent predictor of poor outcomes (odds ratio 2.23;95% confidential interval 1.57 – 3.17; P<0.001) in pneumonia patients with airway Candida colonization. With a Candida score of three or higher compared with low score group, it was associated with bacterial pneumonia, especially methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection (0.0% vs. 15.2%, P = 0.004). In addition, patients with a high Candida score had a longer hospital stay (13 vs. 38 days, P <0.001), longer duration of intensive care (7 vs.18 days, P <0.001), and higher pneumonia-related mortality (0.0% vs. 45.5%,P <0.001) as compared to the low Candida score group. The Candida score showed a positive correlation with other pneumonia severity scales such as CURB-65 (Confusion, Urea, Respiratory rate, Blood pressure, and age ≥65 years) (r = 0.461, P <0.001), Pneumonia Severity Index (r = 0.397, P <0.001), and predisposition, insult, response, and organ dysfunction (PIRO) score (r = 0.425, P <0.001). Conclusion This study revealed that Candida is no longer a bystander of airway colonization, and that it affects the progression of bacterial pneumonia, including multidrug-resistant pathogens, particularly MRSA infection. Also Candida score can be used to predict the prognosis of patients with pneumonia.