• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.51-55
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• 2002

Background : An increased frequency of reproductive endocrine disorders and polycystic ovary(PCO) has been reported in women with epilepsy. A possible role of the seizure disorder or, of the use of antiepileptic drugs(AEDs) has been suggested as the pathogenic mechanism. The objective of the present study was to assess the prevalence of reproductive endocrine disorders, such as PCO or menstrual abnormalities, in a series of women with epilepsy, examining the possible relationships of these disturbances with different epilepsy syndromes and AED treatment. Methods : Thirty epileptic women, all of reproductive age and none pubertal, pregnant, or lactating, were evaluated by clinical endocrinological assessment, and pelvic ultrasonography. Seven patients were on valproic acid(VPA), nineteen on carbamazepine(CBZ), and four on diphenylhydantoin(DPH) treatment, respectively. Results : Menstrual irregularity was observed in 8 women(26.7%), dysmenorrhea in 7(23.3%), and premenstrual syndrome in 1(3.3%). Ultrasonographic examination revealed that one women(3.3%) showed polycystic ovary, 4(13.3%) had ovarian cyst(s), and 2(6.7%) had uterine myoma, respectively. There was no difference in the prevalence of menstrual abnormalities or polycystic ovary according to the different preparations of AEDs. Conclusions : Data from this investigation suggest that, in Korean reproductive age women, the treatment of AEDs and the kind of medication may not have a significant effect on the prevalence of menstrual abnormalities or ultrasonographic polycystic ovary.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.209-216
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• 1999

Purpose : Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) is a rare X-linked disorder associated with renal tubule resistance to arginine vasopressin (AVP). The hypothesis that the defect underlying NDI might be a dysfunctional renal AVPR2 has recently been proven by the identification of mutations in the AVPR2 gene in NDT patients. To investigate the association of mutations in th AVPR2 gene with NDI, we analyzed the AVPR2 gene located on the X chromosome. Methods : We have analyzed the AVPR2 gene in a kindred with X-linked NDI. The proband and proband's mother were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformational polymorphism(PCR-SSCP) and DNA sequencing of the AVPR2 gene. We also have used restriction enzyme analysis of genomic PCR product to evaluate the AVPR2 gene. Results : C to T transition at codon 202, predictive of an exchange of tryptophan 202 by cysteine(R202C) in the third extracellular domain was identified. This mutation causes a loss of Hae III site within the gene. Conclusion : We found a R202C missense mutation in the AVPR2 gene causing X-linked NDI, and now direct mutational analysis is available for carrier screening and early diagnosis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.628-635
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• 1999

Background : Maximal expiratory flow rate is determined by the size of airway, elastic recoil pressure and the collapsibility of airway in the lung. The obstruction of expiratory flow is one of the major functional impairments of emphysema, which represents COPD. Nevertheless, expiratory narrowing of upper airway may be recruited as a mechanism for minimizing airway collapse, and maintaining lung volume and hyperinflation by an endogenous positive end-expiratory pressure in patients with airflow obstruction. We investigated the physiologic role of trachea in respiration in emphysema. Method : We included 20 patients diagnosed as emphysema by radiologic and physiologic criteria from January to August in 1997 at Seoul Municipal Boramae Hospital. Chest roentgenogram, high resolution computed tomography(HRCT), and pulmonary function tests including arterial blood gas analysis and body plethysmography were taken from each patient. Cross-sectional area of trachea was measured according to the respiratory cycle on the level of aortic arch by HRCT and calibrated with body surface area. We compared this corrected area with such parameters of pulmonary function tests as $PaCO_2$, $PaO_2$, airway resistance, lung compliance and so on. Results : Expiratory cross-sectional area of trachea had significant correlation with $PaCO_2$ (r=-0.61, p<0.05), $PaO_2$ (r=0.6, p<0.05), and minute ventilation (r=0.73, p<0.05), but inspiratory cross-sectional area did not (r=-0.22, p>0.05 with $PaCO_2$, r=0.26, p>0.05 with $PaO_2$, and r=0.44, p>0.05 with minute ventilation). Minute ventilation had significant correlation with tidal volume (r=0.45, p<0.05), but it had no significant correlation with respiratory frequency (r=-0.31, p>0.05). Cross-sectional area of trachea had no significant correlation with other parameters of pulmonary function including $FEV_1$, FVC, $FEV_1$/FVC, peak expiratory flow, residual volume, diffusing capacity, airway resistance, and lung compliance, whether the area was expiratory or inspiratory. Conclusion : Cross-sectional area of trachea narrowed during expiration in emphysema, and its expiratory area had significant correlation with $PaCO_2$, $PaO_2$, and minute ventilation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.353-364
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• 2000

Background : Bronchoscopy is a useful diagnostic tool, for accurate localization of the bleeding site and the management of hemoptysis. However, there is some controversy about the optimal timing of bronchoscopy. Method : To determine the optimal timing of bronchoscopy in hemoptysis, we reviewed the medical records of 118 patients and analyzed the following relationships amongst simple chest PA findings, namely, the duration and amount of hemoptysis, and the timing of bronchoscopy retrospectively. Results : The major causes of hemoptysis were active tuberculosis(28.8%), inactive tuberculosis(10.2%), bronchiectasis(17.0%), lung cancer(7.6%), and aspergilloma(7.6%). Localization of the bleeding focus by bronchoscopy was possible in 87.5% (21/24 cases) during active bleeding, and it was possible in 40.4% after bleeding had stopped(p<0.05). The localization rate of bleeding focus was 59.8% when the chest PA showed certain abnormalities, but it decreased to 27.8% when the chest PA finding was normal(p<0.05). When chest PA showed diffuse abnormalities or its finding was normal, the localization rate of bleeding focus significantly increased if bronchoscopy was performed during bleeding or within 48 hours of the cessation of active bleeding. The localization rate was higher as the amount of hemoptysis became larger(p<0.05). The localization rate of early bronchoscopy(during bleeding or within 48 hours of the cessation of active bleeding) was significantly higher when the duration of hemoptysis was less than 1 week, but there was no advantage if the duration was 1 week or longer. Early bronchoscopy was also necessary to localize the bleeding focus for surgical resection in 4 patients, and the bronchoscopy itself was therapeutic in 1 patient whose bleeding was successfully managed with thrombin-application via bronchoscope. Conclusion : It is concluded that flexible bronchoscopy is useful at not only localizing the bleeding focus but also in preparing a therapeutic plan, and early bronchoscopy is more favorable in hemoptysis.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.51-58
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• 2007

Autoimmune myasthenia gravis (MG) is the neuromuscular junction disorder mostly caused by antibody against the acetylcholine receptor (AChR antibody) at the muscle endplate. The goal of treatment is to induce and maintain remission, i.e., absence of symptoms, with the least cost-to-benefit ratio. Although corticosteroids are effective in inducing remission in most patients, they have numerous potentially serious adverse effects with their long-term use. In addition, some patients do not respond or are intolerant to the conventional treatment. In this article, we discuss the difficulties encountered in long-term immunosuppressive treatment of MG, and review useful tips for the use of corticosteroids. Long-term immunosuppressive agents that can be used in steroid-refractory or -dependent patients will be reviewed with their safety profiles and efficacy in MG.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.423-426
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• 2022

Reconstruction of the upper lateral lip subunit is challenging, and use of several classical local flaps have been previously reported. However, these methods have drawbacks such as visible scarring, anatomic distortion, and functional disability. To obtain satisfactory results, preservation of perioral function is important. We report a case of functional upper lip reconstruction after tumor resection using a reverse facial-submental artery island flap with a reinnervated anterior belly of the digastric muscle (ABDM) without sacrificing the perioral structure. A 73-year-old man presented with basal cell carcinoma on the left upper lip which was widely excised, including the orbicularis oris muscle. The remaining 4 cm × 3.5 cm defect was reconstructed using a reverse facial-submental artery island flap with ipsilateral ABDM. The motor nerve of the ABDM was sutured with the stump of the buccal branch of the ipsilateral facial nerve. The postoperative course was uneventful, and good functional and esthetic recovery were observed at 12-month follow-up. This procedure may be an alternative option for reconstruction of lateral upper lip defects.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.917-923
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• 2014

Chondrosarcomas are malignant cartilage-forming tumors of bone which exhibit resistance to both chemotherapy and radiation treatment. miRNAs have been well demonstrated to regulate gene expression and play essential roles in a variety of biological processes, including proliferation, differentiation, migration, cell cycling and apoptosis. In this study, we obtained evidence that miR-100 acts as a tumor suppressor in human chondrosarcomas. Interestingly, cisplatin resistant chondrosarcoma cells exhibit decreased expression of miR-100 compared with parental cells. In addition, we identified mTOR as a direct target of miR-100. Overexpression of miR-100 complementary pairs to the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of mTOR, resulted in sensitization of cisplatin resistant cells to cisplatin. Moreover, recovery of the mTOR pathway by overexpression of S6K desensitized the chondrosarcoma cells to cisplatin, suggesting the miR-100-mediated sensitization to cisplatin dependent on inhibition of mTOR. In summary, the present studies highlight miR-100 as a tumor suppressor in chondrosarcoma contributing to anti-chemoresistance. Overexpression of miR-100 might be exploited as a therapeutic strategy along with cisplatin-based combined chemotherapy for the treatment of clinical chondrosarcoma patients.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.217-221
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• 2023

Aeromonas spp., are Gram-negative rods that can cause infections in healthy and immunocompromised hosts. The clinical presentation of gastroenteritis varies from mild diarrhoea to shigella-like dysentery to severe cholera-like watery diarrhoea. Here, we report a case of acute hemorrhagic gastroenteritis in a newborn infant by Aeromonas caviae and its draft genome sequence. It is important to reduce the chance of incorrect isolate identification, which could lead to the exclusion of pathogenic Aeromonas spp., from routine laboratory identification in cases of diarrheal diseases. The genome sequence of A. caviae SVJ23 represents a significant step forward in understanding the diversity and pathogenesis, virulence, and antimicrobial resistance profile.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.8
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• pp.752-760
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• 2023

Radiologists and trauma surgeons should monitor for early killers among patients with thoracic trauma, such as tension pneumothorax, tracheobronchial injuries, flail chest, aortic injury, mediastinal hematomas, and severe pulmonary parenchymal injury. With the advent of cutting-edge technology, rapid volumetric computed tomography of the chest has become the most definitive diagnostic tool for establishing or excluding thoracic trauma. With the notion of "time is life" at emergency settings, radiologists must find ways to shorten the turnaround time of reports. One way to interpret chest findings is to use a systemic approach, as advocated in this study. Our interpretation of chest findings for thoracic trauma follows the acronym "ABC-Please" in which "A" stands for abnormal air, "B" stands for abnormal bones, "C" stands for abnormal cardiovascular system, and "P" in "Please" stands for abnormal pulmonary parenchyma and vessels. In the future, utilizing an artificial intelligence software can be an alternative, which can highlight significant findings as "warm zones" on the heatmap and can re-prioritize important examinations at the top of the reading list for radiologists to expedite the final reports.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.131-137
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• 2021

Aging is the process spontaneously occurred in living organisms. Cardiac fibrosis is a pathophysiological process of cardiac aging. Mangiferin is a well-known C-glucoside xanthone in mango leaves with lots of beneficial properties. In this study, rat model of cardiac fibrosis was induced by injected with 150 mg/kg/d D-galactose for 8 weeks. The age-related cardiac decline was estimated by detecting the relative weight of heart, the serum levels of cardiac injury indicators and the expression of hypertrophic biomakers. Cardiac oxidative stress and local inflammation were measured by detecting the levels of malondialdehyde, enzymatic antioxidant status and proinflammatory cytokines. Cardiac fibrosis was evaluated by observing collagen deposition via masson and sirius red staining, as well as by examining the expression of extracellular matrix proteins via Western blot analysis. The cardiac activity of profibrotic TGF-β1/p38/MK2 signaling pathway was assessed by measuring the expression of TGF-β1 and the phosphorylation levels of p38 and MK2. It was observed that mangiferin ameliorated D-galactose-induced cardiac aging, attenuated cardiac oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrosis, as well as inhibited the activation of TGF-β1/p38/MK2 signaling pathway. These results showed that mangiferin could ameliorate cardiac fibrosis in D-galactose-induced aging rats possibly via inhibiting TGF-β/p38/MK2 signaling pathway.