Liver biopsies are used routinely in the assessment of graft dysfunction following liver transplantation and generally considered to be the most reliable method for the diagnosis of posttransplant complications with overlapping clinical and laboratory findings. To investigate posttransplant complications causing graft dysfunction and usefulness of liver biopsy, we analysed clinicopathologic features of 65 posttransplant liver biopsies, 2 autopsies and an explanted liver, taken from 20 patients. The frequencies of posttransplant complications were acute cellular rejection in 9 patients (45%), postoperative infection in 11 patients (55%), of which cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and systemic invasive aspergillosis with candidiasis occured in 10 patients (50%) and 1 patient (5%), respectively. Remainders were hepatic arterial thrombosis in two (10%), primary graft dysfunction due to fatty donor liver in one (5%), and posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) in two (10%). There were no chronic rejection or recurrent disease. Postoperative mortality was 25%. Histologic grade by Banff schema was well correlated with clinical parameters associated with unfavorable short term prognosis. CMV infection was associated with acute cellular rejection in 6 out of 10 patients (60%). Immunohistochemical staining for CMV was more sensitive method than CMV in situ hybridization or histologic detection of viral inclusion on tissue section. It was unique that one case of PTLD developed under the circumstances of the lowest dosage of immunosuppression and took grave outcome. Based on these results, we concluded that clinicopathologic correlation with integration of all the clinical and laboratory findings is necessary in the interpretation of accurate and early diagnosis of posttransplant liver biopsies. The interrelationship between chronic rejection and CMV infection as well as pathogenetic factors of PTLD remains to be clarified through further ongoing observation.
Aspergillosis ; Autopsy ; Biopsy* ; Candidiasis ; Cytomegalovirus ; Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Immunosuppression ; In Situ Hybridization ; Liver Transplantation ; Liver* ; Lymphoproliferative Disorders ; Mortality ; Primary Graft Dysfunction ; Prognosis ; Thrombosis ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants

BACKGROUND: Skin biopsy is an effective diagnostic tool commonly used in dermatology practice. Clinicopathologic correlation is important for diagnostic accuracy. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the distribution of skin biopsy specimens, and compare the pathologic diagnosis with the final dermatologic diagnosis. METHODS: This study included 4,018 skin biopsy specimens taken during a period of 10 years from June 1995 to May 2005 at the Department of Dermatology, Korea University Anam Hospital. RESULTS & CONCLUSION: Of all biopsy specimens, 61.49% were diagnosed as tumors, and 38.51% were diagnosed as non-tumors. For the tumors, 87.15% were benign, 4.23% were premalignant and 8.62% were malignant. The rate of concordance between pathologic diagnosis and final dermatologic diagnosis was 76.69%, and the rate of discordance between them was 4.18%. The rate of description without a pathologic diagnosis in pathologic reports was 18.94%. The rate of concordance was higher in tumors (89.65%) than in non-tumors (56.00%), and the rate of description in pathologic reports was higher in non-tumors (39.08%) than in tumors (6.32%). There was no significant difference in the rates of discordance between tumors and non-tumors. The rate of concordance was higher in malignant tumors (95.72%) than in benign tumors (89.77%) or premalignant tumors (74.76%). The rate of description in pathologic reports was higher in premalignant tumors (18.45%) than in benign tumors (6.27%) or malignant tumors (0.95%). There was no significant difference in the rates of discordance between the three groups.
Biopsy ; Dermatology ; Diagnosis* ; Korea ; Skin Diseases* ; Skin* ; Statistics as Topic*

Most of thyroid lymphomas are B-lineage, and T-cell lymphomas are rare. Here, we report a case of primary thyroid T-cell lymphoma associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. A 48-yr-old woman presented with incidentally found neck mass. Histologically, the resected right lobe of the thyroid was replaced by monomorphic small atypical lymphoid cells with lymphoepithelial lesion-like change, most of which were immunoreactive for CD3, CD8, betaF-1, and TIA-1. Peripheral T-cell lymphoma, unspecified, was finally diagnosed after molecular study for TCR-gamma gene rearrangement. This is the second case of cytotoxic T-cell lymphoma reported in the thyroid gland so far. Unique association between thyroid follicles and neoplastic lymphocytes may be characteristic feature of this type of T-cell lymphoma.
Female ; Hashimoto Disease/*pathology ; Humans ; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone/*pathology ; Lymphoma, T-Cell/*pathology ; Middle Aged ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology/pathology ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/immunology/pathology ; Thyroid Gland/*pathology

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Several recent studies have claimed that cancer cells can be reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). However, in most cases, cancer cells seem to be resistant to cellular reprogramming. Furthermore, the underlying mechanisms of limited reprogramming in cancer cells are largely unknown. Here, we identified the candidate barrier genes and their target genes at the early stage of reprogramming for investigating cancer reprogramming.METHODS: We tried induction of pluripotency in normal human fibroblasts (BJ) and both human benign (MCF10A) and malignant (MCF7) breast cancer cell lines using a classical retroviral reprogramming method. We conducted RNA-sequencing analysis to compare the transcriptome of the three cell lines at early stage of reprogramming.RESULTS: We could generate iPSCs from BJ, whereas we were unable to obtain iPSCs from cancer cell lines. To address the underlying mechanism of limited reprogramming in cancer cells, we identified 29 the candidate barrier genes based on RNA-sequencing data. In addition, we found 40 their target genes using Cytoscape software.CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that these genes might one of the roadblock for cancer cell reprogramming. Furthermore, we provide new insights into application of iPSCs technology in cancer cell field for therapeutic purposes.
Breast Neoplasms ; Cell Line ; Cellular Reprogramming ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells ; Methods ; Transcriptome ; Zidovudine

Malignant germ cell tumore occur in children and young women in reproductive age, of all the germ cell maligaanci orily pure dysgerminiomas had a high cure rate prior to 1970. This was due to the exquisite wdioseneitivity of these tumors. Multiple agent chemotherapy has dramatieally improved the pr nosis af patients with malignant ovarian germ cell tumors. The purpose of this study is to report the experience at Aaan Medical Center, department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, in 16 patients withmalignant ovarian germ cell tumors treated between July, l989 and June, l994. We analyzed the effect of age, histolagic subtype, FIGO stage, surgical pmcedurse and regimens of chemotherapy, on the prognosis of thwe tumors. The results obtained were as follows: 1. In histologic subtypes, dysgenninoma(38.0%), endodermal sinus tumor(25.0%), squamous cell carcinoma arising in mature cystic teratoma(19.0%), mixed cell tumor(6.0%), immature teratoma(6.0%), malignant ectodermal tumor in mature cystic teratoma(6.0%), were counted in order. 2. No site predilection was identifed. 3. Main initial symptoms were abdominal distension(31.0%), abdominal pain(31.0%), abdominal mass palpation(25.0%), amenorrhea(6.0%) in order. 4. Multiple tumor markers were considered to be useful in diagnosis and follow up of malignant germ cell tumors of ovary. 5. The mean age of malignant ovarian germ cell tumors was 29.5 years, and 11 cases(69.3%) of tumors under the age of 30.0 years. 6. The survival rate seemed to be decreased with advancing FIGO stage.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Child ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Ectoderm ; Endoderm ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Germ Cells* ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal* ; Obstetrics ; Ovary* ; Prognosis ; Survival Rate ; Biomarkers, Tumor

Dendritic cells (DCs) are key modulators that shape the immune system. In mucosal tissues, DCs act as surveillance systems to sense infection and also function as professional antigen-presenting cells that stimulate the differentiation of naive T and B cells. On the basis of their molecular expression, DCs can be divided into several subsets with unique functions. In this review, we focus on intestinal DC subsets and their function in bridging the innate signaling and adaptive immune systems to maintain the homeostasis of the intestinal immune environment. We also review the current strategies for manipulating mucosal DCs for the development of efficient mucosal vaccines to protect against infectious diseases.
Animals ; Dendritic Cells/*immunology/metabolism ; Humans ; Immunity, Mucosal ; Intestinal Mucosa/cytology/*immunology ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer/immunology

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of coculture with human oviductal cells regarding the development of 1-cell stage ICR mouse embryos and to investigate the effects of duration and start time of coculture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ICR mice were superovulated with PMSG/hCG and 1-cell stage mouse embryos were recruited. 1-cell mouse embryos were cocultured on human oviductal cells in a CO2 incubator(coculture group) and were cultured on 0.4 % BSA+HTF media(control group)(Experiment 1). 1-cell mouse embryos were cocultured on human oviductal cells for 36, 44, 52, 60 hours after hCG IP respectively, and then were transferred to 0.4 % BSA+HTF media(Experiment 2). In comparison, 1-cell mouse embryos were cultured by using 0.4 % BSA+HTF media, and then were transferred to human oviductal cell coculture system using the same schedule(Experiment 3). Afterward, they were examined regarding the development to 2-cell, 4~8 cell stage mouse embryos, morulas and blastocysts. RESULTS: In experiment 1, the developmental rates to 2-cell embryos of coculture group and control group were 97.3 % and 98.7 %, respectively. After 2-cell embryos, coculture group showed significantly higher developmental rate than control group (p<0.05). In experiment 2, the developmental rates after 2-cell embryos showed the significant differences. The groups with coculture effects removed before post-hCG 60 hours showed significantly lower developmental rates (p<0.05). In experiment 3, the developmental rates after 2-cell embryos were higher when the coculture started at an earlier stage. Furthermore, the groups which were cocultured from post-hCG 52 hours exhibited significant lower developmental rate than the groups which were cocultured continuously (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The coculture with human oviductal cell could improve the development of the embryos in vitro and might mimic the natural physiological condition better than media environment. The degree of improvement was more pronounced when the coculture started at an earlier stage and the duration of coculture was longer. More importantly, the changes of culture condition at post-hCG 52 hours in which secondary mitosis occurs, have significant detrimental effects on growth and development of mouse embryos.
Animals ; Blastocyst ; Coculture Techniques* ; Embryonic Structures* ; Growth and Development ; Humans* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR* ; Mitosis ; Morula ; Oviducts*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the depression and anxiety level of caregivers of stroke patient according to the severity and duration of disability and family type. METHOD: The subjects were 38 caregivers of stroke patient, 39 mothers of cerebral palsy patient and 20 caregivers with nondisabled admission patient in general ward (control). The subjects completed Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Ego strength scale and Family Adaption and Cohesion Evaluation Scales. The data were statistically alalyzed. RESULTS: The caregivers of stroke patient showed significantly higher level of BDI and state anxiety inventory (p<0.01) than control group, but there were no significant difference in the trait-anxiety inventry. There were no significant differences in the BDI and State- Ttrait Anxiety inventory according to the severity and duration of disability and family type. There were no significant difference in the BDI and State-Ttrait Anxiety inventory between caregivers of stroke patient and mothers of cerebral palsy patient. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to consider depression and anxiety in caregivers with stroke patient and support their psychologic aspect for the comprehensive rehabilitation.
Anxiety* ; Caregivers* ; Cerebral Palsy ; Depression* ; Ego ; Humans ; Mothers ; Patients' Rooms ; Rehabilitation ; Stroke* ; Weights and Measures

BACKGROUND: Histological analysis of tuberculosis shows a spectrum of findings, from well formed granulmatous inflammation with few bacilli in patient with normal immune response to M. tuberculosis to poorly formed granulomatous inflammation with many bacilli in patient with defective immune response. To evaluate the degree of immune response to M. tuberculosis, we studied the histologic features, including the presence of acid fast bacilli(AFB) in lymph node of patients with cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis, and compared them with clinical characteristics. METHODS: We reviewed the histologic features of 33 cases of cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis and processed the excised nodes for auramine-rhodamine staining to detect AFB. The AFB positivity in tissue was compared with the histologic features(degree of granuloma formation, presence of caseation necrosis, presence of neutrophilic infiltration) and clinical characteristics (lymph node size, duration of symptom, presence of local symptom or radiologic evidence of pulmonary tuberculosis). RESULTS: 1) The mean age at diagnosis was 42.4 years, and male to female ratio was 1 : 45. 2) Histologically, all cases showed well formed granuloma and variable degrees of caseation necrosis, and 39% of the cases showed neutrophilic infiltration in the granulomatous inflammation. 3) AFB were confirmed in 52% of the cases, and they were found extracellularly and at the periphery of caseation necrosis. 4) There was no association between AFB Positivity and histological features or clinical characteristics. CONCLUSION: Cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis showed well formed granulomatous inflammation with caseation necrosis, and there was no association between AFB positivity in the tissue and histological or clinical characteristics.
Diagnosis ; Female ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphadenitis ; Male ; Necrosis ; Neutrophils ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Lymph Node*

Infection with invasive Shigella species results in intestinal inflammation in humans but no symptoms in adult mice. To investigate why adult mice are resistant to invasive shigellae, 6~8-week-old mice were infected orally with S. flexneri 5a. Shigellae successfully colonized the small and large intestines. Mild cell death was seen but no inflammation. The infected bacteria were cleared 24 hours later. Microarray analysis of infected intestinal tissue showed that several genes that are involved with the sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) signaling pathway, a lipid mediator which mediates immune responses, were altered significantly. Shigella infection of a human intestinal cell line modulated host S1P-related genes to reduce S1P levels. In addition, co-administration of S1P with shigellae could induce inflammatory responses in the gut. Here we propose that Shigella species have evasion mechanisms that dampen host inflammatory responses by lowering host S1P levels in the gut of adult mice.
Adult ; Animals ; Bacteria ; Cell Death ; Cell Line ; Colon ; Humans ; Inflammation* ; Intestines ; Mice* ; Microarray Analysis ; Shigella ; Shigella flexneri*