BACKGROUND: The product of oxygen-free radicals inf1ict oxidative injuries on healthy cells. Antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase(SOD), glutathione peroxidase, and reduced glutathione(GSH) are present in almost all cells and play important roles in metabolism, transport, and cellular protection. We measured blood GSH levels in healthy controls and patients with non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus(NIDDM) for evaluation of the clinical usefulness of GSH. METHODS: Erythrocyte GSH levels were measured in fifty healthy controls and thirty NIDDM patients with diabetic retinopathies by Beutler's method. We also tested within-run precision, between-run precision, linearity and recovery rate to evaluate this method measuring erythrocyte GSH levels. RESULTS: The GSH levels (mean +/-SD) of NIDDM patients (5.03+/-0.67mumo1/Hb) were significantly lower than those of healthy control group (6.46+/-0.85mumo1/Hb)(P<0.001). The results of within-run precision and between-run precision when stored at 4degrees Cwere excellent (coefficient of variation were 2.79% and 2.42%, respectively), however, when stored at the room temperature the GSH levels were sharply declined. The linearity and recovery rate were acceptable. CONCLUSIONS: The prescision, linearity, and recovery rate of GSH measurement were excellent. The GSH levels in NIDDM patient group were reduced, and this probably contributes to the defective defense mechanism against increased oxidative stress. Additional measurement of other antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione Peroxidase may be required to clarify the pathologic significance of glutathione metabolism in various diseases.
Antioxidants ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; Erythrocytes* ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; Glutathione* ; Humans ; Insulin ; Metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Superoxides

No abstract available.
Animals ; Brain* ; Cats* ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aims of this study are to clarify the morphology of fundic gland polyp (FGP) and to compare the features of FGP between familial adenomatous polyposis-associated group and sporadic development group. METHODS: A total of 15 endo- scopic biopsy specimens of FGP from 13 patients were divided into three groups; Group A(3 cases; familial adenomatous polyposis family, multiple FGPs), Group B(3 cases; sporadic development, multiple FGPs) and Group C(7 cases; sporadic development, single FGP), and their endoseopic /microscopic features including mucin histochemistry and immunohistoc- hemistty(for PCNA) were compared. RESULTS: FGPs were confined to the gastric body and fundus in all 3 groups, and measured 2-8 mm. Their numbers varied even in Group A and Group B, The difference was observed in their median age: 26 years in Group A and 55 years in Group B, respectively, but there were no differences in endoscopic, histologic, mucin histochemical and immunohistochemical(for PCNA) features. Micro-scopically, all FGPs were composed of fundic glands and scattered microcysts with a spectrum of disordered glandular architecture which ranged from convoluted gland to Y-shaped gland, to stellateshaped gland, and to irregular tortuous glancl with dilated lumen. CONCLUSIONS: We assume that diversity af morphologic features of FGP may develop from progression of hyperplastic/hamartomatous fundic glandular proliferation which may end up with microcyst formation as an evolutional change. Familial adenomatous polyosis-associated FGPs were not endoscopically and histologically distingishable from sporadic deveoped FGPs.
Adenomatous Polyposis Coli* ; Biopsy ; Esophagus* ; Humans ; Intestines* ; Mucins ; Polyps* ; Stomach*

PURPOSE: Benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH) is known to be the most common cause of urination disturbance among the men over the age of 50. It is known that the prostate generally increases in size rises along with age. The growing number of the elderly of society requires more consistent care for the chronic diseases like BPH. The recent expansion of telecommunications infrastructure and mobile communications has made it possible for medical services to use mobile communication networks. Hence, we have researched the clinical patients' preference toward the distant management system for BPH patients using mobile communications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The research proceeded with a questionnaire conducted by 40 BPH patients over the age of 50, who are undergoing out-patient clinic in the Urology Department at Chungbuk University Hospital and East West Neo Medical Center. The same interviewer gave an explanation to the patients through the questionnaire and the person-to-person talk so that the patients could understand for the personal BPH control program(PBCP). The research on patients' preference toward the PBCP as conducted under a few categories as follows: The contents of the questionnaire according to the patient's educational status: for under middle school graduates, under high school graduates, and for a college graduates. Patients were grouped into high, middle and low according to their financial status. International prostate symptom score(IPSS) were divided into mild, moderate and severe by Barry's classification. Patients' ages were grouped into 50s, 60s, and over 60s. Correlation of each categories was made by Pearson' SPSS version 12.0 and patient's preference toward the PBCP were compared with the variables. RESULTS: The higher the financial, educational status of the patient was, the more positive the reaction of the clinical patient was toward the PBCP(p=0.01, 0.038). However, it was irrelevant to the patient's IPSS and age(p=0.626, 0.087). CONCLUSION: It can be a bit hasty to draw conclusions from the evaluation on the PBCP for patients with a few simple elements, and we still need more comprehensive information. However, once it is successfully practiced, we expect to provide elderly or immobile patients with sufficient medical services in homes, which would offer them a great deal of convenience.
Aged ; Chronic Disease ; Chungcheongbuk-do ; Classification ; Educational Status ; Humans ; Male ; Outpatients ; Patient Preference ; Prostate ; Prostatic Hyperplasia* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Telecommunications ; Urination ; Urology

This study aims to evaluate CT (Computed Tomography) characteristics through the estimation of HU (Hounsfield Unit) and the corresponding variations using coefficient of variation values for various materials as a function of physical factor. HU values for various materials with varying densities as a function of physical factor were measured using MDCT (Siemens SOMATOM Sensation 4, Germany). The results showed that the HU values were decreased and increased as a function of kVp and material density, respectively. Especially, the HU values for bone and iodine at 140 kVp were 32% and 42% smaller than those at 80 kVp, respectively. In case of iodine, the HU values also decreased and increased as a function of kVp and concentration, respectively. While the HU values were fixed as a function of mAs. The decreased ratio of HU values between 80 keV and 140 keV was different at various concentration and maximum difference was shown as 1.73 at 3% concentration. These results indicated that it may be possible to separate composition of materials, e.g. iodine and bone, using single source CT. The results showed that dual energy techniques using single source CT can be applied to material separation and expand CT imaging techniques to other practical applications.
Iodine ; Sensation

This study aims to evaluate CT (Computed Tomography) characteristics through the estimation of HU (Hounsfield Unit) and the corresponding variations using coefficient of variation values for various materials as a function of physical factor. HU values for various materials with varying densities as a function of physical factor were measured using MDCT (Siemens SOMATOM Sensation 4, Germany). The results showed that the HU values were decreased and increased as a function of kVp and material density, respectively. Especially, the HU values for bone and iodine at 140 kVp were 32% and 42% smaller than those at 80 kVp, respectively. In case of iodine, the HU values also decreased and increased as a function of kVp and concentration, respectively. While the HU values were fixed as a function of mAs. The decreased ratio of HU values between 80 keV and 140 keV was different at various concentration and maximum difference was shown as 1.73 at 3% concentration. These results indicated that it may be possible to separate composition of materials, e.g. iodine and bone, using single source CT. The results showed that dual energy techniques using single source CT can be applied to material separation and expand CT imaging techniques to other practical applications.
Iodine ; Sensation

Omphalocele-exstrophy-imperforate anus-spinal defects(OEIS Syndrome) is a single defect in early mesoderm, and its incidence is about one in 250,000. If was first described by Littre in 1709. The characteristics of this disorder is omphalocele, extrpohy of bladder, imperforate anus and spina bifida. There have been reports of longtime survival made possible by several operations, but for most cases normal life is impossible due to the deformities. We report a case of OEIS complex who had omphalocele, exstrophy of bladder, imperforate anus and spina bifida from birth.
Anus, Imperforate ; Bladder Exstrophy ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Hernia, Umbilical ; Incidence ; Mesoderm ; Parturition ; Spinal Dysraphism ; Urinary Bladder

Omphalocele-exstrophy-imperforate anus-spinal defects(OEIS Syndrome) is a single defect in early mesoderm, and its incidence is about one in 250,000. If was first described by Littre in 1709. The characteristics of this disorder is omphalocele, extrpohy of bladder, imperforate anus and spina bifida. There have been reports of longtime survival made possible by several operations, but for most cases normal life is impossible due to the deformities. We report a case of OEIS complex who had omphalocele, exstrophy of bladder, imperforate anus and spina bifida from birth.
Anus, Imperforate ; Bladder Exstrophy ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Hernia, Umbilical ; Incidence ; Mesoderm ; Parturition ; Spinal Dysraphism ; Urinary Bladder

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical usefulness of a follow-up examination using serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC) for the early detection of recurrence in patients treated for cervical squamous cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 20 patients who were treated for recurrent cervical squamous cell carcinoma between 1997 and 1998, who had experienced a complete remission after radiotherapy and who underwent an SCC test around the time when recurrence was detected, were included in this study. The levels of SCC were measured from the serum of the patients by immunoassay and values less than 2 ng/mL were regarded as normal. The sensitivity of the SCC test for use in the detection of recurrence, the association between the SCC values and the recurrence patterns and the tumor size and stage, and the temporal relation between the SCC increment and recurrence detection were evaluated. RESULTS: The SCC values were above normal in 17 out of 20 patients, so the sensitivity of the SCC test for the detection of recurrence was 85%, and the mean and median of the SCC values were 15.2 and 9.5 ng/mL, respectively. No differences were observed in the SCC values according to the recurrence sites. For 11 patients, the SCC values were measured over a period of 6 months before recurrence was detected, and the mean and median values were 13.6 and 3.6 ng/mL, respectively. The SCC values of 7 patients were higher than the normal range, and the SCC values of the other 4 patients were normal but 3 among them were above 1.5 ng/mL. At the time of diagnosis, the SCC valuess were measured for 16 of the 20 recurrent patients, and the SCC values of the patients with a bulky tumor (> or =4 cm) or who were in stage IIb or III were higher than those of the patients with a non-bulky tumor or who were in stage Ib or IIa. CONCLUSION: The SCC test is thought to be useful for the early detection of recurrence during the follow up period in patients treated for cervical squamous cell carcinoma. When an effective salvage treatment is developed in the future, the benefit of this follow-up SCC test will be increased.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Cervix Uteri* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; Radiotherapy ; Recurrence ; Reference Values ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

No abstract available.
Splenomegaly*