BACKGROUND: Primary hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is the second cause of cancer death in our country. Hepatitis B virus(HBV) and hepatitis C virus(HCV) are important risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma. The mechanism of HCC development and the epidemiology in HCV infected individuals are still unclear. In this study, we investigated the epidemiolgical and clinical features of HCC in relation to viral infection. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 160 HCC patients retrspectively who had been admitted to one University Hospital located in Seoul between January 1991 and December 1995. Among these patients, 113 patients were positive for HBsAg(B group), 24 for anti-HCV(C group). We compared epidemiological and clinical data between B group and C guoup. RESULTS: Anti-HCV positivity was significantly higher in HBsAg negative patients than in HBsAg positive patients(53.3:1.7%, p<0.01). The mean age of patients in B group was significantly lower than that in C group(52:62yr, p<0.01). In C group, the proportion of Child-Pugh class B and C was significantly larger than that of B group(35.4: 75.0%, p<0.01). In C group, the proportion of transfusion history was significantly larger than that in B group(4.4: 16.7%, p<0.05), and the proportion of drug abuse hestory was significantly larger than that in B group (31.0:62.5%, p<0.01). In C group, the albumin, cholesterol, Gamma-glutamyl transferase leves were significantly lower than those in B group. In B group, the proportion of metastasis was significantly larger than that in C group(31.9:4.2%, p<0.01). Alpha fetoprotein levels greater than 400ng/ml are much more prevalent in group B significantly(67:39.1%, p<0.05). No significant differences in cumulative survival rate(1yr, 2yr) and median survival time were observed between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: We ascertain that the HBV and HCV are inportant factors in HCC. In epidemiology and clinical features of HCC, there were some difference between the HBsAg and anti HCV positive group. Therefore, on primary health care settings, it is necessary to test for hepatitis C as well as hepatitis B in order to prevent and manage HCC and chronic liver desease.
alpha-Fetoproteins ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Cholesterol ; Epidemiology* ; Hepatitis B ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens* ; Hepatitis C ; Humans ; Liver ; Medical Records ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Primary Health Care ; Risk Factors ; Seoul ; Substance-Related Disorders ; Transferases

One hundred eighty infants with oxygen therapy who were under 2,500gm birth weight or under 37 weeks of gestational age, were examined between January 1990 and November 1992. We performed clnical analysis and results were as follows. 1) Fifty six infants (31.1%) were diagnosed as retinopathy of prematurity. 2) The first examination was performed at 2.5 weeks of life on average, and the retinopathy of prematurity was diagnosed at 3.8 weeks on average. 3) The incidence of retinopathy of prematurity was highly associated with low birth weight (< or =1,890 gm), low gestational age ( < or =33.1 weeks), and high oxygen concentration with long duration (FiO2> or =0.4 over 1 week)(P<0.005). 4) Other associated risk factors were idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome, anemia, neonatal hypoxia and sepsis.
Anemia, Neonatal ; Anoxia ; Birth Weight ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Oxygen ; Retinopathy of Prematurity* ; Risk Factors ; Sepsis

PURPOSE: To explore the expressions of P53 and phosphorylation-H2AX in varicocele-induced rat testes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 16 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent an operation; 12 underwent an experimental varicocele and 4, as controls, were sham-operated. Groups of 4 varicocele-induced rats underwent a left orchiectomy after 2 or 3 weeks, or both orchiectomies after 4 weeks. The sham-operated rats underwent both orchiectomies after 4 weeks. Sections of both testes from each animal were studied. The changes in the expressions of P53 and phosphorylation of H2AX were determined using immunohistochemistry and western blot. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical staining of the left testes in the varicocele- induced rats showed that the expressions of P53 and phosphorylation of H2AX had not begun 2 weeks postoperatively, but remarkable results were observed after 3 and 4 weeks. Both testes of the varicocele-induced rats showed the expressions of P53 and phosphorylation of H2AX after 4 weeks, with the left testes being more distinctive in immunohistochemical staining compared to the right. Western blot of the left testes in the varicocele- induced rats also showed unclear expressions of P53 and gamma-H2AX after 2 weeks. Considerable distinction was seen after 3 and 4 weeks compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that experimental varicocele is associated with increased sperm DNA damage. These changes may be related to abnormal spermatogenesis.
Adult ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; DNA Damage ; Germ Cells* ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Orchiectomy ; Phosphorylation* ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spermatogenesis ; Spermatozoa ; Testis ; Varicocele*

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common pathogen of bacterial meningitis in childhood. It causes such intracranial complications as hydrocephalus, cerebral edema, inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone(SIADH), and convulsion, and also such cerebral vascular complications as vasculitis, thrombosis, aneurysm, infarction, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. We report a male of 4 months old who had intracerebral cortical hemorrhage and sinovenous thrombosis complicated by streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis. Also, we reviewed the literature on intracerebral vascular complications related to bacterial meningitis.
Aneurysm ; Brain Edema ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Infant ; Infarction ; Male ; Meningitis ; Meningitis, Bacterial ; Meningitis, Pneumococcal* ; Seizures ; Streptococcus pneumoniae* ; Streptococcus* ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; Thrombosis* ; Vasculitis

We report a case of type IIb hyperlipoproteinemia associated with xanthoma tuberosum, xanthoma planum and xanthoma striatum. Serum lipoprotein electrophoresis showed increased beta fraction and pre-beta fraction, suggesting type IIb hyperlipoproteinemia.
Electrophoresis ; Hyperlipoproteinemias* ; Lipoproteins ; Temazepam* ; Xanthomatosis*

BACKGROUND: Nowadays the addictive use of internet is becoming a serious social and health problem. The authors performed a study in PC bang users to evaluate the prevalence of addictive internet use and the association between addictive internet use and behavioral and psychological factors. METHODS: A face-to-face interview survey of 900 Korean internet users at six PC-bangs was performed between 11th and 19th of December, 2002, using standardized questionnaires composed of Young's internet addiction scale, scale of unwillingness to communicate, patient problem questionnaire for screening depression and anxiety, and questions asking internet using patterns and socio- demographic factors. RESULTS: Of the final 888 participants, 3.4% were identified as addictive users and 41.3% as over-users of internet service. The subjects who were male, unemployed, less educated, using internet mainly at PC bang, using internet more frequently, starting or finishing off internet use usually in the morning, using internet service usually for doing games tended to be more addictive users of internet (P<0.05). In proportional odds model analysis, increasing duration of internet use (OR=1.22; 95% CI, 1.16~1.30), daily use of internet (OR=2.06; 95% CI, 1.21~3.51), finishing off internet use between midnight and 6 a.m. (OR=2.00; 95% CI, 1.30~3.07), anxiety (OR=5.38; 95% CI, 2.86~10.1), and increasing approach avoidance (OR=1.05; 95% CI, 1.03~1.08) were significantly associated with a higher degree of internet addiction. CONCLUSION: Addictive use of internet should be suspected in a person who uses internet for long time, daily, and over midnight. An active evaluation and management for anxiety are needed among addictive internet users.
Anxiety* ; Demography ; Depression* ; Humans ; Internet* ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Prevalence ; Psychology ; Reward

PURPOSE: Amblyopia is the commonest cause of defective vision in childhood. It develops during the sensitive period of visual maturation which continues until about 7-8 years of age. The authors investigated the effect of a polaroid photoscreening camera designed to detect amblyogenic factors, including asymmetric and abnormal refractive errors, strabismus, ptosis and media opacities. METHODS: Fifty-four children aged 3-24 months were evaluated for amblyogenic factors using the polaroid photoscreening carnera from March 1998 to March 1999 in Chungnam National University Children's Hospital. Then each child underwent medical examination by an ophthamologist. Results The mean age was 9.0+/-4.5 months. The results of photoscreening were normal findings of 74.1%, abnormal findings of 25.9%, and slight eccentric fixation in 18 cases, normal findings in 9 cases, peripheral crescents in 13 cases, strabismus in 4 cases, myopia in 5 cases, hyperopia in 2 cases, anisometropia in 2 cases, ptosis in 1 case and reexam in 14 cases. The photoscreener had a sensitivity rate of 81.8%, a specificity rate of 88.4%, a positive predictive value of 64.3% and a negative predictive value of 95.0%. CONCLUSION: Polaroid photoscreening method is an easy, noninvasive and reliable mass screening method of detecting amblyogenic factors in undilated children.
Amblyopia ; Anisometropia ; Child* ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Humans ; Hyperopia ; Infant* ; Mass Screening ; Myopia ; Refractive Errors ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Strabismus

PURPOSE: Amblyopia is the commonest cause of defective vision in childhood. It develops during the sensitive period of visual maturation which continues until about 7-8 years of age. The authors investigated the effect of a polaroid photoscreening camera designed to detect amblyogenic factors, including asymmetric and abnormal refractive errors, strabismus, ptosis and media opacities. METHODS: Fifty-four children aged 3-24 months were evaluated for amblyogenic factors using the polaroid photoscreening carnera from March 1998 to March 1999 in Chungnam National University Children's Hospital. Then each child underwent medical examination by an ophthamologist. Results The mean age was 9.0+/-4.5 months. The results of photoscreening were normal findings of 74.1%, abnormal findings of 25.9%, and slight eccentric fixation in 18 cases, normal findings in 9 cases, peripheral crescents in 13 cases, strabismus in 4 cases, myopia in 5 cases, hyperopia in 2 cases, anisometropia in 2 cases, ptosis in 1 case and reexam in 14 cases. The photoscreener had a sensitivity rate of 81.8%, a specificity rate of 88.4%, a positive predictive value of 64.3% and a negative predictive value of 95.0%. CONCLUSION: Polaroid photoscreening method is an easy, noninvasive and reliable mass screening method of detecting amblyogenic factors in undilated children.
Amblyopia ; Anisometropia ; Child* ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Humans ; Hyperopia ; Infant* ; Mass Screening ; Myopia ; Refractive Errors ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Strabismus

PURPOSE: Efforts to predict the clinicopathological outcome of IgA nephropathy have been made but have yielded conflicting results and have not helped in deciding the appropriate timing of the renal biopsy. In this study, we reviewed the predictive factors of clinicopathological outcome for finding out the criteria of renal biopsy timing of IgA nephropathy. METHODS: Forty children diagnosed with biopsy proven IgA nephropathy at Wonju Christian Hospital were studied retrospectively, based on medical records. RESULTS: Among 39 patients, 2 children progressed to higher serum creatinine level. One of them reached to the end stage renal disease within 2 year 7 months. According to WHO histopathological classification, there were 15 cases of class I, 14 cases of class II, 7 cases of class III, and 3 cases of class IV. In the mild histological classes(class I, II), gross hematuria was shown in 23 out of 29 children(P=0.02). In the severe histological classes(class III, IV), gross hematuria was noted in 4 out of 10(P>0.05). The tubulointerstitial changes were grade 1 in 24 cases, grade 2 in 4 cases, grade 3 in 8 cases, and grade 4 in 3 cases. With an increase in the tubulointerstitial grade, the 24 hour urine protein/albumin ratio increased. Serum creatinine less than 0.79 mg/dL could predict the lower grade(grade 1 and 2) of tubulointerstitial changes. But serum creatinine greater than 1.13 mg/dL could predict the higher grade(grade 3 and 4) of tubulointerstitial changes. In children with gross hematuria(n=27), serum creatinine was lower(0.78 vs 1.09 mg/dL, P=0.027), serum IgA was higher(316.3 vs 198.8 mg/dL), and the cases of lower WHO classification(I and II) were more common(23 vs 4, P=0.029) than the children with microscopic hematuria. CONCLUSION: Serum creatinine less than 0.79 mg/dL, macroscopic hematuria, and higher 24 hour urine protein/albumin ratio would predict the lower grade glomerulo tubulointerstitial lesion in IgA nephropathy and could be used as the criteria delaying the renal biopsy.
Biopsy ; Child ; Classification ; Creatinine ; Gangwon-do ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA* ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A* ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: Efforts to predict the clinicopathological outcome of IgA nephropathy have been made but have yielded conflicting results and have not helped in deciding the appropriate timing of the renal biopsy. In this study, we reviewed the predictive factors of clinicopathological outcome for finding out the criteria of renal biopsy timing of IgA nephropathy. METHODS: Forty children diagnosed with biopsy proven IgA nephropathy at Wonju Christian Hospital were studied retrospectively, based on medical records. RESULTS: Among 39 patients, 2 children progressed to higher serum creatinine level. One of them reached to the end stage renal disease within 2 year 7 months. According to WHO histopathological classification, there were 15 cases of class I, 14 cases of class II, 7 cases of class III, and 3 cases of class IV. In the mild histological classes(class I, II), gross hematuria was shown in 23 out of 29 children(P=0.02). In the severe histological classes(class III, IV), gross hematuria was noted in 4 out of 10(P>0.05). The tubulointerstitial changes were grade 1 in 24 cases, grade 2 in 4 cases, grade 3 in 8 cases, and grade 4 in 3 cases. With an increase in the tubulointerstitial grade, the 24 hour urine protein/albumin ratio increased. Serum creatinine less than 0.79 mg/dL could predict the lower grade(grade 1 and 2) of tubulointerstitial changes. But serum creatinine greater than 1.13 mg/dL could predict the higher grade(grade 3 and 4) of tubulointerstitial changes. In children with gross hematuria(n=27), serum creatinine was lower(0.78 vs 1.09 mg/dL, P=0.027), serum IgA was higher(316.3 vs 198.8 mg/dL), and the cases of lower WHO classification(I and II) were more common(23 vs 4, P=0.029) than the children with microscopic hematuria. CONCLUSION: Serum creatinine less than 0.79 mg/dL, macroscopic hematuria, and higher 24 hour urine protein/albumin ratio would predict the lower grade glomerulo tubulointerstitial lesion in IgA nephropathy and could be used as the criteria delaying the renal biopsy.
Biopsy ; Child ; Classification ; Creatinine ; Gangwon-do ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA* ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A* ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies