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*

BACKGROUND: An exact ABO blood group is essential for prevention of transfusion accident and safe transfusion therapy. It is known that one of causes of ABO discrepancies is ABO subgroup caused by genetic polymorphism. Therefore, we analyzed ABO genotype of ABO discrepancies in blood donors and studied the distribution and cause of ABO discrepancies. METHODS: This study examined 118 samples showing ABO discrepancies of ABO blood typing between May 2003 and Dec 2003. ABO genotyping using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) method was performed on 118 samples. Restriction enzymes including BssH II, Kpn I and Alu I were used for PCR-RFLP. RESULTS: The genotypes of 118 cases were composed of 43 cases of A/B, 12 cases of A/O, 10 cases of B/O, 1 case of B/B, 37 cases of cis-AB/O, 4 cases of cis-AB/A, 11 cases of cis-AB/B. The genotype of cis-AB/O showed 32 cases with phenotype A2 B3 , 2 cases with phenotype A2 B, 2 cases with phenotype A1 B3 , 1 case with phenotype Ael B. The genotype of cis-AB/B showed 11 cases with phenotype A2 B, and cis-AB/A showed 2 cases with phenotype A2 B3 , 1 case with phenotype A1 Bx and 1 case with phenotype A1 Bel. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrated that the most frequent genotype of ABO discrepancies in our study is cis-AB. The most predominent phenotype of cis-AB/O is A2 B3 . ABO genotyping is useful in resolving ABO discrepancies, and determination of ABO subgroups.
Blood Donors* ; Blood Grouping and Crossmatching ; Genotype ; Humans ; Phenotype ; Polymorphism, Genetic

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of portal hypertension on the tumor recurrence in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and without hepatic decompression following radiofrequency ablation (RFA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Treatment-naïve HCC patients within the Milan criteria and with Child-Pugh class A were included in this study, who had performed RFA in our hospital between January 2010 and March 2017. Univariate and multivariate analyses using the Cox proportional hazard model were performed to find the predictors of local or distant tumor recurrence. RESULTS: Overall, 178 patients were included in this study. Median follow-up period was 40.2 months. The difference in the local tumor progression rates depending on the absence or presence of portal hypertension was not statistically significant (p = 0.195). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year distant intrahepatic tumor spread rates were 6.6%, 29.5%, and 537% in patients without portal hypertension, and 23.4%, 51.9%, and 63.6% in patients with portal hypertension, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (p = 0.011). Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that portal hypertension was an independent predictor for distant intrahepatic tumor spread (p = 0.008). CONCLUSION For HCC patients with Child-Pugh class A, portal hypertension adversely affected distant intrahepatic tumor progression.

Ceramides are the main lipid component maintaining the lamellae structure of stratum corneum, as well as lipid second messengers for the regulation of cellular proliferation and/or apoptosis. In our previous study, psoriatic skin lesions showed marked decreased levels of ceramides and signaling molecules, specially protein kinase C-alpha (PKC-alpha) and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in proportion to the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) scores, which suggested that the depletion of ceramide is responsible for epidermal hyperproliferation of psoriasis via downregulation of proapoptotic signal cascade such as PKC-alpha and JNK. In this study, we investigated the protein expression of serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT) and ceramidase, two major ceramide metabolizing enzymes, in both psoriatic epidermis and non-lesional epidermis. The expression of SPT, the ceramide generating enzyme in the de novo synthesis in psoriatic epidermis, was significantly less than that of the non-lesional epidermis, which was inversely correlated with PASI score. However, the expression of ceramidase, the degradative enzyme of ceramides, showed no significant difference between the lesional epidermis and the non-lesional epidermis of psoriatic patients. This might suggest that decreased expression of SPT protein is one of the important causative factors for decreased ceramide levels in psoriasis.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Amidohydrolases/*biosynthesis/metabolism ; Apoptosis ; Cell Proliferation ; Ceramidases ; Ceramides/chemistry ; Child ; Epidermis/metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism ; Male ; Models, Biological ; Protein Kinase C-alpha/metabolism ; Psoriasis/*blood/diagnosis ; Serine C-Palmitoyltransferase/*biosynthesis

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the long-term effects of Hospital Information System(HIS) on nurses' job pattern and satisfaction, and attitudes toward electronic medical record system. METHODS: Prospective survey using repeated measures design was performed to compare the changes between 2 years and 4 years after introduction of HIS in a tertiary hospital. Participants were 374 nurses working in the target hospital. Questionnaire was developed by researchers based on Walker, Eyman, Krall, Prophet, and Flanagan(1996)'s study and consisted of 21 questions about job pattern, job satisfaction, and attitudes toward computerization and paper record system. RESULTS: Overall time for documentation, shift reporting, communication with other departments were reduced. Otherwise, direct nursing time was not increased after HIS. Nurses showed positive responses on changes of job pattern after HIS while job satisfaction has been decreased. In addition, nurses' attitudes toward hospital information system and paper medical record system showed they were accepting computerized information system. CONCLUSION: This study identified the long-term positive effects of HIS and the need for nursing sensitive hospital information system.
Electronic Health Records ; Hospital Information Systems* ; Information Systems ; Job Satisfaction ; Medical Records ; Nursing ; Prospective Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Tertiary Care Centers

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*

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to confirm the stem cell-like properties of the dental pulp stromal cells and to evaluate the morphologic changes during in vitro chondrogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stromal cells were outgrown from the dental pulp tissue of the premolars. Surface markers were investigated and cell proliferation rate was compared to other mesenchymal stem cells. Multipotency of the pulp cells was confirmed by inducing osteogenesis, adipogenesis and chondrogenesis. The morphologic changes in the chondrogenic pellet during the 21 day of induction were evaluated under light microscope and transmission electron microscope. TUNEL assay was used to evaluate apoptosis within the chondrogenic pellets. RESULTS: Pulp cells were CD90, 105 positive and CD31, 34 negative. They showed similar proliferation rate to other stem cells. Pulp cells differentiated to osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic tissues. During chondrogenesis, 3-dimensional pellet was created with multi-layers, hypertrophic chondrocyte-like cells and cartilage-like extracellular matrix. However, cell morphology became irregular and apoptotic cells were increased after 7 day of chondrogenic induction. CONCLUSIONS: Pulp cells indicated mesenchymal stem cell-like characteristics. During the in vitro chondrogenesis, cellular activity was superior during the earlier phase (within 7 day) of differentiation.
Adipogenesis ; Apoptosis ; Bicuspid ; Cartilage ; Cell Proliferation ; Chondrogenesis ; Dental Pulp ; Durapatite ; Electrons ; Extracellular Matrix ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Light ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Osteogenesis ; Stem Cells ; Stromal Cells

BACKGROUND/AIMS: It is unknown whether pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is an effective intervention to manage coal-worker pneumoconiosis (CWP). We evaluated the efficacy and safety of an individualized PR program in 53 patients with CWP hospitalized in two medical institutions. METHODS: The PR program consisted of upper and lower extremity exercises to improve exercise endurance and skeletal musculoskeletal strength. All subjects performed treadmill and ergometer exercise with steady loading weights three times/week for 12 weeks. The following tests were performed before and after the study to investigate the efficacy of the PR program: modified Borg scale, pulmonary function test, mid-thigh circumference, maximum muscular strength, 6-min walk distance (6MWD), and the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), Korean version. RESULTS: Forty patients (75.5%) completed their PR programs. They improved significantly on the modified Borg scale, mid-thigh circumference, maximum muscular strength, 6MWD (all p < 0.000), and SGRQ (p = 0.007); however, no significant improvement was observed on the pulmonary function test. A significant improvement in dyspnea (p = 0.004) and 6MWD (p = 0.002) was observed in 12 patients with forced expiratory volume in 1 sec < 60%. The PR program with smoking cessation resulted in significantly more improvement on the 6MWD (p < 0.0001) and the SGRQ score (p = 0.002), as compared to those of patients who did not quit smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that an individualized 12-week PR program improves exercise capacity and quality of life for patients with CWP.
Dyspnea ; Exercise ; Exercise Therapy ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Pneumoconiosis* ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Rehabilitation* ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Smoking Cessation ; Weights and Measures

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

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are membrane receptors whose agonist-induced dynamic conformational changes trigger heterotrimeric G protein activation, followed by GRK-mediated phosphorylation and arrestin-mediated desensitization. Cytosolic regions of GPCRs have been studied extensively because they are direct contact sites with G proteins, GRKs, and arrestins. Among various cytosolic regions, the role of helix 8 is least understood, although a few studies have suggested that it is involved in G protein activation, receptor localization, and/or internalization. In the present study, we investigated the role of helix 8 in dopamine receptor signaling focusing on dopamine D1 receptor (D1R) and dopamine D2 receptor (D2R). D1R couples exclusively to Gs, whereas D2R couples exclusively to Gi. Bioinformatic analysis implied that the sequences of helix 8 may affect GPCR-G protein coupling selectivity; therefore, we evaluated if swapping helix 8 between D1R and D2R changed G protein selectivity. Our results suggest that helix 8 is not involved in D1R-Gs or D2R-Gi coupling selectivity. Instead, we observed that D1R with D2R helix 8 or D1R with an increased number of hydrophobic residues in helix 8 relative to wild-type showed diminished β-arrestin-mediated desensitization, resulting in increased Gs signaling.
Arrestin ; Arrestins ; Computational Biology ; Cytosol ; Dopamine ; Family Characteristics ; GTP-Binding Proteins ; Membranes ; Phosphorylation ; Receptors, Dopamine D1 ; Receptors, Dopamine D2 ; Receptors, Dopamine