No abstract available.
Female ; Obstetric Labor, Premature* ; Pregnancy ; Ritodrine*

BACKGROUND: We have found abnormal expression of ICAM-1 in thyroid follicular cells from patients with Graves disease and Hashimoto disease. In this report, we present the hormonal regulation of ICAM-1 mRNA expression and the primary structure of 5-regulatory region which is important for transcriptional regulation of ICAM-1 gene. A I.S kb fragment of the 5-regulatory sequences are identified and linked to luciferase as a reporter. METHOD: Those reporter constructs were used to evaluate the expression in response to cytokines and hormones. Deletion analysis of 1.8 kb fragment of ICAM-1 promoter in FRTL-5 cells provide the evidence for the existence of several regulatory elements of enhancer and silencer in ICAM-1 gene transcription in thyroid cells. RESULTS: ICAM-1 mRNA is easily detected by Northern analysis using total RNA from FRTL-5 cells regardless of culture conditions. The transcripts of rat ICAM-1 showed single band of 2.6 kb in length. The FRT cells which was come from early FRTL cell culture did not show ICAM-1 mRNA with usual Northern analysis, We found differential regulation of ICAM-1 RNA level in different culture condition in FRTL-5 cells, The cells maintained at 3H (no hydrocortisone, no insulin, no TSH) condition showed the highest expression level compared to 4H, 5H, or 6H medium. Hydrocortisone markedly decreased the ICAM-1 RNA and insulin partially recovered the hydrocortisone induced repression. TSH which is important in growth and function of FRTL-5 cells could independently downregulate the ICAM-1 RNA levels. Forskolin (10 mM) could mimic the action of TSH on ICAM-1 mRNA. TNF-a and interferon-y increase ICAM-1 expression in FRTL-5 thyroid cells. TSH/forskolin inhibited maximal expression of ICAM-1 by TNF-a and interferon-r. Promoter activity of the ICAM-1 gene was positively regulated by cytokines, TNF-a and IFN-r and negatively regulated by thyroid stimulating hormone. The addition of TSH and FSK caused a 50% decrease in ICAM-1 promoter activity within 24 hour. The TSH and FSK action was mapped at 175 bp and 97 bp of the start of translation. The mutant construct pCAM-175 delGAS which has no GAS sequence showed no TSH mediated suppression of promoter activity. CONCLUSION: These findings suggested that hormones and cytokines differentially regulated the ICAM-1 gene expression and TSH downregulated ICAM-1 gene transcription by inhibiting the activation of IFN-r induced transcription factors which can bind the GAS of ICAM-1 promoter.
Animals ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Clone Cells* ; Cloning, Organism* ; Colforsin ; Cytokines ; Gene Expression ; Graves Disease ; Hashimoto Disease ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Insulin ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1* ; Luciferases ; Rats* ; Repression, Psychology ; RNA ; RNA, Messenger ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyrotropin ; Transcription Factors

Dyschromatosis symmetrica hereditaria (DSH) is characterized by a symmetrical distribution of hyperpigmented and hypopigmented macules on the extremities, especially over the dorsa of the hands and feet. The pattern of inheritance is believed to be autosomal dominant, but many sporadic cases have been reported. We report one family of DSH, which showed a typical autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance by pedigree analysis.
Extremities ; Foot ; Hand ; Humans ; Pedigree ; Wills

Acute fatty liver is rare but life threatening complication and usually manifests late in pregnancy. The mean gestational age onset of symptoms has been reported 35-37 weeks of gestation. Recently, several reports revealed acute fatty liver can develops in the second trimester of pregnancy. Recent reports suggest that early diagnosis and delivery decreased the mortality of fetus and mother. We have experienced a case of the second trimester onset acute fatty liver, in pregnancy so we report the case with brief review.
Early Diagnosis ; Fatty Liver* ; Female ; Fetus ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Mortality ; Mothers ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second*

We analyzed clinical results of eexcimer laser photorefractive keratedomy (PRK) on 182 consecutive eyes followed up more than 6 months among 1.187 eyes receivng PRK from April 1991 to December 1991. Myopic patients were divided into 3 groups according to their myopic amount (degree) (group I: -2.0D ~ 6.0D, group II: -6.25 ~ -9.75D, group III: -10.0 Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Lasers, Excimer* ; Photorefractive Keratectomy* ; Postoperative Complications ; Visual Acuity

BACKGROUND: The onset of acute myocardial infarctin varies in a circadian and seasonal pattern, with a morning and winter peak. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the frequency of onset of acute myocardial infarction varies circadianly and seasonally in Korean patients. METHODS: We analyzed the time of onset of chest pain in 409 patients with myocardial infarction admitted to our hospital over the past 30 years according to a 24-hour and 12 month period. RESULTS: There notel marked circadian variations in the frequency of onset, with the primary peak from 6 a.m. to noon and the secondary peak from 6 p.m. to midnight (p<0.001). Circadian bimodal rhythmicity of myocardial infarction was demonstrated in this study. By the sex analysis, circadian variations of frequency of acute myocardial infarction were also similar to those of total patients. Interestingly, circadian variations were slightly different in the patients below 50 years of age, showing the highest frequency of onset in the time between 6 pm and midnight (p<0.062). And we also analyzed the frequency of onset of AMI by seasons. The notel a peak incidence in autumn, and followed by winter and spring. But we didn't find any statistical significance (p<0.059). However, comparing summer to other seasons, summer showed the lowest incidence of myocardial infarction with statistical significance (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Ever though the study population in small, this study showed that the frequency of acute myocardial infarction had a circadian and a seasonal variation in Korean patients.
Chest Pain ; Humans ; Incidence ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Periodicity ; Seasons*

BACKGROUND: Combining blepharoptosis correction with double eyelid blepharoplasty is common in East Asian countries where larger eyes are viewed as attractive. This trend has made understanding the relationship between brow position and height of the palpebral fissure all the more important in understanding post-operative results. In this study, authors attempt to quantify this relationship in order to assess whether the expected postoperative brow descent should be taken into consideration when determining the amount of ptosis to correct. METHODS: Photographs of ten healthy female study participants were taken with brow at rest, with light elevation and with forceful elevation. These photographs were then viewed at 2 x magnification on a computer monitor and caliper was used to measure the amount of pull on the eyebrow in relation to the actual increase in vertical fissure of the eye. RESULTS: There was a positive, linear correlation between amount of eyebrow elevation and height of the palpebral fissure, which was statistically significant. Brow elevation increased vertical fissure, and thereby aperture of the eye, by 18%. CONCLUSIONS: Although the eye-opening strength as well as height of the palpebral fissure is improved with ptosis repair, the true effectiveness of ptosis surgery is diminished by the associated descent of the brow from relief of the involuntary frontalis muscle action and this should be taken into account prior to surgical intervention. Regardless, the combination of frontalis muscle relaxation and the increased eye-opening strength from ptosis repair gives the eye and the periorbital region a more natural look.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Blepharoplasty ; Blepharoptosis* ; Eyebrows* ; Eyelids ; Female ; Humans ; Muscle Relaxation ; Muscles

Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy has become recognized as a distinct neuromuscular disorder with features including X-linked inheritance, insidious onset in childhood of a distinct pattern of muscle contractures and weakness, slow progression without loss of ambulation, and occurrence by mid-childhood of atrial conduction defects, which, if untreated, cause sudden death. We report a case of Emery-Dreifuss dystrophy with cardiac involvement of atrial standstill. The patient was 24 year-old man, who had suffered from dyspnea and bradycardia and was inserted by VVI type permanent pacemaker. Cardiac involvement usually becomes evident as muscle weakness progress and provided that the diagnosis is made sufficiently early, the insertion of a cardiac pacemaker can be life saving.
Bradycardia ; Contracture ; Death, Sudden ; Diagnosis ; Dyspnea ; Genes, X-Linked ; Humans ; Muscle Weakness ; Muscular Dystrophy, Emery-Dreifuss* ; Walking ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: There has been increasing interest in facial contouring procedures throughout Asian countries. As such, botulinum toxin A injections for masseteric hypertrophy have become a common procedure provided to patients who desire non-surgical correction of a square-angled mandible. We published a retrospective review of our initial results and our technique and treatment protocol in 2005. We also completed a long-term follow-up of the results (average follow-up period of 4.28 years) and the efficacy of repeated injections in 2010. The purpose of the current study is to systematically evaluate the changes to the masseter muscle at weekly intervals to determine the physiologic effects of botulinum toxin A injection. METHODS: Eight patients were prospectively followed on a weekly basis after botulinum toxin A injection for masseteric hypertrophy. Eight patients were followed for 15 weeks and four patients were followed for 25 weeks. Changes in the thickness of the muscle were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: A reduction in the muscle thickness was found during the clenching phase of the muscle in the first week followed by a reduction in thickness during the resting phase in the second week. The reduction in muscle thickness continued until the eleventh week after which there was a gradual, but incomplete, return of muscle thickness over the study period. CONCLUSIONS: There is a predictable, phasic reduction in muscle thickness after botulinum toxin A injection for masseteric hypertrophy. This reduction first occurs during the clenching phase followed by a concomitant reduction during the resting phase. Maximal size reduction occurs at 11 weeks followed by gradual muscle size recovery.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Botulinum Toxins* ; Botulinum Toxins, Type A* ; Clinical Protocols ; Follow-Up Studies ; G0 Phase ; Humans ; Hypertrophy* ; Mandible ; Masseter Muscle* ; Nerve Block ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies

Osmotic myelinolysis is a distinctive clinical syndrome with a characteristic "bat wing" MRI lesion in the central pons, which is also called central pontine myelinolysis (CPM). However, demyelinating lesions are not only limited to the central pons, but also may be involved in the extrapontine regions including the basal ganglia, thalamus, and cerebellum (extrapontine myelinolysis; EPM). We report an atypical case of osmotic myelinolysis confined to the pyramidal tract from the precentral gyrus to the central pons via the corona radiata and internal capsule in a MR image.
Basal Ganglia ; Cerebellum ; Internal Capsule ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Myelinolysis, Central Pontine ; Pons* ; Pyramidal Tracts* ; Thalamus