BACKGROUND: Cell-cell adhesion in tissue is mainly regulated by hornotypic interaction of cadherin molecules, which are anchored to the cytoskeleton via cytoplasmic proteins, including a-and / 3-catenin. Loss of E-cadherin and catenin have been attributed a pathogenetic role in tumor invasion. METHODS: We examined the expression of E-cadherin and a-catenin in human thyroid carcinoma by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Normal tissue strongly expressed E-cadherin and a-catenin. However, E-cadherin and a-catenin expression were frequently reduced in thyroid carcinoma (E-cadherin: 62.5%, a-catenin: 81.3%). But the expression of E-cadherin and a-catenin in tumors with metastatic spreading were not different with tumors without metastasis. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that reduced E-eadherin and a-catenin expression may be a sensitive marker for disturbance in the adhesive function of the junctional complex, but further evaluation with more cases is needed for confirmation of the result of the same degree of expression in tumors with metastasis.
Adhesives ; Cadherins* ; Cytoplasm ; Cytoskeleton ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms*

Higher cognitive functions refer to the highest level of human intellectual functioning, including formation, reasoning, and executive functions. The executive functions can be conceptualized as having four components ; volition, planning, purposive action, and effective performance. Because higher cognitive functions represent the most advanced stages of intellectual development, they are often highly susceptible to the effects of brain injuries and mental disorders. The ability to perform effectively within the environment is determined in large part by an individual's adequacy in performing such higher-order function. Especially executive functions are necessary for appropriate, socially responsible, and effectively sell-serving adult conduct. Therefore, an assessment of the psychiatric patient's performance in these areas will provide useful diagnostic information, as well as information concerning social and vocational prognosis.
Adult ; Brain Injuries ; Executive Function ; Humans ; Mental Disorders ; Prognosis ; Volition

No abstract available.
Leiomyoma*

To evaluate the effects of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) to the iron status of fetuses, umbilical cord blood of 35 newborn borne by PIH mothers and of 37 normal term infants delivered at Yeungnam University Hospital from September 1, 1993 to September 30, 1994, were studied. The serum hemoglobin concentration of women with PIH was significantly higher than normal full-term pregnant women. There was no significant difference in serum hemoglobin concetration between women with PIH and normal full-term pregnant women and their newborn infants. There was no significant difference in serum hemoglobin concentration between infants iof women with PIH and normal full-term infants. The serum iron concentration of newborn infants of women with PIH was higher and the serum ferritin concentration of newborn infants of women with PIH was lower than normal full-term infants, but there were no significant difference between the two groups. The serum total iron-binding capactity and unsaturated iron-binding capacity of infants of women with PIH were significantly higher than normal full-term infants. The newborn infants of PIH women seemed that they might have occult depletion of iron store and need meticulous follow up during early neonatal period.
Female ; Ferritins ; Fetal Blood ; Fetus ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn* ; Iron ; Mothers* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women

The relaxed G-tolerances of 16 female cadets of ROKAF academy and 19 male privates were compared. The relaxed G-tolerance level was measured as visual endpoint (gray out or loss of peripheral light loss) during G-force raise steadily at 0.1 G/s. The G-stimulations were repeated twice with the interval of 30 s for 4 days (female cadets, 9 a.m.; male privates, 10 a.m.). The correlation between the relaxed G-tolerance level and their physical factor (height, sitting height, weight and lean body mass) and muscle strength (power of abdomen, back and thigh) was investigated. The average value of the relaxed G-tolerance levels of female cadets for 4 days was significantly higher than the one of male privates (4.23 +/-0.60, n=111; 4.04 +/-0.64, n=92; student 's t-test, P<0.05). However, the training effect of 4 days was not seen in either female cadet or male private group. The weight and lean body mass have significant positive correlation with the relaxed G-tolerance level. Also, the peak torque of thigh muscle have a strong positive correlation with it, but the endurance ratio does not.
Abdomen ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Muscle Strength ; Thigh ; Torque

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between the degree of expression of E-cadherin and presence of high risk prognostic factors (lymph node metastasis or parametrium involvement), clinical stages and pathologic types in invasive cervical cancer. METHODS: An immunohistochemical technique has been applied to formalin-fixed, paraffin- embedded samples from 20 radical hysterectomy without risk factors and 16 radical hysterectomy with risk factors. The degree of expressions of E-cadherin immunostaining was compared with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, presence of high risk prognostic factors, and pathologic types. RESULTS: The difference of the degree of expression of E-cadherin was not statistically significant between high-risk group (lymph node metastasis or parametrium invasion) and non-risk group. The difference of the degree of expression of E-cadherin was not statistically significant according to clinical stages and variable pathologic types either. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the degree of the expression of E-cadherin has no relationship with known high risk prognostic factors, clinical stages and pathologic types in invasive cervical cancer.
Cadherins* ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Hysterectomy* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Obstetrics ; Risk Factors ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms*

No abstract available.
Biofeedback, Psychology* ; Electric Stimulation* ; Pelvic Floor* ; Urinary Incontinence*

No abstract available.
Muscle, Smooth* ; Smooth Muscle Tumor* ; Stomach*

Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma may present with a variety of radiographic and clinical appearances. The authors reviewed the radiographs of 17 patients with pathologically proven bronchioloalveolar carcinoma, retrospectively. Seven cases were of the localized form. Among the seven five showed a localized mass and two showed localized consolidation. Ten cases were of the diffuse form. Among the ten, three showed diffuse nodules, two showed diffuse consolidation, and five showed a combined pattern of nodules and consolidations. Progression of disease was observed in 9 patients. In these cases, localized forms progressed to a diffuse forms and nodular patterns progressed to a consolidation pattern. Seven cases of the diffuse form were given antituberculous medications on hospital admission. In summary, bronchioloalveolar carcinoma has varied radiographic patterns, and often mimicks other pulmonary diseases such as pulmonary tuberculosis.
Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar* ; Humans ; Lung Diseases ; Retrospective Studies ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

A case of isolated Crohn's disease of appendix is reported. It is a rare disease which commonly mimics the symptoms of acute appendicitis. Review of 221 identical cases previously reported in the world literature revealed slight male predominance(1.17:1) and peak age of incidence in the third decade(24.3 yrs). In contrast to typical Crohn's disease, the rate of postoperative fistula and recurrence was minimal; 1.0% and 3.8%, respectively. Due to these differences, many consider it to be a separate disease entity from Crohn, and a new diagnostic term - "Idiopathic Granulomatous Appendicitis" - has gained wide acceptance in recent years.
Appendicitis* ; Appendix* ; Crohn Disease* ; Fistula ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Rare Diseases ; Recurrence