Many carcinomas have an active mononuclear cell infiltrates surrounding tumor. Various in vitro assays have shown that cellular constituents of peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC) can alter growth of carcinoma cell line. Author compared the effects of normal fibroblasts on squamous cell carcinoma cell line(SCL-1) along with those of sctivated and/or nonactivated PBMC on SCI 1 using a skin equivalent system. This system prevents direct cellular contact by growing SCL-1 on an overlying Millicell-HA membrane and normal fibroblast or supernatants of PBMC in a lower chamber. Normal fibroblasts enhanced the outgrowth of SCL-1 and induced a more organized phenotype of SCL-1. Supernatants from nonstimulated PBMC suppressed outgrowth of SCL 1, and concanavalin A stimulated PBMC supernatants alterd rnorphology of cultured SCL-1 from a disorganized phenotype to a more organized phenotype. It is concluded that fibroblasts and PBMC may affect the growth and differentiation of SCL-1 via their mediators(cytokines)
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Cell Line* ; Concanavalin A ; Fibroblasts* ; Membranes ; Phenotype ; Skin

Castleman disease is a benign disorder, usually occurring within mediastinum, characterized by proliferation of lymphold tissue. The authors report a rare case of Castleman disease originating from mesenteric root. The tumor was highly vascular, proved by dynamic CT examination and splanchnic angiography.
Angiography ; Giant Lymph Node Hyperplasia* ; Mediastinum

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although the only therapy of proven benefit for chronic hepatitis C is interferon alpha, the rate of sustained response after treatment with interferon is less than 25%. A 6-month course of combination therapy with interferon and ribavirin was associated with higher rate of long-term response than either interferon or ribavirin alone. Pilot studies suggested that combination of interferon and ursodeoxy-cholic acid (UDCA) resulted in higher biochemical response than interferon alone. We investigated the rates of end of treatment response(ETR) and sustained response(SR) of combination therapy of interferon e2a, ribavirin and UDCA and compared it with interferon a 2a alone. METHODS: Ninty-five naive patients with chronic hepatitis C who have been positive for anti-HCV by 3rd generation EIA and HCV RNA by RT-PCR and had elevated level of ALT over 6 months were included. They were assigned to three groups. Thirty seven patients in group 1 were treated with interferon a 2a (3MU thrice weekly) in combination with ribavirin (600mg/day) and UDCA (600mg/day) for 6 months. Twenty nine patients in group 2 were treated with the same dose of interferon a 2a alone for 6 months. Changes of ALT and HCV RNA were observed over 12 months (average 3029 mos) after the end of treatment in both groups. Twenty nine patients in group 3 were observed over 12 months without antiviral treatment. HCV genotypes were tested by Innop-Lipa in 24 patients in group 1. RESULTS: In group 1, not only ETR (68%) but also 12 month SR rate (54%) was significantly higher than group 2(31%, 21% respectively). There was no difference in relapse rate between two groups. The level of ALT became normalized and HCV RNA negative within 1 month after treatment in most responders in group l. Genotype 1b was associated with lower ETR and SR than non-lb, although not significant stastistically. CONCLUSION: Both the ETR and 12 month SR rate were significantly higher after combination treatment of interferon a 2a, ribavirin and UDCA than interferon e 2a alone in chronic hepatitis C. It is suggested that this combination is preferable to interferon alone in the treatment of naive patients with chronic hepatitis C.
Genotype ; Hepatitis C, Chronic* ; Hepatitis, Chronic* ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha* ; Interferons* ; Recurrence ; Ribavirin* ; RNA

No abstract available.
Gene Expression* ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning* ; Virulence*

BACKGROUNDS: Behavioral and psychological symptoms as well as cognitive impairement are very disturbing symptoms in dementia. It is important in managing dementia patient to control these behavioral and psychological symptoms. In this study, we examined the effect of risperidone and optimal therapeutic dosage on controlling these behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). METHODS: 57 patients (male: 19, female: 38) with dementia, aged 65 and older in Buyeo geriatric hospital located in Buyeo-gun, chung-nam, were finally included in this study. risperidone was administrated to these subjects for 10 weeks to control BPSD. Behavioral Pathology in Alzheimer's Disease Rating Scale (BEHAVE-AD) was rated before administration of risperidone and after administration of risperidone for 10 weeks to evaluate the improvement of BPSD. Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) was rated before administration of risperidone. The correlation between baseline GDS score and the change of sum score of BEHAVE-AD was analyzed. RESULT: The mean dose of resperidone at the endpoint was 0.706+/-0.522 mg/d. The significant reduction of the sum score of BEHAVE-AD was observed in subjects after administration of risperidone for 10 weeks. Clinical improvement (> or =50% reduction of sum score of BEHAVE-AD from baseline sum score) was showed in 32 subjects (56.1%) among 57 subjects. Also there was weakly negative correlation between baseline GDS score and the change of sum score of BEHAVE0AD. CONCLUSION: Risperidone was effective in controlling BPSD of dementia patients at 0.706+/-0.522 mg/d.
Alzheimer Disease ; Dementia* ; Female ; Humans ; Pathology ; Risperidone*

No abstract available.
Adenoma* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn*

No abstract available.
Fibronectins* ; Staphylococcus aureus* ; Staphylococcus*

The limb-body wall malformation complex is a sporadic congenital anomaly characterized by protean manifestations. The diagnosis is based upon the presence of at least two out of craniofacial anomaly, body wall defect, and limb abnormalities. We present a case of limb-body wall malformation complex. This case shows abdominal and pelvic wall defects with eventration of the viscera. It also shows an absence of right kidney, polycystic left kidney, absence of external genitalia and anus, and lower extremity abnormalities. The right lower extremity is absent and the deformed left leg shows malformed foot-like structure attached to the shin in addition to a normally positioned left foot. Our patient is the first case of complete absence of the external genitalia associated with limb-body wall malformation complex in Korean publications and the seventh in English publications.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Lamivudine, an oral nucleoside analogue, effectively inhibits hepatitis B virus replication and reduces hepatic necroinflammation in patients with chronic hepatitis B. This study investigated the effect and safety of 12 week lamivudine therapy in Korean patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). METHODS: In an open clinical trial, 113 patients with CHB were enrolled. They received 100 mg of lamivudine orally once daily for 12 weeks, and they were followed until 2 weeks after cessation of lamivudine. HBV DNA (by bDNA assay), liver enzymes, creatine phosphokinase, creatinine and CBC were checked at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 14 weeks. Compliance and side effects were evaluated at the same time. RESULTS: After receiving lamivudine 100 mg, serum HBV DNA levels fell rapidly, remaining in 94.3% below baseline values at 2 weeks and 99.8% below baseline values at 12 weeks. Serum HBV DNA was cleared in 75.2% and alanine aminotransferase level (ALT) was normalized in 64.8% at 12 weeks. Cumulative percentage of HBeAg clearance (defined by clearance of serum HBV DNA and HBeAg) was 14.4%. Clearance of HBV DNA was more frequent in patients with lower pretreatment serum HBV DNA and higher ALT. During the treatment periods, adverse effects were negligible and transient. Two weeks after cessation of lamivudine, serum HBV DNA reappeared in 70.6% of responders. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that lamivudine is effective and safe in the treatment of CHB in Korean patients, but further study for adequate duration of treatment is needed because of high recurrence after 12 weeks therapy.
Alanine Transaminase ; Compliance ; Creatine Kinase ; Creatinine ; DNA ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic* ; Hepatitis, Chronic* ; Humans ; Lamivudine* ; Liver ; Recurrence

No abstract available.
Gene Expression* ; Virulence*