Forty cases of infiltrating duct carcinoma of the breast were examined immunohistochemically for expression of TGF-beta and angiogenesis in order to analyze significant correlation with prognostic parameters including tumor size, axillary lymph node metastasis, clinical stage, histologic grade, estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor status. The TGF-beta expression was observed in tumors center and advancing edges of tumors. To determine microvessel density for angiogenesis, we stained endothelial cells for Factor VIII related antigen and counted microvessel within tumor. The results were as follows: 1) The strong immunohistochemical expression of TGF-beta and higher counts of microvessels were observed in advancing edges of tumors (p<0.05). 2) The TGF-beta expression in the advancing edges of tumors was closely related to clinical stage and presence of axillary lymph node metastasis (p<0.05). 3) The mean microvessel counts were significantly higher in tumors from patients with axillary lymph node metastasis and increased with increasing clinical stage (p<0.05). 4) The TGF-beta expression was not related to histologic grade, estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor status(p>0.05). Therefore, the results suggested that the TGF-beta expression and angiogenesis in infiltrating duct carcinoma of the breast may play an important part in prognostic factors, closely related to the lymph node metastasis and clinical stage.
Neoplasm Metastasis

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to integrate the results of community based studies which assessed a relationship between depression and alcoholism by meta-analysis. METHODS: We identified the previons studies and included in meta-analysis by searching MEDLINE. Overall, 21 results of the studies for relationship between depression and alcoholism were selected for quantitative meta-analysis. Before the integration of the each effect size of the relationship between depression and alcoholism, a homogeneity test was conducted. For the publication bias, we also conducted the analyses of funnel plot, normal quantile plot, rank correlation test and the fail-safe n. RESULTS: We used the random effect model to estimate the overall effect size, because the homogeneity of studies was rejected in a fixed effect model. Our quantitative meta-analysis yielded that integrated odds ratio between depression and alcoholism was 2.42 (95% C.I. 1.98-2.97). From the results of analyses of the publication bias, the probability of publication bias is considered low. CONCLUSION: The published evidences suggested that there may be a significant positive relationship between depression and alcoholism.
Alcoholism* ; Depression* ; Odds Ratio ; Publication Bias

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to integrate the results of community based studies which assessed a relationship between depression and alcoholism by meta-analysis. METHODS: We identified the previons studies and included in meta-analysis by searching MEDLINE. Overall, 21 results of the studies for relationship between depression and alcoholism were selected for quantitative meta-analysis. Before the integration of the each effect size of the relationship between depression and alcoholism, a homogeneity test was conducted. For the publication bias, we also conducted the analyses of funnel plot, normal quantile plot, rank correlation test and the fail-safe n. RESULTS: We used the random effect model to estimate the overall effect size, because the homogeneity of studies was rejected in a fixed effect model. Our quantitative meta-analysis yielded that integrated odds ratio between depression and alcoholism was 2.42 (95% C.I. 1.98-2.97). From the results of analyses of the publication bias, the probability of publication bias is considered low. CONCLUSION: The published evidences suggested that there may be a significant positive relationship between depression and alcoholism.
Alcoholism* ; Depression* ; Odds Ratio ; Publication Bias

Primary aldosteronism is a group of disorders in which the autonomous secretion of aldosterone is associated with hypertension and hypokalemia. It is crucial to determine the laterality of aldosterone hypersecretion because treatment options differ accordingly. Adrenal venous sampling (AVS) is considered the most reliable method for assessing the laterality of primary aldosteronism. This procedure is often technically challenging because of the small size and varied locations of the adrenal veins. A better understanding of anatomical variations and careful review of imaging studies would improve sampling success. This report presents three cases of anatomical variations encountered during AVS.

Primary aldosteronism is a group of disorders in which the autonomous secretion of aldosterone is associated with hypertension and hypokalemia. It is crucial to determine the laterality of aldosterone hypersecretion because treatment options differ accordingly. Adrenal venous sampling (AVS) is considered the most reliable method for assessing the laterality of primary aldosteronism. This procedure is often technically challenging because of the small size and varied locations of the adrenal veins. A better understanding of anatomical variations and careful review of imaging studies would improve sampling success. This report presents three cases of anatomical variations encountered during AVS.

