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

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

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

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

An inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare benign hepatic neoplasm that is characterized by a mass of localized proliferations of fibroblasts and infiltrations of mononuclear inflammatory cells. An IMT can occur in a variety of locations, including the lung, orbit, parotid, pleura and stomach. However, they have rarely been encountered in the liver. An IMT of the liver most often presents in young adults. The clinical presentations of a hepatic IMT vary: asymtomatic, fever, abdominal pain, palpable mass, vomiting, obstructive jaundice, anemia and hepatosplenomegaly. Their radiographic appearance and clinical presentation make them extremely difficult to distinguish from a malignant neoplasm, preoperatively. Therefore, surgical management is used when a malignancy can not be excluded preoperatively or when the IMT produces a biliary obstruction. We encountered a 31-year-old male patient who is still alive for 38 months following a resection for symtomatic IMT.
Abdominal Pain ; Adult* ; Anemia ; Fever ; Fibroblasts ; Granuloma, Plasma Cell ; Humans ; Jaundice, Obstructive ; Liver Neoplasms ; Liver* ; Lung ; Male ; Myofibroblasts* ; Orbit ; Pleura ; Stomach ; Vomiting ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and pathologic measures of a tumor using a prostate cancer xenograft model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen athymic nude mice with 36 PC-3-induced tumors were sacrificed to obtain specimens immediately after MR imaging in order to compare the findings on MR images with those seen on pathological specimens. Using a high-field small-animal MR scanner, T1- and T2-weighted imaging and DW MR imaging was performed. Tumors were then processed for Hematoxylin and Eosin staining to evaluate tumor cellularity, intratumoral necrosis and immunostaining using antibodies directed against CD31 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to determine the levels of microvessel density (MVD). Mean ADC values that were measured on the solid portion within each tumor were compared with tumor volume, cellularity, degree of necrosis, VEGF expression, and MVD in the corresponding section of the pathological specimen. RESULTS: Mean ADC values of the solid portion within the PC-3-induced high-grade tumors were significantly correlated with the degree of intratumoral necrosis (r = 0.63, p < 0.0001) and MVD (r = -0.44, p = 0.008) on pathologic slides. The ADC values were not significantly correlated with tumor cellularity, VEGF expression, or tumor volume in high-grade prostate cancer tissues. CONCLUSION: In the xenografted prostate cancer model, the ADC values of the solid portion of the tumors are significantly correlated with tumor necrosis and MVD of the pathologic specimens. The ADC values may be utilized as surrogate markers for the noninvasive assessment of tumor necrosis and MVD in high-grade prostate cancer.
Animals ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging/instrumentation/*methods ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Prostatic Neoplasms/*pathology ; Transplantation, Heterologous ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism