Oral antibiotics are usually prescribed for geriatric patients for the treatment of infectious diarrhea and management of hepatic encephalopathy. But oral antibiotics have systemic adverse events, so many doctors face the issue of choosing the right antibiotics. Rifaximin, an intestinal topical antibiotic that exhibits a wide antimicrobial activity against both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, has various indications, such as acute bacterial diarrhea caused by Gram positive and negative bacteria, traveler's diarrhea, small intestine bacterial overgrowth, prevention of infection after gastrointestinal surgery, and the management of hepatic encephalopathy with hyperammoniemia. But there are few clinical trial data on the geriatric population. Hence we reviewed the clinical study data that included geriatric patients in their clinical trials. Based on our literature searches, only one clinical trial on acute bacterial diarrhea was performed only for geriatric patients. Other clinical trials for various indications usually recruited elderly patients, but the number of elderly patients was limited. However, generally speaking, rifaximin showed good efficacy and safety profile in acute bacterial diarrhea caused by Gram positive and negative bacteria, traveler's diarrhea, small intestine bacterial overgrowth, prevention of infection after gastrointestinal surgery, and the management of hepatic encephalopathy with hyperammoniemia; and there were no differences in efficacy and safety, compared to the nongeriatric population. We concluded that rifaximin is a good therapeutic option for various gastrointestinal indications, and shows good efficacy and an excellent safety profile, compared to other oral agents. For more evidence on the geriatric population, we propose clinical trials on elderly patients for each indication.
Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteria ; Bacteria, Anaerobic ; Diarrhea ; Hepatic Encephalopathy ; Humans ; Intestine, Small ; Rifamycins

BACKGROUND: S100A6 is a calcium-binding protein overexpressed in several tumor cell lines including melanoma with high metastatic activity and involved in various cellular processes such as cell division and differentiation. To detect S100A6 protein in patient' samples (ex, blood or tissue), it is essential to produce a monoclonal antibody specific to the protein. METHODS: First, cDNA coding for ORF region of human S100A6 gene was amplified and cloned into the expression vector for GST fusion protein. We have produced recombinant S100A6 protein and subsequently, monoclonal antibodies to the protein. The specificity of anti-S100A6 monoclonal antibody was confirmed using recombinant S100A recombinant proteins of other S100A family (GST-S100A1, GST-S100A2 and GST-S100A4) and the cell lysates of several human cell lines. Also, to identify the specific recognition site of the monoclonal antibody, we have performed the immunoblot analysis with serially deleted S100A6 recombinant proteins. RESULTS: GST-S100A6 recombinant protein was induced and purified. And then S100A6 protein excluding GST protein was obtained and monoclonal antibody to the protein was produced. Monoclonal antibody (K02C12-1; patent number, 330311) has no cross-reaction to several other S100 family proteins. It appears that anti- S100A6 monoclonal antibody reacts with the region containing the amino acid sequence from 46 to 61 of S100A6 protein. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that anti-S100A6 monoclonal antibody produced can be very useful in development of diagnostic system for S100A6 protein.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Cell Division ; Cell Line ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Clinical Coding ; Clone Cells ; DNA, Complementary ; Ecthyma, Contagious ; Humans* ; Melanoma ; Recombinant Proteins ; Sensitivity and Specificity

BACKGROUND: S100A6 is a calcium-binding protein overexpressed in several tumor cell lines including melanoma with high metastatic activity and involved in various cellular processes such as cell division and differentiation. To detect S100A6 protein in patient' samples (ex, blood or tissue), it is essential to produce a monoclonal antibody specific to the protein. METHODS: First, cDNA coding for ORF region of human S100A6 gene was amplified and cloned into the expression vector for GST fusion protein. We have produced recombinant S100A6 protein and subsequently, monoclonal antibodies to the protein. The specificity of anti-S100A6 monoclonal antibody was confirmed using recombinant S100A recombinant proteins of other S100A family (GST-S100A1, GST-S100A2 and GST-S100A4) and the cell lysates of several human cell lines. Also, to identify the specific recognition site of the monoclonal antibody, we have performed the immunoblot analysis with serially deleted S100A6 recombinant proteins. RESULTS: GST-S100A6 recombinant protein was induced and purified. And then S100A6 protein excluding GST protein was obtained and monoclonal antibody to the protein was produced. Monoclonal antibody (K02C12-1; patent number, 330311) has no cross-reaction to several other S100 family proteins. It appears that anti- S100A6 monoclonal antibody reacts with the region containing the amino acid sequence from 46 to 61 of S100A6 protein. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that anti-S100A6 monoclonal antibody produced can be very useful in development of diagnostic system for S100A6 protein.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Cell Division ; Cell Line ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Clinical Coding ; Clone Cells ; DNA, Complementary ; Ecthyma, Contagious ; Humans* ; Melanoma ; Recombinant Proteins ; Sensitivity and Specificity

PURPOSE: We characterized the signals obtained from the components of a small gamma camera using NaI(Tl)-position sensitive photomultiplier tube (PSPMT) and optimized the parameters employed in the modules of the system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The small gamma camera system consists of a NaI(Tl) crystal (60x60x6 mm3) coupled with a Hamamatsu R3941 PSPMT, a resister chain circuit, preamplifiers, nuclear instrument modules (NIMs), an analog to digital converter and a personal computer for control and display. The PSPMT was read out using a resistive charge division circuit which multiplexes the 34 cross wire anode channels into 4 signals (X+, X-, Y+, Y-). Those signals were individually amplified by four preamplifiers and then, shaped and amplified by amplifiers. The signals were discriminated and digitized via triggering signal and used to localize the position of an event by applying the Anger logic. The gamma camera control and image display was performed by a program implemented using a graphic software. RESULTS: The characteristics of signal and the parameters employed in each module of the system were presented. The intrinsic sensitivity of the system was approximately 8x103 counts/sec/microcurie. The intrinsic energy resolution of the system was 18% FWHM at 140 keV. The spatial resolution obtained using a line-slit mask and 99mTc point source were, respectively, 2.2 and 2.3 mm FWHM in X and Y directions. Breast phantom containing 2~7 mm diameter spheres was successfully imaged with a parallel hole collimator. The image displayed accurate size and activity distribution over the imaging field of view. CONCLUSION: We proposed a simple method for development of a small gamma camera and presented the characteristics of the signals from the system and the optimized parameters used in the modules of the small gamma camera.
Anger ; Breast ; Electrodes ; Gamma Cameras* ; Logic ; Masks ; Microcomputers

CD44 is a glycoprotein expressed in a wide variety of cell types. Recently expression of some alternatively-spliced variants of CD44 transcripts (CD44v) has been suggested to play a potential role in tumor metastasis and the detection of CD44v containing exon 6 to 11 may be helpful for the diagnosis of cancers. Expressions of CD44v containing exon 6 to 11 were investigated in 20 human colorectal cancer samples, peripheral blood leukocytes isolated from colorectal cancer patients, and 4 colorectal cancer cell lines using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot analysis. The standard form of CD44 transcripts was expressed in all samples tested. CD44v containing exon 6 to 11 was expressed in 18 cases of colorectal cancers (sensitivity = 90%), 3 out of 4 cell lines, and one normal tissue (specificity = 95%). These results suggest that the expression of CD44v containing exon 6 to 11 can be regarded as tumor specific and that this marker may be helpful for the early diagnosis of colon cancers, if specimens from the early stage are available.
Adenocarcinoma/*genetics ; Adult ; Aged ; Antigens, CD44/*genetics ; Base Sequence ; Blotting, Southern ; Colorectal Neoplasms/diagnosis/*genetics ; DNA Primers ; Electrophoresis, Agar Gel ; Feces/chemistry/cytology ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/genetics ; Human ; Male ; Middle Age ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA Splicing/*physiology ; RNA, Messenger/analysis ; Tumor Cells, Cultured/*physiology ; Tumor Markers, Biological

Although genitourinary leiomyoma may arise in any anatomic structure containing smooth muscle, primary leiomyoma of the bladder is rare. This tumor is usually asymptomatic unless urinary tract function is affected. We experienced a case of leiomyoma of the bladder with back pain in a 42 year old woman.
Adult ; Back Pain* ; Female ; Humans ; Leiomyoma* ; Muscle, Smooth ; Urinary Bladder* ; Urinary Tract

We carried out an immunohistochemical study and DNA analysis of 14 surgical specimens of primary bladder carcinoma and paired sample of normal bladder mucosa to evaluate p53 over expression, point mutation by polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis(PCR-SSCP). The immunohistochemical study demonstrated immunoreactivity for p53 protein in ten cases out of 14(71%) with monoclonal antibody (NCL-p53-DO-7, Novocastra Lab. UK). Mobility shifts were detected by PCR-SSCP in p53 gene exons 4-8 in six cases out of 14(42.9%). p53 gene mutations were observed in invasive cases(85.7%) and superficial cases (50%) by immunohistochemistry. Correlation was not observed between the presence of p53 gene mutations and the histological differentiation and invasiveness of the cancer. Considering frequent p53 alterations in invasive cases, it will be necessary to reevaluate p53 alterations in bladder cancer and the correlation to the prognosis in bladder cancer.
DNA ; Exons ; Genes, p53* ; Immunohistochemistry* ; Mucous Membrane ; Point Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prognosis ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms* ; Urinary Bladder*

OBJECTIVES: This study is planned to assess the trend of occupational injuries in Korea from 2001 to 2010. METHODS: Ten years of occupational injuries, from 2001 to 2010, were analyzed in order to investigate the changing profiles according to the various characteristics of injuries; economic sectors, age of the injured, and type of injuries. The changing profile of occupational injuries was investigated by comparison with an index-created relative value based on the number of cases of reference category. RESULTS: The fatalities of construction, forest, agriculture, and service show the increasing trend. The nonfatal occupational injuries of the manufacturing sector were higher than those of other sectors in every year but the fatal occupational injuries of construction workers were higher than those of the manufacturing sector. Occupational injuries occurring due to amputation and those of slip and trip increased. The number of occupational injuries for the worker groups of 24 years old and below decreased and 45 years old and above increased. In comparison to the figure of fall from height, the figures of slip and trip or caught in equipment are higher in every calendar year. CONCLUSION: This study find out construction, forest, agriculture, and service sectors, aged worker with 45 years old and over can be target population for the strategies of occupational safety.
Aged ; Agriculture ; Amputation ; Health Services Needs and Demand ; Humans ; Korea ; Occupational Health ; Occupational Injuries

PURPOSE: We evaluated the feasibility of extracting pure left ventricular blood pool and myocardial time-activity curves (TACs) and of generating factor images from human dynamic N-13 ammonia PET using factor analysis. The myocardial blood flow (MBF) estimates obtained with factor analysis were compared with those obtained with the user drawn region-of-interest (ROI) method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stress and rest N-13 ammonia cardiac PET imaging was acquired for 23 min in 5 patients with coronary artery disease using GE Advance tomograph. Factor analysis generated physiological TACs and factor images using the normalized TACs from each dixel. Four steps were involved in this algorithm: (a) data preprocessing; (b) principal component analysis; (c) oblique rotation with positivity constraints; (d) factor image computation. Area under curves and MBF estimated using the two compartment N-13 ammonia model were used to validate the accuracy of the factor analysis generated physiological TACs. The MBF estimated by factor analysis was compared to the values estimated by using the ROI method. RESULTS: MBF values obtained by factor analysis were linearly correlated with MBF obtained by the ROI method (slope=0.84, r=0.91). Left ventricular blood pool TACs obtained by the two methods agreed well (Area under curve ratio: 1.02 (0~1 min), 0.98 (0~2 min), 0.86 (1~2 min)). CONCLUSION:: The RESULTS of this study demonstrates that MBF can be measured accurately and noninvasively with dynamic N-13 ammonia PET imaging and factor analysis. This method is simple and accurate, and can measure MBF without blood sampling, ROI definition or spillover correction. KW: N-13 ammonia, PET, Myocardial blood flow, Factor analysis
Ammonia* ; Area Under Curve ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Factor Analysis, Statistical* ; Humans ; Principal Component Analysis

The goals of developments in nuclear medicine instrumentation are to offer a higher-quality image and to aid diagnosis, prognosis assessment or treatment planning and monitoring. It is necessary for physicists and engineers to improve or design new instrumentation and technique, and to implement, validate, and apply these new approaches in the practice of nuclear medicine. The researches in physical properties of detectors and crystal materials and advance in image analysis technology have improved quantitative and diagnostic accuracy of nuclear medicine images. This review article presents recent developments in nuclear medicine instrumentation, including scatter and attenuation correction, new detector technology, tomographic image reconstruction methods, 511 keV imaging, dual modality imaging device, small gamma camera, PET developments, image display and analysis methods.
Diagnosis ; Gamma Cameras ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Nuclear Medicine* ; Prognosis