PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship between factors of metabolic syndrome(MS) to prostate volume and lower urinary tract symptom in men over sixties. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 624 male subjects aged 60 to 90 years were enrolled. Prostate volume, urinary flow rate, voided volume, post void residual urine volume, voiding symptoms and MS-related parameters were investigated. Patients were divided into two groups; those with MS (n=223) and those without(n=401). Prostate volume, urodynamic factors and voiding symptoms were compared based upon MS categories. RESULTS: The MS and control group showed no significant differences with respect to age(74.8+/-5.6 vs. 74.0+/-5.4, respectively, p=0.083) and prostate specific antigen levels(1.8+/-1.5 vs. 1.7+/-1.5, respectively, p=0.248). However, the MS group had significantly greater waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting blood sugar level, hypertriglyceridemia and lower high density lipoprotein(HDL) cholesterol than the control group(p<0.05). Patients with MS showed significantly larger total prostate volume(p=0.008) and transitional zone volume(p=0.012). There were no differences between two groups respect to maximum flow rate, voided volume and residual volume (p>0.05). There was a significant relationship between prostate volume and obesity(p=0.016), however other MS factors such as low HDL, hypertension, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and hypertriglyceridemia were not associated with prostate volume(p>0.05).CONCLUSIONS: Metabolic syndrome is associated with prostate volume related factors, but not to voiding dysfunction in Korean men over sixties. Among subcategories of MS, obesity is the most strongly related factor to prostate volume.
Aged ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Cholesterol ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Fasting ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypertriglyceridemia ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome X ; Obesity ; Prostate ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; Residual Volume ; Urinary Tract ; Urination Disorders ; Urodynamics ; Waist Circumference

Thyroglossal duct cysts develop in the persistent remnants of the thyroglossal tract between the origin of the thyroid at the foramen cecum and the final position of the thyroid gland. Thyroglossal duct cyst can present anywhere from the base of the tongue to the manubrium, but its occurrence within the thyroid gland is very rare. We report here on a 41-year-old woman who presented with a cystic thyroid nodule that was due to an intrathyroid thyroglossal duct cyst. The sonogram, showed a hypoechoic nodule that measured 0.7 x 0.6 cm in the left thyroid lobe. Left lobectomy of the thyroid gland was performed and microscopic examination revealed a cyst lined by non-keratinized squamous epithelium, which was consistent with a thyroglossal duct cyst in the thyroid gland. Intrathyroid thyroglossal duct cyst should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a cystic thyroid nodule. This is the first reported case of a intrathyroid thyroglossal duct cyst in a Korean adult.
Adult ; Cecum ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Epithelium ; Female ; Humans ; Manubrium ; Thyroglossal Cyst* ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Nodule ; Tongue

A free-floating ball thrombus in the left atrium is a rare complication of the mitral valvular disease. A 53-year-old man was admitted for pain and paresthesia on both legs. On admission he had auscultatory sign of mitral stenosis and mitral regurgitation, and the roentgenogram of his chest revealed a slight pulmonary ve..ous congestion, enlargement of the pulmonary conus and cardiomegaly. Laboratory findings including complete blood counts, coagulation studies and blood chemistry were normal. An echocardiographic examination revealed a mitral stenosis and a free-floating ball thrombus in the left atrium. We performed the emergent open heart surgery for removal of the ball thrombus and mitral replacement successfuly with Duromedics 29 mm valve. The size of thrombus was 39 X 32 X 30 mm.
Blood Cell Count ; Cardiomegaly ; Chemistry ; Conus Snail ; Echocardiography ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Heart Atria ; Humans ; Leg ; Middle Aged ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; Mitral Valve Stenosis* ; Paresthesia ; Thoracic Surgery ; Thorax ; Thrombosis*

BACKGROUND: We investigate an interhemispheric reorganization of memory functions using Wada test in patients with unilateral mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE). METHODS: We included 70 patients with unilateral MTLE and 37 with neocortical epilepsy (NE). The Wada memory stimuli were composed of 10 items. Scores for each injection were calculated with 1 and 0.5 points assigned for each correct free recall and recognition, respectively. A cut-off asymmetry score for lateralization of memory deficit was defined as 2 points. We statistically analyzed the proportion of memory asymmetry and the average memory score according to the type of epilepsy and the lateralization of seizure focus. RESULTS: The lateralizations of memory deficit determined by Wada memory asymmetry were evenly distributed in the left MTLE (n=34): left in 12 (36%), right in 11 (32%), and undetermined in 11 (32%). However, most (92%) of the right MTLE (n=36) were correctly lateralized to the side of seizure focus. More than 90% of patients with NE were lateralized to right hemisphere regardless of the seizure laterality. The average total (left plus right) memory score were not significantly different between each group. However, right memory score in left MTLE or left memory score in right MTLE were significantly higher than those in NE. The earlier age at seizure onset and the longer duration of epilepsy were observed in patients with left MTLE who had ipsilateral memory deficit comparing to those who had contralateral memory deficit. CONCLUSIONS: A pure interhemispheric reorganization of memory functions could occur in some patients with MTLE. It may be influenced by age at the onset of a seizure and the duration of epilepsy.
Epilepsy ; Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe* ; Humans ; Memory Disorders ; Memory* ; Seizures ; Temporal Lobe*

BACKGROUND: We investigate an interhemispheric reorganization of memory functions using Wada test in patients with unilateral mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE). METHODS: We included 70 patients with unilateral MTLE and 37 with neocortical epilepsy (NE). The Wada memory stimuli were composed of 10 items. Scores for each injection were calculated with 1 and 0.5 points assigned for each correct free recall and recognition, respectively. A cut-off asymmetry score for lateralization of memory deficit was defined as 2 points. We statistically analyzed the proportion of memory asymmetry and the average memory score according to the type of epilepsy and the lateralization of seizure focus. RESULTS: The lateralizations of memory deficit determined by Wada memory asymmetry were evenly distributed in the left MTLE (n=34): left in 12 (36%), right in 11 (32%), and undetermined in 11 (32%). However, most (92%) of the right MTLE (n=36) were correctly lateralized to the side of seizure focus. More than 90% of patients with NE were lateralized to right hemisphere regardless of the seizure laterality. The average total (left plus right) memory score were not significantly different between each group. However, right memory score in left MTLE or left memory score in right MTLE were significantly higher than those in NE. The earlier age at seizure onset and the longer duration of epilepsy were observed in patients with left MTLE who had ipsilateral memory deficit comparing to those who had contralateral memory deficit. CONCLUSIONS: A pure interhemispheric reorganization of memory functions could occur in some patients with MTLE. It may be influenced by age at the onset of a seizure and the duration of epilepsy.
Epilepsy ; Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe* ; Humans ; Memory Disorders ; Memory* ; Seizures ; Temporal Lobe*

The present study was done to determine the efficacy and safety of varicose vein removal using a minimally invasive, powered vein-extracting device with cutaneous transillumination and tumescent anesthesia techniques and then compared this to a retrospective group of conventional phlebectomy operations. There were 133 limbs in 104 patients(72 women, 32 men) treated with the use of the vein extractor aided by transcutaneous illumination. The hydrodissection was performed with TrivexTM Irrigated Illuminator(Smith and Nephew ) system using normal saline after the 2~3mm sized skin incision. Varicose clusters were extracted by the use of TrivexTM Resector(Smith and Nephew ) system under transillumination. After the varisoce vein extraction, the operation area was compressed with surgical pad for bleeding control. The complication rate was 3.84%. The mean number of incisions was 3.24 and mean operative time per limb was 65.9 minutes. The mean hospitalization was 1.86 days. The varicose vein extraction using transilluminated powered phlebectomy(TIPP) is a safe, efficacious and cosmetically satisfactory method. The procedure decreases the operating time and the number of incisions repuired to remove varicose clusters. Further evaluation and long term follow up will be necessary to determine the recurrence rate and long term complications.
Anesthesia ; Extremities ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhage ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Lighting ; Operative Time ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin ; Transillumination ; Varicose Veins* ; Veins

PURPOSE: An outbreak of ESBL-producing Shigella sonnei enteritis was unprecedented not only in Korea but throughout the world in the past. We intended to devise a management guideline for ESBL-producing shigellosis based on analysis of clinical manifestations and response to therapy. METHODS: We analyzed 103 patients who were admitted to the hospital with acute GI symptoms and were shown positive result for S. sonnei on stool culture. We performed sensitivity test to the antibiotics and DNA sequencing of ESBL gene in the isolated S. sonnei colonies. In addition, we retrospectively analyzed their clinical characteristics, laboratory results, and clinical and microbiological responses to the antibiotics. RESULTS: Among the clinical manifestations, fever was the most frequent (96.1%), followed by diarrhea (93.2%), abdominal pain (76.7%), headache (71.8%), vomiting (65.0%), and nausea (41.7%). The fever was sustained for average of 2.0 days and diarrhea for 3.9 days. Watery diarrhea was the most common (69%) followed by mucoid (26%), and bloody stool (5%). On peripheral blood smear, leukocytosis was noted in 53.4% of patients, and 78.6% of patients tested positive for serum CRP response. On stool direct smear, 11.7% of patients showed more than 50 WBCs/HPF, and 9.7% of patients between 5 to 20 WBCs/HPF. Stool occult blood was positive in 71% of patients. Production of CTX-M-14 type ESBL was reported for all S. sonnei strains isolated from this outbreak. Microbiological eradication rates to various antibiotics were as follows: 100% (9/9) to ciprofloxacin, 100% 5/5) to azithromycin, 6.9% (5/72) to cefdinir, 0% (0/8) to ceftriaxone, 12.5% (1/8) to ceftizoxime, 0% (0/ 8) to TMP/SMX, 42.9% (3/7) to ampicillin/sulbactam, 20% (1/5) to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, and 68.8 % (11/16) to imipenem/cilastatin. CONCLUSION: It is presumed that azithromycin can be an attractive option for the treatment of ESBL-producing S. sonnei enteritis in pediatric population, given its cost-effectiveness and safety. Although ciprofloxacin is another cost-effective agent, its use in pediatric population may be a bit too premature.
Abdominal Pain ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Azithromycin ; beta-Lactamases* ; Ceftizoxime ; Ceftriaxone ; Ciprofloxacin ; Diarrhea ; Dysentery* ; Dysentery, Bacillary ; Enteritis ; Fever ; Headache ; Humans ; Korea ; Leukocytosis ; Nausea ; Occult Blood ; Retrospective Studies ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Shigella sonnei* ; Shigella* ; Vomiting

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the survivin expression pattern in benign lesions, atypical ductal hyperplasias (ADH), ductal carcinomas in situ (DCIS) and in invasive carcinomas of the breast and to evaluate the effect of expression of this marker on the malignant progression of breast cancers. In addition, the relationship between the expression of the marker and the clinicopathological characteristics for invasive carcinomas were investigated. METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining using a tissue microarray method for survivin was performed for 103 benign lesions, 30 ADHs, 26 DCISs and 116 invasive carcinomas. RESULTS: The expression of cytoplasmic survivin was higher for invasive carcinomas than for ADHs and DCISs (p<0.05). For breast invasive carcinomas, expression of cytoplasmic survivin significantly correlated with tumor size, lymph node metastasis and stage (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that overexpression of cytoplasmic survivin may be involved in the development of the late stage of breast malignancy, especially invasiveness. In breast invasive carcinomas, expression of survivin may be a useful indicator for the evaluation of patient prognosis.
Breast* ; Carcinoma, Ductal ; Cytoplasm ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis

Betulinic acid, a pentacyclic triterpene isolated from Jujube tree (Zizyphus jujuba Mill), has been known for a wide range of biological and medicinal properties such as antibacterial, antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, antihelmintic, antinociceptive, and anticancer activities. In the study, we investigated the antiviral activity on influenza A/PR/8 virus infected A549 human lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cell line and C57BL/6 mice. Betulinic acid showed the anti-influenza viral activity at a concentration of 50 muM without a significant cytotoxicity in influenza A/PR/8 virus infected A549 cells. Also, betulinic acid significantly attenuated pulmonary pathology including increased necrosis, numbers of inflammatory cells and pulmonary edema induced by influenza A/PR/8 virus infection compared with vehicle- or oseltamivir-treated mice in vivo model. The down-regulation of IFN-gamma level, which is critical for innate and adaptive immunity in viral infection, after treating of betulinic acid in mouse lung. Based on the obtained results, it is suggested that betulinic acid can be the potential therapeutic agent for virus infection via anti-inflammatory activity.
Adaptive Immunity ; Adenocarcinoma ; Animals ; Down-Regulation ; Epithelial Cells ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Influenza, Human* ; Lung ; Mice ; Necrosis ; Pathology ; Pulmonary Edema ; Trees ; Ziziphus*

Paragangliomas are rare tumors of a neural crest origin, and belong to the amine- precursor-uptake decarboxylation (APUD) system. The great majority of paraganglioma are in the adrenal medulla. The majority of extraadrenal sites arise near the adrenal or along the nerve plexuses. Paragangliomas are only occasionally found in the wall of the bladder. Their preoperative diagnosis is suspected from a clinical history and an estimation of catecholamines, or their metabolic by-products, in a twenty-four-hour urine sample. The correct diagnosis is not made in the majority of cases because the tumors are frequently silent with regard to hormonal activity. Therefore, an excretory urogram, arteriography and cystoscopy, including biopsy, are important procedures for their preoperative diagnosis. We report a case of paraganglioma arising in the bladder wall, with brief review of literatures.
Adrenal Medulla ; Angiography ; Biopsy ; Catecholamines ; Cystoscopy ; Decarboxylation ; Diagnosis ; Neural Crest ; Paraganglioma* ; Urinary Bladder*