p53 is a tumor suppressor gene product identified in a wide range of tumor including colorectal carcinoma. Genetic alterations in the p53 tumor suppressor gene are common in human colorectal carcinoma. bcl-2 is a protooncogene that inhibits apoptosis. The products of mutant p53 gene and bcl-2 have been associated with prognosis in several malignancies including colorectal carcinomas. This study was undertaken to evaluate values of p53 and bcl-2 oncoproteins as prognostic factors relative to clinicopathological factors and correlation of their expression. Analyses were made on achieval pathologic tissues of 80 patients with colorectal carcinomas including 34 patients able to follow-up over 5 years. The oncoproteins were localized using commercially available monoclonal antibodies:DO-7 for p53, clone124 for bcl-2. Expression of bcl-2 was cytoplasmic, whereas nuclear p53 expression was localized in carcinoma cells. The patients were 17 to 83 years of age. The expression of p53 and bcl-2 was determined respectively in 30 (37.5%) and 21 (26.3%)cases. The expression of p53 nuclear expression was not correlated with tumor location, size, histologic grade, Duke's classification, regional lymph node metastasis and tumor recurrence. The cytoplasmic expression of bcl-2 was not correlated with tumor location, size, histologic grade, Duke's classification, regional lymph node metastasis and recurrence. Univariate analysis showed that patients with p53 nuclear expression were not associated with poorer overall survival than patients with p53 negative, and also showed in patients with bcl-2 expression. The expression of p53 did not affect to that of bcl-2. We concluded that the p53 nuclear and bcl-2 cytoplasmic expression were not independent prognostic factors in colorectal carcinomas. Evidence of reciprocity of bcl-2 and p53 expression was not found.
Apoptosis ; Classification ; Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Cytoplasm ; Follow-Up Studies ; Genes, p53 ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Oncogene Proteins ; Prognosis ; Recurrence

The purpose of this study is to investigate which current densities and etching times will result in an optimal etching depth and surface roughness when an Ni-Cr-Be alloy is etched with 30% perchloric acid(HClO4 ). For this study,observations were made by means of an optical three-dimen-sional surface roughness measuring machine and a scanning electron microscope. The etchings took place under the following conditions using current densities of 300mA/cm2, 450mA/cm2, 600mA/cm2 and 750mA/cm2, and using etching time of three, five, six, seven and nine minutes. Under the conditions, the experiments reached the following conclusions. 1. When the current density is above 450mA/cm2 and the etching time is longer than five min-utes, the etching depth increased as the current density and etching time increased. And the surface roughness was significantly influenced by the interaction of the current density and etching time. 2. Under the etching conditions of 600mA/cm2 and five minutes, the optimal etching depth for a resin cement space and the highest surface roughness for mechanical retention were obtained. The etching depth and surface roughness were 32.86 micrometer and 7.90 micrometer, respectively. 3. Observations under the scanning electron microscope showed that both the corrosion at the grain boundary and the corrosion within the grain occurred on the etched surface. It was also observed that the corrosion at the grain boundary became more severe as the current density and etching time increased. In addition, at higher current densities and longer etching times, general corrosion appeared.
Alloys* ; Edible Grain ; Corrosion ; Resin Cements

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) envelope glycoprotein (gp51/gp30T-), consisting of BLV gp51 and BLV gp30 that lacked its C-terminal transmembrane domain, was expressed in insect cells under the control of the baculovirus polyhedron promoter. Recombinant BLV gp51/gp30T- secreted from insect cells was determined by immunofluorescence, enzyme-linked immunosorbent and western blot assays using a BLV-specific monoclonal antibody and BLV-positive bovine antibodies. An agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test using gp51/gp30T- as the antigen for the detection of BLV antibodies in serum was developed and compared to traditional AGID, which uses wild type BLV antigen derived from fetal lamb kidney cells. AGID with the recombinant BLV gp51/gp30T- was relatively more sensitive than traditional AGID. When the two methods were tested with bovine sera from the field, the recombinant BLV gp51/gp30T- and traditional antigen had a relative sensitivity of 69.8% and 67.4%, respectively, and a relative specificity of 93.3% and 92.3%. These results indicated that the recombinant BLV gp51/gp30T- is an effective alternative antigen for the diagnosis of BLV infection in cattle.
Agar ; Animals ; Antibodies, Viral/blood ; Antigens, Viral/immunology ; Baculoviridae/*metabolism ; Cattle ; Cell Line ; Enzootic Bovine Leukosis/blood/immunology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Viral/*physiology ; Immunodiffusion/methods/*veterinary ; Kidney/cytology ; Leukemia Virus, Bovine/genetics/*metabolism ; Molecular Biology ; Sheep ; Viral Envelope Proteins/genetics/*metabolism

