BACKGROUND: Bilirubin has been suggested as a antioxidant which protect oxidation of lipids and lipoproteins. Given that oxidized lipids and lipoproteins are known to be atherogenic, low serum concentrations of bilirubin could be associated with the high risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). But few studies have been performed for confirmation of this hypothesis. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between serum concentrations of billrubln and the angiographically documented CAD. METHODS: Eighty five CAD patients and 56 non-CAD patients, classified according to the maximum stenosis of coronary artery at angiography, were enrolled in this study. The degree of the coronary arterial stenosis were subclassified into <10% (non-CAD), 10-49% (mildly stenotic CAD) and > or =50% (severely stenotic CAD). We retro-spectively reviewed serum concentrations of total and direct bilrubin at the time of angiography, compared tine mean concentrations of bilirubin between two groups and evaluated it in relation to the severity of CAD by statistical analysis. RESULTS: The mean concentration of total bilrubin was significant1y lower in CAD group 4han non-CAD group (12.8 micromol/L vs. 15.2 micromol/L, p value=0.04) The mean concentration of direct bilirubin was lower in CAD group than non-CAD group but not statistically significant (3.3 micromol/L vs. 4.2 micromol/L, p value=0.07). Although not significant, the concentration of total bilirubin in severely stenotic group (12.8 CAD group 12.8+/-4.3 micromol/L) was lower than mildly stenotic group (13.5+/-3.8 micromol/L) and non CAD group (15.2+/-7.4 micromol/L ) (p=0.07). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that low serum concentrations of total bilirubin were associated with the high risk of CAD and supports the hypothesis that serum bilirubin could act as an antiatherosclerotic factor. Further prospective studies are required to confirm the relationship between bilirubin and CAD and to elucidate the most associated fraction of bilirubin and pathogenic mechanism.
Angiography ; Bilirubin* ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Artery Disease* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Humans ; Lipoproteins

Metabolomics, a novel "omics" platform, is a powerful tool for the discovery of clinically useful biomarkers and biochemical processes to improve diagnosis and therapy. Through the use of advanced analytical technologies, metabolomics enables the assessment of comprehensive metabolic profiles that are affected by both genotype and environmental factors. Recently, attention has been focused on the concept of pharmacometabolomics, an emerging field that is derived from metabolomics. Pharmacometabolomics is focused on the use of individual metabolic signatures for the prediction and evaluation of drug efficacy and safety, eventually accelerating clinical pharmacology toward personalized drug therapy.
Biochemical Processes ; Biomarkers ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Genotype ; Humans ; Precision Medicine ; Metabolome ; Metabolomics ; Pharmacology, Clinical

OBJECTIVE: Acute inflammatory lesions in the placenta is one of the most common histopathologic lesions of women with preterm premature rupture of membrane. But there is a few scientific evidence to support the association between amniotic fluid white blood cell count and the presence and severity of acute placental inflammation in preterm premature rupture of membrane. To evaluate the relationship between amniotic fluid white blood cell count and the presence and severity of acute placental inflammatory lesions in preterm premature rupture of membrane. METHODS: The relationship between amniotic fluid white blood cell count and placental histologic finding was examined in 89 consecutive patients who were admitted with the diagnosis of preterm premature rupture of membrane and who delivered singleton gestation within 3 days. RESULTS: The prevalence of acute histologic chorioamnionitis was 68.5%(61/89) and that of positive amniotic fluid culture was 32.6%(29/89). The prevalence of positive amniotic fluid culture increased according to the higher severity of inflammation in each type of placental section(p<0.05 for each). The median amniotic fluid white blood cell count increased significantly according to the presence and higher severity of inflammation in each type of placental section(p<0.01 for each). The median amniotic fluid white blood cell count increased significantly according to the higher total grade of inflammation in placental histologic examination(p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Both the presence and higher severity of acute histologic chorioamnionitis are associated with an elevated amniotic fluid white blood cell count. The total grade of acute histologic chorioamnionitis is associated with an elevated amniotic fluid white blood cell count. Amniotic fluid white blood cell count is a reliable prenatal marker of histologic chorioamnionitis."
Amniotic Fluid* ; Chorioamnionitis ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation* ; Leukocyte Count* ; Leukocytes* ; Membranes* ; Placenta ; Pregnancy ; Prevalence ; Rupture*

