Background: The purpose of this study was to identify the distribution characteristics of radiological damage to the hand of rheumatoid arthritis patients and evaluate its effectiveness using a new damage assessment method. Methods: Hand radiographs of a total of 127 rheumatoid arthritis patients were evaluated. We simplified the pre-existing van der Heijde modified total sharp score to assess the extent of bone damage. We selected 36 joints in both hands as regions of interest in our own way, and the erosion and joint space narrowing were scored. Results: When the erosion and joint space narrowing score values of each joint of the hand were added together, the joint space narrowing score was higher than the overall erosion score. We can see that the scaphoid,lunate,radius and ulnar joints have higher erosion scores, and the 4th proximal interphalangeal (PIP), Scaphoid, Lunate, and Radius joints have higher joint space narrowing scores than other joints. These damage assessment results were similar to the results from the previous damage assessment model. Conclusions The joint space narrowing score is higher than the erosion score, suggesting that joint space narrowing precedes erosion. When checking the hand X-ray of rheumatoid arthritis patients, it is necessary to carefully check the scaphoid,lunate,radius and ulnar and 4th PIP joints, which relatively high radiographic damage scores. Also, the damage assessment model used in this study is relatively simple and does not show difference in analysis results from existing assessment models, so it can be considered for application in follow-up research.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the normal value of the anal canal structures by transvaginal sonography in normal woman and compare this technique with the more commonly used transanal technique. METHODS: Transvaginal ultrasonography was performed in 25 parous patients between 4th and 8th decade of age, using a Bruel and Kajer type-1890. This procedure was followed by transanal sonography using the same system. The thickness of mucosa and submucosa, internal and external anal sphincter and puborectalis muscle were measured by both methods. RESULTS: The thickness of mucosa- submucosa, internal anal sphincter, external anal sphincter and puborectalis muscle by transvaginal sonography were 2.84 0.2 (2.6~3.0) mm, 2.98 0.4 (2.6~3.3) mm, 7.4 0.3 (7.1~7.7) mm, 7.5 0.5 (7.4~7.6) mm respectively(mean value standard deviation and range). The detection rate of external anal sphincter and puborectalis muscle by transvaginal sonography were between 55.5% (5/9) and 71.4% (5/7). CONCLUSIONS: The thickness of internal anal sphincter was increased with age(p<0.05). The thickness of mucosa-submucosa, internal anal sphincter measured.
Anal Canal* ; Female ; Humans ; Mucous Membrane ; Reference Values ; Ultrasonography*

HHV-8 virus is known to be associated with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) in HIV seropositive patients and its seroprevalence has geographic difference. In South Korea, incidence of KS is low not only in general population but also in HIV patients compared to other countries. It is speculated that low seroprevalence of HHV-8 has contributed to the low incidence of KS in South Korea. We examined the seroprevalence of anti HHV-8 IgG of HIV seronegative health care workers in one University hospital. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used for diagnosis. One person (0.6%, 1/164) was seropositive, six were equivocal (3.7%, 6/164) and 157 people were seronegative (95.73%, 157/164). This study revealed that seroprevalence of HHV-8 in general population was low in South Korea. Further studies are needed to be carried out to evaluate the low HHV-8 seroprevalence in Korea.
Delivery of Health Care ; Herpesvirus 8, Human ; HIV ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Incidence ; Korea ; Republic of Korea ; Sarcoma, Kaposi ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Viruses

HHV-8 virus is known to be associated with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) in HIV seropositive patients and its seroprevalence has geographic difference. In South Korea, incidence of KS is low not only in general population but also in HIV patients compared to other countries. It is speculated that low seroprevalence of HHV-8 has contributed to the low incidence of KS in South Korea. We examined the seroprevalence of anti HHV-8 IgG of HIV seronegative health care workers in one University hospital. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used for diagnosis. One person (0.6%, 1/164) was seropositive, six were equivocal (3.7%, 6/164) and 157 people were seronegative (95.73%, 157/164). This study revealed that seroprevalence of HHV-8 in general population was low in South Korea. Further studies are needed to be carried out to evaluate the low HHV-8 seroprevalence in Korea.
Delivery of Health Care ; Herpesvirus 8, Human ; HIV ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Incidence ; Korea ; Republic of Korea ; Sarcoma, Kaposi ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Viruses

Congenital chloride diarrhea (CCD) is a rare autosomal recessive disease, which is characterized by electrolyte absorption defect due to impaired function of the Cl-/HCO3 - exchanger in the ileum and the colon. Its main features are profuse watery diarrhea, high fecal chloride concentration, and failure to thrive. Profuse watery diarrhea characterized by a high concentration of chloride in stools results in hypochloremia, hyponatremia, and dehydration with metabolic alkalosis. Early detection and therapeutic intervention can prevent life-threatening symptoms of CCD and growth failure. Recently, several therapies, such as proton pump inhibitors and butyrate, have been suggested for amelioration of diarrhea. Here, we report a case of CCD in a preterm male infant who was successfully treated with an oral proton pump inhibitor.
Absorption ; Alkalosis ; Butyrates ; Colon ; Dehydration ; Diarrhea* ; Failure to Thrive ; Humans ; Hyponatremia ; Ileum ; Infant ; Male ; Omeprazole ; Proton Pump Inhibitors ; Proton Pumps* ; Protons*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the subcellular localization of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) in term human fetal membranes and myometrium during labor. METHODS: Fetal membranes and myometrial tissue were collected from term pregnant women undergoing cesarean delivery after labor (n=4) and before labor (n=4). An immunostaining was done with NF-kappa B p65 antibody. The intensity and distribution of nuclear immunostaining of NF-kappa B p65 subunit were evaluated visually using a semiquantitative analysis. RESULTS: NF-kappa B p65 was present in all tissues studied, and it was localized principally in the cytoplasm of cells of amnion and chorion. But, NF-kappa B p65 was localized more abundant in the nucleus than in the cytoplasm in myometrial cells. In amnion, chorion and myometrium, the staining scores of nuclear NF-kappa B did not show any difference between the after-labor group and before-labor group. CONCLUSION: In human term gestational tissues, subcellular localization of NF-kappa B showed cytoplasmic predominance in amnion and chorion, and nuclear predominance in myometrium. But these subcellular localizations did not change during labor.
Amnion ; Animals ; Chorion ; Cytoplasm ; Extraembryonic Membranes* ; Female ; Humans* ; Mice ; Myometrium* ; NF-kappa B* ; Pregnant Women ; Transcription Factor RelA

PURPOSE: The skin hyperpigmentation or hypermelanosis caused by burns results in social withdrawal due to cosmetic problem and depression as a psychiatric aspect. The treatment of the skin hyperpigmentation includes sunscreen, whitening material, skin massage, laser therapy and plastic surgery. Placenta extract can be used to reduce and inactivate the synthesis of the important enzyme (tyrosinase) that compose melanin. This study was performed to estimate the effect of intradermal injection of placenta extract (placenta hydrolysate) for the postburn hyperpigmentation. METHODS: Total 10 subjects who have postburn hyperpigmentation were selected. Two sites of skin area from each subject were randomly selected as possible as symmetrical body area, the one site was to be 'treated site' with placenta extract, the other site was untreated 'control site'. The injection was performed weekly for about 4 weeks only to the 'treated site', not to the control site. The both site were measured by pigment index using Mexameter. The index was also converted to the percentage that indicate a change of after-injection to before-injection. RESULTS: The pigment index of 'treated site' was 399.5+/-63.9 before treatment, and then it had decreased to 333.6+/-59.5 after 4 weeks of injection. The change after injection compared to before injection was significant statistically (p< 0.05). In the control sites which did not have placenta injection, the pigment index had changed from 284.5+/-67.8 to 290.7+/-52.3. But it was not significant statistically (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: As a result, in the posttburn hyperpigmentation scar, the intradermal injection of placenta extract may be helpful in the management of hyperpigmentation or rehabilitation process of the hypertrophic scar.
Burns ; Cicatrix ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; Cosmetics ; Depression ; Hyperpigmentation ; Injections, Intradermal ; Laser Therapy ; Massage ; Melanins ; Placenta ; Skin ; Surgery, Plastic

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an established curative therapeutic modality for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been used as a palliative treatment for inoperable HCC. It is still unknown whether RFA and TACE are equally effective for improving the survival of patients with unresectable HCC that is amenable to either treatment. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the clinical impacts of two treatments, and analyze the prognostic factors for recurrence and survival. METHODS: Ninety-three patients with a single HCC smaller than 4 cm who showed complete responses (complete ablation or complete lipiodol tagging) after treatment with RFA (n=43) or TACE (n=50) between January 2002 and February 2009 were investigated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed for 13 potential prognostic factors using the Cox proportional-hazards model. RESULTS: The time-to-recurrence rates at 1, 2, and 3 years after treatment were 32.9%, 44.3%, and 55.4%, respectively, for the RFA group, and 42%, 68.3%, 71.7% for the TACE group. The probability of survival at 1, 2, and 3 years was 97.7%, 77.4%, and 63.1%, respectively, for the RFA group, and 95.9%, 76.1%, and 60.2% for the TACE group. The time-to-recurrence and overall survival rates did not differ significantly between the two treatment groups. A multivariate Cox proportional-hazards model revealed that a tumor size larger than 3 cm and lower serum albumin levels were independent risk factors for recurrence, and that being male, being seropositive for hepatitis B surface antigen, and having a higher serum albumin level were independent favorable prognostic factors for survival. CONCLUSIONS: TACE and RFA exhibited similar therapeutic effects in terms of recurrence and survival for patients with a single HCC smaller than 4 cm, if they could exhibited complete responses.
Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/mortality/surgery/*therapy ; *Catheter Ablation ; *Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Data Interpretation, Statistical ; Female ; Hepatitis B/complications ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/mortality/surgery/*therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Serum Albumin/analysis ; Severity of Illness Index ; Sex Factors ; Survival Rate

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Transient elastography is a new noninvasive tool for measuring liver stiffness that accurately predicts significant fibrosis and cirrhosis. However, several studies have indicated that liver stiffness can be significantly influenced by major changes in aminotransferase in patients with chronic viral hepatitis. The aim of this study was to determine the factors influencing liver stiffness in patients with chronic liver disease. METHODS: We studied 158 patients with chronic liver disease who underwent transient elastography and liver biopsy sampling. Histologic findings on fibrosis and necroinflammatory activity in the biopsy specimens were evaluated according to the Korean Society of Pathologists Scoring System. Routine biochemical tests were performed according to standard methods. RESULTS: Liver stiffness was strongly correlated with liver fibrosis stage (Spearman coefficient=0.636, P<0.001), lobular activity (Spearman coefficient=0.359, P<0.001), and portoperiportal activity grade (Spearman coefficient=0.448, P<0.001). Liver stiffness was significantly associated with serum levels of total bilirubin (P=0.025), direct bilirubin (P=0.049), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (P=0.014), platelet count (P=0.004), albumin (P<0.001), and international normalized ratio (P<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that fibrosis stage (B 3.50, P=0.009) and lobular activity grade (B 3.25, P=0.047) were independently associated with liver stiffness. CONCLUSIONS: Liver stiffness as measured by transient elastography is associated with the grade of necroinflammatory activity and the stage of fibrosis, irrespective of serum ALT levels.
Adult ; Aged ; Bilirubin/blood ; Biopsy ; Chronic Disease ; Elasticity ; *Elasticity Imaging Techniques ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic/*complications ; Hepatitis C, Chronic/*complications ; Humans ; International Normalized Ratio ; Liver Cirrhosis/etiology/pathology/*ultrasonography ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Platelet Count ; Risk Factors ; Severity of Illness Index ; gamma-Glutamyltransferase/blood

OBJECTIVE: To compare the pregnancy outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) twins with those of spontaneous twins based on their chorionicities. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 598 twin pregnancies beyond 24 weeks of gestation delivered from October 1994 to December 2003. Subjects were grouped into the spontaneous group (n=392) and the IVF group (n=206) and then subgrouped into dichorionic (n=193, spontaneous vs. n=156, IVF) and monochorionic (n=154, spontaneous vs. n=34, IVF) subgroups. First, the obstetric and perinatal outcomes were compared between the spontaneous group and the IVF group regardless of their chorionicity. Second, the same outcome variables were compared between the spontaneous and the IVF group with same chorionicity. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the incidence of preterm deliveries before 37 weeks of gestation in IVF twins (74.5% spontaneous vs. 82.5% IVF, p=0.031). However, the gestational age at delivery was not significantly different (34.5+/-2.86 weeks vs. 34.2+/-0.28 weeks). Antepartum admission was also significantly increased in IVF group (4.6% vs. 9.2%, p<0.001). We were unable to observe any significant difference in perinatal outcomes between the two groups other than increased in utero fetal demise in utero in the IVF group (0.3% vs. 1.5%, p<0.05). When we reanalyzed pregnancy outcomes based on chorionicity, there were more frequent admission to neonatal intensive care unit (42.7% vs. 52.6%, p<0.05) and necrotizing enterocolitis (0.5% vs. 3.5%, p<0.05) in dichorionic twins of the IVF group. In monochorionic twins, the incidence of placenta previa was increased in the IVF twin group (0% vs. 11.8%, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: In the IVF twins, the incidence of placenta previa was increased in monochrionic twins and the incidence of neonatal intensive care unit admission and necrotizing enterocolitis were also increased in dichorionic twins.
Chorion* ; Enterocolitis, Necrotizing ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro* ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Placenta Previa ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome* ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnancy, Twin ; Retrospective Studies