In the present study we conducted a regression analysis of age at menarche against Maximum Peak Velocity (MPV) of height in non-athlete Korean girls which was derived with the wavelet interpolation method, and composed linear to quartic regression polynomials to obtain the best regression polynomial. We then applied the age at menarche and age at MPV of height of athletes to the best polynomial regression evaluation, and investigated the validity of a delayed menarche evaluation that we constructed. Moreover, the relation between delayed menarche and menstrual status was examined by investigating delayed menarche and menstrual pain in individuals for the first time. The subjects were 124 second year female students at a physical education high school in the suburbs of Pusan, South Korea. A questionnaire survey of these girls was conducted, from which their date of birth, age at menarche, and athletic activities in elementary, junior high, and high school were obtained. In addition, health check records were examined retrospectively, and longitudinal growth data for height were obtained from the 1st year of elementary school (7 years old) until the second year of high school (17 years old). Next, the same survey as above was also done for second year students at a general high school in the same area, as a control group. Three hundred forty-five non-athletes for whom all data were available were selected. As the results, the third order polynomial was found to be most suitable for the regression polynomial. When it was applied to individual female Korean athletes with respect to the regression evaluation, positive scores were obtained for many athletes and an overall delay in menarche was seen. Delayed menarche was not seen, however, in archery athletes. A strong delay in menarche was thus found in Korean athletes. And it was shown that 80% had moderate or greater menstrual pain and a close relation with menstrual abnormalities, the effectiveness of the delayed menarche evaluation was further validated.

The purpose of this study is to assess the maternal iron status during pregnancy and to evaluate the relationships between the iron indices of maternal, umbilical cord serum, placenta and pregnancy outcomes. Venous bloods samples were drawn from 54 pregnant women just before delivery and cord bloods of their newborn babies were collected immediately after birth. And also, placental tissues were extracted. We investigated the difference of the iron status indices of maternal, umbilical cord serum and placental tissue between two gestational age group (PT group, NT group : preterm delivery and normal term delivery at 34.9wk and 39.0wk of mean gestational length, respectively) and also assessed correlations of iron status indices of maternal, umbilical cord serum and placenta tissue. And lastly, we related between birth weight and iron status indices of maternal, umbilical cord serum and placental tissue. The concentrations of maternal serum ferritin and of placental iron were significantly higher in PT group (32.1 +/- 21.1 ng/ml, 68.5 +/- 16.7microgram / g), than those of NT group (20.8 +/- 11.6 ng / ml, 53.2 +/- 17.4 microgram / g) respectively (p < 0.001). However the serum ferritin of umbilical cord were significantly higher in NT group (PT : 109.4 +/- 65.7 ng/ml, NT : 147.0 +/- 56.8 ng / ml) than those of PT group (p < 0.05). Our results showed that a negative association between birth weight (r=-0.361) and maternal serum ferritin and that a positive association between birth weight and umbilical cord serum ferritin (r=0.261). Despite not a significant difference, there was tendency that highest concentration of maternal serum ferritin was associated with the lowest birth weight. These findings indicate that birth weight of newborn is dependent of multiple factors such as maternal iron status during pre-pregnancy, body size, general nutritional status. Although for women who enter pregnancy with low iron stores, enough intakes of iron during pregnancy could produce undesirable pregnancy outcome. Therefore we suggest for successful pregnancy outcome and delivery differential iron supplementation program will be carried out individual pregnant women on the basis of pre-pregnancy nutritional status.
Birth Weight* ; Body Size ; Female ; Ferritins ; Fetal Blood ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Iron* ; Nutritional Status ; Parturition* ; Placenta* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnant Women ; Umbilical Cord*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty on changes of serum leptin levels in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

METHODSSixty-one patients with OSAHS diagnosed by polysomnography were treated with uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. Pretreatment and post-uppp serum leptin concentrations in patients with OSAHS and in BMI-matched controls were measured by radioimmunoassay. Correlations between leptin concentrations and AHI, BMI were analyzed.

RESULTSThe concentrations of leptin in patients with OSAHS were higher than that in controls (P < 0.05). Mean levels (x+/-s) of leptin were (9.8+/-2.1) microg/L, (14.2+/-6.7) microg/L, and (19.3+/-7.9) microg/L in patients with severe, mediate and mild obstructive sleep apnea, respectively. Serum leptin levels correlated positively with the degree of OSAHS as reflected by AHI (r = 0. 68, P < 0.01). The leptin concentration of 51 responders after 6 months were significantly decreased (P < 0.01) than that of pre-operation. However, the difference of leptin concentration between pre-operation and post operation was not significant in 9 nonresponders (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThere are higher leptin concentrations in patients with OSAHS, which are significantly correlated to the severity of disease. Serum leptin levels in responders decreased significantly after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. OSAHS may influence the leptin system, resulting in increased serum leptin level.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Leptin ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; blood ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo study the application of extraoral distraction devices in correction of various maxillo-mandibular deformities.

METHODSFrom 1997, 11 cases with various maxillo-mandibular deformities were corrected by distraction devices of designed by myself. 7 cases of then were the patients with cleft palate who have severe secondary maxillary hypoplasia. 1 case with micrognathia, 1 case with partial mandibular mentum defect, 1 case with lateral deviation of micrognathia and 1 case with hemimandibular hypertrophy. The mandibles were elongated, from 12 mm to 20 mm, the maxillae were elongated from 7 mm to 22 mm, the vertical mandibular distraction was 15 mm.

RESULTSAll cases were corrected satisfactorily and haven't any complications. In 1 cases the 1 Kischners pin had been pull out by loosen during distration. 4 Kischners pin were curved during vertical mandibular distration. Another case the maxillary hypoplasia appeared edge-to-edge and mild open occlusion after 4 weeks fixation.

CONCLUSIONThe extraoral distration osteogenesis provides a new method with many advantages for those maxillo-mandibular deformities that are difficulty corrected by ordinary orthognathic surgery.

Cleft Palate ; therapy ; Humans ; Jaw Abnormalities ; therapy ; Mandible ; abnormalities ; Maxilla ; abnormalities ; Micrognathism ; therapy ; Osteogenesis, Distraction ; instrumentation ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo observe the role of activation of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/ R) injury in diabetic rats.

METHODSDiabetic rat model was simulated by intraperitoneal injection 55 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) and divided into diabetes and ethanol + diabetes groups (n = 8). After 8 weeks, myocardial ischemia/reperfusion model was mimicked in vitro. The ventricular dynamical parameters and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) content in coronary flow were determined. The fasting blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level were determined by automatic biochemistry analyzer. The ALDH2 mRNA and protein expressions of left anterior myocardium were evaluated by RT-PCR and Western blot.

RESULTSIn contrast to I/R in normal rat, in diabetic rat, left ventricular development pressure (LVDP), maximal rise/fall rate of left ventricular pressure (+/- dp/dtmax) and left ventricular work (RPP) were decreased, left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and LDH release were increased, and ALDH2 mRNA and protein expressions were decreased; compared with I/R in diabetic rat, ALDH2 agonist ethanol significantly promoted the recovery of LVDP, +/- dp/dtmax, RPP, reduced HbA1c level, LVEDP and LDH released, ALDH2 mRNA and protein expressions were increased.

CONCLUSIONIn diabetic rat, the expression of ALDH2 was decreased when heart was subjected to I/R. Enhanced mitochondrial ALDH2 expression in diabetic rat could play cardiac protective role.

Aldehyde Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, Mitochondrial ; Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; complications ; metabolism ; Male ; Mitochondrial Proteins ; metabolism ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; etiology ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

PURPOSE: Ventricular repolarization is assessed using the QT interval corrected by the heart rate (QTc) via an electrocardiogram (ECG). Prolonged QTc is associated with an increased risk of arrhythmias and cardiac mortality. As there have been few reports regarding the effects of hyperthyroidism on ventricular repolarization, we studied the association between serum free thyroxine (free T4 [fT4]) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels and the QTc interval. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients with hyperthyroidism (<30 years old) were included, and we used their clinical records and available ECGs (between August 2003 and August 2011) to evaluate the association between their fT4 and TSH levels and their QTc interval. In addition, we studied the ECGs of 72 age-matched patients with no hyperthyroidism (control group) and compared their data with that from the patients group. RESULTS: The QTc duration in patients with hyperthyroidism was significantly prolonged compared to that in the control subjects (P<0.001). In addition, the number of hyperthyroid patients with abnormal prolonged QTc was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.001). Among the patients with hyperthyroidism, patients with prolonged QTc and borderline QTc had higher fT4 levels and there was positive correlation between their fT4 levels and their QTc interval (P<0.05). However, no correlation was observed between their TSH levels and their QTc interval. CONCLUSION: We report that hyperthyroidism is associated with QTc prolongation. The correlation between the fT4 levels and the QTc interval suggests that thyroid status is associated with QTc values and the risk of cardiac mortality.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Electrocardiography ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism* ; Long QT Syndrome ; Mortality ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyrotropin ; Thyroxine

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical screening and value of vertebral artery ultrasound, Transcranial doppler (TCD), Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and Computed tomography angiography (CTA) in the diagnosis of cerebral arteriosclerosis combined with vertebral artery abnormalies according to vertebral artery digital subtraction angiography (DSA).

METHODSFrom January 2006 to September 2010, 186 patients with cerebral arteriosclerosis were retrospectively analyzed. Among the patients, 133 cases were males and 53 cases were females,ranged from 30 to 84 years (with a mean of 63.8 years). All the patients were estimated by DSA; 172 cases were estimated vertebral artery ultrasound and TCD; 53 cases were estimated by MRA; 25 cases were estimated by CTA. The positive results by DSA were seen as case group, while the negative results were seen as control group. The sensitivity, specificity and concordance rate among four groups were calculated.

RESULTSThe abnormality rate of vertebral artery with DSA, vertebral artery ultrasound, TCD, MRA and CTA separately was 50.00% (93/186), 30.81% (53/172), 49.42% (85/172),15.10% (8/53) and 40.00% (10/25). According to DSA standard, the sensitivity of vertebral artery ultrasound in diagnosing was 50.57%, the specificity was 89.41%, and concordance rate was 69.77%; while the sensitivity of TCD was 68.48%, the specificity was 72.50%, and concordance rate was 70.35%; the sensitivity of MRA was 21.43%, specificity was 92.00%, and concordance rate was 54.72%; the sensitivity of CTA was 63.64%,the specificity was 78.57%, and concordance rate was 72.00%.

CONCLUSIONThe reasonable and combined application of vertebral artery ultrasound, TCD, MRA and CTA is helpful for diagnosing cerebral arteriosclerosis combined with vertebral artery abnormalies. For the patients with cerebrovascular disease, cervical massage technique should be paid highly attention, which may cause vertebral artery injury and other complications.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Arteriosclerosis ; diagnosis ; Cerebral Arteries ; diagnostic imaging ; Cerebrovascular Disorders ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Intracranial Arteriosclerosis ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ultrasonography ; Vertebral Artery ; abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging

OBJECTIVETo study the difference in the pharmacokinetics of emodin in Zhiganning capsules and Rhizoma Polygontum Cuspidatum by nonaqueous RP-HPLC.

METHODThe rats were orally administered with the extraction of Rhizoma Polygontum Cuspidatum and Zhiganning capsules. After hydrolysis and extraction, the content of emodin in the plasma is determined by Nonaqueous RP-HPLC.

RESULTThe concentration-time profiles of emodin fit two-compartment model. The pharmacokinetics parameters including, t1/2alpha, AUC(0-infinity), CL(s) and C(max) of emodin in the group of Rhizoma Polygontum Cuspidatum were significantly different from these in the group of its compounds.

CONCLUSIONThere is a significant difference in pharmacokinetics of emodin between zhiganning capsules and the extraction of Rhizoma Polygontum Cuspidatum.

Animals ; Area Under Curve ; Capsules ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Emodin ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Female ; Male ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polygonum ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rhizome ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between the genetic variant of miRNA-1 target gene COG6 rs9548934 C→T and the risk of premature coronary artery disease (pCAD).

METHODSThis study included 226 pACD patients and 275 gender and age matched pCAD-free controls hospitalized in our hospital, diagnosis was made based on coronary angiography (CAG) results. The genotypes of miRNA-1 target gene COG6 rs9548934 C→T were detected by PCR-RFLP.

RESULTSCompared with the wide genotype CC, subjects with the variant genotypes CT of rs9548934 C→T was associated with a 45% lower risk of pACD (adjusted OR = 0.55, 95%CI = 0.36 - 0.82, P = 0.003), and the subjects with CT/TT genotypes were also associated with a significantly lower risk of pACD (adjusted OR = 0.64, 95%CI = 0.44 - 0.92, P = 0.015). Using the median serum TG level (1.20 mmol/L) in control group as the cutoff value, subjects with higher serum TG levels were associated with increased risk of pACD after adjustment for age, gender and BMI (adjusted OR = 2.32, 95%CI = 1.57 - 3.41, P < 0.001). In addition, subjects with higher HDL-C levels were associated with significantly lower risk of pACD (adjusted OR = 0.48, 95%CI = 0.31 - 0.75, P = 0.001). Stratified analyses showed that the risk reduction for pCAD in CT/TT genotypes carriers was more significant in the female subjects (adjusted OR = 0.54, 95%CI = 0.30 - 0.97, P = 0.040), and in subjects with lower TG, TC, HDL-C and LDL-C levels (adjusted OR = 0.62, 95%CI = 0.39 - 0.98, P = 0.040; adjusted OR = 0.55, 95%CI = 0.35 - 0.85, P = 0.008; adjusted OR = 0.43, 95%CI = 0.22 - 0.87, P = 0.018; adjusted OR = 0.49, 95%CI = 0.32 - 0.75, P = 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONThe polymorphism of miRNA-1 target gene COG6 rs9548934C→T is associated with lower risk of pCAD, especially in female subjects and subjects with lower serum lipid levels.

Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport ; genetics ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Coronary Artery Disease ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

OBJECTIVETo explore the safety and effectiveness of endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) in the treatment of colorectal polyps.

METHODEMR was applied in the treatment of colorectal polyps.

RESULTSA total of 3578 polyps in 2609 patients were all completely resected except 2 cases and the integrated rate of samples was 99.6%. Intra- and post-operation complications occurred in 22 cases(0.8%), including 7 intraoperative bleeding, 5 postoperative bleeding, and 10 thermal burn, which were cured by symptomatic treatment. A total of 1530 (58.6%) cases were followed-up with 3-12 months and no relapse was found in former place of excision.

CONCLUSIONEMR can be applied in resection of colorectal polyps effectively and safely.

Aged ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Humans ; Intestinal Mucosa ; surgery ; Intestinal Polyps ; surgery ; Postoperative Hemorrhage ; Recurrence