No abstract available.
Autoantibodies* ; DNA*

The skin concentrations of 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP), 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP), and 4, 5', 8-trimethylpsoralen (TMP) were studied in the guinea pig following oral administration and bathing. The skin concentration of phototoxic drugs after oral administration peaked at 1.5 hours, and the concentration of 8-MOP was 3.5 times greater than that of 5-MOP. The skin concentration of TMP was not detected in our study (limit of sensitivity 5ng/ml). The skin concentrations of phototoxic drug after bathing decreased in the order of 5-MOP, TMP, and 8-MOP
Administration, Cutaneous ; Administration, Oral ; Animal ; Guinea Pigs ; Methoxsalen/administration & dosage/*analysis ; PUVA Therapy ; Skin/*chemistry ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Trioxsalen/administration & dosage/*analysis

BACKGROUND: Production of neuronal progenitors is usually stimulated in the forebrain subventricular zone of mice after the intracerebroventricular infusion of prolactin. As a preliminary study, we infused prolactin to the male rat brain to test the hypothesis that prolactin promotes new cell proliferation in the brain and functional recovery after focal ischemia. METHODS: Male rats were subjected to intraluminal middle cerebral artery occlusion. Prolactin was administered to the surface of the brain for 5 or 14 days starting 24 or 48 hours after stroke onset at doses of 6.4 microgram per day. We administered the same volume of saline to the other ischemic rats used as a control group. Some rats were killed 6 or 17 days after stroke for analysis of infarct volume and newly generated cells within the subventricular zone and the striatum. The other rats were tested for neurological recovery 24 days after stroke. RESULTS: There was no significant difference of infarct volume among the experiment groups. Treatment with prolactin did not increase the numbers of bromodeoxyuridine-immunoreactive cells in the subventricular zone and the striatum. Treatment with prolactin did not enhance neurological recovery in all tests performed. CONCLUSIONS: In this preliminary study, prolactin did not enhance new cell generation in the male rat brain nor reduce the neurological deficits after ischemic stroke.
Adult* ; Animals ; Brain Ischemia* ; Brain* ; Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; Infusions, Intraventricular ; Ischemia ; Male* ; Mice ; Neurons ; Prolactin ; Prosencephalon ; Rats* ; Stem Cells ; Stroke

Swine hepatitis E virus (HEV) has been reported as a new zoonotic agent due to its close genomic resemblance to the human HEV. Recently this virus is indicated as one of the important pathogens in xenotransplantation that uses pig as a donor animal. We carried out to investigate the prevalence of HEV infections among the pigs and human population in Chungnam region using a nested RT-PCR for detection of a part of HEV ORF2 gene. The sequences of the amplified DNA were analyzed and the genetical divergency were characterized. A total of 18 HEV strains, comprising 16 strains from pig and 2 strains from human, were genetically isolated from the fecal and serum samples. Among the isolates, 5 strains (2.5%) were detected from 200 swine sera and 2 strains (2.0%) from 100 human sera. All of the 16 swine strains were isolated from the pigs at 3 month of age, but none of age groups revealed the positive for swine HEV RNA. In comparison of the nucleotide sequence between 16 swine HEV and 2 human HEV isolates, the range of identities was 91.5% to 100%. Two human HEV isolates shared 99.7% homology. In phylogenetic analysis, all of the isolates were classified into genotype III, and the 18 isolates were also closely related to the prototype of swine HEV and human HEV strains isolated in the United States and others recently identified from swine in Japan and Netherland.
Animals ; Base Sequence ; Chungcheongnam-do* ; DNA ; Genotype ; Hepatitis E virus* ; Hepatitis E* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans* ; Japan ; Korea* ; Prevalence ; RNA ; Swine* ; Tissue Donors ; Transplantation, Heterologous ; United States

Swine hepatitis E virus (HEV) has been reported as a new zoonotic agent due to its close genomic resemblance to the human HEV. Recently this virus is indicated as one of the important pathogens in xenotransplantation that uses pig as a donor animal. We carried out to investigate the prevalence of HEV infections among the pigs and human population in Chungnam region using a nested RT-PCR for detection of a part of HEV ORF2 gene. The sequences of the amplified DNA were analyzed and the genetical divergency were characterized. A total of 18 HEV strains, comprising 16 strains from pig and 2 strains from human, were genetically isolated from the fecal and serum samples. Among the isolates, 5 strains (2.5%) were detected from 200 swine sera and 2 strains (2.0%) from 100 human sera. All of the 16 swine strains were isolated from the pigs at 3 month of age, but none of age groups revealed the positive for swine HEV RNA. In comparison of the nucleotide sequence between 16 swine HEV and 2 human HEV isolates, the range of identities was 91.5% to 100%. Two human HEV isolates shared 99.7% homology. In phylogenetic analysis, all of the isolates were classified into genotype III, and the 18 isolates were also closely related to the prototype of swine HEV and human HEV strains isolated in the United States and others recently identified from swine in Japan and Netherland.
Animals ; Base Sequence ; Chungcheongnam-do* ; DNA ; Genotype ; Hepatitis E virus* ; Hepatitis E* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans* ; Japan ; Korea* ; Prevalence ; RNA ; Swine* ; Tissue Donors ; Transplantation, Heterologous ; United States

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Previous studies have reported that the frequency of re-diagnosing as carcinoma after endoscopic resection of gastric adenoma ranges between 6% and 47%. Therefore, specific endoscopic findings have been used to predict re-diagnosing as carcinoma after endoscopic resection of gastric adenoma at our center. We evaluated whether there is a use for these indicators for predicting carcinoma as a final diagnosis in forceps biopsy-proven adenomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated 378 tissue samples from 308 patients. Classification of specimens as adenoma and carcinoma was based on postresection specimen. Endoscopic findings were reviewed for tumor location, size, gross appearance, surface nodularity, central concavity, surface color, and presence of ulcers. These variables were analyzed and compared between the adenoma group (275 cases) and the carcinoma group (103 cases), assigned based on post-resection diagnosis. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 61, and 227 of the patients were male. The mean lesion diameter was 14.9+/-8.1 mm in the adenoma group and 17.9+/-9.3 mm in the carcinoma group. A lesion size of 15 mm or greater, depressed appearance, surface nodularity, central concavity, and presence of high-grade dysplasia were all independently associated with re-diagnosing as carcinoma after endoscopic resection. CONCLUSIONS: Lesion size of 15 mm or greater, depressed-type appearance, central concavity, and nodular surface are feasible predictors of carcinoma as a final diagnosis in forceps biopsy-proven adenomas. Physicians need to recommend immediate endoscopic resection for forceps biopsy-proven adenomas with these four independent features so as not to miss the optimal window for treatment.
Adenoma ; Humans ; Male ; Stomach ; Surgical Instruments ; Ulcer

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Previous studies have reported that the frequency of re-diagnosing as carcinoma after endoscopic resection of gastric adenoma ranges between 6% and 47%. Therefore, specific endoscopic findings have been used to predict re-diagnosing as carcinoma after endoscopic resection of gastric adenoma at our center. We evaluated whether there is a use for these indicators for predicting carcinoma as a final diagnosis in forceps biopsy-proven adenomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated 378 tissue samples from 308 patients. Classification of specimens as adenoma and carcinoma was based on postresection specimen. Endoscopic findings were reviewed for tumor location, size, gross appearance, surface nodularity, central concavity, surface color, and presence of ulcers. These variables were analyzed and compared between the adenoma group (275 cases) and the carcinoma group (103 cases), assigned based on post-resection diagnosis. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 61, and 227 of the patients were male. The mean lesion diameter was 14.9+/-8.1 mm in the adenoma group and 17.9+/-9.3 mm in the carcinoma group. A lesion size of 15 mm or greater, depressed appearance, surface nodularity, central concavity, and presence of high-grade dysplasia were all independently associated with re-diagnosing as carcinoma after endoscopic resection. CONCLUSIONS: Lesion size of 15 mm or greater, depressed-type appearance, central concavity, and nodular surface are feasible predictors of carcinoma as a final diagnosis in forceps biopsy-proven adenomas. Physicians need to recommend immediate endoscopic resection for forceps biopsy-proven adenomas with these four independent features so as not to miss the optimal window for treatment.
Adenoma ; Humans ; Male ; Stomach ; Surgical Instruments ; Ulcer

