Ulva compressa Linnaeus (UCL) is a green algae seaweed that performs photosynthesis and is used as a food material in some Asian regions including Korea. It is known to be the dominant species in copper ion-contaminated seas, and many studies on copper ion resistant mechanisms have been reported. UCL is known to have an excellent antioxidant effect, but limited information is available regarding its other physiological activities. In this study, we investigated the anticancer activity of 30% prethanol extracts of Ulva compressa Linnaeus (30% PeUCL) and the underlying mechanisms of its activity on human FaDu hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells. The 30% PeUCL extracts suppressed FaDu cell viability without affecting normal cells (L929), as determined by MTT and viability assays. Furthermore, the 30% PeUCL extracts induced apoptosis, as determined by DAPI staining. The 30% PeUCL extracts inhibited colony formation effectively as well as wound-healing of FaDu cells, even at noncytotoxic concentrations. In addition, 30% PeUCL extracts induced apoptosis significantly through proteolytic cleavage of caspase-3, -7, and -9, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, and by downregulation of Bcl-2 and upregulation of Bax in FaDu cells, as determined by Western blot analysis. Collectively, these results suggest that the inhibitory effect of 30% PeUCL extracts on the growth of oral cancer cells, colony formation and wound-healing may be mediated by caspase- and mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathways in human FaDu hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells. Therefore, 30% PeUCL extracts can be administered as a natural chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of human oral cancers.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the immediate effects of 3% diquafosol ophthalmic solution on tear MUC5AC concentration and corneal wetting property in rabbit eyes. METHODS: Six New Zealand white rabbits were used in the present study. Fifteen minutes after instilling 50 microL of 3% diquafosol into the right eye of each rabbit and 50 microL of saline into the left eye, corneal wetting property, tear MUC5AC concentrations and the area of periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-stained conjunctival goblet cells were evaluated under general anesthesia using conjunctival impression cytology. Corneal wetting property was evaluated by measuring the duration from when the image of the microscopic light beam was clear on the corneal surface immediately after blinking to when the image began to blur. RESULTS: The mean time of corneal wetting property was 86.40 (+/- 17.90) seconds in the diquafosol group and 49.00 (+/- 6.35) seconds in the control group. There was a significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.043). The mean concentration of tear MUC5AC was significantly higher in the diquafosol group (18.21 +/- 1.52 ng/mL) than the control group (12.75 +/- 1.82 ng/mL; p = 0.028). Conjunctival impression cytology showed the area of PAS-stained conjunctival goblet cells was significantly lower in the diquafosol group (23.17 +/- 0.05%) than the control group (32.49 +/- 0.08%; p = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: Immediately after instilling 3% diquafosol, corneal wetting property improved significantly. Also tear MUC5AC concentration, which was released from conjunctival goblet cells increased compared to saline.
Anesthesia, General ; Blinking ; Goblet Cells ; Rabbits* ; Tears

A 22-year-old woman with severe Graves' disease was referred from a local clinic because of her refractory hyperthyroidism. She presented with exophthalmos, diffuse goiter, and tachycardia. She was treated with a maximal dose of methimazole and a beta-blocker for 2 months. However, her thyroid function test (TFT) did not improve. TFT showed a free T4 level of 74.7 ng/dL and a thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level of 0.007 µIU/mL. She was then administered cholestyramine (4 g thrice daily), hydrocortisone (300 mg/day) and methimazole (100 mg/day) which prepared the patient for surgery by reducing the free T4 level (4.7 ng/dL). The patient underwent a total thyroidectomy without experiencing thyrotoxic crisis. This case describes the use of cholestyramine for the first time in Korea in treating Graves' disease and provides limited evidence that cholestyramine can be an effective option.
Cholestyramine Resin* ; Exophthalmos ; Female ; Goiter ; Graves Disease* ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Hyperthyroidism ; Korea ; Methimazole ; Tachycardia ; Thyroid Crisis ; Thyroid Function Tests ; Thyroidectomy ; Thyrotoxicosis ; Thyrotropin ; Young Adult

A 22-year-old woman with severe Graves' disease was referred from a local clinic because of her refractory hyperthyroidism. She presented with exophthalmos, diffuse goiter, and tachycardia. She was treated with a maximal dose of methimazole and a beta-blocker for 2 months. However, her thyroid function test (TFT) did not improve. TFT showed a free T4 level of 74.7 ng/dL and a thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level of 0.007 µIU/mL. She was then administered cholestyramine (4 g thrice daily), hydrocortisone (300 mg/day) and methimazole (100 mg/day) which prepared the patient for surgery by reducing the free T4 level (4.7 ng/dL). The patient underwent a total thyroidectomy without experiencing thyrotoxic crisis. This case describes the use of cholestyramine for the first time in Korea in treating Graves' disease and provides limited evidence that cholestyramine can be an effective option.
Cholestyramine Resin* ; Exophthalmos ; Female ; Goiter ; Graves Disease* ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Hyperthyroidism ; Korea ; Methimazole ; Tachycardia ; Thyroid Crisis ; Thyroid Function Tests ; Thyroidectomy ; Thyrotoxicosis ; Thyrotropin ; Young Adult

Extramedullary relapse in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) usually occurs in the central nervous system and testes those are known as sanctuary sites. Only a few cases of isolated breast relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) have been reported in pediatric ALL, with little known about the optimal treatment and prognosis of such cases. Herein, we report a pediatric case of isolated breast relapse with early T-cell precursor ALL after HSCT. We also describe a literature review of six pediatric cases, including our case.

Purpose: This study investigated the orthodontic tooth movement after weekly parathyroid hormone (PTH) injection in mongrel dogs and analyzes bone formation activity on the tension and pressure sides of the tooth movement in mongrel dogs. Materials and Methods: Three mongrel dogs were used in this study. The first premolar was extracted and orthodontic force using 150 g of closed coil springs between the canine and second premolar was applied. The low-dose PTH group (PTH_1) and high-dose PTH group (PTH_2) received weekly injections of 1.61 μg/kg and 3.23 μg/kg of PTH, respectively. The control group received weekly injections of 1 ml of saline. Clinical, histomorphometric analysis were carried out.Result: The orthodontic tooth movement was greatest in the PTH_2 group and the lowest in the control group. Fluorescence staining images showed higher bone remodeling on the tension side of the tooth movement in the PTH_1 and PTH_2 groups. PTH_2 group showed a thicker labeling band than the PTH_1 group. PTH_2 group showed the highest mineral apposition rate and bone formation rate, followed by the PTH_1 group and the control group. Conclusion Weekly intermittent PTH injection, especially in the short-term and at higher doses with orthodontic force, successfully increased orthodontic tooth movement and bone remodeling in mongrel dogs.

Pulmonary hemorrhage as the initial manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been rarely reported in children. We present the case of a 10-year-old girl who was admitted to Kangbuk Samsung Hospital with hemoptysis. She had a 5-day history of cough with dyspnea. On physical exam, breath sound was significantly decreased combined with rales on both lung fields. Blood tests revealed pancytopenia, decreased complement levels (C3, 21.28 mg/dL; C4, 3.10 mg/dL), positive antinuclear antibody (>1:640) and anti-double-stranded DNA antibody (262.5 IU/mL). Chest computed tomography revealed patchy ground glass opacity on both lung fields. She had proteinuria and diffuse lupus nephritis (International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society class IV-G(A)) confirmed by renal biopsy. High-dose methylprednisolone pulse therapy (30 mg/kg/day) was given for 3 days and then switched to a maintenance dose (1 mg/kg/day). Initially hemoptysis resolved after administration of methylprednisolone, but recurred on the 14th day of treatment. She was then treated with cyclophosphamide pulse therapy and hemoptysis subsided without recurrence. She was discharged on the 31st day of admission. She continued to receive monthly cyclophosphamide pulse therapy until the occurrence of leukopenia and then her regimen was switched to mycophenolate and hydroxychloroquine. SLE continues to be well controlled after 18 months of treatment. Recognition of pulmonary hemorrhage as a possible initial manifestation of SLE is crucial for early diagnosis. SLE was successfully treated with good outcome.
Antibodies, Antinuclear ; Biopsy ; Child ; Complement System Proteins ; Cough ; Cyclophosphamide ; DNA ; Dyspnea ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Glass ; Hematologic Tests ; Hemoptysis ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Hydroxychloroquine ; Leukopenia ; Lung ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* ; Lupus Nephritis ; Methylprednisolone ; Pancytopenia ; Pathology ; Pediatrics ; Proteinuria ; Recurrence ; Respiratory Sounds ; Thorax

PURPOSE: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory relapsing skin disorder. Vitamin D plays a pivotal role in the development of AD, and interleukin (IL) 31 is known to be related to pruritus in AD. The aim of our study was to determine whether 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels are related to IL-31 levels or to the severity of AD. METHODS: We enrolled 91 children with AD and 32 control subjects without history or symptoms of allergic diseases. Blood was drawn to evaluate complete blood cell count, total eosinophil count (TEC), and total IgE, specific IgE to common allergens, 25(OH)D, and IL-31 levels. Serum 25(OH)D and IL-31 levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The scoring atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) index was used to evaluate the severity of AD. RESULTS: The mean 25(OH)D level was significantly lower in the AD group than in the control group; 25(OH)D decreased greatly in the moderate and severe AD groups compared with the mild AD group. Children with atopic sensitization showed significantly lower 25(OH)D levels than nonatopic children. However, serum IL-31 levels were not related to AD group, SCORAD index, or 25(OH)D levels. The SCORAD index was inversely correlated with serum 25(OH)D level and positively correlated with TECs and total IgE levels. Children with moderate and severe AD had significantly higher TECs than children with mild AD. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D is related to the severity of AD independently of IL-31.
Allergens ; Blood Cell Count ; Child* ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Interleukins ; Pruritus ; Skin ; Vitamin D

The elastin metabolism in systemic sclerosis (SSc) has been known to be abnormal. The authors investigated relationship between the clinical manifestations of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and serum levels of soluble elastin-derived peptide (S-EDP) and anti-elastin antibodies. Serum samples were obtained from 79 patients with SSc and 79 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Concentrations of serum S-EDP and anti-elastin antibodies were measured by ELISA. The serum concentrations of S-EDP in SSc patients were significantly higher than in healthy controls (median, 144.44 ng/mL vs 79.59 ng/mL, P < 0.001). Serum EDP concentrations were found to be correlated with disease duration in SSc (P = 0.002) and particularly in diffuse cutaneous SSc (P = 0.005). Levels of anti-elastin antibodies were found to be more elevated in SSc patients than in healthy controls (median, 0.222 U vs 0.191 U, P = 0.049), more increased in diffuse cutaneous SSc than limited cutaneous SSc (median, 0.368 U vs 0.204 U, P = 0.031). In addition, levels of anti-elastin antibodies were also found to be negatively associated with presence of anti-centromere antibody (P = 0.023). The S-EDP levels were not found to be correlated with levels of anti-elastin antibodies. The increased S-EDP and anti-elastin antibody levels and association with clinical and laboratory characteristics may reflect the abnormal metabolism in SSc.
Adult ; Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic/*blood/immunology ; Centromere/immunology ; Elastin/*blood/immunology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peptides/*blood/immunology ; Scleroderma, Systemic/*metabolism/pathology