S100A6 (calcyclin) is a member of the S100 family and has been originally isolated from the cDNA library of Syrian baby hamster kidney cells. The S100A6 gene expression is reported to remain high throughout the cell cycle following induction by serum or growth factors, suggesting that the gene may be required for cell cycle progression. Nevertheless, the role that S100A6 may play in tumor progression remains unknown. In this study, we have explored the expression patterns of S100A6 gene in human thyroid tissues by northern blot analysis. Using the S100A6 monoclonal antibody, we carried out the immunohistochemical staining to determine the distribution/localization of S100A6 protein within tumor or non-tumorous cells of the thyroid. To modulate the regulation of endogenously expressed S100A6 protein in the intracellular level, overexpressed or anti-sense treated transfectant was constructed by using the eukaryotic expression vector. As a result, immunohistochemistry for S100A6 showed a strong positivity in the malignant tumors of thyroid and a high expression level of S100A6 protein affected cell proliferation in the overexpressed transfectant. These findings suggest that S100A6 may be involved in the tumor pathogenesis and provides another parameter for the differentiation of malignant and benign lesions. A well defined monoclonal antibody against S100A6 protein is now available for the immunohistochemical studies of the various thyroid tissues.
Animals ; Blotting, Northern ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Proliferation ; Cricetinae ; Gene Expression ; Gene Library ; Humans* ; Immunohistochemistry ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Kidney ; Thyroid Diseases* ; Thyroid Gland*

The androgen insensitivity syndrome is a heterogeneous disorder with a wide spectrum of phenotypic abnormalities, ranging from complete female to ambiguous forms that more closely resembles males. Mutations of the androgen receptor gene are responsible for a variable degree of impaired androgen action. The complete androgen insensitivity syndrome is characterized by normal female external appearance in spite of the normal male karyotype 46XY with testes and normal testosterone production and metabolism. This is transmitted by X-linked recessive manner. Wolffian duct does not develop. However, m llerian development does not occur in presence of antim llerian hormone activity. Recently we experienced a case of complete androgen insenditirity syndrome. We reported a case with concerned literatures.
Androgen-Insensitivity Syndrome* ; Female ; Humans ; Karyotype ; Male ; Metabolism ; Receptors, Androgen ; Testis ; Testosterone ; Wolffian Ducts

There have been many reports to date regarding the role of GnRH as a local regulatory factor of ovarian function as studies of human and rat ovaries revealed GnRH and its receptor. In recent studies it has been shown that GnRH directly causes apoptosis in the granulosa cells of the rat ovary, and such results leads to the suggestion that the use of GnRH agonist for more stable long term ovarian hyperstimulation in human IVF-ET programs causes granulosa cell apoptosis which may lead to follicular atresia. Therefore this study attempts to determine if granulosa-luteal cell apoptosis occurs in patients during IVF-ET programs in which GnRH agonist is employed for ovarian hyperstimulation. The quality of oocyte-cumulus complexes obtained during ovum pickup procedures were assessed morphologically and then the fertilization rate and developmental rate was determined. Apoptotic cells among the granulosa-luteal cells obtained during the same procedure were observed after staining with Hematoxylin-rosin. The fragmentation degree of DNA extracted from granulosa-luteal cells was determined and comparatively analyzed. There was no difference in the average age of the patients, the number of oocytes retrieved, and fertilization and developmental rates between the FSH/hMG group and GnRH-long group. There was also no difference in the apoptosis rate and pyknosis rate in the granulosa-luteal cells between the two groups. However, when the oocyte-cumulus complexes were morphoogically divided into the healthy group and atretic group without regard for the method of hyperstimulation, the results showed that the number of oocytes obtained averaged 11.09+/-8.75 and 10.33+/-4.53 per cycle, respectively, showing no significant difference, but the fertilization rate (77.05%, 56.99%, respectively, p<0.01) and developmental ,ate (65.96%, 41.51%, respectively, p<0.01) was significantly increased in the healthy group when compared to the atretic group. The degree of apoptosis in the granulosa-luteal cells showed that in the healthy group it was 2.25% which was not significantly different from the atretic group (2.77%), but the pyknosis rate in the atretic group (27.81%) was significantly higher compared to the healthy group (11.35%, p<0.01). The quantity of DNA fragmentation in the FSH/hMG group was 32.22%, while in the GnRH-long group it was 34.27%, showing no significant difference. On the other hand the degree of DNA fragmentation was 39.05% and 11.83% in the healthy group and atretic group, respectively, showing significantly higher increase in the atretic group (p<0.01). The above results suggest that death of granulosa-luteal cells according to the state of the oocyte-cumulus complex is more related to pyknosis rather than apoptosis. Also, the GnRH agonist used in ovarian hyperstimulation does not seem to directly affect the apoptosis of retrieved oocytes and granulosa-luteal cells, and which is thought to be due to the suppression of the apoptogenic effect of GnRH agonist as a result of the high doses of FSH administered.
Animals ; Apoptosis* ; DNA ; DNA Fragmentation ; Female ; Fertilization ; Follicular Atresia ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone* ; Granulosa Cells ; Hand ; Humans* ; Luteal Cells ; Oocytes ; Ovary ; Ovum ; Rats

