PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to identify the optimal cutoff values of indices for cardiometabolic risk in postmenopausal Korean women. Specifically, we intended to determine the cutoffs of waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), serum lipid profile, and homeostatic model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) for detecting metabolic syndrome (MetS), and metabolic obesity (MO). METHODS: The study participants were 397 postmenopausal women. We defined MetS and MO with the International Diabetes Federation criteria except for waist circumference. A receive operating characteristic curve analysis was used to assess the accuracy of diagnostic indices for identifying MetS and MO. Cutoff values were obtained both from the point on the receive operating characteristic curve which was closest to (0,1) and from the Youden's index. RESULTS: Among the participants, 34.5% and 73% were classified as having MetS and MO. The optimal cutoff of waist circumference and WHR were 81.9 cm [area under curve (AUC): 0.687, sensitivity: 61.7%, specificity: 68.9%], 0.87 (AUC: 0.660, sensitivity: 64.7%, Specificity: 60.2%) for MetS and 77.4 cm (AUC: 0.655, sensitivity: 65.6%, specificity: 57.8%), 0.86 (AUC: 0.680, sensitivity: 67.0%, specificity: 62.7%) for MO. Triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein ratio for MetS and MO were 2.11 (AUC: 0.838, sensitivity: 71.5%, specificity: 79.6%) and 1.59 (AUC: 0.725, sensitivity: 65.9%, specificity: 68.2%) respectively. The HOMA-IR for MetS was 1.36 (AUC: 0.773, sensitivity: 73%, specificity: 71.9%) and for MO was 1.17 (AUC: 0.713, sensitivity: 64.5%, specificity: 69.2%). CONCLUSIONS: For postmenopausal women, we suggest waist circumference of 81.9 cm and WHR of 0.87 as criteria of MetS. However, women with waist circumference over 77.4 cm and WHR over 0.86 should be monitored for the future development of MetS.
Female ; Humans ; Lipoproteins ; Menopause ; Obesity ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Triglycerides ; Waist Circumference ; Waist-Hip Ratio

The improved survival rate of premature infants requiring intensive care, shows an increased risk for nosocomial infections such as disseminated fungal infection. Renal candidasis usually occurs secondary to systemic disease, and can Iead to obstructive uropathy by fungus ball. A male neonate was born in week 28 of the gestational period. His birth weight was 1200gm. He required mechanical ventilation and surfactant for respiratory distress syndrome, umbilical artery and vein catheterization, percutaneous central veneous catheterization(PCVC) for parenteral nutrition, steroid, aminophylline and broad spectrum anibiotics. Hypertension developed on the 29th hospital day, but was not controlled by diuretics and antihypertensive drugs. on the 40th hospital day, he had abdominal distension, anuria, and azotemia. A Renal ultrasonogram showed that the ureteropelvic junction of the left kidney was completely obstructed with fungus balls. A percutaneous nephrostorny tube, made in a pigtail shape by hand, was inserted under fluoroscopy guidance, and the obstruction of the pelvis was resolved by wire manipulation. Parenteral amphotericin B and oral flucytocine were started, and the left renal pelvis was directly drained and irrigated by percutaneous nephrostomy tube. Candida albicans(C. albicuns) was cultured from urine and a percutaneous central venous catheter tip. His general condition improved, and follow up urine culture revealed no fungus. On follow-up renal ultrasonogram, renal cortex echogenicity and fungus ball had disappeared except for mild left renal calyectasis and pelvic thickening. This report describes a case of obstructive uropathy by fungus ball in systemic candidiasis of prematurity, and reviews the related literature.
Aminophylline ; Amphotericin B ; Antihypertensive Agents ; Anuria ; Azotemia ; Birth Weight ; Candida ; Candidiasis ; Catheterization ; Catheters ; Central Venous Catheters ; Cross Infection ; Diuretics ; Fluoroscopy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fungi ; Hand ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Critical Care ; Kidney ; Kidney Pelvis ; Male ; Nephrostomy, Percutaneous* ; Parenteral Nutrition ; Pelvis ; Respiration, Artificial ; Survival Rate ; Ultrasonography ; Umbilical Arteries ; Veins

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Animals ; Rats* ; Vitamin A* ; Vitamins* ; Wounds and Injuries*

A pontine intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) evokes several neurological symptoms, due to the various nuclei and nerve fibers; however, hearing loss from a pontine ICH is rare. We have experienced a non-traumatic pontine ICH patient, with hearing loss. A 43-year-old male patient had a massive pontine hemorrhage; his brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed the hemorrhage on the bilateral dorsal pons, with the involvement of the trapezoid body. Also, profound hearing loss on the pure-tone audiogram and abnormal brainstem auditory evoked potential were noticed. Fifty-two months of long-term follow-up did not reveal any definite improvement on the patient's hearing ability.
Adult ; Brain ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Hearing Loss* ; Hearing* ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Nerve Fibers ; Pons

PURPOSE: Glutathione S-transferase (GST) is a polymorphic supergene family of detoxification enzymes that are involved in the metabolism of numerous diseases. Several allelic variants of GSTs show impaired enzyme activity and are suspected to increase the susceptibility to diseases. Bilirubin is bound efficiently by GST members. The most commonly expressed gene in the liver is GSTM1, and GSTT1 is expressed predominantly in the liver and kidneys. To ascertain the relationship between GST and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, the distribution of the polymorphisms of GSTT1 and GSTM1 were investigated in this study. METHODS: Genomic DNA was isolated from 88 patients and 186 healthy controls. The genotypes were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: The overall frequency of the GSTM1 null was lower in patients compared to controls (P=0.0187, Odds ratio (OR) =0.52, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.31-0.88). Also, the GSTT1 null was lower in patients compared to controls (P=0.0014, OR=0.41, 95% CI=0.24-0.70). Moreover, the frequency of the null type of both, in the combination of GSTM1 and GSTT1, was significantly reduced in jaundiced patients (P=0.0008, OR=0.31, 95% CI=0.17-0.61). CONCLUSION: We hypothesized that GSTM1 and GSTT1 might be associated with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. However, the GSTT1 and GSTM1 null type was reduced in patients. Therefore the null GSTT1, null GSTM1, and null type of both in the combination of GSTM1 and GSTT1 may be not a risk factor of neonatal jaundice.
Bilirubin ; Chondroitin Sulfates ; Disaccharides ; DNA ; Genotype ; Glutathione ; Glutathione Transferase ; Humans ; Hyperbilirubinemia, Neonatal ; Infant, Newborn ; Jaundice, Neonatal ; Kidney ; Liver ; Odds Ratio ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Risk Factors

PURPOSE:We investigated the incidence and predisposing factors of pulmonary embolism in minimal change nephrotic syndrome(MCNS). METHODS:Lung perfusion scan using 99mTC-MAA were done on 14 patients who were diagnosed to minimal change nephrotic syndrome. Group A; Five patients who had perfusion defects on scan, Group B; Nine patients who had no perfusion defect on scan. Between the two groups, the differences of platelet number, hematocrits, albumin, cholesterol, triglyceride, proteinuria were evaluated. RESULTS:Five patients were found to have perfusion defect consistent with pulmonary embolism(35.7%). However, there were minimal or no respiratory symptoms and signs. In our laboratory studies, the mean proteinuria on admissions was 676+/-31 mg/m2/hr in the group with pulmonary embolism, and 313+/-28 mg/m2/hr in the group without pulmonary embolism. There were more severe proteinuria in group with pulmonary embolism(P<0.05). The mean platelet count at early stage of remission after steroid treatment was 746,600+/-280,000/mm3 in the group with pulmonary embolism, 511,890+/-90,000/mm3 in the group without pulmonary embolism. There were significant difference of platelet count between the two groups(P<0.01). In patients with pulmonary embolism, there were more higher and sustained increasement of platelet count. All cases of pulmonary embolism were treated with dipyridamole(5 mg/kg). In 4 cases the perfusion defects were improved in two weeks, however, one case showed persistent perfusion defect after 1 month. CONCLUSION:Our study suggested that pulmonry embolism might be one of the major complications in childhood MCNS. The occurrence rate was correlated with severity of proteinuria before treatment and sustained increasement of platelet counts in early remission state after steroid treatment. Therefore, the scintigraphic pulmonary perfusion study is mandatory in childhood MCNS, especially in the high risk patients, such as the patients with severe proteinuria and sustained increasement of platelet count.
Causality ; Cholesterol ; Embolism ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Incidence ; Nephrosis, Lipoid* ; Perfusion ; Platelet Count ; Proteinuria ; Pulmonary Embolism* ; Triglycerides

Cutis laxa is a rare disorder of the elastic tissue characterized by loosely hanging and folded skin giving a premature senile appearance, often with internal organ involvement. Recently, we experienced a case of cutis laxa in a neonate. The patient who presented with dyspnea and loose skin at birth was delivered by Cesarean section in our hospital. He was the third baby of his mother and his siblings had no problem including skin. Physical examination on admission revealed a dyspneic neonate with skin showing loose folds, wrinkles and sagging over the face, neck, trunk and thighs. He had no family history of skin disease suggestive of cutis laxa. Histopathologic study of the skin specimen showed widespread breakdown and decreased number of elastic fibers with granular degeneration, shortening, and fragmentation. He had been dependent on ventilatory support throughout his hospital course and finally succumbed to intractable pulmonary emphysema at the age of 220 days.
Cesarean Section ; Cutis Laxa* ; Dyspnea ; Elastic Tissue ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Mothers ; Neck ; Parturition ; Physical Examination ; Pregnancy ; Pulmonary Emphysema* ; Siblings ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Thigh

We studied the onset of coronary artery aneurysm formation in 42 patients of Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome (MCLS), the serial changes of T cell subsets, and serum immunoglobulin levels including lgG, lgA, lgM, in 13 patients among them during acute (before high dose gamma-globulin therapy ) and subacute phase (after gamma-globulin therapy) to evaluate the role of the immunoregulatory abnormalities in coronary artery aneurysm formation. The following results are obtainded : 1) The coronary artery aneurysm was found in 16 patients (38%). They were detected in between 6th and 13th day of illness with the mean of 8.8+/-2.1 day. 2) The total T lymphocyte (T1), helper T lymphocyte (T4), and helper/supperessor ratio (T4/T8) decreased during acute phase. 3) Following gamma-globulin therapy it showed a increase in T4,T8, and all immunoglobulines. Above results showed that the most of aneurysms developed during acute phase and suppressed, rather than enhanced, T cell function significantly contributed to aneurysm formation, whereas high dose gamma-globulin retarded or reversed this suppression which would be one of mechanism of beneficial effort of gamma-globulin in MCLS.
Aneurysm* ; Coronary Aneurysm ; Coronary Vessels* ; gamma-Globulins ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Lymph Nodes* ; Lymphocytes ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets*

PURPOSE: An inverted nipple presents both cosmetic and functional problems. It is a source of repeated irritation and inflammation, and interferes with nursing. In addition, its abnormal appearance may cause psychological distress. With consideration of its underlying pathophysiologic components and severity, a number of techniques have been introduced for correction of this anomaly. The diversity of techniques indicates the lack of a good, sustainable, and durable solution for this quite common problem. We report our method as an alternative solution for correcting of the inverted nipple. METHODS: From August 2003 to November 2007, 273 nipples in 147 patients were treated. 126 patients had bilateral inverted nipples. Patient age at the operation ranged from 21 to 63 years(mean age, 34 years). All nipples were congenital anomaly. 45 nipples were graded as grade I, 179 nipples as II, and 49 nipples as III. In the our study, we made some modification to the classic purse-string suture: (1) twice purse-string suture: (2) excision of diamond-shaped skin at the nipple neck: (3) buried suture of the breast parenchyma at the nipple base: (4) some timely release of retraction using Bovie's electrocautery dissection at inner surface of the nipple neck. RESULTS: The operation time averaged 15 minutes. The mean follow-up period ranged from 3 to 48 months, with an average of 8.4 months. There were no complications associated with the surgery, such as infection, hematoma, permanent sensory disturbance, or total nipple necrosis except temporary sensory loss in 9 cases, partial nipple necrosis in 7 cases, and recurred inversion in 15 cases. All patients except recurred inversion were satisfied with their results. CONCLUSION: We believe that our modified purse- string suture is a reliable, simple, safe, and effective method for correcting the inverted nipple.
Breast ; Cosmetics ; Electrocoagulation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Necrosis ; Nipples ; Skin ; Sutures