We present an interesting case of incidental diffuse fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake at PET in her left breast, related to atypical breastfeeding practice. Clinically, differential diagnoses of diffuse intense FDG uptake in unilateral breast include advanced breast cancer, breast lymphoma and inflammatory condition. However, normal physiologic lactation may also show increased FDG uptake in the breasts. Therefore, if we encounter that finding in daily practice, we should question the patient regarding unilateral breastfeeding. In addition, mammography and ultrasound would be helpful to confirm the diagnosis.
Adult ; Breast/*metabolism/radionuclide imaging ; Breast Feeding/*methods ; Breast Neoplasms/radionuclide imaging ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18/diagnostic use/*pharmacokinetics ; Humans ; Lactation/metabolism ; Lymphoma/radionuclide imaging ; Mammography ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Radiopharmaceuticals/diagnostic use/*pharmacokinetics ; Ultrasonography, Mammary

Umbilical vein varix has diverse clinical features and an unpredictable course during the pregnancy and/or perinatal period. We report a rare case of isolated fetal varix of the intra-abdominal umbilical vein, which was associated with fetal cardiomegaly. After birth, the umbilical vein varix remained with continuous blood flow through the patent ductus venosus. In addition, persistent cardiomegaly was complicated with an atrial septal defect.
Cardiomegaly ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial* ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Umbilical Veins* ; Varicose Veins*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlation between hemodynamics on three-phase CT and ultrasonography echogenecity of small hepatic cavernous hemangiomas (0.5 - 3 cm). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 158 hepatic cavernous hemangiomas in 139 patients with normal liver parenchyma, who underwent ultrasonography and dynamic CT, were analyzed retrospectively over a six-year period. Two radiologists performed independent analysis of the echogenecity (hyperechoic to hypoechoic) on ultrasonography and hemodynamics (slow to rapid) on CT images using five-grade scales. Correlation between ultrasonography echogenecity scores and CT hemodynamics scores was examined using Spearman's correlation analysis. CT hemodynamics scores were also evaluated with respect to the size of the hepatic cavernous hemangiomas using Spearman's correlation analysis. RESULTS: The ultrasonography echogenecity scores showed significant correlation with the CT hemodynamics scores (r=0.364, p<0.001 for Reviewer 1; r=0.567, p<0.001 for Reviewer 2). The size of the cavernous hemangiomas did not show significant correlation with the CT hemodynamics scores (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: More rapid filling of contrast materials in small hepatic cavernous hemangiomas on dynamic CT suggests a greater decrease in echogenecity on ultrasonography and the echogenicity of small hepatic cavernous hemangiomas on ultrasonography can be predicted based on their hemodynamics on dynamic CT.
Caves ; Contrast Media ; Hemangioma, Cavernous ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Liver ; Retrospective Studies ; Weights and Measures

PURPOSE: Snowboarding accidents may cause severe injury due to the advanced skills required of Olympic athletes and the faster speed compared to many other sports. The aim of this study was to describe environmental characteristics of snowboarding injuries and to determine the level of medical support using injury analysis. METHODS: A descriptive epidemiology study was conducted with collection of data from the Federation Internationale de Ski (FIS) Snowboard Competition from January 14 to 24 in 2009. Data from the Competition Operation Committee records, medical records and competition regulations were selected for analysis. RESULTS: In this study, 31/524 competitors reported injuries, predominantly sprains and contusions (21 cases), including eight fractures. Analysis of the physical distribution of these injuries indicated ten injuries of an upper extremity (32%), seven of a lower extremity (23%), six in the head/neck region (19%), and five spinal injuries (16%). The majority (23/31) of these injuries occurred during the snowboard cross (SBX) events. Environmental factors including the course visibility and slope conditions impacted the frequency of injury during the competition. In addition, the arrival times of medical teams were longer for the SBX events (260+/-92 sec) than for the Parallel Giant Slalom (202+/-54 sec) and other snowboarding events (<60 sec). CONCLUSION: The frequency and severity of injuries were highest in the SBX competition. For injury prevention, we recommend increased focus on safety on the SBX course, consideration of weather and other environmental conditions, and a rapid emergency medical support response for injury management.
Athletes ; Contusions ; Emergencies ; Epidemiology ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Medical Records ; Medical Staff ; Skiing ; Social Control, Formal ; Spinal Injuries ; Sports ; Sprains and Strains ; Upper Extremity ; Weather ; Wounds and Injuries

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recent studies have suggested an important role of adipokines in the development of insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus. The clinical relevance of adipokines on long-term outcomes in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease is uncertain. The purpose of this study was to identify a predictable factor in patients with long-term diabetic complications. METHODS: A total of 161 diabetic individuals were followed-up from 2002 to 2013. Circulating plasma levels of adiponectin, glypican-4, irisin, visfatin, and visit-to-visit glucose variability were measured in diabetic patients. Associations among adipokines and variable metabolic parameters and microvascular, and macrovascular complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Plasma adiponectin and glypican-4 levels were significantly increased in patients with renal insufficiency. These adipokines were negatively associated with estimated glomerular filtration rate and positively associated with urinary albumin excretion. The relative risk of renal progression to dialysis increased independently with increasing level of adiponectin. Glypican-4 and visfatin were not predictive of any microvascular or macrovascular complications. Glucose variability increased the risk of diabetic nephropathy and cerebrovascular complications. CONCLUSIONS: Adiponectin and glypican-4 were associated with renal function and might be able to predict renal progression. Glucose variability was a predictable factor for diabetic nephropathy and cerebrovascular complications.
Adipokines* ; Adiponectin ; Diabetes Complications* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; Dialysis ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Glucose* ; Glypicans ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase ; Plasma ; Renal Insufficiency ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic

This research is a field investigation to collect basic information about the safe and efficient use of physical restraint in hospitals and for the ultimate minimization of restraint use. The objects of this study were sixty-four patients. They were restrained physically. Add their 32 family members, 24 nurses of two university hospitals in Seoul were also involved in the study. From April 16, to May 27, 1999. Research data were collected throughout the observation and interview process. Also, the data was analyzed using frequencies and field study notes that were invented by researchers. Results of this study were as follows: 1. According to the sex and age distinction; male's restraint use was 75%, female's was 25% and pre-schoolage children 39.1%, middle age 26.5%, and senior citizens 20.3%. According to the disease distinction; neuro-system was 35.9%, respiratory system was 21.9%. In the Ward, 40.6% of ICU patients were restrained and 39.0% of pediatric ward children were also to restraint. 70.3% of patients were restrained under 5days, while 10.9% were restrained 10days. 2. Types of physical restraints were wrist restraint (45.21%), arm board (35.62%), leg restraint (8.22%), chest restraint (6.85%), elbow restraint (2.74%) and mitten restraint (1.37%). 3. The percentage was 3.5%, which was in 64 restrained out of 1828 hospitalized people. At 1st investigation, the ratio was 3.5%, the 2nd was 3.0% and the 3rd was 3.9%. 4. The reasons of using the physical restraint were 'to protect implements' (72.84%), 'to protect patients' (18.52%), 'to protect an operative site' (8.64%). 5. The result of the patients; family and nurses' response analysis was: 'It seems to be safe', 'It uses properly', 'It is convenient for relatives and nurses', 'It is helpful to treatment', 'Objective think it is not restraint' were 79.9%. 'It is discomfort and stuffy', 'The implement is ineffective' were 21.1%. However in interview of the patients who can do verbally communication, 6 of 7 was responded that 'It is stuffy and uncomfortable'. 6. When restraint is used, the main decision is usually made by the nurses 42.2% of the time. The statistics read as thus: nurses and the physician in charge 31.3%, nurses and family 12.5%, physician's order 7.8%, only family 6.2%. Although the record of restraint was only 15.6% so that only 10 cases out of all the 26 ICU patients restrained. This study shows that physical restraints which of infringe independent-right of patients, are used without using criterion, explaining the agreement. Also, subjective decision of physician, nurses, and family make the decision of using restraint. So development of practice manuals and rules for restraint implementation is urgent.
Arm ; Child ; Elbow ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Leg ; Middle Aged ; Nursing* ; Respiratory System ; Restraint, Physical* ; Seoul ; Thorax ; Wrist

No abstract available.
Central Nervous System ; Epilepsy ; Sarcoidosis

Human carboxylesterase 1 (CES1) is a serine esterase that hydrolyzes various exogenous compounds. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CES1 may lead to inter-individual metabolic variability of its substrates. The allele and haplotype frequencies of known SNPs have been demonstrated to vary among ethnic groups. We analyzed genetic variations of CES1 in a Korean population. Direct sequencing of all exons and flanking regions of the CES1 gene was performed on samples obtained from 200 Koreans. We identified 41 SNPs. The most frequent SNPs was -914G>C (frequency: 99.5%), followed by 4256G>A (frequency: 65.8%), -75T>G (frequency: 59.3%). Haplotype analysis using the identified SNPs revealed fifteen haplotypes (> or =1% haplotype frequency) in our samples. The most frequent haplotype was Hap1 (frequency: 15.4%). Among the identified 41 SNPs, nine of which are novel variants and 14 SNPs were nonsynonymous variants. Using the functional predictive software PolyPhen-2, the G19V, E221G, and A270S variants were predicted to be most likely damaging to the function and structure of CES1. In-vitro analyses for two of these variants have been previously performed; however, functional evaluation of E221G (11657A>G, rs200707504) still needs to be conducted. Therefore, further studies are warranted to characterize the functional impact of E221G on CES1 activity.
Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Carboxylesterase* ; Ethnic Groups ; Exons ; Genetic Variation ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Genetic* ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Serine

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of dark rearing immediately after birth on the maturation of the visual relay neurons in the lateral geniculate nucleus. METHODS: Fifty neonatal rats were used. Neonates of the control groups were raised under a normal light/dark cycle. Neonates of the experiment groups were dark reared and isolated from light during the entire experimental period, then exposed to the sun light for 1 hour before sacrifice. RESULTS: In the control groups, the neurons in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus developed normally at each age tested. In the experiment groups, the cytoplasm of the large neurons in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of 2-week-old rats contained small vesicles, and the cytoplasm of the large neurons of 4-week-old rats was converted into a vacuole-like space. Moreover, c-Fos immunoreactivity of the large neurons in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus in the experiment groups was significantly increased compared to that of the control groups. CONCLUSIONS: We suppose that the maturation of the neurons in the lateral geniculate nucleus might be influenced by light stimulation during the critical period. Furthermore, c-Fos could be a marker of the functional activity of the visual relay neurons of the lateral geniculate nucleus in albino rats.
Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Critical Period (Psychology) ; *Dark Adaptation ; Geniculate Bodies/*metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; *Light ; Neurons/*metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos/*metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate whether obtaining serum procalcitonin (PCT) levels in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) helps the differential diagnosis between sepsis and non-sepsis and predicts disease severity in the emergency department (ED). METHODS: This prospective study enrolled 132 consecutive adult patients with SIRS who visited the ED. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and serum PCT levels were compared between sepsis and non-sepsis groups upon ED admission. Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), Multiple Organ Dysfunction Score (MODS), and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) III scores were calculated, and their correlations with CRP and PCT levels were evaluated. The PCT and CRP levels were assessed to predict sepsis in terms of comparing receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: Eighty patients were included in the sepsis group. The levels of PCT and CRP in the sepsis group were significantly higher. In the sepsis group, the initial serum PCT correlated with the SOFA and MODS scores, and this also correlated in the non-sepsis group, but CRP did not. No differences were found when the PCT and CRP ROCs were compared. CONCLUSIONS: Correlation between PCT and severity in the non-sepsis group is considered to be clinically meaningless because of low levels. Additionally, PCT levels had similar diagnostic value for sepsis as CRP levels. PCT is recommended for prediction of severity in sepsis patients in ED, but not for differential diagnosis between sepsis and non-sepsis.
Adult ; APACHE ; C-Reactive Protein ; Calcitonin ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Multiple Organ Failure ; Organ Dysfunction Scores ; Prospective Studies ; Protein Precursors ; ROC Curve ; Sepsis ; Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome