In several human tumors, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and nuclear factor κB (NFκB) are activated and interact; how these STAT3–NFκB complexes are transported to the nucleus is not fully understood. In this study, we found that Rac1 was activated in starved cancer cells and that activated Rac1 coexisted with STAT3 and NFκB. Rac1 knockdown and overexpression of the dominant-negative mutant Rac1N19 inhibited the degradation of IκBα, an inhibitor of NFκB. MG132, an inhibitor of the ubiquitin proteasome pathway, increased the amount of non-phosphorylated IκBα, but not serine-phosphorylated IκBα, indicating that IκBα degradation by Rac1 in starved cancer cells is independent of IκBα serine phosphorylation by IKK. Rac1 knockdown also inhibited the nuclear translocation of STAT3–NFκB complexes, indicating that this translocation requires activated Rac1. We also demonstrated that the mutant STAT3 Y705F could form complexes with NFκB, and these unphosphorylated STAT3–NFκB complexes translocated into the nucleus and upregulated the activity of NFκB in starved cancer cells, suggesting that phosphorylation of STAT3 is not essential for its translocation. To our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating the crucial role of Rac1 in the function of STAT3–NFκB complexes in starved cancer cells and implies that targeting Rac1 may have future therapeutic significance in cancer therapy.
Humans ; Phosphorylation ; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex ; Serine ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; Ubiquitin

PURPOSE: When murine myeloma cells P3-X63-Ag8.653 (V653) of this model treated with amin opterin, an anticancer drug, they can't synthesize nucleic acid via de novo or salvage pathway and selectively eliminated due to apoptosis. This study was aimed to clone specific known and novel genes preferentially expressed in aminopteirn-treated tumor cell apoptosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was aimed to clone specific known and novel genes pre ferentially expressed in aminopteirn-treated tumor cell apoptosis by using subtraction-PCR technique. RESULTS: By using this technique 868 clones were obtained. Of these 427 clones were positive with insert DNA. By using cross-hybridization Southern blotting, final 101 clones were selected. All of these genes were sequenced and analyzed by using genebank DNA database. Total 101 clones of genes preferentially expressed in apoptotic tumor cells were classified into 10 groups, which included ribosomal proteins, nuclear proteins, mitdegrees Chondrial proteins, signal transductional proteins, retroviral proteins, cell surface receptor proteins, cell structural proteins, unclassified miscellaneous proteins, and novel genes. Especially, Unknown novel genes preferentially ex pressed in this apoptotic tumor cells included clone numbers S1-63, 1-1, 1-3, 1-16, 1-18, 1-20, 3-33, 3-41, 3-44, 3-48, 3-55, 3-60, 6-17, 6-25, 8-12, 50-7, 50-23, and 100-35. CONCLUSION: It seemed that known and unknown novel genes cloned in this study would con tribute to the future studies regarding apoptosis of tumor cells and cancer treatment therepy.
Aminopterin ; Apoptosis* ; Blotting, Southern ; Clone Cells* ; Cloning, Organism* ; Databases, Nucleic Acid ; DNA ; Mass Screening* ; Membrane Proteins ; Nuclear Proteins ; Ribosomal Proteins ; Zidovudine

Background: Periocular dark circles (PDCs) are a common cosmetic complaint. Grading systems based on objective measures have been used but no standard system is in place. Objective: To determine factors associated with subjective and objective PDC severity. Methods: Enrolled patients (n=100) completed a questionnaire comprised of demographic variables, medical history, and self-perception of PDC. Those perceiving PDC graded dissatisfaction on a 10-point scale. Clinical severity (grades 0∼4) and subtype (constitutional, post-inflammatory, vascular, shadow effects, or others) were determined. A Konica Minolta CR-400 chromameter was used to obtain colorimetry measurements (L*a*b* values). The objective average difference in darkness (ΔL*) between the periocular region and the cheek was determined. Comparisons were made using Spearman correlation coefficients (r). Results: Patient dissatisfaction correlated with both clinical severity (r=0.46,p＜0.001) and the ΔL* by colorimetry (r=0.35, p=0.004). Factors associated with subjective dissatisfaction were female sex (r=0.38, p=0.002), higher Fitzpatrick skin type (r=0.42, p=0.001), fewer hours of sleep (r=–0.28, p=0.03), and use of concealer (r=0.35, p=0.004). Factors associated with objective measures were higher Fitzpatrick skin type (r=0.36, p= 0.0007 and r=0.28, p=0.009, respectively), family history of PDC (r=0.34, p＜0.001 and r=0.20, p=0.05), and history of eczema (r=0.45, p＜0.001 and r=0.20, p=0.0504). Clinical severity grading correlated with colorimetric severity (r=0.36, p=0.0003). Conclusion Overall, subjective dissatisfaction was associated with clinical severity. However, factors associated with subjective severity did not necessarily overlap with factors associated with objective severity. These findings highlight the importance of patient-reported grading. There may be added value in incorporating a component of subjective grading into the traditionally objective PDC grading scales.

Background: Periocular dark circles (PDCs) are a common cosmetic complaint. Grading systems based on objective measures have been used but no standard system is in place. Objective: To determine factors associated with subjective and objective PDC severity. Methods: Enrolled patients (n=100) completed a questionnaire comprised of demographic variables, medical history, and self-perception of PDC. Those perceiving PDC graded dissatisfaction on a 10-point scale. Clinical severity (grades 0∼4) and subtype (constitutional, post-inflammatory, vascular, shadow effects, or others) were determined. A Konica Minolta CR-400 chromameter was used to obtain colorimetry measurements (L*a*b* values). The objective average difference in darkness (ΔL*) between the periocular region and the cheek was determined. Comparisons were made using Spearman correlation coefficients (r). Results: Patient dissatisfaction correlated with both clinical severity (r=0.46,p＜0.001) and the ΔL* by colorimetry (r=0.35, p=0.004). Factors associated with subjective dissatisfaction were female sex (r=0.38, p=0.002), higher Fitzpatrick skin type (r=0.42, p=0.001), fewer hours of sleep (r=–0.28, p=0.03), and use of concealer (r=0.35, p=0.004). Factors associated with objective measures were higher Fitzpatrick skin type (r=0.36, p= 0.0007 and r=0.28, p=0.009, respectively), family history of PDC (r=0.34, p＜0.001 and r=0.20, p=0.05), and history of eczema (r=0.45, p＜0.001 and r=0.20, p=0.0504). Clinical severity grading correlated with colorimetric severity (r=0.36, p=0.0003). Conclusion Overall, subjective dissatisfaction was associated with clinical severity. However, factors associated with subjective severity did not necessarily overlap with factors associated with objective severity. These findings highlight the importance of patient-reported grading. There may be added value in incorporating a component of subjective grading into the traditionally objective PDC grading scales.

We present a case of primary malignant melanoma of the thoracic spine mimicking intradural extramedullary meningioma or schwannoma. In 2010, a 55-year-old man presented with hypesthesia below the T4 dermatome level and bilateral leg weakness. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the thoracic spine revealed an approximately 1.5 cm well marginated mass lesion in the intradural extramedullary area at the level of T4-5. Preoperative MRI findings suggested benign spinal cord tumor such as meningioma or calcified schwannoma. Surgery revealed a well marginated black-colored tumor. After removal of the tumor, we observed pigmented seeding along the leptomeninges. According to the pathology report, the final diagnosis was malignant melanoma. No evidence of primary malignant tumor, abnormal lymphadenopathy or distant metastatic lesion was found on the PET-CT scan. As a result, the lesion was compatible with primary spinal malignant melanoma. Even if spinal melanoma was suspected in the thoracic spine, it is easy to simply diagnosis the finding as schwannoma or meningioma based on the preoperative radiological findings. Therefore, preoperative diagnosis should be decided carefully, especially for masses in the thoracic spinal tumor.
Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Leg ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Melanoma ; Meningioma ; Middle Aged ; Neurilemmoma ; Seeds ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Cord Neoplasms ; Spine

PURPOSE: The current study investigated whether the combined effects of soy intake and genetic polymorphisms of interleukin (IL) genes modify gastric cancer risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 377 cases and 754 controls of Korean origin were included in the analysis. Soy consumption was assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Seven variants of IL10 (rs1800871), IL2 (rs2069763 and rs2069762), IL13 (rs6596090 and rs20541), and IL4R (rs7205663 and rs1805010) were genetically analyzed. To analyze the combined effect of soy intake and genetic polymorphisms, a low-intake group and high-intake group of each type of soy were categorized based on the intake level of the control group. Interactions between soy products and these genetic variants were analyzed by a likelihood ratio test, in which a multiplicative interaction term was added to the logistic regression model. RESULTS: A higher intake of nonfermented soy products was associated with a reduced cancer risk (odds ratio [OR], 0.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.43 to 0.90), and the reduced risk was only apparent in males (OR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.27 to 0.71). None of the IL genetic polymorphisms examined were independently associated with gastric cancer risk. Individuals with a minor allele of IL2 rs2069762 and a higher intake of nonfermented soy food had a decreased risk of gastric cancer (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.31 to 0.68) compared to those with a lower intake (p(interaction)=0.039). CONCLUSION: Based on the genetic characteristics of the studied individuals, the interaction between IL2 rs2069762 and nonfermented soy intake may modify the risk of gastric cancer.
Alleles ; Case-Control Studies* ; Gene-Environment Interaction ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-13 ; Interleukin-2 ; Interleukins* ; Korea* ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Polymorphism, Genetic* ; Soy Foods ; Stomach Neoplasms*

OBJECTIVE: To compare the detection performance of the automated whole breast ultrasound (AWUS) with that of the hand-held breast ultrasound (HHUS) and to evaluate the interobserver variability in the interpretation of the AWUS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: AWUS was performed in 38 breast cancer patients. A total of 66 lesions were included: 38 breast cancers, 12 additional malignancies and 16 benign lesions. Three breast radiologists independently reviewed the AWUS data and analyzed the breast lesions according to the BI-RADS classification. RESULTS: The detection rate of malignancies was 98.0% for HHUS and 90.0%, 88.0% and 96.0% for the three readers of the AWUS. The sensitivity and the specificity were 98.0% and 62.5% in HHUS, 90.0% and 87.5% for reader 1, 88.0% and 81.3% for reader 2, and 96.0% and 93.8% for reader 3, in AWUS. There was no significant difference in the radiologists' detection performance, sensitivity and specificity (p > 0.05) between the two modalities. The interobserver agreement was fair to good for the ultrasonographic features, categorization, size, and the location of breast masses. CONCLUSION: AWUS is thought to be useful for detecting breast lesions. In comparison with HHUS, AWUS shows no significant difference in the detection rate, sensitivity and the specificity, with high degrees of interobserver agreement.
Aged ; Breast Neoplasms/pathology/*ultrasonography ; Chi-Square Distribution ; *Clinical Competence ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted/methods ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Observer Variation ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrasonography, Mammary/*methods

A total of 1,708 small mammals (1,617 rodents and 91 soricomorphs), including Apodemus agrarius (n = 1,400), Microtus fortis (167), Crocidura lasiura (91), Mus musculus (32), Myodes (= Eothenomys) regulus (9), Micromys minutus (6), and Tscherskia (= Cricetulus) triton (3), were live-trapped at US/Republic of Korea (ROK) military training sites near the demilitarized zone (DMZ) of Paju, Pocheon, and Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province from December 2004 to December 2009. Small mammals were examined for their intestinal nematodes by necropsy. A total of 1,617 rodents (100%) and 91 (100%) soricomorphs were infected with at least 1 nematode species, including Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, Heligmosomoides polygyrus, Syphacia obvelata, Heterakis spumosa, Protospirura muris, Capillaria spp., Trichuris muris, Rictularia affinis, and an unidentified species. N. brasiliensis was the most common species infecting small mammals (1,060; 62.1%) followed by H. polygyrus (617; 36.1%), S. obvelata (370; 21.7%), H. spumosa (314; 18.4%), P. muris (123; 7.2%), and Capillaria spp. (59; 3.5%). Low infection rates (0.1-0.8%) were observed for T. muris, R. affinis, and an unidentified species. The number of recovered worms was highest for N. brasiliensis (21,623 worms; mean 20.4 worms/infected specimen) followed by S. obvelata (9,235; 25.0 worms), H. polygyrus (4,122; 6.7 worms), and H. spumosa (1,160; 3.7 worms). A. agrarius demonstrated the highest prevalence for N. brasiliensis (70.9%), followed by M. minutus (50.0%), T. triton (33.3%), M. fortis (28.1%), M. musculus (15.6%), C. lasiura (13.2%), and M. regulus (0%). This is the first report of nematode infections in small mammals captured near the DMZ in ROK.
Animals ; Animals, Wild ; Female ; Helminthiasis/epidemiology/parasitology ; Helminths/*classification/*isolation & purification ; Insectivora/*parasitology ; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology/parasitology/*veterinary ; Intestines/parasitology ; Male ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Rodentia/*parasitology

A total of 1,708 small mammals (1,617 rodents and 91 soricomorphs), including Apodemus agrarius (n = 1,400), Microtus fortis (167), Crocidura lasiura (91), Mus musculus (32), Myodes (= Eothenomys) regulus (9), Micromys minutus (6), and Tscherskia (= Cricetulus) triton (3), were live-trapped at US/Republic of Korea (ROK) military training sites near the demilitarized zone (DMZ) of Paju, Pocheon, and Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province from December 2004 to December 2009. Small mammals were examined for their intestinal nematodes by necropsy. A total of 1,617 rodents (100%) and 91 (100%) soricomorphs were infected with at least 1 nematode species, including Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, Heligmosomoides polygyrus, Syphacia obvelata, Heterakis spumosa, Protospirura muris, Capillaria spp., Trichuris muris, Rictularia affinis, and an unidentified species. N. brasiliensis was the most common species infecting small mammals (1,060; 62.1%) followed by H. polygyrus (617; 36.1%), S. obvelata (370; 21.7%), H. spumosa (314; 18.4%), P. muris (123; 7.2%), and Capillaria spp. (59; 3.5%). Low infection rates (0.1-0.8%) were observed for T. muris, R. affinis, and an unidentified species. The number of recovered worms was highest for N. brasiliensis (21,623 worms; mean 20.4 worms/infected specimen) followed by S. obvelata (9,235; 25.0 worms), H. polygyrus (4,122; 6.7 worms), and H. spumosa (1,160; 3.7 worms). A. agrarius demonstrated the highest prevalence for N. brasiliensis (70.9%), followed by M. minutus (50.0%), T. triton (33.3%), M. fortis (28.1%), M. musculus (15.6%), C. lasiura (13.2%), and M. regulus (0%). This is the first report of nematode infections in small mammals captured near the DMZ in ROK.
Animals ; Animals, Wild ; Female ; Helminthiasis/epidemiology/parasitology ; Helminths/*classification/*isolation & purification ; Insectivora/*parasitology ; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology/parasitology/*veterinary ; Intestines/parasitology ; Male ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Rodentia/*parasitology