PURPOSE: Several lines of evidence have indicated that the deregulation of apoptosis is involved in the mechanisms of cancer development, and somatic mutations of the apoptosis-related genes have been reported in human cancers. In addition to its role in oxidative phosphorylation, release of cytochrome c from the mitochondrial intermembrane space results in nuclear apoptosis. The aim of this study was to explore whether alteration of cytochrome c gene mutation is a characteristic of human non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the current study, to detect the somatic mutations in the DNA sequences encoding cytochrome c in 48 NSCLCs, we used polymerase chain reaction (PCR), single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP), and DNA sequencing. RESULTS: The SSCP analysis revealed no mutation in the entire coding regions and all splice sites of human cytochrome c gene in the 48 NSCLCs. CONCLUSION: The data presented here indicate that the pro-apoptotic cytochrome c may not be somatically mutated in human NSCLCs, and suggest that NSCLCs may not utilize mutational events of cytochrome c gene in the mechanisms for evading apoptosis.
Apoptosis ; Base Sequence ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; Clinical Coding ; Cytochromes c* ; Cytochromes* ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; Oxidative Phosphorylation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

PURPOSE: To analyze the HRCT findings of adult mycoplasma pneumonia and correlate these with clinical information. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HRCT was performed in 17 cases of 15 adult patients (M:F=5:10) in whom mycoplasma pneumonia had been serologically confirmed. The pattern, extent and distribution of abnormalities were reviewed retrospectively and a changing pattern of abnormalities during the course of the disease was correlated with clinical symptoms. RESULTS: Unilateral(n=11) and lower lobe(n=12) involvement and multiplicity in involved lobes(n=10) were the most common abnormalities. Abnormalities on HRCT were as follows : nodules(n=15), areas of consolidation(n=14), nodules and areas of consolidation(n=13). Most abnormalities(n=11) were segmental or subsegmental in distribution. The most common nodular pattern was centrilobular micronodules(<5mm) or branching linear structures(n=15). An air-bronchogram in areas of consolidation was noted in 13 of 14 cases(92.9%). Areas of ground-glass attenuation, bronchial wall thickening and dilatation were observed in 11 cases as part of a mixed pattern. Additional findings were interlobular septal thickening(n=9), air-trapping(n=1), pleural effusion(n=2),and mediastinal lymphadenopathy(n=1). The relationship between the pattern of abnormalities and duration of the disease(from the onset of symptoms to the time of HRCT scan) was as follows. Group 1 (similar area ratio of consolidation and nodules) was predominant at 1 week, Group 2 (prominent areas of consolidation(>2/3)) at 2 weeks,and Group 3 (prominent areas of nodules(>2/3)) over 3 weeks. CONCLUSION: The main findings of adult mycoplasma pneumonia were nodules or areas of consolidation with segmental or subsegmental distribution. The early stage of the disease may show a pattern of a similar propartion of areas of consolidation and of nodules, followed by an increase in the propertion of areas of consolidation(>2/3) as the disease progresses. At the resolvtion stage, the extent of lesions will decrease and nodules will be the main finding.
Adult* ; Dilatation ; Humans ; Mycoplasma* ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma* ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: To analyze the HRCT findings of adult mycoplasma pneumonia and correlate these with clinical information. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HRCT was performed in 17 cases of 15 adult patients (M:F=5:10) in whom mycoplasma pneumonia had been serologically confirmed. The pattern, extent and distribution of abnormalities were reviewed retrospectively and a changing pattern of abnormalities during the course of the disease was correlated with clinical symptoms. RESULTS: Unilateral(n=11) and lower lobe(n=12) involvement and multiplicity in involved lobes(n=10) were the most common abnormalities. Abnormalities on HRCT were as follows : nodules(n=15), areas of consolidation(n=14), nodules and areas of consolidation(n=13). Most abnormalities(n=11) were segmental or subsegmental in distribution. The most common nodular pattern was centrilobular micronodules(<5mm) or branching linear structures(n=15). An air-bronchogram in areas of consolidation was noted in 13 of 14 cases(92.9%). Areas of ground-glass attenuation, bronchial wall thickening and dilatation were observed in 11 cases as part of a mixed pattern. Additional findings were interlobular septal thickening(n=9), air-trapping(n=1), pleural effusion(n=2),and mediastinal lymphadenopathy(n=1). The relationship between the pattern of abnormalities and duration of the disease(from the onset of symptoms to the time of HRCT scan) was as follows. Group 1 (similar area ratio of consolidation and nodules) was predominant at 1 week, Group 2 (prominent areas of consolidation(>2/3)) at 2 weeks,and Group 3 (prominent areas of nodules(>2/3)) over 3 weeks. CONCLUSION: The main findings of adult mycoplasma pneumonia were nodules or areas of consolidation with segmental or subsegmental distribution. The early stage of the disease may show a pattern of a similar propartion of areas of consolidation and of nodules, followed by an increase in the propertion of areas of consolidation(>2/3) as the disease progresses. At the resolvtion stage, the extent of lesions will decrease and nodules will be the main finding.
Adult* ; Dilatation ; Humans ; Mycoplasma* ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma* ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to examine the relationship between community-based social support and psychosocial distress in workers. METHODS: The study subjects were 596 workers recruited from 11 companies in Chungju city. A structured questionnaire was used to assess sociodemographics, health-related behaviors, job characteristics, job stress, work-based social support, community-based social support and level of psychosocial distress. RESULTS: Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that workers with no chronic disease, exercise and sufficient sleep had a higher score of psychosocial distress than those with chronic disease, no exercise, and not enough sleep. Coworker's work-based social support and community-based social support were negatively associated with psychosocial distress. The R square value of total independent variables on psychosocial distress was 0.409, and that of community-based social support on psychosocial distress was 0.052. CONCLUSION: This study showed that community-based social support served as a protective factor against psychosocial distress in some workers. We recommend the establishment of a worksite stress reduction program in occupational level as well as community-based social support.
Chronic Disease ; Chungcheongbuk-do ; Questionnaires ; Workplace

BACKGROUND: Several lines of evidence have indicated that the deregulation of apoptosis is involved in the mechanisms of cancer development, and somatic mutations of the apoptosisrelated genes have been reported in human cancers. Members of the bcl-2 family proteins regulate the intrinsic apoptosis pathway mainly in the mitochondria. The aim of this study was to explore whether the somatic mutation of the proapoptotic bcl-2 family genes, one of the mechanisms that prolong the survival of cancer cells, occurred in colorectal carcinomas. METHODS: In the current study, to detect the somatic mutations in the DNA sequences encoding the bcl-2 homology 3 (BH3) domain of the human bak, bid, bik, bim, PUMA, bcl-rambo, bcl-G, and bmf genes in 98 colon adenocarcinomas, we used polymerase chain reaction (PCR), single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP), and DNA sequencing. RESULTS: The SSCP analysis detected no evidence of somatic mutations of the genes in the coding regions of the BH3 domain in the cancers. CONCLUSIONS: The data presented here indicate that the proapoptotic bcl-2 family genes, bak, bid, bik, bim, PUMA, bcl-rambo, bcl-G and bmf may not be somatically mutated in human colorectal carcinomas, and suggest that the colorectal cancers may not utilize mutational events of these proapoptotic bcl-2 family genes in the mechanisms for evading apoptosis.
Adenocarcinoma ; Apoptosis ; Base Sequence ; Clinical Coding ; Colon* ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Humans ; Mitochondria ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational ; Puma ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

PUPOSE: Most gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) have gain-of-function mutations of the KIT or the platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) genes, but approximately 10% of the GISTs are wild types for both the KIT and the PDGFRA genes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutation might be responsible for the pathogenesis of GIST. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the EGFR gene in 60 GISTs for the detection of somatic mutations by using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP), and DNA sequencing in exon 18, 19, and 21 encoding the kinase domain. RESULTS: The SSCP analysis revealed no evidence of EGFR mutations in exon 18, 19, and 21 in GISTs. CONCLUSION: The data indicate that the EGFR gene may not be mutated in human GIST and suggest that therapies targeting the mutated EGFR gene products might not be useful in the treatment of GISTs.
Epidermal Growth Factor* ; Exons ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors* ; Genes, erbB-1 ; Humans ; Phosphotransferases ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor* ; Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

PURPOSE: Evidence exists that dysregulation of Bcl-2 family members is involved in the pathogenesis of cancer development. The aim of this study was to explore whether the somatic mutation of proapoptotic Bcl-2 member genes, one of the mechanisms that prolong the survival of cancer cells, is involved in gastric carcinogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the current study, to detect somatic mutations of the DNA sequences encoding the Bcl-2 homology 3 (BH3) domain of the human BAD, BIM, BIK, and Bcl-G genes in 60 advanced gastric adenocarcinomas, we used the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP), and DNA sequencing. RESULTS: The SSCP analysis revealed no mutations in the coding regions of the BH3 domain in the cancers. CONCLUSION: The data presented here indicate that proapoptotic Bcl-2 member genes, BAD, BIM, BIK, and Bcl-G, may not be mutated in human gastric carcinomas and suggest that these genes might be altered by mechanisms other mechanisms somatic mutation.
Adenocarcinoma ; Apoptosis ; Base Sequence ; Carcinogenesis ; Clinical Coding ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

PURPOSE : Evidence exists that deregulation of apoptosis is involved in the mechanisms of cancer development, and the somatic mutations of apoptosisrelated genes have been reported in human cancers. Bcl- XL/Bcl-2-associated death promoter (BAD), a pro-apoptotic member of Bcl-2 family, plays an important role in the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS : To explore the possibility that the genetic alterations of BAD might be involved in the development of human cancers, we analyzed the entire coding region and all splice sites of human BAD gene in 100 human non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). RESULTS : The PCR-SSCP analysis detected no mutation in the entire coding regions and all splice sites of human BAD gene in the 100 NSCLCs. CONCLUSION : The data presented here suggested that BAD gene mutation may not contribute to the pathogenesis of human NSCLCs
Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* ; Clinical Coding ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

PURPOSE: To evaluate on the basis of the pulmonary function test the correlation between the extent of air trapping on HRCT with the severity of airway obstruction and also to identify the prognostic effect of the extent of air trapping after treatment of asthma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty five patients with clinically diagnosed bronchial asthma and air trapping, as seen on HRCT, were included in this study. We quantitatively analysed on HRCT the extent of air trapping and then statistically compared this with the clinical parameters of the pulmonary function test. We classified the patients into two groups on the basis of the pulmonary function test and clinical status : Group 1(N=35), the total number of asthmatic patients ; Group 2(N=18), relatively stable asthmatics without acute asthmatic attack who showed FEV1 of more than 80% of the predicted value. Using the functional parameters of PEFR, one of the objective indications of improvement in airway obstruction, we also classified the patients into three groups on the basis of interval between treatment and clinical improvement. The result of this was as follows ; group 1, asymptomatic group(initial PEFR within normal limit, N=7) ; group 2, early responder(improvement of PEFR within three hospital days, N=18) ; group 3, late responder(improvement of PEFRwithin fourteen hospital days should there be a number here). Using HRCT, we then statistically analysed the differences between the three groups in the extent of air trapping. RESULTS: Among the total of 35 asthmatics, the extent of air trapping on HRCT showed significant correlation with the FEV1(r=-0.6161, p<0.001) and MEFR(r=-0.6012, p<0.001). Among the relatively stable asthmatics who showed FEV1 of more than 80% of the predicted value, MEFR(r=-0.7553, p<0.001) and FEF75(r=-0.7529, p=0.012) showed statistically significant correlation with the extent of air trapping on HRCT, but there was no significant corrlation between air trapping on HRCT and FEV1. In the three groups of asthmatics classified on the basis of interval between treatment and clinical improvement, the extents of air trapping on HRCT in the asymptomatic, early responder and late responder groups was as follows: (mean valuse) 9.31%, 21.50% and 27.89%, respectively ; these differences were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The extent of air trapping on HRCT in asthmatics showed positive correlation with FEV1 and MEFR. Quantitative analysis of air trapping on HRCT also provides prognostic information about a patient's response to treatment.
Airway Obstruction ; Asthma ; Humans ; Maximal Expiratory Flow Rate ; Peak Expiratory Flow Rate ; Respiratory Function Tests*

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) is an uncommon congenital anomaly. As PAVM is a direct communication between branches of the pulmonary artery and vein, severe hypoxemia, paradoxical embolism, and massive hemorrhage can result. We present a 39-year-old woman with severe hypoxemia after the induction of one lung ventilation (OLV) for resection of a PAVM in her right lower lobe. We analyzed the cause of hypoxemia by an arterial blood gas analysis and estimated shunt equation. The preoperative value of an intrapulmonary shunt (Qs/Qt) was 15%. However, after the OLV, the values of Qs/Qt increased to 48% with 92.1% arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2). After the resection of PAVM, the value of Qs/Qt decreased to 36% during the OLV, and postoperative value of Qs/Qt and SaO2 were in the normal range. These findings represent that PAVM patients are prone to severe hypoxemia and an abnormally high Qs/Qt, which might be induced by the increase of pulmonary vascular resistance during OLV.
Adult ; Anoxia ; Arteriovenous Malformations* ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Embolism, Paradoxical ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; One-Lung Ventilation ; Oxygen ; Pulmonary Artery ; Reference Values ; Vascular Resistance ; Veins