Purpose: Because insertion of a foreign body (FB) into the anus is considered a taboo practice, patients with a retained rectal FB may hesitate to obtain medical care, and attending surgeons may lack experience with removing these FBs. We performed this study to evaluate the clinical characteristics of Korean patients with a retained rectal FB and propose management guideline for such cases based on our experience. Methods: We retrospectively investigated 14 patients between January 2006 and December 2018. We assessed demographic features, mechanism of FB insertion, clinical course between diagnosis and management, and outcomes. Results: All patients were male (mean age, 43 years) and presented with low abdominal pain (n = 2), anal bleeding (n = 2), or concern about a retained rectal FB without symptoms (n = 10). FB insertion was most commonly associated with sexual gratification or anal eroticism (n = 11, 78.6%). All patients underwent general anesthesia for anal sphincter relaxation with the exception of 2 who underwent FB removal in the emergency department. FBs were retrieved transanally using a clamp (n = 2), myoma screw (n = 1), clamp application following abdominal wall compression (n = 2), or laparotomy followed by rectosigmoid colon milking (n = 2). Colotomy and primary repair were performed in four patients, and Hartmann operation was performed in one patient with fecal peritonitis. No morbidity or mortality was reported. All patients refused postextraction anorectal functional and anatomical evaluation and psychological counseling. Conclusion Retained rectal FB is rare; however, colorectal surgeons should be aware of the various methods that can be used for FB retrieval and the therapeutic algorithm applicable in such cases.

BACKGROUND: The cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) has been known to increase in response to acute hypoxia. However, how CBFV might respond to exercise in hypoxic conditions and be associated with electroencephalogram (EEG) remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of exercise in hypoxic conditions corresponding to altitudes of 4,000 m on CBFV and EEG. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, balanced crossover study, ten healthy volunteers (19.8±0.4 years) were asked to perform the incremental bicycle ergometer exercise twice in hypoxic and control (sea level) conditions with a 1-week interval, respectively. Exercise intensity was set initially at 50 W and increased by 25 W every 2 minutes to 125 W. Acute normobaric hypoxic condition was maintained for 45 minutes using low oxygen gas mixture. CBFV in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and EEG were measured at rest 5 minutes, rest 15 minutes, immediately after exercise, and 15 minutes recovery using transcranial-Doppler sonography and EEG signal was recorded from 6 scalp sites leading to analysis of alpha and beta wave relative activities. All data were analyzed using two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance and Pearson's correlation. RESULTS: CBFV in the MCA in the hypoxic condition was significantly higher than that in the control condition at rest 5 minutes (83±9 vs. 69±9 cm/s, P<0.01), rest 15 minutes (87±8 vs. 67±7 cm/s, P<0.001), immediately after exercise (112±9 vs. 97±9 cm/s, P<0.01), and 15 minutes recovery (91±11 vs. 74±7 cm/s, P<0.01). However, no significant correlation was found between the changes of CBFV and EEG wave activities. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the drastic change of CBFV observed during exercise with hypoxia might appear independently with EEG wave activities.
Altitude ; Anoxia ; Cerebrovascular Circulation ; Cross-Over Studies ; Electroencephalography ; Healthy Volunteers ; Middle Cerebral Artery ; Oxygen ; Scalp

BACKGROUND: In Korea, the Korean Laboratory Accreditation Program (KLAP) has set minimum standards for verification of clinical test performance. This verification process is time-consuming and labor-intensive when performed manually. We developed a free, statistical software program for KLAP, using the R language (R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria). METHODS: We used CLSI guidelines for the algorithm. We built graphic user interfaces, including data input, with Embarcadero Delphi EX4 (Embarcadero Technologies, Inc., Texas, USA). The R Base Package and MCR Package for Method Comparison Regression were used to implement statistical and graphical procedures. RESULTS: Our program LaboStats has six modules: parallel test, linearity, method comparison, precision, reference interval, and cutoff. Data can be entered into the field either manually or by copying and pasting from an MS Excel worksheet. Users can print out precise reports. CONCLUSIONS: LaboStats can be useful for evaluating clinical test performance characteristics and preparing documents requested by KLAP.
Accreditation ; Korea ; Mathematical Computing ; Methods ; Texas

