The gag encoded p24 protein of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) is a major constitutent of the viral core, and is also known as one of the most immunodominant antigens in the host immune response against the HIV-1. Based on the neutralizing ability of anti-p24 antibodies as well as their rapid appearance in human serum after viral infection, the development of vaccines and diagnostic tools targeting the p24 protein and anti-p24 antibodies is of great interest. For the characterization of the immunological properties of the HIV-1 p24 protein, in a previous study, putative B-cell epitopes were identified by screening the reactivity of a goat anti-p24 antiserum to a large array of overlapping synthetic peptides covering the whole p24 sequence. Four peptides were identified for their abilities to elicit a strong B-cell response, which sequences comprises the regions p24 (164-182), (202-221), (217-236) and (232-256), respectively. In the present study, the immunogenicity and differential properties of each of these individual epitopes were further characterized. To evaluate the time course of the antibody response, BALB/c mice were immunized with the HIV-1 p24 protein and their serum titers against each of these peptides were determined. The earliest immune response was observed against the p24 (202-221) peptide, which also showed the highest antibody titer against the immunized antigen. Furthermore,. enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with HIV-1 p24 protein coated microtiter plates revealed that anti-p24 (202-221) antiserum has the most pronounced reactivity against the native p24 protein. Since the p24 (202-221) epitope has also been reported to include a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte epitope, it is suggested that this region might represent a powerful antigenic site responsible for eliciting both T- and B-cell immune response. The possible application of this specific epitope in vaccine development or AIDS diagnosis is discussed.
Animals ; Antibodies ; Antibody Formation ; B-Lymphocytes ; Diagnosis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epitopes* ; Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte ; Goats ; HIV* ; HIV-1 ; Humans ; Immunodominant Epitopes ; Mass Screening ; Mice ; Peptides* ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; Vaccines

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate whether breast cancer with p53 protein overexpression (p53+) and loss of p16 protein expression (p16-) shows different body size indicator (height, weight, body mass index) associations as compared with breast tumors without p53 protein overexpression and the loss of p16 expression (p53-, p16+). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A hospital based case-control study was conducted among 92 women patients and 122 control subjects. The p53 protein overexpression and loss of p16 protein expression in the tissue sections of patients with breast cancer were determined using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: A total of 26 tumors (28%) demonstrated p53 overexpression and 35 tumors (46%) showed abnormal p16 expression. The heaviest women had a higher risk with p53- and p16+ breast tumors. The odds ratios (OR) adjusted for age, menopausal status, smoking, and drinking revealed a significant gradient of increasing risk of breast cancer with increasing BMI in p53- and p16+ breast cancer. The adjusted ORs for the highest quintile of BMI was 8.51 with p53+ tumors and 14.2 with p53- tumors, and 55.6 with p16+ tumors and 3.72 with p16- tumors. p53 protein overexpression and the loss of p16 expression did not significantly correlate with nodal status, tumor size, estrogen or progesterone receptor status. CONCLUSION: The study concluded that a strong association between p53-/p16+ tumors and BMI suggests the occurrence of p53-/p16+ tumors is related with obesity as compared to p53-/p16+ tumors.
Body Mass Index* ; Body Size ; Body Weight ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Case-Control Studies ; Drinking ; Estrogens ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Obesity ; Odds Ratio ; Receptors, Progesterone ; Smoke ; Smoking

BACKGROUND: In our previous study, the prevalence of the known causes of thyroid tumorigenesis was relatively rare in Korean population, suggesting genetic and environmental differences exist. Screening of genetic alteration in papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC) and follicular adenoma(FA) in whole genomic scale was needed prior to search on individual genes of possible causes. METHODS: Ten cases of PTC without ret/PTC-I, -2, -3 rearrangement and 5 cases of follicular adenoma were included in the study of microsatellite marker allelotyping. Sixty two microsatellite markers available, were chosen to cover the known sites of loss of heterozygosity(LOH) involved in thyroid tumors, tumor suppressor genes and terminal portion of each chromosomes. PCR was performed on tumor DNA and leukocytes DNA from each patient with MDE gel electrophoresis to detect LOH. Same specitnens as above, 3 case of normal thyroid tissues and NPA, ARO cell lines were included in the study of comparative genomic hybridization(CGH). Tumor and control DNAs were hybridized to metaphase chromosome with differential stainings with fluorescein and rhoda-mine-dUTP. Obtained results were analyzed by multicolor fluorescence computer assisted image analyzer. RESULTS: In allelotyping, LOH were detected in 5 cases of PTC, 2 cases on D10S1435, 1 case each on D2S1780, DSS1099, D11S1986, D16S539, 1 case of PTC revealed LOH on DSS1099, D11S1986. In FA, LOH were detected in 3 cases on D1S534, D1S226, Dl 1S907, D22S683, DXS9807. In CGH, Xp addition was noticed in 1 case of PTC, 12q and 10p addition was noticed in 1 case each, 16q deletion and 17q addition in 1 case of FA. CONCLUSION: No hot spot of LOH was noticed in microsatellite marker allelotyping, neither of common chromosomal change in CGH study suggesting unbalanced translocation or gene amplification more than 5-10 Mb may be involved in the genetic alteration of PTC and FA.
Adenoma* ; Carcinogenesis ; Cell Line ; Comparative Genomic Hybridization ; DNA ; Electrophoresis ; Fluorescein ; Fluorescence ; Gene Amplification ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; Humans ; Leukocytes ; Mass Screening ; Metaphase ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to to analyze the effect of Type 2 diabetes on tooth mortality, implant treatment and prosthetic status. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 275 Type 2 diabetics and 300 non-diabetics, aged 40-80 years were selected for analysis. The assessment of number of teeth, missing teeth, fixed prostheses (bridge pontics), implants using panoramic radiographs and dental records were carried out. RESULTS: Diabetes mellitus (DM) patients had a higher number of missing teeth (P<.05) and placed implants (P=.074), age (P<.05), male gender percentage (P=.042), smoker percentage (P<.05) than non-DM patients. In univariate analysis, the patients in older group showed significantly higher number of tooth loss rate at the first dental examination than the patients in younger group. Tooth loss rate of smokers did not show higher value than that of non-smokers. When multiple variables including DM, age, smoking, gender were considered together, diabetics and older group patients showed significantly higher tooth loss rate at the first dental examination than non-diabetics and younger group patients, respectively. Smokers and male group did not show a significant difference than non-smokers and female group, respectively. CONCLUSION: Tooth mortality and implant treatment rate were significantly higher in the DM group as indicated by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Old age groups showed significantly higher odds ratios and tooth loss rate. As diabetics showed the higher tooth loss rate than non-diabetics, diabetics also had more implant restorations than non-diabetics.
Adult ; Aged ; Dental Records ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Odds Ratio ; Prostheses and Implants ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Tooth ; Tooth Loss

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that in 62.5% of cases of incurable cancer pain, the complaint is due to myofascial pain syndrome. Trigger point injections using dibucaine hydrochloride help patients with such cancer pain. This study evaluated the efficacy of trigger point injections for alleviating pain in patients with advanced cancer. METHODS: Twenty patients with advanced cancer who had a life expectancy of 6 months or less and had been diagnosed with myofascial pain syndrome were treated with trigger point injections. Prior to treatment, a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to measure the resting pain level and discomfort upon application of pressure on the site of pain. These values were compared with last treatment measurements. RESULTS: The mean pre-treatment VAS scores for pain at rest and upon application of pressure on the pain site were 7.3 and 9.0, respectively. These scores decreased significantly to 1.95 and 3.2, respectively, after the treatment (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Trigger point injection is an alternative and effective pain control modality for advanced cancer patients with myofascial pain syndrome.
Dibucaine ; Humans ; Life Expectancy ; Myofascial Pain Syndromes ; Trigger Points ; Visual Analog Scale

Dystrophic calcifications themselves in the breast are classified as typically benign according to the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System. However, we experienced a patient with invasive ductal carcinoma surrounding large dystrophic calcifications that could be regarded as long-standing benign conditions such as fat necrosis or hematoma. A 61-year-old woman presented with two large dystrophic calcifications within an irregular mass in the right upper outer breast on mammography. Ultrasonography revealed an irregular mass with dense calcifications showing strong posterior acoustic shadowing. On contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, an irregular mass showed a persistent enhancement pattern and high signal intensity on a diffusion weighted image with non-enhancing areas corresponding to the calcifications. No abnormal uptake was observed on Tc-99m methylene diphosphonate bone scan. Invasive ductal carcinoma was observed on ultrasonography-guided core needle biopsy. In this case, we conclude that typical dystrophic calcifications within a breast mass cannot guarantee a benign diagnosis if the imaging characteristics of the mass are suspicious.
Acoustics ; Biopsy, Large-Core Needle ; Breast* ; Carcinoma, Ductal ; Diagnosis ; Diffusion ; Fat Necrosis ; Female ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Information Systems ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mammography ; Middle Aged ; Shadowing (Histology) ; Technetium Tc 99m Medronate ; Ultrasonography

Hook plate fixation is a treatment method for the displaced distal clavicle fracture with favorable results regarding bone union and shoulder function, however possible complications include impingement syndromes, subacrormial erosions, acromial fractures, and periprosthetic fractures. In this report, we observed 3 cases of periprosthetic fracture after hook plate fixation. All cases of periprosthetic fractures were initiated at the medial end screw holes. The causes of these periprosthetic fractures appeared to be the off centered fixation of medial end screws near the anterior or posterior cortex which were specific during operations with hook plates with more than 6 holes and the increased stress on the medial end screw by over-reduced or inferiorly reduced position of the distal end of the clavicle by the hook plate.
Clavicle* ; Periprosthetic Fractures* ; Shoulder

"BACKGROUND: Between 80 to 85% of patients with hyperparathyroidsm have a solitary adenoma of the parathyroid glands and another 15% have a parathyroid hyperplasia. Preoperative localization of the parathyoid glands is generally accepted as warranted in patients who have failed an initial attempt at parathyroidectomy, ectopic locations and inexperienced surgeons. Different imaging techniques have been used for detection of abnormal parathyroid glands such as high resolution ultrasonography, computerized tomography, arteriography, venous sampling or magnetic resonance imaging and 201Tl/99mTc subtraction scintigraphy. But these methods have had varying rates of success, with low specificity and low sensitivity. Among the several different techniques available for parathyroid radionuclide imaging, the most common is the use of a dualradioisotope procedure combining of Tl with Tc. However, there are some controversies regarding the optimal technical aspects of this procedure, including the relative amount of injected dose of radiotracers, failed detection for small sized and deeper cervical located parathyroids, and not easy procedures. Recently, double phase Tc-sestamibi scintigraphy would be useful to solve these technical limitations, more convenient and have higher sensitivities. The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of 99mTc-sestamibi with 201Tl/ 99mTc subtraction scintigraphy in the localization of hyperparathyroidism. METHODS: 9 patients with hyperparathyroidism underwent preoperative evaluation with double phase 99mTc-sestamibi scintigraphy and 201Tl/99mTc subtraction scintigraphy for attempted localization of abnormal parathyroid glands and surgical explorations. Imaging results were compared to surgical findings. RESULTS: Of 9 patients, 7 had a solitary parathyroid adenoma, 1 had a carcinoma and 1 had parathyroid hyperplasia. The 201Tl/99mTc subtraction scintigraphy preoperatively localized 8 of 9 patients(sensitivity: S9%) and 99mTc-sestamibi scintigraphy correctly localized all lesions for a sensitivity of 100%. In one case, 201Tl/99mTc subtraction scan show only a hot uptake at left upper parathyroid area, but 99mTc-sestamibi scan was shown the three site of hot uptake at left upper, both inferior parathyroid area. CONCLUSION: In patients with hyperparathyoridism, 99mTc-sestamibi scintigraphy may be used as the single imaging technique as it show a very high sensitivity and specificity in the preoperative localization of pathological parathyroid glands.
Adenoma ; Angiography ; Humans ; Hyperparathyroidism* ; Hyperplasia ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Parathyroid Glands ; Parathyroid Neoplasms ; Parathyroidectomy ; Radionuclide Imaging* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi* ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthases (iNOS), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-3, and TIMP-4 in the gingival tissues of periodontal patients with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: Depending on the patient's systemic condition and clinical criteria of the gingiva, each gingival sample was classified into one of three groups. Sixteen clinically, systemically healthy patients (group 1), 16 periodontal patients (group 2), and 16 periodontal patients with DM (group 3) were included. Tissue samples in each group were collected, prepared, and analyzed by western blotting. Quantification of the relative amount of TIMP-3, TIMP-4, and iNOS was performed. RESULTS: The expression levels of iNOS and TIMP-3 both increased in group 1, group 2, and group 3 in increasing order, and were significantly higher in both group 2 and group 3 as compared to group 1 (P<0.05). The expression levels of TIMP-4 increased in the same order, but significantly increased in group 2 as compared to group 1, in group 3 as compared to group 1, and group 3 as compared to group 2 (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that iNOS, TIMP-3, and TIMP-4 might be involved in the progression of periodontal inflammation associated with type 2 DM. It is thought that further study of these factors can be applied practically for the diagnosis and control of periodontitis in diabetics.
Blotting, Western ; Chronic Periodontitis ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Gingiva ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; Periodontitis ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-3 ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases

A renal cell carcinoma with tumor thrombus extension into the inferior vena cava occurs in approximately 5 percent of cases. Despite invasion of the inferior vena cava, an aggressive surgical approach for these neoplasms is recommended, but pulmonary and tumor embolisms have been common complications. Therefore, the prevention of tumor emboli during operation is necessary. Placement of a suprarenal filter in the inferior vena cava has become the procedure of choice for preventing tumor emboli during a radical nephrectomy.
Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Neoplastic Cells, Circulating ; Nephrectomy* ; Thrombosis ; Vena Cava Filters ; Vena Cava, Inferior*