We reported 3 cases of intestinal anisakiasis. The patients had abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, after eating raw sea-fishes 1 to 5 days before. Intestinal resection was performed under the impression of mechanical obstruction or cancer. The resected intestines showed marked edema, congestion or hemorrhage in the mucosa. Microscopically the larvae were found in the submucosa or inner muscle layer, and surrounded by phlegmonous inflammation with intense eosinophilic infiltration. The larvae were identified as Anisakis spp. by multiple sections.

OBJECTIVE: It is known that mouse embryos before implantation develop in a low oxygen environment of 3- 8% concentration and with antioxidant materials such as vitamins, antioxidant enzymes, ferrous binding proteins, and albumin in follicular and tubal fluids. However, the 20% oxygen culture condition with chemically defined media might be produce an abundance of ROS, and leads to developmental delay or developmental block in vitro. In this study, we attempt to elucidate the relationship between intracellular H2O2 production and embryo development in different oxygen culture conditions of mouse embryos. METHODS: Prenuclear embryos from C57BL/CBA Fl hybrid and ICR mouse were cultured in incubators which provided 5% carbon dioxide, 20% oxygen and 5% carbon dioxide, 5% oxygen. Measurement of H2O2 level in a embryo was performed with DCHFDA(2, 7 -dichlorodihydroflourescein diacetate)and analyzed with Quanti-cell 700, and the number of blastomeres was counted with DAPI( 4, 6'-diamidino-2-phenylindole). RESULTS: Oxygen concentration of the culture medias was significantly higher in the 20% oxygen environment compared to that of 5% oxygen environment. Culture of mice embryos in high oxygen condition leads to high HO concentrations at 2 cell stage and developmental delay or ""2-cell block"" regardless of the strain. But in a 5% oxygen environment, which is similar to in-vivo conditions HO production was suppressed continuously through out culture and development of embryos was definitely improved. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that there is a difference in the production of ROS or protective mechanism according to the mouse strains and stage of development, and it is thought that in-vitro culture in 5% oxygen environment provides stable in vivo equilibrium but in a 20% oxygen environment there is production of ROS which overcome the protective mechanism which leads to cellular damage and embryo developmental delay.
Animals ; Blastomeres ; Carbon Dioxide ; Carrier Proteins ; Culture Media ; Embryonic Development ; Embryonic Structures* ; Female ; Incubators ; Mice* ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Oxygen* ; Pregnancy ; Vitamins

PURPOSE: The chemoembolization with Lipiodol and doxorubicin hydrochloride is used in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. What condition is the ideal emulsion of Lipiodol and doxorubicin for excellent anticancer effect? METHOD AND MATERIALS: Microscopic evaluation was performed on the emulsions, which were varied with different specific gravities of doxorubicin solutions, degrees in mixing of the emulsion, and amount of Lipiodol. RESULT: 1. Maximal amount of doxorubicin solution was contained in Lipiodol droplets and the release of doxorubicin from the droplets were delayed, when specific gravity of doxorubicin was equal to that of Lipiodol (SG, 1.28). 2. The optimal therapertic ratio of Lipiodol and doxorubicin was 3:2 at least, as in the emulsion less than 3:2, unmixed free forms of doxorubicin solution were increased. 3. The emulsion mixed by pumping 50--100 times had smaller Lipiodol droplets and contained larger amount of doxorubicin solution in the droplets than by pumping 20 times. CONCLUSION: We recommend the emulsion with specific gravity of doxorubicin equal to Lipiodol (SG. 1.28), the ratio of Lipiodol and doxorubicin closo to 3:2, and the mixture prepased with puming 50--100 times.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Doxorubicin ; Emulsions ; Ethiodized Oil ; Humans ; Specific Gravity

OBJECTIVES: In order to identify the possibility of slender bitterling (SB) (Acheilognathus yamatsutae) being used as a test species for estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemicals (EEDCs), we carried out the cloning and sequence characterization of the estrogen receptor (ER). METHODS: The ER from a slender bitterling was obtained by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), 5'- and 3'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends (5'-RACE and 3'-RACE) and T-vector cloning. The expression of ER mRNA was also analyzed in six tissues (brain, liver, kidney, gill, gonad, and intestines) by real-time PCR. RESULTS: We obtained an ER from the slender bitterling. The SB ER cDNA was 2189 base pairs (bp) in length and contained a 1707 bp open reading frame that encoded 568 amino acid residues. The SB ER amino acid sequence clustered in a monophyletic group with the ERalpha of other fish, and was more closely related to zebrafish ERalpha (88% identity) than to the ERalpha of other fish. The SB ER cDNA was divided into A/B, C, D, E and F domains. The SB ER has conserved important sequences for ER functions, such as the DNA binding domain (D domain), which are consistent with those of other teleosts. CONCLUSIONS: The ER of the slender bitterling could provide basic information in toxicological studies of EEDCs in the slender bitterling.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Base Pairing ; Clone Cells ; Cloning, Molecular ; Cloning, Organism ; DNA ; DNA, Complementary ; Endocrine Disruptors ; Estrogen Receptor alpha ; Estrogens ; Gills ; Gonads ; Kidney ; Liver ; Open Reading Frames ; RNA, Messenger ; Zebrafish

PURPOSE: This study analyzed the clinical and radiological long-term follow-up results of patients with femoral head fracture who received surgical treatments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective evaluation was performed for 20 patients with femoral head fracture who received surgical treatments between December 1997 and May 2010. According to Pipkin's classification, there were five type I, six type II, one type III, and eight type IV fractures. RESULTS: The average Merle d'Aubigne'-Postel score was 12.8 (12.80+/-3.53). According to surgical method, the score for the bony fragment excision group was 9.8 (9.83+/-2.79), and that for the open reduction and internal fixation group was 13.9 (13.92+/-3.07). Depending on Thompson-Epstein criteria, two patients were good, two were fair, and two were poor in the bony fragment excision group. Four patients were excellent, six were good, and three were poor in the open reduction and internal fixation group. CONCLUSION: Bony fragment excision should be performed with caution in patients with femoral head fracture. Considering fragment size, location, and presence of acetabular fracture, better outcome can be expected using the open reduction and internal fixation method in comparison with excision.
Acetabulum ; Classification ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head* ; Hip Joint ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies

We report a case of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) endocarditis involving tricuspid valve in small ventricular septal defect with multiple pulmonary embolism. A 36-years-old woman presented with 7 days course of fever and mental abnormality. She had small-sized ventricular septal defect (VSD) and no risk factors for the infection such as history of intravenous drug abuse and hospitalization. Methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from all three sets of blood culture drawn on admission and from the huge pulmonary embolus retrieved during operation. Resection of pulmonary emboli and patch repair of ventricular septal defect were done. Teicoplanin was administered for a total of 28 days due to febrile rash associated with vancomycin treatment after operation. She was discharged without complication.
Embolism ; Endocarditis* ; Exanthema ; Female ; Fever ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular* ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Methicillin Resistance* ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus* ; Pulmonary Embolism* ; Risk Factors ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Substance Abuse, Intravenous ; Teicoplanin ; Tricuspid Valve* ; Vancomycin

Pneumatosis intestinalis is an uncommon disorder characterized by an accumulation of gas in the bowel wall. We described three cases undertaking liver transplantation. The patients developed diarrhea in three cases and high fever in two. An abdominal X-ray and computed tomography scan demonstrated extensive pneumatosis intestinalis in the colon with pneumoperitoneum mimicking hollow organ perforation. However, the patients had no abdominal symptoms and there was no evidence of peritonitis. The infection work-up was negative except one case with cytomegalovirus antigenemia. After one week of conservative management including bowel rest and antibiotic therapy, their pneumoperitoneum resolved spontaneously without any complication. Pneumatosis intestinalis should be considered as a differential diagnosis after adult liver transplantation with patients suffering from watery diarrhea and fever. Pneumoperitoneum, air-density in mesentery and retroperitoneum in patients with pneumatosis intestinalis without signs of peritonitis improved with conservative management, which included bowel rest and antibiotic therapy.
Adult ; Colon ; Cytomegalovirus ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diarrhea ; Fever ; Humans ; Liver ; Liver Transplantation ; Mesentery ; Mortuary Practice ; Peritonitis ; Pneumoperitoneum ; Stress, Psychological