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Background: We aimed to compare the prevalence and risk factors of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) using two different diagnostic criteria with the same statistical data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2009. Methods: Symptom-based CRS was defined as CRS diagnosed by questionnaires related to nasal symptoms. Endoscopy-based CRS was defined based on endoscopic findings and nasal symptoms of symptom-based CRS. Results: The overall prevalence of CRS based on the different diagnostic criteria was as follows: symptom-based CRS was 10.78% (797 of 7,394) and endoscopy-based CRS was 1.20% (88 of 7,343). Comparing symptom-based CRS to endoscopy-based CRS showed slight agreement (kappa = 0.183 (0.150-0.216, 95% confidence interval)). Allergic rhinitis was identified as a common risk factor for CRS based on the two diagnostic criteria. Conclusions: The prevalence and risk factors of CRS were quite different from each other according to the different criteria, even in the same population. Therefore, it would be important to consider what specific diagnostic criteria have been adopted in the studies comparing the prevalence of CRS.

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The kaon photoproduction is analyzed up to E Lab γ =2.0 GeV by using an isobaric model based on effective Lagrangians and by taking a cross symmetry into account. Both pseudovector and pseudoscalar couplings for kaonbaryon-baryon (baryon spin=1/2) interactions are considered with form factors. A vector meson(K * (890)), an axial vector meson(K 1 (1270)), nucleon resonances(J ≤ 5/2), and hyperon resonances(J ≤ 3/2) are treated as participating particles. By determining unknown coupling constants through a systematic fitting of the differential cross section, the total cross section, the single polarization observable, and the radiative kaon capture branching ratio to their experimental data, we find out a simple model which reproduces all the experimental data well.

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Objective: To explore the benefit of splenectomy combined with curative treatment for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and portal hypertension (PH). Methods: The records of 239 patients with HCC and PH undergoing splenectomy combined with curative treatment were reviewed. Survival analysis was compared, and liver function one year later was reassessed. Results: The postoperative liver failure rates and mortality were 3.3% and 2.1%, respectively. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 95.1%, 73% and 47.5% for patients with Child-Pugh class A and 92.2%, 51.2% and 19.8% for Child-Pugh class B, respectively. The median survival time for patients with Child-Pugh scores of 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 were 61.5, 51.3, 44.8, 33.7 and 23.4 months, respectively. After multivariable analysis, tumor size, tumor number, postoperative liver failure, and Child-Pugh score were independent risk factors for OS. Liver function ameliorated in 97% of patients who had Child-Pugh class B preoperatively. Conclusions: Patients with HCC and PH can benefit from splenectomy combined with curative treatment, especially those with Child-Pugh scores of 5, 6 and 7. Liver function ameliorated significantly at one year after splenectomy in patients with preoperative Child-Pugh class B.

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