BACKGROUND: Recent reports suggest that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may play an important role in such a wide spectrum of human neoplasia. Recently, peripheral T cell lymphomas and particularly, angiocentric lymphomas (ACL), increasingly are reported to be associated with EBV.Nasal-type and nasal T/NK cell lymphoma (TNKL) have recently been reported to comprise most of ACLs. The prognosis of these tumors has been extremely poor. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate EBV association in primary or secondary cutaneous T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders and to identify any prognostic association. METHODS: Thirty six patients with primary or secondary cutaneous T-cell lymphoproliferative (CTCL) disorders were examined to evaluate the presence of Epstein-Barr virus using in situ hybridization for EBV-encoded RNA (EBER). RESULTS: EBER was detected in tumor cells in one third of the total cases (13/36); 4/4 secondary skin lymphoma from nasal TNKL, 8/8 primary cutaneous nasal type TNKLs and 1/5 mycosis fungoides (MF).EBER was not detected in the following disease: 6 cases of anaplastic large cell lymphomas (ALCL) including 2 cases of probable NK-like T cell lineage, 3 lymphomatoid papulosis, 2 CD56 (-) T cell ACLs and 7 subcutaneous panniculitic T-cell lymphomas (SPTL) by Revised European-American Lymphoma (REAL) classification and recent concept of further classification into NK-cell lineage. One case of T-cell pseudolymphoma as a negative control was also negative in EBER. CONCLUSION: High incidence of EBV was observed in primary or secondary CTCLs in Koreans, with predilection for nasal and nasal type TNKL. In MFs, an erythrodermic MF with fatal outcome was associated with EBV and the EBV detection might reflect worse prognosis in MFs as seen in an aggressive course of nasal and nasal type TNKLs.
Cell Lineage ; Classification ; Fatal Outcome ; Herpesvirus 4, Human* ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; Incidence ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic ; Lymphoma, T-Cell ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral ; Lymphomatoid Papulosis ; Lymphoproliferative Disorders* ; Mycosis Fungoides ; Prognosis ; Pseudolymphoma ; RNA* ; Skin ; T-Lymphocytes*

PURPOSE: To investigate the in vitro response of MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells to X-ray in the presence and absence of 2 deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) and quercetin (QCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured in an alpha-MEM supplemented with 5 mM 2-DG or 10 micrometer QCT and then the cells were incubated for 12 h prior to irradiation with 2, 4, 6, and 8 Gy using a linear accelerator (Mevaprimus, Germany) delivered at a rate of 1.5 Gy/min. At various times after the irradiation, the cells were processed for the analyses of proliferation, viability, cytotoxicity, and mineralization. RESULTS: Exposure of the cells to X-ray inhibited the tritium incorporation, 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2yl-)-2, 5- diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT)-reducing activity, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and caused cytotoxicity and apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner of the X-ray. This effect was further apparent on day 3 and 7 after the irradiation. RA+2-DG showed the decrease of DNA content, cell viability, and increase of cytotoxicity rather than RA. ALP activity increased on day 7 and subsequently its activity dropped to a lower level. 2-DG suppressed the calcium concentration, but visual difference of number of calcified nodules between RA and RA+2-DG was not noticed. RA+QCT showed the increase of DNA content, cell viability, but decrease of cytotoxicity and subG1 stage cells in the cell cycle, and increased calcified nodules in von Kossa staining rather than the RA. ALP activity showed significant increases on day 7 and subsequently its activity dropped to a lower level. CONCLUSION: The results showed that the 2-DG acted as a radiosensitizing agent and QCT acted as a radioprotective agent respectively in the irradiated MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cells.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Apoptosis ; Calcium ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Survival ; Deoxyglucose* ; DNA ; Osteoblasts* ; Particle Accelerators ; Quercetin* ; Tritium

In order to clarify the genetic relationship between Koreans and Akha, Lahu native tribes around the mountain area in Northern Thailand, authors examined the metric and non-metric mophological variations of the maxillary anterior teeth. The subjects were 54 in Akha tribe (25 males, 29 female) and 114 in Lahu tribe (57 males, 57 females), and their ages were 20 to 65 (mean age 34). The prevalence of the shovel-shaped incisor in maxillary anterior teeth was 85% in Lahu tribe. Among the another non-metric variations, the prevalence of the peg lateralis was 3 cases in Akha female and 8 cases in Lahu tribe (4 males, 4 females). And the supernumernary tooth located between the right and left maxillary central incisors was observed in 2 cases, the congenital missings of the maxillary lateral incisor were in 2 cases(1 Akha, 1 Lahu tribe), and the congenital missings of the maxillary canine were in 3 cases(1 Akha, 2 Lahu tribe). The maximal mesio-distal diameters of the maxillary anterior teeth in Akha and Lahu tribes showed no discrepancy with regard to those of koreans and the dental measurements of the male were larger than the female (p<0.05). The dental measurements of the Lahu tribe were more closer to Korean than those of Akha Tribe were. Especlally, the mean mesio-distal diameter of the maxillary anterior teeth in Lahu female had no difference to Korean adult female (p<0.05). On the basis of the above results, authors thought that the anthropological similarity to Koreans was higher in Lahu than Akha tribe with respect to the dentition, but the further anthropological studies such as the height, body proportion, and finger print should be needed.
Adult ; Body Height ; Dentition ; Female ; Fingers ; Humans ; Incisor ; Male ; Population Groups* ; Prevalence ; Thailand* ; Tooth*

Living-Related-Liver-Transplantation(LRLT) has been established as a reliable method of treatment for patients with end-stage liver disease when the scarcity of cadaveric organ donor was considered. But the hepatic artery is high at risk in thrombosis(HAT) following LRLT. So microsurgical technique was introduced in anastomosis of hepatic artery. This study was aimed at using microsurgical technique in LRLT and presenting some technical details of the procedures. From December 1994 to November 1997, a sereis of 41 LRLTs on patients with end-stage liver disease was performed with follow-up period of 5 to 40 months(mean,15.6 months). Organs were donated by living-related donors(n=36) and living-nonrelated ones(n=5). Hepatic artery was reconstructed with microsurgical technique by plastic surgeon. All hepatic arteries were patent intraoperatively and postoperatively except one case, which had leakage at anastomosed site on the postoperative fourth day.Hepatic artery is high at risk in thrombosis(HAT) following LRLT due to the caliber discrepancy and technical difficulties. To overcome these risks, microsurgical technique was introduced. The technique has greatly reduced arterial complication. However, there are some difficulties in microsurgery of LRLT, which are somewhat different from those in other microsurgery fields: the first difficulty is to obtain a good operative field and a sufficient view through the microscope. The second one is to overcome arterial caliber discrepancy. And the last is to achieve a stable posture in narrow and deep operating field against the respiratory movement and heartbeat.With the persistent team approach of plastic and general surgeons in the field of LRLT, we could have reduced the HAT and have had better outcome after LRLT.
Arteries ; Cadaver ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatic Artery ; Humans ; Liver Diseases ; Liver Transplantation* ; Liver* ; Microsurgery ; Posture ; Tissue Donors*

PURPOSE: To investigate the surgical outcomes of orthogonal locking compression plate fixation for distal humeral intraarticular fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 18 patients presenting a distal humeral intraarticular fracture who were treated with orthogonal locking compression plate fixation. According to the AO/OTA classification, there were eight C2 and ten C3 fractures. We evaluated radiologic outcomes, clinical results with range of motion, operation-related complications, and functional score by Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS). RESULTS: The a verage u nion t ime was 3.5 months, and there was no c ase of r eduction l oss of a rticular f racture at t he last follow-up. Additional surgical procedures were needed in the three cases of C3 fractures. There was one case of heterotrophic ossification and one case of K-wire irritation. The average range of motion of elbow joint was 7° to 122°, and functional results were graded as 14 excellent, three good, and one fair by MEPS. CONCLUSION: Anatomical reduction and internal fixation with orthogonal locking compression plate could provide satisfactory surgical outcomes for the treatment of distal humeral intraarticular fracture.
Classification ; Elbow ; Elbow Joint ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation ; Humans ; Humeral Fractures ; Intra-Articular Fractures* ; Range of Motion, Articular

PURPOSE: This study was to determine the relationship between age and the mandibular cortical bone thickness on panoramic radiograph. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Panoramic radiographs of 360 patients (180 men and 180 women) over 20 years old, who visited the Chonbuk National University Hospital from January to December in 2007, were assessed. The subjects were divided into 5 age groups. Five indices such as cortical bone thickness at the gonion (GI), antegonion (AI), and below the mental foramen (MI), the panoramic mandibular index (PMI), the mandibular cortical index (MCI) were measured on panoramic radiographs. RESULTS: All five indices including GI, AI, MI, PMI, and MCI showed significant differences between third decade and over 8 decade groups (p<0.05). PMI, MI and GI showed significant differences with gender statistically (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The mandibular cortical bone thickness showed negative correlation with age, and the value of the thickness (PMI, MI, and GI) was greater in men than in women.
Bone Density ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mandible ; Radiography, Panoramic

