Recently, the bcl-2 and p53 protein have been recognized as important factors that is contributed to programmed cell death. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of bcl-2 and p53 protein expression in uterine cervical carcinoma. The expression of bcl-2 and p53 in 59 cases of uterine cervical carcinoma (stage IB to IIB) were surgically treated from January 1993 to June 1994. The expression of bcl-2 and p53 was examined by immunohistochemical method using formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue specimens. The 48 cases were squamous cell carcinoma and 11 cases were adenocarcinoma. The results were as follows: 1. The expression rate of bcl-2 protein was 28.8%(17/59) and there was no significant correlaltion between the expression of bcl-2 protein and the clinicopathologic parameters (histologic type, grade, FIGO stage, cervical invasion depth, lymph node metastasis, parametrial invasion, tumor size, neoadjuvant chemotherapy response, recurrence, survival). 2. The expression rate of p53 protein was 32.2%(19/59) and there was no significant correlation between expression of p53 protein and the clinicopathologic parameters. 3. There was significant correlation between and expression of bcl-2 and p53 protein (P 0.05). In conclusion, bcl-2 and p53 protein are thought to be possible factors in the carcinogenesis of uterine cervical carcinoma and correlate with progression of it. But further study will be required to clarify the role of bcl-2 and p53 in carcinogenesis of the uterine cervix.
Adenocarcinoma ; Carcinogenesis ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cell Death ; Cervix Uteri ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Formaldehyde ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Paraffin ; Recurrence ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms*

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to review the clinicopathologic features, recurrent rate, survival rate and controversable issues in the treatment of the ovarian malignant germ cell tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From August, 1991 to November, 1998 thirty-one patients with malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary treated in the department of obstetrics and gynecology, Kosin University Medical college, were eligible and assessable. Demographic characteristics, symptoms, signs, stage, tumor grade, mode of therapy and results of follow up were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: The patients with malignant germ cell tumor constituted 6.37% of all ovarian malignancies during this period. Histologic subtypes were 8 dysgerminoma(25.8%), 7 endodermal sinus tumor(22.6%), 10 immature teratoma(32.3%), 3 mixed germ cell tumor(9.7%), 3 choriocarcinoma(9.7%). The age of the patients ranged from 10 to 40 years (mean +/-S.D.; 24.26 +/- 7.51). The most common symptom was abdominal pain(38.7%). Most had stageI(18 cases, 58.0%) or stageIII(5 cases, 16.2%) diseases. All patients underwent surgery as the initial treatment, and nine patients received more than one operation. Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapeutic regimens were VAC, VBP, EP, BEP, EMA, and EMA CO. The mean follow up duration was 26.0(+/- S.D.; +/- 20.3) months. The 2-year and 5-year survival rate were 91.97%(+/- S.E.; +/- 0.05) and 86.86%(+/- S.E.; +/- 0.07).
Endoderm ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Germ Cells* ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal* ; Obstetrics ; Ovary ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

Purpose: To evaluate and compare the degree of visualization of the vitreous and internal limiting membrane (ILM) during pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) using preservative-free triamcinolone acetonide (PF-TA) or triamcinolone acetonide suspension (TAS). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 61 eyes of 61 patients who underwent 25-gauge PPV and ILM peeling for various macular diseases. We assigned the patients to PF-TA and TAS groups, i.e., according to the type of triamcinolone acetonide used. The degree of visualization of the vitreous and ILM was classified into four different categories. The number of dye injections during PPV, need for indocyanine green (ICG), time elapsed before ILM peeling, and intraocular pressure (IOP) before surgery, 1 day and 1 month after surgery were determined. Results: The degree of visualization of the vitreous and ILM was significantly better in the PF-TA group compared with the TAS group. Although the number of dye injections during PPV was not different between the PF-TA and TAS groups (2.56 ± 0.07 and 2.37 ± 1.08, respectively, p = 0.06), the need for ICG was significantly different (6 and 22 eyes, respectively, p < 0.01). The time elapsed before ILM peeling was 185.68 ± 130.02 s in the PF-TA group and 411.15 ± 267.38 s in the TAS group (p < 0.01). The IOP was not different before or 1 day after surgery between the PF-TA and TAS groups, but was significantly different 1 month after surgery (12.88 ± 3.10 and 14.41 ± 2.91 mmHg, respectively, p = 0.03). Conclusions Visualization of the vitreous and ILM was better when using PF-TA compared to TAS. PF-TA-assisted PPV could reduce the usage of ICG and was associated with a reduced latency to ILM peeling. Because this was in turn associated with a lower IOP at postoperative 1 month, PF-TA was safer and more effective than TAS.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate case-fatality rates and survival rates, prognostic factors of prevalent five cancers(stomach, lung, liver, cervix, colon) in a university hospital located in Taejon City. METHODS: 2,158 cancer patients who have admitted the hospital from Jan. 1, 1991 to Dec. 31, 1998 were analysed. The higher ratio of outbreak and growing were selected among the investigated cancer data for over 100 of subjects in Korean cancer patient was examined into two method. The one is medical record and the other is affirm a government office for existence or not. RESULTS: The lung cancer was discovered for the highest fatality rate. The crude 5-year survival rate of all cancer patients was 43.9% and that in male was higher than that in female. The 5-year survival rate of stomach cancer patients were 49.7%, that treated with combined(operation and chemotherapy) were 66.2%, that with metastasis to lymph node were 48.1%, and distant metastasis were 31.9%. Lung cancer patients were 25.9%, that treated with operation were 42.7%, and that with metastasis to lymph node were 29.3%. Hepatoma patients were 25.5%, that treated with operation were 37.8%. Uterine cervix cancer patients were 74.8%, that treated with operation were 95.0%, that with metastasis to lymph node were 83.3%, and distant metastasis 74.8%. Colon cancer patients were 41.8%, that treated with operation were 50.2%, that with metastasis to lymph node were 33.4%. Prognostic factors affecting survival rate among stomach cancer patients were age, operation, operation with cancer chemotherpy, and metastais to lymph node and distant matastasis. Prognostic factors of uterine cervix cancer was age, and that of colon cancer were operation with radiotherapy, metatasis to lymph node and distant metastasis. CONCLUSION: case-fatality rate in male were higher than that in female, and increased with age. The cancer survival rate of female is high, the high in over 40 years group, and operation is exposed in the highest survival rate, also significant difference in metastasis level.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Cervix Uteri ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Daejeon ; Female ; Humans ; Liver ; Lung ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lymph Nodes ; Male ; Medical Records ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Radiotherapy ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Survival Rate*

OBJECTIVE: To survey the prevalence of Cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) and to analyze the ergonomic factors among the bank workers and post officers. METHOD: Seventy seven subjects were collected from bank workers (50) and post officers (27) from the multiple areas of country who had been exposed to risky working environment regarding CTDs. The subjects were first screened by occupational medicine specialists and confirmed by rehabilitation medicine specialist. The serologic test, radiologic imaging, electrodiagnostic study were performed in all the subjects. Ergonomists analyzed the job element to identify the risk factors by baseline checklist of CTDs. RESULTS: Among bank workers, 30 (60%) of 50 were confirmed as having CTDs. MPS was present in 30 patients (60%), latenl epicondylitis in 5 (10%), medial epicondylitis in 3 (6.0%), tendinitis 3 (6.0%), and other disease in 3 (6.0%). Among post officers, 14 (51.9%) of 27 were confirmed as having CTDs. MPS present in 10 (37.0%), cervical disc disease in 4 (14.8%), others in 4 (14.8%). The ergonomic risk score was highest 1.87 in the 'package deviding' job, and 1.82 in 'bagging to cart', 1.62 in 'initial devision'. CONCLUSION: The result would be helpful for the prevention and management of CTDs in the bank workers and post officers.
Checklist ; Cumulative Trauma Disorders* ; Human Engineering ; Humans ; Occupational Medicine ; Prevalence* ; Rehabilitation ; Risk Factors ; Serologic Tests ; Specialization ; Tendinopathy

OBJECTIVE: To survey the prevalence of cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) and to analyze the ergonomic factors in the paper reviewing workers. METHOD: Five hundreds and twenty subjects of paper reviewers were collected from 'National Medical Insurance Association' who had been exposed to risky working environment regarding CTDs. The subjects were first screened by occupational medicine specialists and confirmed by physiatrist. The subjects were also examined by serologic test, radiologic imaging, and electro diagnostic study. Ergonomists analyzed the job element to identify the risk factors by baseline checklist of CTDs. RESULTS: Among the workers, 51 (9.8%) of 520 were confirmed to CTDs, the prevalance of myofascial pain syndrome was 22 (43.1%), that of medial epicondylitis was 13 (25.5)%, lateral epicondylitis 8 (15.7%) and others. Pain scale of National Industrial Occupational Safety Health Institute symtoms criteria was highest in the shoulder girdle and the next was in the neck, in the wirst and fingers. The ergonomic risk score was highest 2.56 in the 'verifying' job, and the next 2.20 in 'the 2nd examination' job and 'the 1st examination' job, 1.72 in 'correcting' job. CONCLUSION: The result would be helpful for the prevention and management of CTDs in the paper reviewing workers.
Checklist ; Cumulative Trauma Disorders* ; Fingers ; Human Engineering ; Insurance ; Myofascial Pain Syndromes ; Neck ; Occupational Health ; Occupational Medicine ; Prevalence* ; Risk Factors ; Serologic Tests ; Shoulder ; Specialization

OBJECTIVE: The human MAGE 3 gene encodes tumor specific antigens that are recognized by autologue cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). The MAGE 3 gene is expressed not only in melanoma but in the other malignant tumors as well. There is, however, little information on the expression of the gene in uterine cervical carcinomas. The author thus studied the expression of the MAGE 3 gene products in uterine cervical carcinoma and discuss the possibility of specific immunologic diagnosis using MAGE 3 gene products. METHODS: The expression of MAGE 3 gene product in 17 normal tissues of the cervix, 32 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (8 CIN I, 10 CIN II, 14 CIS), and 43 invasive cervical carcinomas was studied by immunohistochemistry using anti-MAGE 3 mAb 57B in paraffin sections RESULTS: No expression of MAGE 3 gene product was detected in normal cervical tissues and in cervical intraepithelial neoplasias. The expression of MAGE 3 gene product was detected in 30.2% (13/43) of invasive cervical carcinomas. The MAGE 3 gene product was stained as a cytoplasmic protein in cancer cells. No statistically significant differences were observed between MAGE 3 gene product expression status and clinicopathologic parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The MAGE 3 gene products was expressed in invasive cervical carcinoma tissues.
Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; Cervix Uteri ; Cytoplasm ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Immunologic Tests ; Melanoma ; Paraffin ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic

OBJECTIVE: Mycoplasmas have been implicated in many diseases including cervicitis, urethritis, salpingitis, endometritis... and functioning as cofactors catalyzing the HIV disease state. The oncogenic potentiality of mycoplasma was only recently realized when they were shown causing chromosomal changes and in vitro cell transformations through gradual progressive chromsomal loss and translocation. Few study has been reported the prevalence of mycoplasma infection in human cancers and suggested that there was a connection between these organisms and human cancers. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between Ureaplasma urealyticum infection and cervical cancer. METHODS: The detection frequency of Ureaplasma urealyticum in 52 invasive cervical cancer tissues and 17 normal cervical tissues was studied using PCR. RESULTS: U. urealyticum DNA was detected in 8 out of 52(15.4%) invasive cervical cancer tissues and 1 out of 17(5.9%) normal cervical tissues. No statistic significance was observed between the detection frequency of Ureaplasma urealyticum and clinicopathologic parameters. The prevalence of Ureaplasma urealyticum in invasive cervical tissues was 15.4% and this rate was higher than 5.9% in normal cervical tissues but there was no statistic significance. CONCLUSIONS: With respect to clinicopathologic parameters of cervical cancer, there was no significant relation between U. urealyticum infection and cervical cancer. There is, however, few study and case on cervical cancer internally and externally. It is considered that more studies on the subject with much cases should be made.
Carcinogenesis ; DNA ; Endometritis ; Female ; HIV ; Humans ; Mycoplasma ; Mycoplasma Infections ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence ; Salpingitis ; Ureaplasma urealyticum* ; Ureaplasma* ; Urethritis ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms* ; Uterine Cervicitis

Atrophying pityriasis versicolor is a rare variant of pityriasis versicolor. Clinically, atrophying pityriasis versicolor is characterized by well defined, slightly scaly, depressed macules and patches with minimal symptoms. The etiology of the atrophy is unknown, though several hypotheses have been suggested, including immune reaction to antigens of Malassezia species. A 23-year-old male was presented with multiple, slightly brown colored macules and patches on the chest and back. In the potassium hydroxide preparation, lots of yeasts and hyphae were found. A histopathologic study showed multiple yeasts and hyphae on the stratum corneum, focal epidermal thinning, and perivascular lymphocytic infiltration on the upper dermis. The patient was treated with 100 mg itraconazole a day with topical antifungal agents. After 3 weeks of treatment, clinical improvement and mycological improvement were achieved. We present an additional case of atrophying piryriasis versicolor developed on the chest and back with the review of the relevant literature.
Antifungal Agents ; Atrophy ; Dermis ; Humans ; Hydroxides ; Hyphae ; Itraconazole ; Malassezia ; Male ; Pityriasis ; Potassium ; Potassium Compounds ; Thorax ; Tinea Versicolor ; Yeasts ; Young Adult

In order to prepare the fundamental data for the health promotion by assessing the exposure level of styrene, the author determined the concentration of mandelic acid and phenylglyoxylic acid in urine of 42 workers who were exposed to styrene by high performance liquid chromatography and surveyed 16 symptoms, by questionnaire and also tested neurobehavioral test(digit symbol, benton visual retention) in 2 FRP plants of Kyung Nam area from July to September, 1995. Control was sampled by age sex matching method. The concentration of styrene in air was determined by gas chromatography. The results were as follows; 1. Geometric mean concentration of styrene in air was 17.4ppm, geometric mean concentration of mandelic acid(MA) in urine were 404.3mg/g creatinine for exposure group, 46.4mg/g creatinine for control group, geometric mean concentration of phenylglyoxylic acid(PGA) in urine were 57.5mg/g creatinine for exposure group, 9.5mg/g creatinine for control group. Mean concentration of MA and PGA showed statistically significant difference between exposure group and control group(p<0.01). 2. Number of symptom were 2.9 for exposure group, 3.3 for control group, number of digit symbol were 24.1 for exposure group, 32.5 for control group, number of Benton visual retention test were 6.1 for exposure group, 6.0 for control group, respectively. As result of adjusting the education year, number of Benton visual retention test showed statistically significant difference between exposure group and control group(p<0.05). 3. Excellent correlation were observed between environmental styrene exposure and urinary MA(r=0.80), PGA(r=0.73), and MA+PGA(r=0.81).
Chromatography, Gas ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Creatinine ; Education ; Health Promotion ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Styrene*