The bcl-2 gene is a proto-oncogene which extends cell survival by blocking apoptosis. Bcl-2 expression has been detected in many types of nodal and MALT lymphoma. The p53 gene is a tumor suppressor gene and p53 mutation is the most common genetic alteration in human malignancies. The relationship between the expression of bcl-2 and p53 protein in primary gastric lymphoma has been rarely reported. The authors investigated the expression of bcl-2 and p53 protein in 37 cases of primary gastric lymphoma by immunohistochemical method using bcl-2 and p53 monoclonal antibodies. There were five cases of low grade B-cell MALT lymphomas and thirty two cases of high grade B-cell lymphomas. Fifteen of 37 cases (41%) showed bcl-2 protein expression in the cytoplasm of tumor cells and 26 cases (70%) showed p53 protein expression in the nucleus of tumor cells. Bcl-2 protein was detected in 4 of 5 (80%) low grade MALT lymphomas, and in 11 of 32 (34%) high grade lymphomas. There was no significant correlation between bcl-2 expression and histologic grade of primary gastric lymphomas (p>0.05). p53 protein was positive in 25 of 32 (78%) high grade lymphomas, and in 1 of 5 (20%) low grade MALT lymphomas. The expression of p53 protein is significantly higher in high grade lymphoma than in low grade MALT lymphoma (p<0.05). The p53 expression in the bcl-2 negative cases (86%) was significantly higher than in the bcl-2 positive cases (47%). There was an inverse relationship between bcl-2 and p53 expression in primary gastric lymphoma. These results suggest that bcl-2 and p53 expression in primary gastric lymphoma may be involved in the transition from low grade MALT lymphoma to high grade lymphoma.
Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Apoptosis ; B-Lymphocytes ; Cell Survival ; Cytoplasm ; Genes, bcl-2 ; Genes, p53 ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; Humans ; Lymphoma* ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone ; Proto-Oncogenes

No abstract available.
Cystadenocarcinoma, Mucinous* ; Female* ; Humans ; Mucins*

PUROPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and the metabolic syndrome in the elderly male. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The metabolic syndrome group of 348 patients (64.4+/-8.6 years old) and the control group of 150 patients (66.0+/-7.0 years old) were included in the study. The voiding factors, such as International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life score, prostate volume, maximal urine flow rate, residual urine volume, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) were investigated. Waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting glucose, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride were measured for the evaluation of the metabolic syndrome. RESULTS: Waist circumference (beta=0.025, p<0.001), systolic (beta=0.004, p<0.05) and diastolic blood pressure (beta=0.006, p<0.05) were positively correlated with prostate volume. In the logistic regression analysis of voiding factors according to metabolic syndrome factors, the patients who have central obesity (Odds ratio [OR]=2.931), central obesity and hypertension (OR=3.598), central obesity and diabetes (OR=2.508), hypertension and low HDL-cholesterolemia (OR=2.326), central obesity, hypertension and diabetes (OR=3.083), central obesity, hypertension and low HDL cholesterolemia (OR=3.440) represented a significantly increased age-adjusted risk of benign prostatic enlargement (25g or more). OR of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) was 3.178 in the patients with cental obesity, and 2.381 in the patients with both central obesity and hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: In male elderly, the metabolic syndrome was closely related with LUTS and its main risk factor was central obesity, represented as waist circumference.
Aged ; Blood Pressure ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Logistic Models ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms* ; Male ; Obesity ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Prostate ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; Quality of Life ; Risk Factors* ; Triglycerides ; Waist Circumference

