No abstract available.
Cardiovascular Diseases* ; Echocardiography*

BACKGROUND: When cells or organisms are exposed to environmental stresses, they respond by synthesizing a characteristic group of proteins called heat shock proteins(HSP) or stress proteins. In a variety of HSP, the so-called HSP 70 family is the most prominent, conserved, and best characterized. The HSP 70 family is required for survival of cells during and after thermal stress. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to investigate if the cultured human melanocytes and rnelanotic malignant melanoma cell lines(SK 30) expressed HSP 70 family unstressed, after heat shock and ultraviolet exposure. METHODS: Protein was isolated from melanocytes and SK 30. Western blotting was done for identification of the HSP 70 family. RESULTS: HSP 70 family expression could be detected in the unstressed cultured human melanocytes and SK 30(malignant melanoma cell lines). HSP 70 family expression inereased in the melanocytes and SK 30 after heat shock. Irradiation of the melanocytes with UVA resulted in a decrease in expression of HSP 70 family after 32, 48 J/cm compared with 4, l6 J/cm. Irradiation of the melanocytes with UVA + B resulted in a dose-dependent increase in expression of HSP 70 family but a decrease in expression of HSP 70 family after 80mJ/cm. Irradiation of SK 30 with UVA resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in expression of the HSP 70 family. CONCLUSION: HSP 70 family expression was detected even unstressed. This high base line HSP 70 family expression may suggest that melanocytes have ability to protect from environmental stresses like keratinocytes.
Blotting, Western ; Heat-Shock Proteins* ; Hot Temperature* ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins* ; Humans ; Keratinocytes ; Melanocytes* ; Melanoma ; Shock

BACKGROUND: When cells or organisms are exposed to environmental stresses, they respond by synthesizing a characteristic group of proteins called heat shock proteins(HSP) or stress proteins. In a variety of HSP, the so-called HSP 70 family is the most prominent, conserved, and best characterized. The HSP 70 family is required for survival of cells during and after thermal stress. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to investigate if the cultured human melanocytes and rnelanotic malignant melanoma cell lines(SK 30) expressed HSP 70 family unstressed, after heat shock and ultraviolet exposure. METHODS: Protein was isolated from melanocytes and SK 30. Western blotting was done for identification of the HSP 70 family. RESULTS: HSP 70 family expression could be detected in the unstressed cultured human melanocytes and SK 30(malignant melanoma cell lines). HSP 70 family expression inereased in the melanocytes and SK 30 after heat shock. Irradiation of the melanocytes with UVA resulted in a decrease in expression of HSP 70 family after 32, 48 J/cm compared with 4, l6 J/cm. Irradiation of the melanocytes with UVA + B resulted in a dose-dependent increase in expression of HSP 70 family but a decrease in expression of HSP 70 family after 80mJ/cm. Irradiation of SK 30 with UVA resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in expression of the HSP 70 family. CONCLUSION: HSP 70 family expression was detected even unstressed. This high base line HSP 70 family expression may suggest that melanocytes have ability to protect from environmental stresses like keratinocytes.
Blotting, Western ; Heat-Shock Proteins* ; Hot Temperature* ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins* ; Humans ; Keratinocytes ; Melanocytes* ; Melanoma ; Shock

Congenital anomalies occur in 2-3% of neonates and have unknown and variable causes. It's occurance rate is higher in twin gestations than in singleton gestations, especially in monozygotic twins. In most cases of twin anomalies, one fetus is normal and the other fetus is not. When an anomaly is found in one fetus, various tests, such as chorionic villus sampling, amniocentesis, and umbilical cord aspiration are strongly recommended in high risk groups of chromosmal anomaly for accurate diagnosis and proper treatments. A case of congenital anomalies in both twins diagnosed in a 35 year old multiparous woman is presented with brief review of literatures.
Adult ; Amniocentesis ; Anencephaly ; Chorionic Villi Sampling ; Diagnosis ; Down Syndrome ; Female ; Fetus ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Pregnancy ; Twins* ; Twins, Monozygotic ; Umbilical Cord

BACKGROUND: The differentiation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) from nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is of primary importance for infection control and choice of antimicrobial therapy. The diagnosis of diseases caused by NTM is difficult because NTM are prevalent in the environment and have fastidious properties. In this study, we evaluated the real-time PCR-based MTB/NTM detection kit for its usefulness in discrimination of MTB and NTM species. METHODS: A total of 155 sputum specimens whose AFB staining smear and culture were positive were used for this study. Among them, 59 and 96 samples had been identified as MTB and NTM, respectively. DNA obtained from sputum specimens was subjected to analysis with MolecuTech Real MTB-ID(R) (M&D, Korea) real-time PCR-based MTB/NTM detection kit. Subsequently, the results of MolecuTech Real MTB-ID(R) were compared with AFB staining smear and culture results. RESULTS: The positive rate of MolecuTech Real MTB-ID(R) to detect MTB and NTM was 98.3% (58/59) and 97.9 (94/96), respectively, using sputum specimens. CONCLUSION: For detection of MTB/NTM, the sensitivity and specificity of MolecuTech Real MTB-ID(R) were comparable to those of conventional methods. Therefore, this study suggests the usefulness of real-time PCR-based MolecuTech Real MTB-ID(R) for rapid detection of MTB/NTM from direct specimens.
Discrimination (Psychology) ; DNA ; Infection Control ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; Nontuberculous Mycobacteria ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sputum

PURPOSE: This study was performed to investigate the indications, bronchoscopic findings, results of bronchoalveolar lavage, and complications and to report the clinical features of using flexible bronchoscopy for respiratory diseases in children. METHODS: We studied 105 patients who underwent flexible bronchoscopy at the Department of Pediatrics, Dong-A University Medical Center from June 2001 to June 2008. A bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed if need, and the BAL fluid was cultured for bacteria and fungi. We performed an acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear and culture. RESULTS: The most common indication for flexible bronchoscopy was suspected pulmonary tuberculosis (37 cases, 35.2%). The most common abnormal finding was excessive secretion, which was found in 53 cases (50.4%). BAL bacterial cultures were performed in 10 of 38 cases, and Hemophilus influenza was the most common organism and was found in three cases (7.8%). There were 17 AFB culture-positive cases (49.3%) among the 37 suspected pulmonary tuberculosis cases. Among these 17, the Tb-polymerase chain reaction (Tb-PCR) was conducted for four cases (23.5%) but only two cases (50%) were positive. TB-specific antigen-induced interferon-gamma was performed in four cases (23.5%), and all four cases (100%) were positive. CONCLUSION: Pediatric flexible bronchoscopy has made it possible to vary the indication and subjects. It was also safe and effective if used carefully. Further study should be conducted to develop safe and useful technology to overcome the limitations.
Academic Medical Centers ; Bacteria ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage ; Bronchoscopy ; Fungi ; Haemophilus ; Humans ; Influenza, Human ; Interferon-gamma ; Pediatrics ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

In acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients, immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) due to Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection is one of the most difficult IRIS types to manage. We report an unusual case of MAC-associated IRIS. At first the patient was diagnosed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection after he was admitted with pneumocystis pneumonia. After starting antiretroviral therapy he presented unmasked IRIS with MAC infection. Next, he was hospitalized with continuous loose stools and new-onset fever. Investigation included computed tomography (CT), which showed homogeneous enhancement and enlargement of the lymph nodes (LN), elevation of ferritin (>1,650 ng/mL) and lactate dehydrogenase (306 IU/L) levels, and F- fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) scan, which showed increased FDG uptake. These findings were highly indicative of lymphoma. We performed laparoscopic biopsy of the mesenteric LN, and the biopsy culture grew MAC. So we made a diagnosis of MAC-associated. Therefore, IRIS must be considered as a possible diagnosis when AIDS patients develop new symptoms or exhibit exacerbations of existing symptoms. Furthermore the biopsies should be conducted.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Electrons ; Ferritins ; Fever ; HIV ; Humans* ; Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome* ; Iris ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphoma* ; Mycobacterium avium Complex* ; Mycobacterium avium* ; Mycobacterium* ; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis

In acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients, immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) due to Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection is one of the most difficult IRIS types to manage. We report an unusual case of MAC-associated IRIS. At first the patient was diagnosed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection after he was admitted with pneumocystis pneumonia. After starting antiretroviral therapy he presented unmasked IRIS with MAC infection. Next, he was hospitalized with continuous loose stools and new-onset fever. Investigation included computed tomography (CT), which showed homogeneous enhancement and enlargement of the lymph nodes (LN), elevation of ferritin (>1,650 ng/mL) and lactate dehydrogenase (306 IU/L) levels, and F- fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) scan, which showed increased FDG uptake. These findings were highly indicative of lymphoma. We performed laparoscopic biopsy of the mesenteric LN, and the biopsy culture grew MAC. So we made a diagnosis of MAC-associated. Therefore, IRIS must be considered as a possible diagnosis when AIDS patients develop new symptoms or exhibit exacerbations of existing symptoms. Furthermore the biopsies should be conducted.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Electrons ; Ferritins ; Fever ; HIV ; Humans* ; Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome* ; Iris ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphoma* ; Mycobacterium avium Complex* ; Mycobacterium avium* ; Mycobacterium* ; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis

BACKGROUND: Liver fibrosis and cirrhosis are the ultimate histologic consequences of chronic liver damage. Efforts have been made to study the mechanisms of cirrhosis and to discover effective therapeutic strategies. However, to date, no animal model reproduces the disease in man. The purpose of this work is to establish a model of DMN-induced liver cirrhosis for treatment of liver cirrhosis, to understand the basic characteristics of DMN-induced liver cirrhosis, and to confirm the expression of HGF, its receptor c-Met, and TGF-beta1 in Sprague-Dawley rats. METHODS: Five-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=56) were used for this study. Liver cirrhosis was induced in the rats by using DMN (1 ml/kg body weight, i.p.) given 3 consecutive days a week for 6 weeks. Changes in the portal vein pressure were measured by a venous catheter during the duration of the DMN-treatment. The levels of serum albumin, bilirubin, and ammonia were determined in a clinical laboratory by routive methods. Pieces of the median lobe were cut and fixed in 10% buffered neutral formalin, embedded in paraffin, and stained by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) & masson-trichrome (M&T). Changes in the extracellular matrix were measured by image analysis and hydroxyproline content. Immunohistochemical staining of alpa-smooth muscle actin was performed to confirm the activation ofhepatic stellate cells. Northern blot analyses were performed to confirm the expression of HGF and TGF-beta1 and western blotting was performed c-Met, HGF receptor. RESULTS: Pressures in the portal vein were significantly increased during the DMN-treatment time (p<0.05). Biochemical parameters were significantly correlated with the progression of liver cirrhosis. H&E staining of 4-week DMN-treated rats demonstrated fibrous tissue bridging between the periportal and the pericentral areas with gradual widening of fibrous bands. Both the extracellular matrix measured by image analysis of the M&T staining and the hydroxyproline content rose continuously throughout the 6 weeks of DMN treatment. alpa-smooth muscle actin was observed in the stellate cells of DMN-treated rats. The northern blot analyses showed that the expression of HGF mRNA decreased with the progression of DMN-induced liver cirrhosis but that of TGF-beta1 mRNA did not. The western blot analyses showed that the expression of the c-Met receptor protein increased continuously, but the expression of HGF mRNA a decreased. CONCLUSION:The model of cirrhosis induced by chronic, discontinuous treatment with a low dose of DMN in rats was simple and predictable and displayed many of the features of human cirrhosis. The decrease in the expression of HGF mRNA may be responsible for the reduced hepatocyte regeneration in liver cirrhosis. The expression of the c-Met protein was related with the decreased expression of HGF. The exact significance of TGF-beta1 was not determined in this study.
Actins ; Ammonia ; Animals ; Bilirubin ; Blotting, Northern ; Blotting, Western ; Body Weight ; Catheters ; Dimethylnitrosamine ; Extracellular Matrix ; Fibrosis ; Formaldehyde ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor* ; Hepatocytes* ; Humans ; Hydroxyproline ; Liver Cirrhosis* ; Liver* ; Male ; Models, Animal ; Paraffin ; Portal Vein ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley* ; Regeneration ; RNA, Messenger ; Serum Albumin ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; Transforming Growth Factors*

Aspergillus peritonitis is a rare but serious cause of peritonitis in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. We report 2 cases of peritonitis caused by Aspergillus niger in CAPD which were treated successfully with voriconazole and caspofungin, respectively, and catheter removal. Both patients initially received amphotericin B; however, they were not cured with the agent. We briefly discuss the proper selection of antifungal agent and the treatment duration. Previously reported cases of the CAPD peritonitis caused by A. Niger are also reviewed in this article.
Amphotericin B ; Aspergillus ; Aspergillus niger ; Catheters ; Echinocandins ; Humans ; Niger ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory ; Peritonitis ; Pyrimidines ; Triazoles