OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify a transcriptomic signature that could be used to classify subjects with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) compared to controls on the basis of blood gene expression profiles. The gene expression profiles could ultimately be used as diagnostic biomarkers for ASD. METHODS: We used the published microarray data (GSE26415) from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, which included 21 young adults with ASD and 21 age- and sex-matched unaffected controls. Nineteen differentially expressed probes were identified from a training dataset (n=26, 13 ASD cases and 13 controls) using the limma package in R language (adjusted p value <0.05) and were further analyzed in a test dataset (n=16, 8 ASD cases and 8 controls) using machine learning algorithms. RESULTS: Hierarchical cluster analysis showed that subjects with ASD were relatively well-discriminated from controls. Based on the support vector machine and K-nearest neighbors analysis, validation of 19-DE probes with a test dataset resulted in an overall class prediction accuracy of 93.8% as well as a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 87.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results of our exploratory study suggest that the gene expression profiles identified from the peripheral blood samples of young adults with ASD can be used to identify a biological signature for ASD. Further study using a larger cohort and more homogeneous datasets is required to improve the diagnostic accuracy.
Autism Spectrum Disorder* ; Autistic Disorder* ; Biomarkers ; Cohort Studies ; Dataset ; Decision Support Techniques ; Gene Expression* ; Humans ; Machine Learning* ; Microarray Analysis ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Support Vector Machine ; Transcriptome* ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explain what the relationship is between identity and psychological well-being and how these are related to successful aging of old-aged women. METHODS: The subjects were thirty females above 60 years old in the first study where we interviewed each ten subjects for 2 hours in three groups. In the second study we surveyed 320 old-aged men and women by questionnaire for about 15 minutes. RESULTS: From focus-group interview we found the freedom from everything in life was perceived as an important change in old-aged women. But their identity was mainly derived from family relationship in aspects of economy and/or care of their grandson/-daughter. The results from analyses of questionnaire survey (n=320) were as follows ; first, women were more positive than men (female 63.1% versus male 56.5%) in the evaluation of their past life. Second, women were also more positive (female 23.7% versus male 15.2%) in the expectation for the future. Third, the successful aging had positive relationships with acceptance for aging, cohabitation with family members, income, female gender and age (65-69 years) ; and negative relationships with stress and loneliness/depression, but no relationships with decreased memory and poor sleep. CONCLUSION: We concluded that identity for the successful aging in old-aged women is mainly derived from family relationship.
Aging* ; Family Relations ; Female ; Freedom ; Humans ; Male ; Memory ; Mental Health* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Lemierre syndrome is caused by an acute oropharyngeal infection with secondary septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein and frequent metastatic infections. The usual etiologic agent is Fusobacterium necrophorum. Lemierre syndrome was a common disease with a high mortality rate in the pre-antibiotic era. Since the advent of antibiotics and their widespread use for the treatment of pharyngeal infections, there has been a substantial decrease in the incidence of this malady and it has become a "forgotten disease". Prompt diagnosis and antibiotic therapy for Lemierre syndrome is essential to avoid morbidity and mortality. We describe here a case of Lemierre syndrome with multiple septic pulmonary emboli.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Diagnosis ; Fusobacterium necrophorum ; Incidence ; Jugular Veins ; Lemierre Syndrome* ; Mortality ; Pharynx ; Pulmonary Embolism* ; Thrombophlebitis

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a new two stage surgical treatment for acute traumatic knee dislocation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 15 knees in 14 patients treated between October 1997 and November 2001. The mean follow-up period was 24 months. In the first surgical stage, medial and/or lateral ligament complexes were repaired or reconstructed within two weeks of the injury. In the second surgical stage, once full range of motion was obtained 3-6 months later, anterior or posterior cruciate ligaments (ACL or PCL) were reconstructed if significant laxity was present. The final outcomes were assessed using stress X-rays, range of motion and Lysholm score. RESULTS: There were ten cases of MCL tear and eight cases of LCL tear. All MCL and LCL injuries were either repaired or reconstructed. All cases had both ACL and PCL tears. Following the first stage of MCL/LCL surgery, the second stage surgery of ACL or PCL reconstructions was deemed to be necessary in three and seven cases, respectively. Five cases did not require ACL or PCL reconstruction. In stress X-rays at the last follow up examination, MCL, LCL, ACL and PCL instability was graded as 0 or 1 in 15, 14, 15 and 11 cases, respectively. PCL instability was graded as 2 in four cases. The mean postoperative Lysholm score was 87.6 points. CONCLUSION: The two stage surgical approach described here resulted in good outcomes for patients suffering from acute knee dislocation patients in terms of range of motion and stability.
Collateral Ligaments ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Knee Dislocation* ; Knee* ; Posterior Cruciate Ligament ; Range of Motion, Articular

As most infections by the helminth parasite elicit the recruitment of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T (T(reg)) cells, many scientists have suggested that these cells could be used for the treatment of immune-mediated inflammation and associated diseases. In order to investigate the distribution and alteration of activated T(reg) cells, we compared the expression levels of T(reg) cell activation markers in the ileum and gastrocnemius tissues 1, 2, and 4 weeks after infection. The number of T(reg) cells was monitored using GFP-coded Foxp3 transgenic mice. In mice at 1 week after Trichinella spiralis infection, the number of activated T(reg) cells was higher than in the control group. In mice at 2 weeks after infection, there was a significant increase in the number of cells expressing Foxp3 and CTLA-4 when compared to the control group and mice at 1 week after infection. At 4 weeks after infection, T. spiralis was easily identifiable in nurse cells in mouse muscles. In the intestine, the expression of Gzmb and Klrg1 decreased over time and that of Capg remained unchanged for the first and second week, then decreased in the 4th week. However, in the muscles, the expression of most chemokine genes was increased due to T. spiralis infection, in particular the expression levels of Gzmb, OX40, and CTLA-4 increased until week 4. In addition, increased gene expression of all chemokine receptors in muscle, CXCR3, CCR4, CCR5, CCR9, and CCR10, was observed up until the 4th week. In conclusion, various chemokine receptors showed increased expressions combined with recruitment of T(reg) cells in the muscle tissue.
Animals ; Gene Expression ; Helminths ; Ileum ; Inflammation ; Intestines ; Mice* ; Mice, Transgenic ; Muscles ; Parasites ; Receptors, Chemokine ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory* ; Trichinella spiralis ; Trichinella*

PURPOSE: To find the factor that affects the long-term intraocular pressure after glaucoma implant surgery with releasable suture. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of the 33 patients (36 eyes) who had undergone glaucoma implant surgery with our own expanded-Polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) membrane-tube implant with temporary closure of the tube by releasable suture. Data such as timing of suture release, IOP's before and after surgery and the amount of pressure change during follow-up were collected, and we tried to find the factor that influenced the IOP at the last visit. RESULTS: The preoperative IOP was 43.2+/-14.6 mmHg and the suture was released at day 17.9+/-9.5 after surgery. The IOP just before the release of suture was 33.5+/-17.1 mmHg. The pressure was dropped to 15.1+/-13.7 mmHg, measured at 30 minutes after the release of the suture. The IOP was stabilized to 14.9 +/-9.5 mmHg at 12.2+/-7.0 days after the release. The average follow-up was 32.8+/-26.3 months and the IOP at the last visit was 17.3+/-10.5 mmHg. Four eyes (11%) had hypotony (IOP less than 8 mmHg) before release of the suture, thirteen eyes (41%) showed hypotony 30minutes after release, and three eyes(8%) showed hypotony at the last visit. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the IOP at 30 minutes after release of the suture had a positive correlation with the IOP at the last visit (r=0.642,p=0.000). CONCLUSIONS: In the membrane-tube implant surgery for the refractory glaucoma, the releasable suture echnique is helpful to prevent the early postoperative hypotony. By measuring early post-release IOP after implant surgery with releasable suture technique, we might predict the behavior of long term IOP change; the lower post-release IOP, the better long-term pressure control.
Follow-Up Studies ; Glaucoma* ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure* ; Linear Models ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Suture Techniques ; Sutures*

OBJECTIVE: This study is aimed to evaluate the efficacy of transnasal repair of cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) rhinorrhea. METHODS: Thirteen patients with traumatic noniatrogenic CSF fistulas were included in the retrospective analysis. High-resolution thin-section computed tomographic cisternography was helpful in localization of the CSF leakage site. The most frequent leakage site was the sphenoid sinus. The transnasal approach(TNA), comprised of endonasal endoscopic surgery(EES) or transseptosphenoidal surgery(TSS), was mainly used for smaller fistulas. Total or selected ethmoidectomy depended on the localization of the leakage. Wide sphenoidotomy enabled detection and repair of CSF leaks from the sphenoid cavity. Three patients also underwent transcranial approach(TCA) because of the large or multi-fragmented bony defect and the need for further exposure for repair. Five patients developed ascending meningitis in the preoperative period with antibiotic prophylaxis. RESULTS: Twenty-five leaks were initially repaired using one of three techniques:EES alone in eight patients, EES plus TCA in three, and TSS alone in two. Ten patients who solely underwent the TNA did not experience the complications of the traditional TCA. One recurrent sphenoid fistula was successfully treated by TSS. After a follow-up from 12 to 88 months(mean 32.7), the overall success rate for 25 CSF fistulas was 100%. CONCLUSION: The transnasal repair is a safe, successful, and alternative approach for the surgical repair of traumatic CSF rhinorrhea, and also could be combined to TCA.
Antibiotic Prophylaxis ; Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea* ; Fistula ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Meningitis ; Preoperative Period ; Retrospective Studies ; Sphenoid Sinus

Right-sided diaphragmatic rupture is less common and more difficult to diagnose than left-sided lesion. It is rarely combined with the herniation of the abdominal organs into the thorax. High level of suspicion is the key to early diagnosis, and a delay in diagnosis is implicated with a considerable risk of mortality and morbidity. We experienced a case of right-sided diaphragmatic rupture combined with complete avulsion of the right kidney and herniation of the liver into the thoracic cavity.
Diaphragm ; Early Diagnosis ; Kidney ; Liver ; Rupture ; Thoracic Cavity ; Thorax

Glomus tumor is a benign tumor, which is believed to represent hyperplasia or harmatomatous development of the glomus body. It is relatively rare in the head and neck region, especially in the nasal cavity. Up to now, only about twenty cases of glomus tumor in the nasal cavity have been reported. We report a case of glomus tumor originating from the anterior portion of nasal septum, which was treated by local excision.
Glomus Tumor ; Head ; Hyperplasia ; Nasal Cavity ; Nasal Septum ; Neck

BACKGROUND: Recently, many studies have reported that university students have been suffering from stress because of their the uncertainty of their future and employment. Eating habits have often been considered as one of health-related behaviors that may be affected by life stress. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between stress and eating habits in university students. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was designed. The subjects were 282 university students which assessed their eating habits and stresses. The total numbs of students in the study 263. Eating habits were scored using a questionnaire consisting of three categories-regularity, balance, and preference. The stress was assessed by modified Korean version of BEPSI. RESULTS: The stress score was 2.4 and the total score of eating habits was 44.2. The regularity among the domains of eating habits was 14.1, the balance score was 16.1, and the preference was 14.0. In multiple regression after adjustment with confounding variables, stress had a negative relationship with eating habits. CONCLUSION: The relationship between stress and eating habits was statistically significant, especially in regularity and balance. It is important to know not only the health status, but also the factors associated with health such as stresses and eating habits in order to improve the health status of the university students. Further research needs to uncover causality and make a generalization.
Confounding Factors (Epidemiology) ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Eating* ; Employment ; Generalization (Psychology) ; Humans ; Stress, Psychological ; Uncertainty ; Surveys and Questionnaires