For a definitive diagnosis of cutaneous tuberculosis, the demonstration of the mycobacteria is essential, but routinely available methods such as AFB stain and culture have poor sensitivity and are time-consuming. Recently, PCR has emerged as a promising tool in the diagnosis of cutaneous tuberculosis due to its high sensitivity and speed. We herein report a case of tuberculosis verrucosa cutis without demonstarable acid-fast bacilli, but diagnosed by using PCR.
Diagnosis ; Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Tuberculosis* ; Tuberculosis, Cutaneous

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a non-invasive uterine fibroid treatment option for patients who want to preserve fertility. However, according to several reports regarding ablation of solid tumors by HIFU, there are rare complications in patients with uterine leiomyomas, and overall data are still insufficient. Here, we report rare and major complications of HIFU, such as delayed intestinal perforation, uterine perforation with recto-uterine fistula, and osteomyelitis 29 days after the HIFU procedure to treat multiple myomas. Thus, we present a very serious case resulting from HIFU treatment of uterine fibroids and a review of the literature.
Fertility ; Fistula ; Humans ; Intestinal Perforation* ; Leiomyoma* ; Myoma ; Osteomyelitis* ; Ultrasonography* ; Uterine Perforation

BACKGROUNDS: There are recently increasing reported cases of patients with malignant lymphoma with unique characteristics, designated nasal-type T/natural killer (NK) cell lymphoma (NKTL), which usually expresses the NK cell marker and shows frequent extra-nodal involvement including skin and poor prognosis. The CD56+ NKTL can be divided into nasal and non-nasal types. Nasal and non-nasal (nasal type) CD56+ NKTL share the same pathologic features such as angiocentricity and necrosis. OBJECTIVE: We have studied clinicopathologic features of 5 cases of nasal CD56+ NKTL with cutaneous involvement to further elucidate the behaviour of nasal CD56+ NKTL. RESULTS: Clinically, the cutaneous lesions were variable. Four of the five cases died with rapidly progressive disease within 25 months. Histologically, variable sized pleomorphic lymphoid cells with or without prominent angiodestruction were observed. Severe necrosis was consistent features. The results of immunophenotypes(both CD56+ and CD3+) and TCR gene rearrangement study showed these 5 cases are of NK cell origin(4 cases) or NK-like T-cell origin (1 case). A firm association with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection was confirmed in our study. CONCLUSION: Although the prognosis of nasal CD56+ NKTL was not so bad, higher stage of nasal CD56+ NKTL with cutaneous metastasis seemed to be very fatal. The term NKTL has to be further specified according to immunophenotypes such as CD56+ or true T-cell, NK-like T cell lymphoma since biologic behaviour of each subgroup can be different.
Genes, T-Cell Receptor ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural ; Lymphocytes ; Lymphoma* ; Lymphoma, T-Cell ; Necrosis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Skin ; T-Lymphocytes

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To compare the clinical characteristics and outcomes of systemic lupus erythematosus between male and female Korean patients. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed at a single tertiary hospital from August 1994 to May 2010. Male patients were matched with two to three female patients based on age and disease duration. Organ damage was assessed using the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology damage index (SLICC/ACR DI). RESULTS: Fifty-three male patients were compared with 150 female patients. Renal disorders were found more frequently in male patients at disease onset (p < 0.001); the adjusted odds ratio (OR) demonstrated a significant sex preponderance for renal manifestations (OR, 3.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.62 to 6.57). Diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis and end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis during the disease course were more prevalent in male patients (p = 0.025 and p < 0.001, respectively). The risk for requiring long-term dialysis was significantly higher in male than in female patients (OR, 4.02; 95% CI, 1.07 to 15.06), as was the mean SLICC/ACR DI (1.55 +/- 1.35 vs. 1.02 +/- 1.57, respectively; p = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that Korean patients with lupus have characteristics similar to those of cohorts reported previously. Male patients had significantly higher incidences of renal manifestations and organ damage.
Adult ; *Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Female ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents/therapeutic use ; Incidence ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Kidney Failure, Chronic/diagnosis/ethnology/therapy ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/diagnosis/*ethnology/mortality/therapy ; Lupus Nephritis/diagnosis/ethnology/therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Odds Ratio ; Prevalence ; Prognosis ; Renal Dialysis ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sex Distribution ; Sex Factors ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Time Factors ; Young Adult