[Clinical significance of serum osteopontin in patients with multiple myeloma].

Background: Angiogenesis and osteoclastogenesis are increased in the bone marrow of multiple myeloma (MM) patients in parallel with the tumor progression. Osteopontin (OPN) is a multifunctional protein that is involved in angiogenesis and bone destruction and, eventually, in tumor progression in MM. OPN is known to increase in MM patients as the disease progresses and bone is destroyed.

Long-term Follow up of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Patients with Hyponatremia.

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) caused by 21-hydroxylase deficiency is an autosomal recessive disease, which leads to cortisol and aldosterone deficiency and hyperandrogenism. Typical medical treatment includes oral glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid administration to suppress adrenal androgens and to compensate for adrenal steroid deficiencies. However, some patients stopped taking medicine without the doctor's consent.

Percutaneous direct puncture glue embolization of high-flow craniofacial arteriovenous lesions: a new circular ring compression device with a beveled edge.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a newly designed circular ring compression device that allows safe and effective glue injection during preoperative embolization of high-flow superficial craniofacial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). The device was used in 4 cases of craniofacial AVM with multiple feeding arteries and draining veins. It provided a safe glue injection route as well as effective compression of radiating multiple venous drainage routes.

Acquisition of MR perfusion images and contrast-enhanced MR angiography in acute ischaemic stroke patients: which procedure should be done first?

Multimodal MRI for acute ischaemic stroke usually includes perfusion imaging (PI) and contrast-enhanced neck MR angiography (CE-MRA), as well as diffusion-weighted imaging and T2* weighted imaging. Because both PI and CE-MRA require the infusion of contrast medium, the likelihood exists that one study may conflict with the other due to the accumulation of previously injected contrast medium. The purpose of this study is to determine the appropriate order of PI and CE-MRA in this multimodal MRI protocol for evaluation of acute ischaemic stroke.

A case of Chromobacterium infection after car accident in Korea.

Chromobacterium violaceum is a gram negative straight rod, 0.8-1.2 by 2.

Clinical usefulness of free light chain concentration as a tumor marker in multiple myeloma.

Monoclonal immunoglobulin, as a marker for monoclonal gammopathy, is evaluated by protein electrophoresis (PEP) and immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE). However, PEP and IFE are not satisfactory in sensitivity, objectivity, and facility. Recently, a highly sensitive, automated immunoassay for measurement of free light chain (FLC) concentrations in serum and urine has been developed for the identification and monitoring of patients with monoclonal gammopathy.

[Granulocyte and monocyte adsorption apheresis in Korean conventional treatment-refractory patients with active ulcerative colitis: a prospective open-label multicenter study].

Background/aims: In chronic inflammatory conditions such as ulcerative colitis (UC), the migration of granulocytes and monocytes/macrophages from the circulation into the colonic mucosa is especially important in maintaining inflammation. The aim of this trial was to assess safety and efficacy of granulocyte and monocyte adsorption apheresis in patients with moderate-to-severe UC refractory to conventional drug therapies.

Methods: Twenty-seven patients with moderate (55.

Loss of the tight junction protein claudin 4 correlates with histological growth-pattern and differentiation in advanced gastric adenocarcinoma.

The expression of E-cadherin located in the adherens junction varies with disruption of glandular morphology and loss of differentiation. It has been suggested that the loss of tight junction function is related to tumor differentiation, but little is known about the roles of major proteins, such as claudin 4 and ZO-1, in gastric cancer. The aims of this study were to examine the differences in expression of E-cadherin, claudin 4, and ZO-1 proteins according to the pathological and clinical features of advanced gastric cancer.

Mu-opioid agonist-induced activation of G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium current in rat periaqueductal gray neurons.

The characteristics of the inwardly rectifying K+ current activated by a mu-type opioid agonist, D-Ala2,N-MePhe4,Gly5-ol-enkephalin (DAMGO), were examined in the acutely dissociated rat periaqueductal gray neurons using the nystatin-perforated and the conventional whole-cell recording modes under voltage-clamp conditions. DAMGO activated inward currents in a concentration- and voltage-dependent manner. The DAMGO-induced current was an inwardly rectifying K+ current (I(DAMGO)) which was sensitive to K+ channel blockers, quinine and Ba2+ but insensitive to Cs+ and tetraethylammonium.

Generalized tuberous xanthoma with type IV hyperlipoproteinemia.

We report a case of generalized tuberous xanthoma with type IV hyperlipoproteinemia in a 42-year-old woman who had multiple, grouped, yellowish brown nodules bilaterally on the trunk, knees, elbows, palms, soles, and dorsal sides of multiple interphalangeal joints. On laboratory examination, serum triglyceride levels were elevated, and the pre-beta-lipoprotein band was increased on lipoprotein electrophoresis. Histopathologic findings showed many Touton giant cells and numerous foam cells in the dermis.

Effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor on collagen production by cultured mesangial cells.

Cultured mesangial cells (MC) express renin mRNA and generate angiotensin I, supporting the action of local renin-angiotensin system. Also angiotensin II may act like a growth factor and was reported to increase collagen production (CP) in cultured MC. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor is suggested to attenuate development and advancement of glomerulosclerosis, mainly with its hemodynamic effects.