PURPOSE: Evidence that indicates bile acid is a promoter of colon cancer exists. Deoxycholic acid (DCA) modifies apoptosis or proliferation by affecting intracellular signaling and gene expression. However, because previous studies have been based on studies on colon cancer cell lines, the effect of DCA on normal colonocytes is unknown. METHODS: Normal colonocytes and Caco-2 and HCT116 cells were treated with 20 micrometer and 250 micrometer of DCA, and the effect of different concentrations of DCA was measured based on the expression of cell-cycle-related proteins by using Western blots. RESULTS: The expressions of CDK2 and cyclin D1 for different concentrations of DCA in normal colonocytes and colon cancer cells were similar, but the expressions of cyclin E and A were significantly different. In HCT116 colon cancer cells, the expression of cyclin E increased regardless of the DCA concentration, but in normal colonocytes and Caco-2 cells, the expression of cyclin E was not changed or decreased. In HCT116 colon cancer cells, the expression of cyclin A was not changed or decreased regardless of the DCA concentration, but in normal colonocytes and Caco-2 cells, the expression of cyclin A was increased at a DCA concentration of 20 micrometer. CONCLUSION: The effect of DCA on stimulating cell proliferation suggests that DNA synthesis is stimulated by an increased expression of cyclin E in colon cancer cells. Our results suggest that a low dose of DCA induces cellular proliferation through increased expression of cyclin A and that a high dose of DCA induces decreased expression of cyclin E and CDK2 in normal colonocytes.
Apoptosis ; Bile ; Blotting, Western ; Caco-2 Cells ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Cyclin A ; Cyclin D1 ; Cyclin E ; Cyclins ; Deoxycholic Acid ; DNA ; Gene Expression ; HCT116 Cells ; Humans ; Proteins

Patients with acromegaly have a reduced life expectancy rnainly due to cardiovascular, respiratory or cerebrovascular diseas-. Malignancy also seems to occur with greater than the expected incidence. In particular, the published retrospective or prospective studies have suggested a strong association of colonic neoplasia with acromegaly. But, there were a few reports of thyroid cancer in acrornegaly. We report a case of thyroid papillary cancer derived from diffuse goiter in acromegaly, sugge- sting the possible carcinogenic role of growth hormone.
Acromegaly ; Bites and Stings ; Colon ; Goiter ; Growth Hormone ; Humans ; Incidence ; Life Expectancy ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms

BACKGROUND: The relaxative response of blood vessels to acetylcholine (ACh) is known to be abnormal in diabetic rat due to changes in endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) and/or endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF)-mediated action. Oxygen free radical (OFR) interferes with endothelium dependent relaxation to ACh in diabetic rats; this effect rnay be prevented by superoxide dismutase (SOD), OFR scavenger. Then, we determined the effect of SOD on modulation of OFR-induced damage to EDRF and EDHF-mediated relaxations to ACh in diabetic rat aortas. METHODS: After aortas were incubated with free radical generating system for 15 min with or without SOD pretreatment (150 U/mL) and contracted submaximally by norepinephrine (10 (-5) M), relaxative responses to cumulative concentrations (10 (-9) M to 10 (-5) M) of ACh were measured in aortas isolated from the control and 6-8 week streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat. We measured relaxative responses to ACh in these aortas treated with calmidazolium (100uM) or N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (luM) after exposure to OFR with/without SOD pretreatment, RESULTS: The ACh-induced relaxation (10 (-9)M to 10 (-5) M) was significantly decreased in diabetic than in control rat aortas (p<0.05). ACh-induced relaxation in diabetic rat aortas was significantly impaired from 79.3% to 71.2% after exposure to OFR (p<0.05), and the degree of ACh-induced relaxation was recovered from 71.2% to 84.0% after pretreatment with SOD (p<0.05). EDRF-mediated relaxation to ACh in diabetic rat aortas was significantly impaired from 71.2% to 61.6% after exposure to OFR (p<0.05), and the degree of impairment of ACh-induced EDRF-mediated relaxation was recovered from 61.6% to 76.0% after pretreatment with SOD. After exposure to OFR, EDHF-mediated relaxation to ACh in diabetic rat aortas was not significanlty impaired. However, the degree of impairment of EDHF-mediated relaxation to ACh was recovered from 46.0% to 59.5% after pretreatment with SOD. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that OFR may impair mainly EDRF-mediated relaxation to ACh and SOD may protect rnainly OFR-induced damage to EDRF-mediated relaxation to ACh in diabetic rat aortas.
Acetylcholine ; Animals ; Aorta* ; Blood Vessels ; Endothelium ; Endothelium-Dependent Relaxing Factors ; Free Radicals* ; Norepinephrine ; Oxygen* ; Rats* ; Relaxation* ; Superoxide Dismutase* ; Superoxides*

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of implant thread depth on primary stability in low density bone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The insertion torque was measured by inserting Ti implants with different thread depths into solid rigid polyurethane blocks (Sawbones) with three different bone densities (0.16 g/cm3, 0.24 g/cm3, and 0.32 g/cm3). The insertion torque value was evaluated with a surgical engine. The static compressive strength was measured with a universal testing machine (UTM) and the Ti implants were aligned at 30degrees against the loading direction of the UTM. After the static compressive strength test, the Ti implants were analyzed with a Measurescope. RESULTS: The Ti implants with deeper thread depth showed statistically higher mean insertion torque values (P<.001). Groups A and group B had similar maximum static compressive strengths, as did groups C and D (P>.05). After the static compressive strength, the thread shape of the Ti implants with deeper thread depth did not show any breakage but did show deformation of the implant body and abutment. CONCLUSION: The implants with deeper thread depth had higher mean insertion torque values but not lower compressive strength. The deep threads had a mechanical stability. Implants with deeper thread depth may increase the primary stability in areas of poor quality bone without decreasing mechanical strength.
Bone Density ; Compressive Strength ; Dental Implants* ; Polyurethanes ; Torque

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of implant thread depth on primary stability in low density bone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The insertion torque was measured by inserting Ti implants with different thread depths into solid rigid polyurethane blocks (Sawbones) with three different bone densities (0.16 g/cm3, 0.24 g/cm3, and 0.32 g/cm3). The insertion torque value was evaluated with a surgical engine. The static compressive strength was measured with a universal testing machine (UTM) and the Ti implants were aligned at 30degrees against the loading direction of the UTM. After the static compressive strength test, the Ti implants were analyzed with a Measurescope. RESULTS: The Ti implants with deeper thread depth showed statistically higher mean insertion torque values (P<.001). Groups A and group B had similar maximum static compressive strengths, as did groups C and D (P>.05). After the static compressive strength, the thread shape of the Ti implants with deeper thread depth did not show any breakage but did show deformation of the implant body and abutment. CONCLUSION: The implants with deeper thread depth had higher mean insertion torque values but not lower compressive strength. The deep threads had a mechanical stability. Implants with deeper thread depth may increase the primary stability in areas of poor quality bone without decreasing mechanical strength.
Bone Density ; Compressive Strength ; Dental Implants* ; Polyurethanes ; Torque

Recent improvements have been made to the use of time-resolved, three-dimensional phase-contrast (PC) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which is also named four-dimensional (4D) PC-MRI or 4D flow MRI, in the investigation of spatial and temporal variations in hemodynamic features in cardiovascular blood flow. The present article reviews the principle and analytical procedures of 4D PC-MRI. Various fluid dynamic biomarkers for possible clinical usage are also described, including wall shear stress, turbulent kinetic energy, and relative pressure. Lastly, this article provides an overview of the clinical applications of 4D PC-MRI in various cardiovascular regions.
Biomarkers ; Hemodynamics* ; Hydrodynamics ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging*

Despite the recent increase in the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among the general population and patients, little is known about Korean physicians' attitudes about and interest in CAM. We conducted a web-based survey of knowledge, attitude, and experience in CAM among primary care physicians (PCPs) and academic physicians (APs) in Korea. A total of 826 physicians (341 PCPs and 485 APs) responded. Respondents in both groups felt that they were not sufficiently knowledgeable about CAM. PCPs, however, had a significantly higher composite index score in CAM knowledge than that of APs. Although APs were more skeptical about the scientific evidence of CAM than PCPs, both groups had a positive attitude toward CAM. The level of experience in utilizing CAM in their practice was 23.2% among PCPs, which was much higher than that among APs (2.7%). Experience rates of referring patients to CAM were 11.7% in PCPs and 4.5% in APs (P<0.001). Despite the discrepant rates in CAM education between the two groups (58.7% in PCPs and 26.0% in APs, P<0.001), the majority of doctors in both groups (85.0% in PCPs and 70.0% in APs) expressed an intention to participate in authorized CAM coursework. In conclusion, despite the lack of scientific evidence, both PCPs and APs have an interest in incorporating CAM into their conventional medical practices. To meet physicians' increasing needs for CAM the Korean medical societies should promote education and research about CAM in the conventional medical system.
Complementary Therapies ; Humans ; Intention ; Korea ; Physicians, Primary Care ; Primary Health Care ; Societies, Medical ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine whether retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), adiponectin and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin are associated with insulin resistance (IR) and metabolic parameters in non-diabetic hypertensive patients. Also, we sought to compare the predictive values of these adipocytokines for IR in non-diabetic hypertensive patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Analyses of RBP4, adiponectin, and HMW adiponectin were performed on 308 non-diabetic hypertensives (148 males, age 58 +/- 10 years, 189 non-metabolic syndrome and 119 metabolic syndrome). The homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index for IR, lipid profiles, and anthropometric measure-ments were assessed. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in RBP4 levels according to the presence of metabolic syndrome, although adiponectin and HMW adiponectin were significantly lower in metabolic syndrome. Correlation analysis of log RBP4 with IR and metabolic indices revealed that there was no significant correlation of RBP4 with waist circumference (r = 0.056, p = 0.324), HDL cholesterol (r = 0.005, p = 0.934), ApoB/ApoAI ratio (r = 0.066, p = 0.270), and the HOMA index (r = 0.017, p = 0.756). However, adiponectin and HMW adiponectin showed significant correlations with the HOMA index (r = - 0.247, p < 0.001; r = - 0.296, p < 0.001) and metabolic parameters. With IR defined as HOMA index > or = 2.5, HMW adiponectin did not demonstrate a superior predictive value for IR compared to adiponectin (AUC = 0.680 vs. 0.648, p = 0.083). The predictive value of RBP4 for IR was minimal (AUC = 0.534). CONCLUSION: RBP4 was not associated with IR or metabolic indices and the predictive value for IR was minimal in hypertensives. HMW adiponectin didn't have a superior predictive value for IR compared to adiponectin. Therefore, we can suggest that RBP4 and HMW adiponectin don't have more additive information than adiponectin in non-diabetic hypertensives.
Adiponectin/*blood ; Aged ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension/*blood/*physiopathology ; Insulin Resistance/*physiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radioimmunoassay ; Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma/*metabolism ; Risk Factors ; Waist Circumference/physiology

Septooptic dysplasia is a rare anterior midline anomaly considered to be a mild form of lobar holoprosencephaly. We describe a case with unilateral optic nerve hypoplasia and the absence of a septum pellucidum.
Holoprosencephaly ; Optic Nerve ; Septo-Optic Dysplasia* ; Septum Pellucidum

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: An abnormal Q wave, after an acute myocardial infarction, has been considered an indicator of myocardial necrosis. However, in some cases this Q wave partially or completely disappears during the evolution of the myocardial infarction. The clinical significance of Q wave regression remains to be established. Accordingly, this study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between Q wave regression, after an anterior wall acute myocardial infarction, and the improvements of the regional wall motion abnormality and left ventricular ejection fraction in echocardiography. SUBJCETS AND METHODS: A total of 80 patients, who presented with a first anterior wall acute myocardial infarction, managed successfully with direct intervention, were divided into two groups according to the regression (group A) or presence (group B) of abnormal Q waves. Regression of an abnormal Q wave was defined as the disappearance of the Q wave and reappearance of the R wave > or =0.1 mV, in at least two of the I, aVL, and V1 to V6 leads. RESULTS: Of the 80 patients, 26 (32.5 %) had an abnormal Q wave regression within 12 months. The peak creatine kinase-MB activity was lower in group A than B (277.3+/-202.6 vs. 521.3+/-284.4 ng/dL, pc<0.01). Group A had better left ventricular regional wall motion than group B in the initial echocardiograms. The degree of improvement of the left ventricular ejection fraction and regional wall motion between the initial and follow-up echocardiographies were significantly greater in group A than B. CONCLUSION: Patients with an anterior wall acute myocardial infarction, showing Q wave regression, tended towards a smaller amount of necrotic myocardium and a significantly larger amount of stunned myocardium.
Creatine ; Echocardiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Myocardial Stunning ; Myocardium ; Necrosis ; Stroke Volume ; Ventricular Function, Left