We describe an ovarian mucinous cystadenocarcinoma with a sarcoma-like mural nodule. In the literature, rare cases of ovarian mucinous tumors have been described which contain foci of undifferentiated carcinoma, sarcoma, and sarcoma-like nodules. The distinction between these lesions is important because of poorer prognosis of true sarcoma and anaplastic carcinoma than sarcoma-like mural nodules. This case shows different results of immunohistochemical stain for anaplastic carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: In unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO), the obstructed kidney is characterized by interstitial fibrosis and an increase in transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1. Interstitial expression of TGF-beta1 is important in tublointerstitial fibrosis. The objectives of this study is to make new ribbon-type antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) for TGF-beta1 which are resistant to exonuclease and to examine the effcets of TGF-beta1 on reducing tubulointerstitial fibrosis of the kidney. METHODS: We introduced a new ribbon-type antisense ODN for TGF-beta1 in rats using the UUO model to block interstitial fibrosis by tail vein injection. A combination of one antisense sequences for TGF-beta1 was adopted to construct a large antisense molecule with a loop and stem. Artificial viral envelope (AVE)-type hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ)-liposomes were used as a vector system for the delivery of antisense ODN. RESULTS: The levels of TGF-beta1 mRNA was decreased more in the cultured mesangial cells treated with ribbon-type antisense ODN than in that of a linear-type antisense ODN for TGF-beta1. TGF-beta1 mRNA was increased markedly in the interstitium of untreated obstructed kidneys. Northem analysis revealed that the levels of TGF-beta1 mRNA were decreased in the obstructed kidneys treated with antisense ODN. The fibrosis of the obstructed kidneys treated with ribbon-type antisense ODN was dramatically less than that of the untreated group. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that the introduction of new ribbon-type antisense ODN for TGF-beta1 may be a potential therapeutic maneuver for preventing interstitial fibrosis.
Animals ; Fibrosis ; Kidney ; Mesangial Cells ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides* ; Rats ; RNA, Messenger ; Sendai virus ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; Transforming Growth Factors ; Ureter* ; Ureteral Obstruction* ; Veins

IL-12 and IL-23 are closely related in structure, and have been shown to play crucial roles in regulation of immune responses. However, little is known about the regulation of these cytokines in T cells. Here, we investigated the roles of PI3K and MAPK pathways in IL-12 and IL-23 production in human Jurkat T cells in response to Toxoplasma gondii and LPS. IL-12 and IL-23 production was significantly increased in T cells after stimulation with T. gondii or LPS. T. gondii and LPS increased the phosphorylation of AKT, ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, and JNK1/2 in T cells from 10 min post-stimulation, and peaked at 30–60 min. Inhibition of the PI3K pathway reduced IL-12 and IL-23 production in T. gondii-infected cells, but increased in LPS-stimulated cells. IL-12 and IL-23 production was significantly reduced by ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK inhibitors in T. gondii- and LPS-stimulated cells, but not in cells treated with a JNK1/2 inhibitor. Collectively, IL-12 and IL-23 production was positively regulated by PI3K and JNK1/2 in T. gondii-infected Jurkat cells, but negatively regulated in LPS-stimulated cells. And ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK positively regulated IL-12 and IL-23 production in Jurkat T cells. These data indicate that T. gondii and LPS induced IL-12 and IL-23 production in Jurkat T cells through the regulation of the PI3K and MAPK pathways; however, the mechanism underlying the stimulation of IL-12 and IL-23 production by T. gondii in Jurkat T cells is different from that of LPS.
Cytokines ; Humans ; Interleukin-12* ; Interleukin-23* ; Jurkat Cells ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; Phosphorylation ; T-Lymphocytes* ; Toxoplasma*

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of dexamethasone on the damaged blood-ocular barrier caused by triolein emulsion, using contrast-enhanced MR imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An emulsion of 0.1-mL triolein in 20 mL of saline was infused into the carotid arteries of 32 cats, 12 cats were placed in the treatment group and 18 cats were placed in the Control group. Thirty minutes after the infusion of triolein emulsion, a set of orbital pre- and post-contrast T1-weighted MR images (T1WIs) were obtained. Infusion of 10 mg/kg dexamethasone into the ipsilateral carotid artery of each of the cats in the treatment group cats and 20 mL saline in each of the cats in the control group was given. A second set of pre- and post-contrast orbital T1WIs were obtained three hours following triolein emulsion infusion. Qualitative analysis was performed for the the anterior chamber (AC), the posterior chamber (PC), and in the vitreous humor of the ipsilateral and contralateral eyes. The signal intensity ratios of the ipsilateral eye over the contralateral eye were quantitatively evaluated in the three ocular chambers on the first and second set of T1WIs, and were then statistically compared. RESULTS: Qualitatively, the AC, the PC or the vitreous did not show immediate contrast enhancement on the first and the second set of post-contrast T1WIs. However, the AC and the PC showed delayed contrast enhancement for both groups of cats on the second pre-contrast T1WIs. No enhancement or minimally delayed enhancement was seen for the vitreous humor. Quantitatively, the signal intensity ratios in the PC of the treatment group of cats were statistically lower than the ratios of the control group of cats for the second set of T1WIs (p = 0.037). The AC and vitreous showed no statistically significant difference between the feline treatment group and control group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Contrast-enhanced MR images revealed increased vascular permeability in the PC of the eye after infusion of triolein emulsion. Dexamethasone seems to decrease the breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier in the PC.
Animals ; Blood-Aqueous Barrier/*drug effects ; Blood-Retinal Barrier/*drug effects ; Capillary Permeability/drug effects ; Cats ; Contrast Media ; Dexamethasone/*pharmacology ; Emulsions ; Glucocorticoids/*pharmacology ; Image Enhancement ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/*methods ; Triolein/*adverse effects

Trichomonas vaginalis induces proinflammation in cervicovaginal mucosal epithelium. To investigate the signaling pathways in TNF-alpha production in cervical mucosal epithelium after T. vaginalis infection, the phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT and MAPK pathways were evaluated in T. vaginalis-infected SiHa cells in the presence and absence of specific inhibitors. T. vaginalis increased TNF-alpha production in SiHa cells, in a parasite burden-dependent and incubation time-dependent manner. In T. vaginalis-infected SiHa cells, AKT, ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, and JNK were phosphorylated from 1 hr after infection; however, the phosphorylation patterns were different from each other. After pretreatment with inhibitors of the PI3K/AKT and MAPK pathways, TNF-alpha production was significantly decreased compared to the control; however, TNF-alpha reduction patterns were different depending on the type of PI3K/MAPK inhibitors. TNF-alpha production was reduced in a dose-dependent manner by treatment with wortmannin and PD98059, whereas it was increased by SP600125. These data suggested that PI3K/AKT and MAPK signaling pathways are important in regulation of TNF-alpha production in cervical mucosal epithelial SiHa cells. However, activation patterns of each pathway were different from the types of PI3K/MAPK pathways.
Cell Line ; Cervix Uteri/enzymology/metabolism/*parasitology ; Epithelial Cells/*enzymology/metabolism/parasitology ; Female ; Humans ; *MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Mucous Membrane/*enzymology/metabolism/parasitology ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics/*metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics/*metabolism ; Trichomonas Vaginitis/*enzymology/genetics/metabolism/parasitology ; Trichomonas vaginalis/*physiology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics/*metabolism

Laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy (DN) has been established as a useful alternative to the traditional open methods of procuring kidneys. To maximize the advantages of the laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) method, we applied natural orifice specimen extraction to LESS-DN. A 46-year-old woman with no previous abdominal surgery history volunteered to donate her left kidney to her husband and underwent single-port laparoscopic DN with transvaginal extraction. The procedure was completed without intraoperative complications. The kidney functioned well immediately after transplantation, and the donor and recipient were respectively discharged 2 days and 2 weeks postoperatively. Single-port laparoscopic DN and transvaginal graft extraction is feasible and safe.
Female ; Humans ; Intraoperative Complications ; Kidney ; Laparoscopy ; Living Donors ; Middle Aged ; Natural Orifice Endoscopic Surgery ; Nephrectomy* ; Spouses ; Tissue Donors* ; Transplants*

Transumbilical single-port laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (SPLDN) is a novel, rapidly evolving, minimally invasive treatment modality for kidney transplantation. This method causes minimal parietal injury, has cosmetic advantages, and allows rapid recovery because of low postoperative pain and short hospital stay. Like other abdominal surgeries, when conducted by experienced laparoscopic surgeons, it can meet the same graft requirements as conventional laparoscopic surgery. Here, we report the first two cases of transumbilical SPLDN at Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea. We used the umbilicus as a common path for laparoscopic procedures and as a route for specimen retrieval. The operating times were 230 and 265 minutes in cases 1 and 2, respectively. No intra- or postoperative complications were noted. In case 1, the wound length was 4 cm and duration of hospitalization was 2 days. In case 2, the wound length was only 2.5 cm, and the duration of hospitalization was only 1 day.
Hospitalization ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation ; Korea ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Living Donors ; Nephrectomy* ; Pain, Postoperative ; Postoperative Complications ; Rabeprazole ; Surgical Procedures, Minimally Invasive ; Tissue Donors* ; Transplants ; Umbilicus ; Wounds and Injuries

BACKGROUND: Since the bioavailability of itraconazole capsule is influenced by patients gastric acidity, it results in treatment failure due to its low dissolution and subsequent low absorption when administered in fasting. Itraconazole Melt-Extrusion tablet has been lately developed in order to improve its dissolution profile. It is the first clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of itraconazole Melt-Extrusion tablet in Korea. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of itraconazole melt-extrusion tablet 400mg daily for 1 week(pulse therapy) for hyperkeratotic type of tinea pedis and manus. METHODS: A clinical and mycological investigation was made of 812 outpatients with hyperkeratotic type of tinea pedis and/or tinea manus who had visited at 52 general hospitals under the lead of the Korean Dermatological Association from June to December, 1998. Patients confirmed by clinically and microscopically as hyperkeratotic type of tinea pedis and/or tinea manus were administered 2 tablets twice a day for one week and followed up for 8 weeks from the start of the medication. RESULTS: The results were summarized as follows; 1. Clinical symptoms of hyperkeratotic type of tinea pedis and/or tinea mauns were significantly improved at the end of study, week 8(p<0.001). 2. Clinical response rate, defined as more than 50% decrease of the sum of the clinical symptom scores, was 79.3%(512/646). 3. Mycological cure rate, dafined as both culture and KOH negative at week 8, was 78.2%(244 /312). 4. 40(5.5%) patients, of the 727 patients evaluable for drug safety evaluation, were reported to have adverse event. CONCLUSION: Itraconazole Melt-Extrusion tablet 400mg/day for 1 week (pulse therapy) is effective and safe in the treatment of hyperkeratotic type of tinea pedis and/or tinea manus.
Absorption ; Biological Availability ; Fasting ; Gastric Acid ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Itraconazole* ; Korea ; Outpatients ; Tablets ; Tinea Pedis* ; Tinea* ; Treatment Failure