Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical and radiological outcomes at skeletal maturity after a calcaneo-cuboid-cuneiform osteotomy (triple C osteotomy) for symptomatic flatfoot deformity compared with healthy young adult controls. Methods: Nineteen patients (30 feet) who undergone a triple C osteotomy for idiopathic symptomatic flatfeet from July 2006 to April 2013 were compared with 19 controls (38 feet). Radiographic measurements at preoperative examination, 1-year postoperative follow-up, and follow-up at skeletal maturity were evaluated. Functional outcomes were assessed by using the validated visual analog scale foot and ankle (VAS-FA) and the modified American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgery (AOFAS) score. Results: In the triple C osteotomy group, 11 of 12 radiographic measurements were significantly improved at 1 year postoperatively and the last follow-up (p < 0.001). There was no recurrence at skeletal maturity (p > 0.05). There were no significant differences in nine of 12 radiographic measurements between the triple C osteotomy group at maturity and the control group (p > 0.05). Average VAS-FA and AOFAS scores were significantly improved at the time of skeletal maturity (p < 0.001). Conclusions Surgical correction of symptomatic flatfoot deformity in childhood resulted in favorable outcomes after the triple C osteotomy. Deformity correction was also maintained during follow-up at skeletal maturity.

Whereas increasing concerns about radiation exposure to nuclear disasters or side effects of anticancer radiotherapy, relatively little research for radiation damages or remedy has been done. The purpose of this study was to establish level of LD70/30 (a lethal dose for 70% of mice within 30 days) by total-body γ irradiation (TBI) in a mouse model. For this purpose, at first, 8-week-old male ICR and C57BL/6N mice from A and B companies were received high dose (10, 11, 12 Gy) TBI. After irradiation, the body weight and survival rate were monitored for 30 days consecutively. In next experiment, 5-week-old male ICR and C57BL/6N mice from B company were received same dose irradiation. Results showed that survival rate and body weight change rate in inbred C57BL/6N mice were similar between A and B company. In ICR mice, however, survival rate and body weight change rate were completely different among the companies. Significant difference of survival rate both ICR and C57BL6N mice was not observed in between 5-week-old and 8-week-old groups receiving 10 or 12 Gy TBI. Our results indicate that the strain and age of mice, and even purchasing company (especially outbred), should be matched over experimental groups in TBI experiment. Based on our results, 8-week-old male ICR mice from B company subjected to 12 Gy of TBI showed LD70/30 and suitable as a mouse model for further development of new drug using the ideal total-body irradiation model.
Animals ; Body Weight ; Body Weight Changes ; Disasters ; Humans ; Male ; Mice* ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Radiation Exposure ; Radiotherapy ; Survival Rate

PURPOSE: This study aimed to analyze the prevalence of allergic diseases in Korean schoolchildren according to their residential areas in 2010. METHODS: A nationwide, cross-sectional study was conducted in children aged 6-7 years (n=4,003) and adolescents aged 12-13 years (n=4,112) who were randomly selected. Demographic and disease-related information was obtained through a Korean version of ISAAC (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood) questionnaire, and skin prick tests for 18 inhalant allergens were performed. RESULTS: There was statistically significant regional difference in the prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) (P<0.05). The regions with highest and lowest prevalence in 12- to 13-year-old children were as follows: Chungcheong and Honam in "Diagnosis of AR, ever" (33.7% vs. 24.5%), Jeju and Yeongnam in "Treatment of AR, last 12 months" (25.5% vs. 18.0%), Chungcheong and Yeongnam in "Rhinitis with sensitization" (31.6% vs. 23.6%). The regions with highest and lowest prevalence in 6-7 years old children were as follows: Yeongnam and Seoul in "Diagnosis of AR, ever" (42.1% vs. 31.0%), Yeongnam and Jeju in "Treatment of AR, last 12 months" (31.8% vs. 21.9%), Jeju and Seoul in "Rhinitis with sensitization" (26.0% vs. 18.4%). We also found a regional difference in inhalant allergens among the children with "rhinitis with sensitization" CONCLUSION: The prevalence of AR in children differs according to residential areas in a nationwide survey in 2010 while there is no significant regional difference in the prevalence of asthma and AD.
Adolescent ; Allergens ; Asthma ; Child* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Prevalence* ; Rhinitis ; Seoul ; Skin ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVES: In patients with schizophrenia, the prevalence of smoking is significantly higher than that of the general population. This study aimed to evaluate the relationships between cigarette smoking and socio-demographic and clinical characteristics in patients with schizophrenia in South Korea. METHODS: Post analysis of 2008-2009 three multi-center studies on the paliperidone extended-release switching was performed. A total of 509 patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia were recruited and interviewed regarding socio-demographic variables, smoking characteristics. Krawiecka Scale, Clinical Global Impression-Schizophrenia-Severity, Clinical Global Impression-Schizophrenia-Improvement, and Personal and Social Performance Scale were used to evaluate psychological disturbance. Safety assessments included adverse events, evaluation of extrapyramidal symptoms using the Drug Induced Extra Pyramidal Symptoms Scale, and laboratory tests. RESULTS: The results revealed that the prevalence of smoking in Korean patients with schizophrenia is significantly higher than that of the general population. Male, patients with occupation, and paranoid type showed higher rate of smoking and smokers with schizophrenia had higher rates of overweight, thick waist, high blood pressure than non-smokers with schizophrenia. The results revealed that smokers with schizophrenia had higher rating scales of negative and cognitive symptoms. CONCLUSION: From this study, we reported significant relationships between cigarette smoking and socio-demographic and clinical characteristics in patients with schizophrenia in South Korea. More studies will be needed to evaluate the association between cigarette consumption and schizophrenia, effect of smoking according to the antipsychotics, mechanism of nicotine on schizophrenia.
Antipsychotic Agents ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Isoxazoles ; Male ; Neurobehavioral Manifestations ; Nicotine ; Occupations ; Overweight ; Prevalence ; Pyrimidines ; Republic of Korea ; Schizophrenia ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Tobacco Products ; Weights and Measures

