No abstract available.
Abscess* ; Citrobacter koseri

Thrombomodulin (TM) is thrombin receptor present on the luminal surface of endothelial cells. Because the thrombin-TM complex acts as an anticoagulant, the functional variants or deficiency of TM may lead to increment of thrombotic tendency. In this study, we screened the genetic variants of the TM gene in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) and analyzed the genotype to elucidate the effects of genetic variations of TM gene on the development of the MI. We screened a promoter region and coding sequence of the TM gene using single strand conformation polymorphism-heteroduplex analysis and identified three common genetic variants: those were TM G-33A, TM Ala455Val, and TM C1922T. The genotype frequencies were investigated in the patients with MI (n=234) and control subjects (n=291) by the method of allele-specific oligomer hybridization. The frequencies of mutant genotypes (TM -33A, TM 455Val, and TM 1922T) were higher in patient group compared to the control subjects in males while there were no significant differences in females. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, TM 455Val and TM 1922T alleles were independent risk factors for MI (OR[95% CI: 1.799[1.125-2.878] p=0.014 and 5.624[1.019-31.025], p=0.048, respectively) in males. However, the genetic variations were not independent risk factors for MI in females. There were significant linkage disequilibriums among three genetic variants. These linkage disequilibriums explain the similar effects of three genetic variants on the development of MI. To investigate the effect of the TM G-33A mutation on TM promoter activity, the two TM promoter constructs (pTM-355 and pTM-125, bearing TM -33G or TM -33A) containing of firefly luciferase gene were transfected into HepG2, BAE, and CHO cells. The promoter activities were higher in the promoter constructs with TM -33G compared to the constructs with TM -33A in pTM-355. These results suggest the possibility of the positive predisposing effect of TM -33A allele on MI in males. The functional study for TM Ala455Val and TM C1922T should be followed to elucidate the genotype effects of these mutations on the development of MI. In this study, we identified three genetic variants of TM gene and showed the significant associations between genetic variants and MI in males. These results proposed that TM gene is an attractive candidate for genetic risk factor for MI in Koreans.
Alleles ; Animals ; CHO Cells ; Clinical Coding ; Cricetinae ; Endothelial Cells ; Female ; Fireflies ; Genetic Variation ; Genotype ; Humans ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; Logistic Models ; Luciferases ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Phenobarbital ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Receptors, Thrombin ; Risk Factors* ; Thrombomodulin

No abstract available.

Ewing's sarcoma (ES)/PNET is common in both axial and appendicular skeletons, but is extremely rare in the talus. Here, we report a case of ES/PNET of the left talus in a 29-year-old male patient diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology, and review the literature on similar cases. The cytological smears were composed of individually dispersed small round cells and occasional clusters of loosely cohesive cells. The tumor cells were fragile, frequently exhibiting naked nuclei. Two distinct types of cells were observed. The light (chief) cells displayed round or slightly oval nuclei with frequent indentations, generally inconspicuous nucleoli, and a thin rim of cytoplasm, which sometimes harbored small vacuoles. The dark cells were smaller, displaying scanty cytoplasm with dense hyperchromatic nuclei, intermixed with chief cells, and often manifesting as small molded groups. However, no significant nuclear pleomorphisms or mitoses were noted. Tumor cells in the cell block revealed positive cytoplasmic glycogen, as determined by a PAS stain with diastase control, and also exhibited positive immunoreactivity for CD99.
Adult ; Amylases ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Cytoplasm ; Fungi ; Glycogen ; Humans ; Male ; Mitosis ; Sarcoma, Ewing ; Skeleton ; Talus* ; Vacuoles

PURPOSE: Vitamin K deficiency is associated with hemorrhagic disease of the newborn. Late hemorrhagic disease is often intracranial and may be fatal. Many countries recommend vitamin K prophylaxis after birth to prevent this hazard of vitamin K deficiency. Nevertheless, there are still controversies concerning the best way of providing effective prophylaxis. A recent article by Golding and colleagues has questioned the safety of the routine use of intramuscular vitamin K for the newborn. These authors reported a significantly increased rate of childhood cancer in infants who received intramuscular prophylaxis. So we compared the prophylactic effect of intramuscular, oral, and maternal administration of vitamin K on hemorrhagic disease of the newborn. METHODS: A total of 60 newborns, delivered spontaneously vaginally, in the Masan Fatima hospital from March to June, 1996, were enrolled. Neonated with intrapartum anoxia, liver disease or hereditary coagulation factor deficiencies, who received antibiotics were excluded. Mothers receiving any medication known to interferes with vitamin K metabolism(such as antiepileptics, antibiotics and anticonvulsions) were excluded. The newborns were randomly allocated to one of the four groups. A group was not supplied. B group received 1mg of vitamin K1 intramusculary, C group received 2mg of vitamin K1 orally. D group was given 20mg of vitamin K1 orally to their mothers at least 2days(range 2 to 7) before birth. Blood samples were collected from 48hrs to 72hrs after birth. PIVKA-II level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (EITEST-MONOP, Eisai Ltd), using a monospecific monoclonal antibody against PIVKA-II. The results obtained are expressed in arbitrary unit (AU) : 1AU corresponds to 1micro gram of purified prothrombin. (healthy adults have less than 0.13AU/ml). PT, PTT were measured simultaneously. RESULTS: 1) PIVKA-II was detected in 4 of 15 infants in group A, who were not supplied. None was detected in other groups. So PIVKA-II detection rate was significantly decreased in other groups compared with group A(p<0.05). 2) PT(sec) values were 12.74+/-0.91, 12.58+/-0.89, 12.36+/-1.04, 12.16+/-0.90 respectively, and there was no significant difference between groups. 3) PTT(sec) values were 52.41+/-13.26, 38.39+/-10.04, 42.67+/-7.01, 39.77+/-10.48 respectively and there was significant shortening in other groups compared with group A (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Not only intramuscular administration but oral and maternal administration of vitamin K have prophylactic effect on hemorrhagic disease of the newborn. Prophylactic effect on the late hemorragic disease of the newborn requires further extensive study and evaluation.
Adult ; Anoxia ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Anticonvulsants ; Blood Coagulation Factors ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn* ; Liver Diseases ; Mothers ; Parturition ; Prothrombin ; Vitamin K 1 ; Vitamin K Deficiency ; Vitamin K* ; Vitamins*

PURPOSE: The varied morphology of the umbilical ring and its surrounding structures, such as the ligamentum teres hepatis, and the median and medial umbilical ligaments, has not been thoroughly investigated. Hence, this study was undertaken to clarify the morphologic variations of these structures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The anterior abdominal walls were removed en bloc from 57 adult cadavers and dissected under a surgical microscope. RESULTS: One case of umbilical hernia was observed, and the remaining 56 umbilical rings were classified into 3 types: oval or round in 33 cases (Type A, 59.0%), obliterated or slitted in 12 cases (Type B, 21.4%), and completely covered by a connecting band between the ligamentum teres hepatis and umbilical ligaments in 11 cases (Type C, 19.6%). The median and medial umbilical ligaments were classified into four types based on their interrelationships. The most common type was the median umbilical ligament terminated by joining one or both medial umbilical ligaments (Type II, 41.1%). The ligamentum teres hepatis frequently ended by dividing into several branches in the area cranial to the umbilical ring, some of which crossed the umbilical ring. The umbilical fascia covered the umbilical ring in 50.0% of cases, and the rest either not covering the ring or not existing. CONCLUSION: These results are expected to improve our understanding of the anatomy of the umbilical area, and further improve treatments of the umbilical hernia.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Autopsy ; Female ; Hernia, Umbilical/pathology ; Humans ; Ligaments/anatomy & histology/pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Umbilicus/*anatomy & histology/pathology

Neuromuscular choristoma is a rare benign tumor of the peripheral nerves. To the best of our knowledge, 21 cases have been reported to date. We describe here a 20-day-old female infant who presented with a buttock mass (4.5 x 4.1 x 3.2 cm on MRI) arising from the left sciatic nerve. Microscopically, it was characterized by an intimately disorganized mixture of nerve fibers and striated muscle fibers that were occasionally surrounded by the perineurium and separated by fibrous bands of varying thickness. In some areas, there appeared to be some cells in transitional forms between nerve fibers and muscle fibers, revealing variously positive expressions for S-100 protein in the muscular components. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that neuroectodermal-derived Schwann cells can give rise to mature skeletal muscle. It appears that the fibrosis may be related to the degeneration of the neural components. The size of the mass on MRI has been unchanged during the 3-year follow-up period.
Buttocks ; Choristoma* ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Muscle, Striated ; Nerve Fibers ; Peripheral Nerves ; S100 Proteins ; Schwann Cells ; Sciatic Nerve*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare the two prosthesis that used for total ankle arthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From Sept. 2003 to Jun 2006, 13 patients and 14 ankles that could be follow up more than 1 months. Semiconstrained type (Group I, 7 cases) and Unconstrained type (Group II, 7 cases) were used for total ankle arthroplasty. Mean age was 63.2 year-old, 12 ankles are men and 2 ankles were women. Mean follow up periods were 29 months. The criteria to compare the clinical result were postoperative range of motion, AOFAS score and residual bone stock of medial malleolus. RESULTS: Postoperative range of motion of group I was 43.6+/-9.4 degrees and of group II was 50.7+/-7.3 degrees (p=0.115). Postoperative AOFAS score of group I was 77.1+/-13.0 points and of group II was 86.0+/-5.7 points (p=0.094). Resected bone stock in medial malleolus of group I was 10.7+/-2.5 mm and of group II was 5.1+/-1.2 mm (p=0.003). Total number of complication in our study was 9 cases. 3 cases were a malleolar fracture, two occurred at intra-operation, the other at follow-up period. Re-operation was done in 6 cases, 3 cases were calcaneal corrective osteotomy, 2 cases were resection of a heterotopic bone and one case was pedicular flap operation for skin problem. CONCLUSION: In our hospital, mobile bearing type prosthesis shows good result than a semiconstrained type in respect of residual bone stock in medial malleolus. Postoperative range of motion and AOFAS score between two groups shows no significant difference. But small number of patients and short term follow up period is a defect in our study, afterward more population and long term follow up period are needed.
Ankle* ; Arthroplasty* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Male ; Mobile Health Units ; Osteotomy ; Prostheses and Implants ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Skin

The androgen insensitivity syndrome is a heterogeneous disorder with a wide spectrum of phenotypic abnormalities, ranging from complete female to ambiguous forms that more closely resembles males. Mutations of the androgen receptor gene are responsible for a variable degree of impaired androgen action. The complete androgen insensitivity syndrome is characterized by normal female external appearance in spite of the normal male karyotype 46XY with testes and normal testosterone production and metabolism. This is transmitted by X-linked recessive manner. Wolffian duct does not develop. However, m llerian development does not occur in presence of antim llerian hormone activity. Recently we experienced a case of complete androgen insenditirity syndrome. We reported a case with concerned literatures.
Androgen-Insensitivity Syndrome* ; Female ; Humans ; Karyotype ; Male ; Metabolism ; Receptors, Androgen ; Testis ; Testosterone ; Wolffian Ducts

We report a case of clinically occult diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of the middle turbinate (MT) identified by ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT) in a 71-year-old man along with imaging findings. DLBCL was presented with a hypermetabolic right MT [maximum standardized uptake values (SUV(max)) = 8.8 gm/dL] on ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT, while rhinologic examination was normal. CT showed nothing but slightly more intense enhancement of the right MT compared with the opposite side. The disease progressed during next 7 months until follow-up CT demonstrated solidly enhancing mass occupying entire right nasal cavity which was intensely hypermetabolic (SUV(max) = 12.8 gm/dL). Surgical biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. Follow-up CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT performed after chemotherapy demonstrated complete resolution of DLBCL of the right nasal cavity including the right MT. This is thought to be the first case report in the literature concerning clinically occult DLBCL presenting as a hypermetabolic MT on ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT.