No abstract available.
Heart Septal Defects, Atrial* ; Hemodynamics*

BACKGROUND: Many clinical measures have been used to assess fall risk in elderly adults. The purpose of this study was to assess the interrelationship of maximal step length (MSL) measurement as protective strategies and risk factors of falls. METHODS: The study population consisted of 149 community-dwelling people (> or = 60 yrs). Demographic data, depression degree (GDS-short form), fatigue degree (revised Chalder's fatigue scale) were reviewed by self-recorded questionnaire. K-MMSE, MSL, US and TUG were done when they visited our clinic. We examined whether MSL was correlated with the six leg-directions and was related to other measures to evaluate fall risk. To examine the association between MSL and other variables, we analyzed data by T-test, ANOVA and multiple regressions. RESULTS: The MSLmean correlated highly with each leg- direction MSL (correlation coefficient, r=0.771~0.941, P<0.01), US (r=0.392, P<0.01) and TUG (r=-0.608, P<0.01). The MSL(mean/L) (MSL(mean), leg length adjusted) correlated strongly with frequent fall (P=0.005). Also, the MSL(mean/L) had a tendency to be low in the elderly, females, in those with regular exercise, widowed or divorced, DM, stroke, dementia suspicion, inclination toward depression, arthritis and frequent falls, but higher score on fatigue groups. Age (P<.001), sex (P=0.001), DM (P<.001), frequent falls (P= 0.017), dementia suspicion (P=0.016), and arthritis (P= 0.024) variables were related with MSL(mean/L) when we examined these variables by multiple regression analysis. CONCLUSION: MSL was correlated highly with other functional performance test and DM, age, sex, frequent fall, dementia suspicion, and arthritis variables for fall risk.
Adult ; Aged ; Arthritis ; Dementia ; Depression ; Divorce ; Fatigue ; Female ; Humans ; Leg ; Risk Factors ; Stroke ; Widowhood ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Many clinical measures have been used to assess fall risk in elderly adults. The purpose of this study was to assess the interrelationship of maximal step length (MSL) measurement as protective strategies and risk factors of falls. METHODS: The study population consisted of 149 community-dwelling people (> or = 60 yrs). Demographic data, depression degree (GDS-short form), fatigue degree (revised Chalder's fatigue scale) were reviewed by self-recorded questionnaire. K-MMSE, MSL, US and TUG were done when they visited our clinic. We examined whether MSL was correlated with the six leg-directions and was related to other measures to evaluate fall risk. To examine the association between MSL and other variables, we analyzed data by T-test, ANOVA and multiple regressions. RESULTS: The MSLmean correlated highly with each leg- direction MSL (correlation coefficient, r=0.771~0.941, P<0.01), US (r=0.392, P<0.01) and TUG (r=-0.608, P<0.01). The MSL(mean/L) (MSL(mean), leg length adjusted) correlated strongly with frequent fall (P=0.005). Also, the MSL(mean/L) had a tendency to be low in the elderly, females, in those with regular exercise, widowed or divorced, DM, stroke, dementia suspicion, inclination toward depression, arthritis and frequent falls, but higher score on fatigue groups. Age (P<.001), sex (P=0.001), DM (P<.001), frequent falls (P= 0.017), dementia suspicion (P=0.016), and arthritis (P= 0.024) variables were related with MSL(mean/L) when we examined these variables by multiple regression analysis. CONCLUSION: MSL was correlated highly with other functional performance test and DM, age, sex, frequent fall, dementia suspicion, and arthritis variables for fall risk.
Adult ; Aged ; Arthritis ; Dementia ; Depression ; Divorce ; Fatigue ; Female ; Humans ; Leg ; Risk Factors ; Stroke ; Widowhood ; Surveys and Questionnaires

The variable clinical responses seen with rnost cancer immunotherapy suggests that there is a large interindividual variation in immunoiogic response to tumors. One of the key functional parameter.s of an immune response is the loca1 production of cytokines. These multifunctional cytokines have been implicated in growth stimulation and cytotoxicity of ovarian tumor celle. To determine the presence and quantities of cytokines in ovarian cancer tissue, the cons-titutive expression of cytokine mRNA in biopsies from epithelial ovarian carcinomas was determined by using a PCR-assisted mRNA amplification asssy(RT-PCR). Using a set of cytokine-specific primers for 14 different cytokines, distinctive patterns of cytokine gene expression between normal and malignant ovarian tissues could be found. Several cytokines were detected even in the norma1 ovarian tissue including IL-1A, IL-8, TGF-A, TGF-B, GM-CSF, and IL,-2R. In case of the ovarian cancer, the signals were more intense than normal and we could detect the expression of some other cytokines, such as IL-1B, IL- 4, IL-6, IL-l0, TNF, and INF-T, which could not be detected in normal tissue. The presence of eytokines in ovarian cancer tissue could be impartant in the growth and development of cancer, more specifically, in relation to host immune responsiveness.
Biopsy ; Cytokines ; Gene Expression* ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Growth and Development ; Immunotherapy ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukin-8 ; Ovarian Neoplasms* ; RNA, Messenger

Simultaneous bilateral proximal femoral fractures are extremely rare, and a few have been reported in and outside the country. It may have various causes, and most cases were associated with major trauma, repetitive minor trauma, seizure, parathyroid or renal dysfunction, and anti-epileptic medications. We experienced a case of simultaneous bilateral proximal femoral fractures after generalized tonic-clonic seizure in a 70-year-old female. Herein, we report it with a review of the literature.
Aged ; Female ; Femoral Fractures ; Femur Neck ; Hip ; Hip Fractures ; Humans ; Seizures

PURPOSE: To determine the rate of successful biopsy and frequency of post-biopsy pneumothorax and hemorrhage using an 18-gauge cutting needle in CT-guided automated needle biopsies according to lesion size, and the distance between lesion and pleura. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-four patients with focal lung lesion who had undergone CT-guided automated needle biopsies using an 18-gauge cutting needle were retrospectively reviewed. We evaluated the relationship between successful biopsy rate and pneumothorax and hemorrhage according to lesion size and distance between lesion and pleura. For the purposes of this study, size and distance were grouped as follows : < or = 1cm ; 1 . 1 -2cm; 2.1 -3cm ; >3cm . RESULTS: Biopsy was successful in 78 of 94 patients(83%). When lesions were larger than 2cm in size the diagnostic rate increased (P=0.002), but the distance between lung lesion and pleura was not statistically related to successful biopsy (P>0.005). Where there were post-biopsy complications, the pneumothorax rate was higher in lesions less than 2 cm in size (P=0.041) and in those separated by more than 2 cm from the pleura (P= 0.006). Where separation was of this order, the hemorrhage rate was higher (P=0.021), but statistically, this was not affected by lesion size (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: When 18-gauge cutting needle is used in CT-guided automated needle biopsies of pulmonary lesions, the rate of successful biopsy is affected by lesion size ; the pneumothorax rate is also affected by lesion size, as well as by the distance between lesion and pleura; the hemorrhage rate is influenced only by the distance between lesion and pleura.
Biopsy* ; Biopsy, Needle* ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Lung ; Needles* ; Pleura ; Pneumothorax* ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: To determine the rate of successful biopsy and frequency of post-biopsy pneumothorax and hemorrhage using an 18-gauge cutting needle in CT-guided automated needle biopsies according to lesion size, and the distance between lesion and pleura. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-four patients with focal lung lesion who had undergone CT-guided automated needle biopsies using an 18-gauge cutting needle were retrospectively reviewed. We evaluated the relationship between successful biopsy rate and pneumothorax and hemorrhage according to lesion size and distance between lesion and pleura. For the purposes of this study, size and distance were grouped as follows : < or = 1cm ; 1 . 1 -2cm; 2.1 -3cm ; >3cm . RESULTS: Biopsy was successful in 78 of 94 patients(83%). When lesions were larger than 2cm in size the diagnostic rate increased (P=0.002), but the distance between lung lesion and pleura was not statistically related to successful biopsy (P>0.005). Where there were post-biopsy complications, the pneumothorax rate was higher in lesions less than 2 cm in size (P=0.041) and in those separated by more than 2 cm from the pleura (P= 0.006). Where separation was of this order, the hemorrhage rate was higher (P=0.021), but statistically, this was not affected by lesion size (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: When 18-gauge cutting needle is used in CT-guided automated needle biopsies of pulmonary lesions, the rate of successful biopsy is affected by lesion size ; the pneumothorax rate is also affected by lesion size, as well as by the distance between lesion and pleura; the hemorrhage rate is influenced only by the distance between lesion and pleura.
Biopsy* ; Biopsy, Needle* ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Lung ; Needles* ; Pleura ; Pneumothorax* ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: To evaluate the MR findings of dural arteriovenous fistula(DAVF) in the cavernous sinus and to determine the most useful imaging method for the diagnosis of DAVF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the MR findings of 12 patients in whom DAVF was diagnosed in the cavernous sinus on the basis of angiographic findings. Axial T1- and T2-weighted, and axial and coronal Gd-enhanced T1-weighted images with 3-6mm slice thickness had been obtained, and the findings of DAVF on three pulse sequences were examined and compared. On the basis of the detection of DAVF on three pulse sequences, the MR findings were graded as excellent, fair or poor, and the location of DAVF in the cavernous sinus was analysed. We also classified DAVFs as group A or B on the basis of MR findings (group A: lesions in the cavernous sinus were as large as or larger than the cavernous internal carotid artery; group B: these were smaller than the cavernous internal carotid artery) and compared with cognard type on angiogram. RESULTS: Multiple tortuous signal voids were found in all DAVFs. The signal voids were located mainly in the middle and posterior one third of the cavernous sinus, as seen on axial images, and the middle and inferior one third, as seen on coronal images. Axial and coronal enhanced T1-weighted images showed an excellent grade in 11 of 12 cases and a fair grade in 1 of 12. Axial T2-weighted images showed an excellent grade in 6 of 12 cases and a fair grade in 4 of 12. T1-weighted images showed an excellent grade in 4 of 12 cases and a fair grade in 6 of 12. Six cases were group A, and 5 of the 6 were Cognard type IIa or IIb; The other 6 cases were group B, 5 of the 6 were Cognard type I. CONCLUSION: MR findings of multiple tortuous signal voids in the cavernous sinus, especially in the posterior or inferior portion, suggest DAVF, and enhanced T1-weighted imaging could be the most useful sequence for its diagnosis.
Arteriovenous Fistula ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Cavernous Sinus* ; Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations* ; Diagnosis ; Humans

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a rare pancreatic disorder of autoimmune etiology. It has characteristic clinical features, such as pancreatic parenchymal swelling and irregular narrowing of the main pancreatic duct due to plasma cell infiltration. It occurs mostly in Far East Asia. Although it generally involves whole pancreatic parenchyma, some cases demonstrate focal involvement of the pancreas or adjacent organs, which are often mistaken for cancer. We report a case of AIP that was confused with cholangiocarcinoma of the distal common bile duct (CBD). The patient experienced sudden development of jaundice with vague abdominal discomfort. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a well-enhanced lesion, and positron emission tomography showed high standard uptake value at the distal CBD, indicating malignant disease. However, pathological examination by surgical excision indicated focal-type AIP. This is believed to be the first case of focal-type AIP mimicking cholangiocarcinoma.
Asia ; Autoimmunity ; Cholangiocarcinoma ; Common Bile Duct ; Far East ; Humans ; Jaundice ; Pancreas ; Pancreatic Ducts ; Pancreatitis ; Plasma Cells ; Positron-Emission Tomography

BACKGROUND: Transforming growth factor-beta(TGF-beta) may play a role in a variety of fibroproliferative disorders including pulmonary fibrosis via the induction of extracellular matrix accumulation. TGF-beta not only stimulates extracellular matrix production, but also decreases matrix degradation. Interstial lung diseases have demonstrated marked expression of TGF-beta. METHODS: To evaluate the possible role of TGF-beta in human pulmonary fibrosis, by using neutralizing antibody of TGF-beta we investigated immunohistochemically the expression of TGF-beta in the formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections of the 5 normal cases for the control, and a couple of pieces of tissues taken out of 3 cases with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, 3 cases with ILD from bleomycin toxicity, 3 cases with ILD from sarcoidosis, and 3 cases with ILD from eosinophilic granuloma. RESULTS: In the 5 normal cases for the control, the TGF-beta was expressed in bronchial and alveolar epithelial cells. Up-regulation of the TGF-3 expression was showed in the interstitial fibroblast cells of alveolar septa in 5 pieces and proliferated alveolar pneumocytes in 1 piece among 6 pieces tissues taken out of 3 cases with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Also up-regulation of the TGF-beta expression was showed in alveolar lining pneumocytes, intra-alveolar mononuclear cells, and epithelioid cells in most of cases of ILD from bleomycin toxicity, sarcoidosis and eosinophilic granuloma. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that up-regulation of the TGF-beta are involved in pathogenesis of interstitial lung fibrosis from variety of causes.
Antibodies, Neutralizing ; Bleomycin ; Eosinophilic Granuloma ; Epithelial Cells ; Epithelioid Cells ; Extracellular Matrix ; Fibroblasts ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis ; Lung ; Lung Diseases ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial* ; Pneumocytes ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; Sarcoidosis ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; Up-Regulation