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Rebleeding after endoscopic therapy for non-variceal upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (NGIH) is the most important predictive factor of mortality. We evaluated the risk factors of rebleeding in patients undergoing endoscopic therapy for the NGIH. METHODS: Between January 2003 and January 2007, 554 bleeding events in 487 patients who underwent endoscopic therapy for NGIH were retrospectively enrolled. We reviewed the clinicoendoscopical characteristics of patients with rebleeding and compared them with those of patients without rebleeding. RESULTS: The incidence of rebleeding was 21.7% (n=120). In the multivariate analysis, initial hemoglobin level < or =9 g/dL (p=0.002; odds ratio [OR], 2.433), inexperienced endoscopist with less than 2 years of experience in therapeutic endoscopy (p=0.001; OR, 2.418), the need for more 15 cc of epinephrine (p=0.001; OR, 2.570), injection therapy compared to thermal and injection therapy (p=0.001; OR, 2.840), and comorbidity with chronic renal disease (p=0.004; OR, 2.908) or liver cirrhosis (p=0.010; OR, 2.870) were risk factors for rebleeding following endoscopic therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Together with patients with low hemoglobin level at presentation, chronic renal disease, liver cirrhosis, the need for more 15 cc of epinephrine, or therapy done by inexperienced endoscopist were risk factors for the development of rebleeding.
Comorbidity ; Endoscopy ; Epinephrine ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Hemoglobins ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Incidence ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Multivariate Analysis ; Odds Ratio ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect and improvement of potassium aminobenzoate (500 mg Peyron capsule) in oral therapy for Peyronie's disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From February 2011 to September 2011, 31 patients with Peyronie's disease received potassium aminobezoate (500 mg Peyron capsules) and were divided into two groups. Group 1 (N=10) received potassium aminobezoate (500 mg Peyron capsule) 3 g four times daily without previous treatment of Peyronie's disease, while group 2 (N=21) received the same drug with previous treatment of Peyronie's disease (10 mg Tamoxifen +300 mg L-carnitine two times daily). Outcomes were assessed by subjective symptom change, pain relief, resolutions of the plaque, and curvature. RESULTS: After 3 months, there were no significant improvements in clinical outcomes of either group and among all the patients, 23 stopped taking potassium aminobezoate (23/31, 74%). The reasons for ceasing the therapy were gastrointestinal trouble (8/23, 35%), too many doses to take (7/23, 30%), ineffectiveness (6/23, 26%), and high price (2/23, 9%). CONCLUSIONS: Athough the etiology of Peyronie's disease has not been elucidated, potassium aminobenzoate in therapy of Peyronie's disease has been used. The use of this medication has the limitations of gastrointestinal trouble, ineffectiveness, too many doses, and high price. Further evaluations of the effect and appropriate dosing of potassium aminobenzoate are needed.
4-Aminobenzoic Acid ; Carnitine ; Humans ; Male ; Penile Induration ; Potassium ; Tamoxifen

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of repeated photodynamic therapy (PDT) for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Korean patients. METHODS: Clinical data of patients who were treated with repeated (3 times or more) PDT for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to AMD and followed up for more than 6 months were collected from 17 hospitals around the country. Visual outcomes at 12 and 24 months, follow-up were compared between subtypes of choroidal neovascularization. The factors related to final visual prognosis and PDT-related adverse effects were evaluated. RESULTS: 244 patients (244 eyes) were recruited (male: 60%, age: 67.7+/-9.1 years). The portion of patients with predominantly classic, minimally classic, and occult without classic choroidal neovascularization was 57%, 13%, and 24%, respectively and that of patients with visual improvements or less than moderate visual loss at 24 months follow-up were 28%, 38%, 30% and 47%, 56%, and 65%, respectively. Baseline visual acuity and age were significantly related to the final visual prognosis (p<0.05). PDT-related adverse events developed in 15 (6.1%) patients, but most were mild and transient. CONCLUSIONS: Repeated PDT for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to AMD has effects comparable to those of previous prospective, controlled trials without any significant safety concerns in Korea.
Choroid* ; Choroidal Neovascularization* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Korea ; Macular Degeneration* ; Photochemotherapy* ; Prognosis ; Visual Acuity

Kaposi sarcoma is a rare tumor originated from skin in patients with immune suppressive illness like as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or organ transplantation. It may be widely disseminated internally such as digestive or respiratory organ. In Korean patients with AIDS, Kaposi sarcoma is rarely seen rather than western countries. The reason is unknown. Although few cases of Kaposi sarcoma in patients with AIDS had been described in the Korean literatures, multi-organ involved cases were extremely rare. We describe a case of old AIDS patient in whom Kaposi sarcoma had affected multi-organs including esophagus, stomach, duodenum, colon, bronchi and skin.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; Bronchi* ; Colon ; Duodenum ; Esophagus ; Gastrointestinal Tract* ; Humans ; Organ Transplantation ; Sarcoma, Kaposi* ; Skin ; Stomach ; Transplants

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The degree of coronary vasoconstriction induced by acetylcholine administeration can vary. We compared the prognosis between coronary vasospasm and intermediate vasoconstriction, which were both induced by acetylcholine administration. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The subjects were 156 patients with the coronary vasospasm or intermediate vasoconstriction, as observed on the acetylcholine provocation tests that were performed from January, 2000 to January, 2004. The patients with a spasm showing greater than 90% reduction of vessel diameter along with chest pain or ST changes or both were classified as having 'strong positive vasospasm' (n=113). The patients with 70-90% reduction of diameter were classified as having 'intermediate vasoconstriction' (n=43). The mortality, frequency of chest pain and clinical events were then analyzed. RESULTS: A smoking history (p<0.001) and multivessel involvement (p=0.02) were more frequent in the strong positive group. We compared the mortality and clinical events due to chest pain during the average 26.4+/-14.1 months of follow-up. There were 5 patients (4.4%) who incurred cardiac death in the strong positive group as compared with none in the intermediate group. The total clinical events were more frequent in the strong positive group (p<0.001). Also, the strong positive group showed a significantly higher frequency of chest pain (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The long-term prognosis of the intermediate vasoconstriction was better than that of strong positive vasospasm. Thus, the intermediate vasoconstriction must be ruled out by strict application of the positive criteria for the acetylcholine provocation test.
Acetylcholine* ; Chest Pain ; Coronary Vasospasm* ; Death ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Mortality ; Prognosis* ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Spasm ; Vasoconstriction*

BACKGROUND: In patients with liver cirrhosis, acute esophageal variceal bleeding is a life-threatening event with high mortality and subsequent recurrent bleeding despite of endoscopic therapy. So the effect of vasoactive agents used in combination with endoscopic therapy has been studied. The aim of this study was to compare the effects and complications of octreotide or terlipressin with endoscopic variceal ligation in the management of acute esophageal variceal bleeding. METHODS: From January, 1999 to February, 2001, 73 cirrhotic patients admitted to the Soonchunhyang University Chonan Hospital because of acute esophageal variceal bleeding were included in this study. The patients were randomized to receive either octreotide (37 patients) or terlipressin (36 patients) in combination with endoscopic variceal ligation. RESULTS: Initial control of bleeding was achieved in 35 (94.6%) patients receiving octreotide and in 33 (91.7%) patients receiving terlipressin. In the octreotide group, three patients with two cases of early rebleeding and one case of late rebleeding had rebleeding events, but in the terlipressin group, two patients with only early rebleeding bled again after initial control of bleeding. Two cases of myocardial ischemia were observed in terlipressin group, but there were no serious complications in octreotide group. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that both octreotide and terlipressin in combination with endoscopic therapy, are efficious in the initial control and the prevention of subsequent rebleeding. Octreotide showed a relatively lower risk of severe adverse reactions than terlipressin.
Chungcheongnam-do ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Ligation* ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Mortality ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Octreotide*