Background: s: The severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread worldwide. Cardiac injury after SARS-CoV-2 infection is a major concern. The present study investigated impact of the biomarkers indicating cardiac injury in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on patients' outcomes. Methods: This study enrolled patients who were confirmed to have COVID-19 and admitted at a tertiary university referral hospital between February 19, 2020 and March 15, 2020. Cardiac injury was defined as an abnormality in one of the following result markers: 1) myocardial damage marker (creatine kinase-MB or troponin-I), 2) heart failure marker (N-terminal-pro B-type natriuretic peptide), and 3) electrical abnormality marker (electrocardiography). The relationship between each cardiac injury marker and mortality was evaluated. Survival analysis of mortality according to the scoring by numbers of cardiac injury markers was also performed. Results: A total of 38 patients with COVID-19 were enrolled. Twenty-two patients (57.9%) had at least one of cardiac injury markers. The patients with cardiac injuries were older (69.6 ± 14.9 vs. 58.6 ± 13.9 years old, P = 0.026), and were more male (59.1% vs. 18.8%, P = 0.013).They showed lower initial oxygen saturation (92.8 vs. 97.1%, P = 0.002) and a trend toward higher mortality (27.3 vs. 6.3%, P = 0.099). The increased number of cardiac injury markers was significantly related to a higher incidence of in-hospital mortality which was also evidenced by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis (P = 0.008). Conclusion The increased number of cardiac injury markers is related to in-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in expressions of neuregulin (NRG)1 and erbB2 tyrosine kinase (ErbB2) in bladders of rats with cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced interstitial cystitis (IC). METHODS: Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the IC group (n=16) and the control group (n=8). After inducing IC with intraperitoneal CYP injection, expressions of NRG1 and ErbB2 were analyzed using western blotting and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: In Western blotting, relative intensities and distributions of both NRG1 and ErbB2 were approximately 1.5- and 3.2-fold higher, respectively, in the IC group than in the control group (mean+/-standard deviation: 1.42+/-0.09 vs. 0.93+/-0.15 and 0.93+/-0.16 vs. 0.29+/-0.08, P<0.05). In the rat bladder samples, mRNA expression levels of NRG1 and ErbB2 were higher in the IC group than in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study has demonstrated significant changes in mRNA expression and immunoreactivity of NRG1 and ErbB2 receptors in the urinary bladder after CYP-induced IC. These results suggest that the up-regulated NRG1 may play a role in inducing an overactive bladder and promoting regeneration in the inflammatory bladder with CYP-induced IC.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cyclophosphamide ; Cystitis, Interstitial* ; Neuregulin-1* ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases* ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, erbB-2 ; Regeneration ; RNA, Messenger ; Tyrosine* ; Urinary Bladder* ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive

PURPOSE: We have performed both open partial nephrectomy (OPN) and laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation (RFA) on selected patients since January 2007 and have been following these patients through serial laboratory assessments and computed tomography (CT). The purpose of the present study was to evaluate long-term oncologic outcomes and renal function status for laparoscopic RFA versus OPN at a minimum follow-up of 3 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 55 patients with exophytic, single small renal masses were treated with either OPN (n=14) or laparoscopic RFA (n=41) by a single surgeon. The indications for laparoscopic RFA were as follows: 1) cases with the greatest dimension of the renal mass <3 cm, and 2) cases in which the collecting system, renal calyx, and great vessels were free from the tumor margins by 1 cm. RESULTS: The estimated blood loss (EBL), the operation time, and the mean number of hospital days was significantly lower in the laparoscopic RFA group than in the OPN group. Oncologic data did not differ significantly between the two groups. Creatine clearance levels did not differ significantly compared with those before the operation in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest excellent therapeutic outcomes with laparoscopic RFA with achievement of effective operative times, hospital stays, and EBL compared with OPN. According to our indications for laparoscopic RFA, laparoscopic RFA is an effective minimally invasive therapy for the treatment of small renal masses, yielding oncologic outcomes and renal function equivalent to those of OPN.
Catheter Ablation ; Creatine ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; Length of Stay ; Nephrectomy ; Operative Time