PURPOSE: Since its introduction by Knight and Griffen in 1980, the double stapling technique has gained widespread popularity in performing the low anterior resection for the rectal cancer. But their effectiveness is not clear. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of the low anterior resection using the double stapling technique for rectal cancer in an oncological, technical standpoints. METHODS: Perioperative and follow up data were retrospectively reviewed in all patients undergoing the low anterior resection using the double stapling technique by same surgeons for rectal cancer over a 2.5 year period. RESULTS: Thirty two rectal cancer patients had double stapling technique anastomoses. There was no postoperative mortality. Intraoperative complications including rectal wall tearing, incomplete doughnuts, misfiring and extraction related problems occurred in 9 of 32 patients (28.2%). Early and late postoperative complications occurred in 9 (28.8%) and 8 (24.9%) of 32 patients. Early anastomotic leak developed in 1 patient (3.1%) and anastomotic site bleeding developed in 2 patient (6.3%). Lately, the local recurrence occurred in 3 patients (9.3%) and anastomotic site stricture occurred in 3 patients (9.3%). CONCLUSIONS: The low anterior resection using the double stapling technique has relatively low rate of leakage, stricture, local recurrence. The double stapling technique can be performed for mid or low rectal cancer with greater safety and facility.
Anastomotic Leak ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Intraoperative Complications ; Mortality ; Postoperative Complications ; Rectal Neoplasms* ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies

Spontaneous gastric perforation is a rare complication of gastric lymphoma that is potentially life threatening since it can progress to sepsis and multi-organ failure. Morbidity also increases due to prolonged hospitalization and delay in initiating chemotherapy. Therefore prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment is critical to improve prognosis. A 64-year-old man presented to the emergency department with severe abdominal pain. Chest X-ray showed free air below the right diaphragm. Abdominal CT scan also demonstrated free air in the peritoneal cavity with large wall defect in the lesser curvature of gastric lower body. Therefore, the patient underwent emergency operation and primary closure was done. Pathologic specimen obtained during surgery was compatible to diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Fifteen days after primary closure, the patient received subtotal gastrectomy and chemotherapy was initiated after recovery. Patient is currently being followed-up at outpatient department without any particular complications. Herein, we report a rare case of gastric lymphoma that initially presented as peritonitis because of spontaneous gastric perforation.
Abdominal Pain ; Antigens, CD20/metabolism ; Antigens, CD45/metabolism ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Intestinal Perforation/diagnostic imaging ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/*diagnosis/drug therapy/pathology ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/*diagnosis/drug therapy/pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Stomach Neoplasms/*diagnosis/drug therapy/pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The relationship between the positive remodeling (PR) of a coronary artery and plaque composition has been studied only in a relatively small number of study population or non-culprit lesion. We evaluated the association between coronary plaque composition and coronary artery remodeling in a relatively large number of culprit lesions. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 325 consecutive patients with coronary artery disease that underwent intravascular ultrasound-virtual histology examination in a culprit lesion. The remodeling index (RI) was calculated as the lesion external elastic membrane (EEM) area divided by the average reference EEM area. RESULTS: The lesions with PR (RI>1.05, n=97, mean RI=1.19+/-0.12) had a higher fibrous volume/lesion length (3.85+/-2.12 mm3/mm vs. 3.04+/-1.79 mm3/mm, p=0.003) and necrotic core volume/lesion length (1.26+/-0.89 mm3/mm vs. 0.90+/-0.66 mm3/mm, p=0.001) than those with negative remodeling (NR) (RI<0.95, n=132, mean RI=0.82+/-0.09). At the minimal luminal area site, the lesions with PR had a higher fibrous area (5.81+/-3.17 mm2 vs. 3.61+/-2.30 mm2, p<0.001), dense calcified area (0.73+/-0.69 mm2 vs. 0.46+/-0.43 mm2, p=0.001), and necrotic core area (1.93+/-1.33 mm2 vs. 1.06+/-0.91 mm2, p<0.001) than those with NR. RI showed significant positive correlation with fibrous volume/lesion length (r=0.173, p=0.002), necrotic core volume/lesion length (r=0.188, p=0.001), fibrous area (r=0.347, p<0.001), fibrofatty area (r=0.111, p=0.036), dense calcified area (r=0.239, p<0.001), and necrotic core area (r=0.334, p<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that the independent factor for PR was the necrotic core volume/lesion length (beta=0.130, 95% confidence interval; 0.002-0.056, p=0.037) over the entire lesion. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that PR in a culprit lesion is associated with the necrotic core volume in the entire lesion, which is a characteristic of vulnerable plaque.
Atherosclerosis ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Vessels ; Humans ; Membranes ; Multivariate Analysis ; Phenobarbital ; Ultrasonography, Interventional