OBJECTIVE: The need for early and correct prescription for bone densitometry led to the research for decision model useful for clinicians to address women to bone densitometry. there are few studies that have focused on both pre- and postmenopausal groups simultaneously in healthy pre-and postmenopausal Korean women. METHODS: The authors analyzed the easily obtained biometrical variables such as factors used at clinical decision rules for BMD testing and evaluated predictive values and robustness of a decision model for prediction of lumbar BMD in total , pre-and postmenopausal Korean women. RESULTS: After stepwise multiple regression analysis, Lumbar BMD in total population is 1.083-0.153 (status of menopause)-0.007 (age of menopause)+0.0039 (body weight) (R2=0.52). Postmenopausal women is 0.563-0.0077 (duration after menopause)+0.0054 (body weight) (R2=0.30) and premenopausal women is 0.23+0.0048 (height) (R2=0.05). Although its validity (52%) in total population was sufficiently high for the prediction of lumbar BMD in clinical settings, In postmenopausal women only 30% of the decision model can be explained by the predictors of bone demineralization which is not completely satisfactory in determining lumbar BMD and in premenopausal women 5% is the very low explanatory value which is necessary for identifying possible factors influencing BMD. CONCLUSIONS: Because of difference in underlying risk, as well as differences in the distribution of different risk factors according to menopausal status, this study present different robustness of prediction models according to menopausal status and suggest that it be need to design prediction models divided by menopausal status. More research is needed for computer-based screening aids useful to clinician which overcome some limitation of our study.
Bone Density ; Densitometry ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Mass Screening ; Prescriptions ; Risk Factors

Fetal bilateral renal agenesis is a lethal congenital anomaly. An early and reliable prenatal diagnosis is extremely important as it may offer options for pregnancy termination as early as possible. The criteria for the ultrasonographic diagnosis of bilateral renal agenesis are severe oligohydramnios, nonvisualization of the bladder, and the empty renal fossa. However, severe oligohydramnios makes it difficult to diagnose the disease because of poor sonographic resolution. We present two cases of bilateral renal agenesis, one is diagnosed by ultrasonography after amnioinfusion at 24 weeks gestation, the other is diagnosed postnatally after term delivery.
Diagnosis ; Female ; Oligohydramnios ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Ultrasonography ; Urinary Bladder

OBJECTIVE: Cerebral endothelial cells have unique biological features and are fascinating candidate cells for stroke therapy. METHODS: In order to understand the molecular mechanisms of human cerebral endothelial cell (hCMEC/D3) transplantation in a rat stroke model, we performed proteomic analysis using 2-dimensional electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Protein expression was confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: Several protein spots were identified by gel electrophoresis in the sham, cerebral ischemia (CI), and CI with hCMEC/D3 treatment cerebral ischemia with cell transplantation (CT) groups, and we identified 14 differentially expressed proteins in the CT group. Proteins involved in mitochondrial dysfunction (paraplegin matrix AAA peptidase subunit, SPG7), neuroinflammation (peroxiredoxin 6, PRDX6), and neuronal death (zinc finger protein 90, ZFP90) were markedly reduced in the CT group compared with the CI group. The expression of chloride intracellular channel 4 proteins involved in post-ischemic vasculogenesis was significantly decreased in the CI group but comparable to sham in the CT group. CONCLUSION: These results contribute to our understanding of the early phase processes that follow cerebral endothelial cell treatment in CI. Moreover, some of the identified proteins may present promising new targets for stroke therapy.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Brain ; Brain Ischemia ; Cell Transplantation ; Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy ; Electrophoresis ; Endothelial Cells* ; Fingers ; Humans* ; Ischemia ; Mass Spectrometry ; Neurons ; Proteomics ; Rats* ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Stroke ; Transplants

The prognostic impact of body mass index (BMI) in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is an ongoing debate. Our study aimed to investigate the prognostic role of BMI in patients treated with radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for UTUC from a multi-institutional Korean collaboration. We retrospectively reviewed data from 440 patients who underwent RNU for UTUC at four institutions in Korea. To avoid biasing the survival estimates, patients who had previous or concomitant muscle-invasive bladder tumors were excluded. BMI was categorized into approximate quartiles with the lowest quartile assigned to the reference group. Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to assess the influence of BMI on survival. The lower quartile BMI group showed significantly increased overall mortality (OM) and cancer specific mortality (CSM) compared to the 25%-50% quartiles and upper quartile BMI groups. Kaplan-Meier estimates showed similar results. Based on multivariate Cox regression analysis, preoperative BMI as a continuous variable was an independent predictor for OM and CSM. In conclusion, preoperative underweight patients with UTUC in Korea survive less after RNU. Preoperative BMI may provide additional prognostic information to establish risk factors.
Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Body Mass Index ; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell/*mortality ; Cystectomy/*mortality ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Pelvis/surgery ; Male ; Nephrectomy/*mortality ; Republic of Korea ; Retrospective Studies ; Thinness/*mortality ; Ureter/surgery ; Urinary Bladder/surgery ; Urologic Neoplasms/*mortality/pathology/*surgery ; Urothelium/pathology/*surgery

Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS) is a multiple congenital anomaly characterized by distinctive facial features, upper limb malformations, growth and cognitive retardation. The diagnosis of the syndrome is based on the distinctive clinical features. The etiology is still not clear. Mutations in the sister chromatid cohesion factor genes NIPBL, SMC1A (also called SMC1L1) and SMC3 have been suggested as probable cause of this syndrome. We experienced a case of newborn with CdLS showing bushy eyebrows and synophrys, long curly eyelashes, long philtrum, downturned angles of the mouth and thin upper lips, cleft palate, micrognathia, excessive body hair, micromelia of both hands, flexion contracture of elbows and hypertonicity. We detected a NIPBL gene mutation in a present neonate with CdLS, the first report in Korea.
Codon, Nonsense ; Codon, Terminator ; De Lange Syndrome/diagnosis/*genetics/ultrasonography ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Proteins/*genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: We compared the clinical and urodynamic findings of patients suffering with lower urinary tract symptoms(LUTS)/benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH) and who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate, and we tried to determine the effect of urodynamical obstruction and the bladder function on the result of this operation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 101 patients with LUTS/BPH were categorized in four groups based on the findings of the preoperative urodynamic study: 15(14.8%) patients without bladder outlet obstruction[(BOO(-)], 50 (49.5%), patients with BOO[(BOO(+)], 12 patients(11.8%) with BOO and with detrusor underactivity(BOO+DU), and 24 patients(23.7%) with BOO and with detrusor overactivity(BOO+DO). The outcomes and satisfaction were analyzed by the changes of the International Prostate Symptom Score(IPSS) and the quality of life(QoL) index before and after transurethral resection of the prostate(TURP), respectively. RESULTS: The Qmax was significantly high and residual urine was significantly low in group BOO(-). The PdetQmax was significantly high in group BOO(+) and also in the BOO+DO group. In group BOO(-), the decrease of the total IPSS was smaller than that noted in the other groups. There were significant decreases of the IPSS after TURP in groups BOO (+), BOO+DU and BOO+DO each voiding and storage subscore were decreased,but in group BOO+DO, the improvement was not as much as that in the other groups. The QoL was improved significantly in group BOO compared to the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Performing urodynamics preoperatively helps to predict the degree of symptom relief, and a higherbaseline BOO positively predicts the postoperative improvement of the IPSS and the QoL. The outcome of the BOO+DU group was satisfactory, but storage symptoms still existed for the BOO+DO group.
Humans ; Prostate* ; Prostatic Hyperplasia* ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction ; Urinary Bladder* ; Urinary Tract* ; Urodynamics*

We report a case of suprasellar arachnoid cyst with hydrocephalus which was diagnosed incidentally. This 41-year-old housewife had sympoms of hydrocephalus and hypophyseal dysfunction. Despite of well-functioning ventriculoperitioneal shunt and communication of the cyst with the ventricular system, the size of the ventricular system was never been normalized. She deteriorated progressively and eventually died shortly after the seventh operation. Unusual hospital couse is presented with brief review of the related literatures.
Adult ; Arachnoid* ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus

Ever since Pereyra described needle suspension of the bladder neck as a form of surgical therapy for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women numerous modifications have been presented. Each of these modifications has helped to found healthy anatomical and surgical principles that ensure patient safety, decrease morbidity and improve effectiveness. We had treated 8 patients of stress urinary incontinence with or without cystocele by transvaginal Burch procedure. By fixing suspension sutures to the Cooper`s ligament we expected to achieve a static suspension independent of everyday patients` activities. The duration of follow up was 3 months to 6 months. Them were no serious operative complications. Incontinence was completely disappeared in 6 patients (75%) and significantly improved in 1 patient (12.5%), and failed in 1 patients (12.5%). Although the small number of patients and limited follow up, we believe that fixation of suspension sutures to the Cooper`s ligament can favorably influence long-term results of treatment for female stress urinary incontinence.
Cystocele ; Female* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ligaments ; Neck* ; Needles ; Patient Safety ; Sutures ; Urinary Bladder* ; Urinary Incontinence*

Among the several possible etiologic factors for the development of nasal polyp, localized nasal allergy had been insisted to be one of the major factors. This study aims to explore the existence of local production of IgE within nasal polyp, which can be the indirect evidence of localized nasal allergy. Fifty-two patients, who underwent nasal polypectomies between April 1993 and December 1995, were selected. The levels of total IgE and specific IgE of serum and polyp fluids were assessed. By using Donovan's equation, the percentage of local production of IgE in nasal polyp were calculated. Local production of total IgE was demonstrated in 18 cases of 28 polyp patient group (64.3%). Local production of specific IgE for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae were demonstrated in 6 cases of 24 polyp patient group (25%). These results suggest the existence of local production of IgE in nasal polyp.
Dermatophagoides farinae ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoglobulin E* ; Nasal Polyps* ; Polyps

A sound understanding of the preferred appearance of the external nose is central to successful rhinoplasty. A survey using photographs was conducted among college students and employees aged 20 to 39 years in Inchon, Korea. Three hundred and twenty-one subjects filled out a questionnaire about their preferences regarding external nasal appearance. The most commonly preferred height of the nasion, measured from the corneal plane, was 6 mm among both sexes, and the most commonly preferred depth of the nasion, measured from the glabella plane, was 3 mm among both sexes. Regarding the nasofrontal angle, men preferred an angle of 135 degrees and women preferred an angle of 140 degrees. Men preferred a nasofacial angle of 33 degrees while women preferred an angle of 30 degrees. A straight nasal dorsum was most commonly preferred among both sexes and the most commonly preferred dorsal width was 13 mm among men and 10 mm among women. The most commonly preferred tip projection was 30 mm among men and 27 mm among women and the preferred tip angle was 105 degrees among both sexes. The angle of the apex in the most commonly preferred nasal base configuration was 85 degrees among men and 70 degrees among women. The angle of the apex in the most commonly preferred lobular configuration was 65 degrees among both sexes. The most commonly preferred ratio between nostril length and the distance from the subnasale to the tip was 45 percent among both sexes. The most commonly preferred angle between both nostril axes was 60 degrees among both sexes. The most commonly preferred nasolabial angle was 90 degrees among men and 95 degrees among women. The main difference in preference between Koreans and Caucasians seemed to center on the radix area rather than the tip. These results can be useful as basic guidelines for rhinoplasty.
Female ; Humans ; Incheon ; Korea ; Male ; Nose ; Rhinoplasty ; Surveys and Questionnaires