No Abstract Available.
Retinal Detachment* ; Retinaldehyde*

The cell cycle is composed of G1, S, G2 and M phase. The transitions between different phases are regulated at checkpoint such as Start(restriction), S phase and mitotic checkpoint. These checkpoints are regulated by specific cyclins and Cdks(cyclin-dependent kinases). Especially, Start checkpoint in late G1 is though to be very important in control of cell cycle. In this study, it was shown various CDKN2(p16ink4A) alteration, including deletions, mutations, down regulations, and performed differential expression of p53, Cdk4, PCNA and pRb in stomach cancer tissues. 1. The frequency of CDKN2 mutations was not observed in the 19 primary stomach cancer tissues. In contrast to the mutations of CDKN2, mRNA levels was showed by Northern blot analysis that expression of CDKN2 was absent or decreased in 10 of the 19(53%) primary stomach adenocarcinoma. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the differential expression of p53, Cdk4, PCNA related to Start checkpoint. Overexpression of p53 was shown 38%, Cdk4 was expressed in all each specimens, and expression of PCNA was not shown. 2. As the other method to determine the differential expression of p53, Cdk4, PCNA and pRb, immunohistochemical analyses were performed on each 14 formalin-fixed and paraffin embedded tumor tissues of stomach adenocarcinoma. p53 overexpression was showed to clear nuclear staining only in tumor cells not in nonneoplastic cells. In staining for cdk4, the tumor was considered to be cdk4 positive if there was nuclear staining in tumor cells, regardless of cytoplasmic staining. PCNA staining for carcinoma tissues showed more intense nuclear staining in tumor cells than in nonneoplastic cells. pRb overexpression was show in tumor cells. Significant differences were observed in the expression of the proteins among the cancers from different anatomic site. Overexpression of adenocarcinomas had high rate of p53(57.1%) and pRb(71.4% ), and low late of cdk4(7.1% ) and PCNA(14.3% ), As these results, deletion of CDKN2 gene in human stomach cancer was not observed but mRNA expression was down regulated in restriction checkpoint, G1 phase. Inactivation of the CDKN2 gene due to hypermethylation may play an important role in development of cancer. And one of the abnormalities in p53, Cdk4, PCNA or pRb function occurs very common in various cancers, especially oral adenocarcinoma, osteosarcoma and squemous cell carcinoma, suggest that components in restriction checkpoint also play an critical role in the carcinogenesis and progression of cancers.
Adenocarcinoma ; Blotting, Northern ; Blotting, Western ; Carcinogenesis* ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Division ; Cyclins ; Cytoplasm ; G1 Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; Genes, p16 ; Humans ; M Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; Osteosarcoma ; Paraffin ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; RNA, Messenger ; S Phase ; Social Control, Formal ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms

Serological prenatal screening tests are widely used to detect fetal chromosomal abnormalities such as Down and Edward syndromes. Amniocentesis is conducted as a confirmatory test in the screening-positive case. After discovering of presence of fetal cell-free DNA in maternal blood, non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) coupled with next generation sequencing are performed in abroad. Results of genomics-based NIPT results supplied to Labgenomics laborotory from June, 2013 to August, 2014 were analyzed. Maternal blood samples were collected into specific Cell-Free DNA BCT tube and were transported. The samples were then delivered to Ariosa Diagnostics by FEDEX. Fetal cell-free DNA samples were analyzed using the Harmony test with sequencing of relevant chromosomes and by using the FORTE (fetal-fraction optimized risk of trisomy evaluation) algorism at Ariosa Diagnostics. In all, 149 cases from 28 medical clinics were analyzed. Six subjects were required recollection of samples because of a low fetal DNA fraction in the initially obtained samples. Of these 6 subjects, no sample could be collected from one. Of the remaining 148 cases, 144 had a low risk of trisomy, and 4 had a high risk for Down syndrome, thus providing a positivity percentage of 2.7%. Fetal DNA fraction in the maternal blood samples ranged from 4.2% to 23.7% with a mean value of 12.0%. We have experienced cases with a high risk for Down syndrome with genomics-based NIPT referred to abroad.
Amniocentesis ; Chromosome Aberrations ; DNA ; Down Syndrome ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Trisomy

The cross-matching test, an essential pre-transfusion test, is usually performed using only a segment of a blood bag and a recipient's blood sample at a commercial laboratory. We analyzed cross-matching test results obtained at LabGenomics laboratory, client of which were mainly small- and medium-sized medical clinics. Data for a total of 12,902 cross-matching tests referred from January 2012 to December 2015 were analyzed for incompatibility in the results and trends based on the distribution of medical clinics. Medical clinics were categorized as nursing home, obstetrics and gynecology, plastic surgery, dental clinic, orthopedic surgery, and others. Incompatible results were observed for 35 cases (1.09%) in 2012, 22 cases (0.68%) in 2013, 31 cases (1.02%) in 2014, and 41 cases (1.20%) in 2015. Overall, 55.4% of referrals came from a nursing home, 6.4% from obstetrics and gynecology, 4.4% from plastic surgery, 20.0% from dental clinic, 5.9 % from orthopedic surgery, and 7.9% from others. Further studies are required to evaluate the efficacy of cross-matching test results and its relationship with transfusion requirements.
Dental Clinics ; Gynecology ; Nursing Homes ; Obstetrics ; Orthopedics ; Referral and Consultation ; Surgery, Plastic

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to investigate the incidence and the clinical significance of inlet patch of heterotopic gastric mucosa in Koreans. This lesion can be found by close observation around the upper esophageal sphincter during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. METHODS: From March 1, 1996 to July 8, 1996, at Kwak's hospital, randomly selected 271 patients undergoing routine diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were included in this study. Patients with the inlet patch were confirmed by histology. Clinical symptoms observed through medical history were recorded. RESULTS: Twenty-six cases(9.6%) of the 271 patients studied had heterotopic gastric mucosa which was found at or just below the upper esophageal sphincter, varing from 3 to 30mm in diameter. It was velvety red in color and distinct from the surrounding normal squamous esophageal mucosa, resembling the Z-line at the esophagogastric junction. Parietal cells were identified in all 18 cases in which biopsy specimen contained deep glands, and chief cells were found in 14 cases. Histologically, fundic gland type was most frequent. The symptoms were relatively mild, 5 out of 6 patients who complained of throat discomfort were relieved by H2 antagonists. CONCLUSION: In Koreans the incidence of heterotopic gastric mucosa in the upper esophagus was similar to the reports from western countries unlike Barrett's esophagus. The etiology of these patches appeared to be congenital rather than acquired from reflux of gastric acid. This was supported by its location in the proximal esophagus and lack of correlation with reflux esophagitis. It must be considered as one of the differential diagnosis of a patient who complains of throat discomfort during diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Attention needs to be paid to find possible development of complications such as stricture and adenocarcinoma in patients with the inlet patch of heterotopic gastric mucosa.
Adenocarcinoma ; Barrett Esophagus ; Bays* ; Biopsy ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Esophageal Sphincter, Upper ; Esophagitis, Peptic ; Esophagogastric Junction ; Esophagus ; Gastric Acid ; Gastric Mucosa* ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Mucous Membrane ; Pharynx ; Rabeprazole

The function of ascorbic acid in the eye is unknown. It acts mainly as antioxidant, protecting ocular tissue from oxygen free radical released by light. The concentration of ascorbic acid in the aqueous humor of diurnal mammals is considerably higher than its concentration in the plasma. But the exact concentration of ascorbic acid in the vitreous is unknown. We determined the ascorbic acid concentration in serum, aqueous humor and vitreous of the rabbit using High Performance Liquid Chromatography. The concentration of ascorbic acid is 146.8+/-78.0microgram/ml in aqueous humor, and 58.2+/-25.8microgram/ml(R=0.992) in vitreous. There was significant correlation betweenthe concentration of ascorbic acid in the aqueous humor and vitreous from the same eye. And the inter-indivudual difference of ascorbic acid concntration is greater than the inter-cular difference of ascorbic acid concentration. Therefore it probably due to an active secretion and diffusion into posteror aqueous & vitrous.
Aqueous Humor ; Ascorbic Acid* ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Diffusion ; Mammals ; Oxygen ; Plasma ; Vitreous Body*

Clostridium difficile is the most common nosocomial pathogen of the gastrointestinal tract. Pseudomembranous colitis occurs as a result of a severe inflammatory response to Clostridium difficile toxins. Pseudomembranous colitis is an increasingly frequent cause of morbidity and mortality among elderly hospitalized patients. Diarrhea is the most common manifestation. According to the literature, stools are almost never grossly bloody, and range from soft and unformed to watery or mucoid in consistency. We now report the cases of three patients with pseudomembranous colitis whose main clinical manifestation was hematochezia.
Aged ; Clostridium difficile ; Diarrhea ; Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans

Human sparganosis is caused by the larval tapeworm of genus Spirometra. This parasite commonly invades subcutaneous tissues and muscles. However, infection in the pleural cavity is rare. A 65-year-old male patient, who had undergone surgical excision of subcutaneous masses due to a parasite infection (presumed to have been sparganosis) approximately 10 years ago, showed pleural effusion and peripheral eosinophilia. The anti-sparganum specific IgG antibody levels in the serum and pleural fluid were significantly higher than the normal control levels. Three consecutive doses of praziquantel (75 mg/kg/day) were administered for control of pleural effusion and peripheral eosinophilia. In this patient, sparganosis was suspected, and the probable cause of the infection was ingestion of raw snakes and frogs. Immunoserologic tests using ELISA can be helpful in diagnosis of pleural sparganosis and praziquantel is suggested as an alternative treatment for surgically unresectable cases.
Cestoda ; Eating ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Eosinophilia ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Male ; Muscles ; Parasites ; Pleural Cavity ; Pleural Effusion ; Pleurisy ; Praziquantel ; Snakes ; Sparganosis ; Sparganum ; Spirometra ; Subcutaneous Tissue

Hyperplastic gastric polyps (HPPs) are the most common type of gastric polyps. They are assumed to be caused by chronic inflammation and regenerative proliferation, although this has not been clearly investigated yet. Many studies suggested the development of fundic gland polyps and carcinoid during long-term proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy, but the relationship between PPIs and HPPs is still unclear. We encountered a patient who showed aggravation of HPPs after long-term use of PPIs. A 58-year-old male patient with liver cirrhosis visited our hospital because of hematemesis. We started PPI medication after confirming esophageal variceal bleeding and duodenal ulcer with blood clot in its base via emergency endoscopy. He took PPIs for three years because of an intractable duodenal ulcer. There was a marked increase in the size of the pre-existing polyps and in the development of new polyps. We presumed that the PPIs caused the aggravation of the HPPs, so we stopped their administration. After five months, the HPPs shrank and the polyps were partially degraded. More prospective studies are needed to investigate the relationship between HPPs and PPIs.
Carcinoid Tumor ; Duodenal Ulcer ; Emergencies ; Endoscopy ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; Hematemesis ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polyps* ; Proton Pump Inhibitors* ; Proton Pumps* ; Protons*

PURPOSE: To assess union and complication rates associated with the use of 2 small diameter headless compression screws and volar wedge bone grafting for the treatment of scaphoid fracture waist nonunions with collapse. METHODS: A total of 12 patients (11 male and 1 female) at an average age of 32.5 years were treated with open reduction and internal fixation with 2 small diameter headless compression screws for scaphoid nonunions with a mean follow-up of 11 months. Tricortical wedge shaped autograft were harvested from the iliac crest and placed into the nonunion site to restore length and alignment in all patients. Union was determined by radiographs and computed tomography, and scapholunate and radiolunate angles, and height-to-length ratio were calculated on final radiographs and follow-up computed tomography. RESULTS: All 12 scaphoids united with a mean time for 2.8 months. The mean postoperative scapholunate angle was significantly reduced from 73° preoperatively to 56° postoperatively. The mean radiolunate angle was significantly improved from 21° from neutral preoperatively to 12° postoperatively. The height-to-length ratio was also demonstrated significant improvement from 0.73 preoperatively to 0.60 postoperatively. No hardware problems were identified and no revision procedures have been necessary. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the use of 2 small diameter headless compression screws with volar structural bone graft stabilizes the fracture for predictable union, while reducing the deformity reliably from a collapsed scaphoid nonunion. The presented technique is safe and effective, and may provide superior biomechanical stability, especially against the torsional force.
Autografts ; Bone Transplantation ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Torsion, Mechanical ; Transplants