Segmentation algorithm can be used for detecting hepatic fibrosis in SD rat / 한국실험동물학회지

Background@#Liver fibrosis is an early stage of liver cirrhosis. As a reversible lesion before cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer, it has been a target for drug discovery. Many antifibrotic candidates have shown promising results in experimental animal models; however, due to adverse clinical reactions, most antifibrotic agents are still preclinical. Therefore, rodent models have been used to examine the histopathological differences between the control and treatment groups to evaluate the efficacy of anti-fibrotic agents in non-clinical research. In addition, with improvements in digital image analysis incorporating artificial intelligence (AI), a few researchers have developed an automated quantification of fibrosis. However, the performance of multiple deep learning algorithms for the optimal quantification of hepatic fibrosis has not been evaluated. Here, we investigated three different localization algorithms, mask R-CNN, DeepLabV3+, and SSD, to detect hepatic fibrosis. @*Results@#5750 images with 7503 annotations were trained using the three algorithms, and the model performance was evaluated in large-scale images and compared to the training images. The results showed that the precision values were comparable among the algorithms. However, there was a gap in the recall, leading to a difference in model accuracy. The mask R-CNN outperformed the recall value (0.93) and showed the closest prediction results to the annotation for detecting hepatic fibrosis among the algorithms. DeepLabV3+ also showed good performance; however, it had limitations in the misprediction of hepatic fibrosis as inflammatory cells and connective tissue. The trained SSD showed the lowest performance and was limited in predicting hepatic fibrosis compared to the other algorithms because of its low recall value (0.75). @*Conclusions@#We suggest it would be a more useful tool to apply segmentation algorithms in implementing AI algorithms to predict hepatic fibrosis in non-clinical studies.

Arbekacin as an Alternative Drug to Teicoplanin for the Treatment of MRSA Infection

No abstract available.

Comparison of Arbekacin and Vancomycin in Treatment of Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media by Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major cause of ear infections. We attempted to evaluate the clinical usefulness of arbekacin in treating chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) by comparing its clinical efficacy and toxicity with those of vancomycin. Efficacy was classified according to bacterial elimination or bacteriologic failure and improved or failed clinical efficacy response. Ninety-five subjects were diagnosed with CSOM caused by MRSA. Twenty of these subjects were treated with arbekacin, and 36 with vancomycin. The bacteriological efficacy (bacterial elimination, arbekacin vs. vancomycin: 85.0% vs. 97.2%) and improved clinical efficacy (arbekacin vs. vancomycin; 90.0% vs. 97.2%) were not different between the two groups. However, the rate of complications was higher in the vancomycin group (33.3%) than in the arbekacin group (5.0%) (P=0.020). In addition, a total of 12 adverse reactions were observed in the vancomycin group; two for hepatotoxicity, one for nephrotoxicity, eight for leukopenia, two for skin rash, and one for drug fever. It is suggested that arbekacin be a good alternative drug to vancomycin in treatment of CSOM caused by MRSA.

Comparison of Pyloromyotomy with Supraumbilical Incision and Laparoscopic Pyloromyotomy for Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis Performed by a Single Surgeon / 소아외과

PURPOSE: Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) is known to be one of the most common cause of surgery for infants and pyloromyotomy was considered to the standard treatment. There has been an ongoing debate about whether laparoscopic pyloromyotomy (LP) or open pyloromyotomy (OP) is the best option for treating HPS. The aim of this study is to evaluate safety and effectiveness of LP by comparing the clinical results of both surgical strategies performed by single surgeon. METHODS: Between January 2000 and December 2013, 60 patients who underwent pyloromyotomy at Asan Medical Center performed by a surgeon were followed: open-supraumbilical incision (n=36) and LP (n=24). The parameters included sex, age and body weight at operation. Clinical outcomes included operation time, time to full feeding, postoperative hospital stay, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in characteristics, postoperative hospital stay between the two groups. Time to full feeding was shorter in LP (OP 24.5 hours vs. LP 19.8 hours; p=0.063). In contrast, the mean operation time was longer in LP (OP 37.5 minutes vs. LP 43.5 minutes; p=0.072). Complications such as perforation of mucosal layer (OP 1 vs. LP 0) and wound problems (OP 2 vs. LP 0) were found to be not worse in laparoscopic group as compared with open group. CONCLUSION: There has no difference both laparoscopic and open-supraumbilical incision in terms of postoperative hospital stay, time to full feeds and frequency of complications.

The Prognosis of Gastroschisis and Omphalocele / 소아외과

PURPOSE: Gastroschisis and omphalocele are major anterior abdominal wall defects. The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical differences and mortalities of gastroschisis and omphalocele in Asan Medical Center. METHODS: A retrospective review of the medical records was conducted of 103 cases of gastroschisis and omphalocele from September 1989 to February 2013 in Asan Medical Center in Korea. RESULTS: There were 43 cases (41.7%) of gastroschisis and 60 cases (58.3%) of omphalocele. There was a female predominance in both gastroschisis (60.5%) and omphalocele (58.3%). The average gestational age at delivery was 36.7+/-0.4 weeks for both groups. The mean birth weights were 2,381.9+/-80.6 g for gastroschisis and 2,779.4+/-82.8 g for omphalocele (p=0.001). Mean maternal ages in the gastroschisis and omphalocele groups were 27.5+/-0.7 years and 30.5+/-0.7 years, respectively (p=0.002). Associated malformations were documented in 13 infants (30.2+/-) with gastroschisis and 46 infants (76.7+/-) with omphalocele (p<0.001). All of gastroschisis patients except one underwent surgery including 31 primary repairs and 11 staged repairs. Fifty-two infants with omphalocele underwent surgery-primary repair in 41 infants and staged repair in 11 infants. Among 103 cases, 19 cases (18.4%) expired. Mortality rates of gastroschisis and omphalocele were 23.3% (10/43 cases) and 15.0% (9/60 cases), respectively (p=0.287). The main causes of death were abdominal compartment syndrome (6/10 cases) in gastroschisis, respiratory failure (4/9 cases) and discharge against medical advice (4/9 cases) in omphalocele. CONCLUSION: Gastroschisisis was associated with younger maternal age and lower birth weight than omphalocele. Associated malformations were more common in omphalocele. The mortality rates did not make a statistical significance. This might be the improvement of treatment of cardiac anomalies, because no patient died from cardiac dysfunction in our study. Furthermore, abdominal compartment syndrome might be the main cause of death in gastroschisis.

Hiatal hernia in pediatric patients: laparoscopic versus open approaches

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the surgical outcomes of laparoscopic approach for hiatal hernia (HH) in pediatric patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 33 patients younger than 18 years who underwent an operation for HH between January 1999 and December 2012. RESULTS: The HH symptoms were various and included regurgitation, vomiting, weight loss, cough, hoarseness, and cyanosis. Among the 33 patients, there were 25 sliding types, 1 paraesophageal type, and 7 mixed types. Open surgery (OS) and laparoscopic surgery (LS) were used in 16 and 17 patients, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in sex, age, or body weight between the groups. The median operating time was longer in the LS group (150 minutes; range, 90-250 minutes vs. 125 minutes; range, 66-194 minutes; P = 0.028). Time to oral intake was shorter in the LS group than in the OS group (1 day; range, 1-3 days vs. 2 days; range, 1-7 days; P = 0.001) and time to full feeding was shorter in the LS group than in the OS group (6 days; range, 3-16 days vs. 10 days; range, 3-33 days; P = 0.048). There were no differences in length of hospital stay and complications between the two groups. There was no perioperative mortality or recurrence of HH. CONCLUSION: A good surgical outcome for laparoscopic correction of HH was seen in pediatric patients.

How Reliable Are Diagnostic Methods of Hirschsprung Disease? / 소아외과

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of the non-invasive diagnostic methods and rectal suction biopsy for the detection of Hirschsprung disease (HD). METHODS: We reviewed diagnostic methods and results retrospectively in patients who underwent anorectal manometry, barium enema and rectal suction biopsy for the diagnosis of HD at Asan Medical Center from January 2000 to December 2012. RESULTS: There were 97 patients (59 neonates and 38 infants) in the study period. The overall accuracy of anorectal manometry for the diagnosis of HD was 71.1% and its sensitivity was 51.4% (48.1% in neonate and 62.5% in infant, respectively) and its overall specificity was 82.3% (81.3% in neonate and 83.3% in infant, respectively). The Overall accuracy of barium enema was 66.0% (72.8% in neonate and 55.3% in infant, respectively) and specificity of barium enema was 53.2% (56.3% in neonate and 50.0% in infant, respectively). These results were lower than those of anorectal manometry. The overall sensitivity of barium enema was 88.6% (92.6% in neonate and 75.0% in infant, respectively) and it was higher than the sensitivity of anorectal manometry. Histological studies confirmed HD in 35 patients, in one of whom the suction biopsy showed negative finding. CONCLUSION: Accuracy of non-invasive methods for diagnosis of HD in our study is lower than those in previous study, so we need to improve the quality of diagnostic tools in our hospital. We conclude that the rectal suction biopsy is the most accurate test for diagnosing HD, so the biopsy to confirm the diagnosis of the HD is very important.

The Effect of Social Skills Training for Children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Asperger's Disorder : Preliminary Study

OBJECTIVES: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Asperger's disorder (AD) in children are associated with attentional problems, impulsivity, hyperactivity, and difficulties with social interactions. Pharmacological treatment may alleviate symptoms of ADHD, but seldom solves difficulties with social interactions. Social skills training (SST) may assist in improving their social interactions. We examined the effects of SST on children's social competences, general behavior, and ADHD symptoms. METHODS: Thirty four children, aged 7 to 12 years, participated in the cognitive behavioral SST program once a week at the outpatient division of child-adolescent psychiatry. SST was composed of 24 sessions (ninety minutes) for 6 months. Twenty-five children were diagnosed with ADHD, and 9 children were diagnosed with AD. Parents of the children rated Korea-Child Behavior Checklist (K-CBCL), Conner's rating scales, Korean-ADHD Rating Scale (K-ARS), Social Skill Rating System (SSRS), and Matson's Social Skill Rating Scale as an evaluation of the treatment effect, before the first session and after the final session of the training. RESULTS: The ADHD group showed significantly increased scores of social and social competence of CBCL and SSRS. Further, scores of externalizing problems of CBCL, CRS, and ARS were significantly decreased. The Asperger's group showed significantly increased scores of social competence of CBCL, SSRS, and MESS. There was a significant difference of the improvement in CBCL's school and total behavior problem score, CRS between drug change group and no drug change group. CONCLUSION: The result of this study suggests that SST is effective in improving social skills for children with ADHD and AD. In addition, SST has shown its effectiveness in treating attentional problems for children with ADHD. To prove objective usefulness of SST, further studies with a more structured design and long-term duration along with a sufficient number of AD participants will be necessary.

The Efficacy and Safety of Arbekacin and Vancomycin for the Treatment in Skin and Soft Tissue MRSA Infection: Preliminary Study / 감염과화학요법

BACKGROUND: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a one of the most important causes of nosocomial infections, and use of vancomycin for the treatment of MRSA infection has increased. Unfortunately, vancomycin-resistant enterococcus have been reported, as well as vancomycin-resistant S. aureus. Arbekacin is an antibacterial agent and belongs to the aminoglycoside family of antibiotics. It was introduced to treat MRSA infection. We studied the clinical and bacteriological efficacy and safety of arbekacin compared to vancomycin in the treatment of infections caused by MRSA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective case-control study of patients who were admitted to tertiary Hospital from January 1st, 2009 to December 31st, 2010, and received the antibiotics arbekacin or vancomycin. All the skin and soft tissue MRSA infected patients who received arbekacin or vancomycin were enrolled during the study period. The bacteriological efficacy response (BER) was classified with improved and failure. The improved BER was defined as no growth of MRSA, where failure was defined as growth of MRSA, culture at the end of therapy or during treatment. Clinical efficacy response (CER) was classified as improved and failure. Improved CER was defined as resolution or reduction of the majority of signs and symptoms related to the original infection. Failure was defined as no resolution and no reduction of majority of the signs and symptoms, or worsening of one or more signs and symptoms, or new symptoms or signs associated with the original infection or a new infection. RESULTS: Totally, 122 patients (63/99 in arbekacin, 59/168 in vancomycin group) with skin and soft tissue infection who recieved arbekacin or vancomcyin at least 4 days were enrolled and analysed. The bacteriological efficacy response [improved, arbekacin vs vancomycin; 73.0% (46/63), 95% confidence interval (CI) 60.3 to 83.4% vs 83.1% (49/59), 95% CI 71.0 to 91.6%] and clinical efficacy response [improved, arbekacin vs vancomycin; 67.2% (41/61), 95% CI 52.0 to 76.7% vs 78.0% (46/59), 95% CI 65.3 to 87.7%] were similar between the two groups (P=0.264, 0.265). The complication rate was significantly higher in the vancomycin group [29/59(49.2%), 95% CI 35.9 to 62.5%] than arbekacin [10/63(15.9%), 95% CI 8.4 to 29.0%] (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Arbekacin could be considered as an alternative antibiotics for vancomycin in skin and soft tissue infection with MRSA. However, further prospective randomized trials are needed to confirm this finding.

Reliability and Validity of the Korean-Version of Interpersonal Reactivity Index / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to test the reliability and validity of the Korean version of Interpersonal Reactivity Index (K-IRI). METHODS: A total of 484 participants were included in this study. Internal consistency and test/retest reliability (n=35) were examined. Criterion validity of the K-IRI was assessed against Affective Dimension of the 3D-Wisdom Scale. Factor analyses were also performed using principal component analysis with varimax rotation. RESULTS: The internal consistency of the K-IRI was 0.80, and test-retest reliability was 0.76. Criterion validity was evaluated by correlating the K-IRI with the Affective Dimension of 3D-Wisdom Scale (r=0.31). Factor analyses revealed factor structures similar to the original IRI. CONCLUSION: The K-IRI appeared to be a reliable and valid instrument for assessing empathy in the Korean population. This suggests that this scale may be applicable in clinical trials, research, and clinical practice.