Primary aldosteronism is a group of disorders in which the autonomous secretion of aldosterone is associated with hypertension and hypokalemia. It is crucial to determine the laterality of aldosterone hypersecretion because treatment options differ accordingly. Adrenal venous sampling (AVS) is considered the most reliable method for assessing the laterality of primary aldosteronism. This procedure is often technically challenging because of the small size and varied locations of the adrenal veins. A better understanding of anatomical variations and careful review of imaging studies would improve sampling success. This report presents three cases of anatomical variations encountered during AVS.

No abstract available.
C-Reactive Protein* ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic*

Two cases of anesthetic experience for excision of pheochromocytoma were presented, one was diagnosed by abdominal computed tomography and urinary VMA level checked after cardiac arrest during previous anesthetic induction for gastric polypectomy at private clinic. The other case was diagnosed by upper GI series and abdominal sonography. Anesthesia was managed with glycopyrrolate and meperidine for premedication, thiopental for induction, isoflurane-nitrous oxide-oxygen for maintenance, pancuronium and vecuronium for muscle relaxation, and nitroprusside for controlling severe hypertensive episode. We experienced marked fluctuation of blood pressure during anesthetic course. Severe hypotension followed removal of tumor, which was corrected by rapid transfusion and infusion of crystalloids. Postanesthetic recovery and course were uneventful.
Anesthesia ; Blood Pressure ; Glycopyrrolate ; Heart Arrest ; Hypotension ; Isoflurane ; Meperidine ; Muscle Relaxation ; Nitroprusside* ; Pancuronium ; Pheochromocytoma* ; Premedication ; Thiopental ; Vecuronium Bromide

Two cases of anesthetic experience for excision of pheochromocytoma were presented, one was diagnosed by abdominal computed tomography and urinary VMA level checked after cardiac arrest during previous anesthetic induction for gastric polypectomy at private clinic. The other case was diagnosed by upper GI series and abdominal sonography. Anesthesia was managed with glycopyrrolate and meperidine for premedication, thiopental for induction, isoflurane-nitrous oxide-oxygen for maintenance, pancuronium and vecuronium for muscle relaxation, and nitroprusside for controlling severe hypertensive episode. We experienced marked fluctuation of blood pressure during anesthetic course. Severe hypotension followed removal of tumor, which was corrected by rapid transfusion and infusion of crystalloids. Postanesthetic recovery and course were uneventful.
Anesthesia ; Blood Pressure ; Glycopyrrolate ; Heart Arrest ; Hypotension ; Isoflurane ; Meperidine ; Muscle Relaxation ; Nitroprusside* ; Pancuronium ; Pheochromocytoma* ; Premedication ; Thiopental ; Vecuronium Bromide

Systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) is a disease of unknown etiology in which multiple organs are damaged by pathogenic autoantibodies and immune complexes. Neuropsychiatric manifestations in SLE were first described by Kaposi in 1872. These are so diverse that they include psychosis, depression, stroke, seizure and cognitive dysfunction etc. These patients are frequently consulted for psychiatric evaluation. Neuropsychiatric manifestations in SLE are also among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality and associated with poor long-term outcome. So it is essential to recognize and intervene these symptoms early. But the clear diagnostic criteria for CNS involvement in SLE have not been formulated, and diversity and fluctuation of illness make it difficult to confirm it. The authors reported three cases of SLE with severe neuropsychiatric manifestations. These patients showed symptoms such as disorientation, auditory and visual hallucibation, delusion and mood instability. They became frequently impulsive and violent and had risks to injure themselves or others. Although CNS involvement in SLE is not well known, we reviewed the pathogenesis, classification, diagnosis, clinical manifestation and treatment of them.
Antigen-Antibody Complex ; Autoantibodies ; Classification ; Delusions ; Depression ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* ; Mortality ; Psychotic Disorders ; Seizures ; Stroke