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Objective: To compare the efficacy of two types of progestogen therapy for preventing preterm birth (PTB) and to review the relevant literature. Design: A multicentre, randomised, open‐label, equivalence trial and a meta‐analysis. Setting: Tertiary referral hospitals in South Korea. Population: Pregnant women with a history of spontaneous PTB or short cervical length (<25 mm). Methods: Eligible women were screened and randomised at 16‒22 weeks of gestation to receive either 200 mg of vaginal micronised progesterone daily (vaginal group) or an intramuscular injection of 250 mg 17α‐hydroxyprogesterone caproate weekly (IM group). Stratified randomisation was carried out according to participating centres and indications for progestogen therapy. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02304237). Main outcome measure: Preterm birth (PTB) before 37 weeks of gestation. Results: A total of 266 women were randomly assigned and a total of 247 women (119 and 128 women in the vaginal and IM groups, respectively) were available for the intention‐to‐treat analysis. Risks of PTB before 37 weeks of gestation did not significantly differ between the two groups (22.7 versus 25.8%, P = 0.571). The difference in PTB risk between the two groups was 3.1% (95% CI −7.6 to 13.8%), which was within the equivalence margin of 15%. The meta‐analysis results showed no significant differences in the risk of PTB between the vaginal and IM progestogen treatments. Conclusion: Compared with vaginal progesterone, treatment with intramuscular progestin might increase the risk of PTB before 37 weeks of gestation by as much as 13.8%, or reduce the risk by as much as 7.6%, in women with a history of spontaneous PTB or with short cervical length. Vaginal and intramuscular progestogen showed equivalent efficacy for preventing preterm birth before 37 weeks of gestation. Vaginal and intramuscular progestogen showed equivalent efficacy for preventing preterm birth before 37 weeks of gestation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Some patients who have undergone a laparoscopic adjustable gastric band operation express dissatisfaction with visible scars or protrusion of the access port after sufficient weight loss. We hypothesized that subfascial port implantation could minimize those problems as well as port-related complications. Subjects and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent "transumbilical" subfascial port (SP) implantation between March 2009 and July 2011. We compared these results with those of conventional placement of laparoscopic adjustable gastric band ports (CP) on the anterior rectus fascia by the four-point suture technique. The SP technique rendered the access port essentially nonpalpable, and therefore it could only be accessed under fluoroscopy. Results: In total, 66 consecutive patients were enrolled into our study. Thirty-three patients underwent the SP procedure, and 33 patients underwent the CP procedure. Both groups were matched for age (31.4 ± 6.5 years versus 34.0 ± 8.7 years, P=.168), gender (female:male 30:3 versus 27:6, P=.282), and preoperative body mass index (36.6 ± 5.4 kg/m(2) versus 36.9 ± 4.1 kg/m(2), P=.786). The mean follow-up period was 9.6 ± 3.9 months for the SP group and 18.9 ± 5.3 months for the CP group. During that period, the SP group tended to have a lower incidence of port infection (SP group, 0/33; CP group, 3/33, P=.076), and no patients in the SP group complained of hypertrophic scarring at the port site (SP group, 0/33; CP group, 4/33; P=.04). Two patients in the CP group had port inversion/migration. Two patients in the CP group had port protrusion. Two patients in the CP group underwent port revision surgery (subfascial port) 6 months after port removal. One patient in the CP group underwent port exchange surgery under local anesthesia for port leakage. None of the patients in the SP group had any of the above port-related complications. Conclusions: Our preliminary results show that subfascial implantation of the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band port could minimize port-related complications during the weight loss phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The role of adenosine (ADO) in the regulation of glucose homeostasis is not clear. In the current study, we used A1-ADO receptor (A1AR)-deficient mice to investigate the role of ADO/A1AR signaling for glucose homeostasis.Research Design and Methods: After weaning, A1AR(-/-) and wild-type mice received either a standard diet (12 kcal% fat) or high-fat diet (HFD; 45 kcal% fat). Body weight, fasting plasma glucose, plasma insulin, and intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests were performed in 8-week-old mice and again after 12-20 weeks of subsequent observation. Body composition was quantified by magnetic resonance imaging and