OBJECTIVE: This study is proposed to examine the relationship between bone loss after hormone replacement therapy for one year and initial bone markers. METHODS: One hundred postmenopausal women were studied for one year. At first visit, measurements were made of bone mineral density(BMD) at the lumbar spine and femoral neck, and of serum osteocalcin and urine deoxypyridinoline. After hormone replacement therapy was done for one year, BMD was rechecked. RESULTS: Serum osteocalcin was correlated with the rate of bone change(r=0.150, 0.262) and urine deoxypyridinoline was weakly correlated(r=-0.003, 0.038). The changes of femoral BMD in women with higher concentration of osteocalcin and deoxypyridinoline were significant different from those in women with normal concentration. At the lumbar spine, no significant differences were showed. In women with higher concentration of osteocalcin, the incidence of subjects with increased spine BMD was increased up to around 71.1%, which showed not significant increase compared with normal concentration of osteocalcin. And the incidence of increased spine BMD in women with higher concentration of osteocalcin was marked increased compared with the incidence of normal concentration. The level of the osteocalcin with increased spine BMD was 11.5+/-6.6 ng/ml, and the level with decreased spine BMD was 9.2+/-4.7 ng/ml, respectively. And the level of the deoxypyridinoline was 7.2+/-4.2 pmol/ mol cr in women with increased spine BMD and 7.2+/-2.7 pmol/ mol cr in women with decreased spine BMD, which was not statistically different. The concentration of deoxypyridinoline with increased and decreased in BMD in spine and femur was not statistically different. but the concentration of osteocalcin was 12.2 +/-5.5 ng/ml in significantly increased in BMD and 8.5 +/-4.5ng/ml in significantly decreased in BMD, which was showed significant different. CONCLUSION: Present study indicates that the serum osteocalcin more reflcets bone turnover changes at the menopause than deoxypyridinoline, however, the clinical utility of measurements of osteocalcin only to response to therapy is uncertain.
Bone Density* ; Female ; Femur ; Femur Neck ; Hormone Replacement Therapy* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Menopause ; Osteocalcin ; Spine

OBJECTIVE: To determine if birth weight greater than 4000gm can be predicted by ultrasound measurement of abdominal circumference(AC) and if shoulder dystocia in macrosomic infants can be predicted by ultrasound measurement of the difference between the abdominal diameter(AD) and biparietal diameter(BPD). METHODS: A Retrospective study was performed of births occuring from March, 1998 to August, 1999 at department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University. Among neonates of birth weight greater than 4000 gm, 50 cases in that ultrasound examination was done within 2 weeks before delivery were selected for macrosomic group and 50 cases were selected for control group during the same period, among neonate of birth weight from 3100gm to 3900gm. RESULTS: 1) Normal spontaneous vaginal delivery(NSVD) was 41 cases in control group and 30 cases in macrosomic group. Among NSVD, shoulder dystocia was 1 case in 41 cases of control group and was 7 cases in 30 cases of macrosomic group. 2) On ultrasound measurement, 6 cases had AC greater than 35 cm in control group and 45 cases in macrosomic group. Among 30 cases in NSVD was done in macrosomic group, difference between AD and BPD was 2.9 0.271 cm when shoulder dystocia was existed and was 2.1 0.409 cm when shoulder dystocia was not existed. Between the two groups, statistically significant difference was detected. 3) When AC(cutoff value of 35cm) was used for screening of macrosomia, sensitivity for macrosomia was 88.2% and specificity was 89.8% and when AD-BPD difference(cutoff value of 2.6cm) was used for prediction of shoulder dystocia, sensitivity for shoulder dystocia was 66.6% and specificity was 95.2%. CONCLUSIONS: In prenatal ultrasound measurement, AC measurement at third trimester of pregnancy will be a valuable indicator for macrosomia screening. The AD-BPD difference of shoulder dystocia group was greater than uncomplicated group in macrosomia and the AD-BPD difference cutoff value of 2.6cm was significant value statistically.
Birth Weight ; Dystocia* ; Female ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Mass Screening ; Obstetrics ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Shoulder* ; Ultrasonography*

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the long-term skeletal responses to hormone replacement therapy(HRT) with or without active vitamin D(VD) by using short-term changes of bone markers in postmenopausal women (PMW). METHODS: Biochemical markers of bone formation(osteocalcin,OC) and (&) resorption(deoxypyridinoline, Dpd ) at 3 months & lumbar bone mineral density(BMD) at 1 year were measured in 64 natural PMW taking HRT(n=41) & HRT with calcitriol 0.25 microgram/day(n=23). The correlation of percent changes of bone markers after 3 months of Tx with those in lumbar BMD after 1 year was evaluated. RESULTS: 1. serum-OC & urine-Dpd showed decrease of 20.9% & 30.1% at 3months respectively & BMD increase of 3.8% after 1 year of Tx. 2. Among 58 PMW with decreased u-Dpd change, 49 (84.5%) revealed increase in BMD, while 40 (81.6%) among 49 PMW with decreased serum-OC change showed increased BMD. 3. Bone gainers showed significant decrease in changes of serum-OC(18.1% vs 9.2% p<0.05) & urine-Dpd(32.6% vs 20.4%, p<0.05) compared with those of bone losers. 4. No correlations of change of serum-OC (r=-0.174 p>0.05) & urine-Dpd (r=-0.091 p>0.05) at 3month with BMD changes at 1year were seen in total PMW, but urine-Dpd changes in HRT without active VD group revealed significantly inverse correlation(r=-0.376 p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Short-term changes of bone markers did not precisely predict the long-term changes of BMD in total PMW except urine- Dpd in HRT without active VD.
Biomarkers ; Bone Density* ; Calcitriol ; Estrogen Replacement Therapy* ; Female ; Humans ; Osteocalcin ; Vitamin D* ; Vitamins*

Esophageal hemangioma is an extremely rare benign tumor that causes dysphagia and massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Although certain abnormalities seen on a barium swallow esophagography or at endoscopy may suggest an esophageal hemangioma, a contrast CT and radionuclide angiography using a blood-pool radiopharmaceutical can characterize the intense vascularity of the tumor. We experienced the ase of a 7x7x3.5 cm in size giant cavernous hemangioma of the lower 1/3 of esophagus in a 40 year old man. A mural cavernous hemangioma was diagnosed with a barium swallowed esophagogaphy, endoscopy, and a contrast CT. It was treated successfully by transthoracic esophagectomy including the tumor and esophagogastrostomy.
Adult ; Barium ; Deglutition Disorders ; Endoscopy ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; Esophagectomy ; Esophagus* ; Hemangioma ; Hemangioma, Cavernous* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Radionuclide Angiography

