Background: and Purpose Accurate classification of ischemic stroke subtype is important for effective secondary prevention of stroke. We used diffusion-weighted image (DWI) and atrial fibrillation (AF) data to train a deep learning algorithm to classify stroke subtype. Methods: Model development was done in 2,988 patients with ischemic stroke from three centers by using U-net for infarct segmentation and EfficientNetV2 for subtype classification. Experienced neurologists (n=5) determined subtypes for external test datasets, while establishing a consensus for clinical trial datasets. Automatically segmented infarcts were fed into the model (DWI-only algorithm). Subsequently, another model was trained, with AF included as a categorical variable (DWI+AF algorithm). These models were tested: (1) internally against the opinion of the labeling experts, (2) against fresh external DWI data, and (3) against clinical trial dataset. Results: In the training-and-validation datasets, the mean (±standard deviation) age was 68.0±12.5 (61.1% male). In internal testing, compared with the experts, the DWI-only and the DWI+AF algorithms respectively achieved moderate (65.3%) and near-strong (79.1%) agreement. In external testing, both algorithms again showed good agreements (59.3%–60.7% and 73.7%–74.0%, respectively). In the clinical trial dataset, compared with the expert consensus, percentage agreements and Cohen’s kappa were respectively 58.1% and 0.34 for the DWI-only vs. 72.9% and 0.57 for the DWI+AF algorithms. The corresponding values between experts were comparable (76.0% and 0.61) to the DWI+AF algorithm. Conclusion Our model trained on a large dataset of DWI (both with or without AF information) was able to classify ischemic stroke subtypes comparable to a consensus of stroke experts.

Background: and Purpose: Blood pressure (BP) control is strongly recommended, but BP control rate has not been well studied in patients with stroke. We evaluated the BP control rate with fimasartan-based antihypertensive therapy initiated in patients with recent cerebral ischemia. Methods: This multicenter, prospective, single-arm trial involved 27 centers in South Korea. Key inclusion criteria were recent cerebral ischemia within 90 days and high BP [systolic blood pressure (SBP) >140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) >90 mm Hg]. BP lowering was initiated with fimasartan. BP management during the follow-up was at the discretion of the responsible investigators. The primary endpoint was the target BP goal achievement rate (<140/90 mm Hg) at 24 weeks. Key secondary endpoints included achieved BP and BP changes at each visit, and clinical events (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03231293). Results: Of 1,035 patients enrolled, 1,026 were included in the safety analysis, and 951 in the efficacy analysis. Their mean age was 64.1 years, 33% were female, the median time interval from onset to enrollment was 10 days, and the baseline SBP and DBP were 162.3±16.0 and 92.2±12.4 mm Hg (mean±SD). During the study period, 55.5% of patients were maintained on fimasartan monotherapy, and 44.5% received antihypertensive therapies other than fimasartan monotherapy at at least one visit. The target BP goal achievement rate at 24-week was 67.3% (48.6% at 4-week and 61.4% at 12-week). The mean BP was 139.0/81.8±18.3/11.7, 133.8/79.2±16.4/11.0, and 132.8/78.5±15.6/10.9 mm Hg at 4-, 12-, and 24-week. The treatment-emergent adverse event rate was 5.4%, including one serious adverse event. Conclusions Fimasartan-based BP lowering achieved the target BP in two-thirds of patients at 24 weeks, and was generally well tolerated.

Background: and Purpose: Blood pressure (BP) control is strongly recommended, but BP control rate has not been well studied in patients with stroke. We evaluated the BP control rate with fimasartan-based antihypertensive therapy initiated in patients with recent cerebral ischemia. Methods: This multicenter, prospective, single-arm trial involved 27 centers in South Korea. Key inclusion criteria were recent cerebral ischemia within 90 days and high BP [systolic blood pressure (SBP) >140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) >90 mm Hg]. BP lowering was initiated with fimasartan. BP management during the follow-up was at the discretion of the responsible investigators. The primary endpoint was the target BP goal achievement rate (<140/90 mm Hg) at 24 weeks. Key secondary endpoints included achieved BP and BP changes at each visit, and clinical events (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03231293). Results: Of 1,035 patients enrolled, 1,026 were included in the safety analysis, and 951 in the efficacy analysis. Their mean age was 64.1 years, 33% were female, the median time interval from onset to enrollment was 10 days, and the baseline SBP and DBP were 162.3±16.0 and 92.2±12.4 mm Hg (mean±SD). During the study period, 55.5% of patients were maintained on fimasartan monotherapy, and 44.5% received antihypertensive therapies other than fimasartan monotherapy at at least one visit. The target BP goal achievement rate at 24-week was 67.3% (48.6% at 4-week and 61.4% at 12-week). The mean BP was 139.0/81.8±18.3/11.7, 133.8/79.2±16.4/11.0, and 132.8/78.5±15.6/10.9 mm Hg at 4-, 12-, and 24-week. The treatment-emergent adverse event rate was 5.4%, including one serious adverse event. Conclusions Fimasartan-based BP lowering achieved the target BP in two-thirds of patients at 24 weeks, and was generally well tolerated.

PURPOSE: To compare biopsy performance of 2 approaches for multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guided biopsy and transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided biopsy with 2nd and 3rd repeat biopsy patients in prostate cancer detection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed 2,868 patients who was performed prostate biopsy between September 2013 to March 2017 at Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea with TRUS-guided random biopsy and MRI fusion, MRI cognitive, and MRI-guided biopsy as 2nd and 3rd repeat biopsy and propensity matching was applied to reduce bias. Detection rate of each study was compared with 1:1 matching. RESULTS: Among 265 patients who performed TRUS 2nd biopsy, positivity rate for prostate cancer (PCa) was 18.49% (n=49/265) while 54.72% (n=145/265) for MRI-guided biopsy. In 3rd biopsy, positivity rate for PCa of TRUS biopsy was 17.74% (n=11/62) while 56.45% (n=35/62) for MRI guided biopsy. There was no significant difference in the detection rate for the patient with Gleason score 8 or more. CONCLUSIONS: MRI-guided biopsy was associated with a higher detection rate of prostate cancer with especially in patients with prior negative biopsy.
Bias (Epidemiology) ; Biopsy ; Cohort Studies ; Humans ; Korea ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neoplasm Grading ; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis ; Propensity Score ; Prostate ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Retrospective Studies ; Seoul ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hearing outcomes and prognostic factors of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) were investigated in patients who underwent combined intratympanic and systemic steroid therapy. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: This study was performed by retrospective chart review. Clinical outcomes and prognostic factors were evaluated in 147 patients who received intratympanic steroid plus systemic steroid therapy. RESULTS: Complete hearing recovery was achieved in 36.7% (n=54) of the patients, partial recovery in 12.9% (n=19), slight recovery in 12.3% (n=18), and total recovery in 61.9% (n=91). Age was identified as an independent, negative prognostic factor for hearing recovery. The recovery rates of the down sloping and profound types were poorer than those of the up sloping type as determined by audiography. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the combined treatment of intratympanic and systemic steroids for idiopathic SSNHL results in high hearing recovery rates, and that the down-sloping and profound types of audiogram patterns and age are negative prognostic factors.
Ear, Middle ; Hearing Loss ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural* ; Hearing* ; Humans ; Methods ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Steroids

Classical swine fever (CSF), a highly contagious disease that affects domestic pigs and wild boar, has serious economic implications. The present study examined the virulence and transmission of CSF virus strain YC11WB (isolated from a wild boar in 2011) in breeding wild boar. Virulence of strain YC11WB in domestic pigs was also examined. Based on the severe clinical signs and high mortality observed among breeding wild boar, the pathogenicity of strain YC11WB resembled that of typical acute CSF. Surprisingly, in contrast to strain SW03 (isolated from breeding pigs in 2003), strain YC11WB showed both acute and strong virulence in breeding pigs. None of three specific monoclonal antibodies (7F2, 7F83, and 6F65) raised against the B/C domain of the SW03 E2 protein bound to the B/C domain of strain YC11WB due to amino acid mutations (⁷²⁰K→R and ⁷²³N→S) in the YC11WB E2 protein. Although strains YC11WB and SW03 belong to subgroup 2.1b, they had different mortality rates in breeding pigs. Thus, if breeding pigs have not developed protective immunity against CSF virus, they may be susceptible to strain YC11WB transmitted by wild boar, resulting in severe economic losses for the pig industry.
Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Breeding ; Classical swine fever virus* ; Classical Swine Fever* ; Mortality ; Sus scrofa* ; Swine ; Virulence

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of sildenafil citrate in men with erectile dysfunction, who had been taking antihypertensive agents, and to provide supportive scientific data, which can be used as a reference when prescribing sildenafil citrate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 198 male subjects, aged 20 years or older, between September 2002 and June 2003, were enrolled. The subjects were comprised of those patients with arterial hypertension, taking one or more antihypertensive agents, and who had been diagnosed with erectile dysfunction of more than 3 months duration. This study was conducted for 10 weeks as an open-label, multi-center and flexible dose clinical study, with a 2-week screening period and 8-week treatment phase. At all visits, the heart pressure and heart rate were measured, with any concomitant medications and adverse events recorded for each subject. Subjects were asked to complete the Event Log Worksheets, questionnaires of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and the Global Efficacy Assessment Question (GEAQ) during the study period. RESULTS: 167 subjects completed this study. The average age and duration of erectile dysfunction were 55.8 (31.7 to 77.1) years old and 3.3 years, respectively. The scores for questions 3 and 4 of IIEF improved from 2.3 and 1.8 at baseline, to 3.7 and 3.4 at week 4 and to 3.8 and 3.4 at week 8, respectively. 86.3 and 88.3% of patients answered that they had an improved erectile function and ability to have sexual intercourse, respectively, by week 8. There were no significant differences in responses to questions 3 and 4 of the IIEF and GEAQ in relation to the number of antihypertensive agents taken. The adverse events experienced during the study were facial flushing (20.1%), headache (11.7%), palpitation (5.0%), rhinitis (2.8%), URI (2.8%), dizziness (2.2%), chest pain (2.2%) and nausea (1.7%). Only 4 patients discontinued treatment due to adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of this study, sildenafil citrate was concluded to not only be effective at improving erections, but was also well tolerated and safe in the treatment of men with erectile dysfunction who were also taking multiple antihypertensive agents for arterial hypertension.
Antihypertensive Agents ; Chest Pain ; Citric Acid ; Coitus ; Dizziness ; Erectile Dysfunction* ; Flushing ; Headache ; Heart ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Male* ; Mass Screening ; Nausea ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Rhinitis ; Sildenafil Citrate

OBJECTIVE: To compare COH characteristics and IVF outcomes among IVF-ET patients who were treated with various therapeutic modalities for ovarian endometriomas and to propose effective pre-cyclic therapeutic modalities to improve IVF-ET outcomes in the patients with ovarian endometriomas. METHODS: All cases that had undergone IVF-ET after laparoscopy between January 1997 to August 2003 were reviewed. Forty-eight patients with tubal factor were assigned to Group I. Twenty seven, 22 and 38 patients diagnosed as severe pelvic adhesion with ovarian endometriomas by laparoscopy received only medical therapy (Group II), cyst aspiration (Group III), and sclerotherapy (Group IV), respectively. Laparoscopic cystectomy was performed in 20 patients (Group V). Resistance index was measured on day administering hCG. RESULTS: As compared with Group I, in Group II resistance index increased (p<0.05) but number of oocytes, good-quality oocyte ratio (mature and intermediate oocytes/total retrieval oocytes), fertilization rate, and embryo development rate decreased (p<0.05). In Group III fertilization rate and embryo development rate decreased (p<0.05). There was no difference between Group IV and Group I in all parameters except basal FSH which increased (p<0.05). In Group V basal FSH, and resistance increased (p<0.05) and number of oocytes and good-quality oocytes ratio decreased (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Sclerotherapy is an effective therapeutic option which can be done prior to IVF-ET cycles in the patients with ovarian endometriomas. Further studies on a large scale are necessary to confirm these data.
Cystectomy ; Embryonic Development ; Endometriosis* ; Female ; Fertilization ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Oocytes ; Pregnancy ; Sclerotherapy

OBJECTIVE: To identify genital HPV types and high risk group of HPV associated with cervical cancer in Korean women. METHODS: Both Pap test and HPV-DNA test using PCR assay were performed as screening test for cervical cancer in this clinic. When patients were positive in HPV-DNA test, HPV genotyping using sequencing method and cervical biopsy were performed. RESULTS: Frequent age group of HPV infection was 40 yrs (34.3%) and prevalence of HPV infection was 9.8%. Twenty-three types of HPV were detected. HPV 16 and 58 were detected in invasive cancer. HPV 16, 31, 33, 45, and 58 were detected in HSIL. HPV 6, 11, 18, 53, 59, and 66 were detected in LSIL. HPV 16 was most commonly detected in HSIL and invasive cancer. CONCLUSION: HPV 16, 31, 33, 45, and 58 are included in high risk group of HPV in Korean women. It may be very effective in early detection of cervical cancer to classify HPV types included in high risk group of cervical cancer in Korean women and to perform cervical biopsy in the patients who have high risk types of HPV infection.
Biopsy ; Female ; Human papillomavirus 16 ; Human papillomavirus 6 ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms*

OBJECTIVE: To identify genital HPV types and high risk group of HPV associated with cervical cancer in Korean women. METHODS: Both Pap test and HPV-DNA test using PCR assay were performed as screening test for cervical cancer in this clinic. When patients were positive in HPV-DNA test, HPV genotyping using sequencing method and cervical biopsy were performed. RESULTS: Frequent age group of HPV infection was 40 yrs (34.3%) and prevalence of HPV infection was 9.8%. Twenty-three types of HPV were detected. HPV 16 and 58 were detected in invasive cancer. HPV 16, 31, 33, 45, and 58 were detected in HSIL. HPV 6, 11, 18, 53, 59, and 66 were detected in LSIL. HPV 16 was most commonly detected in HSIL and invasive cancer. CONCLUSION: HPV 16, 31, 33, 45, and 58 are included in high risk group of HPV in Korean women. It may be very effective in early detection of cervical cancer to classify HPV types included in high risk group of cervical cancer in Korean women and to perform cervical biopsy in the patients who have high risk types of HPV infection.
Biopsy ; Female ; Human papillomavirus 16 ; Human papillomavirus 6 ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms*