No abstract available.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Hand Deformities* ; Hand*

Few cases of macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) or reactive hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) during the acute febrile phase of Kawasaki disease (KD) have been reported. We report on a case of a 19 month-old girl with MAS or reactive HLH during the course of KD. Despite immunoglobulin and steroid therapy, she showed persistent fever with hepatosplenomegaly and evidence of hemophagocytosis in the bone marrow. A high index of suspicion for clinical features associated with MAS is necessary for KD patients in order to provide appropriate treatment.
Bone Marrow ; Fever ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic ; Macrophage Activation ; Macrophage Activation Syndrome ; Macrophages ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; Organic Chemicals

Pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is rare in healthy children. We report a case of PLA in an immunocompetent 12-year-old boy. Percutaneous catheter drainage was performed for the abscess. In addition, parenteral antibiotics were administered for 3 weeks. Klebsiella pneumoniae was detected in the culture of blood and drained fluid. Here, we present this case and a brief review of the literature on this subject.
Abscess ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Catheters ; Child* ; Drainage ; Humans ; Klebsiella pneumoniae* ; Klebsiella* ; Liver Abscess* ; Liver Abscess, Pyogenic ; Liver* ; Male*

urpose: Misonidazole is a radiosensitizer that binds in hypoxic cells. The purpose of this study was to find out the feasibility of I-131-Iodomisonidazole (IMISO) for imaging of tumor hypoxia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tosyl precursor was dissolved in acetonitrile and I-131-NaI was added to synthesize IMISO. Balb/c mice inoculated with CT-26 adenocarcinoma were injected with IMISO. Mice were sacrificed at 1,2,4,24 hr and % of injected dose per gram of tissue (%ID/g) was determined. For scintigraphy and MRI, mouse bearing CT-26 adenocarcinoma was administered with IMISO and imaging was performed 4 hr after. Then, mouse body was fixed and microtomized slice was placed on radiographic film for autoradiography. RESULTS: %ID/g of tumor was 1.64 (1h), 0.98 (2h), 0.85 (4h) and 0.20 (24h), respectively. At 24h, %ID/g of tumor was higher than that of all other tissues except thyroid. Tumor to muscle ratio increased with time and tumor to blood ratio also increased with time and reached 1.53 at 24 hr. On autoradiogram, tumor was well visualized as an increased activity in central hypoxic area of the tumor which corresponds to the area of high signal intensity on T2-weighted MR image. On scintigraphy, tumor uptake was visualized. CONCLUSION:: This RESULTS suggest that IMISO may have a potential for tumor hypoxia imaging in mouse model. However, further study is needed to improve it's localization in tumor tissue and to achieve acceptable images of tumor hypoxia.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Animals ; Anoxia* ; Autoradiography ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mice* ; Misonidazole ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Thyroid Gland ; X-Ray Film

Despite its rare occurrence, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment for neonatal herpes simplex virus infection are mandatory due to its high morbidity and mortality. In Korea, there has been no epidemiologic data on neonatal herpes simplex virus infection, and even case reports are rare. We observed a 16-day-old neonate who presented with fever and seizures. We diagnosed her with meningoencephalitis caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 based on the polymerase chain reaction test, and treated her with intravenous acyclovir and anticonvulsants. The seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 sharply increases in women in their 30s, and the average age for childbirth has increased to older than 30 years of age in Korea; we therefore expect that the incidence of neonatal herpes simplex virus type 2 infection will rise in Korea, and more attention should be directed to neonatal herpes simplex virus type 2 infection. We report this newborn patient's case along with a literature review.
Acyclovir ; Anticonvulsants ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Fever ; Herpesvirus 2, Human* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Korea ; Meningoencephalitis* ; Mortality ; Parturition ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Republic of Korea ; Seizures ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Simplexvirus

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of bevacizumab (Avastin; Genentech, San Francisco, CA, USA) on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and inflammation in fibrovascular membranes in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fibrovascular membranes from 19 eyes of 18 patients with PDR were studied using immunohistochemistry and analyzed in the following 3 groups; group 1: 4 inactive PDR eyes, group 2: 10 active PDR eyes treated preoperatively with adjunctive intravitreal bevacizumab, group 3: five active PDR eyes not treated preoperatively with bevacizumab. Immunohistochemical staining for VEGF, CD31 and CD68 were done. RESULTS: The immunoreactivity to VEGF and CD 31-positive blood vessels was significantly higher in membranes from group 3 than group 1 (p = 0.007 for VEGF, 0.013 for CD 31-positive vessels). Intravitreal bevacizumab caused a reduction in VEGF expression and vascular densities in 4 out of 10 (40%) excised membranes from eyes with PDR. However, six membranes (60%) in group 2 still demonstrated relatively strong VEGF expression and high vascular density. Infiltration of macrophages was observed in 16 out of the 19 membranes, and the density of macrophages was increased in group 2 compared with group 1 (p = 0.043). CONCLUSION: Intravitreal bevacizumab injections caused some reduction in VEGF expression and vascular densities in a limited number of active PDR patients. A single intravitreal bevacizumab injection may not be enough to induce complete blockage of VEGF and pathologic neovascularization in active PDR patients. Repeated injections, panretinal photocoagulation and/or PPV may be necessary following intravitreal bevacizumab to reinforce the anti-VEGF effect of the drug.
Adult ; Angiogenesis Inhibitors/*therapeutic use ; Antibodies, Monoclonal/*therapeutic use ; Diabetic Retinopathy/*drug therapy/*metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/*metabolism

Oxidative stress is induced by an imbalanced redox states, involving either excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or dysfunction of the antioxidant system. The brain is one of organs especially vulnerable to the effects of ROS because of its high oxygen demand and its abundance of peroxidation-susceptible lipid cells. Previous studies have demonstrated that oxidative stress plays a central role in a common pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Antioxidant therapy has been suggested for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, although the results with regard to their efficacy of treating neurodegenerative disease have been inconsistent. In this review, we will discuss the role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases and in vivo measurement of an index of damage by oxidative stress. Moreover, the present knowledge on antioxidant in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and future directions will be outlined.
Alzheimer Disease ; Brain ; Neurodegenerative Diseases* ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Oxidative Stress* ; Oxygen ; Parkinson Disease ; Reactive Oxygen Species

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical and radiological results of the treatment of mid-shaft clavicular nonunions using intramedullary fixation with threaded Steinmann pin and bone grafting. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 16 patients treated with intramedullary fixation of threaded Steinmann pin and autogenous iliac bone grafting for the mid-shaft clavicular nonunions, 10 patients with follow-up over 1 year were investigated. All patients (10 clavicle fractures) underwent conservative treatment initially. The average age of patients was 56 years old (range, 18~70 years old). Eight cases were atrophic nonunions, two hypertrophic. A clinical assessment was evaluated postoperatively after 5 months according to the evaluation method of Kona et al. RESULTS: According to the evaluation method of Kona et al, four cases achieved excellent results, five cases good, and one case achieved a fair result. The average period until bony union was 9 weeks (range, 7~12.5 weeks) without infection, pin migration or breakage. One case showed skin irritation by lateral margin of Steinmann pin, which was subsided by pin removal after bony union. CONCLUSION: We obtained satisfactory results and have concluded that intramedullary fixation with threaded Steinmann pin and bone grafting could appropriately treat nonunions of the mid-clavicular fracture occurred after conservative treatment, because it minimizes soft tissue injury, gets relatively stable fixation and early ROM, predicts early bone union, facilitates pin removal under local anesthesia.
Anesthesia, Local ; Bone Transplantation* ; Clavicle ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Skin ; Soft Tissue Injuries

The role of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) in acute lung leak induced by intestinal ischemia was investigated in association with neutrophilic respiratory burst. To induce lung leak, we generated intestinal ischemia for 60 min prior to the 120 min reperfusion by clamping superior mesenteric artery in Sprague-Dawley rats. Acute lung leak was confirmed by the increased lung leak index and protein content in bronchoalveolar fluid. These changes were inhibited by mepacrine, the non-specific PLA2 inhibitor. The lung myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity denoting the pulmonary recruitment of neutrophils was increased by intestinal I/R, but decreased by mepacrine. Simultaneously, the number of leukocytes in bronchoalveolar fluid was increased by intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) and decreased by mepacrine. Gamma glutamyl transferase activity, an index of oxidative stress in the lung, was increased after intestinal I/R but decreased by mepacrine, which implicates that PLA2 increases oxidative stresscaused by intestinal I/R. The PLA2 activity was increased after intestinal I/R not only in the intestine but also in the lung. These changes were diminished by mepacrine. In the cytochemical electron microscopy to detect hydrogen peroxide, intestinal I/R increased the generation of the hydrogen peroxide in the lung as well as in the intestine. Expression of interleukin-1 (IL-1) in the lung was investigated through RT-PCR. The expression of IL-1 after intestinal I/R was enhanced, and again, the inhibition of PLA2 suppressed the expression of IL-1 in the lung. Taken together, intestinal I/R seems to induce acute lung leak through the activation of PLA2, the increase of IL-1 expression associated with increased oxidative stress by neutrophilic respiratory burst.
Acute Lung Injury* ; Constriction ; Free Radicals* ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; Interleukin-1 ; Intestines ; Ischemia ; Leukocytes ; Lung ; Mesenteric Artery, Superior ; Microscopy, Electron ; Neutrophils ; Oxidative Stress ; Peroxidase ; Phospholipases A2* ; Phospholipases* ; Quinacrine ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion ; Respiratory Burst ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; Transferases

BACKGROUND: Medical treatments such as restriction of phosphate, phosphate binder use, and active vitamine D therapy have been widely used for hyperparathyroidism in ESRD patients, and surgical parathyroidectomy should be considered in patients with uncontrolled hyperparathyroidism. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed in 24 ESRD patients with severe and uncontrolled hyperparathyroidism despite of medical treatment who undertook surgical parathyroidectomy in Severance hospital from 1990 to 1999. RESULTS: Sixteen patients had total parathyroidectomy with immediate autotransplant, 7 patients had subtotal parathyroidectomy and only 1 patient had minimally invasive parathyroidectomy. An excellent short-term control of hyperparathyroidism was achieved in all patients after parathyroidectomy. Preoperative bone and joint pain improved in 16 of 19 patients. Muscle weakness and pain improved in 11 of 17 patiens, malaise improved in 8 of 10 patients and pruritus improved in 10 of 13 patients. In addition, clinical laboratory finding improved after parathyroidectomy. No clinical differences were seen between 16 patients who undertook total parathyroidectomy with immediate autotransplant and 7 patients who undertook subtotal parathyroidectomy. Recurrence of hyperparathyroidism ocurred in 5 of 24 patients with 4 nodular hyperplasia and 1 diffuse hyperplasia in pathologic finding. The less degree of attenuated response of intact PTH levels immediately after operation was observed in 5 recurrent cases. CONCLUSION: Good results were obtained after parathyroidectomy. We believe that histologic subtype and the attenuated response of intact PTH after surgical parathyroidectomy could be possible predictors of the recurrent hyperparathyroidism.
Arthralgia ; Autografts ; Humans ; Hyperparathyroidism* ; Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary ; Hyperplasia ; Kidney Failure, Chronic* ; Muscle Weakness ; Parathyroidectomy* ; Pruritus ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Vitamins