OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the efficacy in the combination of haloperidol and clonidine with chronic schizophrenia. Moreover, we evaluated the effects of clonidine to the plasma haolperidol and reduced haloperidol concentration 36 patiens were entered on 4 weeks by the double blind trial. METHOD: The patients (male=11, female=25) were randomly divided into two groups of eighteen patients each. Their antipsychotic medication was fixed for 2 weeks before double blind trial with haloperidol and clonidine or placebo. Clonidine was started at 0.15 mg/day and then raised 0.6mg/day during 4 days, and the placebo was applied by same method as clonidine. The clinical assessment of the patients was assessed with BPRS and NOSIE. The plasma concentrations of haloperidol and reduced haloperidol were measured by HPLC (UV detector). RESULTS: 1) There were no statistical differences in sex distribution, age, duration of illness, dosages of haloperidol, plasma concentration of haloperidol and reduced haloperidol of each groups before clonidine or placebo trial. 2) On total and subcluster scores of BPRS and total score of NOSIE, there were decreased tendencies over the time, but there was no statistical significance in both groups. 3) Plasma concentrations of haloperidol and reduced haloperidol after 4 weeks of clonidine trial were revealed statistically significant increasement as compared to baseline. CONCLUSION: The combination of haloperidol and clonidine for 4 weeks did not reveal the improvement. In our opinions the reasons of those results were that our samples were not made of paranoid type of schizophrenia, the duration of clonidine trial was not good enough. So we should suggest that more specifying design will be needed.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Clonidine* ; Haloperidol* ; Humans ; Norepinephrine ; Plasma ; Schizophrenia* ; Sex Distribution

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze effects of cardiovascular disease prevention in small scale enterprise using community-based approach. METHOD: The target work site included 4,050 small scale enterprises which were under 50 in non-manufacturing workplace and total 20,986 employees were enrolled. Data collection was conducted from March to December, 2008 by 46 occupational health nurses who were registered in Korean Association of Occupational Health Nurses. RESULTS: The rate of smoking was decreased from 39.9% to 34.6%, and normal BMI group was increased from 61.6% to 64.0%. Evaluation of post-intervention blood pressure(BP) outcomes revealed that significant reductions in systolic BP and diastolic BP(3.25mmHg and 1.89mmHg, respectively) were achieved. In addition, the amount of reduction in total cholesterol level was 180.89+/-28.22mg/dL at pre-ntervention and 177.71+/-24.73mg/dL at post-intervention. CONCLUSION: Cardiovascular prevention program by community-based approach was an effective strategy for quitting smoking and improving BMI, BP, and cholesterol control.
Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cholesterol ; Data Collection ; Health Promotion ; Occupational Health ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Workplace

PURPOSE: This study aimed to analyze the relationship between psychosocial factors and subjective symptoms of musculoskeletal diseases. METHODS: This study analyzed the data of '2001 National Health and Nutrition Survey' conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs. RESULTS: When examining the complaining rate of subjective symptoms of musculoskeletal diseases according to body region, the rate was highest (6.0%) in the knee region, which was followed by the finger region (3.4%), the wrist regions (2.3%) and the elbow region (2.1%). All the regions of elbow, wrist, finger and knee had a high complaining rate of subjective symptoms such as stress, sad or depressed mood, and attempted suicide. CONCLUSION: From the results of this study, it is identified that psychosocial factors such as stress, depression, and attempted suicide have significant influence on the complaining rate of subjective symptoms of musculoskeletal diseases. Consequently, in order to prevent and treat musculoskeletal diseases, we need to manage stress and to prevent feeling depression.
Body Regions ; Depression ; Elbow ; Fingers ; Knee ; Korea ; Musculoskeletal Diseases* ; Psychology* ; Suicide, Attempted ; Wrist

BACKGROUND: Implantation of xenogenic chromaffin cells into the spinal subarachnoid space can produce analgesia in neuropathic pain models. However, transplantation of xenogeneic chromaffin cell has a potential risk of viral or bacterial infections from animals to humans including encephalopathy due to prion transmission. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of developing a homogeneic source of therapeutic chromaffin cells. METHODS: Anti-allodynic effects of human chromaffin cells (HCCs) were evaluated in a neuropathic pain model in rats induced by chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve. HCCs encapsulated with alginate-poly-L-lysine-alginate were intrathecally implanted into rats (n = 10), while empty capsules were intrathecally implanted as a control (n = 8). Levels of norepinephrine from encapsulated HCCs before and after nicotinic stimulation were measured. We then perfomed a behavior test (cold allodynia) with acetone. In addition, to assess the potential contribution to pain reduction of opioid peptides released from the HCCs, all animals were injected with naloxone. RESULTS: The concentration of norepinephrine after nicotine stimulation was significantly increased compared to basal levels. Intrathecal implantation of encapsulated HCCs, significantly reduced cold allodynia as compared to rats receiving empty capsules (P < 0.05). Fifteen minutes after the injection of naloxone, cold allodynia significantly decreased in rats with HCCs (P < 0.05), while the degree of cold allodynia in control animals was unaltered. CONCLUSIONS: From these results, it appears that HCCs have a possibility as an analgesic source for transplants delivering pain-reducing neuroactive substances.
Acetone ; Analgesia ; Analgesics ; Animals ; Bacterial Infections ; Capsules ; Chromaffin Cells ; Cold Temperature ; Constriction ; Humans ; Hyperalgesia ; Naloxone ; Neuralgia ; Nicotine ; Norepinephrine ; Opioid Peptides ; Rats ; Sciatic Nerve ; Subarachnoid Space ; Transplants

Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein enzyme that synthesizes telomeric DNA onto the ends of chromosomes. thereby preventing the replication-dependent shortening of these ends. Telomerase activity is detected in a wide range of cancers of various tissues, and its expression may be a critical step in tumor progression. Our objective was to determine if detection of telomerase activity may be an indicator for diagnosis of breast cancer and any association between telomerase activity and prognostic factors of breast cancer. Using a polymerase chain reaction-based telomerase activity assay, we examined telomerase activity in 30 breast cancer specimens (2 ductal carcinoma in situ, 28 invasive ductal carcinoma), 25 benign lesions (14 fibroadenomas, 11 fibrocystic diseases) and 24 normal breast tissues (13 adjacent to malignancy, 11 adjacent to benign lesion). Among surgically resected samples, telomerase activity was detected in 23 (77%) of 30 breast cancers. While telomerase activity was not detected in any of 11 specimens of fibrocystic disease and 11 adjacent normal tissues to benign lesion, surprisingly low levels of telomerase activity were detected in 5 (36%) of 14 fiboadenomas and 1 (7%) of 13 adjacent normal tissues to malignancy. There was no significant difference in expression of telomerase among prognostic factors of breast cancer. In summary, telomerase activity in breast cancer may be useful in diagnosis of breast cancer. We found no correlation between telomerase activity and stage, tumor size or LN status. Mechanisms of telomerase expression are still under investigation; therefore, the significance of telomerase expression in malignant tumors and their progression remains to be determined.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating ; Diagnosis ; DNA ; Fibroadenoma ; Humans* ; Ribonucleoproteins ; Telomerase*

BACKGROUND: Although both thyroid histology and serum concentrations of hormones are known to change with age, only a few reports exist on the relationship between the age-related structural and functional changes of the thyroid follicles in both mice and humans. Our objectives were to investigate age-related histological changes of the thyroid follicles and to determine whether these morphological changes were associated with the functional activity of the follicles. METHODS: The thyroid glands of mice at 18 weeks and at 6, 15, and 30 months of age were histologically examined, and the serum levels of thyroid hormones were measured in 11-week-old and 20-month-old mice. Samples of human thyroid tissue from 10 women over 70 years old and 10 women between 30 and 50 years of age were analyzed in conjunction with serum thyroid hormone level. RESULTS: The histological and functional changes observed in the thyroid follicles of aged mice and women were as follows: variable sizing and enlargement of the follicles; increased irregularity of follicles; Sanderson’s polsters in the wall of large follicles; a large thyroglobulin (Tg) globule or numerous small fragmented Tg globules in follicular lumens; oncocytic change in follicular cells; and markedly dilated follicles empty of colloid. Serum T3 levels in 20-month-old mice and humans were unremarkable. CONCLUSIONS: Thyroid follicles of aged mice and women show characteristic morphological changes, such as cystic atrophy, empty colloid, and Tg globules.
Aged ; Animals ; Atrophy ; Colloids ; Female ; Humans* ; Infant ; Mice ; Thyroglobulin ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Hormones

Postoperative maxillary cysts are locally aggressive lesions, usually developing as delayed complications many years after radical antral surgery. This report describes a case of bilateral postoperative maxillary cysts following orthognathic surgery performed approximately 21 years previously. The patient complained of stinging pain on her right cheek. Radiographic examination revealed low-attenuation lesions on both maxillary sinuses with discontinuously corticated margins without distinct expansion or bone destruction. The cysts were enucleated with the removal of metal plates and screws for pain relief. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of postoperative maxillary cysts lined by ciliated, pseudostratified columnar cells. The patient has remained asymptomatic thus far, and there was no evidence of local recurrence at 21 months of postoperative follow-up.
Bites and Stings ; Cheek ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Maxillary Sinus ; Orthognathic Surgery* ; Radiography ; Recurrence

Primary thyroid cancers including papillary, follicular, poorly differentiated, and anaplastic carcinomas show substantial differences in biological and clinical behaviors. Even in the same pathological type, there is wide variability in the clinical course of disease progression. The molecular carcinogenesis of thyroid cancer has advanced tremendously in the last decade. However, specific inhibition of oncogenic pathways did not provide a significant survival benefit in advanced progressive thyroid cancer that is resistant to radioactive iodine therapy. Accumulating evidence clearly shows that cellular energy metabolism, which is controlled by oncogenes and other tumor-related factors, is a critical factor determining the clinical phenotypes of cancer. However, the role and nature of energy metabolism in thyroid cancer remain unclear. In this article, we discuss the role of cellular energy metabolism, particularly mitochondrial energy metabolism, in thyroid cancer. Determining the molecular nature of metabolic remodeling in thyroid cancer may provide new biomarkers and therapeutic targets that may be useful in the management of refractory thyroid cancers.
Carcinogenesis ; Carcinoma ; Disease Progression ; Energy Metabolism* ; Iodine ; Mitochondria ; Oncogenes ; Phenotype ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Biomarkers

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate condylar surface changes and remodeling after orthognathic surgery using three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) imaging, including comparisons between the right and left sides and between the sexes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients (20 males and 20 females) who underwent multi-detector CT examinations before and after surgery were selected. Three-dimensional images comprising thousands of points on the condylar surface were obtained before and after surgery. For the quantitative assessment of condylar surface changes, point-to-point (preoperative-to-postoperative) distances were calculated using D processing software. These point-to-point distances were converted to a color map. In order to evaluate the types of condylar remodeling, the condylar head was divided into six areas (anteromedial, anteromiddle, anterolateral, posteromedial, posteromiddle, and posterolateral areas) and each area was classified into three types of condylar remodeling (bone formation, no change, and bone resorption) based on the color map. Additionally, comparative analyses were performed between the right and left sides and according to sex. RESULTS: The mean of the average point-to-point distances on condylar surface was 0.11±0.03 mm. Bone resorption occurred more frequently than other types of condylar remodeling, especially in the lateral areas. However, bone formation in the anteromedial area was particularly prominent. No significant difference was found between the right and left condyles, but condylar surface changes in males were significantly larger than in females. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that condylar remodeling exhibited a tendency towards bone resorption, especially in the lateral areas. Condylar surface changes occurred, but were small.
Bone Remodeling ; Bone Resorption ; Female ; Head ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Male ; Mandibular Condyle ; Multidetector Computed Tomography ; Orthognathic Surgery* ; Osteogenesis

Non-islet cell tumor induced hypoglycemia (NICTH) is attributable to overproduction of insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) by solid tumors, and these tumors usually originate from mesenchymal or epithelial cells. Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is a rare mesenchymal tumor and most commonly find in the gastrointestinal tract. It is usually expresses the CD117 (stem cell factor receptor, c-kit) detected by immunohistochemistry. Hypoglycemia associated with GIST is very rare and this has not yet been reported in Korea. A 72-year-old man was hospitalized due to frequent episodes of confusion. It was observed that non-hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia, an elevated serum IGF-II level and a huge liver mass. The histology of liver mass showed c-kit (CD117) positivity, which was consistent with GIST, but it was surgically unresectable. He was treated with imatinib mesylate. Although he recieved palliative treatment, he still experienced intermittent fasting hypoglycemia. After 2 months, the serum IGF-II level was even higher than before. We changed imatinib mesylate to sunitinib malate and performed radiotherapy on the liver mass. Although the change of the liver mass was not significant, he did not suffer from hypoglycemia for three months afterwards.
Aged ; Benzamides ; Epithelial Cells ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Hypoglycemia ; Immunohistochemistry ; Indoles ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor II ; Korea ; Liver ; Mesylates ; Palliative Care ; Piperazines ; Pyrimidines ; Pyrroles ; Imatinib Mesylate