No abstract available.
Endothelial Cells* ; Hantaan virus* ; Humans* ; Umbilical Veins*

PURPOSE: Spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage(S-SAH) is a relatively rare disease with good clinical course and prognosis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the cisternal blood distribution on CT in patient with S-SAH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Out of 406 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage on brain CT scan, 11 patients confirmed to be S-SAH by angiography and clinical follow-up were examined. We analysed the CT findings of these 11 cases retrospectively. RESULTS: Five patients had only perimesencephalic distribution of hemorrhage:the prepontine, the interped- uncular, and the suprasellar cisterns were involved in 4 cases each, the basal sylvian cistern in 3 cases, and the ambient cistern in 2 cases. The quadrigeminal and a portion of the lateral sylvians were also involved in 1 case each. Six patients revealed cisternal hemorrhage extending beyond the perimesencephalic cistern into the ventricles, cortical sulci, and lateral sylvian fissure. Intraventricular hemorrhage was noted in 3 cases of these 6 patients. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that uncomplicated clinical course and normal anglographic finding are more important than CT distribution of cisternal hemorrhage in diagnosing S-SAH.
Angiography ; Brain ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Prognosis ; Rare Diseases ; Retrospective Studies ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Hydrolyzed formula is often fed to infants with gastrointestinal or immune issues, such as malabsorption or cow's milk allergy, because enzymatic treatment has rendered it more digestible and less allergenic than standard cow's milk formula (SF). Partially hydrolyzed formula (PHF) should be considered for those infants who are intolerant to extensively hydrolyzed formula. However, there are concerns about the nutritional insufficiencies of PHF. We aimed to evaluate the effects of PHF on the growth and health indicators in infants who were at high-risk of allergic disease and potential candidates for consuming PHF. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 83 infants aged 0–2 mon with a family history of allergies were assigned to consume either PHF or SF until 24 weeks of age. Anthropometric measures were obtained at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks; blood samples were drawn and evaluated at the end of the study. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in weight, height, and weight-for-height at any time point in each sex between the PHF and SF groups. At 24 weeks of age, the weightfor-age and height-for-age z-scores of the SF group were higher than those of the PHF group, but there was no significant difference in the weight-for-height z-score. There were no significant differences in levels of white blood cells, hemoglobin, ferritin, protein, albumin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, eosinophil cationic protein, and immunoglobulin E. CONCLUSIONS In this study, there were no differences in growth and blood panels between the infants consuming PHF or SF. Therefore, infants who are unable to tolerate SF can be fed PHF without nutritional concerns about growth.

Pancreatic disease is the most frequent cause of isolated splenic vein thrombosis. Splenic vein thrombosis causes a localized form of portal hypertension known as sinistral or left-sided portal hypertension. Splenic vein thrombosis may be complicated by the formation of gastric varices, with the potential of massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Whereas splenectomy is considered to be the treatment of choice for symptomatic splenic vein thrombosis, the role of splenectomy in the patient with asymptomatic splenic vein thrombosis remains controversial. We report a rare case of acute pancreatitis complicated by isolated asymptomatic splenic vein thrombosis. Recognition of this disease entity is important because the risk of secondary variceal bleeding, while uncommon, can be life-threatening.
Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; Pancreatic Diseases ; Pancreatitis ; Splenectomy ; Splenic Vein ; Thrombosis

A 49-year-old woman visited the clinic because of acute hepatitis and acute kidney injury with decreased urine output presenting microscopic hematuria and proteinuria. An abdominal computed tomography revealed a localized, hypoattenuated lesion in a hepatic lateral segment, and kidney biopsy showed oxalate crystal deposition with tubular necrosis. In addition, the patient's 24-hour urinary excretion of oxalate was increased. Her kidney and liver injury improved after sessions of hemodialysis, and urinary oxalate excretion was normalized. Major mutations in primary hyperoxaluria have not been proven. A full sequencing of target genes may be helpful to diagnose a rare form of primary hyperoxaluria.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Biopsy ; Female ; Hematuria ; Hepatitis ; Humans ; Hyperoxaluria* ; Hyperoxaluria, Primary ; Kidney* ; Liver* ; Middle Aged ; Necrosis ; Proteinuria ; Renal Dialysis

Diabetes, which has shown an explosive increase in terms of its incidence, is regarded as a serious disease that must be overcome for the sake of human life. Among animal models used for testing of drug efficacy, the mini-pig model has shown a rapid upload due to its many similarities with human, particularly concerning the pharmacokinetics of compounds after subcutaneous administration, the structure and function of the gastrointestinal tract, the morphology of the pancreas, and overall metabolic status. Based on these various advantages, we sought to develop an animal model of type II diabetic mellitus using the Micro-pig, which differs from other miniature pigs. We used six male Micro-pigs for induction of a moderate insulin deficient model with nicotinamide (NIA)/streptozotocin (STZ) treatment and three animals for control. For evaluation of incidence of type II diabetes, we measured blood glucose level, and performed oral glucose tolerance test and immunohistochemistry on pancreatic tissue using insulin antibody. Compared to control animals, all animals treated with NIA/STZ showed high levels of glucose and low levels of insulin. In addition, we observed the partially destroyed beta cell population from tissue of the pancreas in treated animals. Based on these results, we report that the Micro-pig model developed in this study can be used for testing of the efficacy of therapeutic agents for treatment of Type 2 diabetic mellitus.
Animals ; Blood Glucose ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Glucose ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Incidence ; Insulin ; Male ; Models, Animal ; Niacinamide ; Pancreas ; Swine

PURPOSE: To assess the characteristics of bone metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma and the radiation field arrangement based on imaging studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-three patients (84 lesions) with bone metastasis from a primary hepatocellular carcinoma completed palliative radiation therapy. All patients underwent one of following imaging studies prior to the initiation of radiation therapy: a bone scan, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. The median radiation dose was 30 Gy (7~40 Gy). We evaluated retrospectively the presence of soft tissue formation and the adjustment of the radiation field based on the imaging studies. RESULTS: Soft tissue formation at the site of bony disease was identified from either a CT/MRI scan (41 lesions) or from a symptomatic palpable mass (5 lesions). The adjustment of the radiation field size based on a bone scan was necessary for 31 of 41 soft tissue forming lesions (75.6%), after a review of the CT/MRI scan. The median survival from the initial indication of a hepatoma diagnosis was 8 months (2 to 71 months), with a 2-year survival rate of 38.6%. The median survival from the detection of a bone metastasis was 5 months (1 to 38 months) and the 1-year overall survival rate was 8.7%. CONCLUSION: It was again identified that bone metastasis from a primary hepatocellular carcinoma is accompanied by soft tissue formation. From this finding, an adjustment of the radiation field size based on imaging studies is required. It is advisable to obtain a CT or MRI scan of suspected bone metastasis for better tumor volume coverage prior to the initiation of radiation therapy.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Tumor Burden

PURPOSE: To observe sequential changes of acute and subacute hypersensitivity pneumonitis in high resolution CT and to correlate the findings with pulmonary function test and bronchoalveolar lavage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study includes 11 patients with pathologically (n=10) and clinically(n=1) proved acute and subacute hypersensitivity pneumonitis. The extent of ground glass attenuation and nodules on high resolution CT scan was correlated with pulmonary function test and bronchoalveolar lavage. We also evaluated serial changes of the lesion in high resolution CT scans. RESULTS: The extent of parenchymal abnormalities on high-resolution CT scans were significantly correlated with diffusing capacity (GGA & DLco:r=0.95, p<0.003, Nodule & DLco:r=-0.94, P<.005) and FEV1 (GGA & FEV1: r=-0.57, p<.05, Nodule & FEV1: r=-0.56, P<.05) on pulmonary function test and relatively correlated with total count of cells (GGA & total count of cells: r=0.86, P<.03, Nodule & total count of cells: r=0.71, p<0. 11) on bronchoalveolar lavage. The order in disappearance of abnormal findings were poorly defined centrilobular nodule, ground glass attenuation, and well defined small centrilobular nodule on sequential CT scans. CONCLUSION: The authors conclude that HRCT is useful for diagnosis and follow up evaluation of the acute and subacute hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Quantitative analysis of extent of disease on HRCT is useful for evaluation of clinical status.
Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic* ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage* ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glass ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity* ; Respiratory Function Tests* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

We compared the therapeutic effects of concomitant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) using cisplatin to single radiotherapy (RT) in uterine cervical cancer. 34 cases of non-operable uterine cervical cancer were reviewed retrospectively from Mar, 1993 to May, 1996 in St. Mary' s Hospital. The patients were randomly selected to compare the effects of both methods. 22 patients were included in CRT group and 12 patients in RT group. The results were as follows: 1. The decrease of tumor size was not significant (2.17 cm in CRT and 1.95 cm in RT) (p=0.61), but the number of responders of CRT group was larger than that of RT group significantly (p<0.05). 2. The tumor markers showed no significant difference between CRT and RT groups (p>0.05) 3. The overall survival rate showed no difference between two groups (p>0.05). The disease-free survivals for 38 months were 17.02% in CRT and 11.36% in RT, but it was not significant (p>0.05). In conclusion, concomitant chemoradiotherapy showed better rate of response, but size of tumor decrease and tumor markers showed no difference. CRT might improve the overall survival and disease-free survival, although it was not significant in this study. The clinical significance of CRT remains to be determined in large randomized clinical trial.
Chemoradiotherapy ; Cisplatin ; Disease-Free Survival ; Humans ; Radiotherapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms*

BACKGROUND: Inhaled nitric oxide (NO) therapy causes selective pulmonary vasodilation in patients with pulmonary hypertension. However, attempts to discontinue inhaled NO may be complicated by abrupt life-threatening rebound pulmonary hypertension (RPH). The purpose of this study was to determine the risk factors to develop RPH and to present the adequate weaning methods. METHODS: We studied 19 consecutive children who were treated with inhaled NO because of pulmonary hypertension after surgery for congenital heart disease. We compared the dose of NO at the time of start and withdrawal, the duration of weaning and treatment, hemodynamic data, and blood gas analysis before inhaled nitric oxide withdrawal, between patients without (group I, n = 13) and with RPH (group II, n = 6). RESULTS: Compared with group I, group II patients were older in age (1204 1688 versus 546 1654 days, P < 0.05), had a lower NO concentration just before withdrawal (3 +/- 1.6 versus 5 +/- 2.6 ppm, P <0.05), a shorter duration of NO weaning period (4 +/- 3.3 versus 15 +/- 13.4 hours, P < 0.05) and received NO therapy for a shorter duration (26 +/- 11.6 versus 57 +/- 46.0 hours, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We recommend a progressive withdrawal of inhaled nitric oxide to avoid life-threatening RPH observed in the sudden discontinuation.
Blood Gas Analysis ; Child ; Heart Defects, Congenital* ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary* ; Nitric Oxide* ; Risk Factors ; Vasodilation ; Weaning