Based on the rDNA ITS sequences data, specific primer set for PCR detection of wood-decaying fungus Phellinus linteus was designed. The length of PCR products using designed primer set(SHF and SHR) was about 540 bp. Among 11 species, 17 isolates of Phellinus spp. including Phellinus linteus, P. pomaceus, P. spiculosus, P. baumi, P. pini, P. igniarius, P. gilvus, P. biscuspidatus, P. weirii, P. johnsonianus, P. robutus, and P. igniarius, seven isolates of Phellinus linteus showed about 540 bp-sized single band. This molecular technique could offer a useful tool for detecting and identifying Phellinus linteus.
DNA, Ribosomal* ; Fungi* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

PURPOSE: The wild-type p53 protein participates in suppressing cell transformations while its mutant forms has tumorigenic potential. Alterations in the structure of the p53 protein are one of the most common changes associated with human cancers. CREB-binding protein (CBP) and its homologue, p300, are transcriptional co-activators of various sequence-specific DNA-binding transcription factors and are involved in a wide range of cellular activities, such as DNA repair, cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. Several studies suggested that an association between p53 and p300 might account for the p53-responsible negative regulation. This study examined the relationship between p53 and CBP expression in terms of the clinicopathological factors and significance. METHODS: The level of p53 protein and CBP expression was measured in 150 gastric adenocarcinoma patients, who had undergone a gastrectomy, and the relationship between p53 and CBP was examined. Immunohistochemical stain was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections using monoclonal anti-p53 and anti-CBP antibody. RESULTS: 1. p53 protein was expressed in 46.3% (31/67) of early gastric cancers (EGC), 69.9% (58/83) of advanced gastric cancers (AGC)(P<0.05), 69.1% (65/94) of the intestinal type, 42.9% (24/56) of the diffuse type (P<0.05), 78.5% (55/70) of patients with a lymph node metastasis and 42.5% (34/80) of patients without a lymph node metastasis (P<0.01). 2. CBP expression was observed in 65% (61/94) of intestinal type, 51% (29/56) of the diffuse type (P>0.05), 47.8% (32/67) of EGC, 69.8% (58/83) of AGC (P<0.05), 68.6% (48/70) of patients with a lymph node metastasis and 52.5% (42/80) of patients without a lymph node metastasis (P>0.05). 3. p53 protein and CBP expression was coincidentally observed in 66.7% of gastric adenocarcinomas, and there was a significant correlation between the expression of both (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: That the expression of the p53 protein and CBP indirectly indicate the malignant potential of a cell, and may play an indirect role in the CBP and p53-mediated tumorigenic potential.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Apoptosis ; CREB-Binding Protein* ; DNA Repair ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Transcription Factors

PURPOSE: Thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1) has been known to regulate the transcriptional activity of thyroid-specific genes. Ki-67 has been known as a marker for indicating tumor growth. This study was designed to campare the expressions of TTF-1 and Ki-67 on non- neoplastic and neoplastic thyroid tissues. METHODS: The surgically resected specimens of various histological types of thyroid tumor, from the files of the Dept. of surgery, Chung-Ang University Pil-Dong Hospital, between January 1998 and June 2002 were reviewed, and 55 cases selected for immunohistochemical studies. The materials consisted of tissues from 10 nodular hyperplasias, 28 papillary carcinomas, 15 follicular adenomas and 12 follicular carcinomas. All specimens were routinely processed, and paraffin blocks were available in all cases. Immunohistochemical stains for TTF-1 and Ki-67 were also performed. RESULTS: In all the cases, including the nodular hyperplasias, papillary carcinomas, follicular adenomas and follicular carcinomas, expressions of the TTF-1 were observed. The properties of the TTF-1 expression, including staining intensity, extent and index were not related to the tumor type. The expression of TTF-1 was inversely correlated with the tumor proliferation fraction, as assessed by the Ki-67 staining index. CONCLUSION: TTF-1 was expressed in almost all the benign lesions and well differentiated carcinomas, and correlated with the tumor proliferation fraction.
Adenoma ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Coloring Agents ; Hyperplasia ; Paraffin ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms*

This study was carried out to develop specific primers for PCR detection of Phellinus linteus. Diverse genomes of 15 Phellinus spp. including five Phellinus linteus isolates were fingerprinted by Primer Universal rice primer (URP)1F. The URP-PCR pattern differentiated P. linteus isolates from other phellinus spp. A polymorphic band (2.8 kb), which is unique for P. linteus isolates, was isolated and sequenced. Twenty four-oligonucleotide primer pairs were designed based on information of DNA sequence. The primer set (PLSPF2/PLSPR1) amplified single band (2.2 kb) of expected size with genomic DNA from seven Phellinus linteus, but not with that of other Phellinus species tested. The primers could be used identically in both DNA samples from mycelium and fruit bodies. This specific primers could offer a useful tool for detecting and identifying P. linteus rapidly.
Base Sequence ; Dermatoglyphics ; DNA ; Fruit ; Genome ; Mycelium ; Polymerase Chain Reaction*

Objectives: Healthcare facilities are high-risk sites for infection. This study analyzed the epidemiological characteristics of a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in a tertiary hospital after COVID-19 vaccination had been introduced in Republic of Korea. Vaccine effectiveness (VE) and shared anti-infection strategies are also assessed. Methods: The risk levels for 4,074 contacts were evaluated. The epidemiological characteristics of confirmed cases were evaluated using the chi-square test. The “1 minus relative risk” method was used to determine VE in preventing infection, progression to severe disease, and death. In the largest affected area (the 8th floor), a separate relative risk analysis was conducted. A multivariate logistic regression analysis (with 95% confidence interval [CIs]) was used to identify transmission risk factors with a significance level <10% via the backward elimination method. Results: In total, 181 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed, with an attack rate of 4.4%. Of those cases, 12.7% progressed to severe disease, and 8.3% died. In the cohort isolation area on the 8th floor, where 79.0% of the confirmed cases occurred, the adjusted odds ratio was 6.55 (95% CI, 2.99–14.33) and 2.19 (95% CI, 1.24–3.88) for caregivers and the unvaccinated group, respectively. VE analysis revealed that 85.8% of the cases that progressed to severe disease and 78.6% of the deaths could be prevented by administering a second vaccine. Conclusion Caregiver training for infection prevention and control is necessary to reduce infection risk. Vaccination is an important intervention to reduce the risk of progression to severe disease and death.

Isolated left main coronary ostial stenosis is a very rare condition. In the majority of cases there are coexisting diseases in multiple coronary vessels. Here, a case of isolated left main coronary ostial stenosis due to an acute angle take-off, with clockwise rotation of the coronary sinus, confirmed by cardiac MRI is presented. A 44-year old female patient presented with an exertional and stabbing anterior chest pain. The patient had no premedical history. A coronary angiogram showed an isolated left main coronary ostial stenosis due to an acute take-off of the left main coronary artery. A cardiac MRI showed an acute angle take-off of the left main coronary artery, with clockwise rotation of the coronary sinus. The patient underwent surgical angioplasty of the coronary ostia, with a patch of autologous pericardium. This acute angle take-off may be due to rotation of the coronary sinus.
Adult ; Angioplasty ; Chest Pain ; Constriction, Pathologic* ; Coronary Sinus* ; Coronary Stenosis ; Coronary Vessels ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Pericardium

Paraffin sections of atherosclerotic vessels were classified into initial lesion, preatheroma and complicated severe lesion by classification method from American Heart Association. Activation of NF-kappaB was hardly detectable in the initial atherosclerotic lesion. In the preatheroma, activated NF-kappaB was enhanced in the neointimal smooth muscle cells and macrophages in the lipid core. In contrast, activated NF-kappaB increased markedly in the neointimal and medial smooth muscle cells in the severe atherosclerotic vessel wall. However, in the severe lesion, NF-kappaB activation was diminished in the macrophages of lipid core. Our findings show that NF-kappaB was activated in the smooth muscle cells with the progression of atherosclerosis in the human coronary artery.
American Heart Association ; Atherosclerosis ; Classification ; Coronary Vessels* ; Humans* ; Macrophages ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; NF-kappa B ; Paraffin

Eleven compounds (1–11) were isolated from the rhizomes of Osmunda japonica, and their structures were elucidated based on 1H, 13C-NMR and LC-IT-TOF MS data. Of these compounds, all compounds (1 – 11) have been previously reported, although five (6 – 9, 11) have not previously been isolated from this plant. The antioxidant activities of isolated compounds (1 – 11) were measured by DPPH and ABTS assays, and compound 10 showed the high antioxidant activity.
Plants ; Rhizome*

Paraplegia secondary to spinal cord infarction is a recognized complication of open thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAA) repair. TAA is serious and unpredictable condition. Therefore, aortic repair requires thorough information on managing the potential complications will facilitate improve control the problem. We report the symptoms and management of paraplegia in a patient who underwent stent insertion as TAA.
Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic ; Humans ; Infarction ; Paraplegia ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Cord Ischemia ; Stents