No abstract available.
Laurence-Moon Syndrome*

No abstract available.
Laurence-Moon Syndrome*

The aim of this study was to investigate whether green tea extract (GTE) has the protective effects on excess L-arginine induced toxicity in human mesangial cell. Human mesangial cells treated with L-arginine were cultured on Dulbecco's modified eagle medium in the presence and absence of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor and GTE. The cell proliferation was determined by 3 (4,5-dimethylthiazol- 2-yl)-2, 5-diphengltetrqzolium bromide, a tetrazole assay. The iNOS mRNA and its protein expression were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, respectively. The concentration of nitric oxide (NO) was measured by NO enzyme-linced immuno sorbent assay kit. L-arginine significantly inhibited the proliferation of human mesangial cells, and induced the secretion of NO to the media. NO production by L-arginine was significantly suppressed by GTE and iNOS inhibitor (p<0.01). The expression level of iNOS mRNA and its protein that was significantly increased by L-arginine was decreased by iNOS inhibitor but not by GTE. GTE protected the mesangial cells from the NO-mediated cytotoxicity by scavenging the NO rather than by iNOS gene expression. Therefore, we conclude that GTE has some protective effect for renal cells against oxidative injury possibly by polyphenols contained in GTE.
Antioxidants/metabolism ; Arginine/metabolism/pharmacology/*toxicity ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Survival ; Flavonoids/metabolism ; Glomerular Mesangium/cytology/metabolism ; Humans ; Mesangial Cells/*cytology/metabolism ; Nitric Oxide/chemistry/metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/metabolism ; Phenols/metabolism ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tea

OBJECTIVE: To compare the multiplex-PCR and hybrid capture methods for detection of Human papillomavirus (HPV) in uterine cervical swab samples. METHODS: This study determined the HPV infection and its risk group (subtype) in uterine cervical swab samples of 91 Korean women by HPV hybrid capture I and multiplex-PCR method. RESULTS: The prevalence of HPV infection determined by muliplex-PCR was more higher than by hybrid capture method I. Of 65 women with nonspecific uterine cervical lesions, the frequence of HPV-positivity was 14/65 (12 low-risk and 2 high-risk HPV) by hybrid capture method I and was 37/65 (34 low-risk and 3 high- risk HPV) by multiplex-PCR method, respectively. The frequence of high-risk HPV was 2/6 in LSIL, 7/14 in HSIL, 4/6 in uterine cervical cancer by hybrid capture method I, and was 2/6 in LSIL, 8/14 in HSIL, 4/6 in uterine cervical cancer by multiplex-PCR method. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that multiplex-PCR is more sensitive, simple and cost-effective technique than Hybrid-capture I in the detection of HPV infection in the uterine cervix.
Cervix Uteri* ; Female ; Humans* ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Prevalence ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence of non-responder to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and to evaluate the bone response to HRT according to basal bone mineral density(BMD) in postmenopausal women. METHODS: A total of 211 postmenopausal women received either continuous combined estrogen-progestogen replacement (n=112) or estrogen replacement (n=99) for 1 years. BMD at the lumbar spine and femoral neck was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) before and 1 year after HRT. RESULTS: The incidence of non-responder (women with > 3% bone loss per year) to HRT was 9.2% in the lumbar spine, and 23.8% in femoral neck. Estrogen replacement group had a higher incidence of non-responder than combined replacement group. Non-responder group had a higher basal BMD at the lumbar spine than responder group, and showed bone loss rate of 7.6% per year. After 1 year of HRT, postmenopausal women with osteoporosis showed a higher rate of increase in BMD at the lumbar sine and femoral neck than women with normal BMD or osteopenia. CONCLUSION: The non-responders to HRT have a higher basal lumbar BMD, compared with responders. The higher basal BMD at the lumbar spine is, the less bone conservation effect of HRT is.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Bone Density* ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; Estrogen Replacement Therapy ; Female ; Femur Neck ; Hormone Replacement Therapy* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Osteoporosis ; Spine

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the learning achievement and satisfaction levels for the Field Epidemiology Specialist Training Program (FESTP), on infectious disease control between March 19 and October 31, 2002. METHODS: The FESTP was designed as a set of 84 hours curricula including lectures, discussions, self-studies, and field practicals, and organized both centrally and locally by the Division of Communicable Disease Control of the National Institute of Health and 11 universities. Before and after the program, a questionnaire survey on the educational need (49 items) and satisfaction (15 items) was conducted on 484 trainees, who were responsible for communicable disease control and immunization at 242 regional health centers. The data were analyzed with paired t-tests for comparison of the educational needs between the pre and post scores. RESULTS: The average score for satisfaction was 3.06 out of 5.0; with relatively higher scores for sincerity (4.10) and professionalism (4.01) of the tutors, adequacy (3.54) and clearness (3.51) of the evaluation criteria, usefulness (3.54) and fitness (3.52) of the contents, but with relatively lower satisfaction for schedule (2.96) and self-studies (2.91). The average for requirement for education improved, as shown by the decrease from 2.72 to 2.22 (p< .0001) with the biggest decrease in the outbreak investigation from 2.60 to 2.08. CONCLUSION: The FESTP was evaluated as being effective, the trainees showed moderate satisfaction and decrease educational needs. However, the actual schedules and self-studies should be rearranged to improve the satisfaction level.
Appointments and Schedules ; Communicable Disease Control ; Communicable Diseases ; Curriculum ; Education* ; Epidemiology* ; Immunization ; Learning ; Lectures ; Professionalism ; Specialization*

PURPOSE: The endoscopic surgery has been widely used and developed in operations of the thyroid and parathyroid gland because of the cosmetic advantage and the development of laparoscopic instrument. Since the first endoscopic thyroid surgery in late 1990's, many endoscopic operations for thyroid tumors have been performed in Korea. The authors analyzed the current status of endoscopic thyroid surgery performed in Korea. METHODS: We have collected and analyzed the data of endoscopic thyroid operations using survey. RESULTS: The surgeons working in 16 hospitals answered the questions in survey. The total endoscopic thyroid operations were performed over 1,200 cases until the end of 2004. In the pathologic diagnosis, nodular hyperplasia was most frequent in 64.5%. The axillary approach was most frequently applied in 9 hospitals (56.2%). Most of endoscopic thyroid operations were performed in 2~3 hours. The operation time was decreased according to the experience. The endoscopic surgery for malignant tumors were also performed in 11 hospitals, The hospital stay was usually 3~4 days. The most common complications in endoscopic thyroid surgery were temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis and anteior chest wall discomfort or paresthesia. The most common reason for conversion to conventional surgery was the intraoperative diagnosis as for a malignancy. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic thyroid surgery has been perfomed in many hospitals not only special thyroid clinic in Korea. The operation cases are increasing rapidly in these days. According to the development of technique and instrument, the endoscopic surgery are applied to various neck disease involving malignancy. The safety and efficacy of endoscopic surgery for malignancy should be further evaluated with accumulation of experience of endoscopic operation and long term follow-up of thyroid cancer patients.
Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Korea* ; Length of Stay ; Neck ; Paralysis ; Parathyroid Glands ; Paresthesia ; Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve ; Surgeons ; Thoracic Wall ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Thyroidectomy*