According to the Mainz classification, renal cell carcinoma (RCC) consists of three subtypes: each has characteristic genetic alterations within the chromosomal or mitochondrial DNA. The three subtypes are: clear cell type, chromophil type, and chromophobe type. E-cadherin is a Ca++-dependent adhesion molecule which plays a major role in the maintenance of intercellular adhesion in epithelial tissues. In a normal kidney, E-cadherin is expressed in the distal tubule and the collecting duct, but not in the proximal tubule. We reclassified 110 cases of RCC according to mainz classification. Immunohistochemical staining for E-cadherin was done on twenty eight cases of RCC, including 18 cases of clear cell type, four cases of chromophil type, and six cases of chromophobe type. The results were as follows: 1) of the 110 cases of RCC, 96 cases (87.3%) were of clear cell type, four cases (3.6%) of chromophil type, and ten cases (9.1%) of chromophobe type, 2) there was no significant correlation between the nuclear grade and clinical stage according to each subtype, 3) E-cadherin expression showed a strong positive reaction along the cell membranes in all six cases of chromophobe type. The differential expression of E-cadherin in RCC may suggest that the chromophobe type may have different biologic characteristics from other types of RCC.
Cadherins* ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Cell Membrane ; Classification* ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kidney ; Population Characteristics

The 38 kDa protein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which was known previously as antigen 5, has been extensively used in the serodiagnosis of tuberculosis. In an attempt to develop and evaluate a serodiagnostic test using the antigen, we expressed the 38 kDa protein in BCG and its seroreactivity was compared to that expressed in Escherichia coli. The coding region of the 38 kDa protein was amplified by PCR, and the gene was cloned into a Mycobacterium-E. coli shuttle expression vector pYMC-his and pQE30 expression vector and expressed in BCG and E. coli, respectively. Both recombinant 38 kDa proteins showed strong seroreactivity against pooled serum from tuberculosis patients. There was no significant difference in seroreactivity between the two recombinant antigens in sera from the far advanced tuberculosis patients. However, of 25 tuberculosis patients graded as ""minimal"" by chest X-ray, 5 (20.0%) were seropositive by r38 kDa expressed in E. coli, while 8 (32.0%) by that expressed in BCG. Likewise, higher seroreactivity by r38 kDa expressed in BCG was found in sera from the moderately advanced tuberculosis. This study thus indicates that the recombinant 38 kDa expressed in BCG is more effective than that expressed in E. coli in detecting antibodies to the native 38 kDa protein of M. tuberculosis in sera from minimally affected tuberculosis patients.
Antibodies ; Clinical Coding ; Clone Cells ; Escherichia coli ; Humans ; Mycobacterium bovis* ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis* ; Mycobacterium* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Serologic Tests* ; Thorax ; Tuberculosis*

The ability to introduce recombinant DNA molecules back into mycobacteria would greatly increase the potential of molecular genetic approaches for the study of mycobacteria as well as for the use in clinical purposes. We have initiated the construction of vectors that facilitates the introduction of recombinant DNA into mycobacteria. The vector was designed to contain replicons for multiplication in mycobacteria and Escherichia coli, a promoter for gene expression, a drug resistant gene for selecting transformants, and a few restriction enzyme sites for convenient cloning. Constructed Mycobacterium-E. coli shuttle vector named p YMC (hsp60) was shown to transform M. smegmatis at high efficiency and maintain plasmid at stable level. The ability of the vector to express cloned foreign gene was also monitored by measuring the expressed level of luciferase gene which was used as a reporter. High level of luciferase activity in M. smegmatis with pYMC (hsp60:luc) was detected confirming successful construction of Mycobacterium-E. coli shuttle vector.
Clone Cells ; Cloning, Organism ; DNA, Recombinant ; Escherichia coli* ; Escherichia* ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Vectors* ; Luciferases ; Molecular Biology ; Mycobacterium* ; Plasmids ; Replicon

No abstract available.
Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature* ; Nephroma, Mesoblastic* ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal*

No abstract available.
Nipples*

No abstract available.
Antibodies* ; Coxiella burnetii* ; Coxiella* ; Korea* ; Prevalence*

No abstract available.
Epidermal Cyst ; Molluscum Contagiosum ; Molluscum contagiosum virus

BACKGROUND: Some patients present transient swelling on lower lateral neck during swallowing; this condition is known as "omohyoid syndrome" or "omohyoid sling syndrome". The purpose of this case report is to evaluate the proper mechanism as well as to give the reader an appreciation for the proper diagnosis and treatment to this not-uncommon condition. METHODS: There were three cases between May, 2000 and January, 2001. The photography, real-time sonography, and computed tomography (CT) were used. RESULTS: There was a brief report on omohyoid syndrome. The sternocleidomastoid muscle is passively tented up by an underlying omohyoid muscle, and the omohyoid muscle is paradoxically thickened during swallowing. The former appears to have lost its restriction to bowstring by the retaining deep cervical fascia. And the latter seems to result from lack of its relaxation during laryngeal elevation. CONCLUSION: The described approaches allow for precise diagnosis and definite proof of the pathogenetic mechanism.
Deglutition ; Diagnosis ; Fascia ; Humans ; Neck ; Photography ; Relaxation

A Case of double pylorus, in 56 year old man, was diagnosed by fiberoptic gastroscopy and upper gastrointestinal series. Two ovoid large openings of pyloric canal divided by smooth thickened septum were observed endoscopically And the relevant literatures on tihe subject were reviewed.
Gastroscopy ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Pylorus*

The factors determining refractory power are axial length, corneal power and lens power. The author investigated the correlation between axial length and refractory power by research for growing process of axial length in Korean children. The mean values of axial length are obtained by ultrasonography (A-scan) after cycloplegic refraction. The subjects of study were 245 children, 483 eyes, from 4 to 14 years old. The study revealed that axial length increased by aging and axial length change to refractory power tends to lengthen with increasing degrees of myopia, shorten with increasing degrees of hyperopia. Statistical analysis of the research show that the phenomenon is presented remarkably in patients of over-4 diopter.
Adolescent ; Aging ; Child* ; Humans ; Hyperopia ; Myopia ; Refractive Errors* ; Ultrasonography