The Essential Function of miR-5739 in Embryonic Muscle Development

Background and Objectives@#Embryologically, mesodermal development is closely related to the development of various organs such as muscles, blood vessels, and hearts, which are the main organs that make up the body. However, treatment for mesoderm developmental disorders caused by congenital or acquired factors has so far relied on surgery and drug treatment for symptom relief, and more fundamentally, treatment for mesoderm developmental disorders is needed. @*Methods@#and Results: In our study, microRNA (miRNA), which plays an important role in the mesoderm development process, was identified and the developmental function was evaluated. miRNAs consist of small nucleotides, which act as transcription factors that bind to the 3’ untranslated region and suppressed target gene expression. We constructed the human embryonic stem cell (hESC) knockout cell line and analyzed the function and characteristics of miR-5739, which plays an important role in mesoderm lineage. miR-5739 acts as a transcription factor targeting SMA, Brachyury T, Hand1, which controls muscle proliferation and differentiation, and KDR gene, which regulates vessel formation in vitro. In vivo results suggest a role in regulating muscle proliferation and differentiation. Gene ontology analysis confirmed that the miR-5739 is closely related to genes that regulate muscle and vessel proliferation and differentiation. Importantly, abnormal expression of miR-5739 was detected in somatic cells derived from patients with congenital muscle disease. @*Conclusions@#Our study demonstrate that miR-5739 gene function significantly affects transcriptional circuits that regu-late muscle and vascular differentiation during embryonic development.

Clinical manifestation of Campylobacter enteritis in children / 소아과

PURPOSE: Timely antibiotic therapy in selected cases of diarrhea associated with bacterial infections can reduce the duration and severity of illness and prevent complications. The availability of a predictive index before identification of causative bacteria would aid in the choice of a therapeutic agent. METHODS: The study included patients admitted to the pediatrics unit at Konyang University Hospital for acute inflammatory diarrhea from August 1, 2015 to July 31, 2016 who underwent multiplex polymerase chain reaction testing. Of 248 patients, 83 had positive results. The clinical symptoms and blood test results were examined in 61 patients with Campylobacter spp. (25 patients), Salmonella spp. (18 patients), and Clostridium perfringens (18 patients) infections. The mean age of the 61 patients (male:femal=31:30) was 84.0±54.8 months, and the mean hospital stay was 4.6±1.7 days. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences in sex, age, clinical symptoms, or signs. Patients with Campylobacter infection were significantly older (P=0.00). C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in patients with Campylobacter infection were higher than those in the other 2 groups, at 9.6±6.1 mg/dL. The results of receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the cutoff age was ≥103.5 months (sensitivity, 72%; specificity, 86%) and the CRP cutoff level was ≥4.55 mg/dL (sensitivity, 80%; specificity, 69%). CONCLUSION: Age (≥103.5 months) and higher CRP level (≥4.55 mg/dL) were good predictors of Campylobacter enterocolitis. If neither criterion was met, Campylobacter enterocolitis was unlikely (negative predictive value 97.2%). When both criteria were met, Campylobacter enterocolitis was highly likely.

Gastrointestinal Mucormycosis in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants Mimicking Atypical Necrotizing Enterocolitis and Intussusception

Neonatal gastrointestinal mucormycosis, a rare disease with a high mortality rate, shows a rapid progressive course in premature infants with an immature immune system. We report the case of a male neonate weighing 970 g, delivered via cesarean section at 27 weeks, as one of a pair of dizygotic twins. From the 7(th) day after birth, bile was seen to drain through the orogastric tube, and paralytic ileus was noted on performing an abdominal X-ray. Thus, oral feeding was discontinued because necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) was highly suspected. On the 9(th) day after birth, a firm mass was palpable in left upper abdominal quadrant, but no pneumatosis intestinalis was observed on performing abdominal X-ray. Small bowel intussusception was suspected on performing abdominal ultrasonography. Based on these findings, an exploratory laparotomy was performed, and although no intussusception was found intraoperatively, we performed a partial gastrectomy and hemicolectomy due to the presence of necrotic changes and perforations of the stomach and colon. Postoperatively, he was observed to have hypotension with persistence of hemorrhage at the surgical site. He died on the 11(th) day after birth. Intraoperative histopathological examination of stomach and colon showed fungal aseptate hyphae with broad branching. Gastrointestinal mucormycosis was confirmed based on findings of vascular involvement in the form of fungal hyphae and thrombosis in the transmural blood vessels. We report a case of an extremely low birth weight infant with neonatal gastrointestinal mucormycosis with an initial clinical presentation suggestive of intussusception and atypical NEC.

Self-expandable Graft Stenting in an Iatrogenic Fistula between Common Carotid Artery and Internal Jugular Vein

A 47-year-old woman with stage IV chronic kidney disease developed a fistula between common carotid artery (CCA) and internal jugular vein (IJV) during central catheterization of the right IJV. The patient was treated with a self-expandable graft stent, which achieved successful closure of the carotid-jugular fistula. As demonstrated in our case, self-expandable graft stents could be a feasible treatment option for CCA-IJV fistulas without additional interventional procedures such as balloon angioplasty.

P wave dispersion on 12-lead electrocardiography in adolescents with neurocardiogenic syncope / 소아과

PURPOSE: Neurocardiogenic syncope (NCS) is the most frequent cause of fainting during adolescence. Inappropriate cardiovascular autonomic control may be responsible for this clinical event. The head-up tilt test has been considered a diagnostic standard, but it is cumbersome and has a high false-positive rate. We performed a study to evaluate whether P-wave dispersion (PWD) could be a useful electrocardiographic parameter of cardiac autonomic dysfunction in children with NCS. METHODS: Fifty-four patients with NCS (28 boys and 26 girls; mean age, 12.3±1.4 years) and 55 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled. PWD was obtained as the difference between maximum and minimum durations of the P wave on standard 12-lead electrocardiography in all patients and controls RESULTS: The value of PWD was significantly higher in the syncope group than in the control group (69.7±19.6 msec vs. 45.5±17.1 msec, respectively; P<0.001). The minimum duration of P wave was shorter in the syncope group than in the control group (43.8±16.8 msec vs. 53.5±10.7 msec, respectively; P<0.001). Left atrial volume was not different between the groups on transthoracic echocardiography. CONCLUSION: PWD on echocardiography could be used as a clinical parameter in patients with NCS.

Biological Characterization of Marssonina coronaria Associated with Apple Blotch Disease

Marssonina coronaria associated with apple blotch disease causes severe premature defoliation, and is widely distributed in Korea. Thirteen isolates were collected from orchards located in Gyeongbuk Province from 2005~2007. All isolates displayed over 99.6% and 99.2% sequence similarity to each other in internal transcribed spacer regions and partial sequences of 28S rDNA, respectively. The isolates were phylogenetically closely related to Chinese isolates. Selected isolates did not differ in their pathogenicity. The optimum conditions for fungal growth were 20degrees C and pH 6 on peptone potato dextrose agar (PPDA). Peptone and mannose were the best nitrogen and carbon source, respectively. Fungal growth was better on PPDA than on common potato dextrose agar. This study provides valuable information for integrated disease management program and facilitates the routine culturing of M. coronaria.

Clinical Efficacy of Cervicovaginal Fetal Fibronectin in Induction of Labor / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the presence of fetal fibronectin in the cervicovaginal secretion could be used as a clinical marker to predict the outcome of labor induction. METHODS: The study group comprised 58 term pregnant women with intact amnionic membranes, 44 without labor and 14 with irregular labor. All patients had been admitted for induction of labor during Sept. 1, 1999 to Dec. 31, 1999 at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Yeungnam University Hospital. Fetal fibronectin was assayed with the cervicovaginal secretion. We analyzed the variables of labor outcome by the presence (positove) or absence (negative) of fetal fibronectin and the modified Bishop score. RESULTS: Cervicovaginal fetal fibronectin was detected in 75.0% (33/44) of the women without labor and 85.7% (12/14) with irregular labor, and 76.3% (29/38) with Bishop score 4 or less and 80.0% (16/20) with score 5 or above. There was no statistical differences in the positive rate of fetal fibronectin between the women without labor and those with irregular labor, and the women with Bishop score 4 or less and those with Bishop score 5 or above, respectively. The mean oral PGE2 tablets used for cervical ripening, the mean time interval from the beginning of labor induction to delivery, and the mean cesarean delivery rate were 1.97+/-2.56 tabs and 3.12+/-2.42, 10.12+/- 6.56 hours and 13.88+/-6.14, and 20.0% and 38.4%, in the women with positive fetal fibronectin and those with negative respectively, and 1.83+/-2.50 and 2.42+/-2.60, 10.11+/-7.17 hours and 11.28+/-6.26 hours, and 10.0% and 31.6% in the women with Bishop score 5 or above and those with Bishop score 4 or less, respectively. There were no statistical differences in the mean values between the women with positive and negative fetal fibronectin, and between Bishop score 5 or above and Bishop score 4 or less, respectively. There were no statistical differences in the mean oral PGE2 tablets used for cervical ripening (2.00+/- 2.65 vs. 4.40+/-1.82) and the mean time interval from the beginning of labor induction to delivery (10.11+/- 7.53 vs. 16.17+/-5.38), between the women with positive fetal fibronectin and Bishop score 5 or above and those with negative fetal fibronectin and Bishop score 4 or less, respectively. However, the cesarean delivery rate was significantly lower in the women with positive fetal fibronectin and Bishop score 5 or above than those with negative fetal fibronectin and Bishop score 4 or less (6.3% vs 44.4%, p=0.040). CONCLUSION: The assesment of cervicovaginal fetal fibronectin and Bishop score could be useful in predicting the success or failure of labor induction. But it was not helpful to predict the easiness of labor induction by the presence or absence of fetal fibronectin in the cervicovaginal secretion and/or modified Bishop score.

The Regulation of Cyclooxygenase-2 Expressionby Interleukin-1beta in WISH cells / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To determine of the regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression by Interleukin-1beta in WISH cells. METHODS: Amnion WISH cells were incubated in media containing increasing concentrations of IL-1beta or with various inhibitors. Increased COX-2 expression was determined by Western blot analysis with anti-COX-2 antibody. Concomitant measurements of culture media PGE2 were made by an enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: The COX-2 and prostaglandin E2 production induced by IL-1beta increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner. One of the regulating factors that induced COX-2 by IL-1beta was protein kinase C (PKC). PKC inhibitor, Ro 31-8220 was pretreated and continued treating by IL-1beta. Then, PKC inhibitor completely blocked COX-2 protein induction by IL-1beta. In contrast, COX-2 induction by IL-1beta after pretreating PKC stimulator, phobol 12-myristate 13-acetate was potentiated with synergism. Another factor in controlling COX-2 protein induction was identified as phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3K). COX-2 protein induction by IL-1beta after pretreating PI 3K inhibitors, wortmannin and LY294002 strongly increased. This kind of result reflected that PI 3K act as negative regulator. COX-2 induction by IL-1beta was known to be regulated in not only transcription step, but also translation step after performing experiment of actinomycin and cycloheximide treatment. CONCLUSION: COX-2 protein and prostaglandin E2 production induced by IL-1beta were controlled by many factors in amnion cell. Among those factors, PKC and PI 3K have an important role, but their control mechanism act as positive and negative, respectively.

Three cases of symphysis pubis separation associated with delivery / 영남의대학술지

Symphysis pubis separation is an uncommon but not rare complication of delivery. Characteristic symptoms of symphyseal separation include suprapubic pain and tenderness which radiate to the back or legs, difficult ambulation, and bladder dysfunction. Clinical history, presenting symptoms, and response to therapy are sufficient to make the diagnosis, although radiographic documentation of symphyseal separation by x-ray or ultrasound are frequently used to confirm the diagnosis. The underlying etiology of symptomatic symphyseal separation has not been fully elucidated. Associations with macrosomia, pathological joint loosening, and increased force placed on the pelvic ring have been suggested as possible etiologies. Conservative therapy, including bed rest, pelvic binders, ambulation devices, and mild analgesics usually result in complete recovery within 4-16 weeks. Our experience of three cases of peripartum symphysis pubis separation delivered from 1998 to 1999 were reviewed with related articles.

