OBJECTIVES: Bee venom contains a potent antiinflammatory peptide 401 as well as mellitin. The purpose of this study was to see the efficacy and safety of purified bee venom injection therapy for knee or spinal osteoarthritis patients. METHODS: One hundred and one osteoarthritis patients were randomly assigned to bee venom injection therapy or oral nabumetone medication group. Bee venom injection group was subdivided into 3 groups according to different dosing schedule(group A: gradual increase up to 0.7mg, group B: up to 1.5mg and group C: up to 2.0mg). Control group patients(group D) were given 1000mg nabumetone daily for 6 weeks. There were 25, 26, 25, and 26 patients assigned to A, B, C, or D group. The efficacy of treatment was evaluated by measuring instruments developed by authors, and the safety of bee venom injection was evaluated by hematology and chemistry laboratory examination. RESULTS: Among 101 patients, eighty-one patients completed the study, but twenty patients were dropped out and two of these patients were dropped out due to adverse drug reaction. The efficacy in bee venom group showed better improvement than nabumetone group(p<0.01). Within bee venom group, group B and C showed better improvement than group A(p<0.01). Itching around injection site occurred in most patients, and bodyache occurred in 49 patients (81.7%). Hemoglobin was decreased(0.3g/dl) in group C, but no significant changes were observed in other laboratory values. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of bee venom injection in the control of knee or back pain in osteoarthritis patients was better than nabumetone medication. No severe allergic or adverse reaction was observed in bee venom treatment patients, but problems related with bee venom injection, such as pruritis, bodyache, and the possibility of anaphylaxis, should be considered for the use of bee venom injection.
Anaphylaxis ; Back Pain ; Bee Venoms* ; Bees* ; Chemistry ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; Hematology ; Humans ; Knee ; Melitten ; Osteoarthritis* ; Osteoarthritis, Spine ; Pruritus

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the residual diameter stenosis after PTCA with fractional flow reserve (FFR) and coronary flow reserve (CFR), and investigate the correlation between FFR and CFR in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). MATERIALS AND METHOD: The study population consisted of twenty seven patients with myocardial infarction. Baseline and hyperemic average peak velocity (APV) were measured using Doppler wire 15 minutes after restoration of infarct-related artery (IRA). CFR was obtained by the ratio of distal hyperemic APV to baseline APV. Distal coronary arterial pressure (Pd) was measured with advancing the wire distal to the lesion of IRA. Simultaneous proximal aortic pressure (Pa) was measured using guiding catheter. Myocardial FFR was obtained by the ratio of hyperemic Pd to hyperemic Pa. RESULTS: Post-interventional CFR and FFR were 0.85+/-0.44, 0.91+/-0.09. CFR did not show significant correlation with luminal diameter stenosis (%ST). There was no significant correlation between FFR and CFR with a correlation coefficient of 0.29 (p=.25). But, significant correlation was found between %ST and FFR, %ST and hyperemic PG (hPG) with correlation coefficient of -0.70 (p=.0012) and 0.68 (p=.0018). CONCLUSION: In AMI patients, %ST has a significant correlation with FFR and hPG after PTCA. But, there was no significant correlation between FFR and CFR.
Arterial Pressure ; Arteries ; Catheters ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Phenobarbital

Mixed squamous cell carcinoma and papillary carcinoma in the thyroid gland is a very rare malignant tumor characterized by rapidly progressive clinical course and radioresistance. A 63-year-oid woman had mixed squamous cell carcinoma and papillary carcinoma in the thyroid gland diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology (FNA), and the diagnosis was confirmed by histological examination. She had complained of a fixed, egg-sized mass of the anterior neck with hoarseness for 1 year. The findings of FNA consisted of sheets and clusters of polygonal epithelial cells with hyperchromatic, pleomorphic nuclei and eosinophilic, abundant, laminated cytoplasm. These findings were consistent with squamous cell carcinoma. Also, foci of papillary carcinoma were noted, and the cells exhibited nuclear groovings and intranuclear cytoplasmic inclusions. Total thyroidectomy specimen showed a diffusely infiltrating tumor in the left thyroid which was composed of mixed papillary carcinoma and well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. In junction between two components, squamous metaplasia of papillary carcinoma was noted.
Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Child* ; Cytoplasm ; Diagnosis ; Eosinophils ; Epithelial Cells ; Female ; Giant Cell Tumors ; Giant Cells ; Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental* ; Hoarseness ; Humans ; Inclusion Bodies ; Metaplasia ; Neck ; Ribs ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroidectomy

No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Transitional Cell* ; Tuberculosis, Renal* ; Ureter*

The purpose of this study was to analyze and evaluate therapeutic results of stereotactic evacuation of hematoma, urokinase irrigation and external ventricular drainage(EVD) in comatose patients who had hypertensive supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage. The authors carried out stereotactic evacuation of hematoma and external ventricular drainage in the consecutive 45 cases who were admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery, Chosun University Hospital. from Sep. 1990 to Jun. 1993. The therapeutic results were as follows : 1) The peak age incidences were 6th to 7th decades. The incidence was higher in female than male. The age was not related to the prognosis. 2) The hematoma was located at the basal ganglia in 37 cases, and the thalamic area in 8 cases. The prognosis was poorer as the area of hematoma extended more wider and deeper. 3) The volume of hematoma ranged from 8 to 155 ml. The prognosis of the patient was unfavorable in large volume of hematoma. 4) Intraventricular hemorrhage(IVH) occured in forty cases(89.9%) and mortality rate was 45%. The mortality rate was increased in cases with IVH than in case without it. 5) The mortality rates based on the Glasgow coma scale(GCS) on admission were 50% in GCS score 4 group, 50% in GCS score 5 group, 40% in GCS score 6 group, 27% in GCS score 7 group. Cases of low Glasgow coma scale on admission showed high mortality rate. 6) The overall mortality rate was 42%. These results suggest that stereotactic evacuation of hematoma and EVD decreased the mortality rate when compared with conservative treatment and conventional craniotomy in the literatures.
Basal Ganglia ; Cerebral Hemorrhage* ; Coma* ; Craniotomy ; Drainage* ; Female ; Glasgow Coma Scale ; Hematoma* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intracranial Hemorrhage, Hypertensive ; Male ; Mortality ; Neurosurgery ; Prognosis ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator

OBJECTIVES: Severity of coronary artery stenosis has been defined in terms of geometric dimensions, pressure gradient-flow relations, resistance to flow and coronary flow reserve(CFR) after maximum arteriolar vasodilation. Myocardial fractional flow reserve(FFR) is a new index of the functional severity of coronary stenosis that is calculated from pressure measurements during coronary angiography. We compared the relationship between FFR and CFR after PTCA and the residual stenosis with FFR and CFR in the patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and angina. METHODS: The study population consisted of 25 patients with AMI and 18 patients with angina. All AMI patients had successful restoration of infarc-related artery by thrombolysis or direct PTCA. Doppler index was measured using 0.014 inch Doppler wire 15 minutes after successful restoration of infarc- related artery. Hyperemic index was measured after intracoronary injection of adenosine(16-18ug). Baseline and hyperemic distal coronary artery pressure was measured using 0.014 inch pressure wire with advancing the wire distal to the lesion and simultaneous proximal aortic pressure was measured using guiding catheter. RESULTS: 1) Post-interventional FFR and CFR were 0.91+/-0.09 and 1.87+/-0.45 in AMI and 0.93+/-0.06 and 2.73+/-0.67 in angina. There was no significant correlation between FFR and CFR in AMI and angina(p=NS). CFR showed the weak correlation with hyperemic distal pressure(hPd) in AMI(p=0.04) and FFR with hDSVR in angina(p=0.04). FFR and CFR were not correlated with mean blood pressure and heart rate(p=NS). 2) FFR and hyperemic pressure gradient had the close correlation with residual stenosis after successful PTCA in AMI and angina(p<0.001). Baseline pressure gradient also showed weak correlation with FFR(p<0.05). 3) CFR was 1.87+/-0.45 in AMI and 2.73+/-0.67 in angina with significant difference between two groups (p<0.001) and FFR was 0.91+/-0.09 in AMI and 0.93+/-0.06 in angina without difference(p=NS). hPa and hPd showed the significant difference between the two groups(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: FFR seems to be a new index of the functional severity of coronary stenosis that is calculated from pressure measurements during coronary angiography.
Arterial Pressure ; Arteries ; Blood Pressure ; Catheters ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease* ; Coronary Stenosis ; Coronary Vessels* ; Heart ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction ; Vasodilation

With the rapid development of MS technologiesy, the demands for a more sophisticated MS interpretation algorithm haves grown as well. We have developed a new protein fingerprinting method using a binomial distribution, (fBIND). With the fBIND, we improved the performance accuracy of protein fingerprinting up to the maximum 49% (more than MOWSE) and 2% than(at a previous binomial distribution approach studied by of Wool et al.) as compared to the established algorithms. Moreover, we also suggest a the statistical approach to define the significance of transcription factors and motifs in the identified proteins based on the Gene Ontology (GO).
Binomial Distribution ; Fungal Proteins* ; Gene Ontology ; Peptide Mapping ; Transcription Factors* ; Wool ; Yeasts*

PURPOSE: For early diagnosis of sacroiliitis in spondyloarthropathy, the MRI findings of sacroiliitis, roles of MPGR (Multiplanar Gradient Recalled Acquisition in Steady State), and delayed post-contrast T1-weighted images were evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty six patients with seronegative spondyloarthropathy (probable clinical diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis) were grouped as either less than radiographic grade I (group A) or more than grade II (group B). The MRI findings of both sacroiliac joints were evaluated in every patient, and predominant sites were determined. The two groups were then compared. In 17 patients, the number of enhancing panni seen on early and delayed post-contrast T1-weighted images was counted and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Panni were found in all cases, and in both groups, predominant patterns of involvement were the lower and iliac aspects of the sacroiliac joints in both groups; in group A, the synovial joints and punctate pannus were predominantly involved, and in group B, the ligamentous joints as well as the synovial joints and linear pannus. In group B, more periarticular fat accumulation than periarticular osteitis was found. For the evaluation of changes in joint space, MPGR images were superior to spin echo images. For the delineation of enhancing pannus less than radiographic grade I, delayed post-contrast images were statistically superior to those which were early post-contrast. CONCLUSION: MRI can detect early sacroiliitic change according to the predominant sites of involvement, and delayed post-contrast images play a role in the diagnosis of early sacroiliitis. MPGR imaging is good for the evaluation of joint space change.
Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Joints ; Ligaments ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Osteitis ; Sacroiliac Joint ; Sacroiliitis* ; Spondylarthropathies ; Spondylitis ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing*

No abstract available.
Angioplasty* ; Budd-Chiari Syndrome* ; Heart Ventricles* ; Stents*

PURPOSE: Knowing the optimal length of central venous catheterization is important in order to prevent complications provoked by inappropriate placement of the tip of central venous catheter. We evaluated the optimal lengths of central venous catheterization using 3-Dimensional Multi- Detector Row Computed Tomography (MDCT). METHODS: Between May 2005 and September 2005, we prospectively enrolled 122 consecutive patients who underwent elective chest MDCT. We reconstructed 3-dimensional MDCT images of the right internal jugular vein, right subclavian vein, left internal jugular vein, left subclavian vein and the superior vena cava/right atrium (SVC/RA) junction. In 3-dimensional images, we measured the distance from the puncture site of catheterization to the SVC/RA junction. In addition, we analyzed the correlation of the length of central vein to demographic findings, including patients' height, weight, body mass index, and body surface area (BSA). By regression modeling, we derived formulas to calculate the optimal lengths for central venous catheterization. RESULTS: The optimal lengths of central venous catheterization via the right internal jugular vein, right subclavian vein, left internal jugular vein, and left subclavian vein were 12.9+/-1.5 cm, 14.0+/-1.5 cm, 15.9+/-1.9 cm, and 17.9+/-1.4 cm, respectively. The optimal length of right subclavian catheterization correlated significantly with body weight and BSA (p<0.01). The optimal length of left internal jugular approach correlated well with height (p<0.01), body weight, BMI, and BSA (p<0.005). CONCLUSION: The optimal lengths of central venous catheter were measured by 3-dimensional MDCT and correlated with demographic findings. By regression modeling, we developed formulas to predict the optimal length of central venous catheterization using based on demographic findings.
Body Surface Area ; Body Weight ; Catheterization ; Catheterization, Central Venous* ; Catheters ; Central Venous Catheters* ; Humans ; Jugular Veins ; Prospective Studies ; Punctures ; Subclavian Vein ; Thorax ; Veins