Objectives: The microRNAs (miRNAs) are known to be commonly expressed in papillary thyroid carcinoma. The BRAFV600Emutation is the most common genetic mutation in thyroid cancer. The main aim of this study was to determine the possible association between expression of the three miRNAs and that of BRAFV600E mutation and the clinicopathological features in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Methods: This study was conducted on 51 paraffin-embedded tissues (42 thyroid cancer, 9 benign tumor) obtained from patients undergoing thyroidectomy at the Endocrine Center of OOO University Hospital. Results: miRNAs expression was significantly high in patients with cervical lymph node metastasis and advanced TNM stage. In addition, miR-146b expression levels were significantly higher in papillary thyroid carcinoma patients with BRAFV600E mutation. The relative quantification (2-△△Ct) of miR-146b was also high among the miRNAs. Individually, the AUCs for miRNA-146b was 0.923 (cutoff value -1.97, sensitivity 88.9%, specificity 85.7%). Conclusions Especially, expression of miR-146b increased higher in PTC patients with BRAFV600Emutation. These findings showed a role of miR-146b as potential biomarkers in differentiating PTC from benign tumor and as a prognostic indicator of PTCs. Further investigation will need for the roles of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of papillary thyroid carcinomas.

OBJECTIVE: Great advances have been made in the field of assisted reproductive technology (ART) since the first in vitro fertilization (IVF) baby was born in Korea. This study was designed to report on the current status of ART therapy in South Korea between January 1 and December 31 of 2010. METHODS: A revised survey, originally developed by the International Committee Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technologies, was sent to all available ART centers via email in 2013. Fresh embryo transfer (FET) cases were categorized into standard IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injections. These cases, the thawing embryo transfer (TET) cases, and other related procedures were surveyed. RESULTS: Data from 30,785 ART procedures were provided by 78 clinics. Of the 28,200 cycles in which oocytes were retrieved, 92.2% of these cycles were completely transferred. In addition, 8,075 cycles were confirmed to be clinical pregnancies in the FET cycles, which represent a pregnancy rate of 28.6% per oocyte pick-up and 31.1% per embryo transfer. The most common number of embryos transferred in the FET was three embryos (37.3%) followed by two embryos (36.3%) and one embryo (14.0%). Of the 6,648 TET cycles transferred, 2,356 clinical pregnancies were confirmed by ultrasonography. The most common number of embryos in the TET group was two embryos (43.4%) followed by three embryos (25.4%) and one embryo (18.9%). CONCLUSION: The clinical pregnancy rate per transfer in the FET cycles was similar in 2009 and 2010. Among the FET cycles where one or two embryos were transferred, the clinical pregnancy rate per transfer slightly increased from 2009 (28.7%) to 2010 (32.9%).
Art Therapy ; Electronic Mail ; Embryo Transfer ; Embryonic Structures ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Korea ; Oocytes ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted* ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to report the status of assisted reproductive technology (ART) therapy in South Korea between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012. METHODS: A localized online survey, originally developed by the International Committee Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technologies, was first launched and provided to all available ART centers via email in 2015. Fresh embryo transfer (FET) cases were categorized as standard in vitro fertilization, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), or half-ICSI. Thawed embryo transfer (TET) and other related procedures, including surgical sperm retrieval, were surveyed. RESULTS: Data from 33,956 ovum pick-up procedures were provided by 75 clinics in 2012. Of the 33,088 cycles in which ovums were retrieved, a complete transfer was performed in 90.5% (29,932 cycles). In addition, 10,079 FET cycles were confirmed to have resulted in clinical pregnancy, representing a pregnancy rate of 30.5% per ovum pick-up and 33.7% per ET. The most common number of embryos transferred in FET was 2 (41.6%), followed by 3 (34.0%), and non-elective single ETs (10.0%). Of the 10,404 TET cycles in which transfer was completed, 3,760 clinical pregnancies (36.1%) were confirmed by ultrasonography. CONCLUSION: The overall clinical pregnancy rate for FET and TET cycles in 2012 was higher than in 2011 (33.7% vs. 33.2% and 36.1% vs. 31.1%, respectively). The most common number of embryos transferred in FET cycles was 2, unlike in 2011.
Electronic Mail ; Embryo Transfer ; Embryonic Structures ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Korea* ; Ovum ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted* ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; Sperm Retrieval ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVE: The number of assisted reproductive technology (ART) clinics, ART cycles, clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), and number of newborns conceived using ART have steadily increased in South Korea. This aim of this study was to describe the status of ART in South Korea between January 1 and December 31, 2011. METHODS: A localized online survey was created and sent to all available ART centers via email in 2015. Fresh embryo transfer (FET) cases were categorized depending on whether standard in vitro fertilization, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), or half-ICSI procedures were used. Thawed embryo transfer (TET) and other related procedures were surveyed. RESULTS: Data from 36,990 ART procedures were provided by 74 clinics. Of the 30,410 cycles in which oocytes were retrieved, a complete transfer was performed in 91.0% (n=27,683). In addition, 9,197 cycles were confirmed to be clinical pregnancies in the FET cycles, representing a pregnancy rate of 30.2% per oocyte pick-up and 33.2% per ET. The most common number of embryos transferred in the FET procedures was three (38.1%), followed by two (34.7%) and one (14.3%). Of the 8,826 TET cycles, 3,137 clinical pregnancies (31.1%) were confirmed by ultrasonography. CONCLUSION: While the overall clinical pregnancy rate for the TET cycles performed was lower than the rate reported in 2010 (31.1% vs. 35.4%), the overall CPR for the FET cycles was higher than in 2010 (33.2% in 2011 and 32.9% in 2010). The most common number of embryos transferred in FET cycles was three, as was the case in 2010.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Electronic Mail ; Embryo Transfer ; Embryonic Structures ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Korea* ; Oocytes ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted* ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: Laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) has become a feasible and acceptable surgical technique for treating early gastric cancer. However, there are no reports about the role of the first assistant on LADG. The aim of this study is to compare between an experienced first assistant and an inexperienced first assistant surgeon for conducting LADG to treat early gastric cancer. METHODS: The data from 32 consecutive patients with early gastric cancer and who underwent LADG by one surgeon between May 2008 and December 2008 was reviewed. The operation times of 32 consecutive patients were reviewed. Other indicators such as the transfusion requirements, the time to first flatus, and the postoperative hospital stay were also evaluated between an experienced first assistant and an inexperienced first assistant surgeon. RESULTS: No significant differences between an experienced first assistant and an inexperienced first assistant surgeon in terms of the patients' clinicopathologic characteristics and surgical outcomes were found, but there was a statistically significant difference in the operation times between the two groups. CONCLUSION: After the operator has overcome the learning curve and standardization has been established, LADGs are minimally affected by the role of the first assistant.
Flatulence ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Learning Curve ; Length of Stay ; Stomach Neoplasms

Oral calcium supplementation has been recommended for prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. However experimental studies have suggested that oral calcium supplementation may increase the biliary calcium concentration and the incidence of gallstone formation in some animals. We designed an experiment to establish the effect of oral calcium supplementation in Guinea pigs. Nineteen Guinea pigs were divided into 2 groups. Group I (n=10) was fed with normal water, and group II (n=9) was fed with calcium-containing water(oscal 1000 mg/250 ml normal water). After 6 weeks, all animal were sacrifised, and the presence of gallstones was examined by inspection. Gallbladder bile and blood also were sampled. Gallstones were not found in group I, but in group II, gallstones were observed in five animals (56%). The level of calcium, bile acid, phospholipid, cholesterol, and bilirubin in the gallbladder bile was the same for both group I and group II. The levels of calcium and cholesterol in the serum was also the same for these two groups, but the level of bilirubin was remarkably lower group II than in group I. Oral calcium supplementation increased gallstone formation in guinea pigs, but there was no difference in the level of calcium in the bile composition. This present study could not confirm that oral calcium supplementation increased biliary calcium and then the incidence of gallstone formation in Guinea pigs. We think that the increase of biliary calcium after oral calcium supplementation is not the sole fator in gallstone formation and that other factors may be involved.
Animals ; Bile ; Bilirubin ; Calcium* ; Cholesterol ; Female ; Gallbladder ; Gallstones* ; Guinea Pigs* ; Guinea* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Osteoporosis ; Water

Oral calcium supplementation has been recommended for prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. However experimental studies have suggested that oral calcium supplementation may increase the biliary calcium concentration and the incidence of gallstone formation in some animals. We designed an experiment to establish the effect of oral calcium supplementation in Guinea pigs. Nineteen Guinea pigs were divided into 2 groups. Group I (n=10) was fed with normal water, and group II (n=9) was fed with calcium-containing water(oscal 1000 mg/250 ml normal water). After 6 weeks, all animal were sacrifised, and the presence of gallstones was examined by inspection. Gallbladder bile and blood also were sampled. Gallstones were not found in group I, but in group II, gallstones were observed in five animals (56%). The level of calcium, bile acid, phospholipid, cholesterol, and bilirubin in the gallbladder bile was the same for both group I and group II. The levels of calcium and cholesterol in the serum was also the same for these two groups, but the level of bilirubin was remarkably lower group II than in group I. Oral calcium supplementation increased gallstone formation in guinea pigs, but there was no difference in the level of calcium in the bile composition. This present study could not confirm that oral calcium supplementation increased biliary calcium and then the incidence of gallstone formation in Guinea pigs. We think that the increase of biliary calcium after oral calcium supplementation is not the sole fator in gallstone formation and that other factors may be involved.
Animals ; Bile ; Bilirubin ; Calcium* ; Cholesterol ; Female ; Gallbladder ; Gallstones* ; Guinea Pigs* ; Guinea* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Osteoporosis ; Water

Blackwater fever is a serious clinical syndrome manifested by acute intravascular hemolysis, fever, and the passage of black or red urine, which is classically associated with falciparum malaria and irregular administration of quinine. In Korea, Plasmodium vivax is the only endemic malaria circulating; a number of imported cases of falciparum malaria have been reported in patients following return from international travel to a malaria endemic area. Therefore, it is important for health care professionals including pediatricians to be aware of the falciparum malaria and its clinical courses. Herein, we report a case of a 14-year-old girl with severe falciparum malaria that was complicated by blackwater fever.
Adolescent ; Blackwater Fever* ; Child* ; Delivery of Health Care ; Female ; Fever ; Hemolysis ; Humans ; Korea ; Malaria* ; Malaria, Falciparum ; Plasmodium vivax ; Quinine

PURPOSE: Early detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae is important for appropriate antimicrobial therapy in children with pneumonia. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of a rapid antigen test kit in detecting M. pneumoniae from respiratory specimens in children with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI). METHODS: A total of 215 nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPAs) were selected from a pool of NPAs that had been obtained from children admitted for LRTI from August 2010 to August 2018. The specimens had been tested for M. pneumoniae by culture and stored at −70°C until use. Tests with Ribotest Mycoplasma® were performed and interpreted independently by two investigators who were blinded to the culture results. RESULTS: Among the 215 NPAs, 119 were culture positive for M. pneumoniae and 96 were culture negative. Of the culture-positive specimens, 74 (62.2%) were positive for M. pneumoniae by Ribotest Mycoplasma®, and 92 of the 96 (95.8%) culture-negative specimens were negative for M. pneumoniae by Ribotest Mycoplasma®. When culture was used as the standard test, the sensitivity and specificity of Ribotest Mycoplasma® were 62.2% and 95.8%, respectively. Additionally, the positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and overall agreement rates with Ribotest Mycoplasma® were 94.9%, 67.2%, and 77.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A positive test result of Ribotest Mycoplasma® suggests a high likelihood of culture-positive M. pneumoniae infection. However, a negative test result should be interpreted with caution because nearly one-third of negative test results reveal culture-positive M. pneumoniae infections.
Child ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Immunochromatography ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae ; Mycoplasma ; Pneumonia ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; Point-of-Care Systems ; Research Personnel ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Sensitivity and Specificity

PURPOSE: Transcatheter device closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is challenging in early infancy. We evaluated PDA closure in infants less than 6 months old. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of infants less than 6 months of age who underwent attempted transcatheter device closure in our institution since 2004. To compare clinical outcomes between age groups, infants aged 6–12 months in the same study period were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 22 patients underwent transcatheter PDA closure during the study period. Patient mean age was 3.3±1.5 months, and weight was 5.7±1.3 kg. The duct diameter at the narrowest point was 3.0±0.8 mm as measured by angiography. The most common duct type was C in the Krichenko classification. Procedural success was achieved in 19 patients (86.3%). Major complications occurred in 5 patients (22.7%), including device embolization (n=1), acquired aortic coarctation (n=2), access-related vascular injury requiring surgery (n=1), and acute deterioration requiring intubation during the procedure (n=1). Two patients had minor complications (9.1%). Twenty-four infants aged 6–12 months received transcatheter device closure. The procedural success rate was 100%, and there were no major complications. The major complication rate was significantly higher in the group less than 6 months of age (P=0.045). There was a trend toward increased major complication and procedural failure rates in the younger age group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: A relatively higher incidence of major complications was observed in infants less than 6 months of age. The decision regarding treatment modality should be individualized.
Angiography ; Aortic Coarctation ; Classification ; Ductus Arteriosus* ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant* ; Intubation ; Retrospective Studies ; Vascular System Injuries