Genetic Diversity among Varicella-Zoster Virus Vaccine Strains

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a causative agent for chickenpox in primary infection and shingles after reactivation from latency. Both varicella and zoster can be prevented by live attenuated vaccines, but the molecular mechanism of attenuation is not clearly understood. In this study, the genome sequences of three varicella vaccine strains were analyzed for the genetic diversity including single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and genetic polymorphism. A total of 38 SNPs were identified including 29 substitutions and 9 insertion/deletions. The number of genetically polymorphic sites (GPS) was highest in Varivax and lowest in Varilrix. GPS in the R region including R1, R2, and R3 appeared to be responsible for the genetic polymorphisms in the open reading frame (ORF) 11, 14, and 22 in all three vaccine strains. A relatively large number of GPS were observed in ORF31, 55, and 62, which are known to be essential for virus replication, suggesting that the attenuation of the vaccine strains may be attributed by the diversity of these genes.

Problem in interpretation of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease according to the location of proximal probe in 24 hour ambulatory esophageal dual probe pH monitoring / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: The diagnostic criteria of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) is defined differently according to the location of the proximal pH probe: upper esophagus, upper esophageal sphincter (UES) or hypopharynx. Clinically the location of proximal probe is determined by the location of distal probe, which is usually fixed on 5 cm above the lower esophageal sphincter. This study was performed to evaluate the difference in the diagnosis of LPRD between the results from considering the location of the proximal probe and not considering it. METHODS: This study consisted of 76 patients performed esophageal manometry and 24 hour ambulatory pH monitoring of esophagus using the dual probe. According to location of the proximal probe, the patients were divided into 3 groups : upper esophagus, UES and hypopharynx group. Firstly, we used the diagnostic criteria not considering the location of the probe concordantly in all 76 patients : criteria of the upper esophagus, UES and hypopharynx respectively. And then, we used the diagnostic criteria considering the location of the proximal probe. The results were compared. RESULTS: When the diagnostic criteria of upper esophagus was used, 3.9% (3/76) was diagnosed as LPRD. In the case of UES and hypopharynx, 18.4% (14/76) and 38.2% (29/76) was diagnosed as LPRD. When the diagnostic criteria considering the location of the proximal probe was used, 27.6% (21/76) was diagnosed as LPRD. Significant difference was found between the result considering the location of the probe and 3 results not considering it (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: It is thought to be appropriate to use the diagnostic criteria considering the location of the proximal probe for the more accurate diagnosis of LPRD.

Hepatic Zinc Concentration in Patients with Chronic Viral Hepatitis / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Zinc is an essential, mostly intracellular, trace element which participates in many oxidative or deoxidative reactions and in a protective action on liver cell activity. Plasma zinc levels are known to decrease in patients with liver disease including chronic viral hepatitis. The aim of this study was to reveal whether hepatic zinc concentrations have a correlation with grades of necroinflammation or stages of fibrosis in the patients with chronic viral hepatitis. METHODS: This study consisted of 50 subjects (43 chronic hepatitis B, 4 chronic hapatitis C, and 3 cirrhosis). Each specimen of liver tissue was classified with the grade of lobular inflammation, portal/periportal inflammation, and stage of fibrosis according to Scheuer's method. Hepatic zinc concentration was determined by ICP-Atomic Emission Spectrometry. RESULTS: The mean hepatic zinc concentration in the 50 chronic viral hepatitis patients was 233.66 g/g dry weight of liver tissue. The hepatic zinc levels were significantly correlated with the grades of portal/periportal inflammation (rs=-0.385, p=0.006), and grades of lobular inflammation(rs=-0.342, p=0.015). The stages of fibrosis were also negatively related (rs=-0.423, p=0.002). The zinc concentrations differed significantly among grades of lobular inflammation (p=0.013) and among stages of fibrosis (p=0.044). CONCLUSIONS: Hepatic zinc concentrations showed negative correlation with grades of portal/periportal inflammation, lobular inflammation, and stage of fibrosis in the patients of chronic viral hepatitis. These results suggest that decreased hepatic zinc concentration might be associated with severe hepatic injury and reflect decreased protective activity on liver cell injury.

A Case of Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Sigmoid Colon / 대한내과학회지

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the colon is very rare and its incidence is 0.025% to 0.05% among all colon cancers. We report a case of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the sigmoid colon in a 65year-old man. He had bowel habit change and hematochezia for 3 months. Colonoscopy with biopsy and left inguinal lymph node biopsy revealed squamous cell carcinoma. We confirmed the diagnosis of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the sigmoid colon with lymph node metastasis by diagnostic criteria. The patient was discharged against advice and expired.

A Case of Pediatric Renal Cell Carcinoma with Multiple Hepatic Cyst / 대한비뇨기과학회지

Renal cell carcinoma in the pediatric age group has been considered as a rare clinical disease entity but perhaps not as rare as once thought. This neoplasm should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hematuria and/or abdominal masses in children. Herein a case of pathologically confirmed pediatric renal cell carcinoma with multiple cysts in liver is presented with a brief review of literature.

Suspension Suture Materials and Suture Carrier in Modified Gittes Bladder Neck Suspension / 대한비뇨기과학회지

We reviewed 42 cases (mean age 48.3+/-7.6 years, range 30 to 63 years) who underwent the modified Gittes bladder neck suspension for female stress urinary incontinence between January 1990 and May 1995 to evaluate the efficacy of two different suspension suture materials and new suspension suture carrier. At first we used the No. 1-0 Prolene as suspension suture in 24 cases (group I) and secondly No. 1-0 Ethibond in 18 cases (group II) with Ostycut bone biopsy needle (Angiomed) as suture carrier Following results were obtained. 1. The patient's ages ranged from 30 to 63 years (mean age 48.3+/-7.6 years), and most patients were multiparous with an average of 3.3+/-1.2 deliveries and we classified the patients according to Blaivas classification and there was statistically no difference of variables in both groups except the parity. 2. The mean values of operative time, postoperative days on catheter, and postoperative hospitalization were 65.5+/-11.4 minutes, 6.9+/-1.6 days, 7.3+/-1.4 days respectively. 3. The postoperative complications were transient urinary retention 8 cases (21.1%), vaginitis or cystitis 5 cases (11.9%), wound bleeding 1 case (2.4%) and deviation of urinary steam 1 case (2.4%). 4. The success rate was 83.3% in the group I, 94.4% in group II with minimum followup of 12 months (mean 24.6+/-5.0 months) but the latter wasn't significantly higher than the former statistically. The overall success rate was 88.1%. 5. The Ostycut bone biopsy needle as suspension suture carrier was simple and safe in the bladder neck suspension treatment. With above results, we recommend the No. 1-0 Ethibond as suspension suture material rather than the Prolene in bladder neck suspension and Ostycut bone biopsy needle as suspension suture carrier.

Three Cases of Angioembolization in Renal Angiomyolipoma / 대한비뇨기과학회지

Renal angiomyolipomas are uncommon benign neoplasms composed of mature adipose tissue, thick walled blood vessels and smooth muscle in varying proportions. Accurate preoperative diagnosis of renal angiomyolipoma is essential if conservative resection or angiographic embolization is to be used. In recent years, abdominal computerized tomography (CT) and renal ultrasonography have resolved the diagnostic dilemma, making detection of angiomyolipomas possible in almost all cases. Recently, we performed selective renal angioembolizations in 3 patients (2 females, 1 male). After followup period of 6 months to 1 year, all patient got better in clinical symptoms. In two of them the lesions decreased in size on followup CT but one patient showed suspicious malignant change and we performed the exploration to rule out renal malignancy. In our opinion, it is appropriate to perform the selective renal angioembolization for initial treatment of renal angiomyolipomas.

Urologic Complication of Extravesical Ureteroneocystostomy in Renal Transplantation / 대한비뇨기과학회지

Since the first successful kidney transplant in 1954, many advances have been made in renal transplantation technique and urinary reconstruction. Recently, there has been increasing interest in the use of extravesical technique to perform ureteroneocystostomy in renal transplantation. From January 1985 to September 1994, 93 patients underwent renal transplant ureteroneocystostomy by an extravesical technique. Complications related to the anastomosis and/or ureter were reviewed. There were 5 total complications, for an over-all urologic complication rate 5.4 percent. Of these complications one was related to the ureteroneocystostomy, for an anastomotic complication rate of 1.07 percent We report our experience with the simple extravesical technique for ureteroneocystostomy that has provided excellent results and minimal morbidities.

A case of hereditary coproporephyria with renal insufficiency / 대한신장학회잡지

No abstract available.

Closed Versus Open Kuntscher Nailing for Fracture of Femoral Shaft / 대한정형외과학회잡지

No abstract available in English.