BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinomal(HCC) has been considered to be relatively radioresistant. The role of radiotherapy(RT) in the treatment of HCC is controversial. But RT has a role in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma as a single or combination modalities. The effect of radiotherapy on HCC was evaluated. Patients and METHODS: From January 1984 through January 2000, a total of 18 patients with unresectable HCC underwent radiotherapy alone or in conjunction with transarterial embolization(TAE). We reviewed the medical ecords of patients treated with RT and measured the tumor size using measured the tumor size using planimetry method. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the survival rate. RESULTS: The RT patients were 15 men and 3 women. The mean age was 51 years. four(22.2%) of them were accompanied with ascites. Eleven(61.1%) of them were accompanied with liver cirrhosis and their functions were 6, 3, 2 in each Child-Pugh A, B, C, respectively. A partial response(PR) was observed in 2 patients(11.1%), minimal response(MR) in 4 patients (22.2%) and no change(NC), in 11 patients(61.1%), whereas progressive disease(PD) was seen in 1 patients(6%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although the radiotherapy in HCC did not improve the survival rate. it decreased the tmor size. Radiotherapy strengthens the therapeutic efficacy when combined with TAE, but more studies are needed.
Ascites ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Male ; Radiotherapy* ; Survival Rate

No abstract available.
Dilatation, Pathologic*

The brain metastasis of prostatic carcinoma is rare and is distinguished by its poor prognosis in cases which are not surgically resectable. Herein we described a 72 year old male with brain metastasis from prostatic carcinoma, which regressed with chemotherapy. Pathological examination of a transrectal needle biopsy disclosed moderatedly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Magnetic resonance imaging of brain demonstrated a brain tumor at the occipital lobe suspected to be a metastasis of prostatic carcinoma. The tumor could not be detected on the brain MRI after 3 months of chemotherapy.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Aged ; Biopsy, Needle ; Brain Neoplasms ; Brain* ; Drug Therapy* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Occipital Lobe ; Prognosis ; Prostate

Due to their high degree of freedom to transfer and acquire light, fiber optics can be used in the presence of strong magnetic fields. Hence, optical sensing and imaging based on fiber optics can be integrated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) diagnostic systems to acquire valuable information on biological tissues and organs based on a magnetic field. In this article, we explored the combination of MRI and optical sensing/imaging techniques by classifying them into the following topics: 1) functional near-infrared spectroscopy with functional MRI for brain studies and brain disease diagnoses, 2) integration of fiber-optic molecular imaging and optogenetic stimulation with MRI, and 3) optical therapeutic applications with an MRI guidance system. Through these investigations, we believe that a combination of MRI and optical sensing/imaging techniques can be employed as both research methods for multidisciplinary studies and clinical diagnostic/therapeutic devices.

Purpose: This study aimed to understand the coping experiences of spouses of males with gambling disorders. Methods: This study used narrative inquiry. Four spouses were recruited from Gam-Anon family groups. In-depth, semi-structured interviews with each participant were conducted from November to December 2020. Results: The coping experiences of spouses ranged from daily stress to traumatic stress. The coping strategy was modified and developed by the perception of their husbands' gambling. Changes in participants' coping strategies were related to emotions that arose from the context of social interaction and internal emotions. The coping experiences of spouses were the process of learning a new way of recognizing the true meaning of life and finding happiness. Conclusion This study proposed an efficient coping strategy for families of people with gambling disorder by understanding the spouse's coping experiences. Reducing social stigma and creating a supportive environment for families of people with gambling disorders is essential, and perceived social support can be related to the spouse's adoption of effective coping strategies.

Purpose: This study aimed to understand the coping experiences of spouses of males with gambling disorders. Methods: This study used narrative inquiry. Four spouses were recruited from Gam-Anon family groups. In-depth, semi-structured interviews with each participant were conducted from November to December 2020. Results: The coping experiences of spouses ranged from daily stress to traumatic stress. The coping strategy was modified and developed by the perception of their husbands' gambling. Changes in participants' coping strategies were related to emotions that arose from the context of social interaction and internal emotions. The coping experiences of spouses were the process of learning a new way of recognizing the true meaning of life and finding happiness. Conclusion This study proposed an efficient coping strategy for families of people with gambling disorder by understanding the spouse's coping experiences. Reducing social stigma and creating a supportive environment for families of people with gambling disorders is essential, and perceived social support can be related to the spouse's adoption of effective coping strategies.

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence of concomitant procedures performed for pelvic organ prolapse or vaginal reconstruction at the time of surgery for stress urinary incontinence in contemporary urologic practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively examined all concomitant procedures for pelvic organ prolapse or vaginal reconstruction in 279 women who had underwent sling operation for stress urinary incontinence at our institution. The subjects presented with stress urinary incontinence underwent history taking, physical examination and urologic investigations such as standing cystourethrography and urodynamic study including Valsalva leak point pressure. RESULTS: Of 279 women, 64(22.9%) had at least one concomitant procedure performed for pelvic organ prolapse or vaginal reconstruction, including 43(15.4%) cystocele repairs, 24(8.6%) rectocele repairs, 6(2.2%) cystocele and rectocele repairs concurrently, 2(0.7%) vaginal hysterectomy and 1(0.4%) urethral diverticulectomy. CONCLUSION: We found that women who undergo surgery for stress urinary incontinence had a high incidence(22.2%) of associated pelvic organ prolapse requiring surgical repair. These additional maneuvers contributed to the overall success of surgery and should not be overlooked.
Cystocele ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy, Vaginal ; Incidence* ; Pelvic Organ Prolapse* ; Physical Examination ; Rectocele ; Retrospective Studies ; Urinary Incontinence* ; Urodynamics

Proteoglycan is highly hydrophilic and negatively charged which enable them attract the water. The objective of study was to investigate the effects of Proteoglycan on microtensile bond strength of dentin adhesives and on architecture of dentin collagen matrix of acid etched dentin by removing the chondroitin sulphate attached on Proteoglycan. A flat dentin surface in mid-coronal portion of tooth was prepared. After acid etching, half of the specimens were immersed in 0.1 U/mL chondroitinase ABC (C-ABC) for 48 h at 37degrees C, while the other half were stored in distilled water. Specimens were bonded with the dentin adhesive using three different bonding techniques (wet, dry and re-wet) followed by microtensile bond strength test. SEM examination was done with debonded specimen, resin-dentin interface and acid-etched dentin surface with/without C-ABC treatment. For the subgroups using wet-bonding or dry-bonding technique, microtensile bond strength showed no significant difference after C-ABC treatment (p > 0.05). Nevertheless, the subgroup using rewetting technique after air dry in the Single Bond 2 group demonstrated a significant decrease of microtensile bond strength after C-ABC treatment. Collagen architecture is loosely packed and some fibrils are aggregated together and relatively collapsed compared with normal acid-etched wet dentin after C-ABC treatment. Further studies are necessary for the contribution to the collagen architecture of noncollagenous protein under the various clinical situations and several dentin conditioners and are also needed about long-term effect on bond strength of dentin adhesive.
Adhesives ; Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate ; Chondroitin ; Chondroitin ABC Lyase ; Chondroitin Sulfates ; Collagen ; Dentin ; Proteoglycans ; Tooth ; Water

Hydrocephalus refers to distension of the cerebral ventricles, usually as the result of obstruction somewhere along the pathway of the cerebrospinal fluid circulation. Hydrocephalus ex vacuo means ventricular enlargement in the presence of cerebral atrophy or irreversible loss of brain parenchyma. According to morphologic change of ventricular enlargement, the mechanism and results of treatment are quite different. MRI improves diagnostic accuracy in patients with hydrocephalus because of its ability to show small obstructing lesion and anatomical changes. To evaluate differential points, we compared patients with obstructive hydrocephalus and non-obstructive hydrocephalus. T1-weighted sagittal images were retrospectively analyzed in 19 patients with obstructive hydrocephalus, 22 non-obstructive hydrocephalus, and 36 normal subjects. On midsagittal section, we evaluated mamillopontine distance, thickness and shape and position of the corpus callosum, and antero-inferior portion of the 3rd ventricle. The average mamillopontine distance was 11.5mm for normal subjects, 8.2mm for obstructive hydrocephalus group, and 13.6mm for non-obstructive hydrocephalus group(p < 0.01). Dilatation of the anterior inferior portion of the 3rd ventricle was seen only in 11 patients of obstructive hydrocephalus group. Average thickness of the corpus callosum at the level of the foramen of Monro was 7.5mm for normal subjects, 5.1mm for obstructive hydrocephalus group, and 4.4mm for non-obstructive hydrocephalus group(p < 0.01). There was a difference in the shape of corpus callosum between obstructive hydrocephalus and non-obstructive hydrocephalus group. It is concluded that mamillopontine distance, thickness and shape of the corpus callosum, dilatation of the antero-inferior 3rd ventricle could be good differential points between obstructive hydrocephalus and non-obstructive hydrocephalus.
Atrophy ; Brain* ; Cerebral Ventricles ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Corpus Callosum ; Dilatation ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Retrospective Studies

Glycogen storage disease type III (GSD III) is a very rare disorder caused by a deficiency in the activities of glycogen debranching enzymes (amylo-1-6-glucosidase and 4-alpha-glucanotransferase). GSD III is characterized by the accumulation of abnormal glycogen in the liver and skeletal muscle. The primary clinical manifestations are hepatomegaly, fasting hypoglycemia, and hyperlipidemia in infants. We report a rare case of GSD III in an adult. A 52-year-old woman presented to our clinic due to dyspnea on exertion, severe general weakness, and hepatomegaly. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was diagnosed based on echocardiogram findings. The microscopic findings of liver and skeletal muscle biopsies were consistent with the diagnosis of GSD. DNA analysis prompted by clinical and pathologic findings led to a definitive diagnosis of GSD IIIa. Diet therapy with cornstarch was started, and the patient was followed closely. This represents the first reported case of GSD IIIa diagnosed in an adult in Korea.
Amino Acid Substitution ; Base Sequence ; Female ; Glycogen Storage Disease Type III/*diagnosis/genetics/pathology ; Hepatomegaly/genetics ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Liver/pathology ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Muscle, Skeletal/pathology ; Starch/therapeutic use ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed