• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.237-248
• /
• 2012

Postpartum depression(PPD) of women with depression increased frequency of thyroid disease, and so the correlations for depression and thyroid disease has been the subject of discussed whether. The purpose of this study was to predict the prevalence of PPD and the correlation between PPD and thyroid disease through ultrasonography. January 2010 to November 2011, Obstetrics & Gynecology in M-clinical center admitted 230 patients within 1 year postpartum were enrolled. EPDS by PPD scale depression screening and general characteristics of subjects were investigated and thyroid was examined that ultrasonography and thyroid blood tests. A total of 230 patients non PPD group were 53.0% and PPD group were 47.0%. In ultrasonography, among 27 patients who changed in size of thyroid, non PPD group were 14.8% and PPD group were 85.2%. Among 124 patients who thyroid nodules were presence, non PPD were 35.8% and PPD group were 64.2%. In ultrasonography, PPD group were higher incidence than non PPD group were changes in size of thyroid and the presence of nodules. There was significant difference between the changed in size of thyroid and thyroid nodules were presence the two group. Definitive histopathological diagnosis was benign in 33 patients (non PPD group were 45.5%, PPD group were 54.5%), malignancy in 5 patients (only PPD group were 100%), thyroiditis in 3 patients (non PPD group were 33.3%, PPD group were 66.7%). The results of thyroid blood tests, abnormal TSH level were 7 patients (non PPD group were 28.6%, PPD group were 71.4%) and abnormal Free T4 level were 9 patients (non PPD group were 44.4%, PPD group were 55.6%). There was no significant difference between the abnormal TSH level and Free T4 level of the two group. 5 patients were diagnosed as thyroid dysfunction. Of these, 2 patients were subclinical hyperthyroidism in non PPD group, 2 patients were subclinical hyperthyroidism and 1 patient was subclinical hyperthyroidism in PPD group. This study was significant the correlation between PPD and thyroid gland disease through ultrasonography. And the objective results of this study might be able to provide guideline that understanding, prevention and treatment for PPD and thyroid disease.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.47 no.1
• /
• pp.66-76
• /
• 1999

Background : To assess the utility of HRCT in the evaluation of visceral pleural invasion and to determine whether visceral pleural invasion and bronchovascular bundle thickening on the same lobe could be related to the recurrence and survival in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) Method: Eighty one patients, which were fulfilled long-term follow-up at least 18 months (maximum 103 months) among which 434 patients had underwent curative surgical resection for NSCLC from 1986 to 1995, were studied. They were analyzed to evaluate whether the prognostic factors such as the recurrence and survival depend on visceral pleural invasion and bronchovascular bundle thickening to the same lobe. Thirty two patients adjacent to a chest wall or a fissure were evaluated for visceral pleural invasion by HRCT. CT criteria included abutting pleura along the chest wall, abutting and/or compressing fissure, croosing fissure, and pleural tail. Results: The positive predictive value and the negative predictive value of crossing fissure were 100% and 100%, respectively. Two patients showing spiculated interface between a mass and abutting fissure were confirmed to have visceral pleural invasion at surgery. Visceral pleural invasion confirmed at surgery was significant to local recurrence and survival (p<.05. p<.05, respectively). Brochovascular bundle thickening to the same lobe on CT scan was significant to survival (p<.05) but was not significant to local and distant recurrence (p>.05). Conclusion : Visceral pleural invasion and bronchovascular bundle thickening to the same lobe have a role in predicting prognosis such as recurrence and survival in NSCLC. Therefore, the analysis of visceral pleural invasion on CT scan and the pathological analysis of bronchovascular bundle thickening to the same lobe may be necessary to predict the prognosis in NSCLC.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.48 no.5
• /
• pp.534-538
• /
• 2005

Purpose : Kawasaki disease(KD) is a multisystemic inflammatory vasculitis of unknown etiology. Many complications other than cardiovascular involvement have been recognized in KD. However, there have been few reports published concerning involvement of the lungs in this disease. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between serum TNF-${\alpha}$, the degree of coronary artery dilatation and chest X-ray(CXR) findings. In addition, we have investigated serum anti-Mycoplasma antibody(AMA) titers in patients with KD who have abnormal CXR findings. Methods : Eighty four patients with KD were included in this study(group I; 41 patients with normal CXR fndings, group II; 43 patients with abnormal CXR findings). Serum levels of TNF-${\alpha}$ and AMA titer were measured. Results : We reviewed the CXR findings and clinical courses of 84 patients with Kawasaki disease and found abnormal CXR findings in 43 patients(51.2 percent). Peribronchial cuffing was the most frequent abnormality(22.4 percent). In the group with abnormal CXR findings(group II), a statistical difference was not noted in age, sex, duration of fever, hemoglobin, WBC, platelet, ESR, and CRP levels and incidence of coronary arterial lesions as compared with the group having normal CXR findings(group I). No difference was noted in serum TNF-${\alpha}$ level between group I and group II. 2 patients(12.5 percent) of 16 KD patients with abnormal CXR findings have positive AMA titer(above 1 : 320). Conclusion : Most of the abnormal CXR findings in KD patients were peribronchial cuffing. The abnormal CXR findings in KD patients did not mean severe inflammations. It is difficult to consider that CXR abnormalities are related to coronary arterial lesions. In addition, further study on the relationship between Mycoplasma infection and Kawasaki disease is needed.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.49 no.1
• /
• pp.87-92
• /
• 2006

Purpose : It is difficult to make a distinction between lower urinary tract infection(UTI) and acute pyelonephritis(APN) during the acute phase of febrile UTI due to nonspecific clinical symptoms and laboratory findings, especially among young children. We measured the serum procalcitonin(PCT) in children with UTI to distinguish between acute pyelonephritis and lower UTI, and to determine the accuracy of PCT measurement compared with other inflammatory markers. Methods : Serum samples were taken from children who admitted with unexplained fever or were suspected of having UTI. 51 children(mean $12.2{\pm}11.4$ months) were enrolled in this study. Leukocyte counts, erythrocyte sedimentation rates(ESR) and C-reactive protein(CRP) were also measured. Renal parenchymal involvement was assessed by $^{99m}Tc$ DMSA scintigraphy in the first 7 days after admission. PCT was measured by immunoluminometric assay. Results : PCT values were significantly correlated with the presence of renal defects in children with UTI(n=16)($5.06{\pm}12.97{\mu}g/L$, P<0.05). However, PCT values were not significantly different between children with UTI without renal damage(n=18) and children without UTI(n=17). Using a cutoff of $0.5{\mu}g/L$ for PCT and 20 mm/hr for ESR, 20 mg/L for CRP, sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing between UTI with and without renal involvement were 81.3 percent and 88.9 percent for PCT 87.5 percent and 72.2 percent for ESR, and 87.5 percent and 55.6 percent for CRP, respectively. Positive and negative predictive values were 86.7 percent and 84.2 percent for PCT and 60.9 percent and 81.8 percent for CRP, respectively. Conclusion : In febrile UTI, PCT values were more specific than CRP, ESR and leukocyte count for the identification of patients who might develop renal defects.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.60 no.2
• /
• pp.151-159
• /
• 2006

Background : Excision repair cross complementing gene 1 (ERCC1) not only has a protective role against carcinogens, but plays an important role in cisplatin-resistance via the repair of cisplatin-DNA adducts. This study investigated the association between the ERCC1 expression levels in sputum and survival after cisplatin-based chemotherapy in patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods : Using the sputum collected from 67 inoperable (stage IIIa-IV) NSCLC patients treated with either taxanes (33 cases) or gemcitabine (34 cases) plus cisplatin, the relative expression levels of ERCC1 and the expression of the tumor specific antigen, MAGE, were examined by the quantitative RT-PCR and RT-PCR, respectively. The response and survival were compared with the relative level of ERCC1 or MAGE expression and the treatment modality. Results : In the sputum, ERCC1 and MAGE was detected in 74.6% and 40.2% of patients, respectively. Using the median ERCC1 level, the patients were classified as having high or low ERCC1 expression. The median overall survival (MST) was significantly longer in patients with a high ERCC1 expression level than those with a low expression level (84 weeks vs. 44 weeks respectively, P=0.017). In the taxene-based treatment group, the MST was longer than the gemcitabine group (79 weeks vs. 47 weeks, respectively, P=0.03). The levels of ERCC1 were significantly higher in patients who were MAGE-positive (P=0.003). In the MAGE-negative patients, the MST was longer in the high ERCC1 group (103 weeks vs. 43 weeks, P=0.008), but not in the MAGE-positive patients (62 weeks vs. 44 weeks, P=0.348). Conclusion : ERCC1 expression in the sputum can be a prognostic factor for survival after chemotherapy in patients with inoperable NSCLC.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.96-103
• /
• 2009

Purpose: Lymph node metastasis is an important factor in determining prognosis and therapeutic options for early gastric cancer (EGC) patients. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C and D are known as lymphangiogenic factors, and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 is thought to play a role in lymph node metastasis in gastric carcinoma. This study was designed to determine whether the expression of VEGF-C, VEGF-D, and COX-2 is associated with clinicopathologic factors, especially lymph node metastasis in EGCs invading the submucosa. Materials and Methods: Tissue samples were obtained from 85 Patients undergoing standard gastrectomy with lymph node dissection between 1991 and 2007 in the Department of Surgery of Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital in Daejeon, Korea. All patients were diagnosed with gastric cancers and submucosal invasion. We examined the expression of VEGF-C, VEGF-D, and COX-2 using immunohistochemical methods. Results: Of the 85 patients, 16 (18.8%) had lymph node metastasis. VEGF-C, VEGF-D, and COX-2 were positively expressed in 34.1% (29/85), 22.3% (19/85), and 37.6% (32/85) of the patients. VEGF-C and COX-2 expression was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). A positive correlation existed between VEGF-C and COX-2 expression (P< 0.001). Conclusion: VEGF-C and COX-2 expression is associated with lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer with submucosal invasion. VEGF-C and COX-2 may thus be predictive markers for lymph node metastasis in EGC patients with submucosal invasion.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.57 no.3
• /
• pp.226-233
• /
• 2004

Background : Interferon-gamma (IFN-${\gamma}$) is a critical cytokine in the defense against a Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Even though IFN-${\gamma}$ has occasionally been used in the treatment of refractory multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) with some promising results, there is still some controversy regarding the therapeutic efficacy of IFN-${\gamma}$. This study was performed to examine the effect of subcutaneous IFN-${\gamma}$ in the treatment of MDR-TB patients. Methods : Six patients with refractory MDR-TB were enrolled in this study. Two million IU of IFN-${\gamma}$ was administered subcutaneously three times a week with the concomitant administration of antituberculous drugs for at least for 28 weeks. During the IFN-${\gamma}$ therapy, the sputum smear and culture, radiological and clinical evaluations were performed every 4 weeks throughout the study period. Results : The mean age of the 6 patients was 37 years (ranges, 15-61 years). The drug susceptibility test to standard antituberculous drugs revealed resistance to an average of 6.8 (${\pm}1.2$) agents including isoniazid and rifampicin. An average of 10.8 (${\pm}1.3$) antituberculous drugs were prescribed before IFN-${\gamma}$ therapy. The culture became negative in 2 patients (33%) after initiating IFN-${\gamma}$ therapy; one at 8 weeks, and the other at 24 weeks. Finally, after stopping the IFN-${\gamma}$ therapy after 28 weeks, the culture became positive again in the two patients who were culture-negative. The other 4 patients who failed in the culture conversion are still on antituberculous treatment except for one who died of tuberculosis. Conclusion : Even though 28 weeks of subcutaneous IFN-${\gamma}$ therapy in combination with antituberculous drugs was successful in inducing the culture-negative conversion in some patients with refractory MDR-TB, the culture became positive again after stopping the IFN-${\gamma}$ therapy. This suggests that subcutaneous IFN-${\gamma}$ therapy may have suppressive effect on tuberculosis only during the IFN-${\gamma}$ therapy period in some patients. Further studies will be needed to determine the optimum dose, the administration route, the duration of therapy, and the predicting factors of the response to adjuvant IFN-${\gamma}$ therapy.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.55 no.1
• /
• pp.88-97
• /
• 2003

Background : Although smoking is a major cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), only 10-20% of cigarette smokers develop symptomatic COPD, which suggests the presence of genetic susceptibility. This genetic susceptibility to COPD might depend on variations in the activities of the enzyme that detoxify hazardous chemical products, such as microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEPHX) and glutathione-S transferase M1 subunit (GSTM1) genes. Methods : The genotypes of 58 patients with COPD, and 79 age matched control subjects, were determined by a polymerase chain reaction, followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) for the mEPHX, and multiplex PCR for the GSTM1. Results : GSTM1 was deleted in 53.3% of the subjects. There was no difference in GSTM1 deletion rates between the COPD patients (32/58, 55.2%) and the control subjects (41/79, 51.9%). The combination patterns of two polymorphisms of mEPHX showed slow enzyme activity in 29(21.2%), normal in 73(53.3%) and fast in 32(23.4%). The COPD group (7/57, 12.3%) showed a significantly lower incidence of slow enzyme activity compared to the control subjects (22/77, 28.6%, p<0.05). However, when the COPD and control groups were compared with smokers only, there were no significant differences in the genotypes of GSTM1 and mEPHX. Conclusion : The genotypes of GSTM1 and mEPHX were not significant risk factors of COPD in this cohort of study.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.195-205
• /
• 2012

This study examines runaway youths at risk in a youths' shelter who are preparing for an independent life and both the facilitating and adverse factors to personal characteristics and independence of runaway youths at risk with the aim to grasp their recognition of independence and level of desire for it and find out necessary factors for a successful independence in multidimensional perspectives including the economic independence, educational independence, psychological independence, and social independence for their sound growth. This will provide the basis for desirable interventions for youths runaway youths at risk to prepare for an independent life. The findings of this study on the factors that affect the preparation for an independent life are as follows: First, as a result of analyzing the effect of micro-systematic factors on the preparation for an independent life, it turned out that problem-solving abilities and self-efficacy had influence on the preparation for a career Second, as a result of analyzing the effect of mesoscopic-systematic variables on the preparation for an independent life, it turned out that the preparation for a career were affected by whether to participate in independence preparation programs and institutional supports, and that career maturity of runaway youths at risk were affected only by the relationship with teachers and participation in independence preparation programs. Third, as a result of analyzing the effect of macro systematic variables on the preparation for an independent life, it turned out that the preparation for a career were affected by participation of the local community and service network, and that participation of the local community was an predictor variable that would affect a career maturity of runaway youths at risk. Fourth, as a result of analyzing ecological systematic variables that might affect the preparation for a career, it turned out that intervening variables and macro systematic variables had the most powerful influence on the preparation for a career among runaway youths at risk. It is necessary, therefore, to provide education programs organized by policies in order to develop problem-solving abilities and vocational capabilities so that runaway youths at risk, and to train and appoint more professional teachers at shelters. Programs for independence preparation need to be developed actively and practically in consideration of the characteristics of shelters, and the network with the local community for support also need to be established in utilization of the human resources and service programs of the community. With the understanding of leaving home of runaway youths at risk as the previous stage of an independence, there should be a housing support for their stable settlement in the perspective of housing welfare until become adults. In addition, there should be education specialized programs for occupation and careers to train runaway youths at risk as professionals including such areas as health, mentality, learning, and voluntary work for their sound growth.

• Journal of Korean Society of Archives and Records Management
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.37-52
• /
• 2001

1. establishment and development of China archives science: With the centuries-old history of archives and archives management, early China archives science came into being in 1930s, and the research pushed forward by archives enterprise has made great achievements since then. 1.1 Expanding research fields: Foundation