No abstract available.
Acute Kidney Injury* ; Nifedipine* ; Plasma* ; Renin*

No abstract available.
Glomerulonephritis, IGA* ; Immunity, Cellular* ; Immunoglobulin A*

No abstract available.
Glomerulonephritis, IGA* ; Immunity, Cellular* ; Immunoglobulin A*

Posterior epidural migration of a sequestrated intervertebral lumbar disc is rare with only five cases ever reported in the literature so far. The objective of this paper is to report our experience of such a extremely rare case with a review the literature

The vertebral pedicle is an important structure used as an implant site for spinal instrumentation surgery. Since precise anatomical knowledge of lumbar pedicles in vivo is essential for risk - free surgery, we analyzed Korean vertebrae with radiologic imaging techniques. The authors analayzed 500 pedicles from L1 to L5 vertebrae with computerized tomograms (CT) and simple radiograms taken from patient free of vertebral abnormality. Five morphometric parameters: transverse pedicle width, transverse pedicle angle, sagittal pedicle width, sagittal pedicle angle depth to anterior cortex were measured. The transverse diameter and angle of pedicle increased gradually from L1 to L5, while the sagittal diameter and angle decreased from L1 to L5. The depth to anterior cortex from posterior elements was longer along the pedicle axis than along axis parallel to midline.
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae* ; Spine

PURPOSE: Cardiovascular diseases are a common cause of mortality in patients with end stage renal disease and are associated with vascular calcification (VC) and arterial stiffness. In addition to high turnover bone disease, there is substantial evidence that low levels of serum intact PTH (iPTH) are associated with vascular calcium deposition. The objective was to evaluate the association of iPTH levels with VC, arterial stiffness, and to identify risk factors contributing to VCs and arterial stiffness. METHODS: One hundred five hemodialysis (HD) patients were divided into three groups according to iPTH levels: A, <150 pg/mL; B, 150< or =and< or =400 pg/mL; and C, >400 pg/mL. The simple vascular calcification score (SVCS) was obtained by X-ray; the brachial ankle-pulse wave velocity (ba-PWV) and the serum fetuin-A level was mesured. RESULTS: Patients in group A were older and had a higher SVCS, a prevalence of diabetes, and an increased arterial stiffness. Severe VCs (SVCS> or =3) were associated with the low iPTH group (iPTH<150)/a higher CRP/a lower diastolic blood pressure (DBP)/diabetes/ increased arterial stiffness/older age and a lower serum fetuin-A level. The log [ba-PWV] had a positive correlation with age, systolic blood pressure (SBP)/DBP/PP/CRP/presence of diabetes and low iPTH and a negative correlation with serum albumin. Based on multivariate analysis, the low iPTH group and diabetes were identified as independent risk factors of severe VC and age/SBP/CRP and diabetes were risk factors for arterial stiffness. CONCLUSION: Low iPTH levels and/or diabetes had a greater risk of developing VCs and age/SBP/CRP/diabetes were associated with increased arterial stiffness in HD patients.
alpha-2-HS-Glycoprotein ; Blood Pressure ; Blood Vessels ; Bone Diseases ; Calcium ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Multivariate Analysis ; Parathyroid Hormone ; Prevalence ; Renal Dialysis ; Risk Factors ; Serum Albumin ; Vascular Calcification ; Vascular Stiffness

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recurrent squamous carcinoma of head and neck carcinoma is not encountered infrequently. Surgical salvage is the most reasonable treatment for recurrence. The aim of the present review is to provide more information on the results and prognosis of surgical salvage after surgery alone or surgery with combined radiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The operative salvage of recurrent head and neck carcinoma after surgery alone or surgery with combined radiotherapy was retrospectively studied in 18 patients treated between 1994 and 1999. Of the 18 patients in this retrospective review, there were 6 with local recurrence, 8 with regional recurrence, and 4 with stomal recurrence. RESULTS: The operative mortality was 16.6% and 72% of patients had one or more surgical complications. The 2-year crude survival rate in this series was 30% and the mean period of survival was 11.4 months. The 2-year survival rate were 33.3% for local recurrence and 50% for regional recurrence, and 0% for stomal recurrence. CONCLUSION: We concluded that surgical salvage had unsatisfactory results for patients with recurrent head and neck carcinoma after surgery alone or surgery with combined radiotherapy. Because of this low salvage rate, we should regard salvage surgery as palliative rather than therapeutic.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Head and Neck Neoplasms* ; Head* ; Humans ; Mortality ; Neck ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Radiotherapy* ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Salvage Therapy ; Survival Rate

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the association between living arrangements and influenza vaccination among elderly South Korean subjects. METHODS: We used data from the fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Participants older than 65 years were included and categorized into 4 groups according to the type of living arrangement as follows: (1) living alone group; (2) living with a spouse group; (3) living with offspring (without spouse) group; and (4) living with other family members group. A total of 1,435 participants were included in this cross-sectional analysis. RESULTS: A lower vaccination rate was observed in the living with offspring (without spouse) group, whereas the living with a spouse group had higher rates of both seasonal and H1N1 influenza vaccination. After adjusting for age, sex, region, education level, income level, and number of comorbidities, the living with offspring (without spouse) group had a higher H1N1 vaccination non-receipt rate than the living alone group (odds ratio, 2.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-3.82). CONCLUSION: Influenza vaccination rates differed according to the type of living arrangement. Particularly, those living with offspring (without spouse) had the lowest H1N1 influenza vaccination rate compared to those with other living arrangements, and this difference was significant. Interventions to improve influenza vaccination coverage should target not only elderly persons who live alone, but also those living with offspring.
Aged* ; Comorbidity ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Education ; Humans ; Influenza Vaccines ; Influenza, Human* ; Korea ; Nutrition Surveys* ; Residence Characteristics* ; Seasons ; Spouses ; Vaccination*

This case describes the reversal of early central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) with disc swelling after intravitreal dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex) injection. A 44-year-old female presented with sudden-onset intermittent blurred vision in her left eye. Fundus examination revealed multiple retinal hemorrhages without macular edema (ME). Two weeks later, an increased number of retinal hemorrhages with severe disc swelling were noted with still no sign of ME. An intravitreal dexamethasone implant was injected. Five days later, there were improvements in disc swelling and retinal hemorrhage. One month later, her subjective visual symptoms were completely improved, and fundus examination revealed marked improvement along with almost complete resolution of disc swelling. Intravitreal dexamethasone implant injection may potentially change the natural course of CRVO progression and its various subsequent complications.
Adult ; Dexamethasone/*administration & dosage ; Drug Implants ; Female ; Glucocorticoids/*administration & dosage ; Humans ; Intravitreal Injections ; Papilledema/*drug therapy ; Retinal Vein/*drug effects ; Retinal Vein Occlusion/*drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome

No abstract available.
Humans ; Nephritis, Interstitial* ; Nephrotic Syndrome*