BACKGROUND: IL-8 is a potent chemotactic cytokine that plays an important role in the host defense mechanism against M. tuberculosis by recruiting inflammatory cells to the site of the infection. Lung epithelial cells, as well as alveolar macrophages are known to preduce IL-8 in response to M. tuberculosis. IL-8 gene expression is mainly regulated on the level of transcription by NF-κB. This study investigated whether or not A549 cells produce IL-8 in NF-κB dependent mechanism in response to macrophages phagocytosing M. tubersulosis. METHODS: Peripheral blood monocytes that were obtained from healthy donors were cultured for 24 h with M. tuberculosis and a conditioned medium(CoMTB) was obtained. As a negative control, the conditioned medium without M. tuberculosis (CoMCont) was used. A549 cells were stimulated with M. tuberculosis, CoMCont and CoMTB and the IL-8 concentration in the culture media was measured by ELISA. The CoMTB induced IL-8 mRNA expression in the A549 cells was evaluated using RT-PCR, and CoMTB induced IκBα degradation was measured using western blot analysis. CoMTB induced nuclear translocation and DNA binding of NF-κB was also examined using an electrophoretic mobility shift assay(EMSA), and the CoMTB induced NF-κB dependent IL-8 transcriptional activity was measured using a luciferase reporter gene assay. RESULTS: CoMTB induced IL-8 production by A549 cells(46.8±4.8 ng/ml) was higher than with direct stimulation with M. tuberculosis (6.8±2.9 ng/ml). CoMTB induced IL-8 mRNA expression increased after 2 h of stimulation and was sustained for 24 h. IκBα was degraded after 10 min of CoMTB stimulation and reappeared by 60 min. CoMTB stimulated the nuclear translocation and DNA binding of NF-κB. The CoMTB induced NF-κB dependent IL-8 transcriptional activity(13.6±4.3 times control) was higher than either CoMCont(2.0±0.6 times control) or M. tuberculosis (1.4±0.6 times control). CONCLUSION: A conditioned medium of peripheral blood monocytes phagocytosing M. tuberculosis stimulates NF-κB dependent IL-8 production by the lung epithelial cells.
Blotting, Western ; Culture Media ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; DNA ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epithelial Cells* ; Gene Expression ; Genes, Reporter ; Humans ; Interleukin-8* ; Luciferases ; Lung* ; Macrophages ; Macrophages, Alveolar ; Monocytes* ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis* ; Mycobacterium* ; RNA, Messenger ; Tissue Donors ; Tuberculosis

We report a case of actinic granuloma in a 39 year-old woman who was presented with multiple anetoderma on non-sun exposed skin such as the neck, upper arms, elbows and calfs. The anetodermic presentation of actinic granuloma has never been reported and the common pathogenesis involving reduction of elastic fibers link the two disorders. Anetoderma secondary due to actinic granuloma should to be included in the list of secondary anetoderma and may suggest one of the possible pathogenesis of anetoderma.
Actins* ; Adult ; Anetoderma* ; Arm ; Elastic Tissue ; Elbow ; Female ; Granuloma* ; Humans ; Neck ; Skin

Tuberculous uveitis is a rare manifestation of tuberculosis infection. Although early diagnosis is important to saving the sight of patients, it is difficult. In dialysis patient, the diagnosis of tuberculosis is often delayed because of non-specific symptoms and extrapulmonary involvements. We report a case involving a 37-year-old man receiving hemodialysis who was presented with persistent fever and left- sided blurred vision. At ophthalmic examination, active papillitis, vitritis, and peripapillary retinal detachment were observed. Neck computed tomography showed multiple necrotic lymphadenopathies (LAPs) in right lateral neck, which was proven as tuberculous lymphadenitis on histological examination. After anti-tuberculosis therapy, fever was subsided and LAPs were improved. Visual acuity was also improved.
Adult ; Dialysis ; Early Diagnosis ; Fever ; Humans ; Hyperthermia, Induced ; Neck ; Papilledema ; Renal Dialysis ; Retinal Detachment ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Lymph Node ; Uveitis ; Vision, Ocular ; Visual Acuity

BACKGROUND: Pruritus is a common, unpleasant symptom in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD), however its pathogenesis remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of pruritus in chronic renal failure patients on hemodialysis and to correlate its presence with several clinical and laboratory parameters. METHODS: One hundred seventy patients on maintenance HD were enrolled, Some relevant clinical and laboratory parameters (age, sex, duration of dialysis, type of membrane, underlying renal disease, medications, erythropoietin (EPO) and laboratory findings including hematocrit, creatinine, urea, calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone (PTH), erythrocyte sediment rate (ESR), albumin, beta2-microglobulin (beta2MG) and lipid profile as well as parameters of adequate dialysis (Kt/Vurea, URR) were evaluated. RESULTS: Total 170 patients (80 males) were enrolled and pruritus was found in 60 patients (Group I, M:F=29:31). One hundred ten patients did not complain pruritus (Group II, M:F=51:59). Mean age was significantly higher in Group I (59.6+/-14.8 vs. 54.3+/-13.6 years, p<0.05). There was no difference in sex, type of membrane, primary renal disease, serum beta2MG, ESR, EPO dose, duration of dialysis and serum albumin level. The mean value of Kt/V was higher in Group II (1.39+/- 0.36 vs. 1.51+/-0.27, p<0.035). CONCLUSION: Pruritus was more common in older patients and low Kt/V, but other clinical characteristics and laboratory findings were not correlated with uremic pruritus.
Male ; Humans

BACKGROUND: Pruritus is a common, unpleasant symptom in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD), however its pathogenesis remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of pruritus in chronic renal failure patients on hemodialysis and to correlate its presence with several clinical and laboratory parameters. METHODS: One hundred seventy patients on maintenance HD were enrolled, Some relevant clinical and laboratory parameters (age, sex, duration of dialysis, type of membrane, underlying renal disease, medications, erythropoietin (EPO) and laboratory findings including hematocrit, creatinine, urea, calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone (PTH), erythrocyte sediment rate (ESR), albumin, beta2-microglobulin (beta2MG) and lipid profile as well as parameters of adequate dialysis (Kt/Vurea, URR) were evaluated. RESULTS: Total 170 patients (80 males) were enrolled and pruritus was found in 60 patients (Group I, M:F=29:31). One hundred ten patients did not complain pruritus (Group II, M:F=51:59). Mean age was significantly higher in Group I (59.6+/-14.8 vs. 54.3+/-13.6 years, p<0.05). There was no difference in sex, type of membrane, primary renal disease, serum beta2MG, ESR, EPO dose, duration of dialysis and serum albumin level. The mean value of Kt/V was higher in Group II (1.39+/- 0.36 vs. 1.51+/-0.27, p<0.035). CONCLUSION: Pruritus was more common in older patients and low Kt/V, but other clinical characteristics and laboratory findings were not correlated with uremic pruritus.
Male ; Humans

We report one family with bilateral renal hypoplasia and ocular coloboma in two consecutive generations. Ophthalmological examination revealed optic disc coloboma and decreased visual acuity. Fragments spanning exon 1-12 of the PAX2 gene were amplified from genomic DNA using PCR primers. The PCR products were purified and directly sequenced. No definite mutation was detected in the PAX2 genes in these patients, but two coding region single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified. This result suggests that the optic disc coloboma with bilateral renal hypoplasia might be genetically heterogenous or other genes could be responsible.
Clinical Coding ; Coloboma ; DNA ; Exons ; Family Characteristics ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of repeated photodynamic therapy (PDT) for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Korean patients. METHODS: Clinical data of patients who were treated with repeated (3 times or more) PDT for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to AMD and followed up for more than 6 months were collected from 17 hospitals around the country. Visual outcomes at 12 and 24 months, follow-up were compared between subtypes of choroidal neovascularization. The factors related to final visual prognosis and PDT-related adverse effects were evaluated. RESULTS: 244 patients (244 eyes) were recruited (male: 60%, age: 67.7+/-9.1 years). The portion of patients with predominantly classic, minimally classic, and occult without classic choroidal neovascularization was 57%, 13%, and 24%, respectively and that of patients with visual improvements or less than moderate visual loss at 24 months follow-up were 28%, 38%, 30% and 47%, 56%, and 65%, respectively. Baseline visual acuity and age were significantly related to the final visual prognosis (p<0.05). PDT-related adverse events developed in 15 (6.1%) patients, but most were mild and transient. CONCLUSIONS: Repeated PDT for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to AMD has effects comparable to those of previous prospective, controlled trials without any significant safety concerns in Korea.
Choroid* ; Choroidal Neovascularization* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Korea ; Macular Degeneration* ; Photochemotherapy* ; Prognosis ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence and clinical features of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Korea. METHODS: Web-based (www.armd-nova.or.kr) registration was conducted for AMD patients aged 50 or more who were newly diagnosed by retinal specialists in Korea from August 20, 2005 to August 20, 2006. Patient data including ophthalmologic examination, fundus photography, fluorescein angiogram and/or indocyanin green angiogram (ICG), past medical history, behavioral habit, combined systemic diseases were up-loaded. RESULTS: Among finally enrolled 1,141 newly diagnosed AMD patients, 690 patients (60.5%) were male and 451 patients (39.5%) were female. The average age of AMD patients was 69.7+/-8.0. Early AMD was observed in 190 patients and 951 patients had late AMD. Classic choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) was observed in 18.6% of exudative AMD patients and 63.4 % had occult CNVM. Subfoveal CNVM was observed in 80.4% of the patients with CNVM. Among the 580 exudative AMD eyes that performed indocyanin green angiography (ICG), 184 eyes (31.7%) had polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and 36 eyes (6.2%) showed retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP). Age, male gender, smoking, diabetes and hypertension significantly increased the risk of the AMD among Koreans. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the low rate of participation by retinal specialists, definite incidence of AMD was not obtainable. However, the estimated 1-year AMD incidence in the Pusan area of Korea is at least 0.4%. In contrast to Western people, 31.7% of exudative AMD cases were revealed to be PCV and 6.2% were revealed to be RAP. This discrepancy between ethnic groups should be considered in the diagnosis and treatment modality selection of Korean AMD patients.
Aged ; Angiography ; Choroid ; Ethnic Groups ; Eye ; Female ; Fluorescein ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Korea ; Macular Degeneration ; Male ; Membranes ; Photography ; Retinaldehyde ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Specialization