Background: Recently, microbiome research has been actively conducted for various skin areas. However, no study has yet compared the microbiome of bacteria and fungi in the ear canal of healthy individuals and patients with chronic otitis externa in Korea. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the difference in the distribution of fungal and bacterial microbial communities in ear canal samples of healthy individuals and patients with chronic otitis externa. Methods: In 24 patients with bilateral chronic otitis externa and 24 healthy controls, cotton swabs were used to obtain samples from the bilateral ear canal. To characterize the fungal and bacterial communities, we sequenced and analyzed the 16S rRNA V4–V5 and ITS1 regions using Quantitative Insights into Microbial Ecology 2, respectively. Results: The alpha diversity analysis for bacteria and fungi confirmed that both richness and evenness decreased in the patient group. The beta diversity analysis for bacteria confirmed that these parameters differed between the control and patient groups. The beta diversity analysis for fungi showed no difference between the groups. Conclusion We observed different skin microbiomes in the patients with chronic otitis externa compared with those in the healthy individuals.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to develop a formula guiding the peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) tip placement based on anatomical landmarks such as the upper arm, clavicle, and sternum as well as the patient’s height, weight, and body mass index. METHODS: Fifty-five patients who were scheduled to have PICCs were included in the study. We measured four distances along the passage of the PICC, which were as follows; the tip of the third finger to the middle of the elbow crease (Distance A), the middle of the elbow crease to the acromion process (Distance B), the acromion process to the sternal head of the clavicle (Distance C), and the sternal head of the clavicle to the end of the xiphoid process (Distance D). The lengths from the elbow creases to their carina bifurcations as determined by fluoroscopy during PICC insertions were recorded and used as reference. RESULTS: The formula for determining PICC depth based on the four distances was determined by regression analysis. The optimal formula was determined to be 25.3 + 0.5 × (Distance C) + 0.6 × (Distance D) which yielded an R2 value of 0.3. CONCLUSIONS: The formula proposed for proper depth of the adult, 25.0 + 0.5 × (clavicle length) + 0.6 × (sternum length) for PICC insertion can be used to place the tip at the carina bifurcation level. The distance from elbow crease to catheter insertion point should be added to the length generated by this formula.
Acromion ; Adult ; Anatomic Landmarks ; Arm ; Body Mass Index ; Catheterization, Peripheral ; Catheters* ; Clavicle ; Elbow ; Fingers ; Fluoroscopy ; Head ; Humans ; Regression Analysis ; Sternum

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic validity of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography (US) when predicting the extrathyroidal extension of papillary thyroid cancer. METHODS: All 2D data were interpreted in real time and 3D data were stored, rendered using tomographic ultrasound imaging (TUI), and then reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Extrathyroidal extension was present in 17 papillary thyroid cancers(24.3%) on pathology reports. The presence of contact was significantly associated with extrathyroidal extension on both 2D and 3D US (p = 0.007 and p = 0.003), and the sensitivity and specificity were not significantly different between 2D and 3D US (p = 1.000 and p = 0.754). The coexistence of protrusion and contact was not significantly associated with extrathyroidal extension on either 2D or 3D sonogram. CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional images rendered with TUI algorithms alone do not seem to be markedly superior to real-time 2D US in predicting the extrathyroidal extension of papillary thyroid cancer.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Algorithms ; Carcinoma/*diagnostic imaging/pathology ; Female ; Humans ; *Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; *Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Staging ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Neoplasms/*diagnostic imaging/pathology ; Ultrasonography/*methods ; Young Adult

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of plasma fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-21 with angiographically significant coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Serum FGF-21 was measured in 120 patients undergoing coronary angiography. Patients were divided into 4 groups based on the presence/absence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and of significant CAD. The atherosclerotic burden was obtained by two angiographic scores: Gensini score (GS) and Extent score (ES). FGF-21 levels were higher in type 2 diabetes mellitus than in non-diabetic patients (P = 0.014). FGF-21 levels were significantly correlated with GS (r = 0.358, P < 0.001) and ES (r = 0.324, P < 0.001) in univariate analysis with all patients. After adjusting for several confounding factors, both GS and ES were associated with FGF-21 in all patients (r = 0.271, P = 0.014; r = 0.217, P = 0.041, respectively). However, FGF-21 lost significant correlation with both GS and ES with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the final model. The patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and CAD feature had elevated FGF-21 levels. Despite of a limited role in diabetic patients, FGF-21 levels are independently associated with angiographic severity and extent of CAD.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease/complications/*diagnosis/pathology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications/*diagnosis ; Female ; Fibroblast Growth Factors/*blood ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Regression Analysis ; Severity of Illness Index ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether natural killer (NK) cell and autoimmune antibody acts synergistically, by the action of autoantibodies to increase NK cell number and cytotoxicity, to decrease uterine blood flow during early pregnancy in pregnant women with a history of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). METHODS: Seventy-five pregnant women (between 5 and 7 weeks gestation) with a history of unexplained RSA were included in the study group. Forty-one pregnant women without a history of RSA were included as controls. All women with a history of RSA were tested for autoantibodies and number of peripheral blood natural killer (pbNK) cell by flow cytometry. Study populations were stratified into four groups by existence of autoantibody and degree of increase of pbNK cells. The uterine radial artery resistance index (RI) was measured by color-pulsed Doppler transvaginal ultrasound. RESULTS: The mean RI of the autoimmune antibody-positive (AA+) group (0.63+/-0.09) was significantly higher than that of the normal control group (0.53+/-0.10, P=0.001). The mean RI of the AA+/only-NK elevated (eNK) group (0.63+/-0.09) was significantly higher than those of the only-AA+ group (0.55+/-0.07, P=0.019) and the only-eNK group (0.57+/-0.07, P=0.021). CONCLUSION: Concurrent elevation in NK cells and autoimmunity results in decreased uterine blood flow during early pregnancy. However, the majority of cases of RSA remain unexplained and larger scale studies are needed to confirm our conclusion and to develop diagnostic and therapeutic plans for women with a history of RSA.
Abortion, Spontaneous ; Autoantibodies ; Autoimmunity* ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural* ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnant Women ; Radial Artery ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Older patients show more aggressive features in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). However, data about clinicopathologic features of older patients in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) are limited. Presently, we investigated the difference of clinicopathologic features in PTMC according to age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 820 PTMC patients (82 males, 10%; 738 females, 90%) who underwent total thyroidectomy at Pusan National University Hospital were enrolled. The patients were divided into three age groups: group 1 (44 years or younger, n=230), group 2 (45-64 years, n=513), and group 3 (65 years or older, n=77). RESULTS: Extrathyroidal extension was 33% in group 1, 32.2% in group 2, and 31.2% in group 3 (p=0.948). There was no significant difference of lymph node metastasis between the groups: N0 (59.1% vs. 67.8% vs. 70.1%), N1a (37.4% vs. 28.8% vs. 26%), and N1b (3.5% vs. 3.3% vs. 3.9%) (p=0.159). Of the 820 patients, 526 (64.1%) were diagnosed as early stage (stage I, II) PTMC and 294 (35.9%) were diagnosed as advanced stage (stage III, IV) PTMC. The proportion of patients with each stage was significantly different between the groups (p<0.001). However, there was no significantly difference in the stage over 45 years old. Of the 820 patients, 517 were evaluated BRAF(V600E) mutation. There was no difference in prevalence between each group. CONCLUSION: There was no statistically significant difference of clinicopathologic features between the groups, indicating that old age itself was not associated with unfavorable clinicopathologic features in PTMC.
Aged ; Carcinoma ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Male ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prevalence ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Thyroidectomy

Pseudoachalasia secondary to primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the liver is extremely rare and has not been reported until now. Here, we report a unique case of primary SCC of the liver initially presenting with progressive dysphagia along with short periods of significant weight loss. A 58-year-old man initially presented with progressive dysphagia along with significant weight loss over brief periods of time. The radiographic and manometric findings were consistent with achalasia. Subsequent esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed a moderately dilated esophagus without evidence of neoplasm or organic obstruction. However, firm resistance was encountered while traversing the esophagogastric junction (EGJ), although no mucosal lesion was identified. Due to the clinical suspicion of the presence of a malignant tumor, endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and computed tomography scans of the chest and abdomen were obtained. A huge hepatic mass with irregular margins extending to the EGJ was found. EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration was performed, and the mass was diagnosed as a primary SCC of the liver by immunohistochemical staining.
Abdomen ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Deglutition Disorders ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Endosonography ; Esophageal Achalasia ; Esophagogastric Junction ; Esophagus ; Humans ; Liver ; Middle Aged ; Thorax ; Weight Loss

Endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage (ERBD) is useful for the palliative decompression of biliary obstruction. However, the complications of ERBD include cholangitis, hemorrhage, acute pancreatitis, obstruction of the stent, and duodenal perforation. Pressure necrosis on the duodenal mucosa by the stent may contribute to perforation. Although duodenal perforation following ERBD is very rare compared to other complications, it can result in a fatal outcome. Recent reports describe nonsurgical treatment for small gastrointestinal perforation with localized peritonitis and suggest that endoclipping may be appropriate in the management of a well selected group of patients with iatrogenic perforation. We describe a case of duodenal perforation secondary to ERBD that was successfully treated with approximating using endoclip and detachable snare.
Bile Ducts, Extrahepatic ; Biliary Tract Diseases/complications/surgery ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Drainage ; Duodenal Diseases/*diagnosis/etiology/therapy ; Female ; Gallbladder Neoplasms/diagnosis ; Humans ; Intestinal Perforation/*diagnosis/etiology/therapy ; Middle Aged ; Plastics ; Stents/*adverse effects ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: Various tumor antigens can be loaded onto dendritic cells (DCs) to induce a potent cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response in DC-based immunotherapy against breast cancer. However, in the clinical setting, obtaining a sufficient number of autologous tumor cells as a source of tumor antigens is a laborious process. We therefore investigated the feasibility of immunotherapy using breast-cancer-specific CTLs generated in vitro by use of alpha-type 1 polarized DCs (alpha DC1s) loaded with ultraviolet B-irradiated cells of the breast cancer cell line MCF-7. MATERIALS AND METHODS: alphaDC1s were induced by loading allogeneic tumor antigen generated from the MCF-7 UVB-irradiated breast cancer cell line. Antigen-pulsed alphaDC1s were evaluated by morphological and functional assays, and the breast-cancer-specific CTL response was analyzed by cytotoxic assay. RESULTS: The alphaDC1s significantly increased the expression of several molecules related to DC maturation without differences according to whether the alphaDC1s were loaded with tumor antigens. The alphaDC1s showed a high production of interleukin-12 both during maturation and after subsequent stimulation with CD40L, which was not significantly affected by loading with tumor antigens. Breast-cancer-specific CTLs against autologous breast cancer cells were successfully induced by alphaDC1s loaded with apoptotic MCF-7 cells. CONCLUSION: Autologous DCs loaded with an allogeneic breast cancer cell line can generate potent breast-cancer-specific CTL responses. This may be a practical method for cellular immunotherapy in patients with breast cancer.
Antigens, Neoplasm ; Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; CD40 Ligand ; Cell Line ; Dendritic Cells ; Humans ; Immunotherapy ; Interleukin-12 ; Lymphocytes ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic

Biliary papillomatosis is a rare disease with a high risk of recurrence and malignant transformation. Therapeutic options include partial hepatectomy, Whipple's procedure and liver transplantation. If there is no surgical option left due to several reasons, local palliative procedures such as biliary stenting and drainage for the treatment of cholestasis are considered, but tumor growth cannot be influenced. Photodynamic therapy might be a new additional, palliative option for patients with biliary papillomatosis who are not eligible for surgery. Benign biliary stricture is a rare complication of photodynamic therapy. We report here a case of a 63-year-old male who developed benign biliary stricture after photodynamic therapy using the photosensitizer photofrin.
Cholestasis ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Dihematoporphyrin Ether ; Drainage ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Liver Transplantation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Papilloma ; Photochemotherapy ; Rare Diseases ; Recurrence ; Stents