PURPOSE: To demonstrate the bystander effect in murine neuroblastoma model which transduced with HSV-TK gene in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: The LNC/TK vector was transfered in vitro into the neuro-2a cells, murine neuroblastoma cell line. Variable mixed populations of neuro-2a cells consisting of HSV-TK+ or HSV-TK- were plated into culture plates and treated with GCV for another 4 days. Surviving cells were counted and cell viability was determinated. For investigating the in vivo bystander effect, variable mixed populations of neuro-2a cells consisting of HSV-TK+ and HSV-TK- were inoculated into A/J mice. The tumor size was measured following injection of GCV for 7 days. RESULTS: The survival rate of the 100% neuro-2a/TK group was 90%, 25%, 5% and 0%, of 50% neuro-2a/TK group was 92%, 30%, 10% and 0%, and of the 10% neuro-2a/TK group was 95%, 40%, 15% and 5%. But, the survival rate of 0% neuro-2a/TK group was 120%, 150%, 180% and 220% on days 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively. In the 100% and 50% neuro-2a/TK groups, tumor had disappeared following administration of GCV and in 10% neuro-2a/TK group, tumor size was not increased during GCV treatment. In 0% neuro-2a/TK group, tumor size increased during administration of GCV and all mice died after 6 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated the bystander effect in a murine neuroblastoma model which transduced with HSV-TK gene in vitro and in vivo. These results suggest that HSV-TK/GCV gene therapy may be useful for treatment of neuroblastoma.
Animals ; Bystander Effect* ; Cell Line ; Cell Survival ; Genetic Therapy* ; Mice ; Neuroblastoma* ; Survival Rate

Twin Pregnancies are increasing these days due to recent development of the technology in treating infertility. twin pregnancies tend to cause more congenital anomalies than singleton pregnancies do. Especially when twin pregnancies are affected with one anomalous fetus combined to a normal one, the proper management and counseling are difficult. We experienced a twin pregnancy in which one anencephalic fetus was combined to a normal one, after close counseling we decided to continue the pregnancy. At 35 weeks 6 days of gestation, an anencephalic fetus was dead, so we delivered by cesarean section due to breech-cephalic presentation. The birth weight of the normal and anencephalic fetuses were 2160 gm and 600 gm, respectively. The anencephalic fetus was combined with scoliosis, absent left upper limb, and nuchal skin defect, but the healthy one showed good crying and movement and its Apgar score was 8 in 1 minute and 9 in 5 minute. Although the infant needed intensive care for 21days in the nursery room, she was finally discharged in good condition. We present this case with a brief review of the literature.
Anencephaly ; Apgar Score ; Birth Weight ; Cesarean Section ; Counseling ; Crying ; Female ; Fetus* ; Humans ; Infant ; Infertility ; Critical Care ; Nurseries ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Twin* ; Scoliosis ; Skin ; Twins* ; Upper Extremity

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and metabolism of inhaled steroids to prevent recurrent wheezing after bronchiolitis. METHODS: Sixty two patients were randomly divided into study (n=31) and control (n=31) groups. All of them received budesonide 500 microgram and salbutamol 1.25 mg 4 times a day via nebulizer during admission period (5.5+/-2.5 days). After discharge, the study group patients received fluticasone 50 microgram twice a day with metered dose inhaler with mask spacer for 12 weeks, and the control group received none of inhaled steroids. Serum cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) concentrations were measured at admission and at the end of the inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy. Weight and height of all patients were checked during the follow-up period. RESULTS: Atopic dermatitis of the patient and allergy family history proved statistically significant. Among high risk group patients, the attack rate of recurrent wheezing in the study group was significantly reduced as compared with the control group. Cortisol levels checked at the end of the ICS therapy were not significantly different from the level checked at admission. In the study group, there was no statistically significant difference between dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) level at admission and at the end of the ICS therapy. There was no statistically significant difference of height and weight SDS (standard deviation score) between baseline and 12 weeks later. CONCLUSION: This study suggest that inhaled corticosteroid can be used prophylactically for reducing recurrent wheezing after bronchiolitis in high risk group for asthma.
Albuterol ; Asthma ; Bronchiolitis* ; Budesonide ; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Hypersensitivity ; Masks ; Metabolism ; Metered Dose Inhalers ; Nebulizers and Vaporizers ; Respiratory Sounds* ; Steroids ; Fluticasone

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to estimate the normal blood lead (PbB) levels in a group of Korean subjects and to evaluate the association between PbB levels and habitual tobacco and alcohol use. METHODS: We recruited 532 adults (320 males and 212 females) with no history of occupational exposure to lead, as study subjects. RESULTS: PbB levels ranged between 0.43 microgram/dl and 9.45 microgram/dl. The adjusted geometric mean PbB in men was 3.19 microgram/dl, which was significantly higher than that seen in women: 2.66 microgram/dl (P=0.017). Geometric mean PbBs were not significantly different between urban and rural patients. The adjusted geometric mean PbB in smokers was 3.31 microgram/dl, which was significantly higher than that seen in nonsmokers: 2.64 microgram/dl (P=0.035). The adjusted geometric mean PbB in drinkers was 3.10 microgram/dl, which was significantly higher than that seen in non-drinkers: 2.75 microgram/dl (P=0.049). CONCLUSIONS: The PbB levels of some Korean adults seem to be comparable to those seen in foreign countries. Our results suggest that tobacco and alcohol cessation will be helpful in decreasing the harmful effect of lead.
Adult ; Drinking ; Humans ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; Smoking ; Tobacco

Hepatoblastoma is a rare pediatric malignancy which frequently presents at an advanced unresectable stage. Complete surgical resection after chemotherapy is the definitive treatment for hepatoblastoma. Liver transplantation should be considered for children who have unresectable hepatoblastoma. We report a case of a 18-month-old boy with unresectable hepatoblastoma who had transplantation with pre- and post-operative chemotherapy.
Child ; Drug Therapy ; Hepatoblastoma* ; Humans ; Infant ; Liver Transplantation* ; Liver* ; Living Donors* ; Male

PURPOSE: This study was performed to examine vascular pain due to gemcitabine and according to clinical factors. METHODS: The survey was performed with 525 cancer patients visiting chemotherapy infusion room in one general hospital. The data were collected via self-reported questionnaire, researchers observation, and reviewing medical records. Data were analyzed descriptive statistics, t-test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Tukey test using ranks, Jonckheere-Terpstra test, and Spearman correlation analysis were used. RESULTS: The mean scores of the intensity and onset time of vascular pain were 3.06+/-2.16 and 8.13+/-13.13 min, and each other were negative correlaton. Degree of intensity of vascular pain had a significant difference on gender (p=.003), age (p=.004), weight (p=.019), Body mass index (BMI) (p=.005), Body surface area (BSA) (p=.030), infusion time (p<.001), dose (p=.027), dose per minute (p<.001), the number of administered gemcitabine (p=.005), combination chemotherapeutic drug (p=.013) and tumor type (p=.002). Degree of onset time of vascular pain had a significant difference on infusion time (p=.044), combination chemotherapy (p=.001) and injection site (p=.001). CONCLUSION: Patients administrated gemcitabine were experiencing various vascular pain, and vascular pain had a difference on clinical factors. Therefore, oncology nurses should be considered significant clinical factors to implement effective interventions to patients administered gemcitabine.
Body Mass Index ; Body Surface Area ; Drug Therapy ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFPS) is a locally aggressive skin tumor with a very low incidence in the general population. This tumor has a remarkable tendency to recur, However, a metastasis is rare. We report a case of DFPS with a pulmonary metastasis in 28-year-old man. The pulmonary metastasis developed 5 years after a complete resection of the primary skin tumor. We reviewed the clinical manifestations and treatment of DFPS, and highlight the need for a long-term follow-up examination for metastases after a wide excision of these lesions.
Adult ; Dermatofibrosarcoma* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Isoflurophate ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Skin

Anesthesia, General ; Animals ; Azaperone ; Durapatite ; Humans ; Osteoblasts ; Osteogenesis ; Polyethylenes ; Polypropylenes ; Seeds ; Swine