No abstract available.
Vibration*

Early recognition of coalescence in pneumoconiotic lesions is important because such coalescence is associated with the respiratory symptoms and deterioration of lung function. This complicated form of pneumoconiosis also has worse prognosis than does simple pneumoconiosis. High resolution computerized tomography(HRCT) provides significant additional information on the stage of the pneumoconiosis because it easily detects coalescence of nodules and emphysema that may not be apparent on the simple radiograph. The Purpose of this study is to clarify the role of HRCT in detection of large opacity and the relationship of change between the coalescence of nodules or emphysema and lung function in dust exposed workers. 1. There was good correlation between the HRCT grade of pneumoconiosis and ILO category of profusion. 5(9.09%) in 55 study population had confluent nodule extending over two or more cuts on HRCT. HRCT could identify the pneumoconiotic nodules which was not found by simple radiography in 6 workers with category 0/0. 2. No significant difference was observed coalescence of nodules and emphysema by dust type. 3. There was no significant difference in pulmonary function according to ILO and HRCT classification. 4. HRCT could detect the significant reduction in FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEER, FEF25, FEF50, and FEF75 and remarkable increase in RV and TLC in study persons with emphysema compared with non-emphysema group. 5. Emphysema was found more often in nodules-coalescence group than small opacity group by HRCT. We found that HRCT could easily detect areas of coalescence and complicated emphysema compared to plain chest X-ray. Also our data suggest that it is primarily the degree of emphysema rather than the degree of pneumoconiosis that determines the level of pulmonary function.
Classification ; Dust ; Emphysema ; Humans ; Lung ; Pneumoconiosis* ; Prognosis ; Radiography ; Thorax

No abstract available.
Erythrocyte Membrane* ; Erythrocytes* ; Hydroxyl Radical* ; Lipid Peroxidation* ; Macrophages, Alveolar* ; Mineral Fibers*

Many acute and chronic lung diseased including pneumoconiosis are characterized by the presence of increased numbers of activated macrophages. These macrophages generate several inflammatory cell chemoattractants, by which neutrophil migrate from vascular compartment to the alveolar space. Recruited neutrophils secrete toxic oxygen radicals or proteolytic enzymes and induce inflammatory response. Continuing inflammatory response results in alteration of the pulmonary structure and irreversible fibrosis. Recently, a polypeptide with specific neutrophil chemotactic activity, interleukin-8 (IL-8), has been cloned and isolated from a number of cells such as: monocytes, macrophages and fibroblasts. IL-1 and/or TNF-alpha preceded for the synthesis of IL-8, and we already observed high level of IL-1 and TNF-alpha in vivo experiments. So we hypothesized that IL-8 might play a central role in the pathogenesis of pneumoconiosis. In order to evaluate the clinical utility of IL-1, IL-8, TNF as a biomarker in the early diagnosis of pneumoconiosis, we investigated the increase of IL-1, 8, TNF in the pneumoconiotic patient and the significant (p<0.05) correlation between IL-8 level and progression of pneumoconiosis.
Chemotactic Factors ; Clone Cells ; Diagnosis* ; Early Diagnosis ; Fibroblasts ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Interleukin-1* ; Interleukin-8 ; Lung ; Macrophages ; Monocytes ; Neutrophils ; Peptide Hydrolases ; Pneumoconiosis* ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

PURPOSE: Assessment of the diameters of the aortic arches in the human fetus may be helpful in the prenatal diagnosis of aortic arch anomalies. The purpose of this study is to construct valuable reference ranges of fetal aortic arch for various fetal growth parameters in an unselected Korean population. METHODS: A prospective, cross-sectional study was performed in 98 normal singleton fetuses between 20 and 38 weeks of gestation. The transverse aortic arch diameter (TAD) and distal aorta isthmus diameter (AID) were measured in the longitudinal view during systole. The bi-parietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC) and femur length (FL) were obtained at the same time. Ultrasound examinations were performed with a 2.0-6.0 MHz convex probe by abdominal ultrasound. RESULTS: TAD and AID as a function of gestational age (GA) was expressed by the regression equation TAD= -1.246+0.168 X GA, and AID = -1.341+0.180 X GA; TAD and AID are expressed in millimeters and GA in weeks. TAD and AID as a function of BPD was expressed by the regression equation TAD= -1.147+0.664 X BPD, and AID = -1.152+0.696 X BPD. TAD and AID as a function of HC was expressed by the regression equation TAD = -1.187+0.182 X HC, and AID = -1.350+0.198 X HC. TAD and AID as a function of AC was expressed by the regression equation TAD = -0.528+0.173 X AC, and AID = -0.533+0.183 X AC. TAD and AID as a function of FL was expressed by the regression equation TAD = -0.519+0.799 X FL, and AID = -0.601+0.860 X FL; BPD, HC, AC and FL are expressed in centimeters. Correlations were found to be highly statistically significant in relation to GA, BPD, HC, AC, and FL respectively (P<0.0001 in all). Normal mean of TAD and AID per GA, BPD, HC, AC and FL and 95% prediction limits were also defined, respectively. CONCLUSION: New reference ranges of fetal aortic arch related to other fetal bio-parameters representing fetal growth were obtained successfully. The normative date will be helpful in the prenatal accurate diagnosis of aortic anomalies and abnormal growth of fetal aortic arches in Korea.
Aorta ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Echocardiography ; Femur ; Fetal Development ; Fetus ; Gestational Age ; Head ; Humans ; Korea ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Prospective Studies ; Reference Values ; Systole

Cantrell's syndrome is a rare congenital anomaly, consists of five malformations. There are the midline abdominal wall defect, the defect of sterna lower part, an agenesis of the anterior part of the diaphragm, an absence of the diaphragmatic pericardium, and the congenital intracardiac problem. We diagnosed Cantrell's syndrome with left ventricular diverticulum in a female neonate with no perinatal problems. She experienced an one-staged operation and discharged with no complications. We report a case with brief review of the literature.
Abdominal Wall ; Diaphragm ; Diverticulum* ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Pericardium

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To report the clinical features of six patients diagnosed with cases of inferior vestibular neuritis based on abnormal vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) responses with normal caloric test results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 62 patients presenting with dizziness. All patients underwent a battery of audiovestibular testing, including hearing tests, caloric test and VEMP test. RESULTS: Six patients were diagnosed as inferior vestibular neuritis. All patients presented with acute onset of prolonged vertigo. The pure tone audiograms and caloric test results were normal. VEMP response was absent unilaterally, and normal in the contralateral ear. CONCLUSION: Inferior vestibular neuritis should be considered in patients presenting with acute vertigo, but normal caloric responses. Comprehensive vestibular testing including VEMP is necessary.
Caloric Tests ; Dizziness ; Ear ; Hearing Tests ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Vertigo ; Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials ; Vestibular Function Tests ; Vestibular Neuronitis

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed in order to investigate the molecular mechanism regulating nitric oxide synthase(NOS) induced by alpha-quartz in Rat2 fibroblast. METHODS: alpha-quartz-induced nitric oxide(NO) and H2O2 formation and alpha- quartz-induced iNOS protein expression in Rat2 fibroblast were monitored. With iNOS inhibitor(L-N6- (1-iminoethyl)lysine hydrochloride, L-NIL) or antioxidant(catalase), we observed NO and H2O2 formation and iNOS protein expression in Rat2 fibroblast stimulated with alpha-quartz. RESULTS: alpha-quartz stimulated iNOS-induced NO and H2O2 formation in Rat2 fibroblast. L-NIL inhibited H2O2 formation and iNOS protein expression by alpha-quartz in Rat2 fibroblast. Pretreatment with catalase blocked the autoinhibitory pathway of iNOS by iNOSinduced H2O2, therefore H2O2 and NO production and iNOS protein expression were increased in Rat2 fibrobalst stimulated with alpha-quartz CONCLUSIONS: alpha-quartz-induced iNOS stimulated H2O2 formation in Rat2 fibroblast. INOS-induced H2O2 by alpha-quartz plays an important role in the autoinhibition pathway for regulating the iNOS function in Rat2 fibroblast
Catalase ; Fibroblasts* ; Homeostasis* ; Hydrogen Peroxide* ; Hydrogen* ; Nitric Oxide ; Quartz

Occupational lung diseases caused by metal oxide are classified as follows, metal fume fever, chemical pneumonitis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and occupational asthma. Even though it's well known the immunologic mechanism is involved in metal fume fever, the exact cause is unkown yet. Some authors have speculated that metal fume fever is a form of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. A smelter exposed to metal oxide fumes was hospitalized with some complaints such as severe cough, dyspnea and fever. Chest radiographs on admission showed ill-defined reticulonodular density especially prominent in the base of the both lower lobe. HRCT of chest was observed diffuse fine granolar and reticular involvement with multiple small honeycomb cystic lesion. Bronchoalveolar lavage showed a lymphocyte predominant alveolitis and TBLB had the finding of noncaseating granuloma infiltrating with giant cells, lymphocytes and macrophages. This is a case of alveolitis caused by metal oxide fume which has the characteristics of hypersensitivity pneumonitis in clinical picture and the finding of BAL and TBLB.
Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic* ; Asthma, Occupational ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage ; Cough ; Dyspnea ; Fever ; Giant Cells ; Granuloma ; Hypersensitivity* ; Lung Diseases ; Lymphocytes ; Macrophages ; Pneumonia ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Thorax

PURPOSE: Parenteral nutrition (PN)-associated cholestasis (PNAC) is one of the most common complications in very low birth weight infants (VLBWIs). The aim of this study is to evaluate the risk factors of PNAC in VBLWIs. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 322 VLBWIs admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of our hospital from July 1, 2009 to December 31, 2013. We excluded 72 dead infants; 6 infants were transferred to another hospital, and 57 infants were transferred to our hospital at 2 weeks after birth. The infants were divided into the cholestasis and the non-cholestasis groups. PNAC was defined as a direct bilirubin level of ≥2.0 mg/dL in infants administered with PN for ≥2 weeks. RESULTS: A total of 187 VLBWI were enrolled in this study; of these, 46 infants developed PNAC. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors of PNAC in VLBWI were longer duration of antimicrobial use (odds ratio [OR] 4.49, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 4.42-4.58), longer duration of PN (OR 2.68, 95% CI 2.41-3.00), long-term lack of enteral nutrition (OR 2.89, 95% CI 2.43-3.37), occurrence of necrotizing enterocolitis (OR 2.40, 95% CI 2.16-2.83), and gastrointestinal operation (OR 2.19, 95% CI 2.03-2.58). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that shorter PN, aggressive enteral nutrition, and appropriate antimicrobial use are important strategies in preventing PNAC.
Bilirubin ; Cholestasis* ; Enteral Nutrition ; Enterocolitis, Necrotizing ; Humans ; Infant* ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight* ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Logistic Models ; Medical Records ; Parenteral Nutrition ; Parturition ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors