No abstract available.
Estradiol* ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnancy, Ectopic* ; Progesterone*

Moyamoya disease is a rare occlusive cerebrovascular disease characterized by stenosis or occlusion of the main cerebral arteries. It has a tendency for multifactorial inheritance and familial occurrence, although its pathogenesis is not clear. We observed this disease in two girls from the same family:one was eight years old and the other was 45 months. They presented with transient ischemic attacks. We performed cerebral angiography on both patients and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) on the younger. Both approaches showed the typical features of moyamoya disease, and MRA successfully revealed abnormal findings specific for the disease in the second child. Both children received encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis (EDAS) and this produced good results. MRA is thus a powerful and noninvasive way of detecting individuals at high risk of developing this disease. Considering the reported familial incidence of moyamoya disease in Japan, a careful search for family members using MRA would probably reveal many more such cases in Korea.
Cerebral Angiography ; Cerebral Arteries ; Child ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Ischemic Attack, Transient ; Japan ; Korea ; Magnetic Resonance Angiography ; Moyamoya Disease* ; Multifactorial Inheritance

Ischemic brain hippocampal formation has been developed to understand the relationship between delayed neuronal damage and the expression of NMDA receptor subunits[NR2A, NR2B], MAP2, and NF200 in ttle conditions of hypoxia. Changes of NR subunits[NR2A, 2B], MAP2 6nd NF200 in rat brain postsynaptic density[PSD] after hypoxic injury were investigated through immunoblot analyses. To understand the effect of Ca2+ influx through NMDA receptors on neuronal damage which is manifested by morphological change, cytoskeletal disruption was examined through H & E, toluidine blue and immunohistochemical studies. The expression of NR2B was increased than normal at 30 hours after hypoxia. At this time, the expression of MAP2 and NF200 was markedly decreased and their morphology was more eosinophilic than normal and then became darker with expanded perineuronal space. Irreversible neuronal cell damage in hypoxic hippocampal formation is most prominent in CA3 region of hippocampus and the process is triggered by Ca2+ influx through NR1/MR2B receptor channel at 30 hour after initial hypoxic insult. Ca2+ influx through NR1/MR2B receptor channel may activate intracellular proteases which would degrade cytoskeleton. Proteolysis of cytoskeleton leads to its reorganization and eventually damages normal function of cell membrane which causes neuronal cell death. And, morphological changes of neuronal cells in hypoxic conditions were manifested as red neurons in the stage of reactive change, and as dark neuron in the stage of late hypoxic cell damage.
Animals ; Anoxia* ; Brain ; Cell Death ; Cell Membrane ; Cytoskeleton ; Eosinophils ; Hippocampus* ; N-Methylaspartate ; Neurons ; Peptide Hydrolases ; Proteolysis ; Rats* ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; Tolonium Chloride

We had a female patient with soft tissue tumor involving large portion of Achilles tendon. After resection of tumor, Achilles tendon was reconstructed using an allogenic human fascia lata manufactured by Pfrimmer-Viggo. EMG findings on postoperative 8 months show marked improvement of function of medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscles. Biopsy specimen of fascia lata allograft, which was acquired during TAL 8 months postoperatively, shows myxoid degeneration, a few lymphocytic infiltration and some foreign body giant cells. Functional, histologic and EMG findings suggest that human fascia lata allograft could be used to bridge defect of Achilles tendon being resected during tumor surgery.
Achilles Tendon ; Allografts ; Biopsy ; Fascia Lata ; Fascia ; Female ; Giant Cells, Foreign-Body ; Humans ; Muscles

In epilepsy-aphasia spectrum (EAS) disorders, mutations in the glutamate receptor ionotropic N-methyl-D-aspartate type subunit 2A (GRIN2A) have become important for screening the disease. Research into the phenotypic variability of several types of neurologic impairment involving these mutations is in progress. However, the non-neurological problems related to these mutations are poorly understood. EAS disorders usually have epileptic, cognitive, or behavioral manifestations. In this case report, we present a female patient with epilepsy, delay in expressive language and social development, and intellectual disability with low intelligence quotient and memory quotient, but normal motor development. Through genetic analysis, she was found to have a missense and a nonsense mutation in GRIN2A (c.1770A>C; p.Lys509Asn and c.3187G>T; p.Glu1063*, respectively) and we consider the nonsense mutation as ‘pathogenic variant’. She was also discovered to have congenital hypothyroidism, growth hormone deficiency and Rathke’s cleft cyst in the brain, which were previously unknown features of GRIN2A mutation. Our findings should widen understanding of the spectrum of GRIN2A phenotypes, and emphasize the need for more research into the association between GRIN2A mutations and non-neurologic clinical presentations.

No abstract available.
Mosaicism* ; Trisomy*

OBJECTIVE: We wanted to evaluate the degree of conformity of papillary carcinoma and follicular carcinoma to the reported ultrasonographic findings of malignant thyroid tumor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2003 and December 2004, fine needle aspiration biopsy was performed in 1,036 patients with palpable and non-palpable thyroid lesions. We retrospectively reviewed the ultrasonographic findings of patients with papillary carcinomas (n = 127) and follicular carcinomas (n = 23) that were proven by operation or fine needle aspiration biopsy. We analyzed the ultrasonographic findings of these nodules based on the reported ultrasonographic findings of malignant thyroid tumor: hypoechogenicity, a taller than wide orientation, a microlobulated or irregular margin, a thick hypoechoic rim (halo sign), microcalcification and cystic change. RESULTS: The echogenicity was hypoechoic in 72.4% (92/127) of the papillary carcinomas, but it was isoechoic in 65.2% (15/23) of the follicular carcinomas (p < 0.001). The nodule shape was tall or round in 74.1% of the papillary carcinomas, but it was flat in 72.7% of the follicular carcinomas (p < 0.001). The tumor margin was microlobulated or irregular in 92.9% of the papillary carcinomas and in 60.9% of the follicular carcinomas (p < 0.001). A hypoechoic rim was seen in 26% of the papillary carcinomas (thin rim: 13.4%, thick rim: 12.6%) and in 86.6% of the follicular carcinomas (thin rim: 39.1%, thick rim: 47.8%, p < 0.001). Microcalcifications were demonstrated in 33.9% of the papillary carcinomas and in none of the cases of follicular carcinoma (p < 0.001). A solid mass without cystic change were seen in 98.4% of the papillary carcinomas and in 82.6% of the follicular carcinomas (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The previously reported ultrasonography findings of malignant thyroid tumor are in conformity with most of the papillary carcinomas, but not with follicular carcinomas. The current ultrasonographic features for thyroid malignancy should be cautiously applied as the indication for needle aspiration biopsy so that follicular carcinomas are not missed by too narrow and strict biopsy criteria.
Adenocarcinoma, Follicular/*ultrasonography ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Calcinosis/ultrasonography ; Carcinoma, Papillary/*ultrasonography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Gland/pathology ; Thyroid Neoplasms/*ultrasonography

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify the types of perception toward quarantine measures at hospitals or community treatment centers among patients infected with COVID-19. Methods: This study applied Q-methodology. Two hundred and nineteen Q populations were constructed based on related literature and in-depth interviews with 5 adults infected with COVID-19 and who experienced quarantine and hospitalization. Interviews were performed from November 14 to 29, 2020. A total of 45 Q samples were extracted and Q sorting was performed using a 9-point scale for 30 adult subjects who experienced quarantine at hospitals and community treatment centers. The data were analyzed using the PC-QUANL program. Results: The perception of subjects toward quarantine measures was classified into the following six types: ‘passive acceptance’, ‘social stigma perception’, ‘appreciation of daily life through awareness of the realities of illness’, ‘why me?’, ‘fearful perception’, and ‘positive meaning’. Conclusion The perception of quarantine measure among patients with COVID-19 is identified as six types with positive and negative emotional characteristics. This result will contribute to the development of individualized strategies to address psychosocial health problems among patients with infectious diseases.

BACKGROUND: The Mega Acer Kit(R) (MAK) is a newly designed heated and humidified breathing circuit that warms fluid passing through the circuit lumen. In this study, we investigated the system's efficacy for the perioperative prevention of hypothermia and fluid warming. METHODS: Ninety patients undergoing spinal surgery were enrolled in this study and randomly assigned to 3 groups based on the fluid warming device used: no fluid warming system (Group C, n = 30), via a Standard Ranger (Group R, n = 30), or via the MAK (Group M, n = 30). Distal esophageal temperatures (Teso) and infusion fluid temperature (TF) were recorded at 15 min intervals for duration of 180 min during surgery. If Teso was < 35.0degrees C, a forced-air convective warming device was used. RESULTS: Final Teso values were 34.8 +/- 0.3degrees C, 35.1 +/- 0.1degrees C, and 35.8 +/- 0.3degrees C in groups C, R, and M, respectively (P < 0.01). Teso was significantly higher in group M when compared with that in groups C and R throughout the study period (P < 0.05). The number of patients requiring a forced-air convective warming device was significantly lower in group M (n = 0) when compared with that in groups R (n = 17) and C (n = 30) (P < 0.05). The final infusion fluid temperature was higher in group M when compared with that in groups C and R throughout the study period (35.4 +/- 1.0 vs. 23.0 +/- 0.3 and 32.8 +/- 0.6degrees C; P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The MAK is more effective for preventing hypothermia and for warming fluid than the Standard Ranger.
Acer ; Esophagus ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Hypothermia* ; Respiration

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a noninflammatory autoimmune disorder characterized by the association of arterial and/or venous thrombosis, recurrent fetal loss and elevated titres of antiphospholipid antibodies, namely lupus anticoagulant (LAC) and/or anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL). It can either occur as a free-standing condition (primary APS) or be associated with another autoimmune disease (secondary APS), mainly systemic lupus erythematosus. The precise pathogenesis of thrombosis in APS in unknown. For children with unexplainable venous or arterial thrombosis, APS should be considered. The diagnosis of APS in children requires a clinical event including venous or arterial thrombosis or immune thrombocytopenia and a laboratory abnormality including positive LAC test or positive aCL antibody test, moderate or high titer IgG. The laboratory abnormality should persist for at least 2 months. We report a 7-year-old girl who had pulmonary embolism and multiple arterial thrombosis caused by primary APS. The laboratory abnormality was positive LAC and beta2-glycoprotein I. She was treated successfully with low molecualr weight heparin (LMWH). After recovery, she was continuously treated with subcutaneous LMWH for another 3 months and switched to oral warfarin. She was symptom-free through 3 years of follow-up.
Antibodies, Anticardiolipin ; Antibodies, Antiphospholipid ; Antiphospholipid Syndrome* ; Autoimmune Diseases ; beta 2-Glycoprotein I ; Child ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heparin ; Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Lupus Coagulation Inhibitor ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Pulmonary Infarction* ; Thrombocytopenia ; Thromboembolism* ; Thrombosis ; Venous Thrombosis ; Warfarin