The purpose of this study is to develop species-specific DNA probe for detection and identification of Prevotella intermedia (P. intermedia) G8-9K-3. This study procedure includes (1) whole-genomic DNA extraction of P. intermedia G8-9K-3 (2) construction of the genomic DNA library, (3) screening of strain-specific DNA probe by reverse dot hybridization, (4) confirmation of strain-specific DNA probe by Southern blot hybridization, (5) determination of nucleotide sequences of strain-specific DNA probe. Twenty-eight recombinant plasmids containing Hind III-digested DNA fragments of P. intermedia G8-9K-3 were obtained. Reverse dot Hybridization and Southern blot analysis data showed that one of them, Pig3, could be P. intermedia G8-9K-3-specific DNA probe. This datum indicates that this Pig3 DNA probe could be useful in detection and identification of the P. intermedia G8-9K-3 strain.
Base Sequence ; Blotting, Southern ; DNA* ; Gene Library ; Mass Screening ; Plasmids ; Prevotella intermedia* ; Prevotella*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In Korea, the prevalence of pancreatic cancer (PC) in general population has been reported as 7 in 100,000. However, that in diabetes mellitus (DM) has not been elucidated yet. This study was designed to estimate the prevalence of PC among DM patients, and characterize and compare the patients with DM with and without PC. METHODS: 5,082 patients (4,890 DM without PC, 78 PC with DM, and 114 PC without DM) were enrolled from Korea University Guro Hospital during a period of 4 years between January 2004 and January 2008. RESULTS: The prevalence of PC in DM patients was 1.6% and that of DM in PC patients was 40.6%. No significant differences in the clinical characteristics except HbAIc and ALP were observed between PC patients with DM and without DM. Among 78 PC patients with DM, DM was diagnosed in 19 (29.4%) and 29 (37.1%) patients concomitantly or within 2 years prior to the diagnosis of PC, respectively. Among the cases with recent onset DM (less than 2 years' duration), the disease duration of DM before the diagnosis of PC was less than 1 year in 14 patients (17.9%) and 1 to 2 years in 15 patients (19.2%). DM patients with PC were found to have significantly higher ALT, total bilirubin, and ALP levels than in DM patients without PC. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of PC in DM patients was 1.6% and was higher than in the general population. Recent onset DM was frequent in PC patients (less than 2 years' duration). We recommend close follow-up for at least 2 years in new-onset diabetes.
Aged ; Alanine Transaminase/blood ; Alkaline Phosphatase/blood ; Bilirubin/blood ; Diabetes Complications/diagnosis/*epidemiology ; Diabetes Mellitus/diagnosis/*epidemiology ; Female ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated/analysis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatic Neoplasms/complications/diagnosis/*epidemiology ; Prevalence ; Time Factors

PURPOSE: It is well known that infection with HPV (human papillomavirus) is the main cause of cervical cancer and certain types of HPV are recognized as carcinogens. At present, there is little information regarding the antineoplastic mechanism of paclitaxel against cervical carcinoma cells. We thus tried to analyze differential protein expression and antineoplastic mechanism-related proteins after paclitaxel treatment on cervical cancer cells by using a proteomic analysis and to investigate the mechanism of action. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using proteomics analysis including 2-DE and MALDI-TOF-MS, we detected the antineoplastic mechanism-related proteins. Then, we performed western blot analysis for apoptosis- and transformation- related proteins to confirm expression patterns derived from proteome analysis after paclitaxel treatment. RESULTS: We identified several cellular proteins that are responsive to paclitaxel treatment in HeLa cells using proteomics methods. Paclitaxel treatment elevated main-ly apoptosis, immune response and cell cycle check point- related proteins. On the other hand, paclitaxel treatment diminished growth factor/oncogene-related proteins and transcription regulation-related proteins. Also, in the HPV-associated cervical carcinoma cells, paclitaxel demonstrated anti-proliferative activity through the membrane death receptor-mediated apoptotic pathway and the mitochondrial-mediated pathway. CONCLUSION: Identification and characterization of functionally modulated proteins involved in anti-cancer regulatory events should lead to a better nderstanding of the long-term actions of paclitaxel at the molecular level and will contribute to the future development of novel therapeutic drug treatments based upon current therapies.
Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Carcinogens ; Cell Cycle ; Hand ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Membranes ; Paclitaxel* ; Proteome* ; Proteomics ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms*

The epiopathogenesis of craniosynostosis remains obscure. According to the studies involved, the conditions observed at birth are very different. In case that a deformity is obvious or the risk of brain compression is possible, strip craniectomy, frontal bone advancement and cranial vault remodeling methods are used. These direct reshaping or remodeling methods are time consuming and require greater use of physical resources and still are not uniformly successful in making skull shape to normal. Distraction of the cranial bone has been studied to solve this problem. This study subsequently included 30 white rabbits aged about 25 weeks. The rabbits were divided in three groups. In group I, a 0.25mm distraction was done every other day after 3 day latency period. In group II, there was a 7 day latency period with the same rate of distraction as in group I. There was a 3 day latency period with a 0.5mm distraction every other day in group III. The contralateral side underwent a sham operation as a control group. During distraction and after consolidation periods, histologic and ultrastructural studies were carried out. And a serial radiologic study was done. As a result, group I and group II showed successful distraction osteogenesis, and we demonstrated the biological and mechanical factor associated with distraction osteogenesis. In group I, despite the short latency period, there was successful bone regeneration. Group III, it also showed successful ossification. During the distraction period, there was a remarkable increase of TGF-beta1 in both groups, especially in periosteum osteoid and newly developed connective tissue. In conclusion, we have demonstrated a useful model of distraction osteogenesis in rabbit skulls, and attempted to evaluate associated biological and mechanical factors.
Bone Regeneration ; Brain ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Connective Tissue ; Craniosynostoses ; Frontal Bone ; Latency Period (Psychology) ; Osteogenesis, Distraction ; Parturition ; Periosteum ; Rabbits ; Skull* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of laparoendoscopic single site (LESS) surgery using an angiocatheter needle in patients with huge ovarian cysts (diameter ≥15 cm). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one patients with huge ovarian cysts underwent LESS surgery using an angiocatheter needle between March 2011 and August 2016. An intra-umbilical vertical incision (1.5–2.0 cm) was made in the midline. After the cyst wall was punctured using an angiocatheter needle, the fluid contents were aspirated with a connected vacuum aspirator. After placing a Glove port in the umbilical incision, LESS surgery was performed using a rigid 0-degree, 5-mm laparoscope and conventional, rigid, straight laparoscopic instruments. Knife-in-bag morcellation was instituted for specimen collection. RESULTS: The median maximal diameter of ovarian cysts was 18 cm (range, 15–30 cm), the median operation time was 150 minutes (range, 80–520 minutes), and the median volume of blood loss was 100 mL (range, 20–800 mL). Three patients (9.7%) were diagnosed with malignant ovarian cancer using intraoperative frozen examination, and 1 patient was converted to laparotomy due to advanced disease. Thirty patients underwent LESS, and there was no need for an additional laparoscopic port. CONCLUSION: LESS surgery using an angiocatheter needle, with leaving only a small postoperative scar, was deemed feasible for the management of huge ovarian cysts.
Cicatrix ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopes ; Laparotomy ; Morcellation ; Needles ; Ovarian Cysts ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Specimen Handling ; Vacuum

Apoptosis is a normal physiological process. Morphological studies have shown that cells die by physiological mechanisms after undergoing characteristic changes termed 'apoptosis' or 'programmed cell death'. Several genes were known to participate in the apoptotic process including p53 as a proapoptic gene and Bcl-2 as an antiapoptic gene. It was also known that there are certain gender differences in the cerebrovascular accidents and their effect on tissue damage. The purpose of this study is to evaluate how the apoptotic genes are expressed in delayed focal cerebral infarction and peri-infarct area in male and female adult rats by comparing the immunoexpression of p53 and Bcl-2 and p53:Bcl-2 ratio at delayed focal cerebral infarction between both sexes. In sixteen adult Spraugue-Dawley rats (nine males and seven females), the right MCA and both CCA were ligated for thirty minutes to make a delayed focal cerebral infarction in right frontal lobe. Their brains were taken at seventy two hours after the operation. And then the brains were prepared for immunohistochemical stains for apoptosis, p53 and Bcl-2 proteins. The infarction volume of male rats (11.3 mm3) was larger than that of female rats (7.3 mm3) (p<0.01). In male group, the width (micrometer2) of the apoptotic area (46.4 micrometer2) was significantly larger than those in female group (38.9 micrometer2) (p<0.005). The p53 : Bcl-2 ratio was significantly higher in male group (3.23) compared with female group (2.18) (p<0.01). As a result, the p53:Bcl-2 ratio seemed to be related to the gender differences in neuronal apoptosis after delayed focal cerebral infarction.
Adult ; Animals ; Apoptosis* ; Brain ; Cerebral Infarction* ; Coloring Agents ; Female ; Frontal Lobe ; Humans ; Infarction ; Male ; Neurons ; Physiological Processes ; Rats* ; Stroke

Several cases of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the curative treatment of early gastric cancer have recently been reported. However, PDT has been performed in only limited cases because it is impossible to determine the pathologic subtype or stage of the malignant lesion after the procedure. Nevertheless, PDT combined with endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is expected to enhance the accuracy of the pathologic assessment and enable more effective, safe treatment for early gastric cancer. Furthermore, PDT may exert a complementary and synergetic effect on ESD for the atypical forms of early gastric cancer. From this background, we report here on a case of early gastric cancer that mimicked submucosal tumor, and this was removed by ESD, and then this was followed by adjuvant PDT. The patient had a high risk for operation due to his old age and comorbidity. After the procedure, he achieved complete remission and he is currently under follow up: he is without recurrence of tumor one year after ESD.
Comorbidity ; Humans ; Photochemotherapy ; Recurrence ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Triazenes

Melanocytic nevus is the benign proliferation of melanocytes. The most common location of melanocytic nevus is the skin of the extremities; however, there are few case reports of melanocytic nevus at the rectal mucosa. No prior case of malignant melanoma from melanocytic nevus at the rectal mucosa has been reported; therefore, it is unclear whether resection should be performed or close observation is sufficient. However, the potential malignant transformation of melanocytic nevus should be considered, including melanocytic nevus on the rectum. Melanocytic nevus of the skin can be removed by surgical excision; however, due to rare incidence on the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract, the optimal treatment for rectal melanocytic nevus remains controversial. Here, we report the first case of melanocytic nevus on the rectal mucosa that was removed by endoscopic submucosal dissection. This case report provides useful information about the optimal management of rectal melanocytic nevus.
Extremities ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Incidence ; Melanocytes ; Melanoma ; Mucous Membrane* ; Nevus, Pigmented* ; Rectum ; Skin

Obstructive disorders of the biliary trees include occlusions of the bile duct lumen by stones, intrinsic disorders of the bile ducts, and extrinsic compressions. The most common biliary cause of obstructive jaundice is the presence of stones. Intrinsic disorders of the bile ducts may be inflammatory, infectious, or neoplastic. And significant enlargement of adjacent lymph nodes due to metastatic tumors or lymphoma can occasionally obstruct the extrahepatic bile ducts. But obstructive jaundice produced by periportal tuberculous lymphadenitis with no evidence of pulmonary tuberculosis is very rare. We report a case of tuberculous lymphadenitis causing obstructive jaundice with a mass around mid common bile duct on abdominal sonogram, CT scan and ERCP, and it was confirmed by an exploratory laparotomy.
Bile Ducts ; Bile Ducts, Extrahepatic ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Common Bile Duct ; Jaundice, Obstructive* ; Laparotomy ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphoma ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tuberculosis, Lymph Node* ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

Gastric volvulus is torsion of the stomach axis accompanied by obstruction and/or strangulation. It is a very rare condition, but it is considered a clinical emergency when it occurs acutely. Acute gastric volvulus requires an early diagnosis and prompt surgical treatment because a delayed diagnosis may lead to gastric obstruction, ischemia and necrosis. We experienced two cases of acute gastric volvulus due to diaphragmatic hernia and the patients were successfully treated with surgery. Here, we report on these two cases with the review of the reported literature on 26 adult cases of gastric volvulus in South Korea.
Adult ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Delayed Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Emergencies ; Hernia, Diaphragmatic ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Necrosis ; Republic of Korea ; Stomach ; Stomach Volvulus