No abstract available.
Ambulatory Care Facilities* ; Humans ; Outpatients* ; Pharynx*

No abstract available.
Pneumothorax, Artificial* ; Treatment Failure* ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Infant*

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to identify the clinical characteristics and risk factors on the occurrence of variant angina, and to examine the predicting factors on the vascular endothelial dysfunction of the patients with variant angina. METHODS: A total of 134 patients diagnosed with variant angina were recruited from 2006 to 2008. The degrees of endothelial dysfunction were measured and recorded by the researcher using the values of flow-mediated vasodilation of their brachial arteries and Nitroglycerine-mediated dilation. Subjects' demographic data and risk factors were gathered after obtaining informed consent, and their electronic medical records were reviewed to collect laboratory data. RESULTS: The mean age was 54.2 +/- 9.6 years and 52% was male patients. More than 50% of the male patients were cigarette smokers and had hypercholesterolemia. 84% of the male patients and 70% of the female patients had more than one risk factor of cardiovascular disease. A stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that smoking and hypercholesterolemia predicted the decrease of flow-mediated vasodilation (Adjusted R(2) = .204, p < .001). CONCLUSION: Tailored educational interventions for smoking cessation and cholesterol management are needed to prevent recurrence of angina attack for patients with variant angina and to prevent cardiovascular disease for middle-aged workers.
Angina Pectoris, Variant ; Brachial Artery ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cholesterol ; Electronic Health Records ; Female ; Humans ; Hypercholesterolemia ; Informed Consent ; Male ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Smoking Cessation ; Tobacco Products ; Vasodilation

No abstract available.
Humans ; Liver Neoplasms* ; Liver* ; Tissue Donors*

The purpose of this study was to investigate the morphologic changes of the bile canaliculi and its associated structures of the liver induced by common bile duct ligation(CBDL) in the rat. The canalicular surface and lateral surface of the dry-fractured hepatocytes was studied with scanning electron microscopy at 1~6 weeks post ligation. The first week after CBDL, the bile canaliculi were dilated. The microvilli were increased in number and the lumens contained granular materials After 2 weeks or more, the bile canaliculi were dilated to a variable degree, and with irregularity, measuring from 1.5 to 5 micrometer in diameter, and in the advanced stage, the canaliculi showed blunting and the disappearance of microvilli. Some canaliculi had sprouting side branches. At 4~6 weeks post-ligation, the lateral surface of the hepatocytes also showed some irregularity and a tortuous appearance, and numerous small sized microvillous projections were formed. The tubular structures of the proliferated SER distributed adjacent to the lateral surface of the hepatocytes, and the direct connection of a tubular structure and the cytoplasmic membrane was observed. These results suggest that the deformity and loss of microvilli of bile canaliculi reflect the disturbance of bile secretion from the hepatocytes. And prolonged obstruction of bile flow may result in bile excretion via the lateral surface of hepatocytes.
Rats ; Animals

No abstract available.

Chronic sclerosing sialadenitis, Mikulicz disease or Kuttner tumor has been recently recognized as a spectrum of IgG4-related sclerosing disease. IgG4-related disease is characterized by a high serum IgG4 level and tissue infiltration of IgG4-positive plasmacytes. We report three cases of chronic sclerosing sialadenitis with variably associated systemic involvement. All patients presented with a submandibular mass or swelling, and all the resected submandibular glands showed diffuse lymphocytic infiltration, lymphoid follicles, and septal fibrosis. Two of the specimens revealed numerous IgG-positive plasma cells, most of which were IgG4-positive on immunohistochemical staining. One of them was associated with dacryoadenitis and hypophysitis. The other patient had ureterorenal lesions. Immunohistochemical study was unavailable in remaining one case, but the histologic features along with elevated IgG level and associated pancreatitis supported the diagnosis. All patients received steroid therapy postoperatively and are doing well. Salivary gland involvement in IgG4-related fibrosclerosis should be recognized in systemic medical pathology.
Dacryocystitis ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Mikulicz' Disease ; Pancreatitis ; Plasma Cells ; Salivary Glands ; Sialadenitis ; Submandibular Gland

PURPOSE: we studied the clinical outcome of a step-by-step treatment approach for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNDO). METHODS: we analyzed 186 patients (222 eyes) who had been treated for CNDO between January 1996 and December 2000. According to age, conservative treatment, nasolacrimal duct probing and silicone intubation were applied systematically until a successful outcome was achieved. Patients were grouped according to their age at the time of first visit.: Group 1 (0~6 months), Group 2 (7~12 months), Gruop 3 (13~24 months), Group 4 (25~72 months). Treatment efficacy was determined according to age and success rate was compared. RESULTS: Conservative treatment was applied only in children less than 1 year of age and was successful in 75.9% of Group 1 and 47.3% of Group 2. The difference between these two success rates was significant (p=0.0001). The overall success rate for first probing in all groups was 65.2% with a range 75.8% in Group 1, 62.1% in Group 2, 65.0% in Group 3, and 40.0% in Group 4. After second probing, the overall cure rates for the entire cohort were 82.6% with a range 87.9% in Group 1, 89.7% in Group 2, 80.0% in Group 3, and 50.0% in Group 4. There was no real difference in first probing cure rate relative to age (p=0.208). But after second probing, overall cure rate was significantly decreased when the age of the patients was over 12 months (p=0.027). Silicone intubation was performed in 4 of Group 1, 3 of Group 2, 4 of Group 3, and 5 of Group 4 and was successful in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Systematic treatment approach to CNDO including conservative treatment, nasolacrimal duct probing, and silicone intubation, was highly successful. In this study, the cure rate for this combined approach was 100% in 186 patients (222 eyes).
Child ; Cohort Studies ; Humans ; Intubation ; Nasolacrimal Duct* ; Silicones ; Treatment Outcome

Tuberous sclerosis is a rare hereditary anomaly of variable penetrance characterized by mental retardation, epilepsy, and adenoma sebaceum. Pulmonary involvement is uncommon, but, when involve by tuberous sclerosis, it shows characteristic reticulonodular infiltration and cystic changes. Lymphangioleiomyomatosis is a rare disease of unknown cause that affects women of reproductive age. It is characterized by progressive proliferation of smooth muscle in the lung. We experienced one case of pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis associated with tuberous sclerosis in a 26-year-old female patient. This case is reported with a brief of the literature.
Adult ; Angiomyolipoma* ; Epilepsy ; Female ; Humans ; Intellectual Disability ; Lung ; Lymphangioleiomyomatosis* ; Muscle, Smooth ; Penetrance ; Rare Diseases ; Tuberous Sclerosis*