No abstract available.
Brain Infarction* ; Brain* ; Nephrotic Syndrome*

The EGFR has been proposed as a stimulator of cell growth in some neoplasms. The VEGF play an important role in angiogenesis of several tumors. This study aimed to determine the EGFR and VEGF expression in colorectal adenocarcinoma and to correlate the expression of these gene with variable prognostic factors. Significant relationship was observed between the EGFR and histopathologic differentiation or lymph node involvement. But EGFR had no relation to depth of invasiveness or serum CEA level. On the other hand, VEGF had only relation to histopathologic differentiation. VEGF had no relation to lymph node involvement, depth of tumor invasiveness or serum CEA level. We conclude that EGFR expression in human colorectal adenocarcinoma was significantly associated with prognosis. But VEGF expression was not associated with prognosis. More studies are needed to determine whether EGFR expression is a clinically valuable prognostic factor.
Adenocarcinoma ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Hand ; Humans* ; Lymph Nodes ; Prognosis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*

Cholesterol-lowering effect of lactic acid bacteria (LAB: Streptococcus, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium) is well-known. Thus, we investigated LAB isolated from human intestine on the cholesterol-lowering effect in vitro. Seven Streptococcus (61.1%), 11 Lactobacillus (71.8%) and 7 Bifidobacterium (27.9%) were isolated as acid (pH 2.5 and 3.0) and bile (0.3% oxgall) tolerant strains. Streptococcus HJS-1, Lactobacillus HJL-37 and Bifidobacterium HJB-4 were finally selected as probiotic strains to use through the bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity assay by using MRS media added taurodeoxycholic acid (TDCA) and the cholesterol-lowering test by using soluble cholesterol containing MRS broth. These studies suggested that the isolated LAB had an excellent hypocholesterolemic effect.
Amidohydrolases/metabolism ; Bifidobacterium/*isolation&purification/physiology ; Cholesterol/*metabolism ; Feces/microbiology ; Female ; Humans ; Intestines/*microbiology ; Lactobacillus/*isolation&purification/physiology ; Male ; Probiotics/*therapeutic use ; Streptococcus/*isolation&purification/physiology ; Taurodeoxycholic Acid

PURPOSE: Osteoporosis is currently receiving particular attention as a sequela in survivors of childhood osteosarcoma. The aim of this study was to evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) changes during methotrexate-based chemotherapy in children and adolescents with osteosarcoma. METHODS: Nine patients with osteosarcoma were included in this retrospective study and compared with eight healthy controls. BMD of the lumbar spine and unaffected femur neck of patients was serially measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) before and just after chemotherapy and compared with controls. RESULTS: Four patients (44%) showed decreased lumbar spine BMD and seven patients (78%) showed decreased femur neck BMD, while all controls showed increased lumbar and femur BMD (P=0.024 and P=0.023). The femur neck BMD z-scores decreased from -0.49+/-1.14 to -1.63+/-1.50 (P=0.032). At the end of therapy, five patients (56%) showed femur neck BMD z-scores below -2.0. CONCLUSION: The bone metabolism is disturbed during therapy in children with osteosarcoma, resulting in a reduced BMD with respect to healthy controls. Since a reduced BMD predisposes to osteoporosis, specific attention and therapeutic interventions should be considered.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Adolescent ; Bone Density* ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant* ; Child ; Drug Therapy ; Femur ; Femur Neck ; Humans ; Korea ; Metabolism ; Osteoporosis ; Osteosarcoma* ; Retrospective Studies ; Spine ; Survivors

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension, a syndrome of obscure origin, occurs particularly in fat adolescent girls and young women. The usual symptoms are headache, blurred vision, a vague dizziness, horizontal diplopia and transient visual obscurations etc., and ophthalmoscopic examination reveals papillederma, due to increased ICP. Visual field testing usually shows slight peripheral constrictions with enlargement of the blind sports. CSF pressure is elevated in the range of 250 to 450 mm of water. Radiological or the other laboratory tests show no specific abnormalities. Treatment for idiopathic intracranial hypertension is focused on early detection and prevention of vision loss, the only permanent morbidity. Many different modes of medical treatment, including weight reduction, repeated lumber puncture, corticosteroids, diuretics, glycerol or carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, have successfully been tried up to 90% of the patients. In the remaining patients, particularly in those with measurable impairment of vision that does not respond to conventinal medical therapies, surgical procedure should be considered. We report a case of idiopathic intracranial hypertension successfully treated with optic nerve sheath fenestration.
Adolescent ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors ; Constriction ; Diplopia ; Diuretics ; Dizziness ; Female ; Glycerol ; Headache ; Humans ; Optic Nerve* ; Pseudotumor Cerebri* ; Punctures ; Sports ; Visual Field Tests ; Water ; Weight Loss

PURPOSE: Most surviving pediatric osteosarcoma patients experience osteoporosis, bone pain, and pathologic fracture during and after therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and side effects of pamidronate therapy in these patients. METHODS: Nine osteosarcoma patients (12.8±1.6 years of age; 5 boys and 4 girls) who had a history of nontraumatic fracture or severe pain after completing chemotherapy were included. Intravenous pamidronate (1.5 mg/kg) was given every 6 weeks for 4 to 6 cycles. Bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Clinical outcomes including acute side effects were also evaluated. RESULTS: After pamidronate treatments, all patients experienced decreased pain. Seven of 9 patients could walk without a crutch. The BMD of lumbar spine was increased by 0.108±0.062 mg/cm2 after 8.4±1.0 months (n=8, P=0.017) and the mean z-score improved from -2.14±0.94 to -1.76±0.95 (P=0.161). Six patients (67%) had an acute-phase reaction, and 2 patients had symptomatic hypocalcemia. CONCLUSION: Pamidronate appears to be safe and effective for the treatment of osteosarcoma in children with low BMD and bone pain.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Acute-Phase Reaction ; Bone Density* ; Child ; Drug Therapy ; Fractures, Spontaneous ; Humans ; Hypocalcemia ; Osteoporosis ; Osteosarcoma* ; Spine

We report a case of a superficial femoral artery pseudoaneurysm in 52-year old patient with a history of having renal allograft. The pseudoaneurysm spontaneously developed while standing up from squatting position after defecation, and it was successfully managed by an endovascular repair with an endograft. This case suggests that an atherosclerotic superficial femoral artery is vulnerable to torsion and tension movement during changing position from squatting to standing, which is repeatedly practiced by the people using the Korean traditional toilet. The endovascular therapy is also recommended for elderly patients with poor clinical conditions such as having a renal allograft and diffuse atherosclerosis of peripheral arteries.
Aged ; Allografts* ; Aneurysm, False* ; Arteries ; Atherosclerosis ; Defecation ; Femoral Artery* ; Humans

PURPOSE: Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is an well known antioxidant capable of scavenging oxygen free radicals. However, suitable amount of vitamin C level in major burn patients is not established until now. The aim of this study was to investigate the serum level of vitamin C with prescribing 1,000 mg of vitamin C daily to the burn patients in the burn intensive care unit. METHODS: A total of thirty eight patients were enrolled retrospectively from August 2010 to March 2011 admitted to Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital Burn Center, Hallym University. The patients were divided by TBSA (total burn surface area), ABSI (abbreviated burn severity index), and the discharge state whether they survived or not. We checked the serum vitamin C level with prescribing 1,000 mg of vitamin C daily. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the patients groups in their serum vitamin C level. However, the serum vitamin C level was below the normal range in the all patients groups. CONCLUSION: Higher daily dosage of vitamin C than 1,000 mg should be considered to major burn patients.
Ascorbic Acid ; Burn Units ; Burns ; Free Radicals ; Heart ; Humans ; Critical Care ; Oxygen ; Reference Values ; Retrospective Studies ; Vitamins

PURPOSE: CryoDerm (CGbio) is derived donated human skin. After removing epidermis and fibroblast of dermal layer, it preserved with cryo-preservation technique using control rate freezer system. To prevent post burn joint contracture in massive burns, we have used CryoDerm in acute stage. METHODS: From January of 2010 to July of 2012, 50 patients who undergone CryoDerm graft with split thickness skin graft were reviewed. The operative method was as follows: 1) Early wound excision and or cadaveric allograft skin coverage was performed within 5 days after burn injury 2) 2~3 weeks after wound excision, split thickness skin graft was performed with CryoDerm graft. Then graft take rate was investigated by inspection. Follow up duration was 3~32 months. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 42.2 (2~70) years. Mean percentage of total body surface area burned was 27.22% (1~61%). Among 50 patients, 98 joints was operated including 14 hands, 4 wrists, 10 shoulders, 23 elbows, 4 necks, 3 hip joints, 31 knee joints and 9 ankles and feet. Total used graft size of Cryoderm was 10,945 cm2. Average take rate was near 100%. CONCLUSION: Cryoderm graft with split thickness skin graft can be used as a safe and effective operative method for one stage operation in acutely burned patients.
Animals ; Ankle ; Body Surface Area ; Burns ; Cadaver ; Contracture ; Elbow ; Epidermis ; Fibroblasts ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot ; Hand ; Hip Joint ; Humans ; Joints ; Knee Joint ; Neck ; Shoulder ; Skin ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Transplants ; Wrist

PURPOSE: Burn is one of the most severe traumatic conditions. In spite of advances in burn treatment, Complications like wound infection have a significant effect on morbidity and mortality. Therefore, we have an effort to find the methods of improving wound healing. There are many factors to improve in wound healing. Among them, Zn is one of the important factors to wound healing. The aim of study is to evaluate serum Zn level to major burn patient. METHODS: This study was carried out in 31 burn patients retrospectively from August 2010 to March 2011 admitted to Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital Burn Intensive care unit, Hallym University. We checked initial serum Zn level within 7 days of admission without parenteral or enteral Zn supplement. The patients were divided by % TBSA burn, ABSI score and inhalation events. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the patients groups in their serum Zn level, except of inhalation events. The serum Zn level was below the normal range in large percentage of TBSA burned patients. CONCLUSION: It is recommended that the supplement of Zn should be initiated at the early stage of treatment in major burn patients.
Burns ; Heart ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Intensive Care Units ; Reference Values ; Retrospective Studies ; Wound Healing ; Wound Infection ; Zinc