PURPOSE: We conducted a comparative study to evaluate the diagnostic values of Tl-201, Tc-99m MIBI and I-131 scans in the follow-up assessment after ablative I-131 therapy in differentiated thyroid cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 20 patients who underwent surgical removal of thyroid cancer and ablative radioactive iodine therapy, and followed by one or more times of I-131 retreatments (33 cases). In all patients, Tl-201, Tc-99m MIBI, diagnostic and therapeutic I-131 scans were performed and the RESULTS were analyzed retrospectively. Also serum thyroglobulin levels were measured in all patients. The final diagnosis of recurrent or metastatic thyroid cancer was determined by clinical, biochemical, radiologic and/or biopsy findings. RESULTS: Positive rates (PR) of Tc-99m MIBI, Tl-201, diagnostic and therapeutic I-131 scans in detecting malignant thyroid tissue lesions were 70% (19/27), 54% (15/28), 35% (17/48) and 63% (30/48), respectively. The PR in the group of 20 cases (28 lesions) who underwent concomitant Tl-201 and I-131 scans were in the order of therapeutic 131 scan 71%, Tl-201 scan 54% and diagnostic I-131 scan 36%. There was no statistically significant difference between Tl-201 and diagnostic I-131 scans (p>0.05). In the group of 20 cases (27 lesions) who underwent concomitant Tc-99m MIBI and I-131 scans, the PR were in the order of Tc-99m MIBI scan 70%, I-131 therapeutic scan 52% and I-131 diagnostic scan 33%. The PR of Tc-99m MIBI was significantly higher than that of diagnostic I-131 scan (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Tc-99m MIBI scan is superior to diagnostic I-131 scan in detecting recurrent or metastatic thyroid cancer following ablation therapy in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. Tl-201 scan did not showed significantly higher positive rate than diagnostic I-131 scan. Instead of diagnostic I-131 scan before the I-131 retreatment, Tc-99m MIBI scan without discontinuing thyroid hormone replacement would be a prudent and effective approach in the management of these patients.
Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Iodine ; Retreatment ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroglobulin ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms*

PURPOSE: To examine the effect of simvastatin on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in cultured human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells under oxidative stress. METHODS: RPE cell viability was measured using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay after 24 hours of incubation with various concentrations of simvastatin or H2O2. Cultured human RPE cells were pretreated with various concentrations of simvastatin and then incubated with 100 microm H2O2. After 24 hours of incubation, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to evaluate the expression of VEGF. RESULTS: Simvastatin showed no toxicity up to 10 microm, but cell viability gradually decreased with increased concentration of simvastatin. Human RPE cells showed increased VEGF expression when exposed only to H2O2. When RPE cells were preincubated with simvastatin and later exposed to H2O2, VEGF expression was relatively lower. CONCLUSIONS: Simvastatin downregulated the expression of VEGF in human RPE cells under oxidative stress. Simvastatin may have some clinical benefits in preventing retinal diseases associated with VEGF.
Cell Survival ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epithelial Cells ; Humans ; Macular Degeneration ; Oxidative Stress ; Retinal Diseases ; Retinaldehyde ; Simvastatin ; Tetrazolium Salts ; Thiazoles ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

OBJECTIVES: As HIV/AIDS is becoming a chronic disease, the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) among people living with HIV/AIDS is rising. Anxiety and depression, which are common among people living with HIV/AIDS, have been linked with CVD. This study investigated the risk of CVD in people living with HIV/AIDS and explored the effects of depression and anxiety on CVD risk. METHODS: Data were collected for 457 people enrolled in the Korea Cohort HIV/AIDS study after 2010. Framingham risk scores were calculated to quantify the 10-year risk of developing CVD. Depression and anxiety variables were re-coded as a single combined variable. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed, adjusting for age, body mass index, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), duration of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positivity after entry into the cohort, and depression/anxiety. RESULTS: Participants with both depression and anxiety were 2.28 times more likely than those with neither depression nor anxiety to have moderate/high-risk CVD risk. The 10-year risk of developing CVD was affected by LDL cholesterol, TG, age, and duration of HIV infection. LDL cholesterol and TG levels change according to the duration of HIV infection, and metabolic disorders affect the risk of CVD. Thus, a longer duration of HIV infection is associated with a higher risk of developing CVD. CONCLUSIONS Screenings for depression and anxiety need to be provided regularly to assess the severity of those symptoms. To help decrease their risk of developing CVD, people living with HIV/AIDS should be offered behavioral modification interventions aimed at developing healthy lifestyle habits.

OBJECTIVES: As HIV/AIDS is becoming a chronic disease, the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) among people living with HIV/AIDS is rising. Anxiety and depression, which are common among people living with HIV/AIDS, have been linked with CVD. This study investigated the risk of CVD in people living with HIV/AIDS and explored the effects of depression and anxiety on CVD risk. METHODS: Data were collected for 457 people enrolled in the Korea Cohort HIV/AIDS study after 2010. Framingham risk scores were calculated to quantify the 10-year risk of developing CVD. Depression and anxiety variables were re-coded as a single combined variable. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed, adjusting for age, body mass index, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), duration of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positivity after entry into the cohort, and depression/anxiety. RESULTS: Participants with both depression and anxiety were 2.28 times more likely than those with neither depression nor anxiety to have moderate/high-risk CVD risk. The 10-year risk of developing CVD was affected by LDL cholesterol, TG, age, and duration of HIV infection. LDL cholesterol and TG levels change according to the duration of HIV infection, and metabolic disorders affect the risk of CVD. Thus, a longer duration of HIV infection is associated with a higher risk of developing CVD. CONCLUSIONS Screenings for depression and anxiety need to be provided regularly to assess the severity of those symptoms. To help decrease their risk of developing CVD, people living with HIV/AIDS should be offered behavioral modification interventions aimed at developing healthy lifestyle habits.

This study was conducted to identify the attributes constituting Korean social support and to validate the results of the previous study 'Search for the meaning of social support in Korean Society.' The informants were 41 Korean middle-aged women in three cities : Seoul, Dagjun and Daeku. The data were collected through indepth interviews using the interview guide from Jun. 1994 to Jun. 1995. The interview guide was developed in the simulated situations of 'Stroke attack' which expected to be in need of social support. The women were asked to answer what they felt and the appropriated terms representing the situations. Data analysis were conducted by content analysis. consequently, the Koran social support pyramid was modified as follows ; Support is the apex of the pyramid. The four sides of the pyramid are made up of 'Jung'(Bound by ties of affection, regard or shared common experience, Connectedness), Do-oom(both emotional and material help), Mi-dum(Faith or belief in) and Sa-Rang(Love). The base of the pyramid is 'yun'(the basic network of relationships in Korean culture) that connote the meaning of Eunhae(Benevolence), Euimu(duty, responsibility) and Dori(obligation).
Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged* ; Seoul ; Statistics as Topic

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of energy and access methods on extrahepatic tumor spreading and the ablation zone in an ex vivo subcapsular tumor mimic model with a risk of extrahepatic tumor spreading. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two tumor-mimics were created in bovine liver blocks by injecting a mixture of iodine contrast material just below the liver capsule. Radiofrequency (RF) ablations were performed using an electrode placed parallel or perpendicular to hepatic surface through the tumor mimic with low- and high-power protocols (groups 1 and 2, respectively). Computed tomography (CT) scans were performed before and after ablation. The presence of contrast leak on the hepatic surface on CT, size of ablation zone, and timing of the first roll-off and popping sound were compared between the groups. RESULTS: With parallel access, one contrast leak in group 1 (1/10, 10%) and nine in group 2 (9/10, 90%) (p < 0.001) were identified on post-ablation CT. With perpendicular access, six contrast leaks were identified in each group (6/11, 54.5%). The first roll-off and popping sound were significantly delayed in group 1 irrespective of the access method (p = 0.002). No statistical difference in the size of the ablation zone of the liver specimen was observed between the two groups (p = 0.247). CONCLUSION: Low-power RF ablation with parallel access is proposed to be effective and safe from extrahepatic tumor spreading in RF ablation of a solid hepatic tumor in the subcapsular location. Perpendicular placement of an electrode to the capsule is associated with a risk of extrahepatic tumor spreading regardless of the power applied.
Animals ; Catheter Ablation ; Electrodes ; Iodine ; Liver ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; Methods ; Neoplasm Seeding

BACKGROUND: The incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting after cardiac surgery is 30-40%.The role of a nasogastric tube for reducing the PONV is still controversial. METHODS: 92 patients who were undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass were randomized to a receive nasogastric tube after induction of anesthesia (Group 2) or they were placed in the control group (no nasogastric tube) (Group 1).The patients with a history of gastric/esophageal surgery, esophageal varix, esophageal stricture and/or a history of antiemetic treatment were excluded.Routine fast-track cardiac anesthesia and postoperative care were employed for all the patients.The incidence of PONV was recorded hourly for the first four hours after extubation and then every 4 h afterwards for 24 h.The usage of antiemetics and pain medication was also recorded.The data was analyzed with t-tests and chi-square tests for the continuous variables and the categorical data, respectively.P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The groups were similar with respect to the demographic data, the surgical characteristics and the opioid usage.There was no significant difference in the incidence of PONV and the antiemetic usage between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that placement of a nasogastric tube did not have an impact on the incidence of PONV or the requirements for antiemetics after cardiac surgery.The results of this study do not support the use of a nasogastric tube to reduce PONV after cardiac surgery.
Anesthesia ; Antiemetics ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; Esophageal Stenosis ; Humans ; Incidence ; Postoperative Care ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting ; Thoracic Surgery

This is a cross-sectional study to evaluate the serum lipid levels of children living in Pusan in 1996. The distribution of age is from 2 years old to 12 years old. In female children mean total cholesterol is 171.4+/-26.2mg/dl, triglyceride is 104.7+/-50.6mg/dl, HDL-cholesterol is 54.4+/-14.8mg/dl, and LDL-cholesterol is 95.4+/-32.9mg/dl. In male children mean total cholesterol is 167.9+/-25.2mg/dl, triglyceride is 90.6+/-45.5mg/dl, HDL-cholesterol is 55.4+/-11.7mg/dll, and LDL-cholesterol is 94.4+/-23.6mg/dl. The percentile of serum lipid levels is measured in children. The 95th percentile of serum total cholesterol is 210mg/dl in male children, and 214mg/dl in female children. And, the 95th percentile of serum triglyceride is 184mg/dl in male children, and 191mg/dl in female children. And, the 95th percentile of LDL-cholesterol is 133mg/dl in male children, and 135mg/dl in female children. Serum total cholesterol is positively related to age(r=0.18), height(r=0.08), weight(r=0.17), obesity index(r=0.12), and negatively related to father's education level(r=-0.13), mother's education level(r=-0.13). Serum triglyceride is positively related to weight(r=0.23), age(r=0.31) and negatively related to father's education level(r=-0.12), mother's education level(r=-0.18). Serum HDL-C was positively related to mother's education level(r=0.07) and negatively related to height(r=-0.12), weight(r=-0.09). Conclusively, the serum lipid levels of children living in Pusan is generally so high that the family and school must try to control the serum lipid levels.
Busan* ; Child* ; Child, Preschool ; Cholesterol ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Education ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity ; Triglycerides

BACKGROUND: Increased body fat, abdominal obesity and insulin resistance are important clinical features in hypogonadal men. Several studies have demonstrated that a low testosterone concentration in men is associated with coronary heart disease, visceral obesity and insulin resistance. In this study, the effects of testosterone replacement therapy on the abdominal visceral fat and cardiovascular risk factors in hypogonadal men were investigated. METHODS: We selected 26 men with secondary hypogonadism (mean serum testosterone+/-SD 0.39+/- 0.57ng/mL), who were then treated with testosterone for 12 months. We measured the body composition, including the abdominal visceral fat area by abdominal CT at the L4 level, both before and 12 months after treatment, and the lipid profile, fasting plasma insulin, HOMA-IR and the serum homocysteine, CRP and IL-6 before and 6, 12 months after treatment. RESULTS: With respect to the body composition, the lean body mass had significantly increased 12 months after treatment(P= 0.002), but there were no significant changes in the body fat mass and abdominal visceral fat area. There was a trend toward a decreased fasting plasma insulin and HOMA-IR, but this did not reach statistical significance. The total cholesterol had decreased significantly at 12 months(P=0.04) and the HDL cholesterol decreased significantly over the course of study(P=0.02). There were no significant changes in the serum homocysteine, CRP and IL-6 after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: After 12 months testosterone replacement therapy in the 26 men with hypogonadism, the lean body mass had increased significantly, but there was no significant change on the abdominal visceral fat during the treatment period. Testosterone replacement had deleterious effect on HDL cholesterol, but not significant effects on insulin resistance and the serum homocysteine, CRP and IL-6. These results suggest that testosterone replacement therapy may have a few adverse effects on cardiovascular diseases in hypogonadal men. However, it will be necessary to examine the long-term effects of testosterone replacement on the incidence of cardiovascular events as well as the cardiovascular risk factors in men with hypogonadism
Adipose Tissue ; Body Composition ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Coronary Disease ; Fasting ; Homocysteine ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Incidence ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Interleukin-6 ; Intra-Abdominal Fat* ; Male ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Plasma ; Risk Factors* ; Testosterone* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND: Increased body fat, abdominal obesity and insulin resistance are important clinical features in hypogonadal men. Several studies have demonstrated that a low testosterone concentration in men is associated with coronary heart disease, visceral obesity and insulin resistance. In this study, the effects of testosterone replacement therapy on the abdominal visceral fat and cardiovascular risk factors in hypogonadal men were investigated. METHODS: We selected 26 men with secondary hypogonadism (mean serum testosterone+/-SD 0.39+/- 0.57ng/mL), who were then treated with testosterone for 12 months. We measured the body composition, including the abdominal visceral fat area by abdominal CT at the L4 level, both before and 12 months after treatment, and the lipid profile, fasting plasma insulin, HOMA-IR and the serum homocysteine, CRP and IL-6 before and 6, 12 months after treatment. RESULTS: With respect to the body composition, the lean body mass had significantly increased 12 months after treatment(P= 0.002), but there were no significant changes in the body fat mass and abdominal visceral fat area. There was a trend toward a decreased fasting plasma insulin and HOMA-IR, but this did not reach statistical significance. The total cholesterol had decreased significantly at 12 months(P=0.04) and the HDL cholesterol decreased significantly over the course of study(P=0.02). There were no significant changes in the serum homocysteine, CRP and IL-6 after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: After 12 months testosterone replacement therapy in the 26 men with hypogonadism, the lean body mass had increased significantly, but there was no significant change on the abdominal visceral fat during the treatment period. Testosterone replacement had deleterious effect on HDL cholesterol, but not significant effects on insulin resistance and the serum homocysteine, CRP and IL-6. These results suggest that testosterone replacement therapy may have a few adverse effects on cardiovascular diseases in hypogonadal men. However, it will be necessary to examine the long-term effects of testosterone replacement on the incidence of cardiovascular events as well as the cardiovascular risk factors in men with hypogonadism
Adipose Tissue ; Body Composition ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Coronary Disease ; Fasting ; Homocysteine ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Incidence ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Interleukin-6 ; Intra-Abdominal Fat* ; Male ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Plasma ; Risk Factors* ; Testosterone* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed