To elucidate the complex of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGF-BPs) in short stature patients, we carried out a prospective study on three patients who were diagnosed as complete GH deficiency at the department of pediatrics from July 1992 to June 1993. The results were summarized as follows: 1) Two circulating IGFs complexed to specific binding protein existed in normal serum. Binding activity was found to be in the 150,000 molecular weight area (the large complex) and 50~60,000 molecular weight area (the small complex). 2) Binding activity for the large complex was seen to be dependent on advancing age, level of large IGF-BP3 complex peacked at the age of 15~16 years. 3) The binding activity for large complex diminished in three GH deficient patients and increased after hGH injection to near or above normal level. 4) Increased growth rate after GH treatment in GH deficient patient was closely related with increasing level of the large IGF-BP3 complex. Therefore we suggest that the large IGF-BP3 complex is regulated by GH. Estimating its serum level is useful for screening of GH deficiency and the monitoring of response to GH therapy.
Carrier Proteins ; Growth Hormone* ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I* ; Mass Screening ; Molecular Weight ; Pediatrics ; Prospective Studies

No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Basal Cell* ; Diagnostic Errors*

We present a case of recurrent left atrial myxoma which occurred 7 years and 10 months after initial operation despite resection of originaltumor and adjacent atrial septum. This is the first case report of recurrence in Korea. Among the possible causes of recurrence, regrowth from pretumorous focus seems to be the most suggesting one in this case. Histopathologic findings of recurrent myxoma showed increased cellularity with active proliferation and nuclear hyperchromasia. These findings, together with the rapidity of regrowth, suggest that recurrent myxoma may have 'wilder' behavior. Prolonged postoperative observation is important, even if ample resection was done at the initial operation including atrial septum.
Atrial Septum ; Korea ; Myxoma* ; Recurrence*

BACKGROUND: Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae are main pathogens of bloodstream infection. We compared the epidemiology of ESBL-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae. METHODS: From January 2003 through March 2007, we retrospectively investigated the clinical characteristics and comorbidities of patients with bloodstream infection by ESBL-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae. RESULTS: During the study period, 79 patients (54 with E. coli and 25 with K. pneumoniae) with blood cultures positive for ESBL-producing E. coli or K. pneumoniae were studied. When comparing the source of bloodstream infections, urinary tract infections (UTIs) were more commonly caused by E. coli (24% vs. 0; P=0.007), and respiratory tract and soft tissue infection (36% vs. 15%; P=0.04, 12% vs. 0; P=0.03, respectively) were more commonly associated with K. pneumoniae. Among hospital-acquired bloodstream infection, third-generation cephalosporin was more commonly used in patients with E. coli than patients with K. pneumoniae (81% vs. 24%, P<0.001). Medical devices (central venous catheter and urinary catheter) were more commonly used in patients with K. pneumoniae. CONCLUSION: ESBL-producing E. coli bloodstream infection is more common in urinary tract infections. ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae is more common in respiratory tract infections and in skin and soft tissue infections. In hospital-acquired infections, ESBL-producing E. coli bloodstream infection is more common in biliary tract infection. ESBL-producing E. coli was more commonly associated with prior frequent antibiotics use and K. pneumoniae was more commonly associated with use of medical devices.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; beta-Lactamases ; Biliary Tract ; Catheters ; Comorbidity ; Epidemiology* ; Escherichia coli* ; Humans ; Klebsiella pneumoniae* ; Pneumonia ; Respiratory System ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin ; Soft Tissue Infections ; Urinary Tract Infections

In situ hybridization (ISH) using single-stranded DNA probe (ssDNA probe) is a useful method for observing the specific transcripts in cells, since it is convenient to prepare probe which is specific and sensitive. In this study, ssDNA probe for detection of alphaB-crystallin (aBC) mRNA, transcript of a heat shock protein, was prepared and aBC mRNA-expressed cells were spatiotemporally observed in the retina of the developing chick embryos. Single-stranded antisense probe produced by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction was identified as a specific probe for aBC mRNA in comparison to negative control using sense probe and immunohistochemistry for aBC protein. In the ISH experiment, aBC mRNA was expressed only in the peripapillary glial cells which are a specific cell type located in the avian retina adjacent to the optic nerve at E12 and E14 retinas. At E16, a small number of aBC mRNA-expressed cells were identified in the nerve fiber layer (NFL) of the retina. At E18, aBC mRNA-expressed cells were observed in the ganglion cell layer (GCL) as well as the NFL. At E20, the number of aBC mRNA-expressed cells was increased in the GCL and the NFL. Based on the same localization of nkx2.2 immunoreactive cells and aBC mRNA-expressed cells, aBC mRNA-expressed cells were identified as oligodendrocytes. These results indicate that ssDNA probe for aBC mRNA detection is very useful tool for oligodendrocyte research such as distribution, migration and differentiation of the cells.
DNA, Single-Stranded ; Ganglion Cysts ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization ; Nerve Fibers ; Neuroglia ; Oligodendroglia ; Optic Nerve ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Retina ; Reverse Transcription ; RNA, Messenger

Heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) and alpha B crystallin (aBC) belong to the small heat shock protein (sHSP) family and have similar amino acid sequences. However, no study has compared the distributional patterns of these two sHSPs in the retina and optic nerve. In this study, we compared the spatiotemporal distributions of the expressions of HSP27 and aBC in the developing chick retina and optic nerve. Both HSP27 and aBC were first expressed in the retina and optic nerve at embryonic day 16 (E16). At E20 the expressions of the two proteins were increased in the retina and optic nerve. Double immunofluorescence demonstrated that HSP27 and aBC were expressed in oligodendrocytes of the retina and optic nerve. In addition, HSP27 was also found to be expressed in ganglion cells in the retina. The findings of this study suggest that HSP27 and aBC act to protect ganglion cells and oligodendrocytes during late development of the chick retina and optic nerve.
alpha-Crystallin B Chain* ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Chick Embryo* ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Ganglion Cysts ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; HSP27 Heat-Shock Proteins* ; Humans ; Oligodendroglia ; Optic Nerve* ; Retina*

Statement of problem: A conventional 3-unit fixed partial denture design with a pontic between two retainers is the most commonly used. However, in cases where the mental nerve is in close proximity to the second premolar, a cantilever design can be considered. As such, logical and scientific evidence is lacking for the number and position of implants to be placed for partially edentulous patients, and no clear-cut set of treatment principles currently exist. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate prognosis of implant-supported fixed partial dentures, and to compare changes in bone level which may rise due to the different factors. Material and method: The present study examined radiographical marginal bone loss in patients treated with implant-supported fixed partial dentures(87 prostheses supported by 227 implants) and evaluated the influence of the span of the pontic, type of the opposing dentition. Clinical complications were studied using a retrospective method. Within the limitation of this study, the following result were drawn. Result: 1. Seven of a total of 227 implants restored with fixed prostheses failed, resulting in a 96.9% success rate. 2. Complications encountered during recall appointments included dissolution of temporary luting agent (17 cases), porcelain fracture (8 cases), loosened screws (5 cases), gingival recession (4 cases), and gingival enlargement (1 case). 3. Marginal bone loss, 1 year after prosthesis placement, was significant(P<0.05) in the group that underwent bone grafting, however no difference in annual resorption rate was observed afterwards. 4. Marginal bone loss, 1 year post-placement, was greater in cantilever-type prostheses than in centric pontic protheses(P<0.05). 5. Marginal bone loss was more pronounced in posterior regions compared to anterior regions(P<0.05). 6. The degree of marginal bone loss was proportional to the length of the pontic(P<0.05). Conclusion: The success rate of implant-supported fixed partial dentures, including marginal bone loss, was satisfactory in the present study. Factors influencing marginal bone loss included whether bone graft was performed, location of the pontic(s), location of the surgical area in the arch, pontic span. Long-term evaluation is necessary for implant-supported fixed partial dentures, as are further studies on the relationship between functional load and the number of implants to be placed.
Appointments and Schedules ; Bicuspid ; Bone Transplantation ; Dental Cements ; Dental Porcelain ; Dentition ; Denture, Partial, Fixed ; Gingival Recession ; Humans ; Logic ; Prognosis ; Prostheses and Implants* ; Retrospective Studies ; Transplants

Radial glia are transdifferentiated into astrocytes within the developing brain and spinal cord. The neural retina contains Muller cells, which are retinal radial glia. Some of the cells that surround the optic nerve head among Muller cells in the chicken retina are called peripapillary glial cells (PPGCs). PPGCs express different molecules compared to typical Muller cells. However, an antigenic PPGC phenotype has not yet been clearly established. In this study, we classified the antigenic PPGC phenotypes and identified the differentiation stages of these cells. At embryonic day (E)8, alphaB-crystallin-positive PPGCs had a bipolar shape with long processes that traversed entire layers of the retina. Pax2 and vimentin were expressed in alphaB-crystallin-positive PPGCs. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunoreactivity was not observed in PPGCs. At E18, alphaB-crystallin immunoreactivity disappeared from the vitread processes of PPGCs. However, the PPGC cell bodies and ventricular processes contained alphaB-crystallin protein, and the PPGCs retained the same Pax2-positive/vimentin-positive/GFAP-negative profile as that seen at E8. At post-hatch day 120, alphaB-crystallin and Pax2 immunoreactivity was not observed, but vimentin and GFAP expression was clearly observed in the presumptive location of the PPGCs. Furthermore, these two proteins overlapped within that location. Considering that vimentin expression is prolonged until the post-hatching period in chicken brain, these findings suggest that Pax2-negative/vimentin-positive/GFAP-positive PPGCs are phenotypically identical to mature astrocytes in this avian species.
Astrocytes ; Brain ; Chickens ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; Neuroglia ; Optic Disk ; Phenotype ; Proteins ; Retina ; Retinaldehyde ; Spinal Cord ; Vimentin

No abstract available.
Humans ; Intestinal Obstruction/*diagnosis/etiology/surgery ; Male ; Meckel Diverticulum/complications/*diagnosis ; Middle Aged ; Radiography, Abdominal ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective: To compare core needle biopsy (CNB) and repeat fine-needle aspiration (rFNA) to reduce the rate of diagnostic surgery and prevent unnecessary surgery in nodules initially diagnosed as atypia/follicular lesions of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS). Materials and Methods: This study included 231 consecutive patients (150 female and 81 male; mean age ± standard deviation, 51.9 ± 11.7 years) with 235 thyroid nodules (≥ 1 cm) initially diagnosed as AUS/FLUS, who later underwent both rFNA and CNB. The nodules that required diagnostic surgery after the biopsy were defined using three different scenarios according to the rFNA and CNB results: criterion 1, surgery for low-risk indeterminate (categories I and III); criterion 2, surgery for high-risk indeterminate (categories IV and V); and criterion 3, surgery for all indeterminate nodules (categories I, III, IV, and V). We compared the expected rates of diagnostic surgery between CNB and rFNA in all 235 nodules using the three surgical criteria. In addition, the expected rates of unnecessary surgery (i.e., surgery for benign pathology) were compared in a subgroup of 182 nodules with available final diagnoses. Results: CNB showed significantly lower rates of nondiagnostic, AUS/FLUS, and suspicious for malignancy diagnoses (p ≤ 0.016) and higher rates of follicular neoplasm or suspicious for a follicular neoplasm (p < 0.001) and malignant diagnoses (p = 0.031). CNB showed a significantly lower expected rate of diagnostic surgery than rFNA for criterion 1 (29.8% vs. 48.1%, p < 0.001) and criterion 3 (46.4% vs. 55.3%, p = 0.029), and a significantly higher rate for criterion 2 (16.6% vs. 7.2%, p = 0.001). CNB showed a significantly lower expected rate of unnecessary surgery than rFNA for criterion 1 (18.7% vs. 29.7%, p = 0.024). Conclusion CNB was superior to rFNA in reducing the rates of potential diagnostic surgery and unnecessary surgery for nodules initially diagnosed as AUS/FLUS in a scenario where nodules with low-risk indeterminate results (categories I and III) would undergo surgery.