BACKGROUND: E2/nonstructural protein 1 (E2/NSl) glycoprotein of hepatitic C virus (HCV) is most variable region of HCV and appears to cause positive selection of escape mutants, which may play a role in the mechanism of persistent viral infection. We analyzed the sequence diversity of E2/NSl of HCV from twelve Koreans. METHODS: The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the putative E2/NSl region of HCV were determined by analysis of twelve independent amplified CDNA clones obtained from Korean patients with chronic hepatitis and primary hepatocellular carcinoma, using dideoxynucleotide chain termination method. RESULTS: High level of variations in both nucleotide and amino acid sequences were observed in the hypervariable region 1 and 2 (HVR1 and HVR2). Sequences of HVR1, situated at the nucleotide positions from 1478 to 1552 (amino acid positions : from 383 to 407), showed from 27.8 to 94.4% diversity at the nucleotide level and from 25.0 to 87.5% diversity at the amino acid level. 4 few amino acid residues (amino acid positions: 384, 388, 389 405, 406) within HVR1 were highly conserved in most cases. Sequences of HVR2, situated at the nucleotide positions from 1736 to 1774 (amino acid positions from 469 to 481). Two groups of highly conserved amino acid sequences were observed in the HVR2 of twelve Korean cases, indicating that there are type specific conservation in the HVR2 region. 4 large part of the eave lope region located at the nucleotide positions from 1832 to 1892 (amino acid positions : from 501 to 521) was highly conserved, to show 100% Identity of amino acid sequences. The positions of six putative N-glycosylation sites were highly conserved. The percent diversities of nucleotide of E2/NSl was from 60.4% to 92.7% and the percent diversities of amino acid of E2/NSl was from 57.6% to 95.5% among twelve Korean HCV clones. CONCLUSION: Extensive genetic variations including two hypervariable regions were clustered and interspersed with highly conserved nucleotides sequences in E2/NSl region of HCV isolated from Koreans.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Clone Cells ; DNA, Complementary ; Genetic Variation ; Glycoproteins ; Hepacivirus* ; Hepatitis C* ; Hepatitis* ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; Humans ; Nucleotides ; United Nations

BACKGROUND: E2/nonstructural protein 1 (E2/NSl) glycoprotein of hepatitic C virus (HCV) is most variable region of HCV and appears to cause positive selection of escape mutants, which may play a role in the mechanism of persistent viral infection. We analyzed the sequence diversity of E2/NSl of HCV from twelve Koreans. METHODS: The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the putative E2/NSl region of HCV were determined by analysis of twelve independent amplified CDNA clones obtained from Korean patients with chronic hepatitis and primary hepatocellular carcinoma, using dideoxynucleotide chain termination method. RESULTS: High level of variations in both nucleotide and amino acid sequences were observed in the hypervariable region 1 and 2 (HVR1 and HVR2). Sequences of HVR1, situated at the nucleotide positions from 1478 to 1552 (amino acid positions : from 383 to 407), showed from 27.8 to 94.4% diversity at the nucleotide level and from 25.0 to 87.5% diversity at the amino acid level. 4 few amino acid residues (amino acid positions: 384, 388, 389 405, 406) within HVR1 were highly conserved in most cases. Sequences of HVR2, situated at the nucleotide positions from 1736 to 1774 (amino acid positions from 469 to 481). Two groups of highly conserved amino acid sequences were observed in the HVR2 of twelve Korean cases, indicating that there are type specific conservation in the HVR2 region. 4 large part of the eave lope region located at the nucleotide positions from 1832 to 1892 (amino acid positions : from 501 to 521) was highly conserved, to show 100% Identity of amino acid sequences. The positions of six putative N-glycosylation sites were highly conserved. The percent diversities of nucleotide of E2/NSl was from 60.4% to 92.7% and the percent diversities of amino acid of E2/NSl was from 57.6% to 95.5% among twelve Korean HCV clones. CONCLUSION: Extensive genetic variations including two hypervariable regions were clustered and interspersed with highly conserved nucleotides sequences in E2/NSl region of HCV isolated from Koreans.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Clone Cells ; DNA, Complementary ; Genetic Variation ; Glycoproteins ; Hepacivirus* ; Hepatitis C* ; Hepatitis* ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; Humans ; Nucleotides ; United Nations

We have experienced a case of plexiform neurofibrorna of the right upper eyelid and orbit in a 12-year-old girl who had typical skin features of neurofibromatosis and no family history. The non-pulsating proptosis of the right eye and diffuse thickening with hypertrophy of the upper lid, had increased insiduciusly since the birth on. Biopsy taken from eyelirl lesion showed the features of plexiform neurofibroma. Skull X-ray and brain computerized tomogram showed that the right orbit was wider, with the enlarged mass and defects in orbital roof and lesser and greater wings of the sphenoid bone. The surgical excision of the right eyelid lesion was performed.
Biopsy ; Brain ; Child ; Exophthalmos ; Eyelids* ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Neurofibroma, Plexiform* ; Neurofibromatoses* ; Orbit* ; Parturition ; Skin ; Skull ; Sphenoid Bone

PURPOSE: To analyze the variable MRI features and clinical significance of intracranial cavernous realformation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients(mean age 35.4) with cavernous malformation were evaluated by MRI. Eleven patients were surgically confirmed. Cavernous malformations were divided into four categories on the basis of the MR imaging characteristics, especially on T2-weighted image. Type I lesion was defined as an extralesional subacute hemorrhage outside the low signal rim, type II as an intralesional hemorrhage surrounded by low signal rim, type III lesion as an intralesional thrombosis with variegated central core surrounded by low signal rim, and type IV lesion as a focal old hemorrhagic core with small low signal intensity. Type IV was further divided into IVa and IVb, whether the lesion has small iso- or hypersignal central core (IVa) or not (IVb). Follow-up MRI was evaluated in 12 patients who were managed conservatively. Follow-up intervals ranged from 2 weeks to 29 months (mean 6months). RESULTS: Total 80 lesions were detected in 40 patients. Multiple lesions were noted in 10 patients. The topography of the cavernous malformations was supratentorial in 75% and infratentorial in 23%. There were 10 lesions in type I, 15 in type 11, 21 in type III, 14 in type IVa, and 20 in type IVb. Type I lesions mainly showed mass effect and edema. Type III lesions showed minimal contrast enhancements in 7 lesions on delayed images. Type II lesions showed the characteristics of both type I and type III lesions. On follow up images, decrease in size in 5, change of type in 7, rebleeding in 2 and no change in 12 lesions were demonstrated. Hemorrhage, edema and mass effect were combined in the cases of rebleeding. On follow-up study, the estimated risk of bleeding was 32.3%/person-year and 13.7%/lesion-year. CONCLUSION: Cavernous realformations show as variable appearance, on MR imaging suggesting variable stages of evolution. The MR morphologic classification and evaluation of secondary findings are helpful to predict natural course and possibility of rebleeding of the lesion.
Classification ; Edema ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Thrombosis

Intestinal metaplasia (IM) have long been thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of gastric intestinal adenocarcinoma, but not in that of diffuse cancer. We studied 20 normal gastric mucosa, 90 IM, 39 atypia (dysplasia or adenoma), and 51 adenocarcinoma to evaluate the expression of p53, erb B2, and H-ras p21 proteins and to assess the correlation with IM (esp. type III IM, revealing positive HID-AB/PAS for sulfomucin). Positive rate of HID-AB staining revealed an increased trend in comparison between IM, atypia and adenocarcinoma. It was the highest in mucinous carcinoma, but it was not correlated with positive oncoprotein expressions. Positive rates of oncoproteins revealed increased trends in comparison between IM, dysplasia or adenoma and adenocarcinoma in c-erb B2 and p53 (P<0.01). The positive rates were highest in intestinal adenocarcinoma (50.0% and 54.2%, respectively). Rates were lowest in biopsy tissue of IM (4.4% and 8.7%, respectively). The expression of H-ras p21 was not significant in gastric carcinogenesis. There was no significant correlation between oncoproteins and other clinical parameters, such as depth of invasion, differentiation, size and nodal metastasis of the tumors. Therefore, we suggest that p53 and erb B2 may play a role in the carcinogenesis of gastric intestinal adenocarcinoma.
Adenocarcinoma ; Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; Adenoma ; Biopsy ; Carcinogenesis ; Gastric Mucosa ; Metaplasia* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Oncogene Proteins

No abstract available.
Osteosarcoma*

OBJECTIVE: It is known that normal follicular growth and pregnancy are possible using Follicular stimulating hormon(FSH) alone during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation(COH) for IVF-ET. The purpose of this study was to compare and analize the results of COH for IVF-ET between a group using only FSH-HP and a group using FSH/hMG METHOD: 111 cycle of the total 280 COH for IVF-ET cycles belonged to the FSH-HP group, and the FSH/hMG group accounted for remaining 169 cycles. The amount of gonadotropin administered, the duration of hormonal therapy, the number of embryos transfered, the endometrial thickness, and the pregnancy rate were compared between the two groups and statistically analized using the t-test. p values less than 0.05 deemed statistically significant. RESULT: There were no statistical differences on the amount of gonadotropin administered, the duration of hormone therapy, number of oocytes retrieved, nor the endometrial thickness between the two groups. However,the serum E2 level was significantly lower, and the number of embryos of high quality(GradeIandII) significantly higher in the FSH-HP group. In pregnancy rate, FSH-HP group shows higher than FSH/hMG group(38.8% VS 34.2%). but the difference was not large enough to be considered statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that compared to using FSH/hMG, treatment with FSH-HP alone allowed the retrieval of more embryos of high quality, and although not statistically significant, achieved a higher pregnancy rate, thus indicating that it can be used as an effective method for COH.
Embryo Transfer* ; Embryonic Structures* ; Fertilization in Vitro* ; Gonadotropins ; Oocytes ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate

A total of 48 subjects harbouring Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm and/or Enterobius vermicularis were treated with oxantel/pyrantel pamoate tablets (100 mg of each) in a single dose of 20 mg base per kg of body weight. In all 37 cases of A. lumbricoides and 8 cases of A. duodenale infections cured completely, and the mean recovered worm-load was 3.8 with a range of 1-21 and 5.8 with a range of 3-9 respectively. In T. trichiura infection, 32(71.1%) of 45 cases cured completely and the average egg reduction rate was 90.8 per cent. The mean recovered worm-load was 14.6 with a rnage of 1-77 worms. On the other hand, in E. vermicularis infection, 37 (84.1 %) of 44 patients were negative eggs by anal swab tests on the 10 to 11th days and 27 (61.4%) on the 20 to 21st days after treatment. The mean recovered worm-load was 17.7 with a range of 1-62. Only one patient with Trichostrongylus orientalis treated with this drug showed no eggs in his stools throughout the post-treatment examinations. Side effects were not noted in all treated cases. These findings demonstrate that a single dose of oxantel/pyrantel pamoate tablets can be considered a drug of choice for multiple infections with these nematodes.
parasitology-helminth-nematoda ; Trichuris trichiura ; Ascaris lumbricoides ; hookworm ; Enterobius vermicularis ; chemotherapy ; oxantel/pyrantel pamoate

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common skin cancer, especially on the eyelid and nose. As it rarely invades to a underlying bone or metastasizes an distant site, and is usually found at an early stage, it is regarded as a curative disease. However, basal cell carcinoma on the eyelid and nose may be resected incompletely due to efforts to preserve important structures or as a result of esthetic considerations. We experienced two cases of basal cell carcinoma with local invasion to underlying bone. One was a recurred case on the nasal area extending to the nasal bone arts medial wall of the ethmoid sinus. The lesion was widely resected and covered with a radial forearm free flap. The other was on the eyelid extending to the orbit. It was treated with orbital exenteration and resection of the involved eyelid. The defect was reconstructed with the temporalis muscle flap with split-thickness skin graft. These patients were followed up for 7 months with no evidence of recurrence. Since basal cell carcinoma can invade to the bone and metastasize to a distance site, it should be resected radically in the regions of the eyelid and nose.
Carcinoma, Basal Cell* ; Ethmoid Sinus ; Eyelids ; Forearm ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Humans ; Nasal Bone ; Nose ; Orbit ; Recurrence ; Skin ; Skin Neoplasms ; Transplants

In an outpatient setting, 107 patients were evaluated using a single 24-hour specimen with StoneRisk Diagnostic Profile on a random diet before medication and treatment and updated the classification of nephrolithiasis. For specific subclassification of hypercalciuric calcium(Ca) nephrolithiasis, calcium and sodium restricted diet and sodium cellulose phosphate screening test were underwent. Abnormal urinary biochemistry was classified into one or more of 20 etiologic categories. A single diagnosis was documented in 37(34.6%) patients and the remaining 65.4% had more than one diagnosis. Hypercalciuric Ca nephrolithiasis occurred in 41 (38.3%) patients and specific subclassification of 6 variants was performed. In this study, hypercalciuric Ca nephrolithiasis occurred less frequently in comparison to the incidence of U.S.A. reported by Dr. Pak. Hyperuricosuric Ca nephrolithiasis (HUCN) and gouty diathesis(GD) accounted for 47(43.9%) and 8(7.4%) patients, respectively. Hyperoxaluric Ca nephrolithiasis was in 25(23.4%) patients and all were dietary origin following an oxalate-restricted diet. Hypocitraturic Ca nephrolithiasis was seen in 51(47.6%) patients in idiopathic variant. Hypocitraturia due to RTA and chronic diarrheal syndrome occurred in 1(0.9%) and 2(1.8%) patients. Hypomagnesiuric Ca nephrolithiasis and acquired problem of low urine volume(<1 L/d) were accounted in 3(2.8%) and 13(12.2%) patients, respectively. Infection stones or cystinuria were not detected. No metabolic abnormality was found in 12(11.2%) patients. High sodium take was detected in 60(56.1%) patients, reflecting that Koreans take high sodium containing foods. We think that StoneRisk Diagnostic Profile using a single 24-hour urine specimen is very useful in detecting stone-forming risk factors and providing specific therapeutic guidelines. Additionally, recurrence associated with high cost of medical care can be reduced through adequate diagnostic evaluation as part of the treatment regimen.
Biochemistry ; Calcium ; Cellulose ; Classification ; Cystinuria ; Diagnosis ; Diet ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea* ; Mass Screening ; Nephrolithiasis* ; Outpatients ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors ; Sodium