No abstract available.
Aortic Coarctation*

No abstract available.
Methicillin Resistance* ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus*

We made a mistake in our recently published article.

Tissues actively involved in energy metabolism are more likely to face metabolic challenges from bioenergetic substrates and are susceptible to mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to metabolic diseases. The mitochondria receive signals regarding the metabolic states in cells and transmit them to the nucleus or endoplasmic reticulum (ER) using calcium (Ca2+) for appropriate responses. Overflux of Ca2+ in the mitochondria or dysregulation of the signaling to the nucleus and ER could increase the incidence of metabolic diseases including insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Mitochondrial transcription factor A (Tfam) may regulate Ca2+ flux via changing the mitochondrial membrane potential and signals to other organelles such as the nucleus and ER. Since Tfam is involved in metabolic function in the mitochondria, here, we discuss the contribution of Tfam in coordinating mitochondria-ER activities for Ca2+ flux and describe the mechanisms by which Tfam affects mitochondrial Ca2+ flux in response to metabolic challenges.

OBJECTIVES: This study was attempted to identify the relationship between white blood cell counts and the metabolic syndrome. METHODS: This study included 394 adults who visited the medical checkup center placed in Gwangju, January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008. Index of blood test and physical checkup were performed on the study such as triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, fasting sugar and white blood cell counts. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between white blood cell counts, white blood cell differential count and metabolic syndrome with an adjustment age and smoking status. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of metabolic syndrome was 25.3% among males and 13.3% among females, and was particularly high among males in their 40s. The increase in white blood cell counts lead to high prevalence of metabolic syndrome for both males and females. As white blood cell counts increased, the values of body mass index and cardiovascular risk factors were increased significantly. The odds ratio for elevated white blood cell counts increased significantly in the subjects with each components of the metabolic syndrome compared to the subjects without them, The lymphocyte counts in the white blood cell differential counts were higher in patients with metabolic syndrome than in those without. CONCLUSIONS: High level of white blood cell counts in normal range can be used as indicator in chronic inflammation. Increased white blood cell counts were significantly associated with metabolic syndrome.
Adult ; Body Mass Index ; Fasting ; Female ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Leukocyte Count ; Leukocytes ; Logistic Models ; Lymphocyte Count ; Male ; Odds Ratio ; Prevalence ; Reference Values ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking

PURPOSE: To compare the survival rates of patients with hepatoma using different methods of transcatheter arterial chemoemblization(THAE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four hundred and eighty three patients with hepatoma diagnosed by biopsy, serum alpha-fetoprotein, abdominal CT scan, abdominal ultrasonography or hepatic angiography were included, but not all had reccived surgical treatment. They were divided into two groups according to Child's classification and into subgroups according to different methods of THAE. Five-year survival rates among these groups were retrospectively Compared. The patients were aged between 24 and 85(mean, 58) ; male to female ratio was 324:61 for those who received THAE (396:87 when only hepatic angiography was considered). RESULTS: In the group with more than a single episode of chemoembolization, regardless of Child's classification, a better survival rate compared to the other groups with or without concommitant radiotherapy or without chemoembolization was noted. There was no difference in the survival rate of patients with multiple chemoembolization. Moreover, no difference in this rate was observed no matter what chemotherapeutic agents, including Adriamycin, Cis-Diaminedichloroplatinum or 1-131-Lipiodol, were used. Embolization by gelfoam in conjuction with Adriamycin resulted in no difference in survival rate regardless of requency of chemoembolization. CONCLUSIONS: An improved survival rate was seen when multiple episodes of chemoembolization were applied, but no difference was seen when there was concomitant application of either gelfoam or radiotherapy. Two different chemotherapeutic agents,Adriamycin and Cis-Diaminedichloroplatinum, were used, but there was no difference between them in their effect on survival rates.
alpha-Fetoproteins ; Angiography ; Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Classification ; Female ; Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable ; Humans ; Male ; Radiotherapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: To evaluate risk factors of posterolateral articular depression and characteristics of the posterolateral fragment in lateral condylar and bicondylar tibial plateau fractures with joint depression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 48 patients of Schatzker type II and type V (type II 34, type V 14) and evaluated risk factors of posterolateral articular depression according to the posterolateral fragment, fibular fracture, and Schatzker classification. We evaluated the position of articular depression and anterolateral fracture line of the posterolateral fragment and measured anterior to posterior lengths of the posterolateral fragment. RESULTS: Posterolateral articular depression was found in 20 of 34 cases (59%) with coexisting posterolateral fragment and in 16 of 21 cases (76%) with coexisting fibular fracture. There was a significant difference in the occurrence of posterolateral articular depression with the existence of the posterolateral fragment and fibular fracture (p<0.001). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that fibular fracture increased the occurrence of posterolateral articular depression (odds ratio 24.5, 95% confidence interval 2.2-267.2). Fifty-seven percentage of the anterolateral fracture line of the posterolateral fragment existed posterior to the anterior margin of the fibular head. CONCLUSION: This study showed that fibular fracture affects posterolateral articular depression in Schatzker type II and V tibial plateau fractures. Selecting a fixation device and performing fracture reduction requires a careful consideration since the anterolateral fracture line of the posterolateral fragment exists posterior to the anterior margin of the fibular head.
Head ; Humans ; Joints* ; Risk Factors*

Testicular granulosa cell tumor(GCT) is a rare neoplasm. We report here on an incidentally discovered testicular granulosa cell tumor in a 36-year-old man. The serum tumor markers were within the normal limits. The ultrasonographic findings revealed a mass with a heterogenous hypoechoic echotexture, including multiple variable sized cystic components. The histology on the orchiectomy specimen demonstrated a gonadal stromal tumor with granulosa cell features. Testicular granulosa cell tumor of the adult type is a very rare tumor, and there have been several isolated case reports and small serial studies described in the literature.
Adult ; Female ; Gonads ; Granulosa Cell Tumor ; Granulosa Cells ; Humans ; Orchiectomy ; Testicular Neoplasms ; Testis ; Biomarkers, Tumor

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the association between common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT), brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), carotid plaque, and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) as indicators of macroangiopathy and diabetic retinopathy as an indicator of microangiopathy in type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS: We analyzed 605 type 2 diabetic patients registered at a public health center in Korea. Following overnight fasting, venous blood and urine samples were collected and analyzed. The CCA-IMT, levels of carotid plaque, baPWV, and ankle-brachial index (ABI) of the subjects were assessed. We used non-mydriatic fundus photography to diagnose diabetic retinopathy. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between macroangiopathy and diabetic retinopathy. CCA-IMT and baPWV were divided into tertiles: CCA-IMT, 0.39 to 0.65 mm, 0.66 to 0.78 mm, and 0.79 to 1.30 mm; baPWV, 9.9 to 15.8 m/s, 15.9 to 18.9 m/s, and 19.0 to 38.0 m/s. RESULTS: The association between baPWV and diabetic retinopathy remained significant after adjustment, with an increasing odds ratio (OR) in the second tertile (OR, 2.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27 to 4.55) and the third tertile (OR, 4.63; 95% CI, 2.33 to 9.21). No significant differences were observed in carotid plaque, PAD, and each tertile of CCA-IMT. CONCLUSIONS: BaPWV was associated with diabetic retinopathy, while CCA-IMT, carotid plaque, and PAD were not. This study suggests that the association between macroangiopathy and microangiopathy may be attributable to functional processes rather than structural processes within the vascular system.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Ankle Brachial Index ; Carotid Artery Diseases/epidemiology/*pathology ; Confidence Intervals ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/epidemiology/*pathology ; Diabetic Retinopathy/epidemiology/*pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Odds Ratio ; Peripheral Arterial Disease/epidemiology/*pathology ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Risk Assessment ; Tunica Intima/pathology ; Tunica Media/pathology

OBJECTIVES: The American Diabetes Association (ADA) has recently recommended the HbA1c assay as one of four options for making the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, with a cut-point of > or =6.5%. We compared the HbA1c assay and the fasting plasma glucose level for making the diagnosis of diabetes among Korean adults. METHODS: We analyzed 8710 adults (age 45-74 years), who were not diagnosed as having diabetes mellitus, from the Namwon study population. A fasting plasma glucose level of > or =126 mg/dL and an A1c of > or =6.5% were used for the diagnosis of diabetes. The kappa index of agreement was calculated to measure the agreement between the diagnosis based on the fasting plasma glucose level and the HbA1c. RESULTS: The kappa index of agreement between the fasting plasma glucose level and HbA1c was 0.50. CONCLUSIONS: The agreement between the fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c for the diagnosis of diabetes was moderate for Korean adults.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anemia, Aplastic/*diagnosis ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Platelet Count/*standards ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic/*diagnosis ; Reference Values ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sex Factors