BACKGROUND: Patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer are often treated with radiation alone or in combination with chemotherapy. Both modalities have a potentially damaging effect on pulmonary function. In order to examine changes in the cardiopulmonary exercise function of patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer before and after conventional radiotherapy, we conducted a prospective study involving patients with such cancer, that had received radiation therapy. METHODS: Resting pulmonary function test, thoracic radiographic finding and cardiopulmonary exercise test(CPET) were assessed prior to and 4 weeks following radiation therapy in 11 male patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Patient with endobronchial mass were excluded. RESULTS: The forces vital capacity(FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second(FEV1)and maximal voluntary ventilation(MVV) did not decreased between before and 4 weeks after radiation but the diffusing capacity(DLCO) had decreased by 11% 4 weeks after radiation, which was not statistically significant. No changes in maximal oxygen consumption(VO2max), carbon dioxide production(VCO2), exercise time and work load were attributed to radiation therapy. Follow up cardiopulmonary exercise testing revealed unchanged cardiovascular function, ventilatory function and gas exchange. No difference in cardiopulmonary exercise test performance was observed between pre- and post-radiation. CONCLUSION: Cardiopulmonary exercise function did not decrease within the short-term after the radiation of patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
Carbon Dioxide ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* ; Drug Therapy ; Exercise Test ; Follow-Up Studies ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Male ; Oxygen ; Prospective Studies ; Radiotherapy ; Respiratory Function Tests

No abstract available.
Adult* ; Fistula* ; Humans

BACKGROUND: Vitiligo is considered as an autoimmune disorder due to the generation and presence of autoantibodies directed against melanocyte antigens in the patients sera. Previous studies have revealed an increased incidence of organ-specific autoantibodies in vitiligo patients. A number of studies have demonstrated an increased frequency of thyroid autoantibodies in vitiligo patients and vitiligo is commonly seen in patients with clinical thyroid diseases. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the incidence of antithyroid antibodies in vitiligo patients and to correlate the presence of these antibodies with factors such as sex, age, activity of the disease, duration of the disease and the type of vitiligo. Another aim of this study is to compare the incidence of abnormal thyroid function in those who have antithyroid antibody and those who don't. METHODS: One hundred and fifty seven vitiligo patients who visited vitiligo clinic in Samsung medical center from January of 1995 to November of 1996 were enrolled in this study. Detection and titration of antithyroid antibodies were performed by immunoradiometric assay. RESULTS: Among 157 patients tested, 17(10.8%) patients had antithyroglobulin antibodies and 10(6.4%) patients had antimicrosomal antibodies. Five patients had both antibodies. Statistically meaningful data are as follows; 1) Antimicrosomal antibody appeared less frequently in patients of childhood-onset. 2) Antithyroglobulin antibody was detected more frequently in active disease. Fifty nine out of 157 patients were examined for thyroid function. Four out of 22 patients with antithyroid antibody had abnormal thyroid function. None out of 37 patients without antithyroid antibody had abnormal thyroid function. CONCLUSION: The incidence of antithyroid antibodies according to onset age and activity is contradictory to previous reports, therefore large scaled study will be necessary to draw a conclusion.
Age of Onset ; Antibodies* ; Autoantibodies ; Humans ; Immunoradiometric Assay ; Incidence* ; Melanocytes ; Thyroid Diseases ; Thyroid Gland ; Vitiligo*

No abstract available.
Actinomycosis*

The Education Board of Korean Society of Gastroenterology (KSG) has three missions: 1) to meet the needs of KSG members, 2) to provide educational opportunities for future members (fellows), and 3) to train world-class experts using latest knowledge. To achieve these objectives, the ‘Education Board’: 1) updates guidelines and provides academic information to KSG members, 2) provides quality education and training for gastroenterology fellows, and 3) offers opportunities to young gastroenterologists to participate in overseas training programs, such as the American Gastroenterology Association, Clinical Observation and Research Education program.
Education ; Fellowships and Scholarships ; Gastroenterology ; Religious Missions

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths throughout the world. The gene tumor protein 53 (TP53) is frequently mutated in cases of lung cancer. This study was performed to investigate the frequencies and types of mutations in the TP53 gene in Korean patients with lung cancer. METHODS: We obtained tissue samples from 80 lung cancer patients and synthesized TP53 cDNA by using RNA isolated from these tissues by performing reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Hybridization and denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography were performed to identify the TP53 gene mutations, and then, the mutations were validated by direct sequencing. RESULTS: Forty mutations out of the 80 patients (50.0%) were noted in the TP53 gene. The frequencies of TP53 gene mutation for different cancer types, namely, squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and small cell carcinoma were 61.1%, 27.3%, and 26.7%, respectively. The mutation frequencies in the different regions of the gene were 10.0% for exon 4, 35.0% for exon 5, 12.5% for exon 6, 22.5% for exon 7, 17.5% for exon 8, and 2.5% for exon 9. The frequently mutated positions were codon 179 in exon 5, codons 202 and 220 in exon 6, and codons 266 and 273 in exon 8. CONCLUSIONS: Exon 5 was the most frequently mutated region in the TP53 gene. Compared to the patients with the other types of cancers, patients with squamous cell carcinoma showed a higher frequency of TP53 mutation. Codon 179 was the most frequently mutated codon in the TP53 gene.
Adenocarcinoma ; Carcinoma, Small Cell ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Chimera ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Codon ; DNA, Complementary ; Exons ; Genes, p53 ; Humans ; Lung ; Lung Neoplasms ; Mutation Rate ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA

No abstract available.
Colony-Stimulating Factors* ; Granulocytes* ; Humans ; Isotretinoin* ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute* ; Wound Infection* ; Wounds and Injuries*

Upper limb morbidity including shoulder pain, lymphedema, adhesive capsulitis, myofascial pain syndrome, and limited range of motions (LROMs) occurs frequently in breast cancer patients. Especially restricted upper limb motion aggravated by chronic lymphedema results in functional limitation and impaired activities of daily living (ADL). However, conventional rehabilitation therapy including complex decongestive therapy and stretching exercise is insufficient for managing advanced breast cancer patients with complex upper limb morbidity. Here, we report a case of breast cancer-related chronic lymphedema in a 62-years old female with severe LROM in all joints of the affected upper extremity that caused severe disability in ADL. Significant improvements in range of motion and upper extremity function were observed after serial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), combined with conventional rehabilitation therapy. Therefore, ESWT might be recommended for managing the extensive limited joint motion which causes functional decline in a patient of chronic lymphedema with trophic skin change.

Upper limb morbidity including shoulder pain, lymphedema, adhesive capsulitis, myofascial pain syndrome, and limited range of motions (LROMs) occurs frequently in breast cancer patients. Especially restricted upper limb motion aggravated by chronic lymphedema results in functional limitation and impaired activities of daily living (ADL). However, conventional rehabilitation therapy including complex decongestive therapy and stretching exercise is insufficient for managing advanced breast cancer patients with complex upper limb morbidity. Here, we report a case of breast cancer-related chronic lymphedema in a 62-years old female with severe LROM in all joints of the affected upper extremity that caused severe disability in ADL. Significant improvements in range of motion and upper extremity function were observed after serial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), combined with conventional rehabilitation therapy. Therefore, ESWT might be recommended for managing the extensive limited joint motion which causes functional decline in a patient of chronic lymphedema with trophic skin change.

Chronic subdural hematoma (SDH) is a well-known disease entity and is traditionally managed with surgery. However, when associated with spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH), the treatment strategy ought to be modified, as classical treatment could lead to unwanted consequences. A 59-year-old man presented with a case of SIH that manifested as a bilateral chronic SDH. He developed fatal extensive pneumocephalus and SDH re-accumulation as a complication of burr-hole drainage. Despite application of an epidural blood patch, the spinal cerebrospinal fluid leak continued, which required open spinal surgery. Chronic SDH management should not be overlooked, especially if the exact cause has not been determined. When chronic SDH assumed to be associated with SIH, the neurosurgeon should determine the exact cause of SIH in order to effectively correct the cause.
Blood Patch, Epidural ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Drainage* ; Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic* ; Humans ; Intracranial Hypotension* ; Middle Aged ; Pneumocephalus*