Objectives: Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte/lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are inflammatory biomarkers. Potential of these inflammatory biomarkers as state marker of schizophrenia severity is controversial. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between inflammatory biomarkers and schizophrenia severity. Methods: From January 2010 to June 2020, the medical records of schizophrenia patients admitted to Kosin University Gospel Hospital were retrospectively examined and 91 patients who met the inclusion criteria were selected as the subjects of the study. The Korean version of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS-KV) was used to assess schizophrenia symptom severity and divided into PANSS-KV total score (PANSS-T), PANSS-KV positive syndrome subscale (PANSS-P), PANSS-KV negative syndrome subscale (PANSS-N), PANSS-KV general psychopathology subscale (PANSS-G). Results: In 91 subjects, 40 were male and 51 were female. We found no significant relationship between sex, age, number of hospitalization and NLR, MLR, PLR. Patients with higher NLR, MLR, PLR had higher PANSS-T scores. Positive correlation between NLR, MLR, PLR and PANSS-N, PANSS-G was demonstrated. There was no significant correlation between NLR, MLR, PLR and PANSS-P. Conclusions We investigate the possibility of inflammatory biomarkers as state markers of schizophrenia symptom severity. A well-designed prospective study involving a larger cohort is needed in the future.

Objectives: ：Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte/lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are indicators of inflammation. Several studies have evaluated their relationship with bipolar disorder severity, but the results are controversial. Here, we investigate the relationship between inflammatory ratios and the severity and clinical characteristics of bipolar disorder. Methods: ：We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of bipolar disorder patients who met the inclusion criteria and admitted to Kosin University Gospel Hospital between January 2010 and August 2021. NLR, MLR and PLR were measured according to the complete blood count. Severity was assessed by the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) in hypo/manic episode patients, the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD) in depressive episode patients. Patients are grouped by presence of two clinical features, current psychotic features and history of suicide attempts. Results: ：181 subjects, of whom 123 were women and 58 men, were included. Subjects with higher NLR had higher HAMD scores (N=36, r=0.337, p=0.045). We found no significant correlation between YMRS and the inflammatory biomarkers. Patients with previous suicide attempts exhibited a greater PLR than those without previous suicide attempts (N[SA+]=52, N[SA-]=129, p=0.035). There was no significant difference in inflammatory ratios with respect to psychotic features. Conclusions ：We found a possible correlation between the severity of bipolar depression and inflammatory indicators in the Korean population, in addition to correlation between previous suicidal attempt of bipolar disorder and inflammatory indicators. A well-designed prospective study involving a larger cohort is needed in the future.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to report the surgical outcome of reconstruction of neglected chronic Achilles tendon ruptures with various methods including Achilles tendon allograft. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between October 2003 and November 2008, 8 consecutive neglected chronic Achilles tendon ruptures with the defect gap of more than 4 cm underwent surgical reconstruction including V-Y advancement, gastrocnemius fascial turn-down flap, flexor hallucis longus transfer and Achilles tendon allograft. There were 7 males and 1 female who were evaluated at more than 18 months after surgery. At the time of followup, all patients were assessed with regard to postoperative complications, their self-reported level of satisfaction, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot scale, 10 repetitive single heel rise, single leg hopping test, and ankle range of motion. RESULTS: The AOFAS score increased from average 71.4 (50-87) to 96.4 (86-100). All patients were able to perform 10-repetitive single heel raise and single leg hopping at the latest follow up. No patient experienced wound complications and deep infection. Six patients were rated as 'excellent' and the other two as 'good'. CONCLUSION: Neglected chronic Achilles tendon ruptures could be successfully treated with careful selection of the reconstruction method according to the amount of defect gap. With an extensive defect, Achilles tendon allograft can be a good option when the reconstruction is not feasible otherwise.
Achilles Tendon ; Animals ; Ankle ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot ; Heel ; Humans ; Humulus ; Leg ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; Rupture ; Transplantation, Homologous

Objective: Chronic low back pain (LBP) is a huge social burden, and optimal exercise therapies for chronic LBP patients are continuously being studied. To evaluate the effects of digital intervention on pain and disability in patients with chronic LBP, we performed a prospective cohort study. Method: From February 2020 to January 2021, 25 patients with chronic LBP were recruited. Digital intervention contains education contents and video demonstration for individually prescribed exercise. The exercise prescription was renewed every 4 weeks according to subjects’ condition and accomplishment of exercise. This intervention was performed for more than 30 weeks. The pain intensity was assessed using a numeric rating scale (NRS) while their degree of disability was assessed using the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ). The pain intensity and disability was evaluated at short term (8∼20 weeks) and long term (30 weeks). Results: As a result, pain intensity (NRS) decreased significantly over the short term and long term (p<0.05). However, pain related disability (RMDQ score) did not change significantly over the follow-up period (p=0.554). Conclusion Our findings indicate that online-based digital intervention reduced the intensity of chronic LBP. Further research is needed to identify methods to cost-effectively and consistently manage chronic LBP.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research was to investigate the anti-angiogenic inhibitory effect of KR-31831, a newly developed anti-angiogenic agent, on an in vivo human ovarian carcinoma model using dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Xenografted ovarian tumors were established by subcutaneous injection of SKOV3 cells into mice. The mice were treated daily with KR-31831 at 50 mg/kg for 21 days. Tumor tissues were excised corresponding to the DCE-MRI sections for evaluation of MVD with CD31 immunohistochemistry. All in vivo MRIs were performed on a 7.0 Tesla micro-MRI System. DCE-MRI was acquired prior to initiating treatment with KR-31831 and again on days 3 and 21 after treatment. The permeability parameters (Ktrans, ve, and vp) were estimated using a pharmacokinetic model. RESULTS: Qualitatively, the Ktrans parametric mapping showed different changes before and after treatment with KR-31831 in the treatment group. For quantification of this change, the median of Ktrans values were compared before and after treatments in the control and KR-31831-treated groups. A non-parametric statistical test (Wilcoxon signed-rank test) showed decreasing Ktrans values on day 21 compared to days 0 and 3 in the KR-31831-treated group (p < 0.05), whereas there was no significant difference in the control group (p = 0.84). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that DCE-MRI can be a useful tool by which to evaluate the anti-angiogenic effect of KR-31831 on a xenografted human ovarian carcinoma model.
Angiogenesis Inhibitors/*pharmacology ; Animals ; Benzopyrans/*pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; *Contrast Media ; Female ; Humans ; Imidazoles/*pharmacology ; Immunohistochemistry ; *Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Microvessels/pathology ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Ovarian Neoplasms/*blood supply/pathology