OBJECTIVE: In the previous study, we compiled the differentially expressed genes during early folliculogenesis.1 Objective of the present study was to identify downstream target genes of transcription factors (TFs) using bioinformatics for selecting the target TFs among the gene lists for further functional analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: By using bioinformatics tools, constituent domains were identified from database searches using Gene Ontology, MGI, and Entrez Gene. Downstream target proteins/genes of each TF were identified from database searches using TF database (TRANSFAC(R) 6.0) and eukaryotic promoter database (EPD). RESULTS: DNA binding and trans-activation domains of all TFs listed previously were identified, and the list of downstream target proteins/genes was obtained from searche of TF database and promoter database. Based on the known function of identified downstream genes and the domains, 3 (HNF4, PPARg, and TBX2) out of 26 TFs were selected for further functional analysis. The genes of wee1-like protein kinase and p21WAF1 (cdk inhibitor) were identified as potential downstream target genes of HNF4 and TBX2, respectively. PPARg, through protein-protein interaction with other protein partners, acts as a transcription regulator of genes of EGFR, p21WAF1, cycD1, p53, and VEGF. Among the selected 3 TFs, further study is in progress for HNF4 and TBX2, since wee1-like protein kinase and cdk inhibitor may involved in regulating maturation promoting factor (MPF) activity during early folliculogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: Approach used in the present study, in silico analysis of downstream target genes, was useful for analyzing list of TFs obtained from high-throughput cDNA microarray study. To verify its binding and functions of the selected TFs in early folliculogenesis, EMSA and further relevant characterizations are under investigation.
Computational Biology ; Computer Simulation* ; DNA ; Gene Ontology ; Maturation-Promoting Factor ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Protein Kinases ; Transcription Factors* ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

We present a case in which a patient with acute hemorrhagic gastritis demonstrated abnormal gastrointestinal accumulation of radiotracer during Tc-99m-methylene diphosphonate (MDP) skeletal scintigraphy. A hemorrhage gastritis was subsequsently demonstrated by endoscopy. The menchanism for the intestinal localization of Tc-99m-MDP in this patient is not clear, but we guess that the extravasated blood containing the radiopharmaceutical cannot recirculate and stays at the bleedings site, so we can see the intestinal activity.
Endoscopy ; Gastritis ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Radionuclide Imaging* ; Technetium Tc 99m Medronate*

Paneth cell-rich carcinoma is essentially an adenocarcinoma with a predominance of Paneth cells. A 60-year-old male patient was admitted with a history of abdominal distension for several months. Endoscopic examination revealed a large ulceroinfiltrative tumor involving most of the areas of the stomach. The biopsy of the lesion confirmed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma and total gastrectomy was followed. The submitted total stomach contained a diffuse infiltrative Borrmann type IV mass with ulceration, 8.0 3.5 cm, at the body along the lesser curvature. Microscopically, it was composed of Paneth cell differentiated cancer cells and poorly differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma cells. The Paneth cell differentiation was characterized by cytoplasmic coarse eosinophilic granules, which were PAS-positive and positive reaction for lysozyme. Electron microscopic examination showed numerous, spherical, electron-dense, homogeneous granules corresponding to those in Paneth cells as well as mucin granules in the signet-ring cells, and various intermediate forms in some cancer cells, which might be immature in the Paneth cell lineage.
Adenocarcinoma ; Biopsy ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Lineage ; Cytoplasm ; Eosinophils ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mucins ; Muramidase ; Paneth Cells ; Stomach* ; Ulcer

No abstract available.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Humans ; Neuroma*

We report a case of necrotizing arteritis involving the gallbladder. This case was clinically diagnosed as cholelithiasis with cholecystitis, and necrotizing arteritis was found in the surgically resected specimen. Vascular changes were similar to those seen in classic polyarteritis nodosa, involving medium-sized muscular arteries and characterized by fibrinoid necrosis and panarterial and periarterial inflammation varying from active to resolving stages. Acute cholecystitis is a rare initial clinical manifestation of the systemic vasculitis. If acute cholecystitis is found in the absence of obvious cause, careful examination is essential. Since steroid therapy improves the prognosis in the systemic vasculitis, clinicians and pathologists should be aware of this unusual lesion.
Arteries ; Cholecystitis ; Cholecystitis, Acute ; Cholelithiasis ; Gallbladder* ; Inflammation ; Necrosis ; Polyarteritis Nodosa ; Prognosis ; Systemic Vasculitis ; Vasculitis*

The expression of c-fos and c-jun in the brain of the rat after capsaicin treatment was investigated by in situ hybridization, dot blot hybridization and immunocytochemical methods. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats[200g] were used for this study. The first set of rats received a single subcutaneous injection of capsaicin[50mg/Kg] dissolved in 10% Tween-80 and 10% ethanol in saline. The rats were decapitated 1, 3, 5, 10, 24, 72 hours and 1 week after capsaicin treatment. The control set of rats were treated with saline instead of capsaicin. In situ hybridization and dot blot hybridization were carried out. O1igonucleotide probe complimentary to c-fos mRNA sequences were used for this study and labeling of oligonucleotides was accomplished using the DNA tailing kit. The expression of c-fos mRNA on the nucleus of neurons in in situ hybridization was observed throughout the brain, and was especially abundant in the olfactory cortex, nucleus of diagonal band of Broca, habenular nuclei, periaqueductal gray, parabrachial nucleus, entopeduncular nucleus, ventral posterolateral nucleus of the thalamus and cerebellum. Compared to the control rats, c-fos mRNA were increased 24 hours after capsaicin injection and gradually decreased after 72 hours, returning to the normal control level 1 week after capsaicin injection. c-fos mRNA was detected only 1 week after capsaicin injection in the various areas of the brain. The fos protein-like immunoreactivity was initially somewhat decreased at 24 hours, but increased at 72 hours and reactions was maximally observed at 1 week after capsaicin treatment. But Jun protein immunoreactivity was not increased, on the contrary, it was even decreased both in numbers of reactive cells and immunoreactivity 1 week after capsaicin injection. From the above results, c-fos gene expression was pronounced in the nucleus concerned with pain, olfaction and taste such as VPL nucleus of the thalamus, olfactory cortex and parabrachial nucleus, in the limbic system concerned with stress and emotion such as nucleus of diagonal band of Broca, periaqueductal gray and habenular nucleus, in the structure concerned with somatic motor function such as entopeduncular nucleus and cerebellum. Also, the c-fos gene was activated by the capsaicin early in the course of effects, then the fos protein increased as a results of c-fos activation. On the other hand, c-jun did not respond to capsaicin treatment early in the course, but Jun protein decreased late in the course of capsaicin effects.
Adult ; Animals ; Brain* ; Capsaicin* ; Cerebellum ; DNA ; Entopeduncular Nucleus ; Ethanol ; Genes, fos ; Habenula ; Hand ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Limbic System ; Male ; Neurons ; Olfactory Pathways ; Oligonucleotides ; Periaqueductal Gray ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; RNA, Messenger ; Septal Nuclei ; Smell ; Thalamus ; Ventral Thalamic Nuclei

BACKGROUND: One of the main disadvantages of caudal block is the long latent period before a satisfactory blockade is obtained. Many investigators have used various preparations of local anesthetic solutions to improve the speed of onset. This study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of prewarming of lidocaine HCl for caudal block. METHODS: Fifty healthy young patients (ASA I) were allocated into two groups, A and B. In group A, the local anesthetic solution were injected at room temperature (25 degrees C), while in group B, they were injected at 37oC. All the caudal block were performed using 2% lidocaine HCl 20 ml with fentanyl 100ug and epinephrine 1:200,000. The onset time was defined as the period from completion of injection until the patient first noticed loss of sensation to pin-prick on perianal region. Assessment of sensory loss was made at 15 seconds interval. We have compared the onset of sensory blockade between groups. The duration of analgesia and any significant side effects were also recorded. RESULTS: The onset of sensory blockade was significantly faster in group B (3.5 +/- 0.5 minutes) than group A (6.2 +/- 0.9 minutes). The duration of analgesia were not significantly changed between groups. Side effects of urinary retention, pruritus and nausea were noted between both groups but the difference was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: We have found that the onset time was 44% faster with warm lidocaine-fentanyl mixture (37 degrees C) than with the room temperature (25 degrees C). The improved clinical usefulness was achieved with no increase in side effects. The technique is a safe and effective method to reduce the latency of onset.
Analgesia ; Epinephrine ; Fentanyl ; Humans ; Lidocaine ; Nausea ; Pruritus ; Research Personnel ; Sensation ; Urinary Retention

On May 9th 2017, the 19th presidential election was held. This election was historically significant because of the impeachment of the former president. This election was held in a relatively short period of time, unlike the normal presidential elections. Therefore, there was not enough time to deliberate pledges for candidates and review pledges for the people. South Korea has suffered from many healthcare problems associated with low-birth rate, population aging, and low economic growth rate. In this paper, we compared the ‘10 main pledge’ of the major five candidates of the 19th presidential election and discussed focusing on the healthcare issue. As a result of comparing the 10 main pledge of the major candidates, it was difficult to find healthcare parts whereas there were lots of welfare parts existed. We need enough time to review and discuss pledges in the next election.
Aging ; Delivery of Health Care ; Economic Development ; Korea

Pelvic actinomycosis is a rare disease, and has variable clinical manifestations and courses, which make it difficult to diagnose the disease initially. We experienced a pelvic actinomycosis in a woman who complained vaginal discharge and lower abdominal pain, and had not been carring a intrauterine contraceptive device. This infection results in tissue destruction, fibrosis, and the formation of draining sinuses. We describe the case with brief review of clinical diagnosis and management.
Abdominal Pain ; Actinomycosis* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Intrauterine Devices ; Rare Diseases ; Vaginal Discharge

Genetic factors clearly play a role in carcinogenesis, but migrant studies provide unequivocal evidence that environmental factors are critical in defining cancer risk. Therefore, one may expect that the lower availability of substrate for biochemical reactions leads to more genetic changes in enzyme function; for example, most studies have indicated the variant MTHFR genotype 677TT is related to biomarkers, such as homocysteine concentrations or global DNA methylation particularly in a low folate diet. The modification of a phenotype related to a genotype, particularly by dietary habits, could support the notion that some of inconsistencies in findings from molecular epidemiologic studies could be due to differences in the populations studied and unaccounted underlying characteristics mediating the relationship between genetic polymorphisms and the actual phenotypes. Given the evidence that diet can modify cancer risk, gene-diet interactions in cancer etiology would be anticipated. However, much of the evidence in this area comes from observational epidemiology, which limits the causal inference. Thus, the investigation of these interactions is essential to gain a full understanding of the impact of genetic variation on health outcomes. This report reviews current approaches to gene-diet interactions in epidemiological studies. Characteristics of gene and dietary factors are divided into four categories: one carbon metabolism-related gene polymorphisms and dietary factors including folate, vitamin B group and methionines; oxidative stress-related gene polymorphisms and antioxidant nutrients including vegetable and fruit intake; carcinogen-metabolizing gene polymorphisms and meat intake including heterocyclic amins and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon; and other gene-diet interactive effect on cancer.
*Diet ; *Epidemiologic Studies ; Genetic Markers ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; *Molecular Epidemiology ; Neoplasms/epidemiology/*genetics ; *Nutritional Status ; Oxidative Stress ; Phenotype ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors