PURPOSE:Effects of IDDM on bone mineral metabolism are still in controversy. Some reported that bone mineral density in IDDM had inverse relationship with HbA1c, some reported that spine BMD was normal while femur BMD was decreased. Others reported that increased urinary calcium excretion in IDDM induced early trabecular bone mineral loss. We studied the correlation of BMD with diabetic control and body measurements. METHODS:In sixteen IDDM patients, using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, BMD was measured in lumbar spine as trabecular bone and femur neck as cortical bone. Z-score of BMD was obtained by comparing age and sex matched control data. Correlations between BMD and diabetic control parameters (HbA1c, duration of IDDM) and body measurements were calculated. RESULTS:The body measurements were in normal range in all IDDM patients, the duration of IDDM was 38.4+/-24.0months, HbA1c was in good control state (7.69+/-1.53%), and urinary Ca/creatinine ratio was not increased. The Z-score of BMD was not decreased statistically (lumbar spine: -0.255, femur neck: -0.404), and the Z-score had no correlationship with body measurements and diabetic control parameters. CONCLUSIONS:In well controlled childhood IDDM, BMD was not decreased significantly.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Bone Density* ; Calcium ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1* ; Femur ; Femur Neck ; Humans ; Metabolism ; Reference Values ; Spine

The antimicrobial agents reduced infectious diseases significantly. However, antibiotic resistance has followed for almost every antimicrobial agent. Especially, Staphylococcus aureus was one of the most notorious for the multidrug resistance. Streptomyces sp. 681 has been selected for antibiotic-producing strain against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from 1,000 strains of Actinomycetales which had been isolated from soil. In antimicrobial susceptibility test, all of the test strains were susceptible to vancomycin. However, most strains of Staphylococcus aureus were found to be resistant to methicillin. Ninety eight (75%) strains out of 129 strains showed multiple resistance pattern to more than 5 antimicrobial agents. The MIC values of the purified antibiotic (K-681) were 1-32 ug/ml against Gram-positive bacteria compared to >128 ug/ml against Grarn-negative bacteria or fungi. The MIC was 8 ug/ml for 90% of the 129 clinical isolates of S. aureus. The antibiotic showed no cytotoxicity against P 388, HeLa, and S180 at the concentration of 500 ug/ml.
Actinomycetales ; Anti-Infective Agents ; Bacteria ; Communicable Diseases ; Drug Resistance, Microbial ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Fungi ; Gram-Positive Bacteria ; Methicillin ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Soil ; Staphylococcus aureus* ; Staphylococcus* ; Streptomyces* ; Vancomycin

The fibrillar coat of Candida albicans is of interest as its significance in antigenicity, antiphagocytosis, and adherence to host tissues. The partial biochemical properties and ultrastructure of fibrillar coat induced by rabbit sera were examined. The induced fibrillar layer was destroyed by treatments of lyticase, proteinase K and dithiothreitol. The total protein concentration of fibrillar cell wall lysate was higher than that of non-fibrillar cell wall lysate, but the total sugar concentration was similar. On SDS-PAGE analysis, the protein profiles between in fibrillar cells and in non-fibrillar cells were shown to be different. In fibrillar cells, the major bands of cell wall lysate were 83, 66, 54, 47, 33, and 26 kDa in dithiothreitol-treated lysate. The proteins of 26 and 19 kDa were predominant in lyticase-treated lysate. Although the fibrillar thickness and protein amount of cell wall lysate were increased in according to the incubation time, the protein profiles did not changed. These results suggest that the proteins of 83, 66, 54, 47, 33, 26, and 19 kDa may be major constituents of fibrillar coat in C. albicans.
Candida albicans* ; Candida* ; Cell Wall ; Dithiothreitol ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Endopeptidase K

No abstract available.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Humans ; Soil*

No abstract available.
Pruritus*

This study observed the changes of the glycogen content in extensor digitorum and soleus by electrical stimulation on the sciatic nerve with various frequencies, and the result were compared with those of treadmill running exercise. The results are summarized as follows ; The glycogen content of extensor digitorum longus was greater than that of the soleus in the normal group, and the reducing amount of glycogen content of extensor digitorum longus was greater than that of the soleus by overnight fasting. As the frepuency of electrical stimulation was increased by 2, 5 and 10Hz., the glycogen content of the extensor digitorum longus was slightly reduced or changed minimally. As the loading period of clectrical stimulation was increased to 30 and 90minutes, the glycogen content of extensor digitorum longus was much reduced from early stage, and that of the soleus was the same tendency as the frepuency increased. The glycogen content of the extensor digitorum longus was proportionally reduced by treadmill running excercise, and that of the soleus was much reduced from the early stage. In summary, based on the experimental evidence of this investigation, it showed the different physio-chemical responses of th fast and slow twitch muscle fibers by electrical stimulation, and also not the equal responses of muscle fibers by electrical stimulation and treadmill running exercise.
Animals ; Electric Stimulation ; Fasting ; Glycogen ; Muscles ; Rats ; Running ; Sciatic Nerve

Cushing's syndrome associated with nodular adrenal glands will be divided into four main categories: adrenal adenoma, adrenal carcinoma, primary pigmented nodular adrenal dysplasia (PPNAD) and macronodular adrenal hyperplasia(MAH). The term macronodular adrenal hyperplasia is restricted to the presence of multiple nodules visible to the naked eye, ranging in size from 0.5 to 7.0 cm. We report a case of Cushings syndrome caused by bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (MAH). A 45-year-old man presented with Cushingoid features, hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Urine free cortisol was 449.9 mmol/day(27-276) and were not suppressed after administration of low-dose and high-dose dexamethasone. Plasma ACTH was very low(1.87 pmol/L(18)) and was not stimulated by administration of ovine CRH. In abdominal CT, both adrenal glands were markedly enlarged and nodular in appearance. Pituitary MRI showed no abnormal finding. Bilateral adrenalectomy was done. Histologic examination revealed multiple nodules and internodular hyperplasia. This case and other reports suggested that because of variable biochemical, radiologic and pathologic findings, macronodular adrenal hyperplasia represents a heterogeneous group of patients with varying degrees of adrenal autonomy.
Adenoma ; Adrenal Glands ; Adrenalectomy ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; Cushing Syndrome ; Dexamethasone ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Hyperplasia ; Hypertension ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Plasma ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

No abstract available.
Nickel ; Titanium

PURPOSE: Among the several transcatheter devices of PDA occlusion, Rashikind device was the most extensively experienced, but it had risk of occluder embolism and incomplete occlusion of PDA, approximately 27%. The authors used Duct-Occlud , made of 0.028 inch stainless steel coil. The coil is double cone-shape in released state, and used in streched condition through 4F implantation catheter for ductus occlusion. We are to report the short-term result of PDA occlusion using Duct-Occlud. METHODS: Six patients with internal ductal diameter of less than 3.5mm were selected for ductus occlusion. The Duct-Occlud was selected as follows : the diameter of aortic end was same as aortic ampulla, and the length was slightly shorter than that of ductus. The streched coil was introduced into descending aorta through implantation catheter, and the remaining coil was released in ductus and pulmonary artery subsequently. Postprocedure aortic angiogram was obtained and echocardiography was performed at 1day, 1 week, 1 month and 3 month after the procedure. RESULTS: Except one hourglass type, all the other PDA were tunnel shaped. The range of internal diameter of ductus was 0.83-2.4mm, the length 5.36-P12.4mm, and Qp/Qs 1.04-1.67. Three cases required repositioniong of coils, while the others were successful in one procedure. The residual shunts were resolved at 1 day in most cases, but two cases in 1 month after the procedure. There were no complications, such as coil embolism, migration, or pulmonary stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: In small PDA with internal diameter of less than 3.5mm, transcatheter occlusion using Duct-Occlud is easy, safe and accurate, except with high cost.
Aorta, Thoracic ; Catheters ; Echocardiography ; Embolism ; Humans ; Pulmonary Artery ; Pulmonary Valve Stenosis ; Stainless Steel

Purpose: Treatment for epilepsy primarily involves antiseizure medications (ASMs), which can be characterized using the clinical data warehouse (CDW) database. In this study, we compared retention rates and time to successful treatment for various ASMs to reflect both efficacy and adverse effects in patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy. Materials and Methods: We identified newly diagnosed epilepsy patients with ASM treatment for more than 12 months using CDW of a tertiary referral hospital. Clinical characteristics were compared between groups with successful and unsuccessful treatment. Cox regression analysis was performed to evaluate independent variables of age, sex, comorbidities, and attributes of ASM regimens. Results: Of 2515 eligible participants, 46.2% were successfully treated with the first ASM regimen, and 74.7% with all ASM regimens with the median time-to-treatment success of 14 months. Participants with second-generation ASM as the first ASM were more likely to be successfully treated with the first regimen compared to those with first-generation ASM (51.6% vs. 42.3%, p<0.001) and more successfully treated [hazard ratio (HR)=1.26; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.15–1.39]. Overall, valproic acid was the most common ASM across a wide range of ages under 65 years, while levetiracetam in patients aged over 65 years or lamotrigine in female adult patients. Clinical factors associated with less favorable treatment outcomes included renal disease (HR=0.78; 95% CI: 0.66–0.92), liver disease (HR=0.65; 95% CI: 0.52–0.81), depression (HR=0.70; 95% CI: 0.57–0.84), and mechanical ventilation (HR=0.58; 95% CI: 0.50–0.67). Conclusion Second-generation ASMs have the advantage of more successful treatment with fewer ASM regimen changes compared with first-generation drugs. Various comorbid conditions as well as age and sex should be considered when selecting ASMs.