No abstract available.
Humans ; Infant* ; Infant, Newborn* ; Reference Values*

It is very important to estimate the future medical care expenditure, because medical care expenditure escalation is a big problem not only in the health industry but also in the Korean economy today. This study was designed to project the medical care expenditure in view of population age change. The data of this study were the population projection data based on National Census Data (1990) of the National Statistical Office and the Statistical Reports of the Korea Medical Insurance Corporation. The future medical care expenditure was eatimated by the regression model and the optional simulation model. The significant results are as follows; 1. The future medical care expenditure will be 3,963 billion Won in the year 2000, 4,483 billion Won in 2010, and 4,826 billion Won in 2020, based on the 1990 market price considering only the population age change. 2. The proportion of the total medical care expenditure in the elderly over 65 will be 10. 4% in 2000, 13.5% in 2010, and 16.9% in 2020. 3. The future medical care expenditure will be 4,306 billion Won in the year 2000, 5,1101 billion Won in 2010, and 5, 699 billion Won in 2020 based on the 1990 market price considering the age structure change and the change of the case-cost estimated by the regression model. 4. When we consider the age-structure change and inflation compared with the preceding year, the future medical care expenditurein 2020 will be 21 trillion Won based on a 5% inflation rate, 42 trillion Won based on a 7.5% inflation rate, and 84 trillion Won based on a 10% inflation rate. Consideration of the aged (65 years old and over)will be essential to understand the acute increase of medical care expenditure due to changes in age structure of the population. Therefore, alternative policies and programs for the caring of the aged should be further studied.
Aged ; Censuses ; Population Forecast ; Health Expenditures* ; Humans ; Inflation, Economic ; Insurance ; Korea

The pulmonary cytology has reached a high level of accuracy. By the examination of the sputum and/or bronchial brushings, it is now possible to make a diagnosis in 70% to 90% of patients with cancer. Primary melanoma of the lung is very rare and there have been reported about 20 cases in the world literature. We present a case of primary malignant melanoma of the lung in a 61-year-old male diagnosed by cytologic examination of sputum, bronchial brushing and aspirated pleural fluid. Histologic examination of bronchoscopic biopsy and examination of the skin and other primary sites confirmed the diagnosis.
Male ; Humans ; Biopsy

No abstract available.
Humans ; Infant, Newborn*

Adenosquamous carcinoma of stomach is a mixed glandular-epidermoid tumor where both components are neoplastic. Its incidence is extremely rare. The five theories on the origin of squamous components are 1) island of ectopic squamous epithelium in the gastric mucosa, 2) squamous metaplasia of gastric epithelium, 3) squamous differentiation in a preexisting adenocarcinoma, 4) endothelial cell differentiated toward squamous elements, and 5) totipotential undifferentiated cells of the gastric mucosa. We experienced three cases of adenosquamous carcinoma. Case 1 was a 71-year-old female patient; an ulcerative lesion was present in the pylorus, measuring 5 cm in diameter. Case 2 was a 57-year-old male patient; an ulcerative lesion is present in the pylorus, measuring 6 cm in diameter. Case 3 was a 58-year-old female patient; an ulcerative lesion was present in the body and fundus, measuring 10 cm in diameter. Microscopic examination revealed a mixed malignant squamous and adenomatous component.
Adenocarcinoma ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Adenosquamous* ; Endothelial Cells ; Epithelium ; Female ; Gastric Mucosa ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Metaplasia ; Middle Aged ; Pylorus ; Stomach* ; Ulcer

A case of ependymoma originated in pelvic cavity is reported. Metastasis to regional lymph nodes and abdominal cavity developed. This tumor is thought to arise from heterotopic ependymal rests. The patient was 32 year old woman. A 10.0x7.0x7.0 cm sized mass was located between the uterus and rectum, which was attached to the rectal wall. It was a well circumscribed tumor with massive hemorrhage and necrosis. Histologically, tumor showed variegated appearance. Plump oval or round cells were arranged oval of elongated cells with fibrillary cytoplasmic process. Occasionally perivascular pseudorosette and ependymal rosette were seen. Immunohistochemical staining for GFAP showed intense positivity. Ultrastructural examination showed intracytoplasmic microfilaments, cilia, microvilli, and blepharoplasts.
Female ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis

No abstract available.
Molecular Biology*

PURPOSE: Replication error is an important mechanism in carcinogenesis. The microsatellite instability (MSI-H) of colorectal cancers is associated with the development of multiple cancers. The influence of MSI-H on the development of multiple gastric cancers in sporadic gastric cancer patients has not been defined. This study was performed to reveal the association between the clinicopathologic features and MSI in sporadic gastric cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between July 2004 and March 2009, the clinicopathologic characteristics, including MSI status, were evaluated in 128 consecutive patients with sporadic gastric cancers. None of the patients had hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer of familial gastric cancer. The markers that were recommended by the NCI to determine the MSI status for colorectal cancers were used. RESULTS: MSI-H cancers were found in 10.9% of the patients (14/128). Synchronous gastric cancers were shown in 4 patients (3.1%). Synchronous cancers were found in 2 of 14 patients with MSI-H gastric cancer (14.3%) and 2 of 114 patients with MSS gastric cancer (1.8%; P=0.059, Fisher's exact test). Among the patients with synchronous cancer 50% (2/4) had MSI-H cancer, but 9.7% of the patients (12/124) without synchronous cancer had MSI-H cancer. MSI-H (RR, 24.7; 95% CI, 1.5~398.9; P=0.024) was related with to synchronous gastric cancer, but age, gender, family history, histologic type, location, gross morphology, size, and stage were not related to synchronous gastric cancer. CONCLUSIONS: MSI is associated with the intestinal-type gastric cancer and the presence of multiple gastric cancers in patients with sporadic gastric cancer. Special attention to the presence of synchronous and the development of metachronous multiple cancer in patients with MSI-H gastric cancer is needed.
Colorectal Neoplasms ; Humans ; Microsatellite Instability ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Succinimides

BACKGROUND: This study investigates the prevalance of HBV precore mutant in chronic B hepatitis patients and whether HBV precore mutants affect hepatic inflammation and response to interferon alfa. METHODS: HBV DNA in liver tissue from 48 chronic hepatitis patients was amplified by polymerase chain reaction. The HBV precore mutants were detected by direct sequencing of amplified PCR products. Thirty-three HBeAg-positive patients (Group 1: wild- type, Group 2: mixed) were received 3-6 MU INF three times a week for 4-6 months. We did follow-ups for at least six months(mean : Group 1-11.3, Group 2- 13.7 months). A complete responder was defined as persistent(>6 months) normalization of transaminase and loss of HBeAg and/or seroconversion. RESULTS: The HBV precore mutants were found in 15 cases(31.2%) among 48 patients: 7 cases(21.2%) in 33 HBeAg-positive patients and 8 cases(53.3%) in 15 HBeAg-negative patients. The HBV precore mutants were more frequently found in HBeAg-negative patients(p= 0.043). Differences in severity of hepatic pathology were not observed in the wild-type versus mutant-type chronic hepatitis B patients(p =1.00). Initial response rate was not significantly different between two Groups(p= 0.228), but complete response rate had a lower tendency in Group 2 (p=0.073). CONCLUSION: There is a tendency for HBV precore mutants to be less responsive to INF therapy than wild type. Therefore the patients with chronic hepatitis B should be treated as early as possible in natural history of their liver disease before the emergence of HBV precore mutants.
DNA ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis ; Hepatitis B e Antigens* ; Hepatitis B, Chronic* ; Hepatitis, Chronic* ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Interferon-alpha ; Interferons* ; Liver Diseases ; Liver* ; Natural History ; Pathology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

BACKGROUND: Combining blepharoptosis correction with double eyelid blepharoplasty is common in East Asian countries where larger eyes are viewed as attractive. This trend has made understanding the relationship between brow position and height of the palpebral fissure all the more important in understanding post-operative results. In this study, authors attempt to quantify this relationship in order to assess whether the expected postoperative brow descent should be taken into consideration when determining the amount of ptosis to correct. METHODS: Photographs of ten healthy female study participants were taken with brow at rest, with light elevation and with forceful elevation. These photographs were then viewed at 2 x magnification on a computer monitor and caliper was used to measure the amount of pull on the eyebrow in relation to the actual increase in vertical fissure of the eye. RESULTS: There was a positive, linear correlation between amount of eyebrow elevation and height of the palpebral fissure, which was statistically significant. Brow elevation increased vertical fissure, and thereby aperture of the eye, by 18%. CONCLUSIONS: Although the eye-opening strength as well as height of the palpebral fissure is improved with ptosis repair, the true effectiveness of ptosis surgery is diminished by the associated descent of the brow from relief of the involuntary frontalis muscle action and this should be taken into account prior to surgical intervention. Regardless, the combination of frontalis muscle relaxation and the increased eye-opening strength from ptosis repair gives the eye and the periorbital region a more natural look.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Blepharoplasty ; Blepharoptosis* ; Eyebrows* ; Eyelids ; Female ; Humans ; Muscle Relaxation ; Muscles