BACKGROUND: Patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer are often treated with radiation alone or in combination with chemotherapy. Both modalities have a potentially damaging effect on pulmonary function. In order to examine changes in the cardiopulmonary exercise function of patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer before and after conventional radiotherapy, we conducted a prospective study involving patients with such cancer, that had received radiation therapy. METHODS: Resting pulmonary function test, thoracic radiographic finding and cardiopulmonary exercise test(CPET) were assessed prior to and 4 weeks following radiation therapy in 11 male patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Patient with endobronchial mass were excluded. RESULTS: The forces vital capacity(FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second(FEV1)and maximal voluntary ventilation(MVV) did not decreased between before and 4 weeks after radiation but the diffusing capacity(DLCO) had decreased by 11% 4 weeks after radiation, which was not statistically significant. No changes in maximal oxygen consumption(VO2max), carbon dioxide production(VCO2), exercise time and work load were attributed to radiation therapy. Follow up cardiopulmonary exercise testing revealed unchanged cardiovascular function, ventilatory function and gas exchange. No difference in cardiopulmonary exercise test performance was observed between pre- and post-radiation. CONCLUSION: Cardiopulmonary exercise function did not decrease within the short-term after the radiation of patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
Carbon Dioxide ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* ; Drug Therapy ; Exercise Test ; Follow-Up Studies ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Male ; Oxygen ; Prospective Studies ; Radiotherapy ; Respiratory Function Tests

BACKGROUND: With the increase of cigarette consumption by women and the young, the incidence of lung cancer is expected to increase during the next three or four decades in Korea. The purpose of this study was to analyze the smoking habits in patients with lung cancer and to identify the gender differences in terms of their susceptibility to cigarette related carcinogens. METHODS: This investigation was a hospital-based case control study, which included the data of 178 case subjects(72 females, 106 males) with lung cancer and 218 control subjects(97 females, 121 males) with diseases unrelated to smoking. The information was obtained through a direct personal interview and a questionnaire related to personal smoking history. RESULTS: The relative frequency of the squamous cell carcinoma was substantially higher in males than in females(61.3% in males, and 29.2% in females), while adenocarcinoma including bronchoalveolar cell carcinoma was higher in females(31.9% in females, 18.9% in males). Keryberg Ilung cancer was of relatively higher frequencies in males and smokers. while Kreyberg IIlung cancer was higher in females and never smokers. The odds ratios(ORs) at each exposure level were consistently higher in females than males. For all cell types, the risk of lung cancer was increased with the quantity of smoked cigarettes, duration of smoking, and depth of inhalation. Odds ratio was distinctly higher in Kreyberg Ilung cancer than in total lung cancer and a steeper gradient of risk with increased smoking was observed in females. CONCLUSION: The ralative risk for lung cancer was consistently higher in females than in males at every level of exposure to cigarette smoke. This is believed to be due to the higher susceptibility of females to tabacco carcinogens, such as gender associated differences of carcinogen activation and/or the elimination of smoking related metabolites.
Adenocarcinoma ; Carcinogens ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Inhalation ; Korea ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; Male ; Odds Ratio ; Smoke* ; Smoking* ; Tobacco Products

Human parvovirus B19 is a single-strand DNA virus which causes erythema infectlosum, arthralgia, aplastic crisis in patients with red cell defect, chronic anemia in immunocompromised patients, and fetal hydrops in pregnant women . A 16-year-old women was referred to our hospital with pancytopenia and splenomegaly. In peripheral blood, spherocytosis and reitculocytopenia were observed. Many giant pronormoblasts with prominent inclusion bodies and deeply blue cytoplasm were observed but late erythroblasts were not observed in bone marrow smear. Osmotic fragility of patient's red cells was significantly increased. Human parvovirus Bl9 DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction. Only with supportive therapy, pancytopenia was spontaneously resolved.
Adolescent ; Anemia ; Arthralgia ; Bone Marrow ; Cytoplasm ; DNA ; DNA Viruses ; Erythema ; Erythroblasts ; Female ; Humans* ; Hydrops Fetalis ; Immunocompromised Host ; Inclusion Bodies ; Osmotic Fragility ; Pancytopenia ; Parvovirus B19, Human ; Parvovirus* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pregnant Women ; Splenomegaly

No abstract available.
Eating ; Functional Food ; Hypertrichosis ; Minoxidil

No abstract available.

BACKGROUNDS: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome(OSA) can divided into two groups, positional (PP) and non-positional(NPP) obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, according to the body position while sleeping. In this study, we evaluated the differences of anthropometirc data and polysomnographic recordings between the two types of sleep apnea syndrome. MATERIALS: Fifty patients with OSA were divided two groups by Cartwright's criteria. The supine respiratory disturbance index (RDI) was at least two times higher than the lateral RDI in the PP group, and the supine RDI was less than twice the lateral RDI in the NPP group. This patients underwent standardized polysomnographic recordings. The anthropometirc data and polysomnographic data were analyzed, statistically. RESULTS: Of all 50 patients, 30% were found to be positional OSA. BMI was significantly higher in the PP group(p<0.05). Total sleep time was significantly longer in the PP group (350.6±46.0min, p<0.05). Sleep efficiency was high in the PP group(89.6± 6.4%, 85.6±9.9%, p<0.05). Deep sleep was significantly higher and light sleep was lower in the PP group than in the NPP group but no difference was observed in REM sleep between the two groups. Apnea index(AI) and RDI were significantly lower(17.0±10.6, 28.5±13.3, p<0.05) and mean arterial oxygen saturation was higher in the PP group(92.7 ±1.8%, p<0.05) than in the NPP group. CONCLUSION: Body position during sleep has a profound effect on the frequency and severity of breathing abnormalities in OSA patients. A polysomnographic evaluation for suspected OSA patients must include monitoring of the body position. Breathing function in OSA patients can be improved by controlling their obesity and through postural therapy.
Apnea ; Humans ; Obesity ; Oxygen ; Polysomnography ; Respiration ; Sleep Apnea Syndromes ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive* ; Sleep, REM

Strongylodiasis is universal in distribution but is most abundant in countries with a tropical climate. Although infestation by Strongyloides stercoralis is usually limited to the intestines, dessemination of this helminth in debilitated host can be lead to death with various clinical disorders. characterized by profound malabsorption, diarrhea, electrolyte imbalance, gram negative or opportunistic fungal sepsis, coma and death. Cell-mediated immunity contributing significantly to the control of helminthic infections, may be suppressed by carcinoma, immunosuppressive chemotherapy and use of corticosteroids. Diagnosis of Strongyloidiasis is achieved by an examination of samples of feces, duodenal aspirates and sputum of patients for Strongyloides stercoralis. Treatment of strongyloidiasis is twofold : correction of the immunosuppressive state by withdrawal of immunosuppressive drug, if possible, and vigorous treatment with thiabendazole. Testing for strongyloidiasis is especially recommanded before treating a patients should be monitored for infection by Strongyloides stercoralis and other opportunistic infection. We are reporting a case patient with Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection and pulmonary tuberculosis who had been. used corticosteroid for persisting polyarthritis.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Arthritis ; Coma ; Diagnosis ; Diarrhea ; Drug Therapy ; Feces ; Helminths ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; Intestines ; Opportunistic Infections ; Sepsis ; Sputum ; Strongyloides stercoralis* ; Strongyloides* ; Strongyloidiasis ; Thiabendazole ; Tropical Climate ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

No abstract available.
Antibodies, Monoclonal* ; Borrelia burgdorferi* ; Borrelia* ; Lyme Disease*

No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma*

Composite grafting remains a technique which is used reluctantly and without great hope of success. In the recent two years, unexpectedly good result of composite graft was gained from 30 cases. The purpose of our study is to identify factors influencing success and to overlook long-term problems from a cosmetic and a functional view point. A retrospective review and a questionnaire about 30 fingers of 29 patients which were operated for composite graft at Kyongju hospital of Dongguk university from March 1997 to February 1999 were carried out. In all cases of composite grafting, tie-over dressing and heat lamp were applied and left for five days. And following result and conclusion were obtained. 1. 24(80%) of 30 finger tips replaced as composite graft were survived completely or partially. 2. At children with an age range 1 to 14, the survival rate (100%) of composite grafted tips was higher than that (75%) at adults. So, patient's age was important factor for success. 3. The type of injury was more important factor than the level of amputation. The survival rate(100%) of tips to cutting injury was higher than that(75%) of tips to crushing injury. 4. The delay in time from amputation and replacement did not significantly correlate with the survival rate. But, all tips replaced within 3 hours were survived completely or partially. 5. Even if partial necrosis on grafted tips was present, a result of long-time conservative treatment with minimal debridrement was excellent. Especially in children, the tips with conservative treatment showed normal appearance, several months later. 6. Cosmetic and functional results were better in child group and in groups with higher survival rate. Most common problem in cosmetic aspect was a short digit and that in functional aspect was a tender tip. 7. As a heat lamp increased blood supply, we could obtain better outcome.
Adult ; Amputation ; Bandages ; Child ; Fingers ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Hope ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Necrosis ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Transplants*