OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the urinary concentrations of hydroxyridinium crosslinks of collagen in patients with osteoarthritis(OA) or rheumatoid arthritis(RA), and to compare its clinical correlation with the classic indices of the disease activity of RA. METHODS: Concentrations of urinary pyridinoline (Pyd) and deoxypyridinoline(Dpd) were measured in urinary samples collected from 18 control patients, 35 patients with OA, 45 patients with RA by competitive enzyme immunoassay using microplate coated with monoclonal antibody. RESULTS: 1) Mean urinary concentrations of Pyd in OA patients were 33.5nmol/mmol creatinine, in RA patients were 50.0nmol/mmol creatinine which were higher than the values in controls (25.1 nmol/mmol creatinine). Also, mean concentrations of Dpd in OA patients were 9.2nmol/mmol creatinine, in RA patients were 10.1nmol/mmol creatinine which were higher than the values in controls(5.6nmol/mmol creatinine)(p<0.01). 2) Mean urinary concentration of Pyd was 50.0 nmol/mmol creatinine in RA patients, which was significantly higher than the values in OA(33.5 nnmol/mmol creatinine)(p<0.05), but the mean Dpd concentratians were not significantly different between the two groups. 3) The concentrations of urinary Pyd in RA patients was significantly correlated with the biologic markers indicating inflammatory activity such as ESR(r=0.68, p<0.001), CRP(r=0.72, p<0.001) and the number of tender joint(r=0.66, p<0.01) CONCLUSION: Urinary concentrations of Pyd and Dpd were significantly higher in OA and RA patients than in controls, Especially urinary Pyd concentrations were significantly increased in RA patients than in OA patients, and strongly correlated with disease activity index of rheumatoid arthritis. The mean Dpd concentration, bone specific analogue, in RA patients was not significantly different from that of OA patients and it was not correlated with disease activity index Thus measurement of urinary Pyd might provide a sensitive, noninvasive biochemical marker for studying activity of RA.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Biomarkers ; Collagen ; Creatinine ; Humans ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; Osteoarthritis

No abstract available.
Animals ; Rats* ; Reperfusion*

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate early and mid-term outcomes of carotid artery stenting (CAS). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 111 patients who were treated for carotid stenosis between October 2004 and December 2009 (42 CASs and 69 carotid endarterectomies [CEAs]). RESULTS: CAS group was older than CEA group (70 years vs. 67 years, P = 0.001). Coronary artery disease and high lesion above the 2nd cervical vertebral body were more common in CAS group (29% vs. 13%, P = 0.002; 4% vs. 24%, P = 0.004). The 30-days stroke rate was higher in CAS group (10% vs. 1% in CEA group, P = 0.067, Fisher's exact test). New brain lesions on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging were more common in CAS group (48% vs. 20% in CEA group, P = 0.002, chi-square test). The 1-, 3-year freedom from stroke were 91%, 84% in CAS group and 99%, 99% in CEA group (P = 0.007, log-rank test). Univariate analysis showed that female gender and age > 70 years were related with postprocedural neurological complications (P = 0.046 and P = 0.007, log-rank test). However, none were independent risk factors on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: In our series, the rates of peri-procedural neurological complications in CAS group were significantly high. These results suggest that more experience and restricted patient selection will be needed for CAS.
Brain ; Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Stenosis ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Endarterectomy ; Endarterectomy, Carotid ; Female ; Freedom ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Patient Selection ; Penicillanic Acid ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Stents ; Stroke

The development of food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) is based on food use and/or dish use. Regardless of potential effect of oils and seasonings on chronic diseases, most of food-based FFQs do not include oils and seasonings in calculation of nutrient intake. This study examined the effect of added (seasoning) oils and seasonings on the distribution of subjects by relative nutrient intake using a dish-based FFQ. The subjects were 1,303 persons (men 478, women 825) aged over 20 years old, who completed FFQ composed of 121 items. Three types of daily nutrient intake were calculated; 1) total nutrient intake with oils and seasonings, 2) nutrient intake without oils, and 3) nutrient intake without oils and seasonings. The correlation and agreement of classification of subjects by relative nutrient intake were examined. All analyses were performed using absolute nutrient intakes and total energy-adjusted nutrient intakes by residual method. Comparing total nutrient intake with the nutrient intake without oils, energy, vegetable fat and vitamin E intake were significantly decreased and kappa values were 0.95 (kappa w = 0.98), 0.64 (kappa w = 0.81), and 0.59 (kappa w = 0.79), respectively. Comparing total nutrient intake with the nutrient intake without oils and seasonings, most of nutrients intake except animal fat, animal protein, retinol and cholesterol were significantly decreased, and kappa values of vegetable fat (kappa = 0.64, kappa w = 0.81), vitamin E (kappa = 0.59, kappa w = 0.79) and sodium (kappa = 0.61, kappa w = 0.80) were under 0.80. After total energy was adjusted, agreement was lower than before total energy adjustment. Excluding oils and seasonings to assess nutrient intake underestimated vegetable fat, vitamin E and sodium intake and affected the distribution of subjects by their relative nutrient intake. Therefore, we suggest that research focused on these nutrients need to be cautious about the interpretation of the results.
Aged ; Animals ; Cholesterol ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Humans ; Oils ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Seasons ; Sodium ; Vegetables ; Vitamin A ; Vitamin E ; Vitamins

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has taken a toll on human lives and health systems worldwide and is still affecting all medical practices years later. In particular, much medical staff had to sacrifice in areas where the medical system was overloaded in the early stages of the outbreak and the resulting shortage of medical resources. In the future, another pandemic disease seems to emerge, which should threaten otolaryngologists inevitably. It is necessary to understand viral aerosolization and practice recommendations for COVID-19. These can guarantee the most effective treatment for the patients during the pandemic and protect the safety of our medical staff and patients.

BACKGROUND: Leptin, produced in the adipose tissue, is involved in the regulation of body weight. The release of the leptin is increased in obese adults even in children. This study investigated whether the serum leptin in cord blood was related to babys birth weight and metabolic parameters. METHODS: 71 pairs of singleton pregnancy babies and their mother were studied. Babies are classified in LGA (large for gestational age), AGA (appropriate for gestational age), SGA (small for gestational age) three groups. After delivery, cord blood and maternal venous blood samples were drawn. We measured the plasma leptin, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, insulin and proinsulin in cord and maternal serum. RESULTS: The concentration of leptin from cord blood was increased in LGA babies and decreased in SGA babies compued with the level in AGA babies. There was positive correlatian (r=0.55, p<0.01) between the plasma leptin level in cord and birth weight. There were positive correlatian between both the plasma proinsulin (r=0.37, p<0.01) and IGF-1 (r=0.32, p<0.01) and birth weight, too. But there was no difference between female and male baby's cord blood leptin level. In multiple regression analysis, cord blood leptin level was found independent factor related to birth weight ( p=0.001) CONCLUDION : The plasma leptin, proinsulin and IGF-1 is correlates to the birth weight. These data provide evidence that leptin and proinsulin are highly related to the nutritional status already during the fetal periods, and effect on the intrauterine fetal growth.
Adipose Tissue ; Adult ; Birth Weight* ; Body Weight ; Child ; Female ; Fetal Blood* ; Fetal Development ; Humans ; Insulin ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Leptin* ; Male ; Mothers ; Nutritional Status ; Parturition* ; Plasma ; Pregnancy ; Proinsulin

BACKGROUND: The laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has been accepted as the procedure of choice for chronic cholecystitis. However in cases of acute cholecystitis, the safety and the efficacy of LC has not been fully determined. Thus we performed this study to assess the clinical outcomes of a LC for acute cholecystitis to evaluate it's efficacy and safety. METHODS: The authors retrospectively analyzed 1,164 LCs performed in Yeungnam University Hospital from May 1991 to March 1996. Among the 1,164 LCs, 118 were performed for acute cholecystitis and 1,046 were performed for chronic cholecystitis. The authors compared the mean operation time, the conversion rate to an open cholecystectomy (OC), the reasons for conversion, the complication rate, the postoperative hospital stay, and the postoperative use of analgesics between the patients with acute cholecystitis and the patients with chronic cholecystitis. RESULTS: In the 1046 patients with chronic cholecystitis, the mean operation time was 55.9 minutes, the conversion rate to an OC was 2.7%, the complication rate was 4.0%, the mean postoperative hospital stay was 3.3 days, and analgesics were used in 48% of the patients. However in the 118 patients with acute cholecystitis, the mean operation time was 65 minutes, the conversion rate to an OC was 11.8%, the complication rate was 16.9%, the mean hospital stay was 4.4 days, and analgesics were used in the 60% of the patients. Also the authors found that the longer duration of preoperative symptoms and an advanced state of inflammation (e.g., GB empyema or gangrenous changes) were the two most common causes of conversion to an OC in the case of acute cholecystitis. Although all the analyzed parameters (especially, the conversion rate and the complication rate) were higher in the patients with acute cholecystitis than they were in the patients with chronic cholecystitis, a LC for acute cholecystitis seems to be acceptable because there were no mortalities and there were no life threatening complications. CONCLUSIONS: From, the aspects of safety and efficacy, a LC can be performed in most patients with acute cholecystitis. However, it should be remembered that the prolonged duration of symptoms prior to a LC increases the conversion rate to O.C. and if we confront the advanced cholecystitis (GB empyem or gangrenous change) with difficult Calot's triangle during a L.C., early conversion to an OC should be considered.
Analgesics ; Cholecystectomy ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic* ; Cholecystitis ; Cholecystitis, Acute* ; Empyema ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Length of Stay ; Mortality ; Retrospective Studies

Ulva compressa Linnaeus (UCL) is a green algae seaweed that performs photosynthesis and is used as a food material in some Asian regions including Korea. It is known to be the dominant species in copper ion-contaminated seas, and many studies on copper ion resistant mechanisms have been reported. UCL is known to have an excellent antioxidant effect, but limited information is available regarding its other physiological activities. In this study, we investigated the anticancer activity of 30% prethanol extracts of Ulva compressa Linnaeus (30% PeUCL) and the underlying mechanisms of its activity on human FaDu hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells. The 30% PeUCL extracts suppressed FaDu cell viability without affecting normal cells (L929), as determined by MTT and viability assays. Furthermore, the 30% PeUCL extracts induced apoptosis, as determined by DAPI staining. The 30% PeUCL extracts inhibited colony formation effectively as well as wound-healing of FaDu cells, even at noncytotoxic concentrations. In addition, 30% PeUCL extracts induced apoptosis significantly through proteolytic cleavage of caspase-3, -7, and -9, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, and by downregulation of Bcl-2 and upregulation of Bax in FaDu cells, as determined by Western blot analysis. Collectively, these results suggest that the inhibitory effect of 30% PeUCL extracts on the growth of oral cancer cells, colony formation and wound-healing may be mediated by caspase- and mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathways in human FaDu hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells. Therefore, 30% PeUCL extracts can be administered as a natural chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of human oral cancers.

PURPOSE: Preoperative chemoradiotherapy has become an important adjunct in the management of rectal cancer. But both systemic toxicity of chemotherapy and local effect of radiation interfere wound healing of intestinal anastomosis and ultimately may lead to anastomotic leak and septic complications. The purpose of this study is to determine the optimal time interval between preoperative chemoradiotherapy and anastmotic construction, and it was evaluated by security of anastomotic construction. METHODS: One hundred and twenty male Sprague Dawley rats weighing approximately 250 g were randomly divided into 4 groups (Control group; n=40, Group 1; n=20, Group 2; n=20, Group 3; n=40). The control group (n=20) underwent anastomotic construction at 1 week after general anesthesia without preoperative chemoradiotherapy. The experimental animals (group 1, 2, 3) received preoperative chemoradiotherapy with 5 daily dose (20 mg/kg) of 5-fluorouracil and single dose of 1500 cGy radiation at the rectosigmoid junction under general anesthesia on the day after last dose of chemotherapy. And group 1~3 subsequently underwent a laparotomy to make anastomotic construction at 1 week (Group 1), 2 weeks (Group 2), and 3 weeks (Group 3; n=20) after completion of chemoradiotherapy. The security of anastomotic construction was determined by bursting pressure, tissue hydroxyproline content, gross and microscopic findings of anastomotic area at the 5th and 10th postoperative day after anastomotic construction. To evaluate systemic toxicity after che-moradiotherapy, serial body weight and alteration of CBC were measured in the control group (n=20) and Group 3 (n=20) without anastomotic construction. RESULTS: At the 5th postoperative day, Mean bursting pressures of the all treated groups were lower than that of the control group (Control group; 88 23 mmHg, Group 1; 49 22 mmHg, Group 2; 56 17 mmHg, Group 3; 78 23 mmHg). The difference was not significant in the group 3 compared with the control group. Body weight decreased in the all treated animals. The mean body weight was lowest on the day 8 after completion of chemoradiotherapy and then it gradually increased. WBC and platelet counts also decreased in the all treated animals. WBC count was lowest on the day 1 and platelet count was lowest on the day 3 after completion of chemoradiotherapy. Mean hydroxyproline contents at the anastomotic sites in the all treated groups were higher than that of the control group, especially in the group 2 and 3. Similar histologic changes were observed in both group 3 and control group. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the optimal time interval for safe intestinal anastomosis after preoperative chemoradiotherapy is 3 weeks or later.
Anastomotic Leak ; Anesthesia, General ; Animals ; Body Weight ; Chemoradiotherapy* ; Colon* ; Drug Therapy ; Fluorouracil ; Humans ; Hydroxyproline ; Laparotomy ; Male ; Platelet Count ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Wound Healing