PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of pH monitoring at two levels, hypopharynx and esophagus in gastroesophageal reflux. METHODS: 29 patients with pathological gastroesophageal reflux were classified into two groups: Group I had recurrent respiratory symptoms and Group II had not recurrent respiratory symptoms. The ambulatory pH monitoring was performed at the hypopharynx and the esophagus simultaneously with two channel catheter for 18~24 hr. The pathological reflux was defined when the percent of time that pH was below 4.0 exceeding the 95th percentile of normal value. Hypopharyngeal reflux was defined as the pharyngeal pH drops below 4. RESULTS: 39 patients were performed pH monitoring at the level of hypopharynx and esophagus for 24 hours. Among 7 patients with chronic respiratory symptom, 6 patients (85.7%) have pathological esophageal reflux. Among 32 patients without chronic respiratory symptom, 23 patients (71.8%) have pathological esophageal reflux. Thus 29 out of 39 patients (74%) have pathological esophageal reflux. In the Group I, all parameters except the longest episode showed significant differences between hypopharyngeal and esophageal pH monitoring. None of parameters showed significant differences between group I and II in the pharyngeal pH monitoring. CONCLUSION: Regardless of presence of respiratory symptoms, the pH monitoring at the pharyngeal level in patients with gastroesophageal reflux did not showed any differences compared with the esophageal pH monitoring. Therefore we may reconsider the usefulness of hypopharyngeal pH monitoring in patients with chronic respiratory symptoms.
Catheters ; Esophageal pH Monitoring ; Esophagus ; Gastroesophageal Reflux* ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration* ; Hypopharynx ; Reference Values

We report a very rare case of unilateral blepharoptosis and swelling as an unusual complication of a filler injection. The patient received a filler injection into the forehead 4 years previously by an unlicensed practitioner. In the operation, an encapsulated yellowish cyst with inflammation was found to be adhered to the orbital septum and was excised. To prevent additional inferior migration of the remaining foreign body in the forehead, the retro-orbicularis fascia and preaponeurotic fat pad area were sutured, with the exception of the levator aponeurosis. This cyst-like mass was histopathologically proven to be a multiple pseudocyst. After excision, the swelling disappeared and the ptotic eyelid also improved. The galea is connected with the posterior orbicularis fascia. The galea and posterior orbicularis fascia layer can function as a pathway through which the injected material can migrate from the forehead to the upper eyelid. Weakening of the orbicularis retaining ligament and leakage of the foreign body through the supraorbital foramen may also cause filler migration. This case underscores the need for clinicians to be aware of the potential migration of filler even many years after an injection. We advise that filler injections should be performed by trained physicians and that it should be made known that migration is possible.
Adipose Tissue ; Blepharoptosis ; Dermal Fillers ; Eyelids* ; Fascia ; Forehead* ; Foreign Bodies ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Ligaments ; Orbit

We report a very rare case of unilateral blepharoptosis and swelling as an unusual complication of a filler injection. The patient received a filler injection into the forehead 4 years previously by an unlicensed practitioner. In the operation, an encapsulated yellowish cyst with inflammation was found to be adhered to the orbital septum and was excised. To prevent additional inferior migration of the remaining foreign body in the forehead, the retro-orbicularis fascia and preaponeurotic fat pad area were sutured, with the exception of the levator aponeurosis. This cyst-like mass was histopathologically proven to be a multiple pseudocyst. After excision, the swelling disappeared and the ptotic eyelid also improved. The galea is connected with the posterior orbicularis fascia. The galea and posterior orbicularis fascia layer can function as a pathway through which the injected material can migrate from the forehead to the upper eyelid. Weakening of the orbicularis retaining ligament and leakage of the foreign body through the supraorbital foramen may also cause filler migration. This case underscores the need for clinicians to be aware of the potential migration of filler even many years after an injection. We advise that filler injections should be performed by trained physicians and that it should be made known that migration is possible.
Adipose Tissue ; Blepharoptosis ; Dermal Fillers ; Eyelids* ; Fascia ; Forehead* ; Foreign Bodies ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Ligaments ; Orbit

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*

Background: Postmenopausal status increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, and C-reactive protein (CRP) constitutes an independent cardiovascular risk factor. This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with increased high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) level in postmenopausal women. Methods: We included postmenopausal women without laboratory test results that suggested acute inflammation who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2016 and 2017. The participants were divided into high and low hs-CRP groups (cutoff value, 3.0 mg/L). We investigated factors that influenced the hs-CRP level with logistic regression analysis. Results: The total number of subjects was 2,739, of whom 76.4% had low hs-CRP levels and 23.6% had high hs-CRP levels. The mean age and body mass index were higher in the high than in the low hs-CRP group. In the simple logistic regression analysis, high hs-CRP level was associated with smoking, whereas low hs-CRP level was associated with aerobic exercise, use of oral contraceptives, and history of pregnancy in postmenopausal women. When the analysis was adjusted for confounding variables, histories of smoking and pregnancy had a statistically significant association with high hs-CRP level. Conclusion This study showed that the important modifiable risk factors of elevated hs-CRP level in postmenopausal women of Korea include obesity, smoking, and lack of aerobic exercise, but well-controlled prospective investigations should be considered.

BACKGROUND: Fluorescent dye Rhodamine 6G (R6G) is a substrate of multidrug resistance pumps and its accumulation is reduced in some azole-resistant Candida isolates with the upregulation of multidrug efflux transporter genes. Despite reports on species-specific differences in azole susceptibility in various Candida species, only a few studies have been reported on the R6G accumulation among clinical isolates of Candida species. In this study, we compared R6G accumulation between six different Candida species. METHODS: The intracellular accumulation of R6G and minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of three triazole agents were investigated in 48 strains of six Candida species (14 C. albicans, 9 C. tropicalis, 8 C. glabrata, 8 C. krusei, 7 C. parapsilosis, and 2 C. haemulonii). R6G accumulation was measured by using flow cytometry and the geometric mean of the fluorescence intensity (GMF) was used to compare the accumulation between the Candida isolates. RESULTS: The GMF values for the C. tropicalis, C. albicans, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis, and C. glabrata isolates were 167.3+/-18.5, 126.9+/-6.6, 88.5+/-18.5, 50.8+/-7.0, and 38.1+/-3.9, respectively. C. glabrata had a significantly lower mean GMF than all the other Candida species (P<0.05). While some Candida strains with trailing growth phenomenon and increased fluconazole MIC did not have a reduced GMF, three Candida strains with increased MICs to all three triazole agents had a reduced GMF. CONCLUSIONS: This study found species-specific differences in R6G accumulation in Candida. In addition, the intracellular R6G accumulation can be used to investigate the drug efflux mechanism in azole-resistant Candida strains.
Antifungal Agents/pharmacology ; Azoles/pharmacology ; Candida/chemistry/isolation & purification/*metabolism ; Candidiasis/drug therapy ; Drug Resistance, Fungal ; Flow Cytometry/*methods ; Fluconazole/pharmacology ; Fluorescent Dyes/*analysis ; Humans ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Rhodamines/*analysis ; Species Specificity

Desmoplastic ameloblastoma is a rare histologic variant of ameloblastoma. It shows important differences in anatomic distribution, histologic appearance, and radiographic findings compared with the general type of ameloblastoma. It is histologically characterized by an abundance of densely collagenous stroma and radiographically a mixed radiolucent-radiopaque lesion. We present three cases of desmoplastic ameloblastoma. All the patients complained on buccal swelling with or without pain and the sites of occurrence were the anterior and the premolar region. Plain radiographs showed mixed radiopaque-radiolucent lesion with ill-defined or diffuse sclerotic margin and no external root resorption. Additionally, CT scans revealed buccal expansion and relatively well-defined margin of the lesions. The clinical and radiographic features of the presented cases were compared with those of the desmoplastic ameloblastoma in the previous literatures.
Ameloblastoma* ; Bicuspid ; Collagen ; Humans ; Radiography, Panoramic ; Root Resorption ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Purpose: Exposure to particulate matter (PM) is a well-known risk factor in the triggering and exacerbation of allergic airway disease. Indoor environments, where people spend most of their time, are of utmost importance. To assess the effects of air purifiers [equipped with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters] on allergic rhinitis (AR) in adult patients, we performed a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study. Materials and Methods: Patients with house dust mite (HDM)-induced AR were randomly assigned to either active or mockup (placebo) air-purification groups. Two air purifiers (placed in living room and bedroom) were operated for 6 weeks in each home environment. The primary study endpoint was to achieve improvement in AR symptoms and medication scores. Secondary endpoints were to achieve improvement in the quality of life (QoL) and visual analog scale (VAS) scores, as well as in the indoor (bedroom and living room) concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10. Results: After 6 weeks of air purifier use, medication scores improved significantly in the active (vs. placebo) group, although subjective measures (symptoms, VAS, and QoL scores) did not differ. Bedroom PM2.5 concentrations initially exceeded living room or outdoor levels, but declined (by up to 51.8%) following active purifier operation. Concentrations of PM2.5 in living room and PM10 in bedroom and living room were also significantly reduced through active purification. Conclusion The use of air purifiers with HEPA filters significantly reduced medication requirements for patients with HDM-induced AR and significantly lowered indoor PM2.5 concentrations, regardless of room placement. Active intervention to reduce household air pollutants may help improve allergic airway disease (clinicaltrials.gov NCT03313453).