There have been no long-term complications or life-threatening adverse effects related to botulinum toxin treatment for any cosmetic indications. Nevertheless, there are well-known, mild side effects of botulinum toxin treatment on the upper face, though most of them are self limited with time. However, excluding brow ptosis, reports about site specific side effects are few and anecdotal. We experienced cases of exaggeration of wrinkles after botulinum toxin injection for forehead horizontal lines, and report them here. In our cases, new appearance of a noticeable glabellar protrusion following botulinum toxin injection on the forehead was observed in 2 patients. Also, a new deep wrinkle on one side of the forehead just above the eyebrow appeared in another 2 patients. The exaggerated wrinkles nearly disappeared without treatment by week 4 in all subjects. These exaggerations of wrinkles may be caused by hyperactivity and overcompensation of untreated muscles. With the increasing availability of diverse botulinum toxin for cosmetic purposes, physicians and patients should be aware of this temporary change after therapeutic injections. We recommend explaining this possible effect prior to injection, for better understanding of treatment for cosmetic indications.
Botulinum Toxins ; Cosmetics ; Eyebrows ; Forehead ; Humans ; Muscles

Lack of hygiene and puerperal mastitis are common causes of bacterial diseases in nursing neonates. The aim of this study was to isolate microorganisms from milk samples of healthy female Jindo dogs with suckling puppies and to investigate antimicrobial susceptibility against the isolated bacteria. Milk samples were collected from 120 udders of 12 lactating Jindo dogs that were 2~4 years old without any clinical diseases including mastitis. Bacteria were isolated from 64 milk samples (53.3%), either singly (76.6%) or in combination (23.4%). Staphylococcus (S.) spp. was the most common microorganisms (74.7%) isolated from canine milk, followed by Haemophillus spp. (10.9%), Streptococcus spp. (9.6%), Gardnerella spp. (2.4%) and Moraxella spp. (2.4%). The most frequently isolated organism was S. warneri (31.3%). Antimicrobial susceptibility of these bacteria was tested with 17 antimicrobial agents by Kirbyand Bauer standardized disc diffusion method. Results indicated that bacteria isolated from healthy canine milk were mostly susceptible to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, cephalothin and ceftiofur, but were resistant to erythromycin, neomycin and tetracycline.
Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination ; Animals ; Anti-Infective Agents ; Bacteria ; Cephalosporins ; Cephalothin ; Diffusion ; Dogs ; Erythromycin ; Female ; Gardnerella ; Humans ; Hygiene ; Infant, Newborn ; Mammary Glands, Animal ; Mastitis ; Milk ; Moraxella ; Neomycin ; Staphylococcus ; Streptococcus ; Tetracycline

We present two cases of symptomatic lower pole moiety ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) in a partially duplicated collecting system that were successfully treated with minimally invasive endourologic procedures. In the first case, we performed retrograde endopyelotomy with the Acucise(R) ureteral cutting balloon device, and in the latter case, we performed percutaneous nephrolithotomy and antegrade endopyelotomy because of the presence of multiple renal stones. Subsequent intravenous pyelography confirmed marked resolution of the obstruction, and both patients remained asymptomatic during 1 year of follow-up.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Nephrolithiasis ; Nephrostomy, Percutaneous ; Surgical Procedures, Minimally Invasive ; Ureter ; Urography

PURPOSE: The transobturator adjustable tape (TOA) sling operation is a new procedure that allows for the adjustment of tension after surgical intervention, thus permitting correction of postoperative incontinence or obstruction. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of TOA with that of the transobturator tape (TOT) procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2008 and 2009, women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) underwent TOT (n=63) or TOA (n=40). The preoperative evaluation included history taking, physical examination, voiding diary, stress and 1-hour pad tests, and a comprehensive urodynamic examination. Postoperative evaluation was performed at the 1-week and 3-month postoperative follow-up visits. RESULTS: The overall cure rate was 90.0% for the TOA group and 85.7% for the TOT group. The rate of satisfaction was higher in the TOA group than in the TOT group (95.0% vs. 85.6%). Four patients in the TOA group needed reduced tension as the result of urinary obstruction. The tension of the mesh was tightened in 1 patient because of a certain degree of continuing incontinence. The residual urine volume was significantly lower in the TOA group than in the TOT group (7.8 ml vs. 43 ml, p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: TOA allowed postoperative readjustment for a number of days after surgical intervention, which allowed for good short-term treatment outcomes. These data suggest that better subjective and objective results and residual urine volume can be obtained in the TOA group than those achieved with the traditional non-adjustable mesh and without significant postoperative complications.
Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Physical Examination ; Postoperative Complications ; Suburethral Slings ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Incontinence ; Urodynamics

PURPOSE: N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a potent antioxidant, and a free radical scavenger. We investigated the possible effects of NAC after ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) of rat bladder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: I/R injury was induced by abdominal aorta clamping and ischemia for 60minutes, followed by 120minutes reperfusion. Twenty rats were divided into four groups: sham operation + saline group (S+S), sham operation + NAC group (S+NAC), I/R + saline group (I/R+S), I/R + NAC group (I/R+NAC). Blood levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined using the free oxygen radical tests (FORT). Superoxide generation was measured based on lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence. The level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was analyzed in order to measure lipid peroxidation. RESULTS: In I/R+S group, the isometric contractile responses to carbachol were significant lower than other groups and were reversed by the pretreatment with NAC. The level of FORT and MDA showed a marked increase in I/R+S group compared with S+S group. NADPH-stimulated superoxide production was also significantly increased. I/R+NAC decreased these parameters compared with I/R+S group. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that treatment with NAC reversed the low contractile responses of rat bladder and prevented oxidative stress following I/R.
Acetylcysteine ; Animals ; Aorta, Abdominal ; Carbachol ; Constriction ; Ischemia ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Luminescence ; Malondialdehyde ; Oxidative Stress ; Oxygen ; Panax* ; Rats* ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Reperfusion ; Superoxides ; Urinary Bladder*

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) can cause various complications involving lung, liver, intestine and other organs. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) may injure the cells in the intestinal mucosa of HSCT recipients. Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PI) is a condition that presence of air in the bowel wall is demonstrated by radiologic or pathologic tests. It is one of the infrequent complications after HSCT and is associated with several medical and surgical conditions. However its pathogenesis and definite etiologic factors are still unknown. Here, we present a case of PI in a HSCT recipient, who was diagnosed of bronchiolitis obliterance accompanied with chronic GVHD and pulmonary disease caused by Mycobacterium abscessus.
Bronchiolitis ; Bronchiolitis Obliterans ; Graft vs Host Disease ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Intestinal Mucosa ; Intestines ; Liver ; Lung ; Lung Diseases ; Mycobacterium ; Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis ; Stem Cells ; Transplants

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) can cause various complications involving lung, liver, intestine and other organs. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) may injure the cells in the intestinal mucosa of HSCT recipients. Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PI) is a condition that presence of air in the bowel wall is demonstrated by radiologic or pathologic tests. It is one of the infrequent complications after HSCT and is associated with several medical and surgical conditions. However its pathogenesis and definite etiologic factors are still unknown. Here, we present a case of PI in a HSCT recipient, who was diagnosed of bronchiolitis obliterance accompanied with chronic GVHD and pulmonary disease caused by Mycobacterium abscessus.
Bronchiolitis ; Bronchiolitis Obliterans ; Graft vs Host Disease ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Intestinal Mucosa ; Intestines ; Liver ; Lung ; Lung Diseases ; Mycobacterium ; Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis ; Stem Cells ; Transplants