OBJECTIVE: To verify the pattern of p53 and TGF-beta protein expression in benign and malignant epithelial ovarian tumors. METHODS: An immunohistochemical technique was applied to formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples of 22 benign and 9 malignant epithelial ovarian tumors using p53 monoclonal antibody and TGF-beta polyclonal antibody. Expressions of p53 and TGF-beta protein in two histological types were compared, and correlated with clinico-pathologic findings of the respective cases. RESULTS: p53 immunoreactivity of high or intermediate degree was detected in 2 out of 22 benign (9%) and 5 out of 9 malignant (55%) cases. On the other hand, intermediate to high TGF-beta expression was found in 17 out of 22 benign (77%), and 3 out of 9 malignant (33%) cases. The prevalence differences of p53 and TGF-beta expression between benign and malignant groups were statistically significant (p<0.05). In addition, the prevalence of immunoreactivities of p53 and TGF-beta in malignant tumor didn't show any association with age, tumor size, histologic types and stage. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that p53 expression and loss of TGF-beta expression may play an important role in the malignant transformation of ovarian epithelial cells. However further studies seem to be necessary to know the exact relationship between their roles.
Epithelial Cells ; Hand ; Prevalence ; Transforming Growth Factor beta*

Foot ; Growth Plate ; Hand ; Joints ; Mandible ; Metaplasia ; Osteochondroma

OBJECTIVE: To determine the socio-demographic, psychologic, hematologic, or other relevant factors associated with hand grip strength in Korean farmers. METHODS: A total of 528 healthy Korean farmers were enrolled. Hand grip strength was measured in both hands using a hydraulic dynamometer. Socio-demographic characteristics were assessed and anthropometric measurements were obtained. Psycho-cognitive measurements such as sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) and Go/No-Go test response time were conducted. In addition to physical measurements, serologic parameters including insulin-like growth factor 1 were measured. The factors associated with hand grip strength were analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis after adjusting for age, height, and weight. RESULTS: The mean hand grip strength was associated with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index total score (β=-0.12, p=0.01), the Go/No-Go test response time (β=-0.18, p=0.001), vitamin D (β=0.12, p=0.02), and insulin-like growth factor 1 levels (β=0.1, p=0.045). In female farmers, hand grip strength was only associated with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index total score (β=-0.32, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate that hand grip strength was associated with sleep quality and attention in Korean farmers.
Agriculture* ; Farmers ; Female ; Hand Strength* ; Hand* ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Linear Models ; Reaction Time ; Vitamin D

PURPOSE: To investigate whether early recombinant human growth hormone (hGH) treatment in elderly patients undergoing surgery for hip fracture improves biochemical and functional recovery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From September 2007 to December 2008, a total of 25 patients older than 60 years who underwent a gamma nailing surgery for an accidental hip fracture were randomized to be treated with either hGH (Declage(R), 3mg/week) (Group I: 15 patients) or placebo (Group II: 10 patients) at a postoperative 1, 2, 3 weeks, starting within 24 hour after the hip fracture. Mean age was 73.5 years. 6 cases were male and 19 cases were female. Serum IGF-I was measured by radioimmunoassay. Subjective and objective parameters were analyzed such as the mean mid-thigh circumference, change of weight, hand grip strength, functional recovery by Modified Barthel Index of activities of daily living (ADL). RESULTS: There were significant differences in the mean serum IGF-I, mid-thigh circumference, hand grip strength, Modified Barthel Index of activities of daily living between two groups. There were no significant differences in the change of weight. There were three nausea symptom after hGH injection, but no any general adverse effect. CONCLUSION: Early recombinant human growth hormone (hGH) treatment in elderly patients undergoing surgery for hip fracture showed clinical safety and good biochemical and functional recovery.
Activities of Daily Living ; Aged ; Female ; Hand ; Hand Strength ; Hip ; Human Growth Hormone ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Male ; Nails ; Nausea ; Radioimmunoassay

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the blood level of IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1) and IGFBP-3 (insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3) in patients with post-acute stage brain diseases, and to investigate the relationship between IGF-1/ IGFBP-3 blood level and functional status in patients with post-acute stage brain diseases. METHOD: Initial IGF-1/IGFBP-3 blood levels of 32 patients with post-acute stage brain disease were obtained and various functional indices, including modified Barthel index (MBI), functional ambulatory category (FAC), and Jebsen hand function test (JHFT), were assessed initially and at discharge. RESULTS: The IGF-1 blood level was normal in 23 patients and decreased in 9. The IGFBP-3 blood level was normal in 20 patients and increased in 13. The initial IGF-1/IGFBP- 3 levels were associated with the change of MBI score during admission (p<0.05, r2=0.214/p<0.05, r2=0.213). There was a correlation between IGF-1/IGFBP-3 levels and JHFT score only on the unaffected side at discharge (p<0.05, r2=0.278). There was no relation between IGF-1/IGFBP-3 levels and the change of JHFT score on either side during admission. CONCLUSION: Initial IGF-1/IGFBP-3 blood level check can be a useful method to anticipate functional improvement of patients with post-acute stage brain disease.
Brain Diseases* ; Brain* ; Hand ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3* ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I*

We retrospectively analysed plain radiographs and MR imaging of 16 conventional osteosarcoma cases(8 children, 8 adults) which underwent amputations or limb salvage operations. Pathologic correlation was performed with gross and microscopic sections to evaluate 1) whether the open epiphyseal plate can function as a barrier against transphyseal spread of osteosarcoma and 2) the diagnostic value of MR imaging for the detection of the detection of the epiphyseal involvement of osteosarcoma. In children with open epiphyseal plates, conventional radiographs suggested transphyseal tumor growth in one of eight cases(12.5% and MR imaging in seven cases(87.5%). Pathologic examination confirmed epiphyseal involvement in six of seven cases noted with MR imaging(75%). On the the other hand, in adult patients with closed epiphyseal plates, conventional radiographs showed transphyseal tumor growth in six of eight cases(75%), while MR imaging and pathologic exam demonstrated tumor invasion in all cases(100%). We conclude that open epiphyseal plate does not function as and effective barrier against tumor extension, and MR imaging is an excellent method in detecting the extent of transphyseal tumor growth.
Adult ; Amputation ; Child ; Growth Plate ; Hand ; Humans ; Limb Salvage ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Methods ; Osteosarcoma* ; Retrospective Studies

The EGFR has been proposed as a stimulator of cell growth in some neoplasms. The VEGF play an important role in angiogenesis of several tumors. This study aimed to determine the EGFR and VEGF expression in colorectal adenocarcinoma and to correlate the expression of these gene with variable prognostic factors. Significant relationship was observed between the EGFR and histopathologic differentiation or lymph node involvement. But EGFR had no relation to depth of invasiveness or serum CEA level. On the other hand, VEGF had only relation to histopathologic differentiation. VEGF had no relation to lymph node involvement, depth of tumor invasiveness or serum CEA level. We conclude that EGFR expression in human colorectal adenocarcinoma was significantly associated with prognosis. But VEGF expression was not associated with prognosis. More studies are needed to determine whether EGFR expression is a clinically valuable prognostic factor.
Adenocarcinoma ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Hand ; Humans* ; Lymph Nodes ; Prognosis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*

Achondroplasia and hypochondroplasia are the two most common forms of short-limb dwarfism. They are autosomal dominant diseases that are characterized by a rhizomelic shortening of the limbs, large head with frontal bossing, hypoplasia of the mid-face, genu varum and trident hands. Mutations in the fibroblast growth factor receptor-3 (FGFR3) gene, which is located on chromosome 4p16.3, have been reported to cause achondroplasia and hypochondroplasia. More than 98% of achondroplasia cases are caused by the G380R mutation (c.1138G>A or c.1138G>C). In contrast, the N540K mutation (c.1620C>A) is detected in 60-65% of hypochondroplasia cases. Tests for common mutations are often unable to detect the mutation in patients with a clinical diagnosis of hypochondroplasia. In this study, we presented a case of familial hypochondroplasia with a rare mutation in FGFR3 identified by next generation sequencing.
Achondroplasia ; Diagnosis* ; Dwarfism ; Extremities ; Fibroblast Growth Factors ; Genu Varum ; Hand ; Head ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Humans

Neurothekeoma is a benign dermal soft tissue tumor that is probably of nerve sheath origin. It usually presents as a slow-growing, solitary papule or nodule that is mainly located on the head and neck or upper extremities except for the hand. There are three histologic subtypes - myxoid, mixed and cellular type - depending on the amount of myxoid stroma. Immunohistochemical markers such as S-100, glial fibrillary acidic protein, nerve growth factor receptor, NK1C3 (CD57) and Ki-M1p can be applied to the tumor cells to distinguish among thesethree subtypes of neurothekeoma. Only one case has been previously reported on the hand in Korea. Herein, we report a rare case of myxoid neurothekeoma on the hand with a review of the related literature.
Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; Hand ; Head ; Korea ; Neck ; Nerve Growth Factor ; Neurothekeoma ; Upper Extremity

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to find out the possibilities of the new treatment via continuous stimulation by photo-immobilization of growth factor in the anterior cruciate ligament(ACL) injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Photo-reactive epidermal growth factor(EGF-Az) synthesized by conjugating EGF with N-(4-azidobenzoyloxy)succinimide was immobilized onto biodegradable tissue-regenerative mesh(Bio-Mesh(R)) using UV irradiation. We sutured the BioMesh containing photo-reactive EGF on the artificial defect area of ACL in the left knee of beagle dogs and sutured the BioMesh that was not treated with EGF-Az on the defect area of ACL in the right knee. Four weeks later, we obtained the tissues from the defect area of both ACLs and compared the results of HE stain, immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR in both tissues. RESULTS: In results of HE stain and immunohistochemistry, we observed better cellular proliferation and more definite spindle shape of cells in EGF-immobilized area than in non-EGF defect area. Also cellular density was higher in EGF-immobilized area. On the other hand, cells had shaped more round and cellular density was lower in non-EGF defect area. In results of RT-PCR of GAPDH(Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase), COL I(Collagen type I), COL III and EGF, except for TGF-beta1(Transforming growth factor-beta 1), we also observed more definite expressions in EGF-immobilized area than in non-EGF defect area. CONCLUSION: We were able to confirm rapid cellular proliferation via artificial stimulation effect induced by photo-immobilized EGF. If EGF is immobilized onto biodegradable materials for clinical application, it will contribute to the treatment of ACL injury.
Animals ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament* ; Cell Proliferation ; Dogs* ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; Hand ; Immunohistochemistry ; Knee*