OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the cognitive function in the acute stage evaluated by domain-specific neuropsychological assessments would be an independent predictor of functional outcome after stroke. METHODS: Forty patients underwent 4 domain-specific neuropsychological examinations about 3 weeks after the onset of stroke. The tests included the Boston Naming Test (BNT), the construction recall test (CRT), the construction praxis test (CPT), and the verbal fluency test (VFT). The Korean version of Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI) at 3 months and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 6 months were investigated as functional outcome after stroke. Functional improvement was assessed using the change in K-MBI during the first 3 months and subjects were dichotomized into 'good status' and 'poor status' according to mRS at 6 months. The domain-specific cognitive function along with other possible predictors for functional outcome was examined using regression analysis. RESULTS: The z-score of CPT (p=0.044) and CRT (p<0.001) were independent predictors for functional improvement measured by the change in K-MBI during the first 3 months after stroke. The z-score of CPT (p=0.049) and CRT (p=0.048) were also independent predictors of functional status at post-stroke 6 months assessed by mRS. CONCLUSION: Impairment in visuospatial construction and memory within one month after stroke can be an independent prognostic factor of functional outcome. Domain-specific neuropsychological assessments could be considered in patients with stroke in the acute phase to predict long-term functional outcome.
Cognition ; Humans ; Memory ; Patient Outcome Assessment ; Rehabilitation ; Stroke

BACKGROUND: Autosomal-dominant brachydactyly type E is a congenital abnormality characterized by small hands and feet, which is a consequence of shortened metacarpals and metatarsals. We recently encountered a young gentleman exhibiting shortening of 4th and 5th fingers and toes. Initially, we suspected him having pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism (PPHP) because of normal biochemical parameters, including electrolyte, Ca, P, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels; however, his mother and maternal grandmother had the same conditions in their hands and feet. Furthermore, his mother showed normal biochemical parameters. To the best of our knowledge, PPHP is inherited via a mutated paternal allele, owing to the paternal imprinting of GNAS (guanine nucleotide binding protein, alpha stimulating) in the renal proximal tubule. Therefore, we decided to further analyze the genetic background in this family. METHODS: Whole exome sequencing was performed using genomic DNA from the affected mother, son, and the unaffected father as a negative control. RESULTS: We selected the intersection between 45,490 variants from the mother and 45,646 variants from the son and excluded 27,512 overlapping variants identified from the father. By excluding homogenous and compound heterozygous variants and removing all previously reported variants, 147 variants were identified to be shared by the mother and son. Variants that had least proximities among species were excluded and finally 23 variants remained. CONCLUSION: Among them, we identified a defect in parathyroid hormone like hormone (PTHLH), encoding the PTH-related protein, to be disease-causative. Herein, we report a family affected with brachydactyly type E2 caused by a novel PTHLH mutation, which was confused with PPHP with unclassical genetic penetrance.
Alleles ; Brachydactyly* ; Carrier Proteins ; Congenital Abnormalities ; DNA ; Exome ; Fathers ; Fingers ; Foot ; Genetic Background ; Grandparents ; Hand ; Humans ; Metacarpal Bones ; Metatarsal Bones ; Mothers ; Parathyroid Hormone ; Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein ; Penetrance ; Pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism* ; Toes

In addition to imaging the lymphatics and detecting various types of lymphatic leakage, lymphangiography is a therapeutic option for patients with chylothorax, chylous ascites, and lymphatic fistula. Percutaneous thoracic duct embolization, transabdominal catheterization of the cisterna chyli or thoracic duct, and subsequent embolization of the thoracic duct is an alternative to surgical ligation of the thoracic duct. In this pictorial review, we present the detailed technique, clinical applications, and complications of lymphangiography and thoracic duct embolization.
Catheterization ; Chylothorax/*radiography/therapy ; Chylous Ascites/*radiography/therapy ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes/radiography/surgery ; Lymphography ; Thoracic Duct/radiography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Menetrier's disease in childhood is a rare form of gastropathy characterized by hypoalbuminemia, endoscopic and/or radiologic findings of hypertrophic gastric folds, and histologic findings of foveolar hyperplasia in the stomach. It tends to have a self-limited course compared to the chronic and complicated course in adult Menetrier's disease. A 7-year-old boy was referred to Incheon St. Mary's Hospital for facial edema. Physical examination on admission showed periorbital swelling, pitting edema in both legs, and epigastric tenderness. Laboratory tests on admission indicated hypoproteinemia (3.0 g/dL) with hypoalbuminemia (2.1 g/dL) and hypogammaglobulinemia. Urinalysis showed no abnormalities. The test results for anti-cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin M and cytomegalovirus PCR were negative. Stool Helicobacter pylori antigen was positive and fecal alpha1-antitrypsin clearance was 40.1 mL/day, consistent with protein-losing gastroenteropathy. Gastroduodenoscopy showed hypertrophic edematous gastric folds, erythema, and superficial erosion in the body of the stomach. The duodenum was normal. Histologic findings showed foveolar hyperplasia. His symptoms improved with conservative treatment including proton pump inhibitor from day 9 of hospitalization and resolved completely. Here we reported a case of pediatric protein-losing hypertrophic gastropathy associated with Helicobacter pylori infection.
Adult ; Agammaglobulinemia ; Child ; Cytomegalovirus ; Duodenum ; Edema ; Erythema ; Gastritis, Hypertrophic* ; Helicobacter pylori* ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Hypoalbuminemia ; Hypoproteinemia ; Immunoglobulin M ; Incheon ; Leg ; Male ; Physical Examination ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Proton Pumps ; Stomach ; Urinalysis

Objective: This study aimed to identify the clinical characteristics for differential diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) by analyzing the differences in cognitive function and caregiver burden between the patient groups. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease patients and DLB patients. Differences in cognitive function were measured using the standardized neuropsychological test battery (Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery-II). Differences in the caregiver burden were measured by the Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Questionnaire (NPIQ) for behavioral psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and Korean-Instrumental Activities of Daily living (K-IADL) for daily living activities. For statistical analysis, chi-square test and multivariate analysis of variance and binary logistic regression and correlation analysis were conducted using SPSS 22. Results: Nine Parkinson’s disease-Normal cognition (PD-NC), 25 Parkinson’s disease-mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI), 20 PDD and 11 DLB patients were included. Compared with PDD and DLB, attentional deficit correlated more strongly with DLB, but language dysfunction showed more correlation with PDD. Caregiver burden correlated more strongly with DLB than PDD. Delusion and aberrant motor behaviors of NPI-Q and taking medicine of K-IADL were strongly related with the caregiver burden of both PDD and DLB. Conclusion This study identified that neuropsychological profile and caregiver burden in comparison of BPSD and ADL can contribute to the differential diagnosis of PDD and DLB.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The importance of α-cell dysfunction in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes has re-emerged recently. However, data on whether relative glucagon excess is present in clinical settings are scarce. We aimed to investigate associations between glucagon-to-insulin ratio and various metabolic parameters. METHODS: A total of 451 patients with type 2 diabetes naïve to insulin treatment were recruited. Using glucagon-to-insulin ratio, we divided subjects into quartiles according to both fasting and postprandial glucagon-to-insulin ratios. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 58 years, with a mean body mass index of 25 kg/m² The patients in the highest quartile of glucagon-to-insulin ratio had higher glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. HbA1c levels were positively correlated with both fasting and postprandial glucagon-to-insulin ratios. Subjects in the highest quartile of postprandial glucagon-to-insulin ratio were more likely to exhibit uncontrolled hyperglycemia, even after adjusting for confounding factors (odds ratio, 2.730; 95% confidence interval, 1.236 to 6.028; p for trend < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Hyperglucagonemia relative to insulin could contribute to uncontrolled hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes patients.

BACKGROUND: To determine the technical feasibility and success rate of percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy (PRG) after failure of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). METHODS: Consecutive patients referred for PRG after failure of PEG between May 2011 and June 2016 were included in this study. The reasons for the failure of PEG, as well as the technical success and complications of PRG were noted. RESULTS: Fifteen patients (14 men, 1 woman; age, 27-93 years) were included. The most common reasons for PEG failure were esophageal stricture due to malignancies (n = 8), unfavorable abdominal wall conditions (n = 3), unstable patient condition during endoscopy (n = 2), and other miscellaneous conditions (n = 2). PRG placement was technically successful in all 15 cases. In one case, early slip-out of the gastrostomy tube occurred, which required removal and repositioning. No mortality was noted. CONCLUSION: PRG is technically feasible in patients with failed PEG insertion, and has advantages over PEG and a high overall success rate.
Abdominal Wall ; Endoscopy ; Esophageal Stenosis ; Female ; Gastrostomy* ; Humans ; Male ; Mortality

Background and objectives: To compare the safety and efficacy of a new everolimus-eluting stent with an abluminal-coated biodegradable polymer (Osstem Cardiotec Centum) with those of the Xience Alpine stent (Xience). Methods: This randomized, prospective, multicenter, parallel-designed, single-blind trial was conducted among patients with myocardial ischemia undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) from 21st September 2018 until 3rd July 2020. The primary efficacy endpoint was in-segment late lumen loss (LLL) at 270 days after the procedure and the primary safety endpoints were major adverse cardiac events (MACE), composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization. Results: We enrolled 121 patients and analyzed 113 patients who finished 270 days of followup for the primary efficacy endpoint. The mean age of the participants was 66.8 years. As for the primary efficacy endpoint, LLL of the Osstem Cardiotec Centum group was 0.09±0.13 mm and that of the Xience group was 0.12±0.14 mm (upper limit of 1-sided 95% confidence interval, 0.02; p for non-inferiority, 0.0084). This result demonstrates the non-inferiority of the Osstem Cardiotec Centum. As for the primary safety endpoint, MACE occurred in one patient (1.59% of the Xience group). Meanwhile, no MACE occurred in the Osstem Cardiotec Centum group. Conclusions The Osstem Cardiotec Centum is non-inferior to the Xience Alpine ® stent and is confirmed to be safe. It could be safely and effectively applied to patients with coronary artery disease undergoing PCI.

Background/Aims: Functional dyspepsia (FD) has long been regarded as a syndrome because its pathophysiology is multifactorial. However, recent reports have provided evidence that changes in the duodenal ecosystem may be the key. This study aimed to identify several gastrointestinal factors and biomarkers associated with FD, specifically changes in the duodenal ecosystem that may be key to understanding its pathophysiology. Methods: In this case-control study, 28 participants (12 with FD and 16 healthy control individuals) were assessed for dietary nutrients, gastrointestinal symptom severity, immunological status of the duodenal mucosa, and microbiome composition from oral, duodenal, and fecal samples. Integrated data were analyzed using immunohistochemistry, real-time polymerase chain reaction, 16S rRNA sequencing, and network analysis. Results: Duodenal mucosal inflammation and impaired expression of tight junction proteins were confirmed in patients with FD. The relative abundance of duodenal Streptococcus (p=0.014) and reductions in stool Butyricicoccus (p=0.047) were confirmed. These changes in the gut microbiota were both correlated with symptom severity. Changes in dietary micronutrients, such as higher intake of valine, were associated with improved intestinal barrier function and microbiota. Conclusions This study emphasizes the relationships among dietary nutrition, oral and gut microbiota, symptoms of FD, impaired function of the duodenal barrier, and inflammation. Assessing low-grade inflammation or increased permeability in the duodenal mucosa, along with changes in the abundance of stool Butyricicoccus, is anticipated to serve as effective biomarkers for enhancing the objectivity of FD diagnosis and monitoring.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate at which pH level various local anesthetics precipitate, and to confirm which combination of corticosteroid and local anesthetic crystallizes. METHODS: Each of ropivacaine-HCl, bupivacaine-HCl, and lidocaine-HCl was mixed with 4 different concentrations of NaOH solutions. Also, each of the three local anesthetics was mixed with the same volume of 3 corticosteroid solutions (triamcinolone acetonide, dexamethasone sodium phosphate, and betamethasone sodium phosphate). Precipitation of the local anesthetics (or not) was observed, by the naked eye and by microscope. The pH of each solution and the size of the precipitated crystal were measured. RESULTS: Alkalinized with NaOH to a certain value of pH, local anesthetics precipitated (ropivacaine pH 6.9, bupivacaine pH 7.7, and lidocaine pH 12.9). Precipitation was observed as a cloudy appearance by the naked eye and as the aggregation of small particles (<10 µm) by microscope. The amount of particles and aggregation increased with increased pH. Mixed with betamethasone sodium phosphate, ropivacaine was precipitated in the form of numerous large crystals (>300 µm, pH 7.5). Ropivacaine with dexamethasone sodium phosphate also precipitated, but it was only observable by microscope (a few crystals of 10-100 µm, pH 7.0). Bupivacaine with betamethasone sodium phosphate formed precipitates of non-aggregated smaller particles (<10 µm, pH 7.7). Lidocaine mixed with corticosteroids did not precipitate. CONCLUSION: Ropivacaine and bupivacaine can precipitate by alkalinization at a physiological pH, and therefore also produce crystals at a physiological pH when they are mixed with betamethasone sodium phosphate. Thus, the potential risk should be noted for their use in interventions, such as epidural steroid injections.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Anesthetics, Local* ; Betamethasone ; Bupivacaine ; Crystallization* ; Dexamethasone ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Lidocaine ; Sodium