No abstract available.

Many investigators have reported that collagen gel contraction reflects the mechanism of wound contraction. In 1995, Tsai et al. reported that hypertrophic scar-derived fibroblasts in a connective tissue model possessed the greatest contraction potency when compared with those of normal skin and normal oral mucosa-derived CTMs. In this study, we studied the effect of collagen gel contraction by growth factors such as epidermal growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, transforming growth factor-bata1, and transforming growth factor-bata3, Skin fibroblasts used in this study were obtained from the explant of rat skin culture. Fibroblasts were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum. Growth factors were added per FPCL in the desired concentrations and we measured the collagen gel diameters in growth factor-treated FPCL on day 1,2,3, and 4 respectively after starting incubation. We examined the effects of EGF, PDGF, TGF-bata1, TGF-bata3 and the effects of combinations of TGF-bata1 + EGF, TGF-bata1 + PDGF, and TGF-bata1 + TGF-bata3 to contract a collagen gel. EGF has little influence on collagen gel contraction. TGF-bata1 and TGF-bata3 increase the collagen contraction. TGF-bata1 enhanced the contractility of collagen gel according to the concentrations. While TGF-bata3 alone had stimulatory contraction effects at low dose, high doses of TGF-bata3 decreased the potency of collagen gel contraction. A combination of TGF-bata1 and EGF minimally decrease TGF-bata1 activity. A combination of TGF-bata1and PDGF had an effect similar to TGF-bata1 activity. A combination of TGF-bata1 and TGF-bata3 decreased TGF-bata1 activity. According to reports that FPCL contraction is equivalent to the process of wound contraction, growth factors which enhance gel contraction may be related to wound contraction and wound healing. TGF-bata1 is reported to enhance scar formation in fetal wound. EGF accelerates wound healing and inhibits the promotion of hypertrophic scar formation. Compared to the effect of collagen gel contraction in this study, the combination of TGF-bata1 and TGF-bata3 that inhibited the promotion of collagen gel contraction are thought to diminish the formation of scar tissue. As well, EGF that has not enhanced collagen gel contraction is thought to diminish the production of scar tissue. We will study the interactive effects of TGF-bata3, EGF and TGF-bata1 on the contraction of collagen gels in the future.
Animals ; Cicatrix ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; Collagen* ; Connective Tissue ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; Fibroblasts ; Gels ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins* ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor ; Rats ; Research Personnel ; Skin ; Wound Healing ; Wounds and Injuries*

Roberts syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder accompanied by limb defects, craniofacial abnormalities, pre-and postnatal growth retardation. Patients with Roberts syndrome have characteristic premature separation of heterochromatin of many chromosomes and abnormalties in celldivision cycle. We have experienced a case of Roberts syndrome in an immature neonate The patients showed characteristic clinical features of multiple, severe facial mid-line clefts, and tetraphoco-amelia. The brief review of the literlature was made.
Craniofacial Abnormalities ; Ectromelia ; Extremities ; Heterochromatin ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn

BACKGROUND: Whether the changes of risk factors (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, alcohol) can precipitate stroke remains unknown, and antecedent infection and psychologic stress are described inss case-control study, 113 consecutive patients with acute cerebrovascular disease (38 small vessel disease, 43 large vessel disease, 11 cardiogenic infarction, 4 infarction of undetermined cause, and 17 intracerebral hemorrhage) and 23 control subjects were evaluated. Changes of the risk factors (and their management) were interviewed. A sign/symptom based questionnaire was used to characterize the prevalence of recent prior infection and exposure to coldness. Psychologic stress was measured with the use of Social Readjustment Rating Scale. RESULTS: The negative change of alcohol drinking was significantly higher in the stroke group. However, there was no significant difference between stroke and control groups in the changes of thether risk factors. The prevalence of previous (within 1 month) infection was significantly higher in the stroke group compared with control subjects (p=0.03). However, there were no significant differences among the stroke subtypes in the prevalence of infection(p=0.08). Upper respiratory tract infections constituted the most common type of infection. The exposure to coldness was significantly higher in the stroke group compared with control subjects (p=0.002). The level of stress within the prior 1 month/1 year was significantly higher in the stroke group than control group (p=0.01). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that preceding infection, exposure to coldness, psychologic stress, and the negative change of alcohol drinking may be comm.
Alcohol Drinking ; Case-Control Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Humans ; Infarction ; Moyamoya Disease* ; Prevalence ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Stress, Psychological ; Stroke

