The measurement of blood pressure in neonates is an important diagnostic procedure. But the measurement of blood pressure has not been performed routinely because of difficulty in measuring blood pressure and variable normal range according to measuring apparatus. Recently some accurate and convenient apparatus of measuring blood pressure have been introduced in neonatal care, so the reference values of neonatal blood pressure may be obtainable. The authors measured systolic and diastolic blood pressure using a noninvasive oscillometric monitor instrument on 1,3,6,12,24,48,72 hours of life in 200 neonates born at Eulji General Hospital, Taejon. And we analysed the results according to birth weight, gestational age, delivery type, sex, meconium stain, preeclampsia and hypocalcemia. The following results were obtained: 1) On the 1st day of life, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were 65.611.7 mmHg and 36.7+/-5.8 mmHg in the normal birth weight neonates, and 56.2+/-6.7 mmHg and 34.14.2 mmHg in the low birth weight neonates, respectively. So the blood pressure of normal birth weight neonates were higher than that of low birth weight neonates. 2) On the 1st day of life, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were 65.5+/-11.8 mmHg and 36.6+/-5.8 mmHg in the fullterm neonates, and 57.6+/-5.2 mmHg and 35.6+/-3.8 mmHg in the preterm neonates, respectively. So the blood pressure of full term neonates were higher than that of preterm neonates. 3) The difference of blood pressure in analysis according to birth weight were wider than that according to gestational age. 4) The blood pressure of neonates were lowest on the 3 hours of life and increased gradually during 72 hours of life. 5) The blood pressure of neonates did not show any significant difference in analysis according to sex. delivery type, Meconium stain, preeclampsia, and hypocalcemia.
Birth Weight ; Blood Pressure* ; Daejeon ; Gestational Age ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Hypocalcemia ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn* ; Meconium ; Oscillometry ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Reference Values

PURPOSE: A sensitive, specific blood test to detect cancer would be of great value but the search for such a test has been fruitless so far. In actual practice, there is often a considerable interval between the point at which a tumor could have been detected and the point at which it produces symptoms as a result of tumor growth. The research has been largely directed toward the identification of tumor-specific subtances that are liberated into body fluid. These tumor markers will not only indicate the presence of a cancer but also identify its site of origin and morphology. The available tumor markers, including the oncofetal antigen, placental hormones and enzymes, do not have enough tumor specificity or sensitivity to be used in diagnosis, but they do have a selective role monitoring the progression of tumor growth and assessing the response to treatment. Plasma lipid abnormality occurs regularly in many experimental animal tumor system. In some cases, their pattern and pathogenesis as well as their correlation with tumor volume and histologic features have been well characterized. Since both in vivo and in vitro celluar lipid alterations have been studied most intensively and found most commonly in lymphoproliferative and myeloproliferative disease, these form a particularly interesting group of malignancies for further investigation. In this study, we prospectively evaluated 26 patients with leukemia and 10 patients with solid tumor with full plasma lipid profiles. METHODS: Plasma lipids and lipoproteins were studied in 36 patients with acute leukemia and solid tumor at initial presentation or relapse and lipid studies were regularly repeated during a period of clinical remission. Patients were admitted to the department of pediatrics Eulji general hospital between March 1988 and June 1992 and they had no drugs known to alter lipid metabolism. No patient had a history of thyroid disease or diabetes and none had evidence of hepatic or renal dysfunction. Full serum chemistry analysis was performed utilizing Automated Analyzer and total serum lactic acid dehydrogenase was used as an additional parameter of tumor burden in all patients. Lipoprotein concentrations in plasma were measured b electrophoresis, and total lipid, phospholipid and free fatty acid by enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: A consistent and predictable pattern of alterations in plasma lipid and lipoproteins were found. This pattern consisted of a marked decrease in aloha-lipoprotein(p=0.0001) and total cholesterol(p=0.0066), and increase in beta-lipoprotein(p=0.0001). Changes in triglyceride, phospholipid, free fatty acid and pre-beta-lipoprotein levels were net significant. The degree of lipid abnormality was directly related to the underlying tumor burden in leukemia. Among the lipid and lipoprotein alteration, aloha-lipoprotein appeared to be most sensitive indicator for the presence of tumor. CONCLUSIONS: The result suggest that an abnormality in systemic lipid metabolism, possibly in cholesterol clearance, is present in cancer patient. There appeared to be a direct relationship between magnitude of lipid abnormality and the amount of tumor burden but at the present time the exact mechanism of tumor-host interaction and its possible clinical implications remain to be determined.
Animals ; Body Fluids ; Chemistry ; Cholesterol ; Diagnosis ; Electrophoresis ; Hematologic Tests ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; Lactic Acid ; Leukemia* ; Lipid Metabolism ; Lipoproteins ; Oxidoreductases ; Pediatrics ; Placental Hormones ; Plasma* ; Prospective Studies ; Recurrence ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thyroid Diseases ; Triglycerides ; Tumor Burden ; Biomarkers, Tumor

This study was carried out to investigate among adolescents (total = 729) the relationship between their self-esteem, body-cathexis, their attitudes toward the importance of their bodies, their anthropometric characteristics, their perceptions of their body shapes and their experiences with weight control. The results are summarized as follows: The mean values for self-esteem and body-cathexis were generally low, but these values were significantly higher among boys than girls (p < 0.01 - 0.001). However the mean values for their attitudes toward the importance of their bodies were relatively high and were significantly higher among girls than boys (p < 0.01). The mean values for Percent Ideal Body Weight (PIBW) and Body Mass Index (BMI) were normal and no significant differences between the genders were observed. The distribution of the PIBW and the BMI values showed a higher rate for normal weights among the girlsand a higher rate for underweightedness and obesity among the boys (p < 0.01). With regard to their perception of their body image, among the boys, their current figures were almost identical with their idea of an ideal figure, but among the girls, their idea of an ideal figure was thinner than their current figure. The girls were more dissatisfied with their own body image than the boys (p < 0.001). Fifty-four percent of the subjects had previous weight control experience, and the girls had significantly more experience than the boys (p < 0.001). Their main reason for practising weight control was to lose weight (65.3%). Those who had more weight control experience had lower satisfaction with their body shapes, higher PIBW, higher BMIs or currently had fatter figures. Their standard image of their figures was influenced by TV (40.3%) and friends (36.9%). There was a weakly positive correlation between their self-esteem and their satisfaction with their body shapes, and a weakly negative correlation between their satisfaction with their body shapes and their attitudes toward the importance of their bodies. These results suggest the necessity for an educational program for adolescents as to foster a positive body image. Such a program should consider psychological factors such as selfesteem, satisfaction with body shape and attitudes toward the importance of the body
Adolescent* ; Body Image ; Body Mass Index ; Female ; Friends ; Humans ; Ideal Body Weight ; Obesity ; Psychology ; Weights and Measures

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although estrogen replacement therapy has been associated with reduction of cardiovascular events in postmeno-pausal women (PMW), the underlying mechanisms are pooly understood. Because the beneficial effect of estrogen on vasomotor function and production of vasoconstrictive endothelin-1 may be a mechanism by which cardiovascular disease events are reduced, we accessed the acute effect of estrogen on endothelial dependent, independent vasodilaton and plasma endothelin-1 level and investigated whether the acute effect of estrogen on vascular response is related to reduced circulating plasma endothelin-1 level. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The diameter of the brachial artery at rest, during reactive hyperemia (FMV) and to response to nitroglycerine (NMV) were measured using high resolution ultrasound. Twenty-one PMW, 523 years old, 8 of whom had hypercholesterolemia were included and randomized to receive placebo, conjugated estrogen 2.5 mg and 5.0 mg with one week between each investigation. FMV and plasma endothelin-1 were assessed before and 30 minutes after iv administration of each substance. Sublingual nitroglycerine (NG) was given at the end of each investigation and NMV was measured. RESULTS: FMV and plasma endothelin-1 were not changed after placebo administration. FMV increased sinigicantly only after administration of CE 5.0 mg in healhy PMW and both after administration of CE 2.5 and 5.0 mg in PMW with hypercholesterolemia. NG induced more significant vasodilation after administration of estrogen than placebo in only PMW with hypercholesterolemia. Plasma endothelin-1 level decreased significantly after administration of CE 5.0 mg in PMW with hypercholesterolemia. We could not find direct correlation between increase of FMV and decrease of plasma endothelin-1 level. CONCLUSION: IV administration of conjugated estrogen improves endothelium-dependent vasodilation in PMW and may improve endothelium-independent vasodilation in PMW with hypercholesterolemia. These finding may be partly originated by reduced plasma endothelin-1 level after estrogen administration.
Brachial Artery ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Endothelin-1* ; Endothelium ; Estrogen Replacement Therapy ; Estrogens* ; Female ; Humans ; Hypercholesterolemia ; Hyperemia ; Menopause ; Nitroglycerin ; Plasma* ; Ultrasonography ; Vasodilation

