BACKGROUND: Bacteria associated with marine invertebrates are a rich source of bioactive metabolites. OBJECTIVE: The effects of marine bacteria extracts on pigmentation were investigated to find novel whitening agents. METHODS: The marine bacteria collected near Gangwha Island in Korea were isolated and extracted using organic solvent. The organic extracts were screened and selected using the cell free tyrosinase activity. The whitening effects of the selected extract were further investigated using cultured melanocytes, cultured skin and in vivo zebrafish. The whitening mechanism of the marine extract was also investigated. RESULTS: The marine bacterial methylene chloride extract reduced the pigmentation of Melan-a cells, human melanocytes, cultured skin and in vivo zebrafish. The decrease in pigmentation was due to the inhibition of tyrosinase activity and the expression of tyrosinase and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor protein. These bacteria were identified as a novel Pseudomonas species. CONCLUSION: The methylene chloride extract of marine pseudomonas species possesses a whitening effect. Further chemical isolation and characterization of the active compounds from this marine bacterial extract are needed.
Bacteria ; Humans ; Invertebrates ; Korea ; MART-1 Antigen ; Melanocytes ; Methylene Chloride ; Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor ; Monophenol Monooxygenase ; Pigmentation ; Pseudomonas ; Skin ; Zebrafish

PURPOSE: To compare characteristic findings of 18F-FDG PET/CT with ultrasonography of malignant thyroid incidentaloma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study enrolled 74 patients receiving ultrasonography after thyroid incidentaloma detected on 18F-FDG PET/CT. We analyzed the size, attenuation, margin, cervical lymphadenopathy, and P-SUV of thyroid incidentaloma in 18F-FDG PET/CT and analyzed the size, internal contents, appearance, border, echo, and calcification patterns of thyroid incidentaloma in ultrasonography. Based on pathologic findings, we investigated findings of 18F-FDG PET/CT and ultrasonography for malignant thyroid incidentaloma. RESULTS: In 18F-FDG PET/CT findings, an ill-defined margin accompanied by cervical lymphadenopathy was more common in malignant (59.1%) than benign (13.2%) lesions (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in p-SUV between malignant and benign thyroid incidentalomas (4.8+/-18.3 vs. 4.4+/-2.2). In ultrasonographic findings, being taller than wide (1.9% vs. 36.4%), having a well-defined speculated margin (75.5% vs. 22.7%), having marked hypoechoic images (18.9% vs. 31.8%), and having micro (5.7% vs. 22.7%) or macrocalcifications (3.8% vs. 27.3%) were more common in malignant thyroid incidentalomas (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Malignant thyroid incidentalomas in 18F-FDG PET/CT have ill-defined margins, and those in ultrasonography were the taller than wide, well defined spiculated margin, and showed micro or macrocalcification.
Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Humans ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Thyroid Gland

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a relatively common cardiac arrhythmia that can have adverse consequences due to a reduction in cardiac output and thrombus formation. For patients hemodynamically unstable due to AF, we recommend urgent direct current (DC) cardioversion. The importance of an automated external defibrillator (AED) in the emergency medical field for this purpose is very high. In addition, the distribution rate of an AED in public health care is on the rise. We herein describe a patient whose chronic AF was converted to a sinus rhythm by defibrillation during an episode of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) which consequently improved left ventricular systolic function. We have experienced the importance of active use of AED.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Cardiac Output ; Death, Sudden, Cardiac ; Defibrillators ; Electric Countershock ; Emergencies ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Public Health ; Thrombosis

To provide basic information on the pathogengenesis of Vibrio vulnificus infection and for the manufacture of effective vaccine, outer membrane proteins (OMPs) were extracted from V. vulnificus ATCC 27562 strain and analysed by 12% of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyarylamide gel(SDS-PAGE). Major 36 kDa and 48 kDa, 46 kDa, 66 kDa and 24 kDa protein bands appeared on gel by Coomassie stain and determined by densitometer. Immunogenecity of these proteins was examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay(ELISA) and western blotting with rabbit anti-V. vulnificus serum. OMPs reacted with this antiserum, and the major 36 kDa protein appeared most immunogenic.
Blotting, Western ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Membrane Proteins* ; Membranes* ; Sodium ; Vibrio vulnificus

Gastric cancer patients with severe liver dysfunction secondary to hepatic metastases have limited treatment options. Most cytotoxic drugs have a narrow therapeutic index. Although both capecitabine and oxaliplatin have been well tolerated as single agents for patients with severe hepatic dysfunction, the combination of these drugs has not been investigated. We report here on a case of successful treatment of a patient suffering with severe liver dysfunction and metastatic gastric cancer; the patient was treated with a combination of capecitabine and oxaliplatin (XELOX). The initial bilirubin level of the patient was 10.9 mg/dL. After two cycles of treatment, his bilirubin level decreased to 2.1 mg/dL. He has experienced an excellent radiological response and he has received six cycles of XELOX chemotherapy. XELOX chemotherapy is feasible and it can be associated with positive outcomes for the patients suffering with metastatic gastric cancer and severe liver dysfunction.
Stomach Neoplasms/complications/*pathology/surgery ; Prodrugs ; Organoplatinum Compounds/*therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Liver Neoplasms/complications/*drug therapy/secondary ; Liver Function Tests ; Liver Failure/diagnosis/drug therapy/*etiology ; Humans ; Gastrectomy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fluorouracil/*analogs & derivatives/therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Deoxycytidine/*analogs & derivatives/therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Agents/*therapeutic use ; Adenocarcinoma/complications/secondary/*therapy