It is well documented that cardiac myxomas are associated with immunologic features that can simulate systemic autoimmune diseases. Recently, it was reported that cardiac myxomas produce IL-6 constitutively, which could partly explain the immunologic features observed in these patients. However, only a few investigators have studied cytokines in regards to symptoms they may cause in patients with cardiac myxoma. Also there is very little information in the literature on the immunohistochmical localization of IL-6. We performed immunobistochemical stains for IL-4, TNF, and IL-6 on paraffm embbeded tissue of cardiac myxoma tissue. A bioassay of IL-6 activity in patient's serum and in cultured cells from fresh myxoma tissue was performed to ascertain the role of these cytokines in myxomas. In this study, we demonstrated inununohistochemically that there was a local overproduction of IL-4, TNF, and IL-6 in cytoplasm of the tumor cells in about half cases. Bioassays of the serum and cultured tumor cells revealed elevated IL-6 activities. Also these findings correlate to production of patient's constitutional symptoms with statistical significance (P<0.05). In conclusion, these results are of considerable importance in understanding the role of IL-4, TNF, and IL-6 in cardiac myxoma patient with constitutional symptoms, and have an impact on strategies for diagnosis and therapy of cardiac myxoma.

The adrenocartical carcinoma is a rare tumor with an estimated incidence of 1 case per 1,700,000 population. Despite its rarity, a large number of investigators have studied this neoplasm for the following two reasons. The First is the occasional difficulty of differentiation between careinoma and adenoma at the time of initial surgery, even by histopathologic examination. The other is its unique feature of corticosteroidogenesis. Steroid metabolism of adrenocortieal carcinoma is characterized by its low efficiency of steroid production due to deficiency of steroidogenic enzyme. The deficieney of 11 B-hydroxylase has been indieated in case of adrenoeortical carcinoma by several investigators. In this study, the serum level of cortisol was within normal range, but the serum level of 11-deoxycortisol was 50 times higher than normal. After the removal of tumor, the serum level of ll-deoxycortisol was markedly decm. In conclusion, the results from the this case suggest that measurement of serum 11-deoxy- cortisol may be a useful tool in the diagnosis and follow-up of adrenocortical carcinoma.
Adenoma ; Adrenocortical Carcinoma* ; Cortodoxone ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Incidence ; Metabolism ; Reference Values ; Research Personnel

Background: The integrase strand transfer inhibitor dolutegravir has been indicated in Korea since 2014 for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in combination with other antiretroviral agents. This regulatory post-marketing surveillance (PMS) study evaluated the real-life safety and effectiveness of dolutegravir in patients with HIV-1 in clinical practice in Korea. Materials and Methods: This open-label PMS study examined data from consecutive patients (aged ≥12 years) with HIV-1 infection receiving dolutegravir according to locally approved prescribing information; treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced patients were permitted. Data regarding patient demographics, medical history, clinical characteristics, medications (HIV-related and concomitant), and comorbidities were extracted from patient records over a 1-year treatment period. Outcomes included the safety of dolutegravir (primary endpoint) and real-life effectiveness according to the Physician Global Assessment (PGA) and the proportion of patients with plasma HIV-1 RNA count <50 copies/mL at 48 weeks. Results: Of 147 patients treated with dolutegravir at 18 centers in Korea (August 2014 – August 2020), 139 were eligible for the safety analyses and 75 for effectiveness analyses.Patients (mean age 47 years) were mostly male (92.8%) and received dolutegravir in combination with nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (70.5%) or protease inhibitors (21.6%). Adverse events (AEs) (n = 179 in total) were mostly mild in severity, with the most common being nasopharyngitis (5.0%), dyspepsia (5.0%), pruritus (4.3%), and rash (4.3%).Of 16 adverse drug reactions (ADRs), the most frequent were rash, diarrhea, headache, insomnia, and somnolence (1.4% each). Of 2 serious ADRs, only 1 (gastroenteritis) was unexpected, and both resolved. The risk of experiencing an AE while receiving dolutegravir appeared to be especially increased in patients receiving concomitant medications for other conditions. Dolutegravir effectively suppressed HIV-1 (93.3% of patients had plasma HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL), and 100% of patients showed symptom improvement based on physician global assessment. Conclusion Results of this PMS study showed that dolutegravir administered as highly active antiretroviral therapy was well tolerated and effective in patients with HIV-1 infection.

Behar et al reported that small doses of epidurql morphine are effective in the treatment of acute and chronic pain by direct action on the specific receptors in the substantia gelations of the posterior horn of the spinal cord. Brachial plexus blocks were performed in 217 cases in our hospital from Jun. 1979 to Aug. 1981. In an attempt to evaluate the postoperative pain relief, these cases were divided into two groups; the control and the experimental group. The two groups were subdivided into three according to the method of approach-supraclavicular, interscalene, and axillary. The cases complaining of pain within 8 hours after the block were 71/112(63.4%) in the control group, and 26/105(24.8%) in the experimental group: and the cases complaining of pain or noticing no pain after 8 hours following the block were 41/112(36.6%) in the control group and 79/105(75.2%) in the experimental group. The postoperative pain relief was remarkable especially in the interscalene and supraclavicular approach in the experimental group. We thought this was probably due to anatomical variance of the interscalene and supraclavicular approach nearer to the spinal cord and opiate receptors.
Anesthesia, Conduction* ; Animals ; Brachial Plexus ; Chronic Pain ; Horns ; Morphine* ; Pain, Postoperative* ; Receptors, Opioid ; Spinal Cord

PURPOSE: The aims of this research are to correlate prenatal renal parenchymal thickness with postnatal outcome of fetal hydronephrosis, to establish the predictability of prenatal renal parenchymal thickness for surgical treatment and to apply this parameter to the evaluation and the follow-up of prenatal hydronephrosis. Material and METHOD: Between Jun 1991 and Jun 1998 we retrospectively identified 59 cases of fetal hydronephrosis in which renal pelvic anteroposterior diameter(PAPD) was greater than 10mm. Renal parenchymal thickness(RPT), renal pelvis anteroposterior diameter and renal anteroposterior diameter(RAPD) were measured on midtransverse from prenatal sonograms. The ability of these parameters to predict who would require surgical treatment was examined. The difference of these parameters in groups were compared using Wilcoxon rank sums analysis. RESULTS: 66.7% of fetuses with a renal parenchymal thickness lesser than 8mm and 71.4% of fetuses with a renal parenchymal thickness lesser than 6mm required surgical treatment. 33.3% of fetuses with an PAPD greater than 12mm and 45% of fetuses with an PAPD greater than 15mm required surgical treatment. 60% of fetuses with an ratio of PAPD/RAPD greater than 0.4 and 70% of fetuses with an ratio of PAPD/RAPD greater than 0.5 required surgical treatment. CONCLUSION: The research shows that RPT could be used as an useful parameter in the prediction of requirement of postnatal surgical treatment of fetal hydronephrosis ,in addition to the size of PAPD and the ratio of PAPD/RAPD which have been assumed as one of the most important parameters.
Fetus ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hydronephrosis* ; Kidney Pelvis ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: To determine the predictability of an aberrant hepatic artery by detection of a vessel in the portocaval space or fissure for the ligamentum venosum, as seen on arterial-phase spiral CT images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Axial spiral CT scans (10mm section thickness, 10mm table feed) were obtained in 100 patients with hepatic mass and were examined by two radiologists. In each case, each determined whether a vessel was located in the portocaval space or fissure for the ligamentum venosum, and the type of aberrant artery. All patients underwent conventional angiography and the results were interpreted by another radiologist and compared with the results as shown on CT. RESULTS: Twelve-one cases with a vessel within the portocaval space and 14 with a vessel within the fissure for the ligamentum venosum showed variation of the hepatic artery. When a vessel was located transversely in the portocaval space, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value of an aberrant hepatic artery were 94%, 100%, 100%, and 99%, respectively; when a vessel was located in the fissure for the ligamentum venosum, the corresponding rates were 88%, 100%, 100%, and 98%. CONCLUSION: The detection on arterial-phase spiral CT images of a vessel in the portocaval space or fissure for the ligamentum venosum can reliably predict the existence of an aberrant hepatic artery.
Angiography ; Arteries ; Diagnosis* ; Hepatic Artery* ; Humans ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, Spiral Computed*

OBJECTIVES: The inhibitory effect of Dickkopf (Dkk)-1 on osteoblastic differentiation through blocking Wnt signaling has been well studied. However, the role of other members of the subfamily of Dkks remains unclear. We have examined the role of different Dkks on osteoblastic differentiation of mesenchymal progenitor cells and apoptosis of osteoblasts. METHODS: Osteoblastic differentiation was induced by treatment of Wnt-3a with Dkks or vehicle in C3H10T1/2 cells and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was measured. Serum deprivation induced apoptosis was performed with pre-treatment of Dkks or vehicle in MC3T3-E1 cells and methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was done. RESULTS: Dkk-2 at low concentrations (5 and 20 nM) and Dkk-3, -4 at any concentrations (5 to 100 nM) significantly increased Wnt-3a-induced ALP activity, whereas Dkk-2 at high concentration (100 nM) significantly reduced. Treatment of Dkk-2, -3 and -4 at high concentration (100 nM) showed significant decreases of Wnt/beta-catenin transcriptional activity, whereas no effects were seen at low concentration (20 nM). In parallel experiments, treatment of Dkk-1 showed robust dose dependent inhibition not only in ALP activity but also in Wnt/beta-catenin transcriptional activity. Dkk-2, -3 and -4 increased serum deprivation-induced apoptosis in MC3T3-E1 mouse osteoblasts, while Dkk-1 had no effect. CONCLUSIONS: We found that unlike Dkk-1, Dkk-3 and -4 stimulated early osteoblastic differentiation at various concentrations regardless of their inhibitory effects on Wnt/beta-catenin transcriptional activity at high concentration. Dkk-2 had a biphasic effect where the lower doses significantly increased ALP activity while the high dose was inhibitory. Dkk-2, -3 and -4 stimulated osteoblast apoptosis whereas Dkk-1 had no effect.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Mice ; Osteoblasts

No abstract available.
Colonic Neoplasms ; Colonoscopy ; Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Liver Abscess, Pyogenic*

Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome is a rare, sporadically occuring disorder characterized by hemihypertrophy (unilateral limb hypertrophy), varicose veins, hemangiomata and occasionally arteriovenous malformation. With the development of ultrasonography, this syndrome can be detected by antenatal sonography. We report a case of Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome that demonstrates huge mass with increased blood flow on left thigh detected by ultrasonography.
Arteriovenous Malformations ; Extremities ; Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber Syndrome* ; Thigh ; Ultrasonography* ; Varicose Veins

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate incidence of microbial growth from the tip of the embryo transfer catheter after embryo transfer in relation to clinical pregnancy rate following in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. METHOD: This study was performed prospectively at the time of transcervical embryo transfer following conventional in-vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection procedures. Sixty three patients were enrolled in this study. Microbiological cultures were performed on endocervical swabs and embryo transfer catheter tips. RESULTS: Positive microbial growths were observed from endocervical swabs in 45 (71.4%) women and from catheter tips in 30 (47.6%) women. There was no statistically significant difference seen in the mean number of oocytes fertilized or number and grade of embryos transferred between the group of patients without growth and the group of patients with positive microbial growth from catheter tips. The clinical pregnancy rate were 30.3% in the group of patients without growth and 13.3% in the group with positive microbial growth from catheter tips. This difference in clinical pregnancy rates was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Our finding is that microbial contamination at embryo transfer may influence implantation rates. The major questions arising from our finding are whether eradication of endocervical micro-organisms is possible and whether their eradication will improve implantation rates.
Catheters ; Embryo Transfer* ; Embryonic Structures* ; Female ; Fertilization ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Oocytes ; Pregnancy Rate* ; Pregnancy* ; Prospective Studies ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic