Angiogenesis is an essential requirement for development, progression, and metastasis of malignant tumors. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the important angiogenic factors. Recently the role of angiogenesis has been known in premalignant lesions. This study was performed to determine whether the angiogenesis and VEGF expression were increased in association with histological grade of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and to see the relationship between the angiogenesis and VEGF. Immunostainings for factor VIII and VEGF were performed on 52 cases of cervical neoplasia (12 cases of CIN I, 11 cases of CIN II, 15 cases of CIN III, 7 cases of microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma, and 7 cases of invasive carcinoma) and 5 cases of normal cervix. The results showed a significant increase of microvessel count from normal cervix through CIN grades to invasive squamous cell cacinoma. VEGF expression was increased in proportion to the CIN grades. There was no significant correlation between microvessel count and VEGF expression. In conclusion, the tumor angiogenesis is an early event in tumorigenesis of uterine cervix. In addition, no significant relationship between the microvessel count and VEGF expression in CIN suggests the possibility of other growth factors affecting mainly angiogenesis of premalignant lesion of uterine cervix.
Angiogenesis Inducing Agents ; Carcinogenesis ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia* ; Cervix Uteri ; Factor VIII ; Female ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Microvessels ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*

Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability in ischemic survivors who are suffering from motor, cognitive, and memory impairment. Previously, we have reported suppressing LPA5 activity with its specific antagonist can attenuate acute brain injuries after ischemic stroke. However, it is unclear whether suppressing LPA5 activity can also attenuate chronic brain injuries after ischemic stroke. Here, we explored whether effects of LPA5 antagonist, TCLPA5, could persist a longer time after brain ischemic stroke using a mouse model challenged with tMCAO. TCLPA5 was administered to mice every day for 3 days, starting from the time immediately after reperfusion. TCLPA5 administration improved neurological function up to 21 days after tMCAO challenge. It also reduced brain tissue loss and cell apoptosis in mice at 21 days after tMCAO challenge. Such long-term neuroprotection of TCLPA5 was associated with enhanced neurogenesis and angiogenesis in post-ischemic brain, along with upregulated expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor. Collectively, results of the current study indicates that suppressing LPA5 activity can provide long-term neuroprotection to mice with brain ischemic stroke.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation of HPV infection and E6 oncoprotein expression with carcinogenesis and prognostic role of cervical carcinoma METHODS: Paraffin embedded tissues were obtained from 35 invasive cervical carcinoma, 15 carcinoma in situ, 12 dysplasia of cervix and 20 patients with benign uterine disease as control. HPV type was determined by polymerase chain reaction using type specific primers. E6 oncoprotein expression was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining using C1P5 mouse monoclonal antibody. RESULTS: 1. The positivity of HPV type 16 PCR in invasive cervical carcinoma was 77.1% and it was significantly higher than carcinoma in situ(53.3%), cervical dysplasia(25%), and control (10%). But the positivity of HPV type 18 was not correlated between above groups. 2. The positivity of HPV type 16/18 in cervical carcinoma was not correlated to patient's age. 3. The positivity of HPV in cervical carcinoma was correlated to clinical stage of cervical carcinoma but the positivity of HPV in cervical dysplasia was not correlated to the degree of dysplasia. 4. The positivity of E6 oncoprotein expression was 77.1% in invasive cervical carcinoma, 66.7% in carcinoma in situ and 20% in control group. E6 oncoprotein was not decteted among the cases which negative was for HPV 16/18. The E6 oncoprotein expression in 35 cases of invasive cervical carcinoma was negative in 8, weakly positive in 7, positive in 12, and strong positive in 8 ases. But in 20 cases of normal control group, there was no case of strong positive or posirive E6 oncoprotein expression. 5. The E6 oncoprotein expression was significantly correlated to the clinical stage and lymph node metastasis. The incidence of lymph node metastasis increased and the stage became higher as the E6 oncoprotein expression increased. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that HPV is one of the most important factors in the carcinogenesis of cervical carcinoma and the E6 oncoprotein expression may be associated with biological aggressiveness of cervical carcinoma.
Animals ; Carcinogenesis ; Carcinoma in Situ ; Cervix Uteri ; Female ; Humans* ; Incidence ; Lymph Nodes ; Mice ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Paraffin ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms* ; Uterine Diseases

We report a case of fine needle aspiration cytology of endodermal sinus tumor of the ovary. A 13-year-old girl complained of abdominal mass and pain. The abdominal sonography revealed a well-demarcated huge mass, which was solid and multiseptated. Percutaneous fine needle aspiration was performed from the mass. The smears revealed moderate cellularity, which was arranged in sheets or clumps of pleomorphic malignant cells on mucoid background. The valuable characteristic features of tumor cells were papillary configuration, vacuolated cytoplasm and intracellular and extracellular hyaline globules. The diagnosis was confirmed later by histologic study of surgical resection of the specimen.
Adolescent ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Cytoplasm ; Diagnosis ; Endodermal Sinus Tumor ; Female ; Humans ; Hyalin ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature* ; Neurilemmoma ; Ovary ; S100 Proteins ; Urinoma*

The functional knee hrace has been used to provide or to assist knee stahility in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficient knee, Nowadays, it is more indicated in the postoperative care of ACL injury to protect the reconstructed or repaired ligament, but eontroversies still exist regarding the effectiveness and the selection of an appropriate model. For successful application, it must restrict the knee motion within the range of certain arc, especially hyperextension, during weight bearing together with convenience and comfort.. The six commercial functional knee braces, which were introduced in Korea, were ehecked to detect the angle discrepancy between angle of brace and knee joint motion. The purpose of this study was to guide correct application of the functional knee brace in preventing hyperextension of the knee joint. Each brace was grouped into small, medium and large by size, and fixed with the arc of motion 30 to 90. The brace was applied to 3 healthy volunteers whose size was just fit mth the brace size small, rnedium and large, respectively. True lateral X-ray of the knee joint was taken in active flexion and extension state under the fluoroscopic control and measured the lateral intershaft angle of femur and tibia. Average angle discrepancy between the brace and the intershaft ang]e of femur and tibia in active extension was 22 and 3 in acTive flexion. In active extension at 30, angle discrepancy of Denzo brace was the large:st recording 26, that of Sentry hrace was the smallest recording 17. In active flexion at 90', angle discrcyancy of Sentry hrace was the largest recording 13, that of ACL brace (custom made modified Sentry brace) was the smallest recording 2. There was no statistically significant difference of the angle discrepancy among each size of brace. This study suggests that, at least 20 of angle discrepancy must be considered in appling the knee brace for prevention of hyperextension of the knee joint and careful selection of the brace, which may be affected by the design of hrace and the soft tissue compliance, is mandatory.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; Braces* ; Compliance ; Femur ; Healthy Volunteers ; Knee Joint ; Knee* ; Korea ; Ligaments ; Postoperative Care ; Tibia ; Weight-Bearing

Adenoids ; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic ; Humans ; Nasal Cavity ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Palate, Hard ; Paranasal Sinuses ; Recurrence ; Salivary Glands ; Scalp ; Treatment Failure ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to find the factors associated with becoming obese children during the past 2 years in 6th grade children of elementary school and then to evaluate the high risk groups for childhood obesity. METHODS: The 738 children from May to June, 2001 in 6th grade of 5 elementary schools in Busan were the subjects of this study. The children's height and weight in 4th grade and 6th grade were obtained from school health records. We calculated the body mass index in 4th and 6th grades and classified into 3 weight groups (normal, at risk for obesity, and obese) according to the age and sex-specific BMI established by the Korean Academy of Pediatrics. If children's weight group in 4th grade was changed to heavier weight group in 6th grade, we defined it as increased group. Otherwise, we defined it as non-increased group. The association between the increase in weight group and parental and children's characteristics were analyzed by x2-test, x2-test for the trend, t-test, ANOVA and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Among the total, 3.3% of children with normal weight and 16.9% of children at the risk for obesity in 4th grade were transformed to increased group in 6th grade, respectively (P<0.001). Children who had excessive appetite (P<0.001), watched TV greater than or equal to 2 hours per day (P=0.004) or had an obese father (P=0.044) were more likely to become increased group. After adjusting for father's obesity, appetite and TV watching time in children, the odds ratio of transforming to increased group after 2 years in children at risk for obesity or in obese child in 4th grade was 2.5 (95% CI: 1.09~5.55) compared to children with normal weight. Children having excessive appetite were 3.2 times (95% CI: 1.42~7.01) more likely to become the increased group after adjusting for father's obesity, TV watching time and weight in 4th grade. Children watching TV greater than or equal to 2 hours/day was 2.8 times (95% CI: 1.27~6.18) more likely to become increased group after adjusting for father's obesity, appetite and weight in 4th grade. CONCLUSION: The risk of becoming obese was higher in children at risk for obesity or obese children in those with excessive appetite or those who have watched TV> or =2 hours/day for the past two years. These findings suggest promotion of educational plan to prevent childhood obesity.
Appetite ; Body Mass Index ; Busan* ; Child* ; Fathers ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Obesity ; Odds Ratio ; Parents ; Pediatric Obesity ; Pediatrics ; Risk Factors ; School Health Services

PURPOSE: Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) recipients are vulnerable to invasive infection by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (Sp). This study was performed to evaluate immune responses after Hib and Sp vaccination in Korean pediatric HCT recipients. METHODS: Patients were prospectively enrolled at Samsung Medical Center during 2009-2011. ELISA tests to detect anti-PRP IgG antibody and antibodies to Sp serotypes 4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, and 23F were performed at the Center for Vaccine Evaluation and Study, Ewha Medical Research Institute. RESULTS: Ten patients (two allogeneic, eight autologous recipients) with median age 5.4 years (range 2.7-12.2 years) were enrolled. Before Hib vaccination, 60% of patients' anti-PRP IgG titers were below 0.15 microg/mL. After vaccination, 100% of patients' anti-PRP IgG titers increased above 0.15 microg/mL (cut-off value for detection) and 1.0 microg/mL (cut-off value for seroprotection). For pneumococcus, in 2-5 year-old patients, pre-vaccination geometric mean concentrations (GMCs) of IgG for six serotypes (4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, and 23F) were below 0.35 microg/mL and at 5 months post-vaccination GMCs of IgG for all seven serotypes increased to above 0.35 microg/mL. In patients older than 5 years, pre-vaccination GMCs of IgG for four serotypes (4, 9V, 14, and 23F) were below 0.35 microg/mL and at 3 months post-vaccination GMCs of IgG for all seven serotypes increased to above 0.35 microg/mL. CONCLUSION: Most HCT recipients had low or no protective antibodies to Hib and Sp before vaccination, but showed good immune responses to protective levels after vaccination.
Academies and Institutes ; Antibodies ; Antibody Formation* ; Cell Transplantation* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Haemophilus influenzae type b* ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Prospective Studies ; Streptococcus pneumoniae* ; Transplants* ; Vaccination*

Bisphosphonates decrease osteoclastic activity and reduce bone resorption, therefore they are used in the treatment of patients with hypercalcemia secondary to malignancy or metastatic bone cancer, Paget's disease and osteoporosis. Recently, cases of jaw bone necrosis have been reported to be associated with the use of bisphosphonates. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis is frequently developed because of osteoclast activation and steroids which are used for treatment and bisphosphonates are frequently prescribed. A 76-year-old female patient with rheumatoid arthritis was treated with alendronate for the management of osteoporosis for 36 months, and she was presented with pain and swelling on left mandibular area and gingival pus discharge. The patient was treated with curettage of necrotic bone, and biopsy showed avascular necrosis of mandible.
Aged ; Alendronate ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Biopsy ; Bone Neoplasms ; Bone Resorption ; Curettage ; Diphosphonates ; Female ; Humans ; Hypercalcemia ; Jaw ; Mandible* ; Necrosis* ; Osteoclasts ; Osteoporosis* ; Steroids ; Suppuration

PURPOSE: Low-birth-weight(LBW) neonates often need multiple transfusions during their neonatal period. The routine use of the 500ml mono-bag system in Korea, even in neonatal transfusions, results in a great waste of blood and exposes the neonate to multiple blood donors. To reduce the waste of blood and the number of exposures, we used quadruple blood bags in the transfusion of LBW neonates. METHODS: From November 1995 to April 1997, 86 neonates weighing less than 2,000gm were enrolled in this study. Forty-four of those neonates needed blood transfusions. Using quadruple blood bags, we were able to safely make 3 units of packed red blood cell(RBC) from each directed donors. RESULTS: Seventy-seven units of packed RBC could be made from 29 directed donors and 58 of those units were actually transfused to the 25 neonates. Blood age of the directed donor blood prepared in the quadruple blood bags were relatively older than those of bank bloods at the time of transfusion, thus, K+ concentration was higher but the total K+ amounts infused through transfusions were within tolerable ranges in both groups. CONCLUSION: Using quadruple blood bag in the transfusion of LBW neonates, we could reduce the number of donor exposures and also the waste of blood. K+ loads to the neonates through the transfusion of directed donor blood were within tolerable range in the neonatal physiology.
Blood Donors ; Blood Transfusion ; Humans ; Infant, Low Birth Weight* ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Newborn* ; Korea ; Physiology ; Tissue Donors