Childhood minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) has often been associated with allergic symptoms such as urticaria, bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and elevated IgE levels and referred to involve immune dysfunction. Fc epsilon RII is known to be involved in IgE production and response. Interleukin-4 is being recognized as a major cytokine up-regulating IgE production. Hence the present study is aimed at investigating the role of interleukin-4 and Fc epsilon RII in the pathogenesis of MCNS. IgE was measured by ELISA. Fc epsilon RII was analyzed by fluorescence activated cell scanner (FAC-scan) by double antibody staining with anti Leu16-FITC and anti Leu20-PE. Soluble IgE receptor was measured by ELISA using anti CD23 antibody (3-5-14). Interleukin-4 activities were measured by CD23 expression on purified human tonsillar B cells. Serum IgE levels were significantly higher in MCNS (1,507 +/- 680 IU/dl) than in normal controls (123 +/- 99.2 IU/dl). A significantly higher expression of membrane Fc epsilon RII was noted for MCNS (41 +/- 12%) than that in normal controls (18 +/- 6.2%) (p < 0.001). Soluble CD23 levels were also significantly higher in MCNS (198 +/- 39.3%) than in normal controls (153 +/- 13.4) (p < 0.01). Interleukin-4 activity in sera of MCNS (12U/ml) was also significantly higher than normal controls (4.5U/ml). These results indicate that increased production of Fc epsilon RII and interleukin-4 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of MCNS.
B-Lymphocytes/immunology ; Child ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E/blood ; Interleukin-4/*physiology ; Nephrosis, Lipoid/*etiology/physiopathology ; Receptors, IgE/biosynthesis/*physiology ; Solubility

Congenital glioblastoma multiforme is relatively rare accounting for 2-9% of all congenital brain tumors. We deseribe a case of congenital glioblastoma multiforme which occurred in the lateral ventricle. T1-weighted images revealed high signal intensity, with areas of internal low signal intensity, while T2-weighted images showed low signal intensity with focal internal high-signal portions. Post-contrast T1-weighted images depicted a lateral ventricular mass which extended to adjacent brain parenchyme and had a serpentine signal void representing internal vessel.
Brain ; Brain Neoplasms ; Glioblastoma* ; Lateral Ventricles

No abstract available.
Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic ; Fever* ; Ulcer ; Wegener Granulomatosis

Torsion of the accessory spleen is a rare entity that can have variable clinical presentations. We report case involving an 11-year-old boy with severe abdominal pain and a mass that was found to be due to infarction of the accessory spleen, which was twisted on its pedicle. CT revealed a low-attenuating mass with peripheral inflammatory changes in the left upper abdomen. The mass was pathologically confirmed as torsion of the ac-cessory spleen with infarction.
Abdomen ; Abdominal Pain ; Child ; Humans ; Infarction* ; Male ; Spleen*

BACKGROUND: Currently available data suggests that uric acid (UA) functions as an antioxidant after acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Nevertheless, the prognostic value of serum UA in AIS is controversial. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between UA and functional outcomes after AIS. METHODS: UA levels were analyzed within 48 hours of stroke onset in patients between 2007 and 2012. Mean serum UA levels were compared between patients with good and poor functional outcomes (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score, 0-2 versus 3-6, respectively) at 3 months poststroke, and with and without early neurological improvement (ENI, > or = 4-versus <4-point differences on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] score after 7 days). RESULTS: Serum UA levels differed according to the sex, age, stroke subtype, and presence of diabetes mellitus, smoking, and atrial fibrillation. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed an association between good functional outcome at 3 months and male gender, young age, history of dyslipidemia, good functional status before stroke (mRS score, 0-2), and low stroke severity (i.e., NIHSS score) on admission. However, higher serum UA levels were no longer associated with a good functional outcomes (odds ratio, 1.387; 95% confidence interval, 0.857-2.244; p=0.521). The mean serum UA levels did not differ significantly between patients with and without ENI. CONCLUSIONS: There was no association between serum UA levels and functional outcomes at 3 months in AIS.
Atrial Fibrillation ; Cerebral Infarction ; Cerebrovascular Disorders ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Dyslipidemias ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; National Institutes of Health (U.S.) ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Stroke* ; Uric Acid*

High intakes of sodium may increase the risk of hypertension or cardiovascular diseases. According to the 2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey, the average intake of sodium was 4,878 mg/day with salt, kimchi, soy sauce, fermented soybean paste and Ramyeon being the five main sources of sodium. In order to identify solutions to reduce the intake of sodium, we investigated the intake patterns and eating behaviors of Ramyeon among 347 college students (male 146, female 201) using survey questionnaires. The average age of study subjects was 23.7 years for males and 20.5 years for females. The average Body Mass Index (kg/m2) was 21.9 for males and 20.1 for females. The average frequency of Ramyeon intake was 2.0 times/week. The main reason for eating Ramyeon was convenience (56%), followed by good taste (27%), low price (11%) and other reasons (9%). The criteria for choosing Ramyeon were taste (72%), convenience (14%), price (7%), nutrition (1%), and the other factors (2%). Males' average intake of Ramyeon soup (61%) was higher than that of the females (36%). The estimated intake of Ramyeon soup by survey showed a positive correlation with the measured intake of Ramyeon soup. Sodium contents of Ramyeon were measured separately for the noodles and the soup, which were 1,185 mg/serving and 1,148 mg/serving each. Therefore, the amount of sodium intake can be reduced if students eat less Ramyeon soup. Also, we observed that dietary behaviors and soup intakes of Ramyeon between the sexes were different. Appropriate nutritional education for proper eating habits may help decrease the intake of sodium.
Body Mass Index ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Eating ; Feeding Behavior ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Korea ; Male ; Nutrition Surveys ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Sodium ; Soy Foods ; Soybeans

The superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome results from the disturbance of blood flow in superior vena cava caused by the obstruction. The most common etiology of this condition is the external compression by a malignant tumor. Other causes include thrombus from a pacemaker, defibrillator or central venous catheters. The conventional treatment is radiation and chemotherapy. Recently stenting has been used as a first-line therapeutic strategy for non-malignant cases with balloon and self-expanding stents. In our report, a 77 year-old woman had the SVC syndrome without identification of an underlying disease. A percutaneous endovascular intervention was performed. The stent was placed successfully but just after the procedure, the venous return immediately increased and acute pulmonary edema developed. The patient improved after intravenous diuretics and oxygen. Here we report our experience and review the medical literatures for the management of the non-malignant SVC syndrome, with percutaneous endovascular intervention and the rare complication of pulmonary edema.
Central Venous Catheters ; Defibrillators ; Diuretics ; Female ; Humans ; Oxygen ; Pulmonary Edema ; Stents ; Thrombosis ; Vena Cava, Superior

No abstract available.
Humans ; Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis* ; Scleroderma, Systemic*

BACKGROUND: Mycobacterium abscessus is the most common respiratory pathogen in rapidly growing mycobacteria and is resistant to all of the first-line antituberculosis drugs. This report describes the clinical and radiographic characteristics in patients with pulmonary disease caused by M. abscessus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve patients with pulmonary disease caused by M. abscessus who fulfilled the 1997 American Thoracic Society diagnostic criteria for a nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary infection were observed over a five-and-a-half year period. The clinical characteristics and chest radiographic findings were analyzed, retrospectively. RESULTS: The patients were predominantly female(11/12, 92%) and nonsmokers(12/12, 100%). Coughing (10/12, 83%), sputum(10/12, 83%) and hemoptysis(10/12, 83%) were the common symptoms and they had prolonged periods from the onset of symptoms to the diagnosis of their disease(median 6.5 years). Eleven (92%) patients had a previous history of being treated for pulmonary tuberculosis. The sputum specimens were acid-fast bacilli smear-positive in all patients. All patients were administered antituberculosis drugs. Six (50%) patients were treated with second-line antituberculosis drugs on account of persistent smear-positive sputum specimens. The chest radiographs showed that reticulonodular opacities(11/12, 92%) were the most common pattern of abnormality, followed by cavitary lesions(5/12, 42%). The computed tomography findings suggested bronchiolitis from the centrilobular nodules with a tree-in-bud appearances(9/10, 90%) and bronchiectasis (9/10, 90%) were the most common, followed by well-defined nodules smaller than 10-mm in diameter(7/10, 70%). CONCLUSIONS: M. abscessus pulmonary disease should be recognized as a cause of chronic mycobacterial lung disease, and respiratory isolates should be assessed carefully.
Bronchiectasis ; Bronchiolitis ; Cough ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Korea ; Lung Diseases* ; Mycobacterium* ; Nontuberculous Mycobacteria ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Retrospective Studies ; Sputum ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

BACKGROUND: Mycobacterium avium complex(MAC) is the most common respiratory pathogen in nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease. This study described the clinical characteristics of the patients with pulmonary disease caused by MAC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical characteristics of 24 patients with pulmonary disease caused by the MAC, who fulfilled the 1997 American Thoracic Society diagnostic criteria for nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease, were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Fourteen patients(58%) were male and the median age at diagnosis was 61 years(range 46-75). Of the 24 patients, 16(67%) had a M. intracellulare infection, 7(29%) had a M. avium infection and one patient was not identified. Coughing(92%) and sputum(88%) were most frequently observed symptoms. The sputum smear for acid-fast bacilli was positive in 17(71%) patients. Fourteen(58%) patients had the upper lobe cavitary form and 10(42%) patients had the nodular bronchiectatic form. In a comparison between the patients with the upper lobe cavitary form and those with the nodular bronchiectatic form, significant differences were found according to sex(male 86% vs. 20%, p=0.003), smoking history(79% vs. 10%, p=0.008), the presence of an underlying disease(64% vs. 20%, p=0.036), the pulmonary function(% forced vital capacity, median 71% vs. 88%, p=0.022; % forced expiratory volume in one second, median 69% vs. 89%, p=0.051) and bilateral disease at chest radiography(29% vs. 90%, p=0.005). The time from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis was longer in those with the nodular bronchiectatic form(median 72 months, range 8-132) than those with the upper lobe cavitary form(median 22 months, range 6-60) CONCLUSIONS: MAC pulmonary disease occurs in two distinct populations with two distinct clinical presentations. For a correct diagnosis of MAC pulmonary disease, knowledge of the diverse clinical and radiological findings is essential.
Diagnosis ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Korea ; Lung Diseases ; Male ; Mycobacterium avium Complex* ; Mycobacterium avium* ; Mycobacterium* ; Nontuberculous Mycobacteria ; Retrospective Studies ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Sputum ; Thorax ; Vital Capacity