No abstract available.

Background: Cardiovascular risk is a modifiable factor that can help prevent dementia.Given the dearth of optimal treatment options, managing dementia risk factors is crucial. We examined the association between cardiovascular risk, as measured by the Korean coronary heart disease risk score (KRS), and cognitive function in dementia-free elderly individuals. Methods: We enrolled 8,600 individuals (average age: 69.74 years; 5,206 women) who underwent a medical evaluation from the National Health Insurance Service. KRS was calculated using age, sex, blood pressure, lipid profile, diabetes, and smoking status. Cognitive function was evaluated using Korean Dementia Screening QuestionnaireCognition (KDSQ-C). Scores of ≥ 6 indicated a cognitive decline. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Weight, height, stroke history, coronary heart disease history, alcohol consumption, and physical activity engagement were adjusted. Results: The lowest, middle, and highest groups, according to the KRS, were 5,923 (68.9%), 2,343 (27.2%), and 334 (3.9%), respectively. The highest KRS group in all participants exhibited a greater risk of cognitive decline than the lowest KRS group (OR, 1.339; 95% CI, 1.034–1.734; P = 0.027). The highest KRS female group aged 71–75 years old exhibited greater cognitive decline than the corresponding lowest KRS group (OR, 1.595; 95% CI, 1.045–2.434; P = 0.031). Conclusion Individuals with high cardiovascular risk were associated with poorer cognitive function than those with low risk, especially older women. Cardiovascular risk factors should be carefully managed to promote healthy mental aging in dementia-free elderly individuals.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy monotheraphy was performed in 315 urinary stones from 278 patients with the Domestic SDS-2 lithotriptor using C-arm fluoroscopy between December 1991 and December 1994. Of 315 cases, renal stones were 150 cases(47.6%) and ureteral stones 165 cases(36.1%). No regional or general anesthesia was required but parenteral or oral analgesics were required in some patients. Among 315 cases who completed extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, the overall success rate of treatment was 90.5% with 92.4% in 5-9 mm, 94.8% in 10-19 mm, 89.7% in 20-29 mm and 61.5% over 30 mm or staghorn stones. Post lithotripsy complications were transient gross hematuria in 17.1%, renal colic in 11.4%, steinstrasse in 4.8%, petechia in 2.9% and fever in 1.9% and these complications were controlled with conservative treatment or repeated session of extracorporeal shock wave lothotropsy, percutaneous nephrodtomy, Double-J stent insertion or ureterolithotomy. We suggest that extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy monotheraphy with the Domestic SDS-2 lithotriptor was considered to be effective and safe procedure for the initial treatment of urinary stones.
Analgesics ; Anesthesia, General ; Fever ; Fluoroscopy ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Lithotripsy ; Renal Colic ; Shock* ; Stents ; Ureter ; Urinary Calculi*

PURPOSE: Although the role of eosinophils in eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) is not fully understood, they are believed to be a principal effector cell. Previous studies have demonstrated that eotaxin and its specific receptor, cysteine-cysteine chemokine receptor-3 (CCR3), play a central role in eosinophil trafficking into the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Thus, we examined the targeting of CCR3 as a potential therapeutic intervention for EGE in a mouse model. METHODS: Eight- to 10-week-old BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally sensitized and intragastrically challenged with ovalbumin (OVA). Different groups of mice were administered either an anti-CCR3 antibody or a control IgG by intraperitoneal injection 1 hour before each OVA challenge. Eosinophilic inflammation in the intestinal mucosa, mucosal injury, and severity of diarrhea were compared between different groups at 1 hour after final OVA challenge. RESULTS: Anti-CCR3 antibody reduced the number of eosinophils in peripheral blood and intestinal mucosa, but not in bone marrow. This reduction was associated with restoration of reduced villous crypt ratio, increased intestinal epithelial cell proliferation, and weight loss induced by OVA challenge. However, Anti-CCR3 antibody had no effect on the level of OVA specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) and the expression of critical chemokines or cytokines in eosinophil trafficking into the GI tract, such as eotaxin-1, interleukin (IL)-5, and IL-13. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-CCR3 antibody significantly reduced the severity of eosinophilic inflammation, mucosal injury, and diarrhea in a mouse model of food allergen-induced GI eosinophilic inflammation. CCR3 may be a novel therapeutic target for treatment of EGE and other GI eosinophil-mediated diseases.
Animals ; Bone Marrow ; Chemokine CCL11 ; Chemokines ; Cytokines ; Diarrhea ; Eosinophils* ; Epithelial Cells ; Gastroenteritis* ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulins ; Inflammation* ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Interleukin-13 ; Interleukins ; Intestinal Mucosa ; Mice* ; Ovalbumin ; Ovum ; Weight Loss

PURPOSE: There were a lot of reports regarding associations of polymorphisms in the estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1). with many disorders. But, those with constitutional delay of growth and puberty (CDGP) are not known. Our aim is to find out any association between CDGP and ESR1. METHODS: In a total of 27 subjects, we compared 7 CDGP patients with 20 healthy controls with their heights and sexual maturity rates were within normal range. We selected three single nucleotide polymorphisms from intron 1 of ESR1 (rs3778609, rs12665044, and rs827421) as candidates, respectively. RESULTS: In genotype analyses, the frequency of G/G genotype at rs827421 in intron 1 of ESR1 was increased in CDGP boys (P=0.03). CONCLUSION: The genetic variation of ESR1 can be a contributing factor of tempo of growth and puberty.
Cyclic N-Oxides ; Estrogen Receptor alpha ; Estrogens ; Genetic Variation ; Genotype ; Humans ; Introns ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Puberty ; Reference Values

PURPOSE: There were a lot of reports regarding associations of polymorphisms in the estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1). with many disorders. But, those with constitutional delay of growth and puberty (CDGP) are not known. Our aim is to find out any association between CDGP and ESR1. METHODS: In a total of 27 subjects, we compared 7 CDGP patients with 20 healthy controls with their heights and sexual maturity rates were within normal range. We selected three single nucleotide polymorphisms from intron 1 of ESR1 (rs3778609, rs12665044, and rs827421) as candidates, respectively. RESULTS: In genotype analyses, the frequency of G/G genotype at rs827421 in intron 1 of ESR1 was increased in CDGP boys (P=0.03). CONCLUSION: The genetic variation of ESR1 can be a contributing factor of tempo of growth and puberty.
Cyclic N-Oxides ; Estrogen Receptor alpha ; Estrogens ; Genetic Variation ; Genotype ; Humans ; Introns ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Puberty ; Reference Values

OBJECTIVE: The overexpression of p16(INK4A) is induced by human papillomavirus (HPV) and associated with the carcinogenesis of cervical epithelia. So, immunostaining of p16(INK4A) may be useful biomarker in detecting CIN of cervix uteri in abnormal cervical lesions. The potential of p16(INK4A) as a biomarker for Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) examined in liquid-based specimens. METHODS: We collected samples 30 cases of ASCUS in Thinprep(TM) smears between March 2003 and August 2003. 23 control Thinprep(TM) cases were included; 10 negative for intraepithelial lesions, 13 cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions. p16(INK4A) immunochemial staining was performed on 53samples. At the same time, we tested another cervical swabs of patients by the Hybrid Capture II(TM) test. The cut off value was scored positive if it contained above 5 abnormal cells with nuclear and cytoplasmic immunostaining. RESULTS: The results of p16(INK4A) immunochemial staining comparing with one of HC II(TM) showed negative results with low kappa coefficient of 0.034. The sensitivity of p16(INK4A) immunochemial staining were 30.8% and the specificity were 82.4% respectively (p<0.01). p16(INK4A) is a useful marker for the detection of the cervical intraepithelial neoplasia but is not ASCUS. CONCLUSION: Immunostaining of p16(INK4A) is not useful triage test in detecting abnormal lesion of ASCUS in liquid-based specimens.
Carcinogenesis ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; Cervix Uteri ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16* ; Cytoplasm ; Female ; Humans ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Triage

Fetal bilateral renal agenesis is a lethal congenitlal anomaly. An early and prenatal diagnosis is extremely important, because it may offer options for pregnancy termination as early as possible. The criteria for the ultrasonographic diagnosis of bilateral renal agenesis are severe oligohydramnios, nonvisualization of the bladder, and the empty renal fossae. However, severe oligohydramnios makes it difficult to diagnose the disease because of poor sonographic resolution. We present a case of fetal bilateral renal agenesis diagnosed by ultrasonography at 21 weeks gestation.
Diagnosis ; Female ; Oligohydramnios ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Ultrasonography ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal* ; Urinary Bladder

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study assessed the antibiotic resistance organisms isolated from the blood and bile of acute cholangitis and evaluated risk factors associated with them and their impact on clinical outcomes. METHODS: The identities and antibiotic resistance profiles of bacteria isolated from 433 cases of acute cholangitis from 346 patients were analyzed. Risk factors and the outcomes of patients infected with them were assessed. RESULTS: Microorganisms were isolated from 266 of 419 blood cultures and 256 of 260 bile cultures. Isolates from bile and blood were identical in 71% of the cases. A total of 20 extended spectrum-beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producers and 4 carbapenemase-producing organisms were isolated from blood, and 34 ESBL-producers and 13 carbapenemase-producers were isolated from bile. Sixty-four (14.8%) cases were infected with any one of these bacteria isolated from blood or bile. Risk factors associated with them in blood were nosocomial infection and prior biliary intervention. In bile, indwelling biliary device was a risk factor associated with them. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria were associated with mortality, independent of other prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: ESBL or carbapenemase-producing bacteria were frequently isolated in acute cholangitis patients especially with prior biliary intervention and nosocomial infection. Isolation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria was an independent risk factor of mortality.
Bacteria ; Bacterial Proteins ; beta-Lactamases ; Bile ; Cholangitis ; Cross Infection ; Drug Resistance, Microbial ; Humans ; Risk Factors

Fungal peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients is hard to treat without catheter removal and shows higher mortality. Although Candida species is the most common pathogen of fungal peritonitis, there are few reports about Trichosporon inkin induced peritonitis. The authors report the first case of Trichosporon induced peritonitis identified by 18S rRNA sequencing. A 52-year-old male presented to emergency room due to generalized abdominal pain. He had been on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis for 3 years because of end stage renal disease caused by diabetic kidney disease. Dialysate white blood cell count was 800/mL3 with 77% of neutrophils and culture showed Trichosporon inkin via Vitek II system. With removal of catheter and treatment of antifungal agent, the patient was fully recovered and stable on hemodialysis. In case of immunocompromised dialysis patients, uncommon fungal pathogens should be taken into considerations.
Abdominal Pain ; Candida ; Catheters ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; Dialysis ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Leukocyte Count ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neutrophils ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory ; Peritonitis ; Renal Dialysis ; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S ; Trichosporon