OBJECTIVE: To investigate new signal transduction cascade through integrin, FAK and ERK in the suppressed cell proliferation by GnRH-I and -II. METHOD: Human endometrial cancer cells (HEC1A) were cultured under the following condition: DMEM/F12 (10% FBS). GnRH-I and -II were treated time (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 min; 100 nM) and dose (10 nM or 100 nM; 20 min) dependent manner according to experimental purposes. Cell proliferation was measured using [3H] thymidine incorporation assay. Immunoblotting was utilized to detect proteins. RESULTS: GnRH-I and -II inhibited proliferation of HEC1A cells and induced expression of integrin beta3. Phosphorylation of FAK and ERK were induced by GnRH-I and -II. CONCLUSION: GnRH inhibited cell proliferation via the expression of integrin and FAK, ERK phosphorylation.
Cell Proliferation* ; Endometrial Neoplasms* ; Female ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone* ; Humans ; Immunoblotting ; Integrin beta3 ; Phosphorylation ; Signal Transduction ; Thymidine

Many new human pathogens that have emerged or reemerged worldwide originated from animals or from products of animal origin. Many animal species as well as categories of agents have been involved in the emergence of diseases. Nearly all of these emergent disease episodes have involved zoonotic infectious agents; that is, they have involved the transmission of the etiologic agent to humans from an ongoing reservoir life cycle in animals or arthropods. Control of zooneses depends on attempts to reduce vector populations of limit contact with reservior species. But in most instances, the control efforts require environmental or human behavioral modification in addition to direct efforts at vector population reduction. We described the general ecological characteristics of zoonses and epidemiologic features of 7 important zoonoses in Korea-anthrax, brucellosis, rabies, E. coli O157 infection, japanese B encephalitis, bovine spongiform encephalitis and variant Creutzfelt-Jacob diseases, and high pathogenic avian influenza. We have made some suggestions in this article. First the network of medical field and veterinary field(including experts and governmental organization) should be systematically organized in zoonosis surveillance, epidemic investigation, outbreak control and so forth. Second, we should practically prepare the new emerging epidemics-including pandemic and bioterrorism in connection with zoonoses control. Third, we need ecological and epidemiological basic studies on zoonoses in Korea, and finally, the zoonoses control policy should be connected food safety.
Animals ; Arthropods ; Bioterrorism ; Brucellosis ; Cattle ; Communicable Diseases, Emerging ; Ecology ; Encephalitis, Japanese ; Encephalopathy, Bovine Spongiform ; Epidemiology ; Food Safety ; Humans ; Influenza in Birds ; Korea* ; Life Cycle Stages ; Pandemics ; Rabies ; Zoonoses

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of ERK and PPAR gamma on the TGF-beta1 induced human endometrial stromal cell decidualization in vitro. METHOD: Endometrial stromal cells are cultured under the following condition: DMEM/F12 (10% FBS, 1 nM E2 and 100 nM P4). TGF-beta1 (5 ng/ml), Rosiglitazone (50 nM), and PD98059 (20 microgram) were added according to experimental purposes. Trypan-Blue and hematocytometer were utilized to count cell number. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blotting were utilized to detect proteins. RESULT: TGF-beta1 inhibited proliferation of cultured human endometrial stromal cells and induced expression of PGE2 and prolactin. This effect was mediated by Smad and ERK activation. Administration of rosiglitazone, PPAR gamma agonist, prevented TGF-beta1 effect on cell proliferation. Furthermore, Rosiglitazone inhibited TGF-beta1 induced activation of ERK, consequently reduced PGE2 and prolactin production. CONCLUSION: TGF-beta1 induced decidualization of endometrial stromal cell through Smad and ERK phosphorylation. PPAR gamma acts as a negative regulator of human endometrial cell decidualization in vitro.
Blotting, Western ; Cell Count ; Cell Proliferation ; Dinoprostone ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans* ; Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors* ; Phosphorylation ; PPAR gamma ; Prolactin ; Stromal Cells* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1*

Infectious endocarditis is associated with five cutaneous findings: subungal hemorrhages, Roth spots, Osler's nodes, the Janeway lesion and petechiae, which are infrequently reported in the current antibiotic era. The Janeway lesion, first described by Edward Janeway in 1899, is an erythematous or hemorrhagic, non-tender macule or nodule several centimeters in diameter occurring on the palms or soles. We report a case of a Janeway lesion in a 30-year-old woman, who had pruritic nontender macules with fever of unkown origin. Our case demonstrates the importance of careful skin examination in systemic diseases such as infectious endocarditis. The findings of the Janeway lesion in this woman were important in securing the early clinical diagnosis of infectious endocarditis.
Adult ; Diagnosis ; Endocarditis* ; Female ; Fever ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Purpura ; Skin

