Purpose: This study aimed to compare the characteristics of venous thromboembolic disease (VTE) in Korean to Caucasian population. Materials and Methods: XALIA-LEA and XALIA were phase IV non-interventional prospective studies with identical designs that investigated the effect of rivaroxaban versus standard anticoagulation for VTE. Koreans accounted for the largest proportion of the overall enrolled population of XALIA-LEA. However, in the XALIA study, most patients were Caucasian. Therefore, Korean data from XALIA-LEA and Caucasian data from XALIA were used in this study. This study compared the clinical characteristics and primary outcomes of the XALIA program, including major bleeding, recurrent VTE, and all-cause mortality. Results: The Korean population was older, was less obese, and had more active cancer at baseline than the Caucasian population. Provoked VTE was more common in the Korean population. Interestingly, Koreans showed less accompanying thrombophilia than Caucasians, and factor V Leiden mutations were not detected. Korean analyses comparing the effects of rivaroxaban and standard anticoagulation with primary outcomes showed a lower incidence of major bleeding, recurrent VTE, and all-cause mortality with rivaroxaban. Similar results were obtained in the propensity score matching analysis. Conclusion Characteristic differences were found between Korean and Caucasian VTE patients. Despite these ethnic differences, the effectiveness and safety of rivaroxaban therapy in these patients were consistent.

PURPOSE: To investigate the measured values of the talus in Koreans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We measured 88 tali from 44 cadavers that have been donated between December 2012 and December 2015. Of the cadavers, 27 were male and 17 were female. Their mean age was 73 years. The length and width of the talus were measured using a digital goniometer and vernier caliper. RESULTS: The values of cadaveric measurement, mean maximal width and length, width and length of the dome anterior, width and length of the posterior facet, height and length of the trochlear medial facet, and height and length of the trochlear lateral facet were 43.6±2.6 mm, 56.5±3.3 mm, 32.5±2.0 mm, 42.2±2.7 mm, 22.2±2.2 mm, 34.7±2.0 mm, 15.3±1.3 mm, 33.3±2.9 mm, 25.3±3.3 mm, and 30.8±2.4 mm for men and 38.9±1.6 mm, 53.6±2.4 mm, 27.9±2.1 mm, 37.4±3.2 mm, 20.6±0.8 mm, 31.9±1.2 mm, 13.6±2.6 mm, 28.4±2.5mm, 24.9±2.1 mm, and 28.9µ1.4 mm for women, respectively. The size of the talus showed an accuracy of 86% when anteroposterior diameter was greater than 59 mm. A difference in the size of the right and left talus was not observed. The mean inclination and declination angles were 24.4°±4.2° and 28.2°±5.4° for men, and 24.6°±3.6° and 24.7°±6.7° for women (p=0.980, p=0.018), respectively, at least 15°, which showed a big difference for every object up to 37°. CONCLUSION: This paper, to the best of our knowledge, is the first study to measure the talus in Koreans. There were differences by gender and ethnicity in the in measured talus values. The measurements were smaller than European-Americans and greater than Japanese.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cadaver* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Talus*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of emergency variceal ligation for the prevention of rebleeding in cirrhotic patients who are found on initial endoscopy to have blood clots in the stomach but no actively bleeding esophageal and gastric varices or stigmata. METHODS: This study included 28 cirrhotic patients who underwent emergency prophylactic EVL and 41 who underwent an elective intervention between January 2009 and June 2014. Clinical outcomes were analyzed, including the rebleeding, 6-week mortality, and rebleeding-free survival rates. RESULTS: The rebleeding rate was higher in the emergency than in the elective group (28.6% vs. 7.3%, P=0.041). Multivariate analysis showed that emergency prophylactic EVL (odds ratio [OR] = 7.4, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.634.8, P=0.012) and Child-Pugh score C (OR=10.6, 95% CI=1.4-80.8, P=0.022) were associated with rebleeding. In the emergency group, the gastric varices were associated with rebleeding (OR=12.0, 95% CI=1.7-83.5, P=0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Emergency EVL may be associated with variceal rebleeding when blood clots are present in the stomach without active esophageal and gastric variceal bleeding or stigmata. Elective intervention should be considered as a safer strategy for preventing variceal rebleeding in this situation.
Aged ; Emergency Medical Services ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices/complications/*diagnosis ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/mortality/*prevention & control ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Liver Cirrhosis/complications/*diagnosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Odds Ratio ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors ; Severity of Illness Index ; Stomach/pathology ; Survival Rate ; Thrombosis

