OBJECTIVES: Alcohol-induced oxidative stress has been known to injure various tissues or organs. This stress is related with free radicals which are produced as the result of long-term alcohol consumption. Malonyldialdehyde(MDA) is produced by the interaction of free radicals and cell membrane lipids, and indicates the degree of lipid peroxidation indirectly. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between red blood cell(RBC) membrane lipid peroxidation by free radicals, and associated hepatic injuries and hematologic changes. METHODS: Thirty-three subjects diagnosed as alcohol dependence according to DSM-IV diagnostic criteria were evaluated within 72 hours after discontinuing alcohol drinking. Clinical characteristics were evaluated by CAGE questionnaire and Korean Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test(MAST). RBC membrane MDA level was measured as the marker of RBC membrane lipid peroxidation. Aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and gamma-glutamyltransferase(GGT) were used as the biochemical markers of liver damage due to alcohol ingestion. The alcohol-induced hematologic change was assessed by mean corpuscular volume(MCV). RESULTS: The results were as follows. Clinical characteristics were not different between two groups having normal and abnormal levels of AST, ALT, GGT or MCV. The levels of MDA were not correlated with the clinical characteristics and serum levels of AST, ALT and GGT. However, there was a significant correlation between the levels of MDA and the value of MCV(p=0.017). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that oxidative stress in alcohol dependence may not be reflected in liver enzyme markers such as AST, ALT and GGT, but may be reflected in MCV.
Alanine ; Alcohol Drinking ; Alcoholism* ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Aspartic Acid ; Biological Markers ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Eating ; Erythrocyte Indices* ; Erythrocytes* ; Free Radicals ; Humans ; Lipid Peroxidation* ; Liver* ; Mass Screening ; Membrane Lipids ; Membranes* ; Michigan ; Oxidative Stress ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Polyarteritis nodosa is systemic necrotizing vasculitis of medium and small-sized arteries and results in variable manifestations due to ischemia of the involving organs. Diagnosis can either be made pathologically by demonstrating necrotizing vasculitis of arteries or angiographycally by demonstrating small arterial aneurysm. We experienced a case of PAN with dilated cardiomyopathy, confirmed by clinical feature, renal biopsy, angiography and echocardiography.
Aneurysm ; Angiography ; Arteries ; Biopsy ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated* ; Diagnosis ; Echocardiography ; Ischemia ; Polyarteritis Nodosa* ; Vasculitis

We present two cases of adrenocortical oncocytomas that were well-delineated on multi-detector computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. The images showed a well-enhanced large mass with multiple stippled calcifications in a 10-yr-old girl who was consulted due to precocious puberty. A well-enhanced solid mass with necrotic components was incidentally noticed in a 54-yr-old man. These lesions were resected and diagnosed as adrenocortical oncocytomas through immunohistochemical studies and electron microscopy. Adrenocortical oncocytomas are rare disease entities, therefore, we report these interesting, rare adrenocortical oncocytomas here with radiologic findings, and discuss differential diagnosis.
Adenoma, Oxyphilic/*diagnosis/pathology/radiography ; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology/radiography ; Child ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Congenital pericardial defect is relatively rare and two different types, partial and complete, of different clinical significance have been recognized. Most reported defects are complete type and left-sided lesion. Most patients are asymptomatic or complain of vague chest pain. Partial pericardial defect can be potentially fatal due to cardiac herniation and strangulation or coronary insufficiency. Plain chest reontgenography shows abnormal prominence along the cardiac border. 2-D echocardiography demonstrates a drop-off of pericardial echo and protruding cardiac chamber through the defect. Because of the potential fatality, surgical repair is recommended for the partial pericardial defect. We report a case of congenital partial left pericardial defect, which was diagnosed by plain chest reontgenography and 2-D echocardiography, with related literatures.
Chest Pain ; Echocardiography ; Humans ; Thorax

No abstract available.
Pregnancy*

No abstract available.
Fistula* ; Pyriform Sinus* ; Thyroiditis, Suppurative*

Agnogenic myeloid metaplasia (AMM) is a myeloproliferative disorder characterized by leukoerythroblastosis, tear-drop erythrocytes, extramedullary hematopoiesis with hepatosplenomegaly, and varying degrees of myelofibrosis. The mean age at presentation is about 60 years, and pediatric cases are rare. We experienced a case of AMM in a 9 months old female who was presented with pallor, huge splenomegaly and intermittent fever. Peripheral blood showed leukoerythroblastosis poikilocytosis, and tear drop cells. Bone marrow was difficult to aspirate, and biopsy specimen showed increased reticulin with decreased cellularity, which was compatible with myelofibrosis. We presented a case of AMM with brief review of the literatures.
Biopsy ; Bone Marrow ; Erythrocytes ; Female ; Fever ; Hematopoiesis, Extramedullary ; Humans ; Infant ; Myeloproliferative Disorders ; Pallor ; Primary Myelofibrosis* ; Reticulin ; Splenomegaly

It is common to administrate neostigmiae methylsulfate and atropiae aulfate to counteract the effect of nondepolarising neuromuscular blocker. In case of cardiovascular disease, the effect of bradycardia or tachycardia resultiag from the administration of these drugs may be harmful to the patient. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of combinatioa and method of administration of neostigmine methylsulfate and atropine sulfate on heart rate. One hundred and two patients in both sexes were devided into three groups(A, B, C), and each group was devided into three subgroups (AI, AII, AIII, BI, BII, BIII, CI, CII, CIII). In group A, neostigmine methylsulfate and atropine aulfate were mixed and administered intravenously within fifteen seconds. In group B, atropine eulfate was administered thirty seconds after the administration of neostigmine methylsulfate. In group C, the two drugs were mixed and administered over a period of five minutes. In subgroup I the ratio of neostigmine methyliulfate to atropine sulfate was 2: 1(0. 04 mg/kg: 0.02 mg/kg) in subgroup 3 the ratio was 3: 2(0.03 mg/kg: 0. 02 mg/kg), and in subgroup lll the ratio was 1: 1(0. 02 mg/kg: 0. 02 mg/kg). The heart rate was counted just before, 0. 5 minute, 1 miaute, l. 5 minutes, 2 minutes, 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 25 minutes, 30 minutes after the administration of the drugs. The results were as follows: 1) Initial increase in heart rate was significant in lager atropine ratio. 2) The later decrease in heart rate waa less in larger atropine ratio. 3) The maximal increases in heart rate in groap A and B appeared thirty seconds apart, but there was little difference betweea them. 4) The change ia heart rate was the least in group C.
Atropine* ; Bradycardia ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Heart Rate* ; Heart* ; Humans ; Neostigmine ; Neuromuscular Blockade ; Tachycardia

No abstract available.
Humans ; Infant* ; Urinary Tract Infections* ; Urinary Tract*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Immunoglobulin E* ; Nephrosis, Lipoid*