No abstract available.
Cyclosporine ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents* ; Psoriasis* ; Sarcoma, Kaposi*

No abstract available.
Cyclosporine ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents* ; Psoriasis* ; Sarcoma, Kaposi*

PURPOSE: This study was to develop and prove the effects of aself management compliance promotion program for primary hypertension patients who reside in rural communities. METHOD: The content of the self management compliance promotion program developed by this study was as follows: A leader trains patients as a group or individually, in walking, education and green tea therapy from the first to twelfth week. From the thirteenth to twenty fourth week, the patients should perform walking and green tea therapy by themselves. One hundred twenty subjects volunteered to participate in the study, who were among those registered as hypertension patients in the 14 community health clinics located in Chungcheongbuk-do. RESULT: Systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, step width, and degree of obesity decreased significantly. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol, step length, knowledge of hypertension, and self management compliance significantly increased. CONCLUSION: A self management compliance promotion program for primary hypertensive patients enhances biophysical index and knowledge on hypertension, thus ultimately suggesting a nursing intervention for promoting self management compliance.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Hypertension/psychology/*therapy ; Life Style ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Patient Compliance ; *Patient Education as Topic ; Rural Population ; *Self Care

PURPOSE:The aim of this study was to compare the perinatal outcome of preterm infants born to severe pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) mothers according to the presence or absence of HELLP syndrome. METHODS:A retrospective analysis was done in 314 premature live infants born to 302 severe PIH mothers who admitted at Chonnam National University Hospital from January 2002 to May 2008. Maternal and neonatal characteristics and their outcome were compared between the groups. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS program using Student's t test, Chi-square analysis, Fisher's exact test, and logistic regression test. RESULTS:Among 302 severe PIH mothers (single pregnancy 270, twin pregnancy 32), 84 (27.8%) were associated with HELLP syndrome. Among their 334 fetuses (singleton 270, twins 64), total 20 (6.0%) resulted in fetal death and the rate of fetal death was higher in HELLP syndrome group compared to the control group (12.2% vs. 3.4%, P=0.006). Among the 314 live premature infants, 86 (27.4%) were born to severe PIH with HELLP syndrome (study group) and 228 (72.6%) were born to the control group. There were no differences in maternal and neonatal characteristics, maternal death, neonatal morbidity and neonatal death between the groups. However, the duration of mechanical ventilation (12.2+/-14.5 vs. 7.6+/-9.9 days, P=0.019) and hospitalization (25.6+/-12.3 vs. 13.0+/-10.5 days, P=0.013) were longer in the study group. CONCLUSION:Most of severe PIH mothers complicated by preterm birth, and especially combined with HELLP syndrome showed higher fetal and perinatal death than without HELLP syndrome. Moreover, their live-born premature infants needed longer duration of mechanical ventilation and hospitalization. These results indicate that careful fetal monitoring and delivery with the co-operations of obstetricians and neonatologists is essential to improve the perinatal outcome.
Female ; Fetal Death ; Fetal Monitoring ; Fetus ; HELLP Syndrome ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Logistic Models ; Maternal Death ; Mothers ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Twin ; Premature Birth ; Respiration, Artificial ; Retrospective Studies ; Twins

BACKGROUND: Recently, the number of domestic pets has increased. As a consequence, sensitization to animal allergens, such as cat or dog allergens, has become a problem. OBJECTIVE: We studied the annual trends of sensitization to cats or dogs, and the characteristics of the patients. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 7,469 patients who visited a dermatology clinic and underwent an allergic profile test, from January 2011 to December 2015. Specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels to cat or dog antibody greater than 3.50 IU/ml were regarded as positive results. RESULTS: In all, 274 patients showed significant increase in levels of specific IgE antibody to dog, and 307 revealed increase in levels of of specific IgE antibody to cat. The prevalence of these specific IgEs increased from 2011 to 2015. Independent risks for sensitization to cat allergens were sensitization to dog, but not to house dust, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, and D. farinae. Independent risks for sensitization to dog allergens were sensitization to cat, but not to house dust, D. pteronyssinus, and D. farinae. Total IgE level was not related to specific IgE level against either cats or dogs. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the prevalence of sensitization to cat or dog has increased. Sensitization to cat or dog is related to each other, but is irrelevant to the total IgE level.
Allergens* ; Animals ; Cats ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Dermatology ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; Dogs ; Dust ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulins ; Korea* ; Medical Records ; Prevalence* ; Retrospective Studies

A 4-month-old infant presented with asymptomatic soft nodules on his right forearm, which had developed since birth. On the suspicion of nevus lipomatosus superficialis (NLS), biopsy was performed. Histopathologic findings showed monomorphic polygonal cells with abundant granular cytoplasm. Immunohistochemical stains for CD68 and vimentin were strongly positive, but were negative for S-100 protein. Based on the pathologic findings, the patient was diagnosed as non-neural granular cell tumor (NN-GCT). GCT can be divided into conventional and non-neural GCT by immunoreactivity for S-100 protein. NN-GCT is typically manifested as a well-circumscribed, papulo-nodular dermal mass, and is known to occur in a younger group than does in conventional GCT, but is rare among children. To our knowledge, there have been no case reports of NN-GCT which appeared at birth and presented as grouped nodules. Therefore, we report this interesting case of congenital NN-GCT clinically mimicking NLS.
Biopsy ; Child ; Coloring Agents ; Cytoplasm ; Forearm ; Granular Cell Tumor* ; Humans ; Infant ; Nevus* ; Parturition ; S100 Proteins ; Vimentin

Arterial steal syndrome is a rare but serious complication that disrupts antegrade flow distal to an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) because of excess blood flow through the AVF. A 65-year-old woman with diabetes mellitus and undergoing hemodialysis was admitted for coldness and pain in the right hand ipsilateral to an AVF. AVF stenosis had developed 6 months after an upper-arm AVF operation. These manifestations developed 2 days after a successful radiological intervention for a stenotic lesion in the AVF, which became worse until the skin on her hand ulcerated. The symptoms became aggravated, particularly during dialysis. Fistulography revealed that the AVF anastomosis site was patent but blood flow toward the forearm had decreased severely. Arterial steal syndrome developing after percutaneous angioplasty for an AVF stenosis was suspected, and the AVF was ligated, which resolved the hand pain and ulceration.
Aged ; Angioplasty* ; Arteriovenous Fistula ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Dialysis ; Female ; Forearm ; Hand ; Humans ; Necrosis* ; Renal Dialysis ; Skin* ; Ulcer

Probiotics that are able to provide beneficial effects on animal health have become important ingredients of dog foods. This study was conducted to characterize the probiotic potentials of two strains, Lactobacillus reuteri BCLR-42 and Lactobacillus plantarum BCLP-51, that were derived from feces of healthy dogs and evaluated based on tolerance to low pH and bile acid, antimicrobial activities, enzyme profiles, sensitivity to antibiotics, and innate immune enhancing potentials. Both strains showed survival of more than 90% at pH 3 and 0.2% bile acid and exhibited broad antimicrobial activities against indicator bacteria. Moreover, both strains showed high sensitivity to antibiotics, except vancomycin, metronidazole, and gentamicin. The alkaline phosphatase was negligible (score 0), whereas they showed strong beta galactosidase activity (score range 5 or 3, respectively). The phagocytosis and oxidative burst activities of canine granulocytes were significantly enhanced in response to both strains. These results show that both strains have the capability to act as probiotics and the potential for application as ingredients in dog foods.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteria ; beta-Galactosidase ; Bile ; Dogs* ; Feces ; Gentamicins ; Granulocytes ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Lactobacillus plantarum* ; Lactobacillus reuteri* ; Lactobacillus* ; Metronidazole ; Phagocytosis ; Probiotics* ; Respiratory Burst ; Vancomycin

Paraneoplastic hypercalcemia without bone metastasis occurs rarely in esophageal cancer. A 75-year-old man was admitted for general weakness and lethargy. Laboratory data showed high serum calcium level (corrected calcium 14.6 mg/dL), low parathyroid hormone level (3.3 pg/mL) and high parathyroid hormone-related peptide level (3.5 pmol/L). Esophagogastroscopy showed a malignant tumor in the esophagus. Histology showed moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Bone scan showed no evidence of bone metastasis. Since the patient's calcium levels remained high and mental state did not show improvement despite intravenous fluid therapy, diuretics and intravenous bisphosphonate, hemodialysis was started. After hemodialysis treatment, the serum calcium level subsequently normalized and his mental status improved. Herein, we report a rare case of paraneoplastic hypercalcemia in a patient with esophageal cancer.
Aged ; Calcium/blood ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/*diagnosis/pathology ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Esophageal Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology ; Humans ; Hypercalcemia/*diagnosis/pathology ; Male ; Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein/blood ; Renal Dialysis ; Severity of Illness Index ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1) on astrocytes prevents ongoing degeneration of nigrostriatal dopamine (DA) neurons in MPP⁺-lesioned rats via ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF). The present study determined whether such a beneficial effect of astrocytic TRPV1 could be achieved after completion of injury of DA neurons, rather than ongoing injury, which seems more relevant to therapeutics. To test this, the MPP⁺-lesioned rat model utilized here exhibited approximately 70~80% degeneration of nigrostriatal DA neurons that was completed at 2 weeks post medial forebrain bundle injection of MPP⁺. TRPV1 agonist, capsaicin (CAP), was intraperitoneally administered. CNTF receptor alpha neutralizing antibody (CNTFRαNAb) was nigral injected to evaluate the role of CNTF endogenously produced by astrocyte through TRPV1 activation on DA neurons. Delayed treatment of CAP produced a significant reduction in amphetamine-induced rotational asymmetry. Accompanying this behavioral recovery, CAP treatment increased CNTF levels and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc), and levels of DA and its metabolites in the striatum compared to controls. Interestingly, behavioral recovery and increases in biochemical indices were not reflected in trophic changes of the DA system. Instead, behavioral recovery was temporal and dependent on the continuous presence of CAP treatment. The results suggest that delayed treatment of CAP increases nigral TH enzyme activity and striatal levels of DA and its metabolites by CNTF endogenously derived from CAP-activated astrocytes through TRPV1, leading to functional recovery. Consequently, these findings may be useful in the treatment of DA imbalances associated with Parkinson's disease.
Animals ; Antibodies, Neutralizing ; Astrocytes ; Capsaicin ; Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor ; Dopamine ; Dopaminergic Neurons ; Medial Forebrain Bundle ; Models, Animal ; Neurons ; Parkinson Disease ; Pars Compacta ; Rats ; Receptor, Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase