No abstract available.
Cervix Uteri* ; Female ; Rhabdomyosarcoma*

No abstract available.
Prostate* ; Prostatectomy* ; Prostatic Neoplasms*

No abstract available.
Prostate* ; Prostatectomy* ; Prostatic Neoplasms*

Background:Ghrelin is a new endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor. It activates the release of growth hormone from the pituitary and it also participates in the regualtion of energy homeostasis. The aims of the study were to characterize the changes in plasma ghrelin levels in obese subjects compared with lean control or overweight subjects, and their relationship to various parameters in obese subjects. METHODS:In this study, 121 elementary school children were divided into 3 groups according to their body mass index (BMI). The lean control subjects consisted of 28 children who had less than 85 percentile of BMI. The overweight subjects consisted of 22 children who had 85-95 percentile of BMI. The obese subjects consisted of 71 children who had over 95 percentile of BMI. All subjects in 3 groups were evaluated according to their age, height, weight, obesity index, plasma ghrelin, serum lipid, glucose and insulin levels. Leu72Met mutation of prepro-ghrelin gene was directly detected by digesting the PCR fragments with Bsrl. RESULTS:Among antropometric data, body weight, BMI and obesity index were higher in obesity and overweight subjects than those of lean control subjects (P<0.05). The plasma ghrelin levels were significantly lower in overweight and obese subjects (P<0.05). In addition, serum triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels were significantly higher in these groups compared to the control subjects (P<0.05). The concentrations of plasma ghrelin were significantly negatively correlated with BMI, obesity index, serum triglyceride, LDL cholesterol and insulin in all the children. However, there was no significant relationship between plasma ghrelin levels and any various parameters in obese subjects. Leu72Met mutation was detected in about 30% of obese children. However, we could not find any differences between lean control and obese children. CONCLUSION: We proved a significantly lower plasma ghrelin levels in overweight and obese subjects. Further studies are now needed to establish the role of ghrelin in the pathogenesis of human obesity.
Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Child* ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Ghrelin* ; Glucose ; Growth Hormone ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Insulin ; Obesity* ; Overweight ; Plasma* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptors, Ghrelin ; Triglycerides

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Apoptosis via Fas/FasL system is thought to be involved in the development of hepatocyte death in viral hepatitis B. In chronic hepatitis C, sFas/sFasL system was reported to control liver injury induced by Fas/FasL mediated apoptosis. To determine the role of sFas/sFasL system in chronic hepatitis B, we analyzed serum sFas/sFasL in 58 HBV patients and 29 healthy controls. METHODS: HBV patients were categorized into two groups; normal ALT (< or =40 IU/L) and elevated ALT (>40 IU/L). Serum sFas/sFasL levels in HBV patients were measured by ELISA and was compared with those in 29 healthy controls. Serum ALT levels, histological activity, and Fas/FasL expression of liver were compared. RESULTS: Chronic hepatitis B patients with elevated ALT had significantly higher serum sFas levels than those in healthy controls (P<0.01). Serum sFasL levels, however, were significantly lower than those in healthy controls (P<0.01). Patients with moderate to marked degree of inflammation and fibrosis had significantly higher serum sFas levels than those in healthy controls (P<0.05). Serum sFasL levels had no correlation with the hepatic histological activity. Serum sFas/sFasL levels also had no significant correlation with the Fas/FasL expression of liver. CONCLUSIONS: Serum sFas/sFasL levels play a possible role in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis B. These results suggest that serum sFas levels might serve as a marker for estimating the degree of hepatic histological activity.
Adult ; Antigens, CD95/analysis/*blood ; Fas Ligand Protein/analysis/*blood ; Female ; Hepatitis B virus/isolation & purification ; Hepatitis B, Chronic/*diagnosis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the accuracy of rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDT) in children with an influenza-like illness and to evaluate factors associated with greater accuracy. METHODS: Pediatric patients, who visited Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital with an influenza-like illness between June 2011 and May 2016, were enrolled in this study. We tested 798 samples using a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for respiratory viruses and compared the results with rapid influenza tests. RESULTS: In comparison with the results of the multiplex PCR, the positive agreement rates of RIDT for influenza A and B virus were 75.7% and 60.0%, respectively. The performance of RIDT varied according to days after fever onset. The positive agreement rates of RIDT for influenza A and B tests, performed within 4 days of fever onset, were 77.6% and 73.2%, but the rates for tests performed more than 5 days after fever onset were 66.7% and 21.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The RIDT is a quick and simple aid to diagnosis, but is less sensitive than the labeled sensitivity. Moreover, test performance varied according to days after fever onset. Test specimens for RIDT should be collected as soon as possible after the onset of symptoms (less than 4 days).
Child ; Diagnosis ; Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; Fever ; Heart ; Herpesvirus 1, Cercopithecine ; Humans ; Immunochromatography ; Influenza, Human* ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Orthomyxoviridae* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Seasons*

An isolated aneurysm of the iliac artery is a very rare disease that can occur as the result of atherosclerotic degeneration, mycosis, trauma, medial necrosis, fibrodysplasia, or Marfan syndrome. This abnormality is often asymptomatic, and it has a potential risk of rupture. Since patients with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis have many comorbid conditions, the risk of rupture is increased. Here, we report the case of an isolated common iliac artery aneurysm that was caused by atherosclerosis in a patient on hemodialysis, and we review the relevant literature.
Aneurysm ; Atherosclerosis ; Humans ; Iliac Aneurysm ; Iliac Artery ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Marfan Syndrome ; Necrosis ; Rare Diseases ; Renal Dialysis ; Renal Insufficiency ; Rupture

OBJECTIVES: To explore the relationship of white matter changes (WMC) on magnetic resornance imaging (MRI) with plasma homocysteine and folate levels in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. METHODS: Forty-one patients with probable AD were evaluated on WMC on brain MRI, plasma homocysteine and folate levels, and cerebrovascular risk factors. Subjects were divided into two groups according to WMC scores (lower group with < 5 and higher group with > or = 5). WMC were assessed by a scale of the European Task Force on Age-Related WMC. RESULTS: Plasma homocysteine levels were correlated with right frontal WMC and have a tendency of correlation with left frontal WMC. When subjects were divided into two groups: higher plasma homocysteine group (> or = 14 micronmol/L) and lower plasma homocysteine group (< 14 micronmol/L), the former was significantly higher than the latter in both frontal WMC. In a logistic regression analysis, higher plasma homocysteine were not a significant risk factor for higher WMC. Increasing age was a only significant risk factor for higher WMC and correlated with both frontal WMC. There was no relationship folate with any WMC. CONCLUSION: It is possible that plasma homocysteine levels have a region-specific correlation with frontal WMC in AD. However, it is important that effect of age on the relationship should be considered.
Advisory Committees ; Alzheimer Disease ; Brain ; Folic Acid ; Homocysteine ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Magnetics ; Magnets ; Plasma ; Risk Factors

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical and radiologic results of using Acutrak screws for treating ankle medial malleolar fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 38 cases of ankle medial malleolar fracture treated with Acutrak screws from February 2005 to May 2008. RESULTS: In clinical result, there were 30 exellent cases, 7 good cases, 1 fair case. In radiologic result, there is no case with reduction loss. Average union time is 10.5 weeks. CONCLUSION: We conclude that Acutrak screw fixation is a useful method for ankle medial malleolar fracture, there are many advantages in accurate anatomical reduction, small incision, short operative time.
Animals ; Ankle ; Operative Time

Congenital thoracic ectopic kidney is a very rare developmental disorder and the rarest type of ectopic kidney. This condition is usually asymptomatic and detected incidentally on routine chest radiography. Most cases of thoracic ectopic kidney develop in adulthood and during the neonatal period, and congenital thoracic ectopic kidney rarely develops in children. Most patients are asymptomatic, and the treatment depends on the diagnosis. Herein, we report a rare case of ectopic thoracic kidney associated with a diaphragmatic hernia in a 15-month-old male infant, who presented with periodic severe irritability. The thoracic ectopic kidney was detected as a mass in the right base of the chest on routine chest radiography.
Child ; Diagnosis ; Hernia, Diaphragmatic* ; Humans ; Infant* ; Kidney* ; Male ; Radiography ; Thorax