MAGE (melanoma antigen gene) is a tumor specific shared antigen, presented by HLA class I molecules, which is recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. MAGE proteins are expressed in malignant tumor cells, in contrast to no expression in normal or benign tissues except for testis and placenta. MAGE might be a potential target for immunotherapy of malignant tumors. However, its biological aspects associated with cell cycle are not yet described. The flow cytometry is a useful tool for objective and quantitative analyses of heterogenous tumor cell population. To understand the status of MAGE related to cell cycle and its relationship with p53 as the G1 checkpoint regulator, p21, and PCNA as a proliferative index, we investigated expression of MAGE-3 protein, mutant p53, p21, and PCNA by flow cytometry and immunohistochemical stain. In addition, double stains for MAGE-3/p53, p53/PCNA, and p53/p21 were analysed with bivariate flow cytometry. DNA histograms using MAGE-3/PI (DNA) and p53/PI (DNA) were also analysed. The cell line (PNUH- 12) used for this study originated from a hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, which has point mutation (exon 7, C-->G) of p53. The expression rate of MAGE-3 was 83%, PCNA 85%, and p53 81%. No expression for p21 was identified. MAGE-3 was expressed in cytoplasm, while both PCNA and p53 were expressed in nuclei of tumor cells. With bivariate analyses, coexpression rates of MAGE-3/p53 and p53/PCNA were 0.96 and 0.97, respectively. Both MAGE-3 and p53 showed constantly high level throughout the cell cycle. These results suggest that expression of MAGE-3 and mutant p53 is not dependent on the cell cycle. p21 seems to be inactivated.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line* ; Coloring Agents ; Cytoplasm ; DNA ; Flow Cytometry* ; Immunotherapy ; Mutant Proteins ; Placenta ; Point Mutation ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen* ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; Testis

PURPOSE: MAGE (melanoma antigen gene) is a tumor associated antigen, presented by HLA class I molecules, which is recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. The expression of MAGE proteins are confined to malignant tumor tissues, except for the normal testis and placental tissues. Therefore, MAGE may be a potential target for immunotherapy of malignant tumors. However, biological aspects associated with the cell cycle are not yet described. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The material used for this study was a novel human squamous cell carcinoma cell line (PNUH-12) from the hypopharynx, which had one point mutation of 78th base, C to G, in exon 7 of p53 gene. To understand the role of MAGE in relation to cell cycle and its relationship with p53 as the Gl checkpoint regulator, the expressions of MAGE-3 protein and mvtant p53 (Mtp53) were accessed by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. Double stains for MAGE-3/Mtp53 was analyzed with bivariate flow cytometry. DNA histograms using MAGE-3/PI (DNA) and Mtp53/PI (DNA) were also analyzed. RESULTS: The expression rate of MAGE-3 and Mtp53 were 83% and 85%, respectively. MAGE-3 was expressed in cytoplasm, while M:p53 were expressed in the nuclei of the tumor cells on the immunohistochemical sections. With bivariate analyses, coexpression rate of MAGE-3/Mtp53 was 0.96, and MAGE-3 and Mtp53 constantly showed high levels throughout the cell cycle except Go. CONCLUSIONS: These results mean that (I) MAGE-3 might have yet unknown relationship with mutant p53, (2) expressions of MAGE-3 and Mtp53 are not dependent on the cell cycle in PNUH-12 hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cell line, and suggest that MAGE-3 might have a role as important as p53 during the development of malignant tumors.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cell Cycle* ; Cell Line ; Coloring Agents ; Cytoplasm ; DNA ; Exons ; Flow Cytometry* ; Genes, p53 ; Humans ; Hypopharynx ; Immunohistochemistry ; Immunotherapy ; Point Mutation ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; Testis

No abstract available.
Aorta, Thoracic* ; Rupture*

The refinement of the endoscopic techniques and development of sophisticated surgical instrumentation has lead to a progressive evolution from external to endoscopic approaches for management of sinonasal inverted papilloma (IP). The golden rule for endoscopic surgery of IP involving the sinonasal cavity is complete resection of the tumor, especially complete extirpation of the tumor attachment or origin area. Preoperative radiologic images using by computed tomography and magnetic resonance could not afford exact information of tumor attachment. Only intraoperative endoscopic findings can provide the precise tumor attachment in the sinonasal cavity. The surgical strategy should be focused on the tumor attachment so that the approach should be different based on the site of attachment in each sinus. And the approach should be minimally invasive fashion. Endoscopic surgery has strong advantage in cases with IP originating from the ethmoid and sphenoid sinus compared to "headlight" surgery era. Integrated approach could be applied in cases with IP originating from the frontal and maxillary sinus.
Endoscopy ; Imidazoles ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Maxillary Sinus ; Nitro Compounds ; Papilloma, Inverted ; Sphenoid Sinus ; Surgical Instruments

We report an unusual case of primary extranodal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma combined with sinusitis in an AIDS patient. A 39-year-old male presented with sinusitis as initial manifestation. A nasal endoscopy revealed nasal polyposis with mucopurulent discharge in both middle meatus and paranasal sinus (PNS) CT scans demonstrated pansinusitis without lamina papyracea or skull base defect. He received antiretroviral and antibiotics therapy due to low CD4 count representing immunocompromised state. The patient was not followed up for observation and he returned with reduced right visual acuity and diplopia, and proptosis after 6 months. A PNS CT scan showed bilateral sinonasal polyposis with pansinusitis and soft tissue density in the right orbit and frontal lobe through bone defect of lamina papyracea and skull base. Endoscopic sinus surgery for orbital decompression and biopsy of intraorbital mass was performed under general anesthesia. The mass was infiltrated into orbital contents and was confirmed as an diffused large B-cell lymphoma with anaplastic variant. The patient received radiotherapy because his general condition was poor. Proptosis and ocular pain were decreased; however, he complained of a persistent headache. Brain CT and MRI showed diffused parenchymal edema around brain abscess in the right frontal lobe. Stereotactic evacuation of the right brain abscess was performed. He has no specific complaints for the last 14 months and antiretroviral therapy is concluded at the present.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; Adult ; Anesthesia, General ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; B-Lymphocytes* ; Biopsy ; Brain ; Brain Abscess ; CD4 Lymphocyte Count ; Decompression ; Diplopia ; Edema ; Endoscopy ; Exophthalmos ; Frontal Lobe ; Headache ; Humans ; Lymphoma, B-Cell* ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Orbit ; Radiotherapy ; Sinusitis* ; Skull Base ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Visual Acuity

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The treatment modalities of refractory posterior epistaxis includes external carotid artery ligation, transantral ligation of the internal maxillary artery (IMA), transantral ligation of the sphenopalatine artery (SPA) and embolization of the internal maxillary artery (IMA) and its branches. More recently the endoscopic electrocautery or ligation of SPA has been proposed. Authors introduce our operative methods of endoscopic SPA cautery/ligation and analyze the results of experienced cases. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Retrospective review was carried out of 9 patients who have undergone endoscopic electrocautery or ligation of SPA due to refractory posterior epistaxis from January 2002 to June 2004. Frequency of preoperative nasal bleeding episodes, number of performing anterior or posterior nasal packing, preexisting local and systemic factors, operative method, patterns of SPA branches, duration of preoperative and postoperative hospital stay were analyzed. The simple description of operative technique is as follows: under the general anesthesia, a large middle meatal antrostomy is created. Septoplasty and resection of the anterior or inferior portion of middle turbinate can be performed to maximize surgical assess to sphenopalatine area. A mucoperiosteal flap is raised from posterior edge of the antrostomy and dissection is made posteriorly until the sphenoplatine foramen and its emerging branches are identified. Dissection can be proceed to anterior face of the sphenoid to ensure that the posterior septal artery is identified. The SPA branches are ligated with a titanium Ligaclip(R) or nasal forcep styled bipolar electrocautery, and the mucoperiosteal flap is then redrapped. RESULTS: Endoscopic electrocautery or ligation of SPA stopped the refractory posterior bleeding successfully in all patients (male 6/female 3, mean age 41.4 years) without recurrence. The frequency of preoperaive nasal packing was 3.6 times and all cases showed posterior nasal rebleeding. The mean duration of preoperative and postoperative hospital stay were 10.1 and 2.6 days. The most frequent preexisting local and general factor were nasal septal deviation and hypertension, respectively. The pattern of SPA branches included 3 cases of type A, 4 of type B and 2 of type C. Of the 9 patients, 3 cases were managed with clipping and 6 with electrocautery of SPA branches. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic electrocautery or ligation of SPA and its branches are simple, less invasive and more effective methods that can be used to control refractory posterior epistaxis and reduce complications, the duration of hospital stay and rebleeding episodes.
Anesthesia, General ; Arteries* ; Carotid Artery, External ; Electrocoagulation* ; Endoscopy ; Epistaxis* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Length of Stay ; Ligation* ; Maxillary Artery ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Instruments ; Titanium ; Turbinates

Oxidative stress was evaluated for anthracene (Ant) and alkyl-Ants (9-methylanthracene [9-MA] and 9,10-dimethylanthracene [9,10-DMA]) in Caenorhabditis elegans to compare changes in toxicity due to the degree of alkylation. Worms were exposed at 1) the same external exposure concentration and 2) the maximum water-soluble concentration. Formation of reactive oxygen species, superoxide dismutase activity, total glutathione concentration, and lipid peroxidation were determined under constant exposure conditions using passive dosing. The expression of oxidative stress-related genes (daf-2, sir-2.1, daf-16, sod-1, sod-2, sod-3 and cytochrome 35A/C family genes) was also investigated to identify and compare changes in the genetic responses of C. elegans exposed to Ant and alkyl-Ant. At the same external concentration, 9,10-DMA induced the greatest oxidative stress, as evidenced by all indicators, except for lipid peroxidation, followed by 9-MA and Ant. Interestingly, 9,10-DMA led to greater oxidative stress than 9-MA and Ant when worms were exposed to the maximum water-soluble concentration, although the maximum water-soluble concentration of 9,10-DMA is the lowest. Increased oxidative stress by alkyl-Ants would be attributed to higher lipid-water partition coefficient and the π electron density in aromatic rings by alkyl substitution, although this supposition requires further confirmation.
Alkylation ; Ants ; Caenorhabditis elegans* ; Caenorhabditis* ; Cytochromes ; Gene Expression ; Glutathione ; Humans ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Oxidative Stress* ; Polycyclic Hydrocarbons, Aromatic ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Superoxide Dismutase

Oxidative stress was evaluated for anthracene (Ant) and alkyl-Ants (9-methylanthracene [9-MA] and 9,10-dimethylanthracene [9,10-DMA]) in Caenorhabditis elegans to compare changes in toxicity due to the degree of alkylation. Worms were exposed at 1) the same external exposure concentration and 2) the maximum water-soluble concentration. Formation of reactive oxygen species, superoxide dismutase activity, total glutathione concentration, and lipid peroxidation were determined under constant exposure conditions using passive dosing. The expression of oxidative stress-related genes (daf-2, sir-2.1, daf-16, sod-1, sod-2, sod-3 and cytochrome 35A/C family genes) was also investigated to identify and compare changes in the genetic responses of C. elegans exposed to Ant and alkyl-Ant. At the same external concentration, 9,10-DMA induced the greatest oxidative stress, as evidenced by all indicators, except for lipid peroxidation, followed by 9-MA and Ant. Interestingly, 9,10-DMA led to greater oxidative stress than 9-MA and Ant when worms were exposed to the maximum water-soluble concentration, although the maximum water-soluble concentration of 9,10-DMA is the lowest. Increased oxidative stress by alkyl-Ants would be attributed to higher lipid-water partition coefficient and the π electron density in aromatic rings by alkyl substitution, although this supposition requires further confirmation.
Alkylation ; Ants ; Caenorhabditis elegans ; Caenorhabditis ; Cytochromes ; Gene Expression ; Glutathione ; Humans ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Oxidative Stress ; Polycyclic Hydrocarbons, Aromatic ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Superoxide Dismutase

BACKGROUND: Pleural eosinophilia is rare and commonly considered to be an indicator of good prognosis. The diagnostic significance of eosinophilic pleural effusions remains controversial despite a century of observation and discussion. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of eosinophilia in 446 consecutive samples of pleural fluid, to review the cause of eosinophilic pleural effusion and to determine whether the presence of eosinophils increases the likehood of benign conditions. METHOD: A retrospective analysis was performed upon patients that underwent first thoracentesis due to pleural effusion between January 1999 and December 1999. RESULTS: Eosinophilic pleural effusions were identified in 24 of the 446 patients (5.4%). Malignancy, parapneumonic effusion and tuberculosis were determined the major causes of pleural effusion (80.6%). Malignancy was diagnosed as frequently in eosinophilic effusions as in non-eosinophilic effusions (54.2% vs 50.5%, p=0.725). No difference was found in the prevalence of eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic effusion according to the etiology. The mean blood eosinophil ratio in patients with eosinophilic pleural effusion was 5.4% and no significant correlation existed between the blood and pleural eosinophilic count. CONCLUSION: Pleural eosinophilia is not helpful for differentiating benign and malignant etiology and is not related with blood eosinophilia or repeated tapping.
Eosinophilia ; Eosinophils* ; Humans ; Pleural Effusion* ; Prevalence ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tuberculosis

Adenoid cystic carcinoma arises rarely in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus. Treatment strategy showing the best survival rate includes surgical excision and adjuvant radiotherapy. There were a few case reports of radiation-induced osteosarcoma from adenoid cystic carcinoma overseas but not in Korea. We experienced a case of radiation-induced low-grade osteosarcoma in the middle skull base including sphenoid bone, which had arisen after 10 years of radiotherapy of adenoid cystic carcinoma. Authors present this case with serial imaging findings and literature review.
Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic* ; Korea ; Nasal Cavity* ; Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced ; Osteosarcoma* ; Radiotherapy* ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Skull Base* ; Sphenoid Bone ; Survival Rate