PURPOSE: Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a kind of transcriptional repressor, is reportedly over-expressed in metastatic prostate cancer. In this study, we analyzed EZH2 mRNA in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in peripheral blood as a biomarker in patients with metastatic prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ber-EP4 coated immunomagnetic beads were used to harvest CTCs, and mRNA was isolated by oligo- dT conjugated immunomagnetic beads. Reverse transcriptase- polymerase chain reaction for EZH2 mRNA was performed and the expression density was measured. The sensitivity of this test for detection of EZH2 mRNA was determined by serial dilutions of a human prostate cancer cell line. Blood samples were collected from 20 patients each with metastatic or localized prostate cancer and 10 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: Sensitivity experiments showed that the test was highly sensitive as it could detect 10 tumor cells per 5mL. EZH2 mRNA expression was obtained from peripheral blood samples of patients and control subjects. EZH2 mRNA expression density in the metastatic prostate cancer group was significantly higher than in the control (p=0.023) and localized prostate cancer groups (p=0.019). There was no difference between the control and localized prostate cancer groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: EZH2 mRNA expression in circulating epithelial cells represents a promising marker for detecting early metastasis in prostate cancer. However, more specific and sensitive techniques for detection of CTCs are needed to avoid mononuclear cell contamination.
Aged ; DNA-Binding Proteins/*genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplastic Cells, Circulating/*metabolism ; Prostatic Neoplasms/*blood/genetics/pathology ; RNA, Messenger/genetics/metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transcription Factors/*genetics ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

BACKGROUND: Since better understanding of the associations between blood pressure and blood lipids may provide insight into the mechanisms by which hypertension is associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease, this study is aimed to explore the associations of blood pressure with serum lipids, BMI, age, FBS and life style factors. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, 20,826 men and 10,209 women were included for the assessment of the cross-sectional relations of blood lipids, BMI, Blood pressure and Life style factors. Stratified analyses and multivariable methods were used to control for potential confounding anthropometric and lifestyle variables. Total cholesterol and Triglyceride levels increased significantly with increasing systolic or diastolic blood pressure in both sexes. Men of 20-29 years old had steeper regression slopes for blood pressure by total cholesterol level than did women of similar age. In men, the association between blood pressure and total cholesterol level decreased with age, whereas in women, no change was observed regarding age. Body mass index modified the relation, whereas smoking, exercise, and alcohol consumption had little influence on the association. HDL cholesterol level had little influence on blood pressure. In the group of age <40, age accounted more than BMI for hypertension, whereas in group of age > or =40, BMI accounted more. In the group of age < 40, other variables ,besides age and BMI, are suggested to influence more on male hypertension than female hypertension. CONCLUSION: These results provides evidence that there are interrelations between blood pressure, blood lipids and life style factors that may influence the mechanisms of coronary heart disease.
Adult* ; Alcohol Drinking ; Blood Pressure* ; Body Mass Index ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Coronary Disease ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Life Style ; Male ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Triglycerides

Orientia tsutsugamushi, a causative pathogen of Scrub typhus, is a gram-negative intracellular bacterium. Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are produced from the membrane of bacteria and play many roles related to the survival of the pathogen. However, there have been no reports confirming whether O. tsutsugamushi indeed produce OMVs. O. tsutsugamushi boryong was cultured in ECV-304 cells for the purification of OMVs. Western blot analysis and immunoenrichment using anti-O. tsutsugamushi monoclonal antibody and electron microscopy were employed for identification and characterization of OMVs. We confirm the presence of OMVs derived from O. tsutsugamushi, and also found that those OMVs contain a major surface antigen of 56-kDa protein and variant immunogenic antigens.
Antibodies, Monoclonal/*immunology ; Antigens, Bacterial/*immunology ; Antigens, Surface/*immunology ; Cell Line ; Cell Membrane/immunology ; Humans ; Microscopy, Electron ; Orientia tsutsugamushi/*immunology/metabolism ; Scrub Typhus/diagnosis/microbiology ; Secretory Vesicles/*immunology

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Diabetes is reported to reduce the function or number of progenitor cells. We compared the gene expression patterns of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells from diabetic (DM-BMCs) and healthy (non-DM-BMCs) rats and suggested Angiopoietin-like 4 (Angptl4) could be a responsible factor for impaired angiogenesis of DM-BMCs. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: BMCs were isolated from DM or non-DM rat, and in vitro angiogenesis activity was compared by tube formation assay on Matrigel and complementary deoxyribonucleic acid expression was analyzed by microarray with or without oxytocin treatment. Human BMCs (hBMCs) were treated with high glucose, and were performed polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Angptl4 plasmid DNA and micro ribonucleic acid-132 (miR-132) were transfected to immortalized hBMCs. RESULTS: In vitro angiogenesis assay showed the impaired tube formation in DM-BMCs, and slightly recovery by oxytocin treatment. Angptl4, an adipokine, was upregulated in DM-BMCs compared to non-DM-BMCs. Oxytocin treatment reduced Angptl4 in DM-BMCs. In hBMCs, overexpression of Angptl4 attenuated the tube formation. In addition to Angptl4, miR-132 was increased by high glucose treatment. Collectively, high glucose resulted in impaired tube formation through miR-132 induction and Angptl4 upregulation in BMCs. CONCLUSION: Our results show that the angiogenic activity of BMCs is impaired by high glucose stress, which would be mediated by Angptl4 and miR-132.
Adipokines ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Bone Marrow* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; DNA ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Gene Expression ; Glucose ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; MicroRNAs ; Oxytocin ; Plasmids ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rats ; Stem Cells* ; Up-Regulation

PURPOSE: Although the DTaP and Tdap vaccines used to prevent pertussis have been used for a long time, there is no standard method for measuring pertussis antigens. Therefore, this preliminary study was conducted to develop an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method using an animal model for measuring antibodies against pertussis toxin, the most important pertussis pathogenic antigen, in the sera of vaccinated mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bordetella pertussis Tohama phase I was cultured for 24–30 hours, and then pertussis toxin was purified from the culture medium by chromatography. Purified pertussis toxin was diluted in phosphate-buffered saline-coating buffer, and 100 µL of diluted pertussis toxin was added to each well and reacted at room temperature for 4 hours. Positive serum was diluted to 1/1,250–1/80,000 and negative serum was diluted to 1/50 to determine the coating concentration with the optimal signal/noise ratio. Optimal test conditions were confirmed from the dilution factors of the secondary antibody and streptavidin horseradish peroxidase (SA-HRP). RESULTS: Optimal conditions were as follows: 4 µg/mL for coating antigen; 1/40,000 for secondary antibody; and 1/1,000 for the SA-HRP dilution factor. Comparison of the sera obtained from mice treated with a developing vaccine and commercial vaccine with National Institute for Biological Standard and Control standard serum under the established conditions showed the following results: 1,300.62, 534.94, and 34.85, respectively. CONCLUSION: The method developed in this study is suitable for measuring anti-pertussis toxin antibodies and may be applicable for clinical sample analysis or indirect diagnosis of pertussis.
Animals ; Antibodies ; Bordetella pertussis ; Chromatography ; Diagnosis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay* ; Horseradish Peroxidase ; Methods ; Mice* ; Models, Animal ; Pertussis Toxin ; Streptavidin ; Vaccines ; Whooping Cough

PURPOSE: Tegafur, an oral prodrug of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), has been used in the treatment of gastric cancers. UFT (tegafur + uracil) has been developed to enhance the efficacy of tegafur. This study was conducted to assess the pharmacokinetics (PK) of tegafur in gastric cancer patients given the ECU-E regimen (epirubicin, cisplatin, UFT-E, an enteric-coated formula of UFT). A preliminary evaluation of antitumor efficacy and toxicity of ECU-E regimen was also performed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of the 32 gastric cancer patients registered for the ECU-E regimen, 8 participated in the PK study. The plasma concentration of tegafur was determined using HPLC. RESULTS: Seven out of the 8 patients were evaluable for response after 2 cycles, and showed 3 partial responses, 1 stable disease and 3 progressive diseases. No major toxicities were observed. Plasma profiles of the tegafur after the first dose showed significant differences in the amount and rate of absorption, i.e., rapid absorption group vs. slow absorption group. The level of C(max) in the rapid absorption group was 1.8 fold higher, and the AUC(0-5h) 4 fold greater, than those in the slow absorption group, nonetheless, the steady state concentrations showed no significant difference. These data indicate that the different absorption rates may not affect the overall exposure to tegafur. The patients with low Cp(ss, peak) showed poor efficacy compared to those with high Cp(ss, peak), suggesting that the concentration of tegafur may be one of the pharmacodynamic determinants in patients administered with ECU-E. CONCLUSION: This study evaluated the pharmacokinetics of tegafur in gastric patients given the ECU-E regimen, and provides preliminary data on the relationship between the plasma tegafur level and the efficacy, which warrants further evaluation.
Absorption ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Cisplatin* ; Epirubicin* ; Fluorouracil ; Humans ; Pharmacokinetics* ; Plasma ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Tegafur* ; Uracil