Journal of Korean medical science
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To investigate potential health risks associated with exposure to metals from an abandoned metal mine, the authors studied people living near an abandoned mine (n=102) and control groups (n=149). Levels of cadmium, copper, arsenic, lead, and zinc were measured in the air, soil, drinking water, and agricultural products. To assess individual exposure, biomarkers of each metal in blood and urine were measured. beta2-microglobulin, alpha1-microglobulin, and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase and bone mineral density were measured. ⋯ Geometric means of blood and urine cadmium in the study area were 2.9 microg/L and 1.5 microg/g Cr, respectively, significantly higher than those in the control area (p<0.05). There were no differences in the levels of urinary markers of early kidney dysfunction and bone mineral density. The authors conclude that the residents near the abandoned mine were exposed to higher levels of metals through various routes.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Jun 2008
Case ReportsA case of a patient with both chorea and restless legs syndrome.
The patient was a 44-yr-old man with end-stage renal disease who had developed chorea as a result of hypoglycemic injury to the basal ganglia and thalamus and who was subsequently diagnosed with depression and restless legs syndrome (RLS). For proper management, the presence of a complex medical condition including two contrasting diseases, chorea and RLS, had to be considered. Tramadol improved the pain and dysesthetic restlessness in his feet and legs, and this was gradually followed by improvements in his depressed mood, insomnia, lethargy, and feelings of hopelessness. This case suggests that the dopaminergic system participates intricately with the opioid, serotoninergic, and noradrenergic systems in the pathophysiology of RLS and pain and indirectly of depression and insomnia.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Apr 2008
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyEffects of additional pleurodesis with dextrose and talc-dextrose solution after video assisted thoracoscopic procedures for primary spontaneous pneumothorax.
Recurrence after thoracoscopic surgery for primary spontaneous pneumothorax is a lingering problem, and many intraoperative methods to induce pleural symphysis have been introduced. We analyzed the effects of chemical pleurodesis during thoracoscopic procedures. Between August 2003 and July 2005, 141 patients among indicated surgical treatment for primary spontaneous pneumothorax in two hospitals of our institution allowed this prospective study. ⋯ No significant differences were found for recurrence rates or the number of postoperative days until chest tube removal. Therefore, the results of our study indicate that intraoperative chemical pleurodesis gives no additional advantage to surgery alone in deterring recurrence for patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Thus, the use of such scarifying agents in the operating room must be reconsidered.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Apr 2008
Granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) augments acute lung injury via its neutrophil priming effects.
Granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) has immuno-stimulatory effects. We hypothesized that GM-CSF plays an important role both in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and hemorrhage-induced acute lung injury (ALI). We also postulated that GM-CSF augments LPS-induced inflammation by priming neutrophils. ⋯ GM-CSF -/- mice showed decreased neutrophil infiltration, less leakage, and lower expression of cytokines in the lung after LPS or hemorrhage. GM-CSF augmented LPS-induced protein and mRNA expression of TNF-alpha, MIP-2 and IL-1beta, which was mediated by increased intra-nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB. GM-CSF plays an important role in high-dose LPS and hemorrhage-induced ALI, which appears to be mediated by its priming effect on neutrophils.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Apr 2008
Short-term efficacy of enzyme replacement therapy in Korean patients with Fabry disease.
Fabrazyme has been widely used for treatment of Fabry disease since its approval by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration in 2003. ⋯ Microvascular endothelial deposits of GL-3 were decreased from renal biopsy specimens after 1 yr of treatment. The severity of sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus did not improve after ERT. ERT is safe and effective in stabilizing renal function and clearing microvascular endothelial GL-3 from kidney biopsy specimen in Korean patients with Fabry disease.