No abstract available.
Thrombosis*

No abstract available.
Pneumothorax* ; Thoracotomy*

Astrocytes play supportive roles for neurons in the brain. Recently, they have been accepted to have various functions in the vascular system as well as in the nervous system. We investigated the differential gene expression in rat astrocytes according to the oxygen tension, which is a crucial factor for angiogenesis. A cDNA microarray was performed to find the genes whose expression was sensitive to oxygen tension. We found 26 genes in the astrocyte were found and classified into 4 groups. In order to show the genes' relevancy to angiogenesis, seven of the 26 genes were investigated to see whether they have capabilities of interaction with angiogenesis-related factors in AngioDB. Through this investigation, we found interactions of three proteins with angiogenesis-related factors. These genes were further investigated with a new focus on the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in an astrocyte based on our hypothesis that astrocytes can have effects on endothelial angiogenesis via the release of VEGF. Collectively, we identified several genes whose expressions were dependent on the oxygen concentration of the astrocyte. Furthermore, the relevancy of astrocytes to angiogenesis was investigated using preexisting information of AngioDB, and suggested a possible signaling pathway for VEGF expression in the aspects of brain endothelial angiogenesis by astrocytes.
Animals ; Astrocytes* ; Brain ; Computer Simulation* ; Gene Expression ; Mass Screening* ; Nervous System ; Neurons ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Oxygen ; Rats* ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical efficacy of simple total laparoscopic hysterectomy in the aspect of operation indication, operation time, hospitalization day, blood loss, and postoperative complications. METHODS: A retrospective evaluation for 312 women who undergone simplified total laparoscopic hysterectomy from January, 2002 to June, 2003 was done. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 45.2 years, mean parity was 2.2, and mean uterine weight was 272.3 gm. The most common surgical indication was uterine myoma in 136 cases (43.5%), followed by adenomyosis in 90 cases (28.8%), myoma combined with adenomyosis in 52 cases (16.6%), uterine prolapse in 15 cases (4.8%), and HSIL 19 cases (6%) respectively. The most common concomitant operation was salpingooophorectomy in 53 cases (16.9%), followed by adhesiolysis in 40 cases (12.8%), colporraphy in 14 cases (4.4%), electrocauterization (ovary) in 4 cases (1.3%), pelvic floor suspension in 4 cases (1.3%), and TVT in 1 case (0.3%). The mean operation time was 107 minutes, and the average hospital day was 5.2 days. The preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin difference was 1.2 gm/dL. The complications of STLH were ureteral injury in 2 cases, intestinal injury in 1 case, and stump bleeding in 1 case. CONCLUSION: The most important factors for successful STLH were sufficiently trained laparoscopic team and the degree of pelvic adhesion. The most potential advantages of STLH are shorter duration of operation time, hospitalization, and less postoperative complications and more cost effectiveness. Therefore, STLH can be a new alternative option for hysterectomy and may replace the other methods of hysterectomy such as abdominal, vaginal and laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH).
Adenomyosis ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hysterectomy* ; Hysterectomy, Vaginal ; Leiomyoma ; Myoma ; Parity ; Pelvic Floor ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Ureter ; Uterine Prolapse

Objective: Here, we investigated whether cytokines in the cervicovaginal fluid (CVF) can be predictive markers of preterm birth (PTB). Methods: A multi-center prospective cohort study was conducted on 59 singleton pregnant women hospitalized for preterm labor (PTL) and/or preterm premature rupture of membranes (pPROM) between 22 weeks and 36 weeks 6 days of gestation from 2014 to 2015. The levels of 13 inflammatory cytokines (macrophage inflammatory protein [MIP]-1α, MIP-1β, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17α, granulocyte colony stimulating factor [G-CSF], IL-7, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13) were measured using a multiplex bead-based immunoassay and that of fetal fibronectin (fFN) was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analyses were performed using Student’s t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson’s correlation, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis in SPSS version 20.0. Results: Among the 13 cytokines assessed, the levels of 3 cytokines (MIP-1α, IL-6, and IL-7) were negatively correlated with gestational age at delivery (P=0.028, P=0.002, and P=0.018, respectively). Sensitivities of MIP-1α, IL-6, and IL-17α were 70%, 80%, and 75%, respectively, and their specificities were 57%, 65%, and 69%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of fFN were 33% and 95%, respectively. Conclusion In symptomatic women diagnosed with PTL and/or pPROM, cytokines from cervicovaginal fluid, especially IL-6 and IL-17α, could be better predictive markers of PTB than fFN.

Objective: Here, we investigated whether cytokines in the cervicovaginal fluid (CVF) can be predictive markers of preterm birth (PTB). Methods: A multi-center prospective cohort study was conducted on 59 singleton pregnant women hospitalized for preterm labor (PTL) and/or preterm premature rupture of membranes (pPROM) between 22 weeks and 36 weeks 6 days of gestation from 2014 to 2015. The levels of 13 inflammatory cytokines (macrophage inflammatory protein [MIP]-1α, MIP-1β, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17α, granulocyte colony stimulating factor [G-CSF], IL-7, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13) were measured using a multiplex bead-based immunoassay and that of fetal fibronectin (fFN) was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analyses were performed using Student’s t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson’s correlation, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis in SPSS version 20.0. Results: Among the 13 cytokines assessed, the levels of 3 cytokines (MIP-1α, IL-6, and IL-7) were negatively correlated with gestational age at delivery (P=0.028, P=0.002, and P=0.018, respectively). Sensitivities of MIP-1α, IL-6, and IL-17α were 70%, 80%, and 75%, respectively, and their specificities were 57%, 65%, and 69%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of fFN were 33% and 95%, respectively. Conclusion In symptomatic women diagnosed with PTL and/or pPROM, cytokines from cervicovaginal fluid, especially IL-6 and IL-17α, could be better predictive markers of PTB than fFN.

A 56-year-old man who had suffered from seasonal rhinitis in spring and autumn experienced recurrent generalized urticaria and an oral burning sensation after eating several cooked herbs for 3 months. A skin-prick test showed positive responses to various pollens, celery, Chinese bellflower, and arrowroot. The Chinese bellflower-specific IgE ELISA OD value was 1.547. Oral challenge with unprocessed raw Chinese bellflower root provoked oral burning sensation, eyelid swelling, generalized urticaria, and hypotension. In an ELISA inhibition test, IgE binding to Chinese bellflower was significantly inhibited by Chinese bellflower, mugwort, and birch pollen extract. SDS-PAGE and immunoblot assay revealed nine IgE-binding components, and common protein bands were detected in the range of 40~55 kDa (Chinese bellflower-mugwort-birch) and 14 kDa (Chinese bellflower-birch). Chinese bellflower root can cause anaphylaxis and may have cross-reactivity with mugwort and birch.
Anaphylaxis/*etiology ; Artemisia/*immunology ; Betula/*immunology ; Cross Reactions ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E/*immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Platycodon/*immunology

A 30-year-old man suffering from anaphylactoid attack after exercise was admitted. He had asthma, atopy, and a family history of allergic diseases. He suffered from dyspnea, wheezing, dizziness, angioedema, urticaria after exercise such as climbing. Although many cases of exercise-induced anaphylaxis have been reported, most of them were food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis rather than classic exercise-induced anaphylaxis. We performed exercise provocation test, which resulted in anaphylactoid shock accompanied with hypotension. angioedema, wheezing, dyspnea and a fall of FEV1(Forced expiratory volume in one second). These reactions were related with only exercise but not foods. Because there are few cases of classic exercise-induced anaphylaxis, we report this case in consideration with its clinical importance and fatality. Physicians should be alerted on the many manifestations occuring after physical activities.
Adult ; Anaphylaxis* ; Angioedema ; Asthma ; Dizziness ; Dyspnea ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Motor Activity ; Respiratory Sounds ; Shock ; Urticaria

Antihistamines are commonly used to treat allergic disease, such as allergic rhinitis, urticaria, and angioedema. Although several previous reports describe hypersensitivity to antihistamines such as cetirizine and hydroxyzine, documented cases of chlorpheniramine hypersensitivity are extremely rare. Here, we report the case of a 45-year-old Korean woman who presented with urticaria after ingesting a cold medication. Over the previous 5 years, she had also experienced a food allergy to crab and shrimp, allergic rhinitis, and repeated urticaria after ingesting cold medication. Provocation with aspirin elicited generalized urticaria. Intravenous chlorpheniramine and methylprednisolone was injected for symptom control, but in fact appeared to aggravate urticaria. A second round of skin and provocation tests for chlorpheniramine and methylprednisolone showed positive results only for chlorpheniramine. She was diagnosed with aspirin intolerance and chlorpheniramine hypersensitivity, and was instructed to avoid these drugs. To date, this is the second of only two cases of chlorpheniramine-induced type I hypersensitivity with aspirin intolerance. Although the relationship between aspirin intolerance and chlorpheniramine-induced type I hypersensitivity is unclear, physicians should be aware of the possibility of urticaria or other allergic reactions in response to antihistamines.
Angioedema ; Aspirin ; Cetirizine ; Chlorpheniramine ; Cold Temperature ; Drug Hypersensitivity ; Female ; Food Hypersensitivity ; Histamine Antagonists ; Humans ; Hydroxyzine ; Hypersensitivity ; Hypersensitivity, Immediate ; Methylprednisolone ; Middle Aged ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; Skin ; Urticaria

Human toxocariasis is the most prevalent helminthiasis in Korea and other industrialized countries. The clinical features of toxocariasis are diverse, according to the involved organ. Typically, Toxocara spp. infection is easily treated with 400 mg albendazole twice a day for 5 days. However, we experienced a case of recurrent toxocariasis that was refractory to this standard therapy and presented with urticaria, an uncommon symptom in toxocariasis. A 35-year-old male visited our emergency room because of abdominal pain. He had recently consumed raw cow liver (3 weeks prior to presentation). Laboratory analyses revealed eosinophilia (1,612 cells/microliter) and increased total IgE (3,060 IU/mL). Chest X-ray showed multiple lung nodules in both lungs, and computed tomography revealed multiple ground-glass opacities in both lungs and multiple tiny liver abscesses. Liver biopsy revealed an eosinophilic abscess. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay findings for Toxocara antigens were positive (optical density, 2.140), leading to a diagnosis of toxocariasis. We initiated a 5-day treatment with albendazole and prednisolone; however, 6 days after completing the treatment, the patient again experienced urticaria and severe itching that could not be controlled by antihistamines or hydrocortisone cream. A second bout of eosinophilia suggested recurring toxocariasis, for which we prescribed a second round of albendazole. Despite an initial improvement in his symptoms, the patient returned after 6 weeks complaining of abdominal pain for 6 hours, which was reminiscent of his first attack; he also exhibited eosinophilia. Accordingly, albendazole was administered once more for an additional 3 weeks, and his symptoms resolved.
Abdominal Pain ; Abscess ; Adult ; Albendazole ; Biopsy ; Developed Countries ; Emergencies ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Eosinophilia ; Eosinophils ; Helminthiasis ; Histamine Antagonists ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Immunoglobulin E ; Korea ; Liver ; Liver Abscess ; Lung ; Male ; Pruritus ; Thorax ; Toxocara ; Toxocariasis ; Urticaria