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

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

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

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

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

PURPOSE: There have been reports that a higher serum level of selenium is related to a lower incidence of prostate cancer. Serum leptin and IGF-1 are factors related to metabolic syndromes which are also known to be related to prostate cancer, and the higher their levels, the higher the possibility of prostate carcinogenesis. Thus, we measured the serum levels of leptin and IGF-1 in rats that were given selenium-rich hot spring water to drink in an attempt to elucidate the role of selenium on prostate cancer prevention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of twelve white SD rats was included in the study, and they were further divided into a control group (Group 1, n=6) induced to drink normal saline, and those rats that drank selenium-rich hot spring water for 4 weeks (Group 2, n=6). The hot spring water that we used was from the Kum-jin region of Korea, which contains a rich supply of the minerals selenium, vanadium, calcium and magnesium. The concentration of selenium in the hot spring water was 480 microgram/l. The two groups were each given 50 ml/day of normal saline or selenium-rich hot spring water. After the period of the experiment, we drew blood samples from both groups and measured their serum leptin and IGF-1 levels using ELISA. RESULTS: The serum leptin level (pg/ml) was 964.04+/-127.77 in Group 1, and 531.92+/-151.04 in Group 2, allowing us to confirm that it was significantly less in those that drank the selenium-rich hot spring water (p<0.05). Also, the serum IGF-1 levels (pg/ml) were 1,247.72+/-53.85 and 933.03+/-113.69 in Groups 1 and 2, respectively, which again, illustrated the significantly lower level in those rats that were given selenium-rich hot spring water (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Significantly decreased serum levels of leptin and IGF-1 were observed in rats that drank selenium-rich hot spring water. A study of the long-term effect of selenium-rich hot spring water on prostate cancer is necessary; if it is indeed proven to have long-term effects, we believe it will become valuable in clinical practice.
Animals ; Calcium ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Hot Springs ; Humans ; Incidence ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Korea ; Leptin ; Magnesium ; Minerals ; Prostate ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Rats ; Selenium ; Vanadium

PURPOSE: Anthocyanin is known as a water soluble natural pigment and potent antioxidant. We extracted anthocyanin mediating antioxidant reaction from black soybeans, administered the extract to rats induced prostatic hyperplasia, and evaluate the effect of anthocyanin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty four male rats were divided into 4 experimental groups: the control, BPH-induced, BPHinduced, and oral anthocyanin (40 mg/kg, 80 mg/kg)-administered groups. For exclusion of intrinsic testosterone influence, a bilateral orchiectomy was done on all except the control group. An experimental prostate hyperplasia was induced by the subcutaneous administration of 3 mg/kg testosterone propionate for 4 weeks to all except the control group. Anthocyanin administration was done in the last 4 weeks in the anthocyanin-administered groups. After 8 weeks, the prostates were removed and analyzed for their prostatic weight and histological examination. Then TUNEL staining was done on each group's specimens, and they were analyzed for their apoptotic body counts. RESULTS: The mean prostate weight was found to be 674.17+/-28.24 mg, 1,098.33+/-131.31 mg, 323.00+/-22.41 mg, and 324.00+/-26.80 mg in the control, BPH-induced, and oral anthocyanin-administered (40 mg/kg, 80 mg/kg) groups, respectively. The BPH-induced group showed statistically significant increases in their prostate weights compared with the control group (p<0.05) and the anthocyanin administered groups showed statistically significant decreases compared to the control and BPH-induced groups (p<0.05). Histologically injected testosterone led to prostatic hyperplasia, but anthocyanin-administered groups experienced this change to a lesser extent. Apoptotic body counts in 5x400/HPF were found to be 3.67+/-0.86, 1+/-0.94, 15.67+/-2.36, and 28.33+/-1.71 in each group. The anthocyanin-administered groups showed statistically significant increases in apoptotic body counts compared with the control and BPH induced groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In a prostatic hyperplasia-induced rat model, administration of anthocyanin showed the reduction of prostate weight and the increase of apoptosis. We thought that such results were caused by antioxidant reactions of anthocyanin, and administration of the anthocyanin may be effective in benign prostatic hyperplasia, which is the representative geriatric disease of the urological system.
Animals ; Anthocyanins ; Apoptosis ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Male ; Negotiating ; Orchiectomy ; Prostate ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; Rats ; Soybeans ; Testosterone ; Testosterone Propionate ; Weights and Measures

Tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) may be involved in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcers through suppression of fibrinolysis. This study was designed to investigate associations of t-PA and PAI-1 genes with clinical features of the patients with bleeding gastric ulcers. Eighty-four patients with peptic ulcers and 100 controls were studied between January 1998 and April 2000. We used polymerase chain reaction and endonuclease digestion to genotype for 4G/5G polymorphism in the promoter region of the PAI-1 gene and the Alurepeat insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in intron h of the t-PA gene. Various clinical features, including lesion site, bleeding event, recurrence of ulcer, and rebleeding, were assessed using a multiple logistic regression model. The genotype distributions of both the t-PA and PAI-1 genes did not differ between the patient and control groups. The occurrence of the I/D or D/D genotype of t-PA was significantly higher in cases of duodenal ulcer (adjusted OR=4.39, 95% CI=1.12-17.21). When a dominant effect (i.e., 4G/4G or 4G/5G versus 5G/5G) of the 4G allele was assumed, the PAI-1 4G/4G genotype was independently associated with rebleeding after hemostasis (adjusted OR=5.07, 95% CI=1.03-24.87). Our data suggest that t-PA gene polymorphism is associated with duodenal ulcers, and that the PAI-1 gene may be a risk factor leading to recurrent bleeding after initial hemostasis.
Adult ; Aged ; Alu Elements/genetics ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Duodenal Ulcer/complications ; Duodenal Ulcer/genetics* ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Human ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutagenesis, Insertional ; Peptic Ulcer Hemorrhage/etiology ; Peptic Ulcer Hemorrhage/genetics* ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1/genetics* ; Polymorphism (Genetics)* ; Promoter Regions (Genetics)/genetics ; Recurrence ; Sequence Deletion ; Stomach Ulcer/complications ; Stomach Ulcer/genetics* ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator/genetics*

BACKGROUND: Acute renal failure is one of the leading causes of postoperative morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to determine the risk factors that are associated with acute renal failure after colorectal surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five hundred seventy patients who operated colorectal surgery at the Yeungnam University Medical Center over three years from 2004 to 2006 were enrolled in this study. The effects of gender, age, ASA classification, concomitant disease, surgery type and duration, reoperation, urogenital manipulation, medication, hypotension, hypovolemia, transfusion, and postoperative ventilatory care on the occurrence of acute renal failure after colorectal surgery were studied. RESULTS: The major risk factors of acute renal failure after colorectal surgery were age of patients (P=0.003), ASA classification (P<0.001), concomitant disease (P<0.001), duration of the time surgery (P=0.034), reoperation (P=0.001), use of intraoperative diuretics (P=0.005), use of postoperative diuretics (P<0.001), intraoperative hypotension (P=0.018), intraoperative transfusion (P<0.001), postoperative transfusion (P<0.001), and postoperative ventilatory care (P=0.001). CONCLUSION: Multiple factors cause synergistic effects on the development of acute renal failure after colorectal surgery. Therefore, efforts to reduce the risk factors associated with acute renal failure are needed. In addition, intensive postoperative care should be provided to all patients.
Academic Medical Centers ; Acute Kidney Injury* ; Classification ; Colorectal Surgery* ; Diuretics ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Hypovolemia ; Mortality ; Postoperative Care ; Reoperation ; Risk Factors*