PURPOSE:There is a clear sexual dimorphism in circulating concentration of leptin in adulthood. However, we don' know when such dimorphism begins and how much pubertal development influences on it. So we examined body composition and circulating concentrations of leptin according to Tanner stage(TS). METHODS:We examined 112 children(M; 56, F; 56, Age; 8.5-17 yr) to evaluate the relationship of leptin and body composition. Body composition was determined by bioelectric impedence measurements(BIA) and by anthropometry. Leptin was measured by human specific RIA. Leptin level was analysed according to TS, body mass index(BMI), fat mass(FM), and lean body mass. RESULTS:BMI and free FM was correlated with TS in both sexes. FM was closely correlated with TS in girls but not in boys(M; r=0.08, P=0.54. F; r=0.73, P>0.001). Leptin levels increased in girls with advanced TS(r=0.355, P<0.01), but decreased in boys(r=-0.339, P<0.01). A strong exponential relationship was observed for leptin levels with BMI, FM, and percentage body fat as determined by BIA. There was significant sexual dimorphism of leptin level at TS VI/V. Because leptin level was significantly related FM, leptin level was normalized to FM(Leptin/FM). Leptin/FM of females(0.67+/-.27 ng/mL/kg) was also significantly higher then that of males(0.31+/-.15 ng/mL/kg)(P<0.001). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that plasma leptin levels increase in girls and decrease in boys after TS II as pubertal development proceeds; they show a significant gender difference, especially late puberty, even after adjustment for FM. Sexual dimorphism in leptin during puberty reflects not only differential changes in body composition but also different leptin resistance; reference ranges of leptin could be modified by TS and gender.
Adipose Tissue ; Adolescent* ; Anthropometry ; Body Composition* ; Child* ; Female ; Humans ; Leptin* ; Plasma ; Puberty ; Reference Values

PURPOSE:There is a clear sexual dimorphism in circulating concentration of leptin in adulthood. However, we don' know when such dimorphism begins and how much pubertal development influences on it. So we examined body composition and circulating concentrations of leptin according to Tanner stage(TS). METHODS:We examined 112 children(M; 56, F; 56, Age; 8.5-17 yr) to evaluate the relationship of leptin and body composition. Body composition was determined by bioelectric impedence measurements(BIA) and by anthropometry. Leptin was measured by human specific RIA. Leptin level was analysed according to TS, body mass index(BMI), fat mass(FM), and lean body mass. RESULTS:BMI and free FM was correlated with TS in both sexes. FM was closely correlated with TS in girls but not in boys(M; r=0.08, P=0.54. F; r=0.73, P>0.001). Leptin levels increased in girls with advanced TS(r=0.355, P<0.01), but decreased in boys(r=-0.339, P<0.01). A strong exponential relationship was observed for leptin levels with BMI, FM, and percentage body fat as determined by BIA. There was significant sexual dimorphism of leptin level at TS VI/V. Because leptin level was significantly related FM, leptin level was normalized to FM(Leptin/FM). Leptin/FM of females(0.67+/-.27 ng/mL/kg) was also significantly higher then that of males(0.31+/-.15 ng/mL/kg)(P<0.001). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that plasma leptin levels increase in girls and decrease in boys after TS II as pubertal development proceeds; they show a significant gender difference, especially late puberty, even after adjustment for FM. Sexual dimorphism in leptin during puberty reflects not only differential changes in body composition but also different leptin resistance; reference ranges of leptin could be modified by TS and gender.
Adipose Tissue ; Adolescent* ; Anthropometry ; Body Composition* ; Child* ; Female ; Humans ; Leptin* ; Plasma ; Puberty ; Reference Values

No abstract available.
Classification* ; Dermatoglyphics* ; Yersinia*

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical effects of a single high dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) combined with initial dexamethasone as a primary treatment on Kawasaki disease (KD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2008 and December 2010, we reviewed the medical records of 216 patients with complete KD patients that were admitted to a single medical center. 106 patients were treated with a single high dose of IVIG (2 g/kg) alone and 110 patients received IVIG and dexamethasone (0.3 mg/kg per day for three days). RESULTS: The combined IVIG plus dexamethasone patient group had a significantly shorter febrile period and duration of hospital stay (1.4+/-0.7 days vs. 2.0+/-1.2 days, p<0.001; 5.8+/-1.7 days vs. 6.9+/-2.5 days, p<0.001, respectively) than the IVIG alone group. The combined IVIG plus dexamethasone group required IVIG retreatment significantly less than the IVIG only group (12.7% vs. 32%, p=0.003). After completion of the initial IVIG, C-reactive protein levels in the combined IVIG plus dexamethasone group were significantly lower than those in the IVIG only group (2.7+/-4.0 mg/dL vs. 4.6+/-8.7 mg/dL, p=0.03). In the combined IVIG plus dexamethasone group, the incidence of coronary artery lesions tended to be lower without worse outcomes at admission after initial infusion of IVIG and in follow-up at two months; however, the differences were not significant (8.2% vs. 11.3%, p=0.22; 0.9% vs. 2.8%, p=0.29). CONCLUSION: Initial combined therapy with dexamethasone and a single high-dose of IVIG resulted in an improved clinical course, in particular a shorter febrile period, less IVIG retreatment, and shorter hospital stay without worse coronary outcomes.
Child, Preschool ; Dexamethasone/administration & dosage/adverse effects/*therapeutic use ; Female ; Fever/drug therapy ; Glucocorticoids/administration & dosage/adverse effects/*therapeutic use ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous/administration & dosage/adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Immunologic Factors/administration & dosage/adverse effects/*therapeutic use ; Infant ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome/*drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome

No abstract available.
Colonoscopy*

We report the clinical features in one patients with episodic positional vertigo and apogeotropic direction changing horizontal positional nystagmus that does not fatigue, beating to the right with the head turned to the left and beating to the left with the head turned to the right. This syndrome probably represents a horizontal semicircular canal variant of benign positional vertigo. Free-floating debris and Cupula attached debris in one horizontal semicircular canal may explain many of the clinical and oculographic findings.
Fatigue ; Head ; Humans ; Nystagmus, Physiologic ; Semicircular Canals ; Vertigo*

Extraskeletal chondromas are relatively uncommon benign cartilaginous tumors of the soft tissue and well known to pose a considerable diagnostic problem because of histological variations including the immature appearance of their tumor cells. Recently, we have experienced a case of extraskeletal chondroma mimicking benign chondroblastoma. The patient was a 47-year-old woman who complained of a painful subcutaneous swelling on the radial aspect of 4th proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint in the left hand for 6 months. Radiologic examination of the 4th finger revealed a 1cm-sized soft tissue mass. Histologically, the tumor was characterized by a lobulated mass which was composed of dense proliferation of chondroblast-like cells admixed with a few multinucleated giant cells of osteoclastic type. However, there were focal areas of typical chondroma which showed lace-like intense calcification around the differentiated chondrocytes.
Chondroblastoma ; Chondrocytes ; Chondroma* ; Female ; Fingers ; Giant Cells ; Hand ; Humans ; Joints ; Middle Aged ; Osteoclasts

No abstract available.
Hemoptysis*

A total of 56 subjects with multiple nematode infections with T. trichiura, Ascaris, hookworms and Enterobius were treated with oxantel and pyrantel pamoate mixture in a paratable suspension(50 mg of each per ml). A single dose of 10 mg per kg body weight in each cured 100 per cent of 54 subjects with Ascaris, 97.1 per cent of 35 subjects with hookworms, 77.8 per cent of 36 with Enterobius and 73.2 per cent of 56 subjects with T. trichiura infestation. The mean egg per gram stool reduction rate in T. trichiura infection was 91.9%. Of the 31 subjects infected with Ancylostoma doudenale 96.8% were cured with a single dose and 4 infected with Necator americanus showed a 100% cure rate with a similar daily dose on 3 consecutive days. Side effects were few and mild. There was no clinical or laboratory evidence of drug toxicity. These findings show a single dose of oxantel and pyrantel pamoate mixture to be a highly effective and acceptable treatment for multiple infections with these nematodes.
parasitology-helminth-nematoda ; Trichuris trichiura ; Ascaris lumbricoides ; hookworm ; Enterobius vermicularis ; chemotherapy-oxantel pamoate-pyrantel pamoate

No abstract available.
Cyclophosphamide* ; Hypersensitivity*