Hibernoma is very rarely encountered and is expressed in the various names including "lipoma of brown fat", "fetal lipoma", and "lipoma of embryonic fat". In our knowledge, only about 50 cases have been reported in the literature of the Western world, and no case reports have been published in Korea. In May 1986, we experienced a case of hibernoma occuring in a 16 old years boy. On physical examination, a relatively well defined nodule was noted on the right scapular region. A total removal of the lesion was done under the clinical diagnosis of epidermal inclusion cyst. On gross examination, the specimen consists of three irregularly shaped portions of yellowish brown soft tissue, measuring up to 0.8 cm in greatest dimension. Microscopically, the tumor showed distinct lobular pattern separated by fibrovascular bands. The lobules were composed of multivacuolated or eosinophilic granular cells showing centrally located small unclei. A brief review of the literature was done.

Teratomas of the fallopian tubes are very rarely encountered in the western literature, and not a single case has been documented in Korea. The authors experienced two cases of tubal teratomas. Both patients developed a teratoma in an ampullary portion of the right fallopian tubes. One case occured as an incidental finding, and the other case was presented with a tubal mass. The gross and light microscopic features of these teratomas were described, and a brief review of the literature on the tubal teratomas is made.

Purpose: To determine whether the cornea remodeling-related genes aldehyde dehydrogenase 3A1 (ALDH3A1), lysyl oxidase (LOX), and secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) were potential susceptibility candidate genes for keratoconus in Korean patients, we investigated the associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in these three genes in Korean patients with keratoconus.
Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples of unrelated patients with keratoconus and healthy control individuals. For screening of genetic variations, all exons from the entire coding regions of the ALDH3A1, LOX, and SPARC genes were directly sequenced to determine the presence of mutations. Control individuals were selected from the general population without keratoconus.
Results: In this study, we detected nine SNPs in ALDH3A1, four SNPs in LOX, and 18 SNPs in SPARC. rs116992290, IVS3-62c>t, rs116962241, and rs2228100 in ALDH3A1 and rs2956540 and rs1800449 in LOX were significantly different between patient and control groups. In the SPARC gene, the distribution of the *G allele of EX10+225 T>G (p = 0.018; odds ratio, 1.869) was strongly associated with the risk of keratoconus in the Korean population. In haplotype analysis, C-G of rs2956540-rs2288393 in LOX(p = 0.046) and C-C-G and G-G-G of rs60610024-rs2228100-rs57555435 (p = 0.021 and p < 0.001), G-A of IVS3-62 a>g - rs116962241 in ALDH3A1(p = 0.048) predisposed significantly to keratoconus. After cross-validation consistency and permutation tests, two locus model was the best SNP variations interaction pattern.
Conclusions Our results suggested that genetic variations in ALDH3A1, LOX, and SPARC genes were associated with a predisposition for keratoconus in Korean individuals. Moreover, variations in ALDH3A1 and LOX may serve as strong biomarkers for keratoconus.

Purpose: To determine whether the cornea remodeling-related genes aldehyde dehydrogenase 3A1 (ALDH3A1), lysyl oxidase (LOX), and secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) were potential susceptibility candidate genes for keratoconus in Korean patients, we investigated the associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in these three genes in Korean patients with keratoconus.
Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples of unrelated patients with keratoconus and healthy control individuals. For screening of genetic variations, all exons from the entire coding regions of the ALDH3A1, LOX, and SPARC genes were directly sequenced to determine the presence of mutations. Control individuals were selected from the general population without keratoconus.
Results: In this study, we detected nine SNPs in ALDH3A1, four SNPs in LOX, and 18 SNPs in SPARC. rs116992290, IVS3-62c>t, rs116962241, and rs2228100 in ALDH3A1 and rs2956540 and rs1800449 in LOX were significantly different between patient and control groups. In the SPARC gene, the distribution of the *G allele of EX10+225 T>G (p = 0.018; odds ratio, 1.869) was strongly associated with the risk of keratoconus in the Korean population. In haplotype analysis, C-G of rs2956540-rs2288393 in LOX(p = 0.046) and C-C-G and G-G-G of rs60610024-rs2228100-rs57555435 (p = 0.021 and p < 0.001), G-A of IVS3-62 a>g - rs116962241 in ALDH3A1(p = 0.048) predisposed significantly to keratoconus. After cross-validation consistency and permutation tests, two locus model was the best SNP variations interaction pattern.
Conclusions Our results suggested that genetic variations in ALDH3A1, LOX, and SPARC genes were associated with a predisposition for keratoconus in Korean individuals. Moreover, variations in ALDH3A1 and LOX may serve as strong biomarkers for keratoconus.

PURPOSE: Leigh syndrome (LS) is a rare, progressive neurodegenerative disorder with characteristic abnormalities in the central nervous system. Such patients present with heterogeneous clinical symptoms and genetic abnormalities; thus, prognosis is difficult to anticipate. The present study investigates whether distinct patient characteristics are associated with mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutation in LS patients. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from patients diagnosed with LS at our hospital who were assessed using genomic sequencing of mtDNA. A subgroup analysis was performed to divide patients according to the mtDNA sequencing results. RESULTS: Among the 85 patients enrolled, 18 had mtDNA mutations. Most patients had lactic acidosis and a lactate/pyruvate ratio above 20, indicating respiratory chain abnormalities. In the subgroup analysis, the mutation group had a significantly higher female-to-male ratio, alanine level, ocular involvement, and midbrain and medulla abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). CONCLUSION: The subgroup analysis indicates that mtDNA sequencing is recommended for female patients, or those who exhibit ocular involvement, high alanine levels, or MRI findings with lesions in the midbrain and medulla.
Acidosis, Lactic ; Alanine ; Brain Stem ; Central Nervous System ; DNA, Mitochondrial* ; Electron Transport ; Female ; Humans ; Leigh Disease* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mesencephalon ; Mitochondria ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

Gastric cancer is a very serious disease and is naturally resistant to many anticancer drugs. To reduce the mortality and improve the effectiveness of therapy, many studies have tried to find key biomarkers. Proteomic technologies are providing the tools needed to discover and identify disease-associating biomarkers. The proteomic study of gastric cancer establishes any specific events that lead to cancer, and it provides a direct way to define the true function of genes. Using two dimensional (2-D) electrophoresis of the stomach cancer tissue, we have gained about 1,500 spots in each gel, and 140 protein spots also were identified. Among the identified proteins, there were seven over-expressed proteins in stomach cancer tissue: NSP3, transgelin, prohibitin, heat shock protein (hsp) 27 and variant, protein disulfide isomerase A3, unnamed protein product and glucose regulated protein. There were also seven under-expressed proteins in stomach cancer: Apolipoprotein A-1, p20, nucleoside diphosphate isomerase A, alpha 1 antitrypsin, desmin, serum albumin and sero-transferrin.
Aged ; Carrier Proteins/biosynthesis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Female ; Human ; Male ; Microfilament Proteins/biosynthesis ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Proteins/biosynthesis ; Neoplasm Proteins/biosynthesis ; Proteins/biosynthesis ; *Proteome ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization ; Stomach Neoplasms/*metabolism ; *Tumor Markers, Biological

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in tissue development and re-modeling. Dynamic morphological changes of tooth germs reflect involvement of these enzymes during odontogenesis. The present study was performed to investigate expression and localization of MMP-2 and MMP-9, which have been known to have type IV collagenase activities, in rat tooth germs at different developmental stages. MMP-2 expression was increased gradually in the tooth germs from cap to crown staged germs at both transcription and translation levels. The localization of this molecule was detected in secretory ameloblasts and preameloblasts. The strong immunoreactivities were occasionally seen along the basement membrane between ameloblasts (or preameloblasts) and odontoblasts (preodontoblasts). However, weak reactivity was detected in odontoblasts and reduced enamel epithelium. The level of MMP-9 expression in the tooth germs was higher in cap stage than in crown staged germs at both transcription and translation levels. They were strongly expressed in both ameloblasts and odontoblasts. Even though reduced enamel epithelium after enamel formation and inner enamel epithelium at the cap stage exhibited weak reactivity, strong reactivity was detected in dental follicles and perifollicular tissues surrounding cap staged germs. These results suggested that MMP-2 may involve degradation of the basement membrane during hard tissue formation, whereas MMP-9 might be involved in remodeling of follicular tissues.
Ameloblasts ; Animals ; Basement Membrane ; Collagenases ; Crowns ; Dental Enamel ; Dental Sac ; Epithelium ; Matrix Metalloproteinases ; Molar ; Odontoblasts ; Odontogenesis ; Rats ; Tooth Germ

Botryomycosis is a chronic supprative disease with characteristic granules formation in the pus caused by bacteria and frequently is mistaken for a fungal infection. Pulmonary botryomycosis can resemble actinomycosis, tuberculosis, or invasive carcinoma by causing a mass lesion with constitutional symptoms. We report a case of pulmonary botryomycosis in a 43 years old man. He had a cavitary lesion of the right upper lobe and diagnosis was confirmed by percutaneous needle aspiration. The specimen demonstrated multiple clusters of bacteria within abscess that best were visualized by gram staining. Cultures of the biopsy materials yielded pure growth of Gemella morbilium. The patient recovered quickly after antibiotics treatment for 3 weeks.
Abscess ; Actinomycosis ; Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteria ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Gemella* ; Humans ; Needles ; Suppuration ; Tuberculosis

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the clinical characteristics and risk factors associated with community and hospital onset MRSA isolated from patients admitted to a tertiary care teaching hospital. METHODS: The study was carried out on MRSA isolated from clinical specimens of patients admitted into the wards and the intensive care unit in a 2,200-bed tertiary care teaching hospital from January 1st through December 31st, 2007. In order to identify the risk factors associated with MRSA acquisition, the medical records were reviewed. All statistics were computed using SPSS version 14.0. RESULTS: Of the 835 MRSA isolates, 179 (21.4%) were CO-MRSA and 656 (78.6%) were HO-MRSA. Of the 179 CO-MRSA isolates, 6 (3.4%) were CA-MRSA. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that a history of using medical device or antibiotics within 1 year before the isolation of MRSA were significant risk factors for HO-MRSA, and a history of hospitalization within 1 year before the isolation of MRSA was a significant risk factor for CO-MRSA. Analysis on the antibiotics administered within 1 year before the isolation of MRSA showed that levofloxacin, macrolides, 1st generation cephalosporins, 3rd generation cephalosporins, 4th generation cephalosporins, vancomycin, metronidazole, and carbapenem were all significant risk factors for HO-MRSA and that TMP/SMX was a significant risk factor for CO-MRSA. Of the 6 (3.4%) CA-MRSA isolates, 1 (16.7%) was the pathogen responsible for soft tissue infection. No patients died from the CA-MRSA infection. CONCLUSION: MRSA isolated from clinical specimens of patients admitted into the wards and the ICU in a tertiary care teaching hospital was usually HO-MRSA, CO-MRSA and HO-MRSA usually had at least one of the risk factors associated with MRSA acquisition, and CO-MRSA was mainly HACO-MRSA.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Cephalosporins ; Hospitalization ; Hospitals, Teaching ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Logistic Models ; Macrolides ; Medical Records ; Methicillin Resistance ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Metronidazole ; Ofloxacin ; Risk Factors ; Soft Tissue Infections ; Tertiary Healthcare ; Vancomycin