BACKGROUND: A tumor must continuously stimulate the growth of new capillary blood vessels for the tumor itself to grow and metastasize. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promotes vascular permeability and endothelial cell growth. A hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a typical hypervascular tumor. METHODS: We evaluated the expression of VEGF in 36 cases of HCC by using immunohistochemical staining in order to define its prognostic value. RESULTS: The expression rate of VEGF was 44.4% (16/36) in tumor cells and 0% (0/36) in non- tumorous liver parenchyme. VEGF expression did not correlate with any clinicopathological characteristics. And patients with expression of VEGF in tumor cells had no survival difference in comparison to those without VEGF expression. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the expression of VEGF in HCC cells by itself may not be a significant factor in the prognosis of HCC.
Blood Vessels ; Capillaries ; Capillary Permeability ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Endothelial Cells ; Humans ; Liver ; Prognosis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*

We experienced a case of acute postpartum cardiomyopathy after cesarean section. A twin-pregnant woman at 36 weeks gestation showed pregnancy-induced hypertension. After an emergency cesarean section, shortness of breath, paroxysmal dyspnea, hypertension, and tachycardia developed in the recovery room. She was diagnosed with acute peripartum cardiomyopathy.
Cardiomyopathies ; Cesarean Section ; Dyspnea ; Dyspnea, Paroxysmal ; Emergencies ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced ; Peripartum Period ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy ; Recovery Room ; Tachycardia

We experienced a case of acute postpartum cardiomyopathy after cesarean section. A twin-pregnant woman at 36 weeks gestation showed pregnancy-induced hypertension. After an emergency cesarean section, shortness of breath, paroxysmal dyspnea, hypertension, and tachycardia developed in the recovery room. She was diagnosed with acute peripartum cardiomyopathy.
Cardiomyopathies ; Cesarean Section ; Dyspnea ; Dyspnea, Paroxysmal ; Emergencies ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced ; Peripartum Period ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy ; Recovery Room ; Tachycardia

OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic accuracy and acceptability of saline infusion sonohysterography (SIS), and hysteroscopy for detecting intracavitary abnormalities in women with abnormal uterine bleeding. METHODS: Seventy-eight patients with abnormal uterine bleeding were selected from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Chonnam University Hospital. The findings at SIS were compared with the hysteroscopic and histologic findings. The agreement of diagnosis between SIS and hysteroscopy was calculated. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated. RESULTS: SIS had a sensitivity of 84% and a specificity of 85% for a diagnosis of endometrial polyp. Hysteroscopy had a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 96% for diagnosis of endometrial polyp. SIS had a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 86% for a diagnosis of submucosal myoma. Hysteroscopy had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity 99% for a diagnosis of submucosal myoma. SIS had a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 96% for a diagnosis of submucosal myoma. Hysteroscopy had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity 91% for a diagnosis of endometrial hyperplasia. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic accuracy of SIS was significant to that of hysteroscopy in diagnosing intracavitary abnormalities, Moreover, SIS in a safe, convenient, cost effective, easily accessible and acceptable investigative modality.
Female ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Hysteroscopy ; Myoma ; Obstetrics ; Polyps ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Uterine Hemorrhage

A 41-year-old female underwent an uneventful cesarean section, which was followed by a pulmonary saddle embolism complicated by cardiac arrest. This case shows that successful embolectomy is possible, despite a potentially lethal pulmonary saddle embolism, 34 cm in length, and intra-operative cardiopulmonary resuscitation. We report our case and discuss the anesthetic considerations based on the literature.
Adult ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Cesarean Section ; Embolectomy ; Embolism ; Female ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Pulmonary Embolism

Background: Since the emergence of hypervirulent strains of Clostridioides difficile, the incidence of C. difficile infections (CDI) has increased significantly. Methods: To assess the incidence of CDI in Korea, we conducted a prospective multicentre observational study from October 2020 to October 2021. Additionally, we calculated the incidence of CDI from mass data obtained from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) from 2008 to 2020. Results: In the prospective study with active surveillance, 30,212 patients had diarrhoea and 907 patients were diagnosed with CDI over 1,288,571 patient-days and 193,264 admissions in 18 participating hospitals during 3 months of study period; the CDI per 10,000 patientdays was 7.04 and the CDI per 1,000 admission was 4.69. The incidence of CDI was higher in general hospitals than in tertiary hospitals: 6.38 per 10,000 patient-days (range: 3.25–12.05) and 4.18 per 1,000 admissions (range: 1.92–8.59) in 11 tertiary hospitals, vs. 9.45 per 10,000 patient-days (range: 5.68–13.90) and 6.73 per 1,000 admissions (range: 3.18–15.85) in seven general hospitals. With regard to HIRA data, the incidence of CDI in all hospitals has been increasing over the 13-year-period: from 0.3 to 1.8 per 10,000 patient-days, 0.3 to 1.6 per 1,000 admissions, and 6.9 to 56.9 per 100,000 population, respectively. Conclusion The incidence of CDI in Korea has been gradually increasing, and its recent value is as high as that in the United State and Europe. CDI is underestimated, particularly in general hospitals in Korea.