OBJECTIVE: Some growth factors may promote tumor growth by affecting tumor angiogenesis. Midkine(MK) are polypeptides that belong to a new family of heparin-binding growth/differentiation factor and has also been reported to be angiogenic. In various tumor tissues, MK was highly expressed between tumor and normal tissues; however, the pattern of MK expression in normal cervix and cervical cancer has not been established. The aim of this study was to determine the MK mRNA expression in cervical cancer. And we questioned whether its expression is related to cancer stages and prognostic factors. METHODS: The cervical and cervical cancer tissues were taken from patients; healthy women(n=15), and the patients with cervical cancer(n=29). The MK mRNA expression was examined by quantative competitive PCR after polymerase chain reaction amplification of reverse transcriptase copies of RNA transcripts(RT-PCR). RESULTS: The cervical cancer expressed higher levels of MK mRNA than normal cervix(p<0.05). The MK mRNA expression was not correlated with the cervical cancer stage and histopathologic type(p>0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggested that increased MK mRNA expression is associated with the development of cervical cancer.
Cervix Uteri ; Female ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Peptides ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA ; RNA, Messenger* ; RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms*

No abstract available.
Animals ; Calcium* ; Mice* ; Oocytes*

A case of multiple myeloma associated with adenocarcinoma of the stomach was review. A 59-year, old Korean man had been abmitted to St. Mary's Hospital in January 1984, with chief complaint of posterior neck pain, and intermittent headache for one year prior to amission. Osteo lytic punched-out lesions were noted on skull and other skeletal x-ray films. Bone marrow aspirates revealed diffuse infiltration of mature and immature plasma cells. Laboratory findings revealed anemia and Bence-Jones proteinuria. Immunoelectrophoresis revealed findings consistent with IgA-lamda type multiple myloma. Alkylating agents and steroids were tried with some clinical improvements. In August 1985, the patient revisited outpatient clinic with chief complaints of epigastric pain and neck mass. Endoscopic biopsy and excision biopsy of the cervical lymph node were performed. By microscopic examination, adenocarcinoma of the stomach and metastasis of multiple myeoma to the supraclavicular lymph nodes were confirmed. Subtotal gastrectomy was performed. By gross and microscopic revealed metastasis to the regional lymph nodes.
Male ; Humans ; Adenocarcinoma ; Biopsy ; Neoplasm Metastasis

No abstract available.
Humans ; Inpatients*

Purpose: Strabismus in patients with craniosynostosis is common, but surgical correction of strabismus in these patients remains challenging. We report our findings in six patients (four of whom were Korean) with craniosynostosis who underwent strabismus surgery to specifically address V-pattern horizontal strabismus with moderate-to-severe inferior oblique (IO) overaction, using IO myectomy at a single tertiary hospital between 2005 and 2016. Methods: We recorded preoperative characteristics including sex, age, type of strabismus, versions grading, refractive error, and visual acuity. The grading of cyclorotation of horizontal rectus muscles by V-pattern categorized using coronal computed tomography imaging. Results: Of the six patients, exodeviation was found in four patients and vertical deviation in two patients in primary position. One patient had both horizontal and vertical strabismus. Available computed tomography imaging showed that V-patterns were category 1 (mild) in two patients, category 2 (moderate) in one patient, and category 3 (severe) in two patients. Complete success was defined as absence of IO overaction any more. Overall complete success rate of IO myectomy was 83.3%. Conclusions IO myectomy appeared to have some benefits in V-pattern horizontal strabismus with moderate-to-severe IO overaction in patients with craniosynostosis.

BACKGROUND: HBsAg carriers are 6-12% of population in Korea. The patients knowledge on hepatitis B and regular follow-up tests are important, because HBsAg carriers have infectivity and the disease may progress without symptoms. We surveyed their knowledge on the hepatitis B and the frequency of follow-up blood test and sonogram. METHODS: From March 1993 through September 1994, 630 patients who were diagnosed as HBsAg positive and Anti-HBs negative in a health promotion center of college hospital were surveyed by mailing questionnaire. The questionnaire included the result of HBV viral marker test, transmission routes, complications, and prevention methods of Hepatitis B, frequency of follow-up test, and doctors recommendation. RESULTS: Of the 490 questionnaires excluded the 140 questionaires returned due to wrong address, 100 were answered, making the reply rate 20.4%. As for the result of HBV marker test, 64% answered their HBV marker as HBsAg positve, 10% answered HBsAg negative, and 26% answered I dont know. 65% answered that they are HBV carrier. As for the mode of transmission, 59% answered that HBV is transmitted by blood, 57% from carrier mother at birth, 29 % by sexual intercourse. 76% of responders know that vaccination is needed for preventing vertical transmission. When making score on their knowledge, significant differences were showed according to education, income and doctors recommendation about regular follow-up test. The number of persons who took regular blood test every 6 to 12 months were 56(56%), and the number of persons who took regular abdominal ultrasonogram were 39(39%). The number of patients who were recommended regular follow-up by doctor was 76%. In this group, 51 persons(67.0%) took regular blood test and 35 persons(35%) took regular sonogram so this frequency is significantly higher than the other group(each 20.8%, 16.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge on hepatitis B in HBsAg positive patients is relatively low and the frequency of regular follow-up test is significantly higher in the group who took doctors recommendation. So it is very important that HBsAg carriers must be educated about the infectivity, preventive methods, and regular follow-up for early detection of complication like hepatocellular cancer.
Biomarkers ; Coitus ; Education ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Health Promotion ; Hematologic Tests ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Korea ; Liver Neoplasms ; Mothers ; Parturition ; Postal Service ; Ultrasonography ; Vaccination ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Purpose: The diagnostic usefulness of fetal echocardiography in congenital heart disease is well known. One of the indications for fetal echocardiography is presence of extracardiac anomalies and such coexistent congenital heart disease may have important implications for obstetric and neonatal management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 496 women with singleton pegnancies with amgenital anomalies that underwent penatal care and follow-up in Severance Hospital for 5 years from 1991 to 1995 were evaluated for the incidence of congenital heart disease. RESULTS: The incidence of congenital heart disease in fetuses with the associated extracardiac anomalies were as follows; central nervous system 6.9%(11/160), gastro-intestinal system 10.7%(8/75), genito-urinary sysem 4.7%(4/85), others 5.6%(4/72). Thirty-one of eighty-ane fetuses with congenital heart disease were found to have the associated extracardidac anomalies and ten of them chenoscenal abnormalities. CONCLUSION: We recommend that fetuses with congenital extracardiac anomalies sbould be checked for the presence of congenital heart disease and chmmosomal abnormalities, if needed.
Central Nervous System ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Fetus ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Defects, Congenital* ; Humans ; Incidence

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study were to categorize the subjectivity of the quality of life in elderly women and to thereby understand the differences regarding quality of life desires. METHODS: This study used a Q-methodology to measure the quality of life in elderly women. A Q sample was collected from in-depth and objective interviews and WHOQLO. Fourteen participants rated 28 selected Q-statements on a scale of 1-7. The collected data was analyzed using PC Quanl. RESULTS: The principal component analysis identified 4 factors regarding the quality of life of elderly women. These categories were labeled 'hopelessness-oriented', 'relationship/adaptation-oriented', 'physical suffering-oriented', and 'self satisfaction-orientated'. CONCLUSION: Some of the factors regarding the quality of life of elderly women were determined through this research. Further research is necessary to set up and apply different the quality of life between men and women based on this result. The results of this study indicate that different approaches toward quality of life promotion programs are recommended based on the four factors of quality of life among elderly women.
Aged* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Principal Component Analysis ; Quality of Life*

Most ectopic pregnancies occur in the fallopian tubes. There have been numerous theories to explain the occurrence of ectopic pregnancy in fallopian tubes. The most commonly held view is that the passage of the fertilized ovum through the fallopian tube is delayed or hindered by chronic inflammation and its sequelae. We designed a study to evaluate the details of histopathologic changes and the location of implantation and how they relate to the clinical history. 182 fallopian tube specimens from patients who had undergone total or partial salpingectomy were examined. A high incidence of non-specific inflammation of plicae and wall of tube (31.9%) and salpingitis isthmica nodosa (12.6%) were observed. Other associated findings included acute salpingitis, complex plicae or complex hyperplasia of tubal epithelium, fibrous adhesion with ovary, endometriosis, and calcification. History of previous ectopic tubal pregnancy was found in 8 cases. The cases with serum beta-HCG value above 2,500 I.U./L (group I, n=97) were more frequently noted in those exhibiting myosalpingeal invasion of trophoblast (67 cases) than in those without invasion (30 cases). Of the 182 tubal pregnancies, 117 (64.3%) cases were found in the ampulla and 47 (25.8%) cases in isthmic location. In 117 ampullary pregnancies, the products of conception were found intraluminally in 71 cases (60.7%), and extraluminally in 34 (29.1%) cases, of which the products of conception were found entirely extraluminal. The products of conception, found both within and outside the tubal lumen, were found in 12 cases (10.2%). Of 47 tubes with isthmic pregnancies, 33 cases were intraluminal (70.2%), 12 cases were extraluminal (25.5%), and two cases were mixed (4.3%). In conclusion, significant histopathologic abnormalities accompany a majority of ectopic tubal pregnancy, and myosalpingeal invasion of trophoblast is correlated with high serum beta-HCG. Thus, it is necessary to confirm not only the ectopic placental tissue but also the accompanying details of the other histopathologic findings or the pathologic evaluation of ectopic tubal pregnancy.
Endometriosis ; Epithelium ; Fallopian Tubes ; Female ; Fertilization ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Incidence ; Inflammation ; Ovary ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Ectopic ; Pregnancy, Tubal* ; Salpingectomy ; Salpingitis ; Trophoblasts ; Zygote

In parentage testing DNA profiles are used to link the alleged father with paternity by matching their patterns. The probative value of a match is often calculated by multiplying together the estimated frequencies with which each particular VNTR or STR pattern occurs in a reference population. When this calculating method applies to the motherless case of paternity disputes, a calculation must usually be based on types determined for the child and the alleged father. In such case, the first consideration is to exclude a man from paternity of a child when the man did not have the child's paternal allele at some loci, or if the paternal allele cannot be determined, when the man had neither of the child s alleles. The second is to evaluate the DNA evidence when a man is not excluded by the paternal allele. This work is to provide theories of paternity analysis with three approach methods for the motherless case, and to evaluate their efficiency compared to the trio case when the man tested is not excluded. Consequently, the motherless case offers lower probability exclusion and questionable cumulative paternity index than those of the trio case as being typed with 14 STR loci(CSF1PO, TH01, TPDX, vWA, D5S818, D13S317, D7S820, D16S539, FGA, D21S11, FES/FPS, F13A1, D18S80, D17S5). Since the motherless case in paternity disputes is less efficient for paternity exclusion of the child, the use of genetic maker systems with the higher value of mean exclusion chance(MEC) and exact levels of the relative probability of paternity must be of importance considered in the analysis of such deficiency cases.
Alleles ; Child ; Dissent and Disputes ; DNA ; Fathers ; Humans ; Paternity*