Objective: This study investigated whether adding outer-well medium to inhibit osmotic changes in culture media in a dry-type incubator improved the clinical outcomes of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycles. Methods: In culture dishes, the osmotic changes in media (20 µL)-covered oil with or without outer-well medium (humid or dry culture conditions, respectively) were compared after 3 days of incubation in a dry-type incubator. One-step (Origio) and G1/G2 (Vitrolife) media were used. Results: The osmotic changes in the dry culture condition (308 mOsm) were higher than in the humid culture conditions (285–290 mOsm) after 3 days of incubation. In day 3 IVF-ET cycles, although the pregnancy rate did not significantly differ between the dry (46.2%) and humid culture (52.2%) groups, the rates of abortion and ongoing pregnancy were significantly better in the humid culture group (2.3% and 50.2%, respectively) than in the dry culture group (8.3% and 37.8%, respectively, p<0.05). In day 5 IVF-ET cycles, the abortion rate was significantly lower in the humid culture group (2.2%) than in the dry culture group (25.0%, p<0.01), but no statistically significant difference was observed in the rates of clinical and ongoing pregnancy between the dry (50% and 25.0%, respectively) and humid culture groups (59.5% and 57.3%, respectively) because of the small number of cycles. Conclusion Hyperosmotic changes in media occurred in a dry-type incubator by evaporation, although the medium was covered with oil. These osmotic changes were efficiently inhibited by supplementation of outer-well medium, which resulted in improved pregnancy outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to identify and compare the difference and related factors with general characteristic and health behaviors, a experience of diagnosis and treatment of chronic diseases between rural and urban among elderly in Korea. METHODS: We used the data of Community Health Survey 2017 which were collected by the Korean Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The study population comprised 67,835 elderly peopled aged 65 years or older who participated in the survey. The chi-square test, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to analyze data. RESULTS: We identified many significant difference of health behaviors, an experience of diagnosis and treatment with chronic diseases between rural and urban. Compared to urban elderly, the odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence interval) of rural elderly were 1.136 (1.092–1.183) for diagnosis of diabetes, 1.278 (1.278–1.386) for diagnosis of dyslipidemia, 0.940 (0.904–0.977) for diagnosis of arthritis, 0.785(0.736–0.837) for treatment of arthritis, 1.159 (1.116–1.203) for diagnosis of cataracts, and 1.285(1.200–1.375) for treatment of cataracts. In the experience of diagnosis and treatment of chronic diseases, various variables were derived as contributing factors for each disease. Especially, there were statistically significant difference in the experience of diabetes diagnosis, arthritis diagnosis, cataract diagnosis and dyslipidemia except for hypertension diagnosis (p<0.01) between urban and rural elderly. There were statistically significant differences in the experience of treatment for arthritis and cataract (p<0.01), but there was no significant difference in the experience of treatment for hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia between urban and rural elderly. CONCLUSION Therefore, it would be necessary to implement a strategic health management project for diseases that showed significant experience of chronic diseases with diagnosis and treatment, reflecting the related factors of the elderly chronic diseases among the urban and rural areas.

OBJECTIVES: Carcinomas of the external auditory canal (EAC) are rare, and management remains challenging. Previous studies seeking prognostic factors for EAC cancers included cancers other than carcinomas. In this study, we analyzed the treatment outcomes of, prognostic factors for, and survival rates associated with specifically squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the EAC. METHODS: A retrospective review of 26 consecutive patients diagnosed with SCCs of the EAC in a 10-year period was performed in terms of clinical presentation, stage, choice of surgical procedure, and adjunct therapy. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were calculated and univariate analysis of prognostic factors was performed. RESULTS: The median age of the 26 patients with SCCs of the EAC was 63 years (range, 40 to 72 years), and 16 males and 10 females were included. According to the modified University of Pittsburgh staging system, the T stages were T1 in 11, T2 in six, T3 in four, and T4 in five cases. The surgical procedures employed were wide excision in three cases, lateral temporal bone resection (LTBR) in 17, and extended LTBR in four, and subtotal temporal bone resection in two. Two patients underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and two underwent adjuvant chemotherapy. One patient received preoperative radiation therapy, and eleven received postoperative radiation therapy. Of the possibly prognostic factors examined, advanced preoperative T stage and advanced overall stage were significant predictors of RFS, but not of OS. CONCLUSION: The advanced T stage and overall stage were associated with decreased survival after surgical treatment in patients with SCC of the EAC, highlighting the importance of clinical vigilance and early detection.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Drug Therapy ; Ear Canal* ; Ear Neoplasms ; Epithelial Cells* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Temporal Bone

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess disturbances in postural and gait balance and functional connectivity within the brain regions controlling balance in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHODS: Thirteen children with ADHD and 13 age- and sex-matched controls were recruited. Gait balance was assessed by the difference in the center of pressure (COP) between the left and right foot, as well as the difference in plantar pressure between the left and right foot during gait. Neuroimaging data were acquired using a 3.0 Tesla MRI scanner. Functional connectivity between the vermis of the cerebellum and all other brain regionswas assessed. RESULTS: The difference in plantar pressure between the left foot and right foot in the ADHD group was greater than that observed in the control group. The average COP jerk score of the right foot in the ADHD group was higher than that observed in the control group. A higher functional connectivity between the cerebellum and the right middle frontal gyrus (premotor cortex) and medial frontal gyrus (cingulate gyrus) was observed in the control group relative to the ADHD group. In the ADHD group, the difference in plantar pressure between the left and right foot was also negatively correlated with the beta-value within the middle frontal gyrus. CONCLUSION: Children with ADHD had disturbance of balance as assessed by plantar pressure. Decreased brain connectivity from the cerebellum to the premotor cortex and anterior cingulate was associated with disturbances of posture and balance in children with ADHD.
Brain* ; Cerebellum ; Child* ; Foot ; Gait ; Gyrus Cinguli ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Motor Cortex ; Neuroimaging ; Posture ; Prefrontal Cortex

Congenital hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCMP) is a very rare congenital heart disease. Here, we report a case of neonatal HCMP, which was confirmed by two-dimensional echocardiography and autopsy. The HCMP rapidly progressed and the patient's condition deteriorated, despite the treatment for congestive heart failure.
Autopsy ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic ; Echocardiography ; Heart Diseases ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn

This survey was performed to analyze the usability of the third edition of the Korean breast cancer clinical practice guidelines (KBCCPG) in clinical practice. We made a questionnaire composed of 18 general and 82 specific questions regarding benign breast disease (B; 1 question); non-invasive disease (N; 12 questions); early-stage disease (E; 26 questions); advanced disease (A; 24 questions); and metastatic (M) breast cancer-related problems (19 questions). A total of 100 questionnaires, with a link to an online survey, were delivered via e-mail to over 700 members of the Korean Breast Cancer Society (KBCS), and associated academy members, over 20 days between 26th February and 16th May 2010. Out of 270 respondents who read the e-mail, 96 answered the questionnaire. Participants included 87 surgical oncologists, 5 radiation oncologists, 2 oncoplastic surgeons, 1 pathologist, and 1 medical oncologist. The third KBCCPG were perceived as differing from the second guidelines in terms of the level of clinical evidence required before choosing a recommendation. For the progress of the KBCCPG, the guideline committee should try to reinforce all courses of guideline development with several elements including data from clinical trials of Korean breast cancer patients, securing a multidisciplinary approach, developing consistent and reasonable processes for each step of the revision of the guidelines, induction of liberal scientific and ethical discussion about all issues with all KBCS members. The cost-effectiveness of healthcare and the logical development of the KBCCPG would also be ensured. Timely updates of the clinical guidelines for breast cancer treatment are essential to facilitate optimal decision-making in daily practice, and to ensure adequate patient feedback.
Aluminum Hydroxide ; Breast ; Breast Diseases ; Breast Neoplasms ; Carbonates ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Delivery of Health Care ; Dietary Sucrose ; Electronic Mail ; Humans ; Korea ; Logic

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between psychosocial factors and symptom experience of patients with cardiovascular disease over a 6-month follow-up period. METHOD: Baseline data for each of the 138 patients were collected. Eighteen patients were dropped for a final total of 120 patients in the present study. To monitor patients' symptom experience after discharge, each patient was interviewed by telephone, and interviewed directly with a questionnaire at each clinic visit. RESULTS: Mean scores for hostility, anger, anxiety, and depression were 51.63, 22.87, 48.95, and 41.21, respectively. Mean scores for the level of symptom experience at discharge, 3 months and 6 months after discharge were 32.83, 24.79, and 26.70, respectively. There were significant differences in the level of hostility by gender, BMI, job, and monthly income. Also the differences in the level of anxiety and depression were statistically significant according to gender and existence of spouse. In the regression analysis, depression was identified as the significant factor associated with symptom experience at discharge, 3 months, and 6 months after discharge. CONCLUSION: This study presented baseline data to elucidate whether psychosocial factors were associated with the progression of cardiovascular diseases. Accordingly, it suggests that nurses need to take into consideration psychosocial factor as well as physiological factor in symptom management for patients with cardiovascular disease.
Ambulatory Care ; Anger ; Anxiety ; Cardiovascular Diseases* ; Depression ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Hostility ; Humans ; Psychology* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Spouses ; Telephone

PURPOSE: To evaluate the possibility that human muscle derived stem cells (hMDSCs) can be differentiated into neurons in vitro. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Muscle derived stem cells were isolated from the hamstring muscles during the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction by preplate technique. For the characterization of these cells, desmin staining, CD 34, Sca-1, CD 29 using the Flow cytometry were performed. In the experimental group, neuronal induction media was added to differentiate hMDSCs to neuronal cells. These cells were evaluated by neuronal markers such as neuron-specific enolase (NSE), neurofilament (NF), TrkA using immunocytochemistry. For the control group, no induction media was added. Statstical analyses were performed by use of Kruskal-Wallis H test and Student-Newman-Keuls test (P<0.01). RESULT: Desmin staining was positive in 92.3+/-6%. Flow cytometry was negative for CD 34 and Sca-1. However it was positive for CD 29. (69.4+/-10%). The immunocytochemical result revealed NSE, NF and TrkA positive with 63.2+/-2.3%, 59.2+/-2.5%, 55+/-2.4% respectively. However, these were negative in the control group. CONCLUSION: Our observations indicate that hMDSCs have the capacity to differentiate into neurons in a specialized culture media.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ; Culture Media ; Desmin ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans* ; Immunohistochemistry ; Muscles ; Neurons* ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; Stem Cells*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) seems to be one of the most powerful factors associated with the proliferative process that occurs after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), and leads to restenosis. Trapidil (Triazolopyrimidine), a potent inhibitor of PDGF, was shown to decrease restenosis after experimental balloon angioplasty. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of trapidil, on intimal hyperplasia, following coronary artery stenting, using volumetric intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) analysis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The patients were divided in 2 groups; Group I (n=14, age=53+/-8, male=11) received trapidil (600 mg) for 6 months, aspirin (200 mg) indefinitely and ticlopidine (250 mg) for 4 weeks, Group 2 (n=15, age=55+/-2, male=9) received aspirin (200mg) indefinitely and ticlopidine (500 mg) for 4 weeks, starting at least 3 days before the angioplasty. A serial IVUS study was performed post-stenting, with a 6 month follow up period. Both the stent (SA) and lumen areas (LA) were measured, and the stent (SV), lumen (LV) and intimal hyperplasia volumes (IHV) were calculated using Simpson's rule. RESULTS: The reference (RD), pre minimal luminal (MLD) and post minimal luminal diameters, as measured by quantitative coronary angiographic analysis (QCA), were not different between the two groups. Using serial IVUS measurements, SV and LV were not different between the two groups. Also, the IHV was not different between the two groups (51.9+/-26.1 and 61.3+/-25.3 mm3, respectively, p=NS). CONCLUSION: Trapidil failed to reduce intimal hyperplasia following coronary stenting compared with the controls.
Angioplasty ; Angioplasty, Balloon ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Aspirin ; Coronary Vessels ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperplasia* ; Phenobarbital ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor* ; Stents* ; Ticlopidine ; Trapidil ; Ultrasonics ; Ultrasonography*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the MR findings of calvarial eosinophilic granuloma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the MR imaging studies of nine patients [M:F=3:6, aged 6 -35 (mean, 20.5) years] with pathologically proven eosinophilic granuloma in the calvaria. The findings were evaluated for involvement of the diploic space, changes in adjacent bone marrow, distinction of the transitional zone, pattern of bone destruction, signal intensity and contrast enhancement of the tumor, and contrast enhancement of the adjacent dura. RESULTS: All lesions involved the diploic space, showed no change in adjacent bone marrow, and had a distinct transitional zone. In most (8/9) cases there was asymmetric bony destruction. On T1-weighted images, signal intensities of the tumors varied, while on T2-weighted images, hyperintensity was observed in seven cases, isointensity in one, and hypointensity in one. After the administration of contrast material, enhancement was homogeneous in four cases and inhomogeneous in five. Enhancement of the adjacent dura was demonstrated in all nine cases. CONCLUSION: The characteristic MR findings of calvarial eosinophilic granuloma are variable signal intensity on T1WI, high signal intensity on T2WI, and marked contrast enhancement; in addition, there is a distinct transitional zone, asymmetrical bony destruction, and associated dural enhancement.
Bone Marrow ; Eosinophilic Granuloma* ; Eosinophils* ; Histiocytosis ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Skull