The bone is a common site for metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, bone marrow metastasis from HCC is rarely reported, and its frequency is unclear. Here we report a rare case of bone marrow metastasis that presented as bicytopenia originating from HCC without bone metastasis. A 58-year-old man was admitted for investigation of a liver mass with extensive lymph node enlargement that was detected when examining his general weakness and weight loss. Laboratory findings revealed anemia, thrombocytopenia, mild elevated liver enzymes, normal prothrombin time percentage and high levels of tumor markers (α-fetoprotein and des-γ-carboxyprothrombin). Abdominal computed tomography showed multiple enhanced masses in the liver and multiple enlarged lymph nodes in the abdomen. A bone marrow biopsy revealed only a few normal hematopoietic cells and abundant tumor cells. Despite its rarity, bone marrow metastasis should always be suspected in HCC patients even if accompanied by cirrhosis.
Biomarkers/analysis ; Bone Marrow/*pathology ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/*diagnosis ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/*diagnosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography ; Protein Precursors/analysis ; Prothrombin/analysis ; Thrombocytopenia/diagnosis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; alpha-Fetoproteins/analysis

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to report findings of exploratory arthroscopic assessment performed in conjunction with removal of internal fixation device placed in the initial surgery for rotational ankle fracture. METHODS: A total of 53 patients (33 male, 20 female) who underwent surgery for rotational ankle fracture between November 2002 and February 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients gave consent to the exploratory arthroscopic surgery for the removal of internal fixation devices placed in the initial surgery. Lauge-Hansen classification system of ankle fractures was assessed for all patients. Intra-articular lesions (osteochondral lesion, loose body, and fibrosis) were evaluated via ankle arthroscopy. Comparative analysis was then performed between radiological classification of ankle fracture/patient's symptoms and arthroscopic findings. RESULTS: Lauge-Hansen classification system of ankle fractures included supination-external rotation type (n = 35), pronation-external rotation type (n = 9), and pronation-abduction type (n = 9). A total of 33 patients exhibited symptoms of pain or discomfort while walking whereas 20 exhibited no symptoms. Arthroscopic findings included abnormal findings around the syndesmosis area (n = 35), intra-articular fibrosis (n = 51), osteochondral lesions of the talus (n = 33), loose bodies (n = 6), synovitis (n = 13), and anterior bony impingement syndrome (n = 3). Intra-articular fibrosis was seen in 31 of symptomatic patients (93.9%). Pain or discomfort with activity caused by soft tissue impingement with meniscus-like intra-articular fibrosis were found in 19 patients. There was statistical significance (p = 0.02) between symptoms (pain and discomfort) and the findings of meniscus-like fibrosis compared to the group without any symptom. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic examination combined with treatment of intra-articular fibrosis arising from ankle fracture surgery may help improve surgical outcomes.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Ankle/*pathology/radiography/*surgery ; Ankle Fractures/*pathology/radiography/*surgery ; Arthralgia ; Arthroscopy/*methods ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: The purpose of this animal study was to perform a histological and histomorphometric analysis in order to elucidate the effect of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) on injured periodontal ligament (PDL) and cementum after tooth replantation in dogs. METHODS: The roots of 36 mandibular premolars from six mongrel dogs were used in this study. The roots were randomly divided into three groups: (1) a positive control group (n=12), in which the PDL was retained; (2) a negative control group (n=12), in which the PDL and the cementum between the notches were removed; and (3) an experimental group (n=12), in which the PDL and the cementum between the notches were removed and the roots were soaked in an FGF-2 solution (30 microg/0.1 mL). After treating the root surfaces, the extracted roots were replanted into extraction sockets. The animals were sacrificed four and eight weeks after surgery for histologic and histomorphometric evaluation. RESULTS: At four and eight weeks, normal PDLs covered the roots in the positive control group. In the negative control group, most replanted roots showed signs of replacement resorption. In the experimental group, new PDL-like tissue and cementum-like tissue were observed to partially occupy the region between the root surfaces and the newly formed bone. Histomorphometric analysis showed that the mean length of the newly formed cementum-like tissue on the roots treated with FGF-2 was significantly greater than that of the tissue on the roots in the negative control group (four weeks, P=0.008; eight weeks, P=0.042). However, no significant differences were observed between the roots treated with FGF-2 and the negative control roots with respect to newly formed PDL-like tissue. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that use of FGF-2 on injured root surfaces promotes cementogenesis after tooth replacement in dogs.
Animals ; Bicuspid ; Cementogenesis ; Dental Cementum* ; Dogs* ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; Fibroblast Growth Factors* ; Periodontal Ligament* ; Periodontium ; Regeneration ; Tooth ; Tooth Replantation*

