BACKGROUND: Positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) ventilation is well established as an integral part of the management of patients with the acute lung injury. PEEP is a key element in the treatment of hypoxemia resulting from pulmonary edema. Pulmonary capillary pressure (Pcap) is the most important factor influencing lung edema formation, and an understanding of how Pcap is altered by variations of PEEP or pulmonary arterial occlusion pressure (PAOP) is important to improve the treatment of acute lung injury patients. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of PEEP on the pulmonary capillary pressure in acute lung injury patients. METHODS: This was a prospective study of 11 acute lung injury patients. The effect of PEEP on pulmonary circulation at four different levels (0,4,8, and 12cm H2O) was analyzed. Pcap was estimated visually at bed side with Swan Ganz catheters. The pulmonary vasculature was analyzed by calculating the pressure difference at the arterial and venous parts of the circulation. RESULTS: As PEEP increased from 0 to 12 cm H2O, the mean puhnonary arterial pressure (PAP) and Pcap increased respectively from 22.7 ± 7.4 to 25.3 ± 7.3 mmHg and 15.3 ± 3.3 to 17.8 ±3.2 mmHg (p<0.05). Similarly, PAOP increased from 9.8 ± 2.1 to 12.8 ± 2.1 mmHg and the central venous pressure increased from 6.1 ± 1.6 to 9.3 1: 2.3 mmHg(p<0.05). However, the pressure gradient at the arterial (PAP-Pcap) and venous (Pcap-Pcwp) part of pulmonary circulation remained unchanged at all evaluated PEEP levels. CONCLUSION: Although Pcap increasoo gradually with increased PEEP, the pressure gradient at the arterial and venous part of the pulmonary vasculature remained unchanged at all evaluated PEEP levels in acute lung injury patients.
Acute Lung Injury* ; Anoxia ; Arterial Pressure ; Capillaries* ; Catheters ; Central Venous Pressure ; Edema ; Humans ; Lung ; Positive-Pressure Respiration* ; Prospective Studies ; Pulmonary Circulation ; Pulmonary Edema ; Ventilation

Docetaxel is a taxoid antineoplastic drug, which is widely used to treat locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Among the adverse dermatological reactions, nail disorders such as bending, onycholysis, hypo- or hyperpigmentation are rare. We report a case of a 62-year-old male with advanced NSCLC (cT4N3M1, stage IV), who developed purulent discharge and onycholysis in the nail of all his fingers and the left great toe after five courses of anti-neoplastic chemotherapy, which included docetaxel (cumulative dose: 370 mg/m2, 590 mg). Seven days after the final session of chemotherapy, the patient had become aware of discoloration and swelling of the nail beds with out pain. Three days later, greenish-yellow purulent discharge oozed out from the involved nails. Microbiologic studies revealed Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Intravenous and topical antibiotics (mupirocin) were applied. After 2 weeks, regrown nails were observed and the onycholysis had improved.
Abscess* ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; Drug Therapy ; Fingers ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Onycholysis* ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Toes

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study investigates correlations between circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) and obesity-related parameters among young women (aged 20–30 years old) in Korea. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We analyzed TaqMan low density arrays (TLDAs) of circulating miRNAs in 9 lean (body mass index [BMI] < 25 kg/m2) and 15 obese (BMI > 25 kg/m2) women. We also performed gene ontology (GO) analyses of the biological functions of predicted miRNA target genes, and clustered the results using the database for annotation, visualization and integrated discovery. RESULTS: The TLDA cards contain 754 human miRNAs; of these, the levels of 8 circulating miRNAs significantly declined (> 2-fold) in obese subjects compared with those in lean subjects, including miR-1227, miR-144-5p, miR-192, miR-320, miR-320b, miR-484, miR-324- 3p, and miR-378. Among them, miR-484 and miR-378 displayed the most significant inverse correlations with BMI (miR-484, r = −0.5484, P = 0.0056; miR-378, r = −0.5538, P = 0.0050) and visceral fat content (miR-484, r = −0.6141, P = 0.0014; miR-378, r = −0.6090, P = 0.0017). GO analysis indicated that genes targeted by miR-484 and miR-378 had major roles in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. CONCLUSION Our result showed the differentially expressed circulating miRNAs in obese subjects compared to lean subjects. Although the mechanistic study to reveal the causal role of miRNAs remains, these miRNAs may be novel biomarkers for obesity.

PURPOSE: The expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP- 2) by cancer cells has been implicated in metastasis through cancer cell invasion of the basement membranes mediated by a degradation of collagen IV. However, the MMP-2 proenzyme requires proteolytic activation for its physiologic or pathologic role. We tried to 1) compare expression and activation of MMP-2 in breast cancers with benign tumors, 2) determine the correlation between the actviation of MMP-2 in breast cancer and established prognostic factors, 3) observe whether MMP-2 is expressed and activated in axillary lymph nodes as well, and 4) determine the degree of correlation between MMP-2 activity in lymph nodes and metastatic status, if MMP-2 is expressed in lymph node. METHODS: The specimens came from 11 fibroadenomas, 32 invasive ductal carcinoma and 129 axillary lymph nodes from cancer cases. Pro-MMP-2 cDNA transfected MDA-MB-231 cells were cultured and the conditioned media from them was used for a control. Zymography was used to monitor MMP-2 activation through the detection of the inactive proenzyme form (72 kDa) and the active form (62 kDa). Immunohistochemical staining was also performed for the localization of MMP-2 expression in tissues. RESULTS: 1) 72 kDa was expressed in all fibroadenomas and cancers, while 62 kDa was expressed in only 10 cases of fibroadenomas and all cancers. MMP-2 activity (62 kDa/72 kDa +62 kDa) was significantly higher in cancers than in fibroadenomas (P=0.014). 2) MMP-2 activity in cancers was significantly correlated with nodal metastasis (P=0.040). 3) The expression of MMP-2 in lymph nodes was very low and MMP-2 activity was not correlated with metastatic status. However, the immunohistochemical staining showed different staining patterns between the metastatic and non-metastatic nodes. CONCLUSION: We suggest that a measurement of the activation of MMP-2 could be useful as a prognostic marker representing metastatic potential in breast cancer. However, the low expression of MMP-2 in lymph nodes is an interesting subject for further study.
Basement Membrane ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Carcinoma, Ductal ; Collagen ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; DNA, Complementary ; Fibroadenoma ; Lymph Nodes ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2* ; Neoplasm Metastasis*

Benign endobronchial tumors are rare diseases with an incidenced of between 1 and 5% of all lung tumors. An endobronchial fibroepithelial polyp is an extremely rare form of benign bronchial tumor. Clinically, an endobronchial fibroepithelial polyp causes an airway obstruction and obstructive pneumonitis as does other endobronchial tumors. Therefore, it is important to differentiate an endobronchial fibroepithelial polyp pathologically from other benign endobronchial tumors and bronchogenic carcinomas. Here, we report a case of an endobronchial fibroepithelial polyp, in a 25-year-old man who had suffered from chest discomfort upon deep breathing with a brief review of the relevant literature.
Adult ; Airway Obstruction ; Carcinoma, Bronchogenic ; Humans ; Lung ; Pneumonia ; Polyps* ; Rare Diseases ; Respiration ; Thorax

PURPOSE: Insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP-3) and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) are tumor-suppressor genes that may be involved in breast tumorigenesis. However, the roles of these genes in the regulation of breast cancer growth or progress are unclear. In this study, we aimed to find any correlation between the reduction of IGFBP-3 or PTEN protein expression in cancer tissues and the clinicopathological parameters in breast cancer. METHODS: We collected both cancer and adjacent normal tissues from 46 breast cancer patients (from January 1 to December 31, 2006), and checked the IGFBP-3 and PTEN protein levels in cancer and adjacent normal tissues using Western immunoblot. We evaluated the correlation of reduction status of IGFBP-3 and PTEN protein expression with variable clinicopathological parameters. RESULTS: The frequency of IGFBP-3 and PTEN protein reduction in cancer tissue, compared to adjacent normal tissue, was 63.0% and 34.8%, respectively. And in 87.5% of patients, who showed significant PTEN reduction, IGFBP-3 protein expression was reduced in cancer tissues. In contrast, IGFBP-3 protein reduced in only 50% of patients who didn't show PTEN reduction. However, we did not find any significant correlation between reduction of IGFBP-3 or PTEN expression in cancer tissue and variable clinicopathological parameters. CONCLUSION: The IGFBP-3 and PTEN genes were expressed in all breast cancer tissues. Nonetheless, we did not find any significant relationship between reduction of IGFBP-3 or PTEN expression and the clinicopathological parameters in this study. Therefore, further studies are needed to document the roles of IGFBP-3 and PTEN genes in breast cancer growth or progress.
Blotting, Western ; Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Carrier Proteins ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 ; Microfilament Proteins ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase

BACKGROUND: In mammals, the activity of antioxidant enzymes is increased in adult lung to adapt to hyperoxia. The increase of these activities is augmented in neonates and is known as an important mechanism of tolerance to high oxygen levels. Peroxiredoxin(Prx) is an abundant and ubiquitous intracellular antioxidant enzyme. Prx I and II are major cytosolic subtypes. The aim of this study was to examine the Prx I and II mRNA and protein expression levels in adult rat lungs and to compare then with those of neonatal rat lungs exposed to hyperoxia. METHODS: Adult Sprague-Dawley rats and neonates that were delivered from timed-pregnant Sprague-Dawley rat were randomly exposed to normoxia or hyperoxia. After exposure to high oxygen level for a set time, the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung tissue were obtained. The Prx I and II protein expression levels were measured by western blot analysis using polyclonal rabbit anti-Prx I or anti-Prx II antibodies and the relative expression of the Prx I and Prx II per Actin protein were obtained as an internal standard. The Prx I and II mRNA expression levels were measured by northernblot analysis using Prx I and Prx II-specific cDNA prepared from pCRPrx I and pCRPrx II, and the relative Prx I and Prx II expression levels per Actin mRNA were obtained as an internal standard. RESULTS: Hyperoxia induced some peak increase in the Prx I mRNA levels after 24 hour in adult rats. Interestingly, hyperoxia induced a marked increase of Prx I mRNA at 24 hour in neonatal rats. However, hyperoxia did not induce an alteration in the expression of Prx II mRNA in both the adult and neonatal rat lungs. Hyperoxia did not induce an alteration in the expression of the Prx I and Prx II protein in both the adult and neonatal rat lungs. Hyperoxia did not induce an alteration in the amount of Prx I and Prx II protein all the times in the bronchoalveolar fluid of adult rats. CONCLUSION: Prx I and II is differently regulated by hyperoxia in adult and neonatal rat lung at the transcriptional level. The prominent upregulation of Prx I mRNA in neonates compared to those in adults by hyperoxia may be another mechanism of resistance to high oxygen levels in neonate.
Pregnancy ; Adult ; Male ; Female ; Infant, Newborn ; Humans ; Rabbits ; Rats ; Animals

