No abstract available.
Hyponatremia* ; Hypopituitarism*

Background: and Purpose Early- and late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (EOAD and LOAD, respectively) share the same neuropathological hallmarks of amyloid and neurofibrillary tangles but have distinct cognitive features. We compared structural brain connectivity between the EOAD and LOAD groups using structural network efficiency and evaluated the association of structural network efficiency with the cognitive profile and pathological markers of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods: The structural brain connectivity networks of 80 AD patients (47 with EOAD and 33 with LOAD) and 57 healthy controls were reconstructed using diffusion-tensor imaging.Graph-theoretic indices were calculated and intergroup differences were evaluated. Correlations between network parameters and neuropsychological test results were analyzed. The correlations of the amyloid and tau burdens with network parameters were evaluated for the patients and controls. Results: Compared with the age-matched control group, the EOAD patients had increased global path length and decreased global efficiency, averaged local efficiency, and averaged clustering coefficient. In contrast, no significant differences were found in the LOAD patients. Locally, the EOAD patients showed decreases in local efficiency and the clustering coefficient over a wide area compared with the control group, whereas LOAD patients showed such decreases only within a limited area. Changes in network parameters were significantly correlated with multiple cognitive domains in EOAD patients, but only with Clinical Dementia Rating Sum-of-Boxes scores in LOAD patients. Finally, the tau burden was correlated with changes in network parameters in AD signature areas in both patient groups, while there was no correlation with the amyloid burden. Conclusions The impairment of structural network efficiency and its effects on cognition may differ between EOAD and LOAD.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and efficacy of intravaginal misoprostol versus oral dinoprostone for labor induction at term. METHODS: One hundred of patients at term were randomized to receive either 50microgram of misoprostol vaginally every 4 hours or dinoprostone 0.5mg orally every 1 hour for the maximum of six doses. Intravenous infusion of oxytocin was administered under such circumferences as the patient did not go into active labor after maximum dose, SROM was developed without an adequate contraction pattern, or the patient had arrest of dilatation(no change in cervical dilatation for 2 hours). We compared the frequency of oxytocin augmentation, administration to delivery interval, vaginal delivery rate within 12 hours and 24 hours, intrapartum complications, induction failure, mode of delivery, neonatal outcomes, and maternal complications between two groups. RESULTS: The average interval from administration to delivery was shorter in the misoprostol group(739.4+/-372.4min vs 1087.7+/-765.1min, p<0.05), but the interval from administration to vaginal delivery of each group was similar(724.3+/-375.4min vs 800.3+/-697.0min). Regarding the frequency of vaginal delivery within 24 hours, however, misoprostol group was higher than dinoprostone group(88% vs 56%, p<0.001). And oxytocin augmentation of labor occurred less commonly in misoprostol group than in dinoprostone group(20% vs 76%, p<0.05). Any statistically significant difference in intrapartum complications, mode of delivery, and neonatal or maternal adverse outcome was not appeared between these two group. CONCLUSION: Vaginal misoprostol is as effective and safe as oral dinoprostone for cervical ripening and induction of labor at term. In addition, vaginal misoprostol contributes the curtailment of labor induction expenditure due to its moderate price; misoprostol costs 100 won per 50microgram.
Cervical Ripening ; Dinoprostone* ; Female ; Health Expenditures ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Labor Stage, First ; Misoprostol* ; Oxytocin ; Pregnancy

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic multivisceral resection of colorectal cancer adherent to adjacent organs. METHODS: We reviewed retrospectively 32 patients undergoing elective laparoscopic multivisceral resection for colorectal cancer adherent to adjacent organs between June 2003 and May 2009. Survival curves were generated by Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The median age of 32 patients was 73 years. In 10 of 17 rectal cancer patients (59%), neoadjuvant chemoradiation was performed. All the surgeries were completed laparoscopically. The postoperative complications occurred in 21.9% and there was no operative mortality. The median length of hospital stay was 15.5 days. In 23 of 32 patients (72%), the resection was considered curative. Median follow-up period of all patients and curatively resected patients was 22 (range, 2~65) months, 34 (range, 4~65) months respectively. Local recurrence rate, the 3-year overall survival rate and the 3-year disease free survival rate of 23 curatively resected patients was 4.3%, 92.9% and 84.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic multivisceral resection is feasible and safe in highly selected patients with colorectal cancer adherent to adjacent organs. Further validation is needed.
Colorectal Neoplasms ; Disease-Free Survival ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Postoperative Complications ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

No abstract available.
Atrophy* ; Humans

Background/Aims: As the characteristics of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) differ between Asians and Westerners, it is necessary to determine adequate therapeutic strategy for Asian IBD patients. We evaluated the current treatment of IBD in Asian countries/regions using a web-based survey. Methods: The Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Diseases conducted a multinational web-based survey for current IBD care in Asia between September 16, 2020, and November 13, 2020. Results: A total of 384 doctors treating IBD patients from 24 Asian countries/regions responded to the survey. Anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents, anti-integrins, and anti-interleukin-12/23 agents were available for use by 93.8%, 72.1%, and 70.1% of respondents in Asian countries/regions. Compared with a previous survey performed in 2014, an increased tendency for treatment with biologics, including anti-TNF agents, was observed. In the treatment of corticosteroid-refractory acute severe ulcerative colitis, 72.1% of respondents chose anti-TNF agents, followed by tacrolimus (11.7%). In the treatment of corticosteroid-refractory Crohn’s disease, 90.4% chose anti-TNF agents, followed by thiopurines (53.1%), anti-interleukin-12/23 agents (39.3%), and anti-integrin agents (35.7%). In the treatment of Crohn’s disease patients refractory to anti-TNF agents, the most preferred strategy was to measure serum levels of anti-TNF and anti-drug antibodies (40.9%), followed by empiric dose escalation or shortening of dosing intervals (25.3%). Conclusions Although there were some differences, treatment strategies for patients with IBD were mostly similar among Asian doctors. Based on the therapeutic outcomes, it is necessary to identify the most appropriate therapeutic strategy for Asian IBD patients.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine whether the bone resorption rate is evaluated by Deoxypyridinoline(Dpd) i urine, and to evaluate the clinical utility of Dpd to monitor the hormone replacement therapy effect in postmenopausal women. STUDY DESIGN: We divided the patients into three groups, the control group was the women who were postmenopausal health state, and the experimental groups were the postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy group and the podtmenopausal nontherapy group. Urinary Dpd and serum FSH, Osteocalcin was measured in the both groups. RESULTS: The urinary Dpd and serum osteocalcin were significantly increase in postmenopausal group(6.63+/-3.09 pmol/nmol creatinine; 10.54+/-3.77 ng/ml) compared to premenopausal group(4.15+/-1.32 pmol/nmol creatinine; 7.85+/-2.17 ng/ml). The urinary Dpd and Serum osteocalcin were significantly decreased in the postmenopausal HRT group(3.31+/-1.79 pmol/nmol creatinine; 8.31+/-3.13 ng/ml) compared to the postmenopausal nontherapy group (6.63+/-3.09 pmol/nmol creatinine; 10.54+/-3.77 ng/ml). In postmenopausal nontherapy group, there was no correlation between urinary Dpd and serum osteocalcin. But these makers were good correlated in postmenopausal HRT group. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that the assay of urinary Dpd is useful for the resorption marker of postmenopausal osteoporosis and it should be useful for the monitoring of hormone replacement therapy effect in postmenopausal women. Furthermore, urinary Dpd may be an important indicator to determine when to resume the therapy during cessation of HRT.
Bone Resorption ; Creatinine ; Estrogen Replacement Therapy ; Female ; Hormone Replacement Therapy* ; Humans ; Osteocalcin ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal

The purpose of present study was to evaluate the polymerization shrinkage stress and amount of linear shrinkage of composites and compomers for posterior restoration. For this purpose, linear polymerization shrinkage and polymerization stress were measured. For linear polymerization shrinklage and polymerization stress measurement, custom made Linometer (R&B, Daejon, Korea) and Stress measuring machine was used (R&B, Daejon, Korea). Compositers and compomers were evaluated; Dyract AP (Dentsply Detrey, Gumbh. German) Z100 (3M Dental Products, St. Paul, USA) Surefil (Dentsply Caulk, Milford, USA) Pyramid(Bisco, Schaumburg, USA) Synergy Compact (Coltene, Altstatten, Switzerland), Heliomolar (Vivadent/Ivoclar, Liechtenstein), and Compoglass (Vivadent Ivoclar/Liechtenstein) were used. 15 measurements were made for each material. Linear polymerization shrinkage or polymerization stress for each material was compared with one way ANOVA with Tukey at 95% levels of confidence. For linear shrinkage; Heliomolar, Surefil Compomers* ; Daejeon ; Polymerization* ; Polymers*

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate pregnancy outcomes after placental needle penetration during midtrimester diagnostic amniocentesis. METHODS: We collected 726 singleton pregnancy cases from 1054 pregnancies of midtrime-ster diagnostic amniocentesis, and analysed pregnancy outcomes after the procedure based on medical records. To compare the outcomes, we divided 726 cases into two groups; placental penetration group by aspiration needle(170 cases) and non-penetration group(556 cases). RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between two groups about maternal age and gestational age at the time of procedure, and the distribution of amniocentesis indication. In comparison of complications between two groups after procedure, a. There was no statistically significant difference in amniotic fluid leakage: in penetration group, 1 case (0.58%) and in non-penetration group, 5 cases(0.89%) were observed. b. There was no statistically significant difference in vaginal bleeding: in penetration group, 2 cases (1.18%) and in non-penetration group, 3 cases(0.54%) were observed. c. There was no statistically significant difference in developing abruptio placentae: in penetration group, no case developed and in non-penetration group, one case(0.18%) was observed. d. As for fetal loss, there was no statistically significant difference : in penetration group, 4 cases (2.35%) and in non-penetration group, 10 cases(1.80%) were occurred. e. As for birth weight, there was no statistically significant difference : in penetration group, 3.26+/-0.8 kg and in non-penetration group, 3.21+/-0.9 kg were measured. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that placental penetration by aspiration needle during diagnostic mid-trimester amniocentesis does not increase the risk of post-procedure complication.
Abruptio Placentae ; Amniocentesis* ; Amniotic Fluid ; Birth Weight ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Maternal Age ; Medical Records ; Needles* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second ; Uterine Hemorrhage

This study evaluated the effectiveness of the light emitting diode(LED) units for composite curing. To compare its effectiveness with conventional quartz tungsten halogen (QTH) light curing unit, the microhardness of 2mm composite, Z250, which had been light cured by the LEDs (Ultralume LED2, FreeLight, Developing product D1) or QTH (XL 3000) were compared on the upper and lower surface. One way ANOVA with Tukey and Paired t-test was used at 95% levels of confidence. In addition, the amount of linear polymerization shrinkage was compared between composites which were light cured by QTH or LEDs using a custom-made linometer in 10s and 60s of light curing, and the amount of linear polymerization shrinkage was compared by one way ANOVA with Tukey. The amount of polymerization shrinkage at 10s was XL3000 > Ultralume 2, 40, 60> FreeLight, D1 (P<0.05) The amount of polymerization shrinkage at 60s was XL3000 > Ultralume 2, 60> Ultralume 2,40> FreeLight, D1 (P<0.05) It was concluded that the LEDs produced lower polymerization shrinkage in 10s and 60s compared with QTH unit. In addition, the microhardness of samples which had been cured with LEDs was lower on the lower surfaces than the upper surfaces whereas there was no difference in QTH cured samples.
Polymerization* ; Polymers* ; Quartz ; Tungsten