No abstract available.
Genes, Viral* ; Hepatitis B virus* ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis*

The Korea's first-ever on-line biomedical ethics education class began in September 1999. The class, one of the 18 on-line lectures offered in the Fall Semester, 1999 by Seoul National University Virtual Campus, allows the Korean general public the opportunity to attend an SNU lecture. Although the discussion sites are limited to the randomly selected 40 students taking the 16-week-long course, any one can read the instructor's lecture on the Internet. (http://snuvc. snu.ac.kr/class/h601) The topics of this course include abortion, euthanasia, organ transplantation, human cloning and etc. As members of the team responsible for this unprecedented biomedical ethics education program in Korea, we, the authors, report the experiences that the team went through both in preparing for and running the course. We concludes from the experience that we had that 16 weeks are too long for an on-line course without academic credits or sufficient number of tutors. Also, we suggest that in the near future the on-line biomedical ethics course should be able to be used for continuing education of such medical professions as medical doctors and nurses.
Bioethics* ; Cloning, Organism ; Education ; Education, Continuing ; Euthanasia ; Humans ; Internet ; Korea ; Lectures ; Organ Transplantation ; Running ; Seoul ; Transplants

Transcriptional co-activator with a PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) is an important factor in lysophosphatidic acid (LPA)-induced promotion of migration and proliferation of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The expression of TAZ significantly increased at 6 h after LPA treatment, and TAZ knockdown inhibited the LPA-induced migration and proliferation of MSCs. In addition, embryonic fibroblasts from TAZ knockout mice exhibited the reduction in LPA-induced migration and proliferation. The LPA1 receptor inhibitor Ki16425 blocked LPA responses in MSCs. Although TAZ knockdown or knockout did not reduce LPA-induced phosphorylation of ERK and AKT, the MEK inhibitor U0126 or the ROCK inhibitor Y27632 blocked LPA-induced TAZ expression along with the reduction in the proliferation and migration of MSCs. Our data suggest that TAZ is an important mediator of LPA signaling in MSCs in the downstream of MEK and ROCK signaling.
Animals ; Fibroblasts ; Humans* ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells* ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Phosphorylation ; Receptors, Lysophosphatidic Acid

Transcriptional co-activator with a PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) is an important factor in lysophosphatidic acid (LPA)-induced promotion of migration and proliferation of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The expression of TAZ significantly increased at 6 h after LPA treatment, and TAZ knockdown inhibited the LPA-induced migration and proliferation of MSCs. In addition, embryonic fibroblasts from TAZ knockout mice exhibited the reduction in LPA-induced migration and proliferation. The LPA1 receptor inhibitor Ki16425 blocked LPA responses in MSCs. Although TAZ knockdown or knockout did not reduce LPA-induced phosphorylation of ERK and AKT, the MEK inhibitor U0126 or the ROCK inhibitor Y27632 blocked LPA-induced TAZ expression along with the reduction in the proliferation and migration of MSCs. Our data suggest that TAZ is an important mediator of LPA signaling in MSCs in the downstream of MEK and ROCK signaling.
Animals ; Fibroblasts ; Humans* ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells* ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Phosphorylation ; Receptors, Lysophosphatidic Acid

A 3-year-old girl presented with polydipsia and polyuria for last 2 years. Her fluid intake was 7~8 L/day, and urinalysis showed low osmolality and specific gravity. Central diabetes insipidus (DI) was diagnosed by a water deprivation test. Intranasal 1-desamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin relieved her symptoms and normalized urinary concentrations. A T1-weighted MRI scan revealed a symmetrical thickening of the central part of the pituitary stalk. Six months after the diagnosis of central DI, she developed papular skin lesions on her forehead. The lesions were surgically removed, and histologically classified as Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH). We concluded that thickening of the central part of the pituitary stalk might represent the first manifestation of LCH clinically presenting with central DI. In children with central DI, special attention should be paid to the appearance of the pituitary stalk using MRI for the various manifestations of LCH in the central nervous system.
Central Nervous System ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Diabetes Insipidus, Neurogenic* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Forehead ; Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Osmolar Concentration ; Pituitary Gland ; Polydipsia ; Polyuria ; Skin ; Specific Gravity ; Urinalysis ; Vasopressins ; Water Deprivation

Conidial development of Cordyceps militaris was observed from germinating ascospores and vegetative hyphae through light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Ascospores were discharged from fresh specimens of C. militaris in sterile water as well as Sabouraud Dextrose agar plus Yeast Extract (SDAY) plates. We observed ascospore germination and conidial formation periodically. Under submerged condition in sterile water, most part-spores germinated unidirectionally and conidia were developed directly from the tips of germinating hyphae of part-spores within 36 h after ascospore discharge, showing microcyclic conidiation. First-formed conidia were cylindrical or clavate followed by globose and ellipsoidal ones. Germination of ascospores and conidial development were observed on SDAY agar by SEM. Slimy heads of conidia on variously arranged phialides, from solitary to whorl, developed 5 days after ascospore discharge. Besides, two distinct types of conidia, elongated pyriform or cylindrical and globose, were observed in the same slimy heads by SEM. Conidia were shown to be uninucleate with 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining. Conidiogenous cells were more slender than vegetative hyphae, having attenuated tips. Microcyclic conidiation, undifferentiated conidiogenous hyphae (phialides), polymorphic conidia and solitary, opposite to whorled type of phialidic arrangement are reported here as the characteristic features of asexual stage of C. militaris, which can be distinguished from other Cordyceps species.
Agar ; Cordyceps* ; Germination ; Glucose ; Head ; Hyphae ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Spores, Fungal ; Water ; Yeasts

Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease (RD) is an immune-mediated, systemic fibroinflammatory condition characterized by a lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells, storiform fibrosis, and obliterative phlebitis. IgG4-RD has become recognized with increasing frequency since the turn of the century and may affect almost any organ. IgG4-RD also involves the meninges but, to the best of our knowledge, no case of IgG4-related intracranial pachymeningitis with periaortitis has been reported in Korea to date. Here, we report on a 65 year-old male with IgG4-RD involving the meninges and aorta.
Aorta ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Korea ; Male ; Meninges ; Meningitis* ; Phlebitis ; Plasma Cells

Acromegaly and hyperprolactinemia have been described in association with polyostotic fibrous dysplasia. The pathogenic mechanisms of this endocrinopathy are not clear. We experienced a 19-year-old male with hypersecretion of GH, hyperprolactinemia and fibrous dysplasia. He was referred for evaluation of suspected acromegaly. He had no skin pigmentation. Plasma GH, PRL, somatomedin-C, LH, FSH, testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, T3, T4, TSH and cortisol were measured. Among those, the levels of plasma GH, PRL and somatomedin-C were high. Serum alkaline phosphatase was increased. OGTT did not suppress plasma OH concentration and GH showed paradoxical response to TRH and LHRH. GH was suppressed after a test-dose of somatastatin and bromocriptine. Brain MRI demonstrated a mass lesion in sella turcica and another mass lesions in nasal cavity and posterior occipital bone. Whole body bone scan revealed increased uptake in skull, nasal bone, both 9th posterior rib, both femurs, both tibias, left scapular and pelvic bone. These fmdings were consistent with bone tumor such as fibrous dysplasia. We report a case with incomplete MeCune-Albright syndrome including acromegaly, hyperprolactinemia and polyostotic fibrous dysplasia.
Acromegaly ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Brain ; Bromocriptine ; Estradiol ; Femur ; Fibrous Dysplasia, Polyostotic ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Hyperprolactinemia ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Nasal Bone ; Nasal Cavity ; Occipital Bone ; Pelvic Bones ; Plasma ; Progesterone ; Ribs ; Sella Turcica ; Skin Pigmentation ; Skull ; Testosterone ; Tibia ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: To evaluate the MRI findings of acute facial nerve paralysis in Bell's palsy and herpes zosteroticus, and to correlate these with the clinical findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed theMRI findings in six cases of Bell's palsy(BP) and two of herpes zoster oticus(HZO), and compared them with thefindings for 30 normal facial nerves. This nerve was considered abnormal when its signal intensity was greaterthan that of brain parenchyma or the contralateral normal side on Gd-enhanced T1-weighted axial and coronal MRimages. We analysed the location and degree of contrast enhancement, interval change, and clinical progression incorrelation with House-Brackmann(HB) grade and electroneuronography(ENoG) findings. RESULTS: Fifteen of 30 normalfacial nerves(50%) seen on Gd-enhanced MRI were mildly enhanced in the geniculate ganglion, the proximal tympanic,and the proximal mastoid segment of the facial nerve. No enhancement of the internal auditory canal(IAC) orlabyrinthine segment of the facial nerve was noted, however. In BP and HZO, Gd-enhanced MR images revealed fair tomarked enhancement for more than two segments from the internal auditory canal to the mastoid segment of thefacial nerve. During follow-up MRI, enhancement of the facial nerve varied in location and signal intensity,though gradually decreased in intensity approximately eight weeks after the onset of facial nerve palsy. Nocorrelation between clinical HB grade, ENoG, and follow up MRI findings was noted. CONCLUSION: Except in theinternal auditory canal and labyrinthine segment, normal facial neve may show mild and relatively symmetricalenhancement. In BP and HZO, the facial nerve showed diffuse enhancement from the IAC to the mastoid segment.
Bell Palsy* ; Brain ; Facial Nerve ; Follow-Up Studies ; Geniculate Ganglion ; Herpes Zoster Oticus* ; Herpes Zoster* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Mastoid ; Paralysis ; Retrospective Studies

Alginate gel is widely used as a scaffold in tissue engineering. Alginate solution has anionic properties, and calcium or magnesium cation has been used to crosslink alginate into a gel form. Chitosan not only has cationic properties but also is known to promote wound healing. Although there are some studies of chitosan- alginate gel use in drug delivery, reports of its application as a scaffold in tissue engineering are rare. The purpose of this study is to make chitosan-alginate gel and to investigate its biocompatibility as a scaffold for preadipocyte culture. 1, 2, 4, 6% chitosan solutions were mixed with 2% alginate solution to make various concentrations of chitosan-alginate gels. All of the gel which were made have been measured by Viscometer. Preadipocytes obtained from human breast fat tissue were seeded into each chitosan-alginate gel, and cell viability was measured by XTT colorimetric assay on the 2th, 4th, and 7th day of preadipocyte culture. The results of analysis were as follows. Each viscosity of 4% and 6% chitosan-alginate gels is similar to that of the calcium-alginate gel and 4% and 6% chitosan-alginate gels shows significantly higher cell viability than the calcium-alginate gel(p<0.05). In conclusion, chitosan-alginate gel is thought to be an appropriate scaffold for preadipocyte culture in tissue engineering.
Breast ; Calcium ; Cell Survival ; Chitosan ; Gels ; Humans ; Magnesium ; Tissue Engineering ; Viscosity ; Wound Healing