PURPOSE: Magnetization transfer imaging(MTI) is a new imaging contrast technique. Our MT pulse sequence is designed as fixed time interval between echo and MT pulse. This study was peformed to evaluate the influence of variations in TR/TE on MTR in T1 weighted image of normal brain tissue on this kind of MT pulse sequence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven healthy volunteers in twenties of age as the objectives, MRI was taken under various TR/TE(TR/TE ;700/14, 650/14, 750/14, 700/20 and 1500/20 msec). MTR was calculated from signal intensities measured at the same point in both pre and post MT images and statisticslly analyzed. The MR imager used in this study was 1.0T Magnetom 42SP(Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) and the parameters of additional MT pulse sequence were offset 1000Hz and bandwidth 250Hz, and posteriorly located to echo with 7.7 msec fixed interval. Offset of this MT pulse was variable. RESULT: In white matter of brain tissue from a normal person, MTR was 34-39%(average 37%) for TR and TE of 700/14 in T1WI and 33-36%(average 35%) for TR/TE of 650/14, and 34-38%(average 35%) for TR/TE of 750/14 which showed no statistical difference. However, in case of 1500/20 of TR/TE, MTR was 26-28%(average 26%) which is statistically significant. With TR/TE of 700/14 as the standrd value, the MTR of gray and white matter were 37% and 29% respectively, showing a definite difference of statistical means. Signal from CSF in ventricles is rarely influenced by MT pulse. CONCLUSION: Conclusively, a subtle variation in TR/TE in T1WI has little influence on MTR but wide range of variation in TR/TE as in proton density image induces significant difference in MTR on this kind of MT pulse sequence. Therefore, the exchangeable usage of MTR data would be possible in narrow range of TR/TE change but difficult in wide range of variation.
Brain* ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Protons ; Reference Values*

No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Cisplatin* ; Drug Therapy, Combination* ; Female ; Ovary* ; Paclitaxel*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic*

BACKGROUND: Currently, the incidence of hepatitis A is on the increase in Korea. Although there is emphasis on contact precautions, the nosocomial outbreak of hepatitis A virus (HAV) in healthcare personnel has increased within endemic areas because these workers inevitably come in close contact with patients and work under suboptimal hygiene conditions. In this study, we evaluated the necessity of immunization against HAV for healthcare personnel. METHODS: We investigated the seropositivity of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-HAV antibody (Ab) in 672 healthcare personnel on the basis of their age-group, sex, and occupation in Soon Chun Hyang University Hospital and Soon Chun Hyang University Bucheon Hospital. RESULTS: The subjects were divided into 6 groups on the basis of their ages to identify differences among the various age groups in the number of cases with HAV Ab seropositivity. Significant intergroup differences were noted in this respect: 21-25 years, 2/152 (1.3%); 26-30 years, 33/245 (13.5%); 31-35 years, 70/148 (47.3%); 36-40 years, 52/79 (65.8%); >40 years, 44/48 (91.7%). CONCLUSION: The number of seropositive cases was low among young healthy personnel: low seropositivity is an emerging risk for vulnerable population. With the increase in the incidence of hepatitis A, healthcare personnel have become a risk population for hepatitis A, as are community residents. Therefore, for healthcare personnel working in hospitals, immunization against HAV should be recommended for personnel younger than 30 years, and serological testing for older personnel.
Delivery of Health Care ; Hepatitis ; Hepatitis A ; Hepatitis A Antibodies ; Hepatitis A Vaccines ; Hepatitis A virus ; Humans ; Hygiene ; Immunization ; Immunoglobulin G ; Incidence ; Korea ; Occupations ; Serologic Tests ; Vulnerable Populations

Since sclerosing hemangioma of the lung was first described by Liebow and Hubbell in 1956, there have been several reports on cases occurring as a solitary nodule; however, sclerosing hemangiomas occurring as multiple nodules are extremely rare. The histogenesis of this tumor remains controversial and there are several hypotheses of the etiology. Three separate nodules were found in a 57-year-old housewife, one found in the right middle lobe, one in the apicoposterior segment of the left upper lobe, and one in the superior segment of the left lower lobe. The only symptom or sign presented was a dry cough. Apicoposterior segmentectomy of the left upper lobe and wedge resection of the superior segment of the left lower lobe were performed. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged on the postoperative 15th day.
Cough ; Hemangioma ; Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous* ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lung* ; Mastectomy, Segmental ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Sclerosing Hemangioma

PURPOSE: Primary pulmonary lymphoma(PPL) arising in the lung as the initial site is very rare. Authors experienced two cases of PPL and report the radiologic findings and clinical characteristics with a brief reviewof the literature. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Plain chest radiograph and enhanced axial CT scan of the chest were taken. We analyzed radiologic findings of the two cases and correlated with broncoscopic and pathologic findings. RESULTS: Plain chest radiograph showed a mass like consolidative lesion on RML without peripheral atelectasis. Chest CT scan revealed a mass like consolidation with airbronchogram and the absence of a hilar mass or thoracic adenopathy. Percutaneous needle aspiration and biopsy(PCNA and PCNB) of the RML mass confirmed B-cell lymphoma, in both cases. CONCLUSION: PPL must be included in the differential diagnosis of chronic alveolar consolidation such as bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma.
Diagnosis, Differential ; Lung ; Lymphoma* ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; Needles ; Pulmonary Atelectasis ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Thorax ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: To present clinical results of proximal first metatarsal opening wedge osteotomy and low profile plate fixation in hallux valgus deformity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two patients (39 feet) underwent surgery for hallux valgus deformity. Fourteen patients (18 feet; Group A) underwent proximal first metatarsal opening wedge osteotomy fixed with low profile titanium plate (Arthrex(R)), and 18 patients (21 feet; Group B) underwent proximal chevron osteotomy with two K-wires. Improvement in hallux valgus angle (HVA), 1, 2 intermetatarsal angle (IMA), range of motion of 1st metatarsophalangeal joint, VAS score, and the length of first metatarsal on weight-bearing radiograph were evaluated preoperatively and at final follow-up. RESULTS: HVA improved from 36.2+/-6.6 degrees to 11.7+/-5.1 degrees, and 1, 2 IMA improved from 15.7+/-2.6 degrees to 7.2+/-1.9 degrees. VAS score improved from 7.2+/-1.2 to 1.4+/-0.9. There were no significant differences clinically and radiologically. CONCLUSION: Proximal first metatarsal opening wedge osteotomy with stable fixation using low profile plate may be an effective surgical option for correction of hallux valgus deformity.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot ; Hallux Valgus* ; Hallux* ; Humans ; Metatarsal Bones ; Metatarsophalangeal Joint ; Osteotomy* ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Titanium ; Weight-Bearing

Nitric oxide(NO) has been known to play an important role as a signal molecule in many parts of the organism as well as a cytotoxic effector molecule of the nonspecific immune response. Excessive NO has been reported to exert cytotoxic effect by direct toxicity or by reacting to superoxide radicals during ischemia-reperfusion. Therefore is strongly needed a study directly measuring NO release designed to better clarify roles of NO in ischemia-reperfusion injury and its mechanism. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized with urethane(1g/kg) intraperitoneally, and pedicled gastrocnemius muscle flaps were elevated. The elevated flaps were subjected to 4 hours of arterial ischemia and then reperfused for 2 hours. And then NO current was measured in the gastrocnemius muscle using NO-selective microelectrode system. NO release gradually increased and then decreased in the rat gastrocnemius muscle during both ischemic and reperfusion period. The average NO releases from baseline during ischemia and reperfusion were 10405 +/- 2663 and 2513 +/- 970 picoamperes(pA), respectively. The ischemia-reperfusion caused substantial histological damage in the skeletal muscle, in which a profusion of red blood cells was observed due to extravasation of vessels, rupturing of microcirculation, and leukocyte infiltration, compared to the damage in control and ischemic rat gastrocnemius muscles. From the above results, ischemia-reperfusion injury was developed more severely during reperfusion than ischemia, and NO increased during ischemia and reperfusion as a biphasic pattern in the rat gastrocnemius muscle.
Animals ; Erythrocytes ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Leukocytes ; Male ; Microcirculation ; Microelectrodes ; Muscle, Skeletal* ; Muscles ; Nitric Oxide* ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion ; Reperfusion Injury ; Superoxides

In this study, the molecular mechanism of tyrosine phosphorylation of Roundabout (Robo), the transmembrane receptor for slits, was investigated. The tyrosine phosphorylation of intracellular portion of Robo was increased by the treatment of tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors in human embryonic kidney cells transfected with Robo. The Robo tyrosine phosphorylation was inhibited by the treatment of Src family kinase inhibitor, PP2. The co-transfection of constitutively active form of Fyn, not the dominant negative form of Fyn, and Robo dramatically enhanced the tyrosine phosphorylation of Robo. Furthermore, the SH2 domain of Fyn, which binds to phosphorylated tyrosine residues, interact with Robo, and the interaction was increased by the inhibition of tyrosine phosphatases. These findings indicate that the tyrosine phosphorylation of Robo is regulated by Fyn.
Humans ; Kidney ; Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases ; Phosphorylation* ; Phosphotransferases ; src Homology Domains ; Tyrosine*

PURPOSE: To measure the magnetization transfer ratio(MTR) of intracranial tumors and to evaluate the difference of the character and the border of tumors on magnetization transfer image. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively reviewed magnetization transfer imaging(MTI) findings of intracranial tumors of 13 patients. 1.0T MRI machine was used. T1 weighted image(TRITE=700/14) and T1 weighted magnetization transfer image were obtained. The offset and bandwidth of magnetization transfer pulse were 1000 Hz and 250Hz, respectively. Postcontrast images were also obtained. MTR was measured at lesion area. RESULTS: The mean of normal MTR of white matter and gray matter in 7 normal volunteers were 37% and 29%, respectively. The MTR of each tumor was as follows;metastatic tumors(mean 16.3%), meningioma(mean 27.3%), oligodendroglioma(mean 20.2%), glomus jugulare tumor(mean 17.3%), gliomatosis cerebri(mean 27. 0%). The contrast of lesions were better at magnetization transfer image than at T1 weighted image. CONCLUSION: The MTR of the intracranial tumors is lower than normal tissue. Measurement of MTR at muirpie areas within the tumor can be useful for evaluation of indistinct border of the tumor.
Glomus Jugulare ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Prospective Studies