No abstract available.
Humans* ; Incidence* ; Papilloma*

No abstract available.
Vagina*

No abstract available.
Female ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone* ; Humans ; Leiomyoma* ; Single Person*

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*

PURPOSE: Neural stem cells (NSCs) effectively reverse some severe central nervous system (CNS) disorders, due to their ability to differentiate into neurons. Agmatine, a biogenic amine, has cellular protective effects and contributes to cellular proliferation and differentiation in the CNS. Recent studies have elucidated the function of microRNA let-7a (let-7a) as a regulator of cell differentiation with roles in regulating genes associated with CNS neurogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study aimed to investigate whether agmatine modulates the expression of crucial regulators of NSC differentiation including DCX, TLX, c-Myc, and ERK by controlling let-7a expression. RESULTS: Our data suggest that high levels of let-7a promoted the expression of TLX and c-Myc, as well as repressed DCX and ERK expression. In addition, agmatine attenuated expression of TLX and increased expression of ERK by negatively regulating let-7a. CONCLUSION: Our study therefore enhances the present understanding of the therapeutic potential of NSCs in CNS disorders.
Agmatine* ; Biogenic Amines ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Central Nervous System ; MicroRNAs* ; Neural Stem Cells* ; Neurogenesis ; Neurons

PURPOSE: Neural stem cells (NSCs) effectively reverse some severe central nervous system (CNS) disorders, due to their ability to differentiate into neurons. Agmatine, a biogenic amine, has cellular protective effects and contributes to cellular proliferation and differentiation in the CNS. Recent studies have elucidated the function of microRNA let-7a (let-7a) as a regulator of cell differentiation with roles in regulating genes associated with CNS neurogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study aimed to investigate whether agmatine modulates the expression of crucial regulators of NSC differentiation including DCX, TLX, c-Myc, and ERK by controlling let-7a expression. RESULTS: Our data suggest that high levels of let-7a promoted the expression of TLX and c-Myc, as well as repressed DCX and ERK expression. In addition, agmatine attenuated expression of TLX and increased expression of ERK by negatively regulating let-7a. CONCLUSION: Our study therefore enhances the present understanding of the therapeutic potential of NSCs in CNS disorders.
Agmatine* ; Biogenic Amines ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Central Nervous System ; MicroRNAs* ; Neural Stem Cells* ; Neurogenesis ; Neurons

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: To estimate the complication rate and the societal cost of measles, a survey was conducted in Seoul, Jeonju city, and Kyonggi province in 2001. METHODS: A telephone survey was conducted in Jeonju city (175/307) and four local areas of Kyonggi province (793/1,238) to gather information on the complications of measles. To estimate societal cost, the telephone survey was conducted for the sampled subject by complication type and the age group. The response rate was 78% (180/230). Paid bills were examined for direct cost estimation, and the time cost and the transportation expense were analyzed for indirect cost estimation. RESULTS: The incidence of a complication of measles was 3.1% which found to be higher in younger age group. The incidence of pneumonia, otitis media, and encephalitis were 2.1%, 0.8%, and 0.2% respectively. Direct and indirect costs of in-patients without a complication were $417.00 (US $1.00 = 1,000 won) and $256.00 per case, respectively, and the out-patients who have no complication were $54.00 and $65.00, respectively. The average cost for a patient with measles without complication was $119.00 as the result. The societal cost of encephalitis was high as $6,660. Estimated total societal cost of measles ranges from $14 million to $69 million in the year 2000. CONCLUSION: Complication rate of measles was fairly low compared to foreign countries. The lower rate could result from the difference in vaccination rate and the age distribution of the measles patients. The cost of measles without complication was not high. However, the cost for the complication and the total disease burden caused by measles shown to be high in the year 2000.
Age Distribution ; Cost of Illness ; Encephalitis ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Jeollabuk-do ; Korea* ; Measles* ; Otitis Media ; Outpatients ; Pneumonia ; Seoul ; Telephone ; Transportation ; Vaccination

Celiac disease is an intestinal autoimmune disorder, triggered by ingestion of a gluten-containing diet in genetically susceptible individuals. The genetic predisposition is related to human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II genes, especially HLA-DQ2-positive patients. The prevalence of celiac disease has been estimated to be ~1% in Europe and the USA, but it is rarer and/or underdiagnosed in Asia. We report a case of celiac disease in a predisposed patient, with a HLA-DQ2 heterodimer, and Graves' disease that was treated successfully with a gluten-free diet. A 47-year-old woman complained of persistent chronic diarrhea and weight loss over a 9 month period. Results of all serological tests and stool exams were negative. However, the patient was found to carry the HLA DQ2 heterodimer. Symptoms improved after a gluten-free diet was initiated. The patient has been followed and has suffered no recurrence of symptoms while on the gluten-free diet. An overall diagnosis of celiac disease was made in a genetically predisposed patient (HLA-DQ2 heterodimer) with Graves' disease.
Asia ; Celiac Disease* ; Diagnosis ; Diarrhea ; Diet ; Diet, Gluten-Free ; Eating ; Europe ; Female ; Genes, MHC Class II ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Graves Disease* ; Humans ; Leukocytes ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Recurrence ; Serologic Tests ; Weight Loss

Background: and Purpose This study evaluated the diagnostic utility of an anti-signal-recognition particle 54 (anti-SRP54) antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as well as the clinical, serological, and pathological characteristics of patients with SRP immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM). Methods: We evaluated 87 patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy and 107 healthy participants between January 2002 and December 2023. The sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA for anti-SRP54 antibodies were assessed, and the clinical profiles of patients with antiSRP54 antibodies were determined. Results: The ELISA for anti-SRP54 antibodies had a sensitivity and specificity of 88% and 99%, respectively, along with a test–retest reliability of 0.92 (p<0.001). The 32 patients diagnosed with anti-SRP IMNM using a line-blot immunoassay included 28 (88%) who tested positive for anti-SRP54 antibodies using the ELISA, comprising 12 (43%) males and 16 (57%) females whose median ages at symptom onset and diagnosis were 43.0 years and 43.5 years, respectively. Symptoms included proximal muscle weakness in all 28 (100%) patients, neck weakness in 9 (32%), myalgia in 15 (54%), dysphagia in 5 (18%), dyspnea in 4 (14%), dysarthria in 2 (7%), interstitial lung disease in 2 (7%), and myocarditis in 2 (7%). The median serum creatine kinase (CK) level was 7,261 U/L (interquartile range: 5,086–10,007 U/L), and the median anti-SRP54 antibody level was 2.0 U/mL (interquartile range: 1.0–5.6 U/mL). The serum CK level was significantly higher in patients with coexisting anti-Ro-52 antibodies. Conclusions This study has confirmed the reliability of the ELISA for anti-SRP54 antibodies and provided insights into the clinical, serological, and pathological characteristics of South Korean patients with anti-SRP IMNM.