The orchid symbiotic fungi were isolated from the roots of Korean native orchid (Cymbidium goeringii) collected and Chinese orchid (C. sinense) obtained from greenhouses. They were identified as a species of Rhizoctonia, based on the sequences of 18r rDNA, the microscopic observations of mycelia, and the symbiotic relationships with commercial orchids. The isolate collected from Chinese orchids was revealed to be a species of Ceratobasidium endophytica, and to be different from the other isolates at the thickness of the mycelia stained in the root cells of Korean native orchids. The other isolates collected from the Korean native orchids were considered to be a species of Tulsanella repens (anamorphic: Epulorhiza repens) or its related one. The physiologic or microscopic variations were oftenly observed among them, but the tendency of grouping these in the 18s rDNA sequences were observed to be consistent with those of the localities collected. The further taxonomical segregating for Korean symbiotic fungi was not made because the information concerned were limited in this moment, but was recognized as based on the sequences of 18s DNA.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; DNA ; DNA, Ribosomal ; Fungi* ; Humans ; Mycorrhizae ; Rhizoctonia ; Symbiosis

The ultimate goal of periodontal therapy is to promote the regeneration of lost periodontal tissue, there have been many attempts to develop a method to achieve this goal, but none of them was completely successful. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of Bio-Oss(R) on alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) activity in human fetal osteoblasts (hFOB1). The results of this study were as follows, in ALP Activity, 100 microgram/ml Bio-Oss(R) treated group showed significantly increased value than negative control group, but positive group(10(-7) M dexamethasone treated group) showed the highest ALP activity at 3 day. In mineralization assay, numerous mineralized nodules were identified as darkly stained spots in 100 microgram/ml Bio-Oss(R) treated group than two control groups, whereas a small number of mineralized nodules were showed in the positive control. ALP may relate to the initial phase of bone nodule formation. On the basis of these results, this study showed Bio-Oss(R) is capable of accelerating new bone formation through hFOB1 differentiation in vitro.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Calcification, Physiologic* ; Dexamethasone ; Humans* ; Osteoblasts* ; Osteogenesis ; Regeneration

We experienced one case of epidermoid cyst. This tumor occurs usually in early adult life. So simple excision and testicular preservation are desirable when frozen section reveals the presence of an unequivocally benign lesion.
Adult ; Epidermal Cyst* ; Frozen Sections ; Humans ; Testis

The ultimate goal of periodontal therapy is the regeneration of periodontal tissue and the repair of function. For more than a decade there have been many efforts to develop ma- terials and methods of treatment to promote periodontal tissue regeneration. Recently many efforts are concentrated on the regeneration potential of material used in traditional medicine. Safflower(Carthamus tinctorius L.) seed extract(SSE) have long clinically used in Korea to promote bone formation and prevent osteoporosis. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of SSE on bone formation in human osteoblastic cell line. Human fetal osteoblastic cell line(hFOB 1.19) was cultured with DMEM and SSE(1microgram/ml, 10microgram/ml, 100microgram/ml, 1mg/ml) at 34degrees C with 5% CO2 in 100% humidity. The proliferation, differentiation of the cell was evaluated by several experiments. Cell proliferation was significantly increased at 10microgram/ml, 100microgram/ml, 1mg/ml of SSE after 3 and 7 days incubation(p<0.05). Cell spreading assay was significantly increased at 100microgram/ml of SSE after 3 days and 1microgram/ml, 10microgram/ml, 100microgram/ml, 1mg/ml of SSE after 7 days(p<0.05). Alkaline Phosphatase(ALP) level was significantly increased in 10microgram/ml, 100microgram/ml of SSE(p<0.05). Collagen synthesis was significantly increased at 10microgram/ml, 100microgram/ml, 1mg/ml of SSE(p<0.05). A quantified calcium accumulation was significantly increased at 10microgram/ml, 100microgram/ml of SSE(p<0.05). ALP and osteocalcin mRNA was expressed in 100microgram/ml of SSE by RT-PCR. These results indicate that SSE are capable of increasing osteoblasts mineralization and may play an important role in bone formation.
Calcium ; Carthamus tinctorius* ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Collagen ; Humans ; Humidity ; Korea ; Medicine, Traditional ; Osteoblasts ; Osteocalcin ; Osteogenesis* ; Osteoporosis ; Regeneration ; RNA, Messenger

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Colorectal adenoma and cancer are known to be associated with obesity. Leptin, an adipocyte-derived hormone that plays a crucial role in obesity has been suggested as a growth factor in colon cancer. However, the association between adenoma and leptin remains controversial. We evaluated the leptin expression in human colorectal adenoma and its correlation to clinicopathologic factors. METHODS: Leptin expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in 91 samples of colorectal adenoma larger than 5 mm, which were removed by endoscopic polypectomy. All patients underwent colonoscopy for cancer screening at Seoul Paik Hospital from 2007 to 2008 and we only included the patients less than 50 years of age. Leptin expression and its relationship with clinicopathologic features were analyzed. RESULTS: Eighty samples were available for the interpretation of leptin expression and showed positive in 42 (52.5%) cases and negative in 38 (47.5%) cases. As body mass index (BMI) increased based on World Health Organization (WHO) classification the positivity of leptin expression also increased (p(trend)=0.02). In leptin positive group, the correlation of leptin expression with adenoma size and histological showed positive tendency without statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Leptin expression of colorectal adenoma was associated with BMI. The question of whether leptin contributes to colorectal adenoma development is unresolved and will require additional studies.
Adenoma/complications/metabolism/*pathology ; Adult ; Body Mass Index ; Colonoscopy ; Colorectal Neoplasms/complications/metabolism/*pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Leptin/*metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity/complications

Chronic non-granulomatous jejunoileitis is a rare disease characterized by malabsorption, abdominal pain, and diarrhea that causes shallow ulcers in the small bowel. The etiology of chronic non-granulomatous jejunolieitis remains unknown. A 69-year-old man complained of abdominal pain and lower extremity edema. A 99m-Tc albumin scan showed increased radioactivity at the left upper quadrant, suggesting protein-losing enteropathy. A small bowel follow-through did not disclose any lesions. Wireless capsule endoscopy revealed several small bowel ulcers and strictures. A jejunoileal segmentectomy with end-to-end anastomosis was performed, and the histologic examination revealed non-granulomatous ulcers with focal villous atrophy. Ruling out all other possible diagnoses, we diagnosed our patient with chronic non-granulomatous ulcerative jejunoileitis. Postoperatively, the patient's abdominal pain and lower extremity edema improved, and the serum albumin normalized. This is the first case of chronic non-granulomatous ulcerative jejunoileitis localized by wireless capsule endoscopy and treated successfully with segment resection.
Abdominal Pain/etiology ; Aged ; Atrophy/diagnosis/etiology ; Capsule Endoscopy ; Chronic Disease ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Ileitis/*diagnosis/pathology ; Intestine, Small/pathology ; Jejunal Diseases/*diagnosis/pathology ; Malabsorption Syndromes/diagnosis/pathology ; Male ; Mastectomy, Segmental ; Protein-Losing Enteropathies/diagnosis ; Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin/diagnostic use ; Ulcer/pathology

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical results of corneal triple procedure, as well as the causes and the risk factors for graft failure. METHODS: Indications, survival period of graft, causes of graft failure, and risk factors for failure in 29 patients (29 eyes) who had undergone penetrating keratoplasty combined with cataract surgery and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The most common primary indication of corneal triple procedure was bacterial keratitis (24%), followed by corneal trauma, herpes simplex keratitis, and graft failure. The average survival period of corneal graft in corneal triple procedure was 29.2+/-23.2 months. The most common cause of graft failure was allograft rejection (56.3%). The risk factors of graft failure by an univariate analysis were preoperative unfavorable diagnosis (bullous keratopathy, corneal ulcer, and trauma), corneal neovasculization, intraoperative additional procedure (anterior vitrectomy, synechiolysis, and anterior chamber irrigation), immune rejection, and postoperative glaucoma, but were unrelated to methods of cataract surgery, graft size, or IOL position. In a multivariate analysis, graft rejection and corneal neovascularization were identified as risk factors for graft failure in patients undergoing triple procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Corneal graft in corneal triple procedure had various success rates according to the many factors. Risk factors for graft failure included graft rejection and corneal neovascularization.
Allografts ; Anterior Chamber ; Cataract ; Corneal Neovascularization ; Corneal Ulcer ; Diagnosis ; Glaucoma ; Graft Rejection ; Humans ; Keratitis ; Keratitis, Herpetic ; Keratoplasty, Penetrating ; Lenses, Intraocular ; Multivariate Analysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors* ; Transplants* ; Vitrectomy

BACKGROUND: Transfusion service, as a task directly affecting the patient's life, must be performed as expeditiously as possible. However, for various reasons, we have experienced difficulty in supplying blood products in a timely manner. In this study, we analyzed the turnaround time (TAT) of blood issue and attempted to find a solution. METHODS: We evaluated the TATs for the request and preparation of blood transfusions in our hospital from January to December 2011. The time of blood issue, from acceptance of the request to preparation in the blood bank, was calculated from computerized medical records. In cases in which the TAT exceeded 24 hours, we investigated the type of blood component and the cause of the delay. RESULTS: A total of 12,856 units of blood were issued during the study year. Of these, 1,333 units (10.4%) had TATs exceeding 24 hours. These units included 148 units of red blood cells (RBC) (2.1%), 49 units of leukocyte-filtered red blood cells (F-RBC) (69.0%), 92 units of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) (3.9%), six units of cryoprecipitates (CRYO) (7.4%), 818 units of platelets (PLT) (27.1%), and 220 units of apheresis platelets (A-PLT) (66.5%). The preparation times for PLT and A-PLT were more delayed. The cause of the delays was lack of inventory at the blood center. CONCLUSION: We recommend that the blood center keep blood products even at the risk that they will be discarded for exceeding the expiration date. In addition, we suggest that testing of donated blood be performed within the region.
Blood Banks ; Blood Component Removal ; Blood Platelets ; Blood Transfusion ; Erythrocytes ; Medical Records Systems, Computerized ; Plasma

BACKGROUND: Transfusion service, as a task directly affecting the patient's life, must be performed as expeditiously as possible. However, for various reasons, we have experienced difficulty in supplying blood products in a timely manner. In this study, we analyzed the turnaround time (TAT) of blood issue and attempted to find a solution. METHODS: We evaluated the TATs for the request and preparation of blood transfusions in our hospital from January to December 2011. The time of blood issue, from acceptance of the request to preparation in the blood bank, was calculated from computerized medical records. In cases in which the TAT exceeded 24 hours, we investigated the type of blood component and the cause of the delay. RESULTS: A total of 12,856 units of blood were issued during the study year. Of these, 1,333 units (10.4%) had TATs exceeding 24 hours. These units included 148 units of red blood cells (RBC) (2.1%), 49 units of leukocyte-filtered red blood cells (F-RBC) (69.0%), 92 units of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) (3.9%), six units of cryoprecipitates (CRYO) (7.4%), 818 units of platelets (PLT) (27.1%), and 220 units of apheresis platelets (A-PLT) (66.5%). The preparation times for PLT and A-PLT were more delayed. The cause of the delays was lack of inventory at the blood center. CONCLUSION: We recommend that the blood center keep blood products even at the risk that they will be discarded for exceeding the expiration date. In addition, we suggest that testing of donated blood be performed within the region.
Blood Banks ; Blood Component Removal ; Blood Platelets ; Blood Transfusion ; Erythrocytes ; Medical Records Systems, Computerized ; Plasma

Tuberculous colitis, an important extra-pulmonary tuberculosis, is still prevalent in the developing countries and has been resurging in the Western world. The duration and dose of anti-tuberculous therapy have not yet been clarified in the tuberculous colitis. We experienced a case of tuberculous colitis, which relapsed after 9 months of therapy. A 28-year-old man presented with hematochezia and was diagnosed as tuberculous colitis on the basis of colonoscopic findings. He was treated with anti-tuberculous agents for 9 months successfully. Three months later, however, he complained of hematochezia again, suggesting the relapse of tuberculous colitis. He had taken anti-tuberculous therapy for another 15 months and showed no evidence of relapse. Although anti-tuberculous therapy is efficient for tuberculous colitis, rare cases of reactivation should be reminded.
Adult ; Colitis/*drug therapy/microbiology ; English Abstract ; Humans ; Male ; Recurrence ; Tuberculosis, Gastrointestinal/*drug therapy