PURPOSE: Increasing clinical importance is being placed on the role of differential renal function (DRF) for the management of congenital ureteropelvic junction obstructions. Supranormal DRF of a hydronephrotic kidney, on a renal scan, is hypothesized to be due to an increase in single nephron filtration or nephron volume. However, the etiology of this paradoxical phenomenon still remains to be elucidated. We studied the histopathological changes of hydronephrotic kidneys with a supranormal DRF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 35 children with unilateral congenital hydronephrosis and supranormal DRF (>55%), on preoperative renal scans, who had undergone pyeloplasty, were retrospectively evaluated. There were 3 female and 32 male patients. The mean age at the time of the operation was 12.6 months, ranging from 0.1 to 144 months. Needle biopsies, from 3 different sites at the lower pole of the kidney, were performed during surgery. To evaluate the presence of glomerular hypertrophy, the maximal planar area of the glomeruli was measured under light microscopy. Tissue samples were obtained in same manner from kidneys with no history of urinary tract disease on autopsy, and used as controls. The mean glomerular areas of the patient and control groups were plotted according to the patient's age. RESULTS: The mean glomerular area in the patient group was smaller than in the control group, with the exception of 4 patients. According to the logistical regression, the probability of larger renal glomeruli increased with decreasing DRF (p=0.1155). CONCLUSIONS: The glomerular area of a hydronephrotic kidney, with a supranormal renal function on a renal scan, was not significantly larger than the normal controls. Therefore, we believe that the theory of increased nephron volume as a cause of a supranormal DRF can be excluded.
Autopsy ; Biopsy, Needle ; Child ; Female ; Filtration ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis ; Hypertrophy* ; Kidney ; Male ; Microscopy ; Nephrons ; Retrospective Studies ; Urologic Diseases

PURPOSE: Increasing clinical importance is being placed on the role of differential renal function (DRF) for the management of congenital ureteropelvic junction obstructions. Supranormal DRF of a hydronephrotic kidney, on a renal scan, is hypothesized to be due to an increase in single nephron filtration or nephron volume. However, the etiology of this paradoxical phenomenon still remains to be elucidated. We studied the histopathological changes of hydronephrotic kidneys with a supranormal DRF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 35 children with unilateral congenital hydronephrosis and supranormal DRF (>55%), on preoperative renal scans, who had undergone pyeloplasty, were retrospectively evaluated. There were 3 female and 32 male patients. The mean age at the time of the operation was 12.6 months, ranging from 0.1 to 144 months. Needle biopsies, from 3 different sites at the lower pole of the kidney, were performed during surgery. To evaluate the presence of glomerular hypertrophy, the maximal planar area of the glomeruli was measured under light microscopy. Tissue samples were obtained in same manner from kidneys with no history of urinary tract disease on autopsy, and used as controls. The mean glomerular areas of the patient and control groups were plotted according to the patient's age. RESULTS: The mean glomerular area in the patient group was smaller than in the control group, with the exception of 4 patients. According to the logistical regression, the probability of larger renal glomeruli increased with decreasing DRF (p=0.1155). CONCLUSIONS: The glomerular area of a hydronephrotic kidney, with a supranormal renal function on a renal scan, was not significantly larger than the normal controls. Therefore, we believe that the theory of increased nephron volume as a cause of a supranormal DRF can be excluded.
Autopsy ; Biopsy, Needle ; Child ; Female ; Filtration ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis ; Hypertrophy* ; Kidney ; Male ; Microscopy ; Nephrons ; Retrospective Studies ; Urologic Diseases

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the effect of 2% chlorhexidine on the microTBS of a direct composite restoration using one-step self-etch adhesives on human dentin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four extracted permanent molars were used. The teeth were assigned randomly to six groups (n = 10), according to the adhesive system and application of chlorhexidine. With or without the application of chlorhexidine, each adhesive system was applied to the dentin surface. After the bonding procedure, light-cure composite resin buildups were produced. The restored teeth were stored in distilled water at room temperature for 24 hours, and then cut and glued to the jig of the microtensile testing machine. A tensile load was applied until the specimen failed. The failure mode was examined using an operating microscope. The data was analyzed statistically using one-way ANOVA, Student's t-test (p < 0.05) and Scheffe's test. RESULTS: Regardless of the application of chlorhexidine, the Clearfil S3 Bond showed the highest microTBS, followed by G-Bond and Xeno V. Adhesive failure was the main failure mode of the dentin bonding agents tested with some samples showing cohesive failure. CONCLUSIONS: The application of 2% chlorhexidine did not affect the microTBS of the resin composite to the dentin using a one-step self-etch adhesive.
Adhesives ; Chlorhexidine ; Dental Cements ; Dentin ; Dentin-Bonding Agents ; Humans ; Methacrylates ; Molar ; Resin Cements ; Tooth ; Water

BACKGROUND: The antitumor effects of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase(HSV-tk) and ganciclovir(GCV) strategies for cancer gene therapy have a the following advantages:1) a direct cytotoxicity to HSV-tk modified cancer cells by GCV 2) a cell death by the local transfer of toxic metabolites from the HSV-tk modified cells to nearby unmodified tumor cells(bystander effect), and 3) in vivo bystander effect such as antitumor-immunity. Retroviral and adenoviral sequences can silence transgene expression in cells and mice. In this study, we investigated the above described advantages of HXV-tk/GCV strategy in Lewis lung cell and mouse lung cancer model using retroviral vector and adenoviral vector. Also, we observed whether the expression of a silenced gene can be reactivated by treating cell with butyrate. METHODS: Retrovirus-HSV-tk and adenovirus-HSV-tk vectors were used for the transduction of Lewis lung carcinoma(LLC) cells. The change of HSV-tk expression by butyrate was measured by Western blot.The antitumor activities containing bystander effect were observed in vivo(by MTT assay) and in vivo tumor models of various combinations of LLC and LLC-tk. RESULTS: 1. Butyrate induced the enhancement of HSV-tk expression from adenovirally transduced cells but not from retrovirally transduced cells. 2. Both retrovirus-HSV-tk and adenovirus-HSV-tk vectors with GCV treatment were effective for killing of tumor cell in vitro and suppression of LLC tumorigenicity. Bystander effect was responsible for killing of mixture of LLC-tk and LLC in vitro and in vivo-tumorigenicity model. CONCLUSION: Butyrate could augment adenoviral vector seems to be an effective approach for lung cancer therapy.
Adenoviridae ; Animals ; Butyrates ; Bystander Effect ; Carcinoma, Lewis Lung* ; Cell Death ; Genes, Neoplasm ; Genetic Therapy* ; Herpes Simplex* ; Homicide ; Lung ; Lung Neoplasms ; Mice* ; Phosphotransferases* ; Retroviridae ; Simplexvirus* ; Thymidine ; Transgenes ; Zidovudine*

Background: Glucocorticoids are one of the current standard agents for moderate to severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treatment based on the RECOVERY trial. Data on the real clinical application of steroids for COVID-19 are scarce and will help guide the optimal use of steroids. We described the current prescription pattern of steroids for COVID-19 and investigated the factors related to specific practices. Methods: All adults aged ≥ 19 years who were diagnosed with COVID-19 by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and admitted to one of 3 study hospitals from 8 December 2020 to 30 June 2021 were enrolled. Demographic and clinical data, including medications and oxygen therapy, were retrospectively collected from electronic medical records. The severity of comorbidities and COVID-19 were measured. The subjects were divided into steroid and nonsteroid groups, and the steroid group was then subdivided into standard and higher/longer groups. Results: Among a total of 805 patients, 217 (27.0%) were treated with steroids. The steroid group showed a higher rate of oxygen therapy (81.1% vs. 2.7%), more concomitant use of remdesivir (77.4% vs. 1.4%) or antibiotics (79.3% vs. 4.3%), and a higher proportion of high risk according to National Early Warning Score-2 score (30.0% vs. 0.9%) or severe risk according to National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease Ordinal Scale score (81.1% vs. 2.7%) than the nonsteroid group. The mortality of the steroid group was 4.6%. In the steroid group, 82.5% received a standard or lower dose of steroids within ten days, and 17.5% (38/217) received a higher or longer dose of steroids. Multivariate analysis showed that initial lymphopenia (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.89–0.99) and high level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (aOR, 1.00; 95% CI, 1.00–1.01) were independent risk factors for higher doses or longer steroid use. Conclusion The dose and duration of steroids were in line with current guidelines in 82.5% of COVID-19 patients, but the outliers may need tailored therapy according to surrogate markers, such as initial lymphopenia or high level of LDH.

BACKGROUND: The possibility of developing pulmonary tuberculosis usually increases with increasing age. Therefore, the incidence of endobronchial tuberculosis in older people may increase. We evaluated the clinical characteristics in patients with endobronchial tuberculosis above the age of 70 years. METHODS: We enrolled 74 patients (12 males and 62 females; mean age 64.6+/-16.2 years) that were diagnosed with endobronchial tuberculosis from March 2003 to July 2006 at Gyeongsang University Hospital. We retrospectively evaluated the clinical characteristics of endobronchial tuberculosis for patients 70 years or older (older group) and for patients below the age of 70 years (younger group). RESULTS: The number of patients in the older group was 41 (55%). Cough was the most common symptom in the two groups of patients and dyspnea on exertion was more common in the older group of patients than in the younger group of patients (31.7% vs. 12.1%). The actively caesating type of disease was more common in the younger group of patients than in the older group of patients (66.7% vs. 39%). The edematous type of disease was more common in the older group of patients than in the younger group of patients (53.7% vs. 27.2%) (p<0.05). Tracheal and main bronchial involvement of lesions were more common for the younger group of patients than for the older group of patients (30.3% vs. 9.7%) (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Endobronchial tuberculosis was commonly observed in patients older than 70 years and this group of patients had some clinical characteristics that were different from the younger group of patients.
Cough ; Dyspnea ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Tuberculosis* ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the temperament and character profiles of the patients with posttraumatic stress disorder(PTSD) after burn injury. METHODS: The study subjects consisted of 23 PTSD patients after burn injury, 24 patients not being diagnosed as PTSD after burn injury(non-PTSD) and 53 healthy controls. The assessment of PTSD was performed using clinician administered PTSD scale. All participants were instructed to complete the Temperament and Character Inventory(TCI), the Beck Depression Inventory and the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory of Spielberger. RESULTS: The PTSD group after burn injury, compared with the non-PTSD group and the normal controls, had the higher novelty seeking and harm avoidance scores. But there were no differences in other dimensions in the TCI among the three groups. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the PTSD group after burn injury showed the specific properties of temperament and character compared with the non-PTSD group and the normal group.
Anxiety ; Burns* ; Depression ; Humans ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic* ; Temperament*

Renal artery stenosis (RAS) is commonly presented with hypertension and chronic kidney disease. We report a rare case of RAS occurring in a 78-year-old man who presented with nephrotic-range proteinuria. Renal biopsy on the left side was performed, and results showed mesangiopathic glomerulonephritis, which was not compatible with the cause of nephrotic-range proteinuria. Proteinuria was decreased by angiotensin receptor blocker, but azotemia was aggravated. Therefore, angiotensin receptor blocker was discontinued inevitably and thorough evaluation for the possibility of RAS was performed. Computed tomography angiography revealed significant RAS on the left side and a renal artery stent was inserted. After stenting, aortic dissection developed and progressed despite tight control of blood pressure. After inserting another stent graft through the true lumen of the left renal artery, the patient's renal function and proteinuria improved markedly.
Aged ; Angiography ; Angioplasty ; Angiotensins ; Azotemia ; Biopsy ; Blood Pressure ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis ; Glomerulonephritis ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Proteinuria* ; Renal Artery Obstruction* ; Renal Artery* ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Stents

Metastases to skeletal muscle and paraneoplastic syndromes involving beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) production are an extremely rare manifestation of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. We report a patient with a beta-HCG-secreting squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue with diffuse metastases involving skeletal muscle. A 47 year old female, who was being treated heavily with palliative chemotherapy for metastatic tongue cancer, was admitted with a palpable thigh mass and pain. A magnetic resonance image showed an intramuscular metastasis in the thigh. Ultrasound-guided biopsy of the thigh mass confirmed metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. She was scheduled for enrollment into a clinical trial; however, a positive serum beta-HCG test was noticed. There was no evidence of pregnancy or a trophoblastic or non-trophoblastic tumor secreting beta-HCG. Finally, she was revealed to have a paraneoplastic syndrome with diffuse metastases and was ultimately referred for palliative care. We review the literature of previously reported cases of an increase of beta-HCG in patients with head and neck cancer.
Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Chorionic Gonadotropin ; Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Head ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; Humans ; Muscle, Skeletal* ; Neck ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Palliative Care ; Paraneoplastic Syndromes ; Pregnancy ; Thigh ; Tongue Neoplasms* ; Tongue* ; Trophoblasts

RNA metabolism plays a central role in regulating of T cell-mediated immunity. RNA processing, modifications, and regulations of RNA decay influence the tight and rapid regulation of gene expression during T cell phase transition. Thymic selection, quiescence maintenance, activation, differentiation, and effector functions of T cells are dependent on selective RNA modulations. Recent technical improvements have unveiled the complex crosstalk between RNAs and T cells. Moreover, resting T cells contain large amounts of untranslated mRNAs, implying that the regulation of RNA metabolism might be a key step in controlling gene expression. Considering the immunological significance of T cells for disease treatment, an understanding of RNA metabolism in T cells could provide new directions in harnessing T cells for therapeutic implications.