To estimate the postmortem interval (PMI) by using entomological evidence, species identification of forensically important flies is mandatory. However, the traditional species identification method, which relies on the key morphological features of adult flies, is not always available to investigators and has limitations to the immature samples. Because of these limitations, species identification using DNA sequences has long been an issue in the field of forensic entomology. In this review, I have briefly described the basic principles of molecular species identification and phylogenetic analysis and their applications in forensic entomology. I also recommend an experimental and statistical method to identify unknown fly samples obtained from the field.
Adult ; Base Sequence ; Diptera* ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; Entomology ; Forensic Sciences ; Humans ; Korea* ; Research Personnel ; Species Specificity

Thirty-eight patients with a musculoskeletal chest wall syndrome were evaluated for the musculoskeletal findings of chest wall. All patients had the chest wall tenderness and the typical chest pain could be reproduced by the palpation. There was no significant difference in the diagnostic features of the pain for the onset, location, characteristics, duration, radiation, and area of references for chest pain among the different groups of the patients. However, a reproduction of pain by palpation and the pressure threshold difference between the lesion and control points by using pressure algometry was a reliable and specific diagnostic tool. Pressure threshold difference was correlated with numerical rating scale by the correlation coefficient 0.96. The common causes of the chest wall syndrome were the myofascial pain syndrome, chostochondritis, sternalis syndrome, rib-tip syndrome, xiphodynia in order. Six patients had chest wall disorders in conjunction with other associated intrathoracic condition. Thirty-two patients had an isolated chest wall syndrome. Chest wall syndrome should be considered in all patients with the chest pain, as its recognition could help the patient management.
Chest Pain ; Humans ; Myofascial Pain Syndromes ; Palpation ; Reproduction ; Thoracic Wall* ; Thorax*

Forty-four patients with brain astrocytoma and glioblastoma were treated with surgical resection and postoperative radiation from January 1980 through May 1987. Four patients were lost to follow up, and in 40 patients sruvival time was evaluable. Three year actuarial sruvival rate was 66.7% in Grade I and II astrocytoma, 30% in Grade III, and 20.4% in glioblastoma multiforme patients. The prognostic factors affecting survival rate were histologic grade in all cases, age, and total radiation dose in Grade III and glioblastoma.
Astrocytoma* ; Brain ; Glioblastoma* ; Humans ; Lost to Follow-Up ; Survival Rate

BACKGROUND: Radiation has been used in t,he medical field of dragnosis and treatment. There is widely used ionizing radiat:ion such as naturally occuring r-rays or machine-made X-ray. This radiation is able to induce the structural and functional alterations of the mammalian cells. But we have few detailed reports on the effects of radiation on epidermal cells and their immune functions. OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to investigate the effect of radiation on cultured human keratinocytes and melanocytes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cultured human keratinocytes and melanocytes were irradiated with 2,6, l0Gy from a Co saurce and stimulated by 100 U/ml of ekratinocyte immediately after irradiation. We investigated cell numbers and morphological changes, DNA synthesis and HLA-DR antigen expression. RESULTS: After exposure to r-ray, the proliferation of keratinocytes and melanocytes decreased in a time and dose dependent fashion to each control group. Tliey showed decreased density, a larger size and a round appearance after radiation exposure and an especially shortened and decreased number of dendrites in the melanocytes. In DNA synthesis counted using [H]-thymidine incorporation, the keratinocvtes decreased values in a dose depen(lent manner at 24 and 72 hours after irradiation but no differense was observed at 168 hours. In melanocytes, there was a greater decrease than that of keratinocytes. The melanin content/cell in all radiation exposed groups increased in a time and dose dependent fashion t,o each contr ol group. HLA-DR antigen expression on keratinocytes after radiat,ion exposure decreased to the control group, but there were no significant differences acccirding to the dose of radiation, And there were no significant diifferences of HLA-DR antigen expression on the melanocytes betweer. controls and the radiation exposed groups. CONCLUSION: Antiproliferative activity was dependent on the exposure time and dose of r-ray exposure. According to the time after radiation exposure, melanogenic activity was stimulated. The expression of HLA-DR, antigen decreased in keratinocyte after radiation exposure but there was no decrease in melanocytes.
Cell Count ; Dendrites ; DNA ; HLA-DR Antigens ; Humans* ; Keratinocytes* ; Melanins ; Melanocytes*

BACKGROUND: Radiation has been used in t,he medical field of dragnosis and treatment. There is widely used ionizing radiat:ion such as naturally occuring r-rays or machine-made X-ray. This radiation is able to induce the structural and functional alterations of the mammalian cells. But we have few detailed reports on the effects of radiation on epidermal cells and their immune functions. OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to investigate the effect of radiation on cultured human keratinocytes and melanocytes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cultured human keratinocytes and melanocytes were irradiated with 2,6, l0Gy from a Co saurce and stimulated by 100 U/ml of ekratinocyte immediately after irradiation. We investigated cell numbers and morphological changes, DNA synthesis and HLA-DR antigen expression. RESULTS: After exposure to r-ray, the proliferation of keratinocytes and melanocytes decreased in a time and dose dependent fashion to each control group. Tliey showed decreased density, a larger size and a round appearance after radiation exposure and an especially shortened and decreased number of dendrites in the melanocytes. In DNA synthesis counted using [H]-thymidine incorporation, the keratinocvtes decreased values in a dose depen(lent manner at 24 and 72 hours after irradiation but no differense was observed at 168 hours. In melanocytes, there was a greater decrease than that of keratinocytes. The melanin content/cell in all radiation exposed groups increased in a time and dose dependent fashion t,o each contr ol group. HLA-DR antigen expression on keratinocytes after radiat,ion exposure decreased to the control group, but there were no significant differences acccirding to the dose of radiation, And there were no significant diifferences of HLA-DR antigen expression on the melanocytes betweer. controls and the radiation exposed groups. CONCLUSION: Antiproliferative activity was dependent on the exposure time and dose of r-ray exposure. According to the time after radiation exposure, melanogenic activity was stimulated. The expression of HLA-DR, antigen decreased in keratinocyte after radiation exposure but there was no decrease in melanocytes.
Cell Count ; Dendrites ; DNA ; HLA-DR Antigens ; Humans* ; Keratinocytes* ; Melanins ; Melanocytes*

No abstract available.
Osteoblastoma* ; Spine*

Six different brain tumors in middle cranial fossa are presented which are studied by CT and proved pathologically. The authors experienced rare tumors in middle cranial fossa such as cavernous hemangioma, cysticmeningioma, Schwannoma, Masson's vegetant intravascular hemangioendothelioma and other tumors (arteriovenousmal formation and metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma) whose CT findings were atypical. The results are as follows; 1. I case of tumors in middle cranial fossa, basal and coronal sections are necessary for further evaluation of the relation with dura and adjacent bone changes. 2. In suspicion of metastasis, bone setting should be done to find out bone involvement. 3. Internal carotid angiography gave little help in the differential diagnosis of tumors in middle cranial fossa.
Adenoids ; Angiography ; Brain Neoplasms ; Cranial Fossa, Middle ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Hemangioendothelioma ; Hemangioma, Cavernous ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neurilemmoma

No abstract available.
Eosinophilic Granuloma* ; Eosinophils*

BACKGROUND: Keloids and hypertrophic scars are benign growths of dermal collagen that usually cause major physical, psychological, and cosmetic problems. Numerous treatment modalities have been used to treat keloids and hypertrophic scars, but the optimal treatment has not been established. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to investigate whether bleomycin intralesional injection has an therapeutic effect on both keloids and hypertrophic scars. METHODS: Thirteen patients with keloids or hypertrophic scars were administered with intralesional injection of bleomycin (1.5 IU/ml). Scar height was measured, and scar pliability and erythema were scored at baseline and then monthly during the treatment and follow-up period. Patient's self-assessments of subjective symptoms (pruritus and pain) were also scored. Pre- and post-treatment mean values for scar height, scar pliability, erythema, pruritus and pain were statistically compared. RESULTS: The clinical response was positive in all cases: highly significant flattening in one case, significant flattening in one case, moderate flattening in five cases and minimal flattening in six cases. The mean scores for pruritus and pain also improved. The observed side-effects were hyperpigmentation (two cases), hypopigmentation (one case) and skin infection (one case). No exacerbation was noted during follow-up period of 4 months. CONCLUSION: Bleomycin intralesional injecton may be one of the effective and safe method of treating keloids and hypertrophic scars.
Bleomycin ; Cicatrix ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; Collagen ; Cosmetics ; Erythema ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Hypopigmentation ; Injections, Intralesional ; Keloid ; Pliability ; Pruritus ; Self-Assessment ; Skin

Background: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel coronavirus identified in 2019 that exhibited an exceptionally rapid spread. Although the development and administration of COVID-19 vaccines progressed quickly, concerns about side effects and safety persisted. This study utilized data from the 2021 Community Health Survey to analyze the relationship between COVID-19 vaccination and psychosocial factors, including depression and subjective health status. Methods: Analysis included 203,449 individuals, excluding those who had not received or were ineligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, based on the 2021 Community Health Survey. The chi-square tests assessed sociodemographic and health status differences related to vaccination status. Subjective health status was categorized based on survey responses as ‘good’ or ‘poor,’ and depression was assessed using the self-reported Patient Health Questionnaire-9. The association between depression, subjective health status, and vaccination status was examined using chi-square tests, followed by multiple logistic regression to determine independent effects. Results: Vaccination rates were higher among the elderly, those with lower education, higher income, healthcare workers, and individuals with lower depression, higher subjective health, and chronic conditions like hypertension or diabetes. Significantly lower vaccination rates were observed in those with lower subjective health and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scores ≥5 or ≥10. Among individuals with chronic illnesses, those with good subjective health had the lowest odds for non-vaccination (odds ratio=0.42; 95% confidence interval, 0.39-0.45), while those without chronic illnesses and poor subjective health had the highest odds (odds ratio=1.89; 95% confidence interval, 1.76-2.02). Conclusions This study found significantly higher odds ratios for vaccine non-receipt among individuals with lower levels of depression and subjective health status. Incorporating psychosocial factors such as depression and subjective health status may be crucial in developing strategies to enhance vaccination rates during future outbreaks of novel infectious diseases.