BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of morbidity and mortality. It is well known that androgen and sex hormone-binding globulin(SHBG) in women were associated with risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as obesity, central fat accumulation and atherogenic lipid profile. High resolution B-mode ultrasonography can visualize directly both luminal and vessel wall characteristics, and ultrasonic measurement of carotid intima-medial thickness(IMT) can be used to investigate the atherosclerosis of coronary, cerebral and peripheral arteries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate(DHEA-S) and SHBG, and body fat distribution pattern, cardiovascular risk factor and carotid atherosclerosis in women. METHODS: Blood pressure, fasting serum glucose, insulin, lipid profile, SHBG and DHEA-S were measured. Body fat distribution pattern was assessed by waist to hip ratio, waist to thigh ratio and subscapular to triceps skin fold thickness ratio, faf mass measured by bioelectric impedance analyzer, subcutaneous fat area, visceral fat area, and visceral to subcutaneous fat area ratio(VSR) at the level of umbilicus using the computed tomography. The IMT of the carotid artery was measured by high resolution B mode ultrasound as a marker of atherosclerosis. RESULTS: 1) There was no significant difference of age-adjusted values of carotid IMT among subjects with NGT(0.426+/-0.09mm), IGT(0.46+/-10.09mm) and NIDDM(0.453+/-0.11mm). 2) In postrnenopausal women, carotid IMT was greater(0.484+/-0.11mm, p=0.05) than premenopausal women(0.426+/-0.08mm), but it was not significant after age adjustment. Serum SHBG and DHEA-S levels in postmenopausal women were significantly lower(p<0.05) than premenopausal women, but they were not significant after age adjustment. 3) Carotid IMT was significantly correlated with age(r=0.37, p<0.01), fasting serum glucose (r=0.32, p<0.01), total cholesterol(r= 0.25, p<0.05), LDL-cholesterol(r=0.26, p<0.05), visceral fat area(r=0.35, p<0.01) and VSR(r=0.31, p<0.05). 4) By the stepwise multiple regression analysis, carotid IMT was positively and significantly associated with age(p<0.01) and serum DHEA-S concentration(p<0.05) in dent of age, body mass index, waist to hip ratio, fasting serum glucose. CONCLUSION: Carotid IMT was associated with age and serum DHEA-S concentration in women without cardiovascular disease. Therefore, serum DHEA-S may be one of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in women. However, we could not conclude its cause-result relationship because of cross sectional nature of our study, and prospective study will be needed.
Arteries ; Atherosclerosis ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Body Fat Distribution ; Body Mass Index ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Artery Diseases* ; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate* ; Dehydroepiandrosterone* ; Electric Impedance ; Fasting ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Mortality ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Phenobarbital ; Risk Factors ; Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin* ; Skin ; Subcutaneous Fat ; Thigh ; Ultrasonics ; Ultrasonography ; Umbilicus ; Waist-Hip Ratio

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Serum levels of highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), a vascular inflammatory marker, may predict the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are at greater risk for type 2 diabetes and CVD. The aim of this study was to compare hsCRP levels between normal weight women with PCOS and controls with a normal menstrual cycle and to determine the factors associated with serum hsCRP levels. METHODS: Thirty-nine lean PCOS patients and 24 healthy, regular cycling women were enrolled in this study. We performed anthropometric measurements, fat computed tomography (CT), and blood sampling to determine blood chemistry and levels of hsCRP, gonadotropins, testosterone, and sex-hormone binding globulin. We also conducted 75-g oral glucose-tolerance test and euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp to assess insulin sensitivity. RESULTS: Serum hsCRP concentrations were higher in women with PCOS than in women with regular mensturation. However, this difference was no longer significant after adjusting for body mass index (BMI). hsCRP levels were correlated with waist circumference (r=0.46, p<0.01), BMI (r=0.46, p<0.01), visceral fat area (r=0.45, p<0.01), and systolic (r=0.42, p<0.05) and diastolic blood pressure (r=0.39, p<0.05). hsCRP also tended to be negatively associated with insulin-mediated glucose uptake (IMGU) (r=-0.31, p=0.07). A multiple regression analysis revealed that BMI (beta=0.29, p<0.05), systolic blood pressure (beta=0.39, p<0.01), and IMGU (beta=-0.31, p<0.05) predicted serum hsCRP levels in women with PCOS. CONCLUSIONS: PCOS by itself does not seem to be associated with increased hsCRP levels, whereas known CVD risk factors affect serum hsCRP levels in PCOS.
Adult ; Body Mass Index ; C-Reactive Protein/*analysis ; Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/*blood/complications ; Regression Analysis

No abstract available.
Animals ; Coal* ; Dust* ; Lung* ; Rats* ; Silicon Dioxide*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Pneumoconiosis*

BACKGROUND: This study was performed with NW-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester ((L)-NAME), an inhibitor of EDRF production, and glibenclamide, which closes ATP dependent K+ channels, to determine their effects on hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in isolated perfused rat lungs ventilated with normoxia (21% O2, 5% CO2, balanced N2) and hypoxia (5% O2, 5% CO2, balanced N2). METHODS: Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats (250 - 350 g) were divided into the control group (n = 10), glibenclamide group (n = 10), and (L)-NAME group (n = 10). In the control group, after the lungs were isolated and stabilized, they were exposed to angiotensin II and 3 consecutive hypoxias. In glibenclamide group, they were exposed to angiotensin II and 3 consecutive hypoxias, and exposed to 3 more hypoxias after injection of glibenclamide 10 uM. In the (L)-NAME group, they were exposed to angiotensin II and 3 consecutive hypoxias, and exposed to 3 more hypoxias after injection of (L)-NAME 100 uM. RESULTS: Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (deltaPpa) after the (L)-NAME 100nM injection was 12.5 +/- 1.1 mmHg, and it was significantly greater than that of the control group 4.2 +/- 1.1 mmHg (P < 0.05). Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (deltaPpa) after glibenclamide 10nM injection was 5.3 +/- 1.1 mmHg, and there was no difference with the control group, 4.2 +/- 1.1 mmHg. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that (L)-NAME, an inhibitor of EDRF production, significantly increased hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, but glibenclamide, which closes ATP dependent K+ channels, did not affect hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in this model.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; Angiotensin II ; Animals ; Anoxia ; Glyburide* ; Humans ; Lung ; Male ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester* ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vasoconstriction*

In air leak syndrome, a significant portion of the volume delivered during a positive pressure breath can be lost through the leak. HFOV can achieve adequate ventilation at lower peak and/or mean intrapulmonary pressure than conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) and has been an effective treatment of already established air leak syndrome. We report a 1-day-old male infant with severe respiratory failure from pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum, who was refractory to CMV with chest tube drainage. HFOV was applied to this patient for 114 hours, and improvement of oxygenation and ventilation as well as significant reduction of pneumothorax followed.
Chest Tubes ; Drainage ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Mediastinal Emphysema ; Oxygen ; Pneumothorax ; Respiration, Artificial ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Ventilation*

BACKGROUND: To reduce the risk of Mendelson's syndrome, it is customary to fast patients for 8 hours before anesthesia. However preoperative fast is unpleasant for patients, who complain frequently of thirst and dry mouth, and this conventional fast may be over-cautious. We have studied the effect of ingestion of barley tea, a Korean popular beverage, 3 hours before anesthesia on gastric contents (volume and pH), blood sugar level, thirst, and anxiety. METHODS: We studied prospectively 284 adult patients undergoing elective surgery. The patients in the control group (n=142) fasted for at least 8 hours, and those in the experimental group (n=142) received 250 ml of barley tea 3 hours before anesthesia. On arrival in the operating room, subjects were asked to assess thirst and anxiety. After induction of anesthesia, gastric contents were aspirated via 18 French Salem sump tube and gastric volume, pH and blood sugar level were measured. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in gastric fluid volume and pH and blood sugar level between control and experimental groups. However, patients in experimental group complained of less thirst than those in control group. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that in adult patients undergoing elective surgery, allowing patients to drink 250 ml of barley tea until 3 hours before anesthesia may relieve patients from thirst without compromising safety.
Adult ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General ; Anxiety ; Beverages ; Blood Glucose ; Eating ; Hordeum ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration* ; Mouth ; Operating Rooms ; Pneumonia, Aspiration ; Prospective Studies ; Tea ; Thirst

We performed clinical and virological studies on 79 children with hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) who had been admitted or visited to the department of Pediatrics, Asan Medical Center from February to August, 1990. The results were as follows; 1) There were total of 79 cases with hand, foot and mouth disease during this period. The aseptic meningitis was combined in 18 cases (22.8%). 2) The male-to-female ratio of HFMD was 2.03 to 1, but that of aseptic meningitis was 8 to 1. 3) Hand, foot and mouth disease occurred more frequently in under the age of 5 years, and the aseptic meningitis in under the age of 1 year. 4) Hand, foot and mouth disease and the aseptic meningitis occurred mostly in May and June. 5) In addition to the skin manifestations characteristic in hand, foot and mouth disease, some of the patients with aseptic meningitis had the following symptoms: change of consiousness, seizure, monoparesis in the upper extremity, paraparesis in the lower extremity. 6) The causative agent of hand, foot and mouth disease associated with the aseptic meningitis in Seoul in 1990 seemed to be enterovirus 71 according to the serologic study.
Animals ; Child ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Enterovirus ; Foot-and-Mouth Disease ; Hand* ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease* ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Meningitis, Aseptic* ; Paraparesis ; Paresis ; Pediatrics ; Seizures ; Seoul* ; Skin Manifestations ; Upper Extremity

No abstract available.
Animals ; Rats*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Hysterectomy* ; Lymph Node Excision* ; Lymph Nodes* ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms*