Hydropic degeneration is a frequent degenerative change in otherwise typical uterine leiomyomas. Very rarely, however, a significant amount of edema fluid accumulates around the fascicles of neoplastic smooth muscle bundles and forms the characteristic multinodular growth pattern that is called perinodular hydropic degeneration of leiomyoma (PHDL). The gross findings, showing a vague worm-like appearance and very rarely having an extrauterine extension, and the microscopic features, showing perinodular retraction artifacts forming pseudovascular spaces, make it difficult to differentiate the tumor from intravenous leiomyomatosis or myxoid leiomyosarcoma. We described two cases of leiomyomas showing perinodular hydropic degeneration (PHD), a condition that has rarely been described in English literature, and discussed the mechanism of forming "extrauterine extension" or cotyledonoid features. One of our cases showed the typical features of cotyledonoid dissecting leiomyoma, the other showed those of intramural dissecting leiomyoma. An awareness of the gross and microscopic findings of PHDL is important not to overdiagnose a benign smooth muscle neoplasm as a more aggressive type of tumor. It is thought that intramural dissecting leiomyoma, cotyledonoid dissecting leiomyoma, and PHDL are not distinct, but closely related subtypes showing different phases of evolutionary changes.
Artifacts ; Edema ; Leiomyoma* ; Leiomyomatosis ; Leiomyosarcoma ; Muscle, Smooth

Molecular characterization technology in genetically modified organisms, in addition to how transgenic biotechnologies are developed now require full transparency to assess the risk to living modified and non-modified organisms. Next generation sequencing (NGS) methodology is suggested as an effective means in genome characterization and detection of transgenic insertion locations. In the present study, we applied NGS to insert transgenic loci, specifically the epidermal growth factor (EGF) in genetically modified rice cells. A total of 29.3 Gb (~72x coverage) was sequenced with a 2 x 150 bp paired end method by Illumina HiSeq2500, which was consecutively mapped to the rice genome and T-vector sequence. The compatible pairs of reads were successfully mapped to 10 loci on the rice chromosome and vector sequences were validated to the insertion location by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. The EGF transgenic site was confirmed only on chromosome 4 by PCR. Results of this study demonstrated the success of NGS data to characterize the rice genome. Bioinformatics analyses must be developed in association with NGS data to identify highly accurate transgenic sites.
Biotechnology ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 4 ; Computational Biology ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; Genome* ; Organisms, Genetically Modified ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Risk Assessment

BACKGROUND: We thought that nitroimidazoles including metronidazole had been overused empirically for treatment of trichomoniasis in Korea. But there were not any reports about in vitro-drug susceptibility and distribution of resistant strains of Trichomonas vaginalis up to date. Therefore, we made an experiment in order to observe the susceptibility of clinical isolates of T. vaginalis to a variety of antiprotozoal agents. METHODS: Twenty-six strains of T. vaginalis isolated from 217 patients afflicted with the increased vaginal discharge were tested by Meingassner's microtiter plate method in newly devised anaerobic box, in which anaerobic and microaerobic conditions were more easily manipulated. The agents used in this study for testing the minimal lethal concentration (MLC) to the clinical isolates were as follows; nitroimidazoles, doxycycline, Zinc sulfate and gentian violet as chemotherapeutic agents and povidone-iodine as vaginal cleansing agents were studied. RESULTS: In anaerobic culture, according to anaerobic resistance cut-point (minimal lethal concentration >3.1 microgram/mL) proposed by M ller etc., metronidazole (MTZ)-, tinidazole (TNZ)-and ornidazole (ONZ)-resistant strains were four (4/26, 15.4%), two (2/26, 7.7 %) and two (2/26, 7.7%) strains, respectively. Among these resistant strains, two strains (G7 and G16) were resistant to two drugs and one strain (G20) resistant to three drugs concomitantly. Their resistance range was narrow as 6.25~12.5 microgram/mL. MLC of clotrimazole was > or = 2,000 microgram/mL in all strains, econazole was as high as 62.5~250 microgram/mL and miconazole was also high as 62.5~> or = 2,000 microgram/mL. In microaerobic culture (O2 concentration <5%), all strains showed lower MLC to MTZ, TNZ and ONZ than >100 microgram/ mL (aerobic resistance cut-point proposed by M ller etc.). MLC of doxycycline ranged 62.5 to 250 microgram/mL both in microaerobic and anaerobic conditions. All strains of T. vaginalis growed well in 3,000 microgram/mL of povidone-iodine. 22 strains (84.6%) among 26 T. vaginalis strains showed MLCs of 3.5 mM~7.0 mM to zinc sulfate. Gentian violet showed 15.6~62.5 microgram/mL of MLC. CONCLUSION: In absolute anaerobic culture, 4 strains (15.4%) among 26 T. vaginalis strains were resistant to metronidazole. But these 4 strains were not resistant in microaerobic culture depending on Miler's aerobic resistance cut-point (>50~100 microgram/mL), the value decided in normal O2 pressure. Vaginal PO2 is 0~28mm Hg (median 1 mmHg) at healthy or trichomonas-infected women. Therefore, we think that his aerobic resistance cut-point value is hard to be available in microaerobic condition and microaerobic resistance guide-line is to be established newly.
Anti-Infective Agents ; Antiprotozoal Agents* ; Clotrimazole ; Detergents ; Doxycycline ; Econazole ; Female ; Gentian Violet ; Humans ; Korea ; Metronidazole ; Miconazole ; Nitroimidazoles ; Ornidazole ; Povidone-Iodine ; Tinidazole ; Trichomonas vaginalis* ; Trichomonas* ; Vaginal Discharge ; Zinc Sulfate

PURPOSE: Hypertrophic scars after burn wound management remain a difficult problem for many burn surgeons despite of new treatment option is developed. After burn wound healed with scarring or pigmentation, the patient suffer in daily life with the cosmetic results and scar symptoms. Dermastamp(R) is new treatment modality on burn scar management in our burn center. Dermastamp(R) is stamp shaped and it contains 0.8 mm or 2.1 mm long multiple stainless steel needles. Dermastamp(R) was simply pressed down on the scar 3~4 times and makes 200~300 holes on 1 cm2 scar area. Dermastamping breaks the dense collagen fiber and fibroblast in the scar tissue and rearranges collagen fiber and fibroblast in the scar tissue. METHODS: The 51 patients were selected. The group consisted of 26 male and 25 female patients. 21 patients were adult and 30 patients were children. Stamping area of the 18 patients was below 25 cm2, 6 patients were in 25 to 100 cm2, and 27 patients were above 100 cm2, stamping area. They received Dermastamp(R) treatment 3 to 23 times in every 1 or 2 weeks interval at least 2 months. The 33 patients received Dermastamp(R) under local anesthesia and other 18 patients received under volatile induction anesthesia. Hypertrophic scar is evaluated with Vancouber Scar Scale (VSS) score by two surgeons and scar height using Sonography (17 patients). And pathologic study (17 patients) was done on volunteer cases. RESULTS: Clinically improvements with VSS score (1 to 6 points down) were noted in all patients group. Scar height was lowered (0.8 to 3.6 mm) on sonography and pathologic report revealed collagen fiber rearrangement and scar height thinning in examined group. CONCLUSION: Microneedling procedure is a effective modality of management on hypertrophic scarring and pigmentation. Microneedling induces collagen fiber rearrangement on scar tissue and thinner the scar height in pathology and improves clinical evaluating with VSS score and patients symptoms.
Adult ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Local ; Burn Units ; Burns ; Child ; Cicatrix ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; Collagen ; Cosmetics ; Female ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; Male ; Needles ; Pigmentation ; Stainless Steel

The exponential growth of nanotechnology and the industrial production have raised concerns over its impact on human and environmental health and safety (EHS). Although there has been substantial progress in the assessment of pristine nanoparticle toxicities, their EHS impacts require greater clarification. In this review, we discuss studies that have assessed nanoparticle eco-genotoxicity in different test systems and their fate in the environment as well as the considerable confounding factors that may complicate the results. We highlight key mechanisms of nanoparticle-mediated genotoxicity. Then we discuss the reliability of endpoint assays, such as the comet assay, the most favored assessment technique because of its versatility to measure low levels of DNA strand breakage, and the micronucleus assay, which is complementary to the former because of its greater ability to detect chromosomal DNA fragmentation. We also address the current recommendations on experimental design, including environmentally relevant concentrations and suitable exposure duration to avoid false-positive or -negative results. The genotoxicity of nanoparticles depends on their physicochemical features and the presence of co-pollutants. Thus, the effect of environmental processes (e.g., aggregation and agglomeration, adsorption, and transformation of nanoparticles) would account for when determining the actual genotoxicity relevant to environmental systems, and assay procedures must be standardized. Indeed, the engineered nanoparticles offer potential applications in different fields including biomedicine, environment, agriculture, and industry. Toxicological pathways and the potential risk factors related to genotoxic responses in biological organisms and environments need to be clarified before appropriate and sustainable applications of nanoparticles can be established.

The exponential growth of nanotechnology and the industrial production have raised concerns over its impact on human and environmental health and safety (EHS). Although there has been substantial progress in the assessment of pristine nanoparticle toxicities, their EHS impacts require greater clarification. In this review, we discuss studies that have assessed nanoparticle eco-genotoxicity in different test systems and their fate in the environment as well as the considerable confounding factors that may complicate the results. We highlight key mechanisms of nanoparticle-mediated genotoxicity. Then we discuss the reliability of endpoint assays, such as the comet assay, the most favored assessment technique because of its versatility to measure low levels of DNA strand breakage, and the micronucleus assay, which is complementary to the former because of its greater ability to detect chromosomal DNA fragmentation. We also address the current recommendations on experimental design, including environmentally relevant concentrations and suitable exposure duration to avoid false-positive or -negative results. The genotoxicity of nanoparticles depends on their physicochemical features and the presence of co-pollutants. Thus, the effect of environmental processes (e.g., aggregation and agglomeration, adsorption, and transformation of nanoparticles) would account for when determining the actual genotoxicity relevant to environmental systems, and assay procedures must be standardized. Indeed, the engineered nanoparticles offer potential applications in different fields including biomedicine, environment, agriculture, and industry. Toxicological pathways and the potential risk factors related to genotoxic responses in biological organisms and environments need to be clarified before appropriate and sustainable applications of nanoparticles can be established.

As a principal component of solar radiation, ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure can be harmful depending on the duration and intensity because the human body can easily be exposed to it. Many studies have demonstrated that UVB causes a series of inflammatory and other skin disorders. UVB has been classified as the Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Diverse studies have focused on UVB exposure but the complex perspective of acute and chronic UVB exposure is still lacking. This review presents the differences between acute and chronic exposure to UVB and summarizes public information in terms of toxicogenomic characteristics. We also demonstrated the differences between adverse effects of acute and chronic UVB exposure on the skin system. From the published literatures, we compared the biological pathways predict of the adverse effects caused by each UVB exposure type. Furthermore, our review not only clarifies the differences in each UVB exposure network but also suggests major hub genes related to cellular mechanisms and diseases that are thought to be affected by acute and chronic UVB exposure.

BACKGROUND: Modified Diamond medium (MDM) supplemented with 10% heat-inactivated horse serum, streptomycin, penicillin G, and mycostatin is commonly used for the isolation of Trichomonas vaginalis from vaginal swab. But, judging from our experience, the above usual MDM antibiotic composition was frequently contaminated with facultative anaerobes, and isolation rate of T. vaginalis was no more than 12% in 142 korean woman patients whose chief complaints were foul odored, increased vaginal discharge. This isolation rate is low in comparison with reports of another countries including U.S.A (about 15~30%) and could be attributed to the prevalence of antibiotic resistance in Korea. So, we exploited more selective antibiotic compositions in modified Diamond medium for pure isolation of T. vaginalis. METHODS: We used new self-devised anaerobic pack for sample maintenance and tested several antibacterial and antifungal agent combinations in modified Diamond medium supplemented with 5% human erythrocyte lysate and 5% heat-inactivated human serum in the place of 10% horse serum with the object of increased and pure isolation of T. vaginalis. Several drugs and chemicals were tested to fourteen wild strains isolated in a local clinic, in the hope of finding the agents that have no effect on T. vaginalis growth in high drug concentrations. Anaerobic jar was used for culture of T. vaginalis and cell count performed in the improved Neubauer's haemocytometer. RESULTS: Strains of T. vaginalis grew batter in modified Diamond medium supplemented with 5% human erythrocyte lysate and 5% heat-inactivated human serum (mean 1.166X106, about 5.83 fold) than 10% horse serum (mean 2.0X105 after 48 hours culture), and their growth rate in the former was more rapid than the latter in early grow phase. On the basis of this results, we examined selectivity of modified Diamond media supplemented with several antibacterial and antifungal combinations by a double blind test. Isolation rate in the conventional modified Diamond's medium (combination A; 10% horse serum, streptomycin 1,200 microgram/mL, penicillin G 1,500 unit/mL, mycostatin 37.5 microgram/mL, pH 6.2) was 9/73 (12.3%) while in modified Diamond medium supplemented with 5% human erythrocyte lysate and 5% heat-inactivated human serum, isolation rates in various drug combinations were as follows; Combination B (cefazolin 100 microgram/mL, streptomycin 1,200 microgram/mL, clindamycin 150 microgram/mL, pH 6.5), combination C (bacitracin 14.6 unit/mL, streptomycin 1,200 microgram/mL, clindamycin 150 microgram/mL pH 6.5) and combination D (vancomycin 100 microgram/mL, streptomycin 1,200 microgram/mL, clindamycin 150 microgram/mL pH 6.5) were all 11/73 (15.0%). Combination D allowed the least bacterial growth rate. CONCLUSION: We consider that a new modified Diamond medium supplemented with 5% human erythrocyte lysate, 5% heat-inactivated human serum and combination D might be provide the highest selection for Trichomonas vaginalis pure isolation from vaginal swabs.
Cell Count ; Clindamycin ; Diamond ; Drug Combinations ; Drug Resistance, Microbial ; Erythrocytes ; Female ; Hope ; Horses ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Korea ; Nystatin ; Odors ; Penicillin G ; Prevalence ; Streptomycin ; Trichomonas vaginalis* ; Trichomonas* ; Vaginal Discharge

6-kDa early secretory antigenic target (ESAT6), a virulent factor of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is involved in immune regulation. However, the underlying mechanism behind the activation and maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) by ESAT6 remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect on TLRs signaling on the regulation of ESAT6-induced activation and maturation of DCs. ESAT6 induced production of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-12p40 in bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) from wild-type and TLR2-deficient mice, with this induction abolished in TLR4-deficient cells. NF-κB is essential for the ESAT6-induced production of the cytokines in BMDCs. TLR4 was also required for ESAT6-induced activation of NF-κB and MAPKs in BMDCs. ESAT6 additionally upregulated the expression of surface molecules CD80, CD86, and MHC-II, and also promoted the ability of CD4⁺ T cells to secrete IFN-γ via the TLR4-dependent pathway. Our findings suggest that TLR4 is critical in the activation and maturation of DCs in response to ESAT6.
Animals ; Cytokines ; Dendritic Cells ; Interleukin-12 Subunit p40 ; Interleukin-6 ; Mice ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; Mycobacterium ; T-Lymphocytes ; Toll-Like Receptor 4