OBJECTIVES: Cadherin/catenin adhesion complex is fundamentally involved in epithelial cancer invasion and metastasis. E-cadherin and EGFR colocalize on the basolateral membrane of epithelial cell and EGF down-regulate E-cadherin expression. In the invasion and metastasis of cancer, E-cadherin expression is decreased and growth factors receptor is overexpressed. The present study was aimed to find the role of E-cadherin, beta-and gamma-catenin, growth factors and its receptors in cervical cancer cell lines. METHODS: The cervical cancer cell cultures were treated with different time duration of EGF 30 ng/ml and TGF-a 10 ng/ml(0, 10 min, 20 min, 30 min, 1 hr, 2 hr, 4 hr, 8 hr, 24 hr). The change in cancer cell morphology and the changes in E-cadherin, beta- and gamma-catenin, EGFR and activated EGFR expression were studied with a western blot analysis and an immunoprecipitation. RESULTS: Through a western blot analysis, E-cadherin 120 kDa band and EGFR 170 kDa band were expressed in CaSki, HT-3 and ME-180 cell line, which showed epithelial contact growth. 1n these 3 cell lines, expression of E-cadherin did not decrease with time dependent manner. after the treatment of EGF and TGF- alpha. The expression of EGFR decreased and activated EGFR expression increased in 30 minutes to 1 hour but decreased subsequently. When the cells treated with EGF, there were no change in beta-and gamma-catenin expression with there dependent manner. The tyrosine phosphorylation of beta-and gamma-catenin increased in 30 minutes to 1 hour but decreased subsequently with activated EGFR. CONCLUSION: This study showed that an activated EGFR which has involved with tyrosine phosphorylation of beta- and gamma-catenin influenced by growth factors rather than expression of E-cadherin, has a role in the invasion and metastasis of the cervical cancer.
Blotting, Western ; Cadherins* ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Line* ; Epidermal Growth Factor* ; Epithelial Cells ; gamma Catenin* ; Immunoprecipitation ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Membranes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Phosphorylation* ; Transforming Growth Factor alpha* ; Tyrosine* ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms*

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the expression of TSP-1 and -2 in eutopic endometrium of advanced endometriosis and control patients. METHODS: The 33 endometriosis patients and 32 controls were enrolled. Endometrial samples were obtained from 65 premenopausal women aged 29-44 years, undergoing laparoscopic surgery or hysterectomy for non-malignant lesions. Sufficient samples were collected from 33 patients with endometriosis stage III and IV and 32 controls without endometriosis confirmed by laparoscopic surgery. The mRNA expression from eutopic endometrium for TSP-1 and -2 were analyzed by RT-QC PCR. RESULTS: The mRNAs of TSP-1 and -2 were expressed in eutopic endometrium from endometriosis and normal controls throughout the menstrual cycle. There were no significant differences in expression of TSP-1 and TSP-2 in eutopic endometrium between controls and endometriosis patients. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that TSP-1 and -2 had no crucial role compared to other molecules in the regulation of angiogenesis. These findings also suggest that dysregulation of other angiogenic regulators would be concerned in pathophysiologic role in endometriosis development.
Endometriosis* ; Endometrium ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Laparoscopy ; Menstrual Cycle ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger* ; Thrombospondin 1 ; Thrombospondins

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the expression of uPA and uPAR in eutopic endometrium of advanced stage endometriosis and control patients. METHODS: The 33 endometriosis patients and 32 controls were enrolled. Endometrial samples were obtained from 65 premenopausal women aged 29~44 years, undergoing laparoscopic surgery or hysterectomy for non-malignant lesions. Sufficient samples were collected from 33 patients with endometriosis stage III and IV and 32 controls without endometriosis confirmed by laparoscopic surgery. The mRNA expression of uPA and uPAR from eutopic endometrium were analyzed by RT-QC PCR. RESULTS: The mRNAs of uPA and uPAR were expressed in eutopic endometrium from endometriosis and normal controls throughout the menstrual cycle. Uterine endometrium from women with endometriosis expresses significantly (p<0.05) higher levels of u-PA mRNA than endometrium from normal women without endometriosis in the proliferative phase. There were no significant differences in expression of uPAR in eutopic endometrium between controls and endometriosis patients. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that eutopic endometrium from endometriosis patients may be more invasive and prone to peritoneal implantation because of greater u-PA mRNA expression than endometrium from women without endometriosis. Thus, increased proteolytic activity may be one etiology for the invasive properties of the endometrium resulting in the development of endometriosis.
Endometriosis* ; Endometrium* ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Laparoscopy ; Menstrual Cycle ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Proteolysis ; RNA, Messenger* ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator

Werniche's encephalopathy is clinically characterized by the acute onset of global confusion, ataxia, gaze paresis, and nystagmus. It result from a deficiency in thiamine, an essential coenzyme in intermediate carbohydrate metabolism. The prompt use of thiamine prevents progression of the disease and reverses those lesions that have not yet progressed to the point of fixed structural change. We experienced a case of Wemiches encephalopathy associated with hyperemesis gravidarum, which happens to the patient who are injected only dextrose without thiamine. Therefore, we emphasize the need of thiamine replacement in hyperemesis gravidarum.
Ataxia ; Carbohydrate Metabolism ; Female ; Glucose ; Humans ; Hyperemesis Gravidarum ; Paresis ; Pregnancy ; Thiamine

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether polymorphisms of gene encoding CYP1B1 is associated with the risk of endometriosis in Korean women. METHODS: We investigated 199 patients with histopathologically confirmed endometriosis rAFS stage III/IV and 183 control group women who were surgically proven to have no endometriosis. The genetic distribution of four different CYP1B1 polymorphisms at G119-T, G432-C, T449-C, and A453-G were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism of PCR products. RESULTS: We found no overall association between each individual CYP1B1 genotype and the risk of endometriosis. The odds ratio of genotype GG/GC+GG/TC+TT/AA compared to GG/CC/CC/AA (reference) was calculated as 2.06 with a 95% confidence interval of 1.003~4.216. CONCLUSIONS: This results suggest that CYP1B1 genetic polymorphism may be associated with development of endometriosis in Korean women.
Endometriosis* ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Odds Ratio ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length

BACKGROUND: Antibiotics are used prophylactically in surgery to prevent postoperative infection. However, antibiotics administered in large doses can cause a bleeding diathesis as a result of platelet dysfunction. We wondered whether these antibiotics might impair platelet function by interfering with the initial step of platelet activation: the binding of agonists to their specific receptors on the platelet surface. METHODS: In 30 patients (male 18, women 12) undergoing primary elective knee arthroscopic surgery, the whole blood coagulation system was prospectively evaluated before, and 10 and 40 minutes after administration of 1 g of augmentin. All patients who had abnormal preoperative coagulation profiles or who received anticoagulant or antiplatelet, antibiotics therapy within 7 days prior to surgery were precluded. RESULTS: At 10 minutes after augmentin administration 25 of 30 patients had a significant impairment in all phases of whole blood coagulation as monitored by thromboelastography. In contrast, three of 30 patients had a significantly decreased coagulation time. Two of 30 patients had no significant changes of TEG variables. TEG variables were restored toward baseline in fourty minutes after augmentin administration. CONCLUSIONS: Augmentin can cause a significant but transient change in the viscoelastic properties of blood. Coagulation parameters of the TEG should be measured prior to augmentin administration to prevent and prospect a bleeding diathesis as a result of platelet dysfunction.
Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Arthroscopy ; Blood Coagulation ; Blood Platelets ; Disease Susceptibility ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Knee ; Platelet Activation ; Prospective Studies ; Thrombelastography*

OBJECTIVES: Interleukin-6 is a pleiotrophic cytokine that is not only a mediator in major immunologic reactions but also a growth factor of keratinocytes. We studied IL-6 mRNA expression in cervical cancer, CIN and normal cervix. And we questioned whether its expression is related to cervical carcinogenesis and other prognostic factors. METHODS: The normal cervical and cervical cancer tissues were taken from healthy women (n=16), and the patients with CIN (n=36) and cervical cancer (n=36). The IL-6 mRNA expression was examined by quantitative competitive PCR after polymerase chain reaction amplification of reverse transcriptase copies of RNA transcripts (RT-PCR). RESULTS: There was no statistically different among cervical cancer, CIN and normal cervix (p>0.05). The IL-6 mRNA expression was not different according to the grades of CIN. Its expression was not correlated with the stage of cervical cancer, size of tumor, and histopathologic type (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggested that IL-6 mRNA expression might not be associated with the cervical carcinogenesis and prognosis of cervical cancer.
Carcinogenesis ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia* ; Cervix Uteri ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-6* ; Keratinocytes ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prognosis ; RNA ; RNA, Messenger* ; RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms*

Fetal bilateral renal agenesis is a lethal congenital anomaly. An early and reliable prenatal diagnosis is extremely important as it may offer options for pregnancy termination as early as possible. The criteria for the ultrasonographic diagnosis of bilateral renal agenesis are severe oligohydramnios, nonvisualization of the bladder, and the empty renal fossae. However, severe oligohydramnios makes it difficult to diagnose the disease because of poor sonographic resolution. We present a case of fetal bilateral renal agenesis diagnosed by ultrasonography after amnioinfusion at 19 weeks gestation.
Diagnosis ; Female ; Oligohydramnios ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Ultrasonography ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal* ; Urinary Bladder

OBJECTIVE: The changes of the production of nitric oxide in preeclampsia are still controversial. To determine the changes of nitric oxide production in preeclamptic pregnancies, NOS activity and eNOS and iNOS expression in preeclamptic placentae were compared with those in normal placentae, and to determine the changes of nitirc oxide production according to the sites of placenta, NOS activity and eNOS expression in preeclamptic placentae were also compared with those in normal placentae. METHODS: Human placentae were obtained from 15 normal and 15 preeclamptic pregnant women at the time of cesarean section. NOS activity was assessed by measuring the conversion of [3H]-arginine into [3H]-citrulline. The eNOS and iNOS expression were assessed by using western blot analysis. Data were analyzed by Student t-test and paired t-test where appropriate. RESULTS: The NOS activity(judged by measurement of [3H]-citrulline production) was significantly increased in preeclamptic placentae compared to normal(P<0.05). In normal and preeclamptic pregnant placentae, the NOS activity in main stem villi was increased compared to that in terminal villi. However, the difference of NOS activity between main stem villi and terminal villi was not significant(P>0.05). Quantification of the autoradiographic images demonstrated that the integrated optical density of the immunoreactive bands of eNOS were significantly lower in preeclamptic placentae compared to normal(p<0.05). Conversely, the integrated optical densities of the bands of iNOS were significantly higher in preeclamptic placentae compared to normal(p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although the eNOS expression in preeclamptic placentae was lower than that in normal placentae, the NOS activity was significantly higher in preeclamptic placentae than that in normal in this study. These are result from increased production of iNOS in the compensatory mechanisms for the decreased nitric oxide production in pre-eclamptic placentae.
Blotting, Western ; Cesarean Section ; Female ; Humans* ; Nitric Oxide Synthase* ; Nitric Oxide* ; Placenta* ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnant Women

Little objective information is avilable on the influence of occlusive dressings on the healing of cutaneous partial skin defect wounds. Our purpose was to examine the effects of occlusive dressing by using the synthetic dressing mateial, PolyMem in the management of 2nd degree burn wounds and donor sites of split thicknes skin graft and partial-thickness wounds in rabbits. New Zealand white rabbits, 12 to 14 weeks of age, were divided into 2 groups. Two partial thickness skin wounds measuring approximately 40x30 mm were induced using a scalpel on the back of each anesthetized animal. They were designated as group I (dressing with conventional method, n=15), group II (dressing with PolyMen, n=15). Each treated wound was individually covered with the assigned dressing immediately after wounding. Wound were examined and measured at 10 days to determine the extent of healing. By day 10, the PolyMem dressed wounds were approximately 67% healed, while all vaseline gauze dressed wounds were about 50% healed. Standardized 20 mm full-thickness biopsy wounds were treated for 10 days. Section of PolyMem group at POD 10 days showed complete epidermal regeneration above fibrotic dermis (H&E, x40). Section of conventional group at POD 10 days showed marginal epidermal regeneration (H&E, x40). 72 patients (44 patients with 2nd degree burn and 28 patients with skin graft donor sites) were divided into four groups. They were designated as group I (Burn patients with PolyMem, n=24), group II (Burn patients with conventional methods, n=24), group III (S.T.S.G. patients with PolyMem, n=14), group IV (S.T.S.G. patients with conventional methods, n=14). We investigated wound site pain, healing time, comfort and numbers of dressing change. As compared with the control group, the PolyMem dressed group had less pain, more rapid healing time, more comfort, less frequent dressing changes. From these results, we concluded that the occlusive dressing with PolyMem was an effective alternative to the conventional gauze dressig on the wound healing. Our results suggest tat PolyMem is one of the ideal dressing materials.
Animals ; Bandages ; Biopsy ; Burns ; Dermis ; Humans ; Occlusive Dressings ; Petrolatum ; Pheniramine ; Rabbits ; Regeneration ; Skin ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants ; Wound Healing* ; Wounds and Injuries*