No abstract available.
Meningitis, Bacterial*

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is an uncommon autosomal dominant disorder resulting in vascular malformation, such as pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM). Here, we report a rare case of pulmonary arteriovenous malformation caused by HHT in a hemodialysis (HD) patient. A 34-year-old man receiving maintenance HD via radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula developed progressive dyspnea without definite pulmonary edema. His mother had been diagnosed with HHT. He had experienced multiple episodes of epistaxis and had been intermittently treated with blood transfusions because of severe anemia. Blood gas analysis showed hypoxia. Chest computed tomography revealed multiple dilated vessels of variable sizes, continuous with the pulmonary artery throughout both lung fields, consistent with PAVM. After treating pulmonary artery embolization at the largest PAVM, he recovered from his dyspnea symptoms and hypoxia.

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is an uncommon autosomal dominant disorder resulting in vascular malformation, such as pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM). Here, we report a rare case of pulmonary arteriovenous malformation caused by HHT in a hemodialysis (HD) patient. A 34-year-old man receiving maintenance HD via radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula developed progressive dyspnea without definite pulmonary edema. His mother had been diagnosed with HHT. He had experienced multiple episodes of epistaxis and had been intermittently treated with blood transfusions because of severe anemia. Blood gas analysis showed hypoxia. Chest computed tomography revealed multiple dilated vessels of variable sizes, continuous with the pulmonary artery throughout both lung fields, consistent with PAVM. After treating pulmonary artery embolization at the largest PAVM, he recovered from his dyspnea symptoms and hypoxia.

PURPOSE: To compare the accuracy with which electron beam tomography (EBT) and 99m Tc-MIBI scanning measure myocardial perfusion valve. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two subjects [normal volunteers (n = 6), patients in whom ischemic heart disease was diagnosed (n = 5), and those in whom ischemic heart disease was suspected but who were found to be normal (n = 11)] were involved in this study. EBT was performed after bolus injection of contrast media (50 ml of Iopamiro 370 or Optiray 350, 3 ml/sec). The myocardium was divided into 16 segments according to the classification devised by the American Society of Echocardiography, and each myocardial perfusion value was calculated by post-image processing. A pharmacologic stress test was performed in all subjects except four patients with acute myocardial infarction, and myocardial perfusion reserve ratios were assessed. Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was performed after the injection of 20 mCi of 99m Tc-MIBI. Any segments with moderate to severe photon defect on visual analysis of SPECT were identified and perfusion values determined by EBT in normal and ischemic segments were compared. RESULTS: No difference in myocardial perfusion was found between volunteers and the suspected group. Their perfusion values were 0.71 +/-0.14 ml/g/min in the resting state and 1.16 +/-0.24 ml/g/min on the stress test and the myocardial perfusion reserve ratio was, therefore, 1:1.68 +/-0.38. In ischemic patients, 99m Tc-MIBI scanning revealed a perfusion defect in 28 segments, and on EBT the measurement obtained was 0.54 +/-0.19 ml/g/min. The remaining 324 perfusion segments shown by SPECT to be normal showed a perfusion value of 0.79 +/-0.22 ml/g/min on EBT. CONCLUSION: Compared with 99mTc-MIBI scanning, the measurement of myocardial perfusion by EBT provides absolute quantification of perfusion value and more detailed anatomic information.
Classification ; Contrast Media ; Echocardiography ; Exercise Test ; Humans ; Iopamidol ; Myocardial Infarction ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Myocardium ; Perfusion* ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed* ; Volunteers

Keratinocytes are constantly exposed to extracellular insults, such as ultraviolet B, toxic chemicals and mechanical stress, all of which can facilitate the aging of keratinocytes via the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor that plays a critical role in protecting keratinocytes against oxidants and xenobiotics by binding to the antioxidant response element (ARE), a cis-acting element existing in the promoter of most phase II cytoprotective genes. In the present study, we have attempted to find novel ethanol extract(s) of indigenous plants of Jeju island, Korea that can activate the Nrf2/ARE-dependent gene expression in human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. As a result, we identified that ethanol extract of Cirsium japonicum var. ussuriense Kitamura (ECJUK) elicited strong stimulatory effect on the ARE-dependent gene expression. Supporting this observation, we found that ECJUK induced the expression of Nrf2, hemoxygenase-1, and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase-1 and this event was correlated with Akt1 phosphorylation. We also found that ECJUK increased the intracellular reduced glutathione level and suppressed 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol acetate-induced 8-hydroxyguanosine formation without affecting the overall viability. Collectively, our results provide evidence that ECJUK can protect against oxidative stress-mediated damages through the activation of Nrf2/ARE-dependent phase II cytoprotective gene expression.
Aging ; Antioxidant Response Elements* ; Cirsium* ; DNA Damage* ; DNA* ; Ethanol* ; Gene Expression ; Glutathione ; Humans* ; Keratinocytes* ; Korea ; Oxidants ; Phosphorylation ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Stress, Mechanical ; Transcription Factors ; Xenobiotics

The etiology of breast cancer is not yet clear. Several epidemiologic studies have supported the concepts that endogenous female sex hormones, i.e., estrogen and progesterone, may play a central role in the development of breast cancer. Female reproductive factors such as menstruation, pregnancy, and breast feeding are well-known risk factors of breast cancer. There have been many suggestions that all these factors are midiated by female sex hormeones. However, only a few studies have evaluated the relationship between the reproductive factors and endogenous female sex hormones. This study was designed to evaluate the relationship between the reproductive factors and endogenous female sex hormones in Korean women. We analyzed the relationship between reproductive factors and female sex hormones in 153 premenopausal women 153 postmenopausal women who participated in a community health promotion program in Haman County, Korea. The questionnaires about reproductive factors were completed by personal interview. Serum level of total estradiol(E2), progesterone(:g), and sex hormone binding globulin(SHBG) were measured by radioimmunoassay. There was no significant correlation between age at menarche and E2 in both premenopausal and postmenopausal groups. In postmenopausal subjects, E2 level increased significantly with the age at menopause increasing(r=0.25, p=0.009), adjusting for the potential confounding effect of both age and body mass index. There was a positive correlation between E2 and the intervals between age at menarche and age at menopause(r=0.25, p=0.009). Moreover, the serum level of SHBG was significantly correlated with total months of breast feeding(r=0.19, p=0.048), as well as with age at first fullterm pregnancy(r=-0.24, p=0.01). However, Pg was correlated with none of reproductive factors in both groups. This study observed that female reproductive factors, e.g., age at menopause, breast feeding, age at first fullterm pregnancy, were correlated with serum female hormones, particularly E2 and SHBG. The results provide an evidence that the relationship between the reproductive factors and breast cancer risk may be mediated, at least in part, through serum female hormones, especially estradiol in Korean women.
Body Mass Index ; Breast ; Breast Feeding ; Breast Neoplasms ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Estradiol ; Estrogens* ; Female ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Korea* ; Menarche ; Menopause ; Menstruation ; Pregnancy ; Progesterone* ; Radioimmunoassay ; Risk Factors ; Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

To estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus(HBV) and hepatitis C virus(HCV) infection and to determine associated risk factors, a population-based seroepidemiologic study was carried out. In 1993, a health examination survey of the population was carried out in rural area known to have a high incidence of liver cancer. The study population were those who volunteered to participate in a health survey over 10 years of age. Examinees were interviewed by specially trained staffs. Sera from 1,033 study subjects were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) by reverse passive hemagglutinin (RPHA) estimation and for hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV) by 2nd generation passive hemagglutinin (PHA) estimation, The age and sex standardized prevalence of HBsAg was 6.3% which was similar to national average, but that of anti-HCV was 5.1% which was 4 to 5 times higher than that of blood or other health examinees in Korea. In a multivariate analysis, transfusion history, surgical operative history, and acupuncture history were not associated with HBsAg positivity. In contrast, acupuncture history (adjusted odds ratio[OR]=2.2 : 95% Confidence interval[CI] 1.0-4.7) and surgical operative history(adjusted OR=2.0 : 95% CI 1.0-4.1) were associated with anti-HCV positivity. The present study suggest that there is an highly endemic area of HCV infection in Korea and probably this endemicity is associated with a parenteral source of HCV infection other than blood transfusion.
Acupuncture ; Blood Transfusion ; Health Surveys ; Hemagglutinins ; Hepacivirus ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis C* ; Hepatitis* ; Incidence ; Korea* ; Liver Neoplasms ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Seroepidemiologic Studies*

This cohort study is a collaborative effort of 8 institutions. The goal is to establish a large scale cohort that can be followed for 10 or more years to assess the relationship between life-styles and cancer occurrence, and to evaluate the role of environmental exposures in the development of six major sites of cancers(stomach, liver, lung, colorectum, uterine cervix and female breast) in the rural population. Since 1993, 11,304 men and women aged over 35 living in four areas have been recruited. The number of target population is 30,000 persons, which is expected to be successfully recruited until 1999. Each subject has completed a detailed questionnaire on general life-styles, reproductive factors, and agricultural chemical exposures through the interview. Anthropometric measurements with body fat composition and the routine clinical laboratories were examined. For the cancer-free cohort, physical examination by the physicians and serologic tests for hepatitis markers, some tumor markers, and lipid profile have been done, but not all. In order to provide an opportunity to incorporate barious biomarkers of exposure and effect as well as genetic susceptibility, a biologic tissue bank has been established from blood and urine sample(plasma, WBC buffy-coat, RBC clots, and urine supernatant) stored at-70degrees C. Re-examination of changes in exposere to risk factors will be done periodically. Disease occurrence will be ascertained by the active(mainly through diagnosis by physicians) and the passive surveillance(through both death certificate and screening of medical utilization records).
Adipose Tissue ; Biomarkers ; Cervix Uteri ; Cohort Studies* ; Death Certificates ; Diagnosis ; Environmental Exposure ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Health Services Needs and Demand ; Hepatitis ; Humans ; Korea* ; Liver ; Lung ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Physical Examination ; Risk Factors ; Rural Population ; Serologic Tests ; Tissue Banks ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: AND PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic performance and safety of a new ¹⁸F-labeled amyloid tracer, ¹⁸F-FC119S. METHODS: This study prospectively recruited 105 participants, comprising 53 with Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, 16 patients with dementia other than AD (non-AD), and 36 healthy controls (HCs). In the first screening visit, the Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery cognitive function test was given to the dementia group, while HC subjects completed the Korean version of the Mini Mental State Examination. Individuals underwent ¹⁸F-FC119S PET, ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET, and brain MRI. The diagnostic performance of ¹⁸F-FC119S PET for AD was compared to a historical control (comprising previously reported and currently used amyloid-beta PET agents), ¹⁸F-FDG PET, and MRI. The standardized uptake value (SUV) ratio (ratio of the cerebral cortical SUV to the cerebellar SUV) was measured for each PET data set to provide semiquantitative analysis. All adverse effects during the clinical trial periods were monitored. RESULTS: Visual assessments of the ¹⁸F-FC119S PET data revealed a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 84% in detecting AD. ¹⁸F-FC119S PET demonstrated equivalent or better diagnostic performance for AD detection than the historical control, ¹⁸F-FDG PET (sensitivity of 80.0% and specificity of 76.0%), and MRI (sensitivity of 98.0% and specificity of 50.0%). The SUV ratios differed significantly between AD patients and the other groups, at 1.44±0.17 (mean±SD) for AD, 1.24±0.09 for non-AD, and 1.21±0.08 for HC. No clinically significant adverse effects occurred during the trial periods. CONCLUSIONS ¹⁸F-FC119S PET provides high sensitivity and specificity in detecting AD and therefore may be considered a useful diagnostic tool for AD.