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*

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*

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

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

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

PURPOSE: Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways that is induced by Th2 cytokines and inhibited by Th1 cytokines. Oligodeoxynucleotides containing a CpG motif(CpG ODN), as potent inducers of Th1 immunity, are considered promising candidates for immune modulation in asthma. In this study we wanted to investigate the effect of CpG ODN on eosinophilia and cytokines of BALF in a mouse model established airway inflammation and the optimal route(systemic vs mucosal) of CpG ODN. We examined the difference of immunologic responses between CpG ODN and corticosteroids. METHODS: Female BALB/c mice, induced pulmonary allergic inflammation, were treated intranasally or intraperitoneally with CpG ODN and Dexamethasone. Allergen-specific antibody responses, cytokines(IL-4, IL-5, IL-12), and eosinophilic inflammation of the airways were investigated on BALF and splenocyte. RESULTS: CpG ODN effectively induced IL-12 and inhibited IL-4 and IL-5 as well as eosinophilic inflammation when CpG ODN was administered intranasally or intraperitoneally with allergen challenge. Therapy with corticosteroides, while effective inhibiting IL-5 generation, did not induced IL-12 in BALF. CONCLUSION: Systemic or mucosal administration of CpG ODN effectively stimulated the production of Th1 cytokines and suppressed eosinophilic airway inflammation in contrast of corticosteroids and control ODN. Thus, CpG ODN vaccination is a potentially useful approach for immunomodulation of established airway inflammation in a mouse model of asthma.
Administration, Mucosal ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Animals ; Antibody Formation ; Asthma ; Cytokines* ; Dexamethasone ; Eosinophilia* ; Eosinophils ; Female ; Humans ; Immunomodulation ; Inflammation* ; Interleukin-12 ; Interleukin-4 ; Interleukin-5 ; Mice* ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides ; Vaccination

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is an inherited immunodeficient disease characterized by recurrent infections and granuloma formation. Granulomatous obstruction of esophagus is one of the rare complications of CGD. The use of steroids and antimicrobials for esophageal obstruction by granuloma in CGD patients has been controversial due to the possibility of concomitant inapparent infection. We report a case of esophageal obstruction in an 8-year-old CGD patient showing the poor response to antibiotics therapy. However, dramatic improvement of symptoms and radiologic findings of esophageal obstruction were achieved after steroid therapy. One month after discontinuation of steroid, esophageal obstruction recurred and the patient was re-treated with steroid. After that time, he experienced one more recurrence of esophageal obstruction. This symptom subsided after antibiotics therapy without steroid and he has been followed up to the present without further relapse.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Child ; Esophageal Stenosis ; Esophagus ; Granuloma ; Granulomatous Disease, Chronic* ; Humans ; Recurrence ; Steroids

No abstract available.
Animals ; Colloids* ; Mice*

This study was performed ta evaluate difference of colposcopic findings between carcinoma in situ and microinvasive carcinoma. From August l, 1988 through November 30,1989, the conixation was undertaken in 138 patients. We compeied colposcpic findings with hiatologic diagnoiis on 1656 seetions. Comparison between the microinvasive carcinorna and the carcinoma in situ groups showed a significant higher incidence of large exoeervtcal lesion size(>3/2 33.9% vs. 1.2%), circumscribved location around external cervical os.(75.0% vs, 51.2%), combined abnormal colposcopic findings(19.6/a vs. 3. 7%) and deep endocervical involvement( >lcm : 23,2% vs. 7. 3%). (P<0.01) Granular area was showed 11% incidence of the worst histologic diagnosis.
Carcinoma in Situ* ; Cervix Uteri* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence

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