OBJECTIVES: Since mid-90s there have been numerous studies to understand and establish the concept of internet addiction as one of diagnostic classifications in psychiatry. Among them, many studies on the personality characteristics of internet addiction have been conducted. Recently, interests are expanding to temperament characteristics of internet addictors but the subjects have been limited to adolescents. In this study, the temperament characteristics of internet addiction in adults were investigated using Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ). METHODS: 430 participants (189 males, 241 females) answered the on-line and off-line questionnaires from January to December in 2005. Participants completed questionnaires on demography and the onset of internet use, Young's Internet Addiction Scale and Korean Contracted Version of Cloninger's Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ). RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences in age, marital status, occupation, psychiatric history, smoking history, alcohol history and onset age of internet use among non-addiction, overuse and addiction groups by Young's scale. Of the TPQ items harm avoidance (HA) scores were significantly higher in addiction and overuse groups than non-addiction group. Reward dependence (RD) scores were significantly lower in addiction group than non-addiction group. Novelty seeking (NS) scores were significantly higher in addiction group than non-addiction group. CONCLUSION: This study suggests a significant difference of novelty seeking in temperament characteristics between adults and adolescents with internet addiction. Further studies are expected for profound understanding of internet addiction.
Adolescent ; Adult* ; Age of Onset ; Classification ; Demography ; Humans ; Internet* ; Male ; Marital Status ; Occupations ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Reward ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Temperament*

Allergic response to common environmental agents has been regarded as a main pathogenetic mechanism of bronchial asthma. However, allergic sensitization (atopy) can not be detected in a siginificant number of adult asthmatic patients. The etiology of nonatopic asthma has not yet been defined. To evaluate the possible involvement of autoimmune response against bronchial mucosa in the pathogenesis of nonatopic asthma, we performed indirect immunofluorescence staining of fresh frozen human bronchial mucosa tissue using serum samples from patients with atopic and nonatopic asthma, healthy controls, and patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. On immunostaining, circulating IgG autoantibodies against bronchial mucosa were detected in 2 (9.1%) of 22 patients with nonatopic asthma and in none of 22 patients with atopic asthma and of 22 healthy controls. IgG autoantibodies from the two patients with nonatopic asthma predominantly stained the cytoplasmic membrane of basal cells in bronchial epithelium. Serum samples from 10 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus immunostained the nucleus of epithelial cells in whole layer of bronchial epithelium. This study showed the presence of circulating IgG autoantibodies against the bronchial epithelial cell in a small portion of patients with nonatopic asthma. Further studies may be necessary to evaluate the possible involvement of autoimmune mechanism in the pathogenesis of nonatopic asthma.
Asthma/immunology* ; Autoantibodies/immunology* ; Autoantibodies/blood ; Bronchi/immunology* ; Epithelial Cells/immunology ; Human ; Immunity, Mucosal/immunology ; Respiratory Mucosa/immunology*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hypothyroidism has been reported in 36~85% of patients treated with sunitinib for renal cell carcinoma or gastrointestinal stromal tumor. However, the mechanism behind this hypothyroidism is unclear. This study evaluated the effects of sunitinib, a multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor, on the survival and proliferation of thyrocytes using FRTL-5 rat thyroid cells. METHODS: We examined the effect of sunitinib on cell proliferation in the presence and absence of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in a colorimetric assay. Effects on the cell cycle were evaluated by flow cytometry, and on apoptosis using an annexin V apoptosis assay kit and by immunoblotting for caspase-3. Immunoblotting was also used to evaluate changes in the levels of intracellular proteins associated with the G1-S phase of the cell cycle. RESULTS: Sunitinib suppressed the proliferation of FRTL-5 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. This suppressive effect was enhanced by the presence of TSH (1 mU/mL). Sunitinib was subsequently shown, in flow cytometric analyses, to arrest the cell cycle at the G1-S phase. Furthermore, it induced apoptosis at a high concentration (15 micrometer) by activating caspase-3. G1-S phase arrest was associated with the induction of p27(kip1) and p21(cip1), whose expression is suppressed by TSH under control conditions. Sunitinib also decreased intracellular levels of cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 2 in FRTL-5 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Sunitinib induced apoptosis in and suppressed the proliferation of FRTL-5 cells. Its suppression of proliferation was further enhanced by the presence of TSH. Sunitinib arrested the cell cycle in the G1-S phase by inducing the expression of p27(kip1)/p21(cip1), which are suppressed by TSH under normal conditions. Collectively, these findings suggest that sunitinib may interfere with TSH signaling pathways in normal thyrocytes.
Animals ; Annexin A5 ; Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; Caspase 3 ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Proliferation ; Cyclin D1 ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 2 ; Flow Cytometry ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; Humans ; Hypothyroidism ; Immunoblotting ; Indoles ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; Proteins ; Pyrroles ; Rats ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyrotropin

No abstract available.
Diagnosis* ; Postpartum Period* ; Pregnancy* ; Thyroid Diseases*

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the accuracy of subjective memory complaints, informant-reports for cognitive declines, and their combination for screening cognitive disorders in memory clinic setting. METHODS: One-hundred thirtytwo cognitively normal (CN), 136 mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 546 dementia who visited the memory clinic in the Seoul National University Hospital underwent standardized clinical evaluation and comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. The Subjective Memory Complaints Questionnaire (SMCQ) and the Seoul Informant Report Questionnaire for Dementia (SIRQD) were used to assess subjective memory complaints and informant-reports for cognitive declines, respectively. RESULTS: Both SMCQ and SIRQD showed significant screening ability for MCI, dementia, and overall cognitive disorder (CDall: MCI plus dementia) (screening accuracy: 60.1–94.6%). The combination of SMCQ and SIRQD (SMCQ+SIRQD) was found to have significantly better screening accuracy compared to SMCQ alone for any cognitive disorders. SMCQ+SIRQD also significantly improved screening accuracy of SIRQD alone for MCI and CDall, but not for dementia. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the combined information of both subjective memory complaints and informant-reports for cognitive declines can improve MCI screening by each individual information, while such combination appears not better than informant-reports in regard of dementia screening.
Aged ; Dementia ; Humans ; Mass Screening* ; Memory* ; Mild Cognitive Impairment ; Seoul

Because sublingual region is well-vascularized and sublingual artery is passed throughout this region, it should be careful not to perforate lingual cortex when placing dental implant on mandible. A 83-years-old male complained severe sublingual hematoma, hemorrhage and dyspnea came our outpatient department. He had received dental implant placement in the same day. He needed hemostasis and airway control. If soft tissue of sublingual region and the artery are injured, it may result in life-threatening excessive hemorrhage. In dental implant surgery, especially mandible, we should recognize the accurate shape of mandible and anatomy of sublingual region. It is important to stop anticoagulant agent before surgery. When a patient has airway obstruction, the operator should manage airway quickly.
Airway Management ; Airway Obstruction ; Arteries ; Dental Implants ; Dyspnea ; Hematoma ; Hemorrhage ; Hemostasis ; Humans ; Male ; Mandible ; Mouth Floor ; Outpatients ; Porphyrins ; Tracheotomy

BACKGROUND: Horse antithymocyte globulin (ATG) is a useful treatment for aplastic anemia and for bone marrow transplantation from HLA-mismatched donors. Mortality due to anaphylactic reaction to horse ATG has been reported. We evaluated the clinical significance of skin test and specific IgE measurement for the prediction of immediate type hypersensitivity reaction to horse ATG. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study subjects consisted of 25 patients who received horse ATG. Underlying diseases of the 25 patients included aplastic anemia (n=20), leukemia (n=3), lymphoma (n=1), and Gaucher's disease (n=1). Skin prick test was done on these patients using undiluted ATG solution (Upjohn, USA) with duplication. Specific IgE to ATG was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblot analysis. RESULTS: Skin prick test was positive in 7 (28%) of 25 patients. None of the patients showing negative skin prick test experienced immediate type hypersensitivity reaction to ATG. All patients showing positive skin prick test received desensitization before the administration of a full dose of ATG. However, 3 of 7 patients showing positive skin prick test experienced immediate type hypersensitivity reaction; one of them died of anaphylaxis. Specific IgE measurement using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was not useful in predicting immediate type hypersensitivity reaction to ATG because of nonspecific bindings. Specific IgE measurement using immunoblot analysis was only positive in the one patient who died of anaphylaxis. CONCLUSION: Skin prick test was clinically useful in the prediction of immediate type hypersensitivity reaction to horse ATG, but specific IgE measurement was not. Further studies might be needed to develop an in vitro test for the prediction of immediate type hypersensitivity reaction to horse ATG.
Anaphylaxis ; Anemia, Aplastic ; Antilymphocyte Serum* ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Gaucher Disease ; Horses* ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity* ; Immunoglobulin E* ; Leukemia ; Lymphoma ; Mortality ; Skin Tests* ; Skin* ; Tissue Donors

BACKGROUND: Osteoprotegerin(OPG) is a soluble member of the tumor necrosis factor(TNF) receptor family and inhibits osteoclastogenesis by interrupting the cell-to-cell interaction between osteoblastic/stromal cells and osteoclast progenitors. OPG is expressed in many tissues including osteoblasts and may act on bone tissues in a paracrine and/or autocrine fashion. Futhermore, many cytokines and growth factors are known to influence the regulation of OPG expression in osteoblastic/stromal cells. The aims of the present study were to examine whether or not OPG was expressed in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) and to investigate the effects of IL-1beta, which were known as potent osteotropic agents, on the regulation of OPG mRNA in PBMCs. METHODS: PBMCs were isolated by centrifugation over Ficoll-Hypaque density gradients from postmenopausal women and cultured in 6-well plates containing alpha-MEM supplemented with 5% FBS. The expression of OPG mRNA in PBMCs was observed by RT-PCR in adherent and nonadherent cells on culture plates. To observe the effect of OPG expression by IL-1beta, we measured the concentration of OPG mRNA by altering the concentration and incubation time of IL-1beta. The measurement of OPG mRNA was done by semi-quantitative PCR and indicated as OPG/GAPDH. RESULTS: OPG was expressed both in cells attached to the surface of culture plates and in non-adherent cells for the incubation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The effect of OPG mRNA by IL-1beta tend to increase in accordance with the length of incubation time and maximizes at 12 hours of incubation time and shows 1.2-3.5 times higher than the standard level at the concentration of 0.5ng/ml. However, the increased quantity in concentration varies according to individuals.] CONCLUSION: OPG mRNA is expressed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and known to be increased by IL-1beta.
Bone and Bones ; Cell Communication ; Centrifugation ; Cytokines ; Female ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Necrosis ; Osteoblasts ; Osteoclasts ; Osteoprotegerin ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger*

BACKGROUND: Various staging systems for thyroid cancer that focus on cancer specific death have been suggested, but this approach had a limitation due to the relatively long clinical course and very low rate of cancer death. This study was performed to evaluate the staging systems and to determine the most predictive staging system for predicting recurrence. METHODS: The patients who underwent first total or near total thyroidectomy due to papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) at Asan Medical Center between January 1995 and December 2001 were the subjects of this study. The commonly used 8 staging systems were applied to these subjects. Disease free survival (DFS) and the relative importance of each staging system were determined by the Kaplan-Meier method, the Cox-proportional hazards model and the proportion of variation in the survival time explained (PVE). RESULTS: A total of 952 patients (M = 117, F = 835) were enrolled and their mean age was 45 years. During a median of 10 years of follow-up, 146 (15.3%) of 952 patients had recurred tumor. The independent prognostic factors were male gender, tumor size, extrathyroidal invasion and cervical lymph node metastasis. Risk stratification according to the American thyroid association (ATA) guideline was the most predictive staging system for recurrence of PTC (PVE 88.6%). The staging systems from EORTC (PVE 79.5%), and MACIS (PVE 68.4%) had significant values for predicting recurrence of PTC. The stage of NTCTCS could not predict recurrence (PVE 4.5%, P = 0.11). CONCLUSION: Risk stratification according to the ATA was most predictive staging system for predicting recurrence of PTC. The MACIS and EORTC staging systems have good value for predicting recurrence of PTC.
Carcinoma ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Disease-Free Survival ; Factor IX ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Male ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Recurrence ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Thyroidectomy

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The meaning of specialized intestinal metaplasia (SIM) in the diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus (BE) is not clear. This study was designed to determine the clinical significance of SIM in the diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Biopsies were taken from 601 subjects with endoscopically suspected columnar-lined esophagus. Under light microscopy with Alcian-blue stain, SIM was identified. Demographic characteristics, gastroesophageal (GE) reflux symptoms and endoscopic findings were compared between the SIM-present group and the SIM-absent group. RESULTS: Among 601 subjects, 184 (30.6%) were confirmed by pathology to have SIM. Age over 40 years (P<0.001) and a medication history of proton pump inhibitor or H2 blocker were found more frequently in the SIM-present group (P=0.01) than in the SIM-absent group. Any of 7 GE reflux symptoms (heartburn, acid regurgitation, chest pain, hoarseness, globus sensation, cough and epigastric soreness) were more frequent in the SIM-present group than SIM-absent group (P<0.001). Specifically, heartburn, chest pain and cough were significantly more common in the SIM-present group. There was no clinically significant difference associated with endoscopic findings or other clinical characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: When subjects with endoscopically suspected BE are analyzed based on the presence or absence of SIM, the SIM-present group was significantly associated with GE reflux symptoms suggestive of frequent GE reflux. However, the presence of SIM did not correlate with endoscopic findings.
Barrett Esophagus ; Biopsy ; Chest Pain ; Cough ; Esophagus ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Heartburn ; Hoarseness ; Light ; Metaplasia ; Microscopy ; Prospective Studies ; Proton Pumps ; Sensation