No abstract available.
Behcet Syndrome* ; Renal Insufficiency*

Background: The anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects of erythropoietin may provide neuroprotective effects. Erythropoietin also modulates autophagy signaling that may play a role in anesthesia-induced neurotoxicity (AIN). Herein, we investigated whether AIN can be attenuated by the neuroprotective effect of erythropoietin in the Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). Methods: Synchronized worms were divided into the control, Iso, EPO, and EPO-Iso groups. The chemotaxis index (CI) was evaluated when they reached the young adult stage. The lgg-1::GFP-positive puncta per seam cell were used to determine the autophagic events. The erythropoietin-mediated pathway of autophagy was determined by measuring the genetic expression level of let-363, bec-1, atg-7, atg-5, and lgg-3. Results: Increased lgg-1::GFP puncta were observed in the Iso, EPO, and EPO-Iso groups. In the Iso group, only the let-363 level decreased significantly as compared to that in the control group (P = 0.009). bec-1 (P < 0.001), atg-5 (P = 0.012), and lgg-3 (P < 0.001) were expressed significantly more in the EPO-Iso group than in the Iso groups. Repeated isoflurane exposure during development decreased the CI. Erythropoietin could restore the decreased CI by isoflurane significantly in the EPO-Iso group. Conclusions Erythropoietin showed neuroprotective effects against AIN and modulated the autophagic pathway in C. elegans. This experimental evidence of erythropoietin-related neuroprotection against AIN may be correlated with the induced autophagic degradation process that was sufficient for handling enhanced autophagy induction in erythropoietin-treated worms.

Purpose: Currently, the DNA damage response (DDR) pathway represents a key target for new cancer drug development. Advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC) has a poor prognosis because of the lack of efficacious treatment options. Although DNA repair pathway alterations have been reported in many patients with BTC, little is known regarding the effects of DDR-targeted agents against BTC. Materials and Methods: In this study, nine BTC cell lines were exposed to the WEE1 inhibitor (AZD1775). In vitro, MTT assay, colony-forming assay, cell cycle analysis, phospho-histone H3 staining assay, Transwell migration assay, and western blot were performed. Then, to enhance the antitumor effect of AZD1775, the combination treatment of WEE1 inhibitor and ataxia telangiectasia mutated and Rad3 related (ATR) inhibitor (AZD6738) was conducted using MTT assay and comet assay. Finally, HuCCT-1 and SNU2670 xenograft models were established to confirm the anti-tumor effect of AZD1775 alone. Furthermore, the combination treatment was also evaluated in SNU2670 xenograft models. Results: AZD1775 blocked the phosphorylation of CDC2 and CDC25C in all cell lines, but significantly increased apoptosis and S phase arrest in sensitive cells. However, increased p-ATR and phosphorylated ataxia telangiectasia mutated levels were observed in less sensitive cells. In addition, in vitro and in vivo data illustrated that AZD1775 combined with AZD6738 exerted more potent anti-tumor effects than either drug alone. Although WEE1 inhibition has promising anti-tumor effects in some BTC cells, the addition of ATR inhibitors could enhance its efficacy. Conclusion Taken together, this study supports further clinical development of DDR-targeted strategies as monotherapy or combination regimens for BTC.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although endoscopic resection is widely used for the treatment of early colorectal cancer, the risk factors for lymph node metastasis are not clear. This study was designed to determine the risk factors for lymph node metastasis in patients with colorectal cancer who are treated by endoscopic resection. METHODS: The medical records of patients with histologically-proven early colorectal cancers who were treated by endoscopic resection between January 2002 and September 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. Information regarding the demographic data of patients and the clinicopathologic characteristics were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients who underwent subsequent surgical treatment after endoscopic resection for early colorectal cancer were enrolled in this study. Six patients (20.7%) had lymph node metastases on surgical pathologic examination. The predictive factors for lymph node metastasis were tumor morphology (non-polypoid flat tumors [p=0.019]), absence of background adenomas (p=0.033), and deep submucosal invasion > or = 2,000 um (p=0.012). Unexpectedly, the presence of vascular invasion was not associated with lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of vascular invasion might not be an absolute indication for additional surgical treatment of early colorectal cancer; however, deep submucosal invasion, accompanied by a gross tumor with a non-polypoid flat morphology, and the absence of background adenomas are potential risk factors for lymph node metastasis.
Adenoma ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Medical Records ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: Rocuronium has been reported to develop a rapid onset of action and may be suitable as a component of a rapid-sequence intubation. The purpose of this study was to compare the onset of rocuronium at the adductor pollicis and the larynx and to determine the time suitable for intubation. METHODS: Fifteen ASA physical status 1 and 2 adult patients were studied. Anesthesia was induced and maintained with propofol and alfentanil. The recurrent laryngeal nerve was stimulated superficially and movement of the vocal cords were recorded on video tape by using a fiberoptic bronchoscope passed via a laryngeal mask airway. Neuromuscular function was recorded at the adductor pollicis by using mechanosensor. After the administration of rocuronium 0.9 mg.kg(-1), the times to loss of fourth twitch response in train -of - four stimulation at the larynx and hand were observed. RESULTS: The times to loss of fourth twitch response in train-of-four stimulation at the larynx and hand are 47.3 +/- 12.8 sec and 70 +/- 13.6 sec respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Video imaging may be a useful research technique for estimating the neuromuscular blockade at the larynx and showing the onset time of rocuronium is significantly faster at the larynx than hand.
Adult ; Alfentanil ; Anesthesia ; Bronchoscopes ; Hand ; Humans ; Intubation ; Laryngeal Masks ; Larynx* ; Neuromuscular Agents* ; Neuromuscular Blockade ; Propofol ; Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve ; Research Design ; Vocal Cords

Microsporum (M.) ferrugineum has almost disappeared in Korea after three cases of tinea capitis that were reported in Jeonbuk province in 1993. It was most common cause of tinea capitis in Korea until 1970s. M. ferrugineum produces abundant chlamydospores. Another characteristic of the species is the production of distorted faviform hyphae and long, straight hyphae with thick septa that resemble segments of bamboo. We report a case of 27-year-old female with tinea corporis caused by M. ferrugineum.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Hyphae ; Korea ; Microsporum ; Tinea ; Tinea Capitis

No abstract available.
Bacteremia* ; Humans ; Pneumonia* ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* ; Streptococcus pyogenes* ; Streptococcus*

Duplications of the gastrointestinal tract are rare congenital malformations that are usually present during the first decade of life. However, a smaller number of cases may remain occult until adulthood. Overall, the colon is the least common site of congenital gastrointestinal duplications. Colonic duplications can present with symptoms of diverticulitis and can be confused with acquired giant cysts or masses. We present a rare case of a duplication cyst of the colon in a female adult. Although the preoperative evaluations, including an abdominal CT scan and colonoscopy, were suggestive of a gastrointestinal tumor of the colon, the final diagnosis was a colonic duplication cyst based on the histopathologic examination of the resected specimen. Even if intestinal duplication cysts are uncommon, they should be considered in the differential diagnosis of intestinal masses.
Adult ; Colon ; Colonoscopy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Digestive System Abnormalities ; Diverticulitis ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans

No abstract available.

BACKGROUND: Sporotrichosis is a subacute to chronic, deep fungal infection caused by Sporothrix schenckii and has a wide variety of clinical presentations. Although sporotrichosis is the most common deep fungal infection in Korea, few reports have included a long term investigation and survey of sporotrichosis. OBJECTIVE: We analyzed patients' records for 38 recent years to identify the incidence and changes in clinical findings on sporotrichosis. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 71 patients with sporotrichosis for 38 recent years (1968~2005) by reviewing the medical records and making phone calls to patients if needed. RESULTS: The incidence of sporotrichosis is currently on a decreasing trend and incidents were more common for rural residents (43 cases, 60.6%) than urban residents (28 cases, 39.4%). The most frequent occupation of patients was 'farmer' (37 cases, 52%). Seasonally, twenty seven cases (38.0%) occurred in winter (December to February), showing higher incidence than any other season. Lympho-cutaneous type (53 cases, 74.6%) is more common than fixed cutaneous type (18 cases, 25.4%) and the most common site of the initial lesion was left upper extremity. Of 47 patients who had primary lesion on upper extremity, 39 (83%) were of the lympho-cutaneous type, and of 15 patients who had primary lesion on face, 9 (60%) were of the fixed cutaneous type. CONCLUSION: According to this study, some changes in clinical findings and prevalence of sporotrichosis over the study period were noted. Further observation and analysis are required to clarify the meaning of these changes.
Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Occupations ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Seasons ; Sporothrix ; Sporotrichosis ; Upper Extremity