PURPOSE: To investigate the peripapillary choroidal thickness (PCT) of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and to evaluate their responses to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). METHODS: Thirty eyes with PCV and 25 eyes with exudative AMD who were treatment naïve were included in this study. PCT and subfoveal choroidal thickness were evaluated both before and after intravitreal anti-VEGF. RESULTS: The initial mean PCT of PCV (153.78 ± 56.23 µm) was thicker than that of exudative AMD (88.77 ± 23.11 µm, p < 0.001). Temporal, superior, nasal, and inferior PCTs of PCV were all thicker than those observedin exudative AMD (all p < 0.05). After anti-VEGF, the mean PCT of PCV was significantly reduced (134.17 ± 41.66 µm, p < 0.001), but the same was not true not in exudative AMD (86.87 ± 22.54 µm, p = 0.392). PCTshowed a similar tendency in all quadrants. CONCLUSIONS: PCV exhibits a thick choroid in the peripapillary region. PCT decreases after anti-VEGF in PCV but not in exudative AMD. In exudative AMD, subfoveal choroidal thickness decreased, but that in the peripapillary region did not.
Choroid* ; Endothelial Growth Factors* ; Macular Degeneration

PURPOSE: Microdeletions on the Y chromosome have been associated with infertile in men. The deletions cluster in three regions, named azoospermia factor (AZF): AZFa, AZFb and AZFc. It has been suggested that deletions in AZFa result in Type I Sertoli cell-only (SCO) infertility (no spermatogonia present), deletions in AZFb in spermatogenic arrest, and deletions in AZFc Type II SCO (some spermatogonia present with limited spermatogenesis). The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of Y chromosome microdeletions and to correlate of the pathologic presentation with specific deletions in infertile Korean men. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 115 non-obstructive azoospermic (NOA), 30 obstructive azoospermic (OA), 30 severe oligospermic (sperm concentration <5 x 10(6)/ml) patients and 50 fathered men. We tested leukocyte DNA by PCR for the presence of STS markers, AZFa (sY84, 85, 86), AZFb (sY129, 134, 135, 143, RBM1) and AZFc (DAZ, sY242). The PCR results were confirmed by Southern hybridization and were investigated by SSCP analysis for DAZ gene muations. RESULTS: None of 30 OA and 50 fertile men had microdeletions, but 15 (13.0%) of the 115 NOA and 4 (13.3%) severely oligospermic patients had one or more microdeletions. Deletions involving only the AZFc region were found in 9 men (3 severe oligospermia, 4 spermatogenic arrest, 1 Type I SCO and 1 Type II SCO). Deletions involving only the AZFb were found in 4 (1 severe oligospermia and 3 spermatogenic arrest), and deletions involving only AZFa were found in 1 (Type I SCO). Also, deletions involving the AZFb and AZFc were found in 5 (2 severe oligospermia and 3 Type I SCO). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of Y chromosome microdeletion was 13.0% and 13.3% in NOA and severely oligo spermia patients. The earlier reported association with particular types of infertility was not confirmed. The region of the deletions does not correlate with severity of spermatogenic failure or the presence of visible sperm. Deletions involving more proximal regions of the Y chromosome (AZFa) seemed to be rare.
Azoospermia ; DNA ; Fathers ; Humans ; Infertility ; Leukocytes ; Male ; Oligospermia ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational ; Prevalence ; Spermatogonia ; Spermatozoa ; Y Chromosome*

PURPOSE: With the westernization of dietary life, domestic prostate cancer prevalence has remarkably increased recently. Therefore, to examine the effects of obesity on prostate cancer, we analyzed the effects of leptin and adiponectin, which are the cytokines secreted from adipocytes, on prostate cancer in vitro and confirmed the results by in vivo experiment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro, the human androgen-independent prostate cancer cell line DU-145 was exposed to various concentrations of adiponectin and leptin, and their effects were measured with the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. In vivo, the effects of tumor growth were observed in xenografted nude mice with prostate cancer. RESULTS: Adiponectin significantly repressed DU-145 cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. Leptin promoted DU-145 cell growth in dose-dependent manner, but it was not significant statistically. In vivo, adiponectin-treated mice demonstrated a reduced tumor volume, although it was not significant statistically. By contrast, leptin-treated mice showed a significantly increased tumor volume (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The in vitro and in vivo finding suggested that adiponectin suppresses the proliferation of prostate cancer cells and that leptin plays an important role in the proliferation of prostate cancer cells. We suggest that adiponectin and leptin have a relation to the progression of prostate cancer in the obese population.
Adipocytes ; Adiponectin ; Animals ; Cell Line ; Cytokines ; Humans ; Leptin ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Obesity ; Prevalence ; Prostate ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Tetrazolium Salts ; Thiazoles ; Transplantation, Heterologous ; Tumor Burden

OBJECTIVES: Congenital muscular torticollis, a common disorder that refers to the shortening of the sternocleidomastoid in infants, is sensitive to correction through physical therapy when treated early. If physical therapy is unsuccessful, surgery is required. In this study, we developed a support vector regression model for congenital muscular torticollis to investigate the prognosis of the physical therapy treatent in infants. METHODS: Fifty-nine infants with congenital muscular torticollis received physical therapy until the degree of neck tilt was less than 5degrees. After treatment, the mass diameter was reevaluated. Based on the data, a support vector regression model was applied to predict the prognoses. RESULTS: 10-, 20-, and 50-fold cross-tabulation analyses for the proposed model were conducted based on support vector regression and conventional multi-regression method based on least squares. The proposed methodbased on support vector regression was robust and enabled the effective analysis of even a small amount of data containing outliers. CONCLUSIONS: The developed support vector regression model is an effective prognostic tool for infants with congenital muscular torticollis who receive physical therapy.
Humans ; Infant ; Least-Squares Analysis ; Neck ; Prognosis ; Torticollis

PURPOSE: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common problem that's experienced by aging men, and it can lead to serious outcomes, including acute urinary retention (AUR). We studied the factors that influence the clinical outcomes after trial without catheter (TWOC) for AUR due to BPH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of all 455 BPH patients who visited the emergency room for the first time with AUR from March 2001 through February 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups: the success group (group I) or failure group (group II) that underwent trial without catheter. The patient's characteristics were compared between the two groups using logistic regression analysis and the chi-square test. RESULTS: From the 292 cases of group I and the 163 cases of group II, the multivariate analysis revealed statistically significant differences in the retention volume (p<0.01), the prostate volume (p<0.01) and the previous use of alpha-blockers before AUR (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The prostate volume, retention volume and previous use of alpha-blockers before AUR were thought to influence the clinical outcomes of TWOC for the BPH patients with AUR, and these factors should be considered in future treatment planning.
Aging ; Catheters* ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Medical Records ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prostate ; Prostatic Hyperplasia* ; Retrospective Studies ; Urinary Catheterization ; Urinary Retention*

A resorbable barrier membrane is commonly used for the repair of perforated sinus membranes during sinus lifting surgeries. However, repairing largescale perforations poses challenges for clinicians as the protection and isolation of graft material remain uncertain. With this technique, we aimed to prevent graft material loss and subsequent sinus-related complications using intra-sinus rigid fixation of the resorbable barrier membrane in cases with a large perforation of the sinus membrane.

Central nervous system involvement by tuberculosis is rare, and intramedullary involvement is even more rare. A patient that developed intermittent amnesia during anti-tuberculous therapy underwent brain CT and MRI and spine MRI. The latter showed multiple small enhancing nodules in the brain and spinal cord. The patient was treated with anti-tuberculous medication and steroids under the suspected diagnosis of miliary tuberculosis. Follow-up CT showed decreased nodule size and number. We report a case of miliary tuberculosis in the brain and spinal cord and present a review of the literature related to similar cases.
Amnesia ; Brain ; Brain Diseases ; Central Nervous System ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; Spine ; Steroids ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Central Nervous System ; Tuberculosis, Miliary

PURPOSE: Early detection of recurrence is an important factor for long term survival of patients with colorectal cancer. Measurement of serum levels of CEA, CA 19-9, CT and PET/CT has been commonly used in the postoperative surveillance of colorectal cancer. The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic ability of PET/CT, tumor marker and CT for recurrence in colorectal cancer patients after treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: F-18 FDG PET/CT imaging was performed in 189 colorectal cancer patients who underwent curative surgical resection and/or chemotherapy. Measurement of serum levels of CEA, CA 19-9 and CT imaging were performed within 2 months of PET/CT examination. Final diagnosis of recurrence was made by biopsy, radiologic studies or clinical follow-up for 6 months after each study. RESULTS: Overall sensitivity, specificity of PET/CT was 94.7%, 91.1%, while those of serum CEA were 44.7% and 97.3%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity were 94.2%, 90.4% for PET/CT and better than those of combined CEA and CA 19-9 measurement (52.1%, 88.5%) in 174 patients measured available both CEA and CA 19-9 data. In 115 patients with both tumor markers and CT images available, PET/CT showed similar sensitivity but higher specificity (92.9%, 91.3%) compared to combination of tumor markers and CT images (92.9%, 74.1%). CONCLUSION: PET/CT was superior for detection of recurred colorectal cancer patients compared with both CEA, CA 19-9, and even with combination of both tumor markers and CT. Therefore PET/CT could be used as a routine surveillance examination to detect recurrence or metastasis of colorectal cancer.
Biopsy ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Recurrence ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Biomarkers, Tumor

PURPOSE: The authors analyzed how the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) findings of patients with major depression differ from the normal control, and our results were compared to previous reports. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve patients fulfilling DSM-IV criteria for major depression who were off all psychotropic medications for >4weeks (male: 7, female: 5, age range: 19~52 years, average age: 29.3+/-9.9 years) and 14 normal volunteers (male: 8, female: 6, age range: 19~53 years, average age: 31.4+/-9.2 years) were recruited. Images of brain perfusion SPECT were obtained using Tc-99m ECD and patterns of the rCBF were compared between patients with major depression and the healthy control subjects. RESULTS: The patients with major depression showed increase of the r-CBF in right lingual gyrus, right fusiform gyrus, left lingual gyrus, left precuneus, and left superior temporal gyrus, and showed decrease of r-CBF in right pons, left medial frontal gyrus, cingulate gyrus of left limbic lobe, cingulate gyrus of right frontal lobe, and cingulate gyrus of right limbic lobe compared to the normal control. CONCLUSION: The Tc-99m ECD brain perfusion SPECT findings in our study did not differ from the previously reported regional cerebral blood flow pattern of patients with major depression. Especially, decreased rCBF pattern typical to major depression patients in the right pons, left medial frontal gyrus, and cingulate regions was clearly demonstrated.
Brain ; Cysteine ; Depression ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Frontal Lobe ; Gyrus Cinguli ; Humans ; Organotechnetium Compounds ; Perfusion ; Pons ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The potential physiologic roles of Klotho in acute kidney injury (AKI) have recently been demonstrated in animal models. However, to date, there have been no human studies investigating the expression of renal Klotho in AKI. METHODS: We retrospectively collected biopsy specimens and clinical data of AKI patients between January 2001 and December 2012. Klotho expression was determined by immunohistochemical staining, and the clinical-pathological correlation was examined. RESULTS: Among the 34 patients diagnosed with acute tubular necrosis or acute tubulointerstitial nephritis, 21 patients without chronic histological lesions were included. The mean age was 37.3 +/- 18.5 years and the mean peak creatinine level was 8.2 +/- 5.5 mg/dL. In total, 10 patients (47.6%) received temporary renal replacement therapy (RRT); however, 17 patients (81%) showed functional recovery with creatinine levels of < 1.3 mg/dL after 1 month. The intensity of Klotho expression was scored as a percentage of Klotho-positive area. The renal Klotho score showed a significant negative correlation with the initial or peak creatinine level. When the patients were divided into three groups according to the Klotho score (low, middle, high), the low group had a significantly higher peak creatinine level and a more frequent requirement for RRT. However, the Klotho score was not a significant predictor of renal recovery. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated that renal Klotho expression in humans decreased significantly according to the severity of AKI, regardless of the etiology, and that low expression was associated with a poor short-term outcome.
Acute Kidney Injury/diagnosis/etiology/*metabolism/physiopathology/therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Biomarkers/analysis ; Biopsy ; Down-Regulation ; Female ; Glucuronidase/*analysis ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kidney/*chemistry/pathology/physiopathology ; Kidney Tubular Necrosis, Acute/diagnosis/etiology/*metabolism/physiopathology/therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Necrosis ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Recovery of Function ; Renal Replacement Therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Severity of Illness Index ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult