Objective: To observe the effect of heat shock on tropoelastin mRNA and protein expression in cultured human dermal fibroblasts and to elucidate the possible role of heat shock in the development of solar elastosis in human skin. Methods: Primary cultured human dermal fibroblasts were incubated in 43 ℃ water bath for 30 minutes, then returned to 37 ℃, 5%(volume fraction) CO 2 atmosphere normal culture condition. The cells were harvested at hour 24 and 48 after heat treatment respectively. Total RNA was extracted from cell lysis and tropoelastin mRNA level was measured by Northern blot assay. Tropoelastin protein level in cultured supernatant was measured by Western blot assay. Results: At hour 24 after heat treatment, the level of tropoelastin mRNA was enhanced to (163?12)% of control group (P

Telomerase is an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase that synthesizes TTAGGG telomeric DNA onto chromosomal ends to compensate for sequence loss during replication. It has been detected in a variety of human malignancies, suggesting that such activity may play a role in the tumorigenic process. To determine whether telomerase is reactivated in malignant fibrous histiocytoma, 12 tissue samples with this tumor were analyzed for the telomerase activity by a radioactive PCR-based TRAP (telomeric repeat amplification protocol) assay. All of the tumors were further investigated for the expression of human telomerase RNA (hTR) by an in situ hybridization (ISH). Telomerase activity was detected in one (8.3%) sample. Expression of hTR was demonstrated in 7 (58.3%): one telomerase-positive and six telomerase-negatives. These data indicate that the reactivation of telomerase is an uncommon event and not an important factor involved in tumorigenesis in malignant fibrous histiocytoma. It is noteworthy that 50% of the patients with grade 2 tumors expressed hTR, suggesting that telomerase RNA may be useful as a marker for identifying tumor aggressiveness earlier than the conventional histopathologic grading scale.
Carcinogenesis ; DNA ; Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous* ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; RNA* ; RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase ; Telomerase*

We experienced a case of a 4-year-old girl presenting with vomiting, abdominal pain and mobile mass in the periumbilical area. On physical examination, the abdomen was soft and a 10x10 cm sized, painless firm mobile round mass was palpated in the periumbilical area. An abdominopelvic computed tomography scan showed a huge hypodense mass with encapsulation and multiple septation in the left lower quadrant of the abdomen, compressing the intestinal loops. At operative exploration, she was found to have a soft, yellowish round mass originating from the ileal mesentery, situated 10 cm proximal to the ileocecal valve. The mass was completely excised together with the adjoining ileum, and bowel continuity was restored. Histopathologic diagnosis revealed a mesenteric lipoma, composed of mature adipocytes with no evidence of necrosis or malignancy. The postoperative course was uneventful.
Abdomen ; Abdominal Pain ; Adipocytes ; Child ; Humans ; Ileocecal Valve ; Ileum ; Lipoma ; Mesentery ; Necrosis ; Physical Examination ; Preschool Child ; Vomiting

BACKGROUND: The claudins are a family of transmembrane proteins associated with tight junctions and they are critical for maintaining cell-to-cell adhesion in sheets of epithelial cells. However, their role in the progression of cancer remains largely unexplored. The aims of this study were to evaluate the expression patterns of claudin-1 and -4 in benign lesions and invasive ductal carcinomas (IDC) of the breast, and relationships between the expression of these markers and the clinicopathological characteristics in IDC patients. METHODS: We examined the claudin-1 and -4 protein expressions by performing immunohistochemical stainings in 54 benign lesions and 120 IDCs via the tissue microarray method. We evaluated the correlation between the expression of these markers and the clinicopathological characteristics of IDC. RESULTS: The expressions of claudin-1 (p=0.099) and -4 (p=0.000) were up-regulated in IDCs as compared with benign lesions. The claudin-1 expression correlated with the loss of estrogen receptor (p=0.036) and progesterone receptor (p=0.011). The claudin-4 expression correlated with lymph node metastasis (p=0.043), the nuclear grade (p=0.030), the histologic grade (p=0.007), and the loss of estrogen receptor (p=0.001) and progesterone receptor (p= 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that claudin-1 and -4 may play a significant role in the carcinogenesis of IDC of the breast and these may represent novel markers for this disease.
Breast* ; Carcinogenesis ; Carcinoma, Ductal* ; Claudin-1* ; Claudin-4 ; Claudins ; Epithelial Cells ; Estrogens ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Receptors, Progesterone ; Tight Junctions

Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects has become a popular procedure. The availability of a preprocedural imaging study is crucial for a safe and successful closure. Both the anatomy and morphology of the defect should be precisely evaluated before the procedure. Three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography and cardiac computed tomography are helpful for understanding the morphology of a defect, which is important because different defect morphologies could variously impact the results. During the procedure, real-time 3D echocardiography can be used to guide an accurate closure. The safety and efficiency of transcatheter closures of atrial septal defects could be improved through the use of detailed imaging studies.
Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial* ; Tomography Scanners, X-Ray Computed ; Vascular Access Devices

Intestinal atresia is a frequent cause of intestinal obstruction in the newborn. We reviewed the clinical presentation, associated anomalies, types of atresias, operative managements, and early postoperative complications in 36 cases of intestinal atresia treated at the Department of Surgery, Kyungpook National University Hospital between January 1994 and February 2003. Location of the lesion was duodenum in 17 patients, jejunum in 11 patients and ileum in 8 patients. The male to female ratio was 1:1.4 in duodenal atresia (DA), 2.7:1 in jejunal atresia (JA) and 7:1 in ileal atresia (IA). The most common type was type III (41.1 %) in DA, and type I (52.6 %) in JA and IA. The most common presenting symptoms was vomiting(88.2 %) in DA, but in jejunoileal atresia, vomiting(89.4 %) and abdominal distension(89.4 %) were the most common sign and symptom. All cases of DA were diagnosed by plain abdominal radiography. There were 6 cases of DA with congenital heart disease, 3 cases of DA with Down syndrome and 3 cases of JA with meconium peritonitis. Segmental resection was performed in 13 cases, duodenoduodenostomy in 11 cases, membrane excision in 7 cases, jejunojejunostomy in 2 cases, gastroduodenostomy in 2 cases and ileocolic anastomosis in 1 case. There were 9 postoperative complications including 3 each of anastomotic leakage, wound infection, and intestinal obstruction 3 cases. The mortality rate for DA was 11.8 %(2/17). Both deaths in DA were attributed to congenital heart disease. The mortality rate for JA was 18% (2/11). Both cases died with sepsis and short bowel syndrome.
Anastomotic Leak ; Down Syndrome ; Duodenum ; Female ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Humans ; Ileum ; Infant, Newborn ; Intestinal Atresia* ; Intestinal Obstruction ; Jejunum ; Male ; Meconium ; Membranes ; Mortality ; Peritonitis ; Postoperative Complications ; Radiography, Abdominal ; Sepsis ; Short Bowel Syndrome ; Wound Infection

Pancreatoblastoma is a rare pediatric neoplasm with distinct acinar and squamoid differentiation that generally affects infants and young children. Although the prognosis is relatively favorable over typical pancreatic cancer, the optimal treatment of pancreatoblastoma has not been established. We experienced two cases of pancreatoblastoma in a 2-year-old girl and boy which was found incidentally by the parents due to the detection of abdominal masses.
Child ; Humans ; Infant ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; Parents ; Preschool Child ; Prognosis

Gastric trichobezoars are commonly observed in young women with trichotillomania and trichophagia. We encountered an 8-year-old girl who had trichotillomania and trichophagia with abdominal pain and a mass, which was diagnosed as a large gastric trichobezoar. On physical examination, a huge, firm nontender mobile mass was palpated in her epigastrium. An upper gastrointestinal series and abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan showed a large mass in the stomach. Endoscopic removal was tried but failed. Laparoscopic removal was therefore performed. The trichobezoar was successfully retrieved through a gastrotomy and removed through an extended umbilical trocar incision. This case demonstrates that laparoscopic removal of large gastric trichobezoars is feasible and safe without a large abdominal incision.
Abdominal Pain ; Bezoars ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Physical Examination ; Stomach ; Surgical Instruments ; Trichotillomania

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by persistent airflow limitation that is usually progressive. It is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, leading to substantial and increasing economic and social burden. Palliative care for COPD patients aims to reduce symptoms and exacerbations and improve exercise tolerance and quality of life. It is difficult to make a prognosis for COPD patients due to the variable illness trajectory and advanced care of patients. However, severity of breathlessness, assessment of lung function impairment, and frequency of exacerbations can help to identify palliative care needs and determine effective methods to mitigate symptoms, which is discussed in this paper. In these patients, it is recommended to provide individualized palliative care along with curative/restorative care at the onset of COPD symptoms. Before launching a palliative care system in Korea, it is necessary to prepare pulmonary rehabilitation resources, patient-centered communication, timely palliative responsiveness, and a program for effective advanced care planning. A multidisciplinary approach involving collaboration with not only the respiratory and palliative care teams but also primary care offers a new model of care for these patients and should be considered with a priority.
Cooperative Behavior ; Dyspnea ; Exercise Tolerance ; Hospice Care ; Hospices* ; Humans ; Korea ; Lung ; Mortality ; Palliative Care* ; Primary Health Care ; Prognosis ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* ; Quality of Life ; Rehabilitation ; Respiratory Therapy

PURPOSE: The goal of prosthetic replacement of the shoulder is the restoration of the normal anatomy of the joint. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The physician should review the variations in normal anatomy because it does vary widely and the placement of the prosthetic needs to be modified to accommodate the variations. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Several factors including anatomic, prosthetic and surgical ones can lead to the best clinical results, and these are described.
Joints ; Mechanics ; Prostheses and Implants ; Shoulder