PURPOSE: recent studies have reported that the expression of Drg-1 is up-regulated by androgen. It has been suggested that Drg-1 gene be used as a molecular marker for prostate cancer therapies like PSA. To de termine the role of Drg-1 gene as a molecular marker during intermittent androgen deprivation(IAD) therapy, we investigated the expression of Drg-1 and compared it with PSA expression in human prostate cancer cell lines treated with dihydrotestosterone (DHT) continuously or intermittently. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two prostate cancer cells having different status of androgen receptor [LNCaP (androgen dependent) and PC-3 (androgen independent)] were used in this study. To know the change in PSA and Drg-1 expression after DHT treatment the cells were cultured in steroid-free RPMI media for 24 hours. 10(-7) and 10(-8)M of DHT and 10(-7)M bicalutimide was added into the cells and then cultured for 72 hours. And we established in vitro IAD model using LNCaP cells. Northern analyses were performed to determine the expression level of both PSA and Drg-1genes. Also, western analyses were performed to determine the protein level of proliferating cellular nuclear antigen and androgen receptor. RESULTS: Transcripts of Drg-1 were detected in both LNCaP and PC-3 cells but PSA was not expressed in PC-3 cells. The expression of Drg-1gene in LNCaP cells was up-regulated by 10(-8)M of DHT like PSA gene and down-regulated by 10(-7)M bicalutamide. In the treatment of intermittent androgen deprivation, the expression pattern of Drg-1was similar to that of PSA. However, up-regulation of PSA was detected earlier than of Drg-1. CONCLUSIONS: Based on observation, Drg-1 was up-regulated by androgen and down-regulated by anti-androgen. This suggests that Drg-1gene is useful for determining the androgen independency of prostate cancer during IAD.
Cell Line ; Dihydrotestosterone ; Humans ; Prostate* ; Prostatic Neoplasms* ; Receptors, Androgen ; Up-Regulation

PURPOSE: To describe the radiological differences between tuberculous(TBB) and non-tuberculous bronchiectasis(NTBB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chest radiographs(n=62), bronchograms(n=18), and CT scans(n=52) of 37 patients with TBB and 25 patients with NTBB were reviewed retrospectively. Diagnostic basis for TBB were positive sputum AFB with or without history of anti-tuberculous chemotherapy(n=35), and radiological findings of pulmonary tuberculosis (n=2). Four of NTBB had a history of severe respiratory tract infection in childhood. RESULTS: Air-fluid levels on chest radiographs were seen in 2% of TBB, and 20% of NTBB. On bronchograms, all patients with TBB had combined focal bronchostenosis, whereas patients with NTBB had tubular(50%), cystic(17%), or mixed(33%) pattern of dilatation without stenosis. On CT scans, focal emphysema was seen in 86% of the patients with TBB, and 38% of the patients with NTBB. Peribronchiolar infiltration were seen in 78% and 44% of patients with TBB and NTBB, retrospectively. CONCLUSION: Basic radiological difference between TBB and NTBB was that the former had coexistent sten.
Bronchiectasis* ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Dilatation ; Humans ; Pulmonary Emphysema ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Retrospective Studies ; Sputum ; Thorax ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

Serum alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity is elevated in hepatobiliary disease, bone disease, pregnancy and certain neoplasms. Recently we experienced marked elevation of serum AP activity after administration of albumin preparation in nephrotic patients who suffered from hypovolemic symptoms. So serum AP activity and the isoenzymes in the albumin preparations & patient's serum after the administration of albumin preparation were studied. Serum AP activity was significantly higher after administration of albumin preparation (318+/-101 IU/L) then before (123+/-43 IU/L). The predominant isoenzyme after administration of albumin was placental type, while liver and bone type was predominant before administration. AP activity in albumin preparation was high (2,133+/-1,410 IU/L) and the isoenzyme was mostly placental type. So we concluded that marked elevation of serum AP activity after administration of albumin was traced to the placental type AP isoenzyme in some albumin preparations which was manufactured from the plasma of placental origin. Elevated serum AP activity like these may lead to erroneous interpretation. Manufactures should notify alkaline phosphatase activity in albumin preparations of placental origin.
Administration, Intravenous* ; Alkaline Phosphatase* ; Bone Diseases ; Humans ; Hypovolemia ; Isoenzymes ; Liver ; Plasma ; Pregnancy

No abstract available.

There had been total 20 patients with early onset(4 months~2 years) primary nephrotic syndrome in the Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, during the period from March 1987 to February 1993. We analysed clinical courses, response to treatment, pathological findings and prognosis of the patients And the results were as follows; 1) The initial responders to steroid treatment were 10(50%), of whom 3 became late nonresponders. Of the 10 initial nonresponders, 8 revealed continuing nonresponsiveness. 2) Incidence of hypertension was significantly higher in the intial nonresponders than in the initial responders. 3) Renal biopsies were performed in 9 initial nonresponders and 2 late nonresponders. And the results were 6 with minimal change lesion, 4 with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and 1 with mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis. 4) Six continuing or late nonresponders received methylprednisolone pulse therapy or cyclophosphamide. And partial remission was induced in 4 of them. 5) The overall 3 year maintenance rate of normal renal function was 81%(100% in the initial responders and 64% in the initial nonresponders). In conclusion, the initial steroid responsiveness and prognosis were poorer in patients with early onset nephrotic syndrome than in patients with usual childhood nephrotic syndrome.
Biopsy ; Cyclophosphamide ; Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative ; Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Methylprednisolone ; Nephrotic Syndrome* ; Pediatrics ; Prognosis ; Seoul

Double primary cancer means that more than two cancers with different origin exist independently in an individual. The diagnosis of double primary cancer was determined by following criteria. Each of the tumors must present a definite picture of malignancy, and each must be distinct, and the probability of one being a metastasis of the other must be excluded. Small cell carcinoma has a distinct biological behavior such as, early invasion and metastasis, a rapid clinical course, and significant sensitivity to chemotherapy. Small cell carcinoma in the esophagus is relatively rare, and rarer when it is combined with other malignant disease. We have experienced a case of double primary cancer, a 70-year-old man with esophageal small cell carcinoma and gastric adenocarcinoma, which were diagnosed by gastrointestinal endoscopic biopsy. A review of the Korean medical literature failed to reveal any previously described case of esophageal small cell carcinoma with gastric adenocareinoma. We report this case with review of literatures.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Aged ; Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Small Cell* ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Esophagus ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis

We reviewed the clinical features, histrologic patterns and clinical courses of 30 children with lupus nephritis retrospectively, and the results were summerized as follows; 1) The male to female ratio was 1:2.8, and the mean age at the onset was 10 8/12 years. 2) The clinical symptoms were diverse, and malaise, weight loss, anorexia, fever and malar rash were the most frequent findings. 3) Among the immunologic tests, FANA and anti-ds-DNA test revealed the highest sensitivity with positive rates of 97% and 87%, respectively. 4) Clinically, 57% of patients had active nephrotic syndrome at the onset, and 33% showed (?) was the most common findings (70%). 5) During the follow-up period, one children with Class IV lupus nephritis expired. And 8 out of 9 cases with renal insufficiency at the onset showed improvement of renal function after treatment with corticosteroid and cytotoxic agents. In conclusion, the clinical features and histologic findings of lupus nephritis in children were diverse. Early diagnosis and proper treatment can prevent rapid deterioration of renal function and improve long-term survival rate.
Anorexia ; Child* ; Cytotoxins ; Early Diagnosis ; Exanthema ; Female ; Fever ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunologic Tests ; Lupus Nephritis* ; Male ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; Renal Insufficiency ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Weight Loss

Intestinal tuberculosis has been known since antiquity. After about 1950's, effective antituberculous chemotherapy and an improved standard of living resulted in a steady decline in all forms of tuberculosis. However, intestinal tuberculosis has been reported with impressive frequency in developing countries including Korea. Disease affecting the duodenum is reported to be rare and isolated duodenal tuberculosis sparing the rest of the intestine is uncommon. We experienced a case of tuberculosis of duodenal bulb associated pulmonary tuberculosis. The diagnosis was made on the basis of the histological study of the endoscopic biopsy specimen. We have confirmed the healing of the duodenal lesion by the follow-up endoscopy after 9 months treatment of antituberculous medication.
Biopsy ; Developing Countries ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Duodenum* ; Endoscopy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Intestines ; Korea ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Tuberculosis* ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary*

During the period from January to December 1976, 12,489 VDRL (Venereal Disease Research Laboratory) and 2,965 FTA-ABS (Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody Absorption) tests were made. The reactive VDRL tests represented 3.6% of the total tested and the reactive rate of the FTA-ABS was 17.4%. The reactive VDRL and FTA-ABS tests represented 422 patients with clinically known diseases. The purpose of this study was to correlate the serologic findings with clinical problems. We divided the patients into three groups: 1. those with clinically diagnosed syphilis, 2. those with a history or physical findings compatible with syphilis, 3. those with no clinical evidence of syphilis. In groups 1 and 2, which represented 27% and 36.7%, respectively, a close correlation occurred between the two tests, both being reactive in 93-98% of the patients. However the VDRL was more informative than the FTA-ABS in determining clinical stages. In group 3, representing 36.3% of the reactive tests, the agreement between the two tests dropped to 77%; the FTA-ABS test was reactive in an additional 32 cases, 21% more than the VDRL. These discrepancies may well be due to the greater sensitivity of the FTA-ABS test in very early or late syphilis when there are no clinically recognizable manifestations. However the possibility of false positive FTA-ABS reactions could not be ruled out.
Adult ; Comparative Study ; Evaluation Studies ; Female ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique* ; Human ; Korea ; Male ; Middle Age ; Syphilis Serodiagnosis*

PURPOSE: With development of socioeconomic status, the prevelance of adolesecnt obesity, which is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, is increasing. Skinfold and body mass index are indirectly used measurement of obesity in clinical and epidemiologic studies. Triceps skinfold, subscapular skinfold and body mass index were measured in adolescents aged 12 to 17. Percentile values by age and sex and correlation between skinfold and body mass index were determined. METHODS: We examined 2114 adolescents aged 12 to 17 in Seoul between 1992 and 1993. Triceps skinfold and subscapular skinfold were measured. Body mass index was calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by square of height in meters. RESULTS: 1) The 50th percentile of triceps skinfold in males was 10.8mm at 12 year, 9.3mm at 17 year and decreased with age. The 50th percentile of triceps skinfold in females was 14.0mm at 12 year, 19.9mm at 17 year and increased with age. Females had greater values than males. 2) The 50th percentile of subscapular skinfold in males was 7.8mm at 12year, 10.4mm at 17 year and increased with age. The 50th percentile of subscapular skinfold in females was 11.8mm at 12 year, 19.0mm at 17 year and increased with age. Females had greater values than males. 3) The 50th percentile of body mass index in males was 18.5 at 12 year and 21.1 at 17 year. The 50th percentile of body mass index was 18.5 at 12 year and 20.3 at 17 year. 4) Pearson correlations between body mass index and triceps skinfold were 0.76 in males and females. Pearson correlations between body mass index and subscapualar skinfold were 0.80 in males and 0.81 in females. In females, correlations decreased with age. 5) Our data exceeded triceps skinfold in 1982 and body mass index of USA in 1974. CONCLUSIONS: Percentiles of skinfold thickness and body mass index may be used to monitor skinfold and body mass index of adolescents longitudinally and for comparing an individual with others of the same sex and age. Body mass index correlated highly with skinfold thickness.
Adolescent* ; Body Mass Index* ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity ; Risk Factors ; Seoul* ; Skinfold Thickness* ; Social Class