Recent studies have suggested that the presence of hydrosalpinx has a negative effecton in-vitro fertilization(IVF) outocme, with markedly diminished implantation and pregnancyrates, and creased early pregnancy loss. The pregnancy rate for patients with persistenthydrosalpinx was only half of that of patients with other tubal damage without hydrosalpinx.We evaluated the impact of hydrosalpix on IVF outcome in a large population withtubal factor infertility. A retrospective study was designed to examine whether the presenceof a hydrosalpinx influenced pregnancy outcome following IVF/ET treatment in stimulatedcycles.Patients with both tubal obstructions having at least one side hydrosalpinx were comparedwith patients having both tubal obstructions(BTOs) due to other tubal lesions withouthydrosalpinx. And pregnancy rates were analysed.Infertile patients with BTOs were classified into two groups: group 1 - The 38 women(44 cycles) with at least one side hydrosalpinx, group 2- the 44 women(52 cycles) withBTOs caused by other tubal factors without hydrosalpinx. They were analyzed by retrospectivestudy. Hydrosalpinx was diagnosed by transvaginal ultrasonography, hysterosalpingography,and diagnostic laparoscopy.The mean ages were 35.5+/-9.3 years in the patients group 1 and 32.6+/-4.8 years in thepatient group 2. Although the duration of infertility and serum peak estradiol level weredifferent, there were no significant statistical differences in age of patients, serum basalFSH/LH level, the numbrs of oocytes retrieved and embryo transfered in two groups. Therewere no significant statistical differences in baseline sperm analyses. Pregnancy wasdefined as serum beta-HCG level above 10 mIU/ml. The pregnancy rates were 15.8% in thepatient group 1, and 28.8% in the patient group 2. The abortion rates were 57.1% in thepatient group 1 and 26.7% in the patient group 2. The pregnancy rates were significantlyhigher in the patient group 2 compared with group 1. The abortion rates were significantlyhigher in the patient group 1 compared with group 2. There were no ectopic pregnanciesin two groups.These findings strongly indicate that a premanant hydrosalpinx has a negative influenceon implantation, as well as on pregnancy, and suggest that a more active approachagainst large hydrosalpinges should be undertaken before IVF/ET treatment, in order toimprove the implantation rates and the pregnancy rates. And prospective multicenter studiesevaluating the effect of hydrosalpinx and its treatment on IVF outcome are needed.
Abortion, Induced ; Embryonic Structures ; Estradiol ; Fallopian Tube Diseases ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility ; Oocytes ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy Rate* ; Pregnancy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Spermatozoa ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVE: Proteinuria is a major clinical manifestation as well as hypertension and generalized edema in pregnancy-induced hypertension(PIH) and it should be considered an important marker of perinatal outcome. We studied the impact of proteinuria on maternal and perinatal outcome according to the degree of urine protein in PIH. METHODS: Maternal urine protein and serum albumin levels were studied in 64 cases of PIH who were admitted to Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pil-Dong Hospital, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University for the period of 10 years from January 1, 1989 to December 31, 1998. RESULTS: Serum albumin level was 2.9+/-0.7g/dL in mild preeclampsia group and 2.7+/-0.7g/dL in severe peeclampsia group and there was a significant difference between them. Birth weight of infant was 3001+/-659g in mild preeclampsia group and 2446+/-878g in severe peeclampsia group, and there was a significant difference between them. 1 minute Apgar score was 8.4+/-2.4 and 7.6+/-3.4, respectively and there was a significant difference between them. 5 minute Apgar score was 9.5+/-1.8 and 8.4+/-2.9, respectively and there was a significant difference between them. There were several maternal complications above 2(+) urine protein and no maternal complications below 1(+) urine protein. Small for gestational age infant was more common above 2(+) urine protein than below 1(+) urine protein and fetal death was more common in 3(+) urine protein. CONCLUSIONS: There was a decreasing trend in gestational weeks at delivery as proteinuria become more severe and also in birth weight, 1 minute Apgar score and 5 minute Apgar score. Maternal and fetal complications were more common as proteinuria become more severe.
Apgar Score ; Birth Weight ; Edema ; Female ; Fetal Death ; Gestational Age ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced* ; Infant ; Obstetrics ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnancy ; Proteinuria* ; Serum Albumin

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate and compare the Le Fort colpocleisis and conventional total vaginal hysterectomy in the uterine prolapse patients in the medically compromised or elderly patients. METHODS: This study was to analyze the data from 16 patients with uterine prolapse undergone Le Fort colpocleisis at the department of obstetrics and gynecology, Chung-ang university hospital from January 1991 to December 2000, and 36 patients with uterine prolapse undergone total vaginal hysterectomy from January 1999 to December 2000. We compared the age of patients, operation time, type of anesthesia, estimated blood loss, changes in hemoglobin, duration of hospitalization, occurrence of febrile morbidity, and medical complications based on the medical records. RESULTS: The mean operation time of 16 patients undergone Le Fort colpocleisis with uterine prolapse was 51+/-18 minutes, the estimated blood loss was 175+/-134 cc, hemoglobin change was 1.72+/-1.14 mg/dl, the mean days of hospitalization was 7.2+/-2.8 days, and the febrile illness occurred in 2 patients. In this group, general anesthesia was used in 10 patients (75%), local anesthesia in 4 patients (25%), and spinal and epidural anesthesia in 1 case respectively. The mean operation time of 11 patients undergone total vaginal hysterectomy with uterine prolapse was 86+/-29 minutes, the estimated blood loss was 366+/-154 cc, hemoglobin change was 2.36+/-1.22 mg/dl, the mean days of hospitalization was 7.8+/-1.6 days, and the febrile illness occurred in 3 patients. General anesthesia was done in total vaginal hysterectomy group and vulva hematoma was developed in 1 case postoperatively. There are significant difference (p<0.01) between the Le Fort colpocleisis and total vaginal hysterectomy in operational time, estimated blood loss, and type of anesthesia, but no significant difference in days of hospitalization, febrile morbidity. CONCLUSION: The assessment of Le Fort colpoclesis in uterine prolapse offers signinficant benefits in elderly or compromised patients and the method is safe for operation.
Aged ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Epidural ; Anesthesia, General ; Anesthesia, Local ; Female ; Gynecology ; Hematoma ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hysterectomy, Vaginal* ; Medical Records ; Obstetrics ; Prolapse* ; Uterine Prolapse ; Uterus* ; Vulva

Spinal dorsal horn nociceptive neurons have been shown to undergo long-term synaptic plasticity, including long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD). Here, we focused on the spinothalamic tract (STT) neurons that are the main nociceptive neurons projecting from the spinal cord to the thalamus. Optical technique using fluorescent dye has made it possible to identify the STT neurons in the spinal cord. Evoked fast mono-synaptic, excitatory postsynaptic currents (eEPSCs) were measured in the STT neurons. Time-based tetanic stimulation (TBS) was employed to induce long-term potentiation (LTP) in the STT neurons. Coincident stimulation of both pre- and postsynaptic neurons using TBS showed immediate and persistent increase in AMPA receptor-mediated EPSCs. LTP can also be induced by postsynaptic spiking together with pharmacological stimulation using chemical NMDA. TBS-induced LTP observed in STT neurons was blocked by internal BAPTA, or Ni2+, a T-type VOCC blocker. However, LTP was intact in the presence of L-type VOCC blocker. These results suggest that long-term plastic change of STT neurons requires NMDA receptor activation and postsynaptic calcium but is differentially sensitive to T-type VOCCs.
alpha-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic Acid ; Animals ; Calcium ; Depression ; Egtazic Acid ; Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials ; Horns ; Long-Term Potentiation* ; N-Methylaspartate ; Neurons* ; Nociceptors ; Plastics ; Rats* ; Spinal Cord* ; Spinothalamic Tracts* ; Thalamus

In the literature, Terson's syndrome most commonly co-occurs with subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH) secondary to rupture of an A-com or ICA aneurysm. It is usually observed bilaterally and the prognosis is poor. The authors report two rare cases of unilateral Terson's syndrome after rupture of MCA bifurcation aneurysm rupture. In both cases, retinal hemorrhage was noticed after early aneurysmal clipping ; after these were conservatively treated, the visual acuity of one patient improved slightly and that of the other showed no change. For early detection and proper management of retinal hemorrhage after subarachnoid hemorrhage, early and periodic fundoscopic examination appears to be important.
Aneurysm* ; Humans ; Prognosis ; Retinal Hemorrhage ; Rupture* ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage* ; Visual Acuity

No abstract available.
Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use ; Bone Marrow Cells/pathology ; Cladribine/therapeutic use ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Leukemia, Hairy Cell/*diagnosis/drug therapy/*genetics ; Middle Aged ; *Mutation ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf/*genetics ; Reticulin/metabolism