BACKGROUND: The large surfaces of the skin are often initial site of contact between microorganism and human. The skin are coated with epidermis and epithelial cells can recognize microorganism and mount a fast defense through the production of various inducible antibiotic peptides. This leads to chracteristic broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Recent studies introduce us new peptides with antimicrobial activity such as P,-defensins and cathelicidins. They are expressed on the epithelia and polymorphonuclear leukocytes, which are first lines of defence from various invasive environments. Futhermore, they are considered very interesting and important endogenous antibiotics. Our previous study has shown that the expression of human defensin(hBD-2) mRNA, which is potent antibiotic peptide against Gram-negative bacteria(P. aeruginosa), was upregulated with ultraviolet(UV) irradiation, tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and lipopolysaccharide(LPS) in HaCaT cells. A novel hBD-3, 5-kDa, nonhemolytic antimicrobial peptide, was demonstrated a salt-insensitive broad spectrum of potent antimicrobial activity against many potentially pathogenic microbes in especially, multiresistant S. aureus. We have analyzed the expression patterns of hBD-3 in HaCaT cell lines. OBJECTIVE: This research have done in order to evaluate the expression and regulation of hBD-3 mRNA in human keratinocyte cell lines. METHODS: HaCaT cell lines were used to all culture experiments. Cultured human keratinocytes were stimulated with UV irradiation or TNF-α or LPS to determine whether hBD-3 mRNA production occurred. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was per-formed to amplify hBD-3 cDNA from stimulated keratinocytes in a time dependant manner, and densitometry was used to verify the specificity of RT-PCR amplication products. RESULTS: Expression of hBD-3 was upregulated with UV irradiation, TNF-α and LPS in Ha-CaT cells compared to control CONCLUSIONS: Human keratinocytes are capable to induce hBD-3 mRNA, as well as hBD-2, in response to UV irradiation, TNF-α and LPS. suggesting that these cells could play an important role against the bacterial infection and UV light damage in human skin.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteria ; Bacterial Infections ; Cathelicidins ; Cell Line* ; Densitometry ; DNA, Complementary ; Epidermis ; Epithelial Cells ; Fungi ; Humans* ; Keratinocytes ; Necrosis ; Neutrophils ; Peptides ; RNA, Messenger ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Skin ; Ultraviolet Rays

No abstract available.
Hemoglobin A* ; Humans ; Mothers* ; Postpartum Period*

Despite major diagnostic advances, 10-30% of hepatic metastases of colorectal carcinoma remain undetected. In this study, CEA levels of peripheral (p-CEA), drainage venous blood(d-CEA) and gallbladder bile(b-CEA) in patients with colorectal cancer were determined to examine the significance of their CEA levels in predicting hepatic metastases. From January 1993 through May 1996, p-CEA, d-CEA and b-CEA were obtained in 50 colorectal carcinoma patients without gallbladder pathology. Synchronous hepatic metastases were found in 5 patients(Hm group) and 45 cases had no hepatic metastasis. Among the 27 cases who followed up over 2 years, metachronous hepatic metastases(Hr group) were found in 6 cases and remaining 21 cases had no metastases(Ho group). Elevation of p-CEA, d-CEA, and b-CEA was significantly correlated with lymph node metastases and hepatic metastasis. The b-CEA levels were significantly correlated with p-CEA(r=0.533926, p<0.0001) while d-CEA levels were not(r=0.276437, p=0.0520). Although all the levels of p-CEA, d-CEA, and b-CEA in Hr & Hm group were significantly higher than those in Ho group, d-CEA level was considered as most sensitive index in predicting hepatic metastases(mean 12.7 ng/ml in Ho, 88.6 in Hr, and 137.3 in Hm group. p<0.0001). The possible cut-off level of d-CEA was 40 ng/ml because all of the cases with d-CEA < 40 ng/ml had no hepatic metastasis nor hepatic recurrance, whereas 11 out of 12 patients with d-CEA > 40 ng/ml had hepatic metastases(5 synchronous, 6 metachronous). However it is impossible to establish the possible of b-CEA because of high false positive and negative rate in predicting metachronous hepatic metastases. In conclusion, it is suggested that d-CEA could be highly sensitive indicator for selecting high-risk patients of metachronous hepatic metastases of colorectal cancer.
Bile* ; Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Drainage* ; Gallbladder* ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Pathology

No abstract available.
Paranasal Sinuses*

Although uterine arterovenous malformation(AVM) is a rare cause of menorrhagia or postmenopausal bleeding, it is important to consider that curettage may precipitate life-threatening hemorrhage and therefore it is contraindicated when AVM is suspected. Special investigations such as hysteroscopy, Doppler flow ultrasound and angiography are important diagnostic tools, and transarterial embolization(TAE) has replaced hysterectomy as the treatment of choice in women who wish to retain their fertility. But due to the high incidence of collateral vessels, recurrence of the vascular malformation after TAE is common. We have experienced two cases of AVM, one of which was managed by TAE in combination with surgical arterial ligation.
Angiography ; Arteriovenous Malformations* ; Curettage ; Female ; Fertility ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Hysteroscopy ; Incidence ; Ligation* ; Menorrhagia ; Recurrence ; Ultrasonography ; Vascular Malformations

No abstract available.
Gestational Age* ; Humans ; Infant*

No abstract available.

OBJECTIVE: Adult onset Still s disease is an acute systemic inflammatory disorder. There are no pathognomonic symptoms or specific laboratory abnormalities. In recent reports, serum ferritin concentration is increased in active disease phase and decreased after defervescence. Our purpose was to determine the clinical significance of serum ferritin as an indicator for disease activity. METHODS: Seven patients who were diagnosed as adult onset Still s disease at Samsung Medical Center between October 1994 and March 1997, were reviewed. In these patients we checked leukocyte count, ESR, CRP and serum ferritin concentrations at the time of diagnosis and during follow-up periods and recorded febrile events during follow-up periods. RESULTS: At the time of diagnosis and during febrile periods, the concentrations of ferritin were extremely high(927ng/ml to 96,650ng/ml normal 10-290.8 ng/ml). The values were unrelated to other manifestations of the disease or laboratory findings. The ferritin concentrations decreased rapidly after adequate treatment. Eleven febrile reattacks happened in 7 patients. Serum ferritin concentrations were increased in 8 febrile attacks, while leukocyte count, ESR, and CRP were increased in 5, 5, 6 febrile attacks respectively, There were 10 events of increased serum ferritin concentrations in 7 patients during follow-up periods and 8 events were related with fever. The increases of other laboratory tests were similar. CONCLUSIONS: In all patients, serum ferritin concentrations were increased at the time of diagnosis and closely related to fever. During follow-up periods, serum ferritin concentrations are helpful in monitoring disease activity and guiding decisions about treatment.
Adult* ; Diagnosis ; Ferritins* ; Fever ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Leukocyte Count ; Still's Disease, Adult-Onset*

No abstract available.
Humans

BACKGROUND: To investigate the possibie difference, if any, between office blood pressure(BP) and home BP may be important in the diagnosis and treatment of hypersensive patients. This report deails the difference between the two BP's and the usefulness of digital electronic sphygmomanometer(DES) for self-monitoring of home BP. METHODS: The BP's of 14 patients with essential hypertension were measured with mercury sphygmomanometers at outpatient department by physician and with DES at home(twice a day) by the patients. Patients were followed up every 2 weeks for 4 weeks and previous 2 weeks' average home BP's were compared with the office BP's of each 2 weeks' end. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between office and home BP(both systolic and diastolic) ; office average BP(151/95mmHg) was higher than home average BP(136/86mmHg). CONCLUSION: Caution may be needed in the interpretation of office BP unless it is measured several times after adequate rest.
Blood Pressure* ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Outpatients ; Sphygmomanometers*