Collagen is the major component of scar tissue. Considerable progress of fibroblast growth kinetics and of collagen synthesis has been achieved in the past decade. We have been interested in fibroblasts activities as they are expressed by cells cultured in collagen substrate. This study is to examine the effects of collagen substrate and peptide growth factors In culture medium on DNA and protein synthesis of human dermal fibroblasts. Collagen, interleukin-1(IL-1) and transforming growth factor-beta(TGF-beta) were added to fibroblast culture media according to the designed experiment model and DNA and protein synthesis were measured by [3H]-thymidine, [3H]-leucine, and [3H]-proline incorporation method. The morphological features of fibroblasts were observed by light microscope. The results were as follows ; 1) There were significant decreases of DNA and protein synthesis of cultured fibroblasts in the presence of collagen substrate compared with those in Control groups(p<0.01). 2) DNA and protein synthesis were decreased as dose dependant manner of collagen density in culture media. 3) Morphological features of fibroblasts became less stellate and flat, more spindle-like in the presence of collagen. 4) In responsiveness to IL-1, collagen non-treated groups responded to IL-1 but collagen treated groups were unresponsive to IL-1 (P<0.05). 5) Cells In collagen non-treated groups responded to TGF-beta as dose-related manner(P<0.01). Collagen treated groups desponded to TGF-beta but did not show TGF-beta dose-dependant relationship. In Conclusion, collagen substrate in the culture medium could lower the DNA and protein synthesis of fibroblasts. Cells in collagen substrate were unresponsive or less responsive to peptide growth factors than those in non-collagen substrate.
Cicatrix ; Collagen* ; Culture Media ; DNA* ; Fibroblasts* ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Interleukin-1 ; Kinetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta

PURPOSE: In this study, we examined the difference in the treatment efficacy depending on the sympathetic activity in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). METHODS: In the current single-center, retrospective study, we evaluated a total of 66 male patients aged 40-70 years of age, presenting with LUTS, whose International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) exceeded 8 points. They had a past 3-month history of taking alfuzosin XL, and their heart rate variability (HRV) was measured before and after the treatment. In addition, we also recruited 39 healthy volunteers who visited a health promotion center for a regular medical check-up. They were aged between 40 and 70 years and had an IPSS of <8 points. We divided the patients with LUTS into two groups: the groups A and B, based on a low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) ratio of 1.7, which was the mean value of the LF/HF ratio in the healthy volunteers. After a 3-month treatment with alfuzosin XL, we compared treatment outcomes, based on the IPSS and peak urine flow rate, between the two groups. RESULTS: A 3-month treatment with alfuzosin XL, comprising the measurement of the HRV, was performed for the 23 patients of the group A (23/38) and 17 of the group B (17/28). After a 3-month treatment with alfuzosin XL, total IPSS and IPSS questionnaire 2 and 5 were significantly lower in the group A as compared with the group B. But this was not seen in the group B. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in other parameters, such as maximal flow rate and IPSS storage subscore, between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the treatment efficacy was lower in patients with sympathetic hyperactivity as compared with those with sympathetic hypoactivity. Thus, our results will provide a basis for further studies to clarify causes of LUTS in a clinical setting.
Autonomic Nervous System ; Health Promotion ; Healthy Volunteers ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms* ; Male ; Prostate ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome*

The new onset of acanthosis nigricans in an adult-especially when the lesions appear on mucosal membranes such as the lips, periocular areas, and anus-may be indicative of an underlying tumor. Adenocarcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract is the most common malignancy-most often cancer of the stomach. A 72 years old female had disseminated, symmetrically distributed, brownish black pigmentation and papillary hypertrophy on the intertriginous and flexural areas for 12 months, and gastric adenocarcinoma was confirmed during the evaluation of internal malignancy. The cutaneous finding of acanthosis nigricans was a significant cutaneous marker of internal malignancy in this case.
Acanthosis Nigricans* ; Adenocarcinoma* ; Aged ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Lip ; Membranes ; Pigmentation ; Stomach Neoplasms

