Effects of taurine and ginseng extracts on energy metabolism during exercise and their anti-fatigue properties in mice

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES@#Ginseng extract (GSE) and taurine (TR) are widely used antifatigue resources in functional foods. However, the mechanism underlying the antifatigue effects of GSE and TR are still unclear. Hence, we investigated whether GSE and TR have synergistic effects against fatigue in mice.MATERIALS/METHODS: L6 cells were treated with different concentrations of TR and GSE, and cell viability was determined using 2-(4-iodophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium. Oxidative stress was analyzed by immunocytochemistry using MitoTracker™ Red FM and an anti-8-oxoguanine antibody. Respiratory gas analysis was performed to investigate metabolism. Expression of an activated protein kinase was analyzed using immunohistochemistry. Gene expression of cluster of differentiation 36 and pyruvate dehydrogenase lipoamide kinase isozyme 4 was measured using reverse transcription– polymerase chain reaction. Mice were orally administered TR, GSE, or their combination for 30 days, and then fatigue-related parameters, including lactate, blood urea nitrogen, and glycogen, were measured after forced swimming. @*RESULTS@#TR and GSE reduced oxidative stress levels in hydrogen peroxide-stimulated L6 cells and enhanced the oxygen uptake and lipid metabolism in mice after acute exercise. After oral administration of TR or GSE for 30 days, the fatigue-related parameters did not change in mice. However, the mice administered GSE (400 mg/kg/day) alone for 30 days could swim longer than those from the other groups. Further, no synergistic effect was observed after the swimming exercise in mice treated with the TR and GSE combination for 30 days. @*CONCLUSIONS@#Taken together, our data suggest that TR and GSE may exert antifatigue effects in mice after acute exercise by enhancing oxygen uptake and lipid oxidation.

18 FTHK-5351 PET Patterns in Patients With Alzheimer’s Disease and Negative Amyloid PET Findings

Background@#and Purpose Alzheimer’s disease (AD) does not always mean amyloid positivity. [ 18 F]THK-5351 has been shown to be able to detect reactive astrogliosis as well as tau accompanied by neurodegenerative changes. We evaluated the [ 18 F]THK-5351 retention patterns in positron-emission tomography (PET) and the clinical characteristics of patients clinically diagnosed with AD dementia who had negative amyloid PET findings. @*Methods@#We performed 3.0-T magnetic resonance imaging, [ 18 F]THK-5351 PET, and amyloid PET in 164 patients with AD dementia. Amyloid PET was visually scored as positive or negative. [ 18 F]THK-5351 PET were visually classified as having an intratemporal or extratemporal spread pattern. @*Results@#The 164 patients included 23 (14.0%) who were amyloid-negative (age 74.9±8.3 years, mean±standard deviation; 9 males, 14 females). Amyloid-negative patients were older, had a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus, and had better visuospatial and memory functions. The frequency of the apolipoprotein E ε4 allele was higher and the hippocampal volume was smaller in amyloid-positive patients. [ 18 F]THK-5351 uptake patterns of the amyloid-negative patients were classified into intratemporal spread (n=10) and extratemporal spread (n=13).Neuropsychological test results did not differ significantly between these two groups. The standardized uptake value ratio of [ 18 F]THK-5351 was higher in the extratemporal spread group (2.01±0.26 vs. 1.61±0.15, p=0.001). After 1 year, Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores decreased significantly in the extratemporal spread group (-3.5±3.2, p=0.006) but not in the intratemporal spread group (-0.5±2.8, p=0.916). The diagnosis remained as AD (n=5, 50%) or changed to other diagnoses (n=5, 50%) in the intratemporal group, whereas it remained as AD (n=8, 61.5%) or changed to frontotemporal dementia (n=4, 30.8%) and other diagnoses (n=1, 7.7%) in the extratemporal spread group. @*Conclusions@#Approximately 70% of the patients with amyloid-negative AD showed abnormal [ 18 F]THK-5351 retention. MMSE scores deteriorated rapidly in the patients with an extratemporal spread pattern.

18F-THK5351 PET Positivity and Longitudinal Changes in Cognitive Function in β-Amyloid-Negative Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment

Purpose@#Neuroinflammation is considered an important pathway associated with several diseases that result in cognitive decline. 18F-THK5351 positron emission tomography (PET) signals might indicate the presence of neuroinflammation, as well as Alzheimer’s disease-type tau aggregates. β-amyloid (Aβ)-negative (Aβ–) amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) may be associated with non-Alzheimer’s disease pathophysiology. Accordingly, we investigated associations between 18F-THK5351 PET positivity and cognitive decline among Aβ– aMCI patients. @*Materials and Methods@#The present study included 25 amyloid PET negative aMCI patients who underwent a minimum of two follow-up neuropsychological evaluations, including clinical dementia rating-sum of boxes (CDR-SOB). The patients were classified into two groups: 18F-THK5351-positive and -negative groups. The present study used a linear mixed effects model to estimate the effects of 18F-THK5351 PET positivity on cognitive prognosis among Aβ– aMCI patients. @*Results@#Among the 25 Aβ– aMCI patients, 10 (40.0%) were 18F-THK5351 positive. The patients in the 18F-THK5351-positive group were older than those in the 18F-THK5351-negative group (77.4±2.2 years vs. 70.0±5.5 years; p<0.001). There was no difference between the two groups with regard to the proportion of apolipoprotein E ε4 carriers. Interestingly, however, the CDR-SOB scores of the 18F-THK5351-positive group deteriorated at a faster rate than those of the 18F-THK5351-negative group (B=0.003, p=0.033). @*Conclusion@#The results of the present study suggest that increased 18F-THK5351 uptake might be a useful predictor of poor prognosis among Aβ– aMCI patients, which might be associated with increased neuroinflammation (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02656498).

Longitudinal Decline of Striatal Subregional ¹⁸FFP-CIT Uptake in Parkinson's Disease / 대한핵의학회잡지

PURPOSE: Dopamine transporter imaging is suggested to be a useful imaging biomarker for Parkinson's disease (PD) progression and monitoring drug effects.We investigated the longitudinal decline characteristics of striatal [¹⁸F]FP-CIT uptake in PD.METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 35 PD patients and 9 non-PD patients. All patients underwent [¹⁸F]FP-CIT PET at the initial diagnosis and follow-up. PET images were spatially normalized and analyzed with eight striatal and one occipital VOI templates. We measured the specific to non-specific binding ratio (SNBR) of the striatal subregions and calculated the absolute annual reduction (AAR) and relative annual reduction (%RAR) of the SNBRs.RESULTS: Total striatal SNBRs in PD patients were significantly lower than those in non-PD patients, with the most significant difference in the posterior putamen. Both AAR (0.26 ± 0.14 vs. 0.09 ± 0.19, p < 0.05) and %RAR (6.9 ± 3.5 vs. 1.2 ± 2.7, p < 0.001) of total striatal SNBRs were significantly greater in PD than non-PD patients. There were no significant differences in the AAR and %RAR of total striatal SNBRs between elderly and young onset PD. The AARs of the posterior putamen were higher in early PD than in advanced PD. Conversely, the %RARs were not significantly different between early and more advanced PD. The disease duration was significantly negatively correlated with the AAR but not with the %RAR of the posterior putamen.CONCLUSIONS: The longitudinal decline of striatal [¹⁸F]FP-CIT uptake in PD was nonlinear and significantly faster than that in non-PD, with a different rate of decline among the striatal subregions.

