No abstract available.
Hematoma*

No abstract available.
Cell Proliferation* ; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors* ; Lipoxygenase* ; Meningioma* ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Uvulopalatal flap (UPF), which is a modification of UPPP, is established in the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) with reduced velopharyngeal incompetence (VPI) risk. This study was performed to evaluate the subjective outcome of UPF among patients with simple snoring or obstructive sleep apnea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with OSAS were examined (sixteen male, four female) in a prospective manner. Subjects who underwent UPF have completed pre or post operative (after 3 months) polysomnographic (PSG) studies. The parameters of PSG were apnea index (AI), respiratory disturbance index (RDI), mean SaO2, and lowest SaO2. Questionnaires composed of Eworth sleepiness scale (ESS) and snoring symptoms inventory (SSI) were completed by patients and bed partner before and after the UPF. Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. RESULTS: Subjective questionnaires indicated statistically significant improvements (SSI ; from 60.9 to 37, ESS ; from 11.6 to 7.4). The AI decreased from 18.6 to 9.3, RDI decreased from 29.8 to 16.6 (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: UPF seems to be more effective in mild OSAS than in moderate and severe OSAS. Long term follow up studies with more patients is deemed necessary.
Apnea ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Polysomnography ; Prospective Studies ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive* ; Snoring ; Velopharyngeal Insufficiency ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Chronic cough is commonly defined as a persistent or recurrent cough exceeding 3 weeks duration and the prevalence of chronic cough is reported to range from 14-23% among non-smoking adults. Irwin et al previously reported that common causes of chronic cough are postnasal drip syndrome asthma, and gastroesophageal reflux using the anatomic and diagnostic protocol. OBJECTIVE: To determine the spectrum and frequency of chronic cough and to aid establishing algorithmic approach for chronic cough. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We prospectively evaluated 105 consecutive and unselected immunocompetent patients complaining of chronic cough utilizing modified anatomic and diagnostic protocol proposed by Irwin et al. Initial diagnosis was made by history, physical examination and laboratory test including spirometry, methacholine provocation test, and 24 hour pH monitoring. Specific treatment was done based upon initial diagnosis and cough score was compared before and after treatment. Reassessment was done in case of treatment failure. RESULT: The causes of cough were determined in 100 of 105 patients(95% ). Cough was due to one condition in 94.8% and two in 15.2%. 121 causes of cough were identified and their spectrum and frequency were found to be postnasal drip syndrome (39.3% ), asthma (32.2% ), gasteroesophageal reflux (14.1%), chronic bronchitis (5.0%), others (4.1%: drug-induced, bronchiolitis, endobronchial tuberculosis, and lung cancer). History about nasal symptoms was useful, but history about gastroesophageal reflux were not useful for the diagnosis. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that anatomic and diagnostic approach for evaluating chronic cough is also useful in Korea and the most common causes of chronic cough are postnasal drip syndrome, asthma and gastroesophageal reflux.
Adult ; Asthma ; Bronchiolitis ; Bronchitis, Chronic ; Cough* ; Diagnosis ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Korea ; Lung ; Methacholine Chloride ; Outpatients* ; Physical Examination ; Prevalence ; Prospective Studies* ; Spirometry ; Treatment Failure ; Tuberculosis

Verrucous carcinoma, an atypical variant of squamous cell carcinoma that is well-differentiated, is known to invade locally with rare metastasis. It was first reported by Ackerman in 1948 and has been reported in the areas of the head and neck and the external genitalia. A case of endonasal verrucous carcinoma was first reported by Krause. Cases of the sinus were reported to have occurred in the ostium of maxillary sinus and frontal sinus, and there has also been a reported case of a verrucous carcinoma that invaded the subnasal, which originated from the hard palate. However, no such case of verrucous carcinoma invasion originating from the nasal vestibule has been reported. Verrucous carcinomas are often clinically malignant, yet pathohistologically benign, thus, unlike most squamous cell carcinomas, they are of a low-risk group with rare metastasis, few recurrences, and good prognosis with proper treatment. In some cases of verrucous carcinoma treated with radiotherapy, anaplastic variations occur, thus surgical removal is known to be the treatment of choice. The authors report a recent case of verrucous carcinoma that originated from the nasal vestibule which was surgically removed and treated with adjuvant radiotherapy.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Carcinoma, Verrucous* ; Frontal Sinus ; Genitalia ; Head ; Maxillary Sinus ; Neck ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Nose ; Palate, Hard ; Prognosis ; Radiotherapy ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Recurrence

Garlic and mugwort have long been used in traditional medicine to prevent various diseases. Several in vitro studies have reported protective efficacies of garlic and mugwort in cases of gastric cancer. In the present study, we investigated the cancer preventive effects of garlic and mugwort mixture extract (GME) in a Helicobacter (H.) pylori-associated gastric carcinogenesis mouse model. To induce gastric cancer, C57BL/6 mice were treated with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea and H. pylori. Various concentrations of GME (0, 100, 500, and 1,000 ppm) were then fed to the mice for 38 weeks, after which the tumor tissues were examined for histopathology, mucin histochemistry and beta-catenin. The incidence of gastric tumors was significantly lower in the highest dose GME-treated mice (46.7%) than control mice (85.7%) (p < 0.05). The multiplicity and size of tumors were also significantly reduced by GME feeding in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.01). Furthermore, GME suppressed the H. pylori-associated chronic inflammation measured by histologic grading of H. pylori density, chronic gastritis, glandular atrophy and intestinal metaplasia in non-tumorous gastric mucosae. Our data suggest that GME suppresses gastric tumorigenesis via suppression of H. pylori-associated chronic inflammation.
Animals ; Artemisia* ; Atrophy ; beta Catenin ; Carcinogenesis* ; Garlic* ; Gastric Mucosa ; Gastritis ; Helicobacter pylori ; Helicobacter* ; Incidence ; Inflammation ; Medicine, Traditional ; Metaplasia ; Methylnitrosourea ; Mice* ; Mucins ; Stomach Neoplasms

Garlic and mugwort have long been used in traditional medicine to prevent various diseases. Several in vitro studies have reported protective efficacies of garlic and mugwort in cases of gastric cancer. In the present study, we investigated the cancer preventive effects of garlic and mugwort mixture extract (GME) in a Helicobacter (H.) pylori-associated gastric carcinogenesis mouse model. To induce gastric cancer, C57BL/6 mice were treated with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea and H. pylori. Various concentrations of GME (0, 100, 500, and 1,000 ppm) were then fed to the mice for 38 weeks, after which the tumor tissues were examined for histopathology, mucin histochemistry and beta-catenin. The incidence of gastric tumors was significantly lower in the highest dose GME-treated mice (46.7%) than control mice (85.7%) (p < 0.05). The multiplicity and size of tumors were also significantly reduced by GME feeding in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.01). Furthermore, GME suppressed the H. pylori-associated chronic inflammation measured by histologic grading of H. pylori density, chronic gastritis, glandular atrophy and intestinal metaplasia in non-tumorous gastric mucosae. Our data suggest that GME suppresses gastric tumorigenesis via suppression of H. pylori-associated chronic inflammation.
Animals ; Artemisia* ; Atrophy ; beta Catenin ; Carcinogenesis* ; Garlic* ; Gastric Mucosa ; Gastritis ; Helicobacter pylori ; Helicobacter* ; Incidence ; Inflammation ; Medicine, Traditional ; Metaplasia ; Methylnitrosourea ; Mice* ; Mucins ; Stomach Neoplasms

It has been demonstrated that spider mites such as the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) are important allergens for fruit farmers. A total of 2,467 adults (795 metropolitan urban, 788 non-metropolitan urban, and 884 rural subjects) were enrolled. They responded to the questionnaire, and underwent methacholine bronchial provocation tests as well as skin prick tests to locally common aeroallergens including the two-spotted spider mite. The prevalences of asthma and rhinitis as reported on the questionnaire were 7.8% and 16.4% of adults aged 20-35, 9.4% and 24.7% of those 36-50, and 17.7% and 21.7% of those older than 50, respectively. Among the older group, the two-spotted spider mite was the most common sensitizing allergen, although it was second of that of house dust mites among the other two age groups. Sensitization to the two-spotted spider mite was significantly associated with the prevalence of asthma and rhinitis among the younger age group, and associated with the prevalence of rhinitis among the older age group. The twospotted spider mite might be a common sensitizing allergen in the general population of adults, and sensitization to this mite may play a role in the manifestation of asthma and rhinitis symptoms during adulthood.
Tetranychidae/*immunology ; Risk Factors ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/*etiology/immunology ; Questionnaires ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Humans ; Female ; Asthma/*etiology/immunology ; Animals ; Allergens ; Aged ; Age Factors ; Adult

Aerococcus viridans is a rare pathogen in humans, with only six cases of A. viridans urinary tract infections reported worldwide. Nosocomial urinary tract infections with bacteremia caused by A. viridians are even rarer, with no prior reports of urosepsis caused by A. viridans occurring in the Republic of Korea. Here we report a case of urosepsis caused by A. viridans in a 79 year-old female nursing home resident. The patient was admitted to the hospital presenting a fever of 39degrees C, chills, and oliguria for two days prior to admission. Urine culture yielded a robust growth of 105 CFU/mL of A. viridians, with blood culture positive for the same organism. Following diagnosis, the patient was treated with ciprofloxacin intravenously for 2 weeks, resulting in clearance of the infection and a full recovery from urosepsis. Although A. viridans is rarely associated with human infections, this case shows that, under the right conditions, it can be responsible for severe infections like urosepsis.
Aerococcus* ; Bacteremia ; Chills ; Ciprofloxacin ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Fever ; Humans ; Nursing Homes ; Oliguria ; Republic of Korea ; Urinary Tract Infections

INTRODUCTION: Comparing with living donor renal transplantation, cadaveric renal transplantation is usually performed as an emergency procedure and has prolonged preservation time and increased incidence of delayed graft function. Korean Network for Organ Sharing (KONOS) was launched from February 2000 to manage the organ transplantation in Korea and expected to increase donor organs supply and an effective organ allocation. PURPOSE: In order to compare the result of cadaveric renal transplantation before and after KONOS system, 108 cadaveric renal transplants performed in Dongsan hospital until October 2003 were reviewed and analyzed. METHODS: Donors and recipients were divided into two groups (group 1; transplantation performed before KONOS, group 2; transplantation after KONOS) and their characteristics and results were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Among donor factors, number of multi-organ procurement increased (23.1% vs 78.6%), and use of inotrophic agent decreased (63% vs 46%) significantly after KONOS, however cold preservation time was not changed even after KONOS system. Procured organs per one donor in our hospital was increased from 2.25 to 2.65. Increased recipient age (from 30.1 to 41.9 years old), more chance to diabetic patient and decreasing number of HLA mismatching (4.6 to 3.9) were considered as a result of KONOS allocation system. However, early results including incidence of acute rejection episode and delayed graft function, and serum creatinine level at the end of one year were no statistic differences. The number of early graft loss were decreased up to 2 years after transplantation. CONCLUSION: Renal transplantation from cadaveric donor after KONOS resulted in lower early graft loss but increased waiting time due to organ shortage is a serious problem to be solved in the future.
Cadaver* ; Creatinine ; Delayed Graft Function ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Kidney Transplantation* ; Korea ; Living Donors ; Organ Transplantation ; Retrospective Studies ; Tissue Donors ; Transplantation ; Transplants