OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to determine the relationship between the VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) expression and histopathologic prognostic factors and 5-year survival rate. METHODS: We examined the expression of the VEGF by immunohistochemical staining in 40 specimens collected from invasive uterine cervix cancer patients. We compared the results of relationship between the VEGF expression and several histopathologic prognostic factors by using Fisher exact test for statistical analysis. RESULTS: All specimens showed low or high immunoreactivity. There was no significant correlation between the expression of the VEGF and histopathologic prognostic factors (p>0.05) except for pathological cell types (p<0.05). Parametrial invasion, the stage and age showed statistically significant correlation with 5 year survival rate (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant correlation between the VEGF expression and 5 year survival rate. CONCLUSION: VEGF expression had no relation with prognostic factors except for histopathologic cell types. Its expression may not play an important role in the prognosis of the uterine cervix cancer patients.
Cervix Uteri* ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Prognosis ; Survival Rate ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*

OBJECTIVES: It is known that children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience significant difficulty in recognizing facial emotion, which involves processing of emotional facial expressions rather than speech, compared to children without ADHD. This objective of this study is to investigate the differences in facial emotion recognition between children with ADHD and normal children used as control. METHODS: The children for our study were recruited from the Suwon Project, a cohort comprising a non-random convenience sample of 117 nine-year-old ethnic Koreans. The parents of the study participants completed study questionnaires such as the Korean version of Child Behavior Checklist, ADHD Rating Scale, Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Present and Lifetime Version. Facial Expression Recognition Test of the Emotion Recognition Test was used for the evaluation of facial emotion recognition and ADHD Rating Scale was used for the assessment of ADHD. RESULTS: ADHD children (N=10) were found to have impaired recognition when it comes to Emotional Differentiation and Contextual Understanding compared with normal controls (N=24). We found no statistically significant difference in the recognition of positive facial emotions (happy and surprise) and negative facial emotions (anger, sadness, disgust and fear) between the children with ADHD and normal children. CONCLUSION: The results of our study suggested that facial emotion recognition may be closely associated with ADHD, after controlling for covariates, although more research is needed.
Checklist ; Child ; Child Behavior ; Cohort Studies ; Facial Expression ; Humans ; Mood Disorders ; Parents ; Surveys and Questionnaires

We present here occurence of PCR-positive but culture-negative for vanB vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) from an enrichment broth of a stool surveillance culture in a patient suffering from Parkinson's disease, who was transferred from a long-term care facility because of aspiration pneumonia. He developed VRE bacteriuria at the hospital day 42. vanA and vanB genes were detected from 6 microg/mL vancomycin-containing BBL Enterococcosel broth (BD), of which color changed to black after overnight incubation, by both Seeplex VRE detection (Seegene, Seoul, Korea) and Anyplex VanR real-time PCR (Seegene). Subculture of an aliquot of the blackened broth on blood agar plate produced only vanA VRE. All of the four subsequent consecutive surveillance cultures for 1 month until discharge at hospital day 75 resulted in PCR-positive but culture-negative for vanB VRE from the enrichment broths. Therefore, the presence of a non-enterococcal intrinsic reservoir bearing vanB is more likely than low burden of vanB VRE. Considering the rare occurrence of vanB VRE in Korea, vanB-positive PCR results from the enrichment broth requires confirmation by microbiological studies.
Agar ; Bacteriuria ; Enterococcus ; Humans ; Korea ; Long-Term Care ; Parkinson Disease ; Pneumonia, Aspiration ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Stress, Psychological ; Ursidae ; Vancomycin

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of yellow tinted intraocular lenses (IOLs), implanted in the bag after phacoemulsification, on the result of frequency doubling technique (FDT) perimetry. METHODS: For 68 eyes of 52 patients, an IOL was implanted in the bag after phacoemulsification. The patients were categorized into three groups according to the type of implanted IOLs used. IOLs were selected randomly among two types of yellow IOLs (Acrysof SN60WF IOL, Hoya YA60BBR IOL) and a clear IOL was used as a control. A FDT Humphrey matrix was performed 2 months after the surgery. The mean deviation (MD) and pattern standard deviation (PSD) among these three groups was analyzed using Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS: Two months after the procedure, there was no significant difference between each of the three groups: the clear IOL and Hoya YA60BBR IOL (MD, p = 0.21; PSD, p = 0.27), the clear IOL and Alcon SN60WF IOL (MD, p = 0.11; PSD, p = 0.22), and the Hoya YA60BBR IOL and Alcon SN60WF IOL (MD, p = 0.33; PSD, p = 0.56). CONCLUSIONS: When interpreting the result of the FDT after cataract surgery, the color and type of IOLs used should not be considered.
Aged ; *Cataract Extraction/methods ; Color ; Equipment Design ; Female ; Humans ; Lens Implantation, Intraocular ; *Lenses, Intraocular ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phacoemulsification ; Postoperative Period ; Prospective Studies ; Visual Field Tests/*methods

