No abstract available.
Gardner Syndrome*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the autoregulation of retinal blood flow, in patients with unilateral carotid artery obstruction. METHODS: In patients with unilateral carotid artery obstruction confirmed by carotid Doppler, magnetic resonance angiography, or transfemoral carotid angiography, retinal blood flow in both eyes was measured using Heidelberg retina flowmeter (HRF), and compared. Patients with other ocular disease such as ocular ischemic syndrome were excluded. RESULTS: There is no statistically significant difference in total mean blood flow of retina between each eyes of 5 patients with unilateral carotid artery obstruction (0.1) CONCLUSIONS: It was demonstrated that retinal blood flow autoregulation was maintained in case of chronically decreased blood flow such as internal carotid artery obstruction.
Angiography ; Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Artery, Internal* ; Flowmeters ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Angiography ; Retina ; Retinaldehyde*

Background and Objectives: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a multifactorial disease resulting from inflammation of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. Systemic allergic inflammation is an important cause of CRSwNP; however, the effect of local allergic inflammation is unclear. This study was designed to investigate the effect of local allergic inflammation in CRSwNP. Materials and Methods: The study included 11 patients with CRSwNP and 18 control subjects. Olfactory function was measured with the Korean Version of Sniffin’s stick test. Nasal lavage fluids (NLFs) were collected from all subjects and analyzed for total IgE, eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP), and cytokines (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, interleukin [IL]-4, IL-10, IL-17A, interferon-γ). Flow cytometry was used to measure various inflammatory cells in the NAL fluids. Results: On analysis of flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, we found that CRSwNP patients had significantly increased eosinophil (%) and ECP levels in NLFs. In addition, there was significant local-systemic correlation between ECP level in NLFs and blood eosinophils (%) (r=0.391); however, there was no significant association between eosinophils (%) in NLFs and blood eosinophils. Moreover, in CRSwNP patients, the severity of disease was related with blood eosinophil (%), eosinophil (%), and ECP levels in NLFs, whereas olfactory function was associated with blood eosinophil (%) and ECP levels in NLFs. Conclusion CRSwNP is a disease with high allergic inflammation that has negative impacts on the severity of disease and olfactory function. Therefore, we suggest that control of local allergic inflammation will be helpful to treat CRSwNP patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We aimed to explore the risk factors contributing to the recurrence of common bile duct (CBD) stones after successful endoscopic stone clearance, focused on the anatomical factors of CBD and presence or absence of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA)/Rowachol(R) medication. METHODS: One hundred fourteen patients who underwent CBD stone(s) extraction by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic sphincterotomy at our institution from August 2004 to January 2007 were included. Univariate and multivariate analyses for the risk factors including the distal CBD angle, length of the distal CBD arm and medication such as ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and/or Rowachol(R) for recurrent CBD stone(s) were performed. RESULTS: The recurrence of CBD stone(s) was found in 22 (19.3%) patients. On univariate analysis, presence of pneumobilia, presence of type 1 or type 2 periampullary diverticulum, mechanical lithotripsy and multiple sessions of ERCP were significant contributors for the recurrence of CBD stone(s). On multivariate analysis, the presence of type 1 periampullary diverticulum (OR 7.90, 95% CI: 1.56-40.16) and multiple sessions of ERCP (OR 7.56, 95% CI: 2.21-25.87) were significant contributors. Acute distal CBD angulation (< or =135degrees), shorter distal CBD arm (< or =36 mm), technical difficulty of CBD stone(s) clearance, and the prescription of UDCA and/or Rowachol(R) were not significantly associated with the recurrence of CBD stone(s). CONCLUSIONS: The recurrence of CBD stone(s) was more commonly found in the patients group with type 1 periampullary diverticulum and multiple sessions of ERCP. Therefore, patients with these risk factors should be on regular follow up.
Aged ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; *Common Bile Duct/radiography ; Data Interpretation, Statistical ; Female ; Gallstones/prevention & control/radiography/*surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors ; *Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic ; Treatment Outcome ; Ursodeoxycholic Acid/pharmacology

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Acute gastric injury by alcohol or indomethacin has been reported to be prevented by DA-9601, an extract of the herb Artemisia asiatica. Ghrelin, an endogenously produced gastrointestinal peptide hormone, has also been demonstrated to play a role in gastric mucosal defense. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of DA-9601 on ghrelin in an acute gastric injury model induced by alcohol or indomethacin. METHODS: A total of 140 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups, a placebo group and a DA-9601-pretreated group. Thirty minutes later, half of the rats in each group received ethanol injury and the other half received indomethacin injury. Levels of serum ghrelin and gastric mucosal ghrelin mRNA were measured by ELISA and RT-PCR, respectively. RESULTS: Immediately after ethanol administration, ghrelin increased in both groups pretreated with DA-9601 and placebo. However, the increase occurred more rapidly and was higher in the DA-9601-pretreated rats than in the controls that did not receive DA-9601-pretreatment. Similarly, from 30 minutes to 2 hours after indomethacin administration, the DA-9601-pretreated rats showed a significant increase in serum and gastric mucosal ghrelin concentrations, whereas placebo-pretreated rats showed only a mild increase. CONCLUSIONS: DA-9601 potentiates the endogenous production and secretion of ghrelin in acute gastric injury models induced by ethanol or indomethacin.
Animals ; Artemisia ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Ethanol ; Ghrelin ; Indomethacin ; Plant Extracts ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; RNA, Messenger

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Antibiotic resistance and poor compliance are the main causes of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication failure. Proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-based triple therapy is the most preferred regimen in clinical practice. However, a critical fall in the H. pylori eradication rate has been observed in the recent years. A novel 10 day-sequential therapy consists of five days of dual therapy followed by five days of triple therapy regimen has recently been described. We aimed to evaluate whether 10 day-sequential therapy eradicated H. pylori infection better than the PPI-based triple therapy in Korea. METHODS: 158 patients with proven H. pylori infection were randomized to receive either 10 day-sequential therapy (20 mg of omeprazole, 1.0 g of amoxicillin, each administered twice daily for the first 5 days, followed by 20 mg of omeprazole, 500 mg of clarithromycin, 500 mg of metronidazole, each administered twice daily for the remaining 5 days) or PPI-based triple therapy (20 mg of omeprazole, 1.0 g of amoxicillin, 500 mg of clarithromycin, each administered twice daily for 1 week). Outcome of eradication therapy was assessed 8 weeks after the cessation of treatment. RESULTS: Eradication rates of 10 day-sequential therapy and PPI-based triple therapy were 77.9% (60/77) and 71.6% (58/81) by intention to treat analysis, respectively (p=0.361). By per protocol analysis, eradication rates of 10 day-sequential therapy and triple therapy were 85.7% (60/70) and 76.6% (58/76), respectively (p=0.150). There were no significant differences in adverse event rates and treatment compliance between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The 10 day-sequential therapy regimen failed to achieve significantly higher eradication rates than PPI-based triple therapy.
Adult ; Amoxicillin/administration & dosage ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/*administration & dosage ; Anti-Ulcer Agents/administration & dosage ; Data Interpretation, Statistical ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Helicobacter Infections/*drug therapy/microbiology ; *Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Metronidazole/administration & dosage ; Middle Aged ; Omeprazole/administration & dosage ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

Objective: Little is known about factors influencing of hippocampal metabolism (HM) in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Our objective was to determine whether HM in patients with amnestic MCI (aMCI) is decreased than non-amnestic MCI (naMCI). Methods: Overall, 32 MCI patients underwent 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography. They were characterized as aMCI (n=18) or naMCI (n=14) according to comprehensive neuropsychological criteria. Analysis of variances were used to assess differences on HM between aMCI and naMCI after controlling age, sex, education and Korean version of Mini Mental Status Examination. Results: We found that HM was more decreased in aMCI than naMCI. This result was not changed after controlling hippocampal volume. Conclusion Our findings suggest that aMCI is associated with decreased HM in MCI.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Ascites is a fairly common condition, but the clinical features of pseudomembranous colitis with ascites are not well-known. The aim of this study was to determine how the existence of ascites is related to the clinical factors. METHODS: Between March 2002 and June 2006, 67 pseudomembranous colits patients were diagnosed by performing lower endoscopy and biopsy. The patients' ascites was identified by abdominal plain radiography, ultrasonography or computerized tomography. The extension of colitis was evaluated by ultrasonography or computerized tomography. RESULTS: 16 patients (23.9%) had ascites. The serum WBC (p=0.01), hypoalbuminemia (p<0.01), CRP (p<0.01), recurrence (p<0.01), and extension of colitis (p<0.01) were associated with the existence of ascites. The four patients who had undergone paracentesis had a low SAAG level and PMN dominant ascites. CONCLUSIONS: There were correlations of ascities with leukocytosis, hypoalbuminemia, CRP, extension of colitis and recurrence of PMC.
Ascites* ; Biopsy ; Colitis ; Endoscopy ; Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous* ; Humans ; Hypoalbuminemia ; Leukocytosis ; Paracentesis ; Radiography ; Recurrence ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence and clinical features of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Korea. METHODS: Web-based (www.armd-nova.or.kr) registration was conducted for AMD patients aged 50 or more who were newly diagnosed by retinal specialists in Korea from August 20, 2005 to August 20, 2006. Patient data including ophthalmologic examination, fundus photography, fluorescein angiogram and/or indocyanin green angiogram (ICG), past medical history, behavioral habit, combined systemic diseases were up-loaded. RESULTS: Among finally enrolled 1,141 newly diagnosed AMD patients, 690 patients (60.5%) were male and 451 patients (39.5%) were female. The average age of AMD patients was 69.7+/-8.0. Early AMD was observed in 190 patients and 951 patients had late AMD. Classic choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) was observed in 18.6% of exudative AMD patients and 63.4 % had occult CNVM. Subfoveal CNVM was observed in 80.4% of the patients with CNVM. Among the 580 exudative AMD eyes that performed indocyanin green angiography (ICG), 184 eyes (31.7%) had polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and 36 eyes (6.2%) showed retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP). Age, male gender, smoking, diabetes and hypertension significantly increased the risk of the AMD among Koreans. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the low rate of participation by retinal specialists, definite incidence of AMD was not obtainable. However, the estimated 1-year AMD incidence in the Pusan area of Korea is at least 0.4%. In contrast to Western people, 31.7% of exudative AMD cases were revealed to be PCV and 6.2% were revealed to be RAP. This discrepancy between ethnic groups should be considered in the diagnosis and treatment modality selection of Korean AMD patients.
Aged ; Angiography ; Choroid ; Ethnic Groups ; Eye ; Female ; Fluorescein ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Korea ; Macular Degeneration ; Male ; Membranes ; Photography ; Retinaldehyde ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Specialization