OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical properties and cytocompatibility of microporous, spherical biphasic calcium phosphate(BCP) ceramics with a 60/40 hydroxyapatite/beta-tricalcium phosphate weight ratio for application as a bone graft substitute. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Microporous, spherical BCP granules(MGSB) were prepared and their basic characteristics were compared with commercially available BCP(MBCP; Biomatlante, France) and deproteinized bovine bone mineral(Bio-Oss; Geistlich-Pharma, Switzerland, BBP; Oscotec, Korea). Their physicochemical properties were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method. Cell viability and proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells on different graft materials were evaluated. RESULTS: MGSB granules showed a chemical composition and crystallinity similar with those in MBCP, they showed surface structure characteristic of three dimensionally, well-interconnected micropores. The results of MTT assay showed increases in cell viablity with increasing incubation times. At 4d of incubation, MGSB, MBCP and BBP showed similar values in optical density, but Bio-Oss exhibited significantly lower optical density compared to other bone substitutes(p < 0.05). MGSB showed significantly greater cell number compared to other bone substitutes at 3, 5, and 7d of incubation(p < 0.05), which were similar with those in polystyrene culture plates. CONCLUSION: These results indicated the suitable physicochemical properties of MGSB granules for application as an effective bone graft substitute, which provided compatible environment for osteoblast cell growth. However, further detailed studies are needed to confirm its biological effects on bone formation in vivo.
Bone Substitutes ; Calcium* ; Cell Count ; Cell Survival ; Ceramics* ; Crystallins ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Osteoblasts ; Osteogenesis ; Plasma ; Polystyrenes ; Spectrum Analysis ; Switzerland ; Transplants*

Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon does not occur with common hemangioma, rather it is associated with the more aggressive Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma and rarely with other vascular neoplasm. We report the case of an adult who was diagnosed as Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma complicated by Kasabach-Memtt phenomenon. This is the first report in Korea of an adult with Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon who has osteolytic changes of femur, pelvic bone, and lumbar spine.
Adult* ; Femur ; Hemangioendothelioma* ; Hemangioma ; Humans ; Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome ; Korea ; Pelvic Bones ; Spine ; Vascular Neoplasms

BACKGROUND: Nasal hyperreactivity is a cardinal pathophysiological feature in allergic or nonallergic rhinitis. However, the mechanisms underlying nasal hyperreactivity are largely unknown. One of the proposed mechanisms is that epithelial damage may contribute to the development of nasal hyperreactivity. However, it is hard to find studies on this topic. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to demonstrate whether the morphological change of nasal epithelium exists in animal model with nasal hyperreactivity or not. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Guinea pigs were sensitized in 10% TDI-ethyl acetate solution for 5 days, after which a recess of 3 weeks were allowed before exposing them in 5% TDI-ethyl acetate solution twice a week for 4 weeks. Thereafter, we observed the morphologic change of nasal mucosa with a light microscope and an electron microscope. RESULTS: Under the light microscopic observation, there were no morphological changes including epithelial damage in the TDI-provoked group. Under the electron microscopic, however, the widening of the intercellular space, the disruption of the basement membrane and the cytoplasmic vacuolization were observed. CONCLUSION: Morphological changes of the nasal epithelium were found in the animal model with nasal hyperreactivity under electron microscopic observation. Further studies to verify the relationship between the morphological changes and the nasal hyperreactivity will be needed.
Animals* ; Basement Membrane ; Cytoplasm ; Extracellular Space ; Guinea Pigs ; Microscopy, Electron ; Models, Animal* ; Nasal Mucosa* ; Rhinitis

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of class A extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) has been investigated repeatedly in members of family Enterobacteriaceae in Korea, but only rarely in Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of class A ESBL-producing A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa and to characterize the genotypes. METHODS: During the period of June to September 2004, clinical isolates of A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa were collected from patients in Kosin University Gospel Hospital, Busan, Korea. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by the disk diffusion and the agar dilution methods, and ESBLproduction by the double-disk synergy test. Transferability of ceftazidime-resistance of ESBL-producers were tested by conjugation. The isoelectric points of ESBLs were determined by isoelectric focusing. Searches for blaTEM, blaSHV, blaCTX-M, blaPER-1, blaVEB, and blaGES/IBC genes were performed by PCR amplification, and the genotypes of ESBLs were determined by a direct nucleotide sequence analysis of the amplified products. RESULTS: A total of 58 clinical isolates of A. baumannii and 77 P. aeruginosa were collected. Three (5.2%) isolates of A. baumannii and four (5.2%) P. aeruginosa isolates showed positive results in the double-disk synergy test using ceftazidime and imipenem disks, and one (1.7%) A. baumannii and two (2.6%) P. aeruginosa isolates showed positive results in that test using ceftazidime and cefoxitin disks. The most prevalent class A ESBL genotype in A. baumannii isolates was blaPER-1 (n=6), and blaSHV-12 gene was also found in one P. aeruginosa isolate. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that class A PER-1 ESBL-producing A. baumannii isolates are spreading, and SHV-12-producing P. aeruginosa has emerged in Korea. The spread of class A ESBLs could compromise the future usefulness of expanded-spectrum -lactam antibiotics for the treatment of A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa infections.
Acinetobacter baumannii* ; Acinetobacter* ; Agar ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Base Sequence ; beta-Lactamases* ; Busan ; Cefoxitin ; Ceftazidime ; Diffusion ; Enterobacteriaceae ; Genotype ; Humans ; Imipenem ; Isoelectric Focusing ; Isoelectric Point ; Korea ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence* ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa* ; Pseudomonas*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although laparoscopic fundoplication is a well-established therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in Western countries, the mainstay of GERD treatment in Korea is long-term proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use. The aim of the present study was to evaluate nationwide data regarding antireflux surgery in Korea. METHODS: Data from 2011 to 2014 were collected from the Korean Antireflux Surgery Study Group and then analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 87 patients underwent laparoscopic fundoplication for the treatment of GERD. Preoperatively, typical symptoms were present in 81 patients (93%) and atypical symptoms were present in 51 patients (59%). Twenty-seven patients (31%) had poor PPI responses. The average surgical time and postoperative hospital stay were 116.3±42.3 minutes and 4.3±3.1 days, respectively. At 3 months after surgery, typical symptoms were completely controlled in 86.3% of patients and partially controlled in 11.7%, whereas atypical symptoms were completely controlled in 63.3% of patients and partially controlled in 23.3%. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that although atypical symptoms and PPI nonresponders are common, the complete control rates of typical and atypical symptoms were 86.3% and 63.3%, respectively. Laparoscopic fundoplication is an efficacious method of controlling the symptoms of GERD and has an acceptable rate of postoperative morbidity and adverse symptoms.
Fundoplication ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Humans ; Korea* ; Length of Stay ; Methods ; Operative Time ; Proton Pump Inhibitors ; Proton Pumps

Colonic phytobezoars are defined as conglomerate masses of fruit or vegetable matter in the colon, and these have rarely reported as a cause of colon obstruction. Because it is extremely rare, its correct diagnosis might be delayed even with the aid of abdominal computed tomography. We report here on a case of diagnosed colonic obstruction due to colonic phytobezoars in a 67-year-old female with diabetic end stage renal disease and chronic constipation. Although abdomino-pelvic computed tomography did not demonstrate the presence of phytobezoars, multiple phytobezoars impacted in the colon were found and these were removed by colonoscopy. This is a rare case in that colonic obstruction due to phytobezoar was diagnosed early and it was treated by colonoscopy.
Aged ; Colon ; Colonoscopy ; Constipation ; Female ; Fruit ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Vegetables

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatoduodenal ligament lymph node (LN) dissection has been performed as a part of extended LN dissection during the operation for gastric cancer. And additional cholecystectomy has been performed for more radical node dissection and prevention of cholelithiasis in some centers. There are rare studies and reports about the injury of bile duct system with the operation for gastric cancer. The aim of this study is to evaluate the risk of biliary tree injury with LN dissection for gastric cancer. METHODS: 254 patients of gastric cancer were treated with gastrectomy with LN dissection at Kangnam general hospital between January 1996 and December 2001. Among this group, 151 patients of advanced gastric cancer underwent extended LN dissection of D2+alpha or D3 including hepatoduodenal ligament LN and 69 patients of early gastric cancer underwent D2. And we routinely conducted cholecystectomy for advanced and early gastric cancer. Of these patients, 5 cases without remained or recurred tumor of bile leakage after operation were reviewed. And we analyzed the changes of liver function tests (LFT) of 15 patients of early gastric cancer and 21 patients of advanced gastric cancer whose LFT follow-up data were available. RESULTS: The rate of bile leakage was 2.3% (5 patients) after LN dissection of hepatoduodenal ligament for gastric cancer. Among this group, 3 patients underwent reoperation due to unexpected bile leakage and 2 patients underwent T tube choledochostomy due to minor injury to common hepatic duct on operation. One patient died of sepsis with continued bile leakage after T tube removal on the postoperative 41st day. The serum alkaline phosphatase was increased after operation especially in advanced gastric cancer without clinical significance and there was no other significant abnormality in LFT after hepatoduodenal LN dissection and cholecystectomy in non-recurrent cases. CONCLUSION: Extended lymph node dissection including hepatoduodenal ligament LN and cholecystectomy may have the possibility of increasing the risk of bile duct injury. It is important to select the patients who will benefit from hepatoduodenal ligament LN dissection and cholecystectomy. And meticulous surgical technique to operate biliary tract and adequate management of biliary injury are needed.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Bile Ducts* ; Bile* ; Biliary Tract ; Cholecystectomy ; Choledochostomy ; Cholelithiasis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrectomy ; Hepatic Duct, Common ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Ligaments ; Liver Function Tests* ; Liver* ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; Reoperation ; Sepsis ; Stomach Neoplasms*

A serrated adenoma is a precursor lesion for some cases of microsatellite unstable colorectal carcinoma (CRC). The serrated neoplasia pathway has been associated with carcinogenesis of serrated adenoma, which is different from the traditional adenoma-carcinoma sequence. The serrated neoplasia pathway accounts for 10~15% of CRCs, and these tumors typically demonstrate microsatellite instability. Cases of a CRC arising from a serrated adenoma have been rarely identified with the recent recognition of the serrated neoplasia pathway. However, these cases are not frequently reported in Korea, because this concept has only been recently emphasized. We report a case of an early adenocarcinoma arising from a traditional serrated adenoma of the colon, which was diagnosed and treated by a colonoscopic polypectomy.
Adenocarcinoma ; Adenoma ; Calcium Hydroxide ; Colon ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Korea ; Microsatellite Instability ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Zinc Oxide

Background: Despite the proven effectiveness of oral antivirals against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in randomized trials, their clinical reevaluation is vital in the context of widespread immunity and milder prevalent variants. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of oral antivirals for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: This retrospective cohort study utilized a target trial emulation framework to analyze patients with COVID-19 aged 60+ from January to December 2022. Data were obtained from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. The study involved 957,036 patients treated with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir and 243,360 treated with molnupiravir, each compared with the matched control groups. Primary outcome was progression to critical COVID-19 requiring advanced respiratory support. Secondary outcomes included progression to severe COVID-19, need for supplemental oxygen, and death within 30 days of the onset of COVID-19.Number needed to treat (NNT) derived from the absolute risk reduction. Results: Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir was significantly associated with a reduced risk of severe (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.823; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.803–0.843), critical (aOR, 0.560; 95% CI, 0.503–0.624), and fatal COVID-19 (aOR, 0.694; 95% CI, 0.647–0.744).Similarly, molnupiravir reduced the risk of severe (aOR, 0.895; 95% CI, 0.856–0.937), critical (aOR, 0.672; 95% CI, 0.559–0.807), and fatal cases (aOR, 0.679; 95% CI, 0.592–0.779).NNTs for nirmatrelvir/ritonavir were 203.71 (severe), 1,230.12 (critical), and 691.50 (death);for molnupiravir, they were 352.70 (severe), 1,398.62 (critical), and 862.98 (death). Higher effectiveness was associated with older adults, unvaccinated individuals, and the late pandemic phase. Conclusion Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir and molnupiravir are effective in preventing progression to severe disease in elderly adults with COVID-19.

Background: Despite the proven effectiveness of oral antivirals against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in randomized trials, their clinical reevaluation is vital in the context of widespread immunity and milder prevalent variants. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of oral antivirals for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: This retrospective cohort study utilized a target trial emulation framework to analyze patients with COVID-19 aged 60+ from January to December 2022. Data were obtained from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. The study involved 957,036 patients treated with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir and 243,360 treated with molnupiravir, each compared with the matched control groups. Primary outcome was progression to critical COVID-19 requiring advanced respiratory support. Secondary outcomes included progression to severe COVID-19, need for supplemental oxygen, and death within 30 days of the onset of COVID-19.Number needed to treat (NNT) derived from the absolute risk reduction. Results: Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir was significantly associated with a reduced risk of severe (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.823; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.803–0.843), critical (aOR, 0.560; 95% CI, 0.503–0.624), and fatal COVID-19 (aOR, 0.694; 95% CI, 0.647–0.744).Similarly, molnupiravir reduced the risk of severe (aOR, 0.895; 95% CI, 0.856–0.937), critical (aOR, 0.672; 95% CI, 0.559–0.807), and fatal cases (aOR, 0.679; 95% CI, 0.592–0.779).NNTs for nirmatrelvir/ritonavir were 203.71 (severe), 1,230.12 (critical), and 691.50 (death);for molnupiravir, they were 352.70 (severe), 1,398.62 (critical), and 862.98 (death). Higher effectiveness was associated with older adults, unvaccinated individuals, and the late pandemic phase. Conclusion Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir and molnupiravir are effective in preventing progression to severe disease in elderly adults with COVID-19.