To understand a mechanism of underlying cognitive deficit in schizophrenia, the risk factors, cognitive function, blood dopamine concentrations and glutamate dehydrogenase activities of male schizophrenics with tardive dyskinesia(N=30) were compared with those of schizophrenics without tardive dyskinesia(N=30). The result were as following ; 1) The age, duration of illness and duration of medication were significantly more in schizophrenics with tardive dyskinesia than schizophrenics without tardive dyskinesia(respectively p<0.005, p<0.0001, p<0.0001). 2)The scores of MMSE, TIQ, VIQ and PIQ were significantly lower in schizophrenics with tradive dyskinesia than schizophrenics without tardive dyskinesia(respectively p<0.0001). 3) plasma dopamine concentrations were tended to be higher, and serum glutamate dehydrogenase activities were tended to be lower in schizophrenics with tardive dyskinesia than schizophrenics without tardive dyskinesia. 4) The cognitive deficit seemed to be negatively correlated with duration of illness and duration of illness and duration of medication(respectively gamma=-0.496, gamma=-0.615).
Dopamine ; Dyskinesias ; Glutamate Dehydrogenase ; Humans ; Male ; Movement Disorders* ; Plasma ; Risk Factors ; Schizophrenia*

Inflammation is closely related to the progression of cancer as well as tumorigenesis. Here, we investigated the effect of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) on E-cadherin expression in SNU719 gastric cancer cells. E-cadherin expression decreased as the dose or exposure time of PGE2 and IL-1beta increased, whereas Snail expression increased with dose or time of PGE2 and IL-1beta. E-cadherin expression reduced by PGE2 treatment increased after the transfection of Snail siRNA. Neutralization of IL-1beta using anti-IL-1beta antibody blocked the expression pattern of E-cadherin and Snail occurred by IL-1beta treatment. However, there was no synergic effect of IL-1beta and PGE2 on the expression pattern of E-cadherin and Snail. In conclusion, inflammatory mediators reduced E-cadherin expression by enhancing Snail expression in gastric cancer cells. Inflammation-induced transcriptional regulation of E-cadherin in gastric cancer has implications for targeted chemoprevention and therapy.
Antibodies/immunology ; Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology ; Cadherins/*metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Dinoprostone/*pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation/*drug effects ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta/immunology/*pharmacology ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering/metabolism ; Stomach Neoplasms/metabolism/pathology ; Transcription Factors/antagonists & inhibitors/genetics/*metabolism

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and survivin in bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) that has different clinicopathologic characteristics, and we also wanted to determine if a relation exists between the COX-2 and survivin expressions. METHODS: The expressions of COX-2 and survivin were investigated in 80 bladder TCCs by performing immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The normal bladder mucosa did not express COX-2 and survivin. COX-2 immunopositivity and cytoplasmic survivin immunopositivity were seen in 48% and 30% of bladder tumors, respectively. The expressions of COX-2 and survivin were closely related to the differentiation, depth and recurrence of bladder TCC, and there was a significant correlation in topographic distribution of COX-2 and survivin immunopositivity. In addition, COX-2 and survivin were predominantly expressed at the invasive front of tumors. CONCLUSIONS: This data suggest that COX-2 and survivin may be involved in the progression of bladder TCC, and there is a close correlation between the expressions of COX-2 and survivin.
Carcinoma, Transitional Cell ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Cytoplasm ; Immunohistochemistry ; Mucous Membrane ; Recurrence ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms

A 41-year-old female was admitted to our hospital for self-audible wheezing sound and dyspnea. On past history, she has been suffered from chest discomfort, and treated recurrently by other hospitals. But, there was no symptomatic improvement. A stridor and mixed wheezing sound was auscultated on whole lung field. PFT revealed fixed type or variable intra- & extra-thoracic air way obstructive pattern. By bronchoscopy & bronchogram, we found web-like structure on the distal trachea. A bronchoplasty was performed and the post-operative PFT showed slight improvement & she had no more complaints.
Adult ; Bronchoscopy ; Dyspnea ; Female ; Hemoptysis* ; Humans ; Lung ; Respiratory Sounds ; Thorax ; Trachea

PURPOSE: Gastric carcinoma tissues release high level of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) when compared to non-neoplastic mucosa, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which is the rate-limiting enzyme in prostaglandin (PG) biosynthesis, is often overexpressed in gastric carcinomas and during gastric carcinogenesis. However, little is known about the expression of 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH), the key enzyme responsible for the biological inactivation of PG, in gastric carcinomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the expression of 15-PGDH in 28 cases of advanced gastric carcinomas by Western blot analysis and also the relation between its expression and the gene promoter methylation. RESULTS: 15-PGDH expression was significantly decreased in gastric carcinomas compared to corresponding non-neoplastic tissues and inversely correlated with the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in gastric carcinomas. However, there was no correlation between 15-PGDH expression and pathological findings such as nodal metastasis and vascular invasion. Promoter hypermethylation of 15-PGDH gene was not detected in carcinomas, with only a negligible expression of the enzyme. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that 15-PGDH has tumor suppressor activity in gastric carcinomas.
Aged ; Base Sequence ; DNA Methylation ; DNA Primers/genetics ; DNA, Neoplasm/genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Hydroxyprostaglandin Dehydrogenases/genetics/*metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Stomach Neoplasms/*enzymology/genetics

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) worldwide varies considerably. In spite of many reports about the incidence of SAH, there has been no report about the incidence of SAH on the basis of the Korean population. The purpose of this hospital-based study was to assess the actual incidence rates of aneurysmal SAH in Gwangju city and Jeollanamdo province. METHODS: All cases of SAH confirmed by computerized tomography (CT) between January 2007 and December 2007 were selected for analysis. For the data collection, three major training hospital and ten general hospitals working the CT in Gwangju city and four major general hospitals in Jeollanamdo province participate in this study. RESULTS: According to the official census of Korea, the population was 1,413,444 in Gwangju city and 1,929,836 in Jeollanamdo province in 2007. There were 163 patients in Gwangju city and 266 patients in Jeollanamdo province confirmed SAH by CT in 2007. The crude and the age- and sex-adjusted annual incidence rates per 100,000 population for all ages in Gwangju city were 11.5 and 12.4 for aneurysmal SAH and in Jeollanamdo province were 13.8 and 10.8. The incidence was higher in women and increased with age. The gender distribution varied with age. At young ages, the incidence was higher in men while after the age of 40 years, the incidence was higher in women. CONCLUSION: In the present study, the age- and sex-adjusted annual incidence rates is 11.8 in Gwangju city and Jeollanamdo province. The incidence was higher in women and increased with age.
Aneurysm ; Censuses ; Data Collection ; Female ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Actinic granuloma is a rare chronic granulomatous dermatosis that is characterized by the elastophagocytosis by multinucleated giant cells. This malady presents in middle-aged individuals and it manifests as asymptomatic papules or annular plaques in the sun-exposed area. There are four main histopathologic patterns of actinic granuloma, including the giant cell, necrobiotic, histiocytic and sarcoidal variants. However, there are no previously reported cases of actinic granuloma associated with the histopathologic findings of suppurative granuloma. We herein report on an unusual case of actinic granuloma that showed the histopathologic findings of suppurative granuloma in a 58-year-old female.
Actins ; Female ; Giant Cells ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Skin Diseases

PURPOSE: To reduce beam hardening artifacts caused by the shoulder joint, we explored new and unique methods to improve the quality of images, such as varying the injection site and changing the position of patients (swimmers position). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifth-four patients underwent neck CT examinations performed in routine and swimmers position and with a 64-slice MDCT scanner in spiral scanning. To examine the difference due to the injection sites of contrast material, subjects were divided into right- and left-side groups. For the evaluation of images, we carried out a subjective and objective assessment based on radiologists' ratings and noise measurement. RESULTS: Images of the lower neck in the swimmers position exhibited less hardening and streak artifacts. The subjective and objective evaluations showed that the swimmers position received higher rating by radiologists and had lower noise level than that of routine position. The swimmers position was the most effective for the diagnosis of the cervico-thoracic junction area. As for the injection site, we obtained better images by an injection of contrast material in the right arm than in the left. CONCLUSION: CT examination of the lower neck in the swimmers position may improve the quality of image and the effectiveness of diagnosis. The injection of a contrast material to the right side rather than the left side reduced foreign body artifacts.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck/*radiography ; Radiography, Thoracic/*methods ; *Thorax ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/*methods

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the stress distribution in mandibular implant-supported overdentures and tooth-supported overdentures with telescopic crowns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The assumption of this study was that there were 2, 3, 4 natural teeth and implants which are located in the second premolar and canine regions in various distributed conditions. The mandible, teeth (or implants and abutments), and connectors are modeled, and analyzed with the commercial software, ANSYS Version 10.1. Stress distribution was evaluated under 150 N vertical load bilaterally on 3 experimental conditions - between canine areas, canine and 2nd premolars, 10 mm posterior to 2nd premolars. RESULTS: Overall, the case of the implant group showed more stress than the case of the teeth group in stress distribution to bone. In stress distribution to superstructures of tooth and implants, there was no significant difference between TH group and IM group and the highest stress appeared in TH-IV and IM-IV. The stress caused from bar was much higher than those of implant and tooth. TH group showed less stress than IM group in stress distribution to abutment teeth and implant. CONCLUSION: The results shows that it is crucial to make sure that distance between impact loading point and abutment tooth does not get too far apart, and if it does, it is at best to set abutment tooth on premolar tooth region. It will be necessary to conduct more experiments on effects on implants, natural teeth and bone, in order to apply these results to a clinical treatment.
Bicuspid ; Crowns ; Denture, Overlay ; Mandible ; Tooth

Henoch-Shonlein(H-S) purpura, or anaphylactoid purpura is a hypersensitivity vasculitis characterized by palpable purpura usually on buttock and low extremities; arthralgia mostly polyarhtralgia in the absence of frank arthritis; gastraintestinal involvement with colicky abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation and bleeding; and renal involvement, manifested chiefly by hematuria and proteinuria. Gastrointestinal involvement is seen in 70 percent of pediatric patients and one third of adult patients. Any portion of the gastrointestinal tract distal to the esophagus maybe involved, but most frequently affected sites are jejunum and ileum. We report one case of H-S purpura with duodenal involvement observed in 16, male patient.
Abdominal Pain ; Adult ; Arthralgia ; Arthritis ; Buttocks ; Constipation ; Diarrhea ; Esophagus ; Extremities ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Hematuria ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Ileum ; Jejunum ; Male ; Nausea ; Proteinuria ; Purpura* ; Purpura, Schoenlein-Henoch ; Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic, Cutaneous ; Vomiting