BACKGROUND/AIMS: In order to determine the relationship between the HBV precore mutant and the severity of liver disease in Korea, we performed liver biopsies in patients with HBV related chronic liver disease and compared the types of mutations and histologic findings in the same liver tissue simultaneously. METHODS: HBV DNA in liver tissues was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The precore mutants were detected by PCR-SSCP(single strand conformation polymorphism), cloning the amplified PCR products and direct sequencing for them. RESULTS: 1. HBV DNA was detected in liver tissues of 28 cases among 30 patients with PCR. And with SSCP, the most cases were mixed type infections. 2. The HBV precore mutants were found in 12 cases among the total number of 28 cases(42.9%) and all mutations were G to A change at nucleotide 1896, creating a stop codon at codon 28. However, 10 cases among 12 mutants were associated with simultaneous another mutation at different positions or regions;9 cases at core gene region, 2 cases at nucleotide 1856(C to T change at codon 15), one case at core promoter, and one case with double mutations at nucleotide 1837 and 1846 respectively. Also, all HBV precore mutants were combined with wild type HBV sequence. 3. The relationship between HBV precore mutants and HBeAg status revealed that 4 cases from 13 HBeAg positive(30.8%) and 8 from 15 HBeAg negative or Anti-Hbe positive(53.3 %) were mutants. 4. In analysis of the types of mutants and histopathological findings of liver diseases, 6 among 15 chronic active hepatitis(40.0%), all 3 cases with hepatocellular carcinoma(100,0 %), 2 among 4 asymptomatic carriers with minimal histopathologic changes(50.0%) and a case with chronic lobular heaptitis(100.0%) showed precore region mutation. CONCLUSION: The patterns of HBV precore mutants in Korea could be summarized as followings. Firstly, most of the mutations are composed of G to A change at nucleotide 1896. Secondly, the most of the mutants at nuclmtide 1896 have been associated with simultaneous mutations at core promoter, core gene, and rarely at other positions, and manifested usua'ly mixed type viremic conditions. Thirdly, although precore mutation could be occurred in asymptomatic carrier, this type of mutation might be closely related with chronic or severe liver disease. However, it needs further investigations hereafter.
Biopsy ; Clone Cells ; Cloning, Organism ; Codon ; Codon, Terminator ; DNA ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; Hepatitis B, Chronic* ; Hepatitis, Chronic* ; Humans ; Korea ; Liver Diseases ; Liver* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational

No abstract available.
Diagnosis* ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae* ; Mycoplasma* ; Pneumonia* ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the indication for intracavitary Urokinase(UK) in the treatment of Ioculated pleural effusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed CT and US in 31 patients who were treated with intracavitary UK in Ioculated pleural effusion. In each patient, a single chest catheter (10-12F) was insected under imaging guidance. When the amount of drainage was less than 100ml/day, UK was instilled through the catheter until less than 50ml/day was drained. On follow-up chest radiographs of more than 1 month, we classified the results of treatment into 3 groups:(1) completely effective (lung expansion, over 80%);(2) partially effective (20-80%); (3) ineffective (below 20%) group. Sonographic pattern of pleural fluid was classified into anechoic, septated, and honeycomb appearances and the thickness of parietal pleura was measured on CT. RESULTS: Sixteen patients were completely effective, nine were partially effective, and six were ineffective. patients with completely or partially effective outcome had anechoic and linear septated appearance on had less than 4mm of parietal pleural thickness on CT. Of six ineffective patients, US showed linear septated in one patient and honeycomb appearance in five patients and the thickness of parietal pleura on CT was 3 mm in one patient, 4ram in two patients, 5mm in one patient, and 6mm in two patients. CONCLUSION: UK instillation through percutaneous catheter was an effective method in the treatment of Ioculated pleural effusion. However, we found near complete reaccumulation of pleural fluid when honeycomb appearance of pleural fluid on US or more than 5mm parietal pleural thickness on CT was observed, which might suggest that we should consider the other kinds of treatment method in those patients.
Catheters ; Drainage ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Insects ; Pleura ; Pleural Effusion* ; Rabeprazole ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Thorax ; Ultrasonography ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator*

Clinical studies were performed that the patient with angina pectoris having no responses to Ca++ antagonist and beta-blocker had been taken nicorandil 5mg bid daily with, beta-blokade and Ca++ antagonists for 3 weeks. The results after the use of nicorandil were as follows; 1) The clinical symptoms after the use of nicorandil were improved in 20(80%) of 25 patients, specially marked improved in 16 of 25 patients. There was no significant changes of BP and heart rate after the use of nicorandil. 2) The results of CBC, urinalysis, serum chemistry exa. and chest P-A were within normal range before and after the use of nicorandil. 3) After the use of nicorandil, ST segments depressed in 13 of 25 patients before use of nicorandil was elevated in 8(61.6%) of 13 cases after the use of that. QT interval, P-R interval and T wave in 25 cases were within normal range before and after the use of that. The M mode echocardiography showed the decreased movement of ventricular septum in 19 of 25 patients before the use of Nicorandil, and there was no changes after the use of that. 4) The adverse effects after the use of nicorandil to 25 patients were as follows: headache in 3(12%), nausea and vomiting 2(8%), palpitation 1(4%), upper abdominal discomfort 1(4%), and facial flushing 1(4%).
Angina Pectoris* ; Chemistry ; Echocardiography ; Flushing ; Headache ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Nausea ; Nicorandil* ; Reference Values ; Thorax ; Urinalysis ; Ventricular Septum ; Vomiting

BACKGROUND: The present study was undertaken to know health-related lifestyles of Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) pilots and to investigate prevalence of obesity of them.METHODS: 1284 KAF pilots were checked their height, weight, and body composition (% body fat). We also tried questionnaires on their health-related lifestyles which included the effort to be healthy, whether they know weight training is beneficial to G-tolerance, exercise habit and smoking history. RESULTS: Pilots' attitude for health promotion was relatively passive. Many of them know that weight training is good for their G-tolerance, but only 8.1% of the pilots carried out that training. They engaged much more in aerobic training, and also fighter pilots are less participated in weight training than transport pilots. The prevalence of obesity (29.4%) determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis was much higher than that assessed on the basis of height and weight (BMI, body mass index). It is suggested that many pilots who were normal in BMI have abdominal or visceral obesity. CONCLUSION: The health promotion program and physical conditioning program related to increasing G tolerance of KAF pilots flying high-performance aircraft are very important. These programs must be organized and progressed with flight surgeon and Aeromedical center in Chung-ju as leaders.
Aircraft ; Body Composition ; Chungcheongbuk-do ; Diptera ; Electric Impedance ; Health Promotion ; Life Style* ; Obesity ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Surveys and Questionnaires

The purpose of this study is to observe histopathologic changes in the bilateral craniomandibular joints after allowing 6 weeks of consolidation by varying the amount of distraction in rabbit mandible. Eight rabbits weighing about 2 to 3kg were used. After corticotomy was performed on the left mandibular body between the first premolar and the second premolar region, a unilateral fixation device was placed. Then, a 7-day period was allowed without distraction of the device. The mandible was lengthened 0.5mm/day. Corticotomy and lengthening of mandible were not performed in control group. After the completion of the lengthening process, a 6-week-consolidation period was allowed. Then, the rabbits were sacrificed, and histologic examination of the craniomandibular joints was performed. Proliferative changes were observed in the craniomandibular joints in all groups. With the increasing amount of distraction, hypertrophy of the cartilage layer became more severe, bone formed was dense and enchondral ossification was clearly shown in subchondral bone. Hypertrophy of the cartilage layer was also seen in the non-distracted side as the distracted side in the experimental group. These results indicate that when physical force is applied constantly to joints, the proliferation of articular cartilage and bone formation are present. When more than 6 weeks of consolidation period is allowed at the time of performing distraction for more than 5mm, articular changes, especially, in the contralateral side should also be noted.
Bicuspid ; Cartilage ; Cartilage, Articular ; Hypertrophy ; Joints* ; Mandible ; Osteogenesis ; Osteogenesis, Distraction* ; Rabbits*

PURPOSE: Abdominal CT scans in patients with intraperitoneal fluid were retrospectively studied to identify characteristic features useful for differential diagnosis of various causes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and seventy patients with intraperitoneal fluid collection were classified as categories of hepatic disease, carcinomatosis, and infectious disease. We analyzed sites of fluid collection, the presence of peritoneal thickening, omental and mesenteric fat infiltration, and lymph node enlargment. RESULTS: Intraperitoneal fluid was present in subhepatic space, subphrenic space, paracolic gutter, mesentery, and fossa of the gallbladder in decreasing order of frequency. Fluid in the gallbladder fossa was the most frequent in hepatic diseases. The fluid collection in subhepatic and subphrenic space was less frequent in infectious diseases. Peritoneal thickening was noted in infectious diseases, and carcinomatosis. Omental fat infiltration and enlarged lymph nodes were the most frequent in carcinomatosis (58% and 44%, respectively), whereas, mesenteric fat infiltration and enlarged lymph nodes were the most common in infectious diseases (61%, and 26%, respectively). CONCLUSION: The location of peritoneal fluid collection showed some lesion specific characteristics, and CT features of fat infiltration and enlarged lymph nodes of peritoneum, omentum, and mesentery were helpful for differential diagnosis between carcinomatosis and infectious diseases.
Ascitic Fluid ; Carcinoma ; Communicable Diseases ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Gallbladder ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Mesentery ; Omentum ; Peritoneum ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

No abstract available.
Skull Base* ; Skull*

T cell lymphoblastic lymphoma is characterized by immature lymphoid cells that are indistinguishable from the lymphoblasts and prolymphocytes of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Several characteristic clinical features of lymphoblastic lymphoma, with include a high male-to-female ratio, a relatively high incidence in older children and young adults, the frequent presence of mediastinal involvement at the time of diagnosis. Also, this disease is rapidly progressive, and early dissemination to the bone marrow, blood, and central nervous system leads to the evolution of a picture resembling a acute lymphoblastic leukemia. We have experienced a rare case of congenital T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma in which 1/365 year old female newborn had generalized multiple irregular protruding mass on her body. On bone marrow biopsy, CSF analysis, ultrasonogram and whole body MRI studies. We found metastasized tumor mass to, orbit, abdominal cavity, bulva, skin, and lower extremities. Histopathologically, specimen from mass on the right thigh showed diffuse infiltration of poorly differentiated and immature lymphoid cells in the skelectal muscle and subcutaneous soft tissue. By immunophenotyping studies using anti T cell and B cell monoclonal antibody, these cells were reactive with UCHL-1, MB2, but unreactive with MB1, L26. Based on these findings, the lesion was diagnosed as lymphoblastic lymphoma of the T-cell type, which occurred congenitally. Most T cell lymphoblastic lymphoma are noted, but congenital case was not reported. So we report it with a brief review of literature.
Abdominal Cavity ; Biopsy ; Bone Marrow ; Central Nervous System ; Child ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Lower Extremity ; Lymphocytes ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Orbit ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma* ; Skin ; T-Lymphocytes ; Thigh ; Ultrasonography ; Young Adult

No abstract available.
Humans ; Methacholine Chloride* ; Rhinitis*