Acute pyogenic arthritis in renal transplant patient is one of the serious problem resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this paper is to analyze seven patients in whom acute pyogenic arthritis developed following renal transplantation. Pyogenic arthritis developed in seven (0.7%) out of 958 renal transplant patients whose transplanted kidney functioned well for more than two years. The age of the patients ranged from 37 to 65 years with a mean of 48 years. All patients were male. Pyogenic arthritis developed between the period of one and 12 years (mean: 4.5+/-4.2 years) following transplantation. Causative organisms were Staphylococcus aureus (three), E. coli (two), Salmonella (one) and Acinetobacter bananii (one). Involved joints were four knees, one hip, one elbow and one finger. Two patients improved on a conservative regimen of bed rest and antibiotics and five patients required open drainage. However, pyogenic arthritis recurred in three years, four years and seven years after renal transplant in one patient. Looking at the probable risk factors of age, sex, immunosuppresants, diabetics and acute graft rejection, diabetics and older age (over 40 years old) are highly associated with post renal transplant pyogenic arthritis.
Acinetobacter ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Arthritis* ; Bed Rest ; Drainage ; Elbow ; Fingers ; Graft Rejection ; Hip ; Humans ; Joints ; Kidney ; Kidney Transplantation ; Knee ; Male ; Mortality ; Risk Factors ; Salmonella ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Transplantation*

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to assess the efficacy of routine ultrasonographic prediction of macrosomic fetal weight, to determine its influences on subsequent delivery type and to assess perinatal outcome by delivery type. METHODS: The hospital records of 177 patients delivered infants weighing > or =4000gm between January 1997 and December 1998 were reviewed. Statistical comparisons were made between patients in whom fetal macrosomia was predicted before delivery(n=71) and those in whom it was not(n=106) and between the perinatal outcomes for macrosomic fetuses delivered vaginally and by cesarean section. The statistical analysis was performed by student-t test, and Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: The fetuses were consecutive singleton fetuses in vertex presentation delivered at a single institute. The sensitivity for identifying macrosomic fetus(birth weight >4000gm) with an estimated weight of > or =4000gm was 40%, Overall 60% of the infants had birth weights within 10% of the ultrasonographic estimates and 29% had birth weights within 5% of the ultrasonographic estimates. Cesarean sections were performed in 69% of the 'predicted' group and in 35% of the 'not predicted' group(69% vs 35%, p<0.0001, Fisher's exact test). Predicated group were more likely to be performed by elective cesarean section(48% vs 19%, p<0.0001, Fisher's exact test) and more like due to failed progress at<4cm cervical dilatation(27% vs 7%, p<0.05, Fisher's exact test). The proportion of patients delivered by cesarean section for failed progress at > or =4cm cervical dilatation was similar in the predicted and not predicted groups(19% vs 12%, NS). There was no significant difference in the incidences of the occurrence of birth trauma. CONCLUSION: There appears to be a limitation to obtain estimation of fetal weight by ultrasonography. The antenatal prediction of fetal macrosomia is associated with a marked increase in cesarean deliveries without a significant reduction in the incidence of fetal injury
Birth Weight ; Cesarean Section ; Female ; Fetal Macrosomia ; Fetal Weight* ; Fetus ; Hospital Records ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Labor Stage, First ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Ultrasonography*

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate the effect of epidural anesthesia on labor course. METHODS: Between January 1998 and December 1998, we evaluated pregnant women at term with singleton fetus in vertex presentation and with spontaneous onset of labor at our hospital. Comparison of 120 women (100 cases of primiparous women, 20 cases of multiparous women) who received epidural anesthesia in labor with 120 women (100 cases of primiparous women, 20 cases of multiparous women) who did not receive epidural anesthesia was performed. Adverse pregnancy outcomes were obtained from hospital delivery records and neonatal records. Statistical analysis were performed by Student's t-test and Chi square test. RESULTS: The results of this study were as followings; 1. There was no significant difference in mean age, body weight, height, and gestational age between epidural anesthesia group and control group (P>0.05). 2. The frequency of oxytocin augmentation was significantly greater in the primiparous epidural anesthetic group than in primiparous control group (p<0.05). 3. The effect of epidural anesthesia on the first stage of labor revealed no significant difference in both group. 4. Prolongation of second stage of labor was noticed in nullipara of epidural anesthesia group compared to control group (p<0.05). 5. The incidence of instrumental delivery was significantly increased in the primiparous epidural group than in the primiparous control group(p<0.05). 6. The meconium-stained amnionic fluid, Apgar score and birth weight were similar in both groups. 7. The maternal blood loss was similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Epidural anesthesia, significantly prolongs second stage of labor in induced patients. While instrumental delivery was more prevalent in these parturients, C-section rate and intra-partum complications were not increased in these patients.
Amnion ; Anesthesia, Epidural* ; Apgar Score ; Birth Weight ; Body Weight ; Female ; Fetus ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Incidence ; Oxytocin ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnant Women

The robust identification and comprehensive profiling of copy number alterations (CNAs) is highly challenging. The amount of data obtained from high-throughput technologies such as array-based comparative genomic hybridization is often too large and it is required to develop a comprehensive and versatile tool for the detection and visualization of CNAs in a genome-wide scale. With this respective, we introduce a software framework, CGHscape that was originally developed to explore the CNAs for the study of copy number variation (CNV) or tumor biology. As a standalone program, CGHscape can be easily installed and run in Microsoft Windows platform. With a user-friendly interface, CGHscape provides a method for data smoothing to cope with the intrinsic noise of array data and CNA detection based on SW-ARRAY algorithm. The analysis results can be demonstrated as log2 plots for individual chromosomes or genomic distribution of identified CNAs. With extended applicability, CGHscape can be used for the initial screening and visualization of CNAs facilitating the cataloguing and characterizing chromosomal alterations of a cohort of samples.
Biology ; Coat Protein Complex I ; Cohort Studies ; Comparative Genomic Hybridization ; Mass Screening ; Noise ; Phosphatidylethanolamines

The most common cause of blurred vision after extracapsular cataract extraction is known to be an opacification of the posterior lens capsule. The pathogenesis of posterior lens capsule opacification is primarily caused by residual lens epithelial cells. For the prevention of posterior capsular opacification, several kinds of anti-mitotic drugs is being actively investigated. But the antimitotic drugs are not clinically used due to toxicity towards the intraocular tissues. The objectives of this study is to evaluate the effect of mitomycin C and tirilazad mesylate(FREEDOX(TM)) respectively for inhibiting the proliferation of rabbit lens epithelial cells when it is administered in a short period. Lens epithelial cells from white rabbits were harvested andcultured for 4 passages. Mitomycin C was applied for 3 minutes with 0.025mg/ml and 0.05mg/ml in concentration respectively. The proliferation assay was performed by [(3)H]-thymidine uptake test. Significant decrease of lens epithelial cell proliferation appeared in both drugs.When Mitomycin-C was applied with 0.025mg/ml for 3 minutes, cell proliferation was reduced to 31.5% compared with control and in 0.05mg/ml concentration, to 12.5%. When tirilazad mesylate was applied 0.15mg/ml for 3 minutes, cell proliferation was reduced to 46.5% compared with control and in 1.5mg/ml concentration, to 7.5%. If futher investigation would show the effectives and safety of these drugs, these agents could be applied into the lens capsular bad at the time of surgery to prevent the posterior capsular opacification after cataract surgery.
Antimetabolites* ; Antimitotic Agents ; Capsule Opacification ; Cataract ; Cataract Extraction ; Cell Proliferation ; Epithelial Cells* ; Mesylates ; Mitomycin ; Rabbits

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to evaluate the surgical outcomes of plate fixation using autologous iliac bone graft shaped in the form of a matchstick in clavicle nonunion resulting from prior surgical or non-surgical management. METHODS: From May 2005 to February 2013, 17 patients underwent surgery for clavicle nonunion. The mean age at the time of surgery was 48.8 years. The iliac bone was harvested and shaped into slivers approximately 3 cm long, which resembled matchsticks. After opening of the medullary canal, the plate and screws were applied and cancellous bone was placed at the nonunion site. Matchstick bone grafts which were longitudinally placed and encircled on the nonunion site were tied with periosteum using 3–4 stitches. Union was determined via postoperative plane X-ray. Clinical status was evaluated using the visual analogue scale score for pain, and Constant and American Shoulder Elbow Surgeon score. RESULTS: All patients had a stable radiological union at the follow-up. The mean duration from index operation to nonunion operation was 13.2 months (7–32 months). The mean follow-up period was 20.1 months (8–56 months), and the mean duration until union was 11.2 weeks (8–16 weeks). All clinical scores were improved at the final follow-up (p<0.001). The mean segmental defect was 3.3 ± 2.6 mm (1–18 mm); and the difference in clavicular length between operative and non-operative site was 5.9 ± 6.9 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Matchstick shaped autologous iliac bone grafting technique in clavicle nonunion is acceptable with a high union rate.
Bone Transplantation ; Clavicle* ; Elbow ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Periosteum ; Shoulder ; Transplants

Fexofenadine is useful in various allergic disease treatment.However,the pharmacokinetic variability information and quantitative factor identification of fexofenadine are very lacking.This study aimed to verify the validity of previously proposed genetic factors through fexofenadine population pharmaco-kinetic modeling and to explore the quantitative correlations affecting the pharmacokinetic variability.Polymorphisms of the organic-anion-transporting-polypeptide(OATP)1B1 and 2B1 have been proposed to be closely related to fexofenadine pharmacokinetic diversity.Therefore,modeling was performed using fexofenadine oral exposure data according to the OATP1B1-and 2B1-polymorphisms.OATP1B1 and 2B1 were identified as effective covariates of clearance(CL/F)and distribution volume(V/F)-CL/F,respectively,in fexofenadine pharmacokinetic variability.CL/F and average steady-state plasma con-centration of fexofenadine differed by up to 2.17-and 2.20-folds,respectively,depending on the OATP1B1 polymorphism.Among the individuals with different OATP2B1 polymorphisms,the CL/F and V/F differed by up to 1.73-and 2.00-folds,respectively.Ratio of the areas under the curves following single-and multiple-administrations,and the cumulative ratio were significantly different between OATP1B1-and 2B1-polymorphism groups.Based on quantitative prediction comparison through a model-based approach,OATP1B1 was confirmed to be relatively more important than 2B1 regarding the degree of effect on fexofenadine pharmacokinetic variability.Based on the established pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationship,the difference in fexofenadine efficacy according to genetic poly-morphisms of OATP1B1 and 2B1 was 1.25-and 0.87-times,respectively,and genetic consideration of OATP1B1 was expected to be important in the pharmacodynamics area as well.This population phar-macometrics study will be a very useful starting point for fexofenadine precision medicine.

Tuberculosis of the thyroid gland is extremely rare with few cases reported in recent years. Tuberculosis may involve the thyroid gland in two main forms. The more common of theses is miliary spread to the thyroid as part of generalized dissemination and less commonly focal or caseous tuberculosis of the thyroid may occur, presenting as a nodule, as a thyroiditis, as a abscess, or as carcinoma like.We experienced two cases of tuberculosis of the thyroid gland presenting with palpable thyroid nodule in 26 year-old female and 65 year-old female patients. They have been clinically and biochemically euthyroid and their thyroid scans demonstrated a cold nodule at right thyroid gland. We found no evidence of tuberculosis elsewhere. The goiter was removed surgically and confirmed to be tuberculosis. They were medicated antituberculous agents after operation and followed up regulary out patient department.We report the cases of two patients with tuberculosis involving thyroid with reviews of literature.
Abscess ; Female ; Goiter ; Humans ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Nodule ; Thyroiditis ; Tuberculosis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Since statins and angiotensin receptor blockers are a frequently prescribed combination in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases, we tested the interactive effects of simvastatin and losartan on atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E (apoE)-/- mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Apolipoprotein E-/- mice were fed a high-fat, high-cholesterol (HFHC) diet for 12 weeks, with and without simvastatin (40 mg/kg) and/or losartan (20 mg/kg). The mice were divided into 5 groups and were fed as follows: regular chow (control diet, n=5), HFHC diet (n=6), HFHC diet with losartan (n=6), HFHC diet with simvastatin (n=6), and HFHC diet with both losartan and simvastatin (n=6). RESULTS: Losartan treatment in apoE-/- mice significantly decreased atherosclerotic lesion areas in whole aortic strips stained with Oil Red O. The plaque area measured at the aortic sinus level was reduced significantly by 17% (HFHC; 346830.9+/-52915.8 microm2 vs. HFHC plus losartan; 255965.3+/-74057.7 microm2, p<0.05) in the losartan-treated group. Simvastatin and simvastatin plus losartan treatments reduced macrophage infiltration into lesions by 33% (HFHC; 183575.6+/-43211.2 microm2 vs. HFHC plus simvastatin; 120556.0+/-39282.8 microm2, p<0.05) and 44% (HFHC; 183575.6+/-43211.2 microm2 vs. HFHC plus simvastatin and losartan; 103229.0+/-8473.3 microm2, p<0.001, respectively). In mice fed the HFHC diet alone, the smooth muscle cell layer in the aortic media was almost undetectable. In mice co-treated with losartan and simvastatin, the smooth muscle layer was more than 60% preserved (p<0.05). Given alone, losartan showed a slightly stronger effect than simvastatin; however, treatment with losartan plus simvastatin induced a greater inhibitory effect on atherosclerosis than either drug given alone. Serum lipid profiles did not differ significantly among the groups. CONCLUSION: Losartan displayed anti-atherosclerotic effects in apoE-/- mice that were equivalent to or greater than the effects of simvastatin. Combined treatment with these drugs had greater effect than either drug alone.
Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists ; Animals ; Apolipoproteins ; Atherosclerosis ; Azo Compounds ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Diet ; Humans ; Losartan ; Macrophages ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Models, Animal ; Muscle, Smooth ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; Simvastatin ; Sinus of Valsalva

Isolated rabbit aortic ring with intact endothelial cell preparations precontracted with NE (10(-7) M) were relaxed by vanadate in a dose dependent manner (from 0.2 to 2 mM). Application of vanadate and ACh during the tonic phase of high K+(100 mM)-induced contraction showed a slight relaxation in contrast to that in NE-induced contraction, but sodium nitroprusside (10 microM) more effectively relaxed the aortic ring preparations in high K+ contraction than that of vanadate. Vanadate-induced relaxation in NE-contracted aortic rings was reversed by application of BaCl2 (50 microM) or glibenclamide (10 microM). Furthermore, Vanadate hyperpolarized membrane potential of smooth muscle cells in endothelium-intact aortic strips and this effect was abolished by application of glibenclamide. The above results suggest that vanadate release EDHF (Endothelium-Derived Hyperpolarizing Factor), in addition to EDRF (Endothelium-Derived Relaxing Factor) from endothelial cell. This EDHF hyperpolarize the smooth muscle cell membrane potential via opening of the ATP-sensitive K+ channel and close a voltage dependent Ca++ channel. So it is suggested that the vanadate-induced relaxation of rabbit thoracic aortic rings may be due to the combined effects of EDRF and EDHF.
Animal ; Aorta/drug effects/physiology ; In Vitro ; Membrane Potentials/drug effects ; Potassium/pharmacology ; Potassium Channels/physiology ; Rabbits ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Tetraethylammonium Compounds/pharmacology ; Vanadates/*pharmacology ; Vasodilation/*drug effects