The cumulative incidence of breast cancer in Korea is low, being about one-fifth of that in the United States. This low incidence has been mainly explained by environmental factors, and recently, however, racial variations in the disease-causing genes should also be considered. The BRCA1 is one of the common genes involved in early-onset breast cancer and/or ovarian cancer in the United States and Northern Europe. However, the involvement of BRCA1 in Korean'breast cancer patients are still unclear. We performed germline mutation screening of the BRCA1 gene by DNA single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis. We examined 27 breast cancer patients who were diagnosed less than 35 years by age including two cases with family history of breast cancer. Our study showed no germline mutation at the exons 2, 11 and 20, which were known as the supreme susceptible regions of BRCA1 mutations. Even though our cases did not fulfilled the criteria of familial breast/ovarian cancer, the proprotion of families who inherit the mutated BRCA1 allele seems to be very small and might be negligible among Korean population. Therefore, it is considered that the BRCA1 itself cannot be a major susceptibility gene and the contributions of other genes might be important for the breast cancer.
Alleles ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; DNA ; Europe ; Exons ; Genes, BRCA1 ; Germ-Line Mutation* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Mass Screening ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; United States

No abstract available.
Atrial Fibrillation* ; Heart* ; Thoracic Surgery*

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary atresia (PA) with ventricular septal defect has various morphology of pulmonary arteries and pulmonary blood flow sources, so pulmonary arterial hypoplasia and arborization abnormality make this anomaly difficult to manage surgically. In cases associated with juxtaductal stenosis, we evaluated the change of the pulmonary arterial and juxtaductal stenotic site after shunt operations, and would like to find useful information in surgical planning and methodology of these patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Among 59 cases diagnosed as PA with ventricular septal defect associated with juxtaductal stenosis, 29 cases who had cardiac catheterization before and after shunt operation were selected from July, 1991 to July, 1996. In 10 cases of right shunt operation (Group I) and 19 cases of left shunt operation (Group II), the diameters of the descending aorta, both pulmonary arteries, and the juxtaductal stenosis site were measured before and after the shunt operation. RESULT: In both Group I and II, the pre-and postoperative ratio of diameters of the ipsilateral pulmonary artery to the descending aorta was from 0.78+/-0.31 units to 1.01+/-0.26 units and from 0.67+/-0.18 units to 0.84+/-0.27 units respectively, showing a signigicant increase. The contralateral pulmonary artery index was increased from 0.92+/-0.28 units to 1.05+/-0.15 units and from 0.94+/-0.27 units to 1.08+/-0.37 units respectively, but could not be confirmed statistically. In both groups, the change of juxtaductal stenosis showed an aggravating tendency but of no statistical significance from 0.43+/-0.27 units to 0.39+/-0.25 units and from 0.32+/-0.10 units to 0.30+/-0.16 units respectively, and we experienced 2 total obstruction in Group II. Because the increased pulmonary blood flow by shunt operation has a favorable effect to the pulmonary arterial growth, the shunt operation is a recommended treatment in patients with hypoplastic pulmonary arteries. But in PA with ventricular septal defects, the change of juxtaductal stenosis is very important. In conclusion, the growth of ipsilateral (shunt site) pulmonary artery was promoted by shunt operation, but there is a tendency for the juxtaductal stenosis to be aggravated. And we experienced 2 total obstruction in Group II. CONCLUSION: Thus, in cases operated with shunt method, much careful postoperative follow up study including angiographic evaluation is needed, and after the shunt operation on the side of pulmonary artery associated with juxtaductal stenosis, early precise planning for total correction is recommended.
Aorta, Thoracic ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Cardiac Catheters ; Constriction, Pathologic* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular* ; Humans ; Pulmonary Artery ; Pulmonary Atresia*

To determine applicability of the cryopreservation procedure for vessel grafts, the viability of endothelial cells (ECs) among the whole cells in three kinds of organs artery, vein, trachea in mongrel dogs was evaluated on the basis of histological analysis. The Griffonia simplicifolia agglutins-fluorescein isothiocyanate (GSA-FITC) and propidium iodide (PI) double staining methods were combined with flow cytometry (FCM), which was able to simultaneously determine the viability of whole cells and ECs from the same tissue, were performed after harvesting, after antibiotic solution treatment, and after cryopreservation and thawing. In most cases, the viability of ECs is lower than that of whole cells from veins and arteries. The viability of whole cells in veins was maintained until the antibiotic solution treatment and then decreased significantly after cryopreservation and thawing, while the ECs began to decrease significantly after the antibiotic solution treatment and more markedly decreased after thawing. The viability of ECs and whole cells from arteries was similar to that of the veins' conditions. The viability of whole cells from the trachea decreased with a similar pattern to that of the ECs from vessels. In consideration of maintaining cell viability among the three kinds of organs, the viability of arteries was better than that of the others. The cells in the trachea demonstrated a lower viability than the vessels. The effect of antibiotic solution treatment on the reduction of cell viability depends on the treatment time and temperature.
Animalt ; Arteries/transplantation ; Cell Survival ; Coronary Vessels*/transplantatione ; Cryopreservation* ; Dogs ; Endothelium, Vascular/physiology* ; Endothelium, Vascular/cytology ; Female ; Male ; Trachea*/transplantation ; Middle Age ; Veins/transplantation

PURPOSE: To establish the optimal inclusion criteria for the patients with gallbladder stones to extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy(ESWL) by retrospectively analyzing our current results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data obtained from 201 patients with gallbladder stones treated with ESWL and oral chemolytic agent from November 1989 to July 1992 were restroepectively analyzed. Ninety-six had radiolucent stones and 105 had radiopaque stones. We used piezoelectric lithotriptor(EDAP LT. 01) and there were no limitation in number of sessions or total number of shock waves. ESWL was repeated until the size of the largest fragment is smaller than 4 mm. Follow up ultrasound was done in every three months after the successful fragmentation. Average length of the follow up was 205 days. We analyzed the rate of successful fragmentation, number of shock waves needed to achieve successful fragmentation according to the size, number of stones as well as the presence of the calcification. Stone-free rate after 6 months was also calculated from all subgroups and compared to each other. RESULTS: The rate of successful fragmentation was 76.2% for radiolucent stones and 66.6% for radiopaque stones(p > 0.05) after 46,731 and 56,111 shock waves respectively(p > 0.05). The rate of successful fragmentation was highest in patients with single, radiolucent stone smaller than 2cm(91.7%) followed by single radiolucent stone larger than 2cm(83.3%), multiple calcified stones smaller than 2cm(77.4%) and single calcified stone smaller than 2cm(72.1%). The rate of complete stone clearance after 6 month follow-up was highest in patients with single radiolucent stone smaller than 2cm(63.3%) and followed by multiple calcified stones smaller than 2cm(37.3%), single calcified stone smaller than 2cm(33.9%)(p <0.05). CONCLUSION: To obtain better results with ESWL in patients with gallbladder stone, the authors propose a more strict inclusion criteria, which is the patient with a single, radiolucent stone smaller than 2cm.
Follow-Up Studies ; Gallbladder* ; Humans ; Lithotripsy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Shock ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND: Surveillance of surgical site infection is a main component of nosocomial infection surveillance. To perform a valid comparison of rates among hospitals, among surgeons, across time, surgical site infection rates must account for the variation in patient's underlying severity of illness and other important risk factors. So, a risk index was developed to predict a surgical patient's risk of acquiring a surgical site infection. The risk index score, ranging from 0 to 3, was the number of risk factors present among the following: (1) a patient with an American Society of Anesthesiologists preoperative assessment score of 3,4,5, (2) an operation classified as contaminated or dirty-infected, and (3) an operation lasting over T hours, where T depends upon the operative procedure being performed. METHOD: We performed surgical site infection surveillance according to patient risk index after cardiovascular surgery from Mar 1, 1997 to May 31, 1997. In addition, we also monitored nosocomial infection of all patients after cardiovascular surgery Data was collected prospectively, Surgical site infection rate was classified according to patient risk index and compared with NNIS (National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance) semiannual report of 1995. RESULT: Overall nosocomial infection rate was 18.9% and among all patients detected by surveillance protocols, pneumonia was the most common (6.3%) nosocomial infection after cardiovascular surgery, and the remaining infections were distributed as follows: surgical site infection 45%, urinary tract infection 3.2%, bloodstream infection 3.2%. Surgical site infection rate for patient with scores of 0, 1, 2 and 3 were 0%, 3.1%, 4.6%, 66,7%, respectively and increased according to patient risk index (P<0.05). There is no statistical difference between our surgical site infection rate and 1995 NNIS semiannual report of surgical site infection rates (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The patient risk index is a better predictor d surgical site infection risk than the traditional wound classification system and surgical site infection surveillance with patient risk index is useful for nosocomial infection surveillance after surgery.
Classification ; Cross Infection ; Humans ; Operative Time ; Pneumonia ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Surgical Procedures, Operative ; Urinary Tract Infections ; Wounds and Injuries

To understand the clinical results of aortic root replacement with either inclusion or open technique, we analysed 53 patients who underwent replacement of the aortic root with composite graft between October,1980, and May, 1995. Annuloaortic ectasia was the most common indication for operation(29 patients), follwed by aortic dissection(22 patients). Among 53 patients, 19(35%) had Marfan syndrome. Three patients died during hospitalization (Mortality: 5.5%). The follow up was possible in 48 patients(Follow-up rate; 94%,mean duration;37 months). The actuarial survival rate at 24 months was 95% in open technique group, and 87% in inclusion technique group. Late complications developed in 10 patients. Dissecting aneurysm in the remaining aorta was noted in 3 patients with inclusion technique, and a pseudoaneurysm from coronary artery anastomosis site developed in a patient with inclusion technique. In conclusion, there was no statistical differences in survival for 24 months between inclusion technique and open technique group. But late problems in the remaining aorta or death from unknown cause occurred with moderate frequency ; careful follow-up after aortic root replacement thought to be important for long term survival.
Aneurysm, Dissecting ; Aneurysm, False ; Aorta ; Coronary Vessels ; Dilatation, Pathologic ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Marfan Syndrome ; Survival Rate ; Transplants

BACKGROUND: Occipital neuralgia (ON) is a condition characterized by a paroxysmal stabbing pain in the area of the greater or lesser occipital nerves; it is usually regarded by clinicians as idiopathic. Some have suggested that ON can be induced by trauma or injury of the occipital nerves or their roots, but tumor has rarely been reported as a cause of ON. CASE REPORT: We report herein a case of foramen magnum meningioma in a 55-year-old woman who presented with ON triggered by head motion as the only symptom without any signs of myelopathy. CONCLUSIONS: This case indicates that it is important to consider the underlying causes of ON. Precise neurologic and radiological evaluations such as cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging are needed.
Female ; Foramen Magnum ; Head ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Meningioma ; Middle Aged ; Neuralgia ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; Spine

Authors analyzed the findings of findings of chest radiographs and high-resolution CT(HRCT) of chronic mercury vapor poisoning in 12 patients who were diagnosed by previous working history for mercury-thermometer and high level of mercury in blood and urine. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the HRCT findings of chronic mercury vapor poisoning. Duration of mercury exposure was ranged from 10 to 41 months(mean, 21.8 months). Estimated value of serum mercury was ranged from 3.6 to 8.7µg/dl(mean, 5.3 µg/dl: normal value is less than 0.5µg/dl). Estimated value of mercury in urine was ranged from 104 to 482µg/1(mean, 291.4µg/1: normal value is less than 20µg/1). Chest radiographs showed positive findings such as ground-glass opacities and peribronchial cuffings in only 2 out of 12 patients, but HRCT showed positive findings such as ground-glass opacities in 8 patients, peribronchial cuffings in 7 patients, centrilobular abnormalities in 5 patients, interface sign in 4 patients, interlobular septal thickening with intralobular lines in 2 patients and lobular consolidation in one patient. In conclusion, chest HRCT is superior to chest radiograph to show the pulmonary manifestation of chronic mercury vapor poisoning. In patients with chronic mercury vapor poisoning, HRCT findings of centrilobular distributed ground-glass opacities and peribronchial cuffinges are characteristic.
Humans ; Lung* ; Poisoning* ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Reference Values ; Thorax

No abstract available.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac* ; Heart* ; Thoracic Surgery*