Purpose: To find biomarkers for disease, there have been constant attempts to investigate the genes that differ from those in the disease groups. However, the values that lie outside the overall pattern of a distribution, the outliers, are frequently excluded in traditional analytical methods as they are considered to be ‘some sort of problem.’ Such outliers may have a biologic role in the disease group. Thus, this study explored new biomarker using outlier analysis, and verified the suitability of therapeutic potential of two genes (TM4SF4 and LRRK2). Materials and Methods: Modified Tukey’s fences outlier analysis was carried out to identify new biomarkers using the public gene expression datasets. And we verified the presence of the selected biomarkers in other clinical samples via customized gene expression panels and tissue microarrays. Moreover, a siRNA-based knockdown test was performed to evaluate the impact of the biomarkers on oncogenic phenotypes. Results: TM4SF4 in lung cancer and LRRK2 in breast cancer were chosen as candidates among the genes derived from the analysis. TM4SF4 and LRRK2 were overexpressed in the small number of samples with lung cancer (4.20%) and breast cancer (2.42%), respectively. Knockdown of TM4SF4 and LRRK2 suppressed the growth of lung and breast cancer cell lines. The LRRK2 overexpressing cell lines were more sensitive to LRRK2-IN-1 than the LRRK2 under-expressing cell lines Conclusion Our modified outlier-based analysis method has proved to rescue biomarkers previously missed or unnoticed by traditional analysis showing TM4SF4 and LRRK2 are novel target candidates for lung and breast cancer, respectively.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of open-door laminoplasty using lateral mass anchoring screws and nonabsorbable sutures (ODLLM) for multilevel cervical myelopathy. Methods: We retrospectively studied 30 patients who underwent ODLLM. Clinical evaluations were performed using a visual analog scale (VAS), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and Neck Disability Index (NDI) preoperatively, at 1 year postoperatively, and at the last follow-up. Radiographic evaluation was done using cervical spine radiographs to measure changes in the lordotic angle and range of motion (ROM) preoperatively, at 1 year postoperatively, and at the last follow-up and computed tomography at 1 year postoperatively to measure the opening angle and anteroposterior diameter of the spinal canal. Results: Significant improvement in VAS, JOA, and NDI was seen overall at 1 year after operation. However, there was no significant difference between 1 year after operation and the last follow-up. There were no significant changes in the lordotic angle and neck ROM. The mean opening angle of the opened lamina was measured as 39.04°. The mean anteroposterior diameter was significantly increased from 7.51 ± 1.79 mm before surgery to 13.98 ± 1.80 mm at 1 year of operation. Complications such as laminar reclosure and screw loosening were not observed in all cases. Conclusions The ODLLM was technically easy to perform and showed good results comparable to those of conventional techniques. It can be suggested that ODLLM is an appropriate treatment option for multilevel cervical myelopathy.

Objective: To investigate the synergistic effect between rhein (RHE) and oxacillin against Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) at the gene level. Method: A minimum inhibitory concentration and checkerboard dilution test were conducted to evaluate antibacterial activity. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was conducted to investigate the gene expressions. Results: RHE exhibited a minimum inhibitory concentration of 62.5-250.0 μg/mL against various MRSA strains and the reference strain, respectively. As revealed by the checkerboard assay, a combination of RHE and oxacillin exhibited synergistic or partially synergistic effects against MRSA strains. RHE decreased the expressions of mecA/blaZ in a dose-dependent manner. RHE also decreased the expressions of the regulator genes mecI/blaI and mecR1/blaR1. Conclusions: We suggest that RHE affects the activity of mecR1/blaR1, which is located in the cell membrane of MRSA and results in the suppression of mecA/mecI/mecR1 and blaZ/blaI/blaR1 gene expressions.

PURPOSE: To analyze the long-term results of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: The clinical data of patients treated with photodynamic therapy for exudative age-related macular degeneration between April 2000 and December 2000 were analyzed. Patients were followed-up for at least 10 years after PDT. RESULTS: Twenty-nine eyes of 29 patients were enrolled. Mean visual acuity on the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (log MAR) scale was 0.78 +/- 0.34 at baseline, 1.01 +/- 0.42 at 60 months, and 1.02 +/- 0.41 at 120 months. Predominantly classic, minimally classic, and occult without classic choroidal neovascularization was noted in 51.7%, 17.2%, and 31.1% of patients, respectively. Visual acuity was improved by 1 or more lines in 27.6% of patients and was unchanged in 20.7% of patients, while 51.7% of patients had lost 1 or more lines of visual acuity by 120 months. Baseline visual acuity and age were associated with the final visual prognosis (p < 0.05). Four patients developed neovascular AMD in the contralateral eye. CONCLUSIONS: PDT is safe and effective for neovascular AMD. However, AMD can recur at any time and thus patients should be followed-up for a long period of time.
Choroid ; Choroidal Neovascularization ; Eye ; Humans ; Macular Degeneration ; Photochemotherapy ; Prognosis ; Triazenes ; Visual Acuity

Primary cardiac tumors in infancy and childhood are rare, with fibromas being the second most common tumor after rhabdomyomas. Although cardiac fibromas are characteristically benign intramural tumors, they may exhibit expansile growth resulting in obstruction, valvular dysfunction, as well as other problems so early diagnosis and successful surgical excision are important. We experienced a case of cardiac fibroma in right ventricle that diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography, chest CT, open heart tissue biopsy etc.
Biopsy ; Early Diagnosis ; Echocardiography ; Fibroma* ; Heart ; Heart Neoplasms ; Heart Ventricles ; Rhabdomyoma ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND: Small round structured virus (SRSV) is one of the common etiologic agents of viral gastroenteritis in childhood. However, SRSV has not easily been detected in many diarrheal outbreaks. Therefore, we experienced simultaneous outbreak of SRSV enteritis in two elementary schools, therefore, we analyzed the result of the surveillance. METHODS: We interviewed the pupil of two schools and questioned their demographic data, presence of gastrointestinal symptoms, contact with symptomatic persons within the last two weeks, and dietary history within the last one week in school. The specimens of the symptomatic pupil were collected for identification of bacteria (Shigella spp, Salmonella spp, E.coli O157 : H7) and viruses (Norwalk agent, SRSV, adenovirus, and astrovirus). RESULTS: The number of symptomatic patients was 193 (193/2843, 6.8%) and the distribution of symptom onset was unipolar. Frequent symptoms of the patients were abdominal pain (176/193, 91.2%), headache (111/193, 57.5%), vomiting (102/193, 52.8%), diarrhea (83/ 193, 43.0%), febrile sense (79/193, 40.9%), nausea (73/193, 37.8%), chilling (49/193, 25.4%), and tenesmus (8/193, 4.1%). We identified SRSV in 9 cases by PCR method, and analyzed the RNA polymerase gene by DNA sequencing; 2 genogroup (Genogroup I, II) and 3 genotype. CONCLUSION: We confirmed SRSV enteritis with different genotypes in two concurrent outbreaks. DNA sequencing and comparison of genotype among the isolated SRSV in near future are be necessary
Abdominal Pain ; Adenoviridae ; Bacteria ; Diarrhea ; Disease Outbreaks ; DNA* ; DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases ; Enteritis ; Gastroenteritis* ; Genotype ; Headache ; Humans ; Nausea ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pupil ; Salmonella ; Sequence Analysis, DNA* ; Vomiting

BACKGROUND: Small round structured virus (SRSV) is one of the common etiologic agents of viral gastroenteritis in childhood. However, SRSV has not easily been detected in many diarrheal outbreaks. Therefore, we experienced simultaneous outbreak of SRSV enteritis in two elementary schools, therefore, we analyzed the result of the surveillance. METHODS: We interviewed the pupil of two schools and questioned their demographic data, presence of gastrointestinal symptoms, contact with symptomatic persons within the last two weeks, and dietary history within the last one week in school. The specimens of the symptomatic pupil were collected for identification of bacteria (Shigella spp, Salmonella spp, E.coli O157 : H7) and viruses (Norwalk agent, SRSV, adenovirus, and astrovirus). RESULTS: The number of symptomatic patients was 193 (193/2843, 6.8%) and the distribution of symptom onset was unipolar. Frequent symptoms of the patients were abdominal pain (176/193, 91.2%), headache (111/193, 57.5%), vomiting (102/193, 52.8%), diarrhea (83/ 193, 43.0%), febrile sense (79/193, 40.9%), nausea (73/193, 37.8%), chilling (49/193, 25.4%), and tenesmus (8/193, 4.1%). We identified SRSV in 9 cases by PCR method, and analyzed the RNA polymerase gene by DNA sequencing; 2 genogroup (Genogroup I, II) and 3 genotype. CONCLUSION: We confirmed SRSV enteritis with different genotypes in two concurrent outbreaks. DNA sequencing and comparison of genotype among the isolated SRSV in near future are be necessary
Abdominal Pain ; Adenoviridae ; Bacteria ; Diarrhea ; Disease Outbreaks ; DNA* ; DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases ; Enteritis ; Gastroenteritis* ; Genotype ; Headache ; Humans ; Nausea ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pupil ; Salmonella ; Sequence Analysis, DNA* ; Vomiting

No abstract available.
Aneurysm* ; Atrial Appendage*

Tuberous sclerosis is a rare disease, which occurs sporadically or hereditarily and is recognized by its neurological and dermatological manifestations and may be accompanied with renal anomalies. The classical triad is composed of seizure, mental retardation and adenoma sebaceum on face. We experienced two cases of tuberous sclerosis in sporadic forms by mutation without any familial history which suggests the diseases were occurred by mutation rather than by autosomal dominant inheritance. In the first case, a 24-year-female patient with hypertension and abnormal renal function tests which were noted on the routine prenatal check at 32 weeks of gestation delivered normally at 37 weeks. The daughter of patient had seizure when she was 6 years old and was diagnosed as polycystic kidney disease by abdominal computed tomography. This case developed sporadic form of disease without familial history but, the daughter of patient might inherited by autosomal dominant form. The patient's clinical feature was characterized by history of epilepsy, painless abdominal mass due to polycystic kidney disease, abnormal renal function, skin abnormalites including angiofibroma and shagreen patch. Abdominal computed tomography demonstrated numerous variable sized cysts throughout both kidney. In second case, the patient was a 32-year-female patient complaining of 5kg weight gain, abdominal distension due to palpable masses. Her clinical feature was characterized by bilateral huge renal angiomyolipoma with normal renal function and skin abnormality such as erythematous papule on the face. Abd CT and MRI revealed huge angiomyolipoma of about 15cm X 18.5cm X 30cm and 14.5cm X 18cm X 30cm respectively. We presented the two cases with brief review of the literatures.
Angiofibroma ; Angiomyolipoma ; Child ; Epilepsy ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Intellectual Disability ; Kidney ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Nuclear Family ; Polycystic Kidney Diseases ; Pregnancy ; Rare Diseases ; Seizures ; Skin ; Skin Abnormalities ; Tuberous Sclerosis* ; Weight Gain ; Wills

Behcet? disease is a recurring illness characterized by the triple symptom complex of aphthous stomatitis, genital ulceration, and uveitis. The disease is multisystemic disorder with involvement of skin, gastrointestinal tract, blood vessels, central nervous system, joints, and epididymis. Vascular involvement of Behcet? disease affects both arteries and veins and blood vessels of all sizes. Periosteal new bone formation is one feature of hypertrophic osteoarthropathy. Other features are clubbing and arthritis. Periosteal new bone formation on the bones of the lower extremities without other features of hypertrophic osteoarthropathy has been reported in patients with varicose veins, vitamin A intoxication, infantile cortical hyperostosis, tuberous sclerosis, congenital syphilis and chronic renal failure with hyperparathyroidism, and chronic venous insufficiency. However, periosteal new bone formation has not, to our knowledge, been described in patients with Behcet? disease yet although similar findings are occasionally noted in polyarteritis nodosa. We report a case of Behcet? disease complicated by leg swelling with periosteal new bone formation of right lower leg.
Arteries ; Arthritis ; Behcet Syndrome ; Blood Vessels ; Central Nervous System ; Epididymis ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Hyperostosis, Cortical, Congenital ; Hyperparathyroidism ; Joints ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Leg ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Osteogenesis* ; Polyarteritis Nodosa ; Skin ; Stomatitis, Aphthous ; Syphilis, Congenital ; Tuberous Sclerosis ; Ulcer ; Uveitis ; Varicose Veins ; Veins ; Venous Insufficiency ; Vitamin A