No abstract available.
Dexamethasone* ; Psychotic Disorders*

BACKGROUND: Identification of specific antinuclear antibodies is useful for the diagnosis, subclassification and determination of prognosis in autoimmune disorders. In many diseases, multiple autoantibodies are detected, and simultaneous detection of multiple autoantibodies has been shown to be useful. Recently, a commercial kit (EL-ANA/6 profiles, TheraTest Laboratories, USA) losing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method for detection of six specific autoantibodies is avallable. In this study, we attempted to compare the results of EL-ANA/6 profiles with those of routinely used methods and evaluated usefulness of EL-ANA/6 profiles. METHODS: EL-ANA/6 profiles were performed with 28 sera which were positive for fluorescent antinuclear antibody (FANA) Simultaneously we tested anti-dsDNA antibodies with immnofluorescent (If) method and anti-Sm, anti-RNP, anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibodies with double immunodiffusion (DID). To evaluate specificity, EL- ANA/6 profiles tests were performed on 10 sera from healthy blood donors. RESULTS: Ten sera of healthly blood donors were all negative for EL-ANA/6 pro biles. In the results of EL-ANA/6 profiles on sera positive for FANA, the concordance rate with IF method for the anti-dsDNA antibodies was 89.3% (25/28) and the con- cordance rates with DID for anti-Sm, anti-Sm/RNP, anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibodies were 85.7% (24/28), 82.1% (23/28), 92.9% (26/28) and 82.1% (23/28), respectively. In 16 discordant settings, thirteen (81.3%) were negative on DID and positive on EL-ANA/6 profiles. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the EL-ANA/6 profiles show good concordance rates with If and DID. EL-ANA/6 profiles showing quantitative profiles for multiple autoantibodies is useful for diagnosis and tool)ow-up of autoimmune disorders.
Antibodies ; Antibodies, Antinuclear* ; Autoantibodies ; Bile ; Blood Donors ; Diagnosis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Immunodiffusion ; Prognosis ; Sensitivity and Specificity

No abstract available.
Sensation* ; Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer*

Metabolic acidosis (MA) is associated with increased proteolysis, increased osteoclast activity and blunted cardiac muscle response, but the effect of MA on various clinic al parameters in CAPD patients is not well known. To evaluate the effects of MA on serum albumin level and other nutritional parameters in CAPD patients, we studied 106 CAPD patients retrospectively who have had monthly biochemical measurement and urea kinetic studies every 6 months for more than 2 years. The patients were divided into three groups according to their mean total CO2 (tCO2) level of the 2-year follow-up (Group l; mean tCO2 < 22mM/L, Group ll; 22mM/L < or = mean tCO2 < 26mM/L, and Group lll; mean tCO2 > or = 26mM/L), and the clinical, biochemical, and urea kinetic data were compared among the three groups. 1)The mean age of the subjects was 46.9+/-12.2 years with a sex ratio of 1.2:1, the mean CAPD duration 28.3+/-21.8 months, mean body weight (Bwt) 59.0+/-8.9kg, %Bwt/IBW 104.1+/-11.5%, %LBM/Bwt 75.5+/-11.1% and well-nourished patients by subjective global assessment (SGA) were 65%. 2)The mean BUN, creatinine, total protein and albumin of all patients were 55.6+/-13.6mg/dL, 12.3+/-3.5mg/dL, 6.6+/-0.7g/dL and 4.0+/-0.4g/dL, respectively. In urea kinetic study, the mean NPCR, weekly Kt/ Vurea, SCCr and RRF were 0.96+/-0.16g/kg/day, 2.02+/-0.37, 63.7+/-18.4L/week/1.73m2, and 0.99+/-1.32ml/ min, respectively. 3)The mean age was significantly higher in group l (51.0+/-10.8) than those of group ll (47.0+/-12.4) and lll (42.6+/-11.4) (P<0.05). %Bwt/IBW of group l (114.4+/-15.8%) was also significantly higher than those of group ll (104.6+/-12.6%) and lll (103.5+/-13.7 %) (P<0.05), but there were no significant differences in sex ratio, CAPD duration, %LBM/Bwt, and SGA among the three groups. 4)The mean tCO2 in group l, group ll, and group lll were 20.6+/-1.2mM/L, 23.9+/-1.1mM/L, and 27.3+/-0.8mM/L, respectively. Compared to group lll, group l had significantly higher BUN (61.1+/-14.3 vs. 46.1+/-7.2mg/dL, P<0.05) and serum albumin (4.04+/-0.31 vs. 3.75+/-0.39g/dL, P<0.05), in spite of comparable dialysis dose and albumin loss into dialysate. 5)NPCR (1.02+/-0.21g/kg/day vs. 0.88+/-0.14g/kg/ day, P<0.05) and ultrafiltration volume (1.4+/-0.4 vs. 1.0+/-0.3, P<0.05) were significantly higher in group l than those of group lll. But there were no significant differences in Kt/Vurea, SCCr, RRF, and 24-hour dialysate loss of protein/albumin among the three groups. 6)No differences were observed among the three groups in the changes of body weight, %Bwt/IBW, %LBM/Bwt, BUN, albumin, NPCR, and RRF from the baseline values after the 2-year follow-up. 7)There were significant inverse correlations between the mean tCO2 level and NPCR (r=-0.33, P<0.001), %Bwt/IBW (r=-0.32, P<0.001), RRF (r=-0.29, P<0.005), and serum albumin level (r=-0.24, P<0.05). But, creatinine, %LBM/Bwt, and Kt/Vurea did not show any correlation with the mean tCO2 level. 8)Using stepwise multiple regression analysis, NPCR (beta=-0.3491, P<0.001), %Bwt/IBW (beta=-0.046, P<0.001), and ultrafiltration volume (beta=-0.0012, P< 0.005) were independent factors affecting the mean tCO2 level. In conclusion, low total CO2 level in long-term CAPD patients may reflect increased protein intake and mild to moderate degree of metabolic acidosis may not affect the nutritional status of well-dialyzed CAPD patients.
Acidosis* ; Body Weight ; Creatinine ; Dialysis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Myocardium ; Nutritional Status ; Osteoclasts ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory* ; Proteolysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Serum Albumin* ; Sex Ratio ; Ultrafiltration ; Urea

