No abstract available.
Myocardial Ischemia* ; Solitary Pulmonary Nodule*

Retroviral vector provide a highly efficient method for gene transfer into eukaryotic cells. This vector system can be divided into two components; the retroviral vector itself and the retroviral packaging cell line. The key improvement in the design of these two components are. focused on two aspects; the reduction of helper virus production and high titer-virus. We used PA317 for retrovirus packaging cell line, for its high producibility of viral titer, To test the ability of the vectors to generate high titer-virus, we have chosen four different retroviral vectors; LN, LNSX, LNCX and LXSN. To test easily the viral titer, we have made recombinant construction with CD4 and CD8, checked their viral titer and stained their surface expression. LXSN which contain SV40 early promoter in front of leo gene showed best results in viral transient transfection assay, dot blot assay and surface expression. In addition, recombinant containing CD8 generally showed much higher viral titration and surface expression than CD4.
Cell Line ; Eukaryotic Cells ; Helper Viruses ; Product Packaging ; Retroviridae ; Transfection ; Zidovudine*

BACKGROUND: The contraction of smooth muscle depends on an increase in the concentration of intracellular calcium ion and the source of this increase to various stimuli is different according to organs or species. Nevertheless, there have been only a few studies on human stomach smooth muscle. This study was designed to identify the source of the calcium utilized in the muscle contraction induced by carbachol, which is an important factor among various stimuli. METHODS: After the administration of carbachol with various conditions in cultured human stomach smooth muscle cells, fura-2-acetoxymethyl ester was used to measure the increase in the intracellular calcium concentration. RESULTS: (1) The carbachol-induced increase in the intracellular calcium concentration was not attenuated after removal of extracellular calcium. (2) Carbachol induced a small increase in the intracellular calcium concentration even after the depletion of intracellular calcium store. (3) Repeated histamine administration blocked the carbachol-induced increase in the intracellular calcium concentration in calcium-free extracellular solution. CONCLUSION: The main source of calcium utilized in human stomach smooth muscle contraction by carbachol is intracellular calcium store, particularly inositol triphosphate(IP3)-sensitive calcium stores. However, extracellular calcium also contributes to the carbachol-induced increase in the intracellular calcium concentration.
Calcium* ; Carbachol* ; Histamine ; Humans* ; Inositol ; Muscle Contraction ; Muscle, Smooth* ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle* ; Stomach

Four cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were surgically resected following combined radiotherapy (RT) and hyperthermia (HT). Complete necrosis of the tumor without viable tumor cell was found in one case and extensive tumor necrosis was observed in the other three cases; the percentage of necrosis in the specimens were 40%, 70%, and 80%, respectively. Histologic assessment showed mainly coagulative necrosis in the tumor with focal liquefactive necrosis. Cystic dilatation of sinusoids was observed in both tumor and nontumorous normal liver tissue. Other changes in normal liver tissue were unremarkable except for infiltration of inflammatory cells, fatty change, and proliferation of the bile ducts which can usually be seen beyond the area where any space occupying lesions are present. It is concluded that combined radiotherapy and hyperthermia can significantly induce coagulative necrosis of hepatocellular carcinoma with nonsignificant minimal histologic changes in adjacent nontumorous liver tissue.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/*pathology/radiotherapy/surgery/*therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Human ; *Hyperthermia, Induced ; *Liver Neoplasms/*pathology/radiotherapy/surgery/*therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Necrosis

PURPOSE: This study evaluates the long-term results of definitive radiotherapy (RT) for early glottic cancer. Clinical and treatment factors related to local control and patterns of failure are analyzed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 222 patients with T1-2N0 squamous cell carcinoma of the glottic larynx treated with definitive RT from 1981 to 2010. None of the patients received elective nodal RT or combined chemotherapy. The median total RT dose was 66 Gy. The daily fraction size was < 2.5 Gy in 69% and 2.5 Gy in 31% of patients. The RT field extended from the hyoid bone to the cricoid cartilage. RESULTS: The median age was 60 years, and 155 patients (70%) had T1 disease. The 5-year rates of local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) and ultimate LRFS with voice preservation were 87.8% and 90.3%, respectively. T2 (hazard ratio [HR], 2.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08 to 4.94) and anterior commissural involvement (HR, 3.37; 95% CI, 1.62 to 7.02) were significant prognostic factors for LRFS. In 34 patients with local recurrence, tumors recurred in the ipsilateral vocal cord in 28 patients. There were no contralateral vocal cord recurrences. Most acute complications included grade 1-2 dysphagia and/or hoarseness. There was no grade 3 or greater chronic toxicity. CONCLUSION: Definitive RT achieved a high cure rate, voice preservation, and tolerable toxicity in early glottic cancer. T2 stage and anterior commissural involvement were prognostic factors for local control. Further optimization of the RT method is needed to reduce the risk of ipsilateral tumor recurrence.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cricoid Cartilage ; Deglutition Disorders ; Drug Therapy ; Glottis ; Hoarseness ; Humans ; Hyoid Bone ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; Larynx ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Radiotherapy* ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Vocal Cords ; Voice

An ectopic pancreas rarely transforms into a malignancy, and the symptoms vary from patient to patient. The most commonly observed site of an ectopic pancreas is the antrum of the stomach. A 59-year-old male patient with severe abdominal pain underwent CT. A 9.6 cm-sized well-defined exophytic huge mass with heterogenic density was located between the stomach distal antrum and duodenum. A malignant submucosal tumor was suspected because of the exophytic dirty huge mass. Initially, surgery was considered to confirm the histological evaluation. After 2 months, the abdominal pain disappeared, and the follow-up MRI scan showed a decrease in size, which contained a necrotic component inside. It was confirmed that the parenchymal tissue was the pancreas. The pathology through EUS-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) was normal pancreatic acinar cells, smooth muscle fragments, squamous cyst, and some neutrophils (abscess). Walled-off necrosis occurs as a complication of acute pancreatitis with parenchymal tissues and surrounding tissues, but complications of ectopic pancreatitis occurred in this case. Abdominal pain due to ectopic pancreas leading to the formation of a giant abscess has been reported as a very rare case. Diagnosis through biopsy is most important when a malignant submucosal tumor is suspected. In addition, it is important to determine the clinical features, examination findings, such as EUS, CT, and MRI, and the changes according to the follow-up period. This paper reports a case of ectopic pancreas, resulting in necrotic tissue and walled-off necrosis, abdominal pain, and spontaneous improvement.

Interferon is an important cytokine that plays a critical role in the initial host defense against viral infection. Recombinant human adenoviruses expressing human interferon-alpha (Ad-HIFNalpha) or pig interferon-beta fused with interleukin-18 (Ad-PIFNbeta-IL18) were constructed and used to induce an early protective response against foot and mouth disease (FMD). To analyze the antiviral effect, bovine thyroid and porcine kidney IBRS-2 cells and ICR mice were treated with Ad-HIFNalpha, Ad-PIFNbeta-IL18, and cocktail of Ad-HIFNalpha and Ad-PIFNbeta-IL18. The survival rate of suckling mice was monitored after foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) challenge following intra-peritoneal (IP) administration of appropriate adenovirus. Indirect antigen ELISA was performed to evaluate inhibition of FMDV replication following challenge with the FMDV O, A, or Asia 1 serotypes in vitro. These recombinant adenoviruses reduced the replication of FMDV in susceptible cells, thereby decreasing the fatality in mice, suggesting that they can be a useful control method for the early protection against FMD infection in livestock after field trial.
Adenoviridae ; Adenoviruses, Human ; Animals ; Asia ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Foot ; Foot-and-Mouth Disease ; Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; Interferon-beta ; Interferons ; Interleukin-18 ; Kidney ; Livestock ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Survival Rate ; Thyroid Gland

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The predictory factors of the response to initial steroid therapy in active Crohn's disease has been controversial in numerous literature reviews. We evaluated any predictory factor of the response to initial steroid therapy in active Crohn's disease patients. METHODS: The medical records of 32 patients with active Crohn's disease who clinically responded to oral steroid therapy were retrospectively reviewed. The steroid responsive group was defined as the one showing maintenance of response for more than one month from steroid withdrawal and the steroid dependent group as the one showing relapse or exacerbation during steroid tapering or within 30 days from steroid withdrawal. The clinical, biochemical, and pathologic factors were evaluated. RESULTS: There were 22 male and 10 female patients. The mean age was 28.9 years. The number of steroid responsive and dependent group was 22 (68.8%) and 10 (31.2%), respectively. There were no significant differences between these two groups in age, sex, time to diagnosis, perianal lesion, extent of disease, extraintestinal manifestations, presence of granuloma, presenting features, hemoglobin, ESR, and CRP, except serum albumin level. CONCLUSIONS: Serum albumin level was significantly lower in steroid dependent group than steroid responsive group, reflecting severe inflammation in steroid dependent group.
Crohn Disease* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Male ; Medical Records ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Serum Albumin

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The relationship between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is controversial. A high incidence of reflux esophagitis after H. pylori eradication has been reported in patients with peptic ulcer. However, few study has been reported on the effects of H. pylori eradication in patients with GERD without peptic ulcer. We assessed the reflux symptoms and endoscopic findings among comparable patients having undergone successful versus failed H. pylori eradication. METHODS: Patients with H. pylori-positive endoscopic esophagitis were treated with omeprazole, amoxicillin and metronidazole for 2 weeks and subsequently underwent 8-weeks of omeprazole treatment. All patients underwent a urea breath test 2~4 weeks later. Patients underwent symptom assessment and endoscopy before the therapy and 1 year thereafter. RESULTS: Out of 48 patients randomized, 10 dropped out during the follow-up period, leaving 38 patients with analyzable results. H. pylori eradication was successful in 32 patients (84.2%). By the end of the follow-up period, patients with symptoms (p=0.107) or endoscopic esophagitis (p=0.366) seemed not to be more aggravated in the successful than in the failed eradication group. CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori eradication doesn't aggravate the symptoms or endoscopic esophagitis in patients with H. pylori-positive reflux esophagitis.
Amoxicillin ; Breath Tests ; Endoscopy ; Esophagitis ; Esophagitis, Peptic* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Helicobacter pylori* ; Helicobacter* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Metronidazole ; Omeprazole ; Peptic Ulcer ; Symptom Assessment ; Urea

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to analyze treatment outcome of radiotherapy (RT) in patients with stage III-IV tonsil cancer managed by surgery followed by postoperative RT (SRT) and definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT), and to thereby evaluate the most feasible treatment modality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 124 patients, 67 underwent CRT, and 57 underwent SRT. We compared survival and complication rates in both groups. RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 57 months (range, 19 to 255 months) for surviving patients. At five years, locoregional progression-free survival (LRPFS) and overall survival (OS) were 88% and 80%, respectively. No significant difference in LRPFS (p=0.491) and OS (p=0.177) was observed between CRT and SRT. In multivariate analysis, old age and higher T stage showed a significant association with poor LRPFS, PFS, and OS; higher N stage showed an association with poor PFS and a trend of poor LRPFS, while no association with OS was observed; treatment modality (CRT and SRT) showed no association with LRFPS, PFS, and OS. Grade 3 or higher mucositis was observed in 12 patients (21%) in the SRT group, and 25 patients (37%) in the CRT group. CONCLUSION: Definitive CRT and SRT have similar treatment outcomes for patients with stage III-IV tonsil cancer. Although acute complication rate appears to be higher in the CRT group, it should be noted that not all data on complications were included in this retrospective study. To determine the most feasible treatment modality, not only mucositis and xerostomia, but also emotional aspect and quality of life, should be considered.
Chemoradiotherapy ; Disease-Free Survival ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Mucositis ; Multivariate Analysis ; Palatine Tonsil ; Quality of Life ; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated ; Retrospective Studies ; Tonsillar Neoplasms ; Treatment Outcome ; Xerostomia