The differential diagnosis between Spitz nevus and malignant melanoma is difficult due to similar histologic findings. To obtain the useful aids for the differential diagnosis between two diseases, we studied 13 cases of Spitz nevus, 8 benign nevi of compound and intradermal, and 9 melanomas of primary and metastatic, using the immunohistochemical stain for S-100 protein, HMB.45 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA). The staining pattern and intensity of S-100 protein showed homogenously strong positive reactivity in all cases. The frequency of HMB.45 positive cell in Spitz nevus was significantly lower than that in melanoma. When compared with the usual compound and intradermal nevi, Spitz nevi showed more significantly positive reaction in the dermal component of nevus cells. The expression of PCNA was higher in melanoma than in Spitz nevus. The immunohistochemical stains for HMB.45 and PCNA are considered as a useful methods for differentiation between Spitz nevus and melanoma, while stain for S-100 protein is not helpful.
Diagnosis, Differential

Recently, rising curiosity on remnant preservation technique of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, there is much interested in being and distribution of the mechanoreceptor of ACL. So, we performed histologic analyzing and mapping of sensory nerve fiber of the human ACL in this study. Total of 20 anterior cruciate ligaments were obtained from total knee replacement. Each ACL samples was divided into seven specimens; tibial insertion site, mid transitional site, femoral insertion site, and in between the sites, and total of 140 tissue samples were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemical, and observed with light microscope. Five hundred thirty-four fine neuroparticle structures, Ruffini corpuscles, and free nerve endings were observed in 20 ACL samples. The mean of fibers observed were 1.88, 1.71, 1.15, 1.08, 1.15, 1.55, and 1.82, respectively from tibial insertional site to femoral insertional site. With immunohistochemical stain, S-100 protein was strong positive at nerve cells, but was weak positive or negative at neurofilament. Mapping of sensory nerve distribution were done based on the results. We identified the mechanoreceptor of the human ACL using optical and immunohistochemical methods and mapped the histologic distribution of that.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Exploratory Behavior ; Humans ; Light ; Mechanoreceptors ; Nerve Endings ; Nerve Fibers ; Neurons ; Proprioception ; S100 Proteins

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical results and recovery of sports activity in patients who received meniscal allograft transplantation. From December 1999 to May 2009, we selected 36 cases out of 38 cases who received meniscal transplantation using fresh frozen allograft. The mean age was 33.8 years (range: 17-50 years) and the mean follow up was 68.8 months (range: 12-142 months). Clinical results were evaluated with knee assessment scoring system (KASS), Lysholm knee score and International knee Documentation Committee. The information of quadriceps and hamstrings strength recovery was obtained using Tegner activity scale, Tegner activity score and Biodex system II (Biodex, USA), and it was used to evaluate the recovery of sports activity. The average KASS score was increased from 61.7 preoperatively to 83.8 postoperatively. The average Lysholm score was increased from 77.7 preoperatively to 87.7 postoperatively. Also, Tegner activity scale, Tegner activity score and the recovery of quadriceps and hamstrings increased at 1year after surgery. In knee joint position sense, the proprioception increased compared to preoperational count. We propose the meniscal allograft transplantation is one of a proper treatment after subtotal or total meniscectomy, which can significantly relieve pain and improve function of the knee joint.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Knee ; Knee Joint ; Proprioception ; Sports ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Transplants

Multiple ligament injuries of the knee means more than two ligament injuries, using as an analogue of the knee dislocation. The first priority in the early diagnosis and treatment of the knee dislocation is a vascular evaluation of extremity and careful neurovascular examination should be done firstly. It is common opinion in the treatment of multiple ligament injuries that surgical treatment is superior to conservative treatment. Especially, early ligament repair or reconstruction and aggressive rehabilitation are recommended in young active patients.
Dislocations ; Early Diagnosis ; Extremities ; Humans ; Knee ; Knee Dislocation ; Ligaments

Carbapenem resistance is a serious clinical and public health threat. Carbapenemase can confer carbapenem resistance, and most carbapenemase genes are plasmid encoded so resistance can easily spread. In this study, we aimed to develop a novel system based on the TaqMan platform for the rapid detection of 6 clinically prevalent carbapenemase genes: Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase, New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase, oxacillinase, imipenem-hydrolyzing, Verona integron-encoded metallo-β-lactamase, and Guiana extended-spectrum β-lactamase.

BACKGROUND :Although clinicopathologic differences have been described between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive and negative gastric adenocarcinomas, the pathogenetic basis for these differences remains unclear. In this study, efforts were made to confirm that expression of EBV-latent membrane protein (LMP1) and immunohistochemical characteristics of EBVpositive gastric adenocarcinomas. METHODS: We investigated genomic deletion, and RNA & protein expression of the EBV-LMP1, as well as immunohistochemical protein expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1, TGF-bata RII, p21, p16, E2F1, thymidylate synthase, and NF-kappaB in relation to EBV positive gastric adenocarcinoma. RESULTS: A total of 38 Epstein-Barr Virus Encoded RNA-positive and 80 negative gastric carcinomas were examined. A 30 bp DNA deletion in the EBV-LMP1 gene, initiating at codon 342, was detected in 94.4% of EBVpositive cases. By RT-PCR and western blotting, EBV-LMP1 mRNA and protein expressions were absent in all cases, re-gardless of DNA deletion. No significant differences in TGF-bata1, TGF-betaRII, p21, NF-kappaB, E2F1, or thymidylate synthase expression were identified. However, the decreased expression of p16 was found in 84.2% of EBV-positive carcinomas, relative to only 57.5% of EBV-negative tumors (p=0.024). CONCLUSION: EBV-LMP1 DNA deletion, mRNA and protein losses are highly prevalent in EBV-positive gastric adenocarcinoma among Korean patients, along with decreased p16 expression.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Blotting, Western ; Codon ; DNA ; Herpesvirus 4, Human* ; Humans ; Membrane Proteins* ; Membranes* ; NF-kappa B* ; RNA ; RNA, Messenger ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Thymidylate Synthase* ; Transforming Growth Factors*

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infection is known to be strongly associated with varied dermatoses such as rosacea, vasculitic purpura, and Sweet's syndrome. Also, many antibiotics including amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and tetracycline have been used to ameliorate chronic urticaria. This recent knowledge posed the plausibility that H. pylori infection might be an underlying causative factor of chronic urticaria. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to investigate the role of H. pylori infection in patients with chronic urticaria. METHODS: Sixty-five subjects with chronic urticaria were examined for H. pylori infection with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for IgG/M against H. pylori and rapid urease test(CLO test) for endoscopically biopsied gastric mucosa. Amoxicillin or clarithromycin combined with omeprazole as a therapy was administrated to the 44 patients with positive test results for 4 weeks. RESULTS: H. pylori infection was more frequently diagnosed in 44 of 65(67.7%) patients with chronic urticaria than in the control subjects(8.8%). After the completion of treatment for 4 weeks, specific IgG antibodies and a CLO test against H. pylori were negative in 28 of 38(73.7%) and 43 of 44(97.7%) patients respectively. At the post-treatment evaluation, 37 of 44(84.1%) patients with H. pylori-positive urticaria showed significant clinical remission of urticaria. CONCLUSION: Eradication of H. pylori in patients with chronic urticaria was accompanied by clinical remission of urtication. There is substantial evidence that unexplained causes of chronic urticaria may be associated with H. pylori infection.
Amoxicillin ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Antibodies ; Clarithromycin ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Gastric Mucosa ; Helicobacter pylori* ; Helicobacter* ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Korea* ; Omeprazole ; Prevalence* ; Prospective Studies* ; Purpura ; Rosacea ; Skin Diseases ; Sweet Syndrome ; Tetracycline ; Urease ; Urticaria*

No abstract available.
Lung* ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Sarcoma* ; Thorax*

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to make a comparative analysis of radiological and clinical outcomes of using either one or two interlocking distal screws on a Polarus intramedullary nail for the internal fixation of humeral shaft fractures. METHODS: From January 2008 to March 2014, we enrolled 26 patients with humeral shaft fractures who were operated on using intramedullary nails. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to how many interlocking distal screws were used to lock the Polarus nail: in group 1, a single interlocking distal screw was used in 12 patients; and in group 2, double interlocking distal screws, in 14 patients. We compared the degree of recovery of the displaced fracture fragments between the two groups. To compare the nonunion and shoulder function, we assessed each patient's modified American Shoulder and Elbow Surgerns (ASES) score. RESULTS: We found that 10 of 12 fractures achieved union in group 1, and 13 of 14 fractures, in group 2. We did not find a meaningful difference in the time to bone union between the two groups. The percentage of recovery of displaced fracture fragments until union was 66.9% for group 1 and 59.41% for group 2. At the final follow-up, we found that the scores for shoulder joint modified ASES was 78.7 for group 1 and 80.7 for group 2. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that if locked appropriately, even a single screw on a Polarus nail can provide satisfactory radiological union and improved clinical outcome after intramedullary nailing of humeral shaft fractures.
Bone Screws ; Elbow ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; Humans ; Humeral Fractures ; Shoulder ; Shoulder Joint

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD) such as ulcerative colitis or Croln's disease is often related with varied diseases including pyoderma gangrenosum, erythema nodosum, ankylosing arthritis and psoriasis. To date, however, a cIinical observation of IBD accompanied by psoriasis has been sparcely accomplished although an immunogenetic mechanism explaining a coexistence of IBD and psoriasis has been proposed. OBJECTIVE: We estimated the prevalence of IBD in patients with psoriasis in Korea and investigated the clinical characteristics of IBD accompanied by psoriasis. METHODS: 92 psoriatic patients and 389 non-psoriatic control subjects were enrolled in this study. Colonoscopic biopsy and barium series were performed in 47 psoriatic patients and 110 control subjects showing irritative intestinal symptoms. RESULTS: 1. The prevalence of IBD in psoriatic patients(14.1%) was significantly greater than in the control group(1.0%). 2. In the temporal relationship, psoriasis developed several years prior to the onset of IBD in 84.6% of psoriatic patients. 3. The frequency of arthropathies in the psoriatic patients possessing IBD(84.6%) was significantly higher than that of non-psariatic counterparts with IBD(25.0%) or that of psoriatics without lBD(2.5%), 4. The psoriatir. patients with IBD demonstrated much more frequently diffuse colonal extension than in non-psoriatic subjects with IBD. CONCLUSION: Our findings of an increased prevalence of IBD in the psoriatic population present further evidence of an association between IBD and psoriasis. In the psoriatic patients showing acute or chronic gastrointestinal symptoms, colonoseopic evaluation might be mandatory for the evaluation of IBD.
Arthritis ; Barium ; Biopsy ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; Colon ; Erythema Nodosum ; Humans ; Immunogenetics ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases* ; Korea ; Prevalence ; Psoriasis* ; Pyoderma Gangrenosum