Novel transparent collagen film patch derived from duck’s feet for tympanic membrane perforation

Abstract

To increase healing rate of tympanic membrane (TM) perforations, patching procedure has been commonly conducted. Biocompatible, biodegradable patching materials which is not limited across cultures is needed. The authors evaluated the effectiveness of novel transparent duck’s feet collagen film (DCF) patch in acute traumatic TM perforation. This procedure was compared with spontaneous healing and paper patching. Cell proliferation features were observed in paper and DCF patches. Forty-eight TMs of 24 rats were used for animal experiment, perforations were made on each TMs, and divided into three groups according to treatment modality. Sixteen were spontaneously healed, 16 were paper patched and 16 were DCF patched. The gross and histological healing results were analyzed. Both paper and DCF patch showed no cytotoxicity, but cell proliferations were more active in DCF than paper in early stage. In animal study, the healing of TM perforations were completed within 14 days in all three groups, but found to be faster in DCF patch group than paper patch or spontaneous healing group. The DCF patches were transparent and size of DCF patches were gradually decreased, so there were no need to remove the DCF patches to check the wound status or after the completion of healing. According to this result, authors concluded that DCF patch is transparent, biocompatible and biodegradable material, and can induce fast healing in acute traumatic TM perforations.     

Intracardiac Eustachian Valve Cyst in an Adult Detected with Other Cardiac Anomalies: Usefulness of Multidetector CT in Diagnosis

We present an unusual case of an intracardiac Eustachian valve cyst observed concurrently with atresia of the coronary sinus ostium, a persistent left superior vena cava (LSVC) and a bicuspid aortic valve. There have been several echocardiographic reports of Eustachian valve cysts; however, there is no report of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) findings related to a Eustachian valve cyst. Recently, we observed a Eustachian valve cyst diagnosed on MDCT showing a hypodense cyst at the characteristic location of the Eustachian valve (the junction of the right atrium and inferior vena cava). MDCT also demonstrated additional cardiovascular anomalies including atresia of the coronary sinus ostium and a persistent LSVC and bicuspid aortic valve.     

Perceived Stress and Self‐esteem Mediate the Effects of Work‐related Stress on Depression

The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of perceived stress and self‐esteem on work‐related stress and depression. Two hundred and eighty‐four Korean nurses participated in the study. The participants completed four questionnaires, including the Korean short version of the occupational stress scale, the perceived stress scale, the Rosenberg self‐esteem scale and the Beck depression inventory. Structural equation modelling was used to determine the relationships among work‐related stress, perceived stress, self‐esteem, and depression. Work‐related stress was positively associated with depression. Perceived stress was inversely related to self‐esteem and positively associated with work‐related stress and depression, respectively. Self‐esteem was negatively associated with work‐related stress and depression. Structural equation modelling revealed that self‐esteem and perceived stress fully mediate the relationship between work‐related stress and depression. Future studies should further investigate the effect of psychological characteristics on work‐related stress and symptoms of depression. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Epidemiologic Study on Kawasaki Disease in Korea, 2007-2014: Based on Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service Claims

The aim of this study is to assess the actual epidemiologic features of Kawasaki disease (KD) in Korea using the data from Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (HIRA) claims from 2007 to 2014. We investigated HIRA claims of patients who had KD (International Classification of Diseases-10, M30.3) as a major diagnosis and were given intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) from 2007 to 2014. A total of 39,082 patients were reported during the period. The male-to-female ratio was 1.42 and the median age was 28 months. The incidence rates were 168.3 per 100,000 population aged 0 to 4 years in 2007, 159.1 in 2008, 167.3 in 2009, 190.4 in 2010, 188.2 in 2011, 190.2 in 2012, 210.4 in 2013 and 217.2 in 2014. These rates were much higher than those in the previous studies in Korea. KD occurred more often in early summer (May, June and July) and winter (December and January). The annual incidence rate of KD had been increasing every year, reaching 217.2 per 100,000 population aged 0 to 4 years in 2014. It is the second highest incidence rate of KD in the world after Japan.     

Impact of Obstructive Sleep Apnea on the Global Myocardial Performance Beyond Obesity

We aimed to assess the impact of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on the left ventricular (LV) function independent of obesity using the myocardial performance index (Tei index) and the global longitudinal LV strain (GLS) and its reversibility after surgery. Twenty‐five newly diagnosed OSA patients, normal weight (n = 15) and obese (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 25; n = 20) controls without OSA were enrolled and underwent transthoracic echocardiographic evaluation. The OSA and obese groups had a significantly comparable increased BMI and LV chamber dimension, prolonged isovolumic relaxation time, reduced early mitral filling velocity, and increased late mitral filling velocity and Tei index as compared to the normal weight group. However, GLS was significantly reduced only in the OSA group (–16.5 ± 1.9%) as compared to the normal weight group (–20.6 ± 2.0%, P < 0.001) and obese group (–19.1 ± 2.5%, P < 0.001). As a treatment, 13 of 25 patients underwent surgical modification, and the follow‐up echocardiogram revealed significantly improved Tei index and GLS as compared to baseline (0.37 ± 0.06 and –18.9 ± 3.3% vs. 0.42 ± 0.04 and –16.3 ± 2.4%, P = 0.006 and 0.031, respectively), which was comparable to the obese controls. A reduction in the apnea‐hypopnea index had a significant effect on the improvement in the GLS (r = 0.73, P < 0.001). LV systolic and diastolic function significantly deteriorated in the patients with OSA beyond obesity, and an improvement in the LV function was observed within 6 months after the surgical modification. GLS is considered to be one of the parameters that can be used in the early detection of LV systolic dysfunction in patients with OSA and a normal ejection fraction.     

Sudden Foot Drop Caused by Foraminal Gas Pseudocyst

A foraminal gas pseudocyst is a rare cause of lumbar radiculopathy. The association with a sudden foot drop has not been previously reported. Here, a 67-year-old woman with sudden foot drop on the left side is reported. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging identified a foraminal gas containing lesion compressing the left L5 root at the L5-S1 foramen. The foraminal gas containing lesion compressing the L5 ganglion was successfully removed by the posterior approach. The histological diagnosis was a gas pseudocyst. This unique case of surgically proven gas pseudocyst indicates that it should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with sudden foot drop.     

Nocardia Brain Abscess in a Liver Transplant Recipient

Nocardia brain abscess is rare. We report on a unique case of N. farcinica brain abscess in a liver transplant recipient, following Aspergillus fumigatus pneumonia. A 43-year-old liver transplant recipient presented with altered mentality at 2 months after A. fumigates pneumonia. He was successfully treated with surgical removal and antibiotic therapy with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and ceftriaxone.