The values for regional cerebral blood flow at rest were obtained from 60 right handed normal Korean adults(48 males, 12 females) with an age range of 24 to 69 years. The results were summarized as follows. 1) Mean rCBF were Fg ; 74.8+/-13.3ml/100g/min., Fw ; 19.2+/-3.1ml/100g/min, Wg ; 44.0+/-5.4% and CBF(inf) ; 39.8+/-7.6ml/100g/min. 2) In normal regional flow distributions throughout each hemisphere, values of Fg, Fw and CBF(inf) were higher in the frontal lobes and lower in the parietal lobes. A trend for higher values for Wg was seen in occipital and temporal lobes and lower values in the frontal lobes of both hemispheres. 3) When normal limits of the interregional variety values were predicted as mean ICV+2 SD(p<0.05), those values were Fg ; 12%, Fw ; 12%, CBF(inf) ; 10%, FFg ; 4% and Wg ; 10% of mean hemispheric rCBF. 4) There was a significant progressive decline of parameters of Fg, CBF(inf) and Wg with advancing age.
Adult* ; Frontal Lobe ; Hand ; Humans ; Male ; Parietal Lobe ; Temporal Lobe

Twenty four subjects at weaning period were selected for experimental feeding of 10% fish flour supplements with wheat flour noodles. Experimental regimen was 2 months. Total serum protein, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red blood cell counts were increased significantly in both sexes. However, a reduction of albumin concentration in serum was found ; also significant increases in globulin fractions occured. Although results suggest an advantage of fish flour supplements, further investigation is required to conclude the definite benefit of fish Hour supplements to Korean children, who need taste acceptability tests of fish flour under strictly controlled conditions.

The anterior interbody fusion combined with internal metal plate fixation was performed from January, 1988 in seven patients with unstable mid and lower cervical spine. The insertion of the metal plate was simple and maintained the block bone graft in satisfactory position. We concluded from this early follow-up that, this alternative method of internal fixation of cervical spine allowed not only effective stabilization for the unstable spine but also early mobilization and short hospital stay.
Early Ambulation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Spine* ; Transplants

The aims of this study were to document bronchiolitis obliterans(BO), the long term pulmonary sequelae after mycoplasma pneumonia, and to evaluate the difference of development of BO according to antibody titer and X-ray pattern. Twenty five subjects who had mycoplasma pneumonia underwent high resolution CT(HRCT) 1.3 years(1.0-2.0 years) after the initial infection. Fifteen boys and 10 girls, with mean age of 6.3 years(3-15 year) at the time of the infection, were included. The clinical diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae(M. pneumoniae) pneumonia was confirmed by a fourfold or higher rise in the antibody titers between acute and convalescent phase or a single very high titers(> or = 1:640) and abnormal chest radiographs. The subjects were divided into two groups as high titer group(antibody titer 1:5120 1:20480, n=15) and low titer group(antibody titer 1:640-1:2560, n=10). Nine of 25 subjects(36.0%) demonstrated BO findings on HRCT which included mosaic perfusion in 8 of 9 subjects(88.9%), bronchiectasis in 6(66.7%), mosaic perfusion associated with bronchiectasis in 6(66.7%), bronchial wall thickening in two(22.2%), and decreased pulmonary vascularity in one(11.1%). Those findings were more commonly seen in high titer group compared to low titer group[53.3%(8/15) vs 10.0%(1/10), P<0.05] and lobar type compared to linear type[58.0%(7/12) vs 15.4% (2/13), P<0.05]. The involved areas on HRCT exactly corresponded with initially involved area on chest radiographs in 8 of 9 subjects (88.9%). The development of BO was closely related to the M. pneumoniae pneumonia and was noted significantly in individuals with high antibody titer and lobar type x-ray pattern. We suggest that it is necessary to pay attention to the development of BO after M. pneumoniae pneumonia with high antibody titer and lobar type x-ray pattern.
Bronchiectasis ; Bronchiolitis Obliterans* ; Bronchiolitis* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae* ; Mycoplasma* ; Perfusion ; Pneumonia* ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma* ; Radiography, Thoracic

This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of cyclophosphamide (CY) on dendritic cells (DCs) and ED2 positive tissue macrophages in adult rat lymphoid and non-lymphoid organs. A single dose of CY (150 mg/kg) was administered to Sprague-Dawley rats by intraperitoneal injection. After the rats were sacrificed in groups of three at 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks and 1 month, the tongue, heart, urinary bladder, thymus, spleen and cervical lymph nodes were removed. The immunocytochemical characterization of the cells was carried out using the monoclonal antibodies OX6, OX62 and ED2 in cryostat-cut sections. CY elicited a decrease in number of intraepithelial and interstitial DCs in urinary bladder and in number of interdigitating DCs in all the lymphoid organs examined in this study, whereas CY did not cause any alteration in the number and distribution pattern of dendritic cells in tongue and hearts. CY increased the size and number of tissue macrophages in all the organs examined in this study. Most of these features began to appear from the first day and reached the maximun on the third and seventh day, but two weeks after CY administration, these phenomena declined. In conclusion, CY has differential effects on the rat DCs and macrophages and also on the subpopulations of DC according to the location and the functional state.
Adult ; Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Cyclophosphamide* ; Dendritic Cells* ; Heart ; Humans ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Lymph Nodes ; Macrophages* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spleen ; Thymus Gland ; Tongue ; Urinary Bladder

BACKGROUND: Circulating cell-free nucleic acids are known to be a noninvasive diagnostic tool for cancer detection. Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) B1, a nuclear core complex, is overexpressed in early stage lung cancer. We intended to evaluate the usefulness of plasma hnRNP B1 mRNA in differentiating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) from other benign lung diseases, especially pulmonary tuberculosis, which is highly prevalent in Korea and often difficult to distinguish from lung cancer. METHODS: Plasma RNA was extracted from 30 patients with NSCLC, 30 patients with benign lung diseases including pulmonary tuberculosis, and 10 healthy controls. Plasma hnRNP B1 mRNA was measured by TaqMan Gene Expression Assay (Applied Biosystems, USA), and pre-developed beta-actin (ACTB) mRNA was used for normalization. We analyzed the relative gene expression data using the delta-delta Ct method. RESULTS: Plasma hnRPN B1 mRNA was measurable in 93.3% (28/30) of NSCLC patients. Normalized 2-DeltaDeltaCt of plasma hnRPN B1 mRNA was 62.2 (95%Cl, 6.4-210.1) in NSCLC patients and 2.7 (95%Cl, 0.5-13.6) in benign lung disease patients (P<0.001, Mann-Whitney U test). CONCLUSIONS: Plasma hnRNP B1 mRNA was significantly increased in patients with lung cancer compared with that in patients with other benign lung diseases. Plasma hnRNP B1 mRNA may be useful as a potential marker for the detection of NSCLC.
Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/*genetics ; Female ; Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein Group A-B/*blood/genetics ; Humans ; Lung Diseases/blood/genetics ; Lung Neoplasms/*genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger/*blood/metabolism ; Tumor Markers, Biological

OBJECTIVES: In order to assess the effects of sera from severe preeclamptic patients on endothelial cell viability in vitro and endothelin-1 synthesis in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells. METHODS: The cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells were incubated with media containing 10% sera from women with either preeclamptic patients or normal pregnancies for 24 hours or 48 hours. After then, their viability was measured by colorimetric MTT{3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide} assay and their production of endothelin-1 was measured. We also measured the serum levels of endothelin-1 level in sera obtained from the normal and severe preeclamptic pregnancies. RESULTS: The calorimetric MTT assay revealed that after 24 hours, the absorbances in the media treated with normal pregnancies and severe preeclampsia sera were 0.0718+/-0.0078 and 0.0837+/-0.0129, respectively and after 48 hours, they were 0.1133+/-0.0103 and 0.1268+/-0.0186, respectively. Serum obtained from severe preeclampsia did not affect endothelial cell viability. 2. The serum mean levels of endothelin-1 in normal and severe preeclamptic pregnancies were 22.66+/-8.6 fmol/ml and 48.98+/-25.27 fmol/ml. The mean level in preeclamptic sera was significantly higher than that of normal pregnant women. (P<0.05) 3. After 24 hours, the mean amount of endothelin-1 stimulated by normal pregnant and severe preeclamptic sera were 37.52+/-18.41 fmol/ml and 97.58+/-53.64 fmol/ml, respectively. The mean amount of endothelin-1 in preeclamptic sera-treated cells was significantly higher than that of normal pregnant sera-treated cells. (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The sera from severe preeclamptic women do not affect cell viability but act selectively on specific activation of their function such as endothelin-1 production. And it is necessary that the identification and isolation of the putative serum factor(s) will be performed to resolve the pathogenesis in future.
Cell Survival ; Endothelial Cells* ; Endothelin-1* ; Female ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells* ; Humans ; Humans* ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women

PURPOSE: To assess the high-resolution CT (HRCT) findings of small airway abnormalities after mycoplasma pneumonia and correlate them with the findings of chest radiography performed during the acute and follow-up phases of the condition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated HRCT and chest radiographic findings of 18 patients with clinical diagnosis of small airway disease after mycoplasma pneumonia (M:F=8:10, mean age: 8.3 years, mean time interval after the initial infection; 26 months). We evaluated the lung parenchymal and bronchial abnormalities on HRCT (n=18). In addition, presence of air-trapping was assessed on expiratory scans (n=13). The findings of HRCT were correlated with those of chest radiography performed during the acute phase of initial infection (n=15) and at the time of CT examination (n=18), respectively. RESULTS: HRCT revealed lung parenchymal abnormalities in 13 patients (72%). A mosaic pattern of lung attenuation was noted in ten patients (10/18, 56%), and air-trapping on expiratory scans was observed in nine (9/13, 69%). In nine of 14 (64%) with negative findings at follow-up chest radiography, one or both of the above parenchymal abnormalities was observed at HRCT. In four patients (27%), parenchymal abnormalities were seen at HRCT in areas considered normal at acute-phase chest radiography. Bronchiectasis or ateclectasis was observed in eight (44%) and four (22%) patients, respectively, at HRCT. The CT features of Swyer-James syndrome such as a unilateral hyperlucent lung with reduced lung volume and attenuated vessels were noted in two patients (11%). CONCLUSION: HRCT can clearly demonstrate lung parenchymal and bronchial abnormalities of small airway disease after mycoplasma pneumonia in children.
Bronchiectasis ; Bronchiolitis Obliterans ; Child* ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung ; Lung, Hyperlucent ; Mycoplasma* ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma* ; Radiography ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Retrospective Studies ; Thorax

PURPOSE: A new airway inflammatory marker, exhaled nitric oxide(ENO) has been reported to correlate with bronchial hyperresponsiveness(BHR) and atopy. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship of ENO with BHR or atopy in patients with asthma and with allergic rhinitis. METHODS: The subjects consisted of 55 children with asthma, 17 with allergic rhinitis, and 14 healthy controls. The asthma group was subdivided into the atopic asthma group(n=37) and the nonatopic asthma group(n=18) and the allergic rhinitis group into BHR group(n=7) and non-BHR group(n=10). All were investigated with spirometry and measurements of ENO concentration. The correlations between ENO concentration and both methacholine PC20(provocative concentration causing a 20% decrease in forced expiratory volume in one second) and the number of allergen skin test positivity were analyzed. RESULTS: ENO concentrations of both asthma and allergic rhinitis groups were significantly greater than that of control(P<0.01). ENO concentration of atopic asthma was significantly greater than that of nonatopic asthma(P<0.01). In allergic rhinitis, ENO concentration did not differ according to the presence or absence of BHR(P=0.50). ENO concentrations correlated significantly with the number of skin test positivity(r=0.32, P=0.02) or methacholine PC20(r=-0.38, P<0.01) in asthma group, but not in the allergic rhinitis group(r=0.42, P=0.09; r=-0.06, P=0.83). CONCLUSION: In asthma patients, some pathogenetic mechanisms associated with atopy and BHR seem to influence ENO concentration. In allergic rhinitis patients, some factors other than BHR may be important in determining ENO concentration.
Asthma* ; Child* ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Methacholine Chloride ; Nitric Oxide* ; Rhinitis* ; Skin Tests ; Spirometry

PURPOSE: Adherence is a major component of successful medical treatment. However, non-adherence remains a barrier to effective delivery of healthcare worldwide. METHODS: Twenty healthcare facilities (secondary or tertiary hospitals) belonging to the Korean Academy of Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Diseases (KAPARD) participated. Questionnaires were given to patients currently receiving treatment in the form of inhalant useor oral intake or transdermal patch for mild to moderate asthma. RESULTS: A total of 1,838 patients responded to the questionnaire. Mean age was 5.98 ± 3.79 years (range: 0-18 years). With help from their caregivers, the percentage of patients that answered “taking as prescribed” was 38.04% for inhalant users, 50.09% for oral medication users and 67.42% for transdermal users. Transdermal patch users had significantly greater adherence compared to the other 2 groups (P < 0.001). The 34.15% of inhalant users, 70.33% of oral medication users and 93.00% of transdermal patch users felt that their medication delivery system was “Easy” or “Very easy” to use (P < 0.001). “Method of administration” was deemed to be the most difficult part of the treatment regimen to follow, and 76.7% of patients preferred once-daily administration (i.e., “Frequency of administration”). CONCLUSIONS: Asthma medication adherence in young children was found to be better in the transdermal patch group. This may be due to requiring fewer doses and easy to follow instructions. From an adherence point of view, the transdermal patch seems more useful for long-term asthma control in children compared to oral or inhaled medicine.
Asthma ; Caregivers ; Child ; Delivery of Health Care ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Korea ; Medication Adherence ; Transdermal Patch