No abstract available.
Methicillin Resistance* ; Methicillin* ; Staphylococcus*

Background and Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to validate the performance and diagnostic efficacy of the Korean digits-in-noise (K-DIN) test in comparison to the Korean speech perception-in-noise (K-SPIN) test, which is the representative speech-in-noise test in clinical practice. Subjects and Methods: Twenty-seven subjects (15 normal-hearing and 12 hearing-impaired listeners) participated. The recorded Korean 0-9 digits were used to form quasirandom digit triplets; 50 target digit triplets were presented at the most comfortable level of each subject while presenting speech-shaped background noise at various levels of signal-to-noise ratios (-12.5, -10, -5, or +5 dB). Subjects were then instructed to listen to both target and noise masker unilaterally and bilaterally through a headphone. K-SPIN test was also conducted using the same procedure as the K-DIN. After calculating their percent correct responses, K-DIN and K-SPIN results were compared using a Pearson-correlation test. Results: Results showed a statistically significant correlation between K-DIN and K-SPIN in all hearing conditions (left: r=0.814, p<0.001; right: r=0.788, p<0.001; bilateral: r=0.727, p<0.001). Moreover, the K-DIN test achieved better testing efficacy, shorter average listening time (5 min vs. 30 min), and easier performance of task according to participants’ qualitative reports than the K-SPIN test. Conclusions In this study, the Korean version of digit triplet test was validated in both normal-hearing and hearing-impaired listeners. The findings suggest that the K-DIN test can be used as a simple and time-efficient hearing-in-noise test in audiology clinics in Korea.

Lipoma is a common benign neoplasm, but lipoma arising from the pleura is rare. Most pleural lipomas are asymptomatic and are discovered incidentally on chest radiographs. Here we report an unusual case of a pedunculated subpleural lipoma with incomplete torsion in a 29-year-old woman who presented with flank pain. On chest radiography, there was a well-defined, ellipsoidal, homogeneous, radioopaque mass in the left lower lobe. An intrathoracic tumor was suspected, and video-assisted thoracic surgery was performed to establish the final diagnosis. The resected tumor was a 10 X 5 cm sized pedunculated pleural mass. The cut surface showed a yellow, well-circumscribed mass with areas of hemorrhage. Histologically, the tumor was composed of mature adipose tissue with fibrous septae composed of fibroblasts. The outer surface of the tumor was covered by mesothelial cells. Some areas were hypercellular, and occasional mitoses were found, but neither lipoblasts nor atypical mitoses were identified.
Adipose Tissue ; Adult ; Benzeneacetamides ; Female ; Fibroblasts ; Flank Pain ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Lipoma ; Mitosis ; Piperidones ; Pleura ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted ; Thorax

Technetium-99m methoxyisobutylisonitrile(99m-Tc MIBI), a new myocardial imaging agent, was used in myocardial perfusion scan in 23 patients who had been diagnosed as myocardial infarction to assess its usefulness in elvaluation of coronary artery disease. All patients undertook left ventriculography (LVG) and coronary arteriography (CAG). Gated blood pool scan, plannar scintigraphy and SPECT were also done using 99m-Tc MIBI. After then SPECT image was reconstructed to short axis view of the heart at the level of the base, mid and apex. The data from these studies were compared with the results of EKG, LVG and CAG. Diagnostic sensitivity of myocardial scan using 99m-Tc MIBI was 91.3%. In localization of infarction site and evaluation of its extent, myocardial scan was superior to EKG. CAG revealed significant stenosis at the arteries supplying the area in which the scan showed perfusion defect. In detecting abnormal wall motion, the sensitivity and the specificity were 81.9% and 93.7% respectively. Perfusion defect were found in 75%, 82.5%, and 100% of hypokinetic, akinetic, and dyskinetic segments, respectively. Myocardial perfusion scan using 99m-Tc MIBI was an useful noninvasive test in localizing the site and the extent of infarct and detecting the abnormal left ventricular wall motion.
Angiography ; Arteries ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Electrocardiography ; Heart ; Humans ; Infarction ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Myocardial Perfusion Imaging* ; Perfusion ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

The infection status of zoonotic trematode metacercariae (ZTM) was investigated in total 568 freshwater fishes (19 species) from the irrigation canal of Togyo-jeosuji (Reservoir) in Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do, the Republic of Korea for 3 years (2018-2020). All fishes were examined using the artificial digestion method. The metacercariae of Clonorchis sinensis (CsMc) were detected in 180 (43.8%) out of 411 fish of positive species, and their infection intensity was 38 per fish infected (PFI). Especially, in 2 fish species, i.e., Pseudorasbora parva and Puntungia herzi, the prevalence was 82.1% and 31.3%, and the infection intensity with CsMc was 88 and 290 PFI, respectively. Metagonimus spp. metacercariae (MsMc) were found in 403 (74.1%) out of 544 fish of positive species, and their infection intensity was 62 PFI. In the pale chub, Zacco platypus, the prevalence of MsMc was 98.6%, and their infection intensity was 144 PFI. Centrocestus armatus metacercariae were detected in 171 (38.9%) out of 440 fish of positive species, and their infection intensity was 1,844 PFI. Echinostoma spp. metacercariae were found in 94 (19.6%) out of 479 fish of positive species, and their infection intensity was 3 PFI. Metorchis orientalis metacercariae were detected in 43 (29.3%) out of 147 fish of positive species, and their infection intensity was 4 PFI. By the present study, it has been confirmed that some species of ZTM, including CsMc and MsMc, are prevalent in fishes from the irrigation canal of Togyo-jeosuji in Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do, Korea.

The infection status of zoonotic trematode metacercariae (ZTM) was investigated in total 568 freshwater fishes (19 species) from the irrigation canal of Togyo-jeosuji (Reservoir) in Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do, the Republic of Korea for 3 years (2018-2020). All fishes were examined using the artificial digestion method. The metacercariae of Clonorchis sinensis (CsMc) were detected in 180 (43.8%) out of 411 fish of positive species, and their infection intensity was 38 per fish infected (PFI). Especially, in 2 fish species, i.e., Pseudorasbora parva and Puntungia herzi, the prevalence was 82.1% and 31.3%, and the infection intensity with CsMc was 88 and 290 PFI, respectively. Metagonimus spp. metacercariae (MsMc) were found in 403 (74.1%) out of 544 fish of positive species, and their infection intensity was 62 PFI. In the pale chub, Zacco platypus, the prevalence of MsMc was 98.6%, and their infection intensity was 144 PFI. Centrocestus armatus metacercariae were detected in 171 (38.9%) out of 440 fish of positive species, and their infection intensity was 1,844 PFI. Echinostoma spp. metacercariae were found in 94 (19.6%) out of 479 fish of positive species, and their infection intensity was 3 PFI. Metorchis orientalis metacercariae were detected in 43 (29.3%) out of 147 fish of positive species, and their infection intensity was 4 PFI. By the present study, it has been confirmed that some species of ZTM, including CsMc and MsMc, are prevalent in fishes from the irrigation canal of Togyo-jeosuji in Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do, Korea.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of perinatal risk factors on brain maturation and the relationship of brain maturation and neurodevelopmental outcomes with brain maturation scoring system in brain MRI. METHODS: ELBWI infants born at the Seoul National University Children's Hospital from January 2006 to December 2010 were included. A retrospective analysis was performed with their medical record and brain MR images acquired at near full term. We read brain MRI and measured maturity with total maturation score (TMS). TMS is a previously developed anatomic scoring system to assess brain maturity. The total maturation score was used to evaluate the four parameters of maturity: (1) myelination, (2) cortical infolding, (3) involution of glial cell migration bands, and (4) presence of germinal matrix tissue. RESULTS: Images from 124 infants were evaluated. Their mean gestational age at birth was 27.1+/-2.1 weeks, and mean birth weight was 781.5+/-143.9 g. The mean TMS was 10.8+/-2.0. TMS was significantly related to the postmenstrual age (PMA) of the infant, increasing with advancing postmenstrual age (P<0.001). TMS showed no significance with neurodevelopmental delay, and with brain injury, respectively. CONCLUSION: TMS was developed for evaluating brain maturation in conventional brain MRI. The results of this study suggest that TMS was not useful for predicting neurodevelopmental delay, but further studies are needed to make standard score for each PMA and to re-evaluate the relationship between brain maturation and neurodevelopmental delay.
Birth Weight ; Brain ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Magnetics ; Magnets ; Medical Records ; Myelin Sheath ; Neuroglia ; Parturition ; Premature Birth ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Colorectal cancer is associated with different anatomical, biological, and clinical characteristics. We determined the impact of the primary tumor location in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). METHODS: Demographic data and clinical information were collected from 1,115 patients from the Republic of Korea, who presented with mCRC between January 2009 and December 2011, using web-based electronic case report forms. Associations between the primary tumor location and the patient's clinical characteristics were assessed, and factors inf luencing overall survival were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards regression models. RESULTS: Of the 1,115 patients recruited to the study, 244 (21.9%) had right colon cancer, 483 (43.3%) had left colon cancer, and 388 (34.8%) had rectal cancer. Liver and lung metastases occurred more frequently in patients with left colon and rectal cancer (p = 0.005 and p = 0.006, respectively), while peritoneal and ovarian metastases occurred more frequently in patients with right and left colon cancer (p < 0.001 and p = 0.031, respectively). The median overall survival of patients with tumors originating in the right colon was significantly shorter than that of patients whose tumors had originated in the left colon or rectum (13.7 months [95% confidence interval (CI), 12.0 to 15.5] vs. 18.0 months [95% CI, 16.3 to 19.7] or 19.9 months [95% CI, 18.5 to 21.3], respectively; p = 0.003). Tumor resection, the number of metastatic sites, and primary tumor location correlated with overall survival in the univariate and multivariate analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Primary tumor location influences the metastatic sites and prognosis of patients with mCRC.
Colon ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Humans ; Liver ; Lung ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Rectum ; Republic of Korea

"Clinical Practice Guideline for Stroke Rehabilitation in Korea 2012" is a 2nd edition of clinical practice guideline (CPG) for stroke rehabilitation in Korea, which updates the 1st edition published in 2009. After 1st stroke rehabilitation CPG, many studies concerning stroke rehabilitation have been published and the necessity for update has been raised. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention supported the project "Development of Clinical Practice Guideline for Stroke Rehabilitation" in 2012. Thirty-two specialists in stroke rehabilitation from 18 universities and 3 rehabilitation hospitals and 10 consultants participated in this project. The scope of this CPG included both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke from the acute to chronic stages. The purpose of this CPG is to provide guidelines for doctors and therapists to make a decision when they manage stroke patients and ultimately, to help stroke patients obtain maximal functional recovery and return to the society. "Clinical Practice Guideline for Stroke Rehabilitation in Korea 2012" consists of 'Chapter 1; Introduction of Stroke Rehabilitation', 'Chapter 2; Rehabilitation for Stroke Syndrome, 'Chapter 3; Rehabilitation for Return to the Society', and 'Chapter 4; Advanced Technique for Stroke Rehabilitation'. Both the adaptation and de novo development methods were used to develop this 2nd edition of CPG. The appraisal of foreign CPGs was performed using 'Korean appraisal of guidelines for research and evaluation II' (K-AGREE II); moreover, four CPGs from Scotland (2010), Austrailia (2010), USA (2010), Canada (2010) were chosen for adaptation. For de novo development, articles that were published following the latest foreign CPGs were searched from the database system, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library. Literatures were assessed in the aspect of subjects, study design, study results' consistency, language and application possibility in the Korean society. The chosen articles' level of evidence and grade of recommendation were decided by the criteria of Scotland (2010) and the formal consensus was derived by the nominal group technique. The levels of evidence range from 1++ to 4 and the grades of recommendation range from A to D. GPP (Good Practice Point) was recommended as best practice based on the clinical experience of the guideline developmental group. The draft of the developed CPG was reviewed by the experts group in the public hearings and then revised.
Canada ; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.) ; Consensus ; Consultants ; Humans ; Korea* ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Rehabilitation* ; Scotland ; Specialization ; Stroke*

Background: and Purpose Treatments for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) such as eculizumab, ravulizumab, satralizumab, and inebilizumab have significantly advanced relapse prevention, but they remain expensive. Rituximab is an off-label yet popular alternative that offers a cost-effective solution, but its real-world efficacy needs better quantification for guiding the application of newer approved NMOSD treatments (ANTs). This study aimed to determine real-world rituximab failure rates to anticipate the demand for ANTs and aid in resource allocation. Methods: We conducted a nationwide retrospective study involving 605 aquaporin-4-antibody-positive NMOSD patients from 22 centers in South Korea that assessed the efficacy and safety of rituximab over a median follow-up of 47 months. Results: The 605 patients treated with rituximab included 525 (87%) who received continuous therapy throughout the follow-up period (median=47 months, interquartile range=15–87 months). During this period, 117 patients (19%) experienced at least 1 relapse. Notably, 68 of these patients (11% of the total cohort) experienced multiple relapses or at least 1 severe relapse.Additionally, 2% of the patients discontinued rituximab due to adverse events, which included severe infusion reactions, neutropenia, and infections. Conclusions This study has confirmed the efficacy of rituximab in treating NMOSD, as evidenced by an 87% continuation rate among patients over a 4-year follow-up period. Nevertheless, the occurrence of at least one relapse in 19% of the cohort, including 11% who experienced multiple or severe relapses, and a 2% discontinuation rate due to adverse events highlight the urgent need for alternative therapeutic options.