PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of duck meats with turmeric powder on blood lipids in 10 female university students. METHODS: The subjects received duck meat with 0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.4% turmeric powder and glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol in their serums after 30, 60, 90, 120, and 180 min were measured. RESULTS: The average height, weight, and body mass index of subjects were 159.6 ± 2.6 cm, 51.3 ± 3.5 kg, and 20.1 ± 1.0, respectively. The fasting glucose, γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT), glutamic pyruvic transferase (GPT), glutamic oxaloacetic transferase (GOT), c-reactive protein (CRP), and hemoglobin were within the normal range. The Δ-AUC (area under the curve) of postprandial glucose, TG did not change, but Δ-AUC of postprandial total cholesterol and LDL were significantly decreased, and HDL was increased by intake of the duck meat with turmeric powder. CONCLUSION: This study shows that duck meats with turmeric powder affected the postprandial blood lipid levels.
Body Mass Index ; C-Reactive Protein ; Cholesterol ; Curcuma* ; Ducks* ; Fasting ; Female* ; Glucose ; Humans ; Lipoproteins ; Meat* ; Reference Values ; Transferases ; Triglycerides

To screen molecular chaperones similar to small heat shock proteins (sHsps), but without alpha-crystalline domain, heat-stable proteins from Schizosaccharomyces pombe were analyzed by 2-dimensional electrophoresis and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Sixteen proteins were identified, and four recombinant proteins, including cofilin, NTF2, pyridoxin biosynthesis protein (Snz1) and Wos2 that has an alpha-crystalline domain, were purified. Among these proteins, only Snz1 showed the anti-aggregation activity against thermal denaturation of citrate synthase. However, pre-heating of NTF2 and Wos2 at 70degrees C for 30 min, efficiently prevented thermal aggregation of citrate synthase. These results indicate that Snz1 and NTF2 possess molecular chaperone activity similar to sHsps, even though there is no alpha-crystalline domain in their sequences.
alpha-Crystallins ; Citrate (si)-Synthase ; Electrophoresis ; Heat-Shock Proteins, Small* ; Mass Screening* ; Mass Spectrometry ; Molecular Chaperones* ; Pyridoxine ; Recombinant Proteins ; Schizosaccharomyces*

Transposable elements are one of major sources to cause genomic instability through various mechanisms including de novo insertion, insertion-mediated genomic deletion, and recombination-associated genomic deletion. Among them is Alu element which is the most abundant element, composing ~10% of the human genome. The element emerged in the primate genome 65 million years ago and has since propagated successfully in the human and non-human primate genomes. Alu element is a non-autonomous retrotransposon and therefore retrotransposed using L1-enzyme machinery. The 'master gene' model has been generally accepted to explain Alu element amplification in primate genomes. According to the model, different subfamilies of Alu elements are created by mutations on the master gene and most Alu elements are amplified from the hyperactive master genes. Alu element is frequently involved in genomic rearrangements in the human genome due to its abundance and sequence identity between them. The genomic rearrangements caused by Alu elements could lead to genetic disorders such as hereditary disease, blood disorder, and neurological disorder. In fact, Alu elements are associated with approximately 0.1% of human genetic disorders. The first part of this review discusses mechanisms of Alu amplification and diversity among different Alu subfamilies. The second part discusses the particular role of Alu elements in generating genomic rearrangements as well as human genetic disorders.
Alu Elements* ; DNA Transposable Elements ; Genetic Diseases, Inborn ; Genome ; Genome, Human ; Genomic Instability ; Humans* ; Nervous System Diseases ; Primates ; Recombination, Genetic ; Retroelements

Identifying the patterns of gene expression in breast cancers is essential to understanding their pathophysiology and developing anticancer drugs. Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease with different subtypes determined by distinct biological features. Luminal breast cancer is characterized by a relatively high expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) genes, which are expressed in breast luminal cells. In ~25% of invasive breast cancers, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is overexpressed; these cancers are categorized as the HER2 type. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), in which the cancer cells do not express ER/PR or HER2, shows highly aggressive clinical outcomes. TNBC can be further classified into specific subtypes according to genomic mutations and cancer immunogenicity. Herein, we discuss the brief history of TNBC classification and its implications for promising treatments.

Identifying the patterns of gene expression in breast cancers is essential to understanding their pathophysiology and developing anticancer drugs. Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease with different subtypes determined by distinct biological features. Luminal breast cancer is characterized by a relatively high expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) genes, which are expressed in breast luminal cells. In ~25% of invasive breast cancers, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is overexpressed; these cancers are categorized as the HER2 type. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), in which the cancer cells do not express ER/PR or HER2, shows highly aggressive clinical outcomes. TNBC can be further classified into specific subtypes according to genomic mutations and cancer immunogenicity. Herein, we discuss the brief history of TNBC classification and its implications for promising treatments.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a serious post-infectious complication of COVID-19 characterized by hyperinflammation and multi-organ dysfunction including shock. Shock is also seen in a severe form of Kawasaki disease (KD) called KD shock syndrome (KDSS). Here, we present one MIS-C and one KDSS case and compare similarities and differences between them. Both MIS-C (case 1) and KDSS (case 2) showed hyperinflammation, KD-related features, gastrointestinal problems, hypotension, and coagulopathy. The extent of systemic inflammation and organ dysfunction was more severe in KDSS than in MIS-C. Case 1 was diagnosed as MIS-C because SARS-CoV-2 was confirmed, and case 2 was diagnosed as KDSS because no pathogen was identified in microbiological studies. We believe that the most important difference between MIS-C and KDSS was whether SARS-CoV-2 was identified as an infectious trigger. Organ dysfunction is a hallmark of MIS-C and KDSS, but not KD, so MIS-C shares more clinical phenotypes with KDSS than with KD. Comparison of MIS-C and KDSS will be an interesting and important topic in the field of KD-like hyperinflammatory disease research.

OBJECTIVE: There is no definitive guideline for the significance and cut-off value of squamous-cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) in cervical cancer. Thus, we analyzed the significance and optimal cut-off value of SCC-Ag for predicting tumor recurrence and patient survival in squamous-cell carcinoma of uterine cervix. METHODS: From January 2010 to October 2016, we enrolled 304 cervical cancer patients with squamous-cell carcinoma staging International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) Ib–IVa and treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by intra-cavitary radiotherapy (ICR). The cut-off value of SCC-Ag level for tumor recurrence was calculated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were assessed using Kaplan-Meier method to estimate the significance of SCC-Ag level. RESULTS: The optimal cut-off value of SCC-Ag level for predicting tumor recurrence was calculated and set at 4.0 ng/mL in the ROC curve. After a median follow-up period of 36.5 months, the 3-year RFS (56.6% vs. 80.2%, p < 0.001) and OS (72.1% vs. 86.8%, p=0.005) were significantly lower in SCC-Ag ≥4 ng/mL arm than in < 4 ng/mL arm. The 3-year locoregional recurrence (17.6% vs. 7.0%, p=0.012), distant metastasis (20.4% vs. 6.9%, p=0.002), and para-aortic recurrence (9.4% vs. 2.1%, p=0.012) rates were significantly higher in SCC-Ag ≥4 ng/mL arm than in SCC-Ag < 4 ng/mL arm. CONCLUSION: Pre-treatment SCC-Ag level higher than 4 ng/mL may be a useful predictor of tumor recurrence in patients with squamous-cell carcinoma of uterine cervix treated with definitive CRT and ICR.
Arm ; Cervix Uteri* ; Chemoradiotherapy* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Methods ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Obstetrics ; Radiotherapy ; Recurrence* ; ROC Curve ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

Malnutrition is one of the most important factors for the development of nosocomial infection (NI). We performed a study of the correlation between abnormal nutritional factors and NI risk by investigating the patients who stayed longer than 3 days in the intensive care unit (ICU) of our university hospital. The patients were classified into three groups based on serum albumin levels and total lymphocyte counts (TLC). The criteria of Group I (well nourished group) were serum albumin level of 3.5 g/dl or higher and TLC of 1, 400/mm3 or higher. The criteria of Group III (severely malnourished group) were serum albumin of less than 2.8 g/dl and TLC of less than 1, 000/mm3. The other patients were classified as Group II (moderately malnourished group). The occurrences of NI were monitored during the study period and the APACHE III Score was calculated. The probability of first NI infection in Group III was 2.4 times higher than that in Groups I and II. The mortality rate of 20.5% was more significantly correlated with APACHE III Score than nutritional status. Nineteen (53%) of the total 36 NI patients were infected within 10 days after ICU admission and they all belonged to Group III. When we compared the gap period between infections, the time to first infection was significant.
Cross Infection/*epidemiology ; Female ; Human ; Incidence ; Intensive Care Units ; Male ; Nutrition Disorders/*complications/immunology ; Serum Albumin/analysis

Pericardial effusions can be caused by a wide variety of infectious or noninfectious diseases. After a conventional diagnostic work-up, the etiology of pericardial effusion often remains idiopathic. We report a patient with POEMS syndrome whose main clinical problem was recurrent pericardial effusions. Patients with POEMS syndrome often have generalized edema and a pleural effusion, while a pericardial effusion is a very rare complication. A 44-year-old man visited our hospital because of a recurrent pericardial effusion. He was initially diagnosed with idiopathic pericarditis five months prior. We reassessed the patient meticulously and found IgG lambda type monoclonal gammopathy, polyneuropathy, lymphadenopathy, peripheral edema, pleural effusion, hypothyroidism, pulmonary hypertension, hyperpigmentation, hypertrichosis, and papilledema, which we diagnosed as POEMS syndrome.
Adult ; Edema ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Hypertrichosis ; Hypothyroidism ; Immunoglobulin G ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Papilledema ; Paraproteinemias ; Pericardial Effusion ; Pericarditis ; Pleural Effusion ; POEMS Syndrome ; Polyneuropathies

Primary adrenal lymphoma is a very rare disease and it is known to have a poor prognosis. We report here on a case of primary adrenal insufficiency that was secondary to primary bilateral adrenal lymphoma. A 54-year old man was hospitalized because of easy fatigability, weight loss and consistent malaise for 6 months. The physical examination revealed hyperpigmentation on the anterior chest and hypotension. According these findings and symptoms, we did a rapid ACTH stimulation test with a clinical suspicion of adrenal insufficiency. He showed an inadequate adrenal response and so he was diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency. The abdominal CT images showed bilateral huge adrenal masses and increased uptake of the adrenal glands on PET. The pathologic diagnosis by ultrasound-guided gun biopsy of the right adrenal gland was diffuse large B cell lymphoma. The patient was administered combination chemotherapy with the R-CHOP regimen, and after 8-cycles of chemotherapy, he achieved complete remission of tumor according to the image studies and he recovered his adrenal function. Primary adrenal lymphoma, although a rare disease, should be considered in patients with bilateral enlargement of the adrenal glands and when the adrenal glands show increased uptake on a PET scan, and especially there is adrenal insufficiency.
Addison Disease ; Adrenal Glands ; Adrenal Insufficiency ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; Biopsy ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Hypotension ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; Physical Examination ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Prognosis ; Rare Diseases ; Thorax ; Weight Loss