Angiogenesis is an essential process in tumor growth and metastasis. VEGF has been considered a leading candidate inducing tumor angiogenesis. VEGF expression was significantly correlated with clinical stage, lymph node matastasis, and prognosis of cancers of various parts of body. However, little has been known about the correlation between VEGF expression and clinicopathologic parameters in oral squamous cell carcinoma. The aim of this study was to correlate VEGF expression with the clinicopathological parameters and microvessel density. Forty six oral squamous cell carcinomas were analyzed using immunohistochemical method with primary antibodies to VEGF and CD31. VEGF expression was detected in 33 (71.7%) of the 46 cases. The microvessel density was significantly correlated with VEGF expression (P=0.002). There was no correlation between microvessel density and tumour size, clinical stage, and lymph node metastasis, respectively. VEGF expression did not correlate with the histological grade of tumour differentiation, tumour size, and clinical stages. The VEGF-positive rate seemed to be higher in patients with cervical lymph nodal metastasis than in those without it, but it was not statistically significant. In conclusion, the overexpression of VEGF in the oral squamous cell carcinoma seemed to be associated with a more aggressive course of the disease. Further study is necessary to define the role of VEGF in oral squamous cell carcinoma.
Antibodies ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Microvessels* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prognostic significance of argyrophilic nucleoalr organizer regions (AgNORs) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) by using DMBA hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis which provides a good experimental model in reproducing steps from precancerous lesions to invasive squamous cell carcinomas. The buccal pouches of 50 Syrian hamsters were applied with 0.5% DMBA in mineral oil three times a week to reproduce various lesions from precancerous ones such as hyperkeratosis or epithelial dysplasia to invasive squamous cell carcinomas. Their sections were stained with H & E, and silver colloid, and processed immunohistochemically by being applied with monoclonal antibody to PCNA. The histopathologic examainations were done and the counts of AgNORs were evaluated. The PCNA labelling indices on each lesions were evaluated. The correlation between histopathological grades and counts of AgNORs or PCNA labelling indices were evaluated. The number of AgNORs was 2.22+/-0.22 in control group, 3.46+/-0.72 in carcinoma in situ (CIS), 3.78+/-0.63 in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), respectively. AgNORs significantly increased in severe epithelial dysplasia, CIS, and SCC compared with normal tissue (P<0.05). The PCNA Labeling Index (LI) was 39.47+/-6.68% in control group, 79.61+/-4.14% in CIS, and 85.43+/-6.25% in SCC, respectively. PCNA LI also significantly increased in epithelial dysplasia, CIS, and SCC compared with normal tissue (P<0.05). The number of AgNORs, AgNOR area, and PCNA LI slightly increased in the advancing front than in the center of SCC, but, it was not statistically significant. It appeared that there were a good correlation between the number of AgNORs and PCNA LI (Pierson correlation coefficient : 0.649, P<0.001). These results suggested that the number of AgNORs and the PCNA LI could be useful markers for evaluating the risk of malignant transformation and prognosis of SCC. It was thought that the clinical usefulness of these markers should be verified by using human tissue specimens.
9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene ; Animals ; Carcinogenesis* ; Carcinoma in Situ ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Colloids ; Cricetinae* ; Humans ; Mesocricetus ; Mineral Oil ; Models, Theoretical ; Prognosis ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen* ; Silver

The present study has been undertaken to pursue the cytotoxic effects of cis-Platin on the osteoid formation in metaphysis of rat tibia. By using the immunohistological staining method for type I collagen in rat tibial osteoid, the author detected the deposition of type I collagen, which is the collagenous constituent of endochondral osteoid, after administration of cis-Platin in experimental animals. For the immunological reactions of type I collagen, we used the rabbit anti-rat collagen type I polyclonal antibody as primary antibody and biotinylated goat anti-rabbit IgG as secondary antibody. The distributions of immunohistological reactions in the each of metaphyseal osteoids were analyzed with an image analyzer, and we studied the variances of type I collagens by statistical probabilities. In 12 hours after cis-Platin injection, immunoreactive area in the osteoid of metaphysis was distinctly decreased. Immunoreactive area of type I collagen in osteoids of 1 day and 3 days group metaphysis was increased more than that of 12 hours group and the type I collagen in the metaphysis showed weak immunoreactions of type I collagens with an image analyzer. In the osteoids of 7 days group after cis-Platin injection, the immunoreactive area was similar to that of control group. It is consequently suggested that cis-Platin would induce the decrease of type I collagen in the osteoid. But the type I collagen in tibial osteoid shows the increase from a few days after cis-Platin injection.
Animals ; Collagen ; Collagen Type I* ; Goats ; Immunoglobulin G ; Rats* ; Tibia*

There are many modifications of eye shape and structure among fish, the general plan is similar throughout. This study was performed to comparative investigation for the lens shape and the interlocking pattern of lens fiber in genus Zacco (Z. temmincki and Z. platypus) and Pseudogobio (P. esocinus). The equatorial and axis diameter of lens for the classification of lens shape were measured by micrometer. And the interlocking patterns of lens fibers were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The lens shapes of Z. platypus and Z. temmincki were spherical (axis /equqtorial diameter = 1), but the lens shape of P. esocinus was subspherical type (axis / equqtorial diameter = 0.87). The interlocking patterns of lens fibers showed that Z. temmincki have an "anchor and socket" connection, Z. platy-pus have a "ball and socket" connection, and P. esocinus have a "rod and socket" connection. The results of this study may be utilized in the taxonomic keys for the classification of fish.
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Classification ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Platypus

Thirty consecutive patient seen in a pediatric out patient and emergency department, in whom the diagnosis of intussusception was considered, had an ultrasound examination of the abdomen before the barium enema. The peak age was 5~12 month (range 4~34 month). Intussusception was detected by ultrasonography in all 25 cases proved by barium enema (sensitivity 100%). Normal findings on ultrasonography correlated with a negative barium enema results in 5 of 5 cases (negative predictive value=100%). No intussusception was missed by ultrasonography. To determine which patient would most benefit from ultrasonography, we divided patients into either a high risk group (100% intussusception) or a low risk group (37.5% intussusception) on the basis of clinical symptoms. We conclude that ultrasonography can be used as a rapid sensitive screening procedure in the diagnosis or exclusion of childhood intussusception. Probability of surgical reduction was associated with size of of total thickness and external rim thickness.
Abdomen ; Barium ; Child* ; Diagnosis* ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Enema ; Humans ; Infant* ; Intussusception* ; Mass Screening ; Ultrasonography*

MHS is a myopathic disorder transmitted by a dominant autosomal gene. The seriousness of the problem is underscored by the fact that the mortality rate, until recently, has ranked the highest among the complications of modern anesthesia. During halothane anesthesia we experienced a case of MHS with high temperature and rigidity after succinylcholine, observed change of serum electrolytes, and noted CPK and myoglobin in the urine. The patient was managed with surface cooling, bicarbonate, diurectics, mechanical ventilator and corticosteroids. The patient survived without any sequelae and was discharged after 10 days.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Anesthesia ; Electrolytes ; Halothane ; Humans ; Malignant Hyperthermia* ; Mortality ; Myoglobin ; Succinylcholine ; Ventilators, Mechanical

This study was performed to investigate whether the kinds and arrangement patterns of the cone cells were related to the kinds of behavior, prey and habitat in the species of genus Zacco and genus Pseudogobio The retinas were observed by a light microscopy using H-E staining method. The cone cells of Z. platypus and Z. temmincki showed compact mosaic patterns of row type. Keep apart from the center, the diameters of the double and single cone cells were gradually increased. Z. temmincki developed the identical double cone cells, and Z. platypus developed the non-identical double and single cone cells. But, Pseudogobio esocinus constituted loose mosaic patterns of row and irregular types and developed the identical double cones and single cone cells. The above results suggest that the kinds and mosaic pattern of cone cells of Z. temmincki feeding on a moving aquatic insects in relative limpid water and swift current, reflect the highest resolution among these three species. And the kinds and mosaic pattern of cone cells of P. esocinus keep watching around in the sand ground and feeding on a moving aquatic insects in relative limpid water and gentle current, suggest that if has better resolution than those of Z. platypus feeding on mainly adhesive algae and some aquatic insects in slightly turbid water.
Adhesives ; Ecosystem* ; Insects ; Microscopy ; Platypus ; Retina ; Retinaldehyde* ; Silicon Dioxide ; Water

Background: This study aimed to examine international students’ perceptions, characteristics, use of public medical services, and satisfaction with the National Health Insurance System, and compared the results with the Health Insurance System Perception Survey conducted on Korean population to understand the differences between the two groups’ perceptions of the health insurance system and their use of medical services. Methods: A survey was conducted from May 23, 2022 to June 21, 2022 to measure various data of international students related to the National Health Insurance System and analyzed the results. Results: Most international students were in their 20s (the average age was 23±2.06 years), which showed that they were less likely to use medical services compared to Korean population in their 20s. Both Korean population and international students viewed their subjective health as generally good. Regarding the perceptions of the National Health Insurance System, 75.6% of the Korean population responded positively, while only 16% of international students responded positively. The biggest reason for the negative responses was the higher contributions compared to private health insurance, showing that financial hardship played a large role in the negative perceptions. The insurance contribution calculation methods by the Government showed differences.International students receive the same insurance contributions regardless of their nationality, age, income, or assets. Conclusions Through this study, it has been confirmed that further research and examination are needed regarding the application of Korean health insurance to foreign residents and the appropriate calculation of insurance contributions.

Sarcoidosis is a systemic inflammatory disease characterized by non-caseating granulomas of unknown origin. Of the fewer than 6% of sarcoidosis cases that occur in subcutaneous tissue, most occur on the face or forearm, but rarely in the toe. A 33-year-old man was admitted to our institute with a 2-cm mass on his chin and a 0.5-cm mass on his right fourth toe. Based on preoperative ultrasonography, epidermal cysts were suspected, and histopathological tests were performed after removing the masses. Histopathologically, the chin and toe tissue samples showed chronic granulomatous inflammation, without necrosis, indicative of sarcoidosis. Chest computed tomography revealed a large number of small nodules in both the interlobar fissures and the peribronchial area, and a large number of small lymph nodes in both the hilar and interlobar node areas. On the basis of the histopathologic and imaging findings, the patient was diagnosed with sarcoidosis. This very rare case of sarcoidosis, occurring in both chin and toe, suggests that thorough evaluation is needed to find other mass when we find sarcoidosis in facial area.
Adult ; Chin* ; Epidermal Cyst ; Forearm ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Lymph Nodes ; Necrosis ; Sarcoidosis* ; Subcutaneous Tissue ; Thorax ; Toes* ; Ultrasonography

Hydranencehaly is an abnormality consisting of complete or almost absence of the cerebral hemispheres, which are replaced by a large fluid-filled cavity. The midbrain and brain stem are relatively intact, and rudiments of frontal, temporal and occipital cortex may be present. We diagnosed it through the evaluation of clinical features, prenatal US (intrauterine pregnancy, 37 wks) and brain CT. Authors have experienced a case of hydranencephaly combined with twin pregnancy and reported with a brief literature review.
Brain ; Brain Stem ; Cerebrum ; Humans ; Hydranencephaly* ; Mesencephalon ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Twin* ; Twins*