OBJECTIVE: Recent epidermiologic studies suggested that alterations in folate metabolism as a result of polymorphism in the enzyme 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase(MTHFR) have been frequently associated with neural tube defects, vascular disease, and some cancers. A common 677C->T polymorphism in the MTHFR gene results in thermolability and reduced MTHFR activity that decreases the pool of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and increases the pool of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate. A possible cause underlying altered DNA methylation could be an insufficient level of S-adenosylmethionine as a consequence of weaker alleles of MTHFR gene. Therefore, the weak MTHFR activity may underlie susceptibility to brain neoplasms. We now report the associations of MTHFR polymorphisms in three groups of adult brain tumors: gliomas, meningiomas and schwannomas. METHODS: We analyzed DNA of 71 brain tumors and 254 age- and sex-matched controls with a case-control study. MTHFR variant alleles were determined by a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. RESULTS: The incidence of the MTHFR 677TT genotype was higher among 20 schwannoma cases compared with that of 254 controls, conferring a 5-fold increase of the risk of schwannomas(odds ratio, OR=4.75 ; 95% confidence index, CI=1.05-21.50). The homozygous mutant group had half the risk of meningioma(OR=0.42:95% CI = 0.11-1.58) compared with the homozygous normal or heterozygous genotypes. There was no significant difference in MTHFR 677TT genotype frequency between glioma group(19 cases) and control group(254 cases)(OR = 1.53 ; 95% CI = 0.30-7.73). CONCLUSION: The data indicate that the homozygous 677TT MTHFR genotype confers the significantly higher risk of schwannoma and the lower risk of meningioma. However, our study had limited a statistical power because of the small sample size, which is reflected in the wide CIs. Hence, these findings need to be confirmed in larger populations.
Adult ; Alleles ; Brain Neoplasms* ; Brain* ; Case-Control Studies ; DNA ; DNA Methylation ; Folic Acid ; Genotype ; Glioma ; Humans ; Incidence ; Meningioma ; Metabolism ; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) ; Neural Tube Defects ; Neurilemmoma ; Oxidoreductases* ; Risk Factors ; S-Adenosylmethionine ; Sample Size ; Vascular Diseases

PURPOSE: Although breast cancer the most common cancer for women remains a significant health problem, it has not been systematically studied until now. In an attempt to identify novel genes implicated in breast cancer development, we performed a suppression subtraction hybridization (SSH) with human breast cancer tissues, as well as with cloned genes, that are expressed more than in normal tissue. METHODS: After the identification of a novel gene, RT-PCR was performed to determine its mRNA expression in human breast cancers. In order to learn more about the expression profile of this gene, PCR was performed using various commercially available normal or carcinoma cell lines. The novel gene was found to be strongly expressed in breast cancer tissues and other carcinoma cell lines. To determine whether this novel gene was associated with cell cycle regulation, normal WI-38 fibroblast cells were stimulated with media containing 0.1% FBS for 48hours. RESULT: From the experimental results of the SSH, a novel clone, "Clone 135" which was strongly expressed in tumor compared to matched normal tissue, has been found. The novel clone was identified as being expressed in several tumor tissues and carcinoma cell lines. The time-course expression of this novel gene in the WI-38 (8PDL) normal lung cell line indicated a significant increase for G1-phase arrest. CONCLUSION: We have used a suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) to generate a profile of genes overexpressed in human breast cancer. We have screened novel genes, of which "Clone 135" scored as a candidate oncogene that was overexpressed in tumor compared to matched normal tissue.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line ; Clone Cells ; Female ; Fibroblasts ; Humans* ; Lung ; Oncogenes ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger

PURPOSE: Although breast cancer the most common cancer for women remains a significant health problem, it has not been systematically studied until now. In an attempt to identify novel genes implicated in breast cancer development, we performed a suppression subtraction hybridization (SSH) with human breast cancer tissues, as well as with cloned genes, that are expressed more than in normal tissue. METHODS: After the identification of a novel gene, RT-PCR was performed to determine its mRNA expression in human breast cancers. In order to learn more about the expression profile of this gene, PCR was performed using various commercially available normal or carcinoma cell lines. The novel gene was found to be strongly expressed in breast cancer tissues and other carcinoma cell lines. To determine whether this novel gene was associated with cell cycle regulation, normal WI-38 fibroblast cells were stimulated with media containing 0.1% FBS for 48hours. RESULT: From the experimental results of the SSH, a novel clone, "Clone 135" which was strongly expressed in tumor compared to matched normal tissue, has been found. The novel clone was identified as being expressed in several tumor tissues and carcinoma cell lines. The time-course expression of this novel gene in the WI-38 (8PDL) normal lung cell line indicated a significant increase for G1-phase arrest. CONCLUSION: We have used a suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) to generate a profile of genes overexpressed in human breast cancer. We have screened novel genes, of which "Clone 135" scored as a candidate oncogene that was overexpressed in tumor compared to matched normal tissue.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line ; Clone Cells ; Female ; Fibroblasts ; Humans* ; Lung ; Oncogenes ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger

In case of unresectable or metastatic gastric cancer, though many trials have been going, treatment results are poor yet. We report a patient with peritoneal metastasis from gastric cancer effectively treated with docetaxel and cisplatin chemotherapy. The patient was a 33 year-old man who was confirmed poorly differenciated adenocarcinoma of stomach 5 years ago. At the diagnosis, the stage of gastric cancer was T2N3M0. He underwent subtotal gastrectomy with Billoth II anastomosis and 6th cycles of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy consisting of FAMTX. After that, there was no evidence of recurrence. Three years later, he was admitted to our hospital complaining of abdominal pain and distension. Abdominal CT revealed that recurred gastric cancer in anastomotic site with carcinomatous peritonei and multiple lymphadenopathy. He was performed chemotherapy combined with docetaxel (75 mg/m2) and cisplatin (75 mg/m2). After 3rd chemotherapy, follow up abdominal CT showed nearly complete regression of bowel loops, lymph node and ascites. After completion of 7th cycles of chemotherapy, it remained as complete response for recurred gastric cancer and he has no evidence of recurrence for over 2 years.
Abdominal Pain ; Adenocarcinoma ; Adult ; Ascites ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Cisplatin* ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Peritoneal Neoplasms ; Recurrence ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Purpose: This study evaluated the impact of auricular acupressure on depression among nurses. Methods: This study used a randomized control group pretest-posttest design. Shift-work nurses with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) score over 5 points were randomized to the experimental group(n=20) or the control group(n=20). For the experimental group, auricular acupressure was conducted at the corresponding points of depression (TGI, AH1) weekly for seven days as well as for two weeks. The PHQ-9 was completed before intervention, as well as two weeks after intervention. Results: The mean difference in the PHQ-9 score before and after auricular acupressure in the experimental group (-4.11±2.27), was more significant than in the control group (-1.72±3.82) (t=2.28, p=.03). Conclusion Result showed that nurses who received auricular acupressure had a decrease in depression, compared to those who did not receive auricular acupressure. Further research is required, to apply the other auricular acupressure points, to evaluate the impact on depressive symptoms.

To investigate the changes in renal function during the halothane, enflurane and thalamonal anesthesia and elective surgery, the authors measured urine flow rate, creatinine clearance(Ccr, GFR), excreted amounts of sodium, potassium and chloride ions, fractional excretion of sodium (FeNa), free water clearnace (C H2O) at preanesthesia (control), 20 minute after the induction of anesthesia, during operation (3 times), 1 hour after surgery, respectively, and obtained the results as follows: 1) Changes in renal function was not significant after the induction of anesthesia compared to preanesthesia in halothane, enflurane and thalamonal anesthesia. 2) Renal function decreased signifi-cantly during the operation under anesthesia with halothane or enfiurane. 3) There was a tendency of renal function to be decreased compared to preanesthesia in the 1st postoperative day in patients anesthetized with halothane or enflurane, but tendency of it to be increased in thalamonal anesthesia. Therefore, it is suggested that thalamonal anesthesia is a good choice in patients with renal dysfunc-tion.
Anesthesia* ; Creatinine ; Enflurane* ; Halothane* ; Humans ; Ions ; Kidney ; Potassium ; Sodium ; Water

To investingate the effects of fentanyl on the renal function and the renin secretion rate(RSR), the author measured the urine volume(UV), excreted amount of urinary sodium, potassium and chloride(UNaV, UKV, and UCLV), fractional excretion of sodium(FENa), renal plasma flow(RPF), glomerular filtration rate(GFR), filtration fraction(FF) and free water clearance(CH2O) after adminis- tration of fentanyl in 53 unanesthetized white rabbits. Fentanyl was given intrarenally(0.1ug/kg/min in group I, 0.3ug/kg/min in group II, and 1.0ug/kg/ min in group III), or intravenously(0.1ug/kg/min in group IV, 1.0ug/kg/min in group V, and 0.1ug/ kg/min in after preinfusion with naloxone 0.1ug/kg/min in group VI). After administration of fentanyl, urinary and plasma osmolalities and the levels of sodium, potas-sium, chloride, paraaminohippuric acid (PAH) and creatinine were measured. Heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were also measured. The results were as follows. 1) There were no statistically significant changes in HR and MAP in all groups. 2) The levels of UV, UNaV, UKV, VCIV, RPF and CH2O decreased significantly by low dose of fentanyl, not changed by moderate dose of fentanyl and the levels of UV and CH2O increased signifi-cantly by large dose of fentany. 3) Naloxone pretreatment blocked all of the observed renal responses of low dose of fentanyl. 4) There was no statistically signficant change in renin secretion rate in all groups. From the above results, it is suggested that the fentanyl has dual effects on the renal function and may have systemic effects through opioid receptors.
Arterial Pressure ; Creatinine ; Fentanyl* ; Filtration ; Heart Rate ; Naloxone ; Osmolar Concentration ; Plasma ; Potassium ; Rabbits* ; Receptors, Opioid ; Renin ; Sodium ; Water

BACKGROUND: The automated hematologic analyzer has increased the precision and accuracy for platelet counting. However, spurious elevations of automated platelet counts occur occasionally in patients receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy for solid organ tumors, leukemia, and other lymphomas. The CELL-DYN Sapphire analyzer (Abbott, USA) detects platelets with a CD61 monoclonal antibody and uses both impedance and optical technologies; thus, it is expected to present more accurate platelet counts. METHODS: We evaluated platelet counts obtained with the CELL-DYN Sapphire impedance, optical, and CD61 methods and compared them with the results obtained with the XE-2100 analyzer (Sysmex, Japan). We analyzed 111 samples from hospitalized patients with various hematologic diseases, who were receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy. RESULTS: The results from the impedance, optical, and CD61 methods of CELL-DYN Sapphire and those from XE-2100 showed significant linearity, with correlation coefficients greater than 0.99. Three cases had significantly different platelet counts among the different methods used. Microscopic examination of these three cases showed very low platelet counts that corresponded with the low counts from the CD61 methods. It should be noted that because the automated blood counter assesses cell populations by their dimensions, many cellular fragments that were of the same size or smaller than platelets were thus counted as platelets. CONCLUSIONS: The CELL-DYN Sapphire analyzer has good precision, linearity and performance, comparable with the XE-2100 analyzer. As the CD61 methods of CELL-DYN Sapphire is specific for platelet, this method may reduce the interference from other blood components and count the exact platelet numbers.
Aluminum Oxide* ; Blood Platelets ; Drug Therapy* ; Electric Impedance ; Hematologic Diseases* ; Humans ; Leukemia ; Lymphoma ; Platelet Count* ; Radiotherapy

Clostridium difficile, an anaerobic, spore-forming, gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium, is the most common nosocomial pathogen causing pseudomembranous colitis. C. difficile is not intrinsically invasive and rarely infects extraintestinal sites. The bacterium, therefore, is not commonly detected in blood cultures. Here, we report a case of C. difficile bacteremia in a patient who had underwent loop ileostomy because of rectal obstruction following metastatic colon cancer originated from prostate cancer.
Anti-Bacterial Agents/*therapeutic use ; Bacteremia/*drug therapy ; Clostridium difficile/genetics/*isolation & purification ; Colonic Neoplasms/pathology/secondary ; Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous/drug therapy/microbiology ; Humans ; Ileostomy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/chemistry/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, RNA

Clostridium difficile, an anaerobic, spore-forming, gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium, is the most common nosocomial pathogen causing pseudomembranous colitis. C. difficile is not intrinsically invasive and rarely infects extraintestinal sites. The bacterium, therefore, is not commonly detected in blood cultures. Here, we report a case of C. difficile bacteremia in a patient who had underwent loop ileostomy because of rectal obstruction following metastatic colon cancer originated from prostate cancer.
Anti-Bacterial Agents/*therapeutic use ; Bacteremia/*drug therapy ; Clostridium difficile/genetics/*isolation & purification ; Colonic Neoplasms/pathology/secondary ; Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous/drug therapy/microbiology ; Humans ; Ileostomy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/chemistry/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, RNA