No abstract available.
Pregnancy*

No abstract available.
Estrogens* ; Humans ; Receptors, Estrogen* ; Thyroid Diseases* ; Thyroid Gland*

Background: The Advanced RBC Application of the CellaVision DM9600 system (CellaVision AB, Lund, Sweden) automatically characterizes and classifies red blood cells (RBCs) into 21 morphological categories based on their size, color, shape, and inclusions. We evaluated the diagnostic performance of the CellaVision Advanced RBC Application with respect to the classification and grading of RBC morphological abnormalities in accordance with the 2015 International Council for Standardization in Haematology (ICSH) guidelines. Methods: A total of 223 samples, including 123 with RBC morphological abnormalities and 100 from healthy controls, were included. Seven RBC morphological abnormalities and their grading obtained with CellaVision DM9600 pre- and post-classification were compared with the results obtained using manual microscopic examination. The grading cut-off percentages were determined in accordance with the 2015 ICSH guidelines. The sensitivity and specificity of the CellaVision DM9600 system were evaluated using the manual microscopic examination results as a true positive. Results: In pre-classification, > 90% sensitivity was observed for target cells, tear drop cells, and schistocytes, while > 90% specificity was observed for acanthocytes, spherocytes, target cells, and tear drop cells. In post-classification, the detection sensitivity and specificity of most RBC morphological abnormalities increased, except for schistocytes (sensitivity) and acanthocytes (specificity). The grade agreement rates ranged from 35.9% (echinocytes) to 89.7% (spherocytes) in pre-classification and from 46.2% (echinocytes) to 90.1% (spherocytes) in post-classification. The agreement rate of samples with withinone grade difference exceeded 90% in most categories, except for schistocytes and echinocytes. Conclusions The Advanced RBC Application of CellaVision DM9600 is a valuable screening tool for detecting RBC morphological abnormalities.

No abstract available.

Hyperkeratosis of the nipple and areola is a rare condition. We report a case of hyperkeratosis of the nipple and areola occurrinp in man with no underlying endocrirop thy or synthetic estrogenic drug therapy. The patient was not associated with epidermal nevus orichthyosis and so fitted into the nevoid form of hyperkeratosis of the nipple and areola. The clinical appearance and histological findings of the lesion were the same as those reported before. He showed a slight improvement in the color and hyperkeratcsis of the nipple and areola with 6 months use of a topical keratolytic agent and corticosteroid crearn.
Drug Therapy ; Estrogens ; Humans ; Nevus ; Nipples*

OBJECTIVES: Predicting maturity of the fetal lung is important in many obstetric situations. Lamellar bodies are synthesized and secreted by the type II pneumocytes of fetal lung. The phospholipids present in these bodies constitute the major component of pulmonary surfactant. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of lamellar body count in amniotic fluid as a rapid fetal lung maturity screening test and to determine the cutoff value of lamellar body count that will indicate fetal lung maturity METHODS: From October 1998 to July 2000, 60 patients who delivered before 39 weeks gestation at the Chung-Ang University Hospital were tested for lamellar body count in the amniotic fluid. Indications for assessment of fetal lung maturity included preterm labor, premature rupture of membranes, previous cesarean section, pregnancy-induced hypertension and others. RESULTS: 1. The prevalence of RDS in the study population was 15%(9 of 60 cases). 2. The mean lamellar body count and L/S ratio for RDS group were much less than that of non-RDS group(14000 vs 47470, p<0.01 and 1.3 vs 2.5, p<0.01). 3. There was a good linear correlation between lamellar body count and L/S ratio(r=0.86, p<0.01), as did between lamellar body count and gestational age(r=0.679, p<0.01). 4. In the critical function of predicting fetal lung maturity, our data demonstrate that when using a cutoff of 25000/microliter, the lamellar body count showed 88.8% sensitivity, 96.0% specificity, 80.0% positive predictive value, 98.0% negative predictive value, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study, along with those reported previously, confirms that lamellar body count reflects fetal lung maturity sufficiently to assure that the neonate will not develop respiratory distress syndrome. Further evaluation for this purpose is justified.
Amniotic Fluid* ; Cesarean Section ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced ; Infant, Newborn ; Lung* ; Mass Screening* ; Membranes ; Obstetric Labor, Premature ; Phospholipids ; Pneumocytes ; Pregnancy ; Prevalence ; Pulmonary Surfactants ; Rupture ; Sensitivity and Specificity

A retrospective study was designed to determine the diagnostic contribution of oblique view in 740 consecutive lumbar spine examinations done in adults. In 12 cases (1.62%) there was a change in the radiographic interpretation when the oblique views were used for diagnosis. Considering the significant gonadal radiation, additional cost, and limited diagnostic value, the authors feel that the oblique view should not be a routine part of the initial lumbar spine examination in adults.
Adult ; Diagnosis ; Gonads ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Spine

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although the suppressive effect of the medial efferent acoustic reflex is well known, the time course of this effect over prolonged periods has yet to be fully evaluated. We assessed time-dependent change in the suppression of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) by the medial efferent acoustic reflex over a relatively long period. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We measured TEOAEs in the right ear before contralateral acoustic stimulation (CAS), and then measured serial TEOAEs in the right ear at four intervals during a total of 16 minutes of continuous CAS, followed by three more recordings after termination of CAS. RESULTS: TEOAE amplitudes were reduced with CAS during a certain period (from the immediate period to 10 minutes depending on frequency) and subsequently recovered. TEOAE suppression values in the mean amplitudes for overall frequency were 0.76 dB at the initial recording, 0.35 dB at 5 minutes, 0.44 dB at 10 minutes, and 0.33 dB at 15 minutes during CAS. The initial suppression value was significantly larger than other suppression values of 5, 10, and 15 minutes (p<0.05). In recordings obtained after CAS, TEOAE amplitude exceeded pre-acoustic amplitudes at 1 kHz, 1.5 kHz, and 2 kHz. CONCLUSIONS: The present results show the existence of the medial efferent acoustic reflex and demonstrate the time course that TEOAE suppressions present initially after CAS, showing fatigue over time. Overshooting of TEOAE was observed in recordings at several frequencies after termination of CAS.
Acoustic Stimulation ; Acoustics ; Ear ; Fatigue ; Reflex, Acoustic

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although the suppressive effect of the medial efferent acoustic reflex is well known, the time course of this effect over prolonged periods has yet to be fully evaluated. We assessed time-dependent change in the suppression of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) by the medial efferent acoustic reflex over a relatively long period. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We measured TEOAEs in the right ear before contralateral acoustic stimulation (CAS), and then measured serial TEOAEs in the right ear at four intervals during a total of 16 minutes of continuous CAS, followed by three more recordings after termination of CAS. RESULTS: TEOAE amplitudes were reduced with CAS during a certain period (from the immediate period to 10 minutes depending on frequency) and subsequently recovered. TEOAE suppression values in the mean amplitudes for overall frequency were 0.76 dB at the initial recording, 0.35 dB at 5 minutes, 0.44 dB at 10 minutes, and 0.33 dB at 15 minutes during CAS. The initial suppression value was significantly larger than other suppression values of 5, 10, and 15 minutes (p<0.05). In recordings obtained after CAS, TEOAE amplitude exceeded pre-acoustic amplitudes at 1 kHz, 1.5 kHz, and 2 kHz. CONCLUSIONS: The present results show the existence of the medial efferent acoustic reflex and demonstrate the time course that TEOAE suppressions present initially after CAS, showing fatigue over time. Overshooting of TEOAE was observed in recordings at several frequencies after termination of CAS.
Acoustic Stimulation ; Acoustics ; Ear ; Fatigue ; Reflex, Acoustic

Striae distensae are characterized by linear, smooth bands of atrophic-appearing skin. In histologic findings, the epidermis is thin and flattened. There is a decrease in the thickness of the dermis. Separation of collagen fibers and small, fragmented elastic fibers are seen in the dermis. Striae distensae develop as a result of disruption of the connective tissue framework. Main mechanism of edematous striae distensae is disintegration of collagen, followed by the pressure induced by generalized edema as the secondary mechanism. The patient is a 17-year-old boy who had generalized pitting edema and abdominal distension due to nephrotic syndrome. On the abdomen, he has presented with edematous striae and ulceration with exudate for 1 week. Edematous striae distensae are uncommon but can develop from the combined effects of glucocorticoid and generalized edema. We report a case of edematous striae distensae in nephrotic syndrome.
Abdomen ; Adolescent ; Collagen ; Connective Tissue ; Dermis ; Edema* ; Elastic Tissue ; Epidermis ; Exudates and Transudates ; Humans ; Male ; Nephrotic Syndrome* ; Skin ; Striae Distensae* ; Ulcer