We report on an unusual case with infiltrating extradural spinal angiolipoma. Most spinal angiolipomas involve the thoracic spine and infiltrating ones are also located mainly at the thoracic levels rather than lumbar lesion. In particular, there are few cases of lumbar extradural infiltrating type spinal angiolipoma. One case is that of a 52-year-old female with infiltrating extradural spinal angiolipoma involving lumbar 4 (L4) vertebra, who underwent a L4-5 laminectomy and surgical removal of the tumor. We achieved satisfactory results with surgical treatment of the patient. Spinal angiolipoma has a benign course with a good postoperative outcome.
Angiolipoma* ; Female ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; Middle Aged ; Spine*

PURPOSE: The deleted in bladder cancer 1 (DBC1) gene is located within chromosome 9 (9q32-33), a chromosomal region that frequently shows loss of heterozygosity in bladder cancer (BC). It is suspected that it acts as a tumor suppressor gene, but its prognostic value remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the value of DBC1 as a prognostic marker in BC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression of DBC1 was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis in 344 patients with BC (220 non-muscle-invasive BC [NMIBC] and 124 muscle-invasive BC [MIBC]) and in 34 patients with normal bladder mucosa. The results were compared with clinicopathologic parameters, and the prognostic value of DBC1 was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analysis and a multivariate Cox regression model. RESULTS: DBC1 expression was significantly decreased in patients with MIBC compared with those diagnosed with NMIBC (p=0.010). Patients with aggressive tumor characteristics had lower DBC1 expression levels in NMIBC (each, p<0.05). By multivariate Cox regression analysis, low DBC1 expression was a predictor of progression to MIBC (hazard ratio, 7.104; p=0.013). Kaplan-Meier estimates revealed a significant difference in tumor recurrence, progression to MIBC, and cancer-specific survival depending on the level of DBC1 expression in NMIBC (log-rank test, each, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The expression of DBC1 was associated with tumor aggressiveness, progression to MIBC, and survival in NMIBC. Our results suggest that DBC1 expression can be a useful prognostic marker for patients with NMIBC.
Chromosomes, Human, Pair 9 ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Loss of Heterozygosity ; Mucous Membrane ; Prognosis ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Recurrence ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to characterize the osseointegration of the fibronectin-coated implant surface. METHODS: Sand-blasted, large-grit, acid-etched (SLA) surface implants, with or without a thin calcium phosphate and fibronectin coating, were placed in edentulous mandibles of dogs 8 weeks after extraction. All dogs were sacrificed forhistological and histomorphometric evaluation after 4- and 8-week healing periods. RESULTS: All types of implants were clinically stable without any mobility. Although the bone-to-implant contact and bone density of the SLA implants coated with calcium phosphate (CaP)/fibronectin were lower than the uncoated SLA implants, there were no significant differences between the uncoated SLA surface group and the SLA surface coated with CaP/fibronectin group. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limits of this study, SLA surfaces coated with CaP/fibronectin were shown to have comparable bone-to-implant contact and bone density to uncoated SLA surfaces.
Animals ; Bone Density ; Calcium ; Calcium Phosphates ; Coated Materials, Biocompatible ; Dental Implants ; Dogs ; Fibronectins ; Mandible ; Osseointegration

PURPOSE: Enterovirus 71, one of the enteroviruses that are responsible for both hand-foot-and-mouth disease and herpangina, can cause neural injury. During periods of endemic spread of hand-foot-andmouth disease caused by enterovirus 71, CNS infections are also frequently diagnosed and may lead to increased complications from neural injury, as well as death. We present the results of our epidemiologic research on the clinical manifestations of children with CNS infections caused by enterovirus 71. METHODS: The study group consisted of 42 patients admitted for CNS infection by enterovirus 71 between April 2009 and October 2009 at the Department of Pediatrics of 5 major hospitals affiliated with the Catholic University of Korea. We retrospectively reviewed initial symptoms and laboratory findings on admission, the specimen from which enterovirus 71 was isolated, fever duration, admission period, treatment and progress, and complications. We compared aseptic meningitis patients with encephalitis patients. RESULTS: Of the 42 patients (23 men, 19 women), hand-foot-and-mouth disease was most prevalent (n=39), followed by herpangina (n=3), upon initial clinical diagnosis. Among the 42 patients, 15 (35.7%) were classified as severe, while 27 (64.3%) were classified as mild. Factors such as age, fever duration, presence of seizure, and use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) were statistically different between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that patients with severe infection caused by enterovirus 71 tended to be less than 3 years old, presented with at least 3 days of fever as well as seizure activity, and received IVIG treatment.
Central Nervous System Infections ; Child ; Encephalitis ; Enterovirus ; Fever ; Herpangina ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous ; Korea ; Male ; Meningitis, Aseptic ; Pediatrics ; Retrospective Studies ; Seizures