No abstract available.

It hae been well established that, specifi alterations in members of the ras gene family, H-ras, K-ras and N-ras, can convert them into active oncogenes. These alterations are either point mutations occurirg in either codon 12, 13 or 61, or alternatively, a 5- to 50-fold amplification of the wfld-type gene. Activated ras oncogenes have been found in a significant proportion of all turnors, but the incidence varies considerably with the tumor type : it is frequent (20~40%) in colarectal eancer and acute myeloid leukemia, but absent or preaent rarely in breast and atomach cancer. But the role of c-K-ras point mutatio in the development of cancers in the female genital tract has not been extensively studied. Polymerase chain reaction followed by gel electrophoresis was performed respectively using wild-type normal and specific point mutation primers{GGT->GAT, GGT->AGT, GGT->TGT and GGT->GTT) to detect, point, mutation of codon 12 of c-K-ras oncogene. The c-K-ras oncogene point mutation was confirmed by Southern blot hybridization using synthetic oligonucleatide probe. 3'-end Iabelled with digoxigenin -dUTP. With this method, the frequency of point mutation on codon 12 of c-K-ras oncogene was examined the tissues in 37 casea of ovarian cancer, 7 cases of endometrial cancer, 36 cases of the gestational trophoblastic tumor, 60 cases of cervical cancer. The relationship between the presence of a c-K-ras point mutation and clinicopathological characteristics of the female genital tract cancers were also analysed. The results were as follows; 1. The incidence of four point mutations on codon 12 of c-K-ras oncogene in 37 ovarian cancers was 45.9% (17/37) and distribution were 43.2% (16/37), 2.7% (1/37) and 0% (0/37) in GGT-->GAT, GGT-->AGT, GGT-->TGT, and GGT-->GTT, respectively. According to histological type, in ovarian cancers, The point mutation of K-ras oncogene waspositive in 45 % (10/22) of serous cystadenocarcinomas. The incidence of four point mutations on codon 12 among 37 patients with ovarian cancer according to histological type was 45.5 % (10/22) with serous cystadenocarcinoma, 57.1% (4/7) of mucinous cystadenocarcinoma. Comparing the positive rate of point mutations of K-ras oncogen among 37 patients with ovarian cancer with the clinical stage, point mutation was detected in 28.5% (2/7) of patients with stage I, 40.0% (2/5) with stage II, and 52.0% (13/25) with stage III/IV. There was no statistically significant increasement of point mutations with the advance of the clinical stage of ovarian cancer. Comparing the positive rate of point mutations of K-ras oncogen among 37 patients with ovarian cancer according to the histologic grade point mutation was detected in 50.0 % (2/4) 0f patients with grade I, 451.7 % (5/12) with grade II and 47.6 % (10/21) with grade III. 2. The incidence of point mutations of K-ras oncogen among 33 patients with ovarian cancer who were performed pelvic lymph node dissection was 57.1 % (12/21) of the patients with pelvic lymph node metastases and 16.7% (2/12) of the patients without pelvic lymph node metastases. There was statistically significant difference between the positive rate of c-K-ras point mutations and the pelvic lymph nodal status(P<0.05). 3. In 7 cases of endometrial cancer, positive rate of K-ras point was 42.8 % (3/7). Point mutations were also detected in 2 cases from 4 choriocarcinomas, but, the point mutation was only detected in 1 case from 60 cervical carcinomas. From these results, we may suggest that the point mutation on codon 12 c-K-ras oncogene are considered to be one of the important genetic change in the tumor formation and progression of ovarian of c-K-ras oncogene seems to be the one stop in the multistep process of tumor formation in ovarian cancer. Furthermore, the point mutation of c-k-ras gene could occur more frequently in the patients of ovarian cancer with pelvic lymph node metastases than in those without pelvic metastases, suggesting the orle in tumor progression. And we concluded that point mutation on codon 12 is comparable frequent in uterine endometrial carcinomas and have significance as an event that contributes to progrssion of endometrial cancers and choriocarcinoma, but cervical carcinoma do not appear to have c-K-ras point mutation in general. More studies will be necessary, but the detection of c-k-ras point mutation as the possibility of biological tumor marker to predict clinical outcome may be utilized in female malignancies.
Blotting, Southern ; Breast ; Choriocarcinoma ; Codon ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous ; Digoxigenin ; Electrophoresis ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; Female* ; Genes, ras ; Humans ; Incidence ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Oncogenes* ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Point Mutation* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pregnancy ; Trophoblastic Neoplasms ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

The purpose of the study was to investigate the characteristics of the pronunciation of Korean vowels in patients with class III malocclusion. 11 adult male patients with class III malocclusion(mean ages 22.3 years) and four adult males with normal occlusion(mean ages 26.5 years) were selected for the analysis of eight Korean monophthongs /i, e, e, a, eo, o, eu, u/. The values and relationships of F1, F2 and F3 were derived from the stable section of target vowel in each sentence, and the analysis using formant plots and vowel triangles' distance and area was conducted to find the features of two groups' vowel distributions. Consequently, it was identified that the pronunciation of males patients with class III malocclusion showed high values of F1 in the low vowels, high values of F2 in the back vowels, and remarkably low position of /a/. The vowel triangle suggested that the triangle areas of male patients with class III malocclusion were shown wider vertically and narrower horizontally than those of males with normal occlusion. These characteristics could reflect the structural features of class III malocclusion such as the prognathic mandible, low tongue position, and advancement of back position of the tongue.
Acoustics ; Adult ; Humans ; Male ; Malocclusion ; Mandible ; Tongue

Many cases of cerebral rete mirabile, a particular disease entity, had been reported and discussed by some authors over the world including Japan, United States, Europe and Korea in these ten years. In spite of variable opinions concerning to its exact pathogenesis and etiology, most authors are in good agreement with the specific findings of carotid angiography. But we couldn't find any reports of cerebral rete mirabile accompanied by similar changes in vertebrobasilar system in the literature. Recently we encountered a case of typical cerebral rete mirabile with fine arborization of posterior cerebral arteries and irregular narrowing of vertebrobasilar arteries. It is our sixth case of cerebral rete mirabile and will be presented with the brief review of literature.
Angiography ; Arteries ; Basilar Artery* ; Europe ; Japan ; Korea ; Posterior Cerebral Artery ; United States

Aluminum (Al) accumulation increases with aging, and long-term exposure to Al is regarded as a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we investigated the effects of Al and/or D-galactose on neural stem cells, proliferating cells, differentiating neuroblasts, and mature neurons in the hippocampal dentate gyrus. AlCl3 (40 mg/kg/day) was intraperitoneally administered to C57BL/6J mice for 4 weeks. In addition, vehicle (physiological saline) or D-galactose (100 mg/kg) was subcutaneously injected to these mice immediately after AlCl3 treatment. Neural stem cells, proliferating cells, differentiating neuroblasts, and mature neurons were detected using the relevant marker for each cell type, including nestin, Ki67, doublecortin, and NeuN, respectively, via immunohistochemistry. Subchronic (4 weeks) exposure to Al in mice reduced neural stem cells, proliferating cells, and differentiating neuroblasts without causing any changes to mature neurons. This Al-induced reduction effect was exacerbated in D-galactose-treated mice compared to vehicle-treated adult mice. Moreover, exposure to Al enhanced lipid peroxidation in the hippocampus and expression of antioxidants such as Cu, Zn- and Mn-superoxide dismutase in D-galactose-treated mice. These results suggest that Al accelerates the reduction of neural stem cells, proliferating cells, and differentiating neuroblasts in D-galactose-treated mice via oxidative stress, without inducing loss in mature neurons.
Adult ; Aging ; Aluminum* ; Alzheimer Disease ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; Dentate Gyrus* ; Galactose ; Hippocampus ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Mice* ; Nestin ; Neural Stem Cells* ; Neurons ; Oxidative Stress* ; Risk Factors ; Superoxide Dismutase

Reconstruction of a finger-pulp defect is one of the most difficult procedures. The reasons are that the identical donor tissue is not easy to obtain and the reducing the donor site morbidity is not easy to achieve. Particularly, reconstruction of multiple digit pulp defect is more difficult. We propose toe partial pulp free flaps for the replacement of defects of multiple fingertip. It can provide identical color matching to donor defect, and cut down the morbidity of donor site. The 33 digits of 15 patients were treated with this method. The donor sites were medial aspect of the second toe or third toe and lateral aspect of big toe. The neurovascular pedicles were composed of medial plantar digital artery, medial plantar digital nerve, and superficial plantar vein of the second toe, third toe or big toe. All flaps were survived. The average of static two-point discrimination was 5.9 mm. Primary closure of donor sites was possible in all cases. Toe partial pulp free flaps has many advantages in multiple digit reconstruction. It can provide excellent color and texture matching, excellent sensory recovery. It avoids long term immobilization. Vascular anatomy was so consistent that vessels were easily dissected. Primary closure of donor site was possible. However, there were some restrictions. The flap could not be applied to a large defect, and to patients with vascular disease and old age. It also required skillful technique in anastomosis of pedicle. In conclusion, we consider that toe partial-pulp free flaps are useful method to reconstruct the defects of multiple fingertips.
Arteries ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Free Tissue Flaps* ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Tissue Donors ; Toes* ; Vascular Diseases ; Veins

To standardize the corneal haze model in the resection depth and size for efficient corneal haze development, air assisted lamellar keratectomy was performed. The ex vivo porcine corneas were categorized into four groups depending on the trephined depth: 250 microm (G1), 375 microm (G2), 500 microm (G3) and 750 microm (G4). The stroma was equally ablated at the five measurement sites in all groups. Significant differences were observed between the trephined corneal depths for resection and ablated corneal thickness in G1 (p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed between the trephined corneal depth for resection and the ablated corneal thickness in G2, G3, and G4. The resection percentage was similar in all groups after microscopic imaging of corneal sections. Air assisted lamellar keratectomy (AK) and conventional keratectomy (CK) method were applied to six beagles, after which development of corneal haze was evaluated weekly until postoperative day 28. The occurrence of corneal haze in the AK group was significantly higher than that in the CK group beginning 14 days after surgery. Alpha-smooth muscle actin expression was significantly higher in the AK group (p < 0.001) than the CK group. Air assisted lamellar keratectomy was used to achieve the desired corneal thickness after resection and produce sufficient corneal haze.
Animals ; Cornea/*surgery ; Corneal Opacity/etiology/*surgery ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dogs ; Humans ; Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures/*methods ; Sus scrofa ; *Wound Healing

Spinal interdural cyst is an extremely rare lesion, the wall of which consists of a dura-like layer without arachnoid. This report describes two cases in which patients with interdural cysts of the thoracolumbar spine presented with atypical neurologic signs and symptoms, including lower back pain and radiating pian in both lower extremities. Plain radiographs, CT myelograms and magnetic resonance images were obtained, but the cysts could not be differentiated from extradural arachnoid cyst. Surgical intervention revealed a dura-like layer of cyst wall, and within the cyst, a fluid resembling cerebrospinal fluid was present. In one case, microscopic examination showed that fragments of connective tissue without an arachnoid lining formed a thin fibrous cystic wall, a finding consistent with meningeal cyst.
Arachnoid ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Connective Tissue ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; Lower Extremity ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Spine

OBJECTIVE: To explore the in-vivo 1H- MR spectral features of adnexal lesions and to characterize the spectral patterns of various pathologic entities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one patients with surgically and histopathologically confirmed adnexal lesions underwent short echo-time STEAM (stimulated echo acquisition method) 1H- MR spectroscopy, and the results obtained were analysed. RESULTS: The methylene present in fatty acid chains gave rise to a lipid peak of 1.3 ppm in the 1H- MR spectra of most malignant tumors and benign teratomas. This same peak was not observed, however, in the spectra of benign ovarian epithelial tumors: in a number of these, a peak of 5.2 ppm, due to the presence of the olefine group (-CH=CH-) was noted. The ratios of lipid peak at 1.3 ppm to water peak (lipid/water ratios) varied between disease groups, and in some benign teratomas was characteristically high. CONCLUSION: An intense lipid peak at 1.3 ppm is observed in malignant ovarian tumors but not in benign epithelial tumors. 1H- MRS may therefore be helpful in the differential diagnosis of adnexal lesions.
Adnexal Diseases/*diagnosis ; Adult ; Aged ; Cystadenoma, Mucinous/diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Human ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy/*diagnostic use ; Middle Age ; Ovarian Neoplasms/diagnosis ; Protons ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Teratoma/diagnosis ; Uterine Neoplasms/diagnosis

PURPOSE: Baroreceptor reflex regulation has been shown to reset towards a higher blood pressure level. This study was designed to assess alterations of chronotropic baroreflexes in two-kidney, one clip (2K1C) and deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rats. METHODS: Arterial pressure and heart rate (HR) were monitored continuously during intravenous infusions of phenylephrine or sodium nitroprusside. Ensuing reflex HR responses during each drug infusion were determined in two ways: (a) at 10 s intervals (time analysis), and (b) with every 10 mmHg change in pressure (pressure analysis). RESULTS: Both pressor and depressor responses produced by phenylephrine or sodium nitroprusside were comparable between normotensive and hypertensive rats. Both reflex tachycardia and bradycardia were attenuated in 2K1C hypertensive rats as compared with normotensive rats, whereas no significant differences were shown in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that chronotropic baroreflexes are impaired in 2K1C hypertensive rats, but not in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats.
Animals ; Arterial Pressure ; Baroreflex ; Blood Pressure ; Bradycardia ; Desoxycorticosterone ; Dihydrotachysterol ; Heart Rate ; Hypertension ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Nitroprusside ; Phenylephrine ; Rats ; Reflex ; Tachycardia