General Public Knowledge Regarding Topical Corticosteroids: A Nationwide Survey in South Korea

Background@#Topical corticosteroids (TCs) are available both as over-the-counter drugs and prescription medicines at pharmacies.Although they are generally safe drugs, inappropriate and excessive use could result in potential side effects. Thus, it is important to have appropriate knowledge regarding the use of TCs. We performed a cross-sectional survey to assess public knowledge and the potential misuse or overuse of TCs. @*Methods@#A cross-sectional and nationwide online survey was conducted among participants who were aware of TCs. The survey items included sources of information, indications, potential side effects, and methods of application of TCs. A comparative analysis was conducted between those with (TC users) and without (TC non-users) an experience of using TCs. Results: Among 3,000 participants, 74.4% were TC users. The mass media was the most common information source of TCs, and only one-third of the surveyed people relied on pharmacists or doctors for information. Regarding indications and application methods, incorrect answer rate was high in some items, but respondents showed adequate knowledge. However, awareness of the safety of TCs was low. Overall, the TC users showed a higher knowledge of TCs than TC non-users. @*Conclusions@#Public knowledge of the use of TCs appears to be appropriate. However, we found potential misuse or overuse of some items and a lack of awareness of the side effects concerning TCs. Thus, healthcare professionals’ significant role is required.

Diallyl Biphenyl-Type Neolignans Have a Pharmacophore of PPARα/γ Dual Modulators

Adiponectin secretion-promoting compounds have therapeutic potentials in human metabolic diseases. Diallyl biphenyl-type neolignan compounds, magnolol, honokiol, and 4-O-methylhonokiol, from a Magnolia officinalis extract were screened as adiponectin-secretion promoting compounds in the adipogenic differentiation model of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs). In a target identification study, magnolol, honokiol, and 4-O-methylhonokiol were elucidated as PPARα and PPARγ dual modulators. Diallyl biphenyl-type neolignans affected the transcription of lipid metabolism-associated genes in a different way compared to those of specific PPAR ligands. The diallyl biphenyl-type neolignan structure provides a novel pharmacophore of PPARα/γ dual modulators, which may have unique therapeutic potentials in diverse metabolic diseases.

False Positive Immunoglobulin M Antibody to Cytomegalovirus in Child with Infectious Mononucleosis Caused by Epstein-Barr Virus Infection

A 16-month-old boy was admitted because of cough that had lasted for 10 days. The patient showed severe hepatomegaly incidentally, and dual positivity of Immunoglobulin (Ig) M to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) viral capsid antigen (VCA) and cytomegalovirus (CMV). On the basis of seroconversion to Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen (EBNA) Ig G positivity and reduced CMV Ig M titer with persistently negative CMV Ig G, a definite diagnosis of EBV-induced infectious mononucleosis was established 1 year 2 month later.

The Clitoral Size of the Korean Female Newborn and the Relationship in Clitoral Hypertrophy and Androgen levels / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To determine clitoral size of Korean newborn and androgen hormone levels in clitomegalic newborn. METHODS: The clitoral sizes of 236 Korean female newborn and mother were measured from January in 2000 to March in 2001. Androgen hormone levels were obtained in 11 infants with clitomegaly in order to evaluate the relationship between clitoral hypertrophy and androgen levels. RESULTS: The mean clitoral size of the 236 newborn was 3.82+/-1.47 mm in length and 2.95+/-1.79 mm in width. The mean clitoral size of the 236 postpartum women was 15.8+/-1.03 mm in length and 3.27+/-1.12 mm in width. In the premature infants the clitoral length and width were 4.45+/-1.79 mm and 3.53+/-1.51 mm respectively. In the normal birth weight infants they were 3.70+/-0.75 mm and 2.02+/-0.84 mm respectively. In clitomegalic infants the clitoral size was 5.8+/-0.7 mm in length and 3.7+/-0.4 mm in width. The serum testosterone level was 1.620+/-0.015 nmol/L and dihydrotestoteronesulfate (DHEAS) level 8.44+/-0.01 nmol/L. CONCLUSION: There was no significant correlation between gestational age and clitoral size, but significant negative correlation was found between birth weight and clitoral size. In 11 clito-magalic infants serum androgen was normal level. Also, there was no different clitoral size between clitomagalic infant mothers and normal infant mothers. These RESULTS: suggest that there would be no significant correlation between infantile clitomegaly and androgen level.

Development of the Single Nodular VX-2 Carcinoma Model in Rabbit Liver: Tissue Chip Implantation under Ultrasonographic Guidance

PURPOSE: To implant tissue chips in New Zealand rabbits, and thus redurce the frequency with which scattered VX2 carcinoma nodules and early metastasis develop in these animals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: VX2-carcinoma tissue chips of two different sizes were implanted under ultrasonographic guidance. In each of 12 New Zealand rabbits (group 1), there 1-mm tissue chips were implanted in the liver using an 18-gauge needle, and in the same way, one 3-mm chip with an added gelfoam pellet was implanted in the proximal lumen of the liver of each of ten other New Zealand rabbits (group 2). Three weeks after implantation, the animals underwent dvalphase CT scanning and were sacrificed, and the Number and size of tumor nodules, and metastasis were evaluated either macro-or microscopically. RESULTS: In ten rabbits in group I, a total of 21 nodules (16 in the liver, 5 in the peritoneal wall) were observed, which in nine rabbits in group 2, a total of ten nodules-all in the liver-were present. CT scans depicted tumor nodules in 50% of group-I rabbits, and in 29% those in group 2. Mean tumor diameter was 12 +/-9 mm in group 1 and 6.4 +/-3 mm in group 2. Histologic examination indicated the presence of nodular VX2 carcinoma, with varying degrees of central necrosis, a feature more prominent in group 2. CONCLUSION: To provide a well-localized tumor nodule in rabbit liver, tissue chip implantation of VX2 carcinoma, especially with added gelfoam, is a good alternative to intraparenchymal injection of tumor suspension.

Spontaneous Ruptured Subcapsular Liver Hematoma Associated with Pregnancy / 대한산부인과학회잡지

Spontaneous rupture of subcapsular liver hematoma in pregnancy is rare but potential life threatening complication of preeclampsia. We experienced a case of spontaneous rupture of subcapsular hematoma of liver that was treated with conservative method. So, we present the case with a brief review of literatures as first report in Korea.

CT Findings of Post Urinary Dive rsion: Normal Findings and Detection of Cancer Recurrence

PURPOSE: To determine normal postoperative CT findings and tumor recurrence in patients who have under-goneradical cystectomy and urinary diversion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the postoperative CTscans of 51 patients who had un-dergone radical cystectomy with urinary diversion, and in analysis speciallyemphasised normal postoperative CT findings and recurrent cancer in the surgical bed. Among these 51 patients, 43had undergone incontinent urinary diversion(Bricker operation), while for six, diversion had been continent (Kockprocedure). Attempts were also made to characterise the CT findings of each procedure according to the location ofthe ileal pouch, the pattern of contrast collection within the pouch, and the morphology of the ileocutaneostomysite. RESULTS: Each urinary diversion procedure demonstrated characteristic postoperative CT appearances. TheBricker procedure revealed a contrast-filled ileal conduit in the right lower quadrant excreting into theileocu-taneostomy site, while the Kock procedure demonstrated layering of contrast and urine within the pouch aswell as artificially intussuscepted afferent and efferent ileal loops at the anastomotic sites. Thirty-three smallsoft tissue density lesions in the surgical bed were seen in 19 patients (37%). Thirty one were bilateral (n=28)or unilateral (n=3) triangular or oval shaped soft-tissue-density lesions and two were unilateral irregular shapedlesions. Follow-up CT scans showed that all triangular or oval-shaped lesions were smaller (n=8) or show no changein size (n=23) ; they were thought to represent postoperative fibrosis or granulation tissue. Two cases ofirregular-shaped soft-tissue-density lesions were seen on follow-up CT scans to be larger, and these wereconfirmed by percutaneous biopsy to be recurrent cancer. CONCLUSION: It is important for the radiologist to befamiliar with normal postoperative CT findings of various urinary diversion procedures as well as to recognize arelatively high incidence (37%) of small soft tissue den-sity lesions in a surgical bed. In our study, smalltriangular or oval-shaped soft-tissue-density lesions in the sur-gical bed (especially when these were bilateral)were thought to represent postoperative fibrosis or granulation tissue, and close follow-up by means of CTscanning rather than an invasive procedure is therefore warranted.

Interstitial Laser Photocoagulation with Diode Laser Unit in Bovine Liver

PURPOSE: To evaluate the extent of tissue coagulation during interstitial laser photocoagulation (ILP) innormal bovine liver, using a diode laser unit and various parameters, and to determine whether the procedure isapplicable to clinical practice.. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using an 18-gauge needle, experimental interstitiallaser photocoagulation (ILP) was carried out in normal bovine liver. On the basis of differing parameters, threegroups were established. For group I, a single photofiber with laser power of 1, 3 and 5 watts and an exposuretime of 60, 180, 300, 420 or 600 seconds was used. For groups II and III, four needles were fixed at a distance of1cm and 1.5cm ; in each case a needle fixation device was used, as well as a laser distributor for simultaneouslaser exposure of photofibers. As a control, four photofibers were placed as for groupIII, but to compare groups IIand III, each photofiber was exposed to a laser of 3 watts 300 seconds, without using a laser distributor. Toevaluate the range of tissue coagulation, specimens were analyzed both with regard to cross-sectional grossfindings and histopathologically . RESULTS: The largest diameter of thermal coagulation necrosis in Group I was15x15mm, and this was ball-shaped. Coalescence of coagulation between each photofiber was observed in Group II,and this was up to 25 mm in diameter. In Group III and controls, coalescence was not found, though the extent oftissue coagulation increased with increasing wattage and exposure time. The extent of charring at the center ofcoagulation also increased with increasing wattage. Smoke bubbles emanating from the coagulation area wereobserved, and during ILP involving a single photofiber, increased from 3 watts, applied for 300 seconds.CONCLUSION: Using an 8-gauge needle and a diode laser ILP, we have shown that a range of tissue coagulationacutely ablates normal bovine liver. In selective cases, the procedure could be applied to clinical trials.

High CT Attenuation of Liver Due to Accumulation of Amiodarone: Report of Two Cases

Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic drug containing 37% iodine by weight ; during long-term therapy the drugaccumulates in the liver, lung and various other organs. We describe two cases in which high attenuation of theliver due to the accumulation of amiodarone was seen on abdominal CT.

The effect of vitamine E on intestinal tumorigenesis by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine / 대한암학회지

No abstract available.