No abstract available.
Chlamydia* ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect*

Castleman disease is a benign disorder, usually occurring within mediastinum, characterized by proliferation of lymphold tissue. The authors report a rare case of Castleman disease originating from mesenteric root. The tumor was highly vascular, proved by dynamic CT examination and splanchnic angiography.
Angiography ; Giant Lymph Node Hyperplasia* ; Mediastinum

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although the only therapy of proven benefit for chronic hepatitis C is interferon alpha, the rate of sustained response after treatment with interferon is less than 25%. A 6-month course of combination therapy with interferon and ribavirin was associated with higher rate of long-term response than either interferon or ribavirin alone. Pilot studies suggested that combination of interferon and ursodeoxy-cholic acid (UDCA) resulted in higher biochemical response than interferon alone. We investigated the rates of end of treatment response(ETR) and sustained response(SR) of combination therapy of interferon e2a, ribavirin and UDCA and compared it with interferon a 2a alone. METHODS: Ninty-five naive patients with chronic hepatitis C who have been positive for anti-HCV by 3rd generation EIA and HCV RNA by RT-PCR and had elevated level of ALT over 6 months were included. They were assigned to three groups. Thirty seven patients in group 1 were treated with interferon a 2a (3MU thrice weekly) in combination with ribavirin (600mg/day) and UDCA (600mg/day) for 6 months. Twenty nine patients in group 2 were treated with the same dose of interferon a 2a alone for 6 months. Changes of ALT and HCV RNA were observed over 12 months (average 3029 mos) after the end of treatment in both groups. Twenty nine patients in group 3 were observed over 12 months without antiviral treatment. HCV genotypes were tested by Innop-Lipa in 24 patients in group 1. RESULTS: In group 1, not only ETR (68%) but also 12 month SR rate (54%) was significantly higher than group 2(31%, 21% respectively). There was no difference in relapse rate between two groups. The level of ALT became normalized and HCV RNA negative within 1 month after treatment in most responders in group l. Genotype 1b was associated with lower ETR and SR than non-lb, although not significant stastistically. CONCLUSION: Both the ETR and 12 month SR rate were significantly higher after combination treatment of interferon a 2a, ribavirin and UDCA than interferon e 2a alone in chronic hepatitis C. It is suggested that this combination is preferable to interferon alone in the treatment of naive patients with chronic hepatitis C.
Genotype ; Hepatitis C, Chronic* ; Hepatitis, Chronic* ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha* ; Interferons* ; Recurrence ; Ribavirin* ; RNA

No abstract available.
Cesarean Section* ; Female ; Pregnancy

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between distance from hepatic capsule to tumor and recurrence among hepatocellular carcinoma patients in whom marginal recurrence was noted after radiofrequency ablation therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2000 and December 2001, hepatocellular carcinoma patients with a tumor 5 cm or less in size and located 2 cm or less from the hepatic capsule underwent radiofrequency ablation therapy. We subsequently selected 37 patients (41 tumors) in whom immediate CT demonstrated complete tumor ablation and follow-up CT showed marginal recurrence. Tumors were grouped according to their distance from the hepatic capsule: Group I, adhered to the capsule; Group II, less than 1 cm from it; Group III, 1-2 cm distant. Of the 41 tumors, 22 were assigned to Group I, six to Group II, and 13 to Group III. Mean tumor size was 3.2 cm, and inter-group variation was small (Group I, 3.3 cm; Group II, 2.9 cm; Group III, 3.1 cm). Follow-up CT was used to determine marginal recurrence, and for inter-group comparison and the assessment of statistical significance, the t test was employed. RESULTS: Marginal recurrence was noted at mean 5.5 months (2.7 months in Group I, 3.0 months in Group II, and 10.5 months in Group III). The t test revealed significant difference between Group I and III (p<0.0001) but not between Groups I and II, or II and III. If '1 cm from hepatic capsule' was the criterion for classification, and Group I and II were combined and compared with Group III, there was significant difference between the two groups (<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Tumors which adhered to the hepatic capsule or were less than 1 cm from it recurred sooner than those situated 1-2 cm away.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Catheter Ablation* ; Classification ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Recurrence*

this study was undertaken to compare the riboflavin status of rural women with different physical activity intensity and to determine factors influencing biochemical fiboflavin status. The study was carried out over three different farming seasons : planting (June), harvest(October) and interim(February) in two rural regions of Korea. One was a traditional farming region, the other a commercial farming region with heavier work intensity. Twenty women in the traditional region and eighteen women in the commercial region were involved. The intensity of physical activity was determined by a daily activity record. Body composition was assessed by bioelectrical impedence. Dietary riboflavin intake was measured by the food frequency method. Riboflavin biochemical status was assessed by erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity coefficient (EGR AC) and ruinary riboflavin excretion. The results from the EGR AC and urinary riboflavin excretion during the period showed the overall riboflavin status of the commercial farming women was significantly worse than that of the traditional farming women(EGR AC p<0.0001, urinary riboflavin excretion p<0.05). The traditional farming group had about 40% with risk of riboflavin deficiency, whereas the commercial farming group had about 70%. Overall mean nutrient intake was not significantly different between the two groups, however, overall mean percent lean body mass representing long term physical activity was significantly higher in the commercial farming group (<0.005). It appears that the biochemical riboflavin status of traditional farming women was significantly influenced by riboflavin intake and crude nitrogen balance while the biochemical riboflavin status of the commercial farming women was significantly influenced by riboflavin intake and percent of lean body mass over the three seasons.
Body Composition ; Erythrocytes ; Female ; Glutathione Reductase ; Humans ; Korea* ; Motor Activity ; Nitrogen ; Plants ; Riboflavin Deficiency ; Riboflavin* ; Seasons

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Lamivudine, an oral nucleoside analogue, effectively inhibits hepatitis B virus replication and reduces hepatic necroinflammation in patients with chronic hepatitis B. This study investigated the effect and safety of 12 week lamivudine therapy in Korean patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). METHODS: In an open clinical trial, 113 patients with CHB were enrolled. They received 100 mg of lamivudine orally once daily for 12 weeks, and they were followed until 2 weeks after cessation of lamivudine. HBV DNA (by bDNA assay), liver enzymes, creatine phosphokinase, creatinine and CBC were checked at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 14 weeks. Compliance and side effects were evaluated at the same time. RESULTS: After receiving lamivudine 100 mg, serum HBV DNA levels fell rapidly, remaining in 94.3% below baseline values at 2 weeks and 99.8% below baseline values at 12 weeks. Serum HBV DNA was cleared in 75.2% and alanine aminotransferase level (ALT) was normalized in 64.8% at 12 weeks. Cumulative percentage of HBeAg clearance (defined by clearance of serum HBV DNA and HBeAg) was 14.4%. Clearance of HBV DNA was more frequent in patients with lower pretreatment serum HBV DNA and higher ALT. During the treatment periods, adverse effects were negligible and transient. Two weeks after cessation of lamivudine, serum HBV DNA reappeared in 70.6% of responders. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that lamivudine is effective and safe in the treatment of CHB in Korean patients, but further study for adequate duration of treatment is needed because of high recurrence after 12 weeks therapy.
Alanine Transaminase ; Compliance ; Creatine Kinase ; Creatinine ; DNA ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic* ; Hepatitis, Chronic* ; Humans ; Lamivudine* ; Liver ; Recurrence

No abstract available.
Endocarditis*

No abstract available.
Leiomyoma*

No abstract available.
Neurofibroma*