No abstract available.
Hospice Care* ; Hospices* ; Internationality* ; Palliative Medicine*

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*

PURPOSE: In mammals, alphaand beta-defensins are antimicrobial peptides that are expressed in various epithelial and phagocytic cells. Human beta-defensin-1 and -2 (hBD-1, hBD-2) have recently been shown to be expressed in various epithelial cells. Vaginal mucosa can be a target of vaginitis and the site of uropathogens' colonization that precedes urinary tract infections. Therefore, innate host defense mediators like antimicrobial peptides in the vaginal mucosa are important. Estrogen and progesterone receptors have been shown to be expressed in the vaginal squamous epithelium. Sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone may cause vaginal atrophy or susceptibility to uropathogens. So, we performed this study to investigate the expression patterns of hBD-1 and -2 mRNA in vaginal squamous epithelium (VSE) with using lipopolysaccharide (LPS), 17beta-estradiol and progesterone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Normal VSE cells that were retrieved from vaginal tissue during vaginoplasty were primarily cultured in keratinocyte growth medium and they we allowed to undergo their 3rd passage. Modulation of the expressions of hBD-1 and -2 mRNA by various stimuli (LPS 0.5microgram/ml, E2 2nM, P 1micrometer) was measured by semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: HBD-1 and -2 were constitutively expressed in the normal VSE cell lines, but the hBD-2 expression was not significant. A marked increase of the constitutive expression of hBD-2 mRNA was observed upon stimulation with LPS, but not upon stimulation with E2. A moderate decrease of the constitutive expression of hBD-2 mRNA upon stimulation with LPS was observed with administering progesterone. CONCLUSIONS: These expressions of hBD-2 mRNA may have important roles in the innate host defense of the urogenital area. Artificial intake of progesterone may lead to susceptibility via a decrease of defensins.
Atrophy ; beta-Defensins ; Cell Line ; Colon ; Defensins ; Epithelial Cells* ; Epithelium ; Estrogens ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; Humans ; Keratinocytes ; Mammals ; Mucous Membrane ; Peptides ; Phagocytes ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Progesterone* ; Receptors, Progesterone ; Reverse Transcription ; RNA, Messenger ; Urinary Tract Infections ; Vagina ; Vaginitis

A survey was done on the participants of the previous education seminar. Eighty two endoscopists from 67 instituties had replied and 50 practitioners replied for a total of l32 that were surveyed and analyzed. (continue...)
Education* ; Endoscopy* ; Korea*

No abstract available.
Esophageal and Gastric Varices* ; Hemorrhage*

The binding activities of 6 plant lectins were studied in a total of 6 cases of Ewing's sarcoma of the bone, using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) method on paraffin embedded material. The lectins used in this study were Ricinus communis agglutinin I (RCA I), Concanavalin A (Con-A), Peanut agglutinin (PNA), Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), Ulex europeus I (UEA I), and Soybean agglutinin (SBA). However, no specific lectin, which showed consistent binding activity in the majority of Ewing's sarcoma cells was identified, in 5 of 6 cases, intracytoplasmic RCA I binding cells were occasionally observed, at somewhat regular intervals, among the neoplastic cell nests. Con-A stains were also positive in 4 cases, but the numbers of Cona-A binding cell were fewer than that of positive cell with RCA I, With PNA, WGA, UEA I, and SBA virtually no tumor cells were stained. These findings suggest that all Con-A positive cells and a part of RCA I binding cells are probably stromal macrophage-histiocytes, which are incorperated in neoplastic cells. And remaining RCA I positive cells seem to be either a kind of differentiating neoplastic cells or supporting cells having close correlation with the neoplastic cells.

We report a case of MALT lymphoma in a 49-year-old woman. Her disease occurred simultaneously in the mucosa of her right upper eyelid conjunctiva and in her left nostril as ulcerating tumors associated with itchy ichthyosiform skin lesions on the trunk, hyperkeratotic palms and soles, and dystrophic nails. Histopathological examinations revealed consistent findings of MALT lymphoma with dissemination; i.e., diffuse infiltrates of lymphoplasmacytoid cells with a few Russel body-like structures, eosinophils, some shoddy granulomas under the irregularly hyperplastic epidermis, and diffuse infiltrates of CCL ( centrocyte-like ) cells and small lymphocytes inside and outside many lymphoid follicle-like structures in the subcutaneous tissue forming florid lymphoepithelial lesions. She died after 27 months duration of her disease with worsening of ichthyosiform skin lesions and dystrophic nails in spite of total excision of the tumors. We discuss the clinical and histopathologic features of MALT lymphoma with dissemination and the various similar diseases to differentiate.
Conjunctiva ; Eosinophils ; Epidermis ; Eyelids* ; Female ; Glycogen Storage Disease Type VI ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone* ; Middle Aged ; Mucous Membrane ; Skin ; Subcutaneous Tissue ; Ulcer

No abstract available.
Gastric Stump*

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to identify the clinical and radiological outcomes of hook plate fixation for lateral end fracture of the clavicle and acromioclavicular dislocation. METHODS: There were a total of 20 cases with lateral end fracture of the clavicle and 16 cases with acromioclavicular dislocation. All patients were evaluated for range of motion, functional score by using Constant score, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons shoulder index at just before implant removal and at final follow-up. Coracoclavicular distance was measured in acromioclavicular dislocation and bony union was evaluated in the lateral end fracture of the clavicle. RESULTS: The clinical outcomes and range of motion were increased at the final follow-up compared with just before implant removal in both the lateral end fracture of the clavicle and acromioclavicular dislocation. In acromioclavicular dislocation, all cases—except one—showed maintenance of reduction after implant removal. Moreover, in the lateral end fracture of the clavicle, all cases—except one—showed bony union. CONCLUSIONS: Hook plate fixation in the lateral end fracture of the clavicle and acromioclavicular dislocation resulted in good clinical and radiological results.
Clavicle* ; Dislocations* ; Elbow ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Shoulder ; Surgeons

The objective of cancer screening is to reduce the risk of death, i.e., mortality from cancer among individuals subjected to screening. For cervical and colorectal cancer, the screening test is aimed at detection of preinvasive lesions. Therefore, reduction in the incidence of invasive disease also results from screening. In a national cancer control program, the programs should be orgainzed to ensure that a large proportion of the target group is screened and that those individuals in whom abnormalities are abserved receive appropriate diagnosis and therapy. Agreement should be reached on guidelines to be applied in the national cancer control program. When establishing appropriate cancer screening recommendations several factors should be considered. ① For establishing the starting age, age-specific incidence and mortality rate, life lost person-years, and cost-effectiveness can be considered. ② For frequency of screening, it is necessary to understand the natural history of disease. ③ For choosing the best test tool, sensitivity and specificity, compliance, cost, and adverse effects can be considered. It seems that doctors' willingness to participate is essential for a successful cancer screening program. They should understand the rationale of cancer secreening, its effectiveness, and the risk.
Colorectal Neoplasms ; Compliance ; Diagnosis ; Early Detection of Cancer* ; Incidence ; Korea* ; Mass Screening ; Mortality ; Natural History ; Sensitivity and Specificity