Objective To semiquantify salivary gland damage after 131I treatment in patients post thyroidectomy using salivary gland scintigraphy. Methods Fifty-six patients underwent salivary gland scintigraphy 6 months after 131I ablation therapy following thyroidectomy, including 21 with both baseline (before 131I treatment) and follow-up (6 months after the 1st 131I treatment) imaging. Salivary gland function was quantified by uptake ratios at 4 minutes (UR4) and 15 minutes (UR15), and excretory index at maximum secretion (MS), time duration from stimulation to minimum count (Tmin ). Paired t test was used for the 21 patients with both baseline and follow-up imaging. All the studies were divided into four groups: before 131I therapy, after 1st therapy, after 2nd therapy, and after 3rd or more times of therapy. Group differences were evaluated by the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)/Kruskal-Wallis test. Spearman test was used to analyze the correlation between the parameters and times of therapy. Results After the 1st 131I therapy, UR15 for the left and right parotid glands were 16% and 14% lower than the baseline, respectively (t=2.188, 3.322, both P<0.05). All the other parameters were not significantly different from those of baseline (t: -0.952 to 2.039, all P>0.05). Among the four groups, significantly different parameters for both parotid glands were found: UR4, UR15, MS for the left parotid of the four groups were 1.76±0.29, 2.60±0.38, (72.8±24.2)%; 1.55±0.34, 2.15±0.51, (64.4±21.6)%; 1.55±0.40, 2.02±0.68, (57.2±34.2)%; 1.45±0.33, 1.69±0.46, (30.6±36.9)%; respectively (F values for UR4 and UR15 were 7.018, 3.112 and H value for MS was 12.240, all P<0.05). UR4, UR15, MS for the right parotid were 1.81±0.33, 2.57±0.51, (69.1±18.5)%; 1.61±0.38, 2.19±0.59, (64.2±25.0)%; 1.60±0.42, 2.00±0.62, (53.2±41.7)%; 1.48±0.38, 1.63±0.29, (26.1±45.9)%, respectively (F=13.393,10.194,H=26.569,all P<0.05). However, no statistical differences were P>0.05). According to pair-pair comparison, only the degree of reduction of UR15 for parotid glands was significantly different between the 1st and 2nd therapy (P<0.05). UR4, UR15, MS for bilateral parotid glands reduced significantly after 3 or more times of therapy (all P<0.05).The parametres UR4, UR15, MS were correlated with times of 131I therapy (r:-0.296 to -0.566, all P<0.05). Conclusions Salivary uptake function is impaired slightly after the 1st radioiodine therapy. After several times of therapy, both parotid uptake and excretion functions are impaired. Submandibular functions are not affected even after repeated 131I therapy.

PURPOSE: Female sexual dysfunction may have its origin in abnormal blood flow into the clitoris during sexual stimulation. There have been few studies to measure the clitoral blood flow by color duplex Doppler ultrasonography. The goal of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic values of clitoral color duplex Doppler ultrasonography with audiovisual sexual stimulation (AVSS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clitoral color duplex Doppler ultrasonography was performed during AVSS with glasses-type monitor. A total of fourteen women were included in the study; five premenopausal volunteers (mean age; 35, range; 24-50), five sexual arousal disorder patients (mean age; 38, range; 31-45) and four menopausal volunteers (mean age; 53, range; 47-56). Peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV) and resistance index (RI) of clitoral cavernosal arteries were measured during AVSS in each patients. RESULTS: In the premenopausal volunteer group, PSV of clitoral arteries (mean SD) showed 38.7 +/- 9.7cm/sec, EDV 14.9 +/- 3.2cm/sec, RI 0.59 +/- 0.04, respectively. PSV of clitoral arteries decreased to 27.3 9.6cm/sec in sexual arousal disorder group, 18.1 +/- 6.5cm/sec in menopausal group. PSV significantly decreased in menopausal group (p<0.05) compared to the premenopausal volunteer group, but RI did not be changed significantly. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that clitoral duplex Doppler ultrasonography with AVSS may be used to evaluate clitoral arterial function in the female sexual dysfunction patients. However, further studies are needed in a large group to define normal clitoral blood flow parameters.
Arteries ; Clitoris ; Female ; Humans ; Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological ; Ultrasonography, Doppler ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex* ; Volunteers

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of exercise and steroid to the muscle of animal model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. METHOD: We used 15 mdx and 15 control mice. To grade exercise loading, control and mdx mice were divided into free-living, exercise and immobilization groups. Free-living and exercise groups were further divided into steroid-treated and sham-treated groups to evaluate the effect of steroid administration. We measured the apoptotic changes using in situ DNA nick-end labling (TUNEL), DNA fragmentation assay and western blots for Bcl-2 and BAX. RESULT: With TUNEL method, the largest number of myonuclei became positive in sham-treated exercise group while apoptosis was significantly reduced in steroid-treated exercise group in mdx mice. Steroid-treated free-living group showed higher rate of apoptotic change than sham-treated free-living group. With western blots for Bcl-2 and BAX, the value of BAX/Bcl-2 ratio was highest in sham-treated exercise group and among free living mdx mice, it was higher in steroid-treated group than sham-treated one. CONCLUSION: Apoptosis can be minimized in free living condition while exercise loading or immobilization can cause apoptotic change in muscular dystrophy animal model. Steroid administration induces apoptosis in free living muscle and it alleviates apoptotic damage caused by exercise loading in mdx mice.
Animals ; Apoptosis* ; Blotting, Western ; DNA ; DNA Fragmentation ; Immobilization ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred mdx* ; Models, Animal ; Muscle, Skeletal* ; Muscular Dystrophies ; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne ; Social Conditions

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship the electrodiagnostic findings with the functional outcomes in spina bifida patients and to assess usefulness of follow up electrodiagnostic study. METHOD: Initial and follow up electrodiagnostic data of 100 patients who had been diagnosed as spina bifida were obtained retrospectively. Electrophysiological diagnosis and neurological level were investigated by the findings of needle electromyography. Each patients were divided into no change, improvement and deterioration group according to follow up study. The change of urodynamic study findings and clinical findings were also investigated. The recent functional outcomes and the presence of complications were evaluated by recent outpatient record. RESULTS: 56 patients had no change, 15 patients had improvement and 29 patients had deterioration electrophysiologically. The initial electrodiagnostic findings were associated with the functional outcomes in patients with spina bifida (p<0.05). However, neurological level by electrodiagnostic findings cannot predict functional outcomes except ambulation activities. The change of electrodiagnostic findings of follow up study were related with the change of clinical findings statistically (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Follow up electrodiagnostic study as well as initial study is necessary for the evaluation of the change of neurological states in the patients with spina bifida.
Diagnosis ; Electrodiagnosis ; Electromyography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Needles ; Outpatients ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Dysraphism ; Urodynamics ; Walking

Ultrasonography is a simple, noninvasive and relatively accurate method to differentiate carcinomas from stones in the extrahepatic biliary tree. We analysed ultrasonic findings in 18 stoen cases and 10 carcinoma cases of the extrahepatic biliary tree, which were confirmed by microscopic examination or percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography during the period of May 1980 through May 1982 in Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital. The results were as follows: 1. The number of incidences of multiple echogenecities was 11 out of the 18 stone cases (61.1%) but there were no incidences of multiple echogenecities among the carcinoma cases. Eight cases, four of stoens and carcinomas each , were not detected by sonography. 2. The average diameter of the stones was below 20mm in 13 of the 18 cases (72 .2%) and the number of the stoens over 20mm in diameter was only one of the 18(5.6%), while the number of carcinomas over 20mm was three of the 10 cases (30%). 3. In the 18 patients with stoens, the degree of echogenecity was uniformly high in seven (38.9%) and mixed-moderate in seven (38.9%) . All the carcinomas, however, presented mixed-slight echogenecity. The marginal sharpness was well defined in nine of the 18 stone cases (50%), but only one among the carclnomas. 4. The obstructive site in the biliary tree in the stone cases showed a typical meniscus in 10 (55 .6%), abrupt cutting in four (22_2%) and were indiscernible in four (22.2%). But of the 10 carcinoma cases four (40%) were of abrupt cutting, two (20%) funnel
Acoustics ; Bile Ducts, Extrahepatic ; Biliary Tract ; Cholangiography ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Dilatation ; Humans ; Incidence ; Methods ; Ultrasonics ; Ultrasonography

Coronary neovascularity may be formed in patients with the left atrial thrombus, and coronary artery disease may be associated with valvular heart disease. From August 1989 through September 1990, 109 patients over 40 years old with valvular heart disease were performed coronary arteriogram to evaluate the incidence of the associated coronary artery disease. And 9 patients with left atrial thrombi detected noninvasively were also performed coronary arteriogram to evaluate the significance of the neovascularity to predict the left atrial thrombus. The results were as follows : 1) Significant coronary arterial lesion(greater than 50% narrowing of the luminal diameter) was noted in three of 109 patients over 40 years old(2.8%), but there was no typical chest pain in all of the three patients. 2) The coronary neovascularity was found in 19 of 118 patients -18 with mitral valvular disease and one with combined valvular disease. All of the patients with the coronary neovascularity had established atrial fibrillataion and the neovasculaity was originated from the left circumflex artery in all of them. 3) Prosthetic valve replacement was performed in 42 of 118 patients during the study period and left atrial thrombus was found in ten patients with mitral valve disease. Neovascularity on coronary arteriogram was detected in six patients(sensitivity 60%) of the above 10 patiets, and 28 patients without neovascularity had no left atrial thrombus (28/32, specificity 87.5%). Our observation revealed that neovascularity might represent the left atrial thrombus in valvular heart disease, and the incidence of the associated coronary artery disease in valvular heart disease was very low(2.8%) in Korea. Coronary arteriography as a routine preoperative evaluation might be unnecessary in valvular heart disease in Korea.
Adult ; Angiography ; Arteries ; Chest Pain ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Heart Valve Diseases* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Mitral Valve ; Phenobarbital ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thrombosis

PURPOSE: The interest has been growing in the investigation and management of erectile dysfunction, but there is few report about prevalence of erectile dysfunction in Korea. The object of this study was to determine the prevalence of erectile dysfunction of men in rural region in Korea through a community based survey. Also, we investigated the relationship between risk factors and erectile dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 255 men aged 30 and over in chonnam province, Korea was randomly selected for determination of the prevalence of erectile dysfunction, and they participated in questionnaire survey including International Index of Erectile unction (IIEF), and clinical and laboratory examination that include blood pressure, ECG, blood glucose, urinalysis, serum level of lipid profiles, GOT, GPT and creatinine etc. Information on erectile dysfunction were collected by direct personal interview using IIEF. High risk factors of erectile dysfunction were divided according to estimated level and determined relationship with erectile dysfunction. RESULTS: Overall mean IIEF score was 20.6 7.3, and based on IIEF score, the prevalence of erectile dysfunction was 66.3% (169 of 255 men). The prevalence of erectile dysfunction of older aged men over 50 years was significantly higher than younger aged men. Also strong correlation was found between erectile dysfunction and diabetes mellitus, smoking. Although there was no statistical significance by multiple regression analysis, educational level, abnormal findings in ECG, history of chronic disease, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipidemia had relation to erectile dysfunction by ANOVA and Student t-test. And alcohol drinking, triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol were not statistically significant for development of erectile dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed that the prevalence and correlations with risk factors of erectile dysfunction in local community. We hope that this study will aid in larger epidemiologic study and prevention of erectile dysfunction in whole land.
Alcohol Drinking ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Chronic Disease ; Creatinine ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Electrocardiography ; Epidemiologic Studies* ; Erectile Dysfunction* ; Hope ; Humans ; Hypercholesterolemia ; Hyperlipidemias ; Hypertension ; Jeollanam-do ; Korea ; Male* ; Prevalence ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Risk Factors* ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Triglycerides ; Urinalysis

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of functional electrical stimulation (FES) in the paralyzed muscles of rabbits with spinal cord injury (SCI). METHOD: Fifteen male New Zealand white rabbits were injured by spinal cord transection at the T6 level. We classified animals into a normal control group (n=3), and SCI without FES (n=3), SCI with 10 Hz FES (n=6) and SCI with 40 Hz FES (n=6) groups. FES was applied on both tibialis anterior (TA) muscles at two frequencies (10 Hz, 40 Hz) for 1 hour daily for 2 weeks. After treatment TA muscles were separated and apoptotic features were measured by in situ DNA nick-end labeling (TUNEL), DNA fragmentation assays and western blotting for Bcl-2and Bax protein. RESULTS: In TUNEL and DNA fragmentation assay results, the FES groups showed more fragmented myonuclei and DNA, and western blotting showed more Bax protein expression in FES groups than no FES group and control (higher in 40Hz group), whereas Bcl-2 protein expressions were similar in all groups. CONCLUSION: Apoptosis of paralyzed muscle was increased in FES group with higher Bax/Bcl-2 in 40 Hz than in 10 Hz. To evaluate the clinical significance of muscle apoptosis with FES in SCI, further study would be needed.
Animals ; Apoptosis* ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; Blotting, Western ; DNA ; DNA Fragmentation ; Electric Stimulation* ; Humans ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Male ; Muscles ; Rabbits ; Spinal Cord Injuries* ; Spinal Cord*

OBJECTIVETo explore the expression of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) in Tca8113 cell, and to investigate its relationship to the chemoresistance. METHODS; The Tca8113 cell line was cultured by IMDM and the concentration of Pingyangmycin (PYM) added to Tca8113 cell line was increased gradually and continually, which was to induce the PYM-resistance in Tca8113 cell line. The sensitivity of Tca8113 cell to PYM and expression of XIAP were measured with methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) chromatometry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain raction (RT-PCR). The XIAP level in the cells and its chemoresistance to PYM were analyzed by linear regression.

RESULTSThe IC50 of Tca8113-1-10 group and Tca8113-10-10 group were(12.758 +/- 0.030), (18.986 +/- 0.150) microg x mL(-1) respectively. The IC50 of Tca8113-1-20 group and Tca8113-10-20 group increased to (26.302 +/- 0.072), (35.294 +/- 0.115) microg x mL(-1) respectively. There was a relation between XIAP and the drug-resistance in Tca8113 cell.

CONCLUSIONXIAP may play an important role in the chemoresistance which might serve as a new therapeutic target for oral squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on the gene expression of decorin by periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PLFs) in culture, and discuss the effect of bFGF in periodontal regeneration.

METHODSHuman PLFs were cultured and stimulated by exogenous bFGF. Gene expression of decorin was assessed by semi-quantitive RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe mRNA expression of decorin was suppressed by bFGF and the effect was dose-dependent. When the dose of bFGF increased, the inhibitive effect decreased.

CONCLUSIONDecorin has many biological effects. The inhibitive effect may be one of important factors which participate in the healing process of periodontitis, and provide partly theoretical basis of bFGF in periodontal regeneration.