This study was carried out to obtain the basic data for artificial culture of veiled lady mushroom (Dictyophora spp). The optimal conditions for the mycelial growth were 25degrees C and pH 5.0 for all isolates except the optimal temperature of 30degrees C for D. echinovolvata ASI 32002 and Phallus rugulosus . The optimal medium for Dictyophora spp. was PBA (potato bamboo sawdust extract agar) medium. The strain ASI 32002, D. echinovolvata , grew faster than. D. indusiata ASI 32003 and Phallus rugulosus ASI 25007 on the medium. Carbon sources such as glucose, maltose and inuline were favorable for stimulating a mycelial growth of the two strains of ASI 32002 and ASI 32003. Asparagine and glutamine appeared to be favorable to the strain ASI 32002 and ASI 32003, where as alanine, one of nitrogen source also favorable to the strain ASI 32002. The optimum C/N ratio of the two isolates of ASI 32002 and ASI 32003 was about 25 : 1 when 2% glucose as carbon source was mixed with the basal medium. While, in the case of 4% as carbon source, the optimum C/N ratio was about 30 : 1.
Agaricales* ; Alanine ; Asparagine ; Carbon ; Cultural Characteristics* ; Glucose ; Glutamine ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Inulin ; Maltose ; Nitrogen

No abstract available.
Anemia* ; Erythropoietin* ; Humans*

BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis is essential for tumor growth and metastasis. Vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), also known as vascular permeability factor(VPF), is an angiogenic factor that plays important roles in tumor growth. Angiogenesis studies on VEGF deal with various types of malignant tumors, but little is known about the role or significance of VEGF in human thyroid neoplasms. Therefore, this study was performed to determine whether the VEGF expression in different histological types of thyroid tumors is altered and to see if there was a relationship between the expression of VEGF and either metastasis or the invasiveness of thyroid carcinomas. METHODS: Forty-two cases that underwent thyroidectomy at Kosin Medical Center, between March, 1999 and February, 2000, were included in this study. Of the 42 cases, 27 were malignant(26 papillary carcinoma, 1 Hurthle cell carcinoma) and 15 were benign lesions. The expression of VEGF was determined by immunohistochemistry using paraffin embedded thyroid tissue blocks, and was quantified as negative(absent), +(1~24%), ++(25~49%), +++(50~74%) and ++++(> or =75%), according to the extent of positive cells. RESULTS: VEGF was stained with red-brown colored granules in the cytoplasm of the thyroid tumor epithelium and was expressed in 27 of the 42 cases(+1, ++8, +++5, ++++13). Most malignant tumors(24 of 27 cases) were stained with VEGF, but only 3 of the 15 benign tumors cases were stained(P<0.001). When the VEGF expression was divided into ++ or below and +++ or above groups, the expression of VEGF was much more extensive in the malignant than benign tumors(P<0.001). Of the 27 malignant tumors cases, lymph node metastasis and/or invasion was noted in 13. VEGF expression was more extensive in malignant tumors with lymph node metastasis and/or invasion than in those without(P<0.001). CONCLUSION: In this study, the rate and extent of VEGF expression were greater in the malignant than the benign thyroid tumors, and also the extent of VEGF expression was the extent of VEGF greater in the malignant tumors with lymph node metastasis and/or invasion than those without
Angiogenesis Inducing Agents ; Capillary Permeability ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Cytoplasm ; Epithelium ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Paraffin ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Thyroidectomy ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*

PURPOSE: We report seven cases of pancreas transplantation, first performed in Korea, in the context of postsurgical radiologic studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus received transplants from cadevaric(n=6) or living related donor(n=1). Retrospective analysis of 27 US(including 19 Duplex US), two CT, four MRi, and three scintigraphy for these patients was made with surgico-pathological correlation in five cases. RESULT:Of the seven patients, three-month graft survival was five and one-year survival was two. One patient died of abdominal abscess following surgery. US gave the valuable informations regarding the graff swelling, vascular complication, and perigraff fluid collection. RBC bleeding scan was effective of the presence or absence and location of intestinal bleeding. CT was useful in determining the extent and severity of the pancreatitis. MRI gave a little information about functional status of the grafted pancreas. CONCLUSION: The choice of appropriate imaging modalities for postsurgical work up in patients who had pacreas transplantation depends on the clinical conditions of the patients and complications suspected. Further prospective studies appear to be necessary to eatablish the interval and modality choice for early detection of the complication.
Abdominal Abscess ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; Graft Survival ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Korea ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Pancreas Transplantation* ; Pancreas* ; Pancreatitis ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Transplants

A 28-year-old man with Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the gastric wall and hypophysial infundibulum had received local radiation therapy to the infundibulum. Eight months later he presented with left inferior temporal quadrantanopsia of the left eye. Brain MRI revealed multiple nodular enhancing lesions involving brainstem, left external capsule, both temporal lobes, prechiasmatic optic nerves and basal ganglia. After dexamethasone chemotherapy there had been partial remission. During tapering dexamethasone the symptom aggravated and then despite etoposide chemotherapy the size and number of lesions increased.
Adult ; Basal Ganglia ; Brain Stem ; Brain* ; Central Nervous System* ; Dexamethasone ; Drug Therapy ; Etoposide ; Hemianopsia ; Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Optic Nerve ; Temporal Lobe

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty of chronic total occlusion has been limited by a relatively low success rate and a high restenosis rate. This study investigated procedural outcome, factors predictive of procedural success and safety of coronary angioplasty for chronic total coronary occlusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population was composed of 45 lesions attempting PTCA with or without stent implantation for recanalization of chronic total coronary occlusion between January 1997 and July 1999. The clinical and angiographic data of the 45 lesions were reviewed. The results of successful PTCA in 28 lesions were compared with those in 17 lesions whose PTCA was failed. RESULTS: The overall success of balloon angioplasty and stenting was achieved in 28 lesions (62.2%) and did not differ significantly by clinical variables. The most common cause of failure of balloon angioplasty was inability to pass the guide wire across the occlusion( 14 of 23 lesions, 61%). Procedural success was more common in patients with occlusions with a tapered entry configuration(77.2% vs. 47.8%, p=.042), with lesions without side branches(82.3% vs. 50%, p=.03). Multiple logistic regression analysis identified the absence of side branch(p<0.01) and the presence of a tapered entry configuration(p<0.05) as independent predictors of procedural success. One case(2.2%) needed emergency coronary bypass surgery after failure to recanalize the occluded vessel. There was no Q wave acute myocardial infarction, death. CONCLUSIONS: The favorable cases(>60%) of chronic total coronary occlusions can be successfully dilated by balloon angioplasty with or without stent implantation, with a major complication rate of 2.2%. Therefore, with careful patient selection, we need to try the aggressive recanalization for chronic total coronary occlusion.
Angioplasty ; Angioplasty, Balloon ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary* ; Coronary Occlusion ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Myocardial Infarction ; Patient Selection ; Stents

Tinnitus-the perception of sound in the absence of an actual external sound-represents a symptom of an underlying condition rather than a single disease. Several theories have been proposed to explain the mechanisms underlying tinnitus. Tinnitus generators are theoretically located in the auditory pathway, and such generators and various mechanisms occurring in the peripheral auditory system have been explained in terms of spontaneous otoacoustic emissions, edge theory, and discordant theory. Those present in the central auditory system have been explained in terms of the dorsal cochlear nucleus, the auditory plasticity theory, the crosstalk theory, the somatosensory system, and the limbic and autonomic nervous systems. Treatments for tinnitus include pharmacotherapy, cognitive and behavioral therapy, sound therapy, music therapy, tinnitus retraining therapy, massage and stretching, and electrical suppression. This paper reviews the characteristics, causes, mechanisms, and treatments of tinnitus.
Auditory Pathways ; Autonomic Nervous System ; Cochlear Nucleus ; Massage ; Music Therapy ; Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous ; Tinnitus

PURPOSE: To determine the MR imaging findings of synovial sarcoma, with emphasis on the signal characteristicsof pathologically correlated T2-weighted images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR images of 14 cases ofpathologically-proven synovial sarcomas were retrospectively reviewed and correlated with the histopathologicfindings. We analyzed the signal intensity of T1- and T2-weighted images and the incidence of triple signalintensity, and evaluated the frequency of fluid-fluid levels, internal fibrous septa, calcification, the invasionof bone or neurovascular bundles and the involvement of joint capsules, as well as the size, location and marginof the tumors and pattern of contrast enhancement. RESULTS: Necrosis, cystic change or hemorrhage was suggested in11 cases, ten of which showed triple signal intensity, and in all cases, was pathologically confirmed. Fluid-fluidlevels were found in three cases and internal septa in ten. In four cases, maximum diameter was less than 5cm, andin nine, was greater than this. No mass was detected in one case. The tumor was located in the low extremity(n=9),pelvic girdle and hip joint area(n=2), scapular(n=1), shoulder joint area(n=1), and scalp(n=1). Eleven casesshowed a relatively well-defined margin and nine showed lobulation. Except in the area of necrosis and cysticchange, the pattern of contrast enhancement was diffuse and inhomogenous. Bony invasion was detected in two cases,neurovascular encasement in four, calcification in four, and joint capsule invasion in four. CONCLUSION: OnT2-weighted images, synovial sarcoma frequently showed triple signal intensity and internal septa with fluid-fluidlevels ; this was induced by cystic changes due to necrosis and hemorrhage.
Hemorrhage ; Hip Joint ; Incidence ; Joint Capsule ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Necrosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Sarcoma, Synovial* ; Shoulder Joint

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Fermentation of dietary fiber results in production of various short chain fatty acids in the colon. In particular, butyrate is reported to regulate the physical and functional integrity of the normal colonic mucosa by altering mucin gene expression or the number of goblet cells. The objective of this study was to investigate whether butyrate modulates mucin secretion in LS174T human colorectal cells, thereby influencing the adhesion of probiotics such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains and subsequently inhibiting pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli. In addition, possible signaling pathways involved in mucin gene regulation induced by butyrate treatment were also investigated. MATERIALS/METHODS: Mucin protein content assay and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining were performed in LS174T cells treated with butyrate at various concentrations. Effects of butyrate on the ability of probiotics to adhere to LS174T cells and their competition with E. coli strains were examined. Real time polymerase chain reaction for mucin gene expression and Taqman array 96-well fast plate-based pathway analysis were performed on butyrate-treated LS174T cells. RESULTS: Treatment with butyrate resulted in a dose-dependent increase in mucin protein contents in LS174T cells with peak effects at 6 or 9 mM, which was further confirmed by PAS staining. Increase in mucin protein contents resulted in elevated adherence of probiotics, which subsequently reduced the adherent ability of E. coli. Treatment with butyrate also increased transcriptional levels of MUC3, MUC4, and MUC12, which was accompanied by higher gene expressions of signaling kinases and transcription factors involved in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results, butyrate is an effective regulator of modulation of mucin protein production at the transcriptional and translational levels, resulting in changes in the adherence of gut microflora. Butyrate potentially stimulates the MAPK signaling pathway in intestinal cells, which is positively correlated with gut defense.
Bacteria ; Bifidobacterium ; Butyrates* ; Colon ; Dietary Fiber ; Fatty Acids ; Fermentation ; Gene Expression ; Goblet Cells ; Humans ; Lactobacillus ; Mucins* ; Mucous Membrane ; Phosphotransferases ; Probiotics ; Protein Kinases ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transcription Factors

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To study the incidence of nasal septal deformities (NSD) in neonates and to identify pregnancy conditions related with NSD occurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective study of 131 women and their newborns. Incidences of neonatal NSD were looked for with a cotton wool test and through direct visual examination of the neonatal nasal cavity with an otoscope. Under study were arbitrary but possibly related factors of neonatal NSD : the mother's age, parity, medical history, the duration of total labor, the duration of second-stage labor, the delivery type, neonatal birth weight and gestational age. The contributions of these factors were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: The incidence of neonatal NSD as identified through otoscopic examination was 11.5%. All studied factors indicated no statistically significant relationship with neonatal NSD. CONCLUSION: Probable nasal trauma during pregnancy and delivery is likely not a factor in the occurrence of NSD in neonates.
Birth Weight ; Congenital Abnormalities* ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Infant, Newborn* ; Nasal Cavity ; Otoscopes ; Parity ; Pregnancy* ; Prospective Studies ; Wool