Allelic deletions involving the short arm of chromosome 3(3p13-21.1) have been observed frequently in cervical carcinomas. Recently the fragile histidine triad(FHIT) gene was cloned and mapped to this chromosomal region(3p14.2). From various studies involving tumor cell lines and primary cancers, the FHIT gene has been presumed to be a candidate for tumor suppressor gene involving various tumors. In FHIT gene, the most common aphidicolin-inducible fragile site, FRA3B exists and the FRA3B has been considered as a region of the spontaneous integration site of HPV 16. In order to elucidate the role of the FHIT in carcinogenesis of cervical cancer, this study was designed to investigate both the expression of FHIT protein in normal, preinvasive and invasive cancer samples employing immunohistochemical study and allelic loss of FHIT gene locus against several microsatellite markers employing the PCR analysis. Immunohistochemical studies of FHIT protein revealed following features. In normal ectocervical squamous epithelium, the expression of FHIT was relatively weak and confined to the basal layer, but in normal endocervical glandular epithelium it was very strong. The expression of FHIT was reduced as the tumor progressed from early lesion to invasive cancer. The koilocytosis was associated with diminished expression of FHIT protein. The study of allelic loss of FHIT gene locus was undertaken against two intragenic (D3S1300, D3S1234) and one extragenic (D3S1295) microsatellite markers. The 5th intron, D3S1300, showed allelic change in 6 of 15 assays and 7th intron, D3S1234 showed allelic change in 10 of 29 assays. There was no apparent LOH from 29 assays in D3S1295. In conclusion, the expression of FHIT protein was markedly reduced or absent in cervical squamous cell carcinoma and the chromosome breakage in FHIT region might be related to the diminished expression of FHIT. On the basis of the reduced expression of FHIT and its encompassment of FRA3B region, it is suggested that disruption of FHIT, a putative tumor suppressor gene, might be the mechanism by which HPV infection enhances cervical tumorigenesis and clonal outgrowth.
Arm ; Carcinogenesis ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Chromosome Breakage ; Clone Cells ; Epithelium ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; Histidine ; Human papillomavirus 16 ; Introns ; Loss of Heterozygosity ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

No abstract available.
Mass Screening* ; src Homology Domains*

No abstract available.
Cell Cycle*

No abstract available.
Blood Group Incompatibility* ; Bromelains*

Respiratory syncytial virus is the most common cause of lower respiratory infection (bronchiolitis and pneumonia) of infancy and early childhood. We analyzed clinical and radiological features of 76 patients with lower respiratory infections by respiratory syncytial virus, which were diagnosed by indirect immunofluorescent test or culture of nasal aspirate in Hep-2 cell monolayer, during the period of January-December, 1991. There were peaks of incidences in March-May and November-December, accounting for 87% of eases. Sixty-two cases (82%) were under 1 year of age. Fifty cases(66%) had underlying diseases. Major radiographical findings were overaeration (83%), parahilar peribronchial infiltrates(67%), segmental or subsegmental atelectasis(32%), and segmental or lobar consolidation(16%). In 15 cases(20%), overaeration was the only radiological findings. There was no evidence of pleural effusion or hilar lymph node enlargement in all cases. By considerig clinical features(symptoms, age. Underlying diseases, epidemic seasons) in addition to the radiological findings, radiologists would be familiar with lower respiratory infection by respiratory syncytial virus. Air space consolidation, which is generally though to represent bacterial pneumonia, is also observed not infrequently in respiratory syncytial virus infections.
Child* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant* ; Lymph Nodes ; Pleural Effusion ; Pneumonia, Bacterial ; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses* ; Respiratory Tract Infections

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of Tc-99m DTPA diuretic renal scans in children upper urinary tract. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed diuretic renal scans of 14 pediatric patients (age range: 3 days to 4 years) with unilateral hydronephrosis diagnosed by ultrasonography. Diuretic renal scan was done using Tc-99m DTPA and standardized protocol. In 3 neonates, diuretic renal scans were performed within 1 week and 3-7 months after birth. RESULTS: Six patients required pyeloplasty and eight were managed conservatively. All 6 patients requiring pyeloplasty were diagnosed as having ureteropelvic junction obstruction in the diuretic renal scan. In these 6 patients, post-operative renal scans at 3-12 months after surgery were converted to nonobstructive pattern in 5 and a nonobstructive patterns in 1. In 3 patients who underwent diuretic renal scan within 1 week after birth., nonobstructive patterns of initial scan were coverted to obstructive patterns in the follow-up scan. However, all patients with nonobstructive diuretic renal scans performed after the neonatal period did well on serial ultrasonography and showed favorable clinical outcome without progression to obstruction. CONCLUSION: Tc-99m DTPA diuretic renal scan with standarized protocol is useful in assessing suspected ureteropelvic junction obstruction in children as an initial diagnostic or post-operative follow-up modality. Nonobstructive or indeterminate scan RESULTS in the neonatal period requires follow-up scan to monitor development of the obstructive pattern.
Child* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis ; Infant, Newborn ; Kidney Pelvis ; Parturition ; Pentetic Acid* ; Radioisotope Renography* ; Ultrasonography ; Urinary Tract*

The redundant nerve root syndrome is not common and demonstrates a large, elongated, and tortuous nerve roots of cauda equina. Usually, the diagnosis of this syndrome is not difficult with the radiological finding and clinical symptom. The authors report a case of the redundant nerve root syndrome mimicking intradural spinal tumor in view of the symptom and radiological findings. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a globular intradural mass just above canal stenosis. Decompressive laminectomy and durotomy improved back pain and radicular pain. From the experience of this case, the relief of nerve root compression is recommended as early as possible in the redundant nerve root syndrome.
Back Pain ; Cauda Equina ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Diagnosis ; Laminectomy ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Radiculopathy

Systolic time interval measurements were made sequentially during second, third trimesters and postpartum period. Recordings were made in the supine position after bed rest for at least five minutes in order to obtain a steady state. In second trimester, pre-ejection period index (PEPI) was significantly shortened and left ventricular ejection period index(LVETI) remained normal while PEP/LVET decreased. Four possible mechanisms may be involved to account for the alterations in hemodynamic changes during this period(late stage of second trimester) : (1) increased metabolic demands of pregnancy: (2) hemodynamic effects of hypervolemia: (3) circulatory adjustments secondary to an arteriovenous shunt-like effect of the placental circulation: (4) cardiovascular effect of steroid hormone. The third trimester was characterized-by a markedly shortened LVETI, a prolonged PEPI and PEP/LVET. This findings are consistent with impaired left ventricular performance and are probably due to decreased left ventricular preload resulting from diminished venous return secondary to inferior vena caval obstruction by the large gravid uterus. In the postpartum period, the PEPI and PEP/LVET remained elevated and the LVETI shortened in the supine position. It is concluded that alterations in systolic time intervals occur normally during the course of uncomplicated pregnancy and persist into the postpartum period.
Bed Rest ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Placental Circulation ; Postpartum Period* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third* ; Supine Position ; Systole* ; Uterus

PURPOSE: To determine (1) the relationship between the cortical defects seen on 99 mTc-DMSA renal scans and age, and (2) the presence and degree of vesicoureteral reflux, and then to depict the risk factors for cortical defects in children with acute urinary tract infection (UTI). Furthermore, to assess the diagnostic value of VCUG in predicting a defect on 99 mTc-DMSA renal scans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 134 kidneys in 67 children aged 15 days-10 years (M:F=39:28) in whom symptomatic UTI was present. In all these children, both DMSA renal scans and voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) were performed. Scanning took place within 7 days of diagnosis and VCUG was performed after one month of diagnosis. Scintigraphic findings were graded according to the extent and number of cortical defects. We evaluated the relationships between the cortical defects seen on DMSA scans and age, and the grade of vesicoureteral reflux. The diagnostic value of VCUG in predicting cortical defects was analysed. Results: The prevalence of cortical defects was greater in patients older than two years (38/54, 70%) than in those aged less than two (38/80, 48%). The frequency of cortical defects was related to vesicoureteral reflux (p<0.05) and grade of reflux (p<0.05). As this latter increased, the extent of cortical defects also increased (p<0.05), and DMSA scans revealed the presence of these in 76 of the 134 kidneys (57%) with acute UTI. In 30 of these 76 (39.5%), VCUG demonstrated the presence of vesicoureteral reflex. On the other hand, vesi-coureteral reflex was found in 36 of the 134 kidneys (27%), and in 30 of these 36 (83%), cortical defects were noted. The sensitivity of VCUG in predicting cortical defect was 39.5%, while specificity was 89.7%. The positive predictive value for defects was 83.3%, and the negative predictive value was 53.1%. The relative risk of cortical defect in the presence of vesicoureteral reflux was 1.78. CONCLUSION: Renal cortical defects are significantly related to age and grade of vesicoureteral reflux. Risk factors for developing cortical defects were older age (> or =2yrs) at the time of acute UTI, and high grade of vesicoureteral reflux. The specificity of VCUG in predicting cortical defects is relatively high but the sensitivitiy is low, and a significant proportion of cortical defects therefore occurred in the absence of vesicoureteral reflux.
Child* ; Diagnosis ; Hand ; Humans ; Kidney ; Prevalence ; Radionuclide Imaging* ; Reflex ; Risk Factors* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Succimer* ; Urinary Tract Infections* ; Urinary Tract* ; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux

Recently it is known that Turner's syndrome is frequently associated with hypothyroidism. We report a case of Turner's syndrome associated with subclinical hypothyroidism. A 23-year-old female was admitted to the hospital with complaints of amenorrhea and short stature. She had a mosaicism of 45, X0/46, Xi(X_q) in the cell, cultured from the peripheral blood. The plasma thyroxine and triiodothyronine were normal and there was no clinical symptom of hypothyroidism. But the thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH) concentration was unusually higher(184 uU/L). She has been treated with the cyclic therapy of conjugated estrogen and medroxyprogesterone, in addition to the thyroxine replacement therapy. After 2 months, the menstruation was restored and TSH was normalized.
Amenorrhea ; Cells, Cultured ; Estrogens ; Female ; Humans ; Hypothyroidism ; Medroxyprogesterone ; Menstruation ; Mosaicism ; Plasma ; Thyroxine ; Triiodothyronine ; Turner Syndrome ; Young Adult