PURPOSE: The expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP- 2) by cancer cells has been implicated in metastasis through cancer cell invasion of the basement membranes mediated by a degradation of collagen IV. However, the MMP-2 proenzyme requires proteolytic activation for its physiologic or pathologic role. We tried to 1) compare expression and activation of MMP-2 in breast cancers with benign tumors, 2) determine the correlation between the actviation of MMP-2 in breast cancer and established prognostic factors, 3) observe whether MMP-2 is expressed and activated in axillary lymph nodes as well, and 4) determine the degree of correlation between MMP-2 activity in lymph nodes and metastatic status, if MMP-2 is expressed in lymph node. METHODS: The specimens came from 11 fibroadenomas, 32 invasive ductal carcinoma and 129 axillary lymph nodes from cancer cases. Pro-MMP-2 cDNA transfected MDA-MB-231 cells were cultured and the conditioned media from them was used for a control. Zymography was used to monitor MMP-2 activation through the detection of the inactive proenzyme form (72 kDa) and the active form (62 kDa). Immunohistochemical staining was also performed for the localization of MMP-2 expression in tissues. RESULTS: 1) 72 kDa was expressed in all fibroadenomas and cancers, while 62 kDa was expressed in only 10 cases of fibroadenomas and all cancers. MMP-2 activity (62 kDa/72 kDa +62 kDa) was significantly higher in cancers than in fibroadenomas (P=0.014). 2) MMP-2 activity in cancers was significantly correlated with nodal metastasis (P=0.040). 3) The expression of MMP-2 in lymph nodes was very low and MMP-2 activity was not correlated with metastatic status. However, the immunohistochemical staining showed different staining patterns between the metastatic and non-metastatic nodes. CONCLUSION: We suggest that a measurement of the activation of MMP-2 could be useful as a prognostic marker representing metastatic potential in breast cancer. However, the low expression of MMP-2 in lymph nodes is an interesting subject for further study.
Basement Membrane ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Carcinoma, Ductal ; Collagen ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; DNA, Complementary ; Fibroadenoma ; Lymph Nodes ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2* ; Neoplasm Metastasis*

OBJECTIVES: Little is known about the effect of waist circumference (WC) on brachial artery pulse wave velocity (baPWV) independent of hip circumference (HC). Therefore, this study aimed to dissociate specific effect of WC on baPWV independent of HC. METHODS: Of 1,053 rural residents (2004-2005), 777 subjects with no known history of coronary artery diseases or diabetes mellitus over 40 yr were included. To reduce collinearity, we assessed the independent effect of WC with HC on PWV by residual method (WC [RM]). RESULTS: In women, most correlation coefficients were significant between measures of abdominal obesity and baPWV, with the highest (0.32) in waist to hip ratio (WHR), whereas no significance was found in men. All mean values of baPWV among the abdominally obese were higher than those of normal group in women, which were in the order of WHR, WC (RM), and WC. Adjusted OR with 95% CI for baPWV was significantly elevated by increase of WC (RM) upto 4.8 (95% CI: 2.1-11.2), and as 4.3 by WHR (95% CI: 1.6-11.4). CONCLUSION: Considering the difficulty in biologically interpreting WHR, WC (RM) may be a useful indicator of abdominal obesity among females in that it reflects the risk of pulse wave velocity.
Brachial Artery ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Female ; Hip ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Pulse Wave Analysis ; Waist Circumference ; Waist-Hip Ratio

0.05). In transverse plane, the distance between S1-S0 of PNS was -3.87+/-2.37 mm, S2-S0 of PNS was -3.79+/-2.39 mm, and S1-S2 of PNS was -0.08+/-0.18 mm. There were significant differences between these data (P<0.05). In coronal plane, the distance between S1-S0 of A-point was 3.99+/-0.86 mm, S2-S0 was 3.57+/-1.09 mm, and S1-S2 was 0.42+/-0.42 mm. There were significant differences between these data (P<0.05). In coronal plane, the distance between S1-S0 of PNS was 3.82+/-0.96 mm, S2-S0 was 3.43+/-0.91 mm, and S1-S2 was 0.39+/-0.49 mm. There were significant differences between these data (P<0.05). In transverse plane, it was estimated that PNS has no statistical postoperative stability in the same direction. In coronal plane, it was estimated that both A-point and PNS had no statistical postoperative stability (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Clinically, the operation plan needs to take into account of the maxillary relapse.]]>
Humans ; Malocclusion ; Maxilla ; Osteotomy ; Osteotomy, Sagittal Split Ramus ; Recurrence ; Spine