Background/Aims: There is no clear consensus on the relative ranking of interventional and radiation techniques with indications similar to those of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We used a network meta-analysis to compare the efficacy of non-surgical treatments for early HCC. Methods: We searched databases for randomized trials assessing the efficacy of loco-regional treatments for HCCs ≤5 cm with no extrahepatic spread or portal invasion. The primary outcome was the pooled hazard ratio (HR) for overall survival (OS), and secondary outcomes included overall and local progression-free survival (PFS). A frequentist network meta-analysis was performed, and the relative ranking of therapies was assessed with P-scores. Results: Nineteen studies comparing 11 different strategies in 2,793 patients were included. Chemoembolization plus RFA improved OS better than RFA alone (HR 0.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.33–0.82; P-score=0.951). Cryoablation, microwave ablation, laser ablation, and proton beam therapy had similar effects on OS compared with RFA. For overall PFS, but not local PFS, only chemoembolization plus RFA performed significantly better than RFA (HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.42–0.88; P-score=0.964). Injection of percutaneous ethanol or acetic acid was significantly less effective than RFA for all measured outcomes, while no differences in progression outcomes were identified for other therapies included in the network. Conclusions Our results suggest that chemoembolization combined with RFA is the best option for local treatment of early HCC. Cases with potential contraindications for RFA may benefit from a tailored approach using thermal or radiation modalities.

Pregabalin is a gamma-aminobutyric acid analogue; it has been used clinically as an anticonvulsant and analgesic agent. Few documented reports exist of deaths resulting from pregabalin overdose. This report discusses a case of pregabalin intoxication in a 27-year-old male, who was found unconscious in a prison and later pronounced dead at a local hospital. An autopsy and toxicological analysis revealed the presence of pregabalin, alprazolam, diazepam, escitalopram, fluoxetine, lorazepam, bromazepam, flunitrazepam, zolpidem, and piroxicam. The concentrations of pregabalin and alprazolam were 10.3 mg/L and 0.10 mg/L in heart blood, and 11.4 mg/L and 0.08 mg/L in femoral blood, respectively. The other detected drugs were within therapeutic concentrations. Ethyl alcohol was not detected in the blood. Although the pregabalin concentration was within the therapeutic or toxic range, the concomitant use of other drugs, particularly benzodiazepines and zolpidem, likely enhanced its toxicity. Based on the autopsy findings and toxicological results, the cause of death was determined to be multidrug intoxication, including pregabalin. Although pregabalin is generally considered safe and deaths from its use alone are very rare, it can be fatal at relatively low blood concentrations when combined with opioids or other medications. The rising use of pregabalin in Korea increases the risk of overdose deaths, similar to this case. Therefore, in forensic practice, the possibility of such fatalities should be considered when pregabalin is detected.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine the distributions of the polyp detection rate (PDR) and the adenoma detection rate (ADR) according to age by analyzing the polypectomy results. METHODS: A total of 10,098 patients who underwent a colonoscopy in 2013 were included in this study. Chi-square and logistic regression statistical analyses were performed using SPSS ver. 19. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 52.7 years old (median, 54 +/- 12.52 years; range, 14 to 92 years). A total of 6,459 adenomatous polyps (61.7%) from a total of 10,462 polyps were eliminated. The PDR was 50.9% (5,136/10,098), and the. ADR was 35.4% (3,579/10,098). The male-to-female ratio was 51.3%:48.7%, with a male-to-female ADR ratio of 42.8% : 27.7% (P < 0.001). In the age distribution, the values of the ADR were 0% for patients in their 10's, 6.3% for those in their 20's, 14.0% for those in their 30's, 28.7% for those in their 40's, 38.4% for those in their 50's, 46.2% for those in their 60's, 55.8% for those in their 70's, 56.1% for those in their 80's, and 33.3% for those in their 90's. In males, the values of the ADR were 0%, 9.1%, 17.1%, 37.8%, 48.2%, 53.6%, 61.7%, 59.1%, and 33.3% for the same age distribution, and a steep increase was found between patients in their 30's and patients in their 40's. Significant (P < 0.001) factors influencing the ADR included sex, previous colonoscopy experience, polypectomy method, and age of more than 40 years. CONCLUSION: In considering the adenoma carcinoma sequence, 28.7% of people, especially 37.8% of males in their 40's showed adenomatous polyps. Whether an earlier first-time colonoscopy will have better results in preventing colorectal cancer should be investigated and discussed.
Adenoma* ; Adenomatous Polyps ; Age Distribution ; Colonic Polyps ; Colonoscopy* ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Mass Screening* ; Polyps

BACKGROUND: Steroid-responsive encephalopathy associated with subacute thyroiditis has, to our knowledge, not been reported previously. CASE REPORT: A 49-year-old woman was found collapsed and brought to our institution with decreased mentality, dysarthria, and gait disturbance. Brain magnetic resonance imaging and angiography were normal but blood tests revealed thyroid-autoantibody-negative thyrotoxicosis. Results of a (99m)technetium-pertechnetate scan were compatible with the thyrotoxic phase of subacute thyroiditis. 14-3-3 proteins were detected in cerebrospinal fluid. Her mental status began to improve from the day following steroid administration. Recurrent encephalopathy was found 2 months after the initial admission, which was also effectively treated with steroid. CONCLUSIONS:We speculate that steroid-responsive recurrent encephalopathy associated with subacute thyroiditis is a subtype of Hashimoto's encephalopathy, and consider that steroid treatment should not be delayed in suspected patients.
14-3-3 Proteins ; Angiography ; Brain ; Brain Diseases ; Dysarthria ; Female ; Gait ; Hashimoto Disease ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Thyroiditis, Subacute ; Thyrotoxicosis

BACKGROUND: Decreased left atrial (LA) reservoir function is reported to be associated with elevated left ventricular (LV) end diastolic pressure and LV diastolic dysfunction. Echocardiographic parameters that reflect LA reservoir function include LA total emptying fraction [(maximum LA volume - minimum LA volume) / maximum LA volume], peak LA longitudinal strain (PLALS) at systole, and LA stiffness index (E/E´/PLALS). We aimed to investigate the long-term outcomes of LV diastolic function in children with a history of Kawasaki disease (KD) (KDHx group) by assessing LA reservoir function. METHODS: Retrospectively, echocardiograms performed at a mean follow-up period of 5 years after the acute phase of KD in 24 children in the KDHx group were compared to those from 20 normal control subjects. LA total emptying fraction, PLALS, LA stiffness index, LV peak longitudinal systolic strain (ε), and strain rate (SR) were evaluated with conventional echocardiographic parameters. RESULTS: The mean age at long term follow-up echocardiography in children in the KDHx group was 6.8 years. Five children (20.8%) had coronary artery lesions (CALs) in the acute stage of KD. No children showed CALs at a mean follow-up period of 5 years after the acute phase of KD. There were no significant differences in the conventional echocardiographic parameters and in LA total emptying fraction, PLALS, LA stiffness index, LV peak longitudinal systolic ε, and SR, between the children in the KDHx and control group. CONCLUSION: LV diastolic function assessed by LA reservoir function parameters at long-term follow-up in children in the KDHx group appears to be favorable.
Atrial Function ; Blood Pressure ; Child* ; Coronary Vessels ; Echocardiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome* ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Systole

BACKGROUND: Health officers are an integral part of the occupational health service, and there have been studies to identify and improve the role of health officers in the workplace in order to improve the level of health care in the workplace. This study aimed to determine the contribution of health officers to the role of a health officer as prescribed by law and the percentage of health management work performed during work according to their qualifications. METHODS: Questionnaires were distributed to a total of 4584 workplaces where health officers were hired, and a total of 806 copies (17.58%) were returned. Of these, 336 questionnaires were finally analyzed, after excluding questionnaires missing the main variables. Using the data, the difference of role contributions and the percentage of health care work performed during the whole day according to the qualification of the health officer was analyzed. RESULTS: Nurses were highly rated in the field of medical care, and industrial hygienists and air environmental engineers were highly rated in terms of chemicals and risk factor management. The percentage of health care work performed during the whole day differed according to the size of the workplace and industrial classification, but it was generally the lowest among air environmental engineers. CONCLUSIONS: Health officers play a very different role in the workplace depending on their qualification, and they need support for areas of other qualification. In order to effectively manage the health of the staff at a workplace, it is necessary to consider the development of a support system for small- and medium-sized enterprises and adjust the conditions of employment of the health officer according to the law.
Classification ; Delivery of Health Care ; Employment ; Health Status ; Jurisprudence ; Occupational Health Services ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: The balance between self- and social identity on job value of Korean dance artists, considered as performing artists, was measured to investigate the relationship between balance and depressive symptoms. METHODS: Data of 139 dance artists were analyzed for depressive symptoms assessed by their responses to questionnaires from the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CESD) translated into Korean. The balance score of each aspect of social identity compared to that of self-identity on job value was measured and classified as lower, equal, or higher. Following a graphical approach, we performed locally weighted scatterplot smoothing algorithm, simple linear regression, and quadric equation regression. RESULTS: The mean of CESD was highest in the higher balance group and lowest in the lower balance group. There was a linear relationship between balance score and CESD regarding specific audience, unspecified audience, and unspecified public. Balance score showed no association with other aspects of social identity. In the balance score range of 1 or higher, it was associated with CESD with respect to artist colleague, unspecified audience, and unspecified public. CONCLUSIONS: Dance artists should maintain a balance between self- and social identity in job value to prevent depressive symptoms.
Dancing ; Depression ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Korea ; Linear Models ; Social Identification

Chemokines are key factors that influence the migration and maintenance of relevant immune cells into an infected tissue or a tumor microenvironment. Therefore, it is believed that the controlled administration of chemokines in the tumor microenvironment may be an effective immunotherapy against cancer. Previous studies have shown that CCL3, also known as macrophage inflammatory protein 1-alpha, facilitates the recruitment of dendritic cells (DCs) for the presentation of tumor Ags and promotes T cell activation. Here, we investigated the role of CCL3 in regulating the tumor microenvironment using a syngeneic mouse tumor model. We observed that MC38 tumors overexpressing CCL3 (CCL3-OE) showed rapid regression compared with the wild type MC38 tumors. Additionally, these CCL3-OE tumors showed an increase in the proliferative and functional tumor-infiltrating T cells. Furthermore, PD-1 immune checkpoint blockade accelerated tumor regression in the CCL3-OE tumor microenvironment. Next, we generated a modified CCL3 protein for pre-clinical use by fusing recombinant CCL3 (rCCL3) with a non-cytolytic hybrid Fc (HyFc).Administering a controlled dose of rCCL3-HyFc via subcutaneous injections near tumors was effective in tumor regression and improved survival along with activated myeloid cells and augmented T cell responses. Furthermore, combination therapy of rCCL3-HyFc with PD-1 blockade exhibited prominent effect to tumor regression. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that appropriate concentrations of CCL3 in the tumor microenvironment would be an effective adjuvant to promote anti-tumor immune responses, and suggest that administering a long-lasting form of CCL3 in combination with PD-1 blockers can have clinical applications in cancer immunotherapy.

Purpose: We examined the effects of the 8-week moderate-intensity Pilates exercise program on body composition, balance ability, metabolic parameters, arterial condition, and eating habits among overweight and obese women. Methods: From the general sample of overweight or obese Korean women (body mass index ≥ 23 kg/m2 ), those who had not been diagnosed with any chronic degenerative diseases were enrolled in the study (n = 39). After 8 weeks of the Pilates exercise program, the participants were subdivided into adherence and non-adherence groups. Among the study participants, 24 women were matched for age and menopausal status to reduce the bias, and then finally included for the comparison (Pilates-adherence, n = 12; Pilates-non-adherence, n = 12). Results: The body balance measured by the Y-balance test, body mass index, and subcutaneous fat areas were significantly improved in both groups. However, the Pilatesadherence group showed more positive changes in body balance and had significant improvement in body composition parameters such as waist size, visceral fat area, systolic blood pressure, arterial aging index, fasting blood glucose, and glycated hemoglobin than the Pilates-non-adherence group. In addition, the nutrition quotient for Korean adults (balance,moderation, and behavior except diversity) were significantly improved in both groups after dietary education. However, the participants did not show dramatic improvement in the metabolic parameters, because all the study subjects were in relatively good health and did not have any diagnosed diseases. Conclusion This study demonstrated that higher adherence to the Pilates exercise program together with a modification of eating habits may effectively improve body balance, body composition, and obesity-related parameters among overweight and obese women.

Chemokines are key factors that influence the migration and maintenance of relevant immune cells into an infected tissue or a tumor microenvironment. Therefore, it is believed that the controlled administration of chemokines in the tumor microenvironment may be an effective immunotherapy against cancer. Previous studies have shown that CCL3, also known as macrophage inflammatory protein 1-alpha, facilitates the recruitment of dendritic cells (DCs) for the presentation of tumor Ags and promotes T cell activation. Here, we investigated the role of CCL3 in regulating the tumor microenvironment using a syngeneic mouse tumor model. We observed that MC38 tumors overexpressing CCL3 (CCL3-OE) showed rapid regression compared with the wild type MC38 tumors. Additionally, these CCL3-OE tumors showed an increase in the proliferative and functional tumor-infiltrating T cells. Furthermore, PD-1 immune checkpoint blockade accelerated tumor regression in the CCL3-OE tumor microenvironment. Next, we generated a modified CCL3 protein for pre-clinical use by fusing recombinant CCL3 (rCCL3) with a non-cytolytic hybrid Fc (HyFc).Administering a controlled dose of rCCL3-HyFc via subcutaneous injections near tumors was effective in tumor regression and improved survival along with activated myeloid cells and augmented T cell responses. Furthermore, combination therapy of rCCL3-HyFc with PD-1 blockade exhibited prominent effect to tumor regression. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that appropriate concentrations of CCL3 in the tumor microenvironment would be an effective adjuvant to promote anti-tumor immune responses, and suggest that administering a long-lasting form of CCL3 in combination with PD-1 blockers can have clinical applications in cancer immunotherapy.