Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCMP) is characterized myofiber hypertrophy and structural remodeling with changes in the proportion of the muscular, vascular, and interstitial compartments. A study was done to determine the structural remodeling patterns and the role of microvasculature of hearts in HCMP. Forty-two postmortem hearts were analyzed including 14 from patients who died of HCMP (group 1), 8 patients with HCMP but who died from extracardiac causes (group 2), 10 patients with ischemic heart disease (group 3), and 10 normal adult hearts (group 4). Macro- and microscopic examination, immunohistochemical study using CD34 antibody, and morphometric studies using image analyzer were performed. Mean cardiac weight and wall thickness were significantly higher in the HCMP group. Myocardial hypertrophy, and a variety of myocardial disarray and fibrosis involved the whole area of the left ventricles with HCMP. The percentage areas of microvessels were 6.40 0.7 in group 1, 5.90 0.6 in group 2, 4.98 0.3 in group 3, 4.85 0.4 in group 4, respectively, and the numbers of microvessels were 198.0 20.7 in group 1, 230.0 22.3 in group 2, 211.7 11.2 in group 3, and 236.4 11.4 in group 4, respectively (mean SE). The percentage area of microvessels was significantly higher in group 1 than in other groups. However, the number of microvessels in that group was lower than in the other groups, although it was statistically insignificant. Since flow-dependent vasodilation is preserved in HCMP, we considered flow-dependent vasodilation the cause of the discrepancy between the area and the number of microvessels. Ischemic changes observed in chronic HCMP and related heart failure were considesed to be due to the relative deficiency of the coronary flow compared to the increasing cardiac mass.
Adult ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic* ; Fibrosis ; Heart ; Heart Failure ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Microvessels ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Vasodilation

Among the precancerous lesions, dysplasia of the uterine cervix and adenoma of the colon have been widely studied in terms of genetic alterations. However, little has been performed regarding phenotypic alterations of the precancerous lesions. We investigated the relationship among cellular proliferation, clonality, immortality and histopathologic grading of the squamous epithelial lesions of the uterine cervix. Proliferation index (PI) was calculated based on the ratio of the epithelial cells positive for proliferating cell nuclear antigen to the total epithelial cells. Clonality was assayed by X-linked HUMARA polymorphism. For immortality assay, PCR-based TRAP (telomeric repeat amplification protocol) was done and telomerase processivity was calculated by comparison with the positive control. PI increased gradually as the lesions advanced from dysplasia to invasive carcinoma. Among informative case, all of the carcinoma in situ showed monoclonal pattern (7 of 7). Among invasive squamous cell carcinoma, 6 cases showed monoclonal pattern and 2 cases polyclonal pattern. TRAP reaction was positive in 92.6% (25 of 27) of dysplasia (high grade: 14 of 15; low grade: 11 of 12), 95.0% (19 of 20) of carcinoma in situ, 100% (9 of 9) of microinvasive carcinoma, and 92.9% (13 of 14) of invasive carcinoma. It was also positive in 12 of 12 samples of chronic cervicitis or squamous metaplasia near the lesions of dysplasia. There was no difference in TRAP positivity among the dysplasia, carcinoma in situ and invasive carcinoma, whereas telomerase processivity showed significant correlation. These results suggest that proliferative activity and telomerase processivity may be progressive events in oncogenesis, although telomerase activation may be an early event.
Adenoma ; Carcinogenesis ; Carcinoma in Situ ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cell Proliferation ; Cervix Uteri ; Colon ; Epithelial Cells ; Female ; Metaplasia ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; Telomerase ; Uterine Cervicitis

In this article, first author's name was misspelled unintentionally.

PURPOSE: This study examines changes in developmental profiles of children with language delay over time and the clinical significance of assessment conducted at age 2-3 years. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 70 children (62 male, 8 female), who had visited the hospital because of delayed language development at 2-3 years, and were reassessed at ages 5-6. Language and cognitive abilities were assessed using multiple scales at the initial and follow-up visits. RESULTS: At the initial test, 62 of the 70 children had mental development index (MDI) below 70 of Bayley Scales of Infant Development Test II. Of the 62 children in the follow-up assessment, 30 children (48.4%) remained within the same cognitive range (full-scale intelligence quotient, FSIQ<70 of Wechsler preschool and primary scale of intelligence), 12 had borderline intellectual functioning (FSIQ, 70-85), 6 improved to average intellectual functioning (FSIQ>85), and 5 had specific language impairment, 9 had autism spectrum disorders. At the initial test, 38 of the 70 children had cognitive developmental quotients (C-DQ) below 70. Of the 38 children in the follow-up assessment, 23 children (60.5%) remained within the same cognitive range (FSIQ<70). The correlation coefficient for MDI and FSIQ was 0.530 (P<0.0001) and that for C-DQ and FSIQ was 0.727 (P<0.0001). There was a strong correlation between C-DQ and FSIQ, and a moderate correlation between MDI and FSIQ. CONCLUSION: Low MDI scores reflect a specific delay in cognitive abilities, communication skills, or both. The C-DQ, receptive language development quotient, and social maturity quotient also help to distinguish between children with isolated language delay and children with cooccurring cognitive impairment. Moreover, changes in the developmental profile during preschool years are not unusual in children with language delay. Follow-up reassessments prior to the start of school are required for a more accurate diagnosis and intervention.
Child ; Child Development ; Autism Spectrum Disorder ; Child, Preschool* ; Cognition ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intelligence ; Language Development Disorders ; Language Development* ; Male ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Weights and Measures

We report a case of severe hypothyroidism with nongoitrous, autoimmune thyroiditis and pituitary hyperplasia in a 13-year-old boy, who presented with sudden palsy on the left side of his face. Prednisolone and antiviral medication was administered. However, the facial palsy did not improve completely. The medications were replaced with thyroxine, and the facial palsy recovered. Endocrinological testing showed severe hypothyroidism as follows: thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level >100 microIU/mL, T4 of 1.04 microg/dL, T3 of 0.31 ng/mL, and free T4 of 0.07 ng/dL. Level of serum antithyroid peroxidase antibodies was 1,933.39 IU/mL, and that of antithyroglobulin antibodies was 848.16 IU/mL. Level of TSH receptor antibodies was >40 IU/L. Bioassay result for TSH receptor stimulating antibodies was negative. Thyroid sonography revealed no increase in the size or vascularity of the bilateral gland. Thyroid scintigraphy with 99mTc showed decreased uptake, and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an enlarged pituitary gland.
Adolescent ; Antibodies ; Biological Assay ; Facial Paralysis* ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Hypothyroidism ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Paralysis ; Peroxidase ; Pituitary Gland ; Prednisolone ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Receptors, Thyrotropin ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroiditis, Autoimmune* ; Thyrotropin ; Thyroxine

Sclerosing mesenteritis is a rare benign disease with a prevalence of 0.16–3.4% and is characterized by chronic nonspecific inflammation and extensive fibrosis in the adipose tissue of the mesentery although the exact pathogenesis is still elusive. A 65-year-old woman was referred with suspicion of an abdominal mass and biliary stones on abdominal ultrasonography and CT. Bile duct stones were confirmed by endoscopic ultrasonography and successfully treated by endoscopic retrograde cholangiography with stone removal. Furthermore, a 4.7 cm conglomerated mass on small intestinal mesentery was suspected as sclerosing mesenteritis based on the features on abdominal MRI. However, because it could not be differentiated from malignancy without histologic examination, laparoscopic excisional biopsy was performed; it showed only inflammatory cells with extensive fibrosis. Therefore, the abdominal mass was confirmed as sclerosing fibrosis and the patient was followed-up without any treatments because no mass-related symptoms accompanied the findings. Six months later, abdominal CT showed no significant change in the mass. Herein, we report a rare case of incidentally found idiopathic sclerosing mesenteritis.
Adipose Tissue ; Aged ; Bile Ducts ; Biopsy ; Cholangiography ; Endosonography ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins* ; Inflammation ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mesentery ; Panniculitis, Peritoneal ; Prevalence ; Sclerosis* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: We designed this study to evaluate the interobserver reliability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), post-myelographic computed tomography (CT-myelogram) and myelography for the diagnosis of lumbar spinal stenosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty two patients with lumbar spinal stenosis were evaluated preoperatively by MRI, CT-myelography, and myelography by four observers. For each set of scans, the examiners assessed the presence or absence of; 1) intervertebral disk protrusion, 2) facet arthrosis, 3) ligamentum flavum hypertrophy, and 4) nerve root impingement. The severities of 1) central, 2) lateral, 3) foraminal and 4) entire spinal stenosis were graded using a four-point scale range from 1 (no stenosis) to 4 (severe stenosis). RESULTS: Kappa statistical analysis revealed moderate interobserver agreement in terms of disk protrusion (0.49), nerve root impingement (0.42) and lateral stenosis grade based on MRI. Low levels of agreement were found for facet arthrosis and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy. Relatively higher levels of agreement were found for nerve root impingement, lateral stenosis and entire stenosis, graded by MRI and for central stenosis graded by myelography. CONCLUSION: The results of this study reflect that MRI showed relatively higher levels of interobserver reliability than the other diagnostic modalities in the evaluation of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.
Constriction, Pathologic ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Intervertebral Disc ; Ligamentum Flavum ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Myelography ; Spinal Stenosis*

Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) involving the roots of the celiac, superior mesenteric and both renal arteries is a rare, but potentially lethal disease. The overall postoperative mortality rate is high even when the intact TAAA is electively repaired. Furthermore, the postoperative complications are often serious and they include acute renal failure, paraplegia, respiratory distress and intestinal ischemia. The inclusion technique using a visceral-aortic patch (VAP) is considered the gold standard method for visceral artery revascularization for the treatment of TAAA. However, the inclusion technique is not feasible for patients with Marfan syndrome or for those patients with inappropriate anatomy for VAP. In such cases, separate visceral revascularization is a useful alternative and this may decrease the visceral ischemic time. Herein we report on 3 cases of TAAA, and the patients all underwent successful separate visceral revascularization, including one patient with Marfan syndrome.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic ; Arteries ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Marfan Syndrome ; Paraplegia ; Postoperative Complications ; Renal Artery

A daily count of air borne pollen was done within the city limits of Seoul, Korea for a period of two years (1984-1985) using Durham's Gravity Sampling Device. Two major pollen seasons, March through May, and the month of September, were easily distinguishable. The concentration of the different types of pollen as well as all of the pollens combined varied similarly both years to a significant degree. The pollen types found in the greatest numbers were Alnus (March), Populus (April), Quercus (April-May), Pinus(May), grasses (September), and weeds (September). The main weed pollens detected in September, sagebrush, ragweed and Japanese hop would also be considered to be important allergenic pollens of respiratory allergy in Korea. The results of the survey are discussed in the light of especially relevant published literature.
Air Pollution/analysis* ; Comparative Study ; Human ; Korea ; Pollen/analysis* ; Seasons

A case of neurenteric cyst within the cervical canal is reported. He has been suffered from gradual aggravated quardriparesis since 4 months. On spine C-T scan and cervical myelographic examination, intradural extramedullary mass was detected. And so total laminectomy of C4, C5 and C6 was performed. We could diagnose by the pathological findings.
Laminectomy ; Neural Tube Defects* ; Spinal Canal* ; Spine