No abstract available.
Animals ; Lymphocyte Subsets* ; Lymphocytes* ; Rats*

No abstract available.
Eyelids* ; Mycosis Fungoides* ; Skin Diseases*

BACKGROUND: The cerebellum and its neural circuitry have been assumed to play a major role in the pathophysiology of essential tremor (ET). In this study, we sought to find associations between ET and cerebellar dysfunction. METHODS: We performed tandem gait test in 41 ET patients and 44 age-matched controls. Investigators assessed tandem gait by counting the number of missteps during ten-step tandem walk and each subject repeated the trial three times. RESULTS: ET patients had a higher average and total numbers of missteps during tandem gait tests than control subjects (p<0.05). Sex-adjusted odds ratio of the association between tandem gait abnormality and ET was 3.40 (95% confidence intervals 1.06-10.85). According to age stratification, aged ET patients (age > or =70 years) showed significantly higher prevalence of tandem gait abnormality than young ones. Interaction terms determined by a likelihood ratio test was also statistically significant (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Dysfunction of cerebellar neural circuitry may be associated with the pathophysiological mechanism of ET. In addition, aging may be an important factor modifying the association.
Aging ; Cerebellar Diseases* ; Cerebellum ; Essential Tremor* ; Gait ; Humans ; Odds Ratio ; Prevalence ; Research Personnel

It has been reported that the levels of erythropoietin are associated with diabetes mellitus. Glomerular epithelial cells, located in the renal cortex, play an important role in the regulation of kidney function and hyperglycemia-induced cell loss of glomerular epithelial cells is implicated in the onset of diabetic nephropathy. This study investigated the effect of high glucose on erythropoietin and erythropoietin receptor expression in rat glomerular epithelial cells. We found that 25 mM D-glucose, but not mannitol or L-glucose, stimulated erythropoietin mRNA and protein expression in a time dependent manner (>4 h) in rat glomerular epithelial cells. In addition, 25 mM glucose, but not mannitol or L-glucose, also increased the phosphorylation of erythropoietin receptor, suggesting a role for erythropoietin receptor phosphorylation in erythropoietin synthesis. We conclude that high glucose stimulates erythropoietin production and erythropoietin receptor phosphorylation in rat glomerular epithelial cells.
Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; Epithelial Cells ; Erythropoietin ; Glucose ; Kidney ; Mannitol ; Phosphorylation ; Rats ; Receptors, Erythropoietin ; RNA, Messenger

Blepharospasm is a focal dystonia that consists of repetitive involuntary spasmodic contractions of the orbicularis oculi muscle. A 27-year-old man was admitted with ptosis and involuntary blinking in both eyes. He was diagnosed as having schizophrenia when he was 15 years old and medicated with chlorpromazine for 12 years. After excluding all the possible etiopathological causes of the blepharospam, the offending drug was discontinued and changed to an atypical antipsychotic, clozapine. Clozapine was increased up to 75 mg in the 7th day of admission, and the symptoms were slowly ameliorated.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Blepharospasm* ; Blinking ; Chlorpromazine ; Clozapine ; Dystonic Disorders ; Humans ; Schizophrenia

PURPOSE: The goal of reduction mammaplasty is breast with natural cone shape, minimizing scars, well-placed and sensate nipple-areolar area and maintaining breast physiology. In order to satisfy that goal, variable reduction mammaplasty methods are performed, however, two methods such as vertical reduction method and inverted T-scar method are currently most used. We compared indications and advantages of the two methods and set up useful guidlines. METHODS: For 15 years from 1995 to 2010, we experienced 84 patients(162 breasts). We performed vertical reduction method as Lejour's superior pedicle technique(45 patients) and inverted T-scar method as Goldwyn's inferior dermal flap technique(39 patients). We evaluated the result of the operation comparing patient's age, amount of resected tissue, complications and post-operative scars of the two methods. RESULTS: The mean age was 36 years and the vertical reduction group was 3 years younger than inverted T-scar group. The mean breast tissue resection amount per one breast, inverted T-scar group(712 gm) was lagger than vertical reduction group(395 gm). CONCLUSION: There is no ideal method for reduction mammaplasty until now. However, we suggest that guide line, the vertical reduction method is effective for minimal and moderate macromastia in young and middle aged women and inverted T-scar method is appropriate for severe macromastia with ptosis in elderly women. Recently, all procedures tried shorter and smaller scar on the vertical line as small I, J or L shape scar, and inframammary fold as short inverted T-scar.
Aged ; Breast ; Cicatrix ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Mammaplasty ; Middle Aged

Sclerosing peritonitis is an unusual fibrosing condition predominantly involving the omentum and simulating carcinoma. The presenting signs and symptoms, imaging examination and cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) status in sclerosing peritonitis sometimes resemble those of ovarian cancer. Thus, the possibility of sclerosing peritonitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of ovarian carcinoma. It may occur idiopathically and secondary to chronic peritoneal dialysis, the use of peritoneovenous shunt, practolol therapy, or in association with ovarian tumors such as ovarian teratoma. We report a case of peritonitis initially suspected as ovarian carcinoma but diagnosed as sclerosing peritonitis associated with teratoma.
Diagnosis, Differential ; Omentum ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; Peritoneovenous Shunt ; Peritonitis ; Practolol ; Teratoma

The purpose of this study is to monitor genetically modified bean sprouts at traditional markets in Seoul and to investigate perception of traditional market merchants and high school students on genetically modified organisms (GMOs). We analyzed 30 bean sprouts that were selected at 11 traditional markets in Seoul using the method of polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Also, we compared perception of GMOs between merchants (n = 30) and students (n = 126). Knowledge test about GMOs was performed by students. The result of PCR, 16.7% of bean sprouts were confirmed as GM bean sprouts (n = 5). Students had significantly more exposure to information about GMOs than merchants (p < 0.05). Major information sources about GMOs were from mass media (television, newspaper and radio). About half of subjects were not aware that they eat GMOs and GMOs are sold to consumers. Only 17.3% of subjects had constant eating intent for GMOs after perceiving foods that he/she usually eats are GMOs. 51.3% of subjects had willingness to purchase GMOs if GMOs have same quality and lower cost than natural foods. 37.2% of subjects thought that GMOs would be harmful to humans. Students had more positive perception of GMOs' side effects than merchants (p < 0.01). There was no merchant who knew labeling of GMOs. 19.1% of students knew labeling of GMOs. Students' mean percentage of correct answers of six questions about GMOs was 45.2%. Therefore, providing adequate information about GMOs is needed for consumer's choice whether to purchase GMOs or not.
Eating ; Humans ; Mass Media ; Periodicals ; Organisms, Genetically Modified ; Organothiophosphorus Compounds ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

Essential fatty acids are important essential nutrients during pregnancy. The objective of this study was to compare fatty acid composition of serum phospholipids and essential fatty acid intakes between Korean pregnant women with a single baby and Korean pregnant women with twins. A total of 116 pregnant women who had maintained their health without any symptoms of pregnancy complications participated in the study. The subjects consisted of 57 women of singleton pregnancy and 58 women of twin pregnancy at the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd trimester of pregnancy. A 24-hour dietary recall was administered to each subject to obtain dietary information. The mean ages of the singleton pregnancy group and the twin pregnancy group were 31.44 years and 32.27 years, respectively, and the mean height values were 161.86 cm and 160.64 cm, respectively. The mean daily energy intakes in the singleton pregnancy group were 1639.95 kcal, 1904.71 kcal, and 1882.82 kcal for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimester group, respectively. The mean daily energy intakes in the twin pregnancy group were 1745.99 kcal, 2203.46 kcal, and 2092.26 kcal for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimester group, respectively. There were no significant differences in the mean fatty acid intakes by the type of pregnancy (i.e., singleton vs. twins and the stage of pregnancy (i.e., 1st vs. 2nd vs. 3rd trimester). However, the mean total fatty acid intake of those at the 1st trimester among the singleton pregnancy group tended to be higher than that of those at the 1st trimester among the twin pregnancy group. Such a trend seemed to be retro-versed. That is, the mean total fatty acid intakes of the twin pregnancy group were higher compared to the singleton pregnancy group for the 2nd and 3rd trimester group. The LA and total n6 concentrations of serum phospholipids of the singleton pregnancy group were significantly higher as the gestational age increased (p < 0.05). The alpha-LNA(p < 0.05), EPA (p < 0.05), and total n3 (p < 0.001) concentrations of serum phospholipids of the twin pregnancy group were significantly lower as the gestational age increased. The alpha-LNAconcentrations of serum phospholipids in the singleton pregnancy group at the 3rd trimester were significantly higher than that in the twin pregnancy group at the same trimester (p < 0.05). The serum phospholipids levels of AA and DHA of the twin pregnancy group were generally higher compared to those of the singleton pregnancy group. Particularly the differences reached at the level of statistical significance for those at the 1st trimester (p < 0.01). It is concluded that the study findings imply that fatty acid metabolism may meaningfully differ by the type and stage of pregnancy. Future research needs to be conducted to more elucidate grounding etiology and possible roles of dietary fatty acid intake levels in relation to the study findings.
Fatty Acids ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Phospholipids ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications ; Pregnancy, Twin ; Pregnant Women

Essential fatty acids are important essential nutrients during pregnancy. The objective of this study was to compare fatty acid composition of serum phospholipids and essential fatty acid intakes between Korean pregnant women with a single baby and Korean pregnant women with twins. A total of 116 pregnant women who had maintained their health without any symptoms of pregnancy complications participated in the study. The subjects consisted of 57 women of singleton pregnancy and 58 women of twin pregnancy at the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd trimester of pregnancy. A 24-hour dietary recall was administered to each subject to obtain dietary information. The mean ages of the singleton pregnancy group and the twin pregnancy group were 31.44 years and 32.27 years, respectively, and the mean height values were 161.86 cm and 160.64 cm, respectively. The mean daily energy intakes in the singleton pregnancy group were 1639.95 kcal, 1904.71 kcal, and 1882.82 kcal for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimester group, respectively. The mean daily energy intakes in the twin pregnancy group were 1745.99 kcal, 2203.46 kcal, and 2092.26 kcal for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimester group, respectively. There were no significant differences in the mean fatty acid intakes by the type of pregnancy (i.e., singleton vs. twins and the stage of pregnancy (i.e., 1st vs. 2nd vs. 3rd trimester). However, the mean total fatty acid intake of those at the 1st trimester among the singleton pregnancy group tended to be higher than that of those at the 1st trimester among the twin pregnancy group. Such a trend seemed to be retro-versed. That is, the mean total fatty acid intakes of the twin pregnancy group were higher compared to the singleton pregnancy group for the 2nd and 3rd trimester group. The LA and total n6 concentrations of serum phospholipids of the singleton pregnancy group were significantly higher as the gestational age increased (p < 0.05). The alpha-LNA(p < 0.05), EPA (p < 0.05), and total n3 (p < 0.001) concentrations of serum phospholipids of the twin pregnancy group were significantly lower as the gestational age increased. The alpha-LNAconcentrations of serum phospholipids in the singleton pregnancy group at the 3rd trimester were significantly higher than that in the twin pregnancy group at the same trimester (p < 0.05). The serum phospholipids levels of AA and DHA of the twin pregnancy group were generally higher compared to those of the singleton pregnancy group. Particularly the differences reached at the level of statistical significance for those at the 1st trimester (p < 0.01). It is concluded that the study findings imply that fatty acid metabolism may meaningfully differ by the type and stage of pregnancy. Future research needs to be conducted to more elucidate grounding etiology and possible roles of dietary fatty acid intake levels in relation to the study findings.
Fatty Acids ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Phospholipids ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications ; Pregnancy, Twin ; Pregnant Women