BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The beneficial effects of statins in preventing cardiovascular events may depend, in part, on their anti-inflammatory action. We previously reported that low dose statin therapy has cholesterol lowering effects, but no effect on inflammation, and proposed that a sufficient dose of therapy might be needed to achieve anti-inflammatory action. The aims of this study were to confirm the suggestions made in our previous study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifteen unstable angina patients who were enrolled in our previous study were evaluated. The usual dose (20 mg) of simvastatin was administrated for 26 weeks, blood samples collected following the administration and tested for their lipid profiles and inflammatory markers (IL-6, CRP). The changes in the lipid profiles and inflammatory markers, from baseline levels, to the usual and low doses of statin therapy were evaluated. RESULTS: The changes in the IL-6 and hsCRP levels after the usual dose simvastatin therapy compared with the baseline levels were -72.8 and -59.6% (p< 0.05), respectively. The changes in the IL-6 and hsCRP levels after the usual dose simvastatin therapy compared with a 5 mg dose were -77.2 and -47.1% (p< 0.05), respectively. There was statistically significant correlation between the change in the levels of IL-6 and hsCRP during statin therapy. CONCLUSION: Our data confirmed the preliminary result of Chung et al, which suggested the usual dose of simvastatin is required to inhibit the inflammation of unstable plaque in patients with unstable angina associated with hypercholesterolemia.
Angina, Unstable* ; C-Reactive Protein ; Cholesterol ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors ; Hypercholesterolemia ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-6* ; Simvastatin*

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to investigate the characteristics of stair climbing through the comparison between the stair climbing and level walking, and to present the standard values of stair climbing. METHOD: Twenty healthy young adults were recruited. The kinematic and kinetic data of level walking and stair climbing on the specially designed stair were obtained through 3 dimensional motion analyzer (Vicon 370 system) with the force plate. RESULTS: The sagittal range of motion of all examined joints at stair climbing was significantly increased compared as at level walking (p<0.05). The maximal flexion angle at swing phase of all examined joints were significantly increased at stair climbing compared than at level walking (p<0.05). At loading response, the kinetic data showed the significant differences between stair climbing and level walking. The time when the maximal extensor moment of knee developed was significantly earlier than when that of hip developed (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: As a results, we found that stair climbing was different from level walking and had the unique pattern in the kinematic and kinetic aspect. The motion analysis of stair climbing may be useful to the further studies.
Hip ; Humans ; Joints ; Knee ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Walking* ; Young Adult

No abstract available.
Barium* ; Child* ; Humans ; Intussusception* ; Ultrasonography*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the colonic motility and nutrients intake in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) and to compare the results with those of normal children. METHOD: Thirty-eight children with spastic CP were participated in this study. They took the radioopaque markers for 3 successive days. Then, abdominal X-ray was taken on the fourth day. Total and segmental colon transits were estimated by the simplified assessment of a single-film technique by Metcalf et al. The amounts of nutrients intake for 3 days were recorded and nutritional factors were analyzed by ESHA Food Processor. Then, daily intakes of the nutrients were compared with Recommended Dietary Allowance of the Korean Nutrition Society. RESULTS: Total and segmental colon transit time were more than 2 times delayed in children with spastic CP as compared with those of normal controls. Total colon transit time was significantly prolonged in quadriplegic and non-ambulatory children (p<0.05). On the evaluation of daily nutrients intake, most of nutritional factors were inadequate in children with spastic CP. CONCLUSION: The children with spastic CP had the problems in colonic motility and nutritional intake. Also, delayed colon transit time was significantly related with poor mobility. Therefore, early intervention for these problems will be required in spastic CP, especially quadriplegic and non-ambulatory children.
Cerebral Palsy* ; Child* ; Colon* ; Early Intervention (Education) ; Humans ; Muscle Spasticity* ; Recommended Dietary Allowances

To evaluate the functional and radiologic outcomes of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in shoulders with chronic calcific tendinitis. We report a retrospective study to compare the outcome after ESWT (group l, 15 cases) with the effect of medication treatment (group 2, 15 cases) in patients with chronic calcific tendinitis. Patients were aged 42 to 58 years, mean of 48 years and treated with extracorporeal shock waves or medication from September 2012 to May 2014. The ESWT was performed six cycles of shock waves, weekly treatment for the three cycles and the rest cycles after 2 weeks of pause. In the same period, there were 12 women and 3 men treated with medication treatment for calcific tendinitis. The clinical outcomes were evaluated according to Constant and Murley score and pain visual analogue scale. Radiologic evaluation was performed to confirm disintegration of calcific deposits 3 months and 6 months after treatment. Clinical outcomes were significantly improved in ESWT group, and there was significant difference between ESWT group and medication group. In radiographic evaluation, the calcific deposit was significantly decreased in ESWT group. ESWT therapy is more effective to achieve functional improvement and to alleviate pain in the patients with calcific tendinitis of the shoulder.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Shock* ; Shoulder* ; Tendinopathy*

A 59-year-old female patient with rheumatoid arthritis showed hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis, normotensive hyperreninemic hyperaldosteronism and high urinary prostaglandin level. She was thought to have Bartter's syndrome. But, her kidney biopsy specimen showed chronic interstitial nephritis. She have used acetaminophen containing analgesics for recent three years. So we thought her disease was caused by drug. But, in this case, clinical manifestations are correspond with Bartter's syndrome and we have witnessed a successful respond to kalium replacement, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, prostaglandin inhibitor and spironolactone administration.
Acetaminophen ; Alkalosis ; Analgesics ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Bartter Syndrome ; Biopsy ; Female ; Glycogen Storage Disease Type VI ; Humans ; Hyperaldosteronism ; Kidney ; Middle Aged ; Nephritis, Interstitial* ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; Prostaglandin Antagonists ; Spironolactone

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of stretching therapy of neurogenic bladder in spinal cord injured patients. METHOD: Twelve spinal cord injured patients who had neurogeic bladder manifested with urinary incontinence resistant to oral and intravesical anticholinergic instillation treatment were selected. Oxybutynin solution was instillated via foley catheter and the catheter was clamped until incontinence occur. This was performed twice a day for 7 days. The urodynamic studies were compared before and after therapy. Total volume of daily incontinence and total volume of daily fluid intake were also monitored. RESULTS: After stretching therapy, median maximal bladder capacity increased from 190.08 to 457.17 ml (p<0.01), mean bladder compliance increased from 8.46 to 18.85 ml/cmH2O (p<0.01), mean reflex volume increased from 148.75 to 252.17 ml (p<0.05), mean maximal detrusor pressure decreased from 52.17 to 28.29 cmH2O (p<0.01), mean clinical maximal capacity increased from 277.50 to 537.50 ml (p<0.01), and mean daily incontinent volume decreased from 508.33 ml to 20.83 ml (p<0.01). No significant correlation was found between the duration since onset of injury and the urodynamic finding. CONCLUSION: This study proved that stretching therapy of bladder was an effective method in spinal cord injured patients who had neurogenic bladder with uncontrolled incontinence with conventional therapy.
Administration, Intravesical ; Catheters ; Compliance ; Humans ; Reflex ; Spinal Cord Injuries* ; Spinal Cord* ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic* ; Urinary Incontinence ; Urodynamics

PURPOSE: The cytotoxicities and anti-fibrotic effects of mitomycin C and pirfenidone on human dermal fibroblast were evaluated. METHODS: Initially, 24-hour cell cultures were exposed to transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1, different concentrations of mitomycin C, and pirfenidone solutions in order to evaluate cytotoxicity. Expressions of fibronectin, collagen type 1, alpha smooth muscle, and beta-actin were evaluated by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot in mitomycin C solutions at concentrations of 4 microg/mL and 20 microg/mL, and in pirfenidone solutions at 250 microg/mL and 500 microg/mL. RESULTS: In comparison to cell cultures exposed to TGF-beta1 solutions, cytotoxicities were increased in solutions of mitomycin C at 4 microg/mL, 20 microg/mL, 40 microg/mL and pirfenidone at 500 microg/mL, 750 microg/mL, 1,000 microg/mL (p < 0.05, Mann Whitney U-test). The results of real-time RT-PCR show that expressions of fibronectin, collagen type 1, and alpha smooth muscle were significantly more decreased in all concentrations of mitomycin C and pirfenidone compared to those in TGF-beta1 solution. In western blot analysis, expressions of fibronectin and alpha smooth muscle were decreased in all concentrations of mitomycin C and pirfenidone compared to TGF-beta1 solution. CONCLUSIONS: Both drugs have cytotoxicities and anti-fibrotic effects, but pirfenidone was found to have less cytotoxicity and mitomycin C was found to have more anti-fibrotic effects when compared to each other.
Actins ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Collagen ; Fibroblasts* ; Fibronectins ; Humans ; Mitomycin* ; Muscle, Smooth ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; Transforming Growth Factors

OBJECTIVES: To determine the diagnostic performance of transrectal ultrasound in virgin patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, compared with conventional transvaginal ultrasound assessment. METHODS: Ultrasound examinations were performed in 963 Korean women, with transvaginal transducers in 677 women and transrectal transducers in 286 women at Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital. Transvaginal ultrasound examinations were performed in 494 normal control women and 183 PCOS patients according to National Institutes of Health (NIH) PCOS diagnostic criteria. In virgin patients, transrectal ultrasound examinations were performed in 141 normal control women and 145 PCOS patients. ROC curves were calculated for ovarian volume and follicle number. RESULTS: By transvaginal ultrasound examination, the ovarian volume showed an area under the ROC curve (AURC) of 0.838. An ovarian volume decision threshold > 7 cm3 had a sensitivity of 73.0% and a specificity of 84.2% for the diagnosis of PCOS. The follicle number showed an AURC of 0.886. A follicle number decision threshold > or = 9 had a sensitivity of 78.6% and a specificity of 87.2% for the diagnosis of PCOS. By transrectal ultrasound examination, the ovarian volume and the follicle number showed AURCs of 0.815 as same thresholds with a sensitivity of 67.2% and 66.4%, respectively and a specificity of 86.8% each. Ovarian volume and follicle number by transvaginal and transrectal ultrasound assessment had a high diagnostic power for PCOS screening. CONCLUSION: Transrectal ultrasound assessment is as effective as conventional transvaginal ultrasound for the detection of PCOS in virgin patients.
Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; National Institutes of Health (U.S.) ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome* ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Transducers ; Ultrasonography*

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate preoperative anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels in women with endometrioma or other benign ovarian cysts and differences of AMH changes according to various characteristics. METHODS: Ninety-seven patients aged 20 to 39 years who underwent surgery for benign ovarian cyst were enrolled retrospectively. Of these, 65 patients were diagnosed as endometriomas, and 32 had other benign cysts. Serum AMH, mean, maximum, and total diameter of ovarian cysts were measured. The AMH levels were compared according to pathology (endometrioma vs. other benign cyst), size of ovarian cyst, age-matched AMH quartile percentile and characteristics of endometrioma. RESULTS: Preoperative serum AMH level was significantly lower in endometrioma group than other benign cyst group (4.12 +/- 2.42 ng/mL vs. 6.02 +/- 2.29 ng/mL, P < 0.001). Serum AMH level was significantly lower in endometrioma group, especially in patients aged 30 to 39 years. Dividing to age-matched AMH quartile percentile, there were significantly fewer patients with AMH level > or = 75 percentile in endometrioma group (24.6% vs. 50.0%, P = 0.035). Among 4 subgroups of endometrioma, patients with AMH level > or = 75 percentile were significantly decreased in multiple bilateral endometrioma group. Mean and total diameter of cysts were negatively correlated with preoperative serum AMH level in other benign cyst group. CONCLUSION: We suggest that preoperative AMH level measurement might be considered in women with endometrioma, especially in 30 to 39 years old, multiple bilateral type, or big-sized other benign ovarian cyst to assess the diminished ovarian reserve.
Anti-Mullerian Hormone* ; Endometriosis* ; Female ; Humans ; Ovarian Cysts* ; Pathology ; Retrospective Studies