PURPOSE: This study was designed to find out whether protein kinase C (PKC) may affect telomerase activity in human ovarian cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To determine whether PKC modulators influence PKC activities, NIH: OVCAR-3 and CUMO-2, cells were treated with PKC inhibitors, G 6976 and bisindolyl maleimide I, and PKC activator, 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA). Telomerase acti vity was determined by telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP). Analysis of the expres sion of each telomerase subunits, human telomerase RNA (hTR) and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), was performed by RT-PCR. We also examined the alternative splicing of hTERT. RESULTS: G 6976 and bisindolylmaleimide I inhibited PKC activity. Telomerase activities appeared to be affected in a time-dependent manner by these two PKC inhibitors. PKC activities were increased in parallel with telomerase activity by TPA at the low dose (10 nM), but their activities were down-regulated at the high dose (1 micrometer). RT-PCR demonstrated the presence of hTR and hTERT mRNA before and after the treatment of PKC modulators, respectively, and showed the presence of one alternatively spliced transcript and full-length hTERT transcripts. CONCLUSION: These results showed that telomerase activity was affected by PKC and suggested PKC modulation may serve as an useful tool in the regulation of telomerase activity.
Alternative Splicing ; Cell Line* ; Humans* ; Ovarian Neoplasms* ; Protein Kinase C* ; Protein Kinases* ; RNA ; RNA, Messenger ; Telomerase* ; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate

Ovarian tumor in pregnancy is not rare and benign cystic teratoma is most common ovarian tumor in pregnancy. Most ovarian tumor in pregnancy is found at first and second trimester but sometimes found at third trimester and it is difficult to make a decision for management. Moreover physician should consider fetal age and mother's condition, and weigh outcome of operation for complicated ovarian tumor in pregnancy. Torsion of ovarian tumor is not an uncommon complication during first trimester of pregnancy and puerperium but rare occurs during the third trimester of pregnancy. We have experienced a case of torsion of benign cystic teratoma of ovary which occurred at 37 weeks gestation in a 25 year-old woman. So we report this case with a brief review of literature.
Adult ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Impetigo* ; Ovary ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy Trimester, First ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third ; Pregnancy* ; Teratoma

We report a case of herniated lumbar disc with sequestrated fragments which were located posterior and lateral to the thecal sac. A 60-year-old woman developed lumbago and sciatica one year prior to presentation and acute exacerbation occurred recently. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a mass that was located posteriorly and laterally to the dural sac at the L3-4 level. Laminectomy at L3-4 was done and several fragments were easily separated from the left posterolateral and posterior aspect of the dural sac. Microscopic evamination revealed disc fragment.
Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; Laminectomy ; Low Back Pain ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Sciatica

PURPOSE: To report the clinical features and surgical results for lower lid entropion with kinked tarsus compared with entropion with weakened capsulopalpebral fascia. METHODS: From March 2008 to December 2009, 20 patients (24 eyes) with lower lid entropion were examined. The patients were divided into the aggravated entropion with kinked tarsus group or the weakened capsulopalpebral fascia group based on the height of tarsus, the shapes of the lower lid and tarsus, and conjunctiva changes. For treatment of entropion in the kinked tarsus group, full thickness tarsotomy with rotatory suture (tarsal fracture operation) was performed, and in the weakened CPF group, a CPF tight procedure was performed. The results of the operations were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients with entropion in the kinked tarsus group (15 cases) was 66.7 +/- 11.4 years, and the mean age of the patients with entropion in the weakened CPF group (9 cases) was 67.2 +/- 6.2 years. The height of the lower lid tarsus of each group was 3.80 +/- 0.39 mm and 5.20 +/- 0.30 mm, respectively. Except for one case of recurrence after tarsal fracture operation in the kinked tarsus group and reoperation with CPF tightening, there were no significant complications or recurrence in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Entropion with kinked tarsus was more common than entropion with weakened CPF in the present study. In addition, surgical treatment based on the shape and cause of entropion showed good results.
Animals ; Ankle ; Conjunctiva ; Entropion ; Eyelids ; Fascia ; Humans ; Recurrence ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies ; Sutures

Rarely, rupture of a cerebral aneurysm causes an acute subdural hematoma(SDH) in addition to subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH). We report clinical and radiological characteristics of five cases, as well as potential pitfalls in the diagnosis and the treatment of this life-threatening condition. The patients ranged in age from 42 to 76 years. The Hunt-Hess grade on admission was gradeIII in one patient, gradeIV in two, and grade V in two. All five patients underwent one-stage operation (both SDH evacuation and clipping of the aneurysm). The outcome was good recovery in two patients, persistent vegetative state in two, and death in one. Patients with a good outcome had a better Hunt-Hess grade on admission, with less amount of SDH.
Aneurysm* ; Diagnosis* ; Hematoma, Subdural, Acute* ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm* ; Persistent Vegetative State ; Rupture

No abstract available.
Prolactin* ; Prolactinoma* ; Radiosurgery*

PURPOSE: The effect of PTK inhibitors (herbimycin A and genistein) on the induction of radiation-induce d apoptosis in Ph-positive K562 leukemia cell line was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: K562 cells in exponential growth phase were irradiated with a linear accelerator at room temperature. For 6 MV X-ray irradiation and drug treatment, cultures were initiated at 2x10' cells/mL. The cells were irradiated with 10 Gy. Stock solutions of herbimycin A and genistein were prepared in dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO). After incubation at 37C for 0-48 h, the extent of apoptosis was determined using agarose gel electrophoresis and TUNEL assay. The progression of cells throughth the cel l cycle after irradiation and drug treatment was also determined with flow cytometry. Western blot analysis was used to monitor bcl-2, bcl-X and bax protein levels. RESULTS: Treatment with 10 Gy X-irradiation did not result in the induction of apoptosis. The HMA alone (500 nM) also failed to induce apoptosis. By contrast, incubation of K562 cells with HMA after irradiation resulted in a substantial induction of nuclear condensation and fragmentation by agarose gel electro-phoresis and TUNEL assay. Genistein failed to enhance the ability of X-irradiation to induce DN A fragmentation. Enhancement of apoptosis by H MA was not attributable to downregulation of the bcl-2 or bcl-X anti-apoptotic proteins. When the cells were irradiated and maintained with HMA, the percentage cf cells in G2/M phase decreased to 30-40% at 48 h. On the other hand, cells exposed to 10 Gy X-irradiation alone or maintained with genistein did not show marked cell cycle redistribution. CONCLUSION: We have shown that nanomolar concentrations of the PTK inhibitor HMA synergize with X-irradiation in inducing the apoptosis in Ph (+) K562 leukemia cell line. While, genistein, a PTK inhibitor which is not selective for p2 10""'' failed to enhance the radiation induced apoptosis in K562 cells. It is unlikely that the ability of HMA to enhance apoptosis in K562 cells is attributable to bcl-2 family. It is plausible that the relationship between cell cycle delays and cell death is essential for drug development based on molecular targeting designed to modify radiation-induced apoptosis.
Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; Apoptosis* ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Death ; Cell Line ; Dimethyl Sulfoxide ; Down-Regulation ; Electrophoresis, Agar Gel ; Flow Cytometry ; Genistein ; Hand ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; K562 Cells* ; Leukemia ; Particle Accelerators ; Sepharose

Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is the new therapeutic technique. This procedure stands on the cutting edge of minimal invasive surgery that accesses the abdominal cavity through a natural orifice under the endoscopic image. There have been many animal experiments, and clinical trials of NOTES. We performed a transgastric endoscopic cholecystectomy of a pig using conventional endoscopic instruments through a natural orifice and the assistance of a 5mm laparoscopic trocar.
Abdominal Cavity ; Animal Experimentation ; Cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to evaluate the incidence and clinical characteristics of symptomatic pneumothorax in the full-term neonate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 32 symptomatic pneumothorax patients in the full term neonates who admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit in Ulsan Dong Kang General Hospital from January, 2000 to December, 2004. The subjects were divided into two groups according to underlying causes; spontaneous pneumothorax group and secondary pneumothorax group, then each clinical characteristics were assessed. RESULTS: Spontaneous pneumothorax patients were 10 (31%) and secondary pneumothorax patients were 22 (69%). Overall incidence of spontaneous pneumothorax was 0.4%. Most common cause of secondary pneumothorax was pneumonia. Twelve cases (54.5%) among secondary pneumothorax patients were associated with mechanical ventilator care. Clinical characteristics, courses and managements were similar between two groups, but more shorter duration of admission and chest-tube insertion in spontaneous pneumothorax group CONCLUSION: The patient with symptomatic pneumothorax needs careful observation and proper management with or without underlying respiratory diseases
Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn* ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Medical Records ; Pneumonia ; Pneumothorax* ; Retrospective Studies ; Ulsan ; Ventilators, Mechanical

PURPOSE: To evaluate the classification of punctal stenosis based on the shape of the external punctum, clinical characteristics and histopathologic features. METHODS: Patients who experienced tearing and were diagnosed with punctal stenosis were evaluated in this study. Punctal stenosis was classified according to the shape of the lower external punctum, which included membranous type, slit type, horseshoe type, and pinpoint type. Tear meniscus height, 2% fluorescein dye disappearance test and lacrimal pathway irrigation were measured or performed. For treatment, a punctal snip operation and silicone tube placement were performed, and the peripunctal histopathological findings were evaluated. RESULTS: Punctal stenosis was classified into four types: membranous type (17 eyes, 21.5%), slit type (11 eyes, 13.9%), horseshoe type (25 eyes, 31.6%), and pinpoint type (26 eyes, 32.9%). The tear meniscus was significantly higher, and the 2% fluorescein dye disappeared significantly more slowly in the punctal stenosis group. However, correlation of the tear meniscus height and 2% fluorescein dye disappearance test with the punctum shape was not statistically significant. A history of previous chemotherapy was significantly associated with the occurrence of punctal stenosis, especially the membranous type (p < 0.05). Histopathologic evaluation of the punctum showed differences between the punctum types. Pinpoint puncta exhibited a high density of muscle fibers, while they were faintly visible in the membranous type. CONCLUSIONS: Acquired punctal stenosis has various shapes, and the major types of stenotic puncta exhibited unique histopathologic features. Punctal stenosis and its pathophysiology may be related to multiple factors, such as age and systemic 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy history.
Classification* ; Constriction, Pathologic* ; Drug Therapy ; Fluorescein ; Fluorouracil ; Humans ; Lacrimal Apparatus ; Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases* ; Silicon ; Silicones ; Tears