Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) is a rare systemic febrile disorder of unknown etiology. AOSD is characterized by spiking fever, arthralgia, sore throat, skin rash, and multi-organ involvement but is difficult to diagnose due to the lack of specific clinical features. AOSD is most frequently observed among young adults. We describe the case of an 18-year-old male patient with multiple cerebral infarction who was diagnosed with AOSD based on the clinical features observed during rehabilitation treatment after the diagnosis of ischemic stroke. Clinical symptoms of the patient was controlled with steroid therapy. If cerebral infarction is accompanied by unusual clinical features as non-infectious fever, rash, and arthralgia, AOSD should be considered in young stroke patient.
Adolescent ; Arthralgia ; Cerebral Infarction* ; Diagnosis ; Exanthema ; Fever ; Fever of Unknown Origin ; Humans ; Male ; Pharyngitis ; Rehabilitation ; Still's Disease, Adult-Onset* ; Stroke ; Young Adult

Human carboxylesterase 1 (CES1) is a serine esterase that hydrolyzes various exogenous compounds. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CES1 may lead to inter-individual metabolic variability of its substrates. The allele and haplotype frequencies of known SNPs have been demonstrated to vary among ethnic groups. We analyzed genetic variations of CES1 in a Korean population. Direct sequencing of all exons and flanking regions of the CES1 gene was performed on samples obtained from 200 Koreans. We identified 41 SNPs. The most frequent SNPs was -914G>C (frequency: 99.5%), followed by 4256G>A (frequency: 65.8%), -75T>G (frequency: 59.3%). Haplotype analysis using the identified SNPs revealed fifteen haplotypes (> or =1% haplotype frequency) in our samples. The most frequent haplotype was Hap1 (frequency: 15.4%). Among the identified 41 SNPs, nine of which are novel variants and 14 SNPs were nonsynonymous variants. Using the functional predictive software PolyPhen-2, the G19V, E221G, and A270S variants were predicted to be most likely damaging to the function and structure of CES1. In-vitro analyses for two of these variants have been previously performed; however, functional evaluation of E221G (11657A>G, rs200707504) still needs to be conducted. Therefore, further studies are warranted to characterize the functional impact of E221G on CES1 activity.
Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Carboxylesterase* ; Ethnic Groups ; Exons ; Genetic Variation ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Genetic* ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Serine

We evaluated the relationship between preoperative risk factors[gestational age, birth weight, postconceptual age and weight at operation, duration of operation, duration of anesthesia, abnormalities in neurosonogram, bronchopulmonary dysplasia]and apnea with or without bradycardia, for which mechanical ventilation was necessary after general anesthesia in the surgical treatment of retinopathy of prematurity[ROP]. Thirty-eight patients [21%]developed apnea and thirteen patients[7%]had bradycardia out of 183 patients. Retrospective study was performed and risk factors were analyzed by logistic regression. Gestational age, birth weight, postconceptual age and weight at operation and bronchopulmonary dysplasia showed the positive correlation with postanesthetic apnea and bradycardia. Duration of operation showed the positive correlation with postanesthetic apnea but not with postanesthetic bradycardia. In logistic regression without confoundings, weight at operation and bronchopulmonary dysplasia were correlated with postanesthetic apnea. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that patients with weight under 2, 600gm at operation suffered from apnea more frequently than those with weight over 2, 600gm. In conclusion, patients with weight under 2600gm or bronchopulmonary dysplasia are at greater risk for postanesthetic apnea and optimal pre-and postanesthetic management should be prepared for these patients.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General* ; Apnea* ; Birth Weight ; Bradycardia ; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Logistic Models ; Respiration, Artificial ; Retinopathy of Prematurity* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors* ; ROC Curve

This study aims to investigate the anatomical information of the sphenopalatine foramen with special reference to the bleeding control of the sphenopalatine artery and to the blockage of the pterygopalatine ganglion during functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Forty-three midsagittal sectioned Korean heads were used in the study. The mucosa on the lateral nasal wall was removed for showing the sphenopalatine foramen. The shapes of the sphenopalatine foramen were classified by 4 types. Angle from the akanthion and distances from akanthion, conchae, sphenoidal sinus and greater palatine foramen were measured. The sphenopalatine foramen was frequently found as oval shape and bilateral symmetry of 28.6%. The vertical length was 5.5 mm, the horizontal length was 5.3 mm. The most anterior point of the sphenopalatine foramen was located on 54.4 mm few and angles were between 15.9degrees and 22.1degrees from akanthion. The distances were 36.2 mm from anterior end of middle nasal concha, 6.2 mm from posterior end of middle nasal concha, 27.2 mm from greater palatine foramen. The uppermost point of the sphenopalatine foramen was located on 22.3 mm from the most superoanterior end of the sphenoidal sinus, 18.6 mm from the lowermost end of the sphenoidal sinus. This study could be useful to provide the confidence about the location of the sphenopalatine foramen during functional endoscopic sinus surgery.
Arteries ; Ganglion Cysts ; Head ; Hemorrhage ; Mucous Membrane ; Turbinates

In this study, we explored the potentiality of human arginine decarboxylase (ADC) to enhance the survival of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) against unfavorable milieu of host tissues as the low survival of MSCs is the issue in cell transplantation therapy. To address this, human MSCs overexpressing human ADC were treated with H2O2 and the resultant intracellular events were examined. First, we examined whether human ADC is overexpressed in human MSCs. Then, we investigated cell survival or death related events. We found that the overexpression of human ADC increases formazan production and reduces caspase 3 activation and the numbers of FITC, hoechst, or propidium iodide positive cells in human MSCs exposed to H2O2. To elucidate the factors underlying these phenomena, AKT, CREB, and BDNF were examined. We found that the overexpression of human ADC phosphorylates AKT and CREB and increases BDNF level in human MSCs exposed to H2O2. The changes of these proteins are possibly relevant to the elevation of agmatine. Collectively, our data demonstrate that the overexpression of human ADC stimulates pro-survival factors to protect human MSCs against H2O2 toxicity. In conclusion, the present findings support that ADC can enhance the survival of MSCs against hostile environment of host tissues.
Apoptosis/*drug effects ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/metabolism ; Carboxy-Lyases/genetics/*metabolism ; Caspase 3/metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein/metabolism ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide/*toxicity ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells/cytology/drug effects/metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism

Generally, osteoporosis is caused by the age-related physiologic bone loss. In cases of severe osteoporosis, the reduced bone mass and increaed skeletal fragility make the risk of fracture high. Recently, the relationship between the mandible and the condition of the skeletal bone, the molphometric data about the quality and quantity of the mandible are very important in the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. This study was undertaken to clarify the correlations of the mineral density between mandible and other bones, to predict the bone mineral density (BMD) of the mandible. Cervical (2nd~5th) and lumbar (1st~4th) vertebrae, the bones of forearm and proximal femurs, mandibles from 42-embalmed cadavers (22/M, 20/F, mean age: 66.95 years) were examined. The BMD was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The data were analysed with SPSS 12.0 program according to age, gender, to verify the statistical significance. 1. The BMD in the mandibular areas were variable. The BMD in the angle of the mandible (mean 0.40 g/cm2) was similar with that of ultra-distal part of the forearm (mean 0.34 g/cm2). 2. The BMD in the mandible was highly correlated with that of around the forearm. The correlation coefficient between density in the angle, the part between 1st and 2nd molar, the part between 1st molar and 2nd premolar and incisor portion of the mandible and density in the 1/3-distal part of the forearm was high (r=0.742, 0.697, 0.618, 0.652). The correlation coefficient between density in the part between 1st and 2nd premolar and density in the total femur was high (r=0.542). 3. The BMD in the mandible was correlated with that of around the femur neck (r=0.607). 4. The correlation coefficient between the BMD in the 1st and 2nd molar of the mandible and the BMD in the 5th cervical vertebra was high (r=0.543). And also, the correlation coefficient between the BMD in the incisor area of the mandible and the BMD in the 3rd lumbar vertebra was high (r=0.561). 5. Bony status of the mandible was classified into normal, osteopenia, osteoporosis by BMD of WHO criteria. The data represented that BMD of the mandible was decreased as BMD of the skeletal bones decreased. It is concluded that it could be possible to predict BMD of the mandible by the measurement of BMD in the forearm.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Bicuspid ; Bone Density ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; Cadaver ; Femur ; Femur Neck ; Forearm ; Incisor ; Mandible ; Molar ; Osteoporosis ; Spine

Netrin is a neuronal guidance molecule implicated in the development of spinal commissural neurons and cortical neurons. The attractive function of netrin requires the receptor, Deleted in Colorectal Cancer (DCC), while the receptor Unc5h is involved in the repulsive action of netrin during embryonic development. Although the expression of netrin and its receptor has been demonstrated in the adult nervous system, the function of netrin in adult neurons has not yet been elucidated. Here, we show that netrin treatment inhibited neurite outgrowth of adult dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in explant and dissociated cultures. In addition, unc5h1-3 mRNAs, but not the dcc mRNA, are abundantly expressed in the adult DRG. An in situ hybridization study demonstrated that unc5h mRNAs were expressed in DRG neurons. This finding indicates that netrin/Unc5h signaling may play a role in the neurite outgrowth of adult DRG neurons and that netrin may be involved in the regulation of peripheral nerve regeneration.
Animals ; Axons/*drug effects/physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Ganglia, Spinal/cytology/drug effects/metabolism ; Gene Expression/drug effects ; In Situ Hybridization ; Male ; Nerve Growth Factors/*pharmacology ; Nerve Regeneration/drug effects ; Neurites/drug effects/physiology ; Neurons/*drug effects/metabolism/physiology ; RNA, Messenger/genetics/metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Cell Surface/genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Time Factors ; Tissue Culture Techniques ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins/*pharmacology

