The clinical role of tumor markers to detect the extent of tumor invasion and recurrence in cervical cancer has been debated. To evaluate the chncal significance of SCC, CEA and TPA as tumor markers in cervical, we studied 744 patients weith cervieal cancer from June 1990 to Mey 1994. The cut-off val ues of SCC, CEA and TPA were 1.5 ng/ml, 4.5 ng/mi and 110 U/I respectively. Followings were the results. 1. The serum concentration and positive rates of SCC before therapy(567 cases) were 3,0+/-7.0ng/ml(40.4%) for stage I,8.7+/-13.9 ng/ml(71.6%) for stage II, 10.8+/-14.7 ng/ml(85.7%) for stage III, 23.9+/-24.3 ng/ml(94.7%) for stage IV, and 13.4+/-19.1 ng/ml(75.0%) for recurrent cancer. It was increased with advancing clinical stage(p<0.01). 2. The seum levels and positive rate of CEA before therapy(627cases) were 3.4+/-4.3 ng/ml (18%) for stage I, 7.1+/-12.3 ng/ml(37.2%) for stage II, 8.4+/-9.6 ng/ml(57.9%) for stage III, 15.4+/-22.2 ng/ml(52.6%) for stage IV, and 10.3+/-16.2 ng/ml(46.4%) for recurrent cancer. It was increased with advancing clinical stage from stage Ito stage III(p<0.01). 3. The serum concentration and positiceive rate of TFA before therapy(301cases) were 51.7+/-53.8 U/l(9.5%) for stage I, 105.3+/-108.8 U/l(32.3%) for stage II, 186.3%+/-159.8 U/l(50%) for stage III, 191.3+/-l06.2 U/I(63.6%) for stage IV, and 135.4+/-117.0 U/l(46.4%) for recurrent cancer. It was increased with advencing clinical stage(p<0.01). 4. In 64 patients{24.2%) with lymph node invasion of 265 patients treated by operation, the mean serum levels of SCC, CEA and TPA were higher than lymph node negative group(p<0.05). 5. The serum levels of SCCand CKA after therepy were 82.8% in sensitivity. 94.3% in specificity, 67.9% in positive predictive value, 97.4% in negative predictive value.
Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Recurrence ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Biomarkers, Tumor* ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms*

Phenolate type siderophore was produced in Pseudomonas sp. PY002 (P. sp. PY002) which cultured in M9 minimal medium supplemented with 0 to 500 uM of dipyridyl. Pyochelin, a kind of siderophore, was detected as a single broad absorption band (280 nm) at pH 12.0, which is a characteristic of phenolate type siderophore. The 280 nm absorption spectrum of pyochelin was changed to 310 nm at pH 1.5. The pyochelin produced was a structurally unique phenolate siderophore, designated 2-[2-(o-hydroxyphenyl)-2-thiazolin-4-yl]-3-methyl-4-thiazolidine car- boxylic acid on the analysis of infrared radiation and 'H and ""C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Additionally, purified pyochelin increased the cell growth rate, like as growth fac- tor. All these results suggest that phenolate type siderophore play an important role in cell growth of P. sp. PY002.
Absorption ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Phenol* ; Pseudomonas* ; Spectrum Analysis

OBJECTIVE: The object of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of a sonographic morphologic scoting system, the serum CA-125 assay, and a combination of both in patients undergoing laparotomy for a clinically diagnosed adnexal mass. METHODS: In 129 consecutive patients, the morphology of the mass was evaluated and scored by the morphologic scoring system of Sassones using transabdominal or transvaginal sonography and blood samples were obtained for CA-125 assay before planning surgery, RESULTS: The sensitivity of the sonographic morphologic scoring system was 90.6%, the specificity 84.5%, the positive predictive value 65.9%, and the negative predictive value 96.5%, compared with 68.8, 77.3, 50.0, and 88.2% for CA-125 and 96.9, 66.0, 48.4, and 98.5% for the two tests combined, respectively. Only one case of serous borderline ovarian tumor was missed when the two tests were combined. The sensitivity and mean value of the serum CA-125 increased with the stage of ovarian cancer. CONCLUSION: The combination of sonographic findings with a serum CA-125 assay was more sensitive, but less specific, than sonography or the serum CA-125 assay alone in predicting the malignancy of an adnexal mass. The serum CA-125 level generally reflected the stage of the disease. We think that it is reasonable to check the serum CA-125 only in cases of ovarian malignancy diagnosed by sonography.
Diagnosis* ; Humans ; Laparotomy ; Ovarian Neoplasms* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrasonography*

Myasthenia gravis is a autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by weakness and fatigability of skeletal muscles. The underlying defect is a decrease in the number of available acetylcholine receptors at neuromuscular junction due to an antibody-mediated autoimmune attacks. The course of myasthenia gravis during pregnancy is not predictable. We experienced a patient of myasthenia gravis associated with pregnancy who underwent cesarean section and transient neonatal myasthenia gravis of the newborn. We present this case with brief review of the concerned literatures.
Cesarean Section ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Myasthenia Gravis* ; Myasthenia Gravis, Neonatal ; Neuromuscular Junction ; Pregnancy* ; Receptors, Cholinergic

Purpose: Breastfeeding is the optimal method for feeding a newborn. But insufficient breast milk is the major reason why mothers give up breastfeeding. Herbal galactagogues have been used increasingly to treat postpartum hypogalactia. This study examined the effect of an herbal tea containing Chrysanthemum indicum, as the main ingredient, on milk production in lactating rats. Methods: The herbal tea contained C. indicum (27%), Foeniculum vulgare Mill (21%), Pimpinella anisum (18.2%), Carum carvi (16.1%), Urtica dioica (14.7%), and Gardenia jasminoides (3%). Sixteen lactating Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided randomly into 2 groups, the normal control group (NC; n = 8), and the galactagogue herbal tea group (GHT; n = 8) for 7 days. Lactating rats were administered the decoction of an herbal galactagogue mixture by oral gavage or the same amount of distilled water and milk production was assessed by measuring the pups' weights during the suckling period. The blood concentrations of prolactin, cortisol, oxytocin levels and mammary gland tissues were examined to assess the effects of the galactagogue. Results: Milk production was 9.2% higher in the GHT group given the herbal tea than in the NC group and the difference was statistically significant. The cortisol level in the GHT group was 17.2% higher than the NC group. The herbal tea containing C. indicum increased the size of the alveoli epithelium cells and the mammary lobe. Conclusion The present study revealed the potential of herbal tea containing C. indicum to enhance milk production in postpartum SD rats.

Pure ovarian choriocarcinoma of germ cell origin is exceedingly rare neoplasm, and even the presence of choriocarcinomatous elements admixed with other neoplastic germ cell elements is rare. In the most cases, the tumor is admixed with other neoplastic germ cell elemeats, and their presence is diagnostic of noagsatational choriocarcinoma, except for the remote of the tumor being a geatational choriocarcinoma metasttic to an ovarian germ cell tumor. We have experienced a case of nongestational ovarian choriocarcinoma in 10 year dld woman. So we report this case with a brief review of its literatures.
Choriocarcinoma* ; Female ; Germ Cells ; Humans ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal ; Pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the response of hyperplastic endometrium to Medroxyprogesterone acetate according to the histologic types such as simple typical, complex typical and atypical hyperplasia. METHODS: A total of 79 patients with histologically proved endometrial hyperplasia were enrolled into this prospective study between March 1996 and May 1998. Patients without atypia were placed on a regimen of cyclic therapy with 10mg MPA orally, each day for 14days per month for 3 months. In the cases in which hyperplasia did not regress , MPA was increased to 20mg. Patients with atypical hyperplasia received continuous MPA therapy, 20mg orally each day for 3 month. All patients were followed up for a minimum of 3 months and a maximum of 1 year(mean 7 months). RESULTS: In patients with simple typical hyperplasia, 45 patients(80.4%) had regression, 11 patients(19.6%) had persistence and none had progression. In patients with complex typical hyperplasia, 10 patients(83.3%) had regression, 2 patients(16.7%) had persistence and none had progression. But, in patients with atypical hyperplasia 5 patients(45.4%) had regression, 4 patients(36.4%) had persistence and 2(18.2%) patients had well differentiated endometrial adenocarcinoma. There was no recurrence during the follow up. CONCLUSION: This data suggest that most women with typical hyperplasia respond to progestin therapy, but there is high failure rate of response to progestin therapy and risk of endometrial cancer in patients with atypical hyperplasia. If the young patient desires to preserve her fertility, then progestin therapy may be considered as primary treatment in patients with atypical hyperplasia. But older patients in whom fertility is not an issue, hysterectomy should be selected as treatment of choice for atypical lesion.
Adenocarcinoma ; Endometrial Hyperplasia* ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; Endometrium ; Female ; Fertility ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Hysterectomy ; Medroxyprogesterone Acetate ; Medroxyprogesterone* ; Prospective Studies ; Recurrence

No abstract available.
Neural Plate* ; Neuroectodermal Tumors*

PURPOSE: There has been little research regarding the effectiveness of oseltamivir for influenza B infections. We sought to identify the different clinical manifestations between patients treated with and without oseltamivir. METHODS: We retrospectively studied the medical records of 72 inpatients or outpatients from two medical centers diagnosed with influenza B infections by either a rapid antigen test or multiplex reverse transcriptase PCR between January 2012 and July 2012. We compared gender, age, past medical history, admission period, total fever duration, fever duration after hospitalization, post-oseltamivir medication peak temperature, laboratory test, chest X-ray, antibiotic medication, and the presence of concomitant viral or bacterial infections. RESULTS: The number of subjects in our study was 72 who were diagnosed with influenza B pneumonia, acute bronchitis, acute bronchiolitis, croup, and mean age was 3.6+/-2.8 year old. The demographic characteristics and clinical manifestations of oseltamivir and the non-oseltamivir groups, including hospitalization period (4.18+/-2.10 vs 4.79+/-1.49 days, P=.17) and total fever duration (5.32+/-2.07 vs 6.41+/-3.25 days, P=.09), demonstrated no significant differences. Notably, the oseltamivir group did have significantly reduced usage of antibiotic treatment than the non-oseltamivir group (P=.04). When we limited our patient group to patients under the age of three, similar results were seen. The group prescribed oseltamivir within 48 hours of fever onset had less antibiotic usage, in addition to a shorter fever duration. CONCLUSION: Oseltamivir appeared to have no benefit in improving the clinical course. However, if it is prescribed within the first 48 hours of symptoms, it may be more effective.
Bacterial Infections ; Bronchiolitis ; Bronchitis ; Child* ; Croup ; Fever ; Hospitalization ; Hospitals, University* ; Humans ; Influenza B virus* ; Influenza, Human ; Inpatients ; Medical Records ; Oseltamivir* ; Outpatients ; Pneumonia ; Retrospective Studies ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Thorax

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to assess the value of resistance index(RI) and pulsatility index(PI) to differentiate between benign and malignant ovarian tumors by color and pulsed Doppler ultrasound. METHODS: 129 ovarian tumors identified with ultrasound were referred for color and pulsed Doppler ultrasound evaluation to calculate the lowest RI and PI, and the corresponding histopathologic diagnosis was recorded. RESULTS: The intratumor artery waveforms were obtained in 37.1%(36 of 97) of benign tumors and in 91.0%(29 of 32) of the malignant group. RI and PI were lower in malignant tumors than in benign tumors(p<0.01). Also, there was a significant incremental decrease in both indices value from the benign tumor toward borderline malignancy(p<0.05) and to invasive ovarian cancer(p<0.01). But, there was no significant difference in both indices value according to the FIGO stage of ovarian malignancy. For RI cut-off value of 0.6, sensitivity and specificity were 89.7% and 91.7%; for PI cut-off value of 1.1, 86.2% and 91.7%. Therefore, the most accurate cut-off values of RI and PI were 0.6 and 1.1, respectively. CONCLUSION: RI and PI calculated by color and pulsed Doppler ultrasound can help in the diagnosis and selection of treatment plan of ovarian tumors, especially when the morphological finding of ovarian tumor is equivocal. And during the follow up of benign tumors, both indicies can give us the clue of malignant potential of benign tumors.
Arteries ; Diagnosis* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Ovarian Neoplasms* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrasonography