PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of CT scanning in determining the etiology of spontaneous rupture of the kidney. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the CT findings of spontaneous rupture of the kidney in eleven patients, Four were male and seven were female, and they were aged between 20 and 71 (mean, 46.6) years. Both pre- and post-contrast enhanced CT scanning was performed in all patients. RESULTS: Spontaneous renal rupture was induced in seven cases by neoplasms (three angiomyolipomas, three renal cell carcinomas, and one metastatic choriocarcinoma), in three cases by infection or inflammation (acute and chronic pyelonephritis, and renal abscess), and in one, by renal cyst. Common CT findings of rupture of the kidney were the accumulation of high density fluid in the perirenal and anterior pararenal space, and in homogeneous irregular low density of renal parenchyma and the rupture site. Angoimyolipoma showed fat and an angiomatous component in the lesion, while acute and chronic pyelonephrities revealed thinning of the renal parenchyma and an irregular renal outline. Renal cell carcinoma showed a dense soft tissue mass in the parenchyma. Well-defined, round low-density lesions were noted in the case of renal cyst and renal abscess. CONCLUSION: CT is very useful in diagnosing and determining the etiology of non-traumatic spontaneous rupture of the kidney and plays an important role in the evaluation of emergency cases.
Abscess ; Angiomyolipoma ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; Emergencies ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Kidney* ; Male ; Pyelonephritis ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture ; Rupture, Spontaneous* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the current study is to test for the association of DRD4 exon III VNTR polymorphism with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) in Korean children population. METHODS: 113 Korean children with ADHD, 102 parents, and 133 control subjects participated with the current study. The distribution of genotypes and alleles of DRD4 exon III VNTR in children with ADHD was compared with that in control subjects. In addition, 69 children with ADHD and their parents were analyzed using the transmission disequilibrium test(TDT). RESULTS: We could not find any significant differences in the distribution of genotypes and alleles at DRD4 exon III VNTR polymorphism between children with ADHD and control subjects. In addition, there was no preferential transmission of long allele of DRD4 exon III VNTR polymorphism. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that DRD4 is not associated with ADHD in Korean children population.
Alleles ; Child* ; Exons* ; Genetic Association Studies ; Genotype ; Humans ; Parents

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between the T102C polymorphism in the serotonin 2A receptor gene and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Korean patients. METHODS: A total of 189 Korean children with ADHD as well as both parents of the ADHD children and 150 normal children participated in this study. DNA was extracted from blood samples from all of the subjects, and genotyping was conducted. Based on the allele and genotype information obtained, case-control analyses were performed to compare the ADHD and normal children, and Transmission disequilibrium tests (TDTs) were used for family-based association testing (number of trios=113). Finally, according to the significant finding which was showed in the case-control analyses, the results of behavioral characterastics and neuropsychological test were compared between ADHD children with and without the C allele. RESULTS: In the case-control analyses, statistically significant differences were detected in the frequencies of genotypes containing the C allele (chi2=4.73, p=0.030). In the family-based association study, TDTs failed to detect linkage disequilibrium of the T102C polymorphism associated with ADHD children. In the ADHD children, both the mean reaction time and the standard deviation of the reaction time in the auditory continuous performance test were longer in the group with the C allele compared to the group without the C allele. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that there is a significant genetic association between the T102C polymorphism in the serotonin 2A receptor gene and ADHD in Korean children.
Alleles ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; DNA ; Genotype ; Humans ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Parents ; Reaction Time ; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A ; Serotonin

OBJECTIVE: Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) is known to have potent anti-vascular activity and significantly suppress solid tumor growth. The present study was conducted to investigate the vascular shutdown effects of a novel arsenic compound, tetraasrsenic oxide (As4O6), in comparison with As2O3 using cervical cancer animal model. METHODS: Mice tumor challenge model was used C57BL/6 mice transplanted with TC-1 cells. After the growth of tumors was reached up 200~250 mm3, mice were divided into 3 groups randomly for control and treatment of either As2O3 or As4O6. As2O3 and As4O6 was treated by i.p. injection. The tumor size was caliperated in twice for weeks and anti-vascular effect were assessed by Evans blue extraction assay and Hoechst 33342 staining. In tumor tissue, histopathological feaure was obserevd by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. RESULTS: In mice treated with either As2O3 and As4O6 (i.p.), both of As2O3 and As4O6 was significantly suppressed the tumor growth compared with control group. Moreover, effect of As4O6 is more pronounced. These tumor growth inhibition is led to the massive necrosis and vacular shutdown in tumor tissue. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that As4O6 may have potential anticancer activity via vascular shutdown in C57BL/6 mice transplanted with TC-1 cells.
Animals ; Arsenic ; Arsenicals ; Benzimidazoles ; Eosine Yellowish-(YS) ; Evans Blue ; Hematoxylin ; Mice ; Models, Animal ; Necrosis ; Oxides ; Transplants ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

OBJECTIVES : We investigated the relationship between periventricular and deep white matter hyperintensity and cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS : T2-weighted MRI scans were performed in 41 subjects with AD 38 subjects with mild cognitive impairment and 38 control subjects. Periventricular and deep white matter hyperintensities were rated on a Fazekas 0-3 scale by a medical specialist of the department of radiology blind to clinical diagnosis. Cognitive function was assessed by using Cognitive Assessment and Reference Diagnoses System. RESULTS : No significant differences between demographic characteristics and vascular risk factors were revealed comparing AD, MCI and controls. The frequencies of AD were significantly higher than those of MCI and normal control in Grade 2 and 3 of periventricular hyperintensity and Grade 3 of deep white matter hyperintensity. The scores of amnesia, executive function and attention were significantly lower in Grade 2 and 3 of periventricular hyperintensity than in Grade 0 and 1. The scores of attention were significantly lower in Grade 3 of deep white matter hyperintensity than in Grade 0, 1 and 2. CONCLUSION : Periventricualr hyperintensities are associated with cognitive decline in amnesia, executive function and attention, while deep white matter hyperintensities are associated with cognitive decline in attention.
Alzheimer Disease ; Amnesia ; Executive Function ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mild Cognitive Impairment ; Risk Factors ; Specialization

OBJECTIVES : We investigated the relationship between periventricular and deep white matter hyperintensity and cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS : T2-weighted MRI scans were performed in 41 subjects with AD 38 subjects with mild cognitive impairment and 38 control subjects. Periventricular and deep white matter hyperintensities were rated on a Fazekas 0-3 scale by a medical specialist of the department of radiology blind to clinical diagnosis. Cognitive function was assessed by using Cognitive Assessment and Reference Diagnoses System. RESULTS : No significant differences between demographic characteristics and vascular risk factors were revealed comparing AD, MCI and controls. The frequencies of AD were significantly higher than those of MCI and normal control in Grade 2 and 3 of periventricular hyperintensity and Grade 3 of deep white matter hyperintensity. The scores of amnesia, executive function and attention were significantly lower in Grade 2 and 3 of periventricular hyperintensity than in Grade 0 and 1. The scores of attention were significantly lower in Grade 3 of deep white matter hyperintensity than in Grade 0, 1 and 2. CONCLUSION : Periventricualr hyperintensities are associated with cognitive decline in amnesia, executive function and attention, while deep white matter hyperintensities are associated with cognitive decline in attention.
Alzheimer Disease ; Amnesia ; Executive Function ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mild Cognitive Impairment ; Risk Factors ; Specialization

OBJECTIVE: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has a strong genetic basis, and the relationship between the allele frequency distribution and ADHD has been researched actively. We investigated the association between the DRD4 genotype and ADHD patients in Korea, in comparison with case control and family based control groups. METHODS: The study enrolled 118 patients diagnosed with ADHD according to the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria and their parents (n = 70), and 84 normal children were recruited as controls. The clinical features of the patients were confirmed using the Korean versions of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), Conners' parent rating scale, Attention Deficit Diagnostic System, and Spielberger state/trait anxiety scale. Blood samples were taken from the 272 subjects. DNA was extracted from blood lymphocytes. PCR was performed to examine DRD4 polymorphisms. Allele and genotype frequencies were compared using the Chi-square test for the casecontrol analysis and the transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) for the family-based analyses. RESULTS: In comparing the ADHD transmitted group with the not transmitted group, no significant differences were seen in the DRD4 genotype, allele distribution, or ADHD. CONCLUSION: However, there was a trend to an association between the DRD4 genotype, allele distribution, and ADHD for the case-control analysis. Follow-up studies with more patients or pure subgroups are needed.
Alleles ; Anxiety ; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity ; Case-Control Studies ; Checklist ; Child ; Child Behavior ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; DNA ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Korea ; Lymphocytes ; Parents ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVE: Autophagy plays a vital role in homeostasis by combining organelles and cellular proteins with lysosome under starvation conditions. In addition, autophagy provides tumor cells with a source of energy. Continued autophagy will induce cells death. Here we aim to see if autophagic induction has an effect on conventional chemotherapeutic agents. METHODS: Rapamycin, or mammalian target of rapamycin and paclitaxel, apoptosis-inducing agents were used autophagy in HeLa cervical cancer cells. RESULTS: Growth inhibition of cells was not observed after the application of 0, 10, 20 nM of paclitaxel with or without rapamycin. Using a 5 nM concentration of paclitaxel, rapamycin administration inhibited cell growth significantly compared to no treatment. This implies the synergic antitumor effect of paclitaxel and rapamycin. Paclitaxel itself did not show any autophagic effect on cells but did show cell apoptosis by flow cytometry. Light chain 3, a microtubule-associated protein, which reflect autophagy, was increased with 5 nM of paclitaxel after pretreatment with 10 nM of rapamycin. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the autophagic inducer, rapamycin, can potentiate autophagic cell death when added as an apoptosis-inducing chemotherapeutic agent. In conclusion, the control of autophagy may be a future target for chemotherapy.
Apoptosis ; Autophagy ; Cell Death ; Flow Cytometry ; Homeostasis ; Light ; Lysosomes ; Organelles ; Paclitaxel ; Proteins ; Sirolimus ; Starvation ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma(MFH) is a deep-seated pleomorphic sarcoma, which occurs principally as a mass of the extremities, abdominal cavity, or retroperitoneum in adults. However, it only rarely occurs in the chest wall. An 85-year-old man had undeergone excision of a small mass on the right posterior chest wall under local anesthesia 14 months age. However, the lesion did not heal and the mass recurred. He was referred to our hospital after the mass had grown to a size of 10.5x8x4cm with a 3x3cm skin defect. Intraoperative frozen biopsy revealed MFH. An en-bloc wide resection and thin-thickness skin graft from his thigh were performed. Although distant metastasis to the lund developed 14 months later and the patient died 2 months later, there was no local recurrence. Thin-thickness skin graft is a simple method for a wide range skin defect, especially in the old age. He recovered in good condition without any physical disabilities.
Abdominal Cavity ; Adult ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anesthesia, Local ; Biopsy ; Extremities ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Recurrence ; Sarcoma ; Skin ; Thigh ; Thoracic Wall* ; Thorax* ; Transplants

OBJECTIVE: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is known to be a disorder with high genetic trait. Recently the relationship between alleles frequency distribution and ADHD, has been actively researched. In Korea, the relationship between the genetic type and alleles for COMT (Catechol-O-methyltransferase) gene, has been studied in ADHD patients. METHODS: Thirty three patients diagnosed with ADHD according to the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria were selected for the study. The diagnosis and clinical features were confirmed by Korean version Child behavior check list, Korean version Conner's parent rating scale, Attention deficit Diagnostic System, Korean version Spielberger state-trait anxiety scale etc. For the control group, the parents of patients were chosen. Blood samples were taken from the 99 subjects. DNA was extracted from blood lymphocytes, PCR was performed for COMT NlaIII VNTR Polymorphism. Allele and genotype frequencies were compared using the Chi-square test. For the family-based analyses, we used the TDT and HHRR method. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In comparing the ADHD transmitted group and the not transmitted group, No significant difference was seen between the COMT genetic type and alleles distribution. As a result, it is viewed that there is not relationship between ADHD and the dopamine transporter gene, but final decision is indefinite. Follow up studies with larger patient or pure subgroups are expected.
Alleles ; Anxiety ; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity ; Catechol O-Methyltransferase* ; Child ; Child Behavior ; Diagnosis ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; DNA ; Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins ; Genotype ; Humans ; Korea ; Lymphocytes ; Parents ; Polymerase Chain Reaction