Inhibition of Rho-associated coiled coil-containing kinase (ROCK) has been reported to promote differentiation of neuronal cells. Here, we examined the effect of Y-27632, a ROCK inhibitor, on the outgrowth of neurites in PC12 cells. Y-27632 caused a rapid induction of neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells in a time-dependent manner. The neurite outgrowth, triggered by Y-27632, was accompanied by Rac1 activation, and was attenuated by Rac1 inhibitor NSC23766, in a concentration-dependent manner. Y-27632 also induced an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Pretreatment with N-acetylcysteine, an ROS scavenger, inhibited the ROS generation and neurite outgrowth in response to Y-27632. These results indicate that the activation of Rac1 and the generation of ROS contribute to the neurite outgrowth triggered by Y-27632 in PC12 cells.
Acetylcysteine ; Animals ; Neurites* ; Neurons ; PC12 Cells* ; Phosphotransferases ; Reactive Oxygen Species*

In the present study, we investigated the effect of staurosporine on the formation of cellular processes in human gingival fibroblasts and rat astrocytes. Staurosporine caused a rapid induction of process formation in human gingival fibroblasts and rat astrocytes in a concentration dependent manner. The process formation of human gingival fibroblasts and rat astrocytes was prevented by the pretreatment with N-acetylcysteine, suggesting that staurosporine-induced ROS production was responsible for the process formation. Colchicine, a microtubule depolymerizing agent, inhibited the staurosporine-induced process formation, whereas cytochalasin D, an actin filament breakdown agent, failed to suppress the formation of cellular processes. This result indicated that polymerization of microtubule, and not actin filament, was responsible for the formation of cellular processes induced by staurosporine. In support of this hypothesis, Western blot analysis was conducted using anti-tubulin antibody, and the results showed that the amount of polymerized microtubule was increased by the treatment with staurosporine while that of depolymerized beta-tubulin in soluble fraction was decreased. These results indicate that staurosporine induces ROS-mediated, microtubule-dependent formation of cellular processes in human gingival fibroblasts and rat astrocytes.
Acetylcysteine ; Actin Cytoskeleton ; Animals ; Astrocytes* ; Blotting, Western ; Colchicine ; Cytochalasin D ; Fibroblasts* ; Humans ; Microtubules ; Polymerization ; Polymers ; Rats* ; Staurosporine* ; Tubulin

BACKGROUND: E-cadherin, one of the best known cell adhesion molecules plays an important role in embryonic cell development and architectural maintenance of adult tissues. This molecule is a calcium- dependent glycoprotein and is expressed in most normal epithelial tissues. Selective loss of E-cadherin has been observed in many carcinomas of various origins, and this phenomenon is thought to be an induction point for depression of cell adhesiveness and for metastasis. This study was conducted to evaluate the significance of E-cadherin expression as a prognostic factor in breast cancer and to examine the relationship between E-cadherin expression and clinicopathologic factors. METHODS: Surgical specimens were obtained from 73 patients with breast carcinoma from September 1993 to August 1996 in the Department of Surgery, Mok-Dong Hospital, Ewha Womans University. The immunohistochemical staining was performed by using the paraffin embedded tissues. These results were compared with previously known important clinicopathologic characteristics such as age, tumor location, chief complaint, mass size, tumor stage, lymph node invasion, mitosis, nuclear and histologic grades. RESULTS: The expression status of E-cadherin was normal in 41 cases (56%), reduced in 23 cases (32%), lost in 9 cases (12%). When compared with clinicopathologic variables, loss of E-cadherin expression was found in high nuclear and histologic grade, high stage, and severe lymph node invasion cases. However, there was no significant difference in survival rate according to E-cadherin expression. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that E-cadherin expression may be related with the histologic and nuclear grades, the stage and lymph node invasiveness, so it can be used as predictive factor for metastasis.
Adhesiveness ; Adult ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Cadherins* ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; Depression ; Female ; Glycoproteins ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Mitosis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Paraffin ; Survival Rate

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify factors influencing the posttraumatic growth of maritime police officers. Methods: The subjects include 293 maritime police officers that received basic and professional education at the Korea Coast Guard Academy on June 17~July 31, 2019. Data was analyzed in frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, variance analysis, Pearson's correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis with the SPSS Version 21.0 program. Results: The findings show that the maritime police officers scored mean 39.72±16.56 points in posttraumatic growth. marital status(β=.194, p=.002), smoking(β=.152, p=.010), regular exercise(β=-.185, p<.001), total duration of service(β=-.154, p=.033), resilience(β=.310, p<.001), social support (β=.250, p<.001), and collective culture(β=.158, p=.004) had impacts on their posttraumatic growth. Conclusion The findings of the study demonstrate that the posttraumatic growth of maritime police officers was under the influence of supports from families and peers, working environment, and culture as well as their individual characteristics.

Black larder beetles prefer to feed on decomposing animal bodies, particularly those that are dried. When conditions are dry and warm, these beetles often appear in large numbers on dried animal carcasses. In our case, the dried carcasses of several cats were found nearly skeletonized at a villa in Daegu Metropolitan City on July 13, 2022. There were very few empty pupae of Lucilia sericata (Meigen) in the villa, but many adult black larder beetles, larvae, and larval cast skin (exuviae) (Dermestes haemorrhoidalis Küster) belonging to the family of larder beetles (Dermestidae) were found. We estimated the minimum post-mortem interval to be 44.5 days using temperature data from the nearest meteorological observatory and reported animal carcass decomposition and Dermestidae developmental rates. Police investigation confirmed that the cats were alive at least 3 months ago. Consequently, the neglected cats could not have been deceased in the villa for more than 3 months. As a result, the estimate closely matched the statement from the suspect.

A 50-year-old woman presented with a 4-day history of apathy, perseveration, and confusion. These symptoms appeared 16 days after she had started taking sulfasalazine for rheumatoid arthritis. Brain MRI showed bilateral symmetrical discoid lesions involving the corona radiata. She fully recovered 7 days after stopping the medications. Follow-up brain MRI revealed remarkable improvement of the lesions. The pathomechanisms related to sulfasalazine-induced leukoencephalopathy may be demyelinating processes due to impaired T-cell-mediated immunity.
Apathy ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Brain ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Leukoencephalopathies ; Middle Aged ; Sulfasalazine

BACKGROUND: Increased low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level and the presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) are important risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Recent studies demonstrated apolipoprotein B (apoB), a protein mainly located in LDL-C, was an independent predictor of the development of CVD especially in patients with T2DM. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between apoB and MetS in T2DM patients. METHODS: We analyzed 912 patients with T2DM. Fasting blood samples were taken for glycated hemoglobin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol, LDL-C, and apoB. MetS was defined by the modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. We performed a hierarchical regression analysis with apoB as the dependent variable. Age, sex, the number of components of MetS and LDL-C were entered at model 1, the use of lipid-lowering medications at model 2, and the individual components of MetS were added at model 3. RESULTS: Seventy percent of total subjects had MetS. ApoB level was higher in subjects with than those without MetS (104.5+/-53.3 mg/dL vs. 87.7+/-33.7 mg/dL, P<0.01) even after adjusting for LDL-C. ApoB and LDL-C were positively correlated to the number of MetS components. The hierarchical regression analysis showed that the increasing number of MetS components was associated with higher level of apoB at step 1 and step 2 (beta=0.120, P<0.001 and beta=0.110, P<0.001, respectively). At step 3, TG (beta=0.116, P<0.001) and systolic blood pressure (beta=0.099, P<0.05) were found to significantly contribute to apoB. CONCLUSION: In patients with T2DM, apoB is significantly related to MetS independently of LDL-C level. Of the components of MetS, TG, and systolic blood pressure appeared to be determinants of apoB.
Adult ; Apolipoproteins B ; Apolipoproteins* ; Blood Pressure ; C-Reactive Protein ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Cholesterol, LDL* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Education ; Fasting ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Humans ; Risk Factors ; Triglycerides

Primary hepatic neuroendocrine cell carcinoma is a very rare tumor. We experienced a 75-year-old woman with primary hepatic neuroendocrine carcinoma presenting with pyogenic liver abscess. Abdominal CT scan revealed a multiseptated liver abscess and an enlarged lymph node in portocaval portion. We performed percutaneous drainage of the liver abscess, but the amount of drained pus did not decrease after 20 days. The follow-up abdominal CT scan showed that the cystic portion of liver abscess had been replaced by the solid tumor. Microscopic examination of the tumor tissue showed nests of epithelial cells with uniform round hyperchromatic nuclei and high nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio. Immunohistochemical staining was strongly positive for synaptophysin and chromogranin A.
Adenine/analogs & derivatives/therapeutic use ; Antiviral Agents/*adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Drug Eruptions/diagnosis/*pathology ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic/*drug therapy ; Humans ; Ichthyosis/chemically induced/pathology ; Lamivudine/*adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Phosphonic Acids/therapeutic use

BACKGROUND/AIMS: For evaluation of anemia, esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is widely used. However, there is no sufficient information on the efficiency and role of colonoscopic evaluation for these anemia patients. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic yield of colonoscopy in anemia patients with nonactive rectal bleeding. METHODS: This was a retrospective study from January 2001 to December 2002. We reviewed 147 patients who underwent colonoscopy for anemia evaluation. RESULTS: The mean age was 48+/-17 years (range 15~90), and male to female ratio was 1:4.3. Ninety-four patients (63.9%) had iron deficiency anemia and 21.8% of them have less than 7 g/dL of hemoglobin. Abnormal colonoscopic findings were observed in 84 patients (57.1%) including hemorrhoid (35), polyp (31), tuberculosis (9), cancer (8), diverticulum (8), endometriosis (1), angiodysplasia (1), and ulcerative colitis (1). The presence of abnormal colonoscopic findings was more frequently observed in older population (> or =55 years old, p=0.034). Intestinal tuberculosis, endometriosis, and ulcerative colitis were observed only in younger population (<55 years old), and 2 of 8 cancer patients were 39 and 49 years old males. CONCLUSIONS: Although the diagnostic yield of colonoscopy is relatively higher in older population, colonoscopy is one of the valuable tools in anemia evaluation of both older and younger populations.
Anemia* ; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency ; Angiodysplasia ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; Colonoscopy ; Diverticulum ; Endometriosis ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Female ; Hemorrhage* ; Hemorrhoids ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polyps ; Retrospective Studies ; Tuberculosis

OBJECTIVE: Epidural injection of hyaluronic acid may prevent adhesion formation after spine surgery, but the compounds used to stabilize hyaluronidase could interfere with its anti-adhesion effects. The present study was conducted as a clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an experimental medical gel in preventing adhesion formation. METHODS: This study was designed as a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, and comparative controlled clinical trial with an observation period of 6 weeks. Subjects were randomly assigned into two groups: group A with sodium hyaluronate + 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDE) and group B with sodium hyaluronate + sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). Visual analogue scale (VAS) of back and leg pain and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) and scar score ratings were assessed after surgery. RESULTS: Mean scar grade was 2.37+/-1.13 in group A and 2.75+/-0.97 in group B, a statistically significant difference (p=0.012). VAS of back and leg pain and ODI scores decreased significantly from baseline to 3 and 6 weeks postoperatively in both groups (p<0.001). However, VAS and ODI scores were not statistically different between groups A and B at baseline or at 3 and 6 weeks after operation (p>0.3). The number of adverse reactions related to the anti-adhesion gels was not statistically different (p=0.569), but subsequent analysis of nervous adverse reactions showed group B was superior with a statistically difference (p=0.027). CONCLUSION: Sodium hyaluronate with BDDE demonstrated similar anti-adhesion properties to sodium hyaluronate with CMC. But, care should be used to nervous adverse reactions by using sodium hyaluronate with BDDE.
Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium* ; Cicatrix ; Diskectomy* ; Ether* ; Gels ; Hyaluronic Acid* ; Hyaluronoglucosaminidase ; Injections, Epidural ; Leg ; Spine