PURPOSE: Laparoscopic surgery is now being applied to most abdominal surgeries. We evaluated the surgical outcomes of laparoscopic primary repair with an omental patch for treating perforated duodenal ulcer as compared to that of open surgery. METHODS: A total of 124 consecutive patients who underwent repair of perforated peptic ulcer from January 2000 to February 2009 were included in the study. The surgical outcomes that were evaluated were the operation time, the use of intravenous/intramuscular analgesics, the complication rate, the hospital stay and the postoperative endoscopic findings. RESULTS: 124 patients underwent surgical repair for perforated peptic ulcer disease (81 open repairs and 43 laparoscopic repairs). The mean age was 43.7+/-16.6 in the laparoscopic group and 45.7+/-18.3 in the open group, respectively (p=0.55). Laparoscopic repair had a similar operation time as open repair (110.4+/-37.5 minutes vs 101.2+/-30.8 minutes p=0.149, respectively). There were statistical differences for the hospital stay (7.8+/-3.0 days laparoscopy vs 9.9+/-4.0 days open; p=0.004) and the need for analgesics (range; 0~17 open vs 0~16 laparoscopic; p=0.026). But the complication rate was not significant different in both group (2.3% open vs 12.3% laparoscopic; p=0.062). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic repair is a feasible and safe surgical option for patients with perforated peptic ulcer and it is an excellent alternative to open procedure when performed by experienced hands.
Analgesics ; Duodenal Ulcer ; Hand ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Peptic Ulcer

The ethyl acetate fractions prepared from the leaves of Thuja orientalis significantly inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. According to bioassay-coupled LC-QTOF MS/MS, the components near 22 and 25 mins in the mass chromatogram highly inhibited NO production and were expected to be labdane diterpenes, and the active components were characterized via further isolation. The results of the NO production inhibitory assay of the isolated compounds correlated well with the results of bioassay-coupled LC-QTOF MS/MS. Among the identified constituents, NO production inhibitory activities of 16-hydroxy-labda-8(17),13-diene-15,19-dioic acid butenolide (2) and 15-hydroxypinusolidic acid (3) were newly reported. Taken together, these results demonstrated that LC-QTOF MS/MS coupled with NO production inhibition assay was a powerful tool for accurately predicting new anti-inflammatory constituents in the extracts from natural products. Moreover, it provided a potential basis for broadening the application of bioassay-coupled LC-QTOF MS/MS in natural product research.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to predict the optimal bending angles of a running loop for bodily protraction of the mandibular first molars and to clarify the mechanics of molar tipping and rotation. METHODS: A three-dimensional finite element model was developed for predicting tooth movement, and a mechanical model based on the beam theory was constructed for clarifying force systems. RESULTS: When a running loop without bends was used, the molar tipped mesially by 9.6° and rotated counterclockwise by 5.4°. These angles were almost similar to those predicted by the beam theory. When the amount of tip-back and toe-in angles were 11.5° and 9.9°, respectively, bodily movement of the molar was achieved. When the bend angles were increased to 14.2° and 18.7°, the molar tipped distally by 4.9° and rotated clockwise by 1.5°. CONCLUSIONS Bodily movement of a mandibular first molar was achieved during protraction by controlling the tip-back and toe-in angles with the use of a running loop. The beam theory was effective for understanding the mechanics of molar tipping and rotation, as well as for predicting the optimal bending angles.

Purpose: This study evaluated whether an addition of simvastatin to chemotherapy improves survival in ever-smokers with extensive disease (ED)–small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Materials and Methods: This is an open-label randomized phase II study conducted in National Cancer Center (Goyang, Korea). Chemonaive patients with ED-SCLC, smoking history (≥ 100 cigarettes lifetime), and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of ≤ 2 were eligible. Patients were randomized to receive irinotecan plus cisplatin alone or with simvastatin (40 mg once daily orally) for a maximum of six cycles. Primary endpoint was the the 1-year survival rate. Results: Between September 16, 2011, and September 9, 2021, 125 patients were randomly assigned to the simvastatin (n=62) or control (n=63) groups. The median smoking pack year was 40 years. There was no significant difference in the 1-year survival rate between the simvastatin and control groups (53.2% vs. 58.7%, p=0.535). The median progression-free survival and overall survival between the simvastatin arm vs. the control groups were 6.3 months vs. 6.4 months (p=0.686), and 14.4 months vs. 15.2 months, respectively (p=0.749). The incidence of grade 3-4 adverse events was 62.9% in the simvastatin group and 61.9% in the control group. In the exploratory analysis of lipid profiles, patients with hypertriglyceridemia had significantly higher 1-year survival rates than those with normal triglyceride levels (80.0% vs. 52.7%, p=0.046). Conclusion Addition of simvastatin to chemotherapy provided no survival benefit in ever-smokers with ED-SCLC. Hypertriglyceridemia may be associated with better prognosis in these patient population.

Disease flare-up after discontinuing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) has been considered as a critical issue in lung cancer patients who have experienced radiologic progression after showing initial durable response. This is a case of systemic nocardiosis that occurred after chronic steroid use for radionecrosis from stereotactic radiosurgery. It was initially thought as a disease flare-up after stopping EGFR-TKI.
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Nocardia Infections* ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; Radiosurgery ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor

Purpose: Capmatinib, an oral MET kinase inhibitor, has demonstrated its efficacy against non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with MET dysregulation. We investigated its clinical impact in advanced NSCLC with MET exon 14 skipping mutation (METex14) or gene amplification. Materials and Methods: Patients who participated in the screening of a phase II study of capmatinib for advanced NSCLC were enrolled in this study. MET gene copy number (GCN), protein expression, and METex14 were analyzed and the patients’ clinical outcome were retrospectively reviewed. Results: A total of 72 patients were included in this analysis (group A: GCN ≥ 10 or METex14, n=14; group B: others, n=58). Among them, 13 patients were treated with capmatinib (group A, n=8; group B, n=5), and the overall response rate was 50% for group A, and 0% for group B. In all patients, the median overall survival (OS) was 20.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.9 to not applicable [NA]) for group A, and 11.3 months (95% CI, 8.2 to 20.3) for group B (p=0.457). However, within group A, median OS was 21.5 months (95% CI, 20.8 to NA) for capmatinib-treated, and 7.5 months (95% CI, 3.2 to NA) for capmatinib-untreated patients (p=0.025). Among all capmatinib-untreated patients (n=59), group A showed a trend towards worse OS to group B (median OS, 7.5 months vs. 11.3 months; p=0.123). Conclusion Our data suggest that capmatinib is a new compelling treatment for NSCLC with MET GCN ≥ 10 or METex14 based on the improved survival within these patients.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of the long-pulsed diode laser (LPDL) in hair removal is determined with various physical parameters. Recently, LPDLs with a larger spot size are commercially available; however, the independent effect of spot size on hair removal has not been studied. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of the LPDL in hair removal depending on the spot size. METHODS: A randomized, evaluators-blind, intrapatient comparison (left vs. right) trial was designed. Ten healthy Korean women received three hair removal treatment sessions on both armpits with the 805-nm LPDL and followed for 3 months. A 10x10 mm handpiece (D1) or a 10x30 mm handpiece (D3) was randomly assigned to the right or left axilla. The fluence, pulse duration, and epidermal cooling temperature were identical for both armpits. Hair clearance was quantified with high-resolution photos taken at each visit. Postprocedural pain was quantified on a visual analogue scale. Adverse events were evaluated by physical examination and the patients' self-report. RESULTS: The mean hair clearance at 3 months after three treatment sessions was 38.7% and 50.1% on the armpits treated with D1 and D3, respectively (p=0.028). Procedural pain was significantly greater in the side treated with D3 (p=0.009). Serious adverse events were not observed. CONCLUSION: Given that the pulse duration, fluence, and epidermal cooling were identical, the 805-nm LPDL at the three times larger spot size showed an efficacy improvement of 29.5% in axillary hair removal without serious adverse events.
Axilla ; Female ; Hair Removal* ; Hair* ; Humans ; Lasers, Semiconductor* ; Physical Examination

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of the long-pulsed diode laser (LPDL) in hair removal is determined with various physical parameters. Recently, LPDLs with a larger spot size are commercially available; however, the independent effect of spot size on hair removal has not been studied. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of the LPDL in hair removal depending on the spot size. METHODS: A randomized, evaluators-blind, intrapatient comparison (left vs. right) trial was designed. Ten healthy Korean women received three hair removal treatment sessions on both armpits with the 805-nm LPDL and followed for 3 months. A 10x10 mm handpiece (D1) or a 10x30 mm handpiece (D3) was randomly assigned to the right or left axilla. The fluence, pulse duration, and epidermal cooling temperature were identical for both armpits. Hair clearance was quantified with high-resolution photos taken at each visit. Postprocedural pain was quantified on a visual analogue scale. Adverse events were evaluated by physical examination and the patients' self-report. RESULTS: The mean hair clearance at 3 months after three treatment sessions was 38.7% and 50.1% on the armpits treated with D1 and D3, respectively (p=0.028). Procedural pain was significantly greater in the side treated with D3 (p=0.009). Serious adverse events were not observed. CONCLUSION: Given that the pulse duration, fluence, and epidermal cooling were identical, the 805-nm LPDL at the three times larger spot size showed an efficacy improvement of 29.5% in axillary hair removal without serious adverse events.
Axilla ; Female ; Hair Removal* ; Hair* ; Humans ; Lasers, Semiconductor* ; Physical Examination

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the injury severity and pain intensity according to age in patients with extremity injuries. METHODS: Adult patients with an extremity injury who visited the emergency department (ED) from June 1, 2016 to November 31, 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. The major injury was defined as structural damage below the muscle layer, such as muscle, ligament, and bone. Minor injury group and major injury group were separated according to this definition. The relationship of age and pain score assessed with the numerical rating scale (NRS) with the injury severity was analyzed. RESULTS: Of a total of 1,441 patients, the number of patients with a minor and major injury was 854 (59.3%) and 587 (40.7%), respectively. The proportion of patients aged 65 and older was 6.1% and 25.7% in the minor and major injury group, respectively. Age and NRS scale showed significantly positive associations with the injury severity (p < 0.001). In all NRS scores, the overall proportion of major injuries in the older age group was higher than that in the younger age group. Regardless of the younger ( < 65 years) or older (≥65 years) age group, the NRS score was positively related to the injury severity (young age group [odds ratio, 3.944]; older age group [odds ratio, 5.754]). CONCLUSION: The pain intensity is positively related to the severity of injury regardless of age. The pain intensity is the important factor of a patient assessment and treatment in the emergency department.
Adult ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Extremities* ; Humans ; Ligaments ; Pain Measurement ; Retrospective Studies ; Trauma Severity Indices

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to identify the differences in nutrient intake according to using diuretics, symptom severity and degree of physical functioning in heart failure patients. METHODS: A secondary data analysis was conducted by using baseline data of an intervention study for heart failure patients. In this study, 131 heart failure patients were included. Data were collected using medical records, NYHA (New York Heart Association functional classification) class, and 6-minute-walking test and 24-hour diet recall. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test by SPSS 21.0. Nutrient intake was assessed using CAN-pro 2.0. RESULTS: Majority of the participants consumed total calorie less than Estimated Energy Requirement (EER) and consumed carbohydrates more than 65% of their total calorie intakes. 24.4% of the participants consumed fat more than 30% of their total calorie intakes and 23.7% consumed saturated fat more than 7% of their total calorie intakes. 100.0% of the participants consumed protein less than 7% of their total calorie intakes and 73.3% of the participants consumed more than recommended intakes of sodium. More than 90.0% of the participants consumed less than adequate intakes of potassium (90.1%) and Vitamin D (91.6%), respectively. 100% and 62.6% of the participants consumed less than Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) of magnesium and Vitamin B1, respectively. Nutrient intakes in heart failure patients were different for potassium intake according to the usage of diuretics. The participants with symptom severity tended to intake protein less properly and the participants walking more than 300.0 m tended to intake sodium improperly high. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study indicated the need for screening nutrient intakes of heart failure patients. It is necessary to increase the intake of total calories and most nutrients and to restrict sodium intakes among heart failure patients.
Carbohydrates ; Diet ; Diuretics* ; Heart Failure* ; Heart* ; Humans ; Clinical Trial ; Magnesium ; Mass Screening ; Medical Records ; Potassium ; Sodium ; Statistics as Topic ; Thiamine ; Vitamin D ; Walking