No abstract available.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluated whether clusterin over-expression is significantly correlated with paclitaxel resistance in ovarian cancer cell lines. METHODS: Clusterin was validated by performing expression profiling analysis and subsequently, the correlation between clusterin mRNA expression levels and the IC50 of paclitaxel was tested. Transfection of clusterin was performed on SKOV3, which expressed paclitaxel-sensitivity and low level of clusterin, and transfection of clusterin siRNA on PEOH, which expressed paclitaxel-resistance and high level of clusterin, to evaluate their effect on chemo-sensitivity, apoptosis, and cell cycle by XTT assay, cell death ELISA, and flow cytometry, respectively. RESULTS: Clusterin mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly correlated with paclitaxel resistance (P<0.001). Transfection of cluterin on SKOV3 significantly decreased apoptosis and increased paclitaxel resistance. And transfection of clusterin siRNA on PEOH significantly increased paclitaxel-sensitivity (P<0.05), and shifted cells from S to G2/M phase of the cell cycle after paclitaxel treatment. CONCLUSION: These findings suggested that clusterin overexpression confers paclitaxel-resistance by the modulation of the apoptotic pathway and cell cycle progression in ovarian cancer cells.
Apoptosis ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Death ; Cell Line ; Clusterin* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Flow Cytometry ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Ovarian Neoplasms* ; Paclitaxel* ; RNA, Messenger ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Transfection

Aging is initiated based on genetic and environmental factors that operate from the time of birth of organisms. Aging induces physiological phenomena such as reduction of cell counts, deterioration of tissue proteins, tissue atrophy, a decrease of the metabolic rate, reduction of body fluids, and calcium metabolism abnormalities, with final progression onto pathological aging. Despite the efforts from many researchers, the progression and the mechanisms of aging are not clearly understood yet. Therefore, the authors would like to introduce several theories which have gained attentions among the published theories up to date; genetic program theory, wear-and-tear theory, telomere theory, endocrine theory, DNA damage hypothesis, error catastrophe theory, the rate of living theory, mitochondrial theory, and free radical theory. Although there have been many studies that have tried to prevent aging and prolong life, here we introduce a couple of theories which have been proven more or less; food, exercise, and diet restriction.
Aging ; Atrophy ; Attention ; Body Fluids ; Calcium ; Cell Count ; Diet ; DNA Damage ; Parturition ; Physiological Phenomena ; Proteins ; Telomere

BACKGROUND: B cell subset has been divided into B-1 cells and B-2 cells. B-1 cells are found most prominently in the peritoneal cavity, as well as constituting a small proportion of splenic B cells and they are larger and less dense than B-2 cells in morphology. This study was designed to compare the differences in their proliferation and differentiation between B-1 and B-2 cell. METHODS: We obtained sorted B-1 cells from peritoneal fluid and B-2 cells from spleens of mice. Secreted IgM was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Entering of S phase in response to LPS-stimuli was measured by proliferative assay. Cell cycle analysis by propidium iodide was performed. p21 expression was assessed by real time PCR. RESULTS: Cell proliferation and cell cycle progression in B-1 and B-2 cells, which did not occur in the absence of LPS, required LPS stimulation. After LPS stimulation, B-1 and B-2 cells were shifted to S and G2/M phases. p21 expression by resting B-1 cells was higher than that of resting B-2 cells. CONCLUSION: B-1 cells differ from conventional B-2 cells in proliferation, differentiation and cell cycle.
Allergy and Immunology ; Animals ; Ascitic Fluid ; B-Lymphocytes ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Proliferation ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Immunoglobulin M ; Mice ; Peritoneal Cavity ; Propidium ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; S Phase ; Spleen

BACKGROUND: B cell subset has been divided into B-1 cells and B-2 cells. B-1 cells are found most prominently in the peritoneal cavity, as well as constituting a small proportion of splenic B cells and they are larger and less dense than B-2 cells in morphology. This study was designed to compare the differences in their proliferation and differentiation between B-1 and B-2 cell. METHODS: We obtained sorted B-1 cells from peritoneal fluid and B-2 cells from spleens of mice. Secreted IgM was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Entering of S phase in response to LPS-stimuli was measured by proliferative assay. Cell cycle analysis by propidium iodide was performed. p21 expression was assessed by real time PCR. RESULTS: Cell proliferation and cell cycle progression in B-1 and B-2 cells, which did not occur in the absence of LPS, required LPS stimulation. After LPS stimulation, B-1 and B-2 cells were shifted to S and G2/M phases. p21 expression by resting B-1 cells was higher than that of resting B-2 cells. CONCLUSION: B-1 cells differ from conventional B-2 cells in proliferation, differentiation and cell cycle.
Allergy and Immunology ; Animals ; Ascitic Fluid ; B-Lymphocytes ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Proliferation ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Immunoglobulin M ; Mice ; Peritoneal Cavity ; Propidium ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; S Phase ; Spleen

Open fractures of the tibial shaft have a high incidence of complication and often result in poor outcomes. The most common method of stabilization is the external fixation by way of the Ilizarov method but the small diameter interlocking intramedullary nailing has also been introduced. The purpose of this study is to analyze the result of Ilizarov method and to compare its results with those of delayed intramedullary nailing used in the treatment of open tibial shaft fractures. We analyzed 81 patients with open tibial shaft fractures, treated using Ilizarov external fixator, or by delayed locked intramedullary nailing between January 1987 and December 1994. The follow-up period was an average 14.5 months. Out of the 81 patients, 58 patients were treated by nails and 23 patients by Ilizarov external fixators. Both groups were given the same initial management but the operation of the nailing group was delayed until proper soft tissue coverage and healing of the wound were evident. In the Ilizarov method group, 58 fractures obtained union within 26 to 53 weeks (average of 32.8 weeks) and in the nailing group, 23 fractures showed union within 14 to 51 weeks (average of 21.2 weeks). There was a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). Complications in the Ilizarov group included 4 nonunions, 12 delayed unions, 3 malalignments, 14 wound infections and 13 stiff ankles. There were no nonunion, 10 delayed unions, 8 malalignments, 6 wound infections and 11 stiff ankles in the nailing group. In this study, the Ilizarov group had more delayed unions and nonunions took a longer period of time to obtain the union, and had a more limited range of motion in the ankle, than the nailing group. The nailing group was easier to manage, especially in the soft tis-sue procedure, and it did not require a high level of compliance while having a relatively low risk of malunion.
Ankle ; Compliance ; External Fixators* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; Fractures, Open ; Humans ; Ilizarov Technique ; Incidence ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Wound Infection ; Wounds and Injuries

We investigated the characteristic features of cervical lymph node B cells to determine whether their behavior differs from that of B cells located elsewhere, because cervical lymph nodes may be exposed to continual antigenic stimulation from the naso- and/or oropharynx. B cells were isolated from cervical lymph nodes, spleen and peritoneal fluid of mice, cultured in medium, and exposed to various stimuli. The expression of various surface molecules characteristic of lymphoid B cells was assayed by flow cytometry, and immunoglobulin secreted into the culture supernatants was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. B220+ cells were cultured in medium alone or with lipopolysaccharide, and their entrance into S phase in response to stimuli was measured by proliferative assays. Phenotypic characteristics of cervical lymph node B cells included CD5low, CD23high, CD43low, B7.1low, B7.2low, and Syndecan-1low. Unstimulated lymphoid B cells did not secrete immunoglobulin, but, upon stimulation, secretion of IgM was increased more than secretion of IgA and IgG. B cells actively entered S phase after 48 hr stimulation. These results show that B cells in cervical lymph nodes are conventional B2 cells, like splenic B cells.
Spleen/cytology ; Phenotype ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice ; Male ; Lymph Nodes/*cytology ; Immunoglobulin M/chemistry ; Flow Cytometry ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Culture Media/pharmacology ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Culture Techniques/methods ; B-Lymphocytes/*cytology ; Antigens/metabolism ; Animals

PURPOSE: Deterioration of local immunity in the adenoids may make them vulnerable to infection by microorganisms, resulting in otitis media with effusion. To determine the factors associated with this condition, we evaluated adenoid size, mucosal barrier, squamous changes of ciliated epithelium, IgA secretion, and BCL-6 expression in adenoids. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen children diagnosed with otitis media with effusion (OME group) and 20 children without any history of OME (control group) were enrolled. Their adenoids were sized by lateral view X-ray and stained with hematoxylin and eosin to detect squamous metaplasia. The adenoids were also stained with cytokeratin to evaluate mucosal barriers, and with anti- IgA antibody and anti- BCL-6 antibody to determine expression of IgA and BCL-6. RESULTS: The OME group showed greater incidence of squamous metaplasia, fewer ciliated cells, and lower expression of BCL-6 (p < 0.05 each). Deterioration of the mucosal barrier was detected in the OME group (p > 0.05). IgA secretion and adenoid size were the same for the OME and the control groups. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that increased squamous metaplasia and lower BCL-6 expression in adenoids may be associated with increased susceptibility to OME.
Adenoids/chemistry/*pathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A/analysis ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratins/analysis ; Male ; Metaplasia ; Mucous Membrane/chemistry/pathology ; Otitis Media with Effusion/metabolism/*pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6/*analysis

Phenylpropanolamine is a sympathomimetic amine used widely as a decongestant or appetite suppressant. Reports of the myocardial injury from the use of phenylpropanolamine are rare and the mechanism of the myocardial injury is not known clearly. We experienced a case of myocardial injury after ingestion of phenyl-propanolamine. A 46-year-old woman was admitted because of chest pain and dyspnea after ingestion of 5 tablets of anorectic pill containing phenylpropanolamine 75 mg per tablet. The serum creatine kinase MB isoenzyme levels were elevated and electrocardiographic abnormalities suggesting myocardial infarction were seen in the precordial lead. In echocardiograpy, left ventricular anteroseptal wall motion was nearly akinetic but coronary angiography showed normal coronary arteries except sluggish blood flow in left anterior descending artery.
Appetite ; Arteries ; Chest Pain ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Vessels ; Creatine Kinase ; Dyspnea ; Eating* ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; Phenylpropanolamine* ; Tablets

Carcinoma of Gall bladder remains a terminal illness in most patients despite improved diagnostic capabilities, better perioperative care and a more aggresive surgical approch based on improved knowledge of this tumors natural histiory. Overall 5-year survival rates remain below 5%. This failure to significantly improve patient oucome is largely due to late recognition of gall badder cancer. Authors experienced 21 cases of gall bladder cancer confirmed by operation at the Kwang Ju Christian hospital from march 1983 to March 1991, and the results obtained were summarized as follows. (continue...)
Gallbladder Neoplasms ; Gwangju ; Humans ; Perioperative Care ; Survival Rate ; Urinary Bladder*