Lovastatin, a competitive inhibitor of the rate limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis was administered to 34 patients with primary hypertlipidemia, 20 mg once daily with the evening meal. Patients experienced mean total and LDL cholesterol reductions of 30.9% and 34.0% respectively. HDL cholesterol level was significantly increased by 15.4% and plasma triglyceride level was decreased by 11.2%. maximal hypocholesterolemic effects were evident at 8 weeks, after which the effects were stable. Adverse effects were noted in 2 patients who had mild gastrointestinal symptoms, that subsided after discontinuing the drug. We concluded that lovastatin is a well tolerated and effective agent for the treatment of primary hyperlipidemia.
Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias* ; Lovastatin ; Meals ; Plasma* ; Triglycerides

The CD8(+)CD28(+) T cells have known to mediate major histocompatibility complex class I-restricted cytolysis and to secret an HIV-1 inhibitory factor. As HIV infection lead to dramatic changes within the cellular immune system, the cellular cytotoxicities decrease in the duration of the HIV infection. To determine the importance of the cellular cytotoxicities in long-term nonprogression, we tried to compare CD28 expression on total T, CD4(+) T, and CD8(+) T cells as one of methods for cellular cytotoxicity measurements between long-term nonprogressor and normal person or between long-term nonprogressor and rapid progressor. The median percentages and counts of CD4(+) T cells of the norrnal, the long-term nonprogressor, and the rapid progressor groups were 39.9 and 0.96 * 10(9) cells/L, 24.6 and 0.58 * 10(9) cells/L, 9.9 and 0.15 * 10 cells/L, respectively. As a result of comparison of the cells having CD28 surface molecules on CD8(+) T cells in the long-term nonprogressor and the rapid progressor group, they showed over 5 times lower than that in the normal group. Especially, the long-term nonprogressor regarded to the healthy HIV-infected patient showed much lower CD28 expression on total T, CD4(+) T, and CD8(+) T cells than those of the normal person. The proportions of CD4'CD28 T and CD3CD28 T cell subsets showed the significant difference between the LTNP and the RP group. In conclusion, although HIV-infected patients were LTNPs having the steady CD4(+) T cell counts and no clinical symptoms, we suggested that HIV led to abnormality within the lymphocyte subsets such as the altered expression of CD28 molecules on various T cell subsets and this result would cause deficiency of host immune function and failure of control of HIV replication by anergy in T cell subsets.
Cell Count ; HIV ; HIV Infections ; HIV-1 ; Humans ; Immune System ; Lymphocyte Subsets ; Major Histocompatibility Complex ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets* ; T-Lymphocytes

No abstract available.
Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Pancreatic Neoplasms* ; Scalp* ; Thorax*

No abstract available.
Child* ; Humans ; Syringoma* ; Vulva

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of the MRI after the stereotactic radiofrequency ventralis intermedius nucleus (VIM) thalamotomy for the treatment of tremor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 156 cases of the postthalamotomy MR findings were analized retrospectively. The sagittal T1 weighted image(WI), axial and coronal Proton and T2WI were obtained by using 0.38 T(Resonex Sunnyvale, U. S. A) machine. The interval between thalamotomy and MR examination was from 3 days to 2 months. The MR characteristics and complications related to thalamotomy were reviewed. In 16 cases, a follow-up MR was done 3 to 13 months after the initial MR study. We also reviewed the follow-up MR findings. RESULTS: The mean size of the thalamus lesion was 16 mm. The thalamus lesions were noted as a single layer in 23 cases and as layers of different signal intensity in 100 cases;(2 layers in 84 cases, and 3 or more layers in 16 cases). In 74 cases of the 84 cases with 2 layers, the inner layer was isointense with gray matter on T1WI, hypointense on T2WI, and the outer layer was hypointense on T1WI, hyperintense on T2WI. There were extrathalamic lesions that were related to mistargetting of stereotactic radiofrequency. The locations of the extrathalamic lesions were the posterior limb of the internal capsule(119 cases), the posterior limb of the internal capsule and the midbrain(39 cases), the posterior limb of the internal capsule and the basal ganglia(11 cases), and the midbrain(9 cases). In 5 cases of the mistargetting, double radiofrequency lesions were visualized because of the repeated coagulation. The other complications were intracerebral hemorrhage(2 cases), subdural hemorrhage(2 cases), epidural hemorrhage(1 case), and intraventricular hemorrhage(1 case). On the follow up MR studies(16 cases), 2 cases showed the hemosiderin deposition in periphery of the lesion. CONCLUSION: The MRI was useful for the evaluation of the thalamic lesions and complications after the stereotactic radiofrequency VIM-thalamotomy for the treatment of tremor.
Extremities ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemosiderin ; Internal Capsule ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Protons ; Retrospective Studies ; Thalamus ; Tremor

In situ hybridization using biotinylated HPV(Human papillomaviruses) probes was performed to detect HPV DNA in 24 patients with genital wart-like lesions. The lesions were divided into two groups, with or without dysplastic changes histologically. We could detect HPV6/11 in 13 of 17 lesions(76.5%) without dysplastic changes. HPU16/18 was detected in a case with dysplastic changes. HPV6/ll was also detected in a case considered to be misdiagnosed as bowenoid papulosis. Oncogenic HPV such as HPV16/18 was found in one of histologically splastic lesions(14.3%).
Condylomata Acuminata* ; DNA* ; Humans* ; In Situ Hybridization

PURPOSE: This study was to determine the relationships between C-reactive protein (CRP) level of acute perforated and nonperforated appendicitis. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated 200 patients who was diagnosed to appendicitis in emergency medical center from January 2005 to August 2005. All patients were operated for suspected acute appendicitis and diagnosis was confirmed by histology after operation. The patients were divided two groups: group A with nonperforated appendicitis and group B with perforated appendicitis. We assessed and compared epidemiologic, clinical and laboratory data between two groups. For comparison of diagnostic value, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the logistic regression analysis were done. RESULTS: Of the 200 patients, 149 patients were group A, and 51 patients were group B. The mean CRP level in the group B was higher than in patients with group A (109.25+/-87.18 mg/L vs 20.39+/-39.34 mg/L, p<0.05). Also WBC counts was higher in the group B (15.43+/-5.58x1000/microliter vs 12.47+/-4.5x1000/microliter, p<0.05). Though the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of CRP level was greater than WBC counts (0.853 vs 0.659), so CRP level was found to be significantly superior to WBC count in predicting perforated appendicitis. In logistic regression analysis, CRP level (odds ratio 1.024, 95% CI 1.016 to 1.035) was only independent predictor of perforated appendicitis. CONCLUSION: Increased CRP level in patients who were suspected appendicitis in emergency medical center was valuable in predicting perforated appendicitis. In such circumstances, we should consider the necessities of preoperative antibiotics, the surgical techniques and the early aggressive management for postoperative complications.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Appendicitis* ; C-Reactive Protein* ; Diagnosis* ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; ROC Curve

Papular acantholytic dyskeratosis is a collection of papular skin lesions that occur in the intertriginous and genital area. They show a characteristic histology of focal suprabasal acantholysis that distinguishes it from Hailey-Hailey disease or Darier disease. We describe a 50-year-old man with an asymptomatic papular eruption on the perianal area for several years. Histologically, a biopsy specimen showed diffuse hyperkeratosis and irregular acantholysis throughout the epidermis. We used carbon dioxide laser therapy as a therapeutic option. Despite causing a long and painful healing process, a considerable reduction of the symptoms was achieved. Although we do not know the precise nature or the incidence of this disease, papular acantholytic dyskeratosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of verrucous papules in perineal or perianal areas and carbon dioxide laser may represent a good therapeutic option.
Acantholysis ; Biopsy ; Carbon Dioxide* ; Carbon* ; Darier Disease ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Epidermis ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lasers, Gas* ; Middle Aged ; Pemphigus, Benign Familial ; Skin

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak or shunt overdrainage is a well-known cause of orthostatic headaches and low CSF pressures. We report two cases of orthostatic headache with pneumocephalus on brain imaging. The orthostatic headache developed after drainage of spinal operation site and epidural block. Brain MRI revealed characteristic findings of CSF hypovolemia including pachymeningeal enhancement and mild subdural fluid collections. Air was also observed in the ventricular or subarachnoid space in both patients, which might enter the subarachnoid or ventricular space during a procedure via the pressure gradient or an injection.
Brain ; Drainage ; Headache ; Humans ; Hypovolemia ; Neuroimaging ; Pneumocephalus ; Subarachnoid Space

The position of interventricular septum, which was measured by transitional zone of EKG, was compared with that measured by 2-D echocardiography in 51 patient. 1) The position of interventricular septum measured by 2-D echocardiography was very similar to that measured by transitional zone of EKG. 2) Extensive AMI (Anterior Myocardial Infarction) and LBBB showed moderate differences between two method. 3) RBBB and replaced mitral valve state showed severe differences between two methods. Transitional zone of EKG was helpful to define the position of interventricular septum except extensive AMI, bundle branch block and replaced mitral valve state.
Bundle-Branch Block ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography* ; Humans ; Mitral Valve