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To investigate whether appointing a full-time neurointensivist to manage a closed-type neurological intensive care unit (NRICU) improves the quality of critical care and patient outcomes. METHODS: This study included patients admitted to the NRICU at a university hospital in Seoul, Korea. Two time periods were defined according to the presence of a neurointensivist in the preexisting open-type NRICU: the before and after periods. Hospital medical records were queried and compared between these two time periods, as were the biannual satisfaction survey results for the families of patients. RESULTS: Of the 15,210 patients in the neurology department, 2,199 were admitted to the NRICU (n=995 and 1,204 during the before and after periods, respectively; p<0.001). The length of stay was shorter during the after than during the before period in both the NRICU (3 vs. 4 days; p<0.001) and the hospital overall (12.5 vs. 14.0 days; p<0.001). Neurological consultations (2,070 vs. 3,097; p<0.001) and intrahospital transfers from general intensive care units to the NRICU (21 vs. 40; p=0.111) increased from the before to after the period. The mean satisfaction scores of the families of the patients also increased, from 78.3 to 89.7. In a Cox proportional hazards model, appointing a neurointensivist did not result in a statistically significant change in 6-month mortality (hazard ratio, 0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.652–1.031; p=0.089). CONCLUSIONS: Appointing a full-time neurointensivist to manage a closed-type NRICU had beneficial effects on quality indicators and patient outcomes.
Critical Care Outcomes ; Critical Care ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Korea ; Length of Stay ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Neurology ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Referral and Consultation ; Seoul

BACKGROUND: The cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) has been known to increase in response to acute hypoxia. However, how CBFV might respond to exercise in hypoxic conditions and be associated with electroencephalogram (EEG) remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of exercise in hypoxic conditions corresponding to altitudes of 4,000 m on CBFV and EEG. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, balanced crossover study, ten healthy volunteers (19.8±0.4 years) were asked to perform the incremental bicycle ergometer exercise twice in hypoxic and control (sea level) conditions with a 1-week interval, respectively. Exercise intensity was set initially at 50 W and increased by 25 W every 2 minutes to 125 W. Acute normobaric hypoxic condition was maintained for 45 minutes using low oxygen gas mixture. CBFV in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and EEG were measured at rest 5 minutes, rest 15 minutes, immediately after exercise, and 15 minutes recovery using transcranial-Doppler sonography and EEG signal was recorded from 6 scalp sites leading to analysis of alpha and beta wave relative activities. All data were analyzed using two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance and Pearson's correlation. RESULTS: CBFV in the MCA in the hypoxic condition was significantly higher than that in the control condition at rest 5 minutes (83±9 vs. 69±9 cm/s, P<0.01), rest 15 minutes (87±8 vs. 67±7 cm/s, P<0.001), immediately after exercise (112±9 vs. 97±9 cm/s, P<0.01), and 15 minutes recovery (91±11 vs. 74±7 cm/s, P<0.01). However, no significant correlation was found between the changes of CBFV and EEG wave activities. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that the drastic change of CBFV observed during exercise with hypoxia might appear independently with EEG wave activities.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this randomized clinical trial is to determine whether implant length and the crown-to-implant (C/I) ratio influence implant stability and peri-implant marginal bone loss (MBL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 46 patients with single tooth missing in the posterior molar region of the mandible were included in this study. 19 implants (CMI IS-III active® long implant) of 5.0 mm diameter and 10 mm length were installed for the control group, while 27 implants (CMI IS-III active® short implant) of 5.5 mm diameter and 6.6, 7.3 or 8.5 mm length were placed for the experimental group. Each implant was inserted and immediately loaded using the digitally pre-fabricated surgical template and provisional restoration. The CAD-CAM monolithic zirconia crown was fabricated at 3 months after the surgery as a definitive restoration. The ISQ value and the MBL was measured at 48 weeks after the surgery. The correlation between the C/I ratio, MBL, and secondary implant stability was analyzed. RESULTS: Successful results in terms of ISQ and MBL were achieved with both groups. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of ISQ values and MBL at 48 weeks after the surgery (P > 0.05). No significant correlation was found between the C/I ratio and secondary stability as well as the C/I ratio and the MBL (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The influence of C/I ratio in both groups was not shown on the stability nor the marginal bone loss in implants supporting single crown of the mandible. Short implant could be a preferable alternative option in the reduced bone height mandible under the limited condition despite its higher C/I ratio.
Computer-Aided Design ; Crowns ; Dental Implants ; Humans ; Mandible ; Molar ; Tooth

PURPOSE: Thrombosis of the portal vein, known as pylephlebitis, is a rare and fatal complication caused by intraperitoneal infections. The disease progression of superior mesenteric venous thrombosis (SMVT) is not severe. This study aimed to determine the clinical features, etiology, and prognosis of SMVT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 41 patients with SMVT from March 2000 to February 2017. We obtained a list of 305 patients through the International Classification of Disease-9 code system and selected 41 patients with SMVT with computed tomography. Data from the medical records included patient demographics, comorbidities, review of system, laboratory results, clinical courses, and treatment modalities. RESULTS: The causes of SMVT were found to be intraperitoneal inflammation in 27 patients (65.9%), malignancy in 7 patients (17.1%), and unknown in 7 patients (17.1%). Among the patients with intraperitoneal inflammation, 14 presented with appendicitis (51.9%), 7 with diverticulitis (25.9%), and 2 with ileus (7.4%). When comparing patients with and without small bowel resection, the differences in symptom duration, bowel enhancement and blood culture were significant (P=0.010, P=0.039, and P=0.028, respectively). CONCLUSION: SMVT, caused by intraperitoneal inflammation, unlike portal vein thrombosis including pylephlebitis, shows mild prognosis. In addition, rapid symptom progression and positive blood culture can be the prognostic factors related to extensive bowel resection. Use of appropriate antibiotics and understanding of disease progression can help improve the outcomes of patients with SMVT.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Appendicitis ; Classification ; Comorbidity ; Demography ; Disease Progression ; Diverticulitis ; Humans ; Ileus ; Inflammation ; Medical Records ; Mesenteric Ischemia ; Portal Vein ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Thrombosis ; Venous Thrombosis

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Although the antioxidative effects of lycopene are generally known, the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory properties of lycopene are not fully elucidated. This study aimed to examine the role and mechanism of lycopene as an inhibitor of inflammation. METHODS/MATERIALS: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated SW 480 human colorectal cancer cells were treated with 0, 10, 20, and 30 µM lycopene. The MTT assay was performed to determine the effects of lycopene on cell proliferation. Western blotting was performed to observe the expression of inflammation-related proteins, including nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), inhibitor kappa B (IκB), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK), c-jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 (p38 MAP kinase). Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to investigate the mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were determined via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS: In cells treated with lycopene and LPS, the mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, iNOS, and COX-2 were decreased significantly in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). The concentrations of PGE2 and NO decreased according to the lycopene concentration (P < 0.05). The protein expressions of NF-κB and JNK were decreased significantly according to lycopene concertation (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Lycopene restrains NF-κB and JNK activation, which causes inflammation, and suppresses the expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, COX-2, and iNOS in SW480 human colorectal cancer cells.
Blotting, Western ; Cell Proliferation ; Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Dinoprostone ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans* ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-1beta ; Interleukin-6 ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; Phosphotransferases ; Protein Kinases ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of a corn silk extract on improving benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MATERIALS/METHODS: The experimental animals, 6-week-old male Wistar rats, were divided into sham-operated control (Sham) and experimental groups. The experimental group, which underwent orchiectomy and received subcutaneous injection of 10 mg/kg of testosterone propionate to induce BPH, was divided into a Testo Only group that received only testosterone, a Testo+Fina group that received testosterone and 5 mg/kg finasteride, a Testo+CSE10 group that received testosterone and 10 mg/kg of corn silk extract, and a Testo+CSE100 group that received testosterone and 100 mg/kg of corn silk extract. Prostate weight and concentrations of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), 5α-reductase 2 (5α-R2), and prostate specific antigen (PSA) in serum or prostate tissue were determined. The mRNA expressions of 5α-R2 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in prostate tissue were also measured. RESULTS: Compared to the Sham group, prostate weight was significantly higher in the Testo Only group and decreased significantly in the Testo+Fina, Testo+CSE10, and Testo+CSE100 groups (P < 0.05), results that were consistent with those for serum DHT concentrations. The concentrations of 5α-R2 in serum and prostate as well as the mRNA expression of 5α-R2 in prostate were significantly lower in the Testo+Fina, Testo+CSE10, and Testo+CSE100 groups than that in the Testo Only group (P < 0.05). Similarly, the concentrations of PSA in serum and prostate were significantly lower in the Testo+Fina, Testo+CSE10, and Testo+CSE100 groups (P < 0.05) than in the Testo Only group. The mRNA expression of PCNA in prostate dose-independently decreased in the Testo+CSE-treated groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: BPH was induced through injection of testosterone, and corn silk extract treatment improved BPH symptoms by inhibiting the mRNA expression of 5α-R2 and decreasing the amount of 5α-R2, DHT, and PSA in serum and prostate tissue.
Animals ; Dihydrotestosterone ; Finasteride ; Humans ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Male ; Models, Animal* ; Orchiectomy ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; Prostate ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatic Hyperplasia* ; Rats* ; Rats, Wistar ; RNA, Messenger ; Silk* ; Testosterone ; Testosterone Propionate ; Zea mays*