PURPOSE: To valuate the value of goose neck snare in removal of foreignbody in endovascular system. METHODS & MATERIAL: Foreignbody removal in endovascular system using goose neck snare were done in 4 cases. In one case, a broken guide-wire was located in left subclaviar vein and in three cases, guide-wires were located in vena cava. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in all four cases. CONCLUSION: Goose neck snare technique is safe and effective in removal of Foreignbody in endovascular system.
Neck ; SNARE Proteins ; Veins

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to identify the relationship between the C677T mutants of MTHFR and methotrexate toxicities in Korean patients with RA and to determine whether MTHFR polymorphism will be useful predictor for adverse effects of low dose methotrexate treatment. METHODS: We enrolled 385 (355 females, 30 males) patients with RA, who had been received low dose methotrexate. Genotypes of MTHFR polymorphism were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. The correlations between MTHFR genotypes, age, RF positivity, RA progression stage, KHAQ and adverse effects were analyzed by Spearman's rank correlation test. The frequency analysis of C677T genotype and adverse effects was done by Chi-square test. RESULTS: The results of MTHFR genotypic analysis showed 133 patients (34.6%) with 677CC, 193 patients (50.1%) with 677CT and 59 patients (15.3%) with 677TT. One hundred fifty-four of the 385 patients (40.0%) had methotrexate-related side effects. The significant correlation between toxicities of methotrexate and MTHFR polymorphism was identified by Spearman's rank correlation test (p<0.05). The odd ratio, which of adverse effects could be occurred by low dose methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis patients with MTHFR polymorphism, showed higher value than other studies (p<0.001, OR: 4.0, 95% CI 2.45-6.51). CONCLUSION: There was a positive association between methotrexate-related toxicities and MTHFR polymorphism. This study suggested that C677T mutant of MTHFR might be a powerful genetic indicator in predicting the adverse effects of low dose methotrexate therapy in patient with rheumatoid arthritis.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Methotrexate* ; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between a single nucleotide polymorphism in the catalase and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor- gamma (PPAR-gamma) genes with risk and severity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Korea. METHODS: DNA was isolated from blood samples collected from 473 Korean patients with RA and 400 Korean controls. Genotyping for the C-262T polymorphism of catalase and the Pro12Ala polymorphism of PPAR-gamma was performed by PCR-RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) analysis. Subjects were classified according to ACR criteria for RA, KHAQ, and radiological severity classification by Steinbroker. RESULTS: In patient group, catalase C/T and T/T polymorphism was seen in 23 (4.9%) and 0 patients while Pro/Ala and Ala/Ala PPAR-gamma polymorphism was seen in 42 (8.9%) and 1 (0.2%) patients. In control group, catalase C/T and T/T polymorphism was seen in 25 (6.3%) and 1 (0.2%) controls while Pro/Ala and Ala/Ala PPAR-gamma polymorphism was seen in 34 (8.5%) and 4 (1%) controls. Catalase and PPAR-gamma polymorphism showed no association with the susceptibility to RA individually but, when combined association was found although it had no statistical significance, which was possibly due to its low frequency. Catalase and HLA-DRB1 polymorphism showed significant interaction on development of RA but, no interaction was found between PPAR-gamma and HLA-DRB1. Catalase and PPAR-gamma polymorphism showed no association with the severity or functional status of RA. CONCLUSION: Our results show that genetic polymorphisms of catalase and PPAR-gamma has no association with the susceptibility to RA. Catalase and HLA-DRB1 polymorphism showed significant interaction on development of RA.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Catalase* ; Classification ; DNA ; HLA-DRB1 Chains ; Humans ; Korea ; Peroxisomes ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide