Pilomattiaoma, aften called calcifying epithelioma of Malherbe, is a benign tumor originating from the outer root sheath cell of the hair follicle and extending into the hair matrix, Pilomatricoma usually occurs as a single, asymptomatic dermal or subcutaneous nodule. Multiple lesions are quite unueuel, comprising only 2-3.5% of cases. We report two patients with multiple pilomatricoma.
Hair ; Hair Follicle ; Humans ; Pilomatrixoma*

Background/Aims: Overwhelming evidence suggests that inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is caused by a complicated interplay between the multiple genes and abnormal epigenetic regulation in response to environmental factors. It is becoming apparent that epigenetic factors are significantly associated with the development of the disease. DNA methylation remains the most studied epigenetic modification, and hypermethylation of gene promoters is associated with gene silencing. Methods: DNA methylation alterations may contribute to the many complex diseases development by regulating the interplay between external and internal environmental factors and gene transcriptional expression. In this study, we used 15 tumor suppressor genes (TSGs), originally identified in colon cancer, to detect promoter methylation in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD). Methylation specific polymerase chain reaction and bisulfite sequencing analyses were performed to assess methylation level of TSGs in CD patients. Results: We found 6 TSGs (sFRP1, sFRP2, sFRP5, TFPI2, Sox17, and GATA4) are robustly hypermethylated in CD patient samples. Bisulfite sequencing analysis confirmed the methylation levels of the sFRP1, sFRP2, sFRP5, TFPI2, Sox17, and GATA4 promoters in the representative CD patient samples. Conclusions In this study, the promoter hypermethylation of the TSGs observed indicates that CD exhibits specific DNA methylation signatures with potential clinical applications for the noninvasive diagnosis of IBD and the prognosis for patients with IBD.

BACKGROUND: The C7-T1 interspinous space is commonly chosen for cervical epidural blockade, usually regarding the vertebral prominence as C7. But determining the vertebral prominence itself is confusing and unreliable because of individual variances. For this reason, we decided to look into the accuracy of estimating segmental level from palpating the surface anatomy. METHODS: 1. When the neck was flexed in the sitting position, cervical spinous processes were palpated and the first and most prominent spinous processes were marked. 2. In the same position, the estimated location of the C7 vertebral spinous process was marked, counting cephalads from the lower end of scapular (known to be at the T7 level, customarily). 3. By using the radiologic imaging method, actual cervical vertebral levels were confirmed and the results were compared with the vertebral spinous processes palpated and marked by the above methods. RESULTS: The first prominent spinous process was most commonly the C6 spinous process in both male and female subjects. The most prominent spinous processes palpated were C7 in males and C6 in females in the largest number of subjects. Estimates from the lower end of the scapular were correct in only 47.2% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Because of considerable individual variances, estimates from the surface references can be incorrect in many circumstances, and radiologic imaging methods are suggested for the correct determination of the cervical vertebral levels.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; Neck ; Palpation*

BACKGROUND: The C7-T1 interspinous space is commonly chosen for cervical epidural blockade, usually regarding the vertebral prominence as C7. But determining the vertebral prominence itself is confusing and unreliable because of individual variances. For this reason, we decided to look into the accuracy of estimating segmental level from palpating the surface anatomy. METHODS: 1. When the neck was flexed in the sitting position, cervical spinous processes were palpated and the first and most prominent spinous processes were marked. 2. In the same position, the estimated location of the C7 vertebral spinous process was marked, counting cephalads from the lower end of scapular (known to be at the T7 level, customarily). 3. By using the radiologic imaging method, actual cervical vertebral levels were confirmed and the results were compared with the vertebral spinous processes palpated and marked by the above methods. RESULTS: The first prominent spinous process was most commonly the C6 spinous process in both male and female subjects. The most prominent spinous processes palpated were C7 in males and C6 in females in the largest number of subjects. Estimates from the lower end of the scapular were correct in only 47.2% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Because of considerable individual variances, estimates from the surface references can be incorrect in many circumstances, and radiologic imaging methods are suggested for the correct determination of the cervical vertebral levels.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; Neck ; Palpation*

PURPOSE: The c-myb protooncogene encodes MYB protein that is critical for normal and leukemic hematopoietic cell proliferation and development. It is known that c-myb plays an important role in leukemogenesis as well. Aberrant expression of c-myb is seen in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL), and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). We reasoned that down regulation of c-myb expression using synthetic antisense oligomers targeted to c-myb mRNA might prove useful antileukemic agents if leukemia cells were more dependent on c-myb function for proliferation than their normal counterparts. To investigate the applying possibility of c-myb antisense oligodeoxynucleotides as the useful antileukemic agents, we examined the cell viability, cloning efficiency and the expression of c-myb mRNA and MYB protein after the exposure of c-myb oligomers on normal bone marrow cells and leukemia cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We maintained in short-term suspension culture for 4 days to analyze the effect of c-myb oligomers on normal bone marrow cells and chronic myelocytic leukemia cell line K562. During suspension culture, cell counts and viability were periodically determined, and immediately seeded into duplicate methylcellulose cultures containing recombinanat human interleukin 3 and GM-CSF. Cells placed in semisolid cultures were allowed to grow for an additional 10~12 days. We counted the colonies, and then RNA and protein was extracted from cells cloned in liquified methyl- cellulose cultures. We detected the c-myb mRNA expression by RT-PCR and Southern hybridization analysis and MYB expression by Western hybridization analysis. RESULTS: c-myb sense oligomers had negligible effects on K562 cells growth in short- term suspension culture, while exposure to c-myb antisense oligomers resulted in a daily decline in cell number. In contrast, normal bone marow cell viability and numbers were unaffected by c-myb sense or antisense oligomers exposure. c-myb antisense oligodeoxy nucleotides strongly inhibited or completely abolished growth and colony formation of K562 cells. In contrast, c-myb sense oligomers did not affect. At antisense dose that inhibited leukemic cell growth, normal bone marrow cells survived. Thus, normal and leukemic cells showed the differential sensitivity to the toxic effect of c-myb antisense oligomers. RT-PCR, Southern hybridization analysis and Western hybridization analysis of c-myb antisense-treated K562 cells revealed a complete absence of c-myb mRNA expression and MYB expression. CONCLUSION: Results obtained from these studies suggest that inhibition of c-myb function with antisense oligodeoxynucleotides might eventually form the basis for a molecular biologic approach to leukemia therapy, perhaps most immediately as ex vivo bone marrow purging agent.
Bone Marrow Cells ; Bone Marrow Purging ; Cell Count ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Survival ; Cellulose ; Clone Cells ; Cloning, Organism ; Down-Regulation ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Humans ; Interleukin-3 ; K562 Cells* ; Leukemia ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; Methylcellulose ; Nucleotides ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides* ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; RNA ; RNA, Messenger

BACKGROUND: An inflammatory mechanism has been suggested to contribute to the progression of diabetic nephropathy. Although retinoid, a known anti-inflammatory agent, has been reported to be beneficial in some experimental renal diseases, it has not been shown whether it prevents disease progression in diabetic nephropathy. Therefore, we investigated whether all-trans retinoic acid inhibits inflammatory changes and improves renal function during the early stages of diabetic nephropathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. METHODS: We evaluated anti-inflammatory effect of retinoid on streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy. Anti-inflammatory effect was determined by the expression of monocyte chemoattractant peptide-1 (MCP-1). RESULTS: Urinary protein excretion was significantly higher in diabetic rats at four weeks after the induction of diabetes mellitus compared with controls, and proteinuria in the group with retinoic acid treatment was decreased (1.25+/-0.69 vs. 0.78+/-0.72 mg/mg Cr, p=0.056). Urinary excretion of MCP-1 was rapidly increased at two days after induction of diabetes mellitus in diabetic rats, and further increased until four weeks of age compared with control rats. Retinoic acid treatment suppressed to 30% reduction of the urinary level of MCP-1 compared with vehicle treated diabetic rats (119.3+/-74.2 vs. 78.1+/-62.7 pg/mg Cr, p=0.078). Immunohistochemistry revealed a significant increase in staining for MCP-1 protein in the diabetic kidney, and retinoic acid treatment significantly suppressed intrarenal MCP-1 protein synthesis. CONCLUSION: Retinoic acid suppressed proteinuria and inflammatory changes in diabetic rats. These results suggest that retinoic acid may have an anti- inflammatory effect in diabetic nephropathy.
Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetic Nephropathies* ; Disease Progression ; Immunohistochemistry ; Inflammation ; Kidney ; Monocytes ; Proteinuria ; Rats ; Tretinoin

Mutation of the p53 gene is one of the most common genetic alterations in invasive breast carcinoma. However, it is unclear that the mutation usually occurs in noninvasive breast lesions. It might be expected that there is a correlation between histologic progression of breast lesions and proliferative rate. We investigated the expression of p53 protein and Ki-67 labelling index (LI) using immunohistochemistry in 16 ductal carcinoma in situ with microinvasion (DCIS-Mi), 56 DCIS, 15 atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), and 7 intraductal hyperplasia (IDH). Expression of p53 protein was detected in 33.9% of DCIS and 56.3% of DCIS-Mi and was confined exclusively in Van Nuys DCIS group 2 and 3. In ADH and IDH, no expression of p53 protein was found. There was no significant correlation between Van Nuys DCIS groups and Ki-67 LI. In conclusion, p53 mutation may be involved in the neoplastic progression from ADH to DCIS and is directly related to high nuclear grade and associated necrosis of DCIS.
Breast Neoplasms ; Breast* ; Carcinoma, Ductal* ; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating* ; Genes, p53 ; Hyperplasia* ; Immunohistochemistry ; Necrosis

Four cases of primary transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) arising in the ovary (3 cases) and the parovarium (1 case) were collected for clinicopathologic analysis. The mean age was 46.2 years (range, 39-57 years). Two patients complained abdominal discomfort and vaginal discharge, respectively. Other 2 cases were incidentally found from routine check. Grossly, the tumors were solid and cystic (2 cases), solid (1 case) and surface papillary growth on capsule (1 case). Microscopically, the tumor showed almostly same to the histologic features of TCC of urinary bladder. Three cases were pure TCC, and one was mixed TCC and serous carcinoma. FIGO stage were 1 IIa, 2 IIc, and 1 IIIc. Treatment was surgery with adjuvant chemotherapy. Two patients are alive with no evidence of disease, and two have lung or brain metastasis.
Brain ; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell* ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Ovary ; Urinary Bladder ; Vaginal Discharge

This study was investigated to know whether pachymic acid (PA), one of the predominant triterpenoids in Poria cocos (Hoelen) has the sedative-hypnotic effects, and underlying mechanisms are mediated via gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic systems. Oral administration of PA markedly suppressed locomotion activity in mice. This compound also prolonged sleeping time, and reduced sleep latency showing synergic effects with muscimol (0.2 mg/kg) in shortening sleep onset and enhancing sleep time induced by pentobarbital, both at the hypnotic (40 mg/kg) and sub-hypnotic (28 mg/kg) doses. Additionally, PA elevated intracellular chloride levels in hypothalamic primary cultured neuronal cells of rats. Moreover, Western blotting quantitative results showed that PA increased the amount of protein level expression of GAD65/67 over a broader range of doses. PA increased alpha- and beta-subunits protein levels, but decreased gamma-subunit protein levels in GABA(A) receptors. The present experiment provides evidence for the hypnotic effects as PA enhanced pentobarbital-induced sleeping behaviors via GABA(A)-ergic mechanisms in rodents. Taken together, it is proposed that PA may be useful for the treatment of sleep disturbed subjects with insomnia.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cocos ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; Hypnotics and Sedatives ; Locomotion ; Mice* ; Muscimol ; Neurons ; Pentobarbital ; Poria ; Rats ; Receptors, GABA-A ; Rodentia ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

The targeting of DNA methylation in cancer using DNA hypomethylating drugs has been well known to sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapy and immunotherapy by affecting multiple pathways. Herein, we investigated the combinational effects of DNA hypomethylating drugs and ionizing radiation (IR) in human sarcoma cell lines both in vitro and in vivo. Clonogenic assays were performed to determine the radiosensitizing properties of two DNA hypomethylating drugs on sarcoma cell lines we tested in this study with multiple doses of IR. We analyzed the effects of 5-aza-dC or SGI-110, as DNA hypomethylating drugs, in combination with IR in vitro on the proliferation, apoptosis, caspase-3/7 activity, migration/invasion, and Western blotting using apoptosis- or autophagy-related factors. To confirm the combined effect of DNA hypomethylating drugs and IR in our in vitro experiment, we generated the sarcoma cells in nude mouse xenograft models. Here, we found that the combination of DNA hypomethylating drugs and IR improved anticancer effects by inhibiting cell proliferation and by promoting synergistic cell death that is associated with both apoptosis and autophagy in vitro and in vivo. Our data demonstrated that the combination effects of DNA hypomethylating drugs with radiation exhibited greater cellular effects than the use of a single agent treatment, thus suggesting that the combination of DNA hypomethylating drugs and radiation may become a new radiotherapy to improve therapeutic efficacy for cancer treatment.