Unstable microsatellite repeat sequences or DNA replication errors(RER) due to defective mismatch repair genes have been reported in a subset of sporadic colorectal tumors and in most tumors of patients of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal carcinoma(HNPCC). To elucidate the clinicopathological correlation of these RER-positive cancers, we examined 16 cases of colorectal carcinoma of different histologic subtypes(6 cases of carcinoma with no gland formation, 5 cases of mucinous carcinoma and 5 cases of gland forming carcinoma). We detected RER in five cases. The patients with RER-positive cancers had a marked preponderance of carcinoma with no gland formations out of 6 carcinomas with no gland formation were RER-positive cancers) and of cancers proximal to splenic flexure(all of the RER-positive cases were proximal colon carcinomas). We conclude that RER-positive cancers have wiique pathologic features that may be useful for the screening and counselling of patients with hereditary colon cancers.

No abstract available.
Angiomyolipoma* ; Lymph Nodes*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the basophil histamine releasability in response to IgE- and non- IgE-mediated stimuli in children with atopic asthma. Met: Basophil histamine releasability was measured in Dermatophagoides farinae (D. farinae)-sensitive atopic asthmatics, D.farinae-sensitive healthy atopics, non-atopic asthmatics, and healthy non-atopics. Basophils were stimulated with D.farinae, goat antihuman IgE antibody, formyl-Met-Leu-Phe(fMLP), and Calcium ionophore A23187. Histamine was measured by automated fluorometric technique. RESULTS: Sponianeous histamine release was higher in atopic asthmatics compared to healthy non-atopics. Histamine release by D.farinae and by anti-IgE antibody was higher in atopic asthmatics compared to the other groups. There was no difference in histamine release by fMLP among all groups. Histamine release by Calcium ionophore was higher in healthy atopics and non-atopic asthmatics compared to healthy non-atopics. The atopics showed correlation between histamine release by D.farinae, by anti-IgE antibody and total serum IgE levels. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous and IgE-mediated histamine release were related to the presence of both atopy and asthma, whereas non-IgE mediated histamine release was different depending on the stimuli.
Asthma* ; Basophils* ; Calcimycin ; Calcium ; Child* ; Dermatophagoides farinae ; Goats ; Histamine Release ; Histamine* ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E

Two strains of vancomycin-resistant Leuconostoc species were isolated from blood cultures in two compromised patients. The isolates produced gas from Lactobacillus MRS booth, hydrolysed esculin, and produced no ammonia from arginine, thus fulfilling the major criteria as Leucorostoc spp. We recommend that clinical laboratories should perform susceptibility test to vancomycin for clinical isolates (especially from cerebrospinal fluid and blood) which resemble streptococci so as not to confuse Leuconostoc spp. with more commonly isolated pathogens such as streptococci.
Ammonia ; Arginine ; Bacteremia* ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Esculin ; Humans ; Lactobacillus ; Leuconostoc* ; Vancomycin

To investigate the imbalance of the cytokine production profile of T cells from atopic asthmatics, we measured concentrations of IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-y by ELISA method in the culture supernatants of peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) and Derrnato-phagoides pteronyssinus(Der p) J-stimulated PBMCs from Der p-sensitized atopic asthmatics, Der p-sensitized healthy atopits, non-atopic asthmatics and healthy non-atopics. The suppressive effect of IFN-y on cytokine production of Der p J-stimulated PBMCs was also examined. The PBMCs from atopics showed higher IL-4 and IL-5 production in response to PHA +TPA and higher IFN-gamma production in response to Der p Jq compared with non-atopits. The Der p J-stimulated PBMCs from atopics showed a tendency of increased IL-5 production in response to Der p J and higher IL-4 and IL-5 production in response to PHA+TPA compared with non-atopics. IL-5 production of Der p J-stimulated PBMCs from atopics was suppressed by IFN It is suggested that an imbalance in IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-y production is a feature of the atopic state. The TH2 characteristics of allergen-stimulated PBMCs could be regulated by IFN-y.
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Interleukin-4 ; Interleukin-5 ; T-Lymphocytes

MELAS syndrome is a rare but distinct clinical entity belonging to a group of mitochondrial encephalomyopathies characterized by the tetrad of mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes. We experienced a case of MELAS syndrome in an 8 year-old boy who showed headache, pain of the eyeball, vomiting, stroke-like episodes such as visual disturbance and dysarthria, myoclonic seizure, confusion, and walking disturbance. His serum lactate level was elevated up to 48 mg/dl. MRI findings showed high signal intensities T2-weighted image and low signal intensities in T1-weighted image in the right thalamus and parietooccipital lobe and bilateral symmetric high signal intensity in T1-dweighted image in the basal ganglia. We have seen the dispersed ragged-red fibers with modified Gomori trichrome staining on light microscope, and abundant and dysmorphic mitochondria on electon microscope in the specimen of muscle biopsy. esis of SLE.
Basal Ganglia ; Biopsy ; Child ; Dysarthria ; Headache ; Humans ; Lactic Acid ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; MELAS Syndrome* ; Mitochondria ; Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathies ; Seizures ; Thalamus ; Vomiting ; Walking

PURPOSE: Cough variant asthma is characterized as a persistent, nonproductive cough with minimal or no wheezing and dyspnea. Cough variant asthma can be overlooked or misdiagnosed because it is a common problem amongst all ages that frequently is unrecognized. The patho-physiology of cough variant asthma is still unclear. METHODS: To characterize the pathophysiological abnormalities of cough variant asthma, bronchial provocation tests with methacholine using stepwise doubling concentration technique were performed to the 20 patients of classic asthma and cough variant asthma. To evaluate the changes of bronchial hyperresponsiveness in cough variant asthma, follow-up bronchial provocation tests with methacholine were performed to the 9 patients of cough variant asthma. The concentration of methacholine and the severity of airway obstruction when wheezing and coughing were first detected were compared between classic asthma and cough variant asthma. RESULTS: The PC20 (concentration of methacholine when decreased FEV1 20%), PCW (concentration of methacholine causing wheezing), PCC (concentration of methacholine causing coughing), delta FEV1 (FEV1% change from control), PCW/PC20 ratio, and PCC/PC20 ratio were not different significantly between classic asthma and cough variant asthma. There was a good correlation between the PCW and the PC20. The number of cough variant asthma who couldn't be heard wheezing sound during the provocation test were more significantly than that of classic asthma. Nine patients of cough variant asthma were followed for 1 year, their cough was improved and the PC20 of methacholine test was increased at 1 year later. CONCLUSIONS: This data indicates that pathogenesis of cough variant asthma may be associated with a higher wheezing threshold and their bronchial hyperresponsiveness is much improved during the follow-up period.
Airway Obstruction ; Asthma* ; Bronchial Provocation Tests ; Cough* ; Dyspnea ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Methacholine Chloride ; Respiratory Sounds

As a high-performance polymer, Polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) has good biocompatibility and excellent physical properties and is used in several areas, including dentistry. Many successful cases of implant-supported fixed prostheses with a PEKK framework have been reported; however, a long-term observation of the reported cases and discussion of complications are not available. In this case report, we present three cases of implant-supported fixed prostheses with a PEKK framework veneered with composite resin, lithium disilicate crown, and high-impact polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and discuss their 6-year follow-up results.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to compare the accuracy of computered tomography(CT) and sonography(US) in diagnosing acute appendicitis and to analyze the radiologic factors which influence the result. METHODS: We retrospectively studied the cases of 53 patients who were suspected of having appendicitis and who were examined by CT and US covered a three-year period. The final diagnosis was determined from the surgico-pathologic diagnosis and clinical follow-up for two months, as well as from the discharge diagnosis. RESULTS: Thirty-eight(38) patients had acute appendicitis; 15 patients did not. In the analysis, CT and US, respectively, revealed sensitivities of 89.5% and 73.7%, specificities of 93.3% and 60.0%, positive predictive values of 97.1% and 82.4%, negative predictive values of 77.8% and 47.4%. Among patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis, 10 patients were discordant in the US and the CT examinations; CT findings were correct in 8 and US findings in 2. Among non-appendicitis patients, 5 patients were discordant in the US and the CT examinations; CT was correct in 5 and US in 0. Nighteen(19) patients had complications such as an abscess or a perforation. Among these patients, the degree and the extent of the complication were accurately evaluated by CT in 15 patients and by US in 5 patients. CONCLUSION: CT is more accurate than US in diagnosing and excluding acute appendicitis. The use of CT will substantially decrease unnecessary laparotomies and post-operation complications.
Abscess ; Appendicitis* ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Laparotomy ; Retrospective Studies

The purpose of this study was to compare the nutritional status of children aged 5 or under and women aged 20 to 34 years between the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and the Democratic Peoples' Republic of Korea (DPRK: North Korea). For the source of nutritional status of North Koreans, the DPRK 2004 Nutrition Assessment-Report of Survey Results was used. As the comparable data of South Koreans, the anthropometric data for children and women were obtained from the reports of the Korean Pediatric Society and the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards, respectively. The blood hemoglobin data of South Korean women were obtained from the data file of the 2001 National Health and Nutrition Survey and analyzed. In regard to the North Korea, the prevalence of underweight (weight for age Z-score <-2.0) in children under 12 months was about 10~15%, and thereafter progressively increased until 30 to 35 months reaching 30%. In South Korea, the prevalence of underweight was less than 3% in most age groups both in boys and girls. In North Korea, the prevalence of stunting (height for age Z-score <-2.0) reached 20% in children under 12 months and increased with age over the level of 50% in children aged 54 to 59 months. In South Korea, the prevalence of stunting was less than 3% in children under 12 months and was less than 10% throughout the age groups. Maternal protein-energy malnutrition and anemia were assessed for the women aged 20 to 34 years using mid-upper arm circumference (< 22.5 cm) and blood hemoglobin level (< 12 g/DL), respectively. The prevalence of protein-energy malnutrition was 39.6%, 30.7%, 31.7% in North Korea and 12.5%, 5.0%, 1.5% in South Korea for the women in 20~24, 25~29, 30~34 years, respectively. The prevalence of anemia in the North Korean women was about 34~36% while that in the South Korean women was 15~18%. In conclusion, the disparity of nutritional status in early childhood and maternity between South Korea and North Korea is so huge that active and well-planned nutrition support policy and programs for women and children in North Korea is imperative to prepare for the future unified nation.
Anemia ; Arm ; Information Storage and Retrieval ; Child ; Democratic People's Republic of Korea* ; Female ; Humans ; Korea* ; Nutrition Surveys ; Nutritional Status ; Prevalence ; Protein-Energy Malnutrition ; Republic of Korea ; Thinness