No abstract available.
Chromium ; Copper ; Zinc

Aspergillus funigatus and other pathogenic fungi synthesize a toxic epidithi- odiopiperzine (ETP) metabolite called gliotoxin. Gliotoxin is an epidithiodiopiperzine compound which can both react with sulfhydryl groups and form hydrogen peroxide. The fungal toxin gliotoxin induces apoptotic cell death in a variety of cells. Apoptosis induced by gliotoxin need calcium but effect of calcium preconditioning is unknown by gliotoxin. We studied the effect of protein kinase C and calcium preconditioning on gliotoxin-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cell. PKC and calcium preconditiong inhibited DNA fragmentation by gliotoxin. From this above results suggest that gliotoxin induce apoptosis via caspase-3 activation, because caspase-3 inhibitor (DEVD-CHO) didn't induce apoptosis in gliotoxin treated H9c2 clls. Calcium and PKC preconditioning inhibit caspase-3 activation by gliotoxin. These data means that PKC preconditioning is related with caspase-3 regulate in gliotoxin-induced apoptosis.
Apoptosis* ; Aspergillus ; Calcium ; Caspase 3 ; Cell Death ; DNA Fragmentation ; Fungi ; Gliotoxin* ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; Protein Kinase C* ; Protein Kinases*

The gene for tyrosinase has been mapped to the long arm of chromosome 11 at 11q14-21. The gene is at least 50Kb in length and its coding region is divided into five exons. Until now several mutations of the tyrosinase gene have been identifed in patient with typical oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) who are responsible for tyrosinase negative OCA. It may be possible to determine the types of OCA by measuring the hairbulb tyrosinase activity. Hairbulb tyrosinase activity was examined in a Korean albino to determine the type of OCA. And also tyrosinase assay was carried out in normally pigmented individuals and all members of a Korean albino's family to examine the tyrosinase activities. Five exons of tyrosinase gene from a Korean albino were amplified by polymerase chain reaction. Each amplified exon segments were independently subcloned and DNA sequences of clones were determined. The results obtained were as follows : 1. A Korean albino had no measurable hairbulb tyrosinase activity and was identified as type IA (tyrosinase negative) oculocutaneous albinism. 2. Normally pigmented individuals had different ranges of hairbulb tyrosinase activity. 3. A Korean albino had two single base insertions within exon V (between 337bp and 338bp, 353bp and 354bp) of tyrosinase gene. These insertional mutations might disrupt tyrosinase function and were associated with a total lack of melanin biosynthesis.
Albinism* ; Albinism, Oculocutaneous ; Arm ; Base Sequence ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11 ; Clinical Coding ; Clone Cells ; Exons ; Humans ; Melanins ; Monophenol Monooxygenase* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

A 36-year-old woman was diagnosed with anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) by excisional biopsy of a left frontal skin lesion. During the first cycle of chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone), the patient complained of right ocular pain and inflammation. Cytologic examination using aqueous humor revealed atypical lymphocytes, suggesting intraocular ALCL involvement. Acute angle closure developed in the anterior chamber due to rapid progression of ALCL, causing pupillary block. Laser and surgical interventions were attempted but failed to relieve the pupillary block. Finally, radiation therapy resolved the pupillary block to restore the anterior chamber and normalize intraocular pressure. This is the first case in the English literature of ALCL involving the iris to cause acute secondary angle closure.
Adult ; Anterior Eye Segment/*pathology ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Eye Neoplasms/*diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic/*diagnosis ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; *Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Positron-Emission Tomography

A 36-year-old woman was diagnosed with anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) by excisional biopsy of a left frontal skin lesion. During the first cycle of chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone), the patient complained of right ocular pain and inflammation. Cytologic examination using aqueous humor revealed atypical lymphocytes, suggesting intraocular ALCL involvement. Acute angle closure developed in the anterior chamber due to rapid progression of ALCL, causing pupillary block. Laser and surgical interventions were attempted but failed to relieve the pupillary block. Finally, radiation therapy resolved the pupillary block to restore the anterior chamber and normalize intraocular pressure. This is the first case in the English literature of ALCL involving the iris to cause acute secondary angle closure.
Adult ; Anterior Eye Segment/*pathology ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Eye Neoplasms/*diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic/*diagnosis ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; *Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Positron-Emission Tomography

Glomus tumors (GTs) are rare benign vascular neoplasms that predominantly occur in the subungual region of the digits. However, these neoplasms have also been reported in other anatomical locations. Extradigital GTs often present in atypical locations with unconventional symptoms, posing potential diagnostic challenges for clinicians. Herein, we present a recent case of an extradigital GT found in the forearm of a 76-yearold male patient that exhibited intraoperative features similar to those of a nerve sheath tumor or intravascular tumor, further underscoring these diagnostic challenges. This report highlights the pivotal role of frozen section pathology in diagnosing and managing this atypical lesion, thereby facilitating optimal patient care.

Six hundred fifty-one metacarpal bones of Koreans were studied for variations in articular and non-articular surface and the number, position and direction of the diaphyseal nutrient foramina. The facets for articulation of the metacarpal bone with one another showed very frequent variations from the standard text-book description. The number and the sites of entry of the diaphyseal nutrient foramina also showed considerable variations. These findings show no apparent racial difference in variations of metacarpal bones between a Korean and an Indian.
Metacarpal Bones*

Primary lymphoma of the small intestine is commonly diagnosed after serious complications, such as bowel perforation and bleeding. It results from vague symptoms and the lack of routine screening programs due to low prevalence. Ileal intubation can be used for screening and diagnosis of various small intestinal diseases. However, the value of routine terminal ileum intubation during colonoscopy remains controversial because of its low diagnostic yield. In Korea, there has been no report of asymptomatic primary lymphoma of the small intestine discovered through ileal intubation during colonoscopy. Thus, we report a case of asymptomatic primary lymphoma of the small intestine diagnosed incidentally through terminal ileum intubation during screening colonoscopy, and we review the literature on small intestinal lymphoma and the value of routine ileal intubation.
Colonoscopy* ; Diagnosis ; Endoscopy ; Hemorrhage ; Ileum ; Intestinal Diseases ; Intestine, Small ; Intubation* ; Korea ; Lymphoma* ; Mass Screening* ; Prevalence

BACKGROUND: The overuse and misuse of antimicrobial agents and their resultant emergence of resistant microorganisms have made choices regarding antimicrobial therapy more difficult .Therefore,a new system that separated prescribing and dispensing medicine began on July 1,1997 to prevent overuse and misuse of medicine.We studied to evaluate changes of antibiotic sensitivities to causative microorganisms of urinary tract infection 2 years before and after the new medical system. METHODS: During each 2 years before and after the new medical system,we analyzed antibiotic sensitivities of causative microorganisms for urinary tract infection among the 447 out-patients who visited a hospital in GangNeung.The diagnosis of urinary tract infection was based on greater than 105 CFU (Colony For Unit)per ml.urine. RESULTS: The most common pathogenic microorganisms as E.coli (76.5%),followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (5.1%),and Proteus mirabilis (3.6%)in urine culture. A first generation cephalosporin,cephalothin,against E.coli, had more significant sensitivity after the introduction of the new medical system (52.6%)than before (33.9%),especially in the 80th decade (P=0.023) and in females (P<0.001).Also,trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole against E.coli showed signifcant improving sensitivity (P=0.025). CONCLUSION: There was little change of antibiotic sensitivity of urinary tract infection in out-patients before and after the new medical system in cephalothin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole against E.coli. The change of antibiotic sensitivities will require further observation for a longer term after the introduction of the new medical system.
Anti-Infective Agents ; Cephalothin ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; Outpatients* ; Prescriptions* ; Proteus mirabilis ; Urinary Tract Infections* ; Urinary Tract*

Flexible fiberoptic colonoscopy is extensively used for the diagnosis and management of colorectal disease. Many possible complications can occur. The most common and most serious complications are hemorrhage, perforation and respiratory problems. Colonic perforation usually results in a fatal and emergent condition. However, management of iatrogenic colonic perforation has been controversial. The choice between the medical versus the surgical approach has been dependent on the mechanism of the perforation, bowel preparation, location, size of the defect and severity of symptoms. We report here a case where colonic perforation emerged during endoscopic submucosal resection of a rectal tumor. The rectal perforation was accompanied with pneumoperitoneum, subcutaneous emphysema, pneumoretroperitoneum and pneumomediastinum. As the bowel preparation was excellent, intravenous antibiotics and total parenteral nutirition were administered. The patient was treated successfully without any complications.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Colon ; Colonoscopy ; Diagnosis ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Mediastinal Emphysema* ; Pneumoperitoneum* ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Retropneumoperitoneum* ; Subcutaneous Emphysema*