PURPOSE: It is thought that neurological disorders are one of the main causes of organic female sexual dysfunction. However, it is difficult to diagnose due to the lack of measuring tools for assessing genital neural function. Sensory nerve tests on external genitalia is a new challenge for diagnosing female sexual dysfunction. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of the quantitative measurement of the genital sensory threshold in female sexual dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty women with complaints of sexual dysfunction were evaluated with physical and vagina examination, serum hormonal tests, routine urinalysis and a questionnaire (the brief index of sexual function for women). A genitosensory analyzer (GAS, Medoc, Israel) was used to quantitative measure the vaginal and clitoral warm, cold and vibratory sensory thresholds. RESULTS: Of the 40 women, an arousal disorder was reported in 40%, orgasmic disorder in 82.5%, sexual pain disorder in 17.5% and a decreased libido in 17.5%. Of the 40 women, 86.4 and 91.2% showed impairment of vaginal cold (A-delta fiber) and warm (unmyelinated C fiber) sensations, respectively. However, the touch and vibratory sensations (A-beta fiber) showed relatively lower impairments; vagina and clitoris in 20.0 and 89.2% of the patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, most of the patients with sexual problems had significant vaginal and clitoral sensory nerve fiber impairments. The results support the significance of organic origins in female sexual dysfunction and the usefulness of quantitative analysis of genital sensation in diagnosing the etiology. (Korean J Urol 2005;46:610-615)
Arousal ; Clitoris ; Diagnosis* ; Female* ; Genitalia* ; Humans ; Libido ; Nerve Fibers ; Nervous System Diseases ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Sensation ; Sensation Disorders ; Sensory Thresholds ; Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological ; Sexuality ; Somatoform Disorders ; Urinalysis ; Vagina

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the remineralization effect of CPP-ACP, NaF, bamboo salt and NaF+bamboo salt solutions on bovine incipient artificial enamel caries by microcomputed tomography (micro CT). METHODS: Specimens were prepared from extracted bovine teeth and immersed in a demineralizing solution for 72 h. Specimens were divided into five groups of five specimens each by randomized blocks according to surface microhardness (VHN) and mineral density. The specimens were each treated by one of the following agents for 24 h: distilled water, 2% sodium fluoride solution (2% NaF group), 3% bamboo salt solution (3% BS group), and a solution of 2% sodium fluoride solution and 3% bamboo salt solution mixed together (2% NaF+3% BS group) and 1% CPP-ACP solution. After this, the specimens were immersed in artificial saliva for 15 and 30 days. After 15 days and 30 days treatment, VHN and mineral density values (g/cm3) were measured and analysed. Mineral density values were obtained using micro CT. RESULTS: Mineral density and VHN of the five groups according to the immersion period in artificial saliva showed statistically significant differences (P<0.05). In mineral density and VHN, the values of the 2% NaF+3% BS group were significantly higher than those of the other groups, and there were no significant differences among the 2% NaF, 3% BS, CPP-ACP groups after 30 days. CONCLUSIONS: Bamboo salt showed a similar remineralization pattern to CPP-ACP on an incipient artificial enamel caries lesion. Thus, bamboo salt (like CPP-ACP) can act as a remineralization agent for subsurface lesions of incipient enamel caries.
Caseins ; Dental Enamel ; Immersion ; Saliva, Artificial ; Sodium ; Sodium Fluoride ; Tooth ; Water ; X-Ray Microtomography

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dental erosion inhibitory effect of hangover beverage containing calcium and fluoride. METHODS: Risk factors of dental erosion in the varying concentrations of fluoride, Ca, P, pH, and the buffer capacity were measured in six groups of mixture: distilled water, Morning care, Morning care adding 3% calcium, Morning care adding 5% calcium, Morning care adding 4 ppm F, Morning care adding 3% calcium and 4 ppm F. Seventy two specimens were prepared for the microhardness tests and divided randomly into 6 groups (n=12). Each group was exposed to the six groups of the mixture for 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, 30 min. Surface microhardness was measured before and after the treatment, and the surface was observed by SEM after the treatment only. RESULTS: After 30 minutes of treatment, the surface microhardness changes were significantly different among the six groups: Distilled water (0.11+/-1.98 DeltaVHN), Morning care (100.49+/-9.66 DeltaVHN), Morning care+3% calcium (17.07+/-8.45 DeltaVHN), Morning care+5% calcium (10.35+/-7.61 DeltaVHN), Morning care+4 ppm F (93.96+/-15.13 DeltaVHN), Morning care+3% calcium+4 ppm F (14.21+/-7.97 DeltaVHN) (P<0.01). The three groups, including those treated with the mixtures of Morning care+3% calcium, Morning care+5% calcium, and Morning care+3% calcium+4 ppm F, showed no statistically significant difference on the surface microhardness change and inhibition effect on enamel erosion (P>0.05) when compared with the distilled water group. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that modification of the Morning care with 3% calcium could be useful for a significant protective potential with respect to dental erosion.
Beverages ; Calcium ; Dental Enamel ; Fluorides ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Risk Factors ; Water

BACKGROUND: In order to improve MRI volumetry of hippocampus, we obtained the Longitudinal Regional Volume Curve (LRVC) of hippocampi and compared the sensitivity of LRVC with those of conventional hippocampal volume-tries (total and regional) in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). METHODS: Thirty-eight normal subjects and 24 TLE patients were included in this study. The pathology of all patients showed hippocampal sclerosis. The volume of the hippocampus was measured by a manual tracing in 3 mm-thickness coronal MRI slices perpendicular to the long axis of the hippocampus and a three-dimensional reconstruction. Total volume and regional volumes (anterior, middle, and posterior 1/3) of the right and left hippocampi were measured. Then, the focal hippocampal volume of each of the coronal slices (3 mm) was plotted in a X-Y graph to obtain LRVC. The presence and pattern of HA were determined in LRVC. RESULTS: The mean volume of right hippocampus (2512+/-629 mm3) was bigger than that of the left one (2262.6+/-563.2 mm3) in normal subjects. The normal range of right-left total volume difference was 3.6~495.2 mm3. The sensitivities of conventional volumetry, regional volumetry, and LRVC were 66.7%, 75%, and 83.3%, respectively. Eleven patients showed diffuse HA (11/20, 55.0%) and nine had focal HA (9/20, 45.0%). In focal HA, the middle and posterior HA were more frequent (6/9, 66.7%) than anterior HA. CONCLUSIONS: LRVC improved the sensitivity of MRI volumetry in detecting hippocampal sclerosis and could reveal the pattern (diffuse or focal) of HA. (J Korean Neurol Assoc 19(2):125~131, 2001)
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe* ; Hippocampus ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Pathology ; Reference Values ; Sclerosis* ; Temporal Lobe*

BACKGROUND: In order to improve MRI volumetry of hippocampus, we obtained the Longitudinal Regional Volume Curve (LRVC) of hippocampi and compared the sensitivity of LRVC with those of conventional hippocampal volume-tries (total and regional) in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). METHODS: Thirty-eight normal subjects and 24 TLE patients were included in this study. The pathology of all patients showed hippocampal sclerosis. The volume of the hippocampus was measured by a manual tracing in 3 mm-thickness coronal MRI slices perpendicular to the long axis of the hippocampus and a three-dimensional reconstruction. Total volume and regional volumes (anterior, middle, and posterior 1/3) of the right and left hippocampi were measured. Then, the focal hippocampal volume of each of the coronal slices (3 mm) was plotted in a X-Y graph to obtain LRVC. The presence and pattern of HA were determined in LRVC. RESULTS: The mean volume of right hippocampus (2512+/-629 mm3) was bigger than that of the left one (2262.6+/-563.2 mm3) in normal subjects. The normal range of right-left total volume difference was 3.6~495.2 mm3. The sensitivities of conventional volumetry, regional volumetry, and LRVC were 66.7%, 75%, and 83.3%, respectively. Eleven patients showed diffuse HA (11/20, 55.0%) and nine had focal HA (9/20, 45.0%). In focal HA, the middle and posterior HA were more frequent (6/9, 66.7%) than anterior HA. CONCLUSIONS: LRVC improved the sensitivity of MRI volumetry in detecting hippocampal sclerosis and could reveal the pattern (diffuse or focal) of HA. (J Korean Neurol Assoc 19(2):125~131, 2001)
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe* ; Hippocampus ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Pathology ; Reference Values ; Sclerosis* ; Temporal Lobe*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of glaucoma in the population of the rural Korean town, Sangju. METHODS: Residents of Sangju aged greater than 50 years old were included in this study. Participants completed an interview examining their medical and ophthalmic history Information was collected on the participants' uncorrected and best corrected vision scores, slit lamp examination results, angle width measurements using the Van Herick technique, gonioscopy if the angle width was less than 1 / 4 angle, intraocular pressure (IOP) assessed with the Goldmann applanation tonometry, optic disc examination results, and a visual field test results using frequency-doubling perimetry in cases in which glaucoma was suspected. Glaucoma was diagnosed according to the criteria described by the International Society for Geographic and Epidemiological Ophthalmology. RESULTS: 1,118 residents aged greater than 50 years were examined initially from a population of 2,984 people. Of these, 671 subjects (60%) participated in this study. The prevalence of glaucoma was determined to be 3.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.1-4.8). Open-angle glaucoma with low IOP was determined to be the most common form with a prevalence rate as high as 2.5% (95% CI, 1.8-3.7). Additionally, primary angle closure glaucoma was determined to have a prevalence rate of 0.3% (95% CI, 0.1-0.9). Open-angle glaucoma with low IOP accounted for 94.4% of the open-angle glaucoma cases. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of glaucoma among the population of rural Sangju was 3.4%, and open-angle glaucoma with low IOP was the most common form accounting for 94.4% of the total number of cases.
Age Distribution ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Glaucoma/*epidemiology/physiopathology ; Humans ; *Intraocular Pressure ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea ; Risk Factors ; *Rural Population ; *Urban Population

PURPOSE: To analyze the feasibility of three-dimensional (3D) diffusion-weighted (DW) PSIF (reversed FISP [fast imaging with steady-state free precession]) sequence in order to evaluate peripheral nerves in the elbow. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten normal, asymptomatic volunteers were enrolled (6 men, 4 women, mean age 27.9 years). The following sequences of magnetic resonance images (MRI) of the elbow were obtained using a 3.0-T machine: 3D DW PSIF, 3D T2 SPACE (sampling perfection with application optimized contrasts using different flip angle evolution) with SPAIR (spectral adiabatic inversion recovery) and 2D T2 TSE (turbo spin echo) with modified Dixon (m-Dixon) sequence. Two observers used a 5-point grading system to analyze the image quality of the ulnar, median, and radial nerves. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of each nerve were measured. We compared 3D DW PSIF images with other sequences using the Wilcoxon-signed rank test and Friedman test. Inter-observer agreement was measured using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analysis. RESULTS: The mean 5-point scores of radial, median, and ulnar nerves in 3D DW PSIF (3.9/4.2/4.5, respectively) were higher than those in 3D T2 SPACE SPAIR (1.9/2.8/2.8) and 2D T2 TSE m-Dixon (1.7/2.8/2.9) sequences (P < 0.05). The mean SNR in 3D DW PSIF was lower than 3D T2 SPACE SPAIR, but there was no difference between 3D DW PSIF and 2D T2 TSE m-Dixon in all of the three nerves. The mean CNR in 3D DW PSIF was lower than 3D T2 SPACE SPAIR and 2D T2 TSE m-Dixon in the median and ulnar nerves, but no difference among the three sequences in the radial nerve. CONCLUSION: The three-dimensional DW PSIF sequence may be feasible to evaluate the peripheral nerves around the elbow in MR imaging. However, further optimization of the image quality (SNR, CNR) is required.
Elbow Joint ; Elbow* ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Peripheral Nerves* ; Pilot Projects* ; Radial Nerve ; Signal-To-Noise Ratio ; Ulnar Nerve ; Volunteers