PURPOSE: We analyzed the frequency and characteristics of atherosclerotic plaques in the patients without coronary artery calcification (CAC) by the use of multidetector row CT (MDCT). In addition, we analyzed patients with negative CAC to guarantee the absence of coronary artery disease (CAD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred-ten patients with a suspicion of CAD and no CAC as detected on 16-slice and 64-slice MDCT were enrolled in this retrospective study. We analyzed the frequency of atherosclerotic plaques. For characterizing the atherosclerotic plaques, location, attenuation, volume, the degree of stenosis, and the remodeling index (RI) were analyzed. RESULTS: Atherosclerotic plaques were detected in 8 patients (7.3%). The plaques were located in the right coronary artery (n=3), left anterior descending artery (n=3), and left main coronary artery (n=2). Attenuation, volume, stenosis and RI were 41.4+/-16.6 HU (range, 20.2 - 69.9 HU), 55+/-55 mm3 (range, 15-179 mm3), 40.7+/-16.3% (range,16.0-68.0%) and 1.35+/-0.13 (range, 1.16-1.50). Lipid rich plaque and significant stenosis were detected in 6 patients and in 2 patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: Despite negative CAC as detected on MDCT, atherosclerotic plaque might have significant stenosis or lipid rich plaque. Therefore, negative CAC does not seem to guarantee the absence of CAD. Coronary CT angiography was recommended for patients with negative CAC.
Angiography ; Arteries ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Vessels ; Humans ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: Conflicting results have been reported for western populations on associations of serum insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and major IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) with the risk of prostate cancer. However, few data have been available for oriental populations. We undertook a matched case-control study in a low-risk Korean population to extend our knowledge about potential associations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels were determined for 330 men (165 cases and 165 healthy age-matched controls). Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the association between plasma IGF levels and prostate cancer. We also investigated the potential influence of the associations according to clinical risk for advanced disease at diagnosis. RESULTS: We noted that the risks of prostate cancer were unrelated to the IGF-1 level and IGF-I/IGFBP-3 molar ratio. In contrast, a strong inverse association was observed between IGFBP-3 levels and the risk for prostate cancer. Men in the highest quartile of IGFBP-3 levels had a 71% reduced risk of prostate cancer compared with men in the lowest quartile (OR=0.29, 95% CI: 0.11-0.64, P(trend)<0.001). Subgroup analysis revealed a significant inverse association between plasma IGFBP-3 and the likelihood of a high risk prostate cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma IGFBP-3 levels were inversely associated with the risk of prostate cancer and the likelihood for high-risk disease, suggesting that IGFBP-3 plays a protective role against prostate cancer in the Korean population.
Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Molar ; Odds Ratio ; Plasma ; Prostate ; Prostatic Neoplasms

BACKGROUND: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common type of hair loss, and androgens and genetic predisposition are believed to be the major factors that influence the development of AGA. Although there have been previous reports about the relationship between family history, smoking and insulin resistance with AGA, no previous study has investigated lifestyle habits such as eating habits in AGA patients. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate family history, lifestyle including smoking and eating habits in AGA patients and to compare the results with data from Korea Health Statistics 2009: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANESIV-3). METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated a total of 347 male patients with AGA who visited the Department of dermatology, Inha University School of medicine, from September 2010 to August 2012. RESULTS: AGA with paternal family history was the most common (49.9%), and both of maternal and paternal family history was the least (10.1%). Body mass index and smoking did not show significant differences but eating habits showed a statistically significant difference according to the duration of AGA. Patients with longer disease duration (> or =60 months) showed higher intake of meat but low intake of fish than those with shorter disease duration (<12 months). Also, AGA patients showed low intake of beef, bean and squid in comparison to the average Korean population. CONCLUSION: This was the first study which investigated lifestyle habits such as eating habits in AGA patients and compared the results with data from Korea Health Statistics. However, a further large scale Cohort study is needed to define the casual relationship between eating habits and the development of AGA. Also, a further study including the difference of serum and hair androgen levels in relation to different lifestyle habits should be done.
Alopecia* ; Androgens ; Body Mass Index ; Cohort Studies ; Decapodiformes ; Dermatology ; Eating ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Hair ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Korea ; Life Style* ; Male ; Meat ; Nutrition Surveys ; Retrospective Studies ; Smoke ; Smoking

No abstract available.
Splenomegaly*

Objective: Arterial blood gas analysis (ABGA) is routinely performed in hyperventilation syndrome (HVS) patients in the emergency department (ED). We tried to substitute end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) for arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) in HVS patients in ED. Methods: It was a prospective observational cohort study of HVS patients from May 2019 to March 2020. Data of age, sex, vital sign, ETCO2 and ABGA were collected. We compared the Pearson correlation between ETCO2 and PaCO2. Results: A total of 135 HVS patients were included in the study. The average value for ETCO2 was 24.9±7.2. It showed a significant linear between ETCO2 and PaCO2. The Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.893 (P<0.001). The linear correlation coefficients of ETCO2 <20 mmHg and ETCO2 20-35 mmHg groups were 0.513 and 0.827, respectively (P<0.001). Conclusion We suggest that ABGA can be replaced by ETCO2 in HVS patients in ED.

OBJECTIVES: To associate work in the semiconductor industry, including silicon wafer fabrication, with cancer risks or mortality and other adverse health effects, the operation of wafer fabrication should initially be understood. A detailed study on the fabrication operation allows retrospective exposure to be assessed and wafer fabrication workers to be classified into similar exposure groups. Therefore, the objective of this study was to comprehensively review silicon wafer fabrication operations and related hazardous materials and agents. METHODS: The literatures related to semiconductor industry processes were reviewed from an occupational health viewpoint based on wafer manufacturing, wafer fabrication and packaging. The focus was especially related to the hazardous materials used in wafer fabrication industries. RESULTS: During the fabrication of silicon wafers, many toxic chemicals, a strong electric field and hazardous equipment are used. The process allows the integration of a three-dimensional array of electric circuits onto a silicon wafer substrate. Wafers are sliced from single crystal silicon and subject to a series of steps during the fabrication process, which alternatively adds and then selectively removes materials in layers from the surface of the wafer to create different parts of the completed integrated circuit. There are four major steps in this process; patterning, junction formation, thin film and metallization. CONCLUSIONS: In order to associate exposure to the hazard agents generated during wafer fabrication operations with adverse health effects the details of the operation should be completely studied, which will be helpful in both exposure assessments and epidemiological studies.
Hazardous Substances ; Occupational Health ; Product Packaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Semiconductors ; Silicon

PURPOSE: The potential therapeutic application of the tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), was recently proposed. However, there have been some problems with the use of TRAIL, due to the appearance of TRAIL-resistant cells in MM. The effect of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) on the rate of apoptosis induced by TRAIL was evaluated in MM cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using TRAIL-sensitive (RPMI- 8226) and TRAIL-resistant (ARH-77 and IM-9) MM cell lines, the cell viability, induction of apoptosis, and change in the caspases were examined after treatment with TRAIL alone, or in combination with various concentrations of As2O3. RESULTS: Incubating the cell lines with As2O3 augmented the TRAIL-induced apoptosis in the MM cell lines, according to the As2O3 concentration. Apoptosis was mediated through caspase activation. When TRAIL was used alone, caspase8 was activated in the RPMI-8226 cell lines, but not in the ARH-77 and IM-9 cell lines. When As2O3 was added to TRAIL, caspase-9 was activated in the ARH-77 and IM-9 cells. CONCLUSION: The use of As2O3, in combination with TRAIL, would help enhance the level of TRAIL-induced apoptosis, and overcome the TRAIL-resistance, in MM cells.
Apoptosis* ; Arsenic* ; Caspase 9 ; Caspases ; Cell Line* ; Cell Survival ; Multiple Myeloma* ; Necrosis*

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) is a condition characterized by the calcification and ossification of soft tissue, and can lead to severe cervical kyphosis, presenting with a spectrum of physical complaints including dysphagia, hoarseness, stridor, aspiration pneumonia, and dyspnea due to airway compromise. Restrictive ventilatory impairment is very rare. We encountered a 73-year-old man with DISH presenting with progressive dysphagia and dyspnea over a few months. The symptoms were evaluated with a video fluoroscopy swallowing study and pulmonary function tests (PFT). The PFT revealed restrictive ventilatory impairment. A neck magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study showed anterior cervical osteophytes causing upper airway compromise and compression of the esophagus. Osteophytes were removed surgically and the patient improved clinically. Here, we describe the case with a literature review.
Aged ; Deglutition ; Deglutition Disorders* ; Dyspnea ; Esophagus ; Fluoroscopy ; Hoarseness ; Humans ; Hyperostosis, Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal* ; Kyphosis ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neck ; Osteophyte* ; Pneumonia, Aspiration ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Respiratory Sounds

We report a case of an iatrogenic arteriovenous fistula complicated by catheter-directed thrombolytic therapy in a patient with acute deep vein thrombosis of a lower extremity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of an arteriovenous fistula between the sural artery and popliteal vein in that situation. As the vessels have a close anatomical relationship, the arteriovenous fistula seems to be a potential complication after endovascular thrombolytic therapy of acute deep vein thrombosis.
Arteries ; Arteriovenous Fistula ; Catheterization ; Fistula ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Organic Chemicals ; Popliteal Vein ; Thrombolytic Therapy ; Venous Thrombosis

PURPOSE: To evaluate the language areas activated by fMRI during different reading tasks and to assess the difference of activated areas according to each reading task MATERIALS AND METHODS: Functional maps of the language area were obtained during three reading tasks(Korean consonant letter, pseudoword, and word) in nine right-handed volunteers(7 males, 2 females). MR examinations were performed at 1.5T scanner with EPI BOLD technique(gradient echo shot EPI, TR/TE 3000/60, flip angle 90, matrix64 64, 5mm thickness, no slice gap). Each task consisted of three resting periods and two activation periods and each period lasted 30 seconds. We used SPM program for the postprocessing of images and siginficance level was set at p<0.01. Activated areas were topographically analyzed in each stimulus. RESULTS: Significant activated signals were demonstrated in all volunteers. Activated signals were seen in the frontal, temporal, parietal and occipital lobes during reading tasks and they were lateralized to the left hemisphere except occipital lobe. Letter and pseudoword produced stronger activated signals than word, and the activated signals were more lateralized to the left hemisphere in pseudoword reading than in letter reading. CONCLUSION: Activated signals were induced in the language areas by reading task of letter or wordform. Greater activation of language areas was induced when letter or pseuowords were presented than familiar words.
Brain ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Male ; Occipital Lobe ; Rabeprazole ; Volunteers