Polymorphism in Codons 10 and 25 of the Transforming Growth Factor-beta1 Gene in Korean Population and in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The genetic polymorphism of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) at codons 10 and 25 which influences the production of TGF-beta1 is related to fibrogenesis in the lung and liver. We evaluated the genetic polymorphism at codons 10 and 25 in controls and in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Blood samples were collected from controls (n=35), patients with LC (n=64), and HCC (n=49). Genomic DNA was isolated and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was done for a segment including codons 10 and 25. The results of direct sequencing for PCR products were compared between the controls and the patients. RESULTS: There was no genetic polymorphism at codon 25 and three types of genetic polymorphism at codon 10. The leucine homozygous genotype (CTG/CTG) at codon 10 was more common in patients with LC than the controls (p=0.01) and especially in patients with LC caused by HBV (p=0.004). The polymorphism at codons 10 in patients with HCC was similar to the controls. However, leucine homozygous genotype was more common in patients with HCC of uninodular morphology than those of massive morphology (p=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: The genetic polymorphism of TGF-beta1 at codon 10 might be associated with LC and morphology of HCC. The potential usefulness of TGF-beta1 genotyping needs further studies in large scale.

The Relationship of Serum Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE), Angiotensin II and Clinical Markers in the Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonia / 결핵

BACKGROUND: There have been several studies showing that angiotensin II and the angiotensin convertingenzyme (ACE) contribute to the activation of fibroblast including the pulmonary fibrosis, and apoptosis of the al veolar epithelium in idiopathic intersititial pneumonia. This study was performed to identify the relationship between the serum angiotensin II. ACE and the pulmonary function test (PFT), the dyspnea score, and the cell fraction of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). METHODS: Twenty three patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia from March, 1999 to October, 2001 at Gachon medical school were enrolled in this study. They were divided into IPF(UIP) (16) and NSIP (7) group. Twelve of the idiopathic interstitial pneumonia patients (UIP : 5, NSIP: 7) were diagnosed by an open lung biopsy, 11 of IPF patients were diagnosed by the American Thoracic Society (ATS) diagnostic criteria. The PFT values, dyspnea score, serum ACE and angiotensin II were measured, and a bronchoscopy was performed to obtain the BALF. RESULTS: Of all the patients, 7 were in the normal range and 14 showed an increase in the serum level of angiotensin II. In terms of the serum ACE level, 14 patients had an increased level. The DLCO% of the angiotensin II. increased group was significantly lower than the not-increased group (p=0.021). Other factors did not correlate with the serum ACE or the angiotensin II increased group and not-increased group. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that an increased angiotensinII serum level may be associated with in crease in the of alveolar capillary block in the progression of pulmonary fibrosis in idiopathic interstitial pneumonia.

Two Cases of Microscopic Polyangiitis with Honeycomb Lung / 결핵

Microscopic polyangiitis is a systemic small-vessel vasculitis that is associated primarily with necrotizing glomerulonephritis and pulmonary capillaritis. A recurrent and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage due to pulmonary capi llaritis is the main clinical manifestation of lung involvement. Recently, an interstitial lung disease that mimics idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis was reported to be rarely associated with microscopic polyangiitis. Here we report two patients with microscopic polyangiitis who showed a honeycomb lung at the time of the initial diagnosis with a brief review of relevant literature.

A Case Intestinal Mucormycosis Healing of Ulcer after Only Amphotericin B Treatment / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Mucormycosis is an uncommon, frequently fatal, opportunistic fungal infection and usually occur in immunocompromised patients. Rhinocerebral and pulmonary disease are the common forms but intestinal infection is an extremely rare form of the disease. Invasive intestinal mucormycosis is usually fatal, therefore, few cases reported survival after early diagnosis and surgical resection combined with antifungal treatment. Because of high mortality after surgery, the healing of ulcers caused by intestinal mucormycosis has not previously observed in immunocompromised host. We reported a case of the intestinal mucormycosis that had been healed the ulcer and symptomatic improvement after only amphotericin B.

A Study of Clinical Investigations of Pulmonary Tuberculoma / 결핵

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 antiuberculosis 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 tuberculomasl 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+/-2.3cm(range : 1.7-10cm)and after 6 months treatment, it had decreased to 1.68+/-2.00cm(range : 1.5-6.5cm)(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. CONCLUSIONS: A lthough 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.

A Case of Adrenalectomy after Preterm Delivery in Cushing's Syndrome of Third Trimester Pregnant Woman / 대한내분비학회지

A renin- or angiotensin-II responsive aldosterone producing tumor is a rare cause of primary hyperaldosteronism. This tumor can be identified by tests that show that the aldosterone producing adrenal tumor is not fully autonomous. In other words partially it is responsible for the stimulation of aldosterone secretion that results aldosterone levels in an increase in serum in response to the upright posture and spironolactone treatment. Furthermore, the urinary 18-hydroxycortisol level is within the normal range. Because of different responses to surgical removal, the differential diagnosis of the causes of primary aldosteronism can't be overemphasized even for rare causes of primary aldosteronism such as unilateral nodular hyperplasia or a renin-responsible aldosterone producing tumor. We should consider renin or angiotensin-II responsive adrenal adenoma in the differential diagnosis of primary aldosteronism when biochemical data shows atypical results. Here we present the first case in Korea of a renin-responsive aldosterone producing adrenal adenoma which was fully accessible and was successfully treated by surgical removal. Also, sampling for aldosterone secretion just above the insertion site in the left renal vein before surgery showed a suspiciously abberant left adrenal vein drainage into the IVC, This was very helpful information during adrenal vein ligation in laparoscopic adrenalectomy.