A variety of disease states are marked by prolonged and profound eosinophilia associated with localized or widespread eosinophilic infiltrates. Cardiac involvement maybe a major cause of morbidity and mortality of this disease. We report a case of acute peri-myocarditis with eosinophilia, which was confirmed as eosinophilic myocardilic myocarditis by endomyocardial biopsy.
Biopsy ; Eosinophilia ; Eosinophils* ; Mortality ; Myocarditis*

OBJECTIVES: There are a lot of studies that analyze the interaction between the emotion of disgust and the functional brain images using fMRI and PET. But studies using sLORETA (standardized low resolution brain electromagnetic tomography) almost do not exist. The aim of this research is to explore the relationship of the emotion of disgust and the cortical activation using sLORETA analysis. METHODS: Forty five healthy young adults (27.1+/-2.6 years) participated in the study. While they were watching 4 neutral images and 4 disgusting images associated with mutilation selected from the international affective picture system (IAPS), participants' EEGs were taken for 30 seconds per one picture. Through these obtained EEG data, sLORETA analysis was performed to compare EEGs associated with neutral and negative images. RESULTS: During looking for visual disgusting stimulus, all participants reported unpleasantness, arousal and stress. In sLORETA analysis, the decrease of current density in theta wave was shown at left frontal superior gyrus (BA10) and middle gyrus (BA10, 11). This voxel cluster consists of a total of 11 voxels and the threshold of t value indicating statistically significant decreases in the current density (p<0.05) was -1.984. There were no differences between male and female in the degree of being disgusted by the stimuli. CONCLUSION: This finding may suggest that the activation of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex might be associated with regulating disgust emotion.
Arousal ; Brain ; Electroencephalography ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Magnets ; Male ; Prefrontal Cortex ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: In the human body the embryo initially gmws in the fallopian tube which is maintained in an 3-8% O2 concentration environment, and various substances such as growth factors and antioxidants present in tbe tubal fluid assists in maintaining a healthy environment for embryo development. But in IVF programs embryo cultures are conducted in incubators with 21.9% O2 and 5% CO2 condition, and such high oxygen concentrations have been reported to increase the production of oxygen free radicals within the embryo and is detrimental to the growth and development of the embryo. The objective of this study, therefore, is to determine the culture conditions which will decrease oxygen free radical production and thereby minimize the injury to the embryo. METHODS: Six to eight week old ICR strain mice embryos were cultured in 5% or 21.9% O2 conditions and in culture media to which inaement concentrations of superoxide dismutase (SOD) had been and the H2O2 concentration within the embryo, embryo developmental rate, and degree of fragmentation of the embryos was investigated. RESULTS: The control gmup embryos which were cultured in 21.9% O2 condition without addition of SOD showed developmental arrest at the 2-cell stage or fragmentation, while those cultured in 21.9% O2 condition with addition of SOD showed development to the blastocyst stage with deaeased fragmentation. In particular, the blastulation and fragmentation rates were the lowest in the group to which 500 IU/ml of SOD was added, but in the 5% O2 enviranment group many embryos reached the blastocyst stage and with no difference in frapnentation with or without addition of SOD. The HO relative intensity (120.5+/-20.2) within the embryos cultured in 21.9% O2 environment without SOD was significantly higher than that (56.8+/-10.8) of group with SOD (p<0.05). As showing that in the 5% O2 environment group without SOD it was 43.8+/-7.8 and in the group with SOD it was 37.3+/-5.4, the H2O2 concentration within embryos cultured in 5% 02 condition was significantly lower those that of 21,9% 02 environment regardless of SOD addition (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The optimal oxygen concentration in incubator for mice embryo cultures is that which is similar to the 5% 0 concentration in vivo. When 20% 02 incubators are routinely used, the addition of SOD to the culture media will decrease the H2O2 concentration within the embryos with subsequent improvement in development. The optimal concentration which should be used is thought to be 500 IU/ml. It is suggested that the use of the above method in human IVF-ET programs will lead to improved embryo quality and enhanced pregnancy rates.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; Blastocyst ; Culture Media ; Embryonic Development ; Embryonic Structures* ; Fallopian Tubes ; Female ; Free Radicals ; Growth and Development ; Human Body ; Humans ; Incubators ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Mice* ; Oxygen* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Superoxide Dismutase* ; Superoxides*

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to perform a comparative analysis of the efficacy and safety of conventional transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P), transurethral resection in saline (TURIS), and TURIS-plasma vaporization (TURIS-V) when performed by a single surgeon for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical data of 73 consecutive men who underwent conventional TUR-P (39), TURIS (19), or TURIS-V (15) for BPH were retrospectively analyzed. All procedures were carried out by a single surgeon between October 2007 and April 2010. The patients were assessed preoperatively and perioperatively and were followed at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Patient baseline characteristics, perioperative data, and postoperative outcomes were compared, and major complications were recorded. RESULTS: In all groups, significant improvements in subjective and objective voiding parameters were achieved and were sustained throughout follow-up. TURIS-V had the shortest operation time compared with conventional TUR-P and TURIS (p=0.211). TURIS-V significantly decreased procedural irrigation fluid volume, postoperative irrigation duration, catheter duration, and hospital stay compared with conventional TUR-P and TURIS. There were no significant differences between the groups in hemoglobin levels or serum sodium levels before and after the operations. There were three transfusions and four clot retentions in the TUR-P group, and one transfusion and one clot retention in the TURIS group. The TURIS-V group had no complications. CONCLUSIONS: TURIS and TURIS-V were effective for the surgical treatment of BPH in addition to conventional TUR-P. TURIS-V was not inferior to conventional TUR-P or TURIS in terms of safety.
Catheters ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemoglobins ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Pilot Projects ; Prostate ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; Retention (Psychology) ; Retrospective Studies ; Sodium ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; Urologic Surgical Procedures ; Volatilization

No abstract available.
Animals ; Dogs*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: It is well known that N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine(BOP)-induced pancreas cancer and cholangiocarcinoma in Syrian hamster is similar to that of humans in morphological, biological and immunological aspects. The cyclic administration of BOP and ethionine, choline-deficient diet and methionine is known to rapidly induce the ductal type of carcinoma in pancreas and bile duct. Authors studied whether the rapid production of this cancer can occur in Syrian hamster and what its features are. METHODS: Sixteen Syrian hamsters aged 6-7 weeks and weighing 100 gm were used. All hamsters received 70 mg/kg body weight of BOP followed by three cycles of dl-ethionine, choline-deficient diet, l-methionine and 20mg/kg BOP. Hamsters were killed 9, 10 and 11 weeks after the beginning of the experiment and their gross and histologic features were observed. RESULTS: Nine cases, killed withan 10weeks after the begining of experiment, showed no development of cancer. Of seven Syrian hamsters, killed more than 10weeks after the begining of experiment, the incidences of BOP-induced cancer included one case(14.3%) of pancreas cancer and five cholangiocarcinomas( 71.4%). The morphological change of pancreas carcinogenesis was shown at first in cell mitosis and atypia(6 weeks) and then in atypical ductal hyperplasia(9 weeks) and carcinoma in situ(10 weeks). The change in cholangiocarcinoma, first progressed with ductular proliferation and surrounding fibrosis(6 weeks) followed by focal cholangiocarcinoma(10 weeks) and multiple invasive cholangiocarcinomas( 11 weeks). CONCLUSION: Pancreas cancer and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas can be induced rapidly within 10 weeks by cyclic injections of carcinogens in Syrian hamsters initiated with Nnitrosobis( 2-oxopropyl)amine and the morphologic changes can be observed.
Animals ; Bile Ducts ; Body Weight ; Carcinogenesis ; Carcinogens* ; Cholangiocarcinoma* ; Cricetinae* ; Diet ; Ethionine ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mesocricetus ; Methionine ; Mitosis ; Pancreas* ; Pancreatic Neoplasms*

Esophagopericardial fistula (EPF) is a rare and serious medical condition induced by benign and malignant causes. Surgery is the main stay of treatment for benign EPF. However, there have been few reports of benign EPF treated by endoscopic stent insertion. We performed a laparoscopic total gastrectomy for treatment of a gastric cancer located at the cardia in a 62-year-old patient. A benign EPF occurred as a postoperative complication 14 days after surgery. We successfully managed the EPF through emergent laparoscopic pericardial window formation and insertion of a fully covered self-expendable metal stent during operation. The patient is being followed up without complications in the outpatient department after stent removal.
Cardia ; Fistula* ; Gastrectomy* ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Outpatients ; Postoperative Complications ; Stents* ; Stomach Neoplasms*

BACKGROUND: Few studies have explored the effects of bisphosphonates on bony healing in patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery. Most previous studies used animal models and found that bisphosphonate shows negative effects on spinal fusion consolidation. We intended to evaluate the effect of a single-dose of zoledronic acid on the volume of the fusion-mass in lumbar spinal fusion. METHODS: A retrospective review was carried out on 44 patients with symptomatic degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis who underwent one or two-level posterolateral fusion from January 2008 and January 2011. They were divided into 4 groups: group 1, autograft and zoledronic acid; group 2, allograft and zoledronic acid; group 3, autograft alone; and group 4, allograft alone. Functional radiography and three-dimensional computed tomography scans were used to evaluate and quantify the volume of the fusion-mass. The visual analog scale (VAS), the Oswestry disability index (ODI), and the short form 36 (SF-36) were used to evaluate the clinical outcomes. RESULTS: The mean volume of the fusion-mass per level was 8,814 mm3, 8,035 mm3, 8,383 mm3, and 7,550 mm3 in groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively, but there were no significant differences between the groups (p = 0.829). There were no significant decreases in the volume of the fusion-mass (p = 0.533) in the zoledronic acid groups (groups 1 and 2). The VAS, the ODI, and the SF-36 at the 6-month follow-up after surgery were not significantly different (p > 0.05) among the 4 groups. The VAS, the ODI, and the SF-36 were not correlated with the volume of the fusion-mass (p = 0.120, 0.609, 0.642). CONCLUSIONS: A single dose of zoledronic acid does not decrease the volume of the fusion-mass in patients undergoing spinal fusion with osteoporosis. Therefore, we recommend that zoledronic acid may be used after spinal fusion in osteoporotic patients.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Density Conservation Agents/*therapeutic use ; Diphosphonates/*therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Imidazoles/*therapeutic use ; Lumbar Vertebrae/drug effects/pathology/radiography/surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis/drug therapy ; Pain Measurement ; Pain, Postoperative ; Quality of Life ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion/adverse effects/*methods ; Spinal Stenosis/pathology/radiography/*surgery ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze the outcomes of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) of the stomach who were treated in our hospital. MATENRIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 31 patients who were treated for primary gastrointestinal stromal tumors of the stomach from 1990 to 1999 at Korea University Guro Hospital. Clinical characteristics, including age, sex and tumor size were analyzed. In addition, the relation between the 5-year survival rate and tumor size, operative procedure, and malignancy were analyzed to identify the factors that predict survival. RESULTS: The malignant GISTs were 11 cases, borderline GISTs were 2 cases, and benign GISTs were 18 cases. The overall 5-year cumulative survival rate of the patients was 84.6%, and the 5-year survival rates according to malignancy were 100% for benign and borderline GISTs and 78.1% for malignant GISTs, p=0.1119. The 5-year survival rates according to tumor size were 100% for tumor sizes smaller than 5 cm and 78.4% for tumor sizes larger than 5 cm, p=0.0453. The 5-year survival rate according to lymph node dissection during operative procedure of malignant GISTs was not significant statistically. CONCLUSION: GISTs of the stomach are infrequently encountered tumors. Tumor size was the most important factor for predicting survival in a clinical situation, and performing a complete resection of the tumor, especially tumors larger than 5 cm, will improve the outcome of treatment.
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors* ; Humans ; Korea ; Lymph Node Excision ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach* ; Surgical Procedures, Operative ; Survival Rate

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Exercise myocardial perfusion scans in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopa-thy have shown reversible perfusion abnormalities with unknown clinical significance. We performed this study to characterize dipyridamole Tl-201 SPECT imaging and correlate with clinical findings in patients with hyper-trophic cardiomyopathy. METHODS: Tl-201 SPECT was performed in 25 patients of hypertrophic cardiomyopa-thy with asymmetric septal hypertrophy and 20 normal controls after dipyridamole infusion (0.56 mg/kg). Myocardial wall was divided into 8 segments. Tl-201 uptake and relative washout rate were calculated. RESULTS: Tl-201 SPECT showed significantly lower Tl-201 uptake in basal septal (81.3+/-3.4% vs 78.2+/-6.4%, p<0.05) and apical septal wall on stress (88.2+/-4.7% vs 83.9+/-6.5%, p<0.05) and higher apical septal (86.6+/-5.2% vs 89.2+/-3.1%, p<0.05) and apical anterior wall uptake (88.7%+/-4.0% vs 91.4+/-4.9%, p<0.05) on redistribution images in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Basal lateral wall uptake of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was significantly lower than normal control on both stress (84.7+/-3.5% vs 81.2+/-7.3%, p<0.05) and redistribution images (85.0+/-5.8% vs 76.8+/-7.2%, p<0.0001). The septum/lateral uptake ratio of patients on rest image was significantly higher than that of normal controls (0.98+/-0.07 vs 1.07+/-0.10, p<0.001). There was no difference in age, sex, symptom, cardiac medication and the parameters of 2D-echo including left ven-tricular outflow obstruction between subgroups of normal vs abnormal washout in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. CONCLUSION: Dipyridamole Tl-201 myocardial SPECT shows reduced coronary vasodilatory capacity of myocardium, especially septum in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. High septal/lateral uptake ratio on redistribution image may be a characteristic finding. However, no correlation between abnorm-al Tl-201 washout and clinical findings was observed.
Cardiomyopathies ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic* ; Dipyridamole* ; Humans ; Myocardium ; Perfusion* ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*