BACKGROUND: Recently, the number of internet users is rapidly increasing and internet medical counseling for medical information is also becoming frequent. The aim of this study was to assess the responses and accuracy of internet medical counseling, and compare the responses according to years and operating groups. METHODS: The subject websites were 79 websites in August, 2000, and 88 in May, 2002, which operated board-type medical counseling. We questioned a simulated case of an acute dermatologic disease. Then we analysed the response rate, the time taken to reply and the accuracy of reponses. RESULTS: The number of websites that answered the question was 38 (48.1%) in 2000, and 73 (83.0%) in 2002. The response rate was significantly higher in 2002 than 2000. Time to reply was significantly shorter in 2002 than 2000. The response rate in hospital or clinic groups was higher than in other groups. The rate to make a correct diagnosis was significantly higher in 2002 than 2000. The rate to mention prognosis and necessity of intensive treatment was significantly higher in 2002 than 2000. CONCLUSION: The response rate was higher 2002 than 2000. Time to reply and the accuracy of answer improved in 2002. The response rate was higher in hospital or clinic group than in other groups.
Counseling* ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Internet* ; Prognosis

Among 51 intractanial AVM patients, 30 patients(58.8%) with AVM supplied mainly with PCA were studied for the relationship with feeding vessels, location and the size of AVM in connection with hemorrhage and also results in 20 surgical patients were analyzed. On cerebral angiogram, 56.7% accounted for AVM supplied only by PCA, 16.7% together with MCA and 26.6% with MCA and ACA. By location, 36.7% were for subcortical AVM and 63.3% were for deeply located paraventricular. 53.3% were large AVM and of them, 6.5% bleeded 30.0% accounted for small AVM, of which 88.9% bleeded. The total bleeding rate was high at 73.3%. Complete removal by surgery was available for 90.0%, and post operative improvement was at 75.0% with a mortality rate of 10.0%. 50.0% showed disappearance of seizure following total removal and 33.3% improved. 5.0%, however, had seizure for the first time following the surgery.
Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Mortality ; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis* ; Posterior Cerebral Artery ; Seizures

OBJECTIVE: Cytokines are believed to have a role in the pathophysiology of major depression. The alteration in levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines [interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta), IL-2, IL-6, IL-12, interferon gamma, and tumor necrosis factor alpha] in major depression supports the cytokine hypothesis of this illness. IL-23 and IL-17 are also pro-inflammatory cytokines, but few studies have focused on their role in major depression. This study investigated the potential role of the IL-23 and IL-17 axis in major depression. METHODS: Plasma IL-23 and IL-17 levels were measured in 26 major depressive disorder (MDD) patients before and after 6-week treatment with antidepressants; these levels were measured in 28 age- and sex-matched normal controls. Depression severity was assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). IL-23 and IL-17 plasma levels were estimated using quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Pre-treatment plasma levels of IL-23 and IL-17 in MDD patients were not significantly different from those of normal controls. In MDD patients, IL-23 and IL-17 levels after 6 weeks of antidepressant treatment were not different from the baseline levels. There was no significant correlation between changes in the cytokine levels and changes in the HDRS scores representing the severity of depression. CONCLUSION: The present study does not support a potential involvement of IL-23 and IL-17 axis in major depression. Replication and extension using a larger sample are required.
Antidepressive Agents ; Cytokines ; Depression ; Depressive Disorder, Major* ; Humans ; Interleukin-17* ; Interleukin-23* ; Th17 Cells