Objective: Our purpose was to study the expression of protein of nm23 gene in patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma.Methods:Protein of nm23 gene was detected by immunohistochemical technique in 45 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer, 12 with borderline, and 10 with benign ovarian tumor.Results:The positive expression rate in ovarian cancer (73.3%) was significantly higher than that of the benign and borderline tumors. There was no significant correlation between the expression of nm23 gene and the histological type, grade, the existence of ascites or the size of residul after operation. However, the expression of nm23 gene protein was negatively related with the FIGO stage. The overall survival rate of the patients with positive expression of nm23 gene was much higher than that of the patients with negative expression. Conclusion:The findings suggest that nm23 gene protein might serve as a valuable and independent marker for the prognosis of ovarian cancer.

Objective To study the express of matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase(TIMP)-2 protein in human endometrial carcinoma. Methods The Immunohistochemistry was used to measure the MMP-2, TIMP-2 in endometrial carcinoma tissue of 40 patients, the atypical hyperplasia of 12 samples and the normal endometrium of 12 samples. Results The positive express of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in the normal endometrium , atypical hyperplasia and endometrial carcinoma was increased gradually. In endometrial carcinoma, with progression of clinical stage and decrease of histological grade as well as deepening of cancer invasion, the ratio of MMP-2/TIMP-2 was increased. Conclusions The expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were connected with endometrial carcinoma. The imbalance of MMP-2/TIMP-2 in the endometrial cancer might be one of the pathogenesis and development.

BACKGROUND: Scabies is an old and common contagious skin disease. The incidence of scabies has decreased through the economic growth of Korea. However, recent outbreaks in medical facilities have created a suspicion that the infection of scabies is an emerging public health problem. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the epidemiological and clinical aspects of patients diagnosed with scabies in Korea. This prospective study follows the retrospective study already performed by the same authors in 2011. METHODS: A multicenter, prospective study of scabies was performed at 25 hospitals in Korea. We included 914 patients who were diagnosed with scabies. Microscopic examination revealed scabies mites or eggs, or clinical improvement after treatment. Patients were asked to provide information on scabies, especially regarding the contact source, and the physicians examined them. RESULTS: Of the participants, 432 patients were men and 482 were women. Patients aged younger than 10 years and 60~69 years were the most common groups. Scabies more commonly affected patients during the fall and winter. Of the patients, 68.0% were thought to be infected at their homes, followed by nursing homes or hospitals (25.7%), and 31.6% through contact with other patients or, occasionally, staff members, including caregivers. CONCLUSION: We confirmed that scabies is an emerging threat in institutions, especially medical facilities. In addition, we suggest that public and in-hospital education is essential to minimize the problems associated with scabies.
Caregivers ; Disease Outbreaks ; Economic Development ; Education ; Eggs ; Epidemiologic Studies* ; Epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Male ; Mites ; Nursing Homes ; Ovum ; Prospective Studies* ; Public Health ; Scabies* ; Skin Diseases

BACKGROUND: Scabies is one of the common skin diseases observed in developing countries. The incidence of scabies has decreased dramatically since the late 1980s in Korea. However, recent outbreaks in nursing homes or hospitals have been raising public health concerns. OBJECTIVE: We intended to evaluate the epidemiological and clinical aspects of patients diagnosed with scabies in Korea. In particular, we tried to investigate the changing trend of contact sources in our society. METHODS: A multi-center cross sectional study was performed at 25 hospitals in Korea. We included 1,539 patients who were diagnosed with scabies. These patients showed scabies mites or eggs under microscopic examination, or clinical improvement after treatment. Their medical records with information of contact sources were reviewed. RESULTS: Six hundred and ninety-three patients were males and 826 were females. Patients' age from 70 to 79 was the most common followed by patients below 10 years of age. More patients were found in the fall and winter months. 66.7% of patients were thought to be infected at their homes which were situated next to nursing homes or hospitals (23.1%). Place of infection could not be verified in 39.3% of patients. 25.8% of patients were suggested to be infected through contact with medical staff or patients from hospitals or nursing homes. CONCLUSION: We confirmed that the contact sources of scabies are changing in our society; nursing homes and hospitals are emerging sources of infection. The majority of patients are old or very young who are vulnerable to many diseases. Therefore, dermatologists should pay attention to new contact sources and appropriate care of patients.
Developing Countries ; Disease Outbreaks ; Eggs ; Female ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Incidence ; Korea ; Male ; Medical Records ; Medical Staff ; Mites ; Mitochondrial Diseases ; Nursing Homes ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Ovum ; Public Health ; Retrospective Studies ; Scabies ; Skin Diseases