• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.1531-1533
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• 2016

Background: Polycythaemia rubra vera (PV) is a Philadelphia chromosome negative myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by increased red cell production, independent of the mechanisms that regulate normal erythropoiesis. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinico-epidemiological profile of Pakistani patients with PV. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective cross sectional study, 26 patients with PV were enrolled from January 2010 to December 2014. They were diagnosed based on WHO criteria. Results: The mean age was $53.4{\pm}9.31years$ (range 36-72) and the male to female ratio was 2:1. Overall 30.7% of patients were asymptomatic. In symptomatic patients, major complaints were headache (30.8%), abdominal discomfort (23.1%), blurred vision (15.3%), pruritus (11.5%) and vascular incidents (11.5%). Physical examination revealed plethoric face and splenomegaly as predominant findings, detected in 34.6% and 30.7%, respectively, with the mean splenic span of $15.9{\pm}2.04cm$. The mean hemoglobin was $18.1{\pm}1.9g/dl$ with the mean hematocrit of $55.6{\pm}8.3%$. The mean total leukocyte count was $12.8{\pm}7.1{\times}10^9/l$ and the platelet count $511{\pm}341.9{\times}10^9/l$. Mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate was $3.5{\pm}1.22mm/hr$. Serum lactate dehydrogenase, serum creatinine and uric acid were $552.7{\pm}309.2$, $0.8{\pm}0.17$ and $6.60{\pm}1.89$ respectively. Conclusions: PV in Pakistani patients, unlike in the West, is seen in a moderately young population. The disease is frequently seen in male gender and primarily patients present with symptoms related to hyperviscosity.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.210-216
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• 2011

Subsyndromal depression (SSD) is found to be more prevalent than major depressive disorder (MDD) and minor depressive disorder (MnDD). SSD is also associated with adverse clinical outcomes, increased risk of suicide, increased social dysfunction and disability, increased risk for future mood disorders, and increased uses of medical and mental health services. DSM-IV diagnostic criteria are not suitable for capturing SSD. Although there is no agreement on gold standard to define SSD so far, three definitions of SSD are available. First, SSD is defined as having two or more current depressive symptoms without core depressive symptoms (depressive mood or loss of interest) and with time threshold (most of the day and nearly every day over at least two weeks). Second, SSD is defined as having two or more current depressive symptoms with core depressive symptoms and without time threshold. Third, SSD is defined by using cutoff points of depression rating scales. SSD may represent a prodromal, residual, or interepisode symptomatic state in the course of MDD and MnDD. More than a half of SSD patients became any type of depressive disorders (SSD, MnDD and MDD) at 1 year. SSD may represent a discrete category of its own, without prior or consequent episodes of MDD. Considering clinical significance of SSD such as its high prevalence, significant psychosocial impairment and chronicity and serious outcomes, researchers and clinicians should be more vigilant in capturing and caring for patients with SSD.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.532-543
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• 2015

Capsular contracture is the most common complication following implant based breast surgery and is one of the most common reasons for reoperation. Therefore, it is important to try and understand why this happens, and what can be done to reduce its incidence. A literature search using the MEDLINE database was conducted including search terms 'capsular contracture breast augmentation', 'capsular contracture pathogenesis', 'capsular contracture incidence', and 'capsular contracture management', which yielded 82 results which met inclusion criteria. Capsular contracture is caused by an excessive fibrotic reaction to a foreign body (the implant) and has an overall incidence of 10.6%. Risk factors that were identified included the use of smooth (vs. textured) implants, a subglandular (vs. submuscular) placement, use of a silicone (vs. saline) filled implant and previous radiotherapy to the breast. The standard management of capsular contracture is surgical via a capsulectomy or capsulotomy. Medical treatment using the off-label leukotriene receptor antagonist Zafirlukast has been reported to reduce severity and help prevent capsular contracture from forming, as has the use of acellular dermal matrices, botox and neopocket formation. However, nearly all therapeutic approaches are associated with a significant rate of recurrence. Capsular contracture is a multifactorial fibrotic process the precise cause of which is still unknown. The incidence of contracture developing is lower with the use of textured implants, submuscular placement and the use of polyurethane coated implants. Symptomatic capsular contracture is usually managed surgically, however recent research has focussed on preventing capsular contracture from occurring, or treating it with autologous fat transfer.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.606-617
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• 1986

During the period from November 1981 through June 1986, 18 cases of coronary arterial bypass graft were performed at Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital. They consisted of 13 males and 5 females with the mean age of 49 [range: 28-69 years]. History of myocardial infarction was noted in 50% of the patients and cardiomegaly on chest PA in 2 patients with preserved LV function. On resting EKG, except the evidences of old myocardial infarction, the findings of LVH were noted in 7 cases, acute myocardial infarction in 2, diffuse myocardial ischemia in 1, and significant ventricular arrhythmia in 2 cases. The angina by type of presentation is stable in 3 patients, unstable in 15 patients with resting, postinfarction and progressive angina as the criteria of unstability. The patterns of involvement of significant disease were single vessel involvement [5 cases] double vessel involvement [8 cases], and triple vessel involvement [5 cases] including 5 cases of left main coronary arterial diseases. The pattern of coronary arterial disease in individual patient was one or more stenosis of the proximal left coronary arterial system with or without right coronary involvement, in every case. We performed 9 cases of double bypass and 9 cases of triple bypass with great saphenous vein using single anastomosis technique except in 4 cases, One of the 4 cases is our first case, sequential anastomosis between LAD and diagonal was performed due to shortage of the prepared vein graft. In the other 3 cases, our latest experience, we adopted the left internal mammary artery for the left anterior descending coronary revascularization. The distribution of sites of distal anastomosis revealed more striking predilection to LAD, showing our attention on the significance of the revascularization of LAD system. The ischemic time was 35 minutes per graft and mean number of grafts per patient was 2.5. Of the 18 patients, 13 [77.2%] had complete revascularization, and incomplete in 5 cases with the causes of incompleteness as presented. The early results of operation were as followed: surgical death in 2 [11%], perioperative infarction 2 [11%], need of inotropic support 5 [28%], arrhythmia 2 [11%], wound problem, bleeding, and emotional dysfunction. The actuarial anginal free survival during the period of 6 months through 2 years was 85.2% with excellent symptomatic control according to the angina classification of Canadian Cardiovascular Society.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.1092-1100
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• 1989

Since May 1987 to April 1989, fifteen patients have been subjected to coronary artery bypass graft [CABG] including coronary thromboendarterectomy in 3 patients at Hanyang University Hospital. The correlation between the preoperative coronary angiography, electrocardiography, clinical status, operative finding and postoperative blood flow, complication and degree of clinical improvement were evaluated. 1. Ten patients [67 %] were male and five patients [33 %] were female, Ages ranged from 30 to 68 years. [average 52.2 years] 2. The angina by types of presentation was stable in 3 patients, unstable in 12 patients with resting, postinfarction and progressive angina as the criteria of unstability. 3. The number of involved vessels were single in 6 cases, double in 4 cases, triple in 5 cases including 1 case of left main coronary arterial disease. 4. The distribution of sites of distal anastomosis revealed predilection to left coronary arterial system [83 %], especially left anterior descending arterial system. 5. The author performed 4 cases of single bypass, 4 cases of double bypass, 5 cases of triple bypass and 2 cases of quadruple bypass. Of these 15 patients, 3 patients received coronary thromboendarterectomy, LAD in 2 patients and right coronary artery [RCA] in 1 patient. 6. The distal anastomosis were performed first with using saphenous vein grafts as conduits in all cases except 1 case using Gore-Tex conduit because of deficient in length and narrowed internal mammary artery and sequential bypass methods were employed in last 6 cases. 7. One operative death occurred and therefore, mortality rate was 6.7%. The perioperative myocardial infarction were occurred in 3 cases [20%] and its cause was supposed that they were triple vessel disease and therefore, aortic cross clamping times were relatively long. 8. All survivors were followed for 17.7 months on an average [range 5-28 months] and they have had symptomatic improvement except 1 case having mild degree of angina at 1.5 months after operation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.174-179
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• 1986

Augmentin is a formulation of amoxycillin trihydrate and potassium clavulanate, a fused beta-lactam molecule produced by the fermentation of Streptomyces clavuligerus. Most clinically important resistance is due to the production by bacteria of antibiotic destroying enzymes. In the case of penicillins and cephalosporins these enzymes are termed beta-lactamase as they destroy the beta-lectern ring of these antibiotics, completely inactivating them. The presence of clavulanic acid extends the spectrum of amoxycillin to include bet On clinical study of the intravenous Augmentin in the field of thoracic and cardiovascular surgical cases, we selected randomly 30 patients, 21 male and 9 female, age from 13 to 72, in the period from April to December 1985. Among the total 30 patients, 22 were preoperatively infected [11 thoracic empyema, 5 lobar pneumonia, 2 lung abscess, 2 bronchiectasis, one acute pyelonephritis with ureter stone and one rheumatic carditis], and 8 were not infected preoperatively [Table 1, 2]. Of the preoperatively infected group, 11 cases [50%] were culture positive [4 staphylococcus, 3 pseudomonas, 2 Serratia group, and one E. coli], and preoperatively non-infected group [8 cases] revealed expectedly negative findings on bacterial culture. All of the culture positive bacteria were sensitive to Augmentin on disc culture sensitivity test except one case of E. coli. Daily doses of intravenous Augmentin were 2.-1-6.0gm divided in 2-5 injections. Every injection administered [1.2gm at Augmentin dissolved in 20ml distilled water] slowly for more than 20 minutes. Duration of injection was variable according to the clinical conditions from minimum 5 to maximum 31 days. The results of antibiotic treatment with Augmentin and some other antibiotic combinations pre- and postoperatively were subgrouped as EXCELLENT, EFFECTIVE, and FAILURE. Clinical criteria of the therapeutic result were symptomatic, objective and laboratory improvement. 8 cases were excellent, 13 effective, and one failure among the preoperatively infected group, and all 8 cases of the preoperatively non-infected group were effective as pro;hylactive antibiotic therapy. Overall effective ratio was 97% in both subgroup. There was no side effect clinically and laboratory study including liver and kidney function test during and after the I.V. administration of Augmentin. Oral swallow tablets which were administered after discharge from hospital also revealed good effects with some degree of gastrointestinal trouble.

• Asian Spine Journal
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.1017-1027
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• 2018

Study Design: This retrospective study was conducted including 18 patients who underwent posterior-only stabilization and fusion procedure for pseudoarthrosis in the ankylosed spine from October 2007 to May 2015. Purpose: This study aimed to describe the treatment outcomes in 18 patients with Andersson lesion (AL) who were managed using the posterior-only approach. Literature Review: AL is an unstable, localized, vertebral, or discovertebral lesion of the spine. It is observed in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. The exact etiology of this disorder remains unclear, and the treatment guidelines are not clearly described. Methods: We analyzed 18 patients with AL who were treated with posterior long segment spinal fusion without any anterior interbody grafting or posterior osteotomy. Pre- and postoperative radiography, computed tomography, and recent follow-up images were examined. The pre- and postoperative Visual Analog Scale score and the Oswestry Disability Index score were evaluated for all patients. Whiteclouds' outcome analysis criteria were applied at the follow-up. Moreover, at study completion, patient feedback was collected; all the patients were asked to provide their opinion regarding the surgery and were asked whether they would recommend this procedure to other patients and them self undergo the same procedure again if required. Results: The most common site was the thoracolumbar junction. The symptom duration ranged from 1 month to 10 years preoperatively. Most patients experienced fusion by the end of 1 year, and the fusion mass could be observed as early as 4 months. Pseudoarthrosis void of up to 2.5 cm was noted to be healed in subsequent imaging. In addition, clinically, the patients reported good symptomatic relief. No patient required revision surgery. Whiteclouds' outcome analysis score at the latest follow-up revealed goodto-excellent outcomes in all patients. Conclusions: ALs can be treated using the posterior-only approach with long segment fixation and posterior spinal fusion. This is a safe, simple, and quick procedure that prevents the morbidity of anterior surgery.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.1-32
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• 2022

Objectives : This paper examines major symptoms representation in COVID-19 patients as groundwork for development of an effective clinical data collection format in Korean Medicine. Methods : Major symptoms representation in COVID-19 related papers published worldwide were collected. Corresponding symptoms in Korean Medicine were then examined, followed by discussion of symptomatic features that require further consideration in regards to a more systematic clinical data collection. Results : Of 256 papers, most papers listed fever and cough while symptoms such as difficulty breathing, diarrhea, muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue, chest pain, phlegm, nasal discharge were also mostly listed. Clinical representations could be categorized into general symptoms, throat symptoms, chest symptoms, head and facial symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms, musculo-skeletal and cutaneous symptoms, psychiatric symptoms and sensory problems. Conclusions : Although each clinical representation could be likened to certain clinical representations of Korean Medicine, the variety of symptoms were too limiting and lacking in detail to be applied in the pattern identification[辨證] of Korean Medicine. For effective clinical data collection and analysis in the future, symptom change according to time, comparison between location, climate and ethnicity, existence of interior symptoms when diagnosing exterior symptoms, deficiency-excessiveness of blood patterns, consciousness levels, etc., need to be considered in establishing criteria for symptom evaluation.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.64 no.12
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• pp.652-660
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• 2021

Background: Viral load and shedding duration are highly associated with the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. However, limited studies have reported on viral load or shedding in children and adolescents infected with sudden acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the natural course of viral load in asymptomatic or mild pediatric cases. Methods: Thirty-one children (<18 years) with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were hospitalized and enrolled in this study. Viral loads were evaluated in nasopharyngeal swab samples using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (E, RdRp, N genes). cycle threshold (Ct) values were measured when patients met the clinical criteria to be released from quarantine. Results: The mean age of the patients was 9.8 years, 18 (58%) had mild disease, and 13 (42%) were asymptomatic. Most children were infected by adult family members, most commonly by their mothers. The most common symptoms were fever and sputum (26%), followed by cough and runny nose. Nine patients (29%) had a high or intermediate viral load (Ct value≤30) when they had no clinical symptoms. Viral load showed no difference between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Viral rebounds were found in 15 cases (48%), which contributed to prolonged viral detection. The mean duration of viral detection was 25.6 days. Viral loads were significantly lower in patients with viral rebounds than in those with no rebound (E, P=0.003; RdRp, P=0.01; N, P=0.02). Conclusion: Our study showed that many pediatric patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) experienced viral rebound and showed viral detection for more than 3 weeks. Further studies are needed to investigate the relationship between viral rebound and infectiousness in COVID-19.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.84 no.5
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• pp.1017-1030
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• 2023

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a non-surgical treatment for symptomatic, benign thyroid nodules. This treatment works by heating and destroying the nodule tissue, which results in reduction of its size and alleviation of the symptoms involved. RFA is indicated for nodules which are confirmed to be benign on two or more cytological or histological examinations, and which result in clinical symptoms requiring medical treatment. It is associated with good short-term outcomes on one-year follow-up; however, 20%-30% of the nodules regrow after more than three years. Therefore, on the basis of long-term follow-up, management of regrowth is key to patient care following RFA. Regrowth is more likely to occur in nodules that are large in size prior to RFA, and in those with high or increased vascularity. Recently, new techniques such as hydrodissection, artery-first ablation, and venous ablation have been introduced to inhibit regrowth. In addition, appropriate criteria for additional RFA should be applied to manage regrowth and prolong its therapeutic effects. RFA is essentially an alternative to surgery; therefore, the ultimate goal of this procedure is to avoid surgery permanently, rather than to achieve temporary effects.