No abstract available.

OBJECTIVE: The involvement of IGF system in hyperandrogenism and abnormal follicular development is controversial. This study is to assess whether IGF system contribute to it in the women with polycystic ovary(PCO). METHODS: Baseline serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), androstenedione (ADD), prolactin, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free insulin-like growth factor(IGF)-I, free IGF-II, insulin-like growth factor binding protein(IGFBP)-1, and IGFBP-3 were measured in twelve healthy regularly cycling volunteers and forty-two women with PCO then, the changes of baseline serum levels were evaluated after laparoscopic ovarian electrocauterization in nine PCO patients. In addition, the expression pattern of IGF-I and IGF-II was examined in the ovary of control and PCO group. RESULTS: Baseline levels of LH, ADD, free IGF-II, and IGFBP-3 were significantly higher in PCO group. However, there were no significant differences in the levels of free IGF-I and IGFBP-1, although free IGF-I showed decreasing tendency in PCO group. And there was a significant positive correlation between the LH and free IGF-II level in the PCO(P=0.011, r2=0.3899), but not in the control. After ovarian electrocauterization, LH, T, and ADD levels decreased, and free IGF-I and IGFBP-3 level increased. While free IGF-II and IGFBP-1 level showed no significant changes. In the ovary, expression of both IGFs showed similar pattern in normal and PCO ovaries. CONCLUSIONS: The elevated IGFBP-3 level may alter the bioavailability of IGF(s) in the PCO. The change in IGF-I level and resumption of ovulation after electrocauterization, suggest a possible role of IGF system in the impairment of follicular development in the PCO.
Androstenedione ; Biological Availability ; Carrier Proteins* ; Estradiol ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; Humans ; Hyperandrogenism ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1 ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor II ; Luteinizing Hormone ; Ovary* ; Ovulation ; Prolactin ; Somatomedins* ; Testosterone ; Thyrotropin ; Volunteers

Primary intracranial choriocarcinoma is a extremely rare neoplasm since the case was reported by Askanasy, in 1906, there have been 35 reported, even if germinal neoplasms containing chorocarcinoma-like tissue are added. But pure choriocarcinoma was rarely reported. The purpose of this paper is to report a case of 18-year-old boy with tumor in subependymal region around left frontal horn, which was present with high level of serum beta chain of chorionic gonadotropin(B-HCG) and was verified as germine choriocarcinoma by biopay.
Adolescent ; Animals ; Choriocarcinoma* ; Chorion ; Female ; Horns ; Humans ; Male ; Pregnancy

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Variceal rupture is the most common cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) in cirrhotic patients and is well investigated. However, there are few documented studies on nonvariceal UGIB (NVUGIB) in these patients. This study was conducted to evaluate clinical features, in-hospital mortality rate and factors associated with mortality in cirrhotic patients with NVUGIB. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 399 cirrhotic patients who presented UGIB at Gyeongsang National University Hospital during 5 years since January 2007, patients with NVUGIB were selected by retrospective review of medical records. The patients' clinical and endoscopic findings, treatment outcomes, in-hospital mortality rates and its risk factors were investigated. RESULTS: NVUGIB was documented in 83 patients (20.8%). Mean age was 60.7+/-9.7 years, 85.5% was male. Child-Pugh class was A or B in 88%. Initial hemodynamic instability was reported in 25.3%, and 65.1% required blood transfusions. The major bleeding source was peptic ulcer 95.2% (79/83), and 44.6% (37/83) had endoscopic high risk bleeding stigmata and required endoscopic hemostasis. Rebleeding rate was 7.2% and in-hospital mortality rate was 8.4%. Hemodynamic instability (71.4% vs. 22.4%, P=0.013) and rebleeding (57.1% vs. 2.6%, P=0.000) were more frequent in the mortality group compared to the survival group. Hemodynamic instability was the risk factor for mortality at univariate and multivariate analyses. CONCLUSIONS: NVUGIB accounted for 20.8% of UGIB in liver cirrhosis and its development was not related to liver function. Peptic ulcer was the major cause and 45% required endoscopic hemostasis. It's in-hospital mortality rate was 8.4%, and hemodynamic instability was an independent risk factor of mortality in NVUGIB.
Blood Transfusion ; Christianity ; Hemodynamics ; Hemorrhage* ; Hemostasis, Endoscopic ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis* ; Liver* ; Male ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Peptic Ulcer ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Rupture

