No abstract available.
Cytosine Deaminase* ; Cytosine* ; Genetic Therapy* ; Osteocalcin* ; Prostate* ; Prostatic Neoplasms*

PURPOSE: Soft-tissue augmentation using hyaluronic acid (HA) gels is widely used in dermatology and plastic surgery. We performed this study to determine the feasibility of using HA gel to augment the glans penis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In experiment I, 0.2 cc of HA gel was injected into the dermis of the glans penis of 25 New Zealand White rabbits via a 27-gauge needle. At 3, 7, 14, 30, and 90 days after injection, the histologic changes in the penis and systemic adverse effects were evaluated. In experiment II, 0.5 cc of HA gel was injected into the dermis of the glans penis of 14 Beagle dogs. Two weeks later, an additional 0.2 cc was injected in 7 of the dogs. For 6 months, the changes in the injected area were grossly evaluated using a 10-point visual scale, and at the end of the study, histologic changes were also evaluated. At autopsy, lung, liver, and spleen were studied for systemic adverse reactions. RESULTS: In the dogs receiving double injections, 85% to 90% of the initial volume was maintained at 6 months, with HA being identified in the lamina propria of the glans penis. Encapsulated material was confirmed to be HA by alcian blue stain and hyaluronidase immunohistochemical stain. No systemic adverse reaction was noticed in any animal. CONCLUSIONS: Hyaluronic acid gel is safe and effective for augmentation of the glans penis. Booster injection enhances the injected volume and facilitates injection of HA.
Alcian Blue ; Animals ; Autopsy ; Dermatology ; Dermis ; Dogs ; Gels ; Hyaluronic Acid* ; Hyaluronoglucosaminidase ; Liver ; Lung ; Male ; Mucous Membrane ; Needles ; Penis* ; Rabbits ; Spleen ; Surgery, Plastic

PURPOSE: Kimura's disease is an uncommon benign lymphoproliferative inflammatory disorder with an unknown etiology. The recurrence rate after surgical excision is relatively high and renal involvement is its only systemic manifestation. The condition mainly involves the head and neck, and peripheral involvement is extremely rare. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We encountered the case of a 28-year-old man who had a non-tender mass with mild brownish skin color changes and pruritus around the medial side of the distal arm and elbow. RESULTS: The peripheral blood investigation revealed peripheral eosinophilia and elevated serum IgE levels. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an isointensity signal relative to the muscle on the T1-weighted images and hyperintensity signal relative to the muscle on the T2-weighted images. CONCLUSION: A marginal resection of the lesion was performed and there was no recurrence at 2 years postoperatively.
Adult ; Arm ; Elbow ; Eosinophilia ; Head ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Muscles ; Neck ; Pruritus ; Recurrence ; Skin

Previously, we demonstrated the changes of erectile tissues by intraperitoneal administration of BPA with toxic dose (cumulative dose of 900mg) in the rabbit. We performed this study to investigate the changes of erectile tissues by intracavernosal administration of BPA with low dose. New Zealand white rabbits were treated intracavernosally with 1 mg, 1 micro gram, 1 ng, and 1pg of BPA. Four weeks after administration of BPA, the contractions and relaxation of cavernosal tissue strips were significantly suppressed in the BPA-treated animals in a dose-dependent fashion compared with the control animals. Histologically, thickening of tunica albuginea by increased collagen fibers, subtunical deposition of fat, and decreased sinusoidal space by severe cavernosal smooth muscle hyperplasia with fibrosis were observed in the BPA treated animals. These results suggest that xenoestrogen BPA may affect the erectile function through evident histological changes of the penis in low dose.
Animals ; Collagen ; Fibrosis ; Hyperplasia ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth ; Penis ; Rabbits ; Relaxation

In addition to identifying genetic differences between target populations, it is also important to determine the impact of genetic differences with regard to the respective target populations. In recent years, there has been an increasing number of cases where this approach is needed, and thus various statistical methods must be considered. In this study, genetic data from populations of Southeast and Southwest Asia were collected, and several statistical approaches were evaluated on the Y-chromosome short tandem repeat data. In order to develop a more accurate and practical classification model, we applied gradient boosting and ensemble techniques. To infer between the Southeast and Southwest Asian populations, the overall performance of the classification models was better than that of the decision trees and regression models used in the past. In conclusion, this study suggests that additional statistical approaches, such as data mining techniques, could provide more useful interpretations for forensic analyses. These trials are expected to be the basis for further studies extending from target regions to the entire continent of Asia as well as the use of additional genes such as mitochondrial genes.
Asia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Classification* ; Data Mining* ; Decision Trees ; Ethnic Groups* ; Genes, Mitochondrial ; Health Services Needs and Demand ; Humans ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Models, Statistical

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to introduce a new surgical technique and to evaluate the preliminary results after operative treatment with using TightRope(R) for treating acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studies 10 patients who were followed up for more than 6 months after operative treatment with using an TightRope(R). A longitudinal incision approximately 4cm in length was made from 1cm medial to the acromioclavicular joint to the coracoid process, and then coracocalvicular ligament augmentation using TightRope(R) was done after splitting the deltoid. For postoperative stability, two 1.6 mm Kirschner wires were inserted temporarily across the acromioclavicular joint in all cases. The radiologic results on the serial plain radiographs and the clinical results according to the UCLA score were analyzed. RESULTS: Radiologically, 7 cases showed anatomical reduction, 2 cases showed a slightly loss of reduction and 1 case showed partial loss of reduction. Clinically, 6 cases were excellent, 3 cases were good and 1 case was fair. CONCLUSION: Coracoclavicular ligament augmentation using TightRope(R) for treating acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation is a minimally invasive, safe procedure that provides satisfactory radiologic and clinical preliminary results. Yet the long-term results have to be analyzed to determine the final results of this procedure.
Acromioclavicular Joint ; Bone Wires ; Dislocations ; Humans ; Ligaments

BACKGROUND: Familial hypercholesterolemia(FH) is an autosomal dominant metabolic disorder caused by the mutation in low density lipoprotein receptor(LDLR) gene. However, direct genetic diagnosis of LDLR gene mutation is not easily available because more than 300 mutations have been described in LDLR gene of FH patients. Therefore indirect genetic diagnosis using the genetic markers can be used to follow the inheritance of defective gene in FH families. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of indirect genetic markers for detecting identical-by-descent LDLR gene abnormalities in FH families. METHODS: We examined the allele frequency, heterozygosity, polymorphism information content(PIC) of each genetic markers(D19S394, Taq I, Hinc II, Ava II, ATn, D19S221) in 94 unrelated healthy subjects. The genetic polymorphic haplotypes in 3 FH families were also determined. RESULTS: The heterozygosity and PIC values of RFLP's(Taq I, Hinc II, Ava II) were 0.51/0.344, 0.25/0.223, 0.28/0.233 and microsatellite markers(D19S394, ATn, D19S221) were 0.64/0.558, 0.56/0.455, 0.60/0.475. Hinc II and Ava II were significantly linked(|D|=0.72, p< 0.05). The cumulative PIC values of Taq I+Hinc II, Taq I+Hinc II+ATn, D19S394+ATn were 0.520, 0.814, 0.813, respectively. When applied in the FH pedigree, the genetic diagnosis using only one marker was not available in most cases. However, combination of two or more genetic markers could successfully discriminate the affected and unaffected members in FH families. Among the several combinations of the genetic markers, the combination of D19S394 and ATn was supposed to be the most effective and informative. Because one case of recombination was suspected in D19S221 allele, it was thought to be carefully used for genetic diagnosis of FH. CONCLUSION: We concluded that indirect genetic diagnosis using intragenic or extragenic genetic markers was useful for detecting identical-by-descent LDLR gene abnormalities in FH families and the most effective and informative combination of genetic marker seemed to be D19S394 and ATn.
Alleles ; Diagnosis* ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Markers* ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II* ; Lipoproteins* ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Pedigree ; Receptors, Lipoprotein* ; Recombination, Genetic ; Wills

Although quantitative evaluation of myocardial blood flow (MBF) and myocardial flow reserve (MFR) has been perceived as an attractive advantage of positron emission tomography (PET) over other cardiac imaging technologies, application of the information to specific coronary lesions is a difficult task for nuclear cardiologists. We hypothesized that changes in MBF and MFR over a coronary lesion could be identified by use of a hybrid technology of CT coronary angiography (CTCA) and N-13 ammonia PET. To evaluate this hypothesis, we measured the gradient of MBF and MFR through coronary stenosis in seven patients (M:F=3:4, median age 56 years) with coronary artery disease who underwent N-13 ammonia PET, CTCA, and interventional coronary angiography. Two patients had proximal left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery disease and five patients had mid to distal LAD disease. Mean global stress and rest MBF were 2.62+/-0.58 and 1.03+/-0.19 ml/min/g, respectively. Mean global MFR was 2.6+/-0.73. Regional stress and rest MBF in the LAD territory were 2.36+/-0.75 and 0.96+/-0.21 ml/min/g, respectively. Regional MFR in the LAD territory was 2.55+/-0.83 ml/min/g. Stress MBF changed dramatically according to the location of coronary stenosis. It dropped acutely in proximal lesions, whereas it diminished gradually in mid to distal lesions. In conclusion, by use of a hybrid technology of CTCA and PET, it was feasible to make a direct correlation of coronary lesions with the gradient of MFR and CFR through coronary stenosis, which indicated the severity of the coronary lesion. We named this technique indirect radionuclide coronary angiography.
Ammonia ; Chimera ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Stenosis ; Evaluation Studies as Topic ; Humans ; Imidazoles ; Nitro Compounds ; Positron-Emission Tomography

Modern management of rectal cancer highly depends on the interpretation of high-spatial-resolution MRI, which determines the benefits from preoperative chemoradiotherapy or surgery alone. Accordingly, the baseline MRI report plays a pivotal role in planning the treatment. Although several structured reporting templates for rectal cancer staging on MRI are available, many radiologists still use the free-text format. In this review, we discuss the essential items for reporting rectal cancer on MRI before treatment to guide general radiologists in preparing a qualified report.

Background: Dietary Na+ or Na+/K+ ratio has been reported to be associated with bone mineral density (BMD). However, this remains unclear, and only a few studies have been reported on the Korean population. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the association between dietary Na+, K+, and Na+/K+ ratios and BMD in middle-aged Korean women. Methods: This study used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008–2011. A total of 3,690 women aged >50 years were included. Study participants were classified into quartiles (lowest quartile Q1–highest quartile Q4) according to dietary Na+, K+, and Na+/K+ ratio, and we examined the association of these parameters with BMD. Total femur and lumbar spine BMD were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed using IBM SPSS ver. 19.0. Results: The mean age was 62 years, and a significant negative trend in the β-coefficient regarding dietary Na+ was only observed in the total femur BMD. However, the total femur and lumbar spine BMD decreased from Q1 to Q4 regarding the dietary Na+/K+ ratio (P-value for trend: 0.044 for total femur BMD and 0.002 for lumbar spine BMD). Conclusion A significant negative trend in the β-coefficient for both total femur and lumbar spine BMD was observed regarding the Na+/K+ ratio. Therefore, based on the results of this study, a higher dietary Na+/K+ ratio may be associated with a lower BMD.