PURPOSE: More effective diagnosis and treatment through a survey on clinical aspect for the last 5 years and interrelation between cold agglutinin titer and mycoplasma antibody titer of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia. METHODS: 369 patients hospitalized in the department of pediatrics of Chung Goo Sung Shim Hospital for the 5 years from January 1990 to December 1994 have been surveyed, which diagnosed to be Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumoniaby physical findings or chest x-ray findings with the titer of 1:64 in cold agglutinin test or the titer of 1:80 in Mycoplasma antibody test or forefold increase of any one or both of 2 titers in follow-up tes RESULTS: 1) More cases were found in 1990(76 cases, 20.6%) and 1994(181 cases, 49%) and the monthly distribution showed irregular fluctuations. Male to female ratio was 1:1.2 and high incidence was in the age of 3 to 5 years(27.9%), but 46 cases(12.5%) affected the infants below 1 year old. 2) Cough, fever, sputum were the most chief complaints. More moist rales, pharyngial injection, wheezing were found in physical examination. 86.7% of pneumonic infiltration were found in x-ray findings, 35.8% of which were both lung infiltration. The most common affected site was Rt. lower lobe and then Lt lower lobe and then followed by Rt. upper lobe. 71.8% of the whole cases were hospitalized for 5-8 days. 3) EM administration started 10-12 days after the onset in 29.3%. Mean duration of hospitalization of the cases administrated within 6 days from onset was 7.5+/-2 days, which was shorter than 8.4+/-3.5-that of the cases administrated after 6days from onset. The observation on those duration meant little atatistically(p>0.1) 4) The measure of Mycoplasma antibody titer in 142 cases among 245 positive cold agglutinin test case showed 61.3% of positive ratio. Positive ratio of cold agglutinin test peaked from 13th to 15th day after onset(89%) and went down(33%) after 19th day. Positive ratio of Mycoplasma antibody titer was at its summit(91%) from 7th to 9th day and went down(63%) after 16th day. decreased to 63% after 16 days. 264 cases tested simultaneously for cold agglutinin titer and Mycoplasma antibody titer. Titers of each simultaneous test for cold agglutinin and Mycoplasma antibody were in proportion each other(p<0.005, N=264, r=0.51). CONCLUSIONS: Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia prevailed every 4 years(1990, 1994) and monthly distribution had been irregular. The most cases were found at age of 4 and 5. Mycoplasma antibody titer seems more effective for early diagnosis for Mycoplasma antibody titer showed high positive rate earlier and the rate went down earlier than cold agglutinin titer. The earlier diagnosis and treatment are required because of tendency of later erythromycin administration.
Child* ; Cough ; Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Erythromycin ; Female ; Fever ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Lung ; Male ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae* ; Mycoplasma* ; Pediatrics ; Physical Examination ; Pneumonia* ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma* ; Respiratory Sounds ; Sputum ; Thorax

Objective: Endometrial fibrosis, the primary pathological feature of intrauterine adhesion, may lead to disruption of endometrial tissue structure, menstrual abnormalities, infertility, and recurrent pregnancy loss. At present, no ideal therapeutic strategy exists for this fibrotic disease. Eupatilin, a major pharmacologically active flavone from Artemisia, has been previously reported to act as a potent inducer of dedifferentiation of fibrotic tissue in the liver and lung. However, the effects of eupatilin on endometrial fibrosis have not yet been investigated. In this study, we present the first report on the impact of eupatilin treatment on transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β)-induced endometrial fibrosis. Methods: The efficacy of eupatilin on TGF-β–induced endometrial fibrosis was assessed by examining changes in morphology and the expression levels of fibrosis markers using immunofluorescence staining and quantitative real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: Eupatilin treatment significantly reduced the fibrotic activity of TGF-β–induced endometrial fibrosis in Ishikawa cells, which displayed more circular shapes and formed more colonies. Additionally, the effects of eupatilin on fibrotic markers including alpha-smooth muscle actin, hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha, collagen type I alpha 1 chain, and matrix metalloproteinase-2, were evaluated in TGF-β–induced endometrial fibrosis. The expression of these markers was highly upregulated by TGF-β pretreatment and recovered to the levels of control cells in response to eupatilin treatment. Conclusion Our findings suggest that suppression of TGF-β–induced signaling by eupatilin might be an effective therapeutic strategy for the treatment of endometrial fibrosis.

Objective: Despite extensive research on implantation failure, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying the crosstalk between the embryo and the maternal endometrium, which is critical for successful pregnancy. Profilin 1 (PFN1), which is expressed both in the embryo and in the endometrial epithelium, acts as a potent regulator of actin polymerization and the cytoskeletal network. In this study, we identified the specific role of endometrial PFN1 during embryo implantation. Methods: Morphological alterations depending on the status of PFN1 expression were assessed in PFN1-depleted or control cells grown on Matrigel-coated cover glass. Day-5 mouse embryos were cocultured with Ishikawa cells. Comparisons of the rates of F-actin formation and embryo attachment were performed by measuring the stability of the attached embryo onto PFN1-depleted or control cells. Results: Depletion of PFN1 in endometrial epithelial cells induced a significant reduction in cell-cell adhesion displaying less formation of colonies and a more circular cell shape. Mouse embryos co-cultured with PFN1-depleted cells failed to form actin cytoskeletal networks, whereas more F-actin formation in the direction of surrounding PFN1-intact endometrial epithelial cells was detected. Furthermore, significantly lower embryo attachment stability was observed in PFN1-depleted cells than in control cells. This may have been due to reduced endometrial receptivity caused by impaired actin cytoskeletal networks associated with PFN1 deficiency. Conclusion These observations definitively demonstrate an important role of PFN1 in mediating cell-cell adhesion during the initial stage of embryo implantation and suggest a potential therapeutic target or novel biomarker for patients suffering from implantation failure.

BACKGROUND: Perfusion scans are accurate predictors of postoperative lung function. There are few previous studies aimed at predicting the postoperative exercise capacity using the perfusion scanning and those that did reported contradictory results. METHOD: We prospectively studied the preoperative spirometric, exercise tests and perfusion scans from in 49 consecutive patients who were admitted to Inha University Hospital with surgically resectable lung cancer from Jan. 1998 to Jun. 1999 29 patients who had any condition affecting the lung function and exercise capacity, or refused a surgical resection or a follow-up study were excluded. Spirometric and exercise tests were performed 6 months after operation in 20 patients. RESULTS: The predicted postoperative FEV1, FVC and TLC correlated well with the following corresponding postoperative values : γs and p value, 0.809 and 0.000 for the FEV1 ; 0.895 and 0.000 for the FVC ; 0.741 and 0.006 for the TLC, respectively. The measured postoperative exercise values were slightly higher than the postoperative exercise values predicted, VO(2max) and Wr(max), were as 112% of VO(2max) predicted and 119% of WR(max) predicted. The change in FEV1, FVC and TLC had a weak correlation with the change in VO(2max) and WR(max). CONCLUSION: The perfusion scan was a useful tool for predicting the postoperative exercise capacity. However, they had a tendency to underestimate the exercise capacity, especially in the patients who had a pneumonectomy. A weak correlation between the change in lung function and exercise capacity was obseved.
Exercise Test ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung ; Lung Neoplasms ; Perfusion* ; Pneumonectomy ; Prospective Studies

Congenital lymphatic dysplasia is a rare congenital maldevelopment of the lymphatic system, in which dysfunction of the lymphatic system may cause leakage of lymph fluid into the limbs and the pleural, pericardial, or peritoneal cavity. We experienced a case of hydrops fetalis with subcutaneous lymphedema, chylothorax, chylous ascites and pericardial effusion. Lymphangiography revealed a critical defect of lymphatic system. Here, we report the first case of premature infant with congenital lymphatic dysplasia confirmed by lymphangiography, which is the first reported in Korea.
Chylothorax ; Chylous Ascites ; Edema* ; Extremities ; Humans ; Hydrops Fetalis* ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Korea ; Lymphatic System ; Lymphedema ; Lymphography ; Pericardial Effusion ; Peritoneal Cavity

BACKGROUND: The root of Peucedanum japonicum Thunb., a perennial herb found in Japan, the Philippines, China, and Korea, is used as an analgesic. In a previous study, sec-O-glucosylhamaudol (SOG) showed an analgesic effect. This study was performed to examine the antinociceptive effect of intrathecal SOG in the formalin test. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted with an intrathecal catheter. Rats were randomly treated with a vehicle and SOG (10 µg, 30 µg, 60 µg, and 100 µg) before formalin injection. Five percent formalin was injected into the hind-paw, and a biphasic reaction followed, consisting of flinching and licking behaviors (phase 1, 0–10 min; phase 2, 10–60 min). Naloxone was injected 10 min before administration of SOG 100 µg to evaluate the involvement of SOG with an opioid receptor. Dose-responsiveness and ED50 values were calculated. RESULTS: Intrathecal SOG showed a significant reduction of the flinching responses at both phases in a dose-dependent manner. Significant effects were showed from the dose of 30 µg and maximum effects were achieved at a dose of 100 µg in both phases. The ED50 value (95% confidence intervals) of intrathecal SOG was 30.3 (25.8–35.5) µg during phase 1, and 48.0 (41.4–55.7) during phase 2. The antinociceptive effects of SOG (100 µg) were significantly reverted at both phases of the formalin test by naloxone. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that intrathecal SOG has a very strong antinociceptive effect in the formalin test and it seems the effect is related to an opioid receptor.
Analgesia ; Animals ; Catheters ; China ; Formaldehyde ; Humans ; Japan ; Korea ; Male ; Naloxone ; Nociception ; Pain Measurement ; Philippines ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Opioid

OBJECTIVES: The aim of study was to examine the prevalence of night eating syndrome(NES) and its correlates in schizophrenic outpatients. METHODS: The 14 items of self-reported night eating questionnaire(NEQ) was administered to 201 schizophrenic patients in psychiatric outpatient clinic. We examined demographic and clinical characteristics, body mass index(BMI), subjective measures of mood, sleep, binge eating, and weight-related quality of life using Beck's Depression Inventory(BDI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI), Binge Eating Scale(BES) and Korean version of Obesity-Related Quality of Life Scale(KOQoL), respectively. RESULTS: The prevalence of night eaters in schizophrenic outpatients was 10.4%(21 of 201). Comparisons between NES group and non-NES group revealed no significant differences in sociodemographic characteristics, clinical status and BMI. Compared to non-NES, patients with NES reported significantly greater depressed mood and sleep disturbance, more binge eating pattern, and decreased weight-related quality of life. While 'morning anorexia' and 'delayed morning meal'(2 of 5 NES core components in NEQ) were not differed between groups, 'nocturnal ingestions', 'evening hyperphagia', and 'mood/sleep' were more impaired in NES group. CONCLUSION: These findings are the first to describe the prevalence and its correlates of night eaters in schizophrenic outpatients. These results suggest that NES has negative mental health implications, although it was not associated with obesity. Further study to generalize these results is required.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Bulimia ; Depression ; Eating* ; Humans ; Mental Health ; Obesity ; Outpatients* ; Prevalence* ; Quality of Life

OBJECTIVES: Schizophrenia patients are known to be more prone to metabolic disease than normal people. This study aimed to identify the changes in metabolic parameters of schizophrenia patients using atypical antipsychotic drugs for 1 year. METHODS: A total of 200 schizophrenia patients were recruited and categorized into the aripiprazole-treatment group and control group taking 5 atypical antipsychotic drugs. Comparative analysis were between groups. The prescriptions of psychotropic drugs were collected by a review of medical records. Blood was collected after fasting for 12 hours at the starting point of treatment and the 12th month, and patient medical records were evaluated for basici nformation and treatment history. Physical measurement, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and metabolic parameters were studied using ATP-III diagnostic criteria. RESULTS: From the study, the aripiprazole-treatment group had a mean weight increase of 0.6 kg and the control group had a mean weight increase of 6.5 kg at the 1 year follow-up, showing a significant difference between the two groups. There were also significant differences between the two groups in waist size, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-choleseterol and prolactin level. Along with meaningful improvement of the symptoms, aripiprazole-treatment group showed less effect on in abdominal obesity, diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol and prolactin than other atypical antipsychotic drugs. CONCLUSION: Therapeutic intervention such as diagnosis, treatment, weight management and diet improvement is necessary for schizophrenia patients. Psychiatric symptoms as well as internal meicine-related problems such as metabolic disease need to be addressed in case management.
Antipsychotic Agents ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Case Management ; Cholesterol ; Diagnosis ; Diet ; Fasting ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Metabolic Diseases ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Prescriptions ; Prevalence ; Prolactin ; Prospective Studies* ; Psychotropic Drugs ; Schizophrenia ; Triglycerides

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of the weight reduction program designed for schizophrenic patients. It's effects were assessed especially in the aspects of the obesity-related quality of life, emotional and physical well-being of the patients. METHODS: Fifty-one obese schizophrenic inpatients were enrolled in a 12-week, randomized weight reduction program. Thirty-two patients were randomly assigned to an intervention group in which they received the weight management program. Nineteen patients were allocated to the control group in which they received the usual clinical inpatient treatments. Body weight, Body Mass Index (BMI) and Quality of Life Scales such as Short Form of Medical Outcome Study (SF-36), Korean version of Obesity-related Quality of Life Scale (KOQOL) and Korean version of Body Weight, Image and Self-Esteem Evaluation Questionnaire (B-WISE-K) were evaluated during 12-week period. All assessments were done at baseline, 4, 8 and 12 week. Repeated measures of analysis of variance and post-hoc comparisons were done to compare the group differences from baseline at each visit. RESULTS: Sixteen of 32 (50%) patients in intervention group and 12 of 19 (69.4%) patients in control group completed this study. We found significant group by time interaction effects in weight, BMI and waist circumferences (p<0.05, respectively). The weight changes from baseline to 8 week and 12 week were significant in post-hoc comparisons between intervention and control groups (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). The changes of BMI and waist circumference from baseline to 12-week were also significant in post-hoc comparisons (p<0.05). After completion of the weight management program, there were significant differences on the subjective estimates such as physical component summary of SF-36, and total scores, psychosocial heath, physical health and diet of the KOQOL, and total scores of B-WISE-K between intervention and control group. These significant differences were found at 12-week of treatment in post-hoc comparisons (p<0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: The weight reduction program was effective for weight loss in schizophrenic inpatients. In addition, it might improve the subjective estimates such as obesity-related quality of life and weight-related body image in schizophrenic inpatients.
Body Image ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Diet ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Obesity ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Schizophrenia ; Waist Circumference ; Weight Loss ; Weight Reduction Programs ; Weights and Measures

Peribiliary cysts involve cystic dilatation and necroinflammatory change in the peribiliary glandular tissue of the larger biliary tree in association with portal hypertension or severe hepatobiliary disease. They are usually asymptomatic and found incidentally. However, rare cases causing symptoms or the mass effect of bile duct compression require differential diagnosis. They may be benign or malignant lesions resulting from narrowing of the bile duct and involving dilatation of the proximal intrahepatic bile duct. We recently encountered a case of peribiliary cysts associated with intrahepatic duct dilatation, and confirmed by surgery, and present the imaging and pathologic findings. Sonography and CT revealed the presence of multiple cystic lesions along the hepatic hilum, and the larger left portal tract and left intrahepatic ducts were dilated. Histopathologic examination indicated that the cysts were compressing the central bile duct.
Bile Ducts ; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic* ; Biliary Tract ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Dilatation ; Hypertension, Portal