Transglutaminase(TGase) is a calcium dependent enzyme that catalyse and acyl transfer reaction forming epsilon-(gamma-glutamyl)-lysine cross linkage. the major known effect of TGase is its important role in the programmed cell death manifested in the granular layer of the skin and acidophilic bodies in the viral hepatitis and neoplastic processes. The enzyme activity, immunohistochemical reaction using polyclonal antibodies against cytosolic TGase C, light and electron microscopic studies and TdT staining of the transplanted fibrosarcoma cells in C3H mouse with radiation therapy were done. The presence of TGase was detected immunohistochemically by avidin-biotin peroxidase complex (ABC) method Apoptosis were significantly induced after irradiation dependent with time factors and irradiation doses, resulted in marked and confluent tumor cell loss. Highest activity of the cytosolic form of TGase was noted at 24 hours and decrease after then while membrane bounded form of the TGase showed no significant changes. Immunohistochemical staining revealed strong positive reaction in the sarcoma cells in diffuse fasion and around the necrotic foci in the cytoplasm. Terminal dideoxynucleotidyl transferase(TdT) staining revealed increasing numbers of apotptic cells from two hours after irradiation. In the mechanism of decreasing tumor size and cell death in radiation therapy, apoptosis plays an important role and during that process transglutaminse might do some irreversible cross-linking effects of cytoplasmic proteins causing cell death in part.
Mice ; Animals

No abstract available.
Biopsy, Fine-Needle* ; Humans ; Pathology, Surgical* ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Nodule*

Pleomorphic (undifferentated) carcinoma is a rare histologic type of carcinomas of the gallbladder and an atypical carcinoid is thought to be an intermediated type between carcinoid tumor and small cell carcinoma. Dense core "neurosecretory" granules can be found in the above mentioned tumors. We experienced a case of a double tumor of the gallbladder in a 51-year old male patient. Grossly, a large solid mass, about 5.0 cm in diameter, was found in the fundic portion and the neck portion also had a small 1.5 cm-sized polypoid mass. Microscopically, these lesions had features of pleomorphic carcinoma and atypical carcinoid, respectively. Immunohistochemically, they manifested reactivity for neuron specific enolase. Ultrastructural study revealed neurosecretory granules in the cytoplasms of tumor cells of the fundic and neck masses. Although light microscopic features of these tumor masses are quite different, we consider that these tumors represent a spectrum of neuroendocrine differentiation.
Male ; Humans

We evaluated the relationship between the surgical success of idiopathic macular hole and sex, age, duration, epiretinal membrane, preoperative visual acuity, size of the hole, and surgical method. Of all 25 eyes in 23 patients, 14 eyes(56%)showed anatomical success(disappearance of the hole), and 17 eyes(68%)functional success(the final visual acuity of 0.15 or more with more than one line improvement). There were statistically significant differences of anatomical(p=0.001)and functional success(p=0.020)between the Group I where its macular hole was less than one-fourth of the optic disc in size and the other group, and anatomical success(p=0.039)between the group with the age of less than 70 years(Group A)and the other group. In Group I, anatomical and functional success were both 92%(11 eyes/12 eyes). In Group A, anatomical and functional success were 72%(13 eyes/18 eyes)and 77%(14 eyes/18 eyes), respectively, and there was statistically significant relationship between size of the hole and anatomical success(p=0.024), and difference of anatomical success between the group with duration of less than 6 months and the other group(p=0.023). Good surgical result may be expected in the idiopathic macular hole of the age of less than 70 years with about 350 micrometer or less in size and duration of less than 6 months.
Epiretinal Membrane ; Humans ; Retinal Perforations* ; Visual Acuity

