Background and Objectives: Although the digit-in-noise (DIN) test is simple and quick, little is known about its key factors. This study explored the considerable components of the DIN test through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Materials and Methods: After six electronic journal databases were screened, 14 studies were selected. For the meta-analysis, standardized mean difference was used to calculate effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals. Results: The overall result of the meta-analysis showed an effect size of 2.224. In a subgroup analysis, the patient’s hearing status was found to have the highest effect size, meaning that the DIN test was significantly sensitive to screen for hearing loss. In terms of the length of the presenting digits, triple digits had lower speech recognition thresholds (SRTs) than single or pairs of digits. Among the types of background noise, speech-spectrum noise provided lower SRTs than multi-talker babbling. Regarding language variance, the DIN test showed better performance in the patient’s native language(s) than in other languages. Conclusions When uniformly developed and well validated, the DIN test can be a universal tool for hearing screening.

An anastomosis stricture with a total obstruction is rare and treatment options are variable. We describe our experience with a combination of a single port transanal laparoscopic approach and intraoperative colonoscopic balloon dilatation. The patient was a 48-year-old man with rectal cancer. A laparoscopic single port lower anterior resection and diverting ileostomy were performed followed by a colon study and ileostomy takedown. The colon study and sigmoidoscopy revealed total obstruction of the rectum at the anastomosis level. We employed a transanal approach using a single port to correct this. We located the anastomosis stricture site and generated a lumen using a dissector and electocautery method to insert the balloon device. Colonoscopic balloon dilatation was subsequently successful. The patient was discharged with no postoperative complications. A laparoscopic single port transanal approach with an intraoperative colonoscopic balloon dilatation is a viable alternative approach to treating an anastomosis stricture of the rectum.

PURPOSE: To implant tissue chips in New Zealand rabbits, and thus redurce the frequency with which scattered VX2 carcinoma nodules and early metastasis develop in these animals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: VX2-carcinoma tissue chips of two different sizes were implanted under ultrasonographic guidance. In each of 12 New Zealand rabbits (group 1), there 1-mm tissue chips were implanted in the liver using an 18-gauge needle, and in the same way, one 3-mm chip with an added gelfoam pellet was implanted in the proximal lumen of the liver of each of ten other New Zealand rabbits (group 2). Three weeks after implantation, the animals underwent dvalphase CT scanning and were sacrificed, and the Number and size of tumor nodules, and metastasis were evaluated either macro-or microscopically. RESULTS: In ten rabbits in group I, a total of 21 nodules (16 in the liver, 5 in the peritoneal wall) were observed, which in nine rabbits in group 2, a total of ten nodules-all in the liver-were present. CT scans depicted tumor nodules in 50% of group-I rabbits, and in 29% those in group 2. Mean tumor diameter was 12 +/-9 mm in group 1 and 6.4 +/-3 mm in group 2. Histologic examination indicated the presence of nodular VX2 carcinoma, with varying degrees of central necrosis, a feature more prominent in group 2. CONCLUSION: To provide a well-localized tumor nodule in rabbit liver, tissue chip implantation of VX2 carcinoma, especially with added gelfoam, is a good alternative to intraparenchymal injection of tumor suspension.
Animals ; Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable ; Liver* ; Necrosis ; Needles ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Rabbits ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

No abstract available.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Pulmonary Artery ; Pulmonary Embolism* ; Radionuclide Imaging

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the histologic features of the uterus and adnexae extirpated from gender identity disorder (GID) patients that received depot androgen injection. METHODS: We reviewed the histologic findings of the uterus and adnexae removed from sixteen GID patients, who had taken depot androgen injection for 5~168 months. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (87.5%) showed the atrophied epithelium of exocervix and all of 16 patients (100%) showed the atrophy of endometrium. Seven patients (43.7%) showed multiple cystic follicles in the ovarian cortex and 6 patients (37.5%), 3 patients (18.7%) showed corpus albicans and corpus luteum, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Exogenous androgen induced atrophy of cervix and endometrium. This effect was more prominent in the endometrium. In addition, PCO-like histologic features were observed in the ovary.
Atrophy ; Cervix Uteri ; Corpus Luteum ; Endometrium ; Epithelium ; Female ; Gender Identity* ; Humans ; Ovary ; Uterus*

Tracheal rupture is a rare complication of tracheal intubation, but may result in pneumothorax, mediastinal emphysema, subcutaneous emphysema and other serious outcomes. Risk factors associated with tracheobronchial rupture include multiple vigorous attempts at intubation, inexperienced operator, intubating stylets, tracheal abnormalities, overdistension of tracheal or bronchial cuff, repositioning of tube without deflating the cuff, chronic obstructive airway disease and vigorous coughing while being intubated. We report a case of tracheal rupture after using single lumen endotracheal tube. A 41-year-old, 53 kg, female was operated for a repair of anterior cruciate ligament under general anesthesia in other hospital. Two hours later after the end of operation, facial swelling, dyspnea and chest pain developed. Chest computed tomography showed mediastinal emphysema. She was transferred to our hospital and bronchoscopy showed a rupture at posterior part of membranous portion 2 cm proximal to carina. Trachea was repaired and she was discharged from the hospital without complication.
Adult ; Anesthesia, General ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; Bronchoscopy ; Chest Pain ; Cough ; Dyspnea ; Emphysema ; Female ; Humans ; Intubation ; Mediastinal Emphysema ; Pneumothorax ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Risk Factors ; Rupture* ; Subcutaneous Emphysema ; Thorax ; Trachea

PURPOSE: Patients with planovalgus show various abnormal gaits and these are affected by the different length and velocity of the muscles around knee and ankle. The purpose of study is to compare the length and velocity of gastrocnemius in cerebral palsy with planovalgus by ankle plantarflexion-knee extension couple. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 22 patients with spastic diplegia who have planovalgus were included. The mean age was 12 years (5 years~18 years). Group I consisted of 7 patients with knee flexion more than 30 degrees and Group II consisted of 15 patients with knee flexion less than 15 degrees during mid-stance phase. Normal groups were consisted of 15 normal children. RESULTS: In patients with planovalgus, ankle dorsiflexion during stance was decreased but ankle plantarflexion was not different compared to normal. There is no difference in the percent length of gastrocnemius compared to normal, but the velocity was decreased. The percent length of gastrocnemius was decreased in group I, but there were no difference in the velocity. CONCLUSION: The decreased velocity of gastrocnemius is the cause of disability of ankle plantarflexion-knee extension couple and the variable length of gastrocnemius is the cause of variability of abnormal gait.
Animals ; Ankle ; Cerebral Palsy ; Child ; Foot ; Foot Deformities ; Gait ; Humans ; Knee ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Muscles

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Molar, Third ; Mouth

Background and Objectives: The digits-in-noise (DIN) test was developed as a simple and time-efficient hearing-in-noise test worldwide. The Korean version of the DIN (K-DIN) test was previously validated for both normal-hearing and hearing-impaired listeners. This study aimed to explore the factors influencing the outcomes of the K-DIN test further by analyzing the threshold (representing detection ability) and slope (representing test difficulty) parameters for the psychometric curve fit. Subjects and Methods: In total, 35 young adults with normal hearing participated in the K-DIN test under the following four experimental conditions: 1) background noise (digit-shaped vs. pink noise); 2) gender of the speaker (male vs. female); 3) ear side (right vs. left); and 4) digit presentation levels (55, 65, 75, and 85 dB). The digits were presented using the method of constant stimuli procedure. Participant responses to the stimulus trials were used to fit a psychometric function, and the threshold and slope parameters were estimated according to pre-determined criteria. The accuracy of fit performance was determined using the root-mean-square error calculation. Results: The listener’s digit detection ability (threshold) was slightly better with pink noise than with digit-shaped noise, with similar test difficulties (slopes) across the digits. Gender and the tested ear side influenced neither the detection ability nor the task difficulty. Additionally, lower presentation levels (55 and 65 dB) elicited better thresholds than the higher presentation levels (75 and 85 dB); however, the test difficulty varied slightly across the presentation levels. Conclusions The K-DIN test can be influenced by stimulus factors. Continued research is warranted to understand the accuracy and reliability of the test better, especially for its use as a promising clinical measure.

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the protective effect of sigma 1 receptor agonist and antagonist, PRE084 and BD1047, respectively, on 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis in mice. Methods: Thirty male ICR mice were randomly divided into 5 groups: control, 50% ethanol, colitis, PRE084 + colitis, and combined (PRE084 + BD1047 + colitis). Colitis was induced by intrarectal administration of TNBS. PRE084 and BD1047 were injected daily, starting 3 days before colitis induction. Distal colon tissue was excised for histopathological evaluation, and levels of glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and lipid peroxidation were determined. Results: Colitis caused weight loss, mucosal damage, upregulation of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, MPO, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance activities, and downregulation of GSH and SOD activities. These changes caused by TNBS-induced colitis were significantly ameliorated by PRE084 pretreatment. However, the combined pretreatment with BD1047 significantly attenuated the protective effect of PRE084, thereby reverting to the colitis-induced state. Conclusion We conclude that the sigma 1 receptor agonist PRE084 exhibits significant protective effects against TNBSinduced colitis, which appears to be at least partly mediated by the inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress, and enhancement of antioxidant properties. Collectively, these results suggest that PRE084 might be an effective drug for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.