BACKGROUND: Cardiopulmonary exercise test is a useful test for the evaluation of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Obese subjects have an increased resting metabolic rate (VO2) compared to non-obese subjects and the increase is more marked during dynamic exercise, which results in the limitation of maximal exercise in obese subjects. In this study, the influence of the obesity and fat distribution on the maximal exercise capacity were evaluated. METHODS: Maximal exercise capacity was represented by maximam maximum oxygen uptake and VO2 max in the cardiopulmonary test. Obesity, total fat content and abdominal obesity(waist to hip ratio, WHR) were measured by bioelectrical impedence method. Total of 42 volunteers(male 22, female 20) were evaluated. RESULTS: 1) Weight to height ratio(mean±SD) was 110%±14.9% in men and 100±11.1% in women. 2) Fat ratio(mean±SD) was 23.3±5.2% in men and 27.55±3.9% in woman. 3) Waist to hip ratio(mean±SD) was 0.85±0.04 in men and 0.8±0.03 in woman. 4) In men, VO2max/min/Kg was negatively correlate with obesity, fat ratio, and abdominal fat distribution. 5) In woman, VO2max/Kg was negatively correlated with obesity and fat ratio, but did not show significant relationship with abdominal fat distribution. CONCLUSION: Obesity was a limiting factor for maximal exercise in both men and women. Abdominal obesity was a limiting factor for maximal exercise in men but its implication to women needs further evaluation.
Abdominal Fat ; Exercise Test* ; Female ; Hip ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Oxygen ; Respiratory System

OBJECTIVE: Metastatic dissemination of epithelial ovarian carcinoma is thought to be mediated via tumor cell exfoliation into the peritoneal cavity, followed adhesion to and invasion through the mesothelium which overlies the contents of the peritoneal cavity. MMP-2 is secreted as a zymogen, the activation of which has been associated with metastatic progression in human ovarian cancer cell lines. METHODS: We have utilized short-term cultures to analyze the effect of specific extracellular matrix proteins, type I collagen. RESULTS: Culturing Caov-4 ovarian cell line on type I collagen led to a significant increase in conversion of the MMP-2,72kD to the MMP-2,66kD, and MT-MMP expression. MT-MMP expression correlates with expression and activation of MMP-2 during malignant progression. Altered MT-MMP expression in ovarian cell lines might contribute to MMP-2 activation, which facilitates invasion of these tumors. CONCLUSION: In summary, we found increased expression of MT-MMP that correlated with increased level of activated MMP-2 and cellular counts in chemoinvasion assay in Caov-3 cell line. But no significant increases in Skov-4 cell line on type I collagen. Conclusion: These data suggest that type I collagen induces MMP-2 activation in part by up-regulation of MT-MMP expression but has a more complicated mode of action involving additional processes.
Cell Line* ; Collagen Type I ; Epithelium ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinases* ; Membranes* ; Ovarian Neoplasms* ; Peritoneal Cavity ; Up-Regulation

Although a nasal mask is a standard interface for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), severe mouth breathing during sleep often leads to the use of a full face mask which covers the nose and mouth. Herein, we present a case of a patient with uncontrolled severe OSA with CPAP and a full face mask, who subsequently shows dramatic improvement of OSA with a nasal mask and lower CPAP pressure.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure* ; Humans ; Masks* ; Mouth ; Mouth Breathing ; Nose ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; Treatment Failure*

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Translucency and masking effect of provisional crown and fixed partial denture materials is an important esthetic consideration. But, provisional resin materials differ substantially in their ability to mask underlying colors. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the translucency differences of provisional resin materials at various thicknesses and the correlation between the translucency and the masking efficiency. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two polymethyl methacrylate resins (Jet Tooth Shade, Alike) and three resin composites (Protemp 3 Garant, Luxatemp and Revotek LC) were used. Specimens (n=6) were fabricated from each material in 0.3, 0.5, 0.8, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 3.0 mm thickness. The CIELAB parameters of each specimens were measured using a spectrophotometer. The translucency parameter (TP) values and the masking effect (delta ME*(ab)) values were computed and all data were statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA and the multiple comparisons Scheffe test. The correlation between the thickness and the TP values and the correlation between the thickness and the delta ME*(ab) values were also evaluated by correlation analysis and regression analysis. RESULTS: The TP values and the delta ME*(ab) values were significantly related to the thickness in all specimens. The TP values were more sensitive to the change of thickness than the delta ME*(ab) values. The order of the translucency by brand was different from the order of the masking effect by brand in all thickness groups. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, the translucency and masking effect of the provisional resin materials investigated were significantly related to their thickness. The masking effect of provisional resin was correlated with the translucency parameter, but the order of the masking effect by brand was different from the order of the translucency parameter.
Crowns* ; Denture, Partial, Fixed* ; Masks* ; Polymethyl Methacrylate ; Tooth

