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

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to develop a technique for creating a computerized composite maxillofacial-dental model, based on point-based surface best fit algorithm and to test its accuracy. The computerized composite maxillofacial-dental model was made by the three dimensional combination of a 3-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) bone model with digital dental model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This integration procedure mainly consists of following steps : 1) a reconstruction of a virtual skull and digital dental model from CT and laser scanned dental model ; 2) an incorporation of dental model into virtual maxillofacial-dental model by point-based surface best fit algorithm; 3) an assessment of the accuracy of incorporation. To test this system, CTs and dental models from 3 volunteers with cranio-maxillofacial deformities were obtained. And the registration accuracy was determined by the root mean squared distance between the corresponding reference points in a set of 2 images. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Fusion error for the maxillofacial 3D CT model with the digital dental model ranged between 0.1 and 0.3 mm with mean of 0.2 mm. The range of errors were similar to those reported elsewhere with the fiducial markers. So this study confirmed the feasibility and accuracy of combining digital dental model and 3D CT maxillofacial model. And this technique seemed to be easier for us that its clinical applicability can good in the field of digital cranio-maxillofacial surgery.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Dental Models ; Fiducial Markers ; Skull

This study was designed to identify expression of calcium-binding proteins and synaptic reorganizations of dentate mossy fibers in hippocampal sclerosis of human temporal lobe epilepsy. Hippocampal neuronal density was quantitively analyzed in temporal lobe epilepsy group (n=50) to investigate the degree of hippocampal sclerosis and it was compared with that of autopsy control (n=3). To verify the distribution of calcium-binding proteins in neurons of epileptic hippocampi, the parvalbumin (PV)-immunoreactive and calbindin-D28K (CB)-immunoreactive neurons were quantitively analyzed in each area of Ammon's horn by immunohistochemical stain. Also, to clarify synaptic reorganizations of the dentate mossy fibers, a part of each hippocampus was examined under light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy using Timm sulphide silver method. In epileptic hippocampi, severity of hippocampal sclerosis (HS) was graded four, which consisted of 3 cases with no HS, 6 mild HS, 12 moderate HS, and 29 severe HS. The hippocampal neuronal loss was most prominent in CA1, followed by CA4 and CA2. Expression of calcium-binding proteins was more prevalent in CA2 of all groups. The proportion of PV-immunoreactive neurons in CA1 and CA4 significantly increased in the moderate and severe HS group, whereas the proportion of CB-immunoreactive neurons did not correlated with the severity of HS. Timm granules were noted in inner molecular supragranular layer of dentate gyrus of epileptic hippocampi and they tended to increase in proportion along with the severity of hippocampal sclerosis. Transmission electron microscopy showed that supragranular Timm granules corresponded to synaptic terminals of mossy fibers. These results suggest that parvalbumin appears to have more protective effect against neuronal loss and that mossy fiber synaptic reorganization seems to play a major role in pathogenesis of hippocampal sclerosis of human temporal lobe epilepsy.
Autopsy ; Calbindin 1 ; Calcium* ; Calcium-Binding Proteins* ; Dentate Gyrus ; Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe* ; Hippocampus ; Humans ; Microscopy ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Nerve Fibers, Myelinated ; Neurons ; Presynaptic Terminals ; Sclerosis* ; Silver ; Temporal Lobe*

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B (MEN 2B) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by medullary thyroid cancer, pheochromocytoma, neuroma and Marfanoid feature. Medullary thyroid cancer occurs in more than 95% patients of MEN 2B and increases mortality. So, the early diagnosis of multiple endocrine neoplasia is very important, because in the early diagnosed and treated medullary thyroid cancer, the prognosis is excellent. This is a case of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B that diagnosed early by conjunctival neuroma. A 15-year-old female patient was presented with both conjunctival masses that occurred 6 months ago. The excisional biopsy revealed conjunctival neuroma. The multiple endocrine tumor was suspected, further evaluation was performed. Medullary thyroid cancer was confirmed by thyroid ultrasound and fine needle aspiration. Finally, MEN type 2B was confirmed by a RET mutation genetic testing.
Adolescent ; Biopsy ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Genetic Testing ; Humans ; Male ; Mortality ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2b* ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia* ; Neuroma* ; Pheochromocytoma ; Prognosis ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Ultrasonography

Objective: To assess the relevance of electrodiagnosis (EDX) in the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the nerve root of patients with cervical radiculopathy (CR) by using high-resolution ultrasonography (HRUS). Methods: The CSAs of the cervical nerve roots at C5, C6, and C7 were measured bilaterally using HRUS in 29 patients with unilateral CR whose clinical symptoms, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, and EDX results: corresponded with each other (CR-A group), and in 26 patients with unilateral CR whose clinical symptoms and MRI findings matched with each other but did not correspond with the EDX findings (CR-B group). Results The CSA of the affected side in each nerve root was significantly larger than that of the unaffected side in both the CR-A and CR-B groups. The side-to-side difference in the bilateral CSAs of the nerve root and the ratio of the CSAs between the unaffected and affected sides were statistically larger in the CR-A group than in the CR-B group. Conclusion The increased CSAs in the CR-A group reflect the physiological changes of the cervical nerve root, which is supported by the EDX findings.

Although bladder cancers are very common, little is known about their molecular pathogenesis. It is known, that p53 alteration is found in about 60%p of muscleinvasive bladder cancer, necessiating aggressive therapy and poor outcome. We examined the nuclear expression of p53 protein, using D07 monoclonal antibody in the urine samples, from 31 patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder to investigate the correlation of p53 overexpression with histologic grades and depth of invasion. The positive rate of p53 protein was 27%o in superficial bladder tumor, but increased up to 71% in the invasive bladder carcinomas. The overexpression of p53 protein increased according to Mostofi grading system from 18% in grade I, 45% in grade Il, and up to 100% in grade ill. The p53 expression tended to be higher in the invasive and high grade bladder cancers than in the superficial and low grade ones(p<0.05). These results suggest that immunohistochemical analysis of the urine specimen in the bladder cancer patients could be a useful method of screening for the presence of p53 mutant protein. The mutant p53 protein expression may be an indicator of bladder cancer with more proliferative potential and/or aggressive biologic behavior.
Carcinoma, Transitional Cell ; Genes, p53* ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Mass Screening ; Mutant Proteins ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms* ; Urinary Bladder*

Schwannoma is a benign encapsulated nerve sheath tumor and is histologically characterized by a mixture of Antoni type A and B tissue. A preoperative diagnosis of schwannoma by fine needle aspiration cytology or by any other means is important to preserve clinically important nerves. Therefore, it is necessary to make a specific cytological diagnosis of nerve sheath tumor. However, there are a few reports regarding cytological features of schwannoma in Korea. We experienced seven cases of solitary schwannoma and here we report their characteristic cytological features with a review of literatures. The characteristic features of schwannoma on cytology were the presence of both Antoni type A and B tissue. The cytologic findings common to all cases of schwannoma generally corresponded to the histologic findings of Antoni type A tissue, consisting of fragments of tightly cohesive fascicles with variable cellularity. Dense fibrillary substances were found, along with palisading nuclei and Verocay bodies. Individual tumor cells consisted of cohesive cells having spindle or oval nuclei, with pointed ends and indistinct cell borders. Variation in nuclear size and shape was also present. The Antoni type B consisted of scattered wavy or short spindle cells and some histiocytes and lymphocytes in the abundant myxoid background with formation of microcysts. Immunohistochemistry for S-100 protein revealed a uniformly strong positive reaction and was helpful to make more accurate diagnosis of schwannoma.
Biopsy, Fine-Needle* ; Diagnosis ; Histiocytes ; Immunohistochemistry ; Korea ; Lymphocytes ; Neurilemmoma* ; S100 Proteins

Objective: To assess the relevance of electrodiagnosis (EDX) in the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the nerve root of patients with cervical radiculopathy (CR) by using high-resolution ultrasonography (HRUS). Methods: The CSAs of the cervical nerve roots at C5, C6, and C7 were measured bilaterally using HRUS in 29 patients with unilateral CR whose clinical symptoms, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, and EDX results: corresponded with each other (CR-A group), and in 26 patients with unilateral CR whose clinical symptoms and MRI findings matched with each other but did not correspond with the EDX findings (CR-B group). Results The CSA of the affected side in each nerve root was significantly larger than that of the unaffected side in both the CR-A and CR-B groups. The side-to-side difference in the bilateral CSAs of the nerve root and the ratio of the CSAs between the unaffected and affected sides were statistically larger in the CR-A group than in the CR-B group. Conclusion The increased CSAs in the CR-A group reflect the physiological changes of the cervical nerve root, which is supported by the EDX findings.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hyperhomocyt(e)inemia is known to be one of independent risk factors for the ischemic heart diseases recently, but the role of hyperhomocysteinemia in restenosis after coronary intervention is unclear. The relationship between plasma homocysteine level and restenosis after coronary intervention was evaluated in Korean patients. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Eighty three patients underwent successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and follow-up coronary angiography were divided into two groups according to restenosis, and the level of plasma homocysteine was compared between groups with restenosis (n=5, M:F=7:8, 60.6+/-13.5 years) and without restenosis (n=8, M:F=0:8, 60.3+/-12.8 years). RESULTS: The clinical manifestation, atherosclerosis risk factors except for hypertension, and coronary angiographic findings were not significantly different in patients with or without restenosis(P=S). The value of homocysteine was 9.3+/-3.1 micromol/L in 35 patients with restenosis and 8.4+/-2.5 micromol/L in 48 patients without restenosis(P=S). All of 8 patients whose values of plasma homocysteine were more than 13 micromol/L, had angiographic restenosis. Plasma homocysteine was not an independent risk factor of restenosis by means of logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Plasma homocysteine is not a potential risk factor of restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention.
Atherosclerosis ; Coronary Angiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Homocysteine* ; Humans ; Hyperhomocysteinemia ; Hypertension ; Logistic Models ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention* ; Plasma ; Risk Factors