Fetal teratomas rarely complicate pregnancy,having an incidance of only 20,000:1 to 40,000:1 of live births. Overthere, cervical teratomas are rare and accounts for only 5.5% of all neonatal teratomas. We have experienced a large cervical immature teratoma and present this case with a brief review of literatures.
Live Birth ; Teratoma*

To investigate long term effects of CAPD on the left ventricular function in end-stage renal disease patients, M-mode echocardiographic studies and measurement o fsystolic time intervals were performed in 20 CAPD cases, 28 hemodialysis cases and 29 uremic controls. Compared to the uremic control grup, the patients on CAPD treatment revealed significant improvement of ventricular contractility and reduction of volume. On the other hand in hemodialysis group, even though there was improvement of ventricular contractility, volume control was not adequate. In the systolic time interval measurement, it is postulated that increase of PEP/LVET ratio in CAPD group probably results from reduction of volume(preload) rather than from deranged ventricular function.
Echocardiography ; Hand ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic* ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory* ; Renal Dialysis* ; Systole ; Ventricular Function ; Ventricular Function, Left

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of ethanol extracts from red pepper seeds on the antioxidative defense system and oxidative stress in rats fed a high fat . high cholesterol diet. Rats were divided into four experimental groups which were composed of high fat . high cholesterol diet group (HF), high fat . high cholesterol diet with 0.1% ethanol extracts from red pepper seeds supplemented group (HEA), high fat . high cholesterol diet with 0.2% ethanol extracts from red pepper seeds supplemented group (HEB) and high fat.high cholesterol diet with 0.5% ethanol extracts from red pepper seeds supplemented group (HEC). Supplementation of ethanol extracts from red pepper seeds groups (HEA, HEB and HEC) resulted in significantly increased activities of hepatic glutathione peroxidase and catalase. Hepatic superoxide radical contents in microsome and mitochondria were significantly reduced in the groups supplemented with red pepper seeds ethanol extracts. Hepatic hydrogen peroxide content in the mitochondria was reduced in ethanol extracts from red pepper seeds supplemented groups. TBARS values in the liver were reduced in red pepper seeds ethanol extracts supplemented groups. Especially, HEB and HEC groups were significantly decreased compared to the HF group. Hepatic carbonyl values were significantly reduced in mitochondria in these supplemented groups. These results suggest that red pepper seeds ethanol extracts may reduce oxidative damage, by activation of antioxidative defense system in rats fed high fat . high cholesterol diets.
Animals ; Capsicum ; Catalase ; Cholesterol ; Diet ; Ethanol ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; Liver ; Microsomes ; Mitochondria ; Oxidative Stress ; Rats ; Seeds ; Superoxides ; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances

Cardiac contusion is an increasingly recognized entity in patients with nonpenetrating chest injury. Unifortunately, the diagnosis of cardiac trauma, particularly cardiac contusion, is imprecise and may be confounded by the presence of associated injuries, hypoxia, shock, and metabolic abnormalities. Symptomatic cardiac injury follwing blunt chest trauma is relatively rare, and valvular injury is even rarer. The valves most commonly affected are mitral and tricuspid. Although tricuspid regurgitations are usually asymptomatic and can resolve spontaneously, recent developments in echocardiography made possible the precise diagnosis of valvular injuries noninvasively, The authors report the case of tricuspid regurgitation incidentally detected by echocardiography in a construction worker who had suffered multiple fractures.
Anoxia ; Contusions ; Diagnosis ; Echocardiography* ; Humans ; Shock ; Thoracic Injuries ; Thorax ; Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency ; Tricuspid Valve*

The effects of grape seeds extract and grape peels extract prepared from grape pomace on the activity of antioxidant enzymes, degree of lipid peroxidation in serum and liver tissue were investigated in rabbits fed on high cholesterol diet. New Zealand white rabbits were divided as follows ; 1) NOR (normal group); 2) CHOL (cholesterol group); 3) GSH (cholesterol + grape seed extract group); 4) GPE (cholesterol + grape peel extract); 5) GSP (cholesterol + grape seed powder); 6) GPP (cholesterol + grape peel powder); 7) GE (cholesterol + grape seed and peel extract); 8) GP (cholesterol + grape seed and peel powder). Eight groups of rabbits were studied for 8 weeks. At the end of the experimental period, rabbits were sacrificed and the liver tissue were removed. Then, GSH, GPx, GST, CAT and MDA in the liver were measured. In liver tissues, total glutathione contents (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) activity, which was significantly higher by grape seed extract supplementation. The level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was lower in the serum of rabbits fed grape seed extract or grape peel powder plus cholesterol than in the serum of rabbits fed cholesterol alone. It is therefore likely that grape seed extract prepared from grape pomace functioned as antioxidants in vivo, negating the effects of the oxidative stress induced by 1% cholesterol diet. The grape seed extract was found effective in converting the oxidized glutathione into reduced glutathione, and in removing H2O2 that is created by oxidative stress. The grape peel powder was found to have small influence on reduced glutathione content, CAT and GPX activity, but it increased GST activity in liver tissues, resulting in promoting the combination of lipid peroxide and glutathione (GSH), and further, lowering the formation of lipid peroxide in the serum. Therefore, grape pomace (grape seed extract and grape peel powder) supplementation is considered to activate the antioxidant enzyme system and prevent damage with hypercholesterolemia.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; Catalase ; Cats ; Cholesterol ; Diet ; Glutathione ; Glutathione Disulfide ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; Grape Seed Extract ; Hypercholesterolemia ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Liver ; Malondialdehyde ; Oxidative Stress ; Rabbits ; Seeds ; Vitis

BACKGROUND: The correlation between levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and the effect of pulmonary resection on the right ventricle of the heart is not yet widely known. This study aims to assess the relationship between the change in hemodynamic values of the right ventricle and increased BNP levels as a compensatory mechanism for right heart failure following pulmonary resection and to evaluate the role of the BNP level as an index of right heart failure after pulmonary resection. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In 12 non small cell lung cancer patients that had received a lobectomy or pnemonectomy, the level of NT-proBNP was measured using the immunochemical method (Elecsys 1010(R), Roche, Germany) which was compared with hemodynamic variables determined through the use of a Swan-Ganz catheter prior to and following the surgery. Echocardiography was performed prior to and following the surgery, to measure changes in right ventricular and left ventricular pressures. For statistical analysis, the Wilcoxon rank sum test and linear regression analysis were conducted using SPSSWIN (version 11.5). RESULT: The level of postoperative NT-proBNP (pg/mL) significantly increased for 6 hours, then for 1 day, 2 days, 3 days and 7 days after the surgery (p=0.003, 0.002, 0.002, 0.006, 0.004). Of the hemodynamic variables measured using the Swan-Ganz catheter, the mean pulmonary artery pressure after the surgery when compared with the pressure prior to surgery significantly increased at 0 hours, 6 hours, then 1 day, 2 days, and 3 days after the surgery (p=0.002, 0.002, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008). The right ventricular pressure significantly increased at 0 hours, 6 hours, then 1 day, and 3 days after the surgery (p=0.006, 0.009, 0.044, 0.032). The pulmonary vascular resistance index [pulmonary vascular resistance index=(mean pulmonary artery pressure-mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure)/cardiac output index] significantly increased at 6 hours, then 2 days after the surgery (p=0.008, 0.028). When a regression analysis was conducted for changes in the mean pulmonary artery pressure and NT-proBNP levels after the surgery, significance was evident after 6 hours (r=0.602, p=0.038) and there was no significance thereafter. Echocardiography displayed no significant changes after the surgery. CONCLUSION: There was a significant correlation between changes in the mean pulmonary artery pressure and the NT-proBNP level 6 hours after a pulmonary resection. Therefore, it can be concluded that changes in NT-proBNP level after a pulmonary resection can serve as an index that reflects early hemodynamic changes in the right ventricle after a pulmonary resection.
Brain* ; Capillaries ; Catheters ; Echocardiography ; Heart ; Heart Failure ; Heart Ventricles ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain* ; Pulmonary Artery ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma ; Vascular Resistance ; Ventricular Pressure

Ganglion cyst of the lumbar facet joint is a rare elsion. We have experienced a patient who had right leg radiating pain and he was diagnosed with ganglion cyst in the lumbar facet joint. On the MRI images, an 0.8cm sized round mass was located on the anterior aspect of the right side facet joint between the 4th and 5th lumbar vertebra. It was compressing the right 4th spinal root. After surgical excision, his symptoms were disappeared. Ganglion cyst of the spine occurs most commonly in the facet joint between the 4th and 5th lumbar vertebra, which is the most mobile back joint. It must be considered as part of the differential diagnosis of herniated lumbar intervertebral disc.
Diagnosis, Differential ; Ganglion Cysts* ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; Joints ; Leg ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Spinal Nerve Roots ; Spine* ; Zygapophyseal Joint*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: After a study comparing drug-eluting stents (DESs) to sequential treatment with drug-eluting balloons (DEBs) and bare metal stents (BMSs), we retrospectively analysed strut malapposition and neointimal hyperplasia in de novo coronary lesions using optical coherence tomography (OCT) or intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS). METHODS: We obtained OCT data from 16 patients (eight per group) and IVUS data from 40 patients (20 per group). OCT or IVUS was performed after the index procedure and after 9 months. Parameters including obstruction volume due to neointimal hyperplasia (neointimal hyperplasia volume/stent volume, %), strut malapposition (% of malapposed struts), and intra-individual inhomogeneity of in-stent restenosis were compared. RESULTS: Although obstruction volume due to neointimal hyperplasia was significantly higher in the DEB-BMS group (14.90 ± 15.36 vs. DES 7.03 ± 11.39, p = 0.025), there was no difference in strut malapposition between the two groups (DEB-BMS 1.99 ± 5.37 vs. DES 0.88 ± 2.22, p = 0.856). The DEB-BMS group showed greater intra-individual inhomogeneity of in-stent restenosis pattern than the DES group. CONCLUSIONS Treatment with DEB followed by BMS failed to improve strut malapposition despite higher in-stent neointimal growth, probably because of the inhomogeneous inhibition of in-stent neointimal hyperplasia by DEB. DEB technology should be improved to obtain even drug delivery to the vessel wall and homogeneous prevention of neointimal growth comparable to contemporary DES.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The identification of significant coronary arterial disease (CAD) is important to reduce perioperative ischemic insult and the possibility of repeated open-chest surgery in patients scheduled to undergo valvular surgery. However, there are no published data on the incidence of significant CAD in these patients. Thus, we examined the prevalence of significant CAD in patients scheduled to undergo valvular surgery. METHODS: From January 2005 to June 2011, all consecutive adult patients diagnosed with significant valvular disease and scheduled for an elective open valvular operation were retrospectively investigated at Chungnam National University Hospital and Chonbuk National University Hospital. Patients who underwent emergent valvular operations due to acute aortic dissection or trauma and concomitant valvular operations at the time of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery were excluded. RESULTS: During the study period, a total of 431 patients (58 +/- 13 years old, 204 males) were included. The distributions of mitral (241 patients) and aortic valvular disease (230 patients) were similar. Coronary angiography was performed in 297 patients (68.9%). Of these, 36 (12.1%) showed significant CAD and 32 underwent concomitant CABG operations. Based on a multivariate analysis, the presence of CAD was significantly associated with old age (> or = 65 years old) [odds ratio (OR) = 3.081, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.372-6.921, p = 0.006], more cardiovascular risk factors (> or = 3) (OR = 3.002, 95% CI = 1.386-6.503, p = 0.005), and the presence of aortic stenosis (OR = 2.763, 95% CI = 1.269-6.013, p = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of significant CAD was 12.1% in adult patients who underwent valvular operations in Korea. CAD was more common in patients with old age, aortic stenosis, and multiple cardiovascular risk factors.
Adult ; Aortic Valve Stenosis ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Heart Valve Diseases ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Transplants

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Glutathione S-transferase (GST) forms a multigene family of phase II detoxification enzymes which are involved in the detoxification of xenobiotics by conjugating substances with glutathione. The aim of this study is to assess the antioxidative status and the degree of DNA damage in the subclinical hypertensive patients in Korea using glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We examined whether DNA damage and antioxidative status show a difference between GSTM1 or GSTT1 genotype in 227 newly diagnosed, untreated (systolic blood pressure (BP) ≥ 130 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥ 85 mmHg) subclinical hypertensive patients and 130 normotensive subjects (systolic BP < 120 mmHg and diastolic BP < 80 mmHg). From the blood of the subjects, the degree of the DNA damage in lymphocyte, the activities of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase, the catalase, and the glutathione peroxidase, the level of glutathione, plasma total radical-trapping antioxidant potential (TRAP), anti-oxidative vitamins, as well as plasma lipid profiles and conjugated diene (CD) were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 227 subjects studied, 68.3% were GSTM1 null genotype and 66.5% were GSTT1 null genotype. GSTM1 null genotype had an increased risk of hypertension (OR: 2.104, CI: 1.38-3.35), but no significant association in GSTT1 null genotype (OR 0.982, CI: 0.62-1.55). No difference in erythrocyte activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, or glutathione peroxidase, and plasma TRAP, CD, lipid profiles, and GSH levels were observed between GSTM1 or GSTT1 genotype. Plasma levels of α-tocopherol increased significantly in GSTT1 wild genotype (P < 0.05); however, plasma level of β-carotene increased significantly in GSTT1 null genotype (P < 0.01). DNA damage assessed by the Comet assay was significantly higher in GSTM1 null genotype than wild genotype (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm the association between GSTM1 null genotype and risk of hypertension as they suggest that GSTM1 null genotype leads to an increased oxidative stress compared with wild genotype.
Antioxidants ; Blood Pressure ; Catalase ; Comet Assay ; DNA Damage* ; DNA* ; Erythrocytes ; Genotype ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; Glutathione Transferase* ; Glutathione* ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Korea ; Lymphocytes* ; Metabolic Detoxication, Phase II ; Multigene Family ; Oxidative Stress ; Plasma* ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Vitamins ; Xenobiotics