PURPOSE: To describe HRCT findings in five patients with pathologically proved acute interstitial pneumonia MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 5 patients with pathological and clinical diagnosis of acute interstitial pneumonia. Mean age of the patients was 40(range, 31-53 years). CT scans were reviewed by two chest radiologists retrospectively. CT scans were assessed for the presence and distribution of ground-glass attenuation, air-space consolidation, interlobular septal thickening, honeycombing, and pleural effusion. RESULTS: The area of ground-glass attenuation and air-space consolidation were seen at HRCT in all 5 patients. These lesions were distributed diffusely in both lungs, but involved predominantly subpleural lungs in 2 patients and posterior lungs in 3 patients. Three patients had mild interlobular septal thickening. None of them showed honeycombing. Three of the 5 patients died within 52 days of initial manifestation. CONCLUSION: Acute interstitial pneumonia differs from the more chronic form of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia in their HRCT findings.
Diagnosis ; Humans ; Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonias ; Lung ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial* ; Pleural Effusion ; Retrospective Studies ; Thorax ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: To date, the high spatial frequency algorithm (HSFA) which reduces image smoothing and increases spatial resolution has been used for the evaluation of parenchymal lung diseases in thin-section high-resolution CT. In this study, we compared the ultrahigh spatial frequency algorithm (UHSFA) with the high spatial frequency algorithm in the assessment of thin section images of the lung parenchyma. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Three radiologists compared the UHSFA and HSFA on identical CT images in a line-pair resolution phantom, one lung specimen, 2 patients with normal lung and 18 patients with abnormal lung parenchyma. RESULTS: Scanning of a line-pair resolution phantom demonstrated no difference in resolution between two techniques but it showed that outer lines of the line pairs with maximal resolution looked thicker on UHSFA than those on HSFA. Lung parenchymal detail with UHSFA was judged equal or superior to HSFA in 95% of images. Lung parenchymal sharpness was improved with UHSFA in all images. Although UHSFA resulted in an increase in visible noise, observers did not found that image noise interfered with image interpretation. The visual CT attenuation of normal lung parenchyma is minimally increased in images with HSFA. The overall visual preference of the images reconstructed on UHSFA was considered equal to or greater than that of those reconstructed on HSFA in 78% of images. CONCLUSION: The ultrahigh spatial frequency algorithm improved the overall visual quality of the images in pulmonary parenchymal high-resolution CT.
Humans ; Lung Diseases ; Lung* ; Noise

Indirect composite resin are used as an popular effective esthetic material in prosthetic dentistry, often with metallic substructure that provides support for restorations. Recently, new indirect composite resins as a substitute of ceramic have been developed. These resins provide good esthetics, with a wide range of hue and chroma. And the flexural strength of those is in the range of 120-150MPa, which is higher than that of feldspathic ceramic, and similar tot hat of Dicor. Although it has many merits, one of the major clinical problems of composite resins is the bond failure between metal and resin due to insufficient interfacial bond strength. The purpose of this study was to evaluate shear bond strength of the reinforced indirect composite resin to dental alloys. Three different composite resin systems(Artglass . Sculpture , Targis ) as test groups and ceramic(VMK 68 ) as control group were bonded to Ni-Cr-Be alloy(Rexillium III ) and gold alloy(Dave 4). All specimens were stored at 37degrees C distilled water for 24 hours and the half of specimens were thermocycled 2000 times at temperature from 5degrees C to 60degrees C. The shear bond strengths of reinforced indirect composite resins to dental alloys were measured by using the universal testing machine, and modes of debonding were observed by stereoscope and scanning electron microscope. The results were as follows : 1. The shear bond strengths of reinforced indirect composit resins to dental alloys were approximately half those of ceramic to dental alloys(P<0.01). 2. There was no significant difference between the shear bond strength of several reinforced indirect composite resins to metal. 3. Alloy type did not affect on the shear bond strengths of resin to metal, but the shear bond strengths of ceramic to gold alloys were higher than those of ceramic to Ni-Cr alloys(P<0.05). 4. The shear bond strenghts of Artglass and Targis to gold alloys were significantly decreased after thermocycling treatment(P<0.01). 5. Sculpture showed cohesive, adhesive, and mixed failure modes, but Artglass and Targis showed adhesive or mixed failures. And ceramic showed cohesive and mixed failures.
Adhesives ; Alloys ; Ceramics ; Composite Resins* ; Dental Alloys* ; Dentistry ; Esthetics ; Gold Alloys ; Sculpture ; Water

PURPOSE: To evaluate the findings and the role of CT in plexiform neuro-fibromatosis of the mediastinum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retropectively reviewed the CT scans of five patients with plexiform neurofibromatosis of the mediastinum. The CT scans were reviewed with attention to the distribution of the lesions, appearance and attenuation of mediastinal lesions, enhancement pattern after intravenous contrast infusion and associated findingssuch as intercostal neurofibroma. RESULTS: In all five patients CT scans demonstrated fusiform low attenuated masses which were oriented longitudinally and extended over multiple contiguous scans along the distribution of major mediastinal nerves. In four patients, mediastinal lesions appeared infiltrative, obliterating adjacent mediastinal fat plane. One patient had well defined fusiform masses along the major mediastinal nerves. Postcontrast enhanced CT scans revealed slight central enhancement in two patient and no contrast enhancement in three patients. Associated findings such as neurofibromas of intercostal nerves and sympathetic trunk, or subcutaneous neurofibromas were detected on CTscans in all five patients. CONCLUSION: Characteristic CT findings of low attenuation masses along the major mediastinal nerves are helpful to differentiate plexiform neurofibromatosis from mediastinal lymphadenopathy and to prevent from misreading as a malignant disease.
Humans ; Intercostal Nerves ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Mediastinum* ; Neurofibroma ; Neurofibromatoses* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the high-resolution CT features of Swyer-James syndrome with special attention to the airway lesions and to determine the clinical utility of high-resolution CT compared with that of chest radiography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In seven patients with Swyer-James syndrome, we retrospectively reviewed chest radiographs obtained during inspiration and expiration and high-resolution CT scans obtained in inspiration. The high-resolution CT appearance was evaluated and compared with that of chest radiography. RESULTS: On both chest radiographs and high-resolution CT, the affected lung volume was relatively diminished in four patients and normal in three patients. In all seven patients, chest readiographs showed hyperlucency of the lung which was unilateral in four and bilateral in three patients. Unilateral small hilum was seen in six patients and bronchiectasis was demonstrated in one patient on chest radiographs. The hyperlucent lung volume was not diminished on expiratory radiographs in all seven patients. In all patients, high-resolution CT demonstrated low attenuation regions of the lung either bilaterally(n=5) or unilaterally(n=2). Pulmonary vessels were markedly decreased in size and number in the lung parenchyma with low attenuation. Six patients had bronchiectasis on high-resolution CT, which were cylindrical or varicose in five and cystic in one. Bronchiolectasis was observed in three patients on high-resolution CT. CONCLUSION: The high-resolution CT findings are characteristic of Swyer-James syndrome. High-resolution CT is more sensitive than chest radiography in detecting regions of low attenuation and bronchiectasis and may be useful for the diagnosis of Swyer-James syndrome. Our results suggest that bronchiectasis is a frequently associated airway lesion of Swyer-James syndrome and bronchiolectasis may be associated in some cases.
Bronchiectasis ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Lung ; Lung, Hyperlucent* ; Radiography ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Retrospective Studies ; Thorax ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: The spectrum of melanoma antigen gene (MAGE)-expressing tumor is very wide and the gene of MAGE express antigens that are targets for specific recognition by cytotoxic T lymphocytes derived from tumor-bearing patients. All of these characteristics represent MAGE as tumor vaccine can be useful for cancer prevention or treatment. Here, we detected MAGE-3 gene expression in cancer cell lines and evaluated recombinant MAGE-3 protein producibility of MAGE plasmid to develope MAGE DNA vaccine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MAGE-3 gene expression of cancer cell lines was evaluated by reverse transcription-polymerase chanin reaction (RT-PCR). Two kinds of MAGE-3 expressing plasmids were constructed and their MAGE-3 protein producibility was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting using monoclonal anti-MAGE-3 antibody. RESULTS: Among 13 cell lines, SNU484, AMC-HN-3, AMC-HN-4, AMC-HN-7, HeLa, NCI H1703 and HT29 expressed MAGE-3 mRNA. In order to make MAGE plasmid, cDNA that showed 100% DNA homology with MAGE-3 gene was cloned into pcDNA 3 plasmid and pSecTag plasmid. Intracytoplasmic and secretory recombinant MAGE-3 was produced by MAGE-3 containing pcDNA 3 plasmid and pSecTag plasmid, respectively. CONCLUSION: In this study, we showed high expression frequency of MAGE-3 in cancer cell line, and established two kinds of plasmid that produce recombinant MAGE-3 in cell lines. We expect these plasmids will be used in cancer treatment or MAGE-3 function study in future.
Cell Line ; Clone Cells ; DNA* ; DNA, Complementary ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Immunoblotting ; Immunohistochemistry ; Melanoma ; Plasmids* ; RNA, Messenger ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic

BACKGROUND: Normal erythrocyte is deformable and this facilitates blood flow in the capillaries. Oxidative stress reduces the deformability of erythrocytes, and influences on blood flow in microcirculation. The objective of this study was to investigate the deformability of erythrocytes exposed to oxidative stress, the protective effects of verapamil and ascorbic acid against oxidative damages in erythrocytes, and the value of the microfluidic ektacytometer, RheoScan-D (RheoMeditech, Korea) in clinical application. METHODS: Effects of oxidative stress on erythrocytes were investigated using tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP). Before exposure to tBHP, the erythrocytes were pretreated with verapamil and ascorbic acid to examine their protective effect against oxidative damages. The deformability of erythrocytes was measured by the microfluidic ektacytometer, RheoScan-D. RESULTS: When treated with tBHP, the deformability of erythrocytes was decreased (P<0.01) and methemoglobin (metHb) formation and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of erythrocytes were increased (P<0.01, P<0.05) compared to those of the untreated control cells. Compared to the tBHP treated cells, pretreatment with verapamil increased the deformability of erythrocytes (P<0.01) and decreased metHb formation (P<0.01) and MCV (P<0.05). Likewise, pretreatment with ascorbic acid increased the deformability of erythrocytes (P<0.01) and decreased metHb formation (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Oxidative stress reduces the deformability of erythrocytes and the deformability could be one of markers for oxidative damage. Verapamil and ascorbic acid have protective role against tBHP induced oxidative stress. The ektacytometer, RheoScan-D used in this study is convenient for clinical measurement and could be used in various fields of clinical medicine.
Adult ; Antioxidants/pharmacology ; Ascorbic Acid/*pharmacology ; Calcium Channel Blockers/pharmacology ; Erythrocyte Deformability/*drug effects ; Erythrocytes/drug effects/physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Microfluidic Analytical Techniques/*instrumentation ; Oxidative Stress ; Statistics, Nonparametric ; Verapamil/*pharmacology ; tert-Butylhydroperoxide/*pharmacology

PURPOSE: This study was aimed to develop secondary triage rule for decision of interfacility transfer to higher level of trauma center for patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: In a prospective observational study from August 2006 to December 2007 conducted in an urban tertiary emergency department, data were obtained from patients more than 15 years old and with TBI. Primary outcome was defined as meaningful positive CT findings. Secondary outcome was defined as meaningful intervention. Non-adjusted univariated logistic regression model was derived from result of chi-square test and adjusted model was derived using stepwise selection manner. Hosman-Lemeshow test for the goodness of fit was used. RESULTS: Total number of eligible patients with traumatic brain injury was 653. Primary outcome was positive in 103 patients and secondary outcome was positive in 42 patients. In univariate logistic regression, risk factors were age over 65(OR: 2.40), history of cerebrovascular disease(OR: 7.08), fall over two meter(OR: 6.28), pedestrian struck(OR: 18.5), headache(OR: 2.18), vomiting(OR: 3.03), disorientation(OR: 5.37), any evidence of open fracture(OR: 24.03), Glasgow coma sacle less than 13(OR: 4.97), Racoon's eye sign (OR: 2.50). These 10 risk factors were statistically significant in adjusted model which was derived using stepwise selected manner. Hosman-Lemeshow test for the goodness of fit was used and chi-square was 1.307(p=0.86). This decision rule had a sensitivity of 93.48%, a specificity of 41.13%, and a negative predictive value of 97.32%. CONCLUSION: A sensitive clinical decision rule with high negative predictive value for detection of abnormal CT lesions which need transfer to higher level of trauma center was developed.
Brain Injuries ; Coma ; Emergencies ; Eye ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Trauma Centers ; Triage

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: The prognosis of hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with cirrhosis is worse than in those without cirrhosis. In Korea, the hepatitis B virus prevalence rate is higher than in other countries. Therefore, we investigated patients' clinicopathologic and metabolic factors that affect the postoperative outcomes of hepatic resection for HCC in our hospital in Korea. METHODS: From August 2000 to December 2012, 171 HCC patients underwent hepatic resections at our institution. Two operative mortality cases and two short-term follow up cases were excluded. Data was collected from a retrospective chart review. There were 133 males (79.6%) and 34 females (20.3%), with a mean age of 58.2+/-10.2 years (range, 22-81 years), and the relationship between clinicopathologic and metabolic factors and the prognosis of patients with HCC undergoing hepatic resection were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Hypertension, major surgery, perioperative transfusion, resection with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or cryoablation, and resection margin were risk factors for overall survival, and hypertension, albumin, resection with RFA or cryoablation, perioperative transfusion, and tumor size were risk factors for disease-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: We found that hypertension, perioperative transfusion, and resection with RFA or cryoablation were risk factors for both disease-free and overall survival after hepatic resection in HCC patients. Further study is required to clarify the influence of metabolic and other clinicopathologic factors on the prognosis of HCC.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Catheter Ablation ; Cryosurgery ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis B virus ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Korea ; Male ; Mortality ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prevalence ; Prognosis* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

A 43-year-old man with no notable medical history was admitted due to sudden onset dysarthria and right side weakness. The man was diagnosed with acute infarction of left basal ganglia (BG) and uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (DM). After 9 hours post the thrombolysis, mental change and left side weakness symptoms were newly observed, and the man was additionally diagnosed with acute infarction in right BG.The man showed symptoms of quadriplegia and was fed through nasogastric tube. He showed motor aphasia, and no signs of phonation, but showed some indications of intact cognition. After rehabilitation therapies, the man showed marginal improvement in motor function, but still lacked any meaningful changes functionally. This is the first case of symmetric bilateral BG infarction, which one-sided infarction additionally occurred within 24 hours post the treatment of contralateral infarction through thrombolysis. Also,the features observed were atypical while the patient has no previous external causes related with bilateral BG infarction.
Adult ; Aphasia, Broca ; Basal Ganglia* ; Cognition ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Dysarthria ; Humans ; Infarction* ; Phonation ; Quadriplegia ; Rehabilitation ; Thrombolytic Therapy