Vitamin D is considered to be the main mediator of the beneficial effects of sun exposure. In humans, highest expression of Vitamin D receptors is found in the intestinal tract. In addition, 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (or calcitriol), the most active Vitamin D metabolite, plays important homeostatic roles in the intestine, particularly calcium absorption. Vitamin D deficiency is defined as a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level of < 20 ng/mL. Previous studies show that higher circulating 25(OH)D levels are associated with reduced risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) and improved survival. Most research to date has been conducted in animals, specifically mice. Although human studies have a limited number of participants, one study recruiting a large cohort of patients with advanced or metastatic CRC revealed that higher plasma 25(OH)D levels are associated with improved overall and progression-free survival. However, the effects of Vitamin D supplementation on incidence and mortality of CRC remain inconclusive. Although Vitamin D may help to prevent cancer, there is a paucity of research demonstrating conclusively that Vitamin D alters prognosis after chemotherapy. Here, we review the mechanisms by which Vitamin D affects CRC, as well as the results of clinical, epidemiological, and human intervention studies. We also discuss current perspectives and future directions regarding Vitamin D and CRC.

BACKGROUND: Rotavirus is the most common agent of acute gastroenteritis in childhood worldwide. Besides rotavirus, calicivirus is well known another important cause of acute gastroenteritis in childhood. However, caliciviral acute gastroenteritis has not been studied well in Korea. Here we report clinical manifestations of caliciviral acute gastroenteritis confirmed by RT-PCR. METHODS: Eleven patients who were admitted to Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine from April 1998 to April 1999, were involved in this study. RNA was isolated from the stool of the patients. RT-PCR was done. Electrophoresis with the PCR products was done. Viruses were identified by electron microscope. Medical records were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Infections occurred below 7 years of age in almost all patients. No sex predominance was found. The clinical manifestations were those of acute gastroenteritis, such as diarrhea, vomiting, poor oral intake, fever, nausea, or abdominal pain. Symptoms were less severe compared to rotaviral infection. CONCLUSION: In case of viral gastroenteritis caused not by rotavirus, we should keep in mind that calicivirus is a possible cause.
Abdominal Pain ; Diarrhea ; Electrophoresis ; Fever ; Gastroenteritis* ; Humans ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Nausea ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Retrospective Studies ; RNA ; Rotavirus ; Vomiting

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to define the normal variation of fetal heart rate (FHR) and to analyze whether first-trimester fetal heart rate (FHR) are useful in predicting pregnancy outcome. METHODS: We prospectively studied 162 singleton pregnancies with gestational ages ranging from 5 to 10 weeks between Mar. 1999 and Jan. 2003 visting our hospital. Color doppler sonography was used to calculate the fetal heart rate in beats per minute as the mean of 3 waves. RESULTS: The following results were obtained. 1. Overall, 149 pregnancies reached viability and 13 resulted in fetal loss before 13 weeks' gestation. 2. A significantly higher number of viable pregnancies, compared with fetal losses, had FHR within one (73.1% compared with 38.5%, p<0.001) and two (94.6% compared with 69.2%, p<0.001) standard deviations of the mean for viable pregnancies at corresponding gestational ages. 3. A significant correlation was seen between gestational age and fetal heart rate (p<0.001). The regressing equation for heart rate was as follows: heart rate = 3.40 X gestational age (days)-30.15 (r = 0.87). 4. There was no significant difference in the fetal heart rates between male and female embryos during this early stage of pregnancy. CONCLUSION: First-trimester FHR can be helpful to predict pregnancy outcome. Women with FHR outside the reference range from the mean for viable pregnancies at corresponding gestational ages may be at risk for eventual pregnancy loss.
Embryonic Structures ; Female ; Fetal Heart* ; Gestational Age ; Heart Rate ; Heart Rate, Fetal* ; Humans ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome* ; Pregnancy Trimester, First* ; Pregnancy* ; Prospective Studies ; Reference Values

OBJECTIVE: Recently, with rising rates of repeat cesarean sections, enormous amount of the studies about trial of labor after cesarean section have been reported to decrease the rate of cesarean section. The purpose of this study is to provide data regarding the safety and the successful prognostic factors of VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean section). METHODS: This retrospective study was performed based on 194 pregnant women who tried vaginal delivery after cesarean section at Eulji University Hospital from March 1997 to February 2002. The age of mother, gestational age, estimated fetal body weight by ultrasonography, neonatal body weight, cervical effacement, cervical dilatation, Bishop score, the number of previous vaginal delivery, and spontaneous labor were analyzed between successful group (177 patients) and failure group (17 patients) with trial of labor. Student T-test and Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: 177 cases (91.24%) in 194 cases succeeded in VBAC and 17 cases (8.76%) failed. There was no maternal death or uterine rupture in the cases of trial of labor. The gestational age, estimated fetal body weight by ultrasonography, neonatal body weight, cervical effacement, cervical dilatation, Bishop score, the number of previous vaginal delivery, spontaneous labor had notable differences between the successful group and the failure group. But, There was no significant difference in maternal age. CONCLUSION: The trial of labor after cesarean section is relatively safe method of delivery if it is performed under strict indication. Above findings can be used as possible prognostic factors for the success of VBAC and may reduce the risk and complication of VBAC. The following studies with large populations and performed by multi-centers will be needed for the evaluation of safety and successful prognostic factors of VBAC.
Body Weight ; Cesarean Section ; Cesarean Section, Repeat ; Female ; Fetal Weight ; Gestational Age ; Human ; Humans ; Labor Stage, First ; Maternal Age ; Maternal Death ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Retrospective Studies ; Surrogate Mothers ; Trial of Labor ; Ultrasonography ; Uterine Rupture ; Vaginal Birth after Cesarean*

Cholestatic liver cirrhosis (CLC) eventually proceeds to end-stage liver failure by mediating overwhelming deposition of collagen, which is produced by activated interstitial myofibroblasts. Although the beneficial effects of Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS) on various diseases are well-known, its therapeutic effect and possible underlying mechanism on interstitial fibrosis associated with CLC are not elucidated. This study was designed to assess the protective effects of RVS and its possible underlying mechanisms in rat models of CLC established by bile duct ligation (BDL). We demonstrated that BDL markedly elevated the serological parameters such as aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin, all of which were significantly attenuated by the daily uptake of RVS (2 mg/kg/day) for 28 days (14 days before and after operation) via intragastric route. We observed that BDL drastically induced the deterioration of liver histoarchitecture and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM), both of which were significantly attenuated by RVS. In addition, we revealed that RVS inhibited BDL-induced proliferation and activation of interstitial myofibroblasts, a highly suggestive cell type for ECM production, as shown by immunohistochemical and semi-quantitative detection of α-smooth muscle actin and vimentin. Finally, we demonstrated that the anti-fibrotic effect of RVS was associated with the inactivation of Smad3, the key downstream target of a major fibrogenic cytokine, i.e., transforming growth factor β (TGF-β). Simultaneously, we also found that RVS reciprocally increased the expression of Smad7, a negative regulatory protein of the TGF-β/Smad3 pathway. Taken together, these results suggested that RVS has a therapeutic effect on CLC, and these effects are, at least partly, due to the inhibition of liver fibrosis by the downregulation of Smad3 and upregulation of Smad7.
Actins ; Alanine Transaminase ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Bile Ducts ; Bilirubin ; Collagen ; Down-Regulation* ; Extracellular Matrix ; Fibrosis* ; Ligation ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Liver Failure ; Liver* ; Models, Animal ; Myofibroblasts ; Negotiating ; Rhus* ; Transforming Growth Factors ; Up-Regulation* ; Vimentin

PURPOSE:This study was designed to assess the clinical manifestations and the risk factors of seizures after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(HSCT) in children. Also we analyzed the 3-year survival rates of those who experienced such seizures and those who did not. METHOD:The study group consisted of 28 patients(21 males and, 7 females) who experienced seizures out of the 197 patients(113 males and, 84 females) who underwent HSCT at St. Mary's Hospital HSCT Center of the Catholic University of Korea. RESULTS:The overall incidence of seizures developing after HSCT was 13.8%, with boys reporting a higher incidence than girls. No significant difference was found with regards to the onsets and the types of seizures. In terms of the possible risk factors for seizures, the age of the patient and the stage of acute graft versus host disease(aGVHD) were statistically significant. The patients who were 5 years or more showed a 4.2 times greater incidence rate of seizures(P=0.025) than those who were younger. Also, the patients with stage 2-4 aGVHD showed a 2.77 times greater incidence of seizures(P= 0.034) than those with stage 0-1 aGVHD. The 3-year survival rate of the patients experiencing seizures was 37+/-18%, while the rate increased to 67+/-8% for those who did not(P< 0.001). CONCLUSION:Among the recipients of HSCT in children, the patients aged 5 years or older and aGVHD of the stage 2 or above showed a greater likelihood of seizures occurring after HSCT. The patients who experienced seizures should undergo a close observation and an intensive care since those patients reported a lower 3-year survival rate than those who did not.
Child ; Female ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Critical Care ; Korea ; Male ; Risk Factors* ; Seizures* ; Survival Rate ; Transplants