No abstract available.
Animals ; Isoproterenol* ; Plasma* ; Rats* ; Renin*

Proliferating trichilemmal tumor is a rare benign tumor of skin appendage. It is usually solitary, more common in women after the fourth decade of life, and almost exclusively confined to the scalp and back of the neck. We report herein an unusual case of proliferating trchilemmal tumor which occurred on the knee.
Bursitis ; Female ; Humans ; Knee ; Neck ; Scalp ; Skin

Background: As the application of radiotherapy to brain metastasis (BM) increases, the incidence of radiation necrosis (RN) as a late toxicity of radiotherapy also increases. However, no specific treatment for RN is indicated except long-term steroids. Here, we summarize the clinical results of bevacizumab (BEV) for RN. Methods: Ten patients with RN who were treated with BEV monotherapy (7 mg/kg) were retrospectively reviewed. RN diagnosis was made using MRI with or without perfusion MRI. Radiological response was based on Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology criteria for BM. The initial response was observed after 2 cycles every 2 weeks, and maintenance observed after 3 cycles every 3-6 weeks of increasing length intervals. Results: The initial response of gadolinium (Gd) enhancement diameter maintained stable disease (SD) in 9 patients, and 1 patient showed partial response (PR). The initial fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) response showed PR in 4 patients and SD in 6 patients. The best radiological response was observed in 9 patients. Gd enhancement response was 6 PR and 3 SD between 15-43 weeks. Reduction of FLAIR showed PR in 5 patients and SD in 4 patients. Clinical improvement was observed in all but 1 patient. Five patients were maintained on protocol with durable response up to 23 cycles. However, 2 patients stopped treatment due to primary cancer progression, 1 patient received surgical removal from tumor recurrence, and 1 patient changed to systemic chemotherapy for new BM. Grade 3 intractable hypertension occurred in 1 patient who had already received antihypertensive medication. Conclusion BEV treatment for RN from BM radiotherapy resulted in favorable radiological (60%) and clinical responses (90%). Side effects were expectable and controllable. We anticipate prospective clinical trials to verify the effect of BEV monotherapy for RN.

PURPOSE: The factors for predicting persistent urge symptom and urge incontinence following a tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure were investigated in patients with mixed urinary incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and seventy-four women, with a mean age of 55 years, ranging from 28 to 80, with female urinary incontinence (stress urinary incontinence; 201, mixed urinary incontinence; 73) were the subjects of this study. After a TVT procedure, the patients were followed up at 1, 6 and 12 months and every 1 year thereafter. Cure of incontinence after the procedure was defined as the absence of a subjective complaint of leakage and the absence of objective leakage on stress testing, with all other cases considered as failures. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the cure rates for stress urinary incontinence in patients with stress and mixed urinary incontinence. However, of 73 patients with mixed urinary incontinence, 20 (27.4%) ans 12 (16.4%) had persistent urgency and continued urge incontinence, respectively. In a multivariate analysis, a low maximal urethral closure pressure (MUCP) was found to be associated with an increased likelihood of persistent urgency (odds ratio, 0.94; 95% confidence interval, 0.38-0.99; p=0.029) and the persistent urge incontinence (odds ratio, 0.94; 95% confidence interval, 0.88-0.99; p=0.030) after a TVT procedure in patients with mixed urinary incontinence. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that a low MUCP may be associated with the persistent urgency and urge incontinence after a TVT procedure in patients with mixed urinary incontinence.
Exercise Test ; Female ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Suburethral Slings* ; Surgical Mesh ; Urinary Incontinence* ; Urinary Incontinence, Urge*

Objective: We developed the Indoor Cognitive Training combined with Physical Activity (ICT-PA) program, incorporating memory registration, navigation, and image recall through wearable sensors and Bluetooth Low Energy tags, aimed at enhancing cognitive function and physical activity in elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods: Thirty-six elderly individuals over 60 years diagnosed with MCI participated in a 6-week ICT-PA program. The primary outcome measure was the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease Neuropsychological Assessment Battery Total Score 1 (CERAD-TS1), and the secondary outcome measures were the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Subjective Memory Complaints Questionnaire (SMCQ), and Korean version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-KR). Changes in scores before and after the program were analyzed using paired t-tests. Program satisfaction was evaluated using a 5-point Likert scale. Results: CERAD-TS1 scores significantly improved after ICT-PA training (pre 57.3±11.3; post 60.3±13.1; p=0.006), while MMSE, SMCQ and GDS-KR scores remained unchanged. Subgroup analysis showed significant CERAD-TS improvements in the compliance group (>360 minutes of ICT-PA use) (pre 58.5±11.7; post 62.7±12.9; p=0.002). The average program satisfaction score was 7.7±1.6 out of 10. Data are presented as mean±standard deviation. Conclusion The ICT-PA program effectively improved cognitive functions in MCI patients, with high satisfaction rates.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanisms involved in the mRNA expressions of hCG, LH/CG receptor and in hormone secretion in the trophoblast of normal and abnormal early pregnancy. METHODS: hCG, free Beta-hCG, and progesterone concentrations were measured in serum and the mRNA expressions of alpha,Beta-hCG and LH/CG receptor were measured in the placental trophoblast of 22 spontaneous abortion patients (spontaneous abortion group), 20 normal pregnancy women (normal pregnancy group) and 6 hydatidiform mole patients (hydatidiform mole group). RESULTS: 1. Mean values of serum hCG and free Beta-hCG concentrations were the lowest in spontaneous abortion group (46343.63+/-40404.18 mIU/ml, p<0.001; 31.34+/-61.57 mIU/ml, p<0.01 respectively) among the three groups. Mean progesterone concentration was the lowest in spontaneous abortion group (11.84+/-7.60 ng/ml, p<0.01), too.2. The expression levels of alpha,Beta-hCG were the highest in spontaneous abortion group (4.64+/-5.47, p=0.015; 4.57+/-4.42 p=0.002 respectively). The expression levels of LH/CG receptor were not different statistically among the three groups and they were high at the 5th week of gestation, reaching nadir at the 10th week of gestation when the concentrations of serum hCG showed peak values in normal pregnancy group.3. The correlations between serum hCG and progesterone concentrations were positive in both spontaneous abortion (r=0.827, p<0.001) and normal pregnancy (r=0.438, p=0.054) group. Though they were not significant statistically, the correlations between progesterone concentrations and the levels of alpha,Beta-hCG expressions were negative in both spontaneous abortion (r=-0.237, p=0.289; r=-0.211, p=0.347) and normal pregnancy (r=-0.270, p=0.250; r=-0.235, p=0.318) group. In hydatidiform mole group, the correlation between progesterone concentrations and the levels of Beta-hCG expression was positive (r=0.968, p=0.002). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the mechanisms involved in the secretion of hCG, progesterone and the expression of alpha,Beta-hCG, LH/CG receptor be normal in spontaneous abortion as in normal pregnancy and in the both groups, hCG stimulate the secretion of progesterone by autocrine function and control the secretion of itself, through the suppression of the expressions of alpha,Beta-hCG and LH/CG receptors. So the cause of spontaneous abortion in early pregnancy may be not placental dysfunction but the defect of embryo itself with poor placental growth.
Abortion, Spontaneous* ; Embryonic Structures ; Female ; Humans ; Hydatidiform Mole ; Pregnancy ; Progesterone ; RNA, Messenger* ; Trophoblasts*

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we characterized human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) obtained by different culture methods to establish the most suitable methodology for dental tissue engineering and regenerative endodontic applications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HDPCs were isolated by the outgrowth method (HDPCs-OG), the enzymatic digestion method (collagenase/dispase/trypsin, HDPCs-ED), or the combination of both methods (HDPCs-Combined). The expression of mesenchymal stem cell markers (CD105, CD90, and CD73) was investigated. In vitro differentiation capacities of HDPCs into adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic lineages were compared. Differentiation markers were analyzed by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting. RESULTS: Our data indicated that whole HDPCs-ED, HPDCs-OG, and HDPCs-Combined could be differentiated into adipogenic, chrondrogenic, and osteogenic cell types. However, we found that the methods for isolating and culturing HDPCs influence the differentiation capacities of cells. HDPCs-OG and HDPCs-ED were preferably differentiated into adipogenic and osteogenic cells, respectively. Differentiation markers shown by RT-PCR and western blotting analysis were mostly upregulated in the treated groups compared with the control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirmed that cell populations formed by two different culture methods and the combined culture method exhibited different properties. The results of this study could provide an insight into regenerative endodontic treatment using HDPCs.
Antigens, Differentiation ; Blotting, Western ; Dental Pulp* ; Digestion ; Humans* ; In Vitro Techniques* ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Methods* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Stem Cells* ; Tissue Engineering

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to determine whether the outcome of the mid-urethral sling procedures may be influenced by the body-mass index in Korean women with stress urinary incontinence(SUI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 285 women 28 to 80 years old with a minimum follow-up of 6 months were included in the study. Patients were stratified as follows: normal weight, 18.5~23 kg/m2; overweight, 23~27.5 kg/m2; obesity, 27.5 kg/m2 or higher. RESULTS: There was no significant complication. Bladder perforations were noted in 11 cases(4.9%, 3.8% and 2.2% in the normal weight, overweight and obesity group, p=0.449). There was no significant difference between the three groups for cure rate(p=0.173). The rates of postoperative urinary retention were 9.9%, 10.1% and 15.6% in the normal weight, overweight and obesity group(p=0.396). No significant difference was found between the three groups in the persistence of urgency(p=0.312). Seventy-nine patients(27.7%) had symptoms suggestive of voiding disorder, postoperatively. The incidence of these symptoms was not significant difference in the three groups(p=0.106). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate the feasibility and safety of the mid-urethral sling procedures for obese Korean women with SUI. Additional studies, including prospective randomized trials with longer follow-up, are needed to verify these findings.
Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Obesity ; Overweight ; Polypropylenes ; Suburethral Slings* ; Urethra ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Incontinence* ; Urinary Retention

With advancements in complex repairs in neonates with complicated congenital heart diseases, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been increasingly used as cardiac support. ECMO has also been increasingly used for low birth weight (LBW) or very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates. However, since prematurity and LBW are risk factors for ECMO, the appropriate indications for neonates with LBW, especially VLBW, are under dispute. We report a case of ECMO performed in a 1,360-g premature infant with VLBW due to cardiopulmonary bypass weaning failure after repairing infracardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous return.
Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Dissent and Disputes ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation* ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn* ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; Risk Factors ; Scimitar Syndrome* ; Weaning

Stress-induced cardiomyopathy is caused by emotional or physical stressors and mimics acute myocardial infarction, though Stress-induced cardiomyopathy is characterized by reversible left ventricular (LV) apical ballooning in the absence of significant coronary artery disease. We describe a 51-year-old male who underwent left upper lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer, and during which cardiogenic arrest occurred due to stress-induced cardiomyopathy, successfully managed by intra-aortic balloon pumping and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; Cardiomyopathies ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ; Humans ; Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction