Objective:To search the marker of micrometastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 65 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma,21 non HCC malignant tumors,22 chronic hepatitis B or cirrhosis,and 21 normal healthy volunteers.To identify hepatocellular carcinoma cells in peripheral blood, liver specific alpha fetoprotein(AFP)mRNA was amplified from total RNA extracted from whole blood by nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (Nested RT PCR).Results:AFP mRNA was not detected in the normal healthy volunteers and patients with non HCC malignant tumors.The presence of AFP mRNA in patients with HCC(44/65,67.7%)was higher than those with chronic hepatitis B or cirrhosis(2/22,9.1%, P

Mauriac syndrome consists of a triad of poorly controlled diabetes, profound growth retardation and hepatomegaly. We experienced a case of Mauriac syndrome in an 18-year-old girl who had poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, short stature, hepatomegaly and central obesity. Also at the time of examination, she had complications of diabetic cataract and nephropathy. Fourteen years prior to admission, she was diagnosed as diabetes mellitus at a hospital. Thereafter, she had been managed with irregular insulin injection. On physical examination at admission, her height was 135cm(<3 percentile) and her weight was 39kg(<3 percetile). She was short and obese. The liver was 5 cm palpable below the right subcostal margin. Her sexual maturation was Tanner stage I. On ophthalmologic examination, the cataracts were observed on both eyes and diabetic retinopathy was absent. Diabetic nephropathy could not be confirrned by kidney biopsy due to her mother's refusal. We studied the hormonal, radiographic and histological abnormalities. The hormonal study was normal and the bone age was by delayed as much as 10 years. The liver biopsy revealed glycogen accumulation in hepatocyte. She was consistent with Mauriac syndrome. She was managed by strict diabetic control with insulin therapy, diabetic diet and intensive education. She was discharged with well controlled blood glucose. Five months later, growth acceleration and sexual maturation have not been observed, but hepatomegaly subsided. (J Korean Pediatr Soc 2000;43-837-841)
Acceleration ; Adolescent ; Biopsy ; Blood Glucose ; Cataract ; Diabetes Mellitus* ; Diet, Diabetic ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; Disulfiram ; Education ; Female ; Glycogen ; Hepatocytes ; Hepatomegaly ; Humans ; Insulin ; Kidney ; Liver ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Physical Examination ; Sexual Maturation

We experienced a case of anterior mediastinal teratoma in 26 month old boy with 2 month history of cough and dyspnea. The diagnosis was easily established by chest CAT which revealed calcific densities, while plane radiographs of chest revealed no evidence of calcification. Operation was done with good result and remained in good condition thereafter. A brief review of the related literature was made on this subject.
Anemia ; Animals ; Cats ; Child, Preschool ; Cough ; Diagnosis ; Dyspnea ; Hemangioma ; Humans ; Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome* ; Male ; Teratoma ; Thorax ; Thrombocytopenia

We experienced a case of anterior mediastinal teratoma in 26 month old boy with 2 month history of cough and dyspnea. The diagnosis was easily established by chest CAT which revealed calcific densities, while plane radiographs of chest revealed no evidence of calcification. Operation was done with good result and remained in good condition thereafter. A brief of the related literature was made on this subject.
Animals ; Cats ; Child, Preschool ; Cough ; Diagnosis ; Dyspnea ; Humans ; Male ; Teratoma* ; Thorax

The congenital mesoblastic nephroma is the most common renal neoplasm seen in the first few months of life. This tumor usually benign, but local recurrences and metastases have been reported, and treatment is total nephrectomy. This entity must be differentiated from Wilm's tumor so as to avoid unnecessary postoperative irradiation and chemotherapy. Recently, we experienced a case of congenital mesoblastic nephroma in female newborn infant. Diagnosis was made with physical examination, plain roentgenogram of the abdomen, ultrasonography of the abdomen and I.V.P. and confirmed with microscopic examination. A brief review of the related literature was made on this subject.
Abdomen ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Kidney Neoplasms ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Nephrectomy ; Nephroma, Mesoblastic* ; Physical Examination ; Recurrence ; Ultrasonography ; Wilms Tumor

The congenital mesoblastic nephroma is the most common renal neoplasm seen in the first few months of life. This tumor usually benign, but local recurrences and metastases have been reported, and treatment is total nephrectomy. This entity must be differentiated from Wilm's tumor so as to avoid unnecessary postoperative irradiation and chemotherapy. Recently, we experienced a case of congenital mesoblastic nephroma in female newborn infant. Diagnosis was made with physical examination, plain roentgenogram of the abdomen, ultrasonography of the abdomen and I.V.P. and confirmed with microscopic examination. A brief review of the related literature was made on this subject.
Abdomen ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Kidney Neoplasms ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Nephrectomy ; Nephroma, Mesoblastic* ; Physical Examination ; Recurrence ; Ultrasonography ; Wilms Tumor

Purpose: It is essential to ensure the readiness for practice among undergraduate nursing students since the purpose of such education is to cultivate competent nurses who deliver high-quality and safe nursing. Astin's theory of student involvement suggests that this is affected by their personal factors and learning environment. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study between November 16, 2020 and December 21, 2020 which examined personal factors and aspects of the clinical learning environment among senior nursing students (n = 838) enrolled across 54 nursing schools in Korea. The participants were asked to fill out a self-administered online survey, which assessed demographic characteristics, self-esteem, depression, work-life balance, clinical learning environment, anxiety during clinical practicum, and readiness for practice. Readiness for practice was measured using the Casey-Fink Readiness for practice survey. We used structural equational modeling to test our hypothetical model. Results: The nursing students' readiness for practice was significantly affected by their self-esteem, work-life balance satisfaction, and clinical learning environment. Anxiety during clinical practicum directly influenced their readiness for practice. Conclusion Increasing self-esteem and work-life balance satisfaction, and improving their clinical learning environment by providing sufficient educational and clinical support, could help facilitate the transition from nursing schools to real-world practice for nursing students.

Primary leiomyosarcoma of the lung is very uncommon, and fewer than 50 cases now have been reported. Primary leiomyosarcoma of the lung resembles bronchogenic carcinoma in its clinical presentation and radiologic appearance. However, the former has some differences; younger onset than bronchogenic carcinoma, polypoid endobronchial growth, few positive cytologic examination of sputum and unusual lymph node metastasis. We experienced a case of primary leiomyosarcoma of the lung.
Carcinoma, Bronchogenic ; Leiomyosarcoma* ; Lung* ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Sputum

Dental caries is the most common chronic disease in the dental field. Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is the most important bacteria in the formation of dental plaque and dental caries. In a previous study, we confirmed that the essential oil of Chrysanthemum boreale has antibacterial activity against S. mutans. Alpha-pinene is one of the major chemical components of Chrysanthemum boreale essential oil. In the present study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of α-pinene on cariogenic properties such as growth, acid production, biofilm formation, and bactericidal activity on S. mutans. Alpha-pinene at a concentration range of 0.25-0.5 mg/mL significantly inhibited the growth of S. mutans and acid production of S. mutans. Biofilm formation was significantly inhibited at < 0.0625 mg/mL α-pinene, similar to the data from scanning electronic microscopy. Under confocal laser scanning microscopy, the bacterial viability was decreased by α-pinene in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggested that α-pinene may be a useful agent for inhibiting the cariogenic properties of S. mutans.
Bacteria ; Biofilms ; Chronic Disease ; Chrysanthemum ; Dental Caries ; Dental Plaque ; Microbial Viability ; Microscopy ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Plants* ; Streptococcus mutans

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare and analyze the effectiveness of different regimens in the treatment of malignant gestational trohphoblastic disease from 1981 to 2001. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 307 patients with malignant gestational trophoblastic disease, who were admitted in Chonnam National University Hospital from 1981 to 2001. Remission rate, remission induction period, toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents depending on risk group and stages were analyzed. RESULTS: While stage I and II showed 100% of remission rate, stage III and IV showed 99.2%, 64.7% of remission rate respectively, resulting in 99.7% of overall remission rate. From 1981 to 1988, average number of cycle and periods for complete remission were 3.4 cycles and 80.3 days for low risk GTT, 6.2 cycles and 144.8 days for high risk GTT. From 1989 to 2001, average number of cycle and remission induction period were 4.1 cycles and 69.9 days, 5.3 cycles and 88.9 days, 6.6 cycles and 162.2 days for low, middle, and high risk GTT, respectively. As adjuvant therapy, 3 cases of hysterectomy and 2 cases of lobectomy were done. And radiation therapy was done on 2 cases of lung lesions and 1 cases of brain lesion. Etoposide and Actinomycin D caused less hepatotoxicity than Methotrexate did. EMA regimen shortened the overall period of treatment and caused less side effect, showing effectiveness equivalent to that of EMA CO regimen. With same therapeutic effect, less side effect and shortened administration period, EMA regimen might be able to substitute EMA CO regimen in high risk GTT. However, there should be more clinical trials before confirmation of its superior therapeutic efficacy over EMA CO regimen. CONCLUSION: When chemotherapy combined with adjuvant therapy such as operation and irradiation was done on appropriate patient group, which were selected based on risk factors and stage, it produced higher remission rate. For better therapeutic outcome, there should be further study on early detection technique and therapeutic effect of other chemotherapeutic agents.
Brain ; Dactinomycin ; Drug Therapy ; Etoposide ; Gestational Trophoblastic Disease* ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Jeollanam-do ; Lung ; Methotrexate ; Remission Induction ; Risk Factors