Comparison of Thyroid Hormones in Euthyroid Athyreotic Patients Treated with Levothyroxine and Euthyroid Healthy Subjects

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Levothyroxine (L-T4) monotherapy to normalize TSH level might be not sufficient to restore serum free triiodothyronine (fT3) levels in hypothyroid patients. This study aimed to compare the thyroid hormone levels in euthyroid L-T4 treated athyreotic patients and euthyroid healthy control subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 69 euthyroid L-T4 treated athyreotic female patients after total thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine ablation therapy and 90 euthyroid healthy female. Serum fT3 and free thyroxine (fT4) levels were simultaneously measured using two different assay kits (A and B). RESULTS: The serum fT4 level was higher in the athyreotic patients (kit A: p<0.001, kit B: p=0.046), and the serum fT3 level was higher in control subjects (kit A: p=0.047, kit B: p=0.102). In the control group, the serum fT3 level was stable and not correlated with the TSH level (kit A: tau=−0.10, p=0.18, kit B: tau=−0.06, p=0.40). However, in the patient group, the serum fT3 level was negatively correlated with the TSH level (kit A: tau=−0.22, p=0.012, kit B: tau=−0.31, p<0.001). All thyroid hormone parameters measured by kit A showed higher area under the curve values than those measured by kit B for distinguishing the patients from the control subjects. CONCLUSION: The serum fT3 levels in L-T4 treated athyreotic euthyroid patients were significantly lower than and varied from those of euthyroid healthy control subjects. Thus, L-T4 monotherapy might not be appropriate for some athyreotic patients to maintain optimal T3 levels.

A Comparison of the Accuracy of Different Single Plasma Sample Methods for Measuring Glomerular Filtration Rate Using ⁵¹Cr-EDTA in Children / 대한핵의학회잡지

PURPOSE: Among the different methods of measuring glomerular filtration rate (GFR) using 51Cr-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid clearance, the two-plasma-sample method (TPSM) is widely used, and highly accurate. The single-plasma-sample method (SPSM) is occasionally used for simplicity, at the expense of accuracy. Our aims were (1) to investigate the correlation and (2) to compare the accuracy of six known SPSMs in pediatric patients in reference to TPSM.METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 122 pediatric cases (65 boys, age 7.3 ± 4.6 years) and analyzed 307 GFR measurements. SPSMs included Groth and Aasted at 120 min, Hamat 120 min, Christensen and Groth at 120 and 240 min, and Jacobsson at 120 and 240 min. Reference GFR (GFRref) was defined using TPSM GFR corrected by the Jodal and Brochner-Mortensen equation. GFRref < 30 mL min−1 1.73 m−2 were excluded. The standard error of the estimate (SEE) and the number of cases with differences > 10% (N10%) were used to evaluate accuracy.RESULTS: SPSMs generally correlated well with GFRref (r = 0.92~0.99) and were relatively accurate (SEE = 9.21~15.60). Groth and Aasted showed the smallest SEE, while Jacobsson at 240 min showed the smallest N10% for all GFRref ranges. As for the decreased GFRref, Ham was most accurate followed by Jacobsson at 240 min.CONCLUSIONS: Jacobsson at 240 min provided good accuracy in all GFRref ranges and was well correlated with TPSM. Jacobsson at 240 min might be the most appropriate method to substitute for TPSM in pediatric patients. Ham could be an alternative in patients with impaired renal function.

Performance of pre-treatment ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography for detecting metastasis in ovarian cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: We describe a systematic review and meta-analysis of the performance of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for detecting metastasis in ovarian cancer. METHODS: MEDLINE and Embase were searched for diagnostic accuracy studies that used 18F-FDG PET or PET/CT for pre-treatment staging, using surgical findings as the reference standard. Sensitivities and specificities were pooled and plotted in a hierarchic summary receiver operating characteristic plot. Potential causes of heterogeneity were explored through sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: Eight studies with 594 patients were included. The overall pooled sensitivity and specificity for metastasis were 0.72 (95% confidence interval [CI]=0.61–0.81) and 0.93 (95% CI=0.85–0.97), respectively. There was considerable heterogeneity in sensitivity (I2=97.57%) and specificity (I2=96.74%). In sensitivity analyses, studies that used laparotomy as the reference standard showed significantly higher sensitivity and specificity (0.77; 95% CI=0.67–0.87 and 0.96; 95% CI=0.92–0.99, respectively) than those including diagnostic laparoscopy (0.62; 95% CI=0.46–0.77 and 0.84; 95% CI=0.69–0.99, respectively). Higher specificity was shown in studies that confirmed surgical findings by pathologic evaluation (0.95; 95% CI=0.90–0.99) than in a study without pathologic confirmation (0.69; 95% CI=0.24–1.00). Studies with a lower prevalence of the FDG-avid subtype showed higher specificity (0.97; 95% CI=0.94–1.00) than those with a greater prevalence (0.89; 95% CI=0.80–0.97). CONCLUSION: Pre-treatment 18F-FDG PET/CT shows moderate sensitivity and high specificity for detecting metastasis in ovarian cancer. With its low false-positive rate, it can help select surgical approaches or alternative treatment options.

Iodine nutritional status and awareness of iodine deficiency among adults, including pregnant women, in Tuguegarao, Philippines / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

OBJECTIVES: Iodine deficiency causes multiple health problems. Previously we reported that 96% of high school students in Tuguegarao, Philippines had adequate iodine levels. However, iodine deficiency-associated problems remain among adults in the Philippines. Therefore, we evaluated iodine nutritional status and goiter prevalence among adults, including pregnant women, in Tuguegarao, Philippines. METHODS: A total of 245 adults, including 31 pregnant women, provided samples for urinary iodine analysis, and all pregnant women completed a questionnaire about iodine deficiency. RESULTS: The median urinary iodine level was 164.0 ± 138.4 µg/L; 38.4% of the participants were iodine deficient, according to the International Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (ICCIDD) criteria. No severe iodine deficiency was observed. Among the 31 pregnant women, 24 (77.5%) fell into the iodine deficient category defined by a stricter World Health Organization (WHO) guideline, in which iodine deficiency is considered when urinary iodine levels are below 150 µg/L. Almost half (42%) of the pregnant women were unaware of the harmful effects of iodine deficiency on the human body and their fetus. CONCLUSIONS: Although iodine nutritional status in the Philippines has improved, iodine deficiency still exists among adults, especially among pregnant women. Therefore, our study strongly suggests that a better strategy should be established to monitor iodine nutritional status among adults continually, and to focus on populations susceptible to iodine deficiency, including pregnant women and women of reproductive age, to achieve the total elimination of iodine deficiency.

Diagnostic value of integrated ¹⁸F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer: accuracy of patient selection for secondary cytoreduction in 134 patients / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of integrated 18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG-PET/CT) for suspected recurrence of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) with non-disseminated lesions. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of recurrent EOC patients who underwent secondary cytoreduction from January 2000 to December 2013. A total of 134 patients underwent secondary cytoreduction after imaging with either 18F-FDG-PET/CT or contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT). RESULTS: In a patient-based analysis of 134 patients, 124 (92.5%) were confirmed to be positive for malignancy. Among 72 patients with suspected non-disseminated recurrence on 18F-FDG-PET/CT, 65 (89.0%) were confirmed to have recurrence, giving 98.5% sensitivity, 87.7% accuracy, and 88.9% positive predictive value (PPV). In the 65 patients with recurrence, residual tumor remained in 14 patients, giving an accuracy of patient selection for secondary cytoreduction of 69.4% (50/72) and it is higher than that of CECT (64.0%). In 169 lesions removed from patients who underwent preoperative 18F-FDG-PET/CT, 135 (79.9%) were confirmed to be positive for malignancy and 124 were accurately detected by 18F-FDG-PET/CT, giving 91.9% sensitivity, 81.1% accuracy, and 85.5% PPV. Foreign body granuloma was found in 33.3% of 21 lesions with false-positive 18F-FDG-PET/CT findings (7/21). The mean preoperative cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) level in false-positive patients was 28.8 U/mL. CONCLUSION: Compared with CECT, 18F-FDG-PET/CT shows higher sensitivity in lesion-based analysis and better accuracy of patient selection for secondary cytoreduction. However, there is still a need for integration of the results of 18F-FDG-PET/CT, CECT, and CA-125 levels to aid treatment planning.

Synchronous Esophageal and Gastric Cancer Detected by Iatrogenic Esophageal Mucosal Injury Incurred During Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography / 대한췌담도학회지

Esophageal mucosal tear occurred during scope insertion in a 71-year-old male patient who previously underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) several times without any complications. The mucosal tear was successfully sealed with endoclips using a forward-viewing scope. However, this mishap leads to the incidental discovery of both esophageal cancer and early gastric cancer. Duodenoscope has inherent limitation in observing the gastrointestinal tract, especially the esophagus, and may miss clinically significant lesions. Therefore, in addition to applying sufficient lubricant to the scope tip and considering the possibility of anatomical variation to prevent mucosal injury or perforation, performing upper endoscopy during ERCP should be considered in a certain patient population, albeit the utility of and the population benefiting from it remains to be proven by a large-scale study.

A Comparison of the Accuracy of Different Single Plasma Sample Methods for Measuring Glomerular Filtration Rate Using ⁵¹Cr-EDTA in Children / 대한핵의학회잡지

PURPOSE@#Among the different methods of measuring glomerular filtration rate (GFR) using 51Cr-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid clearance, the two-plasma-sample method (TPSM) is widely used, and highly accurate. The single-plasma-sample method (SPSM) is occasionally used for simplicity, at the expense of accuracy. Our aims were (1) to investigate the correlation and (2) to compare the accuracy of six known SPSMs in pediatric patients in reference to TPSM.@*METHODS@#We retrospectively reviewed 122 pediatric cases (65 boys, age 7.3 ± 4.6 years) and analyzed 307 GFR measurements. SPSMs included Groth and Aasted at 120 min, Hamat 120 min, Christensen and Groth at 120 and 240 min, and Jacobsson at 120 and 240 min. Reference GFR (GFRref) was defined using TPSM GFR corrected by the Jodal and Brochner-Mortensen equation. GFRref 10% (N10%) were used to evaluate accuracy.@*RESULTS@#SPSMs generally correlated well with GFRref (r = 0.92~0.99) and were relatively accurate (SEE = 9.21~15.60). Groth and Aasted showed the smallest SEE, while Jacobsson at 240 min showed the smallest N10% for all GFRref ranges. As for the decreased GFRref, Ham was most accurate followed by Jacobsson at 240 min.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Jacobsson at 240 min provided good accuracy in all GFRref ranges and was well correlated with TPSM. Jacobsson at 240 min might be the most appropriate method to substitute for TPSM in pediatric patients. Ham could be an alternative in patients with impaired renal function.

Prognostic significance of preoperative ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in uterine leiomyosarcoma / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: Uterine leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is a rare and aggressive disease with poor outcome. Due to its rarity and conflict of data, investigation on finding prognostic factor is challenging. The aim of the study was to investigate the prognostic significance of preoperative ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (¹⁸F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in uterine LMS. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational cohort study in 3 tertiary referral hospitals. We retrospectively evaluated data from patients with pathologically proven uterine LMS who underwent preoperative ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT scans at 3 institutions. The prognostic implication of PET/CT parameters and other clinico-pathological parameters on disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) was evaluated. RESULTS: Clinico-patholgical data were reviewed for 19 eligible patients. In the group overall, median DFS and OS were 12 and 20 months, respectively. As for the recurrence, large tumor size, and high tumor maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) were demonstrated as risk factors of recurrence. As for the OS, high tumor SUVmax was demonstrated as the unique risk factor. There were significant differences in tumor size, mitotic count, SUVmax, and DFS between patients with and without recurrence. Also, there were significant differences in tumor size, SUVmax, DFS, and OS between 2 subgroups stratified by cut-off SUVmax. CONCLUSION: SUVmax at preoperative ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT was associated with worse outcome in patients with uterine LMS. In the preoperative setting, SUVmax can be a valuable non-invasive prognostic marker. Additionally, SUVmax can help identify highly aggressive uterine LMS and may help in adjusting standard treatment toward an individualized, risk-adapted treatment.

Prognostic value of metabolic parameters determined by preoperative ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in patients with uterine carcinosarcoma / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic value of metabolic parameters measured by preoperative ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (¹⁸F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) in patients with uterine carcinosarcoma (UCS). METHODS: Data of 55 eligible patients with UCS who underwent preoperative ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT and surgical staging were analyzed retrospectively. Maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), metabolic tumor volume (MTV₂.₅), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG₂.₅) of the primary tumors were measured using a SUV threshold of 2.5. The optimal cutoff value of each parameter was determined by time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve, and its impact on progression-free survival and overall survival was evaluated by Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: During a median follow-up period of 29 (range, 1.5–109.4) months, 47.3% (26/55) of the patients experienced disease progression, and the disease-associated mortality rate was 43.6% (24/55). Univariate analysis determined that hazard ratios (HRs) for disease progression for SUVmax (≥8.33), MTV₂.₅ (≥63.92 mL), and TLG₂.₅ (≥396.16) were 1.930 (95% confidence interval [CI]=0.793–4.701), 3.264 (95% CI=1.466–7.268), and 2.692 (95% CI=1.224–5.924), respectively. And, HRs for death were 1.979 (95% CI=0.774–5.060), 2.764 (95% CI=1.217–6.274), and 2.721 (95% CI=1.198–6.182), respectively. While peritoneal cytology, histology, and tumor diameter were independent prognostic factors in multivariate analysis, MTV and TLG were not. CONCLUSION: Though MTV and TLG of primary UCS were not independent predictors compared to surgically obtained data, MTV and TLG of primary UCS may provide useful information on prognosis especially in patients who are not able to undergo surgical staging.

Comparison of Thyroglobulin Measurements Using Three Different Immunoassay Kits: A BRAMHS Tg-Plus RIA Kit, a BRAMHS hTg Sensitive Kryptor Kit, and a Beckman Coulter ACCESS Immunoassay Kit

BACKGROUND: Second-generation thyroglobulin immunometric assays (Tg-IMAs) have been developed with improved sensitivity. Our aim was to compare the diagnostic value of Tg-IMA measurements using a Kryptor (BRAHMS AG) kit (Tg-K) and an ACCESS (Beckman Coulter) kit (Tg-A) with that of the first-generation Tg measurement using a Tg-plus (BRAHMS AG) kit (Tg+). METHODS: We enrolled 82 differentiated thyroid cancer patients who underwent total thyroidectomy with radioactive iodine remnant ablation and who underwent diagnostic whole body scan using recombinant human thyroid stimulating hormone (rhTSH). The Tg+, Tg-K, and Tg-A were measured before rhTSH administration during levothyroxine treatment (suppressed Tg) from the same sample. Serum Tg+ was measured after rhTSH stimulation (stimulated Tg). RESULTS: Suppressed Tg+ was more significantly correlated with suppressed Tg-K (R²=0.919, P<0.001) than with suppressed Tg-A (R²=0.536, P<0.001). The optimal cut-off values of suppressed Tg+, Tg-K, and Tg-A for predicting stimulated Tg+ of 1 ng/mL were 0.3, 0.2, and 0.2 ng/mL, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of suppressed Tg+ were 67%, 100%, and 90%, respectively; those of suppressed Tg-K were 83%, 90%, and 88%; those of suppressed Tg-A were 96%, 82%, and 87%, respectively. The positive predictive and negative predictive values of Tg+ were 100% and 87%, respectively; those of Tg-K were 79% and 92%; and those of Tg-A were 73% and 98%. CONCLUSION: We could not clearly demonstrate which kit had better diagnostic performance after comparison of first-generation Tg measurements with Tg-IMA measurements. Also, there were kit-to-kit variations between Tg-IMA kits. Suppressed Tg measured by Tg-IMA was insufficient to completely substitute for a stimulated Tg measurement.

Characterization of a Septobasidium sp. Associated with Felt Disease of Schisandra chinensis

Extensive disease surveys performed during the summers of 2013 and 2014 in Schisandra chinensis orchards resulted in the finding of a Septobasidium sp. associated with felt disease. The fungus was characterized to be symbiotic with a scale insect (Pseudaulacaspis cockerelli). Morphological and molecular characteristics of the Septobasidium isolates were investigated. The isolates were morphologically and phylogenetically close to S. bogoriense. We tentatively describe this isolate as a Septobasidium sp., mainly because of the limited amount of information available on the internal transcribed spacer region of the ribosomal DNA of Septobasidium spp.

A Case of Lobulated and Pedunculated Hyperplastic Polyp in the Second Portion of the Duodenum Treated with Polypectomy

Large hyperplastic polyps of the duodenum are very rare. We report the case of a 61-year-old women with a large lobulated and pedunculated hyperplastic polyp in the distal second portion of the duodenum causing anemia which was treated with snare polypectomy. Endoscopy revealed a 2.5 cm sized lobulated and pedunculated polyp with a long stalk in the distal second portion of duodenum. Previous studies reported that duodenal polyps larger than 10 mm in diameter or polyps in the second portion as independent risk factors of neoplastic lesions, and thus an accurate pathologic examination was needed. Many patients with large duodenal hyperplastic polyps present with gastrointestinal bleeding and anemia. We removed the duodenal polyp by a snare with electrocautery after clipping and epinephrine injection into the stalk to prevent bleeding. Histopathological examination of the polyp revealed hyperplasia.

Successful Removal of Hard Sigmoid Fecaloma Using Endoscopic Cola Injection / 대한소화기학회지

Colorectal fecaloma is hardening of feces into lumps of varying size that is much harder in consistency than a fecal impaction. Complications of colorectal fecaloma include ulceration, bleeding, perforation and obstruction of the colon. Most fecalomas are successfully removed by conservative treatment with laxatives, enemas and rectal evacuation to relieve fecal impaction. When conservative treatments have failed, a surgical intervention may be needed. Herein, we report a case of 4.7 cm sized sigmoid fecaloma showing no response to conservative treatments that was successfully removed by endoscopic fragmentation with Coca-Cola injection instead of surgery.

Cordycepin-Enriched WIB801C from Cordyceps militaris Inhibits Collagen-Induced Ca2+i Mobilization via cAMP-Dependent Phosphorylation of Inositol 1, 4, 5-Trisphosphate Receptor in Human Platelets

In this study, we prepared cordycepin-enriched (CE)-WIB801C, a n-butanol extract of Cordyceps militaris-hypha, and investigated the effect of CE-WIB801C on collagen-induced human platelet aggregation. CE-WIB801C dose-dependently inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregation, and its IC50 value was 175 microg/ml. CE-WIB801C increased cAMP level more than cGMP level, but inhibited collagen-elevated [Ca2+]i mobilization and thromboxane A2 (TXA2) production. cAMP-dependent protein kinase (A-kinase) inhibitor Rp-8-Br-cAMPS increased the CE-WIB801C-downregulated [Ca2+]i level in a dose dependent manner, and strongly inhibited CE-WIB801C-induced inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) phosphorylation. These results suggest that the inhibition of [Ca2+]i mobilization by CE-WIB801C is resulted from the cAMP/A-kinase-dependent phosphorylation of IP3R. CE-WIB801C suppressed TXA2 production, but did not inhibit the activities of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and TXA2 synthase (TXAS). These results suggest that the inhibition of TXA2 production by WIB801C is not resulted from the direct inhibition of COX-1 and TXAS. In this study, we demonstrate that CE-WIB801C with cAMP-dependent Ca2+-antagonistic antiplatelet effects may have preventive or therapeutic potential for platelet aggregation-mediated diseases, such as thrombosis, myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, and ischemic cerebrovascular disease.

Long-term outcomes of two rescue therapies in lamivudine-refractory patients with chronic hepatitis B: combined lamivudine and adefovir, and 1-mg entecavir

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Adefovir (ADV) and lamivudine (LAM) combination therapy (ADV+LAM) has been a useful option for patients with LAM-resistant (LAM-r) chronic hepatitis B (CHB). However, the long-term outcomes of LAM+ADV and 1-mg entecavir (ETV) rescue therapies have still been limited. The aim of this study was to determine the long-term outcomes of these two rescue therapies. METHODS: Sixty patients with LAM-r CHB underwent rescue therapy with LAM+ADV (n=36) or 1-mg ETV (n=24). We determined the duration of rescue therapy, timing and type of mutation, undetectable serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA by PCR (lower limitation of detection, < 140 copies/mL), biochemical response (alanine aminotransferase < 40 IU/mL), and the incidence of hepatitis B virus e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion and virologic breakthrough. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics did not differ between the two therapy groups. The duration of rescue therapy was 56 months (range, 14-100 months) in the ADV+LAM group and 42 months (range, 12-73 months) in the ETV group (P=0.036). The cumulative rates of HBV DNA undetectability and HBeAg seroconversion up to 6 years were 88.6% and 43.0%, respectively, in the ADV+LAM group, and 45.8% and 31.8% in the ETV group. The rate of virologic breakthrough and resistance was 14.4% in the ADV+LAM group and 71.9% in the ETV group (P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Combination of LAM and ADV therapy for up to 6 years achieved modest rates of virological suppression and resistance. ETV is not an optimal therapy because the risk of viral breakthrough to ETV increases over time.

