BACKGROUND: It is well known that excessive thyroid hormone in the body is associated with bone loss. However, the mechanism by which thyroid hormone affects bone cell metabolism remains unclear. It has been shown that thyroid hormones stimulate osteoclastic bone resorption indirectly via some unknown mediators secreted by osteoblasts, This study was undertaken to determine if interleukin-6 (IL-6) or interleukin-11 (IL-l1) could be the mediator (s) of thyroid hormone-induced bone loss. METHODS: We treated primary cultured human bone rnarrow stromal cells with 3,5,3-triiodo-thyronine (T) and measured basal and interleukin-l (IL-1)-stimulated IL-6/IL-ll production. We also investigated the possible modulating effect of 17B-estradiol (17B-E2.) on thyroid hormone action. RESULTS: T3 at 10 (-12) ~ 10 (-8) M concentration, significantly increased the basal IL-6 production in a dose-dependent manner, and also potentiated the stimulatory effect of IL-1 on IL-6 production. However, T failed to elicit a detectable effect on basal or IL-1-stimulated IL-11 production. Treat#ment with l7B-E2. inhibited IL-1-stimulated IL-6 production, but the effects of T3 on IL-6 production were not affected by 17/B-E. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that thyroid hormone may increase bone resorption by increasing basal IL-6 production and potentiating IL-1-induced IL-6 production from osteoblast-lineage cells, and these effects were independent of estrogen status.
Bone Marrow* ; Bone Resorption ; Estradiol ; Estrogens ; Humans* ; Interleukin-1 ; Interleukin-11* ; Interleukin-6* ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells* ; Metabolism ; Osteoblasts ; Osteoclasts ; Osteoporosis ; Stromal Cells ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Hormones

Nine patients with traumatic optic nerve injury were treated with optic canal decompression via transcranial approach. Postoperative visual function evaluated by visual in all patients and monitoring of visual evoked potential in 3 patients. 4 of 8 patients showed improvement in visual acuity and 2 of 3 patients also improved in the results of visual evoked potential monitoring. The mean duration between injury and operation of whom showed postoperative improvement of visual function was 6.8 days but 13 days in 5 unimproved or deteriorated patients. These findings indicate that optic canal decompression is recommended for patients with traumatic optic nerve injury who show no neurological improvement by conservative management. And also, the preoperative duration, the better visual outcome postoperatively.
Decompression* ; Evoked Potentials, Visual ; Humans ; Optic Nerve Injuries* ; Optic Nerve* ; Visual Acuity

This study was conducted to investigate plasma levels of oral methotrexate in rabbits and children receiving maintenance chemotherapy for acute lymphocytic leukemia. Eight New Zealand white rabbits, weighing 2kg in body weight, were divided into 3 groups and 5mg of methotrexate from 3 different manufactorying company was administered to the each group rabbits via nasogastric tube. Time to peak concentration ranged from 30 minutes to 3 hours (mean 1.2+/-0.9 hour)and the peak plasma concentration ranged from 0.08 micro M to 0.21micron M(mean 0.14+/-0.05 micronM)and area under the plasma concentration-time curve ranged from 0.6micron M.hr to 1.66micron M,hr (mean 1.06+/-0.36micronM,hr). There were no statistically significant difference in AUC of methotrexate in 3 groups, but interindividual variability in plasma levels of methotrexate was noted. Twelve patients with ALL who were receiving maintenance chemotherapy at pediatric department of Yeungnam University Hospital from August, 1988 to August, 1991 were studied. Plasma levels of oral methotrexale were monitored following an oral dose of 3.3 mg~10mg/m2 which was modified from recommended dose of 10 mg/m2 due to hepatotoxicity or myelosuppression. Time to peak concentration ranged from 30 minutes to 2 hours(mean 1.2+/-0.4 hour) and the peak plasma concentration ranged from 0.34 micron M to 0.8 micron M (mean 0.58+/-0.18micron M). The area under the plasma concentration-time curve ranged from 1.25micron M,hr to 3.79 micronM,hr (mean 2.71+/-0.84microM,hr)while standard area under the plasma concentration-time curve ranged from 0.13micronM, hr/mg/m2 to 0.54micronM, hr/mg/m2 (mean0.4+/-0.15micronM hr/mg/m2).Interindividual variability in plasma levels following an oral dose of methotrexate was noted. Peak plasma concentrations of study patients were all less than 1 micronM which is necessary for antileukemic effect of methotrexate in vitro. It seems to be necessary to increase the dose of methotrexate for all study patients, however optimal dose increment of methotrexate avoiding hepatotoxicity and myelosuppression need to be investigated further and measurement of plasma level of methotrexate is recommended when dose modification of methotrexate is made.
Area Under Curve ; Body Weight ; Child* ; Humans ; Maintenance Chemotherapy* ; Methotrexate* ; Pharmacology ; Plasma* ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma* ; Rabbits

No abstract available.
Humans ; Somatoform Disorders*

Adult intussusception is rare, and the majority of cases has an underlying cause that requires surgical resection. We report a case of a 39 yr-old man with ileo-ileo-colic intussusception caused by ileal lipoma that was successfully managed by a laparoscopic-assisted surgical maneuver. Using a three-cannula technique, ileo-colic intussusception was reduced laparoscopically. Then, through a 4-cm transverse incision in the right lower quadrant abdomen, ileo-ileal intussusception was reduced manually, and a resection of the tumor-bearing ileal segment and end-to-end anastomosis was performed extracorporeally. Although the role of laparoscopy in managing intussusception is not clearly defined, laparoscopy may be an alternative approach to the surgical treatment of adult intussusception in selected cases.
Adult ; Case Report ; Human ; Ileal Diseases/surgery* ; Ileal Neoplasms/surgery* ; Intussusception/surgery* ; Laparoscopy ; Lipoma/surgery* ; Male

BACKGROUND: Large series of patients with symptomatic mitral stenosis have undergone percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty(PMV) with use of the Inoue or double balloon technique. But to date the result of the two procedure have not been compared with a single series prospectively. METHODS: In order to assess the immediate hemodynamic results and the longterm efficacy of two different PMV technique, a prospective, randomized trial of PMV was performed using the Inoue balloon(Toray, I group) in 59 patients and the double balloons(a pair of Mansfield balloon. D group) in 61 patients with moderate to severe mitral stenosis. Before valvuloplasty, the patients series were comparable with regard to average age. gender, most clinical and echocardiographic variables. All the patients(120 patients, M/F 38/82, mean age 41+/-11 year) were preselected with good echoscore> or =9. RESULTS: The success rate was 83% in the I group and 89% in the D group when the success defined as mitral valve area(MVA)> or =1.5cm2 with 25% gain in MVA and mitral regurgitation> or =2+ at the end of procedure. The magnitude of increase of mitral valve area and decrease of mitral gradient, left atrial pressure and pulmonary arterial pressure were not significantly different in the Inoue and double balloon series(1.0+/-0.4 and 1.1+/-0.4cm2 for mitral vale area, 10.2+/-6.6 and 11.7+/-6.4mmHg for mitral gradient, 10.5+/-6,4 and 12.9 +/-7,3mmHg for left atrial pressure, and 8.7+/-7.3 and 10.1+/-9.4 mmHg for pulmonary artrial pressure respectively). Immediatly after dilation, the long diameter changes of the mitral orifice was more prominent in the D group(from 1.0+/-0.2 to 2.6+/-0.4cm p<0.01) than those in I series(from 1.1+/-0.4 to 2.3+/-0.3cm) Moreover, the magnitude of increase in the EF slop was significantly larger in the D group(31.9+/-17.0 vs 21.8+/-14.2mm/sec, p<0.001). The duration of total procedure(56+/-20 vs 84+/-24 min, p<0.002) and the fluoroscopic time (15+/-6 vs 25+/-11min, p<0.002) was significantly shorter in group I. The incidence of left to right shunt at the atrial level(Qp/Qs>1.5) was 3.4% in group I and 4.9% in group D. Severe mitral regurgitation> or =3+ occurred in 2 patients in each I(3.4%) and D(3.3%) group respectively. At follow-up, the mitral valve area was significantly decreased(1.6 in group I vs 1.8cm2 in group D, P<0.001 vs immediate after MVA) at 6 months and well maintained at 1 year follow-up in both groups. Until 6 months after valvuloplasty, the long diameter of orifice was greater in group D, however the difference was not apparent at 1 year follow-up. CONCLUSION: The Inoue and double balloon techniques obtained equivalent results of the success rate and the frequently of complications. However, the Inoue balloon technique reduced significantly fluoroscope time and total procedure duration. Double balloon technique afforded a longer longitudinal splitting of the commissure immediatly and 6 months after valvuloplasty. However the differences was not apparent at 1 year follow-up. Increased MVA was well maintained at 1 year in both groups. The severity of the newly developed mitral regurgitation immediately after valvuloplasty reduced significantly in 53% of the Inoue and 43% in the double balloon group at 6 months follow-up. In the view point of similiar immediate and late results of the two methods, the stepwise dilation with Doppler echocardiographic monitoring during the Inoue procedure appeared to be cumbersome.
Arterial Pressure ; Atrial Pressure ; Balloon Valvuloplasty* ; Echocardiography ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mitral Valve ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; Mitral Valve Stenosis ; Prospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Intimal tear or dissection is a serious complication after coronary angioplasty,sometimes which may develop an acute ischemic event. We evaluate the factor that may predict the development of dissection after angioplasty. METHODS: To identify the factors that development of dissection after angioplasty, the data of 52 patients identified as having dissection with or without immediate vessel closure were examined. Follow-up coronary angiogram was obtained in 22 out of 58 lesions at mean 5.6 month after angioplasty. RESULTS: Intimal dissection developed 58 lesion(31%) out of 177 lesions in 122 patients after PTCA. Ischemic complications, defined as ischemic chest pain, myocardial infarction, the need for coronary bypass surgery occured in 5 patients(9.6%) out of 52 patients with dissections. Significant correlates of a development of dissection were the lesion morphology of type C(P<0.01), more tight diameter stenosis before PTCA(P<0.01), and right coronary artery(P<0.02), especially in the proximal portion (P<0.05). There were no significant correlations of clinical pictures, whether complex or simple angioplasty and PTCA in single vessel disease or in multivessel disease. Morphologic feature of dissection was type A(radiolucency) in 22(38%), B(filling defect)in 14(24%), C(extra-luminal "cap")in 8(14%), D(spiral dissection)in 5(9%), E(filling defect with delayded antegrade flow)in 7(12%) and F(total occlusion) in 2(3%). Twenty-two(38%) dissection out of 58 were obtained follow-up angiogram at mean 5.6 month. Angiographic restenosis occured in 9(41%) lesions, which included more type A dissections (7/9,78%) compared to lesions with dissection healing (3/13, 23%)(P<0.001) at follow-up. Thirteen lesions with dissection healing at follow-up included more B and C dissection(B;54%,C;15%)and E dissection in 1. Furthermoremore restenosis occurred more prevalent in the infarct-related artery(P<0.001) and left anterior decending coronary artery lesion(P<0.01). There was somewhat higher diameter residual stenosis after angioplasty (32+/-11% vs 26+/-10%) in the lesions with restenosis, but there was no statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Intimal dissection after angioplasty occurred in 58(31%) leisions out of 122(177leisions) consecutive patients underwent PTCA developments if intimal dissection after PTCA significantly correlated with the lesions if type C, more tight diameter stenois before PTCA and right coronary artery. At mean 5.6months follow-up,angiographic restenosis occured in 41% of dissections, which had more included type A(radiolucency)dissections, infarct-related artery and left anterior descending coronary artery leision.
Angioplasty* ; Arteries ; Chest Pain ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Vessels ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is one of several opportunistic pathogens of growing significance. Several studies on the molecular epidemiology of S. maltophilia have shown clinical isolates to be genetically diverse. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 121 clinical isolates tentatively identified as S. malophilia from seven tertiary-care hospitals in Korea from 2007 to 2011 were included. Species and groups were identified using partial gyrB gene sequences and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using a broth microdilution method. Multi locus variable number of tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) surveys are used for subtyping. RESULTS: Based on partial gyrB gene sequences, 118 isolates were identified as belonging to the S. maltophilia complex. For all S. maltophilia isolates, the resistance rates to trimethoprime-sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) and levofloxacin were the highest (both, 30.5%). Resistance rate to ceftazidime was 28.0%. 11.0% and 11.9% of 118 S. maltophilia isolates displayed resistance to piperacillin/tazobactam and tigecycline, respectively. Clade 1 and Clade 2 were definitely distinguished from the data of MLVA with amplification of loci. All 118 isolates were classified into several clusters as its identification. CONCLUSION: Because of high resistance rates to TMP/SMX and levofloxacin, the clinical laboratory department should consider providing the data about other antimicrobial agents and treatment of S. maltophilia infections with a combination of antimicrobials can be considered in the current practice. The MLVA evaluated in this study provides a fast, portable, relatively low cost genotyping method that can be employed in genotypic linkage or transmission networks comparing to analysis of the gyrB gene.
Anti-Infective Agents ; Ceftazidime ; Korea ; Levofloxacin ; Methods ; Molecular Epidemiology ; Stenotrophomonas maltophilia* ; Stenotrophomonas* ; Tandem Repeat Sequences*

PURPOSE: We investigated the risk factors related to the development and aggravation of allergic rhinitis, which is associated with residential environment and lifestyle habits of children residing in Incheon. METHODS: A total of 182 children diagnosed with moderate to severe allergic rhinitis and 67 healthy children were enrolled. A detailed questionnaire of the environmental characteristics and the dietary habits were completed by the parents. Further, skin prick tests with 14 common allergens were performed. RESULTS: The mean age of the children with allergic rhinitis and healthy control was 8.2+/-2.8 and 9.4+/-2.0 years, respectively. The presence of indoor mold was associated with an increased risk of development of allergic rhinitis. (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.96-9.27) Among the food groups, there was no significant difference of the daily intake of milk and yogurt between the patients and the controls. However, daily intake of vegetables, except Kimchi, and daily intake of fruits or fruit juice were associated with a decreased risk of allergic rhinitis. (aOR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.20-0.92 / aOR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.13-0.90, respectively) CONCLUSION: The results indicate that an indoor dampness is one of the risk factors of development and aggravation of allergic rhinitis. Control of indoor humidity and daily intake of fruits and vegetables can prevent the development and control symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
Allergens ; Child ; Diet ; Food Habits ; Fruit ; Fungi ; Humans ; Humidity ; Life Style ; Milk ; Odds Ratio ; Parents ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; Risk Factors ; Skin ; Vegetables ; Yogurt

Tumor of the trachea are uncommon. Trachea tumor are usually diagnosed late in their natural history, because the tracheal lumen may be extensively involved before symptoms occur, and because symptoms may be confused with those of asthma. Some 19% to 29% of the trachea tumor have laryngeal or lung malignancy. Squamous carcinoma is by far the most frequent among tracheal tumor, although adenocarcinoma and oat cell carcinoma have been described so. Oat cell carcinoma in the trachea are aggressive tumors as. they are in the lung and elsewhere. Oat cell carcinoma as well as squamous cell carcinoma are related with tobacco exposure. We presented a case of small cell carcinoma nearly obstructing the trachea and right main bronchus which was partially removed after bronchoscopic ethanol injection, along with a review of the literature.
Adenocarcinoma ; Asthma ; Bronchi ; Carcinoma, Small Cell ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Ethanol ; Lung ; Natural History ; Tobacco ; Trachea*