No abstract available.
Esophageal Neoplasms*

A new hypolipidemic agent, lovastatin, hydroxy-methyl-gultaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor was administred to 25 patients with primary hyperlipidemia 20 to 40 mg daily for 12 weeks and sequential changes of serum lipid profile were analysed as follow. 1) Mean average at baseline period of serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL and low desity lipoprotein cholesterol were 271, 179, 51 and 185 mg/dl respectively. 2) Total cholesterol showed 20% decrease at 4th week and 23% decrease at the end of 12th week while low density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased 31% and 33% respectively. 3) Triglyceride dropped 7% at 8th week and 3% at 12th week. High density lipoprotein cholesterol increased 4% at 4th week and showed 2% decrease at the end of study. 4) Only one patient complained of moderate abdominal pain, which subsided after 2 weeks drug withdrawal. In conclusion, lovastatin was well tolerated and effective, in the treatment of primary hyperlipidemia.
Abdominal Pain ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Coenzyme A ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias* ; Lipoproteins ; Lovastatin ; Oxidoreductases ; Triglycerides

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the detectability and usefulness of automated whole breast ultrasound (AWUS) and to compare it with handheld breast ultrasound (HHUS) in cases with suspicious microcalcifications identified by mammography. METHODS: Forty-two patients with 43 suspicious microcalcifications (25 malignant and 18 benign) detected by mammography underwent AWUS, HHUS, and histol-ogic examination. With knowledge of the mammographic findings, HHUS was performed to assess the visibility of the microcalcifications and the presence of associated masses or ductal changes. Two radiologists reviewed the AWUS images in consensus using the same methods employed for HHUS. Detectability of AWUS was compared with that of HHUS and was correlated with histologic and mammographic findings. RESULTS: Of the 43 lesions, 32 (74.4%) were detectable by AWUS and 31 (72.1%) by HHUS. No significant differences in sensitivity were found between the two methods (p=0.998). AWUS detected 96% (24/25) of malignant microcalcifications and 44.4% (8/18) of benign microcalcifications. AWUS was more successful in the detection of malignant vs. benign lesions (96.0% vs. 44.4%, p=0.002), lesions >10 mm vs. ≤10 mm in size (86.7% [26/30] vs. 46.2% [6/13], p=0.009), lesions with a fine pleomorphic or linear shape vs. a round or amorphous or coarse heterogeneous shape (94.7% [18/19] vs. 58.3% [14/24], p=0.021), and lesions associated with a mass or architectural distortion vs. without obvious changes on mammography (100% [19/19] vs. 54.2% [13/24], p=0.022). CONCLUSION: Detectability of AWUS was comparable to that of HHUS in cases where suspicious microcalcifications were identified on mammography. Therefore, AWUS might be helpful in the performance of ultrasound-guided percutaneous procedures for highly suspicious microcalcifications.
Breast Neoplasms ; Breast* ; Calcinosis ; Consensus ; Humans ; Mammary Glands, Human ; Mammography* ; Prospective Studies ; Ultrasonography*

We performed laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy in 7 patients with squamous cell carcinoma in the uterine cervix. Among them, 5 cases were subsently laparotomy with radical hysterectomy. The others, one case was performed Laparoscpic pelvic lymphadenectomy as Staging Procedure and the other was laparoscopically assisted radical vaginal hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy without complication. The following results were obtained 1. Total number of pelvic nodes obtained at laparoscopy in 7 cases were 104 2. Averege number of pelvic nodes obtained at laparoscopy were 14.2+/-6.38(7-23) 3. Average number of additional pelvic nodes obtained at laparotomy were 10.4+/-279(7-13) 4. % yield by laparoscopy/laparoscopy+laparotomy was 71/123(58%) 5. No positive metastatic lymph nodes were missed by laparartomy 6. Average time, blood loss at laparoscopic lymphadenectomy was 172.1min and 304.3ml, seperately 7. surgical staging procedure was performed at Case 3 8. Laparoscopic Pelvic lym phadenectomy with radieal vaginal hysterectomy (type II radical) was done in Case 5. without Laparotomy or complication.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cervix Uteri ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Hysterectomy, Vaginal ; Laparoscopy ; Laparotomy ; Lymph Node Excision* ; Lymph Nodes ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinicopathological features of triple negative breast cancer, and compare them with those of non-triple negative breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 231 pathologically confirmed breast cancers from January 2007 to May 2008. We retrospectively reviewed the MRI findings according to the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) lexicon: mass or non-mass type, mass shape, mass margin, non-mass distribution, and enhancement pattern. Histologic type, histologic grade, and the results for epidermal growth factor receptor, p53, and Ki 67 were reviewed. RESULTS: Of 231 patients, 43(18.6%) were triple negative breast cancer. Forty triple negative breast cancers (93.0%) were mass-type lesion on MRI. A round or oval or lobular shape (p=0.006) and rim enhancement (p=0.004) were significantly more in triple negative breast cancer than non-triple negative breast cancer. In contrast, irregular shape (p=0.006) and spiculated margins (p=0.032) were significantly more in non-triple negative breast cancer. Old age (p=0.019), high histologic grade (p<0.0001), EGFR positivity (p<0.0001), p53 overexpression (p=0.038), and Ki 67 expression (<0.0001) were significantly associated with the triple negative breast cancer. CONCLUSION: MRI finding may be helpful for differentiation between triple negative and non-triple negative breast cancer.
Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Humans ; Information Systems ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; Receptors, Progesterone ; Retrospective Studies

Four hundred and sixty five randomly selected clones from a cDNA library of Blattella germanica were partially sequenced and searched using BLAST as a means of analyzing the transcribed sequences of its genome. A total of 363 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were generated from 465 clones after editing and trimming the vector and ambiguous sequences. About 42% (154/363) of these clones showed significant homology with other data base registered genes. These new B. germanica genes constituted a broad range of transcripts distributed among ribosomal proteins, energy metabolism, allergens, proteases, protease inhibitors, enzymes, translation, cell signaling pathways, and proteins of unknown function. Eighty clones were not well-matched by database searches, and these represent new B. germanica-specific ESTs. Some genes which drew our attention are discussed. The information obtained increases our understanding of the B. germanica genome.
Sequence Alignment ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Male ; Female ; *Expressed Sequence Tags ; Blattellidae/*genetics ; Base Sequence ; Animals

No abstract available.
Lung Transplantation* ; Lung*

Currently in the Republic of Korea, most postmortem investigations occur within the context of a death scene investigation and are restricted to a postmortem inspection without a subsequent autopsy. In this study, we analyzed the discrepancies between the results of postmortem inspection and autopsy to investigate the limits of postmortem inspection. The conclusions about the cause and manner of death stated in the two reports were compared. A retrospective study was carried out on 6,126 autopsy cases performed in the Republic of Korea in 2015. Of these autopsy cases, 2,263 included postmortem inspection reports. The stated cause and manner of death conflicted with the autopsy report in 55.1% and 32.9% of the postmortem inspection reports, respectively. Among these conflicted reports, the cause and manner of death was undetermined in 66.6% and 70.3% of the postmortem inspection reports, respectively. Furthermore, different types of discrepancies were found between the causes and manner of death that were stated in the reports by police investigators and those by forensic pathologists. This study revealed that postmortem inspection is not sufficient in the postmortem investigation and forensic autopsies need to be performed.
Autopsy* ; Cause of Death ; Humans ; Police ; Republic of Korea ; Research Personnel ; Retrospective Studies

Primary ovarian choriocarcinoma arising from a germ cell is an extremely rare occurrence, especially in postmenopausal women, and the prognosis is poor. Non-gestational choriocarcinoma of the ovary (NGCO) accounts for 0.6% or less of all ovarian neoplasms. It is important to distinguish gestational choriocarcinomas of the ovary (GCO) from other carcinomas because of the poor prognosis of NGCO. We describe a case of NGCO with lung metastasis in a 55 year old woman, which we present together with a brief review of the literature.
Choriocarcinoma ; Choriocarcinoma, Non-gestational ; Female ; Germ Cells ; Humans ; Lung ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Ovary ; Postmenopause ; Pregnancy ; Prognosis

BACKGROUND: There is pressure difference depending on the height of hand position when blood pressure is taken, applying the oscillometric electronic digital BP(blood pressure) monitor. Authors have calculated the degree of BP differences, and evaluated the accuracy and effectiveness of the digital BP monitor comparing with the conventional Mercury Sphygmomanometer. METHOD: Randomized sixty cases consisting of in-patients and hospital workers were subjected for this study. BPs were taken at three different levels-nose level, heart level and knee level-on conventional sitting position applying OMRON Digital Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor and conventional Mercury Sphygmomanometer, and statistical analysis was made. RESULTS: At the nose level, systolic BP and diastolic BP were lower with 23.5mmHg and 18.9mmHg respectively, than at the heart level, while at the knee level, they were higher with 21mmHg and 17.5mmHg respectively, than at the heart level. No actual statistical difference of systolic and diastolic values between OMRON Digital Automatic Blood Pressure Monitoring method at the heart level and conventional Mercury Sphygmomanometeric method. CONCLUSION: Present study demonstrated significant discrepancy of BP values, in systolic and diastolic values, depending on the height of measured finger, when OMRON Digital Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor is applied in taking BP on conventional sitting position. However, no actual discrepancy of BP values was noted between two methods when BP is taken at heart level by OMRON Digital Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor and on brachial artery BP by conventional Mercury Sphygmomanometer. Thus OMRON Digital Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor could take the place of Mercury Sphygmomanometer in taking peripheral BP, which subsequently enable us to estimate central artery BP, which is believed to be better clinical index, through this much more handy electrical oscillometric device in the future.
Arteries ; Blood Pressure ; Blood Pressure Monitors ; Brachial Artery ; Electric Impedance ; Fingers ; Hand* ; Heart ; Hydrostatic Pressure ; Knee ; Nose ; Sphygmomanometers*