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No abstract available.
Female ; HELLP Syndrome* ; Pregnancy*

Background: It has been reported that vitamin D may play an important role in rotator cuff tears. However, there has been limited information about the prevalence of and risk factors for hypovitaminosis D in patients with rotator cuff tears. Therefore, the purpose of current study was to investigate the prevalence of and risk factors for hypovitaminosis D in patients with rotator cuff tears. Methods: One hundred seventy-six patients (age, 61.9 ± 8.90 years) who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair for a fullthickness tear were enrolled in this retrospective study. Preoperative serum vitamin D levels (25-hydroxyvitamin D) were measured.Hypovitaminosis D was defined as a serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D < 20 ng/mL. We investigated whether age, sex, height, weight, body mass index, bone mineral density, alcohol consumption, smoking status, and outdoor occupation were associated with hypovitaminosis D. Results: The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in patients with rotator cuff tears was 44.3% (78/176). The mean serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D of total patients was 24.7 ± 13.7 ng/mL. A higher serum level of vitamin D was significantly associated with older age (p < 0.001). Young age was an independent risk factor for hypovitaminosis D. The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D was also lower in patients with an outdoor occupation than in those with an indoor occupation (19.0% vs. 31.4%,p = 0.001). Conclusions The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in patients with rotator cuff tears was 44.3%. Age had a significant positive correlation with the serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Young age and indoor working were independent risk factors for hypovitaminosis D in patients with rotator cuff tears. Therefore, the possibility of hypovitaminosis D should be considered for young and indoor working patients who have rotator cuff tears.

Background: It has been reported that vitamin D may play an important role in rotator cuff tears. However, there has been limited information about the prevalence of and risk factors for hypovitaminosis D in patients with rotator cuff tears. Therefore, the purpose of current study was to investigate the prevalence of and risk factors for hypovitaminosis D in patients with rotator cuff tears. Methods: One hundred seventy-six patients (age, 61.9 ± 8.90 years) who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair for a fullthickness tear were enrolled in this retrospective study. Preoperative serum vitamin D levels (25-hydroxyvitamin D) were measured.Hypovitaminosis D was defined as a serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D < 20 ng/mL. We investigated whether age, sex, height, weight, body mass index, bone mineral density, alcohol consumption, smoking status, and outdoor occupation were associated with hypovitaminosis D. Results: The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in patients with rotator cuff tears was 44.3% (78/176). The mean serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D of total patients was 24.7 ± 13.7 ng/mL. A higher serum level of vitamin D was significantly associated with older age (p < 0.001). Young age was an independent risk factor for hypovitaminosis D. The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D was also lower in patients with an outdoor occupation than in those with an indoor occupation (19.0% vs. 31.4%,p = 0.001). Conclusions The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in patients with rotator cuff tears was 44.3%. Age had a significant positive correlation with the serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Young age and indoor working were independent risk factors for hypovitaminosis D in patients with rotator cuff tears. Therefore, the possibility of hypovitaminosis D should be considered for young and indoor working patients who have rotator cuff tears.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the annual socioeconomic costs of stroke in Korea in 2005 from a societal perspective. METHODS: We identified those 20 years or older who had at least one national health insurance (NHI) claims record with a primary or a secondary diagnosis of stroke (ICD-10 codes: I60-I69, G45) in 2005. Direct medical costs of the stroke were measured from the NHI claims records. Direct non-medical costs were estimated as transportation costs incurred when visiting the hospitals. Indirect costs were defined as patients' and caregivers' productivity loss associated with office visits or hospitalization. Also, the costs of productivity loss due to premature death from stroke were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 882,143 stroke patients were identified with prevalence for treatment of stroke at 2.44%. The total cost for the treatment of stroke in the nation was estimated to be 3,737 billion Korean won (KRW) which included direct costs at 1,130 billion KRW and indirect costs at 2,606 billion KRW. The per-capita cost of stroke was 3 million KRW for men and 2 million KRW for women. The total national spending for hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke was 1,323 billion KRW and 1,553 billion KRW, respectively, which together consisted of 77.0% of the total cost for stroke. Costs per patient for hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke were estimated at 6 million KRW and 2 million KRW, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Stroke is a leading public health problem in Korea in terms of the economic burden. The indirect costs were identified as the largest component of the overall cost.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; *Health Care Costs ; *Health Expenditures ; Humans ; Insurance Claim Review ; Korea ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Stroke/*economics ; Young Adult

The obturator artery normally originates from the internal iliac artery. However, variation in the origin of obturator artery has been reported in many countries. Since no such case has been reported in Korea, we examined variations in the origin of obturator artery in cadavers donated to the medical school at the Chungbuk National University. Thirty-six pelvic halves from 18 cadaveric subjects (13 males and 5 females) were studied in this study. Normal origin of the obturator artery from the internal iliac artery was observed in 88.9% (16/18) of cadavers or in 91.7% (33/36) of pelvic halves. A variation in the origin of obturator artery was observed in 11.1% (2/18) of cadavers or in 8.3% (3/36) of pelvic halves. All of the variant obturator arteries originated from external iliac arteries as branches of inferior epigastric arteries. Bilateral presence of variant obturator arteries was observed in 5.6%(1/18) of cadavers. The obturator artery arose from inferior epigastric artery at a distance of 1 to 2.4 cm from origin point of inferior epigastric artery, and then the obturator artery ran inferiorly and medially with the inferior epigastric artery running superiorly and laterally. Presence of variant obturator artery would be important to clinical fields with interest to pelvic anatomy, such as radiology and surgery.
Arteries ; Cadaver ; Epigastric Arteries ; Humans ; Iliac Artery ; Korea ; Male ; Running ; Schools, Medical

OBJECTIVE: To investigate immediate changes in hyolaryngeal movement and swallowing function after a cycle of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on both submental and throat regions and submental placement alone in patients with dysphagia. METHODS: Fifteen patients with dysphagia were recruited. First, videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) was performed before NMES. All patients thereafter received a cycle of NMES by 2 methods of electrode placement: 1) both submental and throat regions and 2) submental placement alone concomitant with VFSS. The Penetration-Aspiration Score (PAS) and the NIH-Swallowing Safety Scale (NIH-SSS) were measured for swallowing function. RESULTS: During swallowing, hyolaryngeal descent significantly occurred by NMES on both submental and throat regions, and anterior displacement of hyolaryngeal complex was significant on submental placement alone. NMES on submental placement alone did not change the PAS and NIH-SSS. However, NMES on both submental and throat regions significantly reduced the NIH-SSS, although it did not change the PAS. Patients with no brainstem lesion and with dysphagia duration of <3 months showed significantly improved the NIH-SSS. CONCLUSION: Immediate hyolaryngeal movement was paradoxically depressed after NMES on both submental and throat regions with significant reductions in the NIH-SSS but not the PAS, suggesting improvement in pharyngeal peristalsis and cricopharyngeal functions at the esophageal entry rather than decreased aspiration and penetration. The results also suggested that patients with dysphagia should be carefully screened when determining motor-level NMES.
Brain Stem ; Deglutition Disorders* ; Deglutition* ; Electric Stimulation* ; Electrodes ; Humans ; Hyoid Bone ; Larynx ; Peristalsis ; Pharynx

PURPOSE: Although the concept of "one airway, one disease," which includes the middle ear space as part of the united airway is well recognized, the role of allergens in otitis media with effusion (OME) is not clearly understood. We aimed to investigate the effect of the interaction between Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the induction of epithelial inflammatory response in vitro. METHODS: Primary human middle ear epithelial cells were exposed to Der f, LPS, or both in different sequences, and the magnitude of the immunologic responses was compared. The mRNA expressiona of mucin (MUC) 4, 5AC, 5B, 8, GM-CSF, TNF-α, TLR4, and MD-2 were evaluated using real-time PCR. MUC levels before and after siRNA-mediated knockout of TLR4 and MD-2 were assessed. Lastly, the involved cell signaling pathway was evaluated. RESULTS: The expressiona of cytokines, and the MUC 4, 5AC, 5B, and 8 genes were augmented by pretreatment with Der f followed by LPS; however, reverse treatment or combined treatment did not induce the same magnitude of response. Increased MUC expression was decreased by TLR4 knockdown, but not by MD-2 knockdown. The signal intensity of MUC 8 was higher in MD-2 over-expressed cells than in those exposed to LPS only. The translocation of nuclear factor-κB was observed in cells pretreated with Der f followed by LPS. CONCLUSIONS: When Der f treatment preceded LPS exposure, Der f and LPS acted synergistically in the induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the MUC gene, suggesting an important role in the development of OME in patients with concealed allergy airway sensitization.
Allergens ; Cytokines ; Dermatophagoides farinae* ; Ear, Middle* ; Epithelial Cells* ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Humans* ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunity, Innate ; In Vitro Techniques ; Lipopolysaccharides* ; Mucins ; Otitis Media with Effusion ; Pyroglyphidae* ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger ; Toll-Like Receptors

Pulse oximetry is a noninvasive, continuous monitoring of arterial oxygenation and provides rapid detection of perioperative hypoxemia. However, many factors give a factitious reading of hemoglobin desaturation, some of these are vital dyes. Many authors report intravenous administration of vital dyes gave a transient factitious reading of hemoglobin desaturation, but few report peritumoral injection of vital dyes giving a spurious reading of hemoglobin desaturation. 1% Isosulfan blue dye has often been used for evaluation of the sentinel lymph node in breast cancer surgery. We report a case of spurious reading of a hemoglobin desaturation on a pulse oximetry following a peritumoral injection of 1% isosulfan blue dye in a patient with breast cancer.
Administration, Intravenous ; Anoxia ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Coloring Agents ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Oximetry* ; Oxygen

Children who have been raped some years back may have hymenal scars. However, medical professionals are not accustomed in assessing these scars because of the lack of experience in performing physical examinations of the external genitalia of children who suffered from rape some years back. Moreover, the importance of physical examination of the victim's external genitalia is sometimes overlooked. Two cases of rape victims with hymenal scars who visited Daegu Child Sexual Abuse Response Center several years after their first sexual abuse along with a literature review are presented here.
Child Abuse, Sexual ; Child* ; Cicatrix* ; Daegu ; Female ; Genitalia ; Humans ; Hymen* ; Physical Examination ; Rape* ; Sex Offenses