• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.52 no.4
• /
• pp.330-337
• /
• 2002

Background : A pulmonary tuberculoma is one of the most common causes of a solitary pulmonary lesion. Treating a tuberculoma is still controversial and there are few reports on antituberculosis chemotherapy. In this study, the clinical findings and changes in the size of tuberculomas on a radiograph after completing antituberculosis chemotherapy was investigated. Methods : The medical records, an chest radiographs of 18 pulmonary tuberculoma patients who were admitted to the Gachon medical school, Ghil medical center between April 1998 and August 2001, were reviewed. The symptomatic changes were recorded and the size of the tuberculomas following treatment were compared. To compare the size, the long distance of each tuberculoma on the chest radiographs were measured and the additional radiological findings of calcification, satellite nodules and cavities were investigated. Results : Fifteen patients were men and 3 were women. The median age was 46 (24-74). Among these 18 patients, 14 patients had clinical symptoms. The other 4 patients were diagnosed incidentally as during a routine chest radiograph. The mean size of the tuberculomas on the initial plain chest film was $4.3{\pm}2.3cm$(range : 1.7-10 cm) and after 6 months treatment, it had decreased to $1.68{\pm}2.00cm$(range : 1.5-6.5 cm) (P<0.05). At least 6 months of antituberculosis chemotherapy resulted in the findings of a tuberculoma with a disappearance in 9, a decreased size in 4, and no change in 5 on the chest radiograph. Calcifications were found in 3 patients on the initial chest film and the chest CT and all calcified tuberculomas had disappeared after treatment. Conclusion : Although a pulmonary tuberculoma can remain as an inactive lesion for a long time, if it is confirmed by pathological or bacteriological methods, antituberculosis chemotherapy will be beneficial despite the presence of calcification.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.57 no.3
• /
• pp.265-272
• /
• 2004

Background : RASSF1A, which is one of tumor suppressor genes, is frequently inactivated by hypermethylation of the promoter region in a variety of human cancers, including lung cancer. This study was performed to investigate the association between RASSF1A methylation and the clinicopathological factors in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. Methods : Eighty-one samples from the patients with squamous cell carcinoma of lung were examined. The promoter methyation of RASSF1A was analyzed by methylation specific PCR and sequencing. Statistical analysis was made to examine the association between RASSF1A methylation and the clinicopathological parameters. Results : RASSF1A methylation was observed in 37.0 % (30 of 81) of the patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. RASSF1A methylation was found to be associated with cellular differentiation(p=0.0097) and the overall survival(p=0.0635). However, there was no association between RASSF1A methylation and the other clinicopathological parameters, such as the pathological TNM stage, the recurrence rate, lymph node invasion and the amount of cigarettes smoked. Conclusion : RASSF1A methylation might be associated with a poor prognosis in patients with squamous carcinoma of the lung. A larger scale study is needed.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.99-106
• /
• 2001

Pathologic changes and distribution of viral antigen as determined by immunohistochemistry were compared among 4-wk-old specific-pathogen free (SPF) chickens inoculated intratracheally with velogenic vis-cerotropic Newcastle disease virus isolated in Korea. Although the pattern of organ involvement and severity of lesion was different among chickens infected with different velogenic viscerotropic Newcastle disease (VVND) viruses, the pathological types of lesion was similar among the chickens. Severe lymphocytic necrosis and depletion were main histologic lesions in the immune related organs such as thymus, Fabricius bursa and spleen. The frequency of IP positive staining was variable depends on the types of tissues but not types of the kinds of VVND viruses infected. Brain, Fabricius bursa, thymus, cecal tonsil and trachea were IP positive with fairly high frequency and spleen, lung, proventriculus, intestine, pancreas, liver, kidney, heart and Harderian gland were with relatively low frequency. These results suggest that histologic evaluation and viral antigen specific immunohistochemical staining methods to determine virus distribution will be useful for pathogenic study of velogenic viscerotropic Newcastle disease virus infection in chicken.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.85-99
• /
• 2008

Avian reovirus (ARV) is a causative agent of viral arthritis/tenosynovitis, and malabsorption syndrome in broiler. The characteristics of malabsorption syndrome caused by ARV are diarrhea, poor feed conversion and stunting. Therefore, ARV infection has been recognized as one of the most important disease in the poultry industry because of economical losses. However, few study of ARV infection in broiler industry has been conducted in Korea. To evaluate the presence of ARV infection in broiler farms, epidemiological survey such as serological test and virus isolation has been conducted. For the serological survey using ELISA method, we selected five broiler farms which were located at different area and had a history of growth retardation, lameness, diarrhea and poor feathering. From these farms serum samples were collected at 1 day, 14 days and market age. All these farms had no history of vaccination against ARV. In addition to serological survey, we tried to isolate ARV from birds of designated farms at market age and collected feces and tissue samples such as cecal tonsil, intestine and liver. We were identified ARV by RT-PCR and transmissible electron microscopy. The samples were inoculated into 9-day-old embryonated eggs via the chorioallantoic membrane to observe the pock formation. For the pathogenicity test of ARV isolates, we inoculated with the isolates to the right footpad of 3-week-old SPF chicks and observed clinical signs and pathological changes for 14 days after challenge. Most broilers sampled for serological survey have maternal antibodies which were widely distributed at 1 day and decreased by 14 days. However, at the market age several broiler farms showed fairly high antibody titer against ARV. This increase of antibody titer at market age means the possible infection of ARV during the grow-out period. Among total 15 samples for the isolation of ARV. 2 samples were positive by RT-PCR and finally identified as a ARV. We inoculated these isolates in the SPF birds and observed that the antibody titer was increased from 7 days after challenge. However, we did not find any clinical signs both control and challenge groups. Based on the above results, it is clear that the ARV infection has been circulated in the broiler industry and caused significant economic losses. Further study is needed to evaluate the virulence of the isolates in the digestive system of broiler and the molecular characteristics of isolates.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.221-233
• /
• 2008

Endogenous nitric oxide (NO) has been known to regulate many physiological and pathological processes, especially the glandular secretion and blood flow. However, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) responsible for NO synthesis has not been well studied ultrastructurally in rat salivary gland. The present study was performed to investigate the distribution of nitric Oxide synthase isoforms (endothelial. neuronal, and inducible NOS). Immunoelectron microscopic study, using monoclonal mouse anti-endothelial NOS, anti-neuronal NOS, and anti-inducible NOS, was performed in the salivary gland of rat. Endothelial NOS (eNOS)-positive immunoreactivities were most prominent in the secretory granules of serous cells of the salivary gland of the rat. Immunoreactivities were well concentrated on serous secretory granules in the serous cells. However, weak eNOS-positive immunoreactivity was observed in the mucous secretory granules of the mucous cells. Positive endothelial NOS (eNOS) immunoreactivities were most prominent in the secretory granules of intralobular ducts. Ductal secretory granules and acinar serous secretory granules have a similar pattern of labeling as eNOS suggestings. Neural NOS (nNOS)-positive immunoreactivity was not detected in duct systems or in acinar cells. Inducible NOS (iNOS)-positive immunoreactivity was not seen in acinar and ductal cells. These results reveal the presence of eNOS in the salivary gland of the rat, which may be related with regulation of the glandular secretion and blood flow through the gland.

• Research in Plant Disease
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.298-302
• /
• 2006

An isolate of Cucumber mosaic virus(CMV), called as Can-CMV, was originally isolated from Canna generalis showing typical streak mosaic foliar symptoms, and its properties were investigated in this study. Whereas all known isolates of CMV could induce symptoms on their systemic hosts(four kinds of Nicotiana spp and a zucchini squash), Can-CMV induced no symptoms on its systemic hosts tested. Replication and movement of the virus on upper leaves as well as inoculated leaves-were confirmed by RT-PCR suggesting that Can-CMV could only infect systemically on N. benthamiana and N. glutinosa. Size of local lesions on the Can-CMV-inoculated leaves of Chenopodium amaranticolor was much smaller than that of Fny-CMV. Whereas Fny-CMV and LS-CMV could induce distinct necrotic local lesions on Vigna unguiculata 2 to 3 days postinoculation(dpi), chlorotic spots symptom was expressed by Can-CMV 4 to 5 dpi. Virus-specific 4 kinds of dsRNAs were isolated from leaves of N. benthamiana infected with Can-CMV, and these dsRNAs corresponded to the viral genomic RNAs and subgenomic RNAs and their patterns were indistinguishable to those of Fny-CMV and LS-CMV. By restriction mapping analysis of 950 bp of RT-PCR amplified products of coat protein gene of the virus as well as by serological analysis of gel diffusion test, Can-CMV belongs to a typical member of CMV subgroup IA. These results suggest that the Can-CMV isolated from C. generalis possesses unique pathological properties to understand further insight into the various interactions between virus and host.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.341-346
• /
• 1999

Background: Thirty children ranging from 3 to 15 years of age underwent cardiac valve replacement at Dongsan Medical Center from 1982 to 1997. Material and Method: There were 16 boys and 14 girls. The mean age was 12.1. The underlying pathological cause for valve replacement was congenital heart disease in 17 children and acquired heart disease in 13. The valve replaced was mitral in 15 children, aortic in 11, tricuspid in 3, and combined aortic and mitral in 1. Twenty-one mechanical and 10 tissue valves were placed: primary mechanical valve have been utilized since 1985. Eight of ten patients with tissue valves have had successful second valve replacements 4 to 11 years after the initial operation. Result: The operative mortality was 6.7%, but mortality was higher among patients less than 5 years of age and patients who had previous cardiac operations. Of the 28 operative survivors, 4 patients were lost to follow-up: the remaining patients were observed for a total of 2091 patient/months(mean 74.7 months, maximum 187 months). There was one late death from dilated cardiomyopathy after mitral valve replacement in 7 year-old patient with atrioventricular septal defect. After the operation, all patients with mechanical valves were placed on a strict anticoagulant regimen with Coumadin. The actuarial survival rate was 96% at the end of the follow-up. No instance of thromboembolism or major bleeding were observed in the survivors. Conclusion: These results indicate that valve replacement can be performed with low mortality in children, and with satisfactory long-term survival.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.127-134
• /
• 1994

Background : Diffuse panbronchiolitis(DPB) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease of unknown etiology which has characteristic clinical, radiological and pathological features, and is distinguished from bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary emphysema, bronchiectasis, or alveolitis. Clinically, patients with DPB have chronic cough, purulent sputum, exertional dyspnea, and finally respiratory failure. Until a few years ago, the prognosis of DPB had been thought to be very grave, because there had been no effective treatment for the disease. But recent1y, low-dose long-term erythromycin was found to be very effective on DPB. Even though DPB is prevalent in Japan, and is known to be rare outside of Japan, we have a1ready reported the clinical features of 16 DPB cases in Korea. We tried low-dose long-term erythromycin on DPB patients and analyzed the clinical effect of erythromycin. Methods : We analyzed the changes of subjective symptoms, physical signs, pulmonary function tests and chest X-rays on 14 DPB patients with more than 6 months erythromycin treatment during the period from September 1989 to August 1992 in Seoul National University Hospital. Results : 1) Subjective symptoms improved in all patients within 2-3 months, and 54.5% of the patients showed no symptom after one year of treatment. 2) Crackles and wheezing decreased in 92.9% of the patients after 3 months and completely disapppeared in 63.5% of the patients after one year of treatment. 3) FVC and FEV1 increased remarkably during the first 3 months, and slowly increased thereafter, reaching normal level after one year of treatment. 4) Small nodular lesions on chest X-ray decreased in all patients, and chest PA was normal in 36.4% of the patients after one year of treatment. 5) There was side effect in one patient, stopping medication because of dyspepsia. One patient stopped medication because of no symptom after 16 months of treatment, but her symptom recurring after one month, improving again after retreatment. Conclusion: Low-dose long-term erythromycin showed ramarkable effectiveness on DPB. Further studies are needed on the mechanism of the drug and the duration of the treatment.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.40 no.5
• /
• pp.565-574
• /
• 1993

Background: Pulmonary hamartomas are benign tumors that occur in the parenchyma or in the bronchi. They present as a solitary pulmonary nodule(SPN) or as a cause of bronchial obstruction. The incidence, once minimal, is increasing in Korea. To get clinical spectrum about the tumor, we analyzed all the reported cases in Korea since 1964. Methods: We reviewed the clinical, radiological and pathological findings of 13 patients of intrapulmonary or endobronchial hamartomas in Severance Hospital and of 38 reported cases in Korea published in literatures from 1964 to 1992 retrospectively. Results: Including 17 endobronchial hamartomas, 54 cases were studied. There were 25 men and 29 women, with a mean age of 47.2 years; 45.3 years in endobronchial type and 51.3 years in parenchymal type. Pulmonary symptoms were present in 8 patients (22%) of intrapulmonary type and in all patients of endobronchial type: cough (65%), dyspnea (53%), sputum (35%), fever (29%) in order. On chest X-rays, atelectasis was seen in 10 patients (59%) in endobronchial type; but SPN was noted in 36 patients (97%) of intrapulmonary type. Calcification was present in 7 intapulmonary hamartomas (23%); but is in 2 endobronchial hamartomas (12%). The diagnostic yield was 6 out of 14(43%) in endobronchial ones; 4 out of 7(57%) in intrapulmonary ones. Fifty patients underwent operations as follows: lobectomy (28), enucleation (8), resection (8), bilobectomy (4), pneumonectomy (2). The hamartomas were 1.2 times more common in the right lung; mean transverse diameter at the time of operation was 2.3 cm in endobronchial type, 3.8 cm in intrapulmonary ones. Chondroid components were present in 11(65%) of 17 endobronehial ones but in 30(91%) of 33 intrapulmonary hamartomas. No malignant changes were seen perioperative period and up to early 1993. Conclusion: The younger age in endobronchial hamartomas, the preponderance of the female sex and the more incidence in the right lung, and the diagnostic choice of lobectomies were different from the studies of the Western countries.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.56 no.2
• /
• pp.151-158
• /
• 2004

Background : When a non small cell lung caner patient at the $_cT_{1-2}N_0M_0$ stage is diagnosed with intrapulmonary nodule(s), the treatment plan and prognosis of the patient largely depend on whether the nodule is benign or malignant. In most cases, however, it is hard to conduct a biopsy on such a nodule, due to its small size. Furthermore, the predictive factors that may imply benignancy or malignancy of the nodules remain unknown. As such, the purpose of our study was to validate the incidence of malignant nodules in such cases, and find if there are any predictive factors. Methods : Chest computed tomography(CT) scans and the medical records of 444 patients, who had undergone non small cell lung cancer surgery, between July, 2001 and September, 2003, at Seoul National University Hospital, were retrospectively reviewed. Among $_cT_{1-2}N_0M_0$ non small cell lung cancer patients, with intrapulmonary nodule(s), only those cases where a CT scan or a biopsy of the nodules had been conducted, and had been followed up at intervals of more than 6 months were included. However, patients who had received chemotherapy or radiation therapy, pre- or post-operatively, or with calcified nodules, were excluded. Results : Our study group consisted of 39 patients, divided into two groups. The first group, 33 patients, had benign nodules, and the second group, 6 patients, had malignant nodules. The two groups were compared with regard to gender, age, cell type, pathologic stage, shape, size, location and number of nodules and presence of calcification around the nodules. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion : The intrapulmonary nodules in non small cell lung cancer patients at the $_cT_{1-2}N_0M_0$ stage were mostly benign. Therefore, surgical treatment for such patients can be considered. Moreover, without predictive factors, pathological confirmation of the diagnosed nodules should be sought in all patients.