Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive lipid molecule that mediates cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and angiogenesis in vivo. However, the roles of S1P on pathogenesis of arthritis have been not completely understood. This study was designed to determine the effects of S1P modulation on collageninduced arthritis (CIA) model. DBA/1J mice were injected with collagen into the tail for induction of CIA model. S1P was administered into the peritoneal cavity every other days from day 1 to day 42 after collagen injection. To determine the degree of damage in CIA, we examined macroscopic findings of CIA. The inflammation and bone destruction of CIA mice were evaluated by histo-patholigy and radiography (CT and microradiography). The expressions of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and RANKL which have important roles in pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis and bone destruction were observed by immuno-histochemical staining. After injection with collagen in the DBA/1J mice, CIA was induced by swelling in the knee and ankle joint. Administration of S1P suppressed damages and incidence of arthritis elicited by collagen. In histologic and radiographic studies, S1P strongly suppressed the infiltration of inflammatory cells, the swelling of synovial membrane, erosion, and the destruction of bone on CIA mice. Injection of S1P resulted in down-regulation of the expression of the pro-inflammatory and bone destruction mediators such as TNF-alpha, IL-6, and RANKL on CIA mice. Furthermore, S1P suppressed the differentiation of bone marrow cells into osteoclasts by RANKL. In conclusion, this study suggest that S1P has protective effects on inflammation and bone destruction during pathogenesis of CIA, which indicates S1P can be a new possible therapeutic strategy for rheumatoid arthritis
Animals ; Ankle Joint ; Arthritis ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Bone Marrow Cells ; Cell Proliferation ; Collagen ; Down-Regulation ; Incidence ; Inflammation* ; Interleukin-6 ; Knee ; Mice* ; Osteoclasts ; Peritoneal Cavity ; Radiography ; Sphingosine ; Synovial Membrane ; Tail ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

BACKGROUND: Allergic patients showing a simultaneously positive reaction to multiple allergens are frequently found. The purpose of this study was to analyze the pattern of simultaneously positive results to the allergens of MAST CLA Korean inhalant and food panels. METHODS: From March 2004 to March 2005, we analyzed the results of the MAST CLA allergy test performed at Bundang Jesaeng General Hospital. During this period, 1, 421 inhalant panels and 331 food panels were tested. RESULTS: Mite-farinae (40.3%) and mite-pterony (34.8%) specific IgE were the most frequently detected in the inhalant panel and also in the food panel. Simultaneously positive rates to two or more allergens were 41.9% (595/1421) in the inhalant panel and 32.3% (107/331) in the food panel. Allergens with a highly positive rate (Mite-f, Mite-p, house dust) were frequently detected simultaneously with other allergens, and allergens known to have cross-reactivity showed simultaneously positive results among themselves (i.e. among various pollen allergens; among allergens associated with the pollen-food syndrome; among grain allergens; among milk and cheese; among fungi allergens; among house dust mites and house dust; among cockroach, crab and shrimp; and among cat and dog). CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous positivity on the MAST CLA allergy test can be found frequently among various allergens, especially allergens with cross-reactivity. More advanced techniques using recombinant allergens may be needed for further analysis of this finding.
Allergens* ; Animals ; Cats ; Edible Grain ; Cheese ; Cockroaches ; Dust ; Fungi ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoglobulin E ; Milk ; Pollen ; Pyroglyphidae

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between Osteoprotegerin gene polymorphisms, and bone mineral density (BMD). METHODS: Restriction fragment length polymorphisms at the Osteoprotegerin A163G, T950C, G1181C gene site, and BMD at the lumbar spine and proximal femur were analyzed in 229 postmenopausal Korean women (81 normal, 111 osteopenic and 37 osteoporotic patients). BMDs were measured by DEXA. The subjects were divided in normal, osteopenic and osteoporotic on the basis of the T-score values according to the classification of the World Health Organization (WHO). RESULTS: The genotype distribution of A163G, T950C and G1181C polymorphisms in all postmenopausal women was as follows: AA 54.6%, AG 37.1%, GG 8.3%, T/T 17.5%, T/C 44.1%, C/C 38.4%; GG 52.4%, GC 38.0%, CC 9.6%, respectively. Significant differences in the distribution of A/A and A/G genotype among osteoporotic group were observed. No significant differences in the distribution of T950C and G1181C genotypes among three groups were observed. After adjusting for potential confounding factors such as age, BMI, and menopause duration, A163G polymorphism was significantly associated with BMD at the lumbar spine in normal and osteoporotic patients and BMD at the femur neck and wards triangle in normal patients, and G1181C polymorphism BMD at the trochanter in all groups and BMD at the femur neck in osteopenic and osteoporotic patients, and BMD at the wards triangle and trochanter in osteoporotic patients. But There was no relationship between T950C gene polymorphism, and BMD. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that osteoprotegerin gene polymorphisms may be an important contributor to the variation of BMD among postmenopausal Korean women.
Bone Density ; Classification ; Female ; Femur ; Femur Neck ; Genotype ; Humans ; Menopause ; Osteoprotegerin* ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Spine ; World Health Organization

OBJECTIVE: To provide a perspective on the recent trends in the etiologies and levels of lower limb amputations in Korea. METHOD: Medical records of 284 patients discharged from Seoul National University Hospital between 1990 and 1999 who had amputation related procedure codes were reviewed. Data were used to calculate ratios of congenital anomaly, trauma related, tumor related, diabetes related, and vascular insufficiency related amputations, and ratios of each level of amputations. Trends over time were examined by comparing data from 1990 to 1994 with those from 1995 to 1999 using chi square tests. RESULTS: Dysvascular amputations accounts for 53.5% of lower limb loss in recent 10 years, and tumor (18.9%), congenital anomaly (14.5%), and trauma (6.1%) ranked the next common etiologies. The proportion of dysvascular amputations since 1995 was found to be significantly greater than the ratio before 1995 (p<0.05), and the ratio of amputations secondary to congenital anomaly was lower (p<0.05). There was no significant change in the level of amputations. CONCLUSION: Over recent 10 years, the risk of amputation secondary to dysvascular conditions has been increased, which warrants further investigations and efforts to improve our management of amputees.
Adolescent* ; Amputation ; Amputees ; Epidemiology ; Humans ; Korea ; Lower Extremity ; Medical Records ; Scoliosis* ; Seoul

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The leukotriene (LT) receptor antagonist is subject to an on-going study of allergic rhinitis, nasal polyposis and chronic paranasal sinusitis. This study was designed to evaluate the change of nasal patency and morphological changes by assessing the role of 4-oxo-8-benzopyren-hemihydrate (ONO-1078, BH), a cysLT1 receptor antagonist to treatment of allergic rhinitis. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Sixty-five guinea pigs (GPs) were divided into 3 groups: 15 for the control group, 25 for sensitized GPs group and 25 for nonsensitized GPs group. Sensitized GPs were actively sensitized by intraperitoneal injection of 10 mug DNP-As containing 1 mL Al (OH)3 and booster injections were given intraperitoneally 2, 4 and 6 weeks after the initial immunization. Measurements of nasal volume were made by acoustic rhinometry. Also transmission electron microscopy was performed to investigate ultrastructural changes of the nasal mucosal membrane in the LTD4 administrated GPs and the BH treated GPs. RESULTS: Acoustic rhinometry revealed that the changes of nasal volume showed significant reduction at 30 minutes and 6 hours after instillation of LTD4 in nonsensitized guinea pigs (GPs). However, neither nonsensitized nor sensitized GPs with systemic administration of BH showed any changes in nasal patency. Many neutrophils and eosinophils were seen in perivascular space after local administration of LTD4 in control GPs. However there are no eosinophil infiltration into the subepithelial space in BH treated GPs in both nonsensitized and sensitized group. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that BH might be a potent LT receptor antagonist in the allergic model of GPs, which reduces nasal blockage and block chemotaxis of eosinophils to the mucous membrane of the nose.
Animals ; Chemotaxis ; Eosinophils ; Guinea Pigs* ; Guinea* ; Immunization ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Leukotriene Antagonists ; Leukotriene D4 ; Membranes ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Mucous Membrane* ; Nasal Obstruction ; Neutrophils ; Nose ; Receptors, Leukotriene* ; Rhinitis ; Rhinometry, Acoustic ; Sinusitis

Ewing sarcoma is an uncommon bone malignancy of childhood. Although Ewing sarcoma is mostly a tumor of bone, it may also arise from soft tissues (extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma). We report a case of extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma that arose in the retroperitoneum of a 18-month-old girl and presented with right leg pain and gait disturbance. A brief review of related literatures was also made.
Female ; Gait ; Humans ; Infant ; Leg ; Sarcoma, Ewing*

PURPOSE: This report is an analysis of our experience with surgery, multi-agent chemotherapy and radiotherapy, in pediatric germ cell tumors(GCTs). METHODS: This report included all children(age <15 years) who were registered between November 1985 and May 2001 with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of GCTand received surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Retrospective analysis of the medical records of these patients was performed. In addition to the clinicopathological features, the response rate, survival rate, and toxicity were analyzed. RESULTS: Among were a total of 19 patients, 6 had an ovarian tumor and 3 had a testicular tumor. Histologically immature teratoma was the most common type(11/19; 57.9%). Tumor markers were increased in 13/17(76.5%). Complete responses were observed in 17/19(89.5%) of the evaluable patients. Five year actuarial survival was 79.4% and event free survival was 84.2%. Median follow up was 46 months. CONCLUSION: From the present report, it is apparent that chemotherapy is very effective and well tolerated in children with GCTs. The data probably suggests that conservative surgery, when combined with effective chemotherapy, can result in cure of the majority of children with GCTs.
Child ; Diagnosis ; Disease-Free Survival ; Drug Therapy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Germ Cells* ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal* ; Radiotherapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Teratoma ; Biomarkers, Tumor

Central nervous system atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT) of infancy and childhood, a new entity among malignant pediatric brain tumors, is unique histologic entity with an extremely aggressive natural history. Histologically AT/RT is defined as a polymorphous neoplasm often featuring rhabdoid, primitive neuroectodermal tumor, epithelial, and mesenchymal components. AT/RT occurs mainly in the posterior fossa, so mimics medulloblastoma. AT/RT is characterized by the cytogenetic finding of monosomy 22 rather than i (17q). Standard chemotherapy for infant and childhood medulloblastoma, for which this entity is often mistaken, has been ineffective. Most children survive less than 12 months (mean survival: 8.5 months) after diagnosis. We report two cases of central nervous system AT/RT in young children, one of them is alive so far with multimodal treatment.
Brain Neoplasms ; Central Nervous System* ; Child ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Cytogenetics ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Infant ; Medulloblastoma ; Monosomy ; Natural History ; Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive

No abstract available.
Central Nervous System*

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have suggested that the cardioprotective effect of ischemic preconditioning (IP) is closely related to glycogen depletion and attenuation of intracellular acidosis. In the present study, the authors tested this hypothesis by perfusion isolated rabbit hearts with glucose(G) is closely related to glycogen depletion and attenuation of intracellular acidosis. In the present study, the authors tested this hypothesis by perfusion isolated rabbit hearts with glucose(G)-free perfusate. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Hearts isolated from New Zealand white rabbits (1.5~2.0 kg body weight) were perfused with Tyrode solution by Langendorff technique. After stabilization of baseline hemodynamics, the hearts were subjected to 45 min global ischemia followed by 120 min reperfusion with IP(IP group, n=13) or without IP(ischemic control group, n=10). IP was induced by single episode of 5 min global ischemia and 10 min reperfusion. In the G-free preconditioned group(n=12), G depletion was induced by perfusionwith G-free Tyrode solution for 5 min and then perfused with G-containing Tyrode solution for 10 min; and 45 min ischemia and 120 min reperfusion. Left ventricular functionincluding developed pressure(LVDP), dP/dt, heart rate, left ventricular end-distolic pressure (LVEDP) and coronary flow (CF) were measured. Myocardial cytosolic and membrane PKC activities were measured by 32P-gamma-ATP incorporation into PKC-specific peptide and PKC isozymes were analyzed by Western blot with monoclonal antibodies. Infarct size was determined by staining with TTC (tetrazolium salt) and planimetry. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Turkey's post-hoc test. RESULT: In comparison with the ischemic control group, IP significantly enhanced functional recovery of the left ventricle; in contrast, functional significantly enhanced functional recovery of the left ventricle; in contrast, functional recovery were not significantly different between the G-free preconditioned and the ischemic control groups. However, the infarct size was significantly reduced by IP or G-free preconditioning (39+/-2.7% in the ischemic control, 19+/-1.2% in the IP, and 15+/-3.9% in the G-free preconditioned, p<0.05). Membrane PKC activities were increased significantly after IP (119%), IP and 45 min ischemia(145%), G-free [recpmdotopmomg (150%), and G-free preconditioning and 45 min ischemia(127%); expression of membrane PKC isozymes, alpha and beta, tended to be increased after IP or G-free preconditioning. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that in isolated Langendorff-perfused rabbit heart model, G-free preconditioning (induced by single episode of 5 min G depletion and 10 min repletion) colud not improve post-ischemic contractile dysfunction(after 45-minute global ischemia); however, it has an infarct size-limiting effect.
Acidosis ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Blotting, Western ; Cytosol ; Glucose ; Glycogen* ; Heart ; Heart Rate ; Heart Ventricles ; Hemodynamics ; Ischemia ; Ischemic Preconditioning* ; Isoenzymes ; Membranes ; Perfusion ; Rabbits ; Reperfusion