Forty cases of infiltrating duct carcinoma of the breast were examined immunohistochemically for expression of TGF-beta and angiogenesis in order to analyze significant correlation with prognostic parameters including tumor size, axillary lymph node metastasis, clinical stage, histologic grade, estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor status. The TGF-beta expression was observed in tumors center and advancing edges of tumors. To determine microvessel density for angiogenesis, we stained endothelial cells for Factor VIII related antigen and counted microvessel within tumor. The results were as follows: 1) The strong immunohistochemical expression of TGF-beta and higher counts of microvessels were observed in advancing edges of tumors (p<0.05). 2) The TGF-beta expression in the advancing edges of tumors was closely related to clinical stage and presence of axillary lymph node metastasis (p<0.05). 3) The mean microvessel counts were significantly higher in tumors from patients with axillary lymph node metastasis and increased with increasing clinical stage (p<0.05). 4) The TGF-beta expression was not related to histologic grade, estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor status(p>0.05). Therefore, the results suggested that the TGF-beta expression and angiogenesis in infiltrating duct carcinoma of the breast may play an important part in prognostic factors, closely related to the lymph node metastasis and clinical stage.
Neoplasm Metastasis

Nevus lipomatosus cutaneous superficialis is a very rare skin disease, which usually is present at birth. The lesion shows groups of asymptomatic soft papules or nodules, which have a smooth or folded surface and are skin colored or yellowish. The area of predilection is the pelvic girdle (especially the buttock and sacrococcygeal areas). Microscopically, nevus lipomatosus cutaneous superficialis reveals groups of etopic fat cell nests within the dermis. Only one case was reported in Korea(1969). The authors observed a case of typical nevus lipomatosus cutaneous superficialis. The patient was 19 year-old male, who ha,ve had asymptomatic soft papules and nodules on the buttock, lower back and scalp since 14 years of his age. Routine laboratory findings were within normal limit. Histopathological findings showed etopic fat cell nests within mid and lower dermis (Fig. 3) Diagnosis was confirmed by clinical and histopathological findings. Litercature was briefly reviewed for the discussion.
Adipocytes ; Buttocks ; Dermis ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Male ; Nevus* ; Parturition ; Scalp ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Young Adult

Severe irradiation on head may result functional alterations of central nervous system. In this study, the irradiation effect on the cerebellar cortex following heavy X-irradiation on head was studied ultrastructurally. Radiation was produced with the linear accelerator ML-4MV[Mitshubishi Co.], and rats weighing about 200gm each were exposed their heads within the radiation areas of 30cm x 30cm, under the radiation distance of 80cm, and with the radiation depth of 1.2 cm. Radiation doses were 3,000rads or 6,000rads, respectively. Animals were sacrificed on 6 hours, 2 days or 6 days following the radiation. Under anesthesia, animals were perfused with 1% glutaraldehyde-1% paraformaldehyde solution. Two hours after the perfusion, brain were taken out and refixed over night in the perfusion fixative. Small blocks of cerebellar hemispheric cortices were refixed 2 hours in 2% osmium tetroxide solution. Fixed tissues were dehydrated in alcohol, embedded in araldite mixture, and cut with ultratome. Ultrathin sections were contrasted with uranyl acetate and lead citrate solutions, and observed with electron microscope. The results obstained were as follow : 1. On 6th hour following X-irradiations, many cerebellar cortical neurons showed increased electron densities, more complicated nuclear infoldings, depletion of synaptic vesicles, expansion of astroglial territories, etc. 2. On 2nd day following X-irradiations, many organelle-rich cells such as Purkinje cells and Golgi cells were darkly degenerated. Numerous myelin figures formed by the cisternal fusions of Golgi apparatus or granular endoplasmic reticula were observed. Cytoplasmic processes of activated astroglial cells were expanded around capillaries and between granule cells. 3. On 6th day following X-irradiations, morphology of neuropil and neurones in the cerebellar cortex was generally restored, except the expanded territories of astroglial cells. From the above results, it was concluded that the release ofneurotransmitters and transcapillary leakage of blood substance were occurred on 6 hours after heavy X-irradiations. And severe alterations were produced on 2 day after X-irradiation, but the condition was generally restored on 6th day following X-irradiation.
Anesthesia ; Animals ; Brain ; Capillaries ; Central Nervous System ; Cerebellar Cortex* ; Citric Acid ; Cytoplasm ; Golgi Apparatus ; Head ; Myelin Sheath ; Neurons ; Neuropil ; Osmium Tetroxide ; Particle Accelerators ; Perfusion ; Purkinje Cells ; Radiation Effects* ; Rats* ; Synaptic Vesicles

The hamate fracture is very rare condition. The mechanism of fracture may be attributed to direct trauma by rolling down. We have experienced a case of fracture of the body of the hamate bone. It was treated by conservative method. The result was satisfactory with conservative treatment without traumatic arthritis, nonunion, ulnar nerve palsy, flexor digitorum profundus tendinitis & limitation of motion. A case of fracture of the body of the hamate bone is reported with brief review of literature.
Arthritis ; Hamate Bone ; Methods ; Tendinopathy ; Ulnar Neuropathies

Rectus sheath hematoma is an uncommon cause of acute abdomen, caused by a tear in deep epigastric vessels or its branches. It occurs spontaneously, after trauma or surgery. Rectus abdominus myonecrosis is a life threatening complication of rectus sheath hematoma. We report a case with fatal rectus sheath hematoma complicated by rectus abdominus myonecrosis caused by ischial fracture in a chronic active rheumatoid arthritis patient.
Abdomen, Acute ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Hematoma* ; Humans

BACKGROUND: Lipoprotein(a)[Lp(a)], an independent risk factor for athrosclerosis, consist of low density lipoprotein like particle and specific glycoprotein, apolipoprotein(a). The levels of Lp(a) are mainly determined by the genetic pleomorphism of apolipoprotein(a) and has been though not to be influenced by age, sex and other biochemical parameters. Recent reports have shown that the concentrations of Lp(a) are correlated with age in women. The purpose of this study was to invastigate the association of Lp(a) concentration with sex and age. METHODS: The concentrations of Lp(a) were measured in 3,707 women and 389 men, free of diseases and medications known to affect the lipid levels. Plasma Lp(a) concentration were measured by commercial radioimmunoassay kit and other lipid profiles by conventional method. RESULTS: In female, median Lp(a) concentration increased with age till the early sixth decade (P=.0000) and then decreased. If peri- and postmenopausal women were excluded in the fifth decades, the relation between age and Lp(a) disappeared. In male, Lp(a) concentration were not associated with age. Median Lp(a) concentrations were higher in females than in males in the fifth(p=.0039) and the sixth decades(p=.0007), The difference became negligible after the exclusion of peri- and postmenopausal woman in the fifth decade. CONCLUSION: The concentrations of Lp(a) were corrected with age only in female. Females had higher levels than males in the fifth and the sixth decades. The relations are thought to be nither due to aging process nor sex but due to postmenopausal increase of Lp(a).
Aging ; Apoprotein(a) ; Female ; Glycoproteins ; Humans ; Lipoprotein(a)* ; Lipoproteins ; Male ; Menopause ; Plasma ; Radioimmunoassay ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: Lipoprotein(a)[Lp(a)], an independent risk factor for athrosclerosis, consist of low density lipoprotein like particle and specific glycoprotein, apolipoprotein(a). The levels of Lp(a) are mainly determined by the genetic pleomorphism of apolipoprotein(a) and has been though not to be influenced by age, sex and other biochemical parameters. Recent reports have shown that the concentrations of Lp(a) are correlated with age in women. The purpose of this study was to invastigate the association of Lp(a) concentration with sex and age. METHODS: The concentrations of Lp(a) were measured in 3,707 women and 389 men, free of diseases and medications known to affect the lipid levels. Plasma Lp(a) concentration were measured by commercial radioimmunoassay kit and other lipid profiles by conventional method. RESULTS: In female, median Lp(a) concentration increased with age till the early sixth decade (P=.0000) and then decreased. If peri- and postmenopausal women were excluded in the fifth decades, the relation between age and Lp(a) disappeared. In male, Lp(a) concentration were not associated with age. Median Lp(a) concentrations were higher in females than in males in the fifth(p=.0039) and the sixth decades(p=.0007), The difference became negligible after the exclusion of peri- and postmenopausal woman in the fifth decade. CONCLUSION: The concentrations of Lp(a) were corrected with age only in female. Females had higher levels than males in the fifth and the sixth decades. The relations are thought to be nither due to aging process nor sex but due to postmenopausal increase of Lp(a).
Aging ; Apoprotein(a) ; Female ; Glycoproteins ; Humans ; Lipoprotein(a)* ; Lipoproteins ; Male ; Menopause ; Plasma ; Radioimmunoassay ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: Acute myocardial infarction is one of major cardiovascular disease that increases according to the changes of diet and life style. Early diagnosis and treatment of acute myocardial infarction is critical for better prognosis and for reducing mortality. But early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction is limited by several factors. Recently it was reported that measurements of several serum cardiac enzymes were useful for early diagnosis of acute mocardial infarction. This study was performed to investigate which method of serum creatine kinase measurement is the faster and accurate and whether serum creatine kinase is an early noninvasive predictor of coronary artery patency following thrombolysis in patients with acute myocardial infarction by means of analysis of serial changes in serum creatine kinase. METHODS: This study included 32 patients who had acute myocardial infarction. Serum CK-MB was measured by electrophoretic method and enzymatic immuoasssay method. and compared with EKG and total CK activity which measured by photoabsorbance method. Also we studied whether CK time-activity could be predictor for reperfusion. RESULTS: Immunoassay method accurately measures the serum CK-MB and correlates well with that of electrophoretic method in patients with acute mocardial infarction. Immunoassay method is more sensitive than EKG and has the similar sensitivity to electrophoretic method in diagnosis of acute myoardial infarction. Reperfusion of an occluded coronary artery results in early elevation of serum creatine kinase and CK-MB reflected by earlier appearance time, peak, and onset of clearance. CONCLUSION: Because immunoassay measurement of serum creatine kinase is faster than electrophoresis and requires less technical expertise, it is possible to make diagnosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction in a more timely and cost effective manner and creatine kinase is good predictor of recanalization of an occluded coronary artery after intravenous thrombolytic therapy.
Cardiovascular Diseases ; Coronary Vessels ; Creatine Kinase* ; Creatine* ; Diagnosis ; Diet ; Early Diagnosis* ; Electrocardiography ; Electrophoresis ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; Infarction ; Life Style ; Mortality ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Professional Competence ; Prognosis ; Reperfusion* ; Thrombolytic Therapy

A deep infection following a prosthetic joint replacement is a serious complication with an incidence ranging from 1 to 2% of patients undergoing total prosthetic surgery. The common invading organisms are staphylococci, streptococci and gram negative bacillus. A candida infection after a prosthetic joint replacement is very rare, and a diagnosis is difficult because of the indolent nature of the clinical symptoms and signs as well as its rarity. We report a case of candida infection after a TKA, which was treated successfully by a staged reimplantation.
Bacillus ; Candida albicans* ; Candida* ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Incidence ; Joints ; Replantation

With the development of body sensor technology, wearable health monitoring systems have been an emerging information technology in the 'ubiquitous health care' system. Wearable sensors enable long-term continuous physiological monitoring important in health promotion and management of many chronic disorders. In this paper, we present several wearable health monitoring systems developed by different countries and discuss emerging opportunities, as well as, existing challenges such as standardization, administration, validation, and discrepancy issues between technology and clinical implication.
Health Promotion ; Monitoring, Physiologic ; Telemedicine