BACKGROUND: A fully automated enzyme-immunoassay (EIA) analyzer, Enzymun System, ES-300 (Boehringer Mannheim, Germany) uses streptavidin technology and performs single test or panels of up to 12 tests per run. We evaluated the results of ES-300 for anti-HCV by comparing the results with microplate-EIA, radioimmunoassay (RIA), and confirmatory test. METHODS: Total 79 sera (51 positive, 24 negative, 4 indeterminate results confirmed by Lucky HCD Confirm) were analysed. ES-300 with Enzymun-Test(R) Anti-HCV (Boehringer Mannheim, Germany) and microplate-EIA (Green Cross Center Innotest HCV 3.0(R)) were used. Fifty one sera were examined additionally by 2nd-generation RIA method, NANBDINE 125C(General Biologicals Corp., R.O.C.). And all results were compared to the results of Lucky HCD Confirm. RESULTS: The overall concordance rate of ES-300 and Innotest(R) was 72/79 (91.1%). The results of Lucky HCD Confirm on seven discrepant samples were five negative and two indeterminate. The results of ES-300 and NANBDINE 125C showed concordance rate of 90.2%. The sensitivity and specificity of ES-300 with regard to Lucky HCD Confirm were 94.5%, and 87.5%, respectively, and that of Innotest(R) were 98.2% and 66.7%, respectively. Clear distinction of positive and negative results by signal/cut off ratio was available in both EIAs. The positive predictive values of ES-300 and Innotest(R) were 94.5%, and 87.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: ES-300 showed relatively good results in sensitivity and positive predictive value with regard to confirmatory test. In EIA-positive persons, however, follow-up study would be necessary for reliable evaluation of HCV infection.
Humans ; Radioimmunoassay ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Streptavidin

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate differences in unmet dental care needs according to employment status and if factors have relevance to unmet dental care needs due to "economic burden" and "no time to spare for visiting". METHODS: Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the factors that affected the prevalence of unmet dental care needs due to "economic burden" and "no time to spare for visiting" in an economically active population comprised of subjects aged 20-64 years. RESULTS: Compared to regular workers, part-time workers experienced 1.28-times more unmet dental care needs, while students experienced 0.64-times fewer unmet dental care needs. With regard to reasons related to "economic burden", the rate of experiencing unmet dental care needs was 1.37-times higher for part-time workers than for regular workers. Regarding reasons related to "no time to spare for visiting", the rate of experiencing unmet dental care needs was 0.51-times lower in part-time workers compared with regular workers. In economically inactive people, these values were 0.51-times lower in the unemployed, 0.37-times lower in students, 0.23-times lower in house workers, 0.20-times lower in subjects with disease and injury, and 0.20-times lower in early retirees compared to regular workers. CONCLUSIONS: Part-time workers experienced more unmet dental care needs compared with regular workers. With regard to "economic burden", a significant difference in unmet dental care needs was observed between regular workers and part-time workers. Additionally, regarding "no time to spare for visiting", people who were economically inactive because of unemployment, student or house-worker status, diseases and injury, and retirement experienced fewer unmet dental care needs compared with regular workers.
Dental Care* ; Employment* ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Prevalence ; Retirement ; Unemployment

PURPOSE: Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) is a well known cause of non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU). No other microorganism has been shown to cause any larger proportion of the remaining NGU cases. As a possible causative organism of NGU, we wanted to evaluate the detection rate of Mycoplasma genitalium (M. genitalium) and its role in NGU using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). MATERIALS AND METHDS: From June 1998 to July 2000, we examined a total of 116 men. Of these men 70 had symptoms and signs compatible with urethritis and 46 were for normal control. In the patient group, two urethral discharge or swab specimens were collected. One was used for Gram stain to detect Gram negative intracellular diplocci. The other was subjected to PCR for C. trachomatis and M. genitalium. In the control group, urethral swab specimen was used to detect C. trachomatis and M. genitalium by PCR based assay. RESULTS: Gonococcal urethritis (GU) was diagnosed in 14 cases (20.0%). Detection rates of M. genitalium and C. trachomatis in urethritis group were 8.6% (6/70), 18.6% (13/70). M. genitalium and C. trachomatis were detected in 7.1% (1/14), 14.3% (2/14) of GU and 8.9% (5/56), 19.6% (11/56) of NGU. Detection rate of M. genitalium in chlamydia-negative NGU was 11.1% (5/45). No patient positive for M. genitalium had a simultaneous chlamydia infection. In control group with no urethral symptom or sign, M. genitalium and C. trachomatis were not detected at all. Compared with chlamydia- positive NGU, M. genitalium-positive urethritis exhibited higher recurrence rate. CONCLUSIONS: M. genitalium was detected in 8.9% of NGU and 11.1% of non-chlamydia NGU. This study suggests that M. genitalium may be one of the causative organisms in NGU. Further studies will be necessary to define its role in NGU.
Chlamydia Infections ; Chlamydia trachomatis ; Humans ; Male ; Mycoplasma genitalium* ; Mycoplasma* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Recurrence ; Urethritis*

No abstract available.
Animals ; Dogs* ; Facial Bones* ; Periosteum* ; Silicone Elastomers* ; Transplants*

For the reconstruction of skin defects after remoral of cutanous tumors in the nasal area, local flaps or full-thickness skin grafts can be utilized depending on the size and site of the defectg. Burows graft, which is, variant of the full-thickness skin graft, makes use of the skin nearby as the donor site, minimizes deformity of the recipient site, maximizes ireservation of skin, easily aligns relaxed skin tension line, and is thus one of the methods with a good esultant color and texture match. A pigmented basal cell carcinoma on the nasal bridge in a 51-year old male was remaved by 4 serial sections of Mohs micrograplic surgery and was then successfully enstructed using a Burows graft.
Carcinoma, Basal Cell* ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mohs Surgery* ; Skin ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants*

The chest wall and breast asymmetry varies from severe pectus deformities to an isolated breast hypoplasia. In addition to the chest abnormality, a natural-looking breast is the aesthetic challenge in women. Considering that the most common indication of operations is an aesthetic one, any procedures leaving much scars and deformities at the donor site aren't preferred by patients. A 31-year-old female had a 4 x 10 x 2.5 cm sized pectus-excavatum deformity on her right chest, and a slightly hypoplastic breast compared with the left one. The nipple of her right breast was located supero-medially and pectoralis muscles were preserved to some degree at the right side. Through a bilateral submammary and subxiphoid incision, the deformed cartilage was resected from 3th to 7th rib bilaterally and chondrotomy was done at the sternum partially. After this modified Ravitch's technique, two-metal pins were fixated between right 4th~5th ribs and left 4th rib, and the depressed sternum was elevated over the metal pins. The deficient volume of her right breast was corrected by inserting a siliconegel breast implant (120 cc) submuscularly to restore a adequately projected breast. The results of twelve months' follow-up demonstrated a symmetric and well- projected breast. There were no significant chest wall depression or capsular contracture. Restoring a fundamental bony structure would decrease the amount of augmentation needed in the soft tissues. And a silicone-gel breast implant may be used as an the alternative material for whose axillary fold is preserved to some degree.
Adult ; Breast Implants ; Breast* ; Cartilage ; Cicatrix ; Congenital Abnormalities* ; Contracture ; Depression ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Nipples ; Pectoralis Muscles ; Ribs ; Sternum ; Thoracic Wall* ; Thorax* ; Tissue Donors