The diagnosis of ovarian tumor has been mainly dependent on manual pelvic examination and ultrasonography. Butin case of malignant ovarian tumor, CT has more advantages over ultrasonography in assessing anatomic details,relationships to bowel loops, precise extents of tumors and follow-up examinations after surgery. Authors analyzedCT features of 46 cases of patholgocially proven ovarian tumors for recent 4 years at keimyung University DongsanHospital. The results were as follows: 1. The msot common tumor was serous cystadenocarcinoma(9 cases:20%),followed by metastases(8 cases: 17%), mucinous cystadenocarcinoma(7 ases:15%), mucinous cystadenocarcinoma(5cases:11%), teratoma(5 cases:11%), lymphoma(3 cases: 7%) and dysgerminoma(2 cases:4%). 2. The ovarian tumors werevariable in size from 2.5cm to 33cm in diameter. Most of the solid tumors were smaller than 10cm in diameter andmost of the cystic tumors were larger than 10cm in diameter. Usually mucinous tumors were much larger than seroustumors. Mucinous cystadenomas were the largest tumors. 3. Unilateral tumors(left 19,right 13 cases) were morecommon than bilateral tumors(12 cases). Bilateral tumors were seen in serous and mucinous cystadenocarcinoma,metastases and lymphoma. 4. CT features of mucinous cystadenomas were smooth margins and thin wall of the tumormasses and multiloculated cysts with internal septa in all 7 cases. 5. In contrast, CT demonstration ofbilaterality, irregular margin, thick wall, enhancing solid lesions, septal irregularity, adhesion to adjacentstructures, peritoneal/omental implantation, ascites and hydronephrosis were signs suggesting malignancy. CTfeaturs of the serous cystadenocarcinoma were mostly solid to mixed nature(83%), irregular margin(75%), enhancingsolid lesion(67%), papillary growth (75%), internal septa(58%), multilocularity (58%) and calcification (25%) indescending order of frequency. 6. On CT, mucinous cystadenocarcinoma were irregular-marginated, thick-walled,cystic tumors with enhancing solid lesion, septal irregularity and signs of metastasis, although there were somecases having similar features of benign. 7. Among the extrapelvic CT findings of malignant epithelial ovariantumor, peritoneal/omental implants(11 cases:79%) and ascites(10 cases:71%) were the most common, and indistinctuterus(6 cases:43%), bowel adehsion(5 cases:36%) and pseudomyxoma peritonei (2 cases) were descending order offrequency. 8. CT features of teratoma were diagnostic having at least three more of different tissue densitiesamong fat, water, soft tissue and calcific densities. Also there were thick wall (4 cases) and fat-fluid level(1case). 9. In 8 cases of ovarian metastases, there were solid type tumor smaller than 10cm in 4 cases and hugecystic in 2 cases. The site of primary cancer were stomach in 4 cases, colon , cervix, endometrium and unknown ineach one case. 10. In 3 cases of malignant lymphoma, the CT featurs were solid in appearance, smaller than 10cmand accompanied by lymphadenopathy in all cases.
Ascites ; Cervix Uteri ; Colon ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous ; Cystadenoma, Mucinous ; Diagnosis ; Endometrium ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gynecological Examination ; Hydronephrosis ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Lymphoma ; Mucins ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pseudomyxoma Peritonei ; Stomach ; Teratoma ; Ultrasonography ; Water

A major problem in the repair of the torn Achilles tendon has been providing the restoration of the anatomic continuity such that virtually normal plantar flexion power and ankle mobility result. Continuity should be restored without subsequent pain, disconfiguration, occupational limitations. If possible, postoperative complications, or tendon-rerupture should be avoided. Surgeons have long advocated the use of strips of facia and other tissues, including the plantaris tendon, to reinforce the repair of the torn Achilles tendon, The repair effected by these methods not infrequently is bulky and not too secure. Non-absorbable suture materials utilizing in the end to end anastomosis of the torn Achilles tendon cause sinus formation and discharge of suture materials. A secure method of repair for the tom Achilles tendon, which decreases sinus formation and is not bulky, should be required. The plantaris tendon, which has been used as a reinforcing material, can be utilized in the end-to-end anastomosis of the torn Achilles tendon by detaching from the muculotendinous junction. The 11 patients with the torn Achilles tendon were treated by end-to-end anastomosis using the plantaris tendon as suture material. The postoperative results were staisfactory without significant functional deficit and complication.
Achilles Tendon ; Ankle ; Humans ; Methods ; Postoperative Complications ; Surgeons ; Sutures ; Tendons

We investigated toluene exposure level, urinary hippuric acid concentrations, subjective symptoms and genotype of ALDH2 DNA in 134 exposed workers and 53 nonexposed workers for evaluating the effect of ALDH2 polymorphism on toluene metabolism and urinary hippuric acid concentration as biological exposure indices (BEI) of toluene. The results were as follows; 1. The percentage of inactive genotype of ALDH2 in exposed workers was lower than that of exposed (P=0.081). 2. The percentages of exposed workers with inactive genotype did not have any significant difference by the increase of toluene exposure level or work duration. 3. The frequency of drinking, monthly and maximum amount of alcohol intake in workers with normal genotype were significantly higher than those with inactive genotype. 4. The urinary hippuric acid concentration of nonexposed workers ,with inactive genotype was significantly lower than that with normal genotype. Under 100 ppm of toluene, similar but statistically insignificant trends were found, while above that concentration of toluene, reverse but statistically insignificant trends were found. 5. The number of acute and chronic subjective symptoms were increased positively with the concentration of toluene in workers with normal genotype, but ho such trends were found in workers with inactive genotype. 6. The result of simple linear regression between toluene and urinary hippuric acid concentrations showed a very significant positive linear relation-ship. The mean hippuric acid concentration of nonoccupational exposure was 0.289+/-0.227 (0.062-0.516) g/l. Toluene exposure level unable to discriminate with nonoccupational exposure estimated from regression equation, it range from 7.29 to 9.87 ppm. Considering above all things, it was useful to estimate the exposure level of toluene by means of analysing urinary hippuric acid concentration in both genotype workers, but the biological exposure indices (BEI) of both genotypes were different from each other. The BEI of the total exposed workers was 2.76 g/ I, which was lower than current criteria 3.0g/ I (2.5 g/g Cr), and it also suggest that the BEI for the exposed workers in our country be lowered to the appropriate level after further study.
DNA ; Drinking ; Genotype* ; Linear Models ; Metabolism ; Toluene*

Treatment of Rupture of Achilles tendon was first reported by Pare, 1575 and thereafter the various causes, diagnostic & therapeutic method of the ruptured tendon have been described by many authors. The two options of treatment are conservative management and surgical treatment and currently surgical intervention has been more popular. There are various surgical techniques which have been reported by many surgeons to treat the acute rupture of the Achilles tendon. In this report, 18 cases ( 11 male & 7 female ) of injuried Achilles tendon had been treated by the modified Lindholm method and follow-up study of 18 cases had been made during 28 months from august. 1993 to december, 1995. The results as follows; 1. After repair by the modified Lindholm method, a long leg cast was applied, and then aweight bearing was started average 8 weeks postoperatively. It can be demonstrated to shorten hospitalization and early ambulation compared to other surgical techniques 2. Postoperative power of triceps surae muscle was improved to normal in 15 patients ofthe 18 patients, and muscle power was good in 3 patients, but, all cases was improved to nearly normal whithin the last follow up. 3. Heel to floor distance was 0.6cm less on the operated side than on the normal side, and the difference decreased to 0.2cm at the last follow up. 4. The calf atrophy was minimal, and active range of motion of ankle was within normal limit. 5. We suggest that the procedure is recommended for one of the methods of the treatment of acute rupture of the Achilles tendon, because it is easy to do and permits early weight bearing and the complication is less.
Achilles Tendon* ; Ankle ; Atrophy ; Early Ambulation ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heel ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Leg ; Male ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Rupture* ; Tendons ; Weight-Bearing

We experienced five cases of solitary fibrous tumor; two in the pleura, two in the orbital soft tissue, and one in the lung parenchyma. Three patients were male, and the age of the patients ranged from 38 to 71 years (mean age: 53.6). Grossly, the masses were well circumscribed and had varying sizes from 2.5 to 30.0 cm. The cut surfaces were grayish-yellow firm with focal variegated hemorrhage, necrosis, cystic change, and myxoid area. Microscopically, these were characterized by a haphazard proliferation of spindle cells or polygonal cells separated by variable amounts of hyalinized collagen and showed a prominent vascular channels reminiscent of hemangiopericytoma in foci. Immunoperoxidase stains showed a strong reactivity for CD34, and were weakly positive for vimentin. Electron microscopical examination revealed features of fibroblast; spindle to round tumor cells were arranged in groups and surrounded by collagen. Nucleoli were seldom prominent. The cytoplasm contained many microfilaments and a moderate number of cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum.
Actin Cytoskeleton ; Collagen ; Coloring Agents ; Cytoplasm ; Endoplasmic Reticulum, Rough ; Fibroblasts ; Hemangiopericytoma ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hyalin ; Lung ; Male ; Necrosis ; Orbit ; Pleura ; Solitary Fibrous Tumors* ; Vimentin

Abstract: Diarrhea is the most common cause of death in calves, and remains a major health challenge. Although there are many studies on the related pathogens, the understanding of the clinicopathological changes is limited. This study aimed to identify the pathogens and observe the clinicopathological changes in electrolytes and acute phase proteins (APPs) associated with diarrhea.Blood samples and fecal samples were collected from 141 calves for the determination of APPs, electrolyte and acid-base status and identification of enteropathogens, respectively. Single or co-infections with enteropathogens, including virus (bovine viral diarrhea virus, coronavirus, and rotavirus), Eimeria, Cryptosporidium, and Escherichia coliK99 were detected in both non-diarrheic and diarrheic calves. Levels of APPs such as serum amyloid A, haptoglobin and fibrinogen were comparable between diarrheic and nondiarrheic calves. Hypoglycemia, high blood urea, electrolytes and acid-base imbalance (hyponatremia, hypochloremia, and decreased bicarbonate), and strong ion difference (SID) acidosis showed a significant association in diarrheic calves (p < 0.01). Particularly, significant hyponatremia, bicarbonate loss, SID acidosis, hypoglycemia, and elevated blood urea nitrogen were found in rotavirusinfected calves. Monitoring the clinicopathological parameters of APPs and electrolyte levels could be vital in the clinical management of diarrheic calves.