OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to identify the validity of serum CA125 level for assessing responsiveness to combined chemotherapy in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 30 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer who had received postoperative combined chemotherapy (paclitaxel and cisplatin) at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korea University Medical Center, from February, 1996 to July, 2000 were included. We analyzed the relation between the responsiveness criteria of WHO and the change in serum CA125 level. RESULTS: 1. There was a tendency that patients with more advanced stage(stage 1-4) had higher serum CA125 level without significant differences. 2. The percentage of patients who responded to paclitaxel and cisplatin was 46.7%(14/30) by WHO criteria and 56.7%(17/30) by serum CA125 level. 3. The sensitivity and specificity of serum CA125 level in the prediction of response were 78.6% and 62.5% respectively. 4. In a living group, the changes of percentage value in CA125 level were higher at 2nd, 3rd and 4th chemotherapy cycle than in an expired group(p<0.05). 5. There was a tendency that the responsiveness based on WHO criteria and CA125 had positive correlation(p=0.0865). 6. There was a tendency that the responsiveness based on serum CA125 level and patient`s survival had positive correlation(p=0.1454). CONCLUSIONS: Serum CA125 level is a valid tumor marker in assessing the responsiveness to combined chemotherapy which can be used with or instead of the WHO criteria in epithelial ovarian cancer.
Academic Medical Centers ; Cisplatin ; Drug Therapy* ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Korea ; Obstetrics ; Ovarian Neoplasms* ; Paclitaxel ; Sensitivity and Specificity

A clinical observation was done on 34 cases of cryptorchisms during the past 5 years from January 1974 to December 1978. 1. The most frequent age group was 16 to 20 and average age was 13.2 years which means too late for requiring adequate treatment. 2. The cryptorchism had the highest incidence rate among the anomalies of G-U tract (28.4%). 3. The bilateral cryptorchisms were observed in 13 cases (38%) and inguinal type in 16(47%), intraabdominal type in l0(29%) and subinguinal type in 8(24%). (13 cases in right and 8 cases in left) 4, 7 cases, over 20 years old, were performed the orchiectomy because of atrophy or impossible placement to scrotum and histopathology revealed atrophic change in all removed testes. 4 cases among them were proved to oligo-azoospermia by semen analysis. 5. Hormonal therapy (HCG) was done in 7 cases and 2 cases were respond slightly.
Atrophy ; Cryptorchidism* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Orchiectomy ; Scrotum ; Semen Analysis ; Testis ; Young Adult

No abstract available.
Child* ; Humans ; Measles*

During a disease survey in October 2019, leaf spot symptoms with a yellow halo were observed on Korean angelica (Anglica gigas) plants grown in fields in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, Korea. Incidence of diseased leaves of the plants in the investigated fields ranged from 10% to 60%. Morphological and cultural characteristics of two single-spore isolates from the leaf lesions indicated that they belonged to the genus Didymella. Molecular phylogenetic analyses using combined sequences of LSU, ITS, TUB2, and RPB2 regions showed distinct clustering of the isolates from other Didymella species. In addition, the morphological and cultural characteristics of the isolates were somewhat different from those of closely related Didymella spp. Therefore, the novelty of the isolates was proved based on the investigations. Pathogenicity of the novel Didymella species isolates was confirmed on leaves of Korean angelica plants via artificial inoculation. This study reveals that Didymella gigantis sp. nov.causes leaf spot in Korean angelica.

During disease surveys of Angelica acutiloba plants in Korea, leaf spot symptoms were observed in a field in Andong in July 2019, and stem rot symptoms in vinyl greenhouses in Yangpyeong in April 2020. Incidence of leaf spot and stem rot of the plants ranged from 10 to 20% and 5 to 30%, respectively. Morphological and cultural characteristics of fungal iso lates from the leaf spot and stem rot symptoms fitted into those of the genus Phoma.Molecular phylogenetic analyses of two single-spore isolates from the symptoms using con catenated sequences of LSU, ITS, TUB2, and RPB2 genes authenticated an independent clus ter from other Didymella (anamorph: Phoma) species. Moreover, the isolates showed different morphological and cultural characteristics in comparison to closely related Didymella species. These discoveries confirmed the novelty of the isolates. Pathogenicity of the novel Didymella species isolates was substantiated on leaves and stems of A. acutiloba through artificial inocu lation. Thus, this study reveals that Didymella acutilobae sp. nov. causes leaf spot and stem rot in Angelica acutiloba.

No abstract available.
Ovarian Neoplasms* ; Transfection*

OBJECTIVE: Our previous study demonstrated that the placental GnRH and GnRH mRNA did not parallel the time course of hCG secretion, though it is thought to be one of the potential paracrine regulators of hCG secretion from the trophoblasts. The present study was designed to examine the potential variation in GnRH-receptor mRNA expression in the placenta, which may account for the GnRH-mediated action of hCG secretion during pregnancy. METHODS: Human placentas in firt, second, and third trimester of normal pregnancy were obtained. These placentas were fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde and embedded in OCT compound, and sectioned by cryostat. For in situ hybridization, S labeled RNA probes were used and followed by autoradiography. RESULTS: The GnRH-receptor mRNA signals were present in both cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast cell layers. Signal intensities varied with gestational ages and were abundant at 6-7 weeks, peaked at 9-12weeks, declined at 14 and 24 weeks, and were barely detectable at term. The present study demonstrates that GnRH-receptor mRNA exhibits changes paralleling the time course of hCG secretion during pregnancy CONCLUSION: These data provide mechanistic understanding that the paracrine/autocrine regulation of hCG secretion by placental GnRH is mediated through an increase followed by a decline in GnRH-receptor mRNA expression from the first trimester to term placenta.
Autoradiography ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; Placenta* ; Pregnancy Trimester, First ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third ; Pregnancy* ; RNA Probes ; RNA, Messenger* ; Trophoblasts

OBJECTIVE: To identify fetal gender using fetal DNA in maternal plasma. METHODS: DNA from maternal plasma of 55 pregnant women(47: inpatients, 8: outpatients) underwent a sensitive Y-PCR assay to identify gender. RESULTS: Of the inpatients, fetus-derived Y sequences were detected in 26(80.6%) of the 31 maternal plasma samples from women bearing male fetuses. None of the 16 women bearing female fetuses had positive results from plasma DNA. Eighteen weeks is earliest gestation of gender identification. Of the outpatients(GA 8-11 weeks), fetus-derived Y sequences were detected in 7 of the 8 maternal plasma. Only one patient's fetal gender(GA 9 weeks) was identified. The others were not identified at this moment. CONCLUSION: We identified fetal DNA in maternal plasma. The sensitivity of Y-PCR was 80.6% in women bearing male fetus and the specificity was 100% in women bearing female fetus.
DNA* ; Female ; Fetus ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Male ; Plasma* ; Pregnancy ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of lower rib cage lateral expansion limitation on the maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures and on abdominal muscle activity during maximal respiratory breathing in healthy subjects. Methods: Fifteen healthy male subjects voluntarily participated in this cross-sectional study. During maximal breathing, maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures were measured, and abdominal muscle activity was determined with using surface electromyography. Also, the measurement was repeated with using a non-elastic belt to the lower rib cage for limiting of lateral expansion. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was performed for obtaining the statistical difference with a significance level of 0.05. Results: The findings of this study are as follows: 1) There were no significant differences in maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure with and without lower rib cage lateral expansion (p>0.05), 2) There was no significant difference in abdominal muscle activity during the maximal inspiratory phase (p>0.05). However, right external oblique muscle activity decreased significantly during maximum exhalation with lower rib expansion limitation (p<0.05). Conclusion The results of the current study indicate that a non-elastic belt was effective in decreasing right external oblique muscle activity during forced expiratory breathing in healthy subjects.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of lower rib cage lateral expansion limitation on the maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures and on abdominal muscle activity during maximal respiratory breathing in healthy subjects. Methods: Fifteen healthy male subjects voluntarily participated in this cross-sectional study. During maximal breathing, maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures were measured, and abdominal muscle activity was determined with using surface electromyography. Also, the measurement was repeated with using a non-elastic belt to the lower rib cage for limiting of lateral expansion. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was performed for obtaining the statistical difference with a significance level of 0.05. Results: The findings of this study are as follows: 1) There were no significant differences in maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure with and without lower rib cage lateral expansion (p>0.05), 2) There was no significant difference in abdominal muscle activity during the maximal inspiratory phase (p>0.05). However, right external oblique muscle activity decreased significantly during maximum exhalation with lower rib expansion limitation (p<0.05). Conclusion The results of the current study indicate that a non-elastic belt was effective in decreasing right external oblique muscle activity during forced expiratory breathing in healthy subjects.