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

Electron microscopic study of two malignant fibrous histiocytomas confirmed the presence of previously described tumor cells in the literature. In addition, there existed intermediate cells with morphologic features of both myofibroblasts and histiocytes, or both histiocytes and smooth muscle cells. Our result supported the idea that malignant fibrous histiocytoma may be derived from the undifferentiated mesenchymal cells that differentiate primarily along a fibroblastic and histiocytic cells.

BACKGROUND: The size of the baseplate used in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) tends to be larger than the average size of the glenoid in the Korean population. The mismatch between the sizes of the baseplate and the patient's glenoid may result in improper fixation of the glenoid baseplate. This in turn may lead to the premature loosening of the glenoid component. Thus, we evaluated the short-term results of using a 25-mm baseplate in RTSA. METHODS: Seventeen patients with cuff tear arthropathy underwent RTSA with a 25-mm baseplate. The mean age of the patients was 70.1 years, and the mean follow-up period was 14.0 months. We evaluated clinical outcomes preoperatively and postoperatively: the range of shoulder motion, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and the Korean Shoulder Society (KSS) score. RESULTS: We found that the mean ASES score and KSS improved from 35.0 to 74.4 (p<0.001) and from 46.9 to 71.8 (p<0.001) with RTSA. The mean forward elevation and abduction, external rotation also improved from 78.6degrees to 134.3degrees (p<0.05) and from 66.6degrees to 125.0degrees (p<0.05), from 20.2degrees to 28.4degrees (p=0.43). Postoperative complications were seen in 12% of patients, but neither the loosening of the glenoid baseplate nor inferior scapular notching were observed. CONCLUSION: In sum, the results of using a 25-mm baseplate in RTSA were similar to those of previous reports. Even though the outcomes are those of a short-term follow-up, neither the loosening of the glenoid baseplate nor the scapular notching were observed.
Arthroplasty* ; Elbow ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Postoperative Complications ; Shoulder* ; Tears

Fibrous histiocytomas are characterized by a variable combination of cells with fibroblastic and histiocytic features. They exhibit a distinctive but inconstant cellular arrangement referred to as a storiform or cartwheel pattern. Considerable corfusion has enveloped these tumors as a result of their various terminology-fibrous histiocytoma, dermatofibroma, sclerosing hemangioma, fibroxanthoma, subepidermal nodular fibrosis, xanthogranuloma, giant cell tumor of tendon sheath. A histologically benign but locally infiltrating, 15 * 20cm sized, fibrous histiocytoma was found in the posterior aspect of left thigh of a 17-year-old man. The tumor was incompletely excised due to adhesion of the tumor mass to sciatic nerve and then radiation therpy was combined, Histogenesis and prognostic aspects of the tumor are discussed.
Adolescent ; Fibroblasts ; Fibrosis ; Giant Cell Tumors ; Histiocytoma ; Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous* ; Humans ; Sciatic Nerve ; Tendons ; Thigh

Photodynamic therapy(PDT) is a treatment modality by highly reactive oxygen intermediates generated through the interaction of light with a photosensiziter. It has been shown to be an effective treatment for various cutaneous and noncutaneous malignancies. It is efficient for the curative and palliative treatment of epithelial skin tumor in situ or early invasive lesions. In effect, it is a useful alternative treatment for the lesions located on anatomically difficult areas or the large-sized lesions. We treated a case of Bowen's disease arising on the plantar area and 3rd and 4th toewebs of left forefoot in a 61-year-old man with PDT using the hematoporphyrin derivative, porfirmer sodium(Photofrin, Russia) as a photosensitizer and gold vapor laser as a visible light source. The outcome showed partial clinical improvement after about 2 months' follow-up.
Bowen's Disease* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematoporphyrin Derivative ; Humans ; Lasers, Gas ; Light ; Middle Aged ; Oxygen ; Palliative Care ; Photochemotherapy* ; Skin

No abstract available.
Kidney Transplantation*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of the lateral tarsal strip procedure in the treatment of lacrimal pump dysfunction related to lower lid laxity. METHODS: This study investigated 46 eyes of 35 patients diagnosed with dysfunction of the lacrimal pump on which the lateral tarsal strip procedure was performed between June 2001 and February 2004. We retrospectively reviewed patients' medical records for information including age, gender, history, follow-up period, change of fluorescein dye disappearance test (DDT), tear meniscus height (TMH), symptoms, and complications. RESULTS: Improvement of tearing was noted in 26 patients (78.8%). Thirty-seven eyes (80.5%) were improved by more than 1 grade on DDT. Significant improvement above 2 grades was observed in 16 eyes (34.7%). With respect to age, 62.5% of 3rd-decade patients improved most effectively by more than 2 grades on DDT. Postoperative TMH compared with preoperative TMH measures were significantly lower according to statistics. The most common complication was discomfort or tenderness over the orbital rim (13.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Performance of the lateral tarsal strip procedure for tearing caused by dysfunction of the lacrimal pump and related to lower lid laxity improved patients' tearing, DDT and TMH status. We therefore expect the lateral tarsal strip procedure to be effective in the surgical treatment of lacrimal pump dysfunction secondary to lower eyelid laxity.
DDT ; Eyelids ; Fluorescein ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Nasolacrimal Duct* ; Orbit ; Retrospective Studies

No abstract available.
Muscle Spasticity* ; Paraplegia*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Muscular Dystrophies*

No abstract available.
Cytomegalovirus Infections*