PURPOSE: When the full veneer crown was treated in the tooth with abfraction lesion due to various causes, the prognosis of it may be compromised according to the location of the finish line, but there is few study about the location of its buccal finish line. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of location of the finish line of the full veneer crown on stress distribution of the tooth with abfraction lesion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The two dimensional finite element model was developed to express tooth, surrounding tissue and full veneer crown. The stress distribution under eccentric 144 N occlusal load was analyzed using finite element analysis. The location of finish line was set just at the lower border of the lesion (Group 0), 1 mm (Group 1) and 2 mm (Group 2) below the lower border of the lesion. RESULTS: In the Group 0, von Mises stress was concentrated at the finish line and the apex of the lesion. Also, the stress at the bucal finish line propagated to the lingual side. In the Group 1 and Group 2, stress distribution was similar each other. Stress was concentrated at the apex of lesion, but the stress at the buccal finish line did not propagate to the lingual side. That implied decrease of the possibility of horizontal crown fracture. CONCLUSION: Full veneer crown alleviated the stress concentrated at the apex of the abfraction lesion, when the finish line of full veneer crown was set below the lower border of abfraction lesion.
Crowns* ; Finite Element Analysis ; Prognosis ; Tooth*

OBJECTIVE: 1) To investigate the relationship between NrCAM polymorphisms and methamphetamine abuse in an ethnically homogenous Korean population. 2) To further support our findings by investigating the association among NrCAM gene variants, certain personality traits, and addictive symptoms of methamphetamine abusers. METHODS: Thirty-seven male methamphetamine abusers (age=43.3+/-7.8) and30 non-users (16 men, 14 women; age=59.8+/-10.4) were recruited. Ten single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the NrCAM gene were assayed to compare genotype distributions between the 2 groups. Personality characteristics were measured using the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) and the NEO Personality Inventory, Revised (NEO PI-R). Addictive symptoms were assessed using the Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies (DIGS) and reviews of the subject's medical records. RESULTS: Among the 10 SNPs in the NrCAM gene, the frequency of the TA genotype at rs1990162 was significantly lower in methamphetamine abusers compared to non-users (p=0.042). In the 3 NrCAM gene SNPs (rs381318, rs2072546, and rs6954366), the distribution of genotypes and alleles were significantly associated with some traits in the TCI and NEO PI-R. Genotypes and alleles at 5 gene SNPs (rs2142325, rs381318, rs1269621, rs1269634, and rs1990162) were associated with certain addictive symptom dimensions in the patients. CONCLUSION: These findings support the idea that NrCAM is associated with genetic susceptibility of methamphetamine abuse and is also associated with certain personality characteristics that may increase disturbed addictive behavior.
Alleles ; Behavior, Addictive ; Cell Adhesion ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Methamphetamine ; Neurons ; Personality Inventory ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Temperament

PURPOSE: Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. The pathogenesis is not well known, but it is thought to be an immune-mediated disease and may follow a viral infection or vaccinations. MRI demonstrates decreased signal on T1 weighting and increased signal on T2-weighted image. We report clinical features and characteristic MRI findings in seven patients with ADEM who confirmed the preceding infections serologically. METHODS: Patients admitted to the Department of Pediatrics at Asan Medical Center as having ADEM were evaluated for the preceding infections : CSF findings, MRI findings, effects of high-dose steroids and follow-up on changes of neurological symtoms and MRI findings. RESULTS: The onset of neurological symptoms from preceding infection was between 1-3 weeks. The etiologies were Epstein-Barr virus in two, mycoplasma pneumoniae in three, and measles virus in two cases. All lesions found in MRI were cerebral white matter lesions of which there were subcortical white matter in three, corpus callosum in three, deep white matter in two, periventricular white matter in one, internal capsule in one, and cerebral peduncle in one case. There were a total of 3 cases with gray matter lesions. Two cases were treated with high- dose methyl prednisolone, one which showed a good clinical response with much improved lesions on follow-up T2-weighted image, but no clinical response in the other with aggravated MRI lesions. There was 1 patient with gadolinium enhancement lesion in acute phase and the lesion was completely resolved after steroid treatment. CONCLUSION: MRI shows various features in ADEM and may be useful in diagnosis and evaluation of clinical course.
Central Nervous System ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Corpus Callosum ; Demyelinating Diseases ; Diagnosis ; Encephalomyelitis, Acute Disseminated* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gadolinium ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; Humans ; Internal Capsule ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Measles virus ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae ; Pediatrics ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; Prednisolone ; Steroids ; Tegmentum Mesencephali ; Vaccination

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The diagnosis of refractory ascites means a poor prognosis for patients with liver cirrhosis. The definition of refractory ascites has already been established, but using the dosage of diuretics that correlates with the definition of refractory ascites in an out-patient department will lower the compliance of the patient, as well as causing serious complications, such as hepatic encephalopathy and hyponatremia, as the dosage of diuretics is increased. Due to this fact, it is very difficult to apply this definition of refractory ascites to patients in a domestic out-patient department. In this study, in situations where there are difficulties in applying the diuretics dosage according to definition of refractory ascites, we tried to find out whether measuring the value of urine sodium after the administration of intravenous furosemide can be the standard in early differentiation of the response to diuretics treatment. METHODS: We reviewed 16 cases of liver cirrhosis with ascites and classified them into two groups by the response to diuretics. The diuretics-responsive ascites group was 8 cases and the diuretics-unresponsive ascites group consisted of 8 cases. After admission, we examined the patients' CBC, biochemical liver function test, spot urine sodium, and 24 hour creatinine clearance. After the beginning of the experiment, all diuretic therapy was stopped for 3 days. Daily we examined the patients' CBC, biochemical liver function test, and in the 3rd experiment day, we measured 24-hour urine volume and sodium. In the 4th experiment day, after sampling for ADH, plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone level, we administrated the furosemide 80 mg I.V, and measured the amount of 8 hour urine volume and sodium. RESULTS: The plasma aldosterone level was significantly higher in the diuretics- unresponsive ascites group than in the diuretics-responsive ascites group. In the 4th experiment day, the amount of urine volume and sodium was very significantly lower in the diuretics-unresponsive ascites group than in the diuretics-responsive ascites group (1297.5 +/- 80.9 vs 2003.7 +/- 114.6 ml, p<0.005, 77.3 +/- 8.2 vs 211.8 +/- 12.6 mEq, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In out-patient departments, the measurement of urine sodium 8 hours after administrating 80 mg of intravenous furosemide, will help in differentiating ascites patients with lower treatment response to diuretics.
Adult ; Aged ; Ascites/*drug therapy/etiology/urine ; Diuretics, Sulfamyl/*administration & dosage ; English Abstract ; Female ; Furosemide/*administration & dosage ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Liver Cirrhosis/*complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sodium/*urine

Many studies have led to the notion that essential hypertension in adults is the result of a process that starts early in life: investigation of blood pressure(BP) in children and adolescents can therefore contribute to knowledge of the etiology of the condition. a A unique longitudinal study on BP in Korea, known as Kangwha Children's Blood Pressure(KCBP) Study was initiated in 1986 to investigate changes in BP in children. This study is a part of the KCBP study. The purposes of this study are to show changes in BP and to determine factors affecting to BP level and change in Korean adolescents during age period 12 to 16 years. A total of 710 students(335 males, 375 females) who were in the first grade at junior high school(12 years old) in 1992 in Kangwha County, Korea have been followed to measure BP and related factors(anthropometric, serologic and dietary factors) annually up to 1996. A total of 562 students(242 males, 320 females) completed all five annual examinations. The main results are as follows: 1. For males, mean systolic diastolic BP at age 12 and 16 years old were 108.7 mmHg & 118.1 mmHg(systolic), and 69.5 mmHg & 73.4 mmHg(diastolic), respectively. BP level was the highest when students were at 15 years old. For females, mean systolic and diastolic BP at age 12 and 16 years were 114.4 mmHg & 113.5 mmHg(systolic) and 75.2 mmHg & 72.1 mmHg(diastolic), respectively. BP level reached the highest point when they were 13-14 years old. 2. Anthropometric variables(height, weight and body mass index etc) increased consitantly during the study period for males. However, the rate of increase was decreased for females after age 15 years. Serum total cholesterol decreased and triglyceride increased according to age for males, but they did not show any significant trend for females. Total fat intake increased at age 16 years compared with that at age 14 years. Composition of carbohydrate, protein and fat among total energy intake was 65:15:20 at age 14 and 16 years. 3. Most of anthropometric measures, especially, height, body mass index(BMI) and triceps skinfold thickness, showed a significant correlation with BP level in both sexes. When BMI was adjusted, serum total cholesterol showed a significant negative correlation with systolic BP at age 12 years in males, but at age 14 years the direction of correlation changed to positive. In females serum total cholesterol was negatively correlated with diastolic BP at age 15 and 16 years. Triglyceride and creatine showed positive correlation with systolic and diastolic BP in males, but they did not show any correlation in females. There was no consistent findings between nutrient intake and BP level. However, protein intake correlated positively with diastolic BP level in males. 4. Blood pressure change was positively associated with changes in BMI and serum total cholesterol in both sexes. Change in creatine was associated with BP change positively in males and negatively in females. Students whose sodium intake was high showed higher systolic and diastolic BP in males, and students whose total fat intake was high maintained lower level of BP in females. The major determinants on BP change was BMI in both sexes.
Adolescent* ; Adult ; Blood Pressure* ; Body Height ; Body Mass Index ; Child ; Cholesterol ; Creatine ; Energy Intake ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Korea ; Longitudinal Studies ; Male ; Skinfold Thickness ; Sodium ; Triglycerides

We report a case of malignant paraganglioma with hepatic metastases. A 70-year old woman developed huge hepatic tumor 2years after complete resection of the retroperitoneal paraganglioma. CT imaging of abdomen revealed huge hepatic masses, which had not been found previously. A needle biopsy on the liver was performed, resulting in a diagnosis of malignant paraganglioma. These tumors are usually benign but can occasionally produce local and distant metastases. Development of metastatic localizations is the only formal proof of malignancy as histology cannot distinguish between benign and malignant paragangliomas. Surgery is the basis of treament and should be performed early in the operable course. Both chemotherapy and radiotherapy could be given, but satisfactory outcomes were not obtained. We suggest that close investigations for metastasis in patient with paraganglioma, seemed benign initially, as well as periodic follow up examinations should be emphasized.
Abdomen ; Aged ; Biopsy, Needle ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Paraganglioma* ; Radiotherapy

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most frequently observed disorders by primary care and practitioners. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of IBS using the Rome II and III criteria in the general Korean population and also to compare sociodemographic differences between subjects diagnosed by these criteria. METHODS: Telephone interview surveys were performed with a total of 1,009 individuals in Korea, 15 years of age or older. The questionnaire, based on the Rome II and III criteria, was validated. RESULTS: Among the 1,009 subjects, the prevalence of IBS was 8.0% under the Rome II criteria (81 subjects; 6.4%, male; 9.6%, female), and 9.0% (91 subjects; 7.0%, male; 11.0%, female) under the Rome III criteria. The accordance rate of Rome II and III was 73.5%. Both groups showed highest frequency in the age of 30s (13.9% vs. 15.3% respectively). Female subjects showed a higher prevalence than male subjects under Rome III (91 subjects; 11.0% in female, 7.0% in male; p < 0.05), but not under Rome II criteria. Many patients older than 50 years were added when analyzed under the Rome III criteria, but not under the Rome II criteria (p = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: The Rome III criteria were less restrictive and showed good agreement with the Rome II criteria. The prevalence of IBS was increased in young women.
Female ; Humans ; Interviews as Topic ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; Korea ; Male ; Prevalence ; Primary Health Care ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Rome