No abstract available.
Heart* ; Thoracic Surgery*

In order to understand the role of mec regulator genes in the evolution of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), the distribution of the mec regulator genes among the 66 clinical isolates of MRSA was analysed. And also the correlation between gene mutation and degree of phenotypic expression of resistance was studied. Fifty strains carried whole mec regulator region, while the mecI gene and nearly half of the 3'-end of the mecR#l gene were deleted in fifteen strains. The mecRl MS gene was detected among all of the mecA carried strains, but the mecRl PB gene was carried by 77% of the MRSA strains. At least a portion of the 5'-end region of the mecRl gene was carried by all MRSA strains tested. Forty-seven strains were finally confirmed to have mecI gene and each mecI gene of above strains was sequenced for identification of the relationship between repressor function of mecI gene on mecA transcription and MIC level of methicillin. Point mutations were detected in 11 strains of 47 strains. In 8 strains, there was one nucleotide substitution (C to T at position 202) that produced a new termination codon at position 201. In 3 strains, one nucleotide substitution from G to T at position 43 caused an amino acid substitution from Val to Phe. The MIC of methicillin of strains carrying mutated mecI genes ranged 256 ug/ ml to 1024 ug/ml. Transcription level of amplified cDNA corresponding to mecA was determined by the method of RT-PCR of extracted RNA. Total RNA was extracted from two strains with mutated mecI gene and a strain with intact mecI gene. Deletional loss or the mutational inactivation of the mecI gene did not affect the level of mecA transcription. Role of mecI gene as a strong repressor function on mecA gene seemed to be skeptical.
Amino Acid Substitution ; Codon, Terminator ; DNA, Complementary ; Genes, Regulator* ; Methicillin Resistance ; Methicillin* ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Point Mutation ; RNA

No abstract available.
Humans ; Hypocalcemia* ; Infant, Newborn ; Prognosis*

We report a case of generalized plane xanthoma which showed no-rmolipoproteinemia and was not associated with unerlying disorders or other type of xanthomas. A 48-year-old female has noticed well defined, slightly elevated, yellowish plaques which occurred on the periorbital areas, sides of the neck, scapular areas, anterior chest, buttocks and lower extremities for 3 years. Biopsy specimen taken from the neck showed perivascular accumulations of foam cells in the upper and mid dermis. Paper electrophoresis didn't, show elevation of any lipoprotein.
Biopsy ; Buttocks ; Dermis ; Electrophoresis, Paper ; Female ; Foam Cells ; Humans ; Lipoproteins ; Lower Extremity ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Thorax ; Xanthomatosis*

Many carcinomas have an active mononuclear cell infiltrates surrounding tumor. Various in vitro assays have shown that cellular constituents of peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC) can alter growth of carcinoma cell line. Author compared the effects of normal fibroblasts on squamous cell carcinoma cell line(SCL-1) along with those of sctivated and/or nonactivated PBMC on SCI 1 using a skin equivalent system. This system prevents direct cellular contact by growing SCL-1 on an overlying Millicell-HA membrane and normal fibroblast or supernatants of PBMC in a lower chamber. Normal fibroblasts enhanced the outgrowth of SCL-1 and induced a more organized phenotype of SCL-1. Supernatants from nonstimulated PBMC suppressed outgrowth of SCL 1, and concanavalin A stimulated PBMC supernatants alterd rnorphology of cultured SCL-1 from a disorganized phenotype to a more organized phenotype. It is concluded that fibroblasts and PBMC may affect the growth and differentiation of SCL-1 via their mediators(cytokines)
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Cell Line* ; Concanavalin A ; Fibroblasts* ; Membranes ; Phenotype ; Skin

Generalized pustular psorissis which is originary described by von Zumbusch in 1910, is the most intense form of the acute exanthematic variant among psoriasis and it is to be occured as a rare disease. We presented a case of generalized pustular psoriasis of a 16 year-old girl, who suddenly developed wide spread pustules during the acute exacerbating course of the psoriasis which had started from the primary plaque on her left anterior chest one month ago. She was free from subjective symptom. As the objective sign, the leukocytosis was only one of the significant laboratory findings. All skin lesions were almost eleared by the oral administration of methotrexate in 3 months.
Administration, Oral ; Adolescent ; Female ; Humans ; Leukocytosis ; Methotrexate ; Psoriasis* ; Rare Diseases ; Skin ; Thorax

The grading of astrocytoma has traditionally relied on histological assessment, but there are some differences in their parameters, application, and reproducibility. Recently, numerous studies have attempted to correlate biological aggresiveness with tumor proliferation index using new immunohistochemical methods. The purpose of this study is to correlate the histopathological grades of astrocytoma with the expression of Ki-67, PCNA, p53 protein and AgNORs. The paraffin sections of 41 consecutive cases of astrocytomas were examined. Histologically the tumors were graded as three groups under the St. Anne-Mayo system and showed 14 cases in grade II, 15 cases in grade III and 12 cases in grade IV (glioblastoma multiforme). As a result, the Ki-67 labelling index and p53 protein expression tended to increase with increasing grade of malignancy. But the univariate analysis showed that there was no significant difference between the tumor grades (p>0.05). The PCNA labelling index and number of AgNORs revealed striking differences between the grade II and grade III astrocytomas (p<0.05). We concluded that the PCNA labelling index and AgNORs counting are useful markers for differentiation between grade II and III astrocytomas.
Astrocytoma* ; Paraffin ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen* ; Strikes, Employee

No abstract available.
Humans ; Spinal Cord Injuries* ; Spinal Cord* ; Urinary Bladder*

No abstract available.
Fournier Gangrene*

No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular*