No abstract available.
Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Emergency Treatment* ; Humans

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of type II collagen, aggrecan, VEGF-A and PEDF mRNAs in the human chondrocytes derived from the articular cartilage of the femoral heads with avacular necrosis (AVN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We cultured human chondrocytes that were primarily derived from the articular cartilage of femoral heads with AVN. We evaluated the mRNA expression of type II collagen, aggrecan, VEGF-A and PEDF. RESULTS: The chondrocytes of the AVN group showed decreased expressions of type II collagen mRNA and aggrecan mRNA (p<0.05). The expression of VEGF-A mRNA and PEDF mRNA in the AVN group was the same as that of the normal group (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The cartilage matrix's formation ability was found to be decreased in the chondrocytes of the femoral heads affected by AVN.
Aggrecans ; Cartilage ; Cartilage, Articular ; Chondrocytes ; Collagen Type II ; Extracellular Matrix ; Head ; Humans ; Necrosis ; RNA, Messenger ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis(LAM) is rare and essentially limited to women in the reproductive ages. A 39-year-old female was admitted due to progressive exerUional dyspnea and intermittent productive cough. Chest PA showed marked hyperinflation of the lung associated with a diffuse reticulo-nodular pattern. High resolution CT scan of the thorax demonstrated that diffusely scattered thin-walled cysts were distributed throughout the bilateral lung fields. Abdominal CT scan showed variable sized multiple angiomyolipoma of both kidney. By open lung biopsy, she was diagnosed as pulmonary LAM associated with Tuberous sclerosis and renal Angiomyolipoma. We present the case and discuss the connection between pulmonary LAM and Tuberous sclerosis.
Adult ; Angiomyolipoma* ; Biopsy ; Cough ; Dyspnea ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; Lung ; Sclerosis* ; Thorax ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tuberous Sclerosis

Choledochal cysts are congenital lesions involving cystic dilatation of the bile ducts. The choledochocele, the rarest type of choledochal cyst, is a cystic dilatation of the distal common bile duct that protrudes into the duodenum. There have been few reports concerning malignancy in the biliary tree associated with choledochoceles. We recently experienced a case of a choledochocele with gallbladder cancer.
Bile Ducts ; Biliary Tract ; Choledochal Cyst ; Common Bile Duct ; Dilatation ; Duodenum ; Gallbladder ; Gallbladder Neoplasms

Background: To analyze the factors associated with women's vasomotor symptoms (VMS) using machine learning. Methods: Data on 3,298 women, aged 40–80 years, who attended their general health check-up from January 2010 to December 2012 were obtained from Korea University Anam Hospital in Seoul, Korea. Five machine learning methods were applied and compared for the prediction of VMS, measured by the Menopause Rating Scale. Variable importance, the effect of a variable on model performance, was used for identifying the major factors associated with VMS. Results: In terms of the mean squared error, the random forest (0.9326) was much better than linear regression (12.4856) and artificial neural networks with one, two, and three hidden layers (1.5576, 1.5184, and 1.5833, respectively). Based on the variable importance from the random forest, the most important factors associated with VMS were age, menopause age, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and monocyte, triglyceride, gamma glutamyl transferase, blood urea nitrogen, cancer antigen 19-9, C-reactive protein, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Indeed, the following variables were ranked within the top 20 in terms of variable importance: cancer antigen 125, total cholesterol, insulin, free thyroxine, forced vital capacity, alanine aminotransferase, forced expired volume in 1 second, height, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, and carcinoembryonic antigen. Conclusion Machine learning provides an invaluable decision support system for the prediction of VMS. For managing VMS, comprehensive consideration is needed regarding thyroid function, lipid profile, liver function, inflammation markers, insulin resistance, monocyte count, cancer antigens, and lung function.

Background: To analyze the factors associated with women's vasomotor symptoms (VMS) using machine learning. Methods: Data on 3,298 women, aged 40–80 years, who attended their general health check-up from January 2010 to December 2012 were obtained from Korea University Anam Hospital in Seoul, Korea. Five machine learning methods were applied and compared for the prediction of VMS, measured by the Menopause Rating Scale. Variable importance, the effect of a variable on model performance, was used for identifying the major factors associated with VMS. Results: In terms of the mean squared error, the random forest (0.9326) was much better than linear regression (12.4856) and artificial neural networks with one, two, and three hidden layers (1.5576, 1.5184, and 1.5833, respectively). Based on the variable importance from the random forest, the most important factors associated with VMS were age, menopause age, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and monocyte, triglyceride, gamma glutamyl transferase, blood urea nitrogen, cancer antigen 19-9, C-reactive protein, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Indeed, the following variables were ranked within the top 20 in terms of variable importance: cancer antigen 125, total cholesterol, insulin, free thyroxine, forced vital capacity, alanine aminotransferase, forced expired volume in 1 second, height, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, and carcinoembryonic antigen. Conclusion Machine learning provides an invaluable decision support system for the prediction of VMS. For managing VMS, comprehensive consideration is needed regarding thyroid function, lipid profile, liver function, inflammation markers, insulin resistance, monocyte count, cancer antigens, and lung function.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in retention and wear pattern of Locator® and ADD-TOC attachments on a digital milled bar by performing chewing simulation and repeated insertion/removal of prostheses in fully edentulous models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Locator (Locator®; Zest Anchors Inc., Escondido, CA, USA) was selected as the control group and ADD-TOC (ADDTOC; PNUAdd Co., Ltd., Busan, Republic of Korea) as the experimental group. A CAD-CAM milled bar was mounted on a master model and 3 threaded holes for connecting a bar attachment was formed using a tap. Locator and ADD-TOC attachments were then attached to the milled bar. Simulated mastication and repeated insertion/removal were performed over 400,000 cyclic loadings and 1,080insertions/removals, respectively. Wear patterns on deformed attachment were investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: For the ADD-TOC attachments, chewing simulation and repeated insertion/removal resulted in a mean initial retentive force of 24.43 ± 4.89 N, which were significantly lower than that of the Locator attachment, 34.33 ± 8.25 N (P < .05). Amounts of retention loss relative to baseline for the Locator and ADD-TOC attachments were 21.74 ± 7.07 and 8.98 ± 5.76 N (P < .05). CONCLUSION CAD-CAM milled bar with the ADD-TOC attachment had a lower initial retentive force than the Locator attachment. However, the ADD-TOC attachment might be suitable for long-term use as it showed less deformation and had a higher retentive force after simulated mastication and insertion/removal repetitions.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether or not pomegranate extract can affect depression, anxiety, and food intake in ovariectomized rats. METHODS: Seventy-nine female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups: A, no operation and no drug intake; B, sham operation and distilled water; C, ovariectomy and distilled water; D, ovariectomy and 10% dilute pomegranate extract; E, ovariectomy and 20% dilute pomegranate extract; and F, ovariectomy and 40% dilute pomegranate extract. Beginning 2 days after surgery, drugs were administrated for 4 weeks. After that, the rats were subjected to the elevated plus maze (EPM) test and forced swim test (FST). RESULTS: The 10% pomegranate extract had a lower % closed arm entry frequency in the EPM test. A pomegranate dose-dependent decrease in the duration of immobility duration in FST was shown. Pomegranate did not reverse ovariectomy-related hyperphagia and weight gain. CONCLUSION: Pomegranate extract improved depression and anxiety in a postmenopausal model with ovariectomized rats.
Animals ; Anxiety ; Arm ; Depression ; Eating ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperphagia ; Ovariectomy ; Punicaceae ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Salicylamides

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is the most severe form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is a disease of emerging identity and importance with increasing epidemic of obesity in Korea. Since NASH may progress to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even hepatocellular carcinoma, the identification of patients who may progress from steatosis to NASH is important. The aim of this study was to find clinical factors discriminating NASH from steatosis, and predictive factors for the degree of liver fibrosis in NASH. METHODS: Between January 2000 and August 2003, ultrasono-guided liver biopsies were performed on 50 patients in whom NAFLD was suspected clinically. We analyzed clinical factors, laboratory variables, and histologic findings. RESULTS: All of liver biopsies showed compatible histologic findings with NAFLD. Steatosis was observed in 10 patients (20%) and NASH in 40 patients (80%). In patients with high body mass index (BMI) (p=0.027), NASH was more frequently observed than steatosis. The diagnostic specificity of NASH was high (90%) in patients with BMI over 27.2. BMI and AST/ALT ratio were significant risk factors for severe liver fibrosis in multivariate analysis (p=0.014 and 0.04, regression coefficient 0.43 and 4.484, respectively). CONCLUSION: BMI and AST/ALT ratio correlated the degree of liver fibrosis in NASH. So, high BMI (over 27.2) may discriminate NASH from steatosis, and high BMI and high AST/ALT ratio may be useful as predictive factors for severe liver fibrosis in NASH.
Biopsy ; Body Mass Index ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Diagnosis* ; Fatty Liver* ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Korea ; Liver Cirrhosis* ; Liver* ; Multivariate Analysis ; Obesity ; Risk Factors ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether or not pomegranate extract can affect postmenopausal syndrome in ovariectomized rats. METHODS: Seventy-nine female Sprague-Dawley rats were used: A, no intervention; B, sham operation and distilled water; C, ovariectomy and distilled water; D, ovariectomy and 10% dilute pomegranate; E, ovariectomy and 20% pomegranate; and F, ovariectomy and 40% pomegranate. The study samples were obtained 4 weeks later. The following parameters were investigated for analyses: the thickness of urogenital epithelium, tail skin temperature, serum levels of sex hormones, lipid profile, homocysteine, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. RESULTS: 20% pomegranate had a transient thickening effect of bladder epithelial layer. There was an intermittent lowering effect of tail skin temperature of pomegranate extract, however, it was not consistent. There were lowering effect in serum homocysteine and elevating effect in serum high density lipoprotein-cholesterol. Pomegranate did not reverse post-ovariectomy reduced sex hormone levels. CONCLUSION: Pomegranate extract showed a tendency to reverse ovariectomy-related urothelial changes. Also pomegranate had a serum homocysteine-lowering effect.
Animals ; Epithelium ; Female ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; Homocysteine ; Humans ; Ovariectomy ; Punicaceae ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Salicylamides ; Skin Temperature ; Tail ; Thiobarbiturates ; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances ; Urinary Bladder