Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) measured while restaging with F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/ CT) to predict the 3-year post-recurrence survival (PRS) in patients with recurrent gastric cancer after curative surgical resection. Materials and Methods: In total, 47 patients with recurrent gastric cancer after curative resection who underwent restaging with 18F-FDG PET/CT were included. For the semiquantitative analysis, SUVmax was measured over the visually discernable 18F-FDG-avid recurrent lesions. Cox proportional-hazards regression models were used to predict the 3-year PRS. Differences in 3-year PRS were assessed with the Kaplan–Meier analysis. Results: Thirty-nine of the 47 patients (83%) expired within 3 years after recurrence in the median follow-up period of 30.3 months. In the multivariate analysis, SUVmax (p = 0.012), weight loss (p = 0.025), and neutrophil count (p = 0.006) were significant prognostic factors for 3-year PRS. The Kaplan–Meier curves demonstrated significantly poor 3-year PRS in patients with SUVmax > 5.1 than in those with SUVmax ≤ 5.1 (3-year PRS rate, 3.5% vs. 38.9%, p < 0.001). Conclusion High SUVmax on restaging with 18F-FDG PET/CT is a poor prognostic factor for 3-year PRS. It may strengthen the role of 18F-FDG PET/CT in further stratifying the prognosis of recurrent gastric cancer.

No abstract available.
Closing Volume* ; Humans ; Posture* ; Pulmonary Ventilation*

BACKGROUND: Recently, the pulse-in-pulse mode of intense pulsed light (IPL) has been used increasingly for the treatment of melasma. OBJECTIVE: To observe the morphologic changes in the melanophore in adult zebrafish after irradiation with conventional and pulse-in-pulse IPL and Q-switched Nd:YAG (QSNY) laser. METHODS: Adult zebrafish were irradiated with conventional and pulse-in-pulse mode of IPL. The conditions for conventional IPL were 3 mJ/cm², 560 nm filter, and pulse widths of 7, 20, and 35 msec. The pulse-in-pulse conditions were 3 mJ/cm² and on-time 1/off-time 2. The QSNY laser was used with the settings of 1,064 nm, 0.4 J/cm², a 7 mm spot size, and one shot. Specimens were observed using a light microscope, a transmission electron microscope (TEM), a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a confocal microscope. RESULTS: After conventional IPL irradiation with a 7 msec pulse width, melanophore breakage was observed using light microscopy. Under TEM, irradiation with conventional IPL for 7 msec and pulse-in-pulse IPL induced melanophore thermolysis with vacuolization. However, changes in the melanophore were not observed with 35 msec IPL. Under SEM, unlike the control and QSNY groups, IPL-irradiated zebrafish showed finger-like fusion in the protein structure of scales. Specimens examined by a confocal microscope after conventional IPL irradiation showed a larger green-stained area on TUNEL staining than that after pulse-in-pulse mode IPL irradiation. CONCLUSION: Zebrafish irradiated with long pulse-IPL showed no morphologic changes using light microscopy, while morphological changes in melanophores were evident with use of TEM. Pulse-in-pulse mode IPL caused less damage than conventional IPL.
Adult ; Humans ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Melanophores* ; Melanosis ; Microscopy ; Weights and Measures ; Zebrafish*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Buckwheat is considered one of the most important food allergens in Korea. Although a very small amount is ingested or inhaled, it can cause serious allergic reactions. However, the major allergens of buckwheat still remain to be elucidated. The aim of our study was to identify and characterize the major allergen of buckwheat seed. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Dialysis membrane with a cut-off MW 1kD was used for the preparation of crude buckwheat seed allergen extract. SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions and IgE immunoblotting were performed using sera from 15 buckwheat sensitive subjects. Isoelectric focusing and lectin blotting assay were done. RESULT: Western blot analysis showed more than 15 IgE-reactive buckwheat proteins. Among them, a 24kD protein was shown to be the most frequently bound to sera from allergic subjects (54%). Isoelectric point of 24kD protein was around 5.9. In lectin blotting assay, 24kD protein did not bind to Con A nor five other lectins. CONCLUSION: A 24kD protein was the most frequently recognized allergenic component in buckwheat seed. Isoelectric point was around 5.9. Glycosylation was not detected in 24kD of buckwheat protein.
Allergens ; Blotting, Western ; Dialysis ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Fagopyrum* ; Glycosylation ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoblotting ; Immunoglobulin E ; Isoelectric Focusing ; Isoelectric Point ; Korea ; Lectins ; Membranes

One hundres and two cases of traumatic liver injury were treated during 11 years from January 1986 to December 1996 at the department of surgery, Chunchon Sacred-Heart Hospital, Hallym University, and analysis of clinical manifestation and factors affecting to the mortality were carried out, and the results were as follows. The male to female ratio was 2.6:1. The liver is most commonly injuried following blunt trauma, and the most common cause of blunt trauma was automobile accidents(83.3%). Right lobe injuries consisted of 82.4% of the cases, left lobe injuries were 11.8%, and injuries affecting both lobes were 5.9%. Among the clinical symptoms, peritoneal irritation sign was most common(52.9%). Other symptoms consisted of adominal distension(46.1%), chest pain or dyspnea(42.2%), abdominal wound(12.8%). Arriving at emergency room, patients with shock symptoms were present in 10.8% of all cases. Needle abdominal, paracentesis was performed in 44 cases, and a positive tap showed in 33 cases. In 44.1% of the cases, the liver injury was accompanied with rib fracture, 36.3% with hemothorax or pneumothorax, 32.4% with fracture of long-bone, 17.7% with head injury. Accompaning injuried intraabdominal organs that occured in order from highest to lowest percentage were the kidneys, spleen, small intestines, large intestines, stomach, diaphragm, pancreas and duodenum. Using the AAST Organ Injury Severity Classification, Grade II injuries were 31.4%, Grade I injuires were 28.4%, and Grade III injuries were 19.6%. Conservative management was the preferred method in 26 cases, and operations were performed in 76 cases. Suture and drainage were performed in 66 cases. Hepatic resection procedures were perfromed in three cases. The incidence of complication was 44.1%. The most common post-operative complications were respiratory problems, such as atelectasis, pneumonia, pleural effusion, and ARDS. The mortality rate was 15.7%, and the most common cause of death was hypovolemic shock due to massive bleeding. Accompanying head injuries, renal failue, and ARDS were also cause of death. Factors affecting to the mortality were the severity of the injury, the prescence of shock, systolic blood pressure at arrival, initial value of hematocrit, and the prescence of the abdominal distension.
Automobiles ; Blood Pressure ; Cause of Death ; Chest Pain ; Classification ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Diaphragm ; Drainage ; Duodenum ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Gangwon-do ; Hematocrit ; Hemorrhage ; Hemothorax ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intestine, Small ; Intestines ; Kidney ; Liver* ; Male ; Mortality ; Needles ; Pancreas ; Paracentesis ; Pleural Effusion ; Pneumonia ; Pneumothorax ; Pulmonary Atelectasis ; Rib Fractures ; Shock ; Spleen ; Stomach ; Sutures

PURPOSE: P53 and cyclin D1 have been evaluated as a prognostic marker in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). However, the relationship between p53/cyclin D1 and PTC prognosis has not yet been confirmed. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between p53/cyclin D1 and PTC prognostic factors. METHODS: 919 patients with PTC were enrolled. Immunohistochemistry slides were reviewed for p53 and cyclin D1 immunoreactivity. Patients were classified into two groups according to the p53 and cyclin D1 grade: negative for < or =5% and positive for >5%. Medical records were reviewed to evaluate the prognostic factors, lymph node metastatic ratio (LNMR), and MACIS score. We analyzed patients based on p53/cyclin D1(-/-), p53/cyclin D1(-/+), p53/cyclin D1(+/-), p53/cyclin D1(+/+) separately for evaluation of independent effect of p53 and cyclin D1. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 49.73 years (range 15~87), and tumor size was 1.19 cm (range 0.1~5.0). P53 was positive in 809 (88.0%) and cyclin D1 was positive in 748 (81.4%). Positivity of p53 and cyclin D1 were correlated (r=0.448). There was no statistical significance in MACIS score. Positivity of p53 and cyclin D1 were related with larger tumor size, older age, early T stage, more tumor capsulation, and female. LNMR was higher in p53/cyclin D1(+/-) than p53/cyclin D1(-/-) (P=0.036), p53/cyclin D1(-/+) than p53/cyclin D1(-/-) (P=0.034), and p53/cyclin D1(+/+) than p53/cyclin D1(-/-) (P=0.007). CONCLUSION: There was no consistent relationship between p53/cyclin D1 and worse prognostic factors of PTC. However, LNMR was higher in p53(+) and cyclin D1(+) cases independently, much more in p53/cyclin D1(+/+) than p53/cyclin D1(-/-).
Cyclin D1* ; Cyclins ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymph Nodes ; Medical Records ; Prognosis ; Thyroid Neoplasms*

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic appendectomy isused as a three port technique for appendectomy. In children, single port laparoscopic appendectomy is difficult because they have a small peritoneal cavity for manipulation of laparoscopic instruments. We performed transumbilical laparoscopic assisted single port appendectomy (hybrid appendectomy) in children. METHODS: From March 2010 to July 2012, we performed transumbilical laparoscopic assisted single port appendectomy in 53 children. We made a vertical incision to the umbilicus approximately 1.5 cm, and a wound retractor (Applied Medical Resources Co., Ltd., Rancho Santa Margarita) was placed in the umbilical incision, and appendix exteriorized the extraperitoneum through the wound retractor. Appendectomy was performed conventionally. We had no conversion cases for laparotomy. RESULTS: A total of 53 patients, 29 females and 24 males, with a mean age of 8.5+/-2.0 years were enrolled in this retrospective study. The mean operative time was 29.4+/-9.4 minutes. There was no occurrence of complication or mortality. BMI was 17.8+/-4.9 kg/m2. And mean hospital stay was 3.2+/-1.0 days. CONCLUSION: In children, transumbilical single port laparoscopic appendectomy is technically difficult because they have a small peritoneal cavity. However, transumbilical laparoscopic assisted single port appendectomy (hybrid appendectomy) appearsto be a safe and effective technique for use in children, which allows for achievement of nearly scarless surgery.
Achievement ; Appendectomy ; Appendix ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Operative Time ; Peritoneal Cavity ; Retrospective Studies ; Umbilicus

Condyloma acuminata represent a difficult therapeutic challenge, especially to infants and children who are unable to endure the pain during the treatment process. All the conventional treatments including cryotherapy, CO2 laser ablation cause pain and postoperative scars. It may be traumatic mentally to the infants and children as well as physically. Pulsed dye laser has been introduced as the new treatment of verruca. The results of the pulsed dye laser treatment of verruca have been inconsistent. However, it showed many advantages, such as no need for anesthesia, no destruction of collagen tissue, and the fact that mast patients may remain ambulatory. With the experience of our patient treated by pulsed dye laser, we suggest that pulsed dye laser may be an alternative choice of treatment for condyloma acuminala in children and infants with less pain, no scarring, use of simple anesthesia, less difficulty in management of postoperative wound.
Anesthesia ; Child* ; Cicatrix ; Collagen ; Cryotherapy ; Humans ; Infant ; Lasers, Dye ; Lasers, Gas ; Warts ; Wounds and Injuries

On ultrasonography, medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) shows hypoechogenicity, an irregular margin, a predominantly solid composition, and microcalcifications, similar to those observed in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). MTC presenting as a cystic lesion is rare, and endoscopic thyroidectomy can be performed for benign thyroid masses and early stage PTC, however it is inappropriate for MTC regardless of cystic change. The authors report a case of cystic MTC found after endoscopic thyroid lobectomy and provide a review of the literature on this topic.
Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms* ; Thyroidectomy ; Ultrasonography

No abstract available.
Adult* ; Humans ; Technetium Tc 99m Dimercaptosuccinic Acid* ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon* ; Urinary Tract Infections* ; Urinary Tract*