Purpose: The Korean Renal Cancer Study Group (KRoCS) provides consensus recommendations on the role of cytoreductive nephrectomy (CRN) in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Materials and Methods: A group of mRCC experts from the Korean Urological Oncology Society convened at the 2021 KRoCS meeting on CRN for mRCC. Results: The consensus document was developed to address 4 questions related that were judged to be the most relevant to patient care: (1) Is there a role for CRN in patients planning targeted therapy? (2) Is there a role for CRN in patients planning immuno-oncology agents? (3) When is the optimal time of CRN in patients planning systemic treatment? (4) What is the ideal patient selection for CRN? The panelists have come up with following consensus. For mRCC patients, CRN should be considered only in those with IMDC (International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium) favorable and intermediate risk disease, regardless of the systemic treatment plans. Timing of CRN should consider the risk group as well as the number of risk factors, but is generally recommended for after assessing the degree of response to initial systemic treatment. Patients with good performance status, limited metastatic burden on top of resectable primary tumor are candidates recommended for CRN with or without metastasectomy with priority. Conclusions In conclusion, there is still a role for CRN in the multimodality treatment of mRCC. Careful patient selection is of paramount importance. As the treatment landscape of mRCC continues to change, the role of CRN in the current immuno-oncology era will require more exploration.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (M-MSCs) on ketamine-induced cystitis (KC) in rats. METHODS: To induce KC, 10-week-old female rats were injected with 25-mg/kg ketamine hydrochloride twice weekly for 12 weeks. In the sham group, phosphate buffered saline (PBS) was injected instead of ketamine. One week after the final injection of ketamine, the indicated doses (0.25, 0.5, and 1×106 cells) of M-MSCs (KC+M-MSC group) or PBS vehicle (KC group) were directly injected into the bladder wall. One week after M-MSC injection, the therapeutic outcomes were evaluated via cystometry, histological analyses, and measurement of gene expression. Next, we compared the efficacy of M-MSCs at a low dose (1×105 cells) to that of an identical dose of adult bone marrow (BM)-derived MSCs. RESULTS: Rats in the KC group exhibited increased voiding frequency and reduced bladder capacity compared to rats of the sham group. However, these parameters recovered after transplantation of M-MSCs at all doses tested. KC bladders exhibited markedly increased mast cell infiltration, apoptosis, and tissue fibrosis. Administration of M-MSCs significantly reversed these characteristic histological alterations. Gene expression analyses indicated that several genes associated with tissue fibrosis were markedly upregulated in KC bladders. However the expression of these genes was significantly suppressed by the administration of M-MSCs. Importantly, M-MSCs ameliorated bladder deterioration in KC rats after injection of a low dose (1×105) of cells, at which point BM-derived MSCs did not substantially improve bladder function. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates for the first time the therapeutic efficacy of hESC-derived M-MSCs on KC in rats. M-MSCs restored bladder function more effectively than did BM-derived MSCs, protecting against abnormal changes including mast cell infiltration, apoptosis and fibrotic damage.
Adult ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Bone Marrow ; Cystitis ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Gene Expression ; Human Embryonic Stem Cells ; Humans ; Ketamine ; Mast Cells ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Multipotent Stem Cells ; Pelvic Pain ; Rats ; Urinary Bladder

OBJECTIVES: In this study, the authors evaluated the correlation between neurocognitive impairments and serum lipids levels among Korean elderly over the age of 65. METHODS: A total of 609 elderly individuals participated in this study. Screening for cognitive impairments were carried out using the Mini-Mental Status Examination-Korean version (MMSE-KC). There were 197 subjects above 1.5SD of MMSEKC and they were evaluated using the Korean versions of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (AD)(CERAD-KC) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-K). RESULTS: There was a correlation between old age/low levels of education and AD (p<0.05, p<0.01). There was an inverse correlation between the serum level of total cholesterol and the word list recognition test scores. The serum levels of LDL cholesterol were inversely correlated with the scores on the constructional praxis test, word list recall test and word list recognition test. Inverse correlations between the serum level of triglyceride and scores on the word list recall test and word list recognition test were also observed. CONCLUSION: There were inverse correlations between the serum levels of lipids and language/memory function in subjects with AD.
Aged ; Alzheimer Disease ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Depression ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Risk Factors

PURPOSE: To determine the usefulness of flexible intramedullary fixation in pediatric forearm diaphyseal fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 22 cases of forearm diaphyseal fractures treated with flexible intramedullary nail and K-wire. The radiographic assessment was based on the time to union, maintenance of reduction and angular deformity. The functional outcome was assessed with the range of motion and complications at last follow up. RESULTS: Average length of follow up was 13.9 months with mean age of 10.8 years and the time to union was 5.2 weeks. There were no angular deformity and fuctional results were excellent in all cases. There were 5 cases of soft tissue irritation of nail insertion site as post operative complication which was resolved after nail removal. CONCLUSION: Flexible intramedullary for pediatric forearm bone fractures is an effective and safe method which gives a good functional outcome.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Follow-Up Studies ; Forearm* ; Fractures, Bone* ; Methods ; Range of Motion, Articular

PURPOSE: Patients with hematologic diseases such as chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) or chronic lymphoid leukemia (CLL) are known to have an increased chance of acquiring a secondary neoplasm. Stomach cancer is one of the most common malignant diseases in Korea, and we investigated whether the incidence of secondary stomach cancer in patients with a hematologic disease increases, in order to determine if a more intensive screening program for detecting secondary gastric cancer was required. We also investigated the safety of performing a gastrectomy in hematologic disease patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1992 to 2006, the medical records of 8376 patients diagnosed with one of the six common hematologic diseases were reviewed. RESULTS: Nine secondary stomach cancers were found among the 8376 patients during the 15-year observation period. No surgical-related complications occurred, and there was no recurrence of stomach cancer if detected early. CONCLUSION: It seems that a more intensive screening program for detecting secondary gastric cancer in hematologic disease patients is not required, and surgery is not risky in these patients.
Gastrectomy ; Hematologic Diseases* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Leukemia ; Leukemia, Lymphoid ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; Mass Screening ; Medical Records ; Recurrence ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Stomach*

Stem cells are used for the investigation of developmental processes at both cellular and organism levels and offer tremendous potentials for clinical applications as an unlimited source for transplantation. Gangliosides, sialic acid-conjugated glycosphingolipids, play important regulatory roles in cell proliferation and differentiation. However, their expression patterns in stem cells and during neuronal differentiation are not known. Here, we investigated expression of gangliosides during the growth of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and differentiated neuronal cells by using high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC). Monosialoganglioside 1 (GM1) was expressed in mESCs and MSCs, while GM3 and GD3 were expressed in embryonic bodies. In the 9-day old differentiated neuronal cells from mESCs cells and MSCs, GM1 and GT1b were expressed. Results from immunostaining were consistent with those observed by HPTLC assay. These suggest that gangliosides are specifically expressed according to differentiation of mESCs and MSCs into neuronal cells and expressional difference of gangliosides may be a useful marker to identify differentiation of mESCs and MSCs into neuronal cells.
Neurons/*cytology/*metabolism ; Mice ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/*cytology/*metabolism ; Gangliosides/*metabolism ; Embryonic Stem Cells/*cytology/*metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Cell Differentiation ; Animals

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the results of a newly developed aortic valve repair technique. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Between December 1997 and April 2005, 75 aortic valvuloplasties were performed using a new technique that addressed the 3 main components of the aortic root; annulus, sinotubular junction and leaflet. An internal synthetic strip and ring were implanted along the fibrous annulus to reduce the annulus and sinotubular junction, and additional leaflets were implanted for leaflet correction. Based on the primary pathology, there were 35, 22 and 18 cases of isolated aortic regurgitation, aortic regurgitation due to ascending aortic aneurysm and aortic regurgitation due to annuloaortic ectasia, respectively. RESULTS: The average age of the subjects was 46.4+/-16 years; there were 51 and 24 males and females, respectively. There was no operative mortality, with a 2-year freedom from reoperation rate of 97%. Follow up echocardiograms showed significant improvements in the grade of aortic regurgitation, from a preoperative mean of 3.1+/-1.2 to 1.08+/-0.7 immediate postoperatively, to 1.15+/-0.6 at the final follow up. CONCLUSION: The results of the current study showed this technique to be effective in the treatment of aortic regurgitation of various causes. Although long-term results are pending, it is our contention that this aortic valve repair technique will be a reliable method in the future.
Aortic Aneurysm ; Aortic Valve Insufficiency ; Aortic Valve* ; Dilatation, Pathologic ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Freedom ; Humans ; Male ; Marfan Syndrome ; Mortality ; Pathology ; Reoperation

BACKGROUND: Necrotizing fasciitis is a life threatening severe soft tissue infection primarily involving the fascia and the subcutaneous tissue with thrombosis of the cutaneous microcirculation. The purpose of the study was to analyze the microbiological and clinical characteristics of necrotizing fasciitis in Korea and to suggest adequate antibiotic therapy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of three Soonchunhyang University Hospitals in Seoul, Bucheon and Cheonan. Patients admitted for skin graft or secondary treatment were excluded. Blood cultures were obtained at the time of admission and pus cultures were obtained at the time of first operative debridement. RESULTS: Twenty two patients (16 males, 6 females, 16~82 years old, median age: 59 years old) were enrolled for this study. Fourteen pateints underwent surgical treatment and 2 of them died of necrotizing fasciitis. Gram positive organisms were isolated in 13 cases and gram negative organisms were isolated in 11 cases. Third generation cephalosporin resistant gram negative organisms were isolated in 3 cases. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggest that characteristics of necrotizing fascitis in Korea were; high proportion of aged person, predominance of type 2 necrotizing fascitis and increasing tendency of third generation cephalosporin resistant gram negative bacterial infections. Consequently, initial choice of empirical antibiotics for necrotizing fasciitis should consider 3rd generation cephalosporin resistant gram negative organisms. Prompt surgical debridement and adequate antimicrobial therapy are mandatory for improved survival.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Cephalosporin Resistance ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Debridement ; Fascia ; Fasciitis, Necrotizing* ; Female ; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections ; Gyeonggi-do ; Hospitals, University* ; Humans ; Korea* ; Male ; Medical Records ; Microcirculation ; Retrospective Studies ; Seoul ; Skin ; Soft Tissue Infections ; Subcutaneous Tissue ; Suppuration ; Thrombosis ; Transplants

OBJECTIVE: We wanted to retrospectively evaluate the long-term therapeutic results of iliac arterial stent placement that was done in a single institution for 10 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From May 1994 to April 2004, 206 patients who underwent iliac arterial stent placement (mean age; 64+/-8.8) were followed up for evaluating the long term stent patency. Combined or subsequent bypass surgery was performed in 72 patients. The follow up period ranged from one month to 120 months (mean; 31+/-25.2 months). The factors that were analyzed for their effect on the patency of stents were age, the stent type and diameter, the lesion site, lesion shape, lesion length, the Society of Cardiovascular and Interventinal Radiology criteria, the total run off scores, the Fontaine stage and the cardiovascular risk factors (diabetes mellitus, hypertension and smoking). Follow-up included angiography and/or CT angiography, color Doppler sonography and clinical evaluation with the ankle-brachial index. RESULTS: Two hundred and eighty-four stents were placed in 249 limbs of 203 patients. The technical success rate was 98% (203/206). The primary patency rates of the stents at 3, 5, 7 and 10 year were 87%, 83%, 61% and 49%, respectively. One hundred seventy-seven patients maintained the primary stent patency until the final follow up and 26 patients showed stenosis or obstruction during the follow up. Secondary intervention was performed in thirteen patients. Lesions in the external iliac artery (EIA) or lesions in both the common iliac artery (CIA) and EIA were a poor prognostic factor for stent patency. The run off score and stent diameter also showed statistically significant influence on stent patency. The overall complication rate was 6%. CONCLUSION: Iliac arterial stent placement is a safe treatment with favorable long term patency. Lesions in the EIA or lesions in both the EIA and CIA, poor run off vessels and a stent having the same or a larger diameter than 10 mm were the poor prognostic factors for long term stent patency.
Vascular Patency ; Treatment Outcome ; *Stents ; Risk Factors ; Retrospective Studies ; Middle Aged ; Male ; *Iliac Artery ; Humans ; Female ; Arterial Occlusive Diseases/*therapy ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aged

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: here are several reports of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) having beneficial effects on the reduction of cardiovascular mortality and in the prevention of recurrent coronary events in patient with myocardial infarction (MI). An 8-week CR program was investigated to see if it affected the prognostic factors, such as inflammatory markers, after acute MI. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 33 male and 5 female patients, with a mean age of 55+/-10 yrs, were consecutively assigned to the CR (n=19) and the control (n=19) groups three weeks after acute MI. The 8-week CR program consisted of life style modification and aerobic exercise training. At the baseline, and after 8 weeks, the symptom limited exercise test and peripheral blood sampling were performed to measure the physiologic capacity, the serum levels of high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and the plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. The interval changes of each parameter were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The interval increments of the maximal oxygen uptake (14.3% vs. 10.6%, CR vs. control group, p=0.014), anaerobic threshold (18.8% vs. 7.0%, CR vs. control group, p=0.044) and exercise duration (9.4% vs. 3.1%, CR vs. control group, p=0.009) were larger in the CR than in the control group. The magnitudes of the interval changes in hs-CRP, IL-6 and TNF-alpha, as inflammatory markers, did not differ between the two groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: This 8-week CR program demonstrated an improved exercise capacity for MI patients, but a larger clinical trial, with modified exercise intensity and duration, will be necessary to detect any possible effect on the inflammatory markers.
Anaerobic Threshold ; C-Reactive Protein ; Exercise ; Exercise Test ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukins ; Life Style ; Male ; Mortality ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Oxygen ; Plasma ; Rehabilitation* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha