No abstract available.
Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Humans ; Statistics as Topic*

Primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the prostate is extremely rare and about 18 cases have been reported in the literature. We report two cases of primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the prostate, arising in 79-year-old and 65-year-old men. Both cases were the poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the prostate with many signet ring cells. Signet ring cells were positive for prostatic specific antigen and prostatic acid phosphatase but negative for neutral and acid mucins. In summary, the signet ring cell carcinoma of the prostate is a rare variant of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the prostate. The orgin of the prostate should be considered in cases of metastatic signet ring cell carcinoma, particularly when the signet ring cells are negative for neutral and acid mucins. Prostatic specific antigen and prostatic acid phosphatase should also be performed to confirm the primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the prostate.
Acid Phosphatase ; Adenocarcinoma ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell* ; Humans ; Male ; Mucins ; Prostate*

No abstract available.
Bacteria, Anaerobic*

Embryos of most mammalian species grown in vitro would undergo developmental arrest at the approximate time of genomic activation. Stage-specific cell block and the resulting rapid loss of embryo viability in conventional culture media have limited the duration for which embryos may be cultured prior to transfer. As a result, embryos are usually transferred to the uterus at the 4-to 8-cell stage to avoid the loss of viability associated with long-term in vitro culture. Early transfer has led to asynchrony of the endometrium-trophectoderm interaction at the time of implantation and a resultant reduction in the rate of implantation. To overcome these problems, a variety of co-culture systems has been devised in which embryos can develop for a longer period prior to embryo transfer. Vero cells, derived from African green monkey kidney, share a common embryologic origin with cells from the genital tract. In addition, they are potentially safe to use, since they are highly controlled for viruses and other contaminants. Therefore, co-culture using Vero cells has been widely utilized to enhance embryo viability and development, although not without controversies. We thus designed a series of experiments to demonstrate whether Vero cells do indeed enhance mouse embryo development as well as to compare the efficacy of co-culturing mouse 1-cell embryos on Vero cell monolayer in both Ham's F-10 and human tubal fluid (HTF) culture media. 1-cell stage ICR mouse embryos were cultured either in the presence of Vero cells (Group A) or in conventional culture medium alone (Group B). In Ham's F-10 significantly more 3-to-8cell embryos developed in group A than group B (59.8 versus 10.0%; F<0.01). In contrast, there was no significant difference in embryonic development both group A and group B in HTF. However, significant differences were noted only in later embryonic stage (13 and 0%; p<0.05 of group A and B respectively, hatching or hatched). In Ham's F-10, we also could observe the beneficial effect of Vero cell on hatching process (70.7 and 42.1%; p<0.05 of group A and group B respectively).
Animals ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Coculture Techniques* ; Culture Media ; Embryo Transfer ; Embryonic Development* ; Embryonic Structures* ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; Mice* ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Pregnancy ; Uterus ; Vero Cells*

The loss of penile skin, either traumatic or iatrogenic, is sometimes difficult to treat. The classical modes of surgical treatment are a thick split thickness graft and burial beneath the scrotal skin. Apron method, one stage penoplasty using the scrotal skin flap in the treatment of penile denudation, is reported herein.
Burial ; Male ; Penis* ; Skin ; Transplants

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze end-of-life care practices in lung disease patients with physician orders for life-sustaining treatment (POLSTs). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from medical records regarding the end-of-life care practices of POLST decisions for patients with lung disease hospitalized at a tertiary hospital in Seoul, South Korea. Data were collected from January 1 to June 30, 2021. Results Of 300 total patients, 198 had lung cancer (66.0%) and 102 had non-malignant lung diseases (34.0%). A POLST was written for 187 patients (62.3%), and an advance directive was written for 20 patients (6.7%). Subsequent treatments were hemodialysis in 13 patients (4.3%), surgery in 3 patients (1.0%), and cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation in 1 patient (0.3%). Among cancer patients, chemotherapy was performed in 11 patients (3.7%), targeted therapy in 11 patients (3.7%), immunotherapy in 6 patients (2.0%), and radiation therapy in 13 patients (4.3%). Depending on the type of lung disease, types of treatment differed, including hemodialysis, ventilators, bilevel positive airway pressure, high-flow nasal cannulas, nebulizers, enteral nutrition, central line, inotropic agents, and opioids. onclusion: Although the goals of hospice care are the same whether a patient has lung cancer or a nonmalignant lung disease, because the characteristics of the respective diseases differ, end-oflife care practices and hospice approaches must be considered differently.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical features in general and possible complications in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) which could be used for comprehensive rehabilitation management. METHOD: One hundred and seventy-two patients with DMD were followed over 3 year period to provide clinical profile causing impairment and disability. We measured height, weight and manual muscle testing (MMT) when the patients visited the hospital. And we could measure pulmonary function, electrocardiogram (EKG), and intelligence quotient (IQ) test in cooporative patients. RESULTS: The median height and weight of DMD boys were normally distributed before age 12, but during the second decade height was markedly reduced, and weight was no longer normally distributed. The MMT measurement showed loss of strength in a fairly linear fashion according to increasing age, and extensor of lower extremities were weaker than flexors showing typical contractures of legs. There was a direct relationship between pulmonary function and MMT scores of upper extremities. There was a high occurrence (40%) of abnormal EKG, but none of the patients had a history of cardiovascular complication. DMD children suffered wide spectrum of psychological disturbance such as somatic complaints, attention and emotional problems in addition to expected psychological problems due to chronic disease and its progression, and 50.9% of them were below average on the IQ test. CONCLUSION: These data on DMD subjects provide clinicians with useful information regarding the prevalence and severity of measurable impairment at different stages of the disease.
Child ; Chronic Disease ; Contracture ; Electrocardiography ; Humans ; Intelligence ; Leg ; Lower Extremity ; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne* ; Prevalence ; Rehabilitation ; Upper Extremity

PURPOSE: Home-based care providers were surveyed to assess the effect of collaborative service between Gyeongnam Regional Cancer Center (GRCC) and public health centers (PHCs) in Gyeongnam province. METHODS: Twenty home-based care providers who had previously participated in the GRCC-PHC care project were recruited from nine PHCs and were surveyed using a questionnaire developed by specialists. Questions were rated using the 5-point Likert scale ranging from "strongly disagree (-2)" to "strongly agree (+2)" and each score was multiplied by the corresponding number of respondents (n=20) with the maximum score of 40. RESULTS: Between January 2008 and December 2011, 73 patients were registered to the collaborative service: 72 by GRCC and one by PHC. Home-based care providers marked the highest score (23 points) to "The collaborative service contributed to patients and their family's psychological stability" and the lowest score (11 points) to "The collaborative service was generally helpful for home-based cancer management." For possible suggestions to improve the service, the highest score (35 points) was given to "Simplification of the hospitalization process" followed by "Substantial benefits for patients at their visit to the hospital" (34 points). CONCLUSION: The results revealed several limitations of the GRCC-PHC collaborative care service for terminal cancer patients. The service could be further improved by developing measures to address the limitations and a service model tailored to region-specific needs.
Academic Medical Centers ; Community Health Centers ; Cooperative Behavior ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Home Care Services ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Public Health ; Referral and Consultation ; Specialization

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cerebral autosomal-dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is an inherited microangiopathy caused by mutations in the Notch3 gene. Although previous studies have shown an association between lacunar infarction and cognitive impairment, the relationship between MRI parameters and cognition remains unclear. In this study we investigated the influence of MRI parameters on cognitive impairment in CADASIL. METHODS: We applied a prospective protocol to 40 patients. MRI analysis included the normalized volume of white-matter hyperintensities (nWMHs), number of lacunes, and number of cerebral microbleeds. Cognition was assessed with the aid of psychometric tests [Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognition (ADAS-cog), Trail-Making Test, and Stroop interference (Stroop IF)]. RESULTS: A multivariate regression analysis revealed that the total number of lacunes influenced the performance in the MMSE, ADAS-cog, and Stroop IF, while nWMHs had a strong univariate association with ADAS-cog and Stroop IF scores. However, this association disappeared in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that the number of lacunes is the main predictive factor of cognitive impairment in CADASIL.
Alzheimer Disease ; CADASIL ; Cognition ; Humans ; Leukoencephalopathies ; Prospective Studies ; Psychometrics ; Stroke, Lacunar

OBJECTIVE: Cognitive dysfunction is an important factor on functional recovery after stroke. This study investigated the relationship between functional outcome and cognitive status during rehabilitation after stroke. METHOD: This retrospective study included 80 patients with rehabilitation program after first-ever stroke. The independent variables were mini-mental status examination (MMSE) and computerized neurocognitive function test (CNT). The dependent variables were modified Barthel index (MBI), Berg balance scale (BBS), National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and discharge destination. The correlation analysis was applied. RESULTS: Mean interval from onset to rehabilitation program was 29.5 days and duration of inpatient rehabilitation program was 31.1 days. Mean score of initial MMSE was 20.5 and CNT showed abnormal performance in at least one of the domain specific tests in all patients. The scores of MMSE, MBI, NIHSS and BBS were improved after rehabilitation program (p<0.05). Cognitive improvement contributing to the functional recovery were significant in the early participants in rehabilitation and in older patients (p<0.05). The home-discharge group demonstrated higher scores in executive function tests (p<0.001). Visual attention, visual working memory and reasoning revealed significant correlation with the MBI score at discharge. CONCLUSION: The results of present study suggest that cognitive function, especially attention and working memory, is a predictor of functional outcome after stroke rehabilitation.
Cognition ; Executive Function ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Memory, Short-Term ; Recovery of Function ; Retrospective Studies ; Stroke