Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound (US)-guided minimally invasive treatment in patients with parathyroid lesions. Materials and Methods: This study included 27 patients who had undergone US-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or ethanol ablation (EA) for parathyroid lesions between January 2010 and 2018. RFA was performed in 19 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT, n = 11) or secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT, n = 8), and EA was performed in eight patients with symptomatic nonfunctioning parathyroid cysts (SNPCs). Nodule size, volume, serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcium levels were recorded before and after treatment. Complications were evaluated during and after treatment. Results: In patients with PHPT, significant reductions in size and volume were noted after RFA at 6- and 12-month follow-up (all, p < 0.05). Seven nodules nearly completely disappeared (residual volume < 0.1 mL); serum PTH and calcium levels were reduced to normal ranges (7/11, 63.6%). Four patients experienced partial reductions of serum PTH and calcium levels (4/11, 36.4%). In patients with SHPT, three experienced therapeutic response of serum PTH (3/8, 37.5%), while five showed persistent hyperparathyroidism (5/8, 62.5%) within 6 months after RFA. In patients with SNPCs, EA resulted in significant reductions in cyst size and volume (all, p < 0.05) at the last follow-up. A total of four complications (two transient hypocalcemia [RFA], one permanent [RFA], and one transient [EA] hoarseness) were observed. Conclusion Minimally invasive treatments, such as RFA and EA, may serve as therapeutic alternatives for patients with PHPT or SNPCs; they may have limited usefulness in patients with SHPT.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound (US)-guided minimally invasive treatment in patients with parathyroid lesions. Materials and Methods: This study included 27 patients who had undergone US-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or ethanol ablation (EA) for parathyroid lesions between January 2010 and 2018. RFA was performed in 19 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT, n = 11) or secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT, n = 8), and EA was performed in eight patients with symptomatic nonfunctioning parathyroid cysts (SNPCs). Nodule size, volume, serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcium levels were recorded before and after treatment. Complications were evaluated during and after treatment. Results: In patients with PHPT, significant reductions in size and volume were noted after RFA at 6- and 12-month follow-up (all, p < 0.05). Seven nodules nearly completely disappeared (residual volume < 0.1 mL); serum PTH and calcium levels were reduced to normal ranges (7/11, 63.6%). Four patients experienced partial reductions of serum PTH and calcium levels (4/11, 36.4%). In patients with SHPT, three experienced therapeutic response of serum PTH (3/8, 37.5%), while five showed persistent hyperparathyroidism (5/8, 62.5%) within 6 months after RFA. In patients with SNPCs, EA resulted in significant reductions in cyst size and volume (all, p < 0.05) at the last follow-up. A total of four complications (two transient hypocalcemia [RFA], one permanent [RFA], and one transient [EA] hoarseness) were observed. Conclusion Minimally invasive treatments, such as RFA and EA, may serve as therapeutic alternatives for patients with PHPT or SNPCs; they may have limited usefulness in patients with SHPT.

Primary renal lymphoma is a rare tumor of the kidney that typically presents with bilateral nodular enlargement in the absence of extrarenal masses. We describe MR findings of a case of primary renal lymphoma along with ultrasound and CT findings. MR imaging demonstrated globular enlargement of both kidneys with multilobulated contour and multiple masses which had isosignal intensity on T1WI and low signal intensity on T2WI. The masses enhanced slightly on dynamic contrast enhanced scan.
Kidney ; Lymphoma* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Ultrasonography

Disturbance of circadian rhythms caused by shift work has adverse effects on insulin resistance. Many previous studies have confirmed that shift work and insulin resistance are related using homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance, one of the insulin resistance indicators. However, the triglycerides and glucose index (TyG index) has recently been studied as an insulin resistance indicator. The aim of this study is to investigate the association of shift work and TyG index, one of the indirect indicators of insulin resistance, using results of health checkups in one workplace.

Disturbance of circadian rhythms caused by shift work has adverse effects on insulin resistance. Many previous studies have confirmed that shift work and insulin resistance are related using homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance, one of the insulin resistance indicators. However, the triglycerides and glucose index (TyG index) has recently been studied as an insulin resistance indicator. The aim of this study is to investigate the association of shift work and TyG index, one of the indirect indicators of insulin resistance, using results of health checkups in one workplace.

Disturbance of circadian rhythms caused by shift work has adverse effects on insulin resistance. Many previous studies have confirmed that shift work and insulin resistance are related using homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance, one of the insulin resistance indicators. However, the triglycerides and glucose index (TyG index) has recently been studied as an insulin resistance indicator. The aim of this study is to investigate the association of shift work and TyG index, one of the indirect indicators of insulin resistance, using results of health checkups in one workplace.

Background: A national immunization program (NIP) to prevent disease and reduce mortality from vaccine preventable diseases (VPD) is very important. Methods: We analyzed only the anaphylaxis cases that occurred between 2001 and 2016 that Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) determined had a definite causal relationship with a vaccine. The clinical symptoms were assessed according to the Brighton Collaboration case definition (BCCD) level. Results: During the period, there were 13 cases of vaccine-related anaphylaxis. The median age was 9 years (range, 1 month to 59 years). The incidence of anaphylaxis per million doses was 0.090 in 2005, 0.079 in 2012, 0.071 in 2013, 0.188 in 2015, and 0.036 in 2016. Of those cases, 23.1% were influenza vaccines, and 76.9% were BCCD level 2. Epinephrine was used in 46.2%. Conclusion Vaccine-related anaphylaxis seems to have been very rare in the past, but health care professionals must always be aware of anaphylaxis.

Purpose: The current status and rationale of industrial accidents needs to be examined to develop scientific and systemic preventive measures. Methods: The aim of this study is to analyze the current data on industrial accidents provided by the Ministry of Employment and Labor and categorize work-related deaths by types of industries and annual report. Results: First, the highest number of deaths occurred in industries that had less than 50 people. Second, in the manufacturing industry, the highest death rate was found in workers in the age group 50-59 years. In the construction industry, workers aged 50 and above had the highest number of deaths. In other industries, workers aged 60 and above had the highest number of deaths. Third, the highest number of deaths occurred in workers with less than one year of experience in any industry Fourth, in most industries, the highest work-related deaths occurred during weekdays (Monday~Friday). In 2015, the warehouse delivery industry had 33% higher work-related deaths on the weekends (Saturday and Sunday) as compared to other industries. Fifth, in most industries, the highest work-related deaths occurred from 8 AM to 6 PM. The warehouse delivery industry had higher work-related deaths from 10 PM to 8 AM as compared to other industries. Conclusion In order to increase the efficacy of industrial accident prevention, it is necessary to establish an effective health management system and apply strict safety management activities.

BACKGROUND: Laminin, the main non-collagenous constituent of vascular basement membranes, can be changed by alteration of metabolism and distribution in diabetic microangiopathy. The serum laminin levels are known to reflect these histological changes. The aim of present study was to investigate whether the serum laminin levels are related to carotid atherosclerosis and diabetic complications, and to assess what clinical variables influence on the serum laminin levels in type 2 diabetes. METHODS: The subjects were 103 type 2 diabetic patients (51 in the no complication group and 52 in the complication group) and 39 controls. We evaluated the intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaques in both carotid arteries by duplex scan. and the serum laminin levels were measured. RESULTS: The serum laminin levels were higher in the group with complications complication group compared to the no complication group (p<0.01), and in the no complication group compared to the control group (plt;0.01). There were no differences in the carotid parameter values between the complication group and the no complication group. The correlations between the serum laminin levels and the measured IMT values were not significant.However, there were significant correlations between the serum laminin levels and the plaque counts and scores (r=0.24, plt;0.05). The presence of diabetic complications, the waist hip ratio, plaque score and apo B affected the elevation of the serum laminin levels (plt;0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The serum laminin levels were related to the presence of diabetic complications. Such levels may be a risk factor for plaque progression rather than the initiation of plaque formation or IMT thickening in the carotid atherosclerosis of type 2 diabetic patients.
Apolipoproteins B ; Basement Membrane ; Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Artery Diseases ; Diabetes Complications ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Diabetic Angiopathies ; Humans ; Laminin* ; Metabolism ; Risk Factors ; Waist-Hip Ratio

PURPOSE: The purpose of this research was to describe our group counseling methods for medical students with drop-out experiences. METHODS: Group counseling was offered to 11 medical students with drop-out experiences in their previous second semester. All subjects provided written informed consent before participating and completed a 2-day group counseling program using the Gestalt approach. The self-assertiveness training group counseling program consisted of 6 sessions, each of which lasted 90 minutes. Experience reports by participants after the program and data from semi-structured qualitative interviews were qualitatively analyzed. RESULTS: Program participants reported that they were moderately satisfied with the program regarding its usefulness and helpfulness on self-awareness, understanding, and reminding them of attempts to change behavior. Most students showed heightened levels of sincerity perceptions and positive attitudes in every session. The results demonstrated significant changes in experience in self-esteem, self-recognition, and interpersonal relationships. CONCLUSION: A group counseling program using the Gestalt approach could help medical students with drop-out experiences to adjust with 1 year their juniors, enhance their self-esteem, contribute to their psychological well-being, and prevent student re-failure through effective stress management and improved interpersonal relationships.
Counseling ; Humans ; Informed Consent ; Students, Medical