• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.178-181
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• 2007

Purpose : The renal manifestations of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) are remarkably diverse, including polycystic kidney disease, simple renal cysts, renal cell carcinomas, and angiomyolipomas. All of these occur in children as well as adults in TSC. Angiomyolipomas, which can cause spontaneous life-threatening hemorrhages, are by far the most prevalent and the greatest source of morbidity. Here, we will address our experience, adding to the literature on pediatric patients with TSC requiring evaluation and treatment for renal manifestations. Methods : A retrospective analysis was made on 19 patients in whom TSC was diagnosed between May 2001 and Oct. 2005 at Severance Hospital. All patients had clinical diagnoses of TSC as defined by the 1998 tuberous sclerosis complex consensus conference. Results : The patients consisted of 13 boys and 6 girls with a mean age of 7.3 years (range 1 to 22). The renal disease associated with TSC included angiomyolipoma in nine patients (47.4 percent), renal simple cyst in one (5.3 percent), hydronephrosis in one (5.3 percent) patient. Eight patients (42.1 percent) presented with normal kidney contours at abdominal ultrasonography. One patient underwent renal replacement therapy due to chronic renal insufficiency after nephrectomy. Hemorrhage from angiomyolipoma was not detected. Conclusion : In our review of 19 cases of TSC, renal manifestations are reported in 57.9 percent of patients. Asymptomatic angiomyolipoma associated with TSC grow gradually, although severe hemorrhages are rare. So patients with TSC should be followed up with serial computerized tomography or abdominal ultrasonography. And also, renal function should be monitored conservatively.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.37-51
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• 2005

Mast cell is a cell that functions mainly in our body with a respect to inflammation and allergic response. Bee venom has been progressed in a study as a model related to mechanism in alleviation of pain until now, but it is being progressed in a study relevant to immunocyte in anti-inflammation or anti-allergic response. The present study is aimed to present the basis related to a future study of gene, by researching the influence of melittin and MCD Peptide, which are major ingredients in Bee venom, upon the expression of gene in the mast cell strain. In this study, it dealt with melittin and MCD Peptide respectively, in the effective concentration after passing though the experiment of cytotoxicity by using human mast cell strain. Also, with the respect in the aspect of expression in gene that changes at this time, information was obtained through the technique of analyzing microarray. Through experimental statistics, when regarding a case that global M is significant in more than 1 or -1, in melittin, all 7 genes were accelerated, and 8 inhibited. In MCDP, 7 genes were accelerated and 17 genes inhibited. The function in the body to which these genes are related, was associated with the protein binding within a cell, the activation in the function of lymphocyte, the acceptor related to macrophage antigen. In cell nucleus, substance related to GABA A receptor, protein associated with cAMP reactive element, substance related to complement system No.8 and to B-cell, protein substance related to polycystic kidney disease, substance related to inflammation, and the protein substance of influencing coagulation of blood. Through these results of analysis, it could obtain more useful materials in clarifying the mechanism of action in melittin and MCD peptide, which are in charge of mainly medical action in the abdomen. Also, it is thought that an in-depth study on the influence of main ingredients in Bee venom, the wholly honey bee venom aqua upon anti-allergic response or anti-inflammation are further required.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.261-268
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• 2005

Objective: To compare the clinical results and pregnancy outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) between GnRH antagonist cycles and GnRH agonist (GnRH-a) cycles including flare-up and long protocol in women with advanced age. Materials and Methods: Retrospective clinical study. From January 2001 to September 2003, IVF cycles of female patient 37 years over were included in this study. GnRH-a long protocol (62 cycles, 61 patients) and GnRH antagonist multi-dose flexible protocol (66 cycles, 51 patients) were compared with the control group of GnRH-a flare-up protocol (151 cycles, 138 patients). IVF cycles for non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), endometriosis III, IV and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) were excluded in this study. Clinical results such as total gonadotropin dose, serum E2 on hCG administration, the number of retrieved oocytes and the pregnancy outcomes - clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), implantation rate (IR) and live birth rate (LBR) per embryo transfer - were compared. Results: There were significant differences in the total dose of gonadotropin (GnRH-a flare-up vs. GnRH-a long vs. GnRH-antagonist; 41.8 vs. 54.7 vs. 24.8), serum E2 on hCG administration (1787.2 vs. 1881.6 vs. 788.0), the numbers of retrieved oocytes (8.1 vs. 11.1 vs. 4.5) and endometrial thickness (9.1 vs. 10.4 vs. 8.0) which were significantly lower in GnRH-antagonist cycles. But pregnancy outcomes shows no significant differenced in CPR (25.0% vs. 35.8% vs. 24.5%), IR (11.7% vs. 12.3% vs. 10.1%) and LBR (15.8% vs. 28.3% vs. 15.1%) Conclusion: In women with advanced age, GnRH-antagonist cycles can result in comparable pregnancy outcomes to GnRH-a cycles including flare-up and long protocol. GnRH-a long protocol show higher CPR, IR and LBR than GnRH antagonist multi-dose flexible protocol and flare-up protocol without significant differences.