This study compared the effects of high linear energy transfer (LET) fast neutrons on the induction of apoptosis in the hair follicles of ICR mice with those of low LET (60)Co gamma-rays. The changes that occurred from 0 to 24 h after exposing the mice to either 2 Gy of gamma-rays (2 Gy/min) or 0.8 Gy of neutrons (94 mGy/min, 35 MeV) were examined. The maximum frequency was found at 12 h (gamma-rays) or 8 h (neutrons) after irradiation. The mice that received 0-8 Gy of gamma-rays or 0-1.6 Gy of neutrons were examined 8 h after irradiation. The dose-response curves were analyzed using the best-fit curve model. The dose-response curves were linear-quadratic, and a significant relationship was found between the frequency of apoptotic cells and the dose. The morphological findings in the irradiated groups were typical apoptotic fragments in the matrix region of the hair follicle, but the spontaneous existence of apoptotic fragments was rarely observed in the control group. In the presence of an apoptosis frequency between 2 and 14 per follicle, the relative biological effectiveness values of neutrons in small and large follicles were 2.09 +/- 0.30 and 2.15 +/- 0.18, respectively.
Animals ; Apoptosis/*radiation effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; *Fast Neutrons ; *Gamma Rays ; Hair Follicle/pathology/*radiation effects ; Linear Energy Transfer ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Time Factors

The use of recombinant DNA technology to produce human growth hormone has resulted in a marked increase in availability of Growth Hormone(GH) to treat short stature due to GH deficiency and other conditions, such as Turner syndrome, familial short stature, chronic renal insufficiency and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). But, the GH therapy may result in the adverse events such as sodium and water retention, pseudotumor cerebri, slipped capital femoral epiphysis, growth of nevi, recurrence of tumor. We experienced a case of severe hypertension associated with GH therapy in a 14-year-old male who presented high blood pressure up to 190/100 mmHg and normalized at 2-3 weeks after discontinuation of GH. Therefore, we think that the blood pressure should be carefully monitored during GH therapy.
Adolescent ; Blood Pressure ; DNA, Recombinant ; Fetal Growth Retardation ; Growth Hormone* ; Human Growth Hormone ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Male ; Nevus ; Noonan Syndrome ; Pseudotumor Cerebri ; Recurrence ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphyses ; Sodium

Purpose: We corrected the axial lengths of the macular and peripapillary significance maps using software embedded in a commercial spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) package. We evaluated the accuracy of glaucoma diagnosis in patients with high myopia, and the clinical implications. Methods: Seventy eyes of 70 highly myopic patients with or without normal-tension glaucoma were retrospectively reviewed. The sensitivities and specificities of the color-coded significance maps were calculated using 1% (red) or 5% (yellow) as the abnormality criteria, and the values compared before and after axial length corrections performed using embedded SD-OCT software. Results: At the 1% level of the normative database, we found no significant difference in specificity or sensitivity. At the 5% level, the increase in specificity was significant only for the inferotemporal sectors of the macular significance map. The specificity of the inferotemporal sector of the inner scan circle increased from 61.9 to 78.6% (p = 0.016) and that of the outer scan circle from 69 to 83.8% (p = 0.031). The specificities of the entire chart, the superior sector of the superior/inferior chart, and the 12-clockwise map increased significantly from 54.8 to 78.6% (p = 0.002), 59.5 to 76.2% (p = 0.039), and 59.5 to 76.2% (p = 0.002) respectively. Conclusions Clinicians should note that axial length correction of significance maps reduces the false-positive glaucoma diagnostic rates in highly myopic eyes. Correction of significance maps using embedded software may thus aid clinicians in the diagnosis of glaucoma in high myopic eyes.

No abstract available.
Teratoma* ; Turner Syndrome*

No abstract available.
Parkinson Disease* ; Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime* ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*

BACKGROUND: Influenza virus is a cause of annual outbreaks of acute respiratory disease and is responsible for considerable mortality and morbidity in all age groups. To achieve maximum efficacy antiinfluenza drugs must be started within 48 h of the development of influenza symptoms. Improvements in rapid diagnosis methods are needed to identify influenza infections. The aim of this study was to compare a quick rapid antigen test with viral culture assays. METHODS: A total of 87 nasopharyngeal swab specimens were collected from symptomatic paediatric patients during March, 2004. The performance of the Quick S-Influ A/B rapid test for influenza virus detection was compared to that of the viral culture. RESULTS: The overall rate of detection for viral culture was 23.4% for influenza A virus and 13.4% for influenza B virus. The Quick S-Influ A/B assay identified 17 of 18 influenza A viruses (sensitivity, 94.4%; specificity, 96.8%; PPV, 89.5%; NPV, 98.4%), and identified 7 of 9 influenza B viruses (sensitivity, 77.8%; specificity, 98.4%; PPV, 87.5%; NPV, 96.8%). CONCLUSIONS: The Quick S-Influ A/B assay was easy to perform and showed comparable sensitivities and specificities. This rapid test kit can be an alternative tool for interventions in disease management.
Diagnosis ; Disease Management ; Disease Outbreaks ; Humans ; Influenza A virus ; Influenza B virus ; Influenza, Human* ; Mortality ; Orthomyxoviridae* ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Curschmann's spirals morphologically similar to those seen in sputum were found in cervico-vaginal smears of six patients ranged from 28 to 40 years of age, during 18 months from January. 1985 to June, 1986. The prevalence was 1 in 2147 smears in that period. All of them had gynecologic disorders without systemic effect such as chronic cervictis in three, leiomyoma in one, pelvic inflammatory disorder in one, and primary infertility in one. The Curshmann's spirals in the smear showed varying degrees of maturation from wavy incipient ones to highly coiled mature ones, admixed with thick mucinous back- ground, suggesting of their production in the uterine cervix itself. Also the recent history of undergone cryocautery, electrocautery or parturition suggest its production in the endocervical gland due to mechanical obstruction and/or change in biochemical composition of mucus.
Cervix Uteri ; Diabetes Insipidus* ; Electrocoagulation ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility ; Leiomyoma ; Mucins ; Mucus ; Parturition ; Pedigree* ; Pilomatrixoma ; Prevalence ; Receptors, Vasopressin* ; Sputum ; Vasopressins*

Interrupted aortic arch may be defined as a discontinuity of the aortic arch. This uncommon anomaly was first described by Steidele in 1778 and was later classified into 3 types by Celoria and Patton. We experienced the case of a 25-year-old male with an interrupted aortic arch(Type B) which was well supplied by collateral circulations. Ligation of collateral supplies and a Y-graft replacement from ascending aorta to descending thoracic aorta and left subclavian artery was done. Postoperative aortogram revealed no collateral circulations and good continuity of the aorta without narrowing of the anatomic site. During the period of 2-month follow up, the patient was able to lead a relatively active life.
Adult ; Aorta ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Collateral Circulation ; Equipment and Supplies ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ligation ; Male ; Subclavian Artery

PURPOSE: To determine the anatomic variations that can lead to optic nerve damage during the sugical treatment of posterior paranasal sinus lesions MATERIALS AND METHODS: two hundred optic nerves of 100 persons were examined using ostiomeatal unit CT (OMU CT). The anatomical features of this nerve and posterior paranasal sinuses were classified into four types : the optic nerve adjacent to the sphenoid sinus without indentation of the sinus wall (type 1); the optic nerve adjacent to the sphenoid sinus, causing indentation of the sinus wall (type 2); the optic nerve passing through the sphenoid sinus (type 3); and the optic nerve adjacent to the sphenoid sinus and posterior ethmoid sinus (type 4). Bony dehiscence around the optic nerve and pneumatization of the anterior clinoid process were also evaluated. RESULTS: The anatomical classification of the optic nerve and posterior paranasal sinuses was as follows : type 1, 1326 (66%); type 2, 60 (30%); type 3, 6 (3%), and type 4, 2 (1%). Bony dehiscence around the optic nerve had developed in 58 cases (29%) and pneumatization of the anterior clinoid process in 13 (6.5%). These conditions were most common in type 3 optic nerve, and second most common in type 2. CONCLUSION: The 2 and 3 optic nerve, bony dehiscence around the optic nerve and pneumatization of the anterior clinoid process are the anatomic variations that can lead to optic nerve damage during the surgical treatment of posterior paranasal sinus lesions. To prevent optic nerve damage, these factors should be carefully evaluated by OMU CT.
Classification ; Ethmoid Sinus ; Humans ; Optic Nerve* ; Paranasal Sinuses* ; Sphenoid Sinus