Impact of Image Post-Processing on PACS Workstation: Dynamic Range Suppression(DRS) of Chest Radiographs

PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of post-processing on a PACS workstation before and after use of thedynamic range suppression method for the normal chest radiographs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty normal chestradiographs of healthy adult volunteers aged 20 to 33 (average 27; M:F = 29:11) were acquired by FCR using adigital interface and then transferred to an in-house-developed PACS workstation. The image size of computed chestradiographs was 7.5MB with 1760 x 2140 matrix. An image enhancement processing named DRS, developed by theauthors, was applied to the acquired images and generated a total of 40 chest radiographs. These were presented tothree groups of observers, each consisting of one radiologist and one technician on the PACS workstation, whichhad two monitors of 1712 x 2100 resolution. So that external light would not affect the visibility of imagesduring observation, these were displayed in a light-controlled room. The J.J.Vucich method, suitably modified, wasused to evaluate the anatomical structures and physical parameters of processed and unprocessed radiographs. Usinga percentage scale, the observers evaluated both anatomical sections (seven anatomical items : cortical margins ofribs, left diaphragms, thoracic vertebrae, trachea, pulmonary vasculature, trabeculae of ribs and clavicle,diaphragm outline) and physical sections (four items : contrast, graininess, density, detail). The results for thethree groups, both before and after DRS processing, were then compared. RESULTS: There was a statisticallysignificant difference between the three groups: in the anatomical section, 78.64 before DRS and 82.55 after ; andin the physical section, 75.48 and 79.78 (p<0.05). The average values of all items were 77.06 before DRS and 81.17after (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Post-processing of computed chest radiographs on the PACS workstation improves boththe visibility of anatomical features and general image quality. Thus, in a PACS environment, it can be a usefultool for enhancing the diagnostic efficacy of radiography.

Impact of Image Post-Processing on PACS Workstation: Dynamic Range Suppression(DRS) of Chest Radiographs

PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of post-processing on a PACS workstation before and after use of thedynamic range suppression method for the normal chest radiographs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty normal chestradiographs of healthy adult volunteers aged 20 to 33 (average 27; M:F = 29:11) were acquired by FCR using adigital interface and then transferred to an in-house-developed PACS workstation. The image size of computed chestradiographs was 7.5MB with 1760 x 2140 matrix. An image enhancement processing named DRS, developed by theauthors, was applied to the acquired images and generated a total of 40 chest radiographs. These were presented tothree groups of observers, each consisting of one radiologist and one technician on the PACS workstation, whichhad two monitors of 1712 x 2100 resolution. So that external light would not affect the visibility of imagesduring observation, these were displayed in a light-controlled room. The J.J.Vucich method, suitably modified, wasused to evaluate the anatomical structures and physical parameters of processed and unprocessed radiographs. Usinga percentage scale, the observers evaluated both anatomical sections (seven anatomical items : cortical margins ofribs, left diaphragms, thoracic vertebrae, trachea, pulmonary vasculature, trabeculae of ribs and clavicle,diaphragm outline) and physical sections (four items : contrast, graininess, density, detail). The results for thethree groups, both before and after DRS processing, were then compared. RESULTS: There was a statisticallysignificant difference between the three groups: in the anatomical section, 78.64 before DRS and 82.55 after ; andin the physical section, 75.48 and 79.78 (p<0.05). The average values of all items were 77.06 before DRS and 81.17after (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Post-processing of computed chest radiographs on the PACS workstation improves boththe visibility of anatomical features and general image quality. Thus, in a PACS environment, it can be a usefultool for enhancing the diagnostic efficacy of radiography.

A Study of Doppler Waveform Using Pulsatile Flow Model

PURPOSE: Through the construction of a pulsatile flow model using an artificial heart pump and stenosis to demonstrate triphasic Doppler waveform, which simulates in vivo conditions, and to evaluate the relationship between Doppler waveform and vascular compliance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The flow model was constructed using a flowmeter, rubber tube, glass tube with stenosis, and artificial heart pump. Doppler study was carried out at the prestenotic, poststenotic, and distal segments; compliance was changed by changing the length of the rubber tube. RESULTS: With increasing proximal compliance, Doppler waveforms show decreasing peak velocity of the first phase and slightly delayed acceleration time, but the waveform itself did not change significantly. Distal compliance influenced the second phase, and was important for the formation of pulsus tardus and parvus, which without poststenotic vascular compliance, did not develop. The peak velocity of the first phase was inversely proportional to proximal compliance, and those of the second and third phases were directly proportional to distal compliance. CONCLUSION: After constructing this pulsatile flow model, we were able to explain the relationship between vascular compliance and Doppler waveform, and also better understand the formation of pulsus tardus and parvus.

MR Angiography of Stenosis and Aneurysm Models in the Pulsatile Flow: Variation with Imaging Parameters and Concentration of Contrast Media

PURPOSE: The image quality of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) varies according to the imaging techniques applied and the parameters affected by blood flow patterns, as well as by the shape of the blood vessels. This study was designed to assess the influence on signal intensity and its distribution of the geometry of these vessels, the imaging parameters, and the concentration of contrast media in MRA of stenosis and aneurysm models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MRA was performed in stenosis and aneurysm models made of glass tubes, using pulsatile flow with viscosity and flow profile similar to those of blood. Slice and maximum intensity projection (MIP) images were obtained using various imaging techniques and parameters ; there was variation in repetition time, flip angle, imaging planes, and concentrations of contrast media. On slice images of three-dimensional (3D) time-of-flight (TOF) techniques, flow signal intensity was measured at five locations in the models, and contrast ratio was calculated as the difference between flow signal intensity (SI) and background signal intensity (SIb) divided by background signal intensity or (SI-SIb)/SIb. MIP images obtained by various techniques and using various parameters were also analyzed, with emphasis in the stenosis model on demonstrated degree of stenosis, severity of signal void and image distortion, and in the aneurysm model, on degree of visualization, distortion of contour and distribution of signals. RESULTS: In 3D TOF, the shortest TR (36 msec) and the largest FA (50 degree) resulted in the highest contrast ratio, but larger flip angles did not effectively demonstrate the demonstration of the peripheral part of the aneurysm . Loss of signal was most prominent in images of the stenosis model obtained with parallel or oblique planes to the flow direction. The two-dimensional TOF technique also caused signal void in stenosis, but precisely demonstrated the aneurysm, with dense opacification of the peripheral part. The phase contrast technique showed some distortions in the imaging of stenosis, and partial opacification of ananeurysm. Contrast enhanced imaging offered no advantages in the imaging of the stenosis, but was excellent for demonstration of the aneurysm. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates a spectrum of MRA images of stenosis and aneurysm model according to variation in imaging parameters and the concentration of contrast media.

Multimedia Radiology Self-Learning Course on the World Wide Web

PURPOSE: The creation and maintainance of radiology teaching materials is both laborious and very time-consuming but at a teaching hospital is important. Through use of the technology offered by today's worldwide web, this problem can be efficiently solved, and on this basis, we divised a multimedia radiology self-learning course for abdominal ultrasound and CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A combination of video and audio tapes has been used as teaching material; the authors digitized and converted these to Hypertext Mark-up Language(HTML) format. Films were digitized with a digital camera and compressed to Joint Photographic Expert Group (JPEG) format, while audio tapes were digitized with a sound recorder and compressed to Real Audio format. RESULTS: The self-learning course for abdominal ultrasound consists of 14 steps, and that for abdominal CT, 19 steps. Both provide images, voice anrrations, and related texts and graphics. The learner can navigate the course at his/her own speed, repeating or skipping any part, as required. CONCLUSION: 'Multimedia on the Worldwide Web' will facilitate easy management and maintenauce of a self-learning course. To make this more suitable for practical use, continual upgrading on the basis of experience is needed.

Left ventricular blood flow velocity line analysis in normal person;a color M-mode digitizing study

No abstract available.