BACKGROUND: Ovarian epithelial cancer (OEC) is the second-most common gynecologic malignancy. CD109 expression is elevated in human tumor cell lines and carcinomas. A previous study showed that CD109 expression is elevated in human tumor cell lines and CD109 plays a role in cancer progression. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether CD109 is expressed in OEC and can be useful in predicting the prognosis. METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining for CD109 and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed. Then we compared CD109 expression and chemoresistance, overall survival, and recurrence-free survival of OEC patients. Chemoresistance was evaluated by dividing into good-response group and poor-response group by the time to recurrence after chemotherapy. RESULTS: CD109 expression was associated with overall survival (p = .020), but not recurrence-free survival (p = .290). CD109 expression was not an independent risk factor for overall survival due to its reliability (hazard ratio, 1.58; p = .160; 95% confidence interval, 0.82 to 3.05), although we found that CD109 positivity was related to chemoresistance. The poor-response group showed higher rates of CD109 expression than the good-response group (93.8% vs 66.7%, p = .047). Also, the CD109 mRNA expression level was 2.88 times higher in the poor-response group as compared to the good-response group (p = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Examining the CD109 expression in patients with OEC may be helpful in predicting survival and chemotherapeutic effect.
Cell Line, Tumor ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors ; RNA, Messenger

PURPOSE: To compare the 5-year oncologic and functional outcomes of robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (RALPN) and laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) as treatment for localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the records of 181 patients with localized RCC who underwent RALPN (n=97) or LPN (n=84) between 2007 and 2011. Demographic and preoperative data with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), intraoperative data including warm ischemic time (WIT) and complications, oncologic outcomes (recurrence, metastasis), and rate of eGFR preservation at most recent follow-up were examined. RESULTS: WIT was shorter in the RALPN group (27±9.1 minutes) than the LPN group (31±10 minutes, p=0.019). Intraoperative complication rates were also lower in RALPN patients than LPN patients (4.1% vs. 14.3%). The eGFR preservation rate was higher in the RALPN group (84.6%) than in the LPN group (81.5%, p=0.049). Particularly, a relatively high difference in the eGFR preservation rate was observed in the RALPN group compared with the LPN group according to R.E.N.A.L. score 7–10 values (RALPN, 86.5±12.9 vs. LPN, 76.7±16.0; p=0.003). During the follow-up period, there was no local recurrence in either group and distant metastases only occurred in one patient in the RALPN group and in 2 patients in the LPN group. CONCLUSIONS: RALPN and LPN showed similar 5-year oncologic outcomes, but RALPN was superior to LPN in terms of WIT, intraoperative complications, and long-term eGFR preservation rate, especially in complex cases.
Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Intraoperative Complications ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Nephrectomy* ; Recurrence ; Warm Ischemia

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between practice and infectious diseases in elementary, middle and high school students. METHODS: In 16 metropolitan cities and province of the Korea, the students who from fourth grade of elementary school to third grade of high school were surveyed by personal interviews and an web-based online survey from 5 to 25 September, 2014. We analyzed data with chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Common cold, diarrhea, and eye infections were more prevalent among students in higher grade than lower grade. In particular, common cold was more prevalent among girls than boys, using hand sanitizer than washing with soaps, and students who wash the dorsal side of hand than not wash the dorsal side of hand. CONCLUSIONS: Higher-grade students showed low status of hand washing practice. Hand washing was determined as the fact which influences to increase the prevention of communicable disease such as common cold. Considering the fact that youth groups have higher risk of being infected due to their group life, schools are recommended to provide adequate educations regarding proper hand washing practice with soap.
Adolescent ; Common Cold ; Communicable Diseases* ; Diarrhea ; Eye Infections ; Female ; Hand ; Hand Disinfection* ; Humans ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Soaps

BACKGROUND: A reliable rapid assay for hepatitis C virus (HCV) may be helpful in various clinical settings. We evaluated the performance of the OraQuick HCV Rapid Antibody Test (OraSure Technologies Inc., Bethlehem, PA, USA). METHODS: Clinical sensitivity and specificity were evaluated with oral fluids and sera from 137 patients diagnosed with hepatitis C and 300 healthy blood donors in a multi-center collaborative study. The stored sera of 200 proven HCV-infected patients and 200 healthy subjects were also evaluated. Analytical sensitivity was estimated with 4 commercial seroconversion panels and 7 Korean reference panels. The performance of 4 laboratory-based tests (3 chemiluminescence assays and 1 enzyme immunoassay) and 4 rapid test kits was compared. We also assessed the interference due to bilirubin, hemoglobin, lipid, rheumatoid factor, multipara, and several viral infections. RESULTS: The clinical sensitivity and specificity of the OraQuick HCV test using oral fluid were 97.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 93.2-99.4%) and 100% (95% CI, 98.4-100%), respectively. The clinical sensitivity using serum samples was 100%. Using the 4 seroconversion panels, the OraQuick HCV test showed results comparable to those of the laboratory-based assays; its analytical sensitivity was higher than that of the other rapid test kits. There was no cross-reactivity with common interfering factors. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical performance of the OraQuick HCV Test is comparable to that of laboratory-based tests with both serum and oral fluid. This supports the supplementary use of rapid HCV testing using oral fluid in various medical and non-medical settings.
Cross Reactions ; Hepacivirus/*immunology ; Hepatitis C/blood/*diagnosis ; Hepatitis C Antibodies/*blood ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; Saliva/immunology/virology ; Sensitivity and Specificity

BACKGROUND: A reliable rapid assay for hepatitis C virus (HCV) may be helpful in various clinical settings. We evaluated the performance of the OraQuick HCV Rapid Antibody Test (OraSure Technologies Inc., Bethlehem, PA, USA). METHODS: Clinical sensitivity and specificity were evaluated with oral fluids and sera from 137 patients diagnosed with hepatitis C and 300 healthy blood donors in a multi-center collaborative study. The stored sera of 200 proven HCV-infected patients and 200 healthy subjects were also evaluated. Analytical sensitivity was estimated with 4 commercial seroconversion panels and 7 Korean reference panels. The performance of 4 laboratory-based tests (3 chemiluminescence assays and 1 enzyme immunoassay) and 4 rapid test kits was compared. We also assessed the interference due to bilirubin, hemoglobin, lipid, rheumatoid factor, multipara, and several viral infections. RESULTS: The clinical sensitivity and specificity of the OraQuick HCV test using oral fluid were 97.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 93.2-99.4%) and 100% (95% CI, 98.4-100%), respectively. The clinical sensitivity using serum samples was 100%. Using the 4 seroconversion panels, the OraQuick HCV test showed results comparable to those of the laboratory-based assays; its analytical sensitivity was higher than that of the other rapid test kits. There was no cross-reactivity with common interfering factors. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical performance of the OraQuick HCV Test is comparable to that of laboratory-based tests with both serum and oral fluid. This supports the supplementary use of rapid HCV testing using oral fluid in various medical and non-medical settings.
Cross Reactions ; Hepacivirus/*immunology ; Hepatitis C/blood/*diagnosis ; Hepatitis C Antibodies/*blood ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; Saliva/immunology/virology ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVES: This report describes the development process of a drug dosing database for ethical drugs approved by the Korea Food & Drug Administration (KFDA). The goal of this study was to develop a computerized system that supports physicians' prescribing decisions, particularly in regards to medication dosing. METHODS: The advisory committee, comprised of doctors, pharmacists, and nurses from the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, pharmacists familiar with drug databases, KFDA officials, and software developers from the BIT Computer Co. Ltd. analyzed approved KFDA drug dosing information, defined the fields and properties of the information structure, and designed a management program used to enter dosing information. The management program was developed using a web based system that allows multiple researchers to input drug dosing information in an organized manner. The whole process was improved by adding additional input fields and eliminating the unnecessary existing fields used when the dosing information was entered, resulting in an improved field structure. RESULTS: A total of 16,994 drugs sold in the Korean market in July 2009, excluding the exclusion criteria (e.g., radioactivity drugs, X-ray contrast medium), usage and dosing information were made into a database. CONCLUSIONS: The drug dosing database was successfully developed and the dosing information for new drugs can be continually maintained through the management mode. This database will be used to develop the drug utilization review standards and to provide appropriate dosing information.
Advisory Committees ; Databases, Pharmaceutical ; Drug Utilization Review ; Humans ; Isothiocyanates ; Korea ; Pharmacists ; Radioactivity

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Neurogenic tumors in the head and neck are relatively rare and constitute around 0.5% of all head and neck tumors. Schwannoma, among neurogenic tumors, is a benign tumor originating from the spinal nerve root, peripheral nerve and all kinds of cranial nerves except the optic nerve and olfactory nerve. By presenting a series of head and neck schwannomas treated during a fifteen-year period, we aimed to analyze the clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of schwannomas retrospectively. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed and analyzed clinical records of 34 patients with head and neck schwannomas who were treated surgically at the University Hospital from January, 1995 to January, 2010. RESULTS: We found 34 cases of schwannoma in the head and neck. Among the patients, 14 were males and 20 were females. The most common age group was the 60's while the most common site was the parapharyngeal space. The most common presenting symptom was palpable neck mass and the mean duration of symptoms was 41.6 months. The most common nerve of origin was the cervical plexus (29.4%). Preoperative diagnostic tools were FNA, CT and MRI. All cases were treated surgically and the most common postoperative complication was both transient and permanent voice changes. The mean follow-up period was 18.3 months and recurrence was not found during this period. CONCLUSION: Thirty-four cases of schwannoma in the head and neck were presented with respect to their clinical features.
Cervical Plexus ; Cranial Nerves ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head ; Humans ; Male ; Neck ; Neurilemmoma ; Olfactory Nerve ; Optic Nerve ; Peripheral Nerves ; Postoperative Complications ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Nerve Roots ; Voice

BACKGROUND: Medical skin care is essential for the treatment of skin diseases all over the world. Medical skin care is also part of medical practice and this must be differentiated from the simple skin care that is given for normal healthy skin. OBJECTIVE: We wanted to discuss medical skin care and the related medical devices and legal issues. METHODS: We reviewed the related laws and regulations, we consulted experts and associations and we analyzed the result of the survey. RESULTS: Legally, medical skin care and simple skin care are well classified. However, many illegal procedures are still performed by non-medical personnel and many adverse effects have been reported as a result. Furthermore, there are no legal restrictions for the performer based on the grade of each medical skin care procedure. CONCLUSION: For the best results and safe procedures, medical skin care must be performed by approved medical equipment under the supervision of a physician or medical personnel. Continuous control and guidance by the government is strongly needed.
Jurisprudence ; Organization and Administration ; Skin ; Skin Care ; Skin Diseases ; Social Control, Formal

PURPOSE: Pompe disease is one of the glycogen storage diseases caused by a deficiency of acid alpha-glycosidase. This enzyme defect results in lysosomal glycogen accumulation in many tissues and shows a various spectrum of clinical features from early infantile hypotonia to mild weakness. For the investigation of the clinical characteristics of Pompe disease, we reviewed 6 cases of childhood Pompe disease diagnosed by muscle biopsy and acid alpha-glycosidase assay. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 6 childhood Pompe disease patients in Seoul National University Children's Hospital, retrospectively from January 2001 to October 2006. RESULTS: The age of the symptom onset was 1 month to 11 years(mean 2.2 years) and the diagnosis was made at the age of 8 months to 14 years(mean 5.3 years). The patients showed delayed motor development, motor weakness, hypotonia, cardiomegaly, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, hepatomegaly, recurrent pulmonary infections but the severity was very diverse. Liver transaminase and CK levels were elevated in all of the patients. Their muscle biopsy showed the characteristic accumulation of purple colored glycogen granules and the degeneration of myofibers. CONCLUSION: Childhood Pompe disease had various clinical features and severities depending on the age of onset, organ involvement and the rate of progression. Enzyme replacement therapy may modify the disease courses, so we need to diagnose earlier for the treatment at an optimal time.
Age of Onset ; Biopsy ; Cardiomegaly ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic ; Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Enzyme Replacement Therapy ; Glycogen ; Glycogen Storage Disease ; Glycogen Storage Disease Type II* ; Hepatomegaly ; Humans ; Liver ; Medical Records ; Muscle Hypotonia ; Retrospective Studies ; Seoul

Joubert syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive condition characterized by dysgenesis of the cerebellar vermis, hypotonia, developmental delay, ataxia, abnormal eye movements, and a respiratory pattern of alternating tachypnea and apnea. Brain MRI shows the molar tooth sign resulting from dysplasia of the isthmic segment of the brain stem, superior cerebellar peduncles, and vermis. We experienced a case of Joubert syndrome, who was a 18 month-old female with episodic hyperpnea, developmental delay, abnormal eye movements and complete agenesis of the cerebellar vermis. We present this case with a brief review of literature.
Apnea ; Ataxia ; Brain ; Brain Stem ; Eye Movements ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Molar ; Muscle Hypotonia ; Tachypnea ; Tooth