Molecular Imaging in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases are highly morbid and widespread in the nation with aged population. Since these are progressive and irreversible diseases, early detection and differentiation of the disease are important for possible therapeutic intervention. Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease are the most frequent and costly devastating neurodegenerative diseases. Recent advances of molecular imaging, especially positron emission tomography (PET) technique, allows non-invasive evaluation of not only regional cerebral metabolism or perfusion, but also the change of neurotransmission and presence of abnormal protein such as beta amyloid. In Parkinsonism, dopamine transporter and vesicular monoamine transporter imaging are useful in the diagnosis and evaluation of the disease progression since these provide information about the integrity of presynaptic striatal dopaminergic neurons. In Alzheimer s disease, beta-amyloid imaging can assess the amyloid deposition. It improves early diagnosis and possibility of a presymptomatic diagnostic biomarker; improves understanding of the natural history of amyloid deposition; and has the capability to directly measure the effects of newly developed anti-amyloid therapies. Cholinergic and microglial imaging can be also useful in the early diagnosis of dementia and improves understanding of insights into pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, the ability of molecular imaging to identify and quantify cerebral pathology has significant implications for early detection, differential diagnosis, and therapeutic monitoring in neurodegenerative diseases.

Molecular Imaging in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases are highly morbid and widespread in the nation with aged population. Since these are progressive and irreversible diseases, early detection and differentiation of the disease are important for possible therapeutic intervention. Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease are the most frequent and costly devastating neurodegenerative diseases. Recent advances of molecular imaging, especially positron emission tomography (PET) technique, allows non-invasive evaluation of not only regional cerebral metabolism or perfusion, but also the change of neurotransmission and presence of abnormal protein such as beta amyloid. In Parkinsonism, dopamine transporter and vesicular monoamine transporter imaging are useful in the diagnosis and evaluation of the disease progression since these provide information about the integrity of presynaptic striatal dopaminergic neurons. In Alzheimer s disease, beta-amyloid imaging can assess the amyloid deposition. It improves early diagnosis and possibility of a presymptomatic diagnostic biomarker; improves understanding of the natural history of amyloid deposition; and has the capability to directly measure the effects of newly developed anti-amyloid therapies. Cholinergic and microglial imaging can be also useful in the early diagnosis of dementia and improves understanding of insights into pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, the ability of molecular imaging to identify and quantify cerebral pathology has significant implications for early detection, differential diagnosis, and therapeutic monitoring in neurodegenerative diseases.

Pilot Study for the Prediction of Response to Radiotherapy Using (18)FFluorothymidine PET in Nasopharyngeal Cancer: Comparison with (18)FFDG PET / 핵의학분자영상

PURPOSE: This study was performed to know whether [(18)F]Fluorothymidine (FLT) positron emission tomography (PET) can be used to monitor early response to radiotherapy in comparison with [(18)F]Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET, and to establish the optimal imaging time for prediction of therapy response. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two patients with nasopharyngeal cancer underwent serial FLT PET and FDG PET before and during radiotherapy. Three on-treatment FLT and FDG PET scans were performed on 1 week, 2 weeks and 3 weeks (at each time of 10 Gy, 20 Gy and 30 Gy delivered). The peak standardized uptake values (SUV(peak)) of primary tumors were measured on FLT and FDG PET. Then, percent changes of SUV(peak) after therapy were calculated. RESULTS: In two patients, baseline values of SUV(peak) on FDT PET were higher than those on FLT PET (FLT vs FDG; 3.7 vs 5.0, and 5.7 vs 15.0). In patient 1, FLT SUV(peak) showed 78%, 78% and 84% of decrease on 1 week, 2 and 3 weeks after treatment, whereas FDG SUV(peak) showed 18%, 52% and 66% of decrease, respectively. In patient 2, FLT SUV(peak) showed 75%, 75% and 68% of decrease, whereas FDG SUV(peak) showed 51%, 49% and 58% of decrease, respectively. Both patients reached to complete remission after radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: After radiotherapy, the decrease of FLT tumor uptake preceded the decrease of FDG tumor uptake in patients with nasopharyngeal cancer, and 1 week after therapy may be appropriate time for the assessment of early response. FLT PET might be more useful than FDG PET for monitoring early response to radiotherapy.

A Pilot Study for the Feasibility of F-18 FLT-PET in Locally Advanced Breast Cancer: Comparison with F-18 FDG-PET / 핵의학분자영상

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of 3'-[F-18]fluoro-3'-deoxythymidine positron emission tomography(FLT-PET) for the detection of locally advanced breast cancer and to compare the degree of FLT and 2'-deoxy-2'-[F-18]fluoro-d-glucose(FDG) uptake in primary tumor, lymph nodes and other normal organs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study subjects consisted of 22 female patients (mean age; 42+/-6 years) with biopsy-confirmed infiltrating ductal carcinoma between Aug 2005 and Nov 2006. We perfomed conventional imaging workup, FDG-PET and FLT PET/CT. Average tumor size measured by MRI was 7.2+/-3.4 cm. With visual analysis, Tumor and Lymph node uptakes of FLT and FDG were determined by calculation of standardized uptake value (SUV) and tumor to background (TB) ratio. We compared FLT tumor uptake with FDG tumor uptake. We also investigated the correlation between FLT tumor uptake and FDG tumor uptake and the concordant rate with lymph node uptakes of FLT and FDG. FLT and FDG uptakes of bone marrow and liver were measured to compare the biodistribution of each other. RESULTS: All tumor lesions were visually detected in both FLT-PET and FDG-PET. There was no significant correlation between maximal tumor size by MRI and SUVmax of FLT-PET or FDG-PET (p>0.05). SUVmax and SUV75 (average SUV within volume of interest using 75% isocontour) of FLT-PET were significantly lower than those of FDG-PET in primary tumor (SUVmax; 6.3+/-5.2 vs 8.3+/-4.9, p=0.02 / SUV75; 5.3+/-4.3 vs 6.9+/-4.2, p=0.02). There is significant moderate correlation between uptake of FLT and FDG in primary tumor (SUVmax; rho=0.450, p=0.04 / SUV75; rho=0.472, p=0.03). But, TB ratio of FLT-PET was higher than that of FDG-PET(11.7+/-7.7 vs 6.3+/-3.8, p=0.001). The concordant rate between FLT and FDG uptake of lymph node was reasonably good (33/34). The FLT SUVs of liver and bone marrow were 4.2+/-1.2 and 8.3+/-4.9. The FDG SUVs of liver and bone marrow were 1.8+/-0.4 and 1.6+/-0.4. CONCLUSION: The uptakes of FLT were lower than those of FDG, but all patients of this study revealed good FLT uptakes of tumor and lymph node. Because FLT-PET revealed high TB ratio and concordant rate with lymph node uptakes of FDG-PET, FLT-PET could be a useful diagnostic tool in locally advanced breast cancer. But, physiological uptake and individual variation of FLT in bone marrow and liver will limit the diagnosis of bone and liver metastases.

New Trend of tumor PET imaging radiopharmaceuticals / 한양의대학술지

Tumor PET imaging with radiopharmaceuticals plays a major role in the understanding of tumor biological information and for diagnosis of tumorswith non-invasive methods. These radiopharmaceuticals can be divided into two categories radiopharmaceuticals for metabolic process imaging and for specific receptor imaging. Most tumor imaging radiopharmaceuticals such as [18F]FDG, [18F]FLT, and [11C]choline can be trapped in tumor cells by specific metabolic processes of each radiopharmaceutical and show an increase in metabolism of tumor regions. Unlike these compounds, the hypoxia imaging adiopharmaceuticals such as [18F]FMISO and [64Cu]ATSM are trapped by oxidative metabolic mechanisms under only hypoxic conditions of tumor cells. For tumor specific receptor imaging, [18F]FES for estrogen receptor positive breast cancer may be used and recent clinical results showed the possibility of evaluating tumor therapy responseby estrogen receptor imaging with [18F]FES. This paper gives an overview of the current status of tumor PET imaging adiopharmaceuticals and the development of new lead compounds as potential radiopharmaceuticals by medicinal chemistry.

