A total of 48 cases of tuberculous lesion in the lymph nodes (43 cases), lung (3 cases) and soft tissue (2 cases), was subjected to fine needle aspiration cytology(FNAC). The age of the patients ranged from 19 to 77 year-old (average 33.6 years in age) and the male to female ratio was 1: 4. Thirty-four cases (70.8%) demonstrated distinct granulomatous reaction with or without caseation necrosis, nine cases (18.8%) showed no granulomas, but large amount of necrotic debris with numerous polymorphonuclear cells and histiocytes, and five cases (10.4%) revealed acellular material only. The overall AFB positivity in smears was 62.5%. In areas associated with granulomatous reaction and necrosis, AFB positivity was 55.8%, while it was 80.0% in cases with acellular necrotic material. There were 2 cases of parasitic infestation which could not be easily differentiated from tuberculosis based on aspiration smears only.
Aged ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Child* ; Female ; Granuloma ; Histiocytes ; Humans ; Lung ; Lymph Nodes ; Male ; Necrosis ; Tuberculosis ; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux*

No abstract available.
Hepacivirus* ; Hepatitis C* ; Hepatitis*

Apoptosis is an intrinsic and fundamental biological process that plays a critical role in the normal development of multicellular organisms and in maintaining tissue homeostasis. Some of the well known regulators of apoptosis are cytokines of the tumor necrosis factor(TNF) ligand family, such as Fas ligand(Fas L) and TNF, which induce apoptosis by activation of their corresponding receptors, Fas and TNFR-1. Recently, a new member of the TNF family known as TRAIL (TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) was identified and shown to induce p53-independent apoptosis in a variety of tumor cell lines but not in normal cells, Four human receptors for TRAIL were also recently identified and designated TRAIL-R1, -R2, -R3, and -R4. The aim of this study is to examine whether TRAIL and TRAIL receptots(-R1, -R2, -R3) are expressed in uterine cervical cancer and whether it is correlated with apoptosis, TRAIL and TRAIL receptors. The subjects were 20 patients who were diagnosed with cervical cancer. Western blotting was performed in 9 cases, immunohistochemical staining for TRAIL and TRAIL receptors(-R1, -R2, -R3) and TUNEL method for detection of apoptosis in 11 cases. There were proteins for TRAIL, TRAIL-R1, -R2, and -R3 in tissues from cervical cancer. All TRAIL receptors were expressed in both normal cervical epithelium and tumor cells, and TRAIL-Rl and -R2 were more strongly expressed in tumor cells than normal epithelium(p<0.05). Apoptosis correlated with expression of TRAIL-Rl and -R2(p<0.05). This study suggests that TRAIL induces apoptosis in cervical cancer through its receptors.
Antigens, CD95 ; Apoptosis ; Biological Processes ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cytokines ; Epithelium ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Necrosis ; Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand* ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of laterally wedged insole on static balance of patients with degenerative osteoarthritic knees. METHOD: Eighteen female patients were diagnosed with medial compartment knee degenerative osteoarthritis (OA) based on symptoms and simple X-rays. Patients were studied while they stood wearing shoes with the 5 degrees or 10 degrees lateral wedged insoles compared with a bare foot. Patients chose a comfortable stance with feet spread apart, slightly turned outwards, and were asked to look straight ahead at a fixed point in a quiet room. Postural sway and weight load asymmetry were recorded while the patients were standing on two adjacent force platforms during a 30 second trial. RESULTS: Postural sway and weight load asymmetry for 30 seconds were not significantly changed by wearing laterally wedged insoles with varying elevations (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The degree of the postural sway and weight load asymmetry for 30 seconds with the insole were not affected by the tilt of the lateral wedge.
Female ; Foot ; Humans ; Knee* ; Osteoarthritis* ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; Shoes

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked, recessive disorder characterized by progressive muscular weakness, Gower sign, waddling gait and pseudohypertrophy of the calf muscles. Little is reported about DMD manifestations in females because of its' X-linked, recessive inheritance. The authors described a 12-year-old female with gait disturbance. Her symptoms were diminished muscle power, decreased deep tendon reflexes, Gower sign and pseudohypertrophy of calf muscle. Serum creatinine kinase level was elevated to 1, 674 U/ml. Electromyographic findings were compatible with myopathy. Histopathologic examination of the muscles confirmed the diagnosis of DMD. The result of karyotyping was 45X, but multiplex PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) analysis showed normal findings.
Child ; Creatinine ; Diagnosis ; Female* ; Gait ; Humans ; Karyotyping ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Muscle Weakness ; Muscles ; Muscular Diseases ; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne* ; Phosphotransferases ; Reflex, Stretch ; Turner Syndrome* ; Wills

Background: Postoperative sore throat (POST) is a complication that decreases patient satisfaction and increases postoperative complaints. The present study was conducted to investigate effects of gargling with dexamethasone, intravenous dexamethasone injection and the combination of the two on the incidence and severity of POST. Methods: Study participants were 96 patients who had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy, randomly allocated into three groups. Group G gargled with 0.05% dexamethasone solution and were infused intravenous 0.9% normal saline before general anesthesia; group I gargled with 0.9% normal saline and were infused intravenous 0.1 mg/kg dexamethasone; group GI gargled with 0.05% dexamethasone solution and were infused intravenous 0.1 mg/kg dexamethasone. The incidence and severity of POST, hoarseness and cough were evaluated and recorded at 1, 6, and 24 h after the surgery. Results: There were no significant differences in the total incidence of POST up to 24 postoperative hours among Group G, Group I and Group GI (P = 0.367, Group G incidence = 34.38%, [95% confidence interval, 95% CI = 17.92–50.83], Group I incidence = 18.75%, [95% CI = 5.23–32.27], Group GI incidence = 28.13%, [95% CI = 12.55–43.70]). The other outcomes were comparable among the groups. Conclusions In patients who had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy, gargling with 0.05% dexamethasone solution demonstrated the same POST prevention effect as intravenous injection of 0.1 mg/kg dexamethasone. The incidence and severity of POST were not significantly different between the combination of gargling with 0.05% dexamethasone solution and intravenous injection of 0.1 mg/kg dexamethasone and use of each of the preventive methods alone.

We report a case of pulmonary edema developed in a 33-year-old female who underwent two-stage bilateral carotid body tumor excision. About 1 month ago, she had undergone a left carotid body tumor excision. After the operation, her tongue was deviated to left side. Bilateral hypoglossal nerve injury was suspected. These injuries should be carefully monitored in patients who will undergo a similar procedure on both sides because a bilateral deficit of the hypoglossal nerve is poorly tolerated, resulting potentially serious pulmonary edema. In recovery room, she became pale and SpO2 was fall down. We reintubated her immediately and the pulmonary edema was treated using a supportive management. She was discharged without any signs of dyspnea or airway obstruction, but hypoglossal nerve injury remained. We discuss the possible etiology of the upper airway obstruction after the neck surgery and review the literatures associated with the pulmonary edema following upper airway obstruction.
Adult ; Airway Obstruction ; Carotid Body Tumor* ; Carotid Body* ; Dyspnea ; Female ; Humans ; Hypoglossal Nerve ; Hypoglossal Nerve Diseases ; Hypoglossal Nerve Injuries ; Neck ; Pulmonary Edema* ; Recovery Room ; Tongue

BACKGROUND: In the acute phase of myocardial infarction, the hemostatic mechanism is known to be activated. However, it remains unclear whether increased activity of the hemostatic mechanism is only a marker of the acute thrombotic episode or precedes its appearance. It is also inapparent whether a hypercoagulable state persist for a prolonged period after the apparent resolution of these disorders. METHODS: In a group of 23 patients with acute myocardial infarction who received fibrinolytic therapy with urokinase(group A) or tPA(group B), the plasma level of fibrinogen, antithrombin compared to those of the 10 normal controls. RESULTS: The plasme level of fibrinogen was significantly decreased in both group A and B before and 4 to 24 hours after thrombolytic therapy compared to that of normal controls. But it was increased 7 to 14 days after thrombolytic therapy. In a few of the patients, the plasma level of FDP and D-dimer were positive before thrombolytic therapy and in the most patients they were positive 4 hours after thrombolytic therapy. The plasma level of AT-III was significantly increased in both group A and B before thrombolytic therapy compared with that of normal controls, but, after thrombolytic therapy, there was no significant change in its level. CONCLUSIONS: In the patients with acute myocardial infarction, the thrombolysis occurred before thrombolytic therapy and it lasted for 24 hours after thrombolytic therapy.
Antithrombin III* ; Fibrinogen ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Plasma ; Thrombolytic Therapy*

BACKGROUND: Lipoprotein(a)(Lp(a))is known as an independent risk factor of the coronary artery disease(CAD). However, it is not clear whether the level of the Lp(a) is elevated in the presence of atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease(PVD) of lower extremities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Considering high prevalence of the coronary artery disease in PVD, the association between the serum level of Lp(a) and the presence of PVD was investigated by comparing Lp(a) level in PVD patients with CAD(PVD+CAD group, N=15), PVD patients without CAD(PVD-CAD group, N=12), and control group who had normal coronary angiograms and no clinical evidence of PVD(Control group, N=22). In all PVD patients coronary angiograms were performed simultaneously with peripheral angiograms. Clinical characteristics, lipid profiles and the level of lipoprotein(a) were compared between two PVD group. The serum level of Lp(a) was measured with ELISA technique. RESULTS: Serum levels of lipoprotein(a) in patients with PVD as a whole(20.4+/-18.7mg/dl, mean standard deviation) were not significantly higher than those in control group(14.9+/-10.5mg/dl). In patients with PVD and CAD, the levels were significantly higher(27.0+/-20.2mg/dl) than those in patients with PVD but without CAD(12.2+/-13.3mg/dl). There was no significant difference between two groups with PVD in age, sex, association of hypertension, smoking, and other lipid profiles. CONCLUSIONS: Lipoprotein(a) level might not be related to the presence of PVD, but rather associated with CAD.
Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Vessels ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Lipoprotein(a)* ; Lower Extremity* ; Peripheral Vascular Diseases* ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking

Enterovirus 71 has been recognized as being highly central nervous system (CNS) involved and presents with diverse neurologic manifestations. Brainstem encephalitis is the most common neurologic manifestation of CNS involvement by enterovirus 71, and manifests myoclonus, ataxia, tremor, and autonomic dysfunction such as pulmonary hemorrhage. Here we report a 31-month-old girl with enterovirus 71 brainstem encephalitis presenting with pulmonary hemorrhage and acute heart failure. The patient was admitted to emergency department of our hospital due to high-grade fever, vomiting, myoclonus, and tremor 4 days after hand, foot and mouth disease. Four hours after admission, the patient presented with pulmonary hemorrhage and acute heart failure. CSF analysis demonstrated white blood cell 60/mm3, red blood cell 1/mm3, protein 43.0 mg/dL, and glucose 149 mg/dL. Despite aggressive management including intravenous immunoglobulin, milrinone and empirical antimicrobial therapy, the patient died due to uncontrolled pulmonary hemorrhage and shock in 15 hours after admission at emergency department. In stool specimen obtained from the patient, enterovirus 71 (subgenotype C4a) was detected. This case suggests that an early diagnosis of central nervous system involvement in patient with enterovirus 71 infection is vital because brainstem encephalitis resulting from enterovirus 71 infection can rapidly progress to the critical state of disease.
Ataxia ; Brain Stem* ; Central Nervous System ; Child, Preschool ; Early Diagnosis ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Encephalitis* ; Enterovirus* ; Erythrocytes ; Female ; Fever ; Glucose ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; Heart Failure* ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Leukocytes ; Milrinone ; Myoclonus ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Shock ; Tremor ; Vomiting