The Polyporaceae is a chaotic mass of genera having poroid hymenophores in the Aphyllophorales. To classify the Polyporaceae into more natural groups, phylogenetic analyses were performed using nuclear small subunit ribosomal DNA sequences. Thirty-six species from the families of the Polyporaceae, the Hymenochaetaceae, the Ganodermataceae, the Corticiaceae, the Bondarzewiaceae, the Meruliaceae, the Steccherinaceae and the Lentinaceae were phylogenetically compared. By performing maximum parsimony analysis, seven phylogenetically meaningful groups were identified and discussed. The hyphal system, presence or absence of clamps, and the type of rot were found as important characters in defining the groups. Each group was phylogenetically significant enough to be a core member of each family when the Polyporaceae was split into smaller and more natural families.
DNA, Ribosomal ; Humans ; Phylogeny ; Polyporaceae* ; Polyporales ; RNA, Ribosomal*

No abstract available.
Lithotripsy* ; Shock*

To evaluate the establishment of Mungyong Saejae Natural Ecology Park located in the northwestern Gyongbuk Province, a scientific survey for the mushroom flora of the park was carried out from May to December of 1999. A checklist of the Aphyllophorales collected from the park was prepared. The list included 67 species of 44 genera belonging to nine families in the Aphyllophorales. Among them, seven species, Antrodia malicola, Ceriporia purpurea, Oligoporus leucospongia, Perenniporia tephropora, Phanerochaete xerophila, Sistotrema diademiferum and Vuilleminia comedens, were confirmed as new to Korea and are registered here as unrecorded species along with descriptions and microscopic drawings.
Agaricales ; Antrodia ; Checklist ; Ecology ; Humans ; Korea ; Phanerochaete ; Polyporales*

PURPOSE: Although double-J ureteral stents are used prophylactically to reduce morbidity and complications following shock wave lithotripsy(SWL), the efficacy is still controversial. To evaluate the efficacy of urethral stunting in SWL of medium sized(1.5-2.5cm) renal calculi, we performed a randomized study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analysed the outcome of SWL in 46 patients with medium sized(1.5-2.5cm) solitary renal calculi. The study population was divided Into two groups, group 1 consisting of patients who had urethral stents before SWL(n=21) and group 2 of those who did not(n=25). Several variables, including complications, operation requirements and stone free rates, were evaluated. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences between group 1 and group 2 in the incidence of ureteral obstruction or steinstrasse(19% vs 20%), hospitalization (10% vs 16%), operation requirements(10% vs 12%) and stone free rate after 3 months(81% vs 76%). Of 21 patients with stunts, 4(19%) had urinary frequency or urgency and 4(19%) had dysuria. CONCLUSIONS: Regarding our results, placement of urethral stents would not be useful in SWL of medium sized renal calculi.
Calculi ; Dysuria ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Incidence ; Kidney ; Kidney Calculi* ; Lithotripsy* ; Shock* ; Stents* ; Ureter* ; Ureteral Obstruction

OBJECTIVES: Percutaneous vertebroplasty has recently been introduced as an interesting therapeutic alternative for the treatment of thoracolumbar vertebral body fractures in elderly persons with osteoporosis. The authors present the early results of this method. METHOD AND MATERIAL: From July 1999 to April 2000, percutaneous transpedicular technique was used in 20 patients (2 men and 18 women) whose mean age was 67.5 years old(range 59-79) with painful vertebral compression(22) and burst(2) fractures. The interval between fracture and vertebroplasty ranged 1 day to 4 months. The procedure involved percutaneous puncture of the injured vertebra via transpedicular approach under fluoroscopic guidance, followed by injection of polymethylmetacrylate(PMMA) into the vertebral body through a disposable 11-guage Jamshidi needle. RESULT: The most common cause of fracture was slip down and the most frequent injured level was the twelfth thoracic spine. The procedure was technically successful bilaterally in 18 patients(9 thoracic and 15 lumbar spines) with an average injection amount of 7.7ml PMMA in each level. Seventeen(94.4%) patients reported significant pain relief immediately after treatment. Two leaks of PMMA were detected with postoperative CT in spinal epidural space and extravertebral soft tissue without clinical symptoms. CONCLUSION: Although this study represents the early results, percutaneous vertebroplasty seems to be valuable tool in the treatment of painful osteoporotic vertebral body fractures in elderly, providing acute pain relief and early mobilization.
Acute Pain ; Aged ; Early Ambulation ; Epidural Space ; Fractures, Compression ; Humans ; Male ; Needles ; Osteoporosis ; Polymethyl Methacrylate ; Punctures ; Spine ; Vertebroplasty*

The thyroid gland is highly sensitive to the carcinogenic effects of ionizing radiation. The development of benign thyroid nodules, thyroid carcinoma and thyroid dysfunction following radiotherapy during childhood has been documented. Recently we experienced two cases of thyroid tumor after irradiation. One is a 14-year-old boy with thyroid follicular carcinoma who had received mantle irradiation(3,000cGy) eight years previously for Hodgkin' disease. The other is a 15-year- old boy with thyroid follicular adenoma who had received craniospinal irradiation (3,600cGy) seven years previously for CNS relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. We recommend frequent sonographic evaluation and early suppression of thyroid stimulation in an attempt to arrest the development of neoplastic changes in long term survivors of childhood malignancies who received radiation therapy.
Adenoma ; Adolescent ; Craniospinal Irradiation ; Humans ; Male ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; Radiation, Ionizing ; Radiotherapy ; Recurrence ; Survivors ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Thyroid Nodule ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic effect of splenectomy in children with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura(ITP) who do not respond to corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin(IVIG). METHODS: Fifteen patients(7 boys and 8 girls) who were admitted to St. Mary's Hospital under the diagnosis of ITP from December 1990 to February 1997 were enrolled In this study. All had chronic forms(more than 6 months after diagnosis) and were refractory to corticosteroids(prednisolone 1~2mg/kg) and IVIG(400mg/kg for 5 days or 1 g/kg for 2 days). We you-finely employ pneumococcal vaccine in 13 patients before splenectomy slnce 1992. Antiplatelet antibody was examed in 10 patients. We measured platelet count at preoperative time, postoperative 1 day, 1 month, and 3 months or more. Hematologic results were analyzed according to Berchtold and McMillan's criteria (1) complete response(CR) >120 x 10(9)/l; (2) partial response(PR) >50 x 10(9)/l (3) no response(NR) < 50 x 10(9)/l. RESULTS: The median age at operation was 10 yr(6~16). The median time interval between diagnosis and splenectomy was 2 yr 2 mo(6 mo~5 yr 5 mo). Antiplatelet antibody was positive in 2 cases of 10 cases(20%). Of 15 cases, 12 cases were corticosteroid resistant and 3 cases were corticosteroid dependent. The postsplenectomy platelet count(median 407 x 10(9)/l of 1 day; 254 x 10(9)/l of 1 month; 227 x 10(9)/l of 3 months or more) was significantly higher than presplenectomy platelet count(median 9 x 10(9)/l)(P<0.05). All patients showed complete or parial response throughout the follow up period. Accessory spleen was found in 1 case and removed during operation. There were no serious complications following splenectomy except mild fever in 2 cases(14%). CONCLUSION: Splenectomy appears to be an effective and relatively safe treatment for patients with chronic ITP who have had inadequate response to conventional therapies.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Blood Platelets ; Child ; Diagnosis ; Fever ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Platelet Count ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic* ; Spleen ; Splenectomy*

We performed 113 ureteroscopies for stone removal in 110 patients between August 1989 and March 1992. The stones were removed successfully in 107 cases(94.7%) and complications occurred in l6 cases ( 14.2%). In 6 cases, we failed to remove ureteral stones due to inability to introduce ureteroscope at UVJ (one case). severe angulation of ureter (2 cases), inadequate illumination due to bleeding (one case) and upward migration of stones (2 cases). Complications consisted of tearing or ureteral mucosa (5 cases), ureteral perforation (5 cases), fever (2 cases). gross hematuria (2 cases) and infection (2 cases). There was no evidence of ureteral stricture on excretory urograms of 52 patients taken at 3 months postoperatively. Complication rate decreased according to accumulation or experience and it had no correlation with stone site or location. All complications were treated successfully with conservative measures. We conclude that ureteroscopic stone removal is a safe and effective method for treatment of mid-and lower ureteral stones.
Constriction, Pathologic ; Fever ; Hematuria ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Lighting ; Mucous Membrane ; Ureter ; Ureteroscopes ; Ureteroscopy

Eight strains of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella typhi were isolated from Kyonggi area during January-February,1997. They were resistant to ampiciUin, amoxicillin, carbeniciillin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim. Eight strains had one plasmid respectively which size was approximately M.W 220 kb and showed same restriction pattern by endonuclease HindIII. The plasmid was similar to the plasmid in size that was related to multidrug resistant S. typhi isolated from southeast Asia. It were transferred by conjugation to recipient E, coli K-12 in frequency of 2.43 x10-4 - 1.73 x 10-2 and transconjugant showed same drug-resistant pattem with donor cells. All of 8 strains produced B-lactamase that was assummed to TEM-1 type by isoelectric focusing and PCR.
Amoxicillin ; Asia, Southeastern ; Chloramphenicol ; Deoxyribonuclease HindIII ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Isoelectric Focusing ; Korea* ; Plasmids* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Salmonella typhi* ; Salmonella* ; Tetracycline ; Tissue Donors ; Trimethoprim

urpose:Adipocyte specific hormone, leptin is thought to regulate appetite and body weight, and serum level of leptin correlate with body fat content not only in adulthood but also in childhood. Adults who received cranial irradiation for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia are prone to hypothalamic damage in the form of growth hormone deficiency and leptin insensitivity. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of total body irradiation on serum leptin concentration at short- term follow-up. METHODS:Twenty-four acute leukemia patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation(BMT) were enrolled in this study. They were divided into total body irradiation(TBI) group(n=13) and non total body irradiation(NTBI) group(n=11). Body mass index and leptin concentration at 1 week before BMT and 1 day, 1 week and 4 weeks after BMT were checked. Serum leptin concentration was measured by RIA method. RESULTS:Leptin concentration was well correlated with BMI(r=0.689, P<0.05). BMI were 17.96+/-2.48, 17.58+/-2.39, 17.39+/-2.30, 17.74+/-2.31 in TBI group and 16.91+/-1.88, 16.53+/-1.91, 16.50+/-1.96, 16.78+/-1.82 in NTBI group at 1 week before BMT and 1 day, 1 week and 4 weeks after BMT. Lepin concentrations were 4.31+/-3.57ng/ml, 3.22+/-2.87ng/ml, 3.78+/-4.41ng/ml, 3.46+/-2.96ng/ml in TBI group and 3.46+/-1.84ng/ml, 2.60+/-1.11ng/ml, 2.71+/-1.61ng/ml, 3.61+/-3.27ng/ml in NTBI group at 1 week before BMT and 1 day, 1 week and 4 weeks after BMT. BMI was different at each time period(P<0.05) but not different between two groups. Lepin concentration was not different between two groups and at each time period. CONCLUSION: Serum leptin concentration was not changed, but BMI was significantly decreased by total body irradiation at short-term follow-up.
Adipose Tissue ; Adult ; Appetite ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Bone Marrow Transplantation* ; Bone Marrow* ; Child* ; Cranial Irradiation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Growth Hormone ; Humans ; Leptin* ; Leukemia* ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; Whole-Body Irradiation*