BACKGROUND: The granulocyte-specific antigen NA which exist specifically on neutrophils and eosinophils have its antigenic determinant on Fcgamma receptor III. The alloantibodies and autoantibodies against this antigen are responsible for neonatal alloimmune neutropenia, chronic benign autoimmune neutropenia of infancy and transfusion-related acute lung injury. After discovering of biallelic polymorphism of NA antigen, there have been attempts to replace technically cumbersome serotyping methods by DNA-typing. This study was performed to investigate the genotype frequency of NA antigen In Koreans by DNA typing. METHODS: Using genomic DNA extracted from venous blood of 200 Koreans, genotype of NA antigen system was determined through polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP), and the frequency was compared with previous studies. The NA genotypes of seven individuals were compared with their known phenotypes. RESULTS: The genotype frequencies of NA1+NA2-, NA1+NA2+, and NA1-NA2+ were 28.5%, 59.0%, and 12.5% respectively. The gene frequencies calculated from genotype frequencies were 0.58 and 0.42 for NA1 and NA2 respectively. The NA genotypes of seven individuals were correlated precisely with their phenotypes. CONCLUSION: The gene frequency of NA1 in Koreans was higher than that of Caucasian. The genotype frequencies of NA antigen in Koreans were similar to those of the Japanese and Chinese. This study will serve as a basic data for the study of the patients with diseases associated with granulocyte-specific antigens in Koreans.
Acute Lung Injury ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Autoantibodies ; DNA ; DNA Fingerprinting ; Eosinophils ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype* ; Humans ; Isoantibodies ; Neutropenia ; Neutrophils ; Phenotype ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Serotyping

BACKGROUND: The characteristic t(15; 17) of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) fuses the retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARA) gene on chromosome 17 to the PML gene on chromosome 15. The test of PML-RARA rearrangement is essential for diagnosis and therapy of APL. We analyzed breakpoints of the PML gene as a basic study for PML-RARA rearrangement test. METHODS: PML-RARA rearrangements, breakpoints of the PML gene and junction sequences were analyzed in 41 patients with APL using RT-PCR and direct sequencing. RESULTS: Forty out of 41 cases revealed PML-RARA rearrangement, of which results coincided with cytogenetic data. Breakpoint distribution was 26 cases in burl (65%), one in bcr2 (2.5%), and 13 in bcr3 (32.5%). Sequencing data showed invariable joining of exon 3 of the RARA gene and exon 6 (bcrl type) or exon 3 (bcr3 type) of the PML gene. One case with bcr2 type had breakpoint in exon 6 of the PML gene with 57 bp deletion. CONCLUSIONS: Bcrl Is the most common breakpoint site of APL in Koreans, and bcy1+2/bcr3 ratio is approximately 2.1. PML-RARA junctions were continuous and joined by a correct splicing event. Breakpoint analysis would be useful in quality control of PML-RARA rearrangement test and the fused protein analysis.
Chromosomes, Human, Pair 15 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17 ; Cytogenetics ; Diagnosis ; Exons ; Humans ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute* ; Quality Control ; Receptors, Retinoic Acid

Angiogenesis is an essential requirement for development, progression, and metastasis of malignant tumors. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the important angiogenic factors. Recently the role of angiogenesis has been known in premalignant lesions. This study was performed to determine whether the angiogenesis and VEGF expression were increased in association with histological grade of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and to see the relationship between the angiogenesis and VEGF. Immunostainings for factor VIII and VEGF were performed on 52 cases of cervical neoplasia (12 cases of CIN I, 11 cases of CIN II, 15 cases of CIN III, 7 cases of microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma, and 7 cases of invasive carcinoma) and 5 cases of normal cervix. The results showed a significant increase of microvessel count from normal cervix through CIN grades to invasive squamous cell cacinoma. VEGF expression was increased in proportion to the CIN grades. There was no significant correlation between microvessel count and VEGF expression. In conclusion, the tumor angiogenesis is an early event in tumorigenesis of uterine cervix. In addition, no significant relationship between the microvessel count and VEGF expression in CIN suggests the possibility of other growth factors affecting mainly angiogenesis of premalignant lesion of uterine cervix.
Angiogenesis Inducing Agents ; Carcinogenesis ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia* ; Cervix Uteri ; Factor VIII ; Female ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Microvessels ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*

To determine the most effective and tolerable method of preparation with Golytely for colonoscopy, 141 consecutive cases were randomly allocated to drink either 2,000cc(74 cases, Group I) or 4,000cc(67 cases, Group 2), with infusion rate of 1,000cc/h. The reaults were as follows. 1) The rates of effective colonic clearance in group 1 and group 2 was 94.6% and 94.0%, respectively. There is no significance difference between two groups. 2) There was no significant difference in the ingested volume until the first bowel movement and the time required for rectal efflunt to be clear between two groups. 3) Patient acceptance was higher in group 1 than in group 2. 4) Side effects were less noticed in group 1 than group 2, and incraased in body weight (average 0.8 kg) after ingestion of Golytely was observed only in group 2.
Body Weight ; Colon ; Colonoscopy* ; Eating ; Humans ; Therapeutic Irrigation*

Non-operative palliative treatment for malignant colonic obstruction can sometimes be accomplished by the insertion of anorectal tube, endoscopic balloon dilation or endoscopic laser therapy. But these methods have some disadvantages, such as limitaation of activity, need of repetitive treatment and high-risk of perforation. Endoscopic prosthesis is generally accepted as a safe, effective palliative treatment for malignant esophageal stricture, because this method has no above disadvantages. Neverthless, there is only a few experence with endoecopic prosthesis in malignant colorectal stricture over the world. We report two cases which were safely, effectively performed endoscopic prosthesis in palliative treatment for their malignant rectal strictures.
Colon ; Constriction, Pathologic* ; Esophageal Stenosis ; Laser Therapy ; Palliative Care ; Prostheses and Implants*

Gastric lipomas are rare benign submucosal tumors which can present the diagnostic and therapeutic problems. The preferred treattment is observation or local excision. Since preoperative diagnosis and differentation from malignant tumors can be difficult by use of the conventional diagnostic modalities such as X-ray or endoscopic examination, patients are sometimes subjected to more extensive surgical procedures than warranted. As to the diagnosis of submucosal tumors of the upper digestive tract, a newly developed diagnostic modality of endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS) allows us to visuialize the structures underlying the gastrointestinal wall in a noninvasive maneuver, and can contribute to make differential diagnosis and decision of management. Strip biopsy is an endascopic tissue resection technique which permits resection of both mucosal and submucosal tissue regardless of the morphological type of the lesion, because the submucosal saline injections during the procedures make the flat or depressed lesions to be elevated. Now, we report a 56-yr-old female which had a Yamada type I polypoid gastric submucosal lipoma in the antrum, which could be performed the different diagnosis and successful endoscopic removal by endoscopic ultrasonography and strip biopsy.
Biopsy* ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Endosonography ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Lipoma*

A new method for combining ultrasonography snd endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS), was developed to improve the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound by direct image of the target lesion via the gastrointestinal lumen. EUS has the unique ability to provide clear sonographic images of the wall structure of the stomach. This capability can be ultilized in assessing the depth of cancer invasion of the stomach by identifying which layer the ultrasonographic change extends to. However, the depressed types of early gastric cancer(EGC) are often accompanied by ulcerative change in the tumor foci. And the ultrasonographic picture is also influenced by the ulcerative change. (continue...)
Endoscopy ; Endosonography* ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Ulcer ; Ultrasonography

We report a case of non-cirrhotic portal hypertension in a 73 year-old woman, who had 19-year history of idiopathic myelofibrosis. There were esophageal varix, splenomegaly, and ascites. The biopsied liver showed irregular sinusoidal/ perisinusoidal fibrosis and occasional central-to-central fibrous connection. In areas with extensive fibrosis, coarse collagen fibers filled the sinusoidal spaces and compressed hepatocytes. However, nodular regeneration was absent. Double immunohistochemical stain for smooth muscle actin and proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) revealed diffusely activated stellate cells, some of which showed nuclear PCNA staining. There was also extramedullary hematopoiesis with bizarre megakaryocytes. The portal vein and its branches were patent. Idiopathic myelofibrosis is a rare cause of non-cirrhotic portal hypertension: the portal hypertension was considered to be the result of sinusoidal/perisinusoidal fibrosis in this case.
Actins ; Aged ; Ascites ; Collagen ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Hematopoiesis, Extramedullary ; Hepatocytes ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal* ; Liver ; Megakaryocytes ; Muscle, Smooth ; Portal Vein ; Primary Myelofibrosis* ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; Regeneration ; Splenomegaly

BACKGROUND: An accurate ABO blood type is essential for transfusion therapy. Genetic structures of ABO blood group and subgroup have been investigated and so far about 100 ABO alleles have been reported worldwide. This study was performed to investigate the molecular characteristics of B subgroups in the Korean population. METHODS: A total of 19 samples of B subgroups were collected from patients (n=11) and from blood donors (n=8) of Korean Red Cross blood centers; these samples had been typed serologically for the ABO blood group. Allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR), direct sequencing of exon 6 and 7, and allele separation were performed for ABO gene analysis. RESULTS: The ABO PCR-RFLP genotyping results of 18 samples among the provisional 19 B subgroups were identical regardless of their phenotypes. Two new B alleles showing 255C>T base change and 547G>A base change were observed in B3 and A1B3 subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Serologically unidentified B subgroups were unequivocally identified through molecular analyses of the ABO gene. And new ABO alleles observed only in the Korean B subgroups were recognized.
Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Blood Donors ; Exons ; Genetic Structures ; Humans ; Phenotype ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Red Cross

OBJECTIVE: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is strongly implicated as a causative agent in the etiology of cervical cancer. Of its gene products, E6 and E7 oncoproteins play major roles by inactivation of cellular p53 and pRb tumor suppressor proteins, respectively. However, it has been recently suggested that p53 and/or pRb-independent functions of E6 and E7 are involved in cervical carcinogenesis. The purpose of this study is to identify novel a cellular target, p73, of E6 and to determine how E6 inactivates p73 function, METHODS: The interaction between E6 and p73 were identified by the yeast two-hybrid assay in vivo and the GST pull-down assay in vitro. The function of the interaction was determined by transient transfections using p21 promoter-CAT reporter plasmid. The molecular mechanism underlying the functional significance of the interaction was further assessed by in vivo and in vitro protein degradation assays, and gel mobility shift assays. RESULTS: Yeast two-hybrid and GST pull-down assays indicate a physical interaction between p73 and either HPV-16 or HPV-11 E6 proteins in vivo and in vitro, respectively. Transactivation domain (amino acid residues 1-49) is found to be absolutely required for this interaction. Transient co-expression of E6 significantly inhibits the p73-mediated activation of p21WAF1 promoter in a p53-defective C33A cell line. Using Ga14-p73 fusion protein, we demonstrate that E6 inhibition of p73 transactivation function is independent of sequence-specific DNA binding, which is confirmed by direct electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Moreover, E6 inhibits p73 function by interfering with the activity of the amino-terminal activation domain. The protein degradation assays in vivo and in vitro indicate that p73, unlike p53, is not susceptible to E6-dependent proteolysis. CONCLUSION: Throughout this study, we identified p73 as a novel cellular target of HPV-E6 protein and found that E6 binds p73 through the amino-terminal transactivation domain, and inhibits its transactivation function independent of the protein degradation and DNA binding. These overall results, consequently, suggest that in addition to the inactivation of p53, the functional interference of p73 by HPV-E6 may, at least in part, contribute to E6-mediated cellular transformation.
Carcinogenesis ; Cell Line ; DNA ; Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay ; Human papillomavirus 11 ; Human papillomavirus 16 ; Humans ; Oncogene Proteins ; Plasmids ; Proteolysis ; Transcriptional Activation ; Transfection ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; Two-Hybrid System Techniques ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; Yeasts