The aquatic quality of the Naktong river after two of three months in June, 1991 with phenol spillage from a electrical factory in Kumi was investigated. The samples were collected at six sites of the Naktong river basin and Kachang and Kongsan lakes. Phenol was not detected from all water samples. Turbidity was very much increased to the down stream in the Naktong river. The BOD and COD values exceeded the 2nd grade(3 mg/l) of the Korean standard quality of Environmental Water Act at the all sampling sites of the Naktong river. Especially, the value of COD at Kaejin (12.5 mg/l) was poorly classified as to the 5th grade of water class for the environmental quality standards. Organophosphorous pesticides such as parathion, malathion, fenitrothion and diazinon were investigated but not detected. Diazinon was only detected at the Ilson bridge(1.42 ppb), Okkye stream(6.95 ppb), Waekwan bridge(0.32 ppb), Gangjung reservior(0.13 ppb), Kaejin(0.05 ppb). Of the carbamates such as carbanyl, isoprocarb and cabofuran, the carbofuran was detected all sites except tap water, and Kachang and Kongsan lakes. The content of heavy metals such ans Cd, Pb, Zn, Fe, Mn, Hg were not exceeding for drinking water standards at the all sampling region, but only mecury was detected from Okkye stream(0.018ppb) and Kaejin(0.09ppb). In the regions of Kachang and Kongsan lakes, the content of heavy metals were lower than that of reservoir of Naktong river.
Carbamates ; Carbofuran ; Diazinon ; Drinking Water ; Fenitrothion ; Gyeongsangbuk-do* ; Korea* ; Lakes ; Malathion ; Metals, Heavy ; Parathion ; Pesticides ; Phenol* ; Rivers* ; Water ; Water Quality

Bile acids and synthetic bile acid derivatives induce apoptosis in various kinds of cancer cells and thus have anticancer properties. Recently, it has been suggested that autophagy may play an important role in cancer therapy. However, few data are available regarding the role of autophagy in oral cancers and there have been no reports of autophagic cell death in OSCCs (oral squamous cell carcinoma cells) induced by HS-1200, a synthetic bile acid derivative. We thus examine whether HS-1200 modulates autophagy in OSCCs. Our findings indicate that HS-1200 has anticancer effects in OSCCs, and we observed in these cells that autophagic vacuoles were visible by monodansylcadaverine (MDC)and acridine orange staining. When we analyzed HS-1200-treated OSCC cells for the presence of biochemical markers, we observed that this treatment directly affects the conversion of LC-3II, degradation of p62/SQSTM1 and full-length beclin-1, cleavage of ATG5-12 and the activation of caspase. An autophagy inhibitor suppressed HS-1200-induced cell death in OSCCs, confirming that autophagy acts as a pro-death signal in these cells. Furthermore, HS-1200 shows anticancer activity against OSCCs via both autophagy and apoptosis. Our current findings suggest that HS-1200 may potentially contribute to oral cancer treatment and thus provide useful information for the future development of a new therapeutic agent.
Acridine Orange ; Apoptosis ; Autophagy ; Bile ; Bile Acids and Salts ; Biomarkers ; Cadaverine ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cell Death ; Chenodeoxycholic Acid ; Mouth Neoplasms ; Vacuoles

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the lung is considered to be a rare, benign, neoplastic lesion, consisting mainly of spindle mesenchymal cells, sometimes in such a way that its histological appearance mimics that of a spindle cell sarcoma, fibrous histiocytoma or fibrosarcoma. A case of inflammatory pseudotumor of the lung occurring in a 13-year-old boy is reported with pathologic findings, including its ultrastructure. The patient had had no symptoms and accidentally discovered his condition after a chest X-ray examination at a regular school physical check up. The mass was located in the suprahilar area of the left lung. Exploratory thoracotomy revealed a large mass that was removed, together with the left upper lobe of the lung. Microscopically, the mass was composed of numerous interstitial inflammatory cells, mainly lymphoplasma cells. Ultrastructurally, the spindle-shaped mesenchymal cells were arranged haphazadly and the normal pulmonary structure was nearly totally destroyed. Emphasis is given to complete resection of the tumor for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
Adolescent ; Child ; Fibrosarcoma ; Granuloma, Plasma Cell ; Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous ; Humans ; Lung ; Male ; Plasma Cell Granuloma, Pulmonary* ; Sarcoma ; Thoracotomy ; Thorax

With a frame-based system, stereotactic dose of radiation is delivered to the target in one day. The patient is uncomfortable with a frame based system and the staff is forced to produce a treatment plan under time pressure. And then a single dose of radiation is delivered. Our frameless fractionated conformal stereotactic radiotherapy system uses markers, permanently placed in the head. There is more time to prepare and perform the treatment. The point reference system is a frameless system, allowing a separation in time between all of the steps in a stereotactic procedure. And these reference points allow physician precisely to set up the patient again and again. Our system is made to spare normal cells within target volume by fractionating the tumor dose. We have treated 43 patients with multifraction regimen using 6-MV linear accelerator. All patient tolerated the treatment well and no significant complication were seen. Although small in number experienced, this technique seems to be feasible and safe for treating brain tumor and vascular malformation.
Arteriovenous Malformations* ; Brain Neoplasms* ; Brain* ; Head ; Humans ; Particle Accelerators ; Radiotherapy ; Vascular Malformations

OBJECTIVE: To assess prosthetic use by upper extremity amputees, and their difficulties with prostheses in activities of daily living and occupations. METHOD: This study is based on a survey of 307 subjects, who were using prostheses manufactured in the Center of Prosthetics and Orthotics. The survey questionnaire included items about general demographic characteristics, side and level of amputation, type of prosthesis and its use, and difficulties in the activities of daily living, employment and driving. RESULTS: The most common type of prosthesis was the cosmetic hand type (80.2%). There were no statistically significant correlations between satisfaction with prosthesis and the amputation level or type of prosthesis. The most common difficulties in daily living activities experienced by amputees were lacing shoes, removing bottle-tops with a bottle opener, and using scissors. Only 7.3% of amputees received rehabilitation services. Less than half of the amputees (44.7%) used their prostheses for eight or more hours a day, and 76.9% used their prostheses for regular or irregular cosmetic purposes. After amputation, most of the respondents (69.0%) became unemployed or changed workplaces. CONCLUSION: In our study, respondents preferred cosmetic usage to functional usage. Only 30.0% of respondents reported satisfaction with their prostheses. Many of the amputees had difficulties in complex tasks and either changed jobs or became unemployed. Clerical workers were the occupation group, which was most likely to return to work. The development of a more functional prosthetic hand and additional rehabilitation services are required.
Activities of Daily Living ; Amputation ; Amputees ; Cosmetics ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Employment ; Hand ; Humans ; Occupations ; Prostheses and Implants ; Return to Work ; Shoes ; Upper Extremity ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Retrograde jejunojejunal intussusception is an unusual complication of gastric surgery. Mortality rates are quite high, especially if corrective surgery is delayed for more than 48 hours. The common symptoms of retrograde jejunojejunal intussusception are epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting or hematemesis, and palpable mass. UGI series, abdominal sonography, abdominal CT, and endoscopy can be used to diagnose of retrograde jejunojejunal intussusception. We experienced two cases of retrograde jejunojejunal intussusception. One was a sixty-one-year-old male who was admitted because of epigastric pain, nausea and hematemesis. He had previously undergone total gastrectomy with Braun anastomosis due to gastric cancer seven years before. Abdominal CT and endoscopy were performed for diagnosis of intussusception of the upper jejunum. The other case was fifty-nine-year-old male who was admitted because of abdominal pain and vomiting. He also had previously undergone total gastrectomy with Braun anastomosis due to gastric cancer seven years before. On physical examination, the abdomen was flat and the mass was palpated in periumbilical area. UGI series, abdominal CT, and abdominal sonography were performed. Both cases underwent operation by segmental resection of the intussusceptum and the patients discharged without complication. We experienced two cases of unusual retrograde jejunojejunal intussusception and report with a review of the literature.
Abdomen ; Abdominal Pain ; Diagnosis ; Endoscopy ; Gastrectomy* ; Hematemesis ; Humans ; Intussusception* ; Jejunum ; Male ; Mortality ; Nausea ; Physical Examination ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vomiting

Food deprivation can affect performance on difficult cognitive task, such as the delayed nonmatch-to-place T-maze task (DNMT). The importance of food deprivation on maintaining high motivation for DNMT task has been emphasized, but not many studies have investigated the optimal conditions for depriving rodents to maximize performance. Establishing appropriate conditions for food deprivation is necessary to maintain DNMT task motivation. We applied different conditions of food deprivation (1-h food restriction vs. 1.5-g food restriction; single caging vs. group caging) and measured body weight and the number of correct choices that 8-week-old C57BL/6J mice made during the DNMT task. The 1.5-g food restriction group maintained 76.0+/-0.6% of their initial body weight, but the final body weight of the 1-h food restriction condition group was reduced to 62.2+/-0.8% of their initial body weight. These results propose that 1.5-g food restriction condition is effective condition for maintaining both body weight and motivation to complete the DNMT task.
Animals ; Body Weight ; Food Deprivation ; Mice ; Motivation ; Rodentia

BACKGROUND: The distribution of ABO and Rhesus D (RhD) blood group antigens differs according to race and region. Previous studies have reported that blood group type was associated with not only transfusion-related diseases but also various diseases, such as malignancy and infectious disease. However, true relationship of blood groups and many diseases remained controversial. The aim of this study was to determine whether ABO and RhD blood groups are correlated with several infectious diseases. METHODS: From January 2003 to December 2012, we retrospectively reviewed results for HBsAg, HCV Ab, HIV Ab, VDRL, HAV IgM, CMV IgM, EBV VCA IgM, and Clostridium difficile toxin A and B (CD toxin). We also reviewed ABO and RhD results of these patients. Data were analyzed using chi-square test and binary logistic regression test. Odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals were determined. RESULTS: A total of 109,898 medical records of ABO and HBsAg results were reviewed. Blood group type-A was more prone to have positive results with HBsAg, while blood group type-O was less affected (odds ratio 1.086, P=0.003, odds ratio 0.935, P=0.029, respectively). With 3,171 records of CD toxin, blood group type-O was more affected (odds ratio 1.247, P=0.027). The relationship of the other serologic results and blood groups was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Seroprevalence of HBsAg and CD toxin showed an association with blood group type. Blood group type-A had higher HBsAg seroprevalence than the other group. Blood group type-O was more prone to have CD toxin.
Blood Group Antigens ; Clostridium difficile ; Communicable Diseases* ; Continental Population Groups ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; HIV ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Medical Records ; Odds Ratio ; Phenotype* ; Retrospective Studies ; Seroepidemiologic Studies*

BACKGROUND: Urinary bladder cancer has been diagnosed by urine cytology and cystoscopy with biopsy. Recently, in vitro noninvasive diagnostic tests, measuring urinary nuclear matrix protein22(NMP22) and bladder tumor antigen(BTA), were introduced. We analyzed the usefulness of the NMP22 and BTA tests for diagnosing bladder cancer and compared those with voided urine cytology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Single voided urine specimens were obtained from 27 patients with bladder cancer and 23 healthy volunteers. The urine specimens were assayed by enzyme immunoassay(NMP22, Matrietech(R), Newton, MA.) and latex immunoassay(BTA, Bard, USA). Urine cytology was performed in patients with bladder cancer. RESULTS: Mean urinary NMP22 level of patients with bladder cancer(144.6 U/mL) was significantly higher than those of normal controls(2.9 U/mL, P<0.01). The sensitivities were 89% and 74% for NMP22 and BTA tests, respectively, compared with 41% for voided urine cytology. The sensitivities of NMP22 and BTA tests were 88%, 63% at grade 1(G1), 82%, 73% at G2, and 100%, 88% at G3, respectively(P<0.01; NMP22, P=0.580; BTA). According to tumor stage, the sensitivities of NMP22 and BTA tests were both 79% at superficial, and 100% and 69% at invasive cancer, respectively(P=0.110; NMP22, P=0.678; BTA). The sensitivities of urine NMP22 and BTA tests combined with urine cytology were both 96%. In following of transitional cell carcinoma patients, agreement between urine cytology and BTA test was 75%(24/32). Among the various urologic disease, false positive rate for BTA test was 17%(8/47). CONCLUSION: Urinary NMP22 and BTA tests were more sensitive than voided urine cytology regardless of tumor grade and stage, so these noninvasive and simple tests can be used as screening tests for urinary bladder transitional cell carcinoma.
Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell* ; Cystoscopy ; Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Latex ; Mass Screening* ; Nuclear Matrix ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; Urinary Bladder* ; Urologic Diseases

BACKGROUND: The number of CD34+ cells in a peripheral blood stem cell collection is the key factor in predicting successful treatment of hematologic malignancies. Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) is the most popular medicinal herb in Korea. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of KRG on hematopoietic colony formation. METHODS: Bone marrow (BM) samples were obtained from 8 human donors after acquiring informed consent. BM mononuclear cells (MNCs) were isolated, and CD34+ cells were sorted using magnetic beads. The sorted CD34+ cells were incubated with or without total extract of KRG (50 microg/mL, 100 microg/mL) or Ginsenoside Rg1 (100 microg/mL), and the hematopoietic colony assay was performed using methylcellulose semisolid medium. The CD34+ cell counts were measured by a single platform assay using flow cytometry. RESULTS: The numbers of human BM-MNCs and CD34+ cells obtained after purification were variable among donors (5.6x10(7) and 1.3-48x10(7) and 8.9x10(4) and 1.8-80x10(4), respectively). The cells expanded 1,944 times after incubation for 12 d. Total extract of KRG added to the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC)-specific medium increased CD34+ cell counts 3.6 times compared to 2.6 times when using HSC medium alone. Total numbers of hematopoietic colonies in KRG medium were more than those observed in conventional medium, especially that of erythroid colonies such as burst forming unit-erythroid. CONCLUSION: Total extract of KRG facilitated CD34+ cell expansion and hematopoietic colony formation, especially of the erythroid lineage.
Antigens, CD34 ; Bone Marrow* ; Cell Count ; Flow Cytometry ; Hematologic Neoplasms ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; Humans ; Informed Consent ; Korea ; Medicine, Korean Traditional ; Methylcellulose ; Panax* ; Plants, Medicinal ; Stem Cells ; Tissue Donors