OBJECTIVE: Notch is known as a transmembranous receptor family with four homologous forms - Notch 1, Notch 2, Notch 3, and Notch 4 and related to cell fate regulation and angiogenesis. The purpose is to investigate the effect of follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) on the Notch 1 expression and proliferation in ovarian cancer cells. METHODS: Human ovarian cancer cell line, SK-OV-3 and FSH were used. XTT cell proliferation and cell migration assay were carried out with FSH 100 mIU/mL and Notch 1 siRNA. Western blots and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR) were carried out to determine the expression level of the Notch 1 protein and mRNA with FSH treatment in 0, 1, 5, 10, 100, 200, 300 mIU/mL concentrations. Immunofluorescent (IF) stains were performed in SK-OV-3 cell cultures with FSH 100 mIU/mL. Student-t tests were used in statistical analyses. RESULTS: The SK-OV-3 have Notch 1 receptors in their natural status. FSH stimulated SK-OV-3 cells in XTT cell proliferation and cell migration assays and notch 1 siRNA inhibited. The expression level of Notch 1 protein and mRNA were increased in a dose dependent pattern according to FSH concentrations compared to untreated cells. IF stains also showed brighter Notch1 expressions in the FSH treated cells compared to the control cells. CONCLUSION: FSH enhances proliferation & migration and Notch 1 signaling in SK-OV-3 cells. The Notch signaling probably supports one of the cell proliferating mechanisms of FSH in ovarian cancer cells.
Blotting, Western ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Line ; Cell Migration Assays ; Cell Proliferation ; Coloring Agents ; Humans ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; RNA, Messenger ; RNA, Small Interfering

INTRODUCTIONClinical use of the Amplatzer vascular plug in the cardiopulmonary and peripheral vasculatures has been described extensively in the literature. We present our initial experience in adapting this device for therapeutic sacrifice of major craniocerebral arteries.

MATERIALS AND METHODSBetween July 2007 and November 2008, 8 patients (mean age 59.1 years; range 18 to 82 years) underwent therapeutic occlusion of major craniocerebral arteries using the device, for direct caroticocavernous fistula (1 patient), symptomatic unruptured giant cavernous internal carotid aneurysms (2 patients), and preoperative embolisation before surgical resections of skull base tumours that had encroached upon the internal carotid or vertebral artery (5 patients). The plugs were used alone or in conjunction with detachable platinum coils. The applications of the device, as well as the angiographic and clinical results of the procedures were evaluated.

RESULTSApplications of the plugs were straightforward and successful in all cases, with hermetic occlusions of all target arteries. When used without additional coils, several plugs were deployed in tandem to achieve complete occlusion of the artery. No migration of the device was seen. No patient developed untoward neurological deficits following the procedures, and the 3- and/or 6-month follow-up showed stable results.

CONCLUSIONThe Amplatzer vascular plug could be a valuable addition to the neurointerventional armamentarium, particularly in therapeutic occlusion of major craniocerebral arteries. Rigidity of the delivery system limits its current use to vessels below the skull base. The potential risk of distal thromboembolism also requires further evaluation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; instrumentation ; methods ; Carotid-Cavernous Sinus Fistula ; Cerebral Angiography ; Cerebrovascular Circulation ; physiology ; Cerebrovascular Disorders ; Female ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Young Adult

Most common diseases are caused by multiple genetic and environmental factors. Among the genetic factors, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are common DNA sequence variations in individuals and can serve as important genetic markers. Recently, investigations of gene-based and whole genome-based SNPs have been applied to association studies for marker discovery. However, SNPs are so population-specific that the association needs to be verified. Fifty-five genes and 384 SNPs were selected based on association with disease. Genotypes of 337 SNPs in candidate genes were determined using Illumina Sentrix Array Matrix (SAM) chips by an allelespecific extension method in 364 unrelated Korean individuals. Allelic frequencies of SNPs were compared with those of other populations obtained from the International HapMap database. Minor allele frequencies, linkage disequilibrium blocks, tagSNPs, and haplotypes of functional candidate SNPs in 55 genetic disease-associated genes were provided. Our data may provide useful information for the selection of genetic markers for genebased genetic disease-association studies of the Korean population.
Base Sequence ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Markers ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; HapMap Project ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*