Glutathione S-transferase(GST) is a family of enzymes which plays an important role in cellular detoxification by catalyzing the conjugation of electrophilic xenobiotics with glutathione and recently have been shown to be closely associated with chemical carcinogenesis and resistance to cytotoxic drugs in several types of malienancies. However, it remains ill-defined about the role of GST in bladder tumor. Herein we performed immunohistochemical study using polyclonal antibody directed against acidic(pi form) and basic GST and analyzed the intensity(0-3+) and proportion(grade 1-4) of staining in bladder specimens from 50 patients with bladder tumor and from 10 normal controls. On GST-pi immunohistochemical stain, normal bladder mucosa was stained only focally and in low intensity, whereas the staining intensity and proportion were significantly increased in transitional cell hyperplasia, dysplasia /carcinoma in situ(CIS), and overt carcinoma (p<0.05). The staining intensity and proportion of GST-pi were significantly lower in invasive and high grade (III, IV/VI) transitional cell carcinoma(TCC) compared to superficial and low grade TCC (p<0.001). There were no significant differences in the intensity and proportion of GST-pi staining between superficial bladder TCC which recurred and which did not recur after prophylactic intravesical chemotherapy. On basic GST immunohistochemical stain, normal bladder as well as preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions or the bladder showed only focal and low intensity staining. These results suggest that GST-pi may be a marker of preneoplatic lesions and low grade, superficial TCC or bladder and that invasive and high grade TCC of bladder may have another cellular deloxilication mechanism different from GST. GST may not be the major mechanism of drug resistance in superficial bladder TCC. The role or basic GST in normal bladder as well as in bladder TCC is in doubt.
Carcinogenesis ; Drug Resistance ; Drug Therapy ; Glutathione Transferase* ; Glutathione* ; Humans* ; Hyperplasia ; Mucous Membrane ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; Urinary Bladder* ; Xenobiotics

BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis plays an important role in determining the fat graft survival. However, clinical preconditioning techniques that target angiogenesis during fat grafting have not been established so far. Adenosine has emerged as a regulator of angiogenesis under hypoxic conditions; therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of adenosine prefabrication on fat graft survival. METHODS: In the first animal study, a total of 32 mice were transplanted with fat prefabricated with vehicle (Control, N = 16) or adenosine (Adenosine, N = 16). In the second animal study, 24 mice were divided into three groups based on the type of fat graft: Control (N = 8), Adenosine (N = 8), and Axitinib (cotreatment of adenosine with axitinib, N = 8). At 1- and 4-weeks post-transplantation, grafts were evaluated by histopathological and biochemical assessment. Adenosineinduced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production and angiogenesis were determined using cell cultures. RESULTS: The retention volumes of fat grafts in the adenosine group were significantly increased until 4 weeks. Fat grafts from the adenosine group exhibited greater structural integrity, reduced fibrosis, and increased blood vessels. The expression levels of angiogenesis-related genes, Vegfa, Vegfr1, Vegfr2, and Vwf, were elevated in the adenosine group. Furthermore, adenosine upregulated VEGF production in preadipocytes, thereby enhancing the migration of endothelial cells. Treatment with the axitinib, VEGF receptor inhibitor, abrogated the adenosine-induced angiogenesis in the fat grafts. CONCLUSION Adenosine prefabrication in fat improved the graft survival by enhancing angiogenesis through the VEGF/VEGFR axis in the preadipocytes and endothelial cells. Therefore, this method may be used as a novel strategy to increase the retention rate in fat grafts.

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is known to be a genetic disorder that prevalent among populations surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. Since Mediterranean fever gene (MEFV) was discovered at 1997, some cases have been reported in countries not related or close to this area like Japan. In addition it has been generally accepted that the clinical onset of FMF begins before 20 yr of age in most patients. Onset of the disease at an older age may occur but is rare. Adult-onset FMF may be a form of disease with distinct clinical, demographic and molecular characteristics. We describe a case of adult-onset FMF confirmed by DNA analysis of the MEFV gene in a Korean patient. A 32-yr-old man, who has no family history of FMF, presented with periodic fever, abdominal pain and vomiting. Though several various tests were thoroughly performed to evaluate the cause of his symptoms, there was no evidence of infectious, autoimmune or neoplastic diseases. Several gene analysis of periodic fever syndrome was finally performed and two point mutations (p.Leu110Pro, p.Glu148Gln) were identified. We confirmed the first adult case of FMF through detection of MEFV gene mutations in Korea and describe his clinical characteristics.
Abdominal Pain/etiology ; Adult ; Cytoskeletal Proteins/*genetics/metabolism ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Familial Mediterranean Fever/*diagnosis/genetics ; Fever/etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Republic of Korea ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vomiting/etiology

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is known to be a genetic disorder that prevalent among populations surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. Since Mediterranean fever gene (MEFV) was discovered at 1997, some cases have been reported in countries not related or close to this area like Japan. In addition it has been generally accepted that the clinical onset of FMF begins before 20 yr of age in most patients. Onset of the disease at an older age may occur but is rare. Adult-onset FMF may be a form of disease with distinct clinical, demographic and molecular characteristics. We describe a case of adult-onset FMF confirmed by DNA analysis of the MEFV gene in a Korean patient. A 32-yr-old man, who has no family history of FMF, presented with periodic fever, abdominal pain and vomiting. Though several various tests were thoroughly performed to evaluate the cause of his symptoms, there was no evidence of infectious, autoimmune or neoplastic diseases. Several gene analysis of periodic fever syndrome was finally performed and two point mutations (p.Leu110Pro, p.Glu148Gln) were identified. We confirmed the first adult case of FMF through detection of MEFV gene mutations in Korea and describe his clinical characteristics.
Abdominal Pain/etiology ; Adult ; Cytoskeletal Proteins/*genetics/metabolism ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Familial Mediterranean Fever/*diagnosis/genetics ; Fever/etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Republic of Korea ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vomiting/etiology

A 42 day-old male infant visited to our emergency room with chief complaints of convulsion. Prenatal and birth histories were unremarkable. The patient appeared well except persistent jaundice and had no signs of increased intracranial pressure. The head circumference at birth was not measured. The head circumference at 42 days was 39cm(50th percnntile) At the age of 42 days, tonic convulsion developed suddenly and soon fell into coma. The patient died, 20 hours after arrival. Postmortem examiation revealed a large necrotic tumor mass in the left lateral ventricle of the cerebral hemispheres. The tumor growths were histologically composed of partly papillary but most undifferentiated carcinoma arising from the choroid plexus of the left lateral ventricle. In addition to celluar anaplasia many mitoses were observed. The tumor masses invaded periventricular while matter and also extended to subarachnoid space of the cerebral and cerebellar hemispheres. The central part of the tumor was undergoing necrosis and massive hemorrhage which extended into surrounding brain parenchyme.
Anaplasia ; Brain ; Carcinoma ; Cerebrum ; Choroid Plexus Neoplasms* ; Choroid Plexus* ; Choroid* ; Coma ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Head ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Infant* ; Intracranial Pressure ; Jaundice ; Lateral Ventricles ; Male ; Mitosis ; Necrosis ; Parturition ; Reproductive History ; Seizures ; Subarachnoid Space

OBJECTS: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of cognitive differentiation training program-Korean version(a training program of attention and conceptual abilities) on cognitive function, psychopathology and problem solving skills in patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: A total of patients diagnosed as schizophrenia using DSM-IV were randomly assigned to 2 groups. The training group went through a total of 22 sessions of cognitive differentiation training (60min/sessionX2sessions/wkX11wks). The attention-placebo control group received psychoeducation program during the same period. Arithmetic, vocabulary, similarities, picture completion of Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Korean version, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, and Social Problem Solving Scales were administered to all patients, both before and after the training program. RESULTS: In the arithmetic scores(F=6.35, af=1, p=0.018) of Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Korean version, and total scores(F=6.35, af=1, p=0.018) and problem solving skill scale scores (F=4.88, af=1, p=0.036) of social problem solving scale, interaction effects of training was significant. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that cognitive differentiation training program-Korean version is effective on improving auditory attention and problem solving skills in patients with schizophrenia.
Adult ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Education ; Humans ; Intelligence ; Problem Solving ; Psychopathology ; Rehabilitation* ; Schizophrenia ; Social Problems ; Vocabulary ; Weights and Measures

OBJECTIVES: This study, as a preliminary one attempting to develop the Korean version of Integrated Therapy for the rehabilitation of schizophrenic patients, was designed to investigate the results of Integrated Psychological Therapy(IPT) and review the problems during the program application. METHODS: Cognitive Differentiation Scale, Problem-Solving Scale, and PANSS(Positive And Negative Syndrome Scale) were administered to schizophrenic inpatients before and after IPT incorporating cognitive differentiation, social perception, verbal communication, social skill and interpersonal problem-solving skill subprograms. The therapy groups were offered activities three times per week during the 12-week program. The control groups were attention-placebo groups for control ling factors such as group interaction and social attention, and were offered psychoeducation. RESULTS: The 12-week IPT groups, compared with the control groups, demonstrated significant improvements in the general psychopathology and the total symptoms of PANSS, but did not in cognitive functions and problem-solving skill. Significant improvements in cognitive functions were found only after cognitive differentiation subprogram and social skill subprogram had limited effects on social skills. But within 12-week IPT groups significant improvements in the positive symptoms, negative symptoms and general psychopathology were found. CONCLUSION: These findings support some effectiveness of IPT, but do not address the unique contribution by cognitive components. Applied to schizophrenic patients in this country, this modality had the problems such as differences in sociocultural and lingual background, duration of treatment, homogeneity in the level of the functioning among group members, management of emotions in activities, and the therapists' skill in the training of cognitive components. So the modification of this modality will be required.
Humans ; Inpatients ; Psychopathology ; Rehabilitation ; Schizophrenia ; Social Perception