Alternaria cassiae Jurair & Khan was recorded on seeds of sickle senna(Cassia tora L.). Seed infection ranged from 25~45% in two samples. Developing roots and shoots turn brown and died in case of severe infection. Detailed descriptions were given on the habit characters of the fungus and on the morphology of conidiophores and condia. This is the first report of A. cassiae on seeds of Cassia.
Alternaria* ; Cassia* ; Fungi ; Korea*

No abstract available.
Cardiotocography* ; Meconium* ; Pregnancy*

PURPOSE: CT and MR findings of cerebral fat embolism syndrome(CFES) have been rarely reported, because its diagnosis had been made on the basis of only clinical features in the majority of the cases. The purpose of this study is to describe the clinical, CT, and MR findings in six patients of CFES. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Brain CT and MR findings were retrospectively analyzed in six patients with CFES that was diagnosed on the basis of clinical and MRI findings. All six patients had long bone fractures and showed typical delayed clinical manifestations 2-3 days later. Both CT and MRI were examined in all of six patients. Initial CT scan was performed within 48 hours after trauma in all patients, andfollow-up CT scan was done in 2-11 days in two patients. MRI was done within 2-7 days after trauma in three patients, and 13 days, 18 days, and 45 days in other three patients. Follow-up MRI studies were performed in 2-60 weeks in four patients. Clinical and laboratory findings were analyzed retrospectively with medical records. CT and MRI findings were evaluated with regard to presence or absence of diffuse brain swelling and focal abnormalities of signal intensity(density). RESULTS: CT scans obtained within 2 days after trauma showed diffuse cerebral swelling in five patients and normal findng in one patient. On Tl-weighted MRI, diffuse cerebral swelling was shown in three cases and high signal spots suggesting cerebral petechial hemorrhage were noted in both caudate nuclei and thalami in two cases. On T2-weighted images, high signal spots which were shown on Tl-weighted image were not visible. In all of six cases, multiple lesions of high signal were observed mainly in the cerebral white matters, cerebellum and brain stem, probably representing ischemia/infarct or edema. On the follow-up MRI studies performed within a period from weeks to one month after trauma, the size and the number of the lesions were significantly decreased and these findings were well corresponded with clinical course. CONCLUSION: MR findings' of CFES include diffuse cerebral swelling, petechial hemorrhage and mi- croinfarcts, which characteristically improved in short period. In cases suspected of having CFES, MRI is more useful than CT for initial and follow-up studies because of its high detection rate of lesions and correspondence with clinical course.
Brain ; Brain Edema ; Brain Stem ; Cerebellum ; Diagnosis ; Edema ; Embolism, Fat* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractures, Bone ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

To evaluate whether iron concentration in TYM medium influence on hydrogenosomal enzyme gene expression and hydrogenosomal membrane potential of Trichomonas vaginalis, trophozoites were cultivated in irondepleted, normal and iron-supplemented TYM media. The mRNA of hydrogenosomal enzymes, such as pyruvate ferredoxin oxidoreductase (PFOR), hydrogenase, ferredoxin and malic enzyme, was increased with iron concentrations in T. vaginalis culture media, measured by RT-PCR. Hydrogenosomal membrane potentials measured with DiOC6 also showed similar tendency, e.g. T. vaginalis cultivated in iron-depleted and iron-supplemented media for 3 days showed a significantly reduced and enhanced hydrogenosomal membrane potential compared with that of normal TYM media, respectively. Therefore, it is suggested that iron may regulate hydrogenosomal activity through hydrogenosomal enzyme expression and hydrogenosomal membrane potential.
Trichomonas vaginalis/*growth & development ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pyruvate Synthase/genetics/metabolism ; Organelles/*enzymology/metabolism/*physiology ; Membrane Potentials ; Malate Dehydrogenase/genetics/metabolism ; Iron/*metabolism ; Hydrogenase/genetics/metabolism ; Hydrogen/*metabolism ; Humans ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; *Gene Expression Regulation ; Ferredoxins/genetics/metabolism ; Culture Media ; Animals

The development of primary squamous cell carcinoma in the endometrium is extremely rare. In 1928 Fluhmann proposed three criteria to establish the diagnosis: (1) no coexisting endometrial adenocarcinoma, (2) no connection between the endometrial tumor and the squamous epithelium of the cervix and (3) no squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix present. More recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) updated Fluhmann's criteria by adding that the tumor must contain clear evidence of squamous differentiation, such as the presence of intercellular bridges and/or keratin. We have experienced a case of primary endometrial squamous cell carcinoma which fulfills Fluhmann's criteria and WHO's. In this report, we present the clinical and pathological findings of a case of a primary endometrial squamous cell carcinoma of a 62-year-old patient with a review of the concerned literatures.
Adenocarcinoma ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Cervix Uteri ; Diagnosis ; Endometrium ; Epithelium ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; World Health Organization

A case of congenital periureteral bladder diverticulum is described. Bladder outflow obstruction and urinary tract infection were the presenting symptoms of a 2 year old boy. There were two diverticula in the bladder. The one was small (1 x 2cm) and located just above the right ureteral orifice and the other was large (8 x 10cm) and located at the left trigone. There was no hydronephrosis, and vesicoureteral reflux, neither. A simple diverticulectomy was performed. The left ureteral orifice was found at the medial side of the diverticulum's neck during operation. During follow up, bilateral high grade vesicoureteral reflux were discovered and urinary tract infections developed frequently. Eventually, ureteral reimplantation was done one year after the diverticulectomy.
Child, Preschool ; Diverticulum ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis ; Male ; Neck ; Replantation ; Ureter ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Tract Infections ; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux*

This study was performed to investigate the morphometric and ultrastructural change in the adult and aged rat small intestine. The myenteric and submucous plexuses were stained by NADH-TR in the ileum of adult Sprague-Dawley rats (3 mo., 300~350 gm) and aged rats (24 mo., 500~550 gm). The neurons of myenteric and sumucous plexuses were divided into 3 groups depending on their cell body morphology. Type 1 cells were polygonal or round with abundant cytoplasm. Type 2 cells were spindle shaped and type 3 cells were small and round with scanty cytoplasm. The nerve cell numbers and sizes were measured using an image analyzer (VIDAS, Carl Zeiss, Co., Ltd.). Ultrastructural changes were observed by JEM-1200 EXII (JEOL Co., Ltd.) electron microscope. The result obtained are as followed: 1. In adult rats, majority of neuron population were type 3 and neuron density (total numbers/1 mm2) was more higher in submucous plexus than in the myenteric plexus. 2. Statistically significant loss of type 1 and type 2 neurons were in myenteric and submucous plexus of aged rat small intestine. 3. All types of neuron sizes were increased in aged myenteric and submucous plexuses. 4. Lipofusin granules were prominent in the cytoplasm of aged rat. Cell organelles were not shown degenerative change. These results suggest that type 1 and type 2 nerve cells which is originated from autonomic nerves were lost in aged rat small intestine. Ultrastructurally lipofusin granules were prominent in the cytoplasm of aged rat and the cell organelles were not degenerated.
Adult* ; Aging ; Animals ; Autonomic Pathways ; Cytoplasm ; Enteric Nervous System* ; Humans ; Ileum ; Intestine, Small* ; Myenteric Plexus ; Neurons ; Organelles ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Submucous Plexus

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of predicted birth weight percentile and large for gestational age(LGA) fetuses by the gestation-adjusted projection method using estimated fetal weight. METHODS: From 462 low-risk pregnancies with singleton fetus, fetal biometry including fetal biparietal diameter(BPD), head circumference(HC), abdominal circumference(AC), and femur length(FL) was made from 30 weeks of gestation until term. Estimated fetal weight(EFW) by combinations of fetal biometry were made by Campbell, Hadlock1, Hadlock2, and Shepard formulas respectively. The diagnostic accuracy according to 4 formulas was assessed by correlation between EFW percentile and birth weight percentile, prediction of LGA fetuses, and prediction error(percentile difference between birth weight and EFW). RESULTS: The mean gestational age on ultrasound and on birth, and birth weight were 33.21 +/- 2.08(30-40) weeks, 38.43 +/- 1.72(30-42) weeks, and 3.14 +/- 0.47(0.99-4.38) Kg, respectively. The diagnostic accuracies of gestation-projection method using EFW were similar result to predict birth weight percentile and LGA fetuses according to 4 formulas. Correlation between EFW percentile and birth weight percentile(correlation coefficient, r) were Campbell: 0.644(p <0.001), Hadlock 1: 0.682(p <0.001), Hadlock 2: 0.681(p <0.001), Shepard: 0.638(p <0.001), respectively. Youden's index(sensitivity + specificity - 1) in prediction of LGA fetuses were Campbell: 0.532, Hadlock1: 0.525, Hadlock2: 0.520, Shepard: 0.549, respectively. Prediction error were Campbell: 18.14+/-16.56, Hadlock1: 16.19+/-14.35, Hadlock2: 16.10+/-14.29, Shepard: 19.68+/-17.00, respectively. The prediction error was increased according to increasing of lapse time(p <0.001), gestational weeks on ultrasound, and estimated fetal weight percentile, and decreasing birth weight percentile(p <0.001)(R square=0.411, (p <0.001). But, amniotic fluid index did not affect to prediction error(p=0.199). CONCLUSION: Our study presented relatively accurate prediction for birth weight percentile and LGA fetuses from remote sonographic examination. If LGA fetuses was suspected by antenatal ultrasound, adequate therapy and periodic observation are recommended for good perinatal outcome.
Amniotic Fluid ; Biometry ; Birth Weight* ; Female ; Femur ; Fetal Weight* ; Fetus* ; Gestational Age* ; Head ; Parturition* ; Pregnancy ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrasonography

In order to investigate the risk factors of preterm delivery, we reviewed 1,676 birth cases excluding still-birth and multiple birth delivered at Seoul National University Hospital in 1995. The logistic regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between preterm birth and risk factors. The distribution of birth weight showed 9.7 % in low birth weight(< 2.5 kg), and 4.8 % in macrosomia(>or= 4.0 kg). The rate of preterm delivery was 9.2 %(155/1,676). The incidence of preterm delivery in maternal ages under 25(15.6 %) and above 35(14.3 %) was higher than that in 25~34 years old(7.9 %). There was a significant association between preterm birth and previous history of preterm birth, spontaneous abortion and induced abortion. There was no association between preterm birth and fetal sex or birth order. The risk for preterm birth was higher in nulliparous women aged 35 or older(OR : 2.521, 95% CI : 1.387-4.584, p < 0.001). There was a significant increase in preterm birth in women with following risk factors : previous history of preterm birth(OR : 3.616, CI : 2.138 - 6.118, p < 0.0001), history of spontaneous abortion(OR : 1.861, CI : 1.296-2.671, p < 0.0001), irregular menstrual cycle (OR : 2.174, CI : 1.469 - 3.215, p < 0.0001), and previous history of pregnancy complications(OR : 5.296, CI : 3.709 - 7.561, p < 0.0001). There was no significant increase in preterm birth in women with history of induced abortion(OR : 1.250, CI : 0.830 - 1.881, p = 0.2846).
Abortion, Induced ; Abortion, Spontaneous ; Birth Order ; Birth Weight ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Logistic Models ; Maternal Age ; Menstrual Cycle ; Multiple Birth Offspring ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Premature Birth ; Risk Factors* ; Seoul

PURPOSE: Because of difficulty of obtaining metaphase cells from tumor specimens, there are only a few cytogenetic studies in nasal NK/T-cell lymphomas, and so far no consistent specific chromosomal abnormalities have been described. In this study, we have used degenerate oligonucleotide primed PCR (DOP-PCR) and comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) to deter mine chromosomal alterations from 6 nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma tissues dissected from formalin- fixed paraffin-embedded slide sections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the isolation of tumor DNA, four 7-micrometer-thick tissue sections from each sample were dewaxed and rehydrated, and areas of high tumor cell content (more than 60%) were dissected and pooled into a tube. Normal DNA was prepared from the peripheral blood of a healthy volunteer. Tumor DNA was labeled with biotin-16-dUTP by DOP-PCR and normal DNA was labeled with digoxigenin-dUTP using a nick translation kit. In CGH, equal amounts of differently labeled DNA from the tumors and normal reference DNA were hybridized simul taneously to normal metaphase chromosomes. They were visualized by different fluordegrees Chromes, and the signal intensities were quantitated separately as gray levels for each chromosome. The over- and underrepresented DNA segments were determined by computation of image ratios and average ratio profiles. RESULTS: Our results show that gains of DNA copy number were more prevalence than DNA losses. The most commonly observed gains were mapped to chromosomal regions of 1p32.2 ter,19 and 20 in 4 of 6 cases (67%). The other frequent gains were found on chromosomes 12q in 3 of 6 cases. The most frequent loss was detected on 6q in 4 of 6 cases(67%), and less fre quently observed on 13q21.1 q34 and 13q14 q34. CONCLUSION: These genomic changes found in specific chromosomal regions are likely to harbor genes of importance in nasal NK/T-cell lymphomagenesis, therefore such cytogenetic mapping of genomic imbalance may be of value for further molecular delineation of NK/T-cell lymphoma.
Chromosome Aberrations ; Comparative Genomic Hybridization* ; Cytogenetics ; DNA ; Healthy Volunteers ; Lymphoma* ; Metaphase ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence