PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze the prognostic significance of pre- and post-treatment serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, together with a variety of other clinicopathological parameters, in patients with metastatic prostate cancer receiving maximal androgen blockade (MAB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The PSA levels before and during MAB, together with various clinicopathological parameters, were measured in 65 patients with newly diagnosed metastatic prostate cancer. The prognostic significance of these parameters, including the PSA level two and six months after MAB (PSA2MO and PSA6MO), a 50% reduction in the pretreatment PSA level after MAB (PSA50), the extent of disease (EOD), performance state, Gleason score and pretreatment hemoglobin, were analyzed by both univariate and multivariate tests. RESULTS: Of the forty-nine patients with a pretreatment PSA level of > or =50ng/ml, twenty-four (24/49, 48.9%) showed normalized (< or =4ng/ml) PSA2MO, and three of these (3/24, 12.5%) died of metastatic prostate cancer. Twenty-five patients (25/49, 51.1%) showed no normalization of the PSA2MO, and sixteen of these (16/25, 64%) died of metastatic prostate cancer. Of the patients with a pretreatment PSA level > or =50ng/ml, patients with a normalized PSA2MO showed a higher survival rate than those with a non-normalized PSA2MO from the univariate analysis using the Log-Rank test (p=0.0001), and PSA2MO was revealed as the most useful prognostic factor (p=0.022) from the multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazards regression model. CONCLUSIONS: A normalized (< or =4ng/ml) PSA level 2 months after MAB (PSA2MO) in metastatic prostate carcinoma was found to be the most useful prognostic factor in metastatic prostate cancer patients with a pretreatment PSA level of > or =50ng/ml.
Androgen Antagonists ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Grading ; Prostate* ; Prostate-Specific Antigen* ; Prostatic Neoplasms* ; Survival Rate

The present study was performed to assess the fertility of frozen-thawed dog semen prepared by freezing with 6% glycerol and thawing at 70degrees C for 8 sec, and to evaluate the least number of post-thaw spermatozoa necessary to achieve pregnancy by intrauterine or intratubal artificial insemination. It was found that the pregnancy rate of intrauterine artificial insemination was 100% using 6% glycerol buffer and thawing at 70degrees C for 8 sec with 5 x 10(7) spermatozoa. Even though the pregnancy rate (80%) and the whelping rate (24.5%) in the 5 x 10(6) spermatozoa inseminated group were lower than those of the 5 x 10(7) spermatozoa group, conception was confirmed with 5 x 10(6) spermatozoa. Although the pregnancy rate of intratubal insemination was low (20%) with 4 x 10(6) spermatozoa, this study is the first report to show the pregnancy rate of intratubal insemination with frozen-thawed ejaculated canine semen. In order to improve the pregnancy rate with intratubal insemination of canine spermatozoa, it is necessary to investigate the optimal insemination site of the uterine tube, the appropriate number of sperm, and the direct effect of buffer on oocytes.
Animals ; Cryopreservation/methods/*veterinary ; Dogs/*physiology ; Female ; Fertility/*physiology ; Glycerol ; Insemination, Artificial/methods/*veterinary ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Semen/*physiology ; Semen Preservation/methods/*veterinary ; Temperature ; Time Factors

The neurotoxicity of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) in rodents was investigated by measuring the locomotor activity and the changes of brain biogenic amines in MPTP-treated C57BL/6 mice. The mice showed a typical curved spine posture 24 hours after MPTP treatment. Total locomotor activity was reduced and the ratios of stereotyped activity/total locomotor activity were increased 24 hours after MPTP treatment. However no significant changes were observed 7 days after MPTP treatment. MPTP-induced changes of biogenic amines were evident only in corpus striatum, not in frontal lobe, midbrain and hippocampus; the levels of dopamine, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) were reduced by 94%, 76.3% and 60.2% after 24 hours, and 81.9%, 61.3% and 26.1% after 6 days compared to control values respectively. The ratios of DOPAC/dopamine, HVA/dopamine and HVA/DOPAC were increased 24 hours and 7 day after MPTP treatment compared to control valuse in corpus striatum, but the degree of the 7 days was less than the 24 hours. The ratios of 5-HIAA/5-HT were incresed 24 hours and 7 days after MPTP treatment in corpus striatum, but there were no significant changes in the levels of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and 5-hydroxtryptamine (5-HT). In conclusion, MPTP produced parkinsonism-like behavioral and biochemical changes in C57BL/ 6 mice.
1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine* ; Animals ; Biogenic Amines* ; Brain ; Corpus Striatum ; Dopamine ; Frontal Lobe ; Hippocampus ; Homovanillic Acid ; Mesencephalon ; Mice* ; Motor Activity* ; Posture ; Rodentia ; Spine

Sclerotic fibroma is often regarded as a unique proliferating lesion, but some authors regard it as an end stage of other neoplasms, especially dermatofibroma. We report two cases of dermatofibroma with sclerotic fibroma-like change. The skin biopsy specimens from different patients showed a common finding of dermatofibroma, while some portions of the tumor were replaced by thick, hyalinized, eosinophilic collagen bundles and empty clefts with low cellularity, which was histologically similar to sclerotic fibroma. According to these findings, dermatofibroma with sclerotic fibroma-like change can be evidence of the possible pathogenesis of sclerotic fibroma.
Biopsy ; Collagen ; Eosinophils ; Fibroma ; Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous* ; Humans ; Hyalin ; Skin

PURPOSE: Through the construction of a pulsatile flow model using an artificial heart pump and stenosis to demonstrate triphasic Doppler waveform, which simulates in vivo conditions, and to evaluate the relationship between Doppler waveform and vascular compliance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The flow model was constructed using a flowmeter, rubber tube, glass tube with stenosis, and artificial heart pump. Doppler study was carried out at the prestenotic, poststenotic, and distal segments; compliance was changed by changing the length of the rubber tube. RESULTS: With increasing proximal compliance, Doppler waveforms show decreasing peak velocity of the first phase and slightly delayed acceleration time, but the waveform itself did not change significantly. Distal compliance influenced the second phase, and was important for the formation of pulsus tardus and parvus, which without poststenotic vascular compliance, did not develop. The peak velocity of the first phase was inversely proportional to proximal compliance, and those of the second and third phases were directly proportional to distal compliance. CONCLUSION: After constructing this pulsatile flow model, we were able to explain the relationship between vascular compliance and Doppler waveform, and also better understand the formation of pulsus tardus and parvus.
Acceleration ; Compliance ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Flowmeters ; Glass ; Heart, Artificial ; Pulsatile Flow* ; Rubber

Neutrophilic eccrine hidradenitis (NEH) is a rare neutrophilic dermatosis which clinically presents with various cutaneous manifestations with or without tenderness and pruritus. NEH has a characteristic histologic pattern, with necrosis of the eccrine glands and local neutrophilic infiltrations. It occurs mostly in patients receiving chemotherapy for acute myeloblastic leukemia or, less frequently, other malignancies. More recently, NEH has been observed in other conditions, such as infections, drugs or even in generally healthy individuals. We report a case of a 29- year-old female with no remarkable medical history who has suffered from a solitary skin-colored indurated macule with tenderness on the left sole for 2 weeks. The skin biopsy showed typical features of neutrophilic eccrine hidradenitis. The patient was successfully treated with oral prednisolone for 2 weeks and an intralesional injection of triamcinolone.
Biopsy ; Drug Therapy ; Eccrine Glands ; Female ; Hidradenitis* ; Humans ; Injections, Intralesional ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; Necrosis ; Neutrophils* ; Prednisolone ; Pruritus ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Triamcinolone

Solitary dermatofibroma shows a common occurrence, especially on the lower limbs of young women, while multiple eruptive dermatofibromas are rare and are thought to be associated with altered immunity, such as autoimmune diseases and immunosuppression. We report a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) who developed multiple, eruptive dermatofibromas while she was being treated with systemic corticosteroid. We also review literature on the previously reported cases of multiple eruptive dermatofibromas associated with SLE.
Arthritis, Juvenile* ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Female ; Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous* ; Humans ; Immunosuppression ; Lower Extremity ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic*

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate clinical profile, efficacy, and safety of long-term treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in Korean autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) patients. METHODS: Effectiveness was assessed through a retrospective review of self-reported target symptom improvement at the last follow-up visit. Changes in illness severity and improvement were measured using the Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) of illness and Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) Scales. Tolerability was assessed through a review of the reason for discontinuation of SSRI and documented adverse events. RESULTS: A total of 21 ASDs patients (aged 9 to 19 years) treated with SSRI during July 2010 to July 2011 in department of child and adolescent psychiatry of Seoul National Hospital were identified. The mean duration of SSRI treatment was 47.9 (standard deviation = 36.9) months (range 0.7-114.5), and the mean fluoxetine equivalent dosage of SSRIs was 27.1 +/- 10.8 mg. Nineteen (90.5%) patients were using concomitant medication. We found that SSRIs were prescribed for symptoms of agitation, stereotyped behavior, aggression, depression, impulsivity and self-injury in ASDs. Ten patients (47.6%) reported improvement in their target symptom after SSRI treatment based on CGI-I scores (CGI-I < or = 2). The side effects were reported in 5 patients (23.8%) ; vomiting (n = 2, 9.5%), excessive mood elevation (n = 1, 4.8%), insomnia (n = 1, 4.8%), somnolence (n = 1, 4.8%) and decreased appetite (n = 1, 4.8%). Self-injurious behavior was reported in one patient (4.8%). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that SSRIs may be used effectively in children and adolescents diagnosed with ASDs. However, safety issues need to be considered carefully when choosing SSRIs for treatment. Future controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings.
Adolescent ; Adolescent Psychiatry ; Aggression ; Appetite ; Autistic Disorder ; Child ; Autism Spectrum Disorder ; Depression ; Dihydroergotamine ; Fluoxetine ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Self-Injurious Behavior ; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; Stereotyped Behavior ; Vomiting ; Weights and Measures

PURPOSE: To determine whether a localized low-attenuation (LLA) is induced on a thin-section CT (TSCT) during an acute pulmonary arterial occlusion in pigs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In eight pigs, 14 sites of the descending pulmonary artery were obstructed using balloon catheters. The lung TSCTs were obtained immediately after pulmonary artery obstruction (n=13), 10 min (n=10), 30 min (n=14) and 60 min (n=14) after pulmonary artery obstruction at the end of expiration. The TSCTs were also obtained after balloon-deflation at the end of expiration (n=11) and with the balloon-reinflation at inspiration (n=6). RESULTS: Of the 14 sites of pulmonary artery obstruction, 11 (79%) showed LLA. However, LLA progressively became fainter or disappeared on a follow-up CT in seven sites. When the balloon was deflated, 10 of the 11 sites measured showed no change in lung attenuation. After full inspiration, LLA disappeared in three of the six sites. The corresponding areas of LLA on the CT showed a statistically significant increase compared to the baseline CT immediately after inflation (p = 0.021) and 30 minutes after inflation (p =0.041), and after balloon deflation (p =0.036). CONCLUSION: LLA was induced by acute pulmonary artery obstruction. However, LLA, gradually faded over the 60 minutes following obstruction. LLAs were maintained despite the restoration of pulmonary arterial flow, but disappeared as a result of a full inspiration. Thus, LLA might be caused by air trapping.
Animals ; Catheters ; Follow-Up Studies ; Inflation, Economic ; Lung ; Pulmonary Artery ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Swine

PURPOSE: To determine whether the maximal enhancement time in dynamic CT is different between benign and malignant solitary pulmonary nodules (SPN)s, and to evaluate the value of densitometry on dynamic CT in predicting the malignancy of SPN. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-six patients with SPN of less than 4cm in diameter as seen on chest radiograph and SPN without benign pattern of calcification or fat, as seen on pre-enhancement spiral CT scans were included in this study. SPN with small cavitation sufficient to measure CT density, were also included.Thirty-four SPNs were diagnosed pathologically or radiologically as 20 malignant nodules and 14 benign nodules.Dynamic CT was performed by two techniques after injection of 50ml of nonionic contrast media at the rate of 2ml/sec. In 28 patients, incremental dynamic CT was performed before and of 15 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes, and 4 minutes after injection of contrast media during shallow respiration. In 28 patients, double spiral CT was performed 2 minutes and 3 minutes after injection of contrast media during single breath hold. CT readings were taken at the central portion of SPNs, with a circular region of interest. The degree and time of maximal enhancement were recorded. RESULTS: In dynamic CT the maximal enhancement time of SPNs was not significantly different between malignant (2.73+/-1.27 minute) and benign nodules (2.56+/-1.24 minute). The enhancement of malignant nodules was significantly greater (21.42+/-12.17 HU) than of benign nodules (5.15+/-5.25 HU) (p<.0001). CONCLUSION: In dynamic CT of SPNs, there is no difference in maximal enhancement time between benign and malignant nodules ; enhancement of the latter is significantly greater than that of the former. Maximal enhancement greater than 15 HU can be a good predictor of malignancy of SPNs.
Contrast Media ; Densitometry ; Humans ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Reading ; Respiration ; Solitary Pulmonary Nodule* ; Tomography, Spiral Computed