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Background: Patellar tendinopathy is a common cause of limitations in daily life activities in young and/or active people. The patellar tendon consists of a complex of collagen fibers; therefore, collagen could be used as a scaffold in the treatment of patellar tendinopathy. Purpose: To evaluate the healing capacity of injected atelocollagen as a treatment scaffold for patellar tendon defect and, hence, its potential for the treatment of patellar tendinopathy. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: After receiving a full-thickness patellar tendon defect, 24 New Zealand White rabbits were divided into a control group (without treatment) and an experimental group that received an atelocollagen injection into the defect. Six rabbits from each group were subsequently used for either histologic scoring or biomechanical testing. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare histologic evaluation scores and load to failure between the 2 groups. Statistical significance was set at P < .05. Results: The experimental group showed excellent repair of the damaged patellar tendon and good remodeling of the defective area. In contrast, the control group showed defective healing with loose, irregular matrix fibers and adipose tissue formation. A statistically significant difference was found between the 2 groups in both histologic scores and biomechanical tests at postoperative week 12. Conclusion: Injection of atelocollagen significantly improved the regeneration of damaged patellar tendons. Clinical Relevance: Atelocollagen gel injections could be used to treat patellar tendinopathy in outpatient clinic settings.

Background This study aimed at determining the effect of the herbal mixture estrogen inhibition formula (EIF) and its possible mechanisms by precocious puberty animal models and network pharmacology-based analysis. Methods Precocious puberty animal models were established by a single injection of 300 μg danazol, then female rats were administered EIF, vaginal openings were monitored, uterus and pituitary indices were determined. The levels of ALP, E2, LH, and FSH were measured using ELISA kits. Real-time PCR was performed to evaluate the mRNA expression of GnRH, UNC5C, and netrin-1 in hypothalamic tissues. We applied network pharmacological analysis to predict potential targets and pathways of EIF. Results EIF delayed danazol-induced early vaginal opening. In the onset model, EIF reduced the increased levels of serum ALP, E2, LH, and FSH; as well as mRNA expressions of GnRH, Netrin-1, and UNC5C. Moreover, long-term administration of EIF not only diminished all impaired factors but also had no effect on the normal development of the animals. The gene set enrichment analysis showed that the targets of EIF are mainly associated with the GnRH signaling and ovarian steroidogenesis pathways. Conclusion EIF could be used in preclinical research for the treatment of precocious puberty by the inhibition of HPGA pre-maturation.

Patients who commit self-wrist cutting injuries (SWCIs) are a heterogeneous group composed of patients with non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicide attempt (SA). The purpose of this study was to compare the demographic features and wound characteristics of patients with NSSI and SA. A retrospective review of 300 patients who visited the emergency department (ED) for treatment of SWCIs between January 2011 and December 2015 was performed. Data collected from the electronic medical records included age, sex, the reason for SWCIs, presence of suicidal ideation, concomitant intoxication with alcohol or drugs, past psychiatric history, whether or not the patient received psychiatric counseling at the ED, the principal psychiatric diagnosis, the number and severity of external wounds, and subsequent follow-up at the psychiatric or hand surgery outpatient department (OPD). The patients were divided into the NSSI and SA groups according to the presence of suicidal ideation and other variables were compared between the two groups. There were 138 NSSI patients and 162 SA patients. The NSSI group was younger (33.9 years vs 40.9 years, P

Background. Precocious puberty is a common endocrine disease in children. Inappropriate activation of hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis leads to the development of secondary sexual characteristics at an earlier age than normal children and causes short stature in adulthood. Objectives. The aim of this study is to evaluate the preventive effects of a herbal formulation containing a mixture of Coicis Semen and Artemisia capillaris (hEIF extract) on precocious puberty. Methods. The preventive effect of hEIF extract on precocious puberty in rats was evaluated by measuring blood component after 3 weeks of treatment via oral administration. Network pharmacological analyses were performed to predict the bioactive components of hEIF extract. Results. In vivo studies showed that hEIF extract significantly reduced follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels. After treatment with 200 mg/kg of hEIF extract, the FSH level was 5.33±1.10 ng/mL, whereas the FSH level in the vehicle group was 46.73±0.80 ng/mL. Moreover, the use of hEIF extract did not stimulate body growth and bone accretion in rats. The network pharmacological analysis led to the identification of multiple targets of hEIF extract related to lipolysis and the female sex hormone-related pathways. Conclusion. hEIF extract can be used as an FSH inhibitor for the treatment of precocious puberty.

Background/aims This study analyzed the risk factors for technique survival in dialysis patients and compared technique survival rates between hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) in a prospective cohort of Korean patients. Methods A total of 1,042 patients undergoing dialysis from September 2008 to June 2011 were analyzed. The dialysis modality was defined as that used 90 days after commencing dialysis. Technique survival was compared between the two dialysis modalities, and the predictive risk factors were evaluated. Results The dialysis modality was an independent risk factor predictive of technique survival. PD had a higher risk for technique failure than HD (hazard ratio [HR], 10.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.9 to 62.0; p = 0.008) during a median follow-up of 11.0 months. In the PD group, a high body mass index (BMI) was an independent risk factor for technique failure (HR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.0 to 1.8; p = 0.036). Peritonitis was the most common cause of PD technique failure. The difference in technique survival between PD and HD was more prominent in diabetic patients with a good nutritional status and in non-diabetic patients with a poor nutritional status. Conclusions In a prospective cohort of Korean patients with end-stage renal disease, PD was associated with a higher risk of technique failure than HD. Diabetic patients with a good nutritional status and non-diabetic patients with a poor nutritional status, as well as patients with a higher BMI, had an inferior technique survival rate with PD compared to HD.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to review the diagnostic methods of neurologic symptoms by non-organic causes. Methods: We experienced a case of a motor and sensory disturbance patient without abnormal findings in the diagnostic tests. Using this process, we became aware that it is important to remember some of the methods when treating patients who are suspicious of neurologic symptoms by non-organic causes. Results: First, we should perform a variety of diagnostic tests to exclude the organic causes. Second, we should persistently observe a consistency of the patient`s symptoms and attitude. Finally, we should perform a neurological examination in order to acquire the objective physical findings. Conclusions: Because there are limitations in the methods above, we have to be aware of making a mistake regarding the disability by organic causes as that by non-organic causes.

Exogenous lipoid pneumonia (ELP) is a chronic inflammatory reaction of the lungs resulting from the aspiration of vegetable, animal or mineral oils. Squalene, is a derivative of shark liver oil that is taken as a traditional remedy in some Asian countries, and is used widely also in cosmetics. Similar to the symptoms in most cases of oil aspiration, the symptoms of squalene-induced lipoid pneumonia are either absent or nonspecific. Hence, the disease is generally detected incidentally. Although many cases with predisposing factors have been reported, ELP with achalasia is quite rare. We report a 47-year old woman with achalasia who developed ELP after ingesting squalene. The patient was treated successfully by supportive care and surgical treatment of the achalasia.

Acinar cell carcinoma is a rare tumor that represents 1~2% of all pancreatic cancers. Clinical and radiologic findings are inconclusive in this disease. Acinar cell carcinoma is characterized by rapid progression and early metastasis, which lead to its poor prognosis. A 41-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for abdominal pain. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) showed a splenic mass, which was being invaded by a pancreatic tail mass and which had increased -fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake. Primary radical distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy were performed. Pathologic findings revealed an acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas. The patient underwent a total gastrectomy three months later because of gastric recurrence. Four months later, multiple hepatic metastases were discovered, and the patient underwent a left hepatectomy. During treatment with capecitabine, there was no evidence of tumor progression for 14 months. We report a case of metastatic pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma, which did not progress for an extended period while the patient was being treated with capecitabine.

Primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenocarcinoma is a very rare malignancy, and little is known concerning its pathogenesis, optimal treatment, and prognosis. A 29-year-old pregnant woman (21 weeks) presented with abdominal discomfort. CA 19-9, CA 125, and CEA were normal. Abdominal CT scanning revealed a retroperitoneal tumor. Exploratory laparotomy and tumor excision were performed. Mucinous retroperitoneal implants were removed as completely as possible. Histologically, the tumor showed focal areas of capsular invasion, but free resection margins. The uterus and both ovaries were normal in appearance. No adjuvant therapy was pursued. Six months later, peritoneal and bilateral ovarian metastases were discovered. Hence, we report the details of this case of primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenocarcinoma and present a review of the literature.