PURPOSE: Arteriovenous fistula at the wrist has remained the procedure of choice for long-term chronic hemod ialysis since its development by Brecia and Cimino in 1966. Thrombosis is the most common cause of early failure after arteriovenous fistula procedure, should be reconized preoperatively or intraoperatively, but no consensus exits regarding the ideal preoperative or intraoperative screening method for access surgery. We describe a simple intraoperative maneuver that can be used to detect proximal stenotic vein segments. METHODS: From September 1998 to September 1999, a total of 117 arteriovenous fistulas were performed for permanent hemodialysis in patients with chronic renal failure. Of them, a intraoperative evoked thrill test was performed in 61 patients (A group), in 56 patients (B group or control group) was not. RESULTS: Early failure rate (<30 days) was 12.5% in A group, 9.8% in B group or control group. In this study, the specificity and positive predictive value of the evoked thrill test was 100%, indicating that this maneuver is highly accurate in predicting early failure. CONCLUSION: Evoked thrill test is a simple and useful intraoperative method for improving the patency rate of autologous arteroiovenous fistula.
Arteriovenous Fistula* ; Consensus ; Fistula ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Mass Screening ; Renal Dialysis ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thrombosis ; Veins ; Wrist

PURPOSE: To compare the safety and effectiveness of transarterial oily chemoembolization (TOCE) and transar-terial embolization (TAE) with Gelfoam in cases of ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and to describe the most important prognostic factors involved in emergency embolization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two consecutive patients with spontaneously ruptured HCC underwent emergency TOCE (n = 22) or TGE (n = 20). In the TOCE group, Lipiodol (3 -10 cc), Adriamycin (20 -50 mg), and Mitomycin (2 -10 mg) were used, and these were followed by blockade of the hepatic arterial flow with gelatin sponge particles. In the TAE group, patients underwent only Gelfoam embolization. Using the Kaplan-Meier method, survival time from the time of embolization was estimated, and to analyze prognostic factors, Cox 's proportional hazard regression model was used. RESULTS: Successful hemostasis was achieved in 41 patients (97.6%). Mean survival time was 201 and 246 days in the TOCE and TAE group, respectively, but the difference was not tatistically significant (p > 0.05). Five of the TOCE group (22.7%) and three of the TAE group (15.0%) died of hepatic failure. Analysis of the prognostic factors showed that portal vein involvement by the tumor was the most important factor influencing survival. CONCLUSION: Although TOCE and TAE effectively controlled hemorrhaging from a ruptured HCC, the procedures involve a high risk of hepatic failure. Their goal should, therefore, be solely to achieve hemostasis, and thus decrease parenchymal injury.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Doxorubicin ; Emergencies ; Ethiodized Oil ; Gelatin ; Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable* ; Hemorrhage* ; Hemostasis ; Humans ; Liver Failure ; Mitomycin ; Porifera ; Portal Vein ; Rupture, Spontaneous* ; Survival Rate

The laparoscopic cholecystectomy is now a standard part of general surgical practice. Conversion from a laparoscopic cholecystectomy to an open cholecystectomy is sometimes required. To identify the factors predisposing to conversion, we retrospectively reviewed all patients undergoing a laparoscopic cholecystectomy from December 1991 to June 1996 at Chosun University Hospital. Factors evaluated were age, sex, history of acute cholecystitis, previous abdominal surgery, associated disease, laboratory findings, and thickened gallbladder wall identified by preoperative ultrasound. Conversion to an open cholecystectomy was required in 42(9.0%) of the 465 patients. The most common reason for conversion was the inability to define the anatomy secondary to inflammation or adhesions. Significant predictors of conversion to an open cholecystectomy were increasing age (age over 60 years), presense of associated disease, a thickened gallbladder wall found by preoperative ultrasound, acute cholecystitis, and increased alkaline phosphatase level. Multivariate analysis found a patients age of over 60 years to be an independent predictor of conversion to an open cholecystectomy. An appreciation for these predictors of conversion will allow appropriate planning by the patients, the institution, and the surgeons. Although data are lacking, increasing experience with laparoscopic cholecystectomy has likely resulted in earlier recognition of the need for conversion to an open cholecystectomy with a resultant decrease in morbidity.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Cholecystectomy* ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; Cholecystitis, Acute ; Gallbladder ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Multivariate Analysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: Surgical site infection (SSI) is the most common nosocomial infection in surgical patients, and this accounts for 38% of all patients with nosocomial infections. Despite the advances in techniques and knowledge to prevent infection, SSI remains a significant source of postoperative morbidity and mortality, and it results in a prolonged hospital stay and increased cost. This study aims to assess the incidence of SSI and to identify the risk factors associated with SSI for patients who undergo abdominal operation. METHODS: The data on 347 abdominal operations that were done under general anesthesia from 1 August 2005 to 31 July 2006 was collected and reviewed. RESULTS: The overall incidence of SSI was 4.9%. Comorbidity was the independent risk factor for the development of SSI (P=0.011). The development of SSI was related with the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) preoperative assessment score (P=0.025). The duration of the operation had a statistically significant association with an increased risk of SSI on univariate analysis. The wound classification was not associated with SSI. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently isolated organism, and all of the cases were methcillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrate that comorbidity is a significant independent risk factor for SSI.
Anesthesia, General ; Comorbidity ; Cross Infection ; Humans ; Incidence ; Length of Stay ; Risk Factors ; Staphylococcus ; Staphylococcus aureus

PURPOSE AND METHODS: Colorectal carcinogenesis is a process with multiple steps involving proto- oncogenes, tumor suppressive genes, and mutator genes. Losses of heterozygosity (LOH) on APC, DCC, and TP53 loci are well known chromosomal changes for the inactivation of tumor suppressive genes. Additionally, LOH in colorectal carcinomas (CRC) are frequently found at other loci, including 1p, 8p, 11q, 14q, and 22q. LOH on 14q are quite frequent in bladder, ovarian, renal-cell carcinomas, as well as other types of carcinomas. Previous studies on CRC showed overall rate of LOH on chromosome 14q to be high, the smallest region of overlap of deletion was located at the distal portion of 14q, and a higher rate of LOH was found in more advanced tumors. To investigate whether LOH on chromosome 14q is confined to the distal part or whether it is related with prognosis, we performed an LOH study with 6 microsatellite markers covering the entire arm of 14q in 77 sporadic colorectal cancers and compared it with clinical parameters. RESULTS: Thirty-six (36) tumors (46.7%) showed LOH at one or more markers, and the highest rate was observed in D14S48 (43.5%) and the lowest in D14S297 (30.6%). No statistical differences were seen at different loci of 14q. We observed LOH in 17 less- advanced tumors (Dukes' A & B) and in 19 advanced tumors (Dukes' C & D). There is little evidence that LOH of 14q is related to tumor recurrence, the disease-free survival rate, or the overall survival. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the entire long arm of chromosome 14 may delete in sporadic colorectal cancers but this loss may not be related to tumor stage and prognosis. We provide evidence that one or more tumor suppressive loci on chromosome 14q may contribute to colorectal carcinogenesis.
Arm ; Carcinogenesis ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 14 ; Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Disease-Free Survival ; Loss of Heterozygosity* ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Oncogenes ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Urinary Bladder

PURPOSE AND METHODS: Colorectal carcinogenesis is a process with multiple steps involving proto- oncogenes, tumor suppressive genes, and mutator genes. Losses of heterozygosity (LOH) on APC, DCC, and TP53 loci are well known chromosomal changes for the inactivation of tumor suppressive genes. Additionally, LOH in colorectal carcinomas (CRC) are frequently found at other loci, including 1p, 8p, 11q, 14q, and 22q. LOH on 14q are quite frequent in bladder, ovarian, renal-cell carcinomas, as well as other types of carcinomas. Previous studies on CRC showed overall rate of LOH on chromosome 14q to be high, the smallest region of overlap of deletion was located at the distal portion of 14q, and a higher rate of LOH was found in more advanced tumors. To investigate whether LOH on chromosome 14q is confined to the distal part or whether it is related with prognosis, we performed an LOH study with 6 microsatellite markers covering the entire arm of 14q in 77 sporadic colorectal cancers and compared it with clinical parameters. RESULTS: Thirty-six (36) tumors (46.7%) showed LOH at one or more markers, and the highest rate was observed in D14S48 (43.5%) and the lowest in D14S297 (30.6%). No statistical differences were seen at different loci of 14q. We observed LOH in 17 less- advanced tumors (Dukes' A & B) and in 19 advanced tumors (Dukes' C & D). There is little evidence that LOH of 14q is related to tumor recurrence, the disease-free survival rate, or the overall survival. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the entire long arm of chromosome 14 may delete in sporadic colorectal cancers but this loss may not be related to tumor stage and prognosis. We provide evidence that one or more tumor suppressive loci on chromosome 14q may contribute to colorectal carcinogenesis.
Arm ; Carcinogenesis ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 14 ; Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Disease-Free Survival ; Loss of Heterozygosity* ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Oncogenes ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Urinary Bladder

PURPOSE: Papillary thyroid microcarcinomas (PTMC), which are not palpable and have no clinical symptoms are 1.0 cm or less in diameter. The optimal extent of thyroid tumor resection has been controversial. We investigated clinicopathological findings of PTMC of 5 mm or less in diameter for reasonable therapeutic approach. METHODS: From, Jan. 2002 to Dec. 2006, 366 patients underwent thyroidectomy for thyroid papillary carcinoma at our institution. Among these patients, 62 patients with a mass measuring less than 5 mm and 103 patients with a mass 5 mm to 1.0 cm were selected. We retrospectively reviewed their medical records. RESULTS: There was no significant difference on the clinical characteristics except multifocality. We performed more unilateral lobectomy, near total thyroidectomy with or without neck node dissection in patients with PTMC of less than 5 mm (P=0.13). In permanent biopsy, lymph node metastasis more frequently occurred in patients with PTMC of less than 5 mm (P=0.03). There were no differences in capsular invasion, distant metastasis or recurrence. CONCLUSION: In papillary thyroid microcarcinoma less than 0.5 cm, it is very uncommon for capsular invasion, distant metastasis and locoregional metastasis to exist. The extent of tumor resection may be limited less than near total thyroidectomy for suitable cases, because there was no locoregional metastasis or distant metastasis in the follow-up period. Longer follow-up periods would be required to confirm that limited surgery is sufficient for tumors less than 0.5 cm in size.
Biopsy ; Carcinoma ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Medical Records ; Neck ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Thyroidectomy