No abstract available.
Bone Marrow* ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma*

PURPOSE: This study was carried out to evaluate the role of the septal leaflet of the tricuspid valve. The hypothesis was that the neonatal tricuspid regurgitation (TR) was related to a transient elevation of right ventricular pressure in the neonatal period, that deviated ventricular septum and pull the anchored septal leaflet of the tricuspid valve. The pulled septal leaflet created the incomplete coaptation between the tricuspid valves and the regurgitation. METHODS: We used cross-sectional echocardiography, Doppler and color Doppler echocardiography to measure the normalized ventricular curvature at end-systole, the angle of the septal leaflet of the tricuspid valve, the type of coaptation of the tricuspid valve, the direction of regurgitation and the peak flow rate of regurgitation in 114 normal newborn babies (87 with TR, 27 without TR). RESULTS: The normalized septal curvature ratio (p=.0113), the angle of the septal leaflet (p=.0023) and the corrected diameter of the tricuspid valve annulus (p=.0008) were related statistically to the presence of TR (not in the angle of the anterior septum). But in the TR group, right ventricular pressure (calculated through peak velocity of TR) had no correlation with the above variables except the grade of TR (p=.002). CONCLUSIONS: One of the pathophysiological aspects of the neonatal TR is mainly related to the septal leaflet of the tricuspid valve, but the exact pathophysiology of neonatal TR may also be combined with other factors.
Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Doppler, Color ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Tricuspid Valve ; Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency* ; Ventricular Pressure ; Ventricular Septum

PURPOSE: Overexpression of COX-2, an enzyme responsible fro the synthesis of prostaglandins, is well linked to human chronic lung diseases. The mechanism by which COX-2 expression is increased or enhanced in cancer cells remains largely unknown. Any compound which can reduce COX-2 expression may be considered as an anti-cancer agent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Leptomycin B (LMB) is a metabolite of Streptomyces and a specific inhibitor of CRM1 nuclear export receptor. A549 is a human lung cancer cell line. To evaluate the effect of LMB on COX-2 expression induced by IL-1beta, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, in A549 cells, Western blot and RT-PCR assays were applied to measure COX-2 protein and mRNA expressions in response to IL-1beta, respectively. Luciferase experiments were done to measure promoter activity of COX-2, NF-kappaB or AP-1. CRM1 siRNA trasfection experiment was performed to knock-down endogenous CRM1. Biochemical protein fractionation method was also carried out to see intracellular localization of proteins. RESULTS: LMB at 9 nM strongly suppressed IL-1beta-induced expression of COX-2 protein that was attributable to decreased COX-2 transcript and promoter activity, but not mRNA stability. Distinctly, knock-down of CRM1 had no effect on COX-2 expression by IL-1beta. Moreover, LMB did not affect IL-1beta-induced phosphorylation of ERK-1/2, JNK- 1/2, and p38 MAPK or AP-1 promoter activity. In contrast, LMB blocked IL-1beta- mediated cytosolic IkappaB-alpha degradation, p65 NF-kappaB nuclear translocation, and NF-kappaB promoter activity. CONCLUSION: LMB potently down-regulates IL-1beta- induced COX-2 at transcriptional level in A549 cells, in part, through modulation of the IkappaB-alpha/NF-kappaB pathway but independent of CRM1, MAPKs and AP-1.
Active Transport, Cell Nucleus ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line ; Cytosol ; Down-Regulation* ; Humans ; Luciferases ; Lung Diseases ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; NF-kappa B ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; Phosphorylation ; Prostaglandins ; RNA Stability ; RNA, Messenger ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Streptomyces ; Transcription Factor AP-1

OBJECTIVES: This survey study was conducted to investigate the effect of smoking on drinking alcohol, depression, anxiety and impulsiveness. METHODS: The survey participants were 925 residents over 20 years of age in Gwanak-gu, Seoul. Subjects were divided into smoking and non-smoking groups, and all completed the Korean Version of the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT-K), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Barret Impulsiveness Scale (BIS) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) to identify patterns of the alcohol consumption and smoking, and to assess levels of depression, anxiety and impulsiveness. RESULTS: The number of subjects with problem drinking was significantly higher in smokers (n=58, 37.2%) than non-smokers (n=81, 11.1%), and there was also a significant difference between smokers and non-smokers on the BDI. However, there were no significant differences between smokers and non-smokers on either the BIS or the STAI. When smokers with problem drinking (Smk_Alc) and smokers without problem drinking (Smk_non-Alc) were compared, the Smk_Alc subjects were found to have higher BDI and trait anxiety scores than the Smk_non-Alc group. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that smoking is closely related to drinking alcohol and suggests that the more frequently people smoke, the more likely they will drink alcohol due to depression and anxiety. It may therefore important for smokers to control depressive mood, anxiety and impulsivity.
Alcohol Drinking ; Anxiety ; Depression ; Drinking ; Drinking Behavior ; Smoke ; Smoking

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of TGF (Transforming growth factor-beta) involved in the paracrinic communication during decidualization between UEC (uterine epithelial cells) and USC (uterine stromal cells), we have employed a co-culture system composed of human endometrial epithelial and stromal cells in defined hormonal conditions. DESiGN: in the co-culture, endometrial epithelial cells cultured in the matrigel-coated cell culture insert are seeded on top of the endometrial stromal cells cultured within a collagen gel. The co-culture was maintained for 48 hours under the following hormonal conditions: progesterone dominant condition (100 nM P4 and 1 nM E2) or estrogen-dominant condition (100 nM E2 and 1 nM P4). 10 ng/ ml HGF and/or 10 ng/ml TGF-beta1 are added. METHODS: RT-PCR is utilized to detect mRNAs quantitatively. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELiSA) and immunohistochemical staining are utilized to detect proteins in the tissue. RESULTS: Prolactin mRNA is expressed in the co-cultured stromal cells under the progesterone dominant condition. TGF-beta1 and its receptors are expressed in both the co-cultured epithelial and stromal cells irrespective of the steroid present, which is in contrast with no or negligible expression of TGF-beta1 or its receptor in cells separately cultured. Both estrogen and progesterone significantly elevate the concentration of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in the conditioned medium of the co-culture with the value of 4,325 pg/ml in E2-dominant and 2,000 pg/ml in P4-dominant condition compare to 150 pg/ ml in no hormone. in separately cultured stromal cells, administration of HGF induces the expression of TGF receptor 1 in both hormonal conditions, but induction of TGF receptor 2 is only manifest in the P4-dominant condition. Administration of TGF-beta and HGF directly induce the decidualization marker prolactin mRNA in separately cultured stromal cells. CONCLUSION: it is likely that steroid hormones induces prolactin mRNA indirectly by promoting the cell to cell communication between the stromal and the epithelial cells. TGF-beta and HGF are two possible paracrine mediators in the human endometrial decidualization.
Cell Communication ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Coculture Techniques ; Collagen ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epithelial Cells ; Estrogens ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; Humans* ; Progesterone ; Prolactin ; RNA, Messenger ; Stromal Cells ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

OBJECTIVE: We used a genome-wide approach to identify differentially expressed genes in patients with preterm delivery caused by preterm labor to improve the understanding of underlying molecular mechanism. METHODS: RNA was isolated from the chorions of patients with preterm delivery caused by preterm labor with intact membranes and term vaginal delivery. cDNA microarray experiments were used to identify differentially expressed genes, and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was used in follow-up experiment. RESULTS: cDNA microarray experiments identified significantly increased expression of 104 genes and decreased expression of 102 genes in the preterm cases. 18 genes showed more than 1.5-fold increased expressions in the chorions of patients with preterm delivery by preterm labor than those with term vaginal delivery. In preterm delivery, up-regulated genes were associated with cell adhesion, cell cycle regulation, development, transport, morphogenesis, muscle contraction, signal transduction, and transcription. 15 genes showed more than 1.5-fold decreased expressions in chorions of patients delivered preterm by preterm labor than delivered term by labor. In preterm delivery, down-regulated genes were associated with cell differentiation, development, metabolism, morphogenesis, RNA processing, signal transduction, transcription, and transport. CONCLUSION: This study suggests cDNA microarray technique might provide insights into the molecular basis of preterm delivery caused by preterm labor.
Cell Adhesion ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Differentiation ; Chorion* ; DNA, Complementary* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gene Expression* ; Humans* ; Membranes ; Metabolism ; Morphogenesis ; Muscle Contraction ; Obstetric Labor, Premature* ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis* ; Pregnancy ; RNA ; Signal Transduction