PURPOSE: To evaluate morphologic characteristics of the microcalcifications on mammography that were confirmed pathologically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty five cases of microcalcifications on mammography (fifteen cases of benign lesion, thirty cases of maiignancy) were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The number of microcalcifications within 1 cm2 were more than 5 in 22 cases (73%) of 30 malignancy and less than 5 in 11 cases (73%) of 15 benignity. The heterogeneity of microcalcifications were seen in 26 cases of malignancy (87%) and the homogeneity of microcaicifications were 11 cases of benignity (73%). The morphologic characteristics of the microcalcifications were linear-V shape in 9 cases (30%), punctate shape in 8 cases (27%), fine stippled shape in 7 cases (23%), and round dot shape in 6 cases (20%) of malignancy and, round dot shape in 11 cases (73%), punctate shape in 2 cases (13%), and linear-V shape in 2 cases (13%) of benignity. CONCLUSION: Numerous irregular microcalcifications that are heterogenous in size and morphology were strong indicators of malignancy.
Mammography ; Population Characteristics ; Retrospective Studies

Cyclopia is rare congenital craniofacial anomaly, in which the eyes are fused together and located in a single orbit. It is consistently associated with severe holoprosencephaly, which is the failure of cleavage of the prosencephalon with a deficit in the midline facial development. chromosomal study revealed 47, X( ), +13 (Patau syndrome).
Holoprosencephaly ; Orbit ; Prosencephalon ; Trisomy*

This study investigated the mechanical properties and antibacterial activity of glass ionomer cement (GIC) containing 1 mol% or 5 mol% gallium phosphate glass (GPG) powder. GPG were added to conventional GIC powder in a range of 0~20 wt%. The specimens for compressive strength (4 mmØ×6 mm) and diametral tensile strength (6 mmØ×4 mm) were prepared by mixing with the cement liquid and kept in an water of 37±1℃. Mechanical properties were evaluated at an interval of 1 h, 24 h, and 7 days. Antibacterial activity of specimens against to S. mutans and S. sobrinus was evaluated using agar diffusion methods. Data were statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD post-hoc test (p<0.05). Diametral tensile strength of GIC containing GPG were significantly higher than control GIC while compressive strength showed no statistical difference. There was an increasing tendency of antibacterial activity for GPG-GICs. Results indicated that GPG can be considered as potential reinforcing agent for increasing antibacterial and mechanical properties for conventional GIC.

No abstract available.
Risk Factors

The GroEL heat-shock protein from Fusobacterium nucleatum, a periodontopathogen, activates risk factors for atherosclerosis in human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) and ApoE-/- mice. In this study, we analyzed the signaling pathways by which F. nucleatum GroEL induces the proinflammatory factors in HMEC-1 cells known to be risk factors associated with the development of atherosclerosis and identified the cellular receptor used by GroEL. The MAPK and NF-kappaB signaling pathways were found to be activated by GroEL to induce the expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), E-selectin, and tissue factor (TF). These effects were inhibited by a TLR4 knockdown. Our results thus indicate that TLR4 is a key receptor that mediates the interaction of F. nucleatum GroEL with HMEC-1 cells and subsequently induces an inflammatory response via the MAPK and NF-kappaB pathways.
Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; Chemokine CCL2 ; E-Selectin ; Endothelial Cells ; Fusobacterium ; Fusobacterium nucleatum ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; Humans ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; Interleukin-8 ; Mice ; NF-kappa B ; Periodontitis ; Risk Factors ; Thromboplastin ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; Toll-Like Receptors ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1

This study was prospectively conducted to investigate any relationship of nutritional status at the time of admission to length of hospital stay and mortality. All patients admitted to the Asan Medical Center between October 13 and November 12, 1997 who met the study criteria were included in the study. Patients were classified as Not-at-risk, At-risk I or At-risk II based on the levels of serum albumin and total lymphocyte count in a computerized nutrition screening program. Sixty three percent of the patients were classified as Not-at-risk Group, 29% as At-risk Group I and 8% as At-risk Group II. Significant correlation was observed between nutritional status and LOS (P<0.01) as well as mortality rate (P<0.05). The more the patient had the nutritional risk factors, the longer the LOS and the higher the mortality rate were. Further studies have to be done in order to demonstrate cost-effectiveness of medical therapy for the malnourished hospitalized patients.
Chungcheongnam-do ; Humans ; Length of Stay* ; Lymphocyte Count ; Mass Screening* ; Mortality* ; Nutritional Status* ; Prospective Studies* ; Risk Factors ; Serum Albumin

No abstract available.
Ficusin ; Follow-Up Studies ; Isotretinoin ; Methotrexate ; Mycosis Fungoides

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Inflammation is associated with various types of acute and chronic alcohol liver diseases. In this study, we examined whether umbelliferone (7-hydroxycoumarin, UF) ameliorates chronic alcohol-induced liver damage by modulating inflammatory response and the antioxidant system. METHODS: Rats were fed a Liber-Decarli liquid diet containing 5% alcohol with or without UF (0.05 g/L) for 8 weeks, while normal rats received an isocaloric carbohydrate liquid diet. RESULTS: Chronic alcohol intake significantly increased serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 6 levels and decreased interleukin 10 level; however, UF supplementation reversed the cytokines related to liver damage. UF significantly suppressed hepatic lipopolysaccharide binding protein, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor kappa B, and TNF-alpha gene expression increases in response to chronic alcohol intake. Masson's trichrome staining revealed that UF improved mild hepatic fibrosis caused by alcohol, and UF also significantly increased the mRNA expressions and activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in liver, and thus, decreased lipid peroxide and mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide levels. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study indicate that UF protects against alcohol-induced liver damage by inhibiting the TLR4 signaling pathway and activating the antioxidant system.
Animals ; Antioxidants* ; Carrier Proteins ; Catalase ; Cytokines ; Diet ; Fibrosis ; Gene Expression ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-6 ; Liver ; Liver Diseases ; NF-kappa B ; Rats* ; RNA, Messenger ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Impetigo herpetiformis is a rare and acute pustular eruption that is often accompanied by fever and leukocytosis, which occurs during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy and usually resolves after delivery. In general, impetigo herpetiformis is regarded as a variant of psoriasis that has histopathologic features of pustular psoriasis. The lesions typically begin in the flexural areas, but rarely involve the mucous membranes. The face, palms, and soles are commonly spared. However, we report a 29-year-old woman with impetigo herpetiformis showing mucosal, face and palm involvement, atypical skin manifestation.
Female ; Fever ; Humans ; Impetigo ; Leukocytosis ; Mucous Membrane ; Pregnancy ; Psoriasis ; Skin ; Skin Manifestations

Renal artery stenosis is a rare cause of acute pulmonary edema. So-called flash pulmonary edema is associated with bilateral renal artery stenosis or stenosis in a single functioning kidney. Flash pulmonary edema has been recognized as an absolute indication for vascular intervention. A 33-year old man was admitted with acute shortness of breath. Renal angiography showed occlusion of the right renal artery. He underwent a right renal artery bypass graft. However, after the renal artery bypass graft, episodes of pulmonary edema recurred. A renal angiography showed complete obstruction of the right renal artery and bypass graft. The left renal angiography showed an intact renal artery and decreased kidney size.
Adult ; Angiography ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Dyspnea ; Humans ; Kidney ; Pulmonary Edema* ; Renal Artery Obstruction* ; Renal Artery* ; Transplants*