No abstract available.
Borrelia burgdorferi* ; Borrelia* ; Humans ; Korea*

Spinal epidural abscess is one of the rare disease, especially in child. We had experienced a case in 15 months old who was diagnosed by spinal tapping and epidurogram. Total laminectomy of L 1-2 and drainage of the abscess was successfuly performed and he recovered without residual symtoms after operation. A brief review of literatures was made.
Abscess ; Child* ; Drainage ; Epidural Abscess* ; Humans ; Infant ; Laminectomy ; Rare Diseases ; Spinal Puncture

Although microRNAs have emerged as key regulators in diverse cellular processes, the roles of microRNAs are poorly understood in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) during differentiation into specialized cell types. In this study, we used a microRNA array with 799 human microRNA probes to examine the expression profiles of microRNAs in hESCs during differentiation into endodermal and mesodermal lineages in vitro. Among the microRNAs analyzed, 7 and 20 microRNAs were enriched in the developmental process of hESCs into mesodermal and endodermal lineages, respectively. In particular, the expression levels of miR-200 family, which is known to regulate the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), gradually increased in hESCs during differentiation into hepatocytes while they gradually decreased during differentiation into vascular endothelial cells. Downregulation of ZEB1, a direct target of miR-200 family, and E-CADHERIN, a target protein of ZEB1, was observed in hESCs during differentiation into endodermal and mesodermal lineages, respectively. These results indicate that miR-200 family has an important role in determining the cell fate between endodermal and mesodermal lineages from the pluripotent state.
Cadherins ; Down-Regulation ; Endoderm ; Endothelial Cells ; Hepatocytes ; Human Embryonic Stem Cells* ; Humans ; Humans* ; In Vitro Techniques* ; Mesoderm ; MicroRNAs

PURPOSE: There have only been a few cytogenetic studies of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and so far, no consistent specific chromosomal abnormalities have been described. Here, we have used comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), a powerful molecular cytogenetic technique for detecting changes of the copy number throughout the genome, to screen for genetic alterations in HCC cell lines. The CGH results were compared with those derived from G-banding and chromosome painting. MATERIALS AND METGODS: Conventional cytogenetic analyses were performed on five HCC cell lines, SNU-354, SNU-368, SNU-387, SNU-449 and SNU-475, using a G- banding staining technique. In CGH, equal amounts of differently labeled DNA from the cell lines, and normal reference DNA, were hybridized simultaneously to normal metaphase chromosomes. They were visualized by different fluorochromes, and the signal intensities quantified separately as gray levels along the single chromosomes. The over- and under-represented DNA segments were determined by computation of ratio images and average ratio profiles. To confirm the CGH results, florescence in situ hybridization (FISH), with chromosome specific painting, was performed using indirectly labeled chromosome specific paints. RESULTS: Complex unbalanced chromosomal aberrations, which could not be identified reliably by conventional cytogenetics in HCC cell lines, were successfully resolved by CGH analysis. CGH results were validated using FISH with chromosome specific probes. In HCC cell lines, gains in DNA copy number were more common than losses. The most prominent changes were gains of 1q12- qter (80% of cases), 1q41-qter (100%), 7 (80%), 8q12-qter (60%), 8q23-qter (80%) and 20q12-qter (60%). Recurrent losses were mapped on 4q13-qter (60%), 16q12-qter (60%), 16q21-qter (80%), 13q12-q14.2 (60%) and Yq11.2 (100%). All four male HCC cell lines showed loss or rearrangement of the Y chromosome. CONCLUSION: Conventional cytogenetics, CGH and FISH using painting probes, represent complementary approaches that, when employed in combination, could greatly facilitate the comprehensive analysis of chromosomal imbalances in HCC cell lines. Our results suggest the existence of an oncogene, or protooncogenes, on chromosome 1q41-qter, and the tumor suppressor genes on Yq11.2, that play a role in the development and/or progression of hepatocellular carcinogenesis.
Carcinogenesis ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Cell Line* ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosome Painting ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1 ; Comparative Genomic Hybridization* ; Cytogenetic Analysis ; Cytogenetics ; DNA ; Fluorescent Dyes ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; Genome ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; Male ; Metaphase ; Oncogenes ; Paint ; Paintings ; Y Chromosome

PURPOSE: There are only a few cytogenetic studies in gastric cancer and so far no consistent specific chromosomal abnormalities have been described. In this study, we have used comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), a powerful molecular cytogenetic technique for detecting changes of the copy number throughout the genome, to screen for genetic alterations in gastric cancer cell lines. The CGH results were compared with those derived from G-banding and chromosome painting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Conventional cytogenetic analysis was performed on five human gastric cancer cell lines, AGS, SNU-1, SNU-16, SNU-620, and SNU-719, by a G-banding staining technique. In CGH, equal amounts of differently labeled DNA from the cell lines and normal reference DNA were hybridized simultaneously to normal metaphase chromosomes. They were visualized by different fluorochromes, and the signal intensities were quantitated separately as gray levels along the single chromosomes. The over- and under- represented DNA segments were determined by computation of ratio images and average ratio profiles. To confirm the CGH results, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with chromosome specific painting was performed using indirectly labeled chromosome specific paints. RESULTS: Complex unbalanced chromosomal aberrations that could not be identified reliably by conventional cytogenetics in gastric cancer cell lines were successfully resolved by CGH analysis. CGH results were validated by using FISH with chromosome specific probes. In gastric cancer cell lines, gains of DNA copy number were more common than losses. Gains were detected on 1p, 1q, 2p, 3q, 6p, 7q, 10q, 11p, and 19q, and losses were observed on 4p, 4q, 5q, 12p, 12q, and 18q. Interestingly, all the five gastric cancer cell lines tested showed gain of DNA copy number on the chromosome 20, suggesting an existence of oncogene. CONCLUSION: Conventional cytogenetics, CGH, and FISH using painting probes represent complementary approaches that, when employed in combination, could greatly facilitate the comprehensive analysis of chromosomal imbalances in gastric cancer cell lines. Our results suggest the existence of an oncogene or oncogenes on chromosome 20 that play a role in the development and/or the progression of gastric carcinogenesis.
Carcinogenesis ; Cell Line* ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosome Painting ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 20 ; Comparative Genomic Hybridization* ; Cytogenetic Analysis ; Cytogenetics ; DNA ; Fluorescence ; Fluorescent Dyes ; Genome ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; Metaphase ; Oncogenes ; Paint ; Paintings ; Stomach Neoplasms*

The change of venous capacitance has an influence on venous return to the heart and cardiac output, and causes the alteration of preload, cardiac filling pressure and myocardial wall tension. Venous capacitance is assesed by measuring the mean circulatory filling pressure (MCFP), and MCFP is measured during brief periods of circulatory arrest produced by inflating an indwelling balloon in the right atrium It is important to know the effects of vasodilator and anesthetic drugs on venous capacitance. Therefore, this study was performed to know the effects of nitroglycerin and diltiazem on venous capacitance in rats. Rats were anesthetized with ketamine 125 mg/kg given intraperitoneally and added 10 mg/kg every 30 minutes. Their mean arterial pressure (MAP) was lowered to 60 mmHg by intravenous injection of 0.82+/-0.36 mg/kg nitroglycerin and/or 6.7+/-1.5 mg/kg diltiazem. Hemodynamic parameters such as MAP, heart rate, central venous pressure and MCFP were measured before and after drug-injection. Hemodynamic values measured before drug-injection in two groups were little differences statistically. However, the MCFP of nitroglycerin was significantly decreased (p<0.01) from 7.3+/-0.61 mmHg to 5.4+/-0.58 mmHg after drug-injection, and that of diltiazem was not significantly changed from 7.1+/-0.54 mmHg to 6.9+/-0.63 mmHg. The results suggested that nitroglycerin was predominantly a venous dilator in terms of MCFP but diltiazem had little effect of venodilation.
Anesthetics ; Animals ; Arterial Pressure ; Cardiac Output ; Central Venous Pressure ; Diltiazem* ; Equidae ; Heart ; Heart Atria ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics ; Injections, Intravenous ; Ketamine ; Nitroglycerin* ; Rats*

Sialolithiasis is the most common disorder associatd with major salivary glands. It may form in any salivary glands or ducts, but is reported to occur more often in the submandibular gland than in the parotid or sublingual gland. Although the pathogenesis is not perfectly revealed, there appear to be several factors that predispose the submandibular gland duct to be a common site of sialolithiasis. Sialolithiasis occurs as a consequence of the precipitation of calcium salts around a central nidus of desquamated epithelial cells, inflammatory cells, mucoid gels or foreign body. However, it is not a common thing that foreign body entered into the salivary duct through duct orifice may act as the initiating factor. We have recently experienced a case in a 52-year-old female, in which sialolithiasis seems to have formed due to a a foreign body, a fish bone, in the right submandibular gland duct.
Calcium ; Epithelial Cells ; Female ; Foreign Bodies ; Gels ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Salivary Ducts ; Salivary Gland Calculi ; Salivary Glands ; Salts ; Sublingual Gland ; Submandibular Gland*

Recently, several investigators have begun to question the routine use of sodium bicsrbonate in metabolic acidosis, based on a failure to clearly demonstrate the efficacy of alkali therapy, which includes the production of carbon dioxide and variability of the effect on hemodynamic state. We studied the use of sodium bicarbonate in a canine model of hemorrhagic shock to determine its effect on arterial, mixed venous blood gases and hemodynamic states. Nine adult mongrel dogs were anesthetized with pentothal sodium and mechanical ventilation was adjusted to maintained the PaCO2 at 30 to 35mmHg. Ar Swan-Ganz catheter was inserted via a right femoral vein and the right femoral artery was cannulated for continuous pressure monitoring and intermittent blood sampling. 30 minutes after hemorrhagic shock, sodium bicarbonate (1mEq/kg) was administered and 1, 5, 15, 30 and 60 minutes after administration of sodium biearbonate we analyzed the arterial, mixed venous blood gases and measured hemodynamic states. The results were as follows, 1) The arterial carbon dioxide tensions(PaCO2) of 1,5,15,30 and 60 minutes after administration of sodium bicarbonate were 44,42,41,42 and 46mmHg which increased significantly compared to control value, 33mmHg. 2) The mixed venous carbon dioxide tensions(PvCO2) ofr 1, 5, 15, 30 and 60 minutes after administration of sodium bicarbonste were 57, 55, 56, 55 and 55mmHg which also increased significantly compared to control value, 46mmHg. 3) The mean arterial pressures of 1, 5, 15, 30 and 60 minutes after administration of sodium bicarbonate were 61, 60, 64, 68 and 70mmHg which increased significantly compared to control value, 50mmHg, but there were no increasements of cardiac output. It is undesirable to use sodium bicarbonate routinely during hemorrhagic shock because the use of sodium bicarbonate in metabolic acidosis increased arterial and mixed venous carbon dioxide tension and did not show the improvement of hemodynsmic derangement.
Acidosis ; Adult ; Alkalies ; Animals ; Arterial Pressure ; Carbon Dioxide* ; Carbon* ; Cardiac Output ; Catheters ; Dogs ; Femoral Artery ; Femoral Vein ; Gases ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Research Personnel ; Respiration, Artificial ; Shock, Hemorrhagic* ; Sodium Bicarbonate* ; Sodium* ; Thiopental

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Genomic imprinting is an inheritance phenomenon by which a subset of genes are expressed from one allele of two homologous chromosomes in a parent of origin-specific manner. Even though fine-tuned regulation of genomic imprinting process is essential for normal development, no other means are available to study genomic imprinting in human during embryonic development. In relation with this bottleneck, differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) into specialized lineages may be considered as an alternative to mimic human development. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, hESCs were differentiated into three lineage cell types to analyze temporal and spatial expression of imprinted genes. Of 19 imprinted genes examined, 15 imprinted genes showed similar transcriptional level among two hESC lines and two human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) lines. Expressional patterns of most imprinted genes were varied in progenitors and fully differentiated cells which were derived from hESCs. Also, no consistence was observed in the expression pattern of imprinted genes within an imprinting domain during in vitro differentiation of hESCs into three lineage cell types. CONCLUSIONS: Transcriptional expression of imprinted genes is regulated in a cell type-specific manner in hESCs during in vitro differentiation.
Alleles ; Embryonic Development ; Embryonic Stem Cells* ; Female ; Genomic Imprinting ; Human Development ; Humans ; Parents ; Pluripotent Stem Cells ; Pregnancy ; Wills

No abstract available.
Animals ; Cats* ; Classification*