Phospholipase C (PLC) isozymes play significant roles in transmembrane signal transduction. PLC- 1 is one of the key regulatory enzymes in signal transduction for cellular proliferation and differentiation. The exact mechanisms of this signal transduction of tissue damage and subsequent regeneration, however, were not clearly documented. This study was planned to determine the biological significance of PLC isozymes following irradiation in rat small intestine. Sprague-Dawley rats were irradiated to the entire body by a single dose of 8 Gy. The rats were divided into 5 groups according to the sacrifice days after irradiation. The expression of PLCs in each group was examined by the immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. The histologic findings were observed using hematoxylin and eosin staining. The regenerative activity, which was estimated by mitotic count and proliferatin cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunostaining, was highest in Group III (5th day after irradiation). By the immunohistochemistry, the expression of PLC- 1 was higher in Group III and Group II (3rd day after irradiation), and was found in the regenerative zone of the mucosa. The expression of PLC- 1 was highest in Group I (1st day after irradiation) and was dominantly in the damaged surface epithelium. The immunostaining of PLC- 1 was negative in all groups. The results of the immunoblotting study was compatible to that of the immunohistochemical study. Group II and III showed positive bands for PLC- 1, and group I and II for PLC- 1. These results suggest that PLC- 1 plays a significant role in mucosal regeneration following irradiation. PLC- 1 may play a role in radiation - induced mucosal damage.
Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Eosine Yellowish-(YS) ; Epithelium ; Hematoxylin ; Immunoblotting ; Immunohistochemistry ; Intestine, Small* ; Isoenzymes* ; Mucous Membrane ; Phospholipases* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Regeneration* ; Signal Transduction ; Type C Phospholipases*

No abstract available.
Adult ; Autoantigens/*genetics ; Cell Cycle Proteins/*genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 9 ; Humans ; Janus Kinase 2/*genetics ; Male ; Myeloproliferative Disorders/complications/*genetics ; Sarcoma, Myeloid/complications/*genetics ; Translocation, Genetic

OBJECTIVE: We performed this study to evaluate the effects of Sil-Select and Percoll in sperm preparation. METHODS: Semen samples of 22 patients with normal sperm parameters by WHO criteria were divided into two equal parts and prepared with Percoll and Sil-Select. After completion of semen preparation procedures with Percoll and Sil-Select, sperm concentration, motility and morphology using strict criteria were evaluated in each group and all semen samples were fixed and stained for transmission electron microscopy(TEM). RESULTS: There were no significant diffrences in sperm concentration, percentage of motile spermatozoa and percentage of normal spermatozoa in morphology evaluation using strict criteria under light microscopy between Percoll and Sil-Select-treated groups. However, the percentage of normal shape and position of acrosome, and normal helix assembly of mitochondria under TEM were significantly higher in the Sil-Select-treated group compared to Percoll-treated group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that Sil-Select is less detrimental to the acrosome and mitochondria of spermatozoa in sperm preparation compared to Percoll.
Acrosome ; Humans ; Male ; Microscopy ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Mitochondria ; Semen ; Spermatozoa*

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) is an infrequent but serious complication of transplantation. Previous studies have suggested the terms of reference, "early PTLD" (referring to PTLD that occurs within 1 year of transplantation) and "late PTLD" (PTLD that occurs after 1 year). Early PTLD generally involves a single organ or nodal region and often responds favorably to a decrease in immunosuppression. Late PTLD tends to be disseminated, responds less frequently to a decrease in immunosuppression, and has a dismal prognosis. We encountered a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in a 44-year-old man who underwent kidney transplantation over 10 years ago, in 1995. In situ hybridization for Epstein-Barr virus showed positive results in tumor cell. With decreased immunosuppressants and chemotheraphy, he is currently in complete remission.
Male ; Humans

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: MLH1 and MSH2, which are DNA mismatched repair genes, used to be studied in HNPCC (hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer). Now, the defects in MLH1 and MSH2 are known to be related with malignant transformations of other tumor. Mismatched repair proteins are widely dispersed in the adnexal structures. According to studies, if mismatched repair proteins were stained, as melanocytic nevi progresses into melanocytic dysplastic nevi and cutaneous malignant melanoma, positive immunoreactivity decreases. The purpose of the study is to find out the appearance pattern of DNA mismatched repair proteins, and MLH1 and MSH2 known to be associated with microsatellite instability and carcinogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 19 patients who had been diagnosed with malignant melanoma by pathological study in Asan medical center between June, 1989 and January, 2002, 11 patients had mucosal malignant melanoma while 8 patients had malignant melanoma on the skin. There were 9 males and 10 females, with the average age of 55 (32-77). We investigated the nuclear positivity of MLH1 and MSH2 by immunochemical staining of paraffin tissue method. RESULTS: The nuclear positivity of MLH1 and MSH2 were 27.3% (3/11) and 36.8% (7/11), respectively, indicating that there were no significant differences. Three cases of 4 metastatic mucosal malignant melanoma cases showed negative MLH1 response and MSH2 had 2 positive and 2 negative responses. Biopsy after metastasis represented negative conversion of nuclear activity in MLH1 in only on case, and this indicated a loss of activity as the disease progressed. Four except one of the metastatic cutaneous malignant melanoma cases showed negative staining of MLH1 and MSH2. CONCLUSION: We found decreased nuclear activity in MLH1 and MSH2 in the cutaneous malignant melanoma and mucosal malignant melanoma. This information can be applied for diagnosis or follow-up methods of malignancy in the future.
Biopsy ; Carcinogenesis ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Colon ; Diagnosis ; DNA ; DNA Repair ; Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Melanoma* ; Microsatellite Instability ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Negative Staining ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Nevus, Pigmented ; Paraffin ; Skin

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the treatment outcomes, patterns of failure, and treatment related complications of primary lymphoma patients who received definitive radiation therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was undertaken for 31 patients with primary orbital lymphoma at the Asan Medical Center between February 1991 and April 2001. There were 18 males and 13 females with ages ranging from 3 to 73 years (median, 44 years). The involved sites were 9 conjunctivae, 12 eyelids and 10 other orbits. The histological types were 28 MALT lymphomas (low-grade B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue type), 1 diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, 1 anaplastic large cell lymphoma and 1 lymphoblastic lymphoma. The Ann Arbor stages were all IE (100%). Ann Arbor stage III or IV patients were excluded from this study. Bilateral orbital involvement occurred in 6 cases. Radiation therapy was given with one anterior port of high energy electrons (6~16 MeV) for the lesions located at the anterior structures like the conjunctivae or eyelids. Lesions with a posterior extension or other orbital lesions were treated with 4 or 6 MeV photons with appropriately arranged portals. In particular, lens blocks composed of lead alloy were used in conjunctival or eyelid lesions. Twelve patients received chemotherapy. The median follow-up period was 53 months. RESULTS: The 5-year overall, cause-specific, and disease-free survival was 91%, 96%, and 80%, respectively. The complete response rate 6 months after radiation therapy was 100%. Local recurrences were observed in 2 patients at 16 and 18 months after completion of radiation treatment. They were salvaged with additional radiation therapy. Two patients developed distant metastases. A MALT lymphoma patient with a lung relapse was successfully salvaged with radiotherapy, but the other lymphoblastic lymphoma patient with bone marrow relapse expired. There were no severe complications but 5 patients developed radiation-induced cataracts and 2 patients developed dry eye. CONCLUSION: Most primary orbital lymphomas consisted of MALT lymphomas. Radiation therapy was a successful treatment modality for orbital lymphoma without any severe complications. In cases of local relapses, radiation therapy is also a very successful salvage treatment modality.
Alloys ; Bone Marrow ; Cataract ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Conjunctiva ; Disease-Free Survival ; Drug Therapy ; Eyelids ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung ; Lymphoid Tissue ; Lymphoma* ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone ; Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic ; Male ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Orbit* ; Photons ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; Radiotherapy ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study evaluated the prevalence and location of colonic adenomatous polyps in asymptomatic adults. METHODS: A total of 2,849 asymptomatic adults underwent colonscopic screening as a part of health evaluation from January 2003 to September 2005. Completed questionnaires as well as the colonoscopic and pathologic findings were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 406 (14.3%) subjects with adenomatous polyps including 78 (2.7%) with advanced polyps. There was a trend toward an increased prevalence of adenomatous polyps with age. The relative risk of a proximal polyp according to the distal findings was 5.7 (95% CI 4.3 ~ 7.4) for adenoma, 4.9 (95% CI 3.0 ~ 7.7) for advanced adenoma compared with that for no adenomatous polyp. There were no index polyps at the distal colon in 30% of the 406 subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Though distal polyps are associated with the proximal polyps, 30% of asymptomatic adults with proximal polyps are not associated with any distal index polyps. For those without any contraindication to the procedure, colonoscopy performed by experienced colonoscopists as a screening test is feasible for detecting those patients with colorectal polyps.
Adenoma ; Adenomatous Polyps ; Adult* ; Colon* ; Colonic Neoplasms* ; Colonoscopy* ; Humans ; Mass Screening* ; Polyps ; Prevalence ; Surveys and Questionnaires

The molecular mechanism underlying the initiation of somatic cell reprogramming into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has not been well described. Thus, we generated single-cell-derived clones by using a combination of drug-inducible vectors encoding transcription factors (Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and Myc) and a single-cell expansion strategy. This system achieved a high reprogramming efficiency after metabolic and epigenetic remodeling. Functional analyses of the cloned cells revealed that extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling was downregulated at an early stage of reprogramming and that its inhibition was a driving force for iPSC formation. Among the reprogramming factors, Myc predominantly induced ERK suppression. ERK inhibition upregulated the conversion of somatic cells into iPSCs through concomitant suppression of serum response factor (SRF). Conversely, SRF activation suppressed the reprogramming induced by ERK inhibition and negatively regulated embryonic pluripotency by inducing differentiation via upregulation of immediate early genes, such as c-Jun, c-Fos and EGR1. These data reveal that suppression of the ERK-SRF axis is an initial molecular event that facilitates iPSC formation and may be a useful surrogate marker for cellular reprogramming.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of repeated photodynamic therapy (PDT) for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Korean patients. METHODS: Clinical data of patients who were treated with repeated (3 times or more) PDT for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to AMD and followed up for more than 6 months were collected from 17 hospitals around the country. Visual outcomes at 12 and 24 months, follow-up were compared between subtypes of choroidal neovascularization. The factors related to final visual prognosis and PDT-related adverse effects were evaluated. RESULTS: 244 patients (244 eyes) were recruited (male: 60%, age: 67.7+/-9.1 years). The portion of patients with predominantly classic, minimally classic, and occult without classic choroidal neovascularization was 57%, 13%, and 24%, respectively and that of patients with visual improvements or less than moderate visual loss at 24 months follow-up were 28%, 38%, 30% and 47%, 56%, and 65%, respectively. Baseline visual acuity and age were significantly related to the final visual prognosis (p<0.05). PDT-related adverse events developed in 15 (6.1%) patients, but most were mild and transient. CONCLUSIONS: Repeated PDT for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to AMD has effects comparable to those of previous prospective, controlled trials without any significant safety concerns in Korea.
Choroid* ; Choroidal Neovascularization* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Korea ; Macular Degeneration* ; Photochemotherapy* ; Prognosis ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence and clinical features of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Korea. METHODS: Web-based (www.armd-nova.or.kr) registration was conducted for AMD patients aged 50 or more who were newly diagnosed by retinal specialists in Korea from August 20, 2005 to August 20, 2006. Patient data including ophthalmologic examination, fundus photography, fluorescein angiogram and/or indocyanin green angiogram (ICG), past medical history, behavioral habit, combined systemic diseases were up-loaded. RESULTS: Among finally enrolled 1,141 newly diagnosed AMD patients, 690 patients (60.5%) were male and 451 patients (39.5%) were female. The average age of AMD patients was 69.7+/-8.0. Early AMD was observed in 190 patients and 951 patients had late AMD. Classic choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) was observed in 18.6% of exudative AMD patients and 63.4 % had occult CNVM. Subfoveal CNVM was observed in 80.4% of the patients with CNVM. Among the 580 exudative AMD eyes that performed indocyanin green angiography (ICG), 184 eyes (31.7%) had polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and 36 eyes (6.2%) showed retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP). Age, male gender, smoking, diabetes and hypertension significantly increased the risk of the AMD among Koreans. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the low rate of participation by retinal specialists, definite incidence of AMD was not obtainable. However, the estimated 1-year AMD incidence in the Pusan area of Korea is at least 0.4%. In contrast to Western people, 31.7% of exudative AMD cases were revealed to be PCV and 6.2% were revealed to be RAP. This discrepancy between ethnic groups should be considered in the diagnosis and treatment modality selection of Korean AMD patients.
Aged ; Angiography ; Choroid ; Ethnic Groups ; Eye ; Female ; Fluorescein ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Korea ; Macular Degeneration ; Male ; Membranes ; Photography ; Retinaldehyde ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Specialization