Malignant mixed mullerian tumor (MMMT) is an unusual tumor composed of malignant epithelial and nonepithelial components in the same lesion and is subdivided into homologous and heterologous types. Epidemiologically, these tumors are associated with prior pelvic irradiation, functioning ovarian lesions, exogenous estrogen therapy and rarely endometriosis. We experienced a case of uterine MMMT which arose from adenomyosis in a 47-year-old woman who had no specific past medical history. The posterior uterine corpus showed a 3.5x3.0x2.0 cm sized, relatively well defined tumor mass within the background of the adenomyosis. The tumor was composed of well differentiated endometrial adenocarcinoma and sarcomatous stroma with foci of rhabdomyosarcomatous differentiation confirmed by immunohistochemical and electron microscopic studies. Through the immunohistochemical study, both the epithelial and nonepithelial components were positive for cytokeratin and it suggested that the sarcomatous area originated from metaplasia of the adenocarcinoma component. From the overall findings, it is regarded as an uterine heterologous MMMT which arose from adenomyosis.
Adenocarcinoma ; Adenomyosis* ; Endometriosis ; Estrogens ; Female ; Humans ; Keratins ; Metaplasia ; Middle Aged ; Rhabdomyosarcoma ; Uterus*

Twenty seven fractures of the femoral neck in 26 elderly patients treated by primary replacement with the endoprosthesis were reviewed. The end results of 18 hips of 17 patients who were followed up at least over 6 months were as follows. The average age was sixty-seven years. Seventeen fractures occurred in women and ten in men. Of these 18 hips, eleven hips were excellent or good. Poor results were in two hips; one developed deep seated infection and the other patient who could walk with crutch after bilateral endoprosthetic replacement because of Lt hip pain. It is considered that this method is the best treatment in the rehabilitation of elderly patients after high femoral neck fracture, because of its low morbidity and high success rate in returning the geriatric orthopaedic patients to independence.
Aged ; Female ; Femoral Neck Fractures ; Femur Neck ; Hip ; Humans ; Male ; Methods ; Rehabilitation

Ninety six patients treated at Seoul Red Cross Hospital from Jan. 1979 to Dec. 1982 were analized in clinical and radiological aspect. The results obtained from this study were as followings; 1. Among the 96 patients, male was 67 patients and female was 29 patients (M:F=2.5:1). The average age was 32. 2. The causes of the injury were traffic accident, slipping down, falling down and sports injuries in orders. 3. According to the classification of Lauge-Hansen, supination external rotation type (38.5%) was the most common type. 4. 65 cases (67.7%) were treated by open reduction and 31 cases (32.3%) by closed reduction. The better result was obtained by open reduction than closed reduction. 5. Accurate reduction and rigid internal fixation of the lateral malleolus was most important in treatment of the ankle fractures. 6. Classification of Lauge-Hansen was useful in diagnosis and treatment of the ankle fractures.
Accidental Falls ; Accidents, Traffic ; Ankle Fractures ; Ankle ; Athletic Injuries ; Classification ; Clinical Study ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Red Cross ; Seoul ; Supination

PURPOSE: To study the effectiveness of Interferon alfa-2b (IFN alpha 2b) for treating squamous papilloma of the conjunctiva. METHODS: One million units/cc of IFN alpha 2b was applied 4 times a day after identifying squamous papilloma by excisional biopsy. The IFN alpha 2b was used continuously 2 to 6 months after the tumor became undetectable with the unaided eye. The dose was then tapered. RESULTS: Three of the 4 patients had a history of recurrences (1-4 times). In one patient, the tumor was difficult to remove surgically due to the location of the tumor (around the upper punctum). The tumor disappeared with no complications or recurrences during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with conjunctival squamous papilloma with frequent relapses or difficulty in excision, applying IFN alpha 2b as an eye drop appears to be an effective form of therapy and can be used safely without complications.
Biopsy ; Conjunctiva ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Interferons* ; Papilloma* ; Recurrence

The incidence of adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix had shown an increasing tendency, and which is related to the increased use of oral contraceptives or prevalent in human papillomavirus infection. Endocervical glandular dysplasia or adenocarcinoma in situ are occasionally associated with squamous neoplasms of the uterine cervix. This study was aimed to evaluate the histologic features and the incidence of endocervical glandular lesions associated with squamous neoplasms, the presence of human papillomavirus infection-suggesting histologic findings in adjacent squamous neoplasms and the immmunohistochemical findings of endocervical glandular lesions for carcinoembryonic antigen. The materials used were 105 cases of microinvasive and invasive squamous cell carcinoma, and 83 cases of squamous intraepithelial lesions which are consisted of 142 radical or total hystrectomy products and 46 conization or loop excision products. The results are as follows; 1. Among 188 cases, six cases(3.2%) had shown foci of high grade glandular dyaplasia, and 19 cases(10.1%) revealed the areas of low grade glandular dysplasia. There was no adenocarcinoma in situ case. 2. In four of six high grade glandular dysplasia cases, microinvasive or invasive squamous cell carcinomas were associated. In low grade glandular dysplasias, sqaumous intraepithelial lesions were occcupying 68.4%. 3. HPV infection-suggesting histologic findings had accompanied all high grade glandular dysplasia cases and in 17 cases(89.5%) of 19 low grade glandular dysplasias. 4. In 2 of 5 high grade glandular dysplasias and in 1 of 19 low grade glandular dysplasias, the immunohistochemical reaction for carcinoembryonic antigen was similar to that of adenocarcinoma. In conclusion, the clinicopathologic importance of endocervical glandular lesions associated with squamous neoplasms of the uterine cervix should be kept in mind, and further study for the relationship between endocervical glandular lesions and human papillomavirus infection or hormonal influence will be continued.
Humans ; Incidence ; Adenocarcinoma

Pulmonary endometriosis is a rare disease which is characterized by hemoptysis during menstruation (catamenial hemoptysis). We report a case of pulmonary endometriosis in a 33-year-old housewife. She has had regular menses with moderate flow and minimal dysmenorrhea. She had undergone curettage in May 1995 for artificial abortion. In July 1995, she experienced the first episode of hemoptysis. A chest CT scan revealed a 2.0 1.0 cm sized ill-defined soft tissue density in the periphery of anterior segment of the left upper lobe with a surrounding irregular ground-glass opacity. A left upper lobectomy was done under the diagnosis of pulmonary endometriosis. Cut section of the resected lung showed a round red-brownish solid lesion, measuring 2.0x1.0cm in cross. Microscopically a focus of the endometrial tissue, which was composed of endometrial glands and stroma, was found in the lung parenchyme and many hemosiderin laden macrophages were seen in the surrounding alveoli. The postoperative course was favorable with no further episodes of hemoptysis.
Adult ; Curettage ; Diagnosis ; Dysmenorrhea ; Endometriosis* ; Female ; Hemoptysis ; Hemosiderin ; Humans ; Lung ; Macrophages ; Menstruation ; Rare Diseases ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The fabella, a sesamoid bone that occasionally is found in humans on the gliding surface of the lateral head of the gastrocnemius, is a sign of an atavistjc pattern. The authors examined radiograph of knees of 817 patients for the presence of fabella and determined the incidence of fabella in traumatic patients as compared with non-traumatic patients with primary osteoarthrosis or vague pain in that knees. The results were as followes: l. 31.0% of 626 adult patients had at least a unilateral fabella. 2. There was no difference in the incidence of fabella according to sex (p<0.01). 3. The youngest boy showing the fabella was aged 12 years & 8 months, the youngest girl 15 years & 2 months. 4. 87.1% of the patients who had a fabella had one bilaterally. 5. Fabellae were more common in the patients with primary osteoarthrosis or vague pain in that knees. 6. It is our opinion that the presence of fabella is more important in the clinical aspect in Korea.
Adult ; Female ; Head ; Humans ; Incidence ; Knee ; Korea ; Male ; Osteoarthritis ; Sesamoid Bones