Human stem cells have been isolated from embryos as well as diverse somatic tissues. Much efforts have been made to apply those stem cells for therapeutic purpose. Molecular dissection of "stemness" and differentiation process will provide us a clue to further understanding of stem cell biology. The fate of stem cell is determined in part by internal regulation mediated by transcriptional control. A set of genes related to specific functions might be expressed and suppressed upon external or internal signaling. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the complete gene expression profile that defines the stem cell. Moreover, we should verify the potential of therapeutic stem cells regarding differentiation, specific function, tumorigenecity, and toxicity rigorously before the clinical application. At present we have only limited information on "stemness" and differentiation into specific lineages. In the genome era, we can draw a molecular portrait on these functional and morphologic changes along the differentiation, trans-differentiation as well as de-differentiation using the DNA chip technology. We need to accumulate database for gene expression at various steps of stem cell differentiation, which will enhance our knowledge for research on and medical application of stem cell.
Biology ; Embryonic Structures ; Gene Expression ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Genome ; Genomics ; Humans ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Stem Cells* ; Transcriptome

No abstract available.
Female ; Germ Cells* ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal* ; Ovary*

No abstract available.
Granuloma Annulare* ; Granuloma* ; Herpes Zoster*

No abstract available.
Lichen Planus*

No abstract available.
Pregnancy, Heterotopic*

We conducted this cohort analytic study to determine whether women with unexplained elevations of maternal serum hCG at 15-18 weeks' gestation are at increased risk for pregnancy complications and adverse perinatal outcomes. The inclusion criteria were a singleton gestation, a confirmed gestational age, and an hCG level greater than 2.0 multiples of the median (MoM). The exclusion criteria were fetal anomalies, an abnormal karyotype, molar pregnancy, and an MSAFP level greater than 2.5 multiples of the median (MoM). A group of randomly selected women with hCG levels under 2.0 MoM served as controls. Patients with elevated levels of hCG had a significantly higher risk for PIH (17.9% versus 4.5%; P <.05) and preterm delivery (17.9% versus 3.5%; P<, 05) than control. But no significant differences were observed in the incidence of intrauterine growth restriction and low birth weight and in the newborn weight. We suggested that pregnancies with unexplained elevated hCG levels should be regarded as high-risk pregnancies. And these patients require careful monitoring with adequate obstetric management.
Abnormal Karyotype ; Chorionic Gonadotropin* ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans* ; Hydatidiform Mole ; Incidence ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications ; Pregnancy Outcome* ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnancy, High-Risk

No abstract available.

Clinical observation was performed on 81 cases who were received exchange transfusion at Ilsin Christian Hospital from January, 1986 to Decrmber, 1990. The results obtained were as follows: 1) Among 6,388 cases of neonatal jaundice, the exchange transfusion was performed on 81 cases (1.27%). 2) There was no sex predominance (male 40, female 41). The birth weight of 75 cases(92.6%) ranged from 2,500 gm 4,000 gm. 3) The most predominant delivery type was normal vaginal delivery (66 cases, 81.5%). Instrumental delivery was 9 cases (11.1%) that was higher than control group (4.2%). 4) Analysing the exchanged 81 cases, sepsis accounted for 28 cases (34.6%) of the total exchanged group:ABO incompatibility 25 cases (30.9%), complicated causes 13 cases(16.0%), unknown causes 12 cases (14.8%) and Rh incompatibility 1 cases (1.2%). 5) Repeated exchange transfusion was required in 12 cases (16.0%). 6) In 20 cases (24.7%), exchange transfusion was performed on 7 days or more after birth. In 4 cases (4.9%), including 1 cases of Rh incompatibility, exchange transfusion was done within 24 hours after birth. 7) The most common organism of sepsis, which was the most predominant etiology of exchange transfusion was E. coli in 12 cases (31.5%). 8) After exchange transfusion, serum bilirubin, Hb and reticulocyte count were decreased by 24%, 22% and 36%, respectively.
Bilirubin ; Birth Weight ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Jaundice, Neonatal ; Parturition ; Reticulocyte Count ; Sepsis

STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study analyzing 73 patients treated by decompression, pedicular screw instrumentation and posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) for lumbosacral spondylolithesis and symptomatic spinal stenosis. we used laminected laminar and spinous process instead of iliac bone. OBJECTIVES: This is to evaluate fusion rate and clinical results of PLIF with laminected laminar and spinous process. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PLIF in 73 patients with lumbosacral disorders who carried out at Pohang St. Mary's Hospital from March 1994 to January 1996. Fusion rate was evaluated by simple X-ray and dynamic view. Clinical effect was evaluated by Kirkaldy-Willis criteria. RESULTS: The solid fusion was achieved at 67 cases(91.8%) and the average period of fusion was 6.4 months. Complications were 2 cases of superficial skin infection and 3 cases of root irritation. The functional results by Kirkaldy-Willis were as follows ; excellent 40 cases, good 23 cases, fair 9 cases and poor 1 case. CONCLUSIONS: This PLIF procedure combined with transpedicular instrumentation showed sufficient fusion rate and excellent clinical results and improvement in vertebral alignment.
Decompression ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin ; Spinal Stenosis

No abstract available.
Escherichia coli* ; Escherichia* ; Humans*