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical and radiologic findings of atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) using mammography and ultrasonography, and to correlate the radiologic and histopathologic findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-four pathologically proven lesions in 64 patients who were examined between March 2000 and March 2003 were the subject of this study. Mammography was performed in all 64 cases, and ultrasonography in 30. Two radiologists retrospectively evaluated the radiologic findings, classifying them as one of four types: mass, microcalcification, other finding, and no detected lesion. At mammography, masses were classified according to their shape, margin, and density and microcalcifications according to their shape and distribution. At ultrasonography, masses were evaluated in terms of their shape, margin, internal and posterior echotexture, ductal extension, and parallelism to skin. Geographic correlation between the radiologic and histopathologic findings was classified as direct, near direct, or remote correlation. RESULTS: Mammography demonstrated 37 cases of microcalcification (57.8%), 14 in which masses were present (21.9%), two in which there were other findings (3.1%), and 11 in which lesions were not detected (17.2%). The "other finding" was ductectasia. Microcalcifications were round in 19 cases, pleomorphic heterogeneous in 16, and branching linear in one. The most common distribution of microcalcification was clustered (29 cases; 78.4%). Masses were oval or round in nine cases and irregular in three, and in seven cases their margin was ill-defined. In 13 cases, the density of the masses was equal to that of breast tissue. Ultrasonography showed that the masses were round or oval in 15 cases and irregular in 14, and that the margin was ill-defined in 16 cases and circumscribed in ten. In 19 cases, the echotexture of the masses was low, and in 20 cases, heterogeneous. Parallel orientation was seen in 25 cases, and ductal extension in 22. Category 4 was the most common final assessed BI-RADS category, found in 75% of cases. Radiologic-histopathologic correlation was direct in 44 cases, near direct in 13, and remote in seven. Clinically, self or clinical examination of the breast revealed no abnormality in 47 cases, a palpable mass in seven, nipple discharge in seven, and breast pain in three. CONCLUSION: At mammography, the most common finding of ADH was clustered round or pleomorphic heterogeneous microcalcifications, and at ultrasonography, illdefined, round or oval, or irregular-shaped, hypoechoic masses with parallel orientation and ductal extension. Clinically, most ADH was incidentally discovered at radiologic examination. In this study, 17.2% of ADH cases were not demonstrated by mammography but were detected at ultrasonography, and for the detection of ADH, the use of this latter modality, alongside mammography, is thus feasible.
Breast Neoplasms ; Breast* ; Humans ; Hyperplasia* ; Mammography ; Mastodynia ; Nipples ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: Gastric cancer is prevalent in Korea, therefore the purpose of this study was to determine the clinicopathologic characteristics, 5-year survival rate, and prognostic factors for gastric patients who underwent gastrectomy by a single surgeon. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1,435 patients diagnosed with gastric cancer who underwent gastrectomy in the Department of Korean Gastric Cancer Center at Seoul Paik Hospital between September 1998 and August 2003, and the gender, age, location and size of the tumor, visual and histologic analysis, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, invasion (perineural, venous, and lymphatic), and surgical method were examined retrospectively. RESULTS: The ratio between males and females was 2.29:1, and the average age was 56.7 years. Based on the UICC TNM classification, the patients were distributed as follows: IA 35.4%, IB 14.1%, II 12.6%, IIIA 12.3%, IIIB 8.3% and IV 17.3%. The 5-year survival rate was 69.6%. The results of univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in the survival rate by age, location and size of tumor, Borrmann type, level of differentiation, Lauren's classification, depth of invasion, metastasis in lymph nodes, UICC TNM stage, invasion (perineural, venous, and lymphatic), and surgical method. Based on multivariate analysis, only the depth of invasion and lymph node metastasis were independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: Although various clinicopathologic characteristics affect the prognostic factors of the patients with gastric cancer, the results of this study showed that the stage of disease, such as depth of invasion and metastasis in lymph nodes, are the most critical factors. There is a need to establish the diagnosis of gastric cancer early and to study and develop various treatment methods based on the diagnostic factors in order to improve the survival of patients with gastric cancer.
Female ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Korea ; Lymph Nodes ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Survival Rate

PURPOSE: To determine the change in lacrimal gland (LG) acinar cells induced by in vivo dry eye (DE). METHODS: Six to 8-week-old (C57BL/6) mice were placed in a controlled environment chamber at <20% humidity for 2 weeks, and a control group was bred in a normal environment. After these 2 weeks of dry eye (DE) induction, the mice were sacrificed and their LGs were collected. Lacrimal gland acinar cell organelle structures were observed with Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). TEM images were analyzed using the Image J program. RESULTS: The size of the LGs of DE-induced mice decreased compared to those of normal mice. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP Nick End Labeling (TUNEL) staining was negative in DE-induced LGs. Under the TEM, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lumen was dilated and the lumen density increased in DE-induced mice. Additionally, cell organelles were surrounded by elongated ER lumens. The mitochondrial structure was destroyed and the number of vacuoles increased in the LGs of DE-induced mice. CONCLUSIONS: Structural changes of the LG developed due to DE induction. This suggests that the detailed mechanisms of these changes were ER stress and autophagy. However, there were no definite signs of apoptosis in the acinar cells of the DE-induced LGs. These findings are regarded as an important clue of the pathogenesis of non-Sjogren-type dry eye.
Acinar Cells* ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Autophagy ; DNA Nucleotidylexotransferase ; Endoplasmic Reticulum ; Environment, Controlled ; Humidity ; Lacrimal Apparatus* ; Mice ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Organelles ; Vacuoles