PURPOSE: A prosthetic graft infection is a rare but often disastrous complication during vascular surgery. Diagnosis of a prosthetic graft infection is not always easy, particularly with a low virulent bacterial infection or in a deeply placed graft in the retroperitoneal space. Recently, fludeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) has been proposed as a diagnostic modality for prosthetic graft infection. However, some reports have indicated that high FDG uptake occur in grafts without infections. This study analyzed FDG uptake patterns in prosthetic grafts of asymptomatic patients. METHODS: We reviewed 14,545 patients who had received PET/CT in a tertiary hospital between July 2007 and March 2010. Of them, 11 patients who had undergone previous bypass surgery with a prosthetic graft were identified. Four underwent an aortic bypass and the others received lower extremity bypass grafting. PET/CT images and patient clinical data were reviewed retrospectively. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax, A) in the graft, the mean SUV (SUVmean, B) of the blood-pool, and the target-to-background ratio (T/B, A/B) were calculated. RESULTS: The mean duration between bypass grafting and the PET/CT scan was 21 months (range, 1~80 months). No clinical evidence of graft infection was observed in any of the patients. PET/CT revealed an uneven, diffuse FDG uptake pattern on the grafts, and the mean T/B was 2.0 (range, 0.9~4.6). T/B was greater than 2.0 in six patients (55%). CONCLUSION: A prosthetic graft without an infection can result in increased FDG uptake during PET/CT. A further prospective study is necessary to evaluate the usefulness of FDG PET/CT for diagnosing a prosthetic graft infection.
Bacterial Infections ; Electrons ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Retroperitoneal Space ; Retrospective Studies ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Transplants

Plain radiographs of an 88-year-old woman who had experienced vomiting and abdominal distention for 3 days revealed a severely obstructed ileus, and abdominopelvic computed tomography revealed an incarcerated Morgagni hernia. The endoscope was passed through the constrictions from the diaphragmatic indentations and a thin catheter was placed for decompression. The obstructive ileus regressed markedly after the procedure; the patient underwent elective laparoscopic repair of the hernia 1 week later. This is believed to be the first case of endoscopic preoperative decompression for an incarcerated Morgagni hernia.
Aged, 80 and over ; Catheters ; Colonoscopy ; Constriction ; Decompression ; Endoscopes ; Female ; Hernia ; Hernia, Diaphragmatic ; Humans ; Ileus ; Vomiting

This paper described a collaborative exercise intended to see what kinds of short tandem repeat (STR) loci are used in different DNA typing laboratories in Korea and to compare their results for the demonstration whether uniformity of DNA profiling results from different laboratory could be achieved in Korea. Laboratories were asked to test five tissue DNAs using methods routinely used in each laboratory and to report the results to the coordinating laboratory. The exercise demonstrated that each laboratory was using different STR loci for the typing with different STR numbers, 2 VNTRs, 36 STRs and amelogenin in total, and the direct comparison of the results from all the laboratory for the 18 loci could not be done as only one laboratory submitted typing results. Among 21 loci for which several laboratories submitted typing results, results for 14 loci were the same and results for the other 7 loci were different depending on the participating laboratory. D1S80, F13A01, D16S539, D21S11, D18S51, D3S1744 were the loci with different typing results. Even in the cases where commercial kits were used, the results were not the same depending on the machines used, that is the capillary electrophoresis or the gel based electrophoresis. The reason for the different results, points about the standardization of the methods and the profiling data were described.
Amelogenin ; DNA ; DNA Fingerprinting ; Electrophoresis ; Electrophoresis, Capillary ; Korea ; Microsatellite Repeats

This paper described a collaborative exercise intended to see what kinds of short tandem repeat (STR) loci are used in different DNA typing laboratories in Korea and to compare their results for the demonstration whether uniformity of DNA profiling results from different laboratory could be achieved in Korea. Laboratories were asked to test five tissue DNAs using methods routinely used in each laboratory and to report the results to the coordinating laboratory. The exercise demonstrated that each laboratory was using different STR loci for the typing with different STR numbers, 2 VNTRs, 36 STRs and amelogenin in total, and the direct comparison of the results from all the laboratory for the 18 loci could not be done as only one laboratory submitted typing results. Among 21 loci for which several laboratories submitted typing results, results for 14 loci were the same and results for the other 7 loci were different depending on the participating laboratory. D1S80, F13A01, D16S539, D21S11, D18S51, D3S1744 were the loci with different typing results. Even in the cases where commercial kits were used, the results were not the same depending on the machines used, that is the capillary electrophoresis or the gel based electrophoresis. The reason for the different results, points about the standardization of the methods and the profiling data were described.
Amelogenin ; DNA ; DNA Fingerprinting ; Electrophoresis ; Electrophoresis, Capillary ; Korea ; Microsatellite Repeats

It is very rare for the primary lung cancer to metastasize to gastrointestinal tract, which has poor prognosis. A 72-year-old man admitted with dyspnea and a mass lesion in the left lower lobe on chest roentgenogram and chest computed tomogram(CT). Large cell carcinoma of the lung was diagnosed by percutaneous needle biopsy. Also gastroduodenoscopy was conducted for evaluation of gastrointestinal symptoms, such as indigestion and epigastric discomfort. Large cell carcinoma of duodenum was diagnosed by biopsy of duodenal polyp, which was considered to be metastasized from the primary lung cancer. Palliative radiation therapy was performed, but he died 2 months after diagnosis. We report a rare case of large cell carcinoma of the lung with metastasis to uodenum.
Aged ; Biopsy ; Biopsy, Needle ; Carcinoma, Large Cell* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diagnosis ; Duodenum* ; Dyspepsia ; Dyspnea ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Homocysteine ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lung* ; Microcirculation ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Polyps ; Prognosis ; Thorax

OBJECTIVETo understand epidemiologic characteristics and changes in epidemic trend of human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in different areas and populations of Yunnan Province.

METHODSSeroepidemiological studies were conducted in injection drug users (IDUs), women sex workers, whoring goers, patients with sexually transmitted disease (STD), patients with tuberculosis, pregnant women and blood donors with sentinel surveillance, ad hoc investigations, regular case-finding and data collection during 1989 to 2003 in Yunnan Province.

RESULTSRelatively high prevalence of HIV/AIDS was firstly found in IDUs from border areas of the province in 1989. By December of 2003, totally 14 905 cases with HIV infection were reported in 121 counties of 16 prefectures in Yunnan Province. Prevalence of HIV infection ranged from 21.2% to 27.8% in IDUs, over 40% in IDUs from six areas, and 1.23% to 6.67% and 0.3% to 1.8% in underground prostitutes and whoring goers, respectively. Prevalence of HIV infection was 2.1% to 2.7%, 10.8% in specific areas, in male patients with STD, and was 0.14% to 0.25% in pregnant women during 1993 to 2002 and increased to 0.37% in 2003. Prevalence of HIV infection ranged 1.5% to 1.6% in patients with tuberculosis and 0.01% in blood donors during 1999 to 2000 and increased to 0.07% in 2003.

CONCLUSIONSEpidemic of HIV infection began in late 1980s in Yunnan, then spread from border areas to inland through IDUs, maintaining a higher prevalence in them to date. Sexual transmission of HIV/AIDS showed an increasing trend in them, with a low prevalence in general population, but appeared a wide spread in local areas.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; epidemiology ; Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; HIV Infections ; epidemiology ; HIV Seroprevalence ; HIV-1 ; Humans ; Male ; Prevalence ; Risk-Taking ; Sentinel Surveillance ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases ; epidemiology ; Substance Abuse, Intravenous ; complications ; epidemiology ; Surveys and Questionnaires

The small GTP-binding protein Rab25 is associated with tumor formation and progression. However, recent studies have shown discordant effects of Rab25 on cancer cell progression depending on cell lineage. In the present study, we elucidate the underlying mechanisms by which Rab25 induces cellular invasion. We demonstrate that Rab25 increases β1 integrin levels and subsequent activation of EGFR and upregulation of VEGF-A expression, leading to increased Snail expression, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and cancer cell invasiveness. Strikingly, we identify that Snail mediates Rab25-induced cancer cell invasiveness through fascin expression and that ectopic expression of Rab25 aggravates metastasis of ovarian cancer cells to the lung. We thus demonstrate a novel role of a β1 integrin/EGFR/VEGF-A/Snail signaling cascade in Rab25-induced cancer cell aggressiveness through induction of fascin expression, thus providing novel biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for Rab25-expressing cancer cells.
Biomarkers ; Cell Lineage ; Ectopic Gene Expression ; GTP-Binding Proteins ; Lung ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Snails ; Up-Regulation ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

OBJECTIVE: To explore the value of galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1) in the early diagnosis of Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis (HSPN) in children. METHODS: A total of 67 hospitalized children who were definitely diagnosed with HSPN between January and April 2018 and 58 hospitalized children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) were enrolled in the study. Twenty children undergoing routine physical examinations served as controls. The levels of serum and urine Gd-IgA1 were determined using ELISA. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to analyze the value of serum Gd-IgA1 and urine Gd-IgA1/urine creatinine ratio in the diagnosis of HSPN. RESULTS: The level of serum Gd-IgA1 and urine Gd-IgA1/urine creatinine ratio in children with HSP or HSPN were significantly higher than those in healthy control group (P<0.01), with a significantly greater increase observed in children with HSPN (P<0.01). Serum Gd-IgA1 ≥1 485.57 U/mL and/or urine Gd-IgA1/urine creatinine ratio ≥105.74 were of favorable value in the diagnosis of HSPN. During the six-month follow-up of the 49 children with HSP, the incidence of HSPN was 47% (23/49), which included a 100% incidence in children with serum Gd-IgA1 ≥1 485.57 U/mL and a 73% incidence in children with urine Gd-IgA1/urine creatinine ratio ≥105.74. CONCLUSIONS Serum and urine Gd-IgA1 is of favorable clinical value in the early diagnosis of HSPN.
Child ; Early Diagnosis ; Galactose ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; Purpura, Schoenlein-Henoch

The basidiomycete Laetiporus sulphureus var. miniatus belongs to the Aphyllophorales, Polyporaceae, and grows on the needleleaf tree. The fruiting bodies of Laetiporus species are known to produce N-methylated tyramine derivatives, polysaccharides, and various lanostane triterpenoids. As part of our ongoing effort to discover biologically active compounds from wood-rotting fungi, an anti-inflammatory triterpene, LSM-H7, has been isolated from the fruiting body of L. sulphureus var. miniatus and identified as acetyl eburicoic acid. LSM-H7 dose-dependently inhibited the NO production in RAW 264.7 cells without any cytotoxicity at the tested concentrations. Furthermore it suppressed the production of proinflammatory cytokines, mainly inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha, when compared with glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase. These data suggest that LSM-H7 is a crucial component for the anti-inflammatory activity of L. sulphureus var. miniatus.
Basidiomycota ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Cytokines ; Fruit ; Fungi ; Glyceraldehyde 3-Phosphate ; Inflammation* ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukins ; Macrophages* ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; Oxidoreductases ; Polyporaceae ; Polyporales ; Polysaccharides ; Trees ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Tyramine

Collaborative work using same samples for the parentage testing, which was intended to see the status and the quality of several DNA typing laboratories in Korea, was described. Samples were consisted of two sets, one was a trio case and the other was a deficient case with two children. Samples were sent to six laboratories, among which five submitted the result. Each laboratory had used different number and set of STR loci using 14 - 23 loci, and total 33 different loci were used. Only one VNTR locus, D1S80 was included and all the remaining were STR loci. The loci included in the commercial kits were used more frequently. One laboratory had used Korean-made commercial kits. All the laboratories gave the same results about the parentage, although results for one locus were not the same through different laboratories. There existed minor difference in the PI calculation, especially in the statistical parameters such as allelic frequences, which might gave confusion to users of the results who were not familiar with the test. Necessity about the standardization and profiling data were discussed.
Academies and Institutes* ; Child ; DNA Fingerprinting ; Humans ; Korea* ; Minisatellite Repeats