This study is aimed to observe the expressions of different genes, including the extracellular matrix proteins, growth factors, and transcription factors during different developmental stages of mouse submandibular gland. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and the antisense inhibition in organ culture system were performed using mouse embryos and newborns. Total 140 mouse embryos (E14(80), E15(20), E16(20), E18(20)) and 30 newborn mice (D2(10), D3(10), D6(10)) obtained from 60 pregnant mice and 3 adult mice (3 weeks old) were used for the cDNA production and the salivary gland organ culture. Syndecan, perlecan, laminin alpha1 chain, TGF beta1, beta 3, and sonic hedgehog mRNAs were expressed in the early stage (E14~E16) of the submandibular gland development, whereas transglutaminase C (TGase C), E-cadherin, epimorphin, laminin beta2 and gamma1 chains, and HGF mRNAs were expressed in the middle and late stages (E16~E18, D2~D6). Antisense inhibition of different genes in the organ culture of E14 mouse embryos of submandibular gland showed specific growth retardation in the development of ductal and acinar cells. Especially, the antisense inhibition of perlecan, E-cadherin, laminin alpha1 chain, laminin beta2 chain, and syndecan mRNA arrested the growth of ductal and acinar cells. While the antisense inhibition of integrin beta5 greatly affected the acinar cell differentiation and also produced cystic dilatation of salivary ducts, the antisense inhibition of fibronectin showed aberrant growth of ectomesenchymal tissues of the mouse submandibular gland.
Acinar Cells ; Adult ; Animals ; Cadherins ; Dilatation ; DNA, Complementary ; Embryonic Structures ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; Fibronectins ; Gene Expression* ; Hedgehogs ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Laminin ; Mice* ; Organ Culture Techniques* ; RNA, Messenger ; Salivary Ducts ; Salivary Glands ; Submandibular Gland* ; Syndecans ; Transcription Factors

Twenty-five neonates were observed for the relationship between phenobrbital loading dose, plasma concentrations and control of seizures. Nineteen neonates (76%) had seizures controlled by phenobarbital alone. Effective plasma concentration were 10.0~31.1microgram/ml. Although 14 neonates had seizures controlled by phenobarbital concentration below 20microgram/ml, neonate required level above 30microgram/ml. We found that continued benefit was obtained until phenobarbital plasma concentrations reached 40microgram/ml and there was no adverse effects on cardiorespiratory function. We recommend that plasma phenobarbital concentrations should equal or surpass 40microgram/ml before additional anticonvulsants are used for neonates with seizure.
Anticonvulsants ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Phenobarbital* ; Plasma ; Seizures*

No abstract available.
Gastroscopy* ; Humans

Breast cancer is the school most common cancer in Korea women. The incidence of breast cancer is around 25 per 100,000 women, and more than 5,500 women are diagnosed as breast cancer annually. Epidemics show that the incidence and mortality of breast cancer are increasing due to rapid changes of women's life style and westernized food and so on. The risk factors for breast cancer include hormone-related factors (early menarche, late menopause, no or late birth, hormone replacement therapy) and genetic background. It is hard to change risk factors for breast cancer but early detection strategies are best for decreasing the mortality rate from breast cancer. Breast self examination, clinical breast examination, and mammography can be used for screening of breast cancer. Breast self examination is not sensitive enough to detect a small cancer but monthly exam makes women be awakening about breast cancer and feel changes of her breast. Meta-analysis shows annual mammography reduces breast cancer mortality around 35% in the ages over 50. Some randomized clinical trials also showed mortality reduction by mammography in the ages of 40s. Surprisingly, breast cancer is rapidly increasing in late thirties with a peak incidence in forties among Korean women. Whether the early peak makes mammography less accurate is controversial. However, data from qualified screening centers showed mammography has same sensitivity with that in westerns. Korean Breast Cancer Society and National Cancer Center organized the 1st Consensus meeting for the national guidelines for breast cancer screening on July 24, 2001. We recommend that women should have monthly self examination beginning at age 30, should receive biannual clinical breast exam from healthcare providers from age 35, and should receive clinical breast exam and mammography at 1~2-year intervals after age 40.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast Self-Examination ; Breast* ; Consensus ; Female ; Genetic Background ; Health Personnel ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Life Style ; Mammography ; Mass Screening* ; Menarche ; Menopause ; Mortality ; Parturition ; Risk Factors ; Self-Examination

No abstract available.
Hepatitis A Antibodies* ; Hepatitis* ; Immunoglobulin M*

No abstract available.
Primary Myelofibrosis*

Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome is a rare clinical entity characterized by exomphalos, macroglossia, macrosomia, and renal hyperplasia/dysplasia. Although its entity is established, its etiology and obligatory features have not been settled. We report an autopsy case with the unusual involvement of the salivary gland. This infant was born to a 37-year-old mother as a normal full-term spontaneous delivery. At 11 days of age she developed with purulent eye discharge and weak sucking, and died suddenly. At autopsy the baby weighed 2,630 gm and the head circumference was 35 cm. She showed thick and prominent skin folds, bilateral aural fissures, macroglossia, hepatomegaly, cardiomegaly, dysmorphic kidneys, and nesidioblastosis. Both kidneys showed dysplastic tubules and hyperplastic cortical tissue enclosing the medulla. In this case there were characteristic findings in major and minor salivary glands with both acinar and ductal hyperplasia, and hypertrophy of mammary glands. Besides, she had generalized depletion of subcutaneous fat, immature buccal fat, patent ductus arteriosus, hyperlobation of the right lung, two accessory spleens, and hyperplasia of basophils and chromophobes in the pituitary gland. The lungs showed diffuse interstitial pneumonia and multiple fibrin thrombi. There were no adrenal cytomegaly, umbilical hernia and exophthalmos.
Infant ; Male ; Female ; Humans

In order to elucidate the biological effects of pulsating magnetic field in in vitro culture system we designed a pulsating magnetic apparatus using 120 Hertz, 24 Volt direct current. It can generate 63~225 Gauss in the experimental area of 90 mm petri dish, and has little thermal effect on the culture media in 37.5oC, 5% CO2. Human osteogenic sarcoma (HOS) cells were cultured in the pulsating magnetic field and the nuclear changes of cultured cells were observed routinely by hematoxylin staining, and apoptotic change was detected by ApopTag staining using both peroxidase and fluorescein labelings. Compared to the control group which formed well organized whorling pattern of HOS cell line in 3 days culture, the HOS cells cultured in the pulsating magnetic field for 12 hours or 24 hours grew irregularly and showed increased number of apoptotic cells. When the flow of pulsating magnetic field was interrupted by insertion of strong permanent magnetic bar (1000 Gauss, 5530 mm) beneath the petri dish during in vitro culture, the area of sparse pulsating magnetic field showed active proliferation and aggregation of HOS cells even in 24 hour exposure group. These data suggest that the pulsating magnetic field may play a role in inducing growth retardation and apoptosis of HOS cells. Furthermore, the hazardous effects of pulsating magnetic field can be lessened or nullified by the interruption of pulsating magnetic field with a strong permanent magnetic bar.
Apoptosis ; Cell Line* ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media ; Fluorescein ; Hematoxylin ; Humans* ; Magnetic Fields* ; Osteosarcoma* ; Peroxidase

PURPOSE: This study was done to identify the experience of health care services by foreign residents in Korea. METHOD: Participants were 12 foreigners from China, North America, and Japan. Qualitative data were collected using three focus group interviews and analyzed with qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: The participants' experience of health services was categorized as 21 sub-categories, 11 categories and three main categories. The main categories were 'Quality of health care', 'Health care personnel', and 'Health care system and infrastructure'. The main category of 'Quality of health care' included three categories, 'Health care personnel' included another four categories, and 'Health care system and infrastructure' included the remaining four categories. The participants reported positive experiences such as favorable feelings and satisfaction particularly, with the high quality of health care but also negative experiences such as apprehension, distrust, difficulties, and inconvenience in the health care service in Korea. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study can be helpful in the development of strategies to improve health care services for foreigners by providing fundamental information about the foreign residents' experience of health care services in Korea from their perspectives.
China ; Delivery of Health Care ; Emigrants and Immigrants ; Focus Groups ; Health Services ; Humans ; Japan ; Korea ; North America ; Quality of Health Care

We report a case of a large asymptomatic Rathke cleft cyst in a 14-year-old boy. This cyst was of considerable size, measuring 2x1.8x1.8 cm, but did not produce any symptoms and was confined to the suprasellar area. The cyst wall was lined by pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium with goblet cells. The lining epithelium of the Rathke cleft cyst was immnoreactive for cytokeratin, EMA and CEA.
Cysts