No abstract available.
Keratosis, Seborrheic* ; Poroma* ; Scalp*

PURPOSE: This study investigated whether a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) located at position -2 in the Kozak sequence of the TFF1 gene is associated with H. pylori infection and the development of gastric cancer in Koreans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 167 patients with gastric cancer from January 2000 to December 2003 and also 299 healthy controls during the same period. The genotype of the TFF1 SNP was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and single strand conformation polymorphism. We also examined the H. pylori infection by Giemsa staining. RESULTS: No significant difference in the allele or the TFF1 SNP genotype frequency was observed between the patients with gastric cancer and the control subjects (P=0.595 and P=0.715, respectively). When stratified by the histological subtype of gastric cancer and the age of the patients, the risk was not statistically significant between the two study groups (P=0.088 and P=0.551, respectively). H. pylori infection was detected in 39 cases and it was not associated with the TFF1 genotype. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that this TFF1 gene polymorphism is not associated with H. pylori infection and gastric cancer in Koreans and so it doesn't contribute to the susceptibility to gastric cancer in Koreans.
Alleles ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Stomach Neoplasms

Atherosclerosis is the deposition of plaque in the main arteries. It is an inflammatory condition involving the accumulation of macrophages and various lipids (low-density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol, ceramide, S1P). Moreover, endothelial cells, macrophages, leukocytes, and smooth muscle cells are the major players in the atherogenic process. Sphingolipids are now emerging as important regulators in various pathophysiological processes, including the atherogenic process. Various sphingolipids exist, such as the ceramides, ceramide-1-phosphate, sphingosine, sphinganine, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), sphingomyelin, and hundreds of glycosphingolipids. Among these, ceramides, glycosphingolipids, and S1P play important roles in the atherogenic processes. The atherosclerotic plaque consists of higher amounts of ceramide, glycosphingolipids, and sphingomyelin. The inhibition of the de novo ceramide biosynthesis reduces the development of atherosclerosis. S1P regulates atherogenesis via binding to the S1P receptor (S1PR). Among the five S1PRs (S1PR1-5), S1PR1 and S1PR3 mainly exert anti-atherosclerotic properties. This review mainly focuses on the effects of ceramide and S1P via the S1PR in the development of atherosclerosis. Moreover, it discusses the recent findings and potential therapeutic implications in atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is the deposition of plaque in the main arteries. It is an inflammatory condition involving the accumulation of macrophages and various lipids (low-density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol, ceramide, S1P). Moreover, endothelial cells, macrophages, leukocytes, and smooth muscle cells are the major players in the atherogenic process. Sphingolipids are now emerging as important regulators in various pathophysiological processes, including the atherogenic process. Various sphingolipids exist, such as the ceramides, ceramide-1-phosphate, sphingosine, sphinganine, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), sphingomyelin, and hundreds of glycosphingolipids. Among these, ceramides, glycosphingolipids, and S1P play important roles in the atherogenic processes. The atherosclerotic plaque consists of higher amounts of ceramide, glycosphingolipids, and sphingomyelin. The inhibition of the de novo ceramide biosynthesis reduces the development of atherosclerosis. S1P regulates atherogenesis via binding to the S1P receptor (S1PR). Among the five S1PRs (S1PR1-5), S1PR1 and S1PR3 mainly exert anti-atherosclerotic properties. This review mainly focuses on the effects of ceramide and S1P via the S1PR in the development of atherosclerosis. Moreover, it discusses the recent findings and potential therapeutic implications in atherosclerosis.

PURPOSE: The specific aim of this study is to unravel a DNA copy number alterations, and to search for novel genes that are associated with the development of Korean gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated a DNA copy number changes in 23 gastric adenocarcinomas by array-comparative genomic hybridization and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses. Besides, the expression of UQCRFS1, which shows amplification in array-CGH, was examined in 186 gastric cancer tissues by an immunohistochemistry, and in 9 gastric cancer cell lines, as well as 24 gastric cancer tissues by immunoblotting. RESULTS: We found common gains at 48 different loci, and a common loss at 19 different loci. Amplification of UQCRFS1 gene at 19q12 was found in 5 (21.7%) of the 23 gastric cancers in an array-comparative genomic hybridization and DNA copy number were increased in 5 (20.0%) out of the 25 gastric cancer in quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. In immunohistochemistry, the overexpression of the protein was detected in 105 (56.5%) out of the 186 gastric cancer tissues. Statistically, there was no significant relationship between the overexpression of UQCRFS1 and clinicopathologic parameters (P>0.05). In parallel, the overexpression of UQCRFS1 protein was confirmed in 6 (66.7%) of the 9 gastric cancer cell lines, and 12 (50.0%) of the 24 gastric cancer tissues by immunoblotting. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the overexpression of UQCRFS1 gene may contribute to the development and/or progression of gastric cancer, and further supported that mitochondrial change may serve as a potential cancer biomarker.
Adenocarcinoma ; Cell Line ; Coat Protein Complex I ; DNA ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; Immunohistochemistry ; Nucleic Acid Hybridization ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Stomach Neoplasms

Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is a rare disease caused by the obstruction of the hepatic venous outflow or the inferior vena cava above the hepatic vein. It has been attributed to various etiologic factors. Including intrinsic vascular thrombosis, hepatic tumor invasion/compression, or associated with an idiopathic obstructing membrane. However, in most cases no definitive etiologic factors have been identified. Recently, we experienced a case of 21-year-old man who had Budd-Chiari syndrome associated with diaphragmatic hernia. Venous flow returned to normal on reintroduction of the liver into the abdominal cavity and closure of the defect in the diaphragm. To our knowledge, this is the rare report in our country. Here, we report this case with review of literatures.
Abdominal Cavity ; Budd-Chiari Syndrome* ; Diaphragm ; Hepatic Veins ; Hernia ; Hernia, Diaphragmatic* ; Humans ; Liver ; Membranes ; Rare Diseases ; Thrombosis ; Vena Cava, Inferior ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: It is not clear whether the pronator quadratus (PQ) muscle actually heals and provides a meaningful pronation force after volar plating for distal radius fractures (DRFs). We aimed to determine whether the length of the PQ muscle, which is dissected and then repaired during volar plating for a DRF, affects the forearm rotation strength and clinical outcomes. METHODS: We examined 41 patients who requested hardware removal after volar plating. We measured the isokinetic forearm rotation strength and clinical outcomes including grip strength, wrist range of motion, and disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) scores at 6 months after fracture fixation. During the hardware removal surgery, which was performed at an average of 9 months (range, 8.3 to 11.5 months) after fracture fixation, we measured the PQ muscle length. RESULTS: The average PQ muscle length was 68% of the normal muscle length, and no significant relationship was found between the PQ muscle length and the outcomes including isokinetic forearm rotation strength, grip strength, wrist range of motion, and DASH scores. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the length of the healed PQ muscle does not affect isokinetic forearm rotation strength and clinical outcomes after volar plating for DRFs. The results of this study support our current practice of loose repair of the PQ that is performed by most of the surgeons to prevent tendon irritation over the plate, and suggest that tight repair of the PQ is not necessary for achieving improved forearm function.
Adult ; Aged ; Bone Plates ; Device Removal ; Female ; Forearm/physiopathology/surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/*methods ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Strength ; Muscle, Skeletal/physiopathology/*surgery ; Radius Fractures/radiography/*surgery ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Wound Healing ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVES: Self-rated health is a measure of perceived health widely used in epidemiological studies. Our study investigated the determinants of poor self-rated health in middle-aged Korean adults with diabetes. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted based on the Health Examinees Study. A total of 9759 adults aged 40 to 69 years who reported having physician-diagnosed diabetes were analyzed with regard to a range of health determinants, including sociodemographic, lifestyle, psychosocial, and physical variables, in association with self-rated health status using multivariate logistic regression models. A p-value <0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. RESULTS: We found that negative psychosocial conditions, including frequent stress events and severe distress according to the psychosocial well-being index, were most strongly associated with poor self-rated health (odds ratio [OR](Frequent stress events), 5.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.63 to 6.29; OR(Severe distress), 11.08; 95% CI, 8.77 to 14.00). Moreover, younger age and being underweight or obese were shown to be associated with poor self-rated health. Physical factors relating to participants' medical history of diabetes, such as a younger age at diagnosis, a longer duration of diabetes, insulin therapy, hemoglobin A(1c) levels of 6.5% or more, and comorbidities, were other correlates of poor reported health. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that, in addition to medical variables, unfavorable socioeconomic factors, and adverse lifestyle behaviors, younger age, being underweight or obese, and psychosocial stress could be distinc factors in predicting negative perceived health status in Korean adults with diabetes.
Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Cohort Studies ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; Female ; *Health Status ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Humans ; Insulin/therapeutic use ; Life Style ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Self Report ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Revision rates of total hip arthroplasty have decreased after introducing total hip arthroplasty (THA) using ceramic component, since ceramic components could reduce components wear and osteolysis. The fracture of a ceramic component is a rare but potentially serious event. Thus, ceramic on polyethylene articulation is gradually spotlighted to reduce ceramic component fracture. There are a few recent reports of ceramic head fracture with polyethylene liner. Herein, we describe a case of a ceramic head component fracture with polyethylene liner. The fractured ceramic head was 28 mm short neck with conventional polyethylene liner. We treated the patient by total revision arthroplasty using 4th generation ceramic on ceramic components.
Adult ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip/*methods ; Ceramics/*therapeutic use ; Female ; Hip Prosthesis ; Humans ; Polyethylene/*therapeutic use ; *Prosthesis Failure

The presence of functioning semicircular canal is regarded as a prerequisite for the development of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) since BPPV is irritative vestibulopathy. However, authors experienced a case of horizontal semicircular canal BPPV in which bithermal caloric test and ice water test were compatible with complete canal paralysis. Forty eight year-old man visited ER for sudden onset of vertigo and right hearing loss developed 3 hours and 4 hours ago, respectively. Vertigo was vaguely complained and was floating in nature, which was aggravated with head position change. Initial audiometry showed 110 dB on pure tone averages. Positional test showed horizontal geotropic direction changing positional nystagmus and it was compatible with canalolithias of right horizontal semicircular canal. The results of initial and follow up bithermal caloric tests and ice water test on supine and prone position were compatible with right side complete canal paralysis. This case implies that caloric dead labyrinth may not represent complete absence of the lateral semicircular canal function and also BPPV can be developed even in a condition with minimal functional remaining.
Audiometry ; Caloric Tests ; Ear, Inner* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head ; Hearing Loss ; Ice ; Nystagmus, Physiologic ; Paralysis ; Prone Position ; Semicircular Canals ; Vertigo* ; Water