No abstract available.
Sturge-Weber Syndrome*

Present study aimed to investigate the immunological activities of cell wall associated protein antigen solubilized with Triton X-100 (TSP) from Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv and conducted on 43 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (newly diagnosed, medicated within 12 months and chronic refractory patients) and 17 normal healthy controls. These immunological responses were compared with those induced by the PPD or 30 kDa antigen from M, tuberculosis H37Rv culture filtrates, identified as biologically important secreted proteins. Proliferative responses to mycobacterial antigens were compared in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of healthy subjects and pulmonary tuberculosis patients. Signiticant blastogenic responses to the TSP were observed in healthy tuberculin reactors, newly diagnosed and some of antituberculosis drug-medicated patients by H-thymidine incorporation assay. IL-12 p40 and IFN-r mRNA expressions to the TSP were markedly increased, whereas IL-10 and TNF-a mRNA expressions were decreased at a 5 day-stimulation by PBMC in healthy tuberculin reactors, newly diagnosed and medicated patients. However, patients with chronic refractory tuberculosis exhibited more depressed IL-12 p40 and IFN-r mRNA expressions to all of the antigens than another groups. Interestingly, very low IL-10 and TNF-a mRNA expressions cultured with the TSP were also shown. These data suggest that the TSP may be involved in the macrophage activation by induction of Th1 stimulatory signals, such as IL-12, and suppression of Th1 inhibitory cytokine, IL-10.
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

HPV infection has been implicated strongly in the pathogenesis of human squamous cell carcinoma(SCC). We analysed a series of 28 surgically removed, invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus by polymerase chain reaction to detect HPV DNA using consensus primers and 8 type-specific primers of HPV (6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 51). HPV 6, 31, 35 or 51 DNA were detected in 20 out of 28 cases (71.4%) of the esophageal SCCs. HPV 51 was the most frequently detected type, occuring in 13 out of 28 cases (46.4%). p53 immunohistochemical staining was also performed to demonstrate any relationship to HPV DNA positivity. It showed positivity in 16 out of 28(57.1%) esophageal SCCs, and HPV DNA and p53 positivity were concurrently detected in 11 out of 28 cases of SCCs. There was no significant inverse relation between HPV DNA positivity and p53 expression(p>0.05). Our results supported HPV involvement in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and suggested there may be another pathway not related to the p53-binding pathway in the carcinogenesis of esophageal SCCs by HPV.
Humans

No abstract available.
Lichen Planus*

Embolization of a carotid cavernous fistula(CCF) by means of a detachable balloon is a well-established method for treating CCFs while preserving a patent parent internal carotid artery(ICA). However, failure to embolize the CCF may occur on a few occasions. Herein we describe a stent-assisted Guglielmi detachable coil embolization that completely occludes the fistulous opening rather than fills the cavernous sinus. By applying this technique, we successfully treated a CCF, without compromise of the parent ICA in patients who has failed with balloon technique previously.
Cavernous Sinus ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Fistula* ; Humans ; Parents ; Stents*

OBJECTIVE: Cartoons have been known to motivate learners and make learning process easier by combining verbal and visual effects. But they are mostly applied to motivate the less able learners, and have limits in delivering comprehensive information. Thus, more careful and scientific validation for the pros and cons of using cartoons for everyday use in various subjects is in need. METHODS: In this research, we used Electroencephalography(EEG) to compare cartoon learning and text learning by measuring four characteristic brainwaves including theta, alpha, sensory motor rhythms(SMR), and beta, from the left and right brain. The EEG signals acquired from 24 subjects are analyzed using the mean difference of the left and right brain and canonical correlation analysis. RESULTS: The theta brainwave of the left brain and right brain shows significant differences (p<0.05) from cartoon learning versus text learning in the theta brainwave while the other brain waves show similar patterns. CONCLUSION: Cartoon learning produced significantly stronger theta brainwaves than text learning implicating that cartoon learning reduces more focused attention, SMR brainwaves and beta brainwaves from the left brain explained cartoon learning and text learning process while alpha brainwaves explained those processes in the right brain.
Brain ; Brain Waves ; Electroencephalography ; Learning

No abstract available.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis* ; Mycobacterium* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Sputum*

No abstract available.
Humans* ; Lymphokines* ; Monocytes* ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis* ; Mycobacterium*

No abstract available.
Antibody Formation* ; Lymphocytes* ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis* ; Mycobacterium*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Pregnancy, Twin* ; Twins*