Sequence analysis of human mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA) is being used widely to characterize individual identification, particularly when there is insufficient nuclear DNA in samples for typing. Hair shafts, bones, teeth and other samples that are severely decomposed may be subjected to mtDNA analysis. As sample decomposes, however, the possibility of mtDNA to be degraded becomes high and the possibility of spurious results becomes high. In this case mtDNA sequencing results must be carefully analyzed. We got unusual results while typing two human bone samples, which were not compatible with human mtDNA sequence. Bones were about 50 and 35 years old. We report the results with discussions about ancient DNA sequencing.
Adult ; DNA* ; DNA, Mitochondrial* ; Hair ; Humans ; Sequence Analysis ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Tooth

BACKGROUNDS: Pituitary hyperplasia can mimic pituitary adenoma. In MRI, enlarged pituitary gland is enhanced homogenously with upward convexity of the superior margin of the gland .The best definition of hyperplasia in the pituitary hyperplasia seems to be a multiplication of one or more cell types. But definition, etiology and clinical courses of this disease are not clear, METHOD: We reviewed clinical symptoms, MRI, and pathologic findindings in 6 patients with pituitary hyperplasia. RESULT: 1. Major clinical symptoms were headache (100%), visual field defect (84%), polyuria/polydipsia (64%), and irregular mensturation (32%). Other symptoms were amenorrhea (16%) and galactorrhea (16%). 2. Three of five cases showed abnormal responses to combined pituitary function test, 3. MRI findings were pituitary hyperplasia (4), macroadenoma (l), and microadenoma (1). 4. In two operated cases, there was no adenoma. One case showed hyperplasia of lactotroph cells, the other was hyperplasia of gonadotroph cells confirmed by the examination of immunocytochemistry. CONCLUSION: Pituitary hyperplasia should be considered in patients with enlarged pituitary gland without focal mass lesion.
Adenoma ; Amenorrhea ; Female ; Galactorrhea ; Gonadotrophs ; Headache ; Humans ; Hyperplasia* ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lactotrophs ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Pituitary Function Tests ; Pituitary Gland ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; Pregnancy ; Visual Fields

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Clevudine (CLV) has potent antiviral activity against chronic hepatitis B (CHB) virus infection. The long-term efficacy and safety of CLV therapy in naive patients with CHB were investigated. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 152 naive Korean patients with CHB who received 30 mg of CLV once daily for at least 12 months were investigated. RESULTS: The cumulative rates at months 12, 24, and 36, respectively, were 65.8%, 74.7%, and 74.7% for undetectable serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA (<12 IU/mL); 77.6%, 86.2%, and 86.2% for normalization of serum alanine aminotransferase (<40 IU/L); 17.6%, 23.5%, and 23.5% for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) loss or seroconversion; and 6.6%, 22.5%, and 30.0% for viral breakthrough. HBeAg positivity (p=0.010), baseline serum HBV DNA level > or =6 log10 IU/mL (p=0.032) and detectable serum HBV DNA (> or =12 IU/mL) at week 24 (p=0.023) were independently associated with the development of viral breakthrough. During follow-up, CLV-induced myopathy developed in 5.9% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The results of long-term CLV therapy for the treatment of naive patients with CHB showed a high frequency of antiviral resistance and substantial associated myopathy. Therefore, we advise that CLV should not be used as a first-line treatment for naive patients given the availability of other more potent, safer antiviral agents.
Alanine Transaminase ; Antiviral Agents ; Arabinofuranosyluracil ; DNA ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis B ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; Humans ; Muscular Diseases ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Viruses

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We investigated the efficacy of continuous long-term entecavir 0.5 mg treatment in naive chronic hepatitis B patients showing a partial virologic response (PVR). METHODS: A total of 227 patients were included. PVR was defined as a more than 1 log10 IU/mL decline in detectable serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR; > or =20 IU/mL) at week 48. A complete virologic response (CVR) was defined as undetectable serum HBV DNA by PCR (<20 IU/mL) at week 48. RESULTS: At week 48, the rate of the PVR was 64/227 (28.2%). Among patients with PVR, the cumulative rates of virologic response (serum HBV DNA <20 IU/mL) at weeks 96 and 144 were 45.2% and 73.8%, respectively. The cumulative rates of genotypic resistance were not significantly different between patients with a PVR and patients with a CVR (p=0.057). However, the cumulative rates of virologic breakthrough were higher in patients with PVR than in patients with CVR (4% vs 0% and 11.2% vs 0% at weeks 96 and 144, respectively; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term continuous entecavir 0.5 mg treatment in patients with a PVR resulted in an additional virologic response without a significant increase in genotypic resistance. However, the rate of virologic breakthrough was higher in the partial responders.
Adult ; Alanine Transaminase/blood ; Antiviral Agents/*administration & dosage ; DNA, Viral/*blood ; Drug Resistance, Viral/genetics ; Female ; Guanine/administration & dosage/*analogs & derivatives ; Hepatitis B e Antigens/blood ; *Hepatitis B virus/genetics ; Hepatitis B, Chronic/*drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Time Factors ; Viral Load