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Variceal rupture is the most common cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) in cirrhotic patients and is well investigated. However, there are few documented studies on nonvariceal UGIB (NVUGIB) in these patients. This study was conducted to evaluate clinical features, in-hospital mortality rate and factors associated with mortality in cirrhotic patients with NVUGIB. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 399 cirrhotic patients who presented UGIB at Gyeongsang National University Hospital during 5 years since January 2007, patients with NVUGIB were selected by retrospective review of medical records. The patients' clinical and endoscopic findings, treatment outcomes, in-hospital mortality rates and its risk factors were investigated. RESULTS: NVUGIB was documented in 83 patients (20.8%). Mean age was 60.7+/-9.7 years, 85.5% was male. Child-Pugh class was A or B in 88%. Initial hemodynamic instability was reported in 25.3%, and 65.1% required blood transfusions. The major bleeding source was peptic ulcer 95.2% (79/83), and 44.6% (37/83) had endoscopic high risk bleeding stigmata and required endoscopic hemostasis. Rebleeding rate was 7.2% and in-hospital mortality rate was 8.4%. Hemodynamic instability (71.4% vs. 22.4%, P=0.013) and rebleeding (57.1% vs. 2.6%, P=0.000) were more frequent in the mortality group compared to the survival group. Hemodynamic instability was the risk factor for mortality at univariate and multivariate analyses. CONCLUSIONS: NVUGIB accounted for 20.8% of UGIB in liver cirrhosis and its development was not related to liver function. Peptic ulcer was the major cause and 45% required endoscopic hemostasis. It's in-hospital mortality rate was 8.4%, and hemodynamic instability was an independent risk factor of mortality in NVUGIB.
Blood Transfusion ; Christianity ; Hemodynamics ; Hemorrhage* ; Hemostasis, Endoscopic ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis* ; Liver* ; Male ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Peptic Ulcer ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Rupture

BACKGROUND: Epidermal growth factor (EGF) , a potent stimulant of epithelialization, has been noted to increase the tickness of the epidermis, increase the epithelial cell proliferartion and keratinization, and accelerate wound contraction. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate the efficacy of topical application of recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) in the healing of full-thickness excision and burn wound. METHODS: Full-thickness excision and burn wound were made on the back of the male Wistar rat. Recombinant human epidermal growth factor was applied twice a day and the size of the wound was measured with planimetry every other day for 21 days. The keratinocytes of the circumcised foreskin were cultured in different concentrations of recombinant human epidermal growth factor and proliferation of the keratinocytes was evaluated. RESULTS: 1. Regardless of wound types or base types, wound healing in the experimental groups (rhEGF 10, 30, 50g/g) was generally better than that in the control or vehicle group. 2. The duration of wound healing was decreased as follows in order; in full-thickness excision wound, rhEGF 50 g/g group, rhEGF 30 g/g group, rhEGF 10 g/g group, vehicle group, and control group and in full-thickness burn wound, rhEGF 30 g/g group, rhEGF 50g/g group, rhEGF 10g/g group, vehicle group, and control group. 3. In the biopsy specimen taken from the wound at 9th and 13th day, neodermis, neovascularization, the thickness and maturation of the collagen bundles, and reepithelithelialization were more increased in the experimental groups than in the control or vehicle group. 4. In vitro culture of epidermal cells showed similar proliferation in the concentration of rhEGF higher than 10 ng/ml. CONCLUSION: these findings suggest that topical application of recombinant human epidermal growth factor in the healing of full-thickness excision and urn wound.
Animals ; Biopsy ; Burns ; Collagen ; Epidermal Growth Factor* ; Epidermis ; Epithelial Cells ; Foreskin ; Humans ; Keratinocytes ; Male ; Rats ; Ticks ; Wound Healing* ; Wounds and Injuries*

It has been known that the immunological functions against cancer cells were diminished, and these phenomena result from the inhibition of cell-mediated immunity by substance(s) secreted from cancer cells. It was also reported that the immunological functions decreased in patients with stomach cancer, which is the most frequent cnacer in Korean. However, the nature and function of the inhibitory factor(s) orignated from stomach cancer have not been identified. To elucidate effects of immuological inhibitory factor(s) secreted from cancer cells, SNU-1 (stomach cancer) and SW480 P109/R3P2 (colon cancer) were used in this study. Jurkat T cell line, an acute T cell leukemia, was pre-incubated with fractionated cancer cell culture supernatant for 3 days, then was stimulated with PMA, PWVanti-CD28 mAb or PMA/ionomycin for 8 hrs respectively. Fraction of SNU-1 (3 - 10 kDa) and above 10 kDa of SW480 P109/R3P2 inhibited the expression of IFN-r mRNA when Jurkat T cell was stimulated with PMA. However, there were no difference in IL-2 and IL-4 gene expression response to either PMA/anti-CD28 mAb or PMA/ionomycin. These results show that cancer cells secret some inhibitory factor(s) acting on the immune response, especially IFN-r gene expression of the Jurkat T cells response to PMA. Therefore, it suggests that the inhibitory factor(s) secreted from cancer cells influences on. the PKC-dependent pathway related to the signal transduction by PMA.
Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Line ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; Interleukin-2 ; Interleukin-4 ; Leukemia, T-Cell ; RNA, Messenger ; Signal Transduction ; Stomach Neoplasms ; T-Lymphocytes

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to accurately discover the correlation between the epidural depth and physical measurements. METHODS: We measured the L2-3, L3-4 epidural depth pre-marked on the needle shaft only when the block was successful. Correction of the depth was made by the angulation of the needle from the perpendicular line (with regard to both the x- and y-axis) to the skin. Height and weight from the medical record was noted and neck, waist, and hip circumferences of each subject was measured. Physical parameters such as waist/neck (waist circumference-to-neck circumference ratio), waist/height (waist circumference-to-height ratio), waist/hip (waist circumference-to-hip circumference ratio), weight/neck (weight- to-neck circumference ratio), weight/height (weight-to-height ratio) and body mass index (BMI) were calculated. Peason's correlation and a regression test between the epidural depth and the physical mea surements were performed. RESULTS: Significant correlation with epidural depth was found in weight, waist, hip, neck, BMI, waist/height, waist/hip, weight/neck, and weight/height. With the regression test, we found weight to be the most important for predicting epidural depth (R square = 0.330, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Weight has the highest predictive value for lumbar epidural depth.
Body Mass Index ; Hip ; Medical Records ; Neck ; Needles ; Skin

STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study. OBJECTIVE: We wanted to evaluate the efficacy of epidural steroid injection (ESI) for treating lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis has generally consisted of some form of conservative treatment or surgery. Surgery may be contraindicated in many stenotic patients because of their significant comorbidities. Therefore, conservative management is necessary for those who cannot or do not want to undergo surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2002 to June 2003, we retrospectively analyzed 128 patients, 55 years or older, who received ESI (s). The average age of the men and women was 47 and 81, respectively. Their mean age was 76 (age range: 55~84). The injection materials were 2 ml methylprodnisolone acetate (40 mg/cc) in combination with 3 cc normal saline and 3 cc lidocaine. The follow up period was 12 months to 30 months. We measured the outcomes by the duration and amount of pain relief, the change in functional status and the rate of performing surgery; patient satisfaction was assessed by a 5-item questionnaire. RESULT: Of the 128 participants, 31% reported more than 2 months of pain relief, 41% reported less than 2 months of pain relief and 27% reported no relief from the injection (s). Sixteen percent subsequently had surgery. Sixty-nine percent reported improvement in their functional abilities. Seventy-two percent were at least somewhat satisfied with ESI as a form of treatment. CONCLUSION: ESI is a reasonable treatment for LSS as it provided one third of our patient population with sustained relief and more than half with sustained improvement in function.
Comorbidity ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lidocaine ; Male ; Patient Satisfaction ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Stenosis* ; Spine

BACKGROUND: Selective diagnostic blocks of the medial branches of the dorsal primary ramus are usually performed under the guidance of fluoroscopic or computed tomography. Recently, however, ultrasound guidance has been suggested as an alternative method. In this study, the distances between the vertebral structures were measured and compared with the values measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess the clinical feasibility of using ultrasound-guided block in Korean patients. METHODS: Five male and 15 female patients were enrolled in this study. The target point of the medial branch block in our study was the groove at the base of the superior articular process. We measured the depth from the skin to the target point at the transverse process (d-TP) and to the most superficial point of the superior articular process (d-AP). RESULTS: The d-TP and d-AP values measured under ultrasound guidance were concordant with the values measured using MRI. CONCLUSIONS: The images of the bony landmarks obtained under ultrasound examination could be useful for ultrasound-guided lumbar medial branch block.
Female ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Skin ; Ultrasonography ; Zygapophyseal Joint