PCR for Diagnosis of Male Trichomonas vaginalis Infection with Chronic Prostatitis and Urethritis

The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of PCR for diagnosis of Trichomonas vaginalis infection among male patients with chronic recurrent prostatitis and urethritis. Between June 2001 and December 2003, a total of 33 patients visited the Department of Urology, Hanyang University Guri Hospital and were examined for T. vaginalis infection by PCR and culture in TYM medium. For the PCR, we used primers based on a repetitive sequence cloned from T. vaginalis (TV-E650). Voided bladder urine (VB1 and VB3) was sampled from 33 men with symptoms of lower urinary tract infection (urethral charge, residual urine sensation, and frequency). Culture failed to detect any T. vaginalis infection whereas PCR identified 7 cases of trichomoniasis (21.2%). Five of the 7 cases had been diagnosed with prostatitis and 2 with urethritis. PCR for the 5 prostatitis cases yielded a positive 330 bp band from bothVB1 and VB3, whereas positive results were only obtained from VB1 for the 2 urethritis patients. We showed that the PCR method could detect T. vaginalis when there was only 1 T. vaginalis cell per PCR mixture. Our results strongly support the usefulness of PCR on urine samples for detecting T. vaginalis in chronic prostatitis and urethritis patients.

A case of intracranial abscess following the tubo-ovarian abscess / 대한산부인과학회지

Cases of intracranial complication following infections of head and neck have been reported rarely, but the case of intracranial complication following tubo-ovarian abscess has not been reported yet. In this case, the 35-year-old women patient with lower abdominal pain and mild headache that was diagnosed as pelvic inflammatory disease was admitted to our hospital and was cared. In the course of admission, headache was aggravated and lateral deviation of eyeballs occurred. She was diagnosed as intracranial abscess following tubo-ovarian abscess in the result of neurological surgery department consultation. So we report it with brief review of literatures.

A case of intracranial abscess following the tubo-ovarian abscess / 대한산부인과학회지

Cases of intracranial complication following infections of head and neck have been reported rarely, but the case of intracranial complication following tubo-ovarian abscess has not been reported yet. In this case, the 35-year-old women patient with lower abdominal pain and mild headache that was diagnosed as pelvic inflammatory disease was admitted to our hospital and was cared. In the course of admission, headache was aggravated and lateral deviation of eyeballs occurred. She was diagnosed as intracranial abscess following tubo-ovarian abscess in the result of neurological surgery department consultation. So we report it with brief review of literatures.

Anti-cancer Activities of Ginseng Extract Fermented with Phellinus linteus

In the present study, the anti-cancer effects of ginseng fermented with Phellinus linteus (GFPL) extract were examined through in vitro and in vivo assays. GFPL was produced by co-cultivating ginseng and Phellinus linteus together. Ginsenoside Rg3, Rh1 and Rh2 are important mediators of anti-angiogenesis and their levels in GFPL were enriched 24, 19 and 16 times, respectively, more than that of ginseng itself through the fermentation. GFPL exhibited distinct anti-cancer effects, including growth inhibition of the human lung carcinoma cell line A549, and promotion of immune activation by stimulating nitric oxide (NO) production in Raw 264.7 cells. Further evidence supporting anti-cancer effects of GFPL was its significant prolongment of the survival of B16F10 cancer cell-implanted mice. These results suggest that the GFPL may be a candidate for cancer prevention and treatment through immune activation and anti-angiogenic effects by enriching Rg3, Rh1 and Rh2.

Pulp and periodontal tissue changes following rapid tooth retraction by periodontal distraction in young adult dogs / 대한치과교정학회지

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate pulp and periodontal changes following rapid tooth retraction by periodontal distraction after bone undermining surgery in young adult dogs. METHODS: After extraction of second premolars, the interseptal bone mesial to the upper 3rd premolar was undermined. After activating the distraction appliance at 0.5 mm/day for six days, the dogs were sacrificed at 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 weeks during the consolidation period. Tissue changes of periodontium and pulp were evaluated radiologically, histologically, and immunohistochemically. RESULTS: Digital subtraction radiography showed active bone formation in the stretched periodontal ligament from 0 - 4 weeks. Resorption of the alveolar bone, appearance of osteoclasts, and infiltration of inflammatory cells were observed just after the activation period at the pressure side, and distinctive bone formation was seen in the tension side of the periodontal ligament from 1 week. New bone formation was active at 1 - 3 weeks. The expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide in the experimental group was increased at the alveolar bone and pulp, and periodontal ligament at the pressure side from 0 - 1 week, and it decreased after 5 weeks to become similar to that of the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that rapid tooth movement using periodontal distraction can be new form of orthodontic tooth movement for accelerating normal bone formation.