Radiopharmaceuticals for Neurotransmitter Imaging / 핵의학분자영상

Neurotransmitter imaging with radiopharmaceuticals plays major role for understanding of neurological and psychiatric disorders such as Parkinson's disease and depression. Radiopharmaceuticals for neurotransmitter imaging can be divided to dopamine transporter imaging radiopharmaceuticals and serotonin trnasporter imaging radiopharmaceuticals. Many kinds of new dopamine transporter imaging radiopharmcaeuticals has a tropane ring and they showed different biological properties according to the substituted functional group on tropane ring. After the first clinical trials with [123I]beta-CIT, alkyl chain substituent introduced to tropane ring amine to decrease time for imaging acquisition and to increase selectivity. From these results, [123I]PE2I, [18F]FE-CNT, [123I]FP-CIT and [18F]FP-CIT were developed and they showed high uptake on the dopamine transporter rich regions and fast peak uptake equilibrium time within 4 hours after injection. [11C]McN 5652 was developed for serotonin trnasporter imaging but this compound showed slow kinetics and high background radioactivity. To overcome these problems, new diarylsulfide backbone derivatives such as ADAM, ODAM, AFM, and DASB were developed. In these candidates, [11C]AFM and [11C]DASB showed high binding affinity to serotonin transporter and fast in vivo kinetics. This paper gives an overview of current status on dopamine and serotonin transporter imaging radiopharmaceuitcals and the development of new lead compounds as potential radiopharmaceuticals by medicinal chemistry.

A Case of 45,X Turner's Syndrome with Iron Deficiency Anemia due to Menometrorrhagia and Spontaneous Sexual Development / 대한내분비학회지

Short stature and gonadal dysgenesis are two characteristic clinical features of Turners syndrome. Very rarely, patients with Turners syndrome may menstruate and even be fertile. We experienced a case of Turners syndrome with spontaneous sexual development and menstruation. A 16-year-old girl was referred for severe anemia and menometrorrahgia. She had nearly normal features, with the exception of a short stature and a single right kidney. Also, she had spontaneous development of secondary sexual characteristics. We performed and anemia study and evaluated her short stature. In chromosomal study of her bone marrow and peripheral blood lymphocytes, she was revealed to have monosomy 45,X. Herein, this case is reported, with a brief review of literature

Effects of Enterotoxins of Staphylococcus Aureus on Ciliary Activity of the Nasal Mucosa / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The pathogenesis of paranasal sinusitis has not been fully understood. The role of staphylococcal enterotoxins in the development of the paranasal sinusitis has recently been identified. The aim of the study is to investigate the in vitro effects of enterotoxin of Staphylococcus aureus on ciliary activity of the nasal mucosa and its in vivo activity on histology of sinus mucosa. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Maxillary sinus mucosa of the rabbit is harvested and prepared. Ciliary beat frequency (CBF) of the mucosa is observed in the culture media containing staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA). After direct instillation of SEA into the maxillary sinus, CBF and the histological finding of the maxillary sinus mucosa are examined. RESULTS: After exposure to low dose enterotoxin (0.03 or 0.3 ng/ml of SEA), CBF did not decrease. But, after exposure to high dose enterotoxin (1.5, 3, 30 ng/ml of SEA), CBF decreased significantly as a function of time. Twenty four hours after instillation of high dose (30 ng/ml) SEA, CBF decreased. Seven days after instillation of high dose SEA, sinusitis is observed. After instillation of low dose (0.3 ng/ml) SEA, CBF and epithelial integrity is not affected. But, subepithelial edema and the infiltration of inflammatory cells are observed. CONCLUSION: The induction of sinusitis with high dose SEA may be related to the ciliostatic effect of staphylococcal enterotoxin. But, low dose staphylococcal enterotoxin can induce sinus inflammation without ciliostatic effect.

Radiopharmaceuticals for Imaging of Cellular Proliferation / 대한핵의학회잡지

No abstract available.

Papillary Cystadenocarcinoma Arising from Minor Salivary Glands in the Retromolar Trigone / 대한이비인후과학회지

Papillary cystadenocarcinoma is a very rare malignant neoplasm of the salivary gland. We report a case of papillary cystadenocarcinoma arising from the minor salivary gland in the retromolar trigone of a 56-year-old female patient presenting intermittent hemorrhage from the oral cavity. We discuss the clinical and histopathological features of the papillary cystadenocarcinoma of the salivary gland with the review of the literature.

Rapid Preparation and Quality Control of 99mTc-ECD, MAG3 and MIBI using Microwave Heating and Sep-Pak Cartridges / 대한핵의학회잡지

PURPOSE: We evaluated a rapid preparation procedures for the labeling and quality control of 99mTc-ECD, MAG3, and MIBI using microwave heating and Sep-Pak cartridges. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 99mTc labeling of ECD, MAG3, and MIBI kit preparation was performed according to the package inserts with microwave heating modification. Heating time was 10-15 sec, and heating was performed with 3 mm plastic bottle with screw cap to prevent radiation contamination. Labeling efficiency was obtained with C18 or Alumina N Sep-Pak cartridges. RESULTS: The radiochemical purity of 93~96% for 99mTc-ECD and 95~99% for 99mTc-MIBI was obtained using Alumina N Sep-Pak cartridge. The optimum irradiation time of microwave method for 3 ml 99mTc-labeled radiopharmaceutical solution was 10 sec for 99mTc-ECD and 99mTc-MIBI, and 15 sec for 99mTc-MAG3. The RESULTS of quality control data with Sep-Pak cartridges were well correlated with TLC method. The total preparation time of these radiopharmcaeuticals was 5~6 min including quality control procedure. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that radiopharmaceuticals preparation by microwave heating and quality control by Sep-Pak cartridges can be efficiently utilized as an alternative to the recommended method by manufacturer's manual.

The Effects of Parathyroid Hormone-related Protein (PTHrP) (1-34) on the Detrusor Muscle Contraction of Rabbits / 대한비뇨기과학회지

Purpose: We have studied the effect of Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) (1-34) on the contraction of bladder muscle induced by various stimulations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bladder muscle strips were prepared from the urinary bladder obtained from male New Zealand White rabbits (2-2.5Kg, n=20). The isometric contractile force responses were monitored via a FT03 force transducer. PTHrP (1-34) was introduced in spontaneous contraction, carbachol (CCh) (0.5microM)-induced the contraction, and a high potassium solution (60mM) induced the contraction to monitor the responses. In addition, the effect of PTHrP (1-34) was monitored in the pre-treatment of a calcium channel blocker, nicardipine. RESULTS: PTHrP (1-34) (10 10-10 7M) reduced most of the basal spontaneous contractile responses. According to the increasing concentration, PTHrP (1-34) (10 10 -10 7M) reduced 64.6+/-8.4% of the CCh (0.5microM) induced contractions, and 34.3+/-17.4% of the high concentration potassium solution (60mM) doses induced a contraction. After nicardipine (5.0microM) treatment, pretreating with PTHrP (1-34) (10 7M) showed a 33.5+/-15.5% CCh (0.5microM) increase in induced contractions compared to thr control. CONCLUSIONS: PTHrP (1-34) reduced the spontaneous phasic activity of the smooth muscle strip and caused a concentration-dependent relaxation of the contraction, which induced by carbachol or a high concentration potassium solution. These results support the hypothesis that PTHrP is a regulator of bladder tones. This study results suggested that there is some other mechanism of PTHrP (1-34) on the smooth muscles of the bladder, which is not related to a voltage-sensitive calcium channel.

Options in Intracoronary Radiation Therapy / 대한핵의학회잡지

Coronary restenosis is still regarded as Achilles' Hill of interventional cardiology despite relentless efforts of many investigators. Recent experimental and clinical studies have suggested that both gamma and beta radiation can be reduce restenosis after angioplasty. Currently, intracoronary brachytherapy for the prevention of restenosis has become a new evolving treatment modality in interventional cardiology. This report discusses a physical aspect of gamma and beta radiation, initial clinical results and delivery systems used in intracoronary brachytherapy. We shall take a brief overview of methods and their advantages in intracoronary brachytherapy. Future work should provide further insight for the best way of treating restenosis.

Multicenter Study on the Prevalence of Perennial Allergic Rhinitis and Allergy-Associated Disorders

Multicenter Study on the Prevalence of Perennial Allergic Rhinitis and Allergy-Associated Disorders This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) using the skin test, radioallergosorbent test (RAST), or multiple allergosorbent test (MAST) and to clarify the clinical aspects of the patients diagnosed as having PAR by the questionnaire survey and rhinologic examination. The 71,120 subjects who had visited the 23 otolaryngology clinics at the randomly selected tertiary referral hospitals in Korea between November 1, 1999 and April 30, 2000 were studied. PAR was diagnosed when subjects complained of two or more associated symptoms and the skin test, RAST, or MAST using perennial inhalant allergens was positive. The questionnaire survey and rhinologic examination were performed in subjects with PAR. The prevalence of PAR was 3.93%. We could find no significant difference in the prevalence of PAR between the two sexes. However, there was a significant difference in the prevalence of PAR between the child and adult groups. The chief complaints were, in order of decreasing frequency, nasal obstruction, watery rhinorrhea, and sneezing. There was a family history of PAR in 40.2% of the subjects. The 39.6% of the subjects had associated allergic diseases, being atopic dermatitis most common. In conclusion, the prevalence of PAR in tertiary referral hospitals in Korea is 3.93%. Many subjects with PAR have family history and appear to be associated with other allergic diseases.

Orbital Decompression for Dysthyroid Orbitopathy / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Exophthalmos from Graves' disease can result in visual disturbance and cosmetic deformity. Surgical treatment of this disorder is possible through a transnasal endoscopic approach or transantral approach. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the transnasal endoscopic orbital decompression and transantral orbital decompression in the management of dysthyroid orbitopathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Transnasal endoscopic orbital decompression or transantral orbital decompression was performed on 25 orbits in 14 patients for treatment of progressive exophthalmos or visual loss. Transantral orbital decompression was performed on seven patients simultaneously. RESULTS: Proptosis was reduced an average of 2.8 mm (range 0.5 to 6 mm) by transnasal endoscopic decompression alone and of 3.5 mm (range 0.5 to 8 mm) by transnasal endoscopic decompression and transantral decompression. In five patients who complained of visual disturbance, visual acuity was improved in three of them, and stationary in two of them postoperatively. Four patients who had no diplopia preoperatively developed diplopia after the decompression. Among them the diplopia was only temporary in three patients and the remaining one was referred to an ophthalmologist for correction of persistent diplopia. CONCLUSION: Orbital decomprerssion can be performed successfully via the transantral and transnasal endoscopic approach without significant complications and external scar.

Distortion Product and Spontaneous Otoacoustic Emissions in Normal Neonates / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) offers an alternative to transiently evoked OAE as a neonatal hearing screening, and may provide frequency specific information of the cochlea. The purpose of this study is to establish the relevant characteristics of spontaneous OAE (SOAE) and DPOAE of neonates and their efficacy as a neonatal screening method for hearing loss. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July to September 1999, 72 healthy newborns (144 ear) were included in this study and test was performed within 3 days after birth at nursery. DP audiogram, input/output (I/O) curve at 3 kHz, and SOAE were recorded. RESULTS: The DP audiogram had characteristics with two broad peaks of amplitude at Fe (geometric mean of two primaries) frequencies of 3 kHz and 6 kHz. From the Fe near 3 and 6 kHz, DPOAE was found over 95% of 144 ears. Median threshold of 3 kHz I/O curve was 40 dB. The threshold in 3 kHz could be obtained even in 7 ears that had failed to pass DP audiogram. The thresholds of the ears that failed in DP audiogram were not statistically different from those that passed the test, The amplitude in DP audiogram was not correlated with the threshold in 3 kHz I/O curve. The positive rate for SOAE was 45% (39% in male, 53% in female, 51% in right ear, 38% in left ear, respectively), All the SOAE positive cases passed DP audiogram test. CONCLUSIONS: DPOAE has a potential for neonatal screening test for hearing loss. Near 3 kHz and 6 kHz, DPOAE were highly positive, and these frequencies can be used in screening test. The duration of a diagnostic test would be shorter by excluding certain frequencies. Using the 3 kHz I/O curve in addition to DP audiogram may increase the validity and the e6cacy of the test. SOAF has limitations as a single modality of neonatal screening test for hearing loss.