We found a rare case of uncommon branching pattern with a prominent articular ramus of the inferior gluteal artery in a 39-year-old Korean male cadaver, whose cause of death was rectal carcinoma. The inferior gluteal artery branches off downwards at a time, the muscular rami ran in parallel with one another, and the articular ramus gave another muscular branch and has an anastomosis with the medial circumflex femoral artery. Knowledge of vascular variations in the gluteal region may give useful information of versatile flaps for reconstruction and the prominent articular ramus found in this case is good enough to consider the existence of the anastomosis between the medial circumflex femoral artery and the inferior gluteal artery as normal, not rudimentary
Adult ; Arteries* ; Buttocks ; Cadaver* ; Cause of Death ; Femoral Artery ; Humans ; Male

We found a rare case of uncommon branching pattern with a prominent articular ramus of the inferior gluteal artery in a 39-year-old Korean male cadaver, whose cause of death was rectal carcinoma. The inferior gluteal artery branches off downwards at a time, the muscular rami ran in parallel with one another, and the articular ramus gave another muscular branch and has an anastomosis with the medial circumflex femoral artery. Knowledge of vascular variations in the gluteal region may give useful information of versatile flaps for reconstruction and the prominent articular ramus found in this case is good enough to consider the existence of the anastomosis between the medial circumflex femoral artery and the inferior gluteal artery as normal, not rudimentary
Adult ; Arteries* ; Buttocks ; Cadaver* ; Cause of Death ; Femoral Artery ; Humans ; Male

PURPOSE: Cancer of the uterine cervix remains the leading cause of cancer death in Korean women. Conventional examinations still have limitations with regards to sensitivity and specificity in diagnosis and to monitoring of the disease. Thus, an additional specific tumor marker is needed for early detection of recunence of uterine cervical carcinoma and for estimation of prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Monoclonal antibodies against human cervical carcinoma were generated using hybridoma technology. These tnurine monoclonal antibodies were produced by fusion of spleen cells obtained from mice immunized with CUMC-6, a human cell line of squamous cell carcinoma derived from uterine cervix, and P3-X63-Ag8 mouse myeloma cells. RESULTS: We obtained 415 hybridomas secreting specific monoclonal antibodies to cervical carcinoma antigen continuously. Among them, one hybridoma designated CCS that was highly reactive with cervical carcinoma was selected and examined on. the staining pattern and the reactivity with antigenic detenninants of cervical carcinoma. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that CCS monoclonal antibody reacted with all of the seven cervical carcinoma tissues, but also reacted with one of the ten (10%) normal cervical tissues. Westem blot analysis showed that CC5 monoclonal antibody detected single 19.5-kDa protein band in cervical cancer patient's sera. The detection rate was 88% (7/8). However, the antibody did not show any reactivity to 15 sera of normal healthy women tested. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic (SDS-PAGE) analysis of CCS monoclonal antibody immunoprecipitates of extracts of L-[S] methionine-labeled human cer vical carcinoma cells showed a major band in apparent molecular weight of 51,000 daltons. The isotype and subclass of CC5 monoclonal antibody was IgG2b in hemagglutination assay. CONCLUSIONS: We have developed a new monoclonal antibody, CC5, against squamous cell carcinoma of the human uterine cervix. Further investigation is needed to establish this monoclonal antibody as an immunodiagnostic devise for cervical cancer.
Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cell Line ; Cervix Uteri ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Hemagglutination ; Humans ; Hybridomas ; Immunoglobulin G ; Mice ; Molecular Weight ; Prognosis ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate ; Spleen ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

TNF-alpha antagonists have been successfully utilized in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, including psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Paradoxically, new onset or exacerbation of psoriatic lesions during treatment with TNF-alpha antagonists have been reported. It has been postulated that TNF-alpha blockade may cause disruption in the balance between TNF-alpha and type 1 interferon (IFN)-alpha, which are the key players in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. We report a case of psoriasis exacerbation during TNF-alpha antagonist therapy in a 53-years-old man with ankylosing spondylitis. The patient has been treated with etanercept for 3 years and 7 months when he developed accelerated deterioration of psoriasis. His condition was previously under control solely by local treatment. Physical examination revealed vigorous desquamative lesions with silvery scale in both lower legs. Deterioration of psoriasis was attributed to etanercept therapy and was subsequently discontinued. Clinical improvement of psoriasis has been observed 2 months following cessation of etanercept.
Arthritis, Psoriatic ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Humans ; Etanercept ; Immunoglobulin G ; Interferons ; Leg ; Physical Examination ; Psoriasis ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor ; Skin ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

OBJECTIVES: Percutaneous renal biopsy may be carried out in several ways. Recently, the use of a spring-loaded biopsy gun has become popularized. There have been much controversies on the tissue adequacy and the incidence of complications when compared to the manual biopsy. The present study was performed to compare tissue adequacy and the incidence of complications between manual biopsy and automated biopsy. METHODS: We have studied 108 patients in whom the method of renal biopsy was assigned to one of the two methods[14G Tru-cut needle manual bx (group I) and 18G automated gun biopsy(group II)] according to their national resident's identification number in a randomized and prospective manner. RESULTS: There were 50 patients in group I and 58 patients in group II. There was no difference in gender, age, hemoglobin, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, diastolic and systolic blood pressure pre-biopsy in group I and II. Indications for biopsies were proteinuria accompained by hematuria (37%), proteinuria(34.3%), acute renal failure (9.3%), SLE (8.3%), chronic renal failure (5.6%), hematuria only (5.6%). In Group I the number of passes was 2.4+/-0.8, the glomeruli obtained were 25.3+/-13.2 and the number of glomeruli per pass were 11.6+/-6.5, and in Group II 3.4+/-1.1, 19.4+/-10.8, and 6.8+/-4.0, respectively. These showed a significant difference (p<0.05). In all cases pathological diagnosis were possible. The histology showed IgA nephropathy in 27.8%, MCNS in 14.8%, lupus nephritis in 11.1, MGN in 11.1%, MPGN in 7.4%, and others. The incidence and area of perinephric hematoma demonstrated on ultrasound 24 hours post-biopsy was increased in group I (24%, 937.7+/-640.0mm2 compared to 10.3%, 372.4+/-327.4mm2 in group II) although no statistically significant difference existed. There was no significant difference in gender, age, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, systolic and diastolic blood pressure between the group with and without hematomas. Hematocrit levels before and after biopsy showed a significant difference (34.5+/-8.2, 33.5+/-8.1, p<0.05) in group I, but no significant difference was observed in group II (34.7+/-6.4, 34.8+/-6.4). CONCLUSION: Both techniques rendered adequate tissue sampling, but the extent of bleeding seems to be more severe with manual 14G Tru-cut needle biopsy.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Biopsy* ; Biopsy, Needle ; Blood Pressure ; Diagnosis ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA ; Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative ; Hematocrit ; Hematoma ; Hematuria ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Incidence ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Lupus Nephritis ; Needles ; Partial Thromboplastin Time ; Prospective Studies* ; Proteinuria ; Prothrombin Time ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: Interindividual genetic differences in susceptibility to chemical carcinogens are one of the most important host factors in human cancer. The genetically determined differences in metabolism, related to cytochrome P450 (CYP450) genes have been reported to be associated with various cancer susceptibility. The present study was set up to establish the frequency of the polymorphic genotypes of two CYP450 (CYP2E1/PstI and CYP2E1/DraI) isozymes in Korea, to evaluate a possible increased incidence of the genotype associated with higher cervical cancer risks among Korean cervical cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, extracted DNAs from 228 cervical cancer patients and 360 normal healthy controls were analysed with the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymosphism (PCR-RFLP) method. RESULTS: In the CYP 2E1 genotypes, detected by PstI or RsaI digestion, there were no statistically remarkable differences between the cervical cancer patients and control groups. And when the cervical cancer patients were divided into subgroups with respect to the age, the frequency of CYP 2E1/PstI polymorphisms in the cervical cancer patients under the 40 years old was not significantly higher compared to the controls or the patients above the 40 years old and, c1/c1 genotype was prominent in this type of polymorphism. The frequency of CYP 2E1/DraI polymorphisms in the cervical cancer patients was not significantly higher compared to the controls, and D/D genotype was prominent in this type of polymorphism. In cervical carcinoma, the polymorphic genotypes of CYP 2E1 were not correlated to other parameters including clinical stage, histological tumor type, and degree of differentiation. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that individuals carrying CYP 2E1/PstI (c1/c1) or CYP 2E1/DraI (D/D) alleles are not genetically susceptible to cervical cancer in Korea.
Adult ; Alleles ; Carcinogens ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1* ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System* ; Cytochromes* ; Digestion ; DNA ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease* ; Genotype ; Humans ; Incidence ; Isoenzymes ; Korea ; Metabolism ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We sought to characterize the lesion characteristics of mitral valve prolapse (MVP), which is being increasingly recognized as a cause of mitral regurgitation (MR) in Koreans SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 497 Patients with MVP that was diagnosed by echocardiography in 13 university-affiliated hospitals from Jan to Dec 2003 were prospectively enrolled in our study. RESULTS: A total of 497 patients (270 males, 54%) were enrolled and their mean age was 52+/-17 years. Grade 4 MR was present in 272 patients (54.7%); grade 3, 2 and 1 MR as present in 30.2%, 10.7% and 4.2%, respectively. MVP of the anterior and posterior mitral leaflet was present in 170 patients (34.2%) and 223 patients (44.9%), respectively; MVP developed in both leaflets in 104 patients (20.9%). In 37 patients (7.4%), MVP developed in all 6 segments of the mitral leaflet and these patients were younger (37+/-14 versus 54+/-16 years, respectively, p<0.05) and had a lower prevalence of chordae rupture and severe MR compared to the other patients. Among the 266 mitral segments showing prolapse in the 132 patients (26.6%) who underwent transesophageal echocardiography, the posterior medial scallop was the most frequently diseased one (26%), and this was followed by the posterior middle scallop (18%), the medial (17%), lateral (14%) and middle (13%) part of the anterior leaflet, and the posterior lateral scallop (12%). Younger patients with a mean age <45 years showed a lower prevalence of single segment prolapse, hypertension, severe MR and chordae rupture compared to the older patients (p<0.001, each). CONCLUSION: The medial part of both mitral leaflets was the predilection site for the development of MVP in Koreans and the lesion characteristics were different according to the patients' age.
Echocardiography* ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Korea* ; Male ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; Mitral Valve Prolapse* ; Mitral Valve* ; Pectinidae ; Prevalence ; Prolapse ; Prospective Studies* ; Rupture

Since 2013, the Hospital-based Influenza Morbidity and Mortality (HIMM) surveillance system began a H7N9 influenza surveillance scheme for returning travelers in addition to pre-existing emergency room (ER)-based influenza-like illness (ILI) surveillance and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) surveillance. Although limited to eastern China, avian A/H7N9 influenza virus is considered to have the highest pandemic potential among currently circulating influenza viruses. During the study period between October 1st, 2013 and April 30th, 2016, 11 cases presented with ILI within seven days of travel return. These patients visited China, Hong Kong, or neighboring Southeast Asian countries, but none of them visited a livestock market. Seasonal influenza virus (54.5%, 6 among 11) was the most common cause of ILI among returning travelers, and avian A/H7N9 influenza virus was not detected during the study period.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; China ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Hong Kong ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H7N9 Subtype ; Influenza, Human ; Livestock ; Mortality ; Orthomyxoviridae ; Pandemics ; Seasons

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of our new video-assisted asthma education program on patients' knowledge regarding asthma and asthma control. METHODS: Adult asthmatics who were diagnosed by primary care physicians and followed for at least 1 year were educated via smart devices and pamphlets. The education sessions were carried out three times at 2-week intervals. Each education period lasted at most 5 minutes. The effectiveness was then evaluated using questionnaires and an asthma control test (ACT). RESULTS: The study enrolled 144 patients (mean age, 56.7±16.7 years). Half of the patients had not been taught how to use their inhalers. After participating in the education program, the participants' understanding of asthma improved significantly across all six items of a questionnaire assessing their general knowledge of asthma. The proportion of patients who made errors while manipulating their inhalers was reduced to less than 10%. The ACT score increased from 16.6±4.6 to 20.0±3.9 (p<0.001). The number of asthmatics whose ACT score was at least 20 increased from 45 (33.3%) to 93 (65.3%) (p<0.001). The magnitude of improvement in the ACT score did not differ between patients who received an education session at least three times within 1 year and those who had not. The majority of patients agreed to the need for an education program (95.8%) and showed a willingness to pay an additional cost for the education (81.9%). CONCLUSION: This study indicated that our newly developed education program would become an effective component of asthma management in primary care clinics.
Adult ; Asthma* ; Education* ; Humans ; Nebulizers and Vaporizers ; Pamphlets ; Physicians, Primary Care ; Primary Health Care*

Acromegaly is a chronic disorder caused by excessive growth hormone (GH) secretion. In most cases, the excess GH originates from GH-producing pituitary adenomas. Surgery is the preferred first-line treatment for patients with acromegaly, but medical management is considered when the disease persists after surgery or in cases where patients refuse surgery or are poor candidates for surgery. Somatostatin analogues are commonly used to treat acromegaly. The Korean Endocrine Society and the Korean Neuroendocrine Study Group have developed a position statement for the use of somatostatin analogues in the medical treatment of acromegaly. This position statement is based on evidence from the current literature and expert opinions. In the case of discrepancies among expert opinions, the experts voted to determine the recommended approach.
Acromegaly ; Expert Testimony ; Growth Hormone ; Humans ; Octreotide ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; Somatostatin