epididymal fat-pad weights. Glucose metabolism was investigated by hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp studies. To describe pathophysiological mechanisms, adipokines and Akt phosphorylation were measured.Results: A1AR(-/-) mice were significantly heavier than wild-type mice because of an increased fat mass. Fasting plasma glucose and insulin were significantly higher in A1AR(-/-) mice after weaning and remained higher in adulthood. An intraperitoneal glucose challenge disclosed a significantly slower glucose clearance in A1AR(-/-) mice. An HFD enhanced this phenotype in A1AR(-/-) mice and unmasked a dysfunctional insulin secretory mechanism. Insulin sensitivity was significantly impaired in A1AR(-/-) mice on the standard diet shortly after weaning. Clamp studies detected a significant decrease of net glucose uptake in A1AR(-/-) mice and a reduced glucose uptake in muscle and white adipose tissue. Effects were not triggered by leptin deficiency but involved a decreased Akt phosphorylation.Conclusions: ADO/A1AR signaling contributes importantly to insulin-controlled glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity in C57BL/6 mice and is involved in the metabolic regulation of adipose tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determine the diagnostic value of the anterior chamber depth (ACD) of a globe as seen on CT for detecting open-globe injury.Methods: We enrolled 28 patients with unilateral open-globe injury confirmed by surgery and 28 controls with other types of orbital trauma. The diagnostic value of the difference of the ACDs between globes was evaluated by ROC analysis. The diagnostic performance of the following CT findings suggesting open-globe injury was also determined from independent analysis by two readers, i.e. change in the ACD and the globe contour, obvious volume loss of the globe, dislocated/deformed lens, intraocular foreign body/air and intraocular haemorrhage.Results: The ACD measurements were possible only in 15 patients with open-globe injuries. A difference in the ACDs > or =0.4 mm resulted in 0.85 of the area under the ROC curve with a sensitivity of 73% and specificity of 100% (p = 0.0001). The presence of one or more of the CT findings had a sensitivity of 92%, specificity of 85% and diagnostic accuracy of 89%.Conclusions: Change in the ACD is a helpful CT finding for detecting open-globe injury. A difference in the ACDs > or =0.4 mm is a helpful diagnostic criterion with excellent specificity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The performance of the computer-aided detection (CAD) system can be determined by the sensitivity and false-positive marks rate, therefore these factors should be improved by upgrading the software version of the CAD system. Purpose: To compare retrospectively the performances of two software versions of a commercially available CAD system when applied to full-field digital mammograms for the detection of breast cancers in a screening group. Material and Methods: Versions 3.1 and 8.3 of a CAD software system (ImageChecker, R2 Technology) were applied to the full-field digital mammograms of 130 women (age range 36-80, mean age 53 years) with 130 breast cancers detected by screening. Results: The overall sensitivities of the version 3.1 and 8.3 CAD systems were 92.3% (120 of 130) and 96.2% (125 of 130) (P=0.025), respectively, and sensitivities for masses were 78.3% (36 of 46) and 89.1% (41 of 46) (P=0.024) and for microcalcifications 100% (84 of 84) and 100% (84 of 84), respectively. Version 8.3 correctly marked five lesions of invasive ductal carcinoma that were missed by version 3.1. Average numbers of false-positive marks per image were 0.38 (0.15 for calcifications, 0.23 for masses) for version 3.1 and 0.46 (0.13 for calcifications, 0.33 for masses) for version 8.3 (P=0.1420). Conclusion: The newer version 8.3 of the CAD system showed better overall sensitivity for the detection of breast cancer than version 3.1 due to its improved sensitivity for masses when applied to full-field digital mammograms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of Korean Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L) seed oil (SSO) on osteoporosis induced-ovariectomized rats were investigated. A total of 90 female Sprague-Dawley rats, 4-month-old, weighing 200-230 g were randomly assigned into 3 groups (30 animals/group). The animals in group I were sham operated and those of group II and III were ovariectomized (Ovx). After eight weeks, the animals of group I and II received solvent vehicle daily, whereas those of group III were administered SSO orally (1 ml/kg) daily for 30 days. The changes in the serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), IGF-II, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGBP-3), estrogen, total alkaline phosphatase (TALP), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), calcium and phosphorous in serum, and also the histomorphology of the proximal tibia metaphysis and femur/body weight (F/B) ratio were examined in all the groups at every 10 days interval. Thirty days later, IGF-I, IGF-II, IGBP-3 and BALP levels were significantly increased (p < 0.05) in group III as compared to groups I and II. There were no significant differences in serum levels of estrogen, TALP and F/B ratio between groups II and III, but estrogen levels were higher in group I. These results suggest that the safflower seeds have possible roles in the improvement of osteoporosis induced-ovariectomized rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of diabetes and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and their association with risk factors in the Korean population.Research Design and Methods: The Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey 2001 was a nationally representative survey with a stratified multistage sampling design. Data from a comprehensive questionnaire, a physical examination, and blood tests were obtained from 5,844 Korean adults (2,513 men and 3,331 women) aged >20 years.Results: The age-adjusted prevalence of diabetes in this Korean population was 7.6%, and the age-adjusted prevalences of previously diagnosed diabetes and newly diagnosed diabetes were 4.4 and 3.3%, respectively (fasting plasma glucose > or = 7.0 mmol/l). Overall, these results indicate that 8.1% or 1.4 million Korean men and 7.5% or 1.3 million Korean women have diabetes. The age-adjusted prevalence of IFG was 23.9%, using the new American Diabetes Association criteria (fasting plasma glucose 5.6-6.9 mmol/l). Diabetes prevalence increased with age and peaked in the oldest age-group; however, IFG prevalence did not show the same trend. Diabetes was found to be associated with age, BMI, blood pressure, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol, education levels, alcohol consumption, exercise, and a family history of diabetes.Conclusions: This study shows that diabetes and IFG are common in Korea, and about one-half of diabetes cases remain undiagnosed. These results emphasize the need to develop an urgent public program to improve the detection, prevention, and treatment of diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks recently affected 2 countries (Japan and South Korea) in eastern Asia that were free of FMD without vaccination. Analysis of viral protein 1 nucleotide sequences indicated that FMD serotype A and O viruses that caused these outbreaks originated in mainland Southeast Asia to which these viruses are endemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the first case of an elderly female who developed obstructive jaundice because of a low grade B cell lymphoma of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue type in the common bile duct. Laboratory findings; Dilation and thickening in the distal portion of the common bile duct; Cholestatic change in the liver after the Whipple's operation.

Keywords:antiphospholipid syndrome; papillary muscle rupture; systemic lupus erythematosus [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2009 in Richmond, Virginia, USA, July 26 – July 30, 2009 [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose To clarify the clinical characteristics of reticular pseudodrusen(RPD) in Korean patients. Methods The study was designed as retrospective, observational, consecutive case series. A total of 255 eyes of 130 patients diagnosed with RPD were evaluated. RPD were diagnosed by characteristic fundus findings, using multimodal imaging tests. Age related macular degeneration(AMD) was determined by the International Classification and Grading System. Results The mean age of the patients was 72.6±9.0 years(range, 43‐92). Most of the RPD patients had the disease in both eyes(97.7%), with a female preponderance(86.2%). All of the 3 patients with unilateral RPD had shown neovascular AMD in the eye without RPD. AMD was found in 183 eyes(71.8%); early AMD in 115 eyes(45.1%), geographic atrophy(GA) in 41 eyes(16.1%), and neovasuclar AMD in 27 eyes(10.6%). The mean age was 73.7±9.2 years(range, 58‐92) in the RPD group and 69.9±11.7 years(range, 43‐90) in the control group repectively, and there was a statistically significant difference between these two groups(p<0.05). Classic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) was found in 13 eyes (48.1%), and occult CNV was found in 14 eyes (51.9%) in the neovascular AMD group. Conclusion Clinical manifestation of RPD in Koreans did not differ significantly from those described in Caucasians. However, our study demonstrated a higher rate of bilaterality, lower prevalence of AMD, and higher prevalence of GA in RPD patients than those previously reported. Ethnical differences may be associated with these findings and further studies are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]