The efficacy of P2Y12 reaction unit (PRU) of VerifyNow still remains as a controversial issue in neurointervention. So we investigated the usefulness of PRU of VerifyNow to predict the peri-procedural thromboembolic events (TE) and hemorrhagic events (HE). And we evaluated the safety of modified dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) or triple antiplatelet therapy (TAPT) for clopidogrel hyporesponders. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science and Scopus on August 19 2018. Data was collected the 1) incidence of TE between clopidogrel responder and clopidogrel hypo-responder, 2) incidence of HE between clopidogrel hyper-responder and clopidogrel responder and hypo-responder, and 3) incidence of TE and HE between modified DAPT or TAPT and standard DAPT in clopidogrel hypo-responder. High cut-off value of PRU was defined as PRU >40% or <220. Fifteen studies were enrolled. Clopidogrel responder showed lower incidence of TE than hypo-responder (risk ratio [RR], 0.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.17-0.61; p<0.001). With the high cut-off value of PRU, clopidogrel responder showed more lower incidence of TE than hypo-responder (RR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.02-0.45; p=0.002). The incidence of periprocedural HE have higher on clopidogrel hyper-responder than clopidogrel responder and hypo-responder (RR, 4.26; 95% CI, 1.10-16.44; p=0.04; I2=66%). The incidence of periprocedural TE after changing regimen of DAPT for clopidogrel hypo-responder have a tendency to reduce, but there was no significant difference between modified DAPT or TAPT group and standard DAPT group (p>0.05). The incidence of periprocedural HE after changing regimen of DAPT for clopidogrel hypo-responder was no significant difference between modified DAPT or TAPT group and standard DAPT group (p>0.05). PRU is a useful tool as a predictor of peri-procedural TE or HE on neurointervention. PRU has a threshold effect of cut-off value to predict the peri-procedural TE. Modified DAPT or TAPT to prevent TE in clopidogrel hypo-responders could not reduce the incidence of TE. We should investigate the further research about modification of regiment on neurointervention.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate correlations between values of articulation tests and language tests for children with articulation disorder in Korea. METHODS: Data of outpatients with chief complaint of an articulation problem were retrospectively collected. Patients who underwent Urimal Test of Articulation and Phonation (U-TAP) with Assessment of Phonology and Articulation for Children (APAC), Preschool Receptive-Expressive Language Scale (PRES), or Receptive and Expressive Vocabulary Test (REVT) simultaneously were identified. Patients whose word-level percentages of correct consonants in U-TAP (UTAP_wC) were more than 2 standard deviations below the mean as diagnostic criteria for articulation disorder were selected. Those whose receptive language age (P_RLA), expressive language age (P_ELA), or combined language age (P_CLA) in PRES was delayed more than 24 months compared to their chronological age in months as diagnostic criteria for language disorder were excluded. RESULTS: Thirty-three children aged 3–6 years were enrolled retrospectively. PRES and U-TAP showed significant correlations for most of value relationships. PRES and APAC showed significant correlations for all value relationships except for receptive language age. All values of REVT were significantly correlated with all values from U-TAP, but not with any value from APAC. Articulation tests U-TAP and APAC showed significant correlations between percentages of correct consonants. Language tests PRES and REVT showed significant correlations for all value relationships. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that articulation abilities and language abilities might be correlated in children with articulation disorder.
Articulation Disorders ; Child ; Humans ; Korea ; Language ; Language Disorders ; Language Tests ; Outpatients ; Phonation ; Retrospective Studies ; Speech Articulation Tests ; Speech Disorders

Tracheal tumors are rare and difficult to diagnose. Moreover, delays in diagnosis are very common because the symptoms are nonspecific. As a result, tracheal tumors are commonly mistreated as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or bronchial asthma. We report a case of a 49-year-old male who presented with a 3-month history of dyspnea and cough. Chest computed tomography scan showed a 1.5×1.3 cm homogenous tumor originating from the right lateral wall of the tracheobronchial angle into the tracheal lumen as well as a 0.5×0.4 cm round nodular lesion at the right upper lobe with multiple mediastinal lymph nodes enlargement. Bronchoscopic findings revealed a broad-based, polypoid lesion nearly obstructing the airway of the right main bronchus. The patient was diagnosed with pleomorphic adenoma which is the most common benign tumor of the salivary glands, but rarely appears in the trachea. Upon surgery, tracheal pleomorphic adenoma and co-existing active pulmonary tuberculoma that had been mistreated as bronchial asthma over 3 months was revealed. Following surgery, the patient underwent anti-tuberculosis treatment. No recurrence has been detected in the 3 years since treatment and the patient is now asymptomatic.

Tracheal tumors are rare and difficult to diagnose. Moreover, delays in diagnosis are very common because the symptoms are nonspecific. As a result, tracheal tumors are commonly mistreated as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or bronchial asthma. We report a case of a 49-year-old male who presented with a 3-month history of dyspnea and cough. Chest computed tomography scan showed a 1.5×1.3 cm homogenous tumor originating from the right lateral wall of the tracheobronchial angle into the tracheal lumen as well as a 0.5×0.4 cm round nodular lesion at the right upper lobe with multiple mediastinal lymph nodes enlargement. Bronchoscopic findings revealed a broad-based, polypoid lesion nearly obstructing the airway of the right main bronchus. The patient was diagnosed with pleomorphic adenoma which is the most common benign tumor of the salivary glands, but rarely appears in the trachea. Upon surgery, tracheal pleomorphic adenoma and co-existing active pulmonary tuberculoma that had been mistreated as bronchial asthma over 3 months was revealed. Following surgery, the patient underwent anti-tuberculosis treatment. No recurrence has been detected in the 3 years since treatment and the patient is now asymptomatic.
Adenoma, Pleomorphic ; Asthma ; Bronchi ; Cough ; Diagnosis ; Dyspnea ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Recurrence ; Salivary Glands ; Thorax ; Trachea ; Tracheal Neoplasms ; Tuberculoma ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

BACKGROUND: Allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) can significantly improve symptoms and reduce the need for symptomatic medication. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate changes in skin reactivity to house dust mites (HDMs) as an immunologic response and associated factors after 1 year of immunotherapy. METHODS: A total of 80 patients with allergic airway diseases who received subcutaneous SIT with HDMs from 2009 to 2014 were evaluated. The investigated parameters were basic demographic characteristics, skin reactivity and specific IgE for HDM, serum total IgE level, blood eosinophil counts, and medication score. RESULTS: The mean levels of skin reactivity to HDMs, blood eosinophil counts, and medication scores after 1 year were significantly reduced from baseline. In univariate comparison of the changes in skin reactivity to HDMs, age ≤30 years, HDMs only as target of immunotherapy, and high initial skin reactivity (≥2) to HDMs were significantly associated with the reduction in skin test reactivity. In multivariate analysis, high initial skin reactivity and HDMs only as target allergens were significantly associated with changes in skin reactivity to HDMs. In the receiver operating characteristic curve of the initial mean skin reactivity to HDMs for more than 50% reduction, the optimal cutoff value was 2.14. CONCLUSION: This study showed significant reductions in allergen skin reactivity to HDMs after 1 year of immunotherapy in patients sensitized to HDMs. The extent of initial allergen skin reactivity and only HDMs as target allergen were important predictive factors for changes in skin reactivity.
Allergens ; Desensitization, Immunologic ; Dust ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunotherapy ; Multivariate Analysis ; Pyroglyphidae ; ROC Curve ; Skin Tests ; Skin

We experienced a 59-year-old immunocompetent female patient who complained progressive cough. A bronchoscopic examination revealed an endobronchial mass protruding from the left lower lobe and occluding anterior-basal segment bronchus. Bronchial biopsy and endobronchial ultrasound guided transbronchial needle aspiration were consistent with cryptococcal infection. However, the response of medical therapy was an unsuccessful. Finally, the patient underwent left lower lobectomy with lymph node dissection. We report a case of pulmonary cryptococcosis mimicking bronchogenic lung cancer, and surgical therapy with antifungal treatment resulted in successful resolution of the pneumonia.
Biopsy ; Bronchi ; Bronchial Neoplasms ; Bronchoscopy ; Cough ; Cryptococcosis* ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; Lymph Node Excision ; Middle Aged ; Mycoses ; Needles ; Pneumonia ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate obesity, a risk factor of metabolic syndrome, and its association with prostatic enlargement in a retrospective cohort in Korea. METHODS: Baseline data were obtained from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study on Atherosclerosis Risk of Rural Areas in the Korean General Population (KoGES-ARIRANG). Between March 2015 and November 2015, 2,127 male participants of KoGES-ARIRANG were invited to the Korean Prostate Health Council Screening Program, and 602 participants underwent urological examination, including serum prostate specific antigen measurement and transrectal ultrasonography, and completed the International Prostate Symptom Score questionnaire. The data for 571 participants were analyzed, after excluding 31 men who had a history of prostatic disease or testosterone replacement, or had undergone a prior prostatic surgery or procedure. RESULTS: Among components of metabolic syndrome, waist circumference had a statistically significant linear correlation with incremental increases in prostate volume (B=0.181, P=0.004). Abdominal obesity as determined by anthropometric measures including body mass index (odds ratio [OR], 1.205; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.088–1.336), waist circumference (OR, 1.073; 95% CI, 1.032–1.115), body fat (OR, 1.126; 95% CI, 1.056–1.202), and visceral fat composition (OR, 1.667; 95% CI, 1.246–2.232) was significantly associated with the presence of high-volume benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (prostate volume≥ 40 mL). Furthermore, the highest quartile of serum leptin (OR, 3.541; 95% CI, 1.103–11.365) and adiponectin levels (OR, 0.315; 95% CI, 0.102–0.971) were significantly correlated with high-volume BPH compared to the lowest quartile of levels. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal obesity and serum leptin level are positively associated with prostate growth, whereas serum adiponectin level is inversely associated with the presence of prostatic enlargement.
Adiponectin ; Adipose Tissue ; Atherosclerosis ; Body Mass Index ; Cohort Studies* ; Epidemiology ; Genome ; Humans ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Korea* ; Leptin ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Obesity* ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Prostate ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatic Diseases ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; Retrospective Studies* ; Risk Factors* ; Testosterone ; Ultrasonography ; Waist Circumference

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusion is a common mechanism underlying pathogenesis of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) where these rearrangements represent important diagnostic and therapeutic targets. In this study, we found a new ALK fusion gene, SEC31A-ALK, in lung carcinoma from a 53-year-old Korean man. The conjoined region in the fusion transcript was generated by the fusion of SEC31A exon 21 and ALK exon 20 by genomic rearrangement, which contributed to generation of an intact, in-frame open reading frame. SEC31A-ALK encodes a predicted fusion protein of 1,438 amino acids comprising the WD40 domain of SEC31A at the N-terminus and ALK kinase domain at the C-terminus. Fluorescence in situ hybridization studies suggested that SEC31A-ALK was generated by an unbalanced genomic rearrangement associated with loss of the 3'-end of SEC31A. This is the first report of SEC31A-ALK fusion transcript in clinical NSCLC, which could be a novel diagnostic and therapeutic target for patients with NSCLC.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Amino Acids ; Exons ; Fluorescence ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lung* ; Lymphoma ; Middle Aged ; Open Reading Frames ; Phosphotransferases ; Translocation, Genetic

PURPOSE: It is well known that testicular germ cell tumors arise with increased frequency in patients with cryptorchidism. In addition, intratubular germ cell neoplasia (ITGCN) is a precursor lesion to testicular germ cell tumor. Approximately 50% of patients with ITGCN will develop an invasive of testicular germ cell tumors within 5 years. Therefore, we evaluated that the incidence of ITGCN in postpubertal cryptorchidism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2002 and August 2012, orchiectomy specimens from 31 postpubertalpatients (aged 12 or over) with cryptorchid testis were reviewed. The specimens were evaluated for ITGCN using immunohistochemical stains of placental-like alkaline phosphatase and Oct 3/4 with routine hematoxylin-eosin stain. Additionally, the degree of spermatogenesis was assessed using the Johnsen score. RESULTS: Mean age was 34 years (range, 17 to 74 years) at surgery. All patients were diagnosed as unilateral cryptorchidism. One patient (3.2%) of 20-year-old had ITGCN in surgical specimen with all positive markers. Histological assessment of spermatogenesis showed that mean Johnsen score was 3.42 (range, 1 to 9). Majority of patients (27 of 31) presented impaired spermatogenesis with low Johnsen score lesser than 5. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the risk of malignancy and low spermatogenesis, we should perform immunohistochemical stains and discuss preventative orchiectomy for the postpubertal cryptorchidism.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Alkaline Phosphatase/metabolism ; Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism ; Carcinoma in Situ/diagnosis/*etiology/pathology ; Cryptorchidism/*complications/surgery ; Disease Progression ; Humans ; Infertility, Male/etiology ; Isoenzymes/metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal/diagnosis/*etiology/pathology/prevention & control ; Orchiectomy ; Puberty ; Retrospective Studies ; Spermatogenesis ; Testicular Neoplasms/diagnosis/*etiology/pathology/prevention & control ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: To assess changes in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), prostate volume, and serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) after discontinuation of 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (5ARI) combination therapy in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From December 2003 to December 2012, data were collected retrospectively from 81 men more than 40 years of age with moderate to severe BPH symptoms (International Prostate Symptom Score [IPSS]> or =8). The men were classified into group 1 (n=42) and group 2 (n=39) according to the use of 5ARI therapy. A combination of dutasteride 0.5 mg with tamsulosin 0.2 mg was given daily to all patients for 1 year. For the next 1 year, group 1 (n=42) received the combination therapy and group 2 (n=39) received tamsulosin 0.2 mg monotherapy only. The IPSS, prostate volume, and PSA level were measured at baseline and at 12 and 24 months according to the use of dutasteride. RESULTS: Discontinuation of dutasteride led to significant deterioration of LUTS, increased prostate volume, and increased PSA level. The repeated-measures analysis of variance showed that the changes in IPSS, prostate volume, and PSA level over time also differed significantly between groups 1 and 2 (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Withdrawal of 5ARI during combination therapy resulted in prostate regrowth and deterioration of LUTS. The PSA level is also affected by the use of 5ARI. Therefore, regular check-up of the IPSS and PSA level may be helpful for all patients who either continue or discontinue the use of 5ARI.
5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors ; Humans ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; Male ; Oxidoreductases* ; Prostate ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatic Hyperplasia* ; Retrospective Studies