Objective:To search the marker of micrometastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 65 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma,21 non HCC malignant tumors,22 chronic hepatitis B or cirrhosis,and 21 normal healthy volunteers.To identify hepatocellular carcinoma cells in peripheral blood, liver specific alpha fetoprotein(AFP)mRNA was amplified from total RNA extracted from whole blood by nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (Nested RT PCR).Results:AFP mRNA was not detected in the normal healthy volunteers and patients with non HCC malignant tumors.The presence of AFP mRNA in patients with HCC(44/65,67.7%)was higher than those with chronic hepatitis B or cirrhosis(2/22,9.1%, P

Objective To provide a better cell model of closely nature infectious state for further research of hepatitis B virus(HBV). Methods Primary tupaia hepatocytes were isolated by the two-step perfusion method. The hepatocytes were then infected with purified serum from patients with hepatitis B. DNA and RNA isolated from the hepatocytes were detected with Southern blot and Northern blot. HBsAg in supernatant was tested by immunohistochemical method. Results cccDNA, pgRNA and sgRNA could be detected by Southern blot and Northem blot, and strong signals could be seen from day 7 to day 14 post-in-fection. The S/CO value of HBsAg in supernatant decreased from day 1 to day 5 and then increased after 5 day. Conclusion Primary tupaia hepatocytes are competent for infection with HBV. HBV can stably repli-cate and express in HBV-infected tupaia hepatocytes.

BACKGROUND: Mean platelet volume (MPV) increases when platelets are activated, and it is known to increase in migraine patients. The aim of this study is to investigate whether there is a difference in MPV or platelet count between migraine patients with (MA) and without aura (MO).METHODS: Migraine patients were recruited from the out-patient department of a hospital between January 2012 and June 2017. Patients were divided into MA and MO groups. Platelet count and MPV were compared between groups, and the frequency of comorbidities such as ischemic stroke and cardiovascular disease, was investigated in both groups.RESULTS: Of the 123 patients, 46 were classified as MA, and 77 were classified as MO. The MPV of the MA group was significantly higher than that of the MO group (8.92±0.17 fL, 6.32±0.28 fL, respectively) (P=0.034). However, platelet count showed no significant difference between groups. Cardiovascular disease and ischemic stroke incidences were significantly higher in the MA group than in the MO group (ischemic stroke: 15.2%, 7.8%, respectively, P=0.027; cardiovascular disease: 10.9%, 6.5%, respectively, P=0.018).CONCLUSION: Mean platelet volume was significantly greater in the MA group than in the MO group. This may be related to the pathophysiological differences between the two conditions.
Cardiovascular Diseases ; Comorbidity ; Epilepsy ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mean Platelet Volume ; Migraine Disorders ; Migraine with Aura ; Migraine without Aura ; Outpatients ; Platelet Activation ; Platelet Count ; Stroke

PURPOSE: Human adenovirus infection mimics Kawasaki disease (KD) but can be detected in KD patients. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical differences between KD with adenovirus infection and only adenoviral infection and to identify biomarkers for prediction of adenovirus-positive KD from isolated adenoviral infection. METHODS: A total of 147 patients with isolated adenovirus were identified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In addition, 11 patients having KD with adenovirus, who were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin therapy during the acute phase of KD were also evaluated. RESULTS: Compared with the adenoviral infection group, the KD with adenovirus group was significantly associated with frequent lip and tongue changes, skin rash and changes in the extremities. In the laboratory parameters, higher C-reactive protein (CRP) level and presence of hypoalbuminemia and sterile pyuria were significantly associated with the KD group. In the multivariate analysis, lip and tongue changes (odds ratio [OR], 1.416; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.151–1.741; P=0.001), high CRP level (OR, 1.039; 95% CI 1.743–1.454; P= 0.021) and sterile pyuria (OR 1.052; 95% CI 0.861–1.286; P=0.041) were the significant predictive factors of KD. In addition, the cutoff CRP level related to KD with adenoviral detection was 56 mg/L, with a sensitivity of 81.8% and a specificity of 75.9%. CONCLUSION: Lip and tongue changes, higher serum CRP level and sterile pyuria were significantly correlated with adenovirus-positive KD.
Adenoviridae ; Adenoviridae Infections ; Adenovirus Infections, Human ; Biomarkers ; C-Reactive Protein ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Exanthema ; Extremities ; Humans ; Hypoalbuminemia ; Immunization, Passive ; Lip ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; Multivariate Analysis ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pyuria ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tongue

PURPOSE: The aims of this study was to assess the indication, diagnostic, accuracy and prognostic influence of fetal echocardiography. METHODS: From 1995 to 1999, 283 pregnancies were evaluated with fetal echocardiography at Dong-A University Hospital. We reviewed medical records included indication, fetal echocardiographic findings, postnatal echocardiographic findings, methods of treatment and outcome of prenataly diagnosed patients. RESULTS: Family history of congenital heart disease led to 32.2% of all fetal echocardiography with a detection rate of 2.1%. The most important indication of fetal echocardiography was suspected heart anomaly on a screening obstetric ultrasonography yield(detection rate : 61.7%). Nearly all forms of congenital heart disease were detected in utero. However several forms of structural congenital heart disease such as ventricular septal defect and anomalous pulmonary venous return were difficult to diagnosis in utero. In 13 fetuses arrhythmias were detected; the most common arrhythmia was premature atrial contraction. Improving the outcomes of patients with prenatal diagnosis are so far controversial because of the small number of cases and increased termination rates of fetuses with congenital heart disease. CONCLUSION: Fetal echocardiography has emerged as a reliable tool for prenatal detection of congenital heart disease and arrhythmia. But the effect of prenatally detected congenital heart disease on the management and the outcome of pregnancy can be controversial and legal problems may be important issues in the future.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Atrial Premature Complexes ; Diagnosis ; Echocardiography* ; Fetus ; Heart ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Medical Records ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Scimitar Syndrome ; Ultrasonography

Although Atrial flutter (AFL) in newborn infant with normal cardiac anatomy has benign clinical course, an intractable AFL is associated with an increased risk of development of heart failure and sudden death, and is still difficult to manage. It requires multiple external electrical cardioversions, and it shows a poor response to antiarrhythmic drug therapy. We report a case of a premature infant with an intractable AFL, which we successfully treated with oral flecainide and propranolol in spite of recurred AFL. A 1-month-old, 34-week gestation, premature baby presented with an irregular heart beat and irritability. An AFL with 2:1 atrioventricular conduction was documented. Because of the intractable AFL, repeated electrical cardioversion and amiodarone were continued for 14 days. However, amiodarone was discontinued in favour of flecainide and propranolol because of the recurrent AFL and newly developed transient hypothyroidism. During 1-year follow-up period, in which oral flecainide and propranolol were continued, no AFL was observed.
Amiodarone ; Atrial Flutter* ; Death, Sudden ; Drug Therapy ; Electric Countershock ; Flecainide* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Hypothyroidism ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature* ; Pregnancy ; Propranolol*

Neurocutaneous melanosis is a rare congenital phacomatosis, characterized by the presence of multiple pigmented skin nevi at birth. Meningeal melanosis tending to become malignant and seizure. Dandy-Walker syndrome is a developmental disorder of brain characterized by cystic dilatation of the fourth ventricle and agenesis or hypoplasia of the cerebellar vermis. We studied a case of Dandy-Walker syndrome with neurocutaneous giant melanosis in a 3 years old boy.
Brain ; Child, Preschool ; Dandy-Walker Syndrome* ; Dilatation ; Fourth Ventricle ; Humans ; Male ; Melanosis* ; Neurocutaneous Syndromes ; Nevus ; Parturition ; Seizures ; Skin

Aflatoxin B1 ; toxicity ; Animals ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; Liver ; pathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of recirculation rate according to cannulation direction and interval among hemodialysis patients with arteriovenous fistula (AVF).METHOD: The research used repeated measures design. This study was conducted among thirty patients who received hemodialysis three times a week for longer than a year through AVF at the I University hospital. Three different types of interventions were administered to the participants each week for three weeks. Needles were placed at a different distance and in a different direction each week: 7 cm apart from each other in antegrade direction during the first week, 5 cm apart in retrograde direction in the following week, and 7 cm apart in retrograde direction in the third week.RESULTS: No significant differences in the recirculation rate were found due to any of the three tested methods (p = 1.00).CONCLUSION: This finding suggests that, if the patients have well-functioned AVF, we can choose an appropriate intervention from among the three methods in consideration of the patient's diverse needs.
Arteriovenous Fistula ; Catheterization ; Humans ; Methods ; Needles ; Punctures ; Renal Dialysis

Objective： The current study was designed to search into the detection of micrometastasis in peripheral blood in the patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and its significance.Method： Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 65 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, 21 non-HCC malignant tumors, 22 chronic hepatitis B or cirrhosis, and 21 cases of normal healthy volunteers. For identifying hepatocellular carcinoma cells in peripheral blood, the authors detected liver-specific alpha-fetoprotein(AFP) mRNA from total RNA extracted from whole blood by nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(Nested-RT-PCR). Results： AFP-mRNA was not detected in the normal healthy volunteers and the patient with non-HCC malignant tumors. The presence of AFP-mRNA in the patients with HCC (67.7％ ,44/65) was higher than those with chronic hepatitis B or cirrhosis ( 9.1％ ,2/22,P< 0.01). The detective rate of AFP-mRNA in the blood seemed to be correlated with the clinical stages of HCC, the presence of extrahepatic metastasis, and portal vein thrombosis. The positive AFP-mRNA in peripheral blood after treatment was correlated with the prognosis of the patients with HCC. AFP-mRNA was detected in 7 of 12 (58.3％) HCC patients with low level of serum AFP (< 25 μg/L). Conclusions： The presence of AFP-mRNA in peripheral blood may be an indicator of malignant or benign hepatocytes, which might predicate hematogenous spreading metastasis of tumor cells in the patients with HCC, it might be a valuable marker for predicting metastasis and recurrence of HCC, and it might play a supplementary role in the diagnosis of HCC with negative or low level of serum AFP.