We investigated the synergistic apoptotic effects of co-treatments with Chios gum mastic (CGM) and eugenol on G361 human melanoma cells. An MTT assay was conducted to investigate whether this co-treatment efficiently reduces the viability of G361 cells compared with each single treatment. The induction and augmentation of apoptosis were confirmed by DNA electrophoresis, Hoechst staining, and analyses of DNA hypoploidy. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescent staining were also performed to evaluate expression and translocation of apoptosis-related proteins following CGM and eugenol co-treatment. Proteasome activity and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) changes were also assayed.The results indicated that the co-treatment of CGM and eugenol induces multiple pathways and processes associated with an apoptotic response in G361 cells. These include nuclear condensation, DNA fragmentation, a reduction in MMP and proteasome activity, an increase of Bax and decrease of Bcl-2, a decreased DNA content, cytochrome c release into the cytosol, the translocation of AIF and DFF40 (CAD) into the nucleus, and the activation of caspase-9, caspase-7, caspase-3, PARP and DFF45 (ICAD). In contrast, separate treatments of 40 microg/ml CGM or 300 microM eugenol for 24 hours did not induce apoptosis. Our present data thus suggest that a combination therapy of CGM and eugenol is a potential treatment strategy for human melanoma.
Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Caspase 3 ; Caspase 7 ; Caspase 9 ; Cytochromes c ; Cytosol ; DNA ; DNA Fragmentation ; Electrophoresis ; Eugenol ; Gingiva ; Humans ; Melanoma ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex ; Proteins ; Resins, Plant

PURPOSE: To determine the changes of location of intraocular lens (IOL) and refractive errors in the cases of vitrectomized eyes and non-vitrectomized eyes, we evaluated the anterior chamber depth and refractive errors after phacoemulsification and posterior chamber IOL implantation. METHODS: In 21 vitrectomized eyes of 21 patients (group 1) and 22 non-vitrecomized eyes of 22 patients (group 2), the anterior chamber depth was measured with Orbscan II (Bausch and Lomb Surgical, Germany) for the evaluation of changes of anterior chamber depth preoperatively, at 1 month and 3 months postoperatively. We compared the desired refraction by preoperative data, and postoperative manifest refraction of postoperative 1 month and 3 months. RESULTS: In group 1, the anterior chamber was deeper than that of group 2 postoperative 1 month but the result was not statistically significant. After 3 months the chamber depth was significantly deeper in group 1 than group 2, (P=0.047), and refractive errors were significantly more hyperopic in group 1 than group 2. CONCLUSIONS: The vitreous influenced the location of IOL after phacoemulsification and posterior chamber IOL implantation, so in the cases of vitrectomized eyes IOL was more posteriorly located, and thus hyperopic shift was noted.
Anterior Chamber* ; Cataract* ; Humans ; Lenses, Intraocular ; Phacoemulsification ; Refractive Errors

Gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease is common, but its pathophysiology is poorly understood. We performed esophageal manometry, radionuclide oropharyngeal and esophageal transit study in order to obtain the objective data of the frequency of dysphagia in the patients with Parkinson's and to evaluate the subjective symptoms and motor dysfunction of oropharynx and esophagus. Seventeen idiopathic Parkinson's disease patients(7 men and 10 women) and twenty age-matched controls were subjects for esophageal manometry , radionuclide oropharyngeal(O'IT) and esophageal transit study(ETT). Among 17 patients group, 10 patients were abnormal in esophageal manometry, and 14 were abnormal in radionuclide transit time(ETT). At the results of OTT & E'IT, there is significant difference between patient group and age-matched control group(contror group OTT ;2.64+1.9, ETT ;14.33+9.4 : patient group OTT ;34.21+ 71.6, ETT ; 115.98+116. Lsec) (P < 0. 05). However, there was no significant difference between those with complain of dysphagqa and those without complain of dysphagia. Moreover, there was no correlation among the results of O'IT & EIT, the findings of esophageal manometry, those with complain. Of dysphagia, and H-Y stage. In conclusion, it showed the oropharyngeal and esophageal dysfunction in most of Parkinson's disease patients, which was not related with the severity of dysphagia. The causable lesion of dysphagia involved diffusely throughout oropharynx, body of esophagus and lower esophageal sphincter. And, esophageal manometry and radionuclide transit study might be objective tools for evaluation of dysphagia. The relationship between motor dysfunction of oropharynx and esophagus and the severity of Parkinson's disease is remained to be clear.
Deglutition Disorders* ; Esophageal Sphincter, Lower ; Esophagus ; Humans ; Male ; Manometry ; Oropharynx ; Parkinson Disease*

BACKGROUND: Tumor markers have been used in diagnosis, predicting the extent of disease, monitering recurrence after therapy and prediction of prognosis. But the utility of markers in lung cancer has been limited by low sensitivity and specificity. TPA-M is recently developed marker using combined monoclonal antibody of Cytokeratin 8, 18, and 19. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of new tumor marker, TPA-M by comparing the estabilished markers 8CC, CEA, Cyfra2 I - I in hmg cancer. METHODS: An immunoradiometric assay of serum CEA, SCC, Cyfra2l-I, and TPA-M was performed in 49 pathologically confirmed lung cancer patients who visited Keimyung University Hospital from April 1996 to August 1996, and 29 benign lung diseases. Commercially available kits, Ab bead CM (Eiken) to CEA, SCC RIA BEAD (DAINABOT) to SCC, CA21-1 (TEE) to Cyfra21-1, arid TPA-M (DAIICHI) to TPA-M were used for this study. RESULTS: The mean serum values of lung cancer group and control group were 10.05 +/- 38.39 micro/L, l.59+/-0.94 micro/L in CEA, 3.04+/-5.79 micro/L, 1.58+/-2.85 micro/L in SCC, 8.27+/-11.96 micro/L, 1.77+/-2.72 micro/L in Cyfra21-1, and 132.02+/-209.35 U/L, 45.86+/-75.86 U/t in TPA-M respectively. Serum values of Cyfra21-1 and TPA-M in lung cancer group were higher than control group (p<0.05). Using cutoff value recommended by the manufactures, that is 2.5 micro/L, in CEA, 3.0 micro/L in Cyfra21-1, 70.0 U/L in TPA-M, arid 2.0 micro/L in SCC, sensitivity and specificity of lung cancer were 33.3%, 786% in CEA, 50.0%, 89.7% in Cyfra2l-l, 52.3%, 89.7% in TPA-M, 23.8%, 89.3% in SCC. Sensitivity and specificity of nonsmall cell lung cancer were 36.1%, 78.1% in CIA, 50.1%, 89.7% in Cyfra2l-1, 53.1%, 89.7% in TPA-M, 33.8%, 89.3% in SCC. Sensitivity and specificity of small cell king cancer were 25.0%, 78.5% in CEA, 50.0%, 89.6% in Cyfra2l-1, 50.0%, 89.6% in TPA-M, 0%, 89.2% in SCC. Cutoff value according to ROC(Receiver operating characteristics) curve was l.25 micro/L in CEA, 1.5 micro/L in Cyfra2l-1, 35 U/L in TPA-M, 0.6 micro/L in SCC. With this cutoff value, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and kappa index of Cyfra21-1 and TPA-M were Letter than CEA and SCC. SCC only was related with statistic significance to TNM stages, dividing to operable stages(TNM stage I to IIIA) and inoperable stages (IIIB and IV) (p<0.05). But no tumor markers showed any correlation with significance with tumor size(p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Serum TPA-M and Cyfra21-1 shows higher sensitivity and specificity than CEA and SCC in overall lung cancer and nonsmall cell lung cancer those were confirmed pathologically. SCC has higher specificity in nonsmall cell lung cancer. And the level of serum SCC are significantly related with TNM staging.
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Immunoradiometric Assay ; Keratin-8 ; Lung Diseases ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Biomarkers, Tumor

Eugenol (4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol) is a naturally occurring phenolic compound that is widely used in dentistry as a component of zinc oxide eugenol cement that is commonly applied to the mouth environment. Cisplatin is one of the most potent known anticancer agents and shows significant clinical activity against a variety of solid tumors. This study was undertaken to investigate the synergistic apoptotic effects of co-treatments with eugenol and cisplatin on human melanoma (G361) cells. To investigate whether this co-treatment efficiently reduces the viability of G361 cells compared with each single treatment, an MTT assay was conducted. The induction and augmentation of apoptosis were confirmed by DNA electrophoresis, Hoechst staining and an analysis of DNA hypoploidy. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescent staining were also performed to evaluate the expression levels and the translocation of apoptosis-related proteins following this co-treatment. Furthermore, proteasome activity and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) changes were also assayed. The results indicated that a co-treatment with eugenol and cisplatin induced multiple pathways and processes associated with an apoptotic response in G361 cells including nuclear condensation, DNA fragmentation, a reduction in MMP and proteasome activity, the increase and decrease of Bax and Bcl-2, a decreased DNA content, the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol, the translocation of AIF and DFF40 (CAD) into the nucleus, and the activation of caspase-9, caspase-7, caspase-3, PARP and DFF45 (ICAD). In contrast, separate treatments of 300 microM eugenol or 3 microM cisplatin for 24 h did not induce apoptosis. Our present data thus suggest that a combination therapy of eugenol and cisplatin is a potential treatment strategy for human melanoma.
Antineoplastic Agents ; Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Caspase 3 ; Caspase 7 ; Caspase 9 ; Cisplatin ; Cytochromes c ; Cytosol ; Dentistry ; DNA ; DNA Fragmentation ; Electrophoresis ; Eugenol ; Humans ; Melanoma ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; Mouth ; Phenol ; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex ; Proteins ; Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this was to evaluate accuracy of frozen section diagnosis for ovarian tumors according to histologic type and malignant potential. METHODS: We compared the frozen section and final diagnosis of patients with ovarian tumors from April 2001 to April 2006. Of these 1138 cases, 628 cases (55.2%) were epithelial ovarian tumors. Benign, borderline, and malignant epithelial tumors were 380 (60.5%), 87 (13.9%), and 161 (25.6%) cases. The accuracy of frozen section diagnosis was analyzed according to histologic type and malignancy potential. RESULTS: The overall accuracy of frozen section diagnosis was 93.9%. The accuracy for benign, borderline, and malignant tumors were 93%, 92%, and 98%, respectively. The accuracy of frozen section diagnosis was significantly low in mucinous tumors and borderline malignant tumors. However the borderline malignancy was the only independent factor associated with the inaccuracy of frozen section diagnosis (OR: 12.2, 95% CI: 6.5-23.1). The sensitivity for immature teratoma was as low as 63.6%. CONCLUSION: Our data shows that the accuracy is low in mucinous tumors, borderline tumors, and immature teratomas and the borderline malignancy is independent factor associated with inaccuracy of frozen section diagnosis.
Carcinoma ; Diagnosis* ; Frozen Sections* ; Humans ; Mucins ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Teratoma

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Sudden sensoryneural hearing loss (SSNHL) is an otological emergency disease of a non-specific cause. If there is no improvement or if the degree of hearing loss is severe, patients are often referred to other medical institution. Many papers have reported regarding the treatment results of SSNHL, however, most of them failed to mention the fact that patients were referred from other clinics after steroid treatment. This paper would like to compare the treatment results between patient groups who had been referred following steroid treatment and those who received steroid treatment for the first time.SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We retrospectively analyzed 127 patients from January 2015 to August 2017. Patients who received steroid treatment for the first time were classified as group 1; those who had received steroid treatment at another hospital and those who were re-treated were classified as group 2. The treatment results of each group were evaluated. RESULTS: According to the results of this study, the recovery rates for group 1 and 2 were 66.7% and 31.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION Most of the previous studies on the treatment results of sudden hearing loss were performed in tertiary medical institutions. It is likely that the treatment results of patients who recovered after treatment in the primary and secondary medical institutions were missed, which means that the results of steroid therapy may be better than those reported previously.

BACKGROUND: Exit site/tunnel infection causes con-siderable morbidity and technique failure in CAPD patients. We presently use a unique revision method for the treatment of refractory ESl/TI in CAPD patients and mupirocin prophylaxis for high risk patients. MTEHODS: We reviewed one hundred-thirty nine CAPD patients about the ESI/TI from Qctober 1993 to February 1999 at Yeungnam University Hospital. At the beginning of the ESI, we usually started medications with rifampicin and ciprofloxacin and then changed the antibiotics according to the sensitivity test. If the ESI had persisted and there were TI symptoms(purulent discharge, abscess lesion around exit site), we performed catheter revision(external cuff shaving, disinfection around tunnel and new exit site on opposit direction) with a combination of proper antibiotics. We applied local mupirocin ointment at the exit site three times per week to the 34 patients who had the risk of ESI starting from October 1998. RESULTS: The total follow-up was 2401 patient months (pt.mon). ESI occurred on 105 occasions in 36 out of 139 patients, and peritonitis occurred on 112 occasions in 67 out of 139 patients. Cumulative incidence of ESI and peritonitis was 1 per 23.0 pt.mon and 1 per 21.6 pt.mon. The most common organism responsible for ESI was Staphylococcus aureus (26 of 54 isolated cases, 43%), followed by Methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA)(13 cases, 24%). Seven patients (5: MRSA, 2: Pseudomonas) had to be treated with a revision to control infection. Three patients experienced ESI relapse after revision. One of them improved with antibiotics, while another needed a second revision and the remaining required catheter removal due to persistent MRSA infection with reinsertion at the same time. But, there was no more ESI in these 3 patients who were received management to relapse (The mean duration : 14.0 months) The rates of ESI were more reduced after using mupirocin than before (l per 12.7 vs 34.0 pt.mon, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: In summary, revision technique can be regarded as an effective method for refractory ESI/TI before catheter removal. Also local mupirocin ointment can play a significant role in the prevention of ESI.
Abscess ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Catheters* ; Ciprofloxacin ; Disinfection ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Methicillin Resistance ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Mupirocin* ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory* ; Peritonitis ; Recurrence ; Rifampin ; Staphylococcus aureus

Neuroendocrine tumor is a very heterogenous group arising from the neuroendocrine cells. Especially, large cell neuroendocrine tumor of the ovary is a extremely rare aggressive neoplasm, characteristically arising in association with a surface epithelial tumor. This report describes a mixed type of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the ovary. A 63-year old woman presented with abdominal distension and discomfort underwent staging laparotomy under the impression of ovarian cancer. The operation revealed an small ovarian mass with invasion of multiple region in peritoneal cavity by the tumor. Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analysis confirmed the neuroendocrine nature of the tumor. The adenocarcinoma in this case is mixture of mucinous and endometrioid type. A diagnosis of stage IIIc mixed large cell neuroendocrine tumor and adenocarcinoma of the ovary was rendered. She is subsequently being treated with Paclitaxel and Carboplatin combination chemotherapy.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Carboplatin ; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Humans ; Laparotomy ; Middle Aged ; Mucins ; Neuroendocrine Cells ; Neuroendocrine Tumors* ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Ovary* ; Paclitaxel ; Peritoneal Cavity

The quadricuspid aortic valve is a rare congenital cardiac morphology. In regard to the hemodynamics of the quadricuspid aortic valve, the regurgitation is most common, the regurgitation accompanying the stenosis or pure stenosis are rare. We report hear a case with quadricuspid aortic valve disease which has been known to be extremely rare.
Aortic Valve* ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Hemodynamics