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is an immune-mediated polyneuropathy with a relaps-ing or progressive course. Although the occurrence of CIDP is very rare in childhood compared to the occurrence in adulthood, it does occur in children. In childhood CIDP, the main clinical features are somewhat different from that of adults, which includes a more precipitous onset of symptoms, a high frequency of gait abnormalities, and significant neurological dysfunction. Also, the response to immune-modulating therapy is more reliable and rapid in children than in adults. The recognition of childhood CIDP is important as it may mimic hereditary neuropathies which usually pre-sent with progressive gait disturbance associated with pes cavus deformity. A careful history, clinical examination, and electrophysiological study is crucial for the accurate diagnosis of this treatable disease. Here, we report a case of CIDP in a 13-year-old Korean girl whose initial clinical presentation strongly suggested hereditary motor-sensory neuropathy.
Adolescent* ; Adult ; Child ; Congenital Abnormalities* ; Diagnosis ; Female* ; Foot Deformities* ; Gait ; Humans ; Polyneuropathies* ; Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were 1) to estimate prevalence rates of drinkers, two subtypes of drinkers-drinkers without dependence and drinkers with probable alcohol dependence(AD) using CAGE, and 2) to find out the correlates of sociodemographic variables and drinking patterns of the drinkers with probable AD by comparing those of the drinkers without dependence, 3) to analyse risk factors for the drinkers with probable AD. METHODS: Using data from face-to-face interviews conducted during 1995, we investigated the prevalence and characteristics of two subtypes of drinkers in a national probability sample of 1,695 drinkers 20 years of age and older. We defined drinkers with CAGE scores 2 and over as drinkers with probable AD, and scores less than 1 as drinkers without dependence. The comparisons of sociodemographic characteristics and drinking patterns between two subtypes of drinkers were examined through chi-square test using weighted data. Statistical analysis including multiple logistic regression analysis were done for each sex, respectively. Because of the large number of coefficients estimated, Bonferroni's method was used to compute p values. RESULTS: The results were as follows: 1) Prevalence of the drinkers was 33.7% in the total sample. Prevalence rate of male and female drinker were 26.3% and 7.40%, respectively. Prevalence of the drinkers with probable AD was 10.9%. For males the prevalence of the drinkers with probable AD was 9.99% and for females 0.94%. 2) According to sociodemographic variables between drinkers without dependence and drinkers with probable AD, males drinkers with probable AD were older, less educated, more depressive, married marital status and were more likely to have occupations of service section than male drinkers without dependence. Female drinkers with probable AD were less educated, more depressive and had less monthly income than drinkers without dependence. 3) As for the drinking patterns, male drinkers with probable AD drank more frequently, had more drinks, had more trying to quit drinking and preferred Soju. Female drinkers with probable AD drank more frequently, had more drinks, were more trying to quit drinking, too. 4) Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors for male drinkers with probable AD were lower education(< or =6 years) and depressive symptoms. For females, depressive symptoms and lower education(< or =6 years) were strongly indicative of risk factors though not reaching the statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of the drinkers with probable AD was 10.9%, and male to female ratio was 10.6:1, which was lower than previous results. Depressive symptoms and lower education proved to be strong predictors for alcohol dependence. This suggest that early detection and treatment of depression and public education for the lower education group should be important.
Adult* ; Alcoholism* ; Depression ; Drinking ; Education ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Marital Status ; Occupations ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors* ; Sampling Studies*

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the association between Body Mass Index, suicide, perceived stress, and life dissatisfaction in a general population sample of Korean adults. METHODS: A total of 6,022 nationally representative adults aged 18 to 74 were selected using a multistage cross-sectional cluster sampling method. Questionnaires regarding suicide behaviors, perceived stress, and life satisfaction were completed by the participants. They also reported their heights and weights, which were used to calculate BMI. Psychiatric disorders were diagnosed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, using the Korean version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. RESULTS: The results showed that being underweight was associated with higher risk for suicide ideation [odds ratio (OR), 1.6; 95% confidence interval (Cl), 1.18–2.05] and suicide attempt (OR, 2.0, 95% Cl, 1.23–3.31). Likewise, obesity also increased the risk of suicide ideation (OR, 1.3; 95% Cl, 1.11–1.56) although not suicide attempt. Furthermore, underweight individuals were more likely to report severe level of perceived stress (OR, 1.7; 95% Cl, 1.26–2.17) and life dissatisfaction (OR, 1.3; 95% Cl, 1.07–1.68). All of the results remained significant after adjusting for age, gender, education, and psychiatric illnesses. CONCLUSION: This study found that being underweight is a significant risk factor for suicide and poor subjective wellbeing in Korea. It suggests that BMI status may be an important modifiable factor for improving mental health in Korea.
Adult ; Body Mass Index* ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Education ; Humans ; Korea ; Mental Health ; Methods ; Obesity ; Risk Factors ; Suicide* ; Thinness ; Weights and Measures

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the diagnostic validity of the Korean version of short form (15 item version) Geriatric Depression Scale (SGDS-K) was maintained well in the community dwelling elderly. METHODS: In a face-to-face household survey conducted in Korea, 2,004 subjects aged more than 65 were interviewed by trained interviewers. 63 subjects diagnosed as dementia were excluded. The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and SGDS-K were administered. Major depressive disorder (MDD) and minor depressive disorder (MnDD) were diagnosed with the diagnostic section of depressive disorder of the Korean version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (K-CIDI) according to DSM-IV diagnostic criteria. The sensitivity, the specificity and optimal cut-off point estimation and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis were performed to investigate the diagnostic validity of the SGDS-K to screen MDD and MnDD. The diagnostic validity tests were also compared between two groups (with cognitive impairment and without cognitive impairment) divided by the MMSE scores. RESULTS: We suggest a score of 8 (sensitivity 0.9365, specificity 0.7603) as optimal cut-off score of SGDS-K for screening MDD and a score of 6 (sensitivity 0.7898, specificity 0.6586) as optimal cut-off score for screening both MDD and MnDD. The area under curve (AUC) was 0.900 for screening MDD and 0.797 for both MDD and MnDD. In the community dwelling elderly suffering from cognitive impairment, the sensitivity and specificity were 0.9500, 0.6870 with a cut off score of 8 for screening MDD and 0.8409, 0.5691 with a cut off score of 6 for screening both MDD and MnDD. The AUC was 0.893 for MDD and 0.767 for both MDD and MnDD. CONCLUSION: The SGDS-K was useful in screening MDD, both MDD and MnDD in the community dwelling elderly and also useful in the elderly suffering from cognitive impairment.
Aged ; Area Under Curve ; Dementia ; Depression ; Depressive Disorder ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Family Characteristics ; Humans ; Korea ; Mass Screening ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Stress, Psychological

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of mental-physical comorbidity and health-threatening risk factors in subjects with mental disorders, and the risks of mental disorders in those with physical diseases for the last 12 months in the general Korean population. METHODS: Korean Epidemiologic Catchment Area study replication (KECA-R) was conducted for 6,510 adults between August 2006 and April 2007. The Korean version of Composite International Diagnostic Interview 2.1 (K-CIDI) was used in the survey. Prevalence of mental and physical disorders, and risk factors for physical health were calculated, and their associations were evaluated with adjustment for age and sex. RESULTS: Subjects with any mental disorder showed significantly higher prevalence of chronic physical conditions (adjusted odds ratio, AOR=1.5 to 2.8, p<0.001) and medical risk factors including smoking, heavy drinking, overweight, and hypertension (AOR=1.5 to 4.0, p<0.001). Of those with chronic physical conditions, 21.6% had one or more comorbid mental disorder compared with 10.5% of the subjects without chronic physical disorders (AOR=2.6, p<0.001). Contrary to expectations, depressive disorders did not show significant association with hypertension and prevalence of obesity was not influenced by presence of mental disorders. Further studies should assess these findings. CONCLUSION: This is the first identification of significant mental-physical comorbidity in the general Korean population. Clinicians and health care officials should keep in mind of its potential adverse effects on treatment outcome and aggravated disease-related socioeconomic burden.
Adult* ; Comorbidity* ; Delivery of Health Care ; Depressive Disorder ; Drinking ; Epidemiology ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Korea* ; Mental Disorders ; Obesity ; Odds Ratio ; Overweight ; Prevalence ; Psychosomatic Medicine ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Treatment Outcome

Thyrotropin(TSH)-secreting pituitary adenoma is a rare disorder causing hyperthyroidism, which is one of the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of TSH. It is characterized by high serum T4, T3 as well as elevated serum TSH. Generally serum free alpha-subunit concentration is also increased and alpha- subunit/TSH molar ratio is more than 1. This alpha- subunit/TSH molar ratio is a clue of diagnosis as well as a useful marker of therapeutic response. We experienced a case of 29-years old man with hyperthyroidism due to TSH-secreting pituitary adenoma. He was underwent 1.5cm sized pituitary tumor removal via transsphenoidal approach in our neurosurgery department. In immunohistochemical stain monotonous tumor cells showed strong positive reaction to antihuman TSH antibody and equivocal reaction to ACTH antibody. After operation, goiter size was progressively decreased and also serum T4, T3 and TSH were decreased in nearly normal range. However, he showed elevated serum T4, T3 and TSH after 1 month due to residual tumor. So he received radiation therapy thereafter. In this case the alpha-subunit and alpha-subunit/TSH molar ratio were not increased. So we report a case of TSH-secreting pituitary macroadenoma which had low alpha-subunit/TSH molar ratio with a literature review.
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; Adult ; Diagnosis ; Goiter ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; Molar* ; Neoplasm, Residual ; Neurosurgery ; Pituitary Neoplasms* ; Reference Values ; Thyrotropin*