No abstract available.
Interleukin-4* ; Interleukins* ; Receptors, Interleukin-4* ; Rheumatic Diseases*

OBJECTIVE: To verify the pattern of p53 and TGF-beta protein expression in benign and malignant epithelial ovarian tumors. METHODS: An immunohistochemical technique was applied to formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples of 22 benign and 9 malignant epithelial ovarian tumors using p53 monoclonal antibody and TGF-beta polyclonal antibody. Expressions of p53 and TGF-beta protein in two histological types were compared, and correlated with clinico-pathologic findings of the respective cases. RESULTS: p53 immunoreactivity of high or intermediate degree was detected in 2 out of 22 benign (9%) and 5 out of 9 malignant (55%) cases. On the other hand, intermediate to high TGF-beta expression was found in 17 out of 22 benign (77%), and 3 out of 9 malignant (33%) cases. The prevalence differences of p53 and TGF-beta expression between benign and malignant groups were statistically significant (p<0.05). In addition, the prevalence of immunoreactivities of p53 and TGF-beta in malignant tumor didn't show any association with age, tumor size, histologic types and stage. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that p53 expression and loss of TGF-beta expression may play an important role in the malignant transformation of ovarian epithelial cells. However further studies seem to be necessary to know the exact relationship between their roles.
Epithelial Cells ; Hand ; Prevalence ; Transforming Growth Factor beta*

The purpose of this study was to assess vitamin B6 intake and status in Korean patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. Sixty-four patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes and 8-11% glycated hemoglobin (A1C), along with 28 age-matched non-diabetic subjects, participated. Dietary vitamin B6 intake was estimated by the 24 hour recall method and plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) was measured. There was a significant difference in daily total calorie intake between the diabetic and non-diabetic groups (1,917 +/- 376 vs 2,093 +/- 311 kcal). There were no differences in intake of total vitamin B6 (2.51 +/- 0.91 vs 2.53 +/- 0.81 mg/d) or vitamin B6/1,000 kcal (1.31 +/- 0.42 vs 1.20 +/- 0.32 mg) between the diabetic and non-diabetic groups, andI intakes of total vitamin B6 were above the Korean RDA in both groups (180.0 +/- 57.9 vs 179.0 +/- 65.4). There was a higher percentage of diabetic subjects whose plasma PLP concentration was < 30 nmol/L compared to non-diabetic group. Plasma PLP levels tended to be lower in the diabetic subjects than in the non-diabetic subjects, although the difference was not statistically significant due to a large standard deviation (80.0 +/- 61.2 nmol/L vs 68.2 +/- 38.5 nmol/L). Nevertheless, plasma PLP levels should be monitored in pre-diabetic patients with diabetic risk factors as well as in newly diagnosed diabetic patients for long-term management of diabetes, even though this factor is not a major risk factor that contributes to the development of degenerative complications in certain patients.
Fibrinogen ; Hemoglobins ; Humans ; Nutrition Policy ; Plasma ; Pyridoxal ; Risk Factors ; Vitamin B 6 ; Vitamins

The use of oral methotrexate in a low dose given once weekly has become the mainstay of therapy for active and sustained rheumatoid arthritis. Pneumonitis can be expected to occur in patients taking low doses of methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis. The pathology suggests that methotrexate pneumonitis is a hypersensitivity reaction although arguments have been put forth that it is idiosyncratic. Treatment of presumed methotrexate pneumonitis, even while waiting for special stains, cultures, or tissue sections from bronchoscopic biopsy, should be glucocorticoids given intravenously or by mouth. Empirical antibiotic treatment can be used until infectious causes are ruled out. In recent years there has been an increase in the number of reports of pulmonary complications associated with low-dose methotrexate therapy for rheumatic diseases. Among these complications interstitial pneumonitis has been most often reported (more than 35 cases since the first report in 1983). We report a case of methotrexateassociated pulmonary complication in rheumatoid arthritis confirmed by transbronchoscopic lung biopsy, which resolved by treatment of corticosteroid therapy.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Biopsy ; Coloring Agents ; Glucocorticoids ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Lung ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial* ; Methotrexate* ; Mouth ; Pathology ; Pneumonia ; Rheumatic Diseases

BACKGROUND: Weight loss through low-calorie diets (LCDs) decreases visceral fat (VF). However, the effects on muscle mass, changes of dietary quality, and insulin sensitivity are unknown for Korean obese type 2 diabetic subjects. Therefore, this study examined such effects of LCDs. METHODS: A total of 30 obese type 2 diabetic subjects (body mass index, 27.0 +/- 2.2 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to an LCD or control group. Subjects on LCDs took 500~1,000 kcal fewer energy than their usual dietary intake (1,000~1,500 kcal/day) over the course of 12 weeks. The abdominal VF and femoral muscle mass were evaluated by computed tomography, and insulin sensitivity was assessed using an insulin tolerance test (Kitt; rate constant for plasma glucose disappearance, %/min). Dietary nutrient intake consumed by subjects was assessed by 3-day food records. RESULTS: The percent VF reduction was -23.4 +/- 17.2% in the LCD group and -9.8 +/- 11.8% in the control group after 12 weeks (P < 0.001, P = 0.002). However, significant decrease in femoral mass or proportional change of marcronutrient intake and mean adequacy ratio were not found in the LCD group, as compared to the control group. Insulin sensitivity improved in the LCD group, as compared to the control group (P = 0.040). CONCLUSION: LCD effectively improved insulin sensitivity and reduced abdominal VF without reduction of femoral muscle and dietary quality in obese type 2 diabetic subjects.
Caloric Restriction ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Glucose ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Muscles ; Plasma ; Weight Loss

OBJECTIVE: In Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5), a new specifier of major depressive disorder (MDD) "with anxious distress" allows characterization of additional symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate difference in treatment outcome of MDD with versus without anxious distress specifier in DSM-5. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of patients admitted to a university hospital with a primary diagnosis of MDD in a period from March 2013 to September 2014 was conducted. We reviewed anxious distress symptoms, medications and detailed clinical information at index episode. We compared treatment outcomes of anxious distress group with those of non anxious distress group. RESULTS: There were differences in remission rate after 4 weeks later (18.5% vs. 44.4%, p=0.040) and at discharge (33.3% vs. 66.7%, p=0.014) between anxious distress and non anxious distress. However, no significant differences were observed in the sociodemographic characteristics, treatment regimens, and response rate. CONCLUSION: Anxious distress specifier might be worthwhile to be further evaluated as a diagnostic entity of its own requiring specific diagnosis and therapeutic attention.
Depression* ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; Diagnosis ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome*

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the treatment effects of a topical application of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) for photodynamic therapy (PDT) to treat cervical cancer. METHODS: We first investigated the effects of 5-ALA cream according to application time. And to find the effective 5-ALA concentration and the distribution times in vivo, 20% 5-ALA cream was topically applied to the tumor of the nude mouse. We then observed the distribution of 5-ALA via fluorescence measurement with using a 532 nm diode laser. 25 nude mice were divided into Control, ALA, Laser, and PDT group. To evaluate the PDT effect at cancer lesion, we applied 20% 5-ALA cream to the tumor by the same method, and the PDT was done by using a 632 nm diode laser at the time of the peak level of fluorescence. We checked the changes of the volume of cancer for 30 days, and then biopsy was done. RESULTS: The effective post-irradiation time after topical ALA application was 9 hours. In the PDT group, 40% (4/10) of the mice showed decreased tumor size. CONCLUSION: The maximum PpIX fluorescence at 9 hours after local applicationof 5-ALA cream was checked. And PDT group did not show any statistical difference than control group in the growth of tumor size than control group. However responding cases (4/10) of PDT group showed the meaningful decrease of tumor size than control group (P<0.05).
Animals ; Biopsy ; Fluorescence ; Lasers, Semiconductor ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Photochemotherapy ; Protoporphyrins ; Triazenes ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

BACKGROUND: Airway secretions partly arise from the interstitial fluid and partly from the secretory activities of respiratory epithelium and submucosal gland. The flow of water across the tracheobronchial epithelium is likely to be an important determinant of the efficiency of mucociliary clearance. Water movement across the epithelium is thought to follow active ion transport passively by means of the osmotic gradients created. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine whether Na, K, and Cl are transported actively by the epithelium of nasal mucosa and to evaluate an effect of the tracheostomy on changes of pH and electrolytes in nasal secretum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: pH and Na, K, and Cl values were estimated in 35 samples (20 tracheostomized patients and 15 normal persons) of nasal secretum and plasma. RESULTS: On 15 normal persons, Mean pH value was 7.43, Na 143.2, K 4.2 and Cl 109.1(mEq/L) in plasma and Mean pH value was 7.81, Na 139.7, K 11.5 and Cl 127.5(mEq/L) in nasal secretion. On 20 tracheostomized patients, pH 7.49, Na 140.2, K 3.8, and Cl 108.7(mEq/L) in plasma were estimated, and pH 7.88, Na 128.5, K 12.0, and Cl 121.5(mEq/L) were estimated in nasal secretum. In nasal secretum pH, K, and Cl were higher than in plasma by +0.39, +8.2 and +12.8(mEq/L) respectively, while Na was lower -11.6(mEq/L). We had the same result on normal persons as on tracheostomized patients. The results show that pH, K and Cl were higher in nasal secretion and Na was lower than in plasma. CONCLUSION: Significant difference of pH and electrolyte values in nasal secretion was not observed between normal person and tracheostomized patient.
Biological Transport, Active ; Electrolytes ; Epithelium ; Extracellular Fluid ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration* ; Ion Transport ; Mucociliary Clearance ; Nasal Mucosa ; Plasma ; Respiratory Mucosa ; Tracheostomy ; Water Movements

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: ln the unilateral vocal fold paralysis, it has been generally accepted that the level of the paralyzed vocal fold is higher than that of a normally innervated vocal fold. In this study, we introduce methods to detect the level difference between the paralyzed and innervated vocal folds, and observe the vertical levels of paralyzed vocal fold. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We conducted a retrospective review using video recorded images of the larynx. A total of 38 patients selected for this study complained of voice change due to a unilaterally paralyzed vocal fold. Video-recordings were obtained using a laryngeal telescope. The height was assessed according to the paralyzed positions, status (inspiration or phonation) and shapes of the paralyzed arytenoid. The shapes of paralyzed arytenoid during inspiration were classified as a body type, process type, tip type and no type. RESULTS: In the medial paralysis, a paralyzed vocal fold showed same horizontal level as does a normal vocal fold during phonation. But in some cases of medial paralysis, the vertical level was either lower or higher than the normal vocal fold depending on the types of paralyzed arytenoid during phonation. In the lateral paralysis, interestingly, most of the paralyzed vocal fold is not vertically higher than an innervated vocal fold during phonation. CONCLUSIONS: The height of paralyzed vocal fold depends on the paralyzed positions, inspiration or phonation, and shapes of the paralyzed atytenoid. The fact that a paralyzed vocal fold is placed vertically higher than a normal vocal fold should be reconsidered from now.
Humans ; Larynx ; Paralysis* ; Phonation ; Retrospective Studies ; Somatotypes ; Telescopes ; Vocal Cords* ; Voice

Alaryngeal speech(esophageal, neoglottal, shunt, and electrolaryngeal speech) differ from normal laryngeal speech primarily with regard to the sound or source of voicing. Theoretically, esophageal, tracheoesophageal, neoglottal and electrolaryngeal speech have difficulty in accomplishing the voiceless consonants. But perceptual studies often reveal that there is a clear production of voiceless consonants resulting good articulation scores in skilled alaryngeal speakers except electrolaryngeal speech. The purpose of the present study was to relate the three-way distinction of Korean voiceless stops in manner of articulation with normal speakers and skilled alaryngeal speakers in terms of the voicing distinction in consonants. Acoustic analysis were performed to investigate the acoustic characteristics of alaryngeal speech compared to the normal speech with special reference to the voiceless distinction. Electromyographic studies were performed to clarify the adjustment of neck muscle during normal and alaryngeal speech.
Acoustics* ; Neck Muscles ; Speech, Alaryngeal*