BACKGROUND: Residual pleural thickening is frequently seen following treatment for tuberculous pleurisy, and pleural decortication is performend occasionally in patients with severe residual pleural thickening. However, predictive factors for the development of residual pleural thickening are uncertain at the initial diagnosis of the tuberculous pleurisy. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify the associated factors for residual pleural thickening at initial diagnosis. METHODS: We separated 63 patients diagnosed as tuberculous pleurisy into two groups; group 1 consisted of patients without residual pleural thickening and group 2 comprised patients with residual pleural thickening at the end of tuberculous pleurisy treatment. We analyzed the clinical characteristics, radiological findings, pleural biopsy and characteristics of pleural fluid between group 1 and group 2. RESULTS: The study population and clinical symptoms of the two groups were not significantly different and the duration of symptoms before treatment and the peripheral WBC were similar between the two groups. The presence of pulmonary tuberculosis, pleural fluid loculation or the amount of pleural effusion sid not differ significantly between the thwo groups. The incidence of positive AFB staining(group 1 : 8%, group 2 : 38%) and granuloma(group 1 : 30%, group 2 : 62%) on pleural biopsy specimens was significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1. Pleural fluid WBC and differential count, adenosine deaminase level, pH, preotein level or glucose level did not differ between the two groups. However, group 2 had higher LDH levels (1370±208mg/dl) than group 1 (860±71mg/dl, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: In tuberculous pleurisy, patients with residual pleural thickening following treatment demonstrated a higher incidence of posivive AFB staining and granuloma on the pleural biopsy specimens or higher LDH level in the pleural fluid than patients wihtout residual pleural thickening From these results, we speculate that the amonut of tuberculous bacilli and granuloma are probably correlated with residual pleural thickening in the tuberculous pleurisy.
Adenosine Deaminase ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy* ; Glucose ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Incidence ; Pleural Effusion ; Pleurisy* ; Sudden Infant Death ; Tuberculosis, Pleural ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

No abstract available.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Cell Line*

Leiomyosarcoma of the prostate is a rare malignant tumor. It originates from the smooth muscles of the prostatic gland and is usually found during old ages. Prognosis is usually poor especially in childhood. We report a case of leiomyosarcoma of the prostate measured 320gm in 64 years old man.
Humans ; Leiomyosarcoma* ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Smooth ; Prognosis ; Prostate*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute ; Tretinoin ; Ulcer

Implant-assisted removable partial denture (IAPRD) can be considered as a simple and cost-effective treatment approach for an edentulous patient with anatomical or financial limitations. Recently, it was reported that the application of IARPD with implant supported fixed prostheses covered by the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) were increasing. This case report describes the treatment of maxillary fully edentulous patient with anterior four-implant-supported fixed prosthesis and distal extension IARPD. This treatment approach may be advantageous over maxillary implant overdentures in some circumstances. The patient was satisfied with improved function and esthetics in the anterior area and financial benefit from the NHIS. Further long-term clinical studies are needed to establish clinical validity of the treatment approach described in this case report.

Thoracic aortic aneurysms are potentially life-threatening. They are caused by atherosclerosis, most commonly of the descending aorta. Clinical manifestations are due to the compression or erosion of adjacent structures, dissection, or rupture. Thoracic aortic aneurysms account for 50 to 60 percent of aortobronchopulmonary fistulas. Symptoms of aortobronchopulmonary fistulas include constant chest or back pain, cough, and dyspnea, as well as hemoptysis, which occurs in over 95 percent of cases. Recently, aortobronchial fistula, caused by thoracic aortic aneurysms, has been successfully treated with an endovascular stent graft. We report a patient with aortobronchial fistula presenting with hemoptysis, who was successfully treated with an endovascular stent graft.
Aorta, Thoracic ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic* ; Atherosclerosis ; Back Pain ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis* ; Cough ; Dyspnea ; Fistula* ; Hematemesis ; Hemoptysis ; Humans ; Rupture ; Stents* ; Thorax