No abstract available.

Although the histologic grade of astrocytic neoplasms of the brain have been used as a prognostic factor, the lack of an objective criteria is possible to create the disagreement of classification. We evaluated 25 cases of astrocytic neoplasms of brain to document the usefulness of prolifera-tive potential of tumor as a prognostic indicator and the correlation with histologic grade by Nils Ringertz. The Ringertz's classification was relatively simple in an application among the variable systems and easy to define the differentiate from grade to grade. The examined cases were com-prised of 7 astrocytomas, 9 anaplastic astrocytomas and 9 glioblastoma multif6rmes. The prolife-rative potential of tumors were measured by Ag-NORs count, PCNA labeling index and flow cytometric analysis. The mean numbers of Ag-NORs per cell and PCNA labeling index were sig-nificantly differ among each histologic grade. In addition, abnormal DNA content and high prolif-erative index were frequently identified in anaplastic astrocytoma and glioblastoma multiforme. Therefore, the Ag-NORs counts, PCNA labeling index, DNA index and proliferative index were well correlated with the histologic grade.

No abstract available.
Humans* ; Keratinocytes* ; Minoxidil*

OBJECTIVE: Linkage analysis is a very useful method for prenatal diagnosis of Hemophilia B, especially when a mutation was not identified. Seven polymorphic markers were studied in Korean populations to evaluate the efficiency for prenatal and carrier diagnosis. METHODS: Subjects of this study was 100 healthy Korean women (200 X-chromosomes). Polymerase chain reacton-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method was used to detect SalI, MseI, NruI, DdeI, XmnI, TaqI and HhaI polymorphisms. RESULTS: SalI (-) allele showed the frequency of 0.355 and SalI(+) allele 0.645. MseI(-) allele was 0.645 in frequency and MseI(+) allele was 0.355. SalI and MseI polymorphisms were in complete linkage disequilibrium. And no increase was expected in overall heterozygosity with these two polymorphisms. NruI(-) allele frequency was 0.855 and NruI(+) was 0.145. There was no polymorphism of DdeI, XmnI and TaqI marker systems in Korean population. In HhaI polymorphism, allele frequencies were estimated that HhaI(-) is 0.82 and HhaI(+) is 0.18. CONCLUSION: Only SalI, NruI and HhaI polymorphisms are useful for the diagnosis of hemophilia B in Korean population. Expected heterozygosity for above 3 poylmorphic markers was estimated to be 0.723, and 71 of 100 female subjects were heterozygous for at least one marker system. Korean population showed relatively low extent of polymorphisms compared to Caucasians, Blacks and Japanese. For the effective prenatal diagnosis of hemophilia B with linkage analysis, other polymorphic markers should be evaluated.
African Continental Ancestry Group ; Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Diagnosis ; Factor IX* ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Hemophilia B ; Humans ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; Prenatal Diagnosis

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to elucidate the clinicopathological significances, including the prognostic role, of metastatic lymph node ratio (mLNR) and tumor deposit diameter in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) through a retrospective review and meta-analysis. METHODS: We categorized the cases into high (≥ 0.44) and low mLNR (< 0.44) and investigated the correlations with clinicopathological parameters in 64 PTCs with neck level VI lymph node (LN) metastasis. In addition, meta-analysis of seven eligible studies was used to investigate the correlation between mLNR and survival. RESULTS: Among 64 PTCs with neck level VI LN metastasis, high mLNR was found in 34 PTCs (53.1%). High mLNR was significantly correlated with macrometastasis (tumor deposit diameter ≥ 0.2 cm), extracapsular spread, and number of metastatic LNs. Based on linear regression test, mLNR was significantly increased by the largest LN size but not the largest metastatic LN (mLN) size. High mLNR was not correlated with nuclear factor κB or cyclin D1 immunohistochemical expression, Ki-67 labeling index, or other pathological parameters of primary tumor. Based on meta-analysis, high mLNR significantly correlated with worse disease-free survival at the 5-year and 10-year follow-up (hazard ratio [HR], 4.866; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.527 to 6.714 and HR, 5.769; 95% CI, 2.951 to 11.275, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed that high mLNR significantly correlated with worse survival, macrometastasis, and extracapsular spread of mLNs. Further cumulative studies for more detailed criteria of mLNR are needed before application in daily practice.
Cyclin D1 ; Disease-Free Survival ; Follow-Up Studies ; Linear Models ; Lymph Nodes ; Neck ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms

BACKGROUND: Dandruff is a common complaint, and is suffered by up to 50% of the population at some time. Malassezia yeasts, which comprise part of the normal skin flora, might be a critical factor in this disease, as they have been found in higher proportions in patients with seborrheic dermatitis or dandruff, its milder form. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of 4 weeks of treatment with 1% zinc pyrithione (ZP) shampoo. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, 4-week treatment period was preceded by a 1-week run-in period. A total of 30 patients were enrolled in this study. Assessments included the patient's subjective score (PSS) and the investigator's assessment score (IAS), images of the affected scalp area, the severity of sebum production, and the erythema and moisturizing effect of the shampoo. RESULTS: 1% ZP shampoo significantly reduced the extent and severity of scaling, as measured by folliscope imaging on visit 2 (p=0.0391) and visit 3 (p=0.0381), as well as pruritus related to the disease as measured by the grading systems, PSS (p=0.0352) and IAS (p=0.0142). Additionally, the results of this study show that a treatment regimen with 1% ZP shampoo significantly reduced scalp sebum production as measured by a sebumeter. Erythema measured by the chromameter was not as meaningful. The corneometric values were slightly increased in the group treated with 1% ZP shampoo but not in the group treated with ZP-free shampoo. Side effects of the ZP shampoo were quite mild and tolerable, and were observed only in a small group of patients. CONCLUSION: 1% ZP shampoo appears to be both effective and well-tolerated when used for the treatment of dandruff.
Dermatitis, Seborrheic ; Erythema ; Humans ; Malassezia ; Organometallic Compounds ; Pruritus ; Pyridines ; Scalp ; Sebum ; Skin ; Yeasts ; Zinc

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to estimate musculo-skeletal symtoms of municipal sanitation workers and to evaluate working conditions of municipal sanitation workers to search for the factors related to musculo-skeletal symptoms. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional survey. The study subjects were comprised of 543 municipal sanitation workers in some divisions of Seoul and the Gyeonggi province. Musculo-skeletal analysis was done by using the modified criteria of NIOSH musuclo-skeletal symptoms, RULA and, REBA. Statistical analysis was done by using the chi-square test, multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: 72.2% of the subjects complained musculo-skeletal symptoms (39.6% on the upperlimbs, 30.0% on the lumbar region, 27.4% on the legs). For the musculo-skeletal symptoms criteria (1~3), street cleaners complained of more musculo-skeletal symptoms than the solid waste collectors, after classifying the jobs of sanitation workers. On logistic regression analysis of the musculo-skeletal "symptoms criteria1" positive groups, age was related to the criteria positive (prevalence odds ratio=1.018, 95% CI: 0.993-1.046). The worktime was significantly related to 'criteria positive 1 and, 2' (prevalence odds ratio=2.165 (95% CI: 1.156-4.131), 2.187 times (95% CI: 1.071-4.651)). The RULA score, the subtotal A score of RULA, the REBA score and , the total A REBA score of the upperlimbs of solid waste collectors were higher than those of the street cleaners. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of the lower ergonomic evaluation score of the street cleaner, the street cleaners complained of more musculo-skeletal symptoms than did the solid waste collectors due to more frequent repetitive motions, a longer work time (over 10 hours) etc. It is suggested that the sanitation workers need to use the proper methods to avoid musculo-skeletal disease.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Human Engineering ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Lumbosacral Region ; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (U.S.) ; Sanitation ; Solid Waste ; Task Performance and Analysis ; Upper Extremity

BACKGROUND: Because the mortality rate of invasive aspergillosis (IA) is more than 50%, an early diagnosis and appropriate management are important to achieve a favorable outcome. Aspergillus galactomannan(AG)antigen test has recently been introduced for diagnosis and monitoring of IA. This study was to evaluate the clinical utility of AG detection in diagnosis of IA. METHODS: One hundred and seventy-five samples from 149 patients were tested for AG during the period from September 2004 to May 2005 and the results were evaluated retrospectively. IA was diagnosed into 'proven','probable'and 'possible', groups based on patients' clinical laboratory findings as per European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycoses Study Group. AG was tested using a Platelia Aspergillus antigen ELISA (Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA, USA); the optical density (OD) of the test specimen was divided by the mean OD of two cut-off controls. The test was classified as positive when the OD ratio was > or =1.5; ratios 1-1.5 were classified as equivocal. Clinical Information was obtained from the electronic medical records of the patients. RESULTS: Of the 175 samples tested, 19 were positive, 14 equivocal, and 142 negative for AG. A number of the 'proven', 'probable', and 'possible'IA patients were 2, 15, and 28, respectively. At the OD ratio of 1.5, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were 76.9%, 94.7%, 58.8%, and 97.7%, respectively, when 4 false-negative patients treated with amphotericin B before Aspergillus antigen test were excluded. CONCLUSION: The Platelia Aspergillus ELISA demonstrated an excellent sensitivity, specificity and NPV for the diagnosis of IA. A combined use of the antigen test with microbiological and clinical evaluation might facilitate the early diagnosis of IA and, consequently, improve its clinical outcome.
Amphotericin B ; Aspergillosis* ; Aspergillus* ; Diagnosis* ; Early Diagnosis ; Electronic Health Records ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Immunoassay* ; Mortality ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity

PURPOSE: It is known that deficiency of metallothionein (MT) and manganese-containing superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), scavengers of reactive oxygen species, results in aging and carcinogenesis by inducing DNA damage. Paraquat can produce reactive oxygen species and induce antioxidants in human. In this study, an attempt was made to verify the relation between gastric carcinogensis and the induction rates of these antioxidants. METHODS: Peripheral blood of 24 randomly selected patients with gastric cancer, who were treated at Chosun University Hospital between Febuuary 1999 and December 1999, was examined. 3 male and 3 female patients in each decade from 40 to 70 years were selected. Twenty-four (24) volunteers with no laboratory, chemical, radiologic and endoscopic abnormalities during the same period were used for the normal control group. White blood cells were isolated from peripheral blood and incubated in culture media, including paraquat, for 18 hours at 37oC. MT and Mn-SOD mRNA expressions were examined using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. RESULTS: The induction rates of MT and Mn-SOD mRNA in the cancer group due to paraquat were lower than those in the control group. Also, the rates decreased in both groups with age. CONCLUSION: The inducibilities of MT and Mn-SOD mRNA by paraquat may play a role in the carcinogenesis of gastric cancer and in the aging process. Based on this result, patients with a high risk of gastric cancer should be screened actively for early detection.
Aging ; Antioxidants ; Carcinogenesis ; Culture Media ; DNA Damage ; Female ; Humans ; Leukocytes* ; Male ; Metallothionein* ; Paraquat* ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; RNA, Messenger ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Superoxide Dismutase* ; Superoxides* ; Volunteers

No abstract available.
Keratosis*