No abstract available.
Colorectal Neoplasms*

No abstract available.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Tamoxifen*

No abstract available.
Cross Infection ; Foot* ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa

OBJECTIVE: Preterm labor and delivery is probably the largest problem in modern perinatology. The early diagnosis of preterm labor is crucial for prevention of preterm birth. To predict the onset of preterm labor, we examined the diagnostic performance of serial cervical assessment by transvaginal sonography. METHODS: In this prospective study, we performed transvaginal sonography at approximately 30 and 34 weeks of gestation in women with singleton pregnancies. Cervical parameters evaluated included endocervical length, the presence of funneling, funnel length and funnel width. We then assessed the relation between cervical parameters and the risk of spontaneous preterm labor. RESULTS: We examined 258 women at approximately 30 weeks of gestation and 247 of these women again at approximately 34 weeks. Spontaneous preterm labor occurred in 9 of women examined at 30 weeks(Group 1) and in 13 at 34 weeks(Group 2). The endocervical length was normally distributed at 30 and 34 weeks(mean +/-SD, 38.26+/-6.82mm and 35.63+/-7.35mm, respectively). The endocervical length decreased significantly from 30weeks to 34 weeks(p=0.0001). Both groups showed significantly shorter endocervical length(p <0.05) and groupl more presence of funneling than group of term pregnancy(p<0.05). Receiver-operator characteristic curve and multiple logistic regression analyses indicated that endocervical length <-30mm at 30 weeks and <-25mm at 34 showed highest diagnostic index in predicting the onset of preterm labor(p=0.0001). Conclusions: Serial transvaginal ultrasound assessment of endocervical length during early third trimester is a useful predictor of preterm labor and delivery in low-risk patients.
Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Obstetric Labor, Premature* ; Perinatology ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third ; Premature Birth ; Prospective Studies ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: Chlamydophila pneumoniae infection in the airways is thought to be associated with the pathogenesis of asthma, especially in non-atopic severe asthma with irreversible airway obstruction that may be related to airway remodeling. Here, we investigated whether C. pneumoniae infection enhances the secretion of critical chemical mediators for airway remodeling, such as VEGF, TGF-beta, and TIMP-1, in human bronchial epithelial cells (BECs) in a Th2-dominant microenvironment. METHODS: Human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B cells) were infected with C. pneumoniae strain TW183 and cultured in both a Th1-dominant microenvironment with INF-gamma and a Th2-dominant microenvironment with IL-4 or IL-13 added to the culture medium. The VEGF, TGF-beta, and TIMP-1 levels in the culture supernatants were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The activation of NF-kappaB in each experimental condition was determined using an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. RESULTS: Chlamydophila pneumoniae-infected BECs showed enhanced secretion of VEGF, TGF-beta, and TIMP-1 compared with non-infected BECs. The levels of cytokines secreted from BECs were increased more when IL-13 was added to the culture medium. C. pneumoniae-infected BECs also showed increased NF-kappaB activation. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that C. pneumoniae plays a role in the pathogenesis of airway remodeling in asthma, revealing a Th2-dominant immune response. Further studies are required to clarify the precise mechanism of C. pneumoniae infection in airway remodeling.
Airway Obstruction ; Airway Remodeling ; Asthma ; Chlamydial Pneumonia ; Chlamydophila ; Chlamydophila pneumoniae ; Cytokines ; Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epithelial Cells ; Humans ; Interleukin-13 ; Interleukin-4 ; NF-kappa B ; Pneumonia ; Sprains and Strains ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Although urinary tract infections are common in adults, pyelonephritis is rarely considered in the differential diagnosis of acute renal failure. Acute pyelonephritis without urinary tract obstruction, previous renal diseases or septic shock is a rare cause of acute renal failure. Despite appropriate antibiotic therapy, recovery of renal function could be slow and incomplete. We experienced a 45 year-old woman with diabetes who developed bilateral acute pyelonephritis followed by acute renal failure. The renal biopsy revealed diffuse edematous and focal fibrotic inters- titium with infiltration of lymphocytes compatible with interstitial nephritis. Although her renal function improved gradually with antimicrobial treatment, the process was incomplete and renal dysfunction persisted at about 10-month follow-up, suggesting permanent renal damage. Therefore, we report this case with brief review of related literature.
Acute Kidney Injury* ; Adult ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; Middle Aged ; Nephritis, Interstitial ; Pyelonephritis* ; Shock, Septic ; Urinary Tract ; Urinary Tract Infections

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of biofeedback-assisted autogenic training for chronic tension-type headache, and to determine the relationship among the changes in electromyography (EMG) activity, headache activity, and mood states according to the psychophysiological treatment. METHODS: Chronic tension-type headache patients aged from 20 to 40 years (n=35) were randomized to the treatment group receiving biofeedback-assisted autogenic training (8 sessions) or the monitoring-only control group. EMG activities, headache index, and various psychological variables were examined. RESULTS: We found greater treatment response rate (> or =50% reduction in headache index) in patients with biofeedbackassisted autogenic training than in the monitoring group (61% vs. 18%; chi-square=6.882, df=1, p=0.01). There were no significant changes in the mean values of the pretreatment EMG activities across the sessions in either group (all p's>0.1). Mood states including anxiety and depression improved over time in the both groups, with the improvements being more prominent in the treatment group. Moreover, the reduction in depression level predicted treatment outcome in terms of headache index (95% confidence interval: 0.272-0.966, p=0.039). CONCLUSION: These results show that biofeedback-assisted autogenic training is effective for the treatment of chronic tension-type headache in a Korean population. Changes in mood states may be closely associated with the clinical outcome in the treatment of chronic tension-type headache using biofeedback-assisted autogenic training.
Aged ; Anxiety ; Autogenic Training ; Biofeedback, Psychology ; Depression ; Electromyography ; Headache ; Humans ; Tension-Type Headache ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: There have been much effort to find reliable indicators predicting treatment response in panic disorder. This study aimed to find the effect of pharmacotherapy on biofeedback measurement variables in panic disorder patients. METHOD: We recruited 38 panic disorder patients (M:25, F:13) in the Samsung Medical Center, who were diagnosed by the ADIS-IV (Anxiety Disorder Interview Schedule-IV), and 33 normal control subjects (M:21 F:12). Panic patients were treated with paroxetine for 3 months. All subjects were assessed on forearm and frontal electromyography (EMG), electrodermal response (EDR), and skin temperature in baseline, stress, recovery phases using the Procomp & Biograph biofeedback instrument. Psychological measures such as Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HAM-A), Hamilton depression rating scale (HAM-D), Beck depression inventory (BDI), Spielberger state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI-S, STAI-T), and Anxiety sensitivity index (ASI) were also assessed. All measurements were performed at the beginning of the study and after 3 months of paroxetine treatment. RESULT: Panic patients had significantly higher scores on psychological measures such as HAM-A, HAM-D, BDI, STAI-S, STAI-T, and ASI (all p values<0.001) before treatment. After 3months of treatment, panic patients showed significant improvement on baseline EDR (z=-2.824, p=0.005), stress EDR (z=-2.691, p=0.007), and recovery EDR (z=-3.416, p=0.001). They also showed significant improvement on HAM-A, HAM-D, BDI, STAI-S, STAI-T, and ASI (all p values<0.001) after treatment. CONCLUSION: Electrodermal response, one of the biofeedback measurement variables, was suggested to be the possible indicator predicting treatment response in panic disorder.
Anxiety ; Biofeedback, Psychology* ; Depression ; Drug Therapy* ; Electromyography ; Forearm ; Galvanic Skin Response ; Humans ; Panic Disorder* ; Panic* ; Paroxetine* ; Skin Temperature

PURPOSE: To study the characteristics of the accompanying amblyopia and strabismus in patients with anisometropia. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 193 patients, who had either spherical or cylindrical anisometropia of more than 1.00D. Patients were divided into four groups: spherical hyperopic anisometropia, spherical myopic anisometropia, cylindrical hyperopic anisometropia, and cylindrical myopic anisometropia. We investigated the accompanying amblyopia and strabismus. Amblyopia was treated with lens correction and patch therapy and we analyzed the results for 78 patients who fulfilled six-month follow-up examinations. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the frequency of amblyopia between spherical and cylindrical anisometropia. Spherical myopic anisometropia of more than 3.00D showed a significant increase in the incidence of amblyopia (p=0.001). Spherical hyperopic anisometropia of more than 1.00D, cylindrical hyperopic anisometropia of more than 2.00D, and cylindrical myopic anisometropia of more than 2.00D showed an increased tendency for amblyopia. Between spherical and cylindrical anisometropia, there were no significant differences in the results and duration of amblyopia treatment, and type and frequency of strabismus. CONCLUSIONS: In spherical anisometropia, hyperopic anisometropia has a higher risk for developing amblyopia. We could find the threshold for the development of amblyopia.
Amblyopia* ; Anisometropia* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Strabismus*

No abstract available.
Empyema* ; Malacoplakia*