No abstract available.
Biopsy* ; Fatty Liver* ; Hepatitis, Chronic* ; Liver*

MAGE (melanoma antigen gene) is a tumor specific shared antigen, presented by HLA class I molecules, which is recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. MAGE proteins are expressed in malignant tumor cells, in contrast to no expression in normal or benign tissues except for testis and placenta. MAGE might be a potential target for immunotherapy of malignant tumors. However, its biological aspects associated with cell cycle are not yet described. The flow cytometry is a useful tool for objective and quantitative analyses of heterogenous tumor cell population. To understand the status of MAGE related to cell cycle and its relationship with p53 as the G1 checkpoint regulator, p21, and PCNA as a proliferative index, we investigated expression of MAGE-3 protein, mutant p53, p21, and PCNA by flow cytometry and immunohistochemical stain. In addition, double stains for MAGE-3/p53, p53/PCNA, and p53/p21 were analysed with bivariate flow cytometry. DNA histograms using MAGE-3/PI (DNA) and p53/PI (DNA) were also analysed. The cell line (PNUH- 12) used for this study originated from a hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, which has point mutation (exon 7, C-->G) of p53. The expression rate of MAGE-3 was 83%, PCNA 85%, and p53 81%. No expression for p21 was identified. MAGE-3 was expressed in cytoplasm, while both PCNA and p53 were expressed in nuclei of tumor cells. With bivariate analyses, coexpression rates of MAGE-3/p53 and p53/PCNA were 0.96 and 0.97, respectively. Both MAGE-3 and p53 showed constantly high level throughout the cell cycle. These results suggest that expression of MAGE-3 and mutant p53 is not dependent on the cell cycle. p21 seems to be inactivated.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line* ; Coloring Agents ; Cytoplasm ; DNA ; Flow Cytometry* ; Immunotherapy ; Mutant Proteins ; Placenta ; Point Mutation ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen* ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; Testis

BACKGROUND: In this article, authors determine whether rectangularization of survival curve occurred in Korea in the period 1966-1995. Rectangularization is defined as a trend toward a more rectangular shape of the survival curve due to increased survival and concentration of deaths around the mean age of death. Authors distinguish between absolute and relative rectangularization, depending on whether an increase in life expectancy is accompanied by concentration of deaths into a smaller age interval or into a smaller proportion of total life expectancy. METHODS: In this study, the authors intended to demonstrate the survival curve according to the year 1966 and 1970 to 1995. For these purpose, the authors used the annual mortality data published by the National Statistical Office from 1966 to 1995 in Korea. Authors used measures of variability based on Keyfitz' H and the standard deviation, both life table-based. Our results show that absolute and relative rectangularization of the entire survival curve occured except mortality data of 1966 which has little reliability over the complete period. RESULTS: In this study, authors observed relative and absolute rectangularization and the survival curves of 1970 to 1995 shows the convergence between mid-60s and mid-80s. All the Keyfitz' H, NH, SD and CV decreased while the life expectancy increased in the period of 1970 to 1995. This result is similar to the mortality curve suggested by Fries according to his compression of morbidity hypothesis. CONCLUSIONS: According to Keyfitz theory, rectangularization happens to survival curve in Korea. The implications of the recent rectangularization at older ages for achieving compression of morbidity have to be exactly understood. So, the authors suggest that health policy and research must be directed to the preventive health service and health promotion to reduce morbidity, postpone infirmity and to warrant the quality of life for senior people.
Health Policy ; Health Promotion ; Korea* ; Life Expectancy ; Mortality ; Preventive Health Services ; Quality of Life

Carbamazepine is widely used to manage of seizures and symptomatic treatment of trigeminal neuralgia and central pain. We experienced two cases of exceedingly rare but potentially fatal side effects following carbamazepine administration. One traumatic brain injured patient developed pancytopenia 3 weeks after beginning to take carbamazepine for prophylactic management of seizure and the other C6 incomplete spinal cord injured patient receiving carbamazepine for the management of central pain sequentially developed syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) 1 week after administration. Because of more frequent indications of carbamazepine, these side effects must be borne in mind and cautious administration will be desirable.
Brain ; Carbamazepine* ; Humans ; Inappropriate ADH Syndrome* ; Pancytopenia* ; Seizures ; Spinal Cord ; Trigeminal Neuralgia

BACKGROUND: The information on nasal transport and the metabolism of peptides have been obtained from pharmacokinetic investigations in experimental animals. However, there are no transport and metabolic studies of human nasal epithelial cells. In this study, the permeability characteristics and the metabolic properties of in vitro human nasal cell monolayers were investigated. Material and METHODS: Normal human inferior nasal conchal tissue samples were obtained from patients undergoing endoscopic nasal cavitary surgery. The specimens were cultured in a transwell using an air-liquid interface (ALI) culture, and the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) value of the blank filter and confluent cell monolayers were measured. To determine the % leakage of mannitol, 4µmol 14C-labelled mannitol was added and the % leakage was measured every 10 minute for 1 hour. RESULT: Human nasal epithelial cells in the primary culture grew to a confluent monolayer within 7 days and expressed microvilli. The tight junction between the cells was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The TEER value of the blank filter, fifth day and seventh day reached 108.5 ohm.cm2, 141 ohm.cm2 and 177.5 ohm.cm2, respectively. Transcellular % leakage of the 14C-mannitol at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 minutes was 35.67±5.43, 34.42±5.60, 32.75±5.71, 31.76±4.22, 30.96±3.49 and 29.60±3.68 %, respectively. CONCLUSION: The human nasal epithelial monolayer using ALI using techniques is suitable for a transcellular permeability study. The data suggests that human nasal epithelial cells in as ALI culture technique shows some promise for a nasal transport and metabolism study.
Animals ; Culture Techniques* ; Electric Impedance ; Epithelial Cells* ; Humans* ; Mannitol ; Metabolism ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Microvilli ; Peptides ; Permeability ; Tight Junctions

This study was aimed to assess the free calcium status with or without its direct measurement in patients on hemodialysis(HD: n=27) and malnourished ones from extrarenal diseases(MN: n=14). It was performed by the comparison of measured free calcium (Ca++m) levels by gas analyzer and calculated free calcium(Ca++c) levels based on those of total calcium (TCa), albumin, and pH with the modified algorithm invented by Moore(J Clin Invest. 49:318, 1970). Of 27 HD pts, 14(5296) had low[Ca++m] below 1.05mmol/L despite only 2(796) with low [TCa] below 2.05mmoV L, whereas 14 MN pts had similar numbers between low[Ca++m] and low[TCa]. Compared to MN pts, HD pts showed significantly lower mean levels(SE) of pH(7.37 0.01 vs. 7A4 0.01, p<0.01), higher[TCa](2.33 0.04 vs. 1.83 0.08mmol/L, p<0.01), and higher albumin (4.33 0.06 vs. 2.59 0.17mg/dL, p<0.01).However, [Ca++m] between 2 groups did not reveal any significant difference. Furtherrnore, in total 41 pts of 2 groups, no similarity was observed between the values of [Ca++ml and [Ca++c] but with their significant difference(p<0.05). Only[TCa] was significantly corre- lated with albumin level(r=0.73, p<0.01). Furthermore, multiple regression analysis between [Ca++m] and other factors including pH and albumin didn't show any correlation. In conclusion, this data suggests that relatively high prevalence of low values of physiologically important free ionized calcium in chronically ill pts, especially on maintenance HD, could be missed when predicted on total calcium level, and pH without its direct measurement.
Calcium* ; Chronic Disease* ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration* ; Prevalence

Purpose: This study aimsed to gather opinions from medical educators on the possibility of introducing an interview to the Korean Medical Licensing Examination (KMLE) to assess professional attributes. Specifically following topics were dealt with: the appropriate timing and tool to assess unprofessional conduct; ; the possiblity of prevention of unprofessional conduct by introducing an interview to the KMLE; and the possibility of implementation of an interview to the KMLE. Methods: A cross-sectional study approach based on a survey questionnaire was adopted. We analyzed 104 pieces of news about doctors’ unprofessional conduct to determine the deficient professional attributes. We derived 24 items of unprofessional conduct and developed the questionnaire and surveyed 250 members of the Korean Society of Medical Education 2 times. Descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation analysis, and Fisher’s exact test were applied to the responses. The answers to the open-ended questions were analyzed using conventional content analysis. Results: In the survey, 49 members (19.6%) responded. Out of 49, 24 (49.5%) responded in the 2nd survey. To assess unprofessional conduct, there was no dominant timing among basic medical education (BME), KMLE, and continuing professional development (CPD). There was no overwhelming assessment tool among written examination, objective structured clinical examination, practice observation, and interview. Response rates of “impossible” (49.0%) and “possible” (42.9%) suggested an interview of the KMLE prevented unprofessional conduct. In terms of implementation, “impossible” (50.0%) was selected more often than “possible” (33.3%). Conclusion Professional attributes should be assessed by various tools over the period from BME to CPD. Hence, it may be impossible to introduce an interview to assess professional attributes to the KMLE, and a system is needed such as self-regulation by the professional body rather than licensing examination.

beta-Glucan is a polysaccharide in the form of fiber and the main element of fiber in grains such as barley, oats, yeast and mushrooms. Many studies have examined the efficacy of beta-Glucan in terms of the lipid lowering effects, blood sugar reduction, weight reduction, immune modulator, and anticarcinogenic effect. However, there is no comprehensive review article on the biomedical issues regarding beta-Glucan. The authors searched for systematic reviews and clinical experiments for each relevant topic and reviewed the biomedical effects of beta-Glucan, for the purpose of developing research strategies for the future.
beta-Glucans/administration & dosage/*pharmacology/therapeutic use ; Neoplasms/drug therapy ; Infection/drug therapy ; Humans ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Dietary Supplements ; Dietary Fiber/administration & dosage/*pharmacology/therapeutic use ; Cholesterol/blood ; Body Weight/drug effects ; Blood Glucose/analysis ; Anticholesteremic Agents/pharmacology ; Animals

Knowledge about the mechanism and factors that influence olfaction in laryngectomees remains unclear. The aims of this study were to determine the effect of nasal airflow on olfactory ability, as measured by sniff alone and laryngeal bypass with sniff ; to evaluate varying olfactory abilities according to the status of the speech mechanisms in esophageal speakers (ES) and tracheoesophageal shunt speakers (TES) ; and to assess the relationship between speech acceptability and olfactory ability in laryngectomees. Two laryngectomee groups, consisting of ES and TES, and age-matched controls were analyzed through questionnaires, tests applying a Japanese T&T olfactometer to measure thresholds of odor detection and recognition, intravenous alinamin injection tests, and measures of speech acceptability. The findings that laryngeal bypass with sniff and the TES group demonstrated lower olfactory thresholds and shorter latent times than sniff alone and the ES group was informative about the importance of nasal airflow to the olfactory ability in laryngectomees. Furthermore, the close relationship found between olfactory threshold and speech acceptability showed that the ability to transport airflow through the nasal cavity during speech had a strong influence on olfactory ability in laryngectomees.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Humans ; Nasal Cavity ; Odors ; Smell* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: This study investigates the current state of and future trends in the field of cataract surgery in Korea. METHODS: Since 1995, the members of the Korean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (KSCRS) have made annual surveys on cataract and refractive surgery. The 2005 annual survey, consisting of 76 multiple-choice questions, was mailed in February 2005 to 300 KSCRS members. Sixty-six (22.0%) members answered the questions. Current data were compared with those of previous annual surveys and with those of surveys in the United States. RESULTS: Forty-six percent of the respondents were in the fifth decade. The duration of hospital stay has decreased annually and the use of topical anesthesia (44%) did not change. Self sealing wound construction was the main wound closure technique in phacoemulsification (63%). The implantation of phakic IOL was performed by 38% of the respondents and the most preferred intraocular lenses for small incision cataract surgery were acrylic (79%). Interest in the value added IOL has increased annually. CONCLUSIONS: This survey summarized current trends and changes in cataract surgery in Korea.
Anesthesia ; Cataract* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Korea* ; Length of Stay ; Lenses, Intraocular ; Phacoemulsification ; Postal Service ; Refractive Surgical Procedures ; United States ; Wound Closure Techniques ; Wounds and Injuries