Background: The endothelial glycocalyx (EG) is an important structure that regulates vascular homeostasis. Deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap is expected to cause substantial EG breakdown owing to the long procedural duration and ischemia– reperfusion injury. This prospective, randomized, controlled study aimed to compare syndecan-1 levels during sevoflurane-remifentanil and propofol-remifentanil anesthesia in patients who underwent DIEP flap breast reconstruction. Methods: Fifty-one patients were randomized to either sevoflurane (n = 26) or propofol (n = 25) groups. Anesthesia was maintained with remifentanil in combination with either sevoflurane or propofol. The primary endpoint was the concentration of serum syndecan-1 measured at 1 h after surgery. Results: Fifty patients (98.0%) completed the study. Patients in the propofol group had significantly lower levels of syndecan-1 than patients in the sevoflurane group at 1 h after operation (23.8 ± 1.6 vs. 30.9 ± 1.7 ng/ml, respectively; Bonferroni corrected P = 0.012). There were no significant differences between groups in postoperative complications. The postoperative hospital stay was 8.4 ± 2.5 days in the sevoflurane group and 7.4 ± 1.0 days in the propofol group (P = 0.077). Conclusions Propofol-remifentanil anesthesia resulted in lesser increases in syndecan-1 levels compared to increases with sevoflurane-remifentanil anesthesia in patients who underwent DIEP flap reconstruction. Our results suggest that propofol-remifentanil anesthesia shows protective effects against EG damage during DIEP flap breast reconstruction in contrast to sevoflurane-remifentanil anesthesia.

Purpose: Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a prognostic marker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We investigated the prognostic value of AFP levels in patients who achieved complete response (CR) to transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for HCC. Materials and Methods: Between 2005 and 2018, 890 patients with HCC who achieved a CR to TACE were recruited. An AFP responder was defined as a patient who showed elevated levels of AFP (>10 ng/mL) during TACE, but showed normalization or a >50% reduction in AFP levels after achieving a CR. Results: Among the recruited patients, 569 (63.9%) with naïve HCC and 321 (36.1%) with recurrent HCC after complete resection were treated. Before TACE, 305 (34.3%) patients had multiple tumors, 219 (24.6%) had a maximal tumor size >3 cm, and 22 (2.5%) had portal vein tumor thrombosis. The median AFP level after achieving a CR was 6.36 ng/mL. After a CR, 473 (53.1%) patients experienced recurrence, and 417 (46.9%) died [median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of 16.3 and 62.8 months, respectively]. High AFP levels at CR (>20 ng/mL) were independently associated with a shorter PFS [hazard ratio (HR)=1.403] and OS (HR=1.284), together with tumor multiplicity at TACE (HR=1.518 and 1.666, respectively). AFP non-responders at CR (76.2%, n=359 of 471) showed a shorter PFS (median 10.5 months vs. 15.5 months, HR=1.375) and OS (median 41.4 months vs. 61.8 months, HR=1.424) than AFP responders (all p=0.001). Conclusion High AFP levels and AFP non-responders were independently associated with poor outcomes after TACE. AFP holds clinical implications for detailed risk stratification upon achieving a CR after TACE.

Background: Children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and depression present with different clinical characteristics compared to those without other psychiatric comorbidities (i.e., ADHD alone). This study aimed to determine the differences in clinical characteristics, complaints, and referral routes between patients with ADHD with and without depression. Methods: The study included 1,231 children and adolescents in Korea. The demographic characteristics, referral routes, and chief complaints were identified and analyzed using the subjects’ electronic medical records of their first outpatient visit. Results: The mean age and proportion of female subjects with depression and ADHD (ADHD-D, n=120) were significantly higher than those of patients with ADHD alone (ADHD-O, n=1,111). Furthermore, referral requests by the caregiver (p=0.037) and patient (p=0.006) were significantly higher in the ADHD-D group. In contrast, referrals via schools (p=0.009) and other medical institutions (p<0.001) were significantly higher in the ADHD-O group. There were more complaints of depression, anxiety, mood dysregulation, suicidal ideation, and self-harm behaviors among the patients in the ADHD-D group. However, complaints of inattention were more common among the patients in the ADHD-O group compared to those in the ADHD-D group (p<0.001). Conclusion This study revealed several differences in the demographic characteristics, referral routes, and chief complaints of the patients and caregivers between patients with ADHD with and without coexisting depression. Further investigations using structured psychiatric diagnostic tools are warranted.

Objectives: Our study aimed to analyze the demographic and clinical characteristics of children and adolescents during their first visit to psychiatric outpatient departments for the management of suicidal ideation and behavior, and to compare the changes before and in 2012 or later. Methods: This multicenter study was conducted at five university hospitals in a metropolitan area in South Korea. Medical records of patients aged 6–18 years were retrospectively reviewed from January 2009 to December 2016. Patients were analyzed by classifying them into suicidal and non-suicidal groups based on their visit to the hospital for management of suicidal ideation or suicide attempt and other mental problems, respectively. Results: There were differences in the year of visit, diagnosis, education level, and referral sources between patients in the suicidal and non-suicidal groups. Multiple regression analysis was conducted based on the sex, education level, referral by school, and diagnosis of depression in patients in the suicidal group, which revealed significant association. Conclusion Suicide-related problems were significantly associated with the sex, education level, referral by school, and a diagnosis of depression in the patients. A well-connected referral system would be necessary for professional mental health management of high-risk children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the association between serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels and the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in a population based study. METHODS: This study included a total of 9,007 community-dwelling Koreans aged 50 years and over who were enrolled in the Dong-gu study from 2007 to 2010. Electrocardiograms were recorded from the subjects using the HP-PageWriter 200 M1771A. All potential cases of AF were determined by 2 cardiologists. PTH concentration was measured by a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between the quartiles of PTH and AF, adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: The prevalence of AF was 2.41% in males and 0.9% in females and increased with advanced age in both genders. The median and interquartile range (IQR) of serum PTH was 39.5 pg/mL (IQR, 30.6–50.8), which was significantly higher in patients with AF than in patients without AF (p < 0.001). The prevalence of AF increased with increasing PTH quartile (0.8%, 0.9%, 1.6%, and 2.8% in the lowest, second, third, and highest PTH quartiles, respectively; p < 0.001). Multivariable logistic analysis adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors showed the highest quartile of serum PTH levels was associated with a higher prevalence of AF than the lowest quartile (odds ratio, 3.34; 95% confidence interval, 1.93–5.78). CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of serum PTH were associated with higher prevalence of AF. Further studies are needed to determine whether this association is present in other populations and in a prospective study setting.
Atrial Fibrillation ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Parathyroid Hormone ; Prevalence ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The present study evaluated the results of skin prick test using 55 allergens at 20 centers in the Republic of Korea in 2006, 2010, and 2014–2015. The aim was to assess changes in the positive rate of allergens according to temporal, regional, and environmental factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 20 hospitals were selected based on the population distribution in the Republic of Korea. A skin prick test panel comprising 55 aeroallergens was distributed to 18 hospitals for this prospective study. The 2006 and 2010 skin prick test results were collected and analyzed retrospectively from 20 hospitals, while the 2014/2015 skin prick test results (from June 2014 to May 2015) were collected prospectively from 18 hospitals. RESULTS: A total of 14,897 SPT test results were analyzed: 4,319 in 2006, 7,431 in 2010, and 1,852 in 2014/2015. The overall rate of skin prick test positivity to more than two allergens was significantly higher in males than females. The positive rates of alder pollens and birch, oak and ragweed pollen positivity were increased in older patients. Several positive rates were increased according to the temperature in spring. The positive rates for beech pollen, birch pollen, hazel pollen, oak pollen, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, mugwort, cat, Acarus siro, Lepidoglyphus destructor and Tyrophagus putrescentiae were significantly increased, while those of Cult rye pollen and dandelion were significantly decreased over the three test periods. The overall positive rate for allergens in Jeju province varied significantly from Seoul and other cities. CONCLUSION: Change in the positive rate of multiple aeroallergens was evaluated in the Republic of Korea over time. Our findings can be used to recommend aeroallergens suitable for inclusion in skin prick test panels in the Republic of Korea and will facilitate further investigation of changes in the patterns of allergic diseases.
Allergens* ; Alnus ; Ambrosia ; Animals ; Artemisia ; Betula ; Cats ; Demography ; Fagus ; Female ; Humans ; Korea* ; Male ; Mites ; Pollen ; Prospective Studies ; Republic of Korea ; Retrospective Studies ; Secale ; Seoul ; Skin* ; Taraxacum

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the association between serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels and the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in a population based study. METHODS: This study included a total of 9,007 community-dwelling Koreans aged 50 years and over who were enrolled in the Dong-gu study from 2007 to 2010. Electrocardiograms were recorded from the subjects using the HP-PageWriter 200 M1771A. All potential cases of AF were determined by 2 cardiologists. PTH concentration was measured by a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between the quartiles of PTH and AF, adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: The prevalence of AF was 2.41% in males and 0.9% in females and increased with advanced age in both genders. The median and interquartile range (IQR) of serum PTH was 39.5 pg/mL (IQR, 30.6–50.8), which was significantly higher in patients with AF than in patients without AF (p < 0.001). The prevalence of AF increased with increasing PTH quartile (0.8%, 0.9%, 1.6%, and 2.8% in the lowest, second, third, and highest PTH quartiles, respectively; p < 0.001). Multivariable logistic analysis adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors showed the highest quartile of serum PTH levels was associated with a higher prevalence of AF than the lowest quartile (odds ratio, 3.34; 95% confidence interval, 1.93–5.78). CONCLUSIONS Higher levels of serum PTH were associated with higher prevalence of AF. Further studies are needed to determine whether this association is present in other populations and in a prospective study setting.

BACKGROUND: Spinal anesthesia for cesarean section is widely used technique for rapid induction, high success rate and excellent intraoperative and postoperative analgesia. Potentiating the effect of intrathecal local anesthetics by addition of opioid for cesarean section is well known. In this study, we compared the clinical effects when different doses of fentanyl were combined with intrathecal hyperbaric bupivacaine. METHODS: Ninety six healthy term parturients were randomly divided into four groups: Group C (control), : Group F10 (fentanyl 10 microg), : Group F15 (fentanyl 15 microg), F: Group F20 (fentanyl 20 microg). In every group, 0.5% heavy bupivacaine was added according to the adjusted dose regimen. We observed the maximal level of the sensory block and motor block, the quality of intraoperative analgesia, the duration of effective analgesia and the side effects. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between four groups in maximal level and recovery rate of sensory and motor block. Quality of intraopertive analgesia and muscle relaxation was increasing by increasing dosage of intrathecal opioids. Duration of effective analgesia was significantly prolonged in Group F15 and F20 than Group C and F10, but there were no differences between Group F15 and F20. And the frequencies of side effects such as hypotension, max sedation level were increasing by increasing dosage of intrathecal opioids. The Apgar scores were normal, and there were no differences between the four groups. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of fentanyl 15 microg for spinal anesthesia provides adequate intraoperative analgesia and good postoperative analgesia without significant adverse effects.
Analgesia ; Analgesics, Opioid ; Anesthesia, Spinal ; Anesthetics, Local ; Bupivacaine ; Cesarean Section ; Female ; Fentanyl ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Muscle Relaxation ; Pregnancy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Vasospastic angina (VA) is a specific type of coronary artery disease and develops as a result of coronary artery spasm. Recently, a few studies have revealed that VA caused by coronary artery spasm is related to genetic traits. The objective of this study was to use the recently developed technique of array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) to screen the genetic aberrations of VA. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: To identify candidate genes that might be causally involved in the pathogenesis of VA, genomic deoxyribonucleic acids were extracted from whole blood of 28 patients with VA who presented at Department of Cardiology at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Seoul, Korea. The copy number profiles of these patients was then analyzed using array CGH and reverse transcriptase (RT) quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Array CGH revealed gains in 31 different regions, with losses in the 4q35.2, 7q22.1, 10q26.3, 15q11.2, 16p13.11, 17p11.2 and 19q13.3 regions (more than 32% aberration in these regions). Several loci were found to be frequently including gains of 5p and 11q (50% of samples). The most common losses were found in 7q (54% of samples). Copy number aberrations in chromosomal regions were detected and corresponding genes were confirmed by RT quantitative PCR. The fold change levels were highest in the CTDP1 (18q23), HDAC10 (22q13.33), KCNQ1 (11p15.5-p15.4), NINJ2 (12p13.33), NOTCH2 (1p12-p11.2), PCSK6 (15q26.3), SDHA (5p15.33), and MUC17 (7q22.1) genes. CONCLUSION: Many candidate chromosomal regions that might be related to the pathogenesis of VA were detected by array CGH and should be systematically investigated to establish the causative and specific genes for VA.
Cardiology ; Coat Protein Complex I ; Comparative Genomic Hybridization ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Vessels ; DNA ; Humans ; Korea ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase ; Spasm

In order to study the treatment of aneurysms, the technique of making experimental aneurysms in laboratory animals must be established. In our study, to examine the feasibility of making experimental aneurysm and selective angiography on the common carotid artery in rabbits and to determine the size of experimental aneurysm after surgery, saccular aneurysms were fashioned on the right common carotid artery in 17 rabbits using a vein pouch technique. Selective angiography of the common carotid artery was performed immediately after surgery, and at 1 week, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after surgery. Also, histological changes in the aneurysms were observed. In 16 rabbits with established successful experimental aneurysm, no differences were found in diet intake and behavior before and after surgery. The patency of the carotid artery was confirmed by selective angiography. The average size of the aneurysm immediately after surgery was similar to that of 1 week postoperatively in selective angiography, however it increased with time at 4weeks and 8 weeks. Histologically, infiltration of inflammatory cells and hemorrhage were found at the junction of the carotid artery and the vein pouch at 1 week, which disappeared at 4 weeks and 8 weeks. This study suggests experimental saccular aneurysm using the vein pouch technique might form aneurysms similar to that of the human in its properties such as increment of size, and selective angiography might be suitable for assessment of experimental aneurysm. Therefore, this animal model may be suitable for investigating new treatment methodologies for human aneurysms.
Aneurysm ; Angiography ; Animals, Laboratory ; Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Artery, Common ; Diet ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Models, Animal ; Rabbits ; Veins