No abstract available.
Adolescent* ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc* ; Spine*

No abstract available.

PURPOSE: Since the discovery of estrogen receptor-beta(ER-beta, five C-terminal variants of ER-beta were identified. We designed this study to investigate the pattern and clinical implications of ER-betaand its splicing variants expression in normal and malignant mammary tissues. METHODS: Using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), we examined the expression levels of ER-alpha and ER-betaand its five splicing variants (beta1, beta2, beta3, beta4, beta5) in 50 paired normal and cancer tissues. We measured the densities of RT-PCR products using Tina version 2.10 (Raytest, Germany). Firstly, the incidence and intensity of ER-alpha and ER-beta and its five splicing variants were compared. Then the expression of ER-betamRNA splicing variants was also analyzed with regard to the ER-alphaprotein expression measured by immuno-histochemical staining and the menopausal status of the patients. Chi-square test and paired samples t-test were used for statistical analysis. Differences were considered to be significant with a p-value of less than 0.05. RESULTS: The expression of ER-betamRNA variants in normal breast and cancer tissues were as follows: ER-beta2 (100%/100%), ER-beta4 (76%/74%), ER-beta5 (32%/58%), and ER-beta1 (14%/16%). ER-beta3 was not detected at all. In terms of intensity, we observed a significant decrease of ER-beta2 (P<0.001) and an increase of ER-beta5 (P=0.004) in the mRNA expression levels among breast cancers compared to the corresponding normal breast tissues. Compared to the corresponding normal tissues, a significant decrease of ER-beta2 in cancer tissues was observed in patients with ER-alpha-positive (P<0.001), with age over 50 (P=0.01), and under 50 (P=0.04) as well, but not in patients with ER-alpha-negative (P=0.48). ER-beta4 also significantly decreased in patients with ER-alpha-positive (P=0.004) and with age over 50 (P=0.07). ER-beta5 showed a significant increment only in patient aged over 50 (P=0.04). CONCLUSION: ER-alpha mRNA expression significantly increases but ER-beta mRNA expression decreases in the cancer tissues compared to the corresponding normal tissues. Among ER-beta variant forms, ER-beta2 is predominant in both normal and malignant mammary tissues and ER-beta4, ER-beta5, and ER-beta1 in descending order but ER-beta3 does not express in mammary tissues. The decrease of ER-beta2 and ER-beta4 expression is prominent in cancer tissue especially in ER-alpha-positive cancers, which suggests that ER-beta2 and ER-beta4 may possess a regulatory function in mammary carcinogenesis. Further investigations to verify the roles of ER-beta variants are mandatory.
Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Carcinogenesis ; Estrogens* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptors, Estrogen ; Reverse Transcription ; RNA, Messenger

During the laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the ventilatory and hemodynamic changes could occur due to the peritoneal insufflation of CO2 as well as the position change. Various sults of the relationship between arterial and end-tidal PCO2 in different conditions have been reported. The authars studied to determine how closely end-tidal PCO2 reflects arterial PCO2 before, during, and after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Peak inspiratory airway pressures, arterial blood pressures and heart rates were also measured simultaneously. Peritoneal insufflation of CO2 resulted in significant increase in peak inspiratory airway pressure and arterial blood pressure, but there were no significant changes in heart rates. Arterial and end-tidal PCO2 increased during laproscopy and, although there was no statistical significance in P(a-ET)CO2, P(a-ET)CO2 increased during laparoscopy and retumed to perinsufflation level after deflation of CO2. There was positive correlation between arterial and end-tidal PCO2 before CO2 insufflation, 10 minutes after CO2 insufflation and 10 minutes after deflation of CO2. However there was no correlation at 30 and 50 minutes after CO2 insufflation. These results suggested that the arterial PCO2 could not reflect end-tidal PCO2 exactly, and intermittent arterial blood gas studies should be warranted during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Arterial Pressure ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic* ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics ; Insufflation ; Laparoscopy

OBJECTIVE: Cadaver's sectioned images with high resolution and real color could be used as the source of realistic three-dimensional images. If the sectioned images are registered to a patient's MRIs, three-dimensional images with high resolution and real color that fit the patient, can be produced; the three-dimensional images enable realistic virtual surgery for the patient. The objective of this study was to verify the registration of a cadaver's sectioned images to a patient's head MRIs. METHODS: The sectioned images of the heads of cadaver were associated with segmented images selected at 3 mm intervals. The patient had his head MR scanned at 3 mm intervals; the MRIs were segmented. Software to register the cadaver's sectioned images to the patient's MRIs was developed. On this software, the corresponding dots were identified on both the sectioned images and the MRIs either manually or automatically using segmented images. RESULTS: The registered sectioned images corresponded to the patient's MRIs. Both manual and automatic registrations were satisfied. CONCLUSION: Further study is needed for registering sectioned images to actual patients.
Cadaver ; Head ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional

Hip subluxation and dislocation are common orthopaedic problems in children with cerebral palsy. Selective posterior rhizotomy(SPR) is a neurologic procedure aimed in reducing spasticity. Several recent studies have indicated a decrease in spasticity and functional improvement after SPR, and also decrease the tendency toward hip subluxation in children with cerebral palsy. This is a retrospective study to examine whether SPR halts hip subluxation. Between May 1994 and July 1996, 22 children below age of 5 underwent SPR. Twenty children were spastic diplegic types and 2 were mixed type and quadriplegic type respectively. Approximately 50-80% of L2-Sl level dorsal roots was cut, and 13 children had 50% of both Ll roots cut. Migration percentage score (MP) was used to determine progression of hip subluxation during the follow up period (12 36 mos.; Average 15 mos.). Of the total 44 hips in 22 patients, 45.5% (20 hips) improved, 34% (15 hips) remained unchanged, and 20.5% (9 hips) were worsened after SPR. Radiographic stability was achieved in 79.5%. Ll root cut rate (Ll SPR) was 55.5% for improved hips, 67% for unchanged hips, and 50% for worsened hips. Two patients had undergone orthopaedic procedure for progressive hip migration. Most patients experienced postoperative hip stability after SPR, but 20.5% were worsened and 2 patients had orthopaedic procedure. Also it is unlikely that Ll root involvement prevents progression of hip migration.
Cerebral Palsy* ; Child ; Dislocations ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hip* ; Humans ; Muscle Spasticity ; Retrospective Studies ; Rhizotomy* ; Spinal Nerve Roots

OBJECTIVE: After drawing and stacking contour of structures, which are identifed in the serially sectioned images, three-dimensional (3D) images can be made by surface reconstruction. The 3D images can be selected and rotated in a real time. The purpose of this research is to compose software of automatic surface reconstruction for making 3D images. METHODS: Contours of 55 structures in the 613 magnetic resonance images of whole body were drawn to make segmented images. We composed automatic software for stacking contours of a structure, for converting the contours into polygons, and for connecting vertices of the neighboring polygons to fill gaps between polygons with triangular surfaces. The surface reconstruction software was excuted to make 3D images of 55 structures. RESULTS: Virtual dissection software, on which 3D images could be selected and rotated, was composed. CONCLUSION: For other research, this like program can be composed for automatic surface reconstruction; several kinds of commercial software can be used for manual or automatic surface reconstruction. Investigators might choose one of the methods in consideration of their only circumstances.
Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Research Personnel

In this article, the sixth author's affiliation was misprinted unintentionally.

The hepatopulmonary syndrome is defined as the triad of liver disease, an increased alveolar-arterial gradient while breathing room air, and evidence of intrapulmonary dilatation. Other cardiopulmonary abnormalities(such as pleural effusion or decreased lung volumes) are common and may coexist in patients with the hepatopulmonary syndrome. An abnormal dilatation of intrapulmonary capillaries is evidenced by Tc 99m-MAA perfusion scan, contrast-enhanced echocardiography, and pulmonary angiography. We have experienced a case of hepatopulmonary syndrome in a fi7 year old woman with liver cirrhosis who complained of severe dyspnea and cyanosis. Her arterial blood gas analysis (ABGA) showed severe hypoxemia(PaO2 59mmHg), suggesting the hepatopulmonary syndrome, which was confirmed with the contrast-enhanced echocardiography. It showed delayc4 opacification of left side chambers during agitated saline injection', thus, intrapulmonary shunt was confirmed. So we report a case of hepatopulmonary syndrome with a rewiew of literature.
Angiography ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Capillaries ; Cyanosis ; Dihydroergotamine ; Dilatation ; Dyspnea ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Hepatopulmonary Syndrome* ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis* ; Liver Diseases ; Liver* ; Lung ; Perfusion ; Pleural Effusion ; Respiration

PURPOSE: Increased level mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and activation of MAPK have been reported in human breast cancers, especially in breast cancers with HER2/neu overexpression. To understand the relationship between the MAPK protein expressions and other clinico-pathological parameters, we examined the status of MAPKs in 20 breast cancers compared to those of paired normals. METHODS: A total of 20 breast cancers and paired normal breast tissues were included in this study. Tissues were obtained at the operation room and stored at -80degrees C. Tissue proteins were extracted and the concentration was determined by Bio-Rad protein assay method. Western blot analysis were performed to determine the level of MAPKs expressions using 100 ug of tissue protein in 8%, 10%, or 12% sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). MAPK assays were carried out by a non-radioactive method developed by Cell Signaling Tech. as recommened by the manufacturer. Clinico-pathological information was provided from the Breast Cancer Registry of Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine. RESULTS: The levels of MAPKs were higher in 95% of breast cancers compared to those of paired normals. The levels of ERK1/2 were significantly higher in cancer tissues compared to paired normals but the activated forms were not. The levels of JNK, p38, and MKP1 proteins were significantly increased in the cancer tissue compared to the paired normals. The levels of ERK1/2 and activated ERK1/2 proteins were not different between tumor stages. There were no significant differences of the levels of ERK1/2 and activated ERK1/2 proteins between HER2-negative and HER2- positive cancers. There were significantly higher levels of activated ERK1/2 proteins in ER-positive cancers than those in ER-negative cancers (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The levels of MAPKs, but not the activated forms, seem to be increased in breast cancer tissues compared to those of paired normals. The levels of activated MAPKs seem to be associated with estrogen receptor expression in cancer tissues.
Blotting, Western ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Carcinogenesis* ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Estrogens ; Humans ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases* ; Protein Kinases ; Sodium