Activities of enzymes involved in the metabolism of various carcinogenic xenobiotics is one of the most important host factors for cancer occurrence. N-acetyltransferase (NAT) and glutathione S-transferases (GST) are enzymes which reduce the toxicity of activated carcinogenic metabolites. Slow N-acetylation and lack of GST mu (GSTM1) were reported as risk factors of bladder cancer. GST theta (GSTT1), which is another type of GST, was reported to be deleted at higher proportion among Koreans. Since cause of bladder cancer is not fully explained by single risk factor, many kinds of enzymes would be involved in the metabolism of carcinogens excreted in urine. This study was performed to investigate whether the polymorphisms of NAT2, GSTM1 and GSTT1 are risk factors of bladder cancer and to evaluate the effects of their interaction on bladder cancer development. Sixty-seven bladder cancer and 67 age- and sex-matched non-cancer patients hospitalized in Chungbuk National University Hospital from March to December 1996, are the subjects of this case-control study. Questionnaire interview was done and the genotypes of NAT2, GSTM1 and GSTT1 were identified using PCR methods with DNA extracted from venous blood. The effects of the polymorphism of NAT2 and GSTM1 and their interaction on bladder cancer were statistically tested after controlling the other risk factors. The frequencies of slow, intermediate, and rapid acetylators were 3.0%, 38.8%, and 58.2% for the cases, and 7.6%, 40.9%, and 51.5% for the controls, respectively. The risk of bladder cancer was not associated with the increase of NAT2 activity(x(2) trend=l.18, P-value>0.05). GSTM1 was deleted in 68.7% of the cases and 49.3% of the controls (x(2)=5.21, P-value<0.05), and the odds ratio (95% CI) was 2.23 (l.12 - 4.56). GSTT1 deletion, the rate of which were 26.9% for the bladder cancer patients and 43.3% for the controls, was a significant protective factor against bladder cancer. Smoking history, turned out to be insignificant as a risk factor of bladder cancer (OR=l.85, 95% CI: 0.85 - 4.03), and occupation could not be tested because of the extremely small number of occupational history related to the increase of bladder cancer. In multiple logistic analysis controlling the effects of other risk factors, GSTM1 deletion was the only significant risk factor for bladder cancer (OR: 2.56, 95% CI: l.22-5.36, P-value<0.05), but slow acetylation and GSTT1 deletion were not. These results suggest that GSTM1 deletion may, be a significant risk factor of bladder cancer. Since there have been much debates on causal relationship between slow acetylation and GSTT1 deletion, and bladder cancer, further studies are needed.
Acetylation ; Carcinogens ; Case-Control Studies* ; Chungcheongbuk-do ; DNA ; Genotype ; Glutathione Transferase* ; Glutathione* ; Humans ; Metabolism ; Occupations ; Odds Ratio ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms* ; Urinary Bladder* ; Xenobiotics

The familial occurrence of a pituitary adenoma associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type 1 or Carney complex is a well-recognized entity. However, an isolated familial somatotropinoma is a rare inherited disease, which is characterized by clustering of a somatotrophic adenoma and acromegaly or gigantism in a family, but without other manifestations of MEN type 1, with only 68 cases, in 28 families, described in the literature. The mode of inheritance is autosomal dominant, with incomplete penetration, but the genetic background of these pituitary adenomas remains unknown. A family exists where both the father and son were affected. Endocrinological investigations confirmed hypersecretion of GH and IGF-1, and the pituitary adenomas were identified by magnetic resonance image in both cases. There was no symptom of MEN type 1 or other form of endocrine dysfunction. Herein is reported a case of an isolated familial somatotropinoma in Korea, with a review of the literature
Acromegaly ; Adenoma ; Carney Complex ; Fathers ; Gigantism ; Growth Hormone-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma* ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Korea ; Male ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; Somatotrophs ; Wills

The familial occurrence of a pituitary adenoma associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type 1 or Carney complex is a well-recognized entity. However, an isolated familial somatotropinoma is a rare inherited disease, which is characterized by clustering of a somatotrophic adenoma and acromegaly or gigantism in a family, but without other manifestations of MEN type 1, with only 68 cases, in 28 families, described in the literature. The mode of inheritance is autosomal dominant, with incomplete penetration, but the genetic background of these pituitary adenomas remains unknown. A family exists where both the father and son were affected. Endocrinological investigations confirmed hypersecretion of GH and IGF-1, and the pituitary adenomas were identified by magnetic resonance image in both cases. There was no symptom of MEN type 1 or other form of endocrine dysfunction. Herein is reported a case of an isolated familial somatotropinoma in Korea, with a review of the literature
Acromegaly ; Adenoma ; Carney Complex ; Fathers ; Gigantism ; Growth Hormone-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma* ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Korea ; Male ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; Somatotrophs ; Wills

PURPOSE: According to the recent studies on the carcinogenic factors of gastric cancer in Koreans, dietary factors, such as stew, roasted fish, and fish boiled in soy with spices, salted foods, as well as smoking, might be risk factors of gastric cancer. N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) is an enzyme that plays a role in the reduction of the toxicity of various carcinogens. There is a possibility that the genetic polymorphism of NAT2 might change a subject's susceptibility to gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of diet, the genetic polymorphism of NAT2 and their interaction on the risk of gastric cancer in Koreans. METHODS: The subjects of this case-control study were 214 gastric cancer patients, and 214 controls, who were admitted at the Chungbuk National or Eulji University Hospitals. Each subject was directly interview, by an experienced interviewer, with a structured questionnaire. A NAT2 genetic polymorphism analysis was performed, with a PCR-RFLP technique, and the data analyzed using the PC-SAS software package. RESULTS: Increased intakes of makkoli, soybean paste stew, kimchi and ggakdugi, soy milk, chicken boiled with rice and boiled chicken were all associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer, whereas those of fermented soybean stew, Welsh onion or leek, onions, peaches, chestnuts or gingko nuts, fatsia shoots, raw fish, salted seafood and laver were all associated with a decreased risk of gastric cancer. The odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for gastric cancer for the rapid acetylators was 1.64 (1.12, 2.41), which was statistically significant. With respect to the rapid acetylators, makkoli, kimchi and soy milk were significant risk factors, and Welsh onion/leek and onions were protective factors for gastric cancer. Whereas, soybean paste stew was a risk factor of gastric cancer with the slow or intermediate acetylators. CONCLUSION: These results suggest the genotype of a rapid acetylation is a risk factor of gastric cancer, and the effects of diet on the risk of gastric cancer vary according to the genotype of the NAT2 enzyme.
Acetylation ; Carcinogenesis* ; Carcinogens ; Case-Control Studies ; Chickens ; Chungcheongbuk-do ; Diet* ; Genotype ; Ginkgo biloba ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Nuts ; Odds Ratio ; Onions ; Polymorphism, Genetic* ; Prunus persica ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Risk Factors ; Seafood ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Soy Milk ; Soybeans ; Spices ; Stomach Neoplasms*

Adult ; Humans ; Hyperoxaluria, Primary ; enzymology ; genetics ; Male ; Transaminases ; deficiency

Infection risks of handling specimens associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by public health laboratory services teams were assessed to scrutinize the potential hazards arising from the work procedures. Through risk assessments of all work sequences, laboratory equipment, and workplace environments, no aerosol-generating procedures could be identified except the procedures (mixing and transfer steps) inside biological safety cabinets. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as surgical masks, protective gowns, face shields/safety goggles, and disposable gloves, together with pertinent safety training, was provided for laboratory work. Proper disinfection and good hand hygiene practices could minimize the probability of SARS-CoV-2 infection at work. All residual risk levels of the potential hazards identified were within the acceptable level. Contamination by gloved hands was considered as a major exposure route for SARS-CoV-2 when compared with eye protection equipment. Competence in proper donning and doffing of PPE accompanied by hand washing techniques was of utmost importance for infection control.

OBJECTIVEThough the initial etiologies of arthritis are multifactorial, clinically, patients share the prime complaints of the disease, pain. Here the authors assessed the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of UP1304, a composite that contains a standardized blend of extracts from the rhizome of Curcuma longa and the root bark of Morus alba, on rats with carrageenan-induced paw edema.

METHODSA plant library was screened for bradykinin receptor antagonists. In vivo, the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of the standardized composite, UP1304, were evaluated in rats with carrageenan-induced paw edema using oral dose ranges of 100-400 mg/kg. Ibuprofen, at a dose of 200 mg/kg, was used as a reference compound. In vitro, cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibition assays were performed to evaluate the degree of inflammation.

RESULTSStatistically significant improvements in pain resistance and paw edema suppression were observed in animals treated with UP1304, when compared to vehicle-treated rats. Results from the highest dose of UP1304 (400 mg/kg) were similar to those achieved by ibuprofen treatment at 200 mg/kg. In vitro, UP1304 showed dose-dependent inhibition of the enzymatic activities of COX and LOX. A half-maximal inhibitory concentration of 9.6 μg/mL for bradykinin B1 inhibition was calculated for the organic extract of C. longa. Curcumin showed Ki values of 2.73 and 58 μg/mL for bradykinin receptors B1 and B2, respectively.

CONCLUSIONData presented here suggest that UP1304, analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent of botanical origin, acted as a bradykinin receptor B1 and B2 antagonist, and inhibited COX and LOX enzyme activities. This compound should be considered for the management of symptoms associated with arthritis.

Analgesics ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Curcuma ; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Morus ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred Lew