Background/Aims: The aim of this study is to compare Friedewald-estimated and directly measured low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) values and assess the concordance in guideline risk classification between the two methods. Methods: The data were derived from the 2009 to 2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We included subjects with triglyceride (TG) levels < 400 mg/dL. Analysis was done for 6,454 subjects who had all lipid panels— total cholesterol, directly measured LDL-C, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and TG. Results: The subjects ranged in age from 10 to 87 years old. The mean age was 41.5 ± 17.3 years. For subjects with TG < 400 mg/dL, overall concordance in guideline risk classification was 79.1%. The Friedewald formula tended to underestimate LDL-C more at higher TG or lower HDL-C levels. Especially, the percent of subjects who were misclassified into a lower risk category was 31% when TG were 200 to 299 mg/dL; and 45.6% when TG were 300 to 399 mg/dL. A greater underestimation of LDL-C occurred at higher TG and lower Friedewald-estimated LDL-C levels. Of subjects with a Friedewald-estimated LDL-C < 70 mg/dL, 55.4% had a directly measured LDL-C ≥ 70 mg/dL when TG were 200 to 399 mg/dL. Conclusions The Friedewald equation tends to underestimate LDL-C in highrisk subjects such as hypertriglyceridemia and hypo-HDL-cholesterolemia. For these individuals accurate assessment of LDL-C is crucial, and therefore additional evaluation is warranted.

Minimal invasive surgical technique has been increasingly applied to breast surgery. Since the first robot-assisted nipple-sparing mastectomy was introduced, we have been performing nipple-sparing mastectomy using multi-port robotic surgical system. Last year, the new robotic surgical system with single port was introduced. We report the development of a robotic nipple-sparing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction through a single incision using the updated single-port surgical robot system for a patient with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Breast reconstruction was performed using implants. Postoperative pathological examination revealed DCIS in both breasts. There were no major immediate complications, except for a minor skin burn on the right breast. Overall, the initial operation using the updated platform was safely performed.

Microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism type II (MOPD II) is an autosomal recessive inherited disorder form of primordial dwarfism, caused by mutations in the pericentrin gene. The purpose of the study was to examine the clinical and radiological features, physicochemical properties and microstructures of the tooth affected with MOPD II.
The mandibular 2nd molar was collected from the MOPD II patient. Micro-computerized tomography, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometry and Vickers microhardness analysis were performed on the MOPD II and the normal control.
The morphology of the MOPD II tooth appeared to have malformed pulp and root and showed a small size. The mineral density measurement showed that the MOPD II tooth had similar scores in the enamel, but lower scores in the root 1/2 and apical dentin compared to the normal control. The microhardness values were smaller in the cusp enamel, root 1/2 dentin and apical dentin of the MOPD II compared to the normal control.
In this study, the dental characteristics and the physicochemical properties of a tooth affected with MOPD II were analyzed to improve understanding of the oral manifestations of the disease and to assist in proper dental treatment by identifying precautions.

Purpose: Gambling disorder is highly prevalent, and harms individuals, families, interpersonal relationships, and society. However, the efforts to treat and recover from a gambling disorder are insufficient. The purpose of this study was to construct an integrated body of knowledge related to the recovery of gambling disorder, by synthesizing qualitative studies showing the recovery process in gambling. Methods: The qualitative meta-synthesis method was used to search for qualitative studies on recovery from gambling, and the experiences of 213 people of 22 articles were analyzed. Results: The overall theme representing the recovery of a gambling disorder was derived as ‘the journey of becoming the master of my life and growing together’. The process of recovery from a gambling disorder was subdivided into the decision-making phase, life-reconstruction phase, and life-fulfillment phase. The factors that enable as well as hinder recovery are presented in detail. Conclusion It is expected that the results of this study can be used as an empirical basis, for planning gambling-related policies and programs in practice through the experiences of recovering gamblers.

Objective: : To compare the anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and posterior cervical fusion (PCF) with wide facetectomy in the treatment of parallel-shaped bony foraminal stenosis (FS). Methods: : Thirty-six patients underwent surgery due to one-or-two levels of parallel-shaped cervical FS. ACDF was performed in 16 patients, and PCF using CPS was performed in 20 patients. All patients were followed up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Standardized outcome measures such as Numeric rating scale (NRS) score for armeck pain and Neck disability index (NDI) were evaluated. Cervical radiographs were used to compare the C2–7 Cobb’s angle, segmental angle, and fusion rates. Results: : There was an improvement in NRS scores after both approaches for radicular arm pain (mean change -6.78 vs. -8.14, p=0.012), neck pain (mean change -1.67 vs. -4.36, p=0.038), and NDI score (-19.69 vs. -18.15, p=0.794). The segmental angle improvement was greater in the ACDF group than in the posterior group (9.4°±2.7° vs. 3.3°±5.1°, p=0.004). However, there was no significant difference in C2–7 Cobb angle between groups (16.2°±7.9° vs. 14.8°±8.5°, p=0.142). As a complication, dysphagia was observed in one case of the ACDF group. Conclusion : In the treatment of parallel-shaped bony FS up to two surgical levels, segmental angle improvement was more favorable in patients who underwent ACDF. However, PCF with wide facetectomy using CPS should be considered as an alternative treatment option in cases where the anterior approach is burdensome.

Objective: : To compare the anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and posterior cervical fusion (PCF) with wide facetectomy in the treatment of parallel-shaped bony foraminal stenosis (FS). Methods: : Thirty-six patients underwent surgery due to one-or-two levels of parallel-shaped cervical FS. ACDF was performed in 16 patients, and PCF using CPS was performed in 20 patients. All patients were followed up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Standardized outcome measures such as Numeric rating scale (NRS) score for armeck pain and Neck disability index (NDI) were evaluated. Cervical radiographs were used to compare the C2–7 Cobb’s angle, segmental angle, and fusion rates. Results: : There was an improvement in NRS scores after both approaches for radicular arm pain (mean change -6.78 vs. -8.14, p=0.012), neck pain (mean change -1.67 vs. -4.36, p=0.038), and NDI score (-19.69 vs. -18.15, p=0.794). The segmental angle improvement was greater in the ACDF group than in the posterior group (9.4°±2.7° vs. 3.3°±5.1°, p=0.004). However, there was no significant difference in C2–7 Cobb angle between groups (16.2°±7.9° vs. 14.8°±8.5°, p=0.142). As a complication, dysphagia was observed in one case of the ACDF group. Conclusion : In the treatment of parallel-shaped bony FS up to two surgical levels, segmental angle improvement was more favorable in patients who underwent ACDF. However, PCF with wide facetectomy using CPS should be considered as an alternative treatment option in cases where the anterior approach is burdensome.

PURPOSE: Predicting the need for surgical intervention among patients with intestinal obstruction is challenging. The delta neutrophil index (DNI) has been suggested as a useful marker of immature granulocytes, which indicate an infection or sepsis. In this study, we evaluated the impact of the DNI as an early predictor of operation among patients with intestinal obstruction. METHODS: A total of 171 patients who were diagnosed with postoperative intestinal obstruction were enrolled in this study. Medical records, including data for the initial CRP level, WBC count, and DNI were reviewed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to clarify the optimal DNI cutoff values for predicting an operation. RESULTS: Among the 171 patients, 38 (22.2%) needed surgical intervention. The areas under the initial CRP, WBC, and DNI ROC curves were 0.460, 0.449, and 0.543, respectively. The optimal cutoff value for predicting further surgical intervention according to the initial DNI level was 4.3%. The accuracy of the cutoff value was 74.9%, the sensitivity was 23.7%, and the specificity was 89.5% (positive predictive value, 23.7%; negative predictive value, 89.5%). In the multivariate analysis, initial DNI levels ≥ 4.3% were significantly associated with surgical intervention (odd ratio, 3.092; 95% confidence interval, 1.072–8.918; P = 0.037). CONCLUSION: The initial DNI level in patients with intestinal obstruction may be a useful predictor for determining the need for surgical intervention.
Granulocytes ; Humans ; Intestinal Obstruction* ; Medical Records ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neutrophils* ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sepsis

Purpose: Nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) includes various techniques, including conventional or endoscopic mastectomies. Since the introduction of robot-assisted NSM (RANSM) in 2015, 2 main methods have been used: gasless and gas-inflated techniques. The aim of this study was to compare clinicopathologic characteristics, surgical outcomes, and postoperative complications between patients treated with gasless RANSM and those treated with gas-inflated RANSM. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of women who underwent gasless or gasinflated RANSM with immediate breast reconstruction between November 2016 and May 2019. The indications for RANSM were early breast cancer, interstitial mastopathy, or BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. Clinicopathologic characteristics, surgical outcomes, and postoperative complications were analyzed. The severity of complications was graded using the Clavien-Dindo system. Results: A total of 58 RANSM procedures were performed in 46 women: 15 cases of gasless RANSM and 43 cases of gas-inflated RANSM. The proportion of node-negative disease was higher in the gas-inflated group (97.1%) than in the gasless group (69.2%, p = 0.016).Adjuvant radiotherapy was administered in 30.6% of the cases in the gasless group and only 5% of the cases in the gas-inflated group. Other clinicopathological factors were not significantly different between the groups. Regarding surgical outcomes, the initial incision was 1 cm longer in the gasless group (5.17 ± 0.88 cm) than that in the gas-inflated group (4.20 ± 1.05 cm; p = 0.002). The final incision was also longer in the gasless group (5.17 ± 0.88 cm) than that in the gas-inflated group (4.57 ± 1.07 cm; p = 0.040). Operation time, complication rate, and complication grade were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Conclusion In this study, there were no significant differences in surgical outcomes or postoperative complications between gasless and gas-inflated RANSM, except for a longer incision with the gasless technique. Both techniques are reasonable options for RANSM followed by immediate reconstruction.

Ultrasound was developed several decades ago as a useful imaging modality, and it became the second most popular diagnostic tool due to its non-invasiveness, real-time capabilities, and safety. Additionally, ultrasound has been used as a therapeutic tool with several therapeutic agents and in nanomedicine. Ultrasound imaging is often used to diagnose many types of cancers, including breast, stomach, and thyroid cancers. In addition, ultrasound-mediated therapy is used in cases of joint inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis. Microbubbles, when used as ultrasound contrast agents, can act as echo-enhancers and therapeutic agents, and they can play an essential role in ultrasound imaging and ultrasound-mediated therapy. Recently, various types of ultrasound contrast agents made of lipid, polymer, and protein shells have been used. Air, nitrogen, and perfluorocarbon are usually included in the core of the microbubbles to enhance ultrasound imaging, and therapeutic drugs are conjugated and loaded onto the surface or into the core of the microbubbles, depending on the purpose and properties of the substance. Many research groups have utilized ultrasound contrast agents to enhance the imaging signal in blood vessels or tissues and to overcome the blood–brain barrier or blood-retina barrier. These agents are also used to help treat diseases in various regions or systems of the body, such as the cardiovascular system, or as a cancer treatment. In addition, with the introduction of targeted moiety and multiple functional groups, ultrasound contrast agents are expected to have a potential future in ultrasound imaging and therapy. In this paper, we briefly review the principles of ultrasound and introduce the underlying theory, applications, limitations, and future perspectives of ultrasound contrast agents.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Blood Vessels ; Breast ; Cardiovascular System ; Contrast Media ; Inflammation ; Joints ; Microbubbles* ; Nanomedicine ; Nitrogen ; Osteoarthritis ; Polymers ; Stomach ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Ultrasonography*

Purpose: Nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) includes various techniques, including conventional or endoscopic mastectomies. Since the introduction of robot-assisted NSM (RANSM) in 2015, 2 main methods have been used: gasless and gas-inflated techniques. The aim of this study was to compare clinicopathologic characteristics, surgical outcomes, and postoperative complications between patients treated with gasless RANSM and those treated with gas-inflated RANSM. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of women who underwent gasless or gasinflated RANSM with immediate breast reconstruction between November 2016 and May 2019. The indications for RANSM were early breast cancer, interstitial mastopathy, or BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. Clinicopathologic characteristics, surgical outcomes, and postoperative complications were analyzed. The severity of complications was graded using the Clavien-Dindo system. Results: A total of 58 RANSM procedures were performed in 46 women: 15 cases of gasless RANSM and 43 cases of gas-inflated RANSM. The proportion of node-negative disease was higher in the gas-inflated group (97.1%) than in the gasless group (69.2%, p = 0.016).Adjuvant radiotherapy was administered in 30.6% of the cases in the gasless group and only 5% of the cases in the gas-inflated group. Other clinicopathological factors were not significantly different between the groups. Regarding surgical outcomes, the initial incision was 1 cm longer in the gasless group (5.17 ± 0.88 cm) than that in the gas-inflated group (4.20 ± 1.05 cm; p = 0.002). The final incision was also longer in the gasless group (5.17 ± 0.88 cm) than that in the gas-inflated group (4.57 ± 1.07 cm; p = 0.040). Operation time, complication rate, and complication grade were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Conclusion In this study, there were no significant differences in surgical outcomes or postoperative complications between gasless and gas-inflated RANSM, except for a longer incision with the gasless technique. Both techniques are reasonable options for RANSM followed by immediate reconstruction.