Neutrophils and eosinophils, 2 prominent granulocytes, are commonly derived from myelocytic progenitors through successive stages in the bone marrow. Our previous genome-wide transcriptomic data unexpectedly showed that genes encoding a multitude of neutrophil primary granule proteins (NPGPs) were markedly downregulated during the end period of eosinophilic terminal differentiation when cord blood (CB) cluster of differentiation (CD) 34+ cells were induced to differentiate toward the eosinophil lineage during a 24-day culture period. Accordingly, this study aimed to examine whether NPGP genes were expressed on the way to eosinophil terminal differentiation stage and to compare their expression kinetics with that of genes encoding eosinophil-specific granule proteins (ESGPs). Transcripts of all NPGP genes examined, including proteinase 3, myeloperoxidase, cathepsin G (CTSG), and neutrophil elastase, reached a peak at day 12 and sharply declined thereafter, while transcript of ESGP genes including major basic protein 1 (MBP1) attained maximum expression at days 18 or 24. Growth factor independent 1 (GFI1) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPA), transactivators for the NPGP genes, were expressed immediately before the NPGP genes, whereas expression of C/EBPA, GATA1, and GATA2 kinetically paralleled that of eosinophil granule protein genes. The expression kinetics of NPGPs and ESGPs were duplicated upon differentiation of the eosinophilic leukemia cell line (EoL-1) immature eosinophilic cells. Importantly, confocal image analysis showed that CTSG was strongly coexpressed with MBP1 in differentiating CB eosinophils at days 12 and 18 and became barely detectable at day 24 and beyond. Our results suggest for the first time the presence of an immature stage where eosinophils coexpress NPGPs and ESGPs before final maturation.
Bone Marrow ; Cathepsin G ; Cell Line ; Eosinophils* ; Fetal Blood ; Granulocytes ; Hypereosinophilic Syndrome ; Kinetics ; Leukocyte Elastase ; Myeloblastin ; Neutrophils* ; Peroxidase ; Trans-Activators

BACKGROUND: Rocuronium administration is associated with a severe burning pain during injection. However, the mechanistic cause of the pain has not been well established. The purpose of this study was to determine whether adjusting the pH of the rocuronium with NaHCO3 would ameliorate the pain. METHODS: We examined mixtures using microscope after NaHCO3 was mixed with rocuronium to exam solubility. Sixty of 80 patients scheduled for elective gynecologic surgery were randomly allocated to one of three groups as follows: group 1 (rocuronium only, n = 20), group 2 (rocuronium 50 mg/5 ml mixed with 0.9% NaCl 3 ml, n = 20), group 3 (rocuronium 50 mg/5 ml mixed with NaHCO3 3 ml, n = 20). All patients received 0.6 mg/kg of rocuronium over 10 sec and were asked to assess pain using a visual analogue scale (VAS) followed by injection of propofol 1.5 mg/kg and fentanyl 100 mcg. The onset and duration of rocuronium were measured in three groups. Twitch responses to cumulative incremental doses of rocuronium were measured in another 20 patients, allocated to group A (rocuronium only, n = 10) or group B (rocuronium 50 mg/5 ml mixed with NaHCO3 3 ml, n = 10). RESULTS: Over 24 hours, no precipitation or particles were found after mixing NaHCO3 with rocuronium. The VAS was significantly lower in group 3 (0.5+/-0.9) than in group 1 (5.4+/-3.2) or in group 2 (4.9+/-2.1) (P < 0.05). Eighteen of 20 patients in group 3 had no pain and only 2 had mild pain, but all patients in groups 1 and 2 had mild to severe pain. There were no differences in onset or duration between the three groups and in twitch responses between group A and B. CONCLUSIONS: NaHCO3 mixed with rocuronium attenuates rocuronium injection pain, and there were no problems or complications.
Burns ; Female ; Fentanyl ; Gynecologic Surgical Procedures ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Propofol ; Solubility

CCR3 is a chemokine receptor that mediates the accumulation of allergic inflammatory cells, including eosinophils and Th2 cells, at inflamed sites. The regulatory sequence of the CCR3 gene, contains two Runt-related transcription factor (RUNX) 1 sites and two PU.1 sites, in addition to a functional GATA site for transactivation of the CCR3 gene. In the present study, we examined the effects of the cis-acting elements of RUNX1 and PU.1 on transcription of the gene in EoL-1 eosinophilic cells and Jurkat T cells, both of which expressed functional surface CCR3 and these two transcription factors. Introduction of RUNX1 siRNA or PU.1 siRNA resulted in a modest decrease in CCR3 reporter activity in both cell types, compared with transfection of GATA-1 siRNA. Cotransfection of the two siRNAs led to inhibition in an additive manner. EMSA analysis showed that RUNX1, in particular, bound to its binding motifs. Mutagenesis analysis revealed that all point mutants lacking RUNX1- and PU.1-binding sites exhibited reduced reporter activities. These results suggest that RUNX1 and PU.1 participate in transcriptional regulation of the CCR3 gene.
Eosinophils ; Mutagenesis ; RNA, Small Interfering ; T-Lymphocytes ; Th2 Cells ; Transcription Factors ; Transcriptional Activation ; Transfection

OBJECTIVE: To localize the site of motor points within human biceps brachii muscles through surface mapping using electrophysiological method. METHOD: We recorded the compound muscle action potentials of each lattice of the biceps brachii in 40 healthy subjects. Standardized reference lines were made as the following: 1) a horizontal reference line (elbow crease) and 2) a vertical reference line connecting coracoid process and mid-point of the horizontal reference line. The Compound muscle action potentials were mapped in reference to the standardized reference lines. The locations of motor points were mapped to the skin surface, in the ratio to the length of the vertical and the half of the horizontal reference lines. RESULTS: The motor point of the short head of biceps was located at 69.0+/-4.9% distal and 19.1+/-9.5% medial to the mid-point of horizontal reference line. The location of the motor point of the long head of the biceps was 67.3+/-4.3% distal and 21.4+/-8.7% lateral. The motor point of the short head of the biceps was located more medially and distally in the male subjects compared to that in the female (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study showed electrophysiological motor points of the biceps brachii muscles through surface mapping. This data might improve the clinical efficacy and the feasibility of motor point targeting, when injecting botulinum neurotoxin in biceps brachii.
Action Potentials ; Botulinum Toxins ; Female ; Head ; Humans ; Male ; Muscles ; Skin

OBJECTIVE: To localize the site of motor points within human biceps brachii muscles through surface mapping using electrophysiological method. METHOD: We recorded the compound muscle action potentials of each lattice of the biceps brachii in 40 healthy subjects. Standardized reference lines were made as the following: 1) a horizontal reference line (elbow crease) and 2) a vertical reference line connecting coracoid process and mid-point of the horizontal reference line. The Compound muscle action potentials were mapped in reference to the standardized reference lines. The locations of motor points were mapped to the skin surface, in the ratio to the length of the vertical and the half of the horizontal reference lines. RESULTS: The motor point of the short head of biceps was located at 69.0+/-4.9% distal and 19.1+/-9.5% medial to the mid-point of horizontal reference line. The location of the motor point of the long head of the biceps was 67.3+/-4.3% distal and 21.4+/-8.7% lateral. The motor point of the short head of the biceps was located more medially and distally in the male subjects compared to that in the female (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study showed electrophysiological motor points of the biceps brachii muscles through surface mapping. This data might improve the clinical efficacy and the feasibility of motor point targeting, when injecting botulinum neurotoxin in biceps brachii.
Action Potentials ; Botulinum Toxins ; Female ; Head ; Humans ; Male ; Muscles ; Skin

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of anthocyanins extracted from black soybean, which have antioxidant activity, on apoptosis in vitro (in hormone refractory prostate cancer cells) and on tumor growth in vivo (in athymic nude mouse xenograft model). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The growth and viability of DU-145 cells treated with anthocyanins were assessed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and apoptosis was assessed by DNA laddering. Immunoblotting was conducted to evaluate differences in the expressions of p53, Bax, Bcl, androgen receptor (AR), and prostate specific antigen (PSA). To study the inhibitory effects of anthocyanins on tumor growth in vivo, DU-145 tumor xenografts were established in athymic nude mice. The anthocyanin group was treated with daily oral anthocyanin (8 mg/kg) for 14 weeks. After 2 weeks of treatment, DU-145 cells (2x106) were inoculated subcutaneously into the right flank to establish tumor xenografts. Tumor dimensions were measured twice a week using calipers and volumes were calculated. RESULTS: Anthocyanin treatment of DU-145 cells resulted in 1) significant increase in apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner, 2) significant decrease in p53 and Bcl-2 expressions (with increased Bax expression), and 3) significant decrease in PSA and AR expressions. In the xenograft model, anthocyanin treatment significantly inhibit tumor growth. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that anthocyanins from black soybean inhibit the progression of prostate cancer in vitro and in a xenograft model.
Animals ; Anthocyanins/*pharmacology ; Apoptosis/*drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects ; Cell Survival/drug effects ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects ; Humans ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Nude ; NAD/metabolism ; Prostate-Specific Antigen/metabolism ; Prostatic Neoplasms/genetics/*pathology ; Receptors, Androgen/metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/metabolism ; *Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein/genetics/metabolism

Arterial bleeding after pancreaticoduodenectomy is a very serious complication with high mortality. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment is essential. In particular, early detection and immediate embolization can be effectively used for the delayed massive bleeding that occurs from a pseudoaneurysmal rupture. However, sometimes intermittent bleeding or a vessel spasm can cause the bleeding focus to remain unidentified in spite of repeated angiography. We experienced a case of successful embolization with superselection by endoscopic hemoclipping in a patient who underwent pylorus preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy, and the patient's bleeding focus was not found after repeated angiography. Endoscopic hemoclip application can be useful for localizing a pseudoaneurysmal rupture in patients with pancreaticoduodenectomy.
Aneurysm, False ; Angiography ; Early Diagnosis ; Glycosaminoglycans ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; Pylorus ; Rupture ; Spasm

BACKGROUND: Although glyphosate, organophosphorus herbicide, has been used extensively in agricultural area, no clinical data of acute poisoning have been reported in Korea. The current study evaluated clinical characteristics of acute intoxication by glyphosate. METHODS: We retrospectively collect and analysed the clinical data of 16 acute glyphosate poisoned patients admitted to the department of internal medicine, Soonchunhyang University Chunan hospital from January 1999 through June 2000. RESULTS: 1) Thirteen of sixteen poisoning were male and mean age was 44.2 year-old. 2) The main cause of glyphosate ingestion was suicide intent (12 cases, 75%), and clinical severity was divided into 3 categories : mild (14 cases), moderate (1 case) and severe (1 case). 3) Nausea and vomiting were the most frequent clinical features (each 6 cases) and dyspnea (4 cases), cough (3 cases), sputum (3 cases) and sore throat (3 cases) were followed. Leucocytosis, hepatotoxicity, anemia, hypoxia and renal toxicity were observed in 9,8,5,6 and 3 cases, respectively. 4) No fatal case and severe complication, except 1 aspiration pneumonia and 1 acute respiratory failure, were observed in acute glyphosate poisonings. CONCLUSION: Our data supported that acute glyphosate poisoning dose not result in fatal in humans even after intentional ingestion of glyphosate.
Anemia ; Anoxia ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Cough ; Dyspnea ; Eating ; Herbicides ; Humans ; Internal Medicine ; Korea ; Male ; Nausea ; Organophosphorus Compounds ; Pharyngitis ; Pneumonia, Aspiration ; Poisoning ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Retrospective Studies ; Sputum ; Suicide ; Vomiting

BACKGROUND: Although a significant number of studies were done on focal segmental glomerulosclerosis(FSGS), its pathogenesis has not been sufficiently established yet. Recent studies suggested certain types of circulating factor(s) played an important role in development and recurrence after renal transplantation of FSGS by modifying the glomerular permeability of albumin. The purpose of this study performed on animals and through molecular-biological experiments is to certify the role of circulating factor (s), which cause proteinuria, by manipulating plasma of a FSGS patient who showed massive of proteinuria and wide effacement of glomerular epithelial foot processes in histologic examination after renal transplantation. also, whose massive proteinuria decreased significantly after plasma exchange. METHODS: The patient's plasma prior to(plasma A) or post to(plasma B) plasma exchange were injected into tail veins of two groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats, six in each. The ratio of 24 hour urine protein and urine creatinine(Uprt/Ucr) was calculated for each case. The 2D gel electrophoresis was performed in plasma A and plasma B. The pattern of 2D gel electrophoresis of plasma A was compared to those of plasma B and healthy human serum. RESULTS: Compared to control group, there was no significant differences in 24-hour Uprt/Ucr afer injecting 1, 2, 3, 5 mL of plasma A(p>0.05). There was no significant difference in 24-hour Uprt/Ucr between the injecting groups of plasma A and plasma B(p>0.05). We were not able to observe any new protein which did not appear in plasma B or healthy human serum in 2D gel electrophoresis. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the proteinuria developed in a few hours after renal transplantation and is related to wide effacement of glomerular epithelial foot processes, and that it may be induced by a certain factor which is eliminated by the plasma exchange or restrained by the immunosuppressive agents. However, we were not able to find certain circulating factor(s) which rapidly changes albumin permeability in the patient's plasma with FSGS.
Animals ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Foot ; Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental* ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Kidney Transplantation ; Male ; Permeability ; Plasma ; Plasma Exchange ; Proteinuria ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Recurrence ; Veins

PURPOSE: Currently many clinicians have recommendsprostate biopsy when the level of prostate specific antigen (PSA) is higher than 4.0 ng/ml. However, recently the prostate cancer detection rates werereported to be about 20% at PSA level 2.5 to 4.0 ng/ml. Therefore, an increasing amount of hospitals have recommends lowering the PSA cut off level to 2.5 ng/ml. We retrospectively evaluated the prostate cancer detection rate and pathologic characteristics of patients with PSA level of 2.5 to 4.0 ng/ml and we compared this with the patients who had PSA level in the range of 4.1 to 10.0 ng/ml. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed the data of 515 patients who received prostate biopsy in the range of PSA level 2.5 to 10 ng/ml. The clinical characteristics, cancer detection rate and pathologic findings of the biopsy were compared between the PSA 2.5-4.0 ng/ml group and PSA 4.1-10.0 ng/ml group. RESULTS: Cancer detection rates in patients who underwent biopsy were 18.1% and 22.4% at PSA 2.5 to 4.0 and 4.1 to 10.0 ng/ml, respectively. Mean Gleason scores were found 6.4+/-0.5 and 6.6+/-0.7 and high grade cancers with Gleason score 7 or more were found in 50% and 58.4% of patients with cancer with PSA 2.5 to 4.0 and 4.1 to 10.0 ng/ml, respectively. There were no significant difference between the 2 groups in cancer detection rates and pathologic findings on biopsy including mean Gleason score and high grade cancers with Gleason score 7 or more between two groups. CONCLUSION: There were no significant difference in cancer detection rates and pathologic findings between PSA 2.5-4 ng/ml group and PSA 4.1-10 ng/ml group. These results suggest that a lower PSA cutoff should be considered as an indication for prostate biopsy in the Korean population.
Biopsy ; Humans ; Neoplasm Grading ; Prostate ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Retrospective Studies