PURPOSE: Idoxifene is currently entering phase II clinical trials for the treatment of advanced breast cancer. The radiolabeled idoxifene using 123I provides an opportunity for clinical pharmacology with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The purpose of this study was to prepare radiolabeled idoxifene using 123I and to determine its cell uptake of breast cancer cell line. MATERIALS AND METHODS: With a view to evaluating new anticancer drugs, we are investigating the novel antiestrogen pyrrolidino- 4-iodotamoxifen (idoxifene). [123I]Idoxifene has been prepared in no-carrier-added form using a tributyl stannylated precursor which has been synthesized by means of (2-chloroethoxy)benzene with (+/-)-2- phenylbutanoic acid on the basis of previously reported standard methods. The biodistribution and dynamic behavior of the compound were investigated using the comparative breast cancer cell line, MCF-7 (estrogen receptor-positive) and MDA-MB-468 (non-estrogen receptor). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Acylation of (2-chloroethoxy)benzene with (+/-)-2-phenylbutanoic acid gave the versatile ketone (81%) which reacted with 1,4-diiodobenzene to give triphenylethylene as a mixture of E and Z geometric isomers, which were separated by the recrystallization in ethanol. The E-isomer was treated with pyrrolidine to give idoxifene (67%). In order to incorporate radioactive iodine into the 4-position, the 4-stannylated precursor was prepared (30%). The yield of radioiodination was 90-92% with a high radiochemical purity greater than 98%. The ratio of tumor uptake of the breast cancer cell line between MCF-7 and MDA-MB-468 was about 1.7.
Acylation ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Cell Line ; Estrogen Receptor Modulators ; Ethanol ; Iodine ; Pharmacology, Clinical ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

Nucleolar organizer regions(NORs) are intranucleolar segments of DNA coding for ribosomal RNA and contribute to the regulation of cellular protein synthesis. Since NOR-associated proteins are argyrophilic, silver staining method has been used for demonstration of NORs. The numbers of argyrophilic NORs(AgNORs) have been shown to be correlated with DNA ploidy and have prognostic value in diverse human neoplasms. However, the prognostic value of AgNORs in renal cell carcinoma(RCC) remain ill defined. We herein investigated the prognostic value of AgNORs in 39 patients with RCC. There was no significant relationship between mean number of AgNORs (m AgNORs) per nucleus and Robson stage and Fuhrman nunlear grade. However, there was significant relationship between the percentage of tumor cells with more than five AgNORs per nucleus (p AgNORs) and Robson stage and nuclear grade (p<0.05). There was significant difference in survival rate between patients with RCC in whom AgNORs were two or less and in whom AgNORs were greater than two(p<0.05). The patients with a low p AgNORs(less than 8%) have a better prognosis than those with a high p AgNORs. These results suggest that number of AgNORs may be a clinically useful prognostic marker for patients with RCC.
Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Clinical Coding ; DNA ; Humans ; Nucleolus Organizer Region* ; Ploidies ; Prognosis ; RNA, Ribosomal ; Silver Staining ; Survival Rate

The prognosis of invasive aspergillosis in allogeneic bone marrow transplantation recipients is grave in the absence of bone marrow recovery in spite of antifungal treatment with amphotericin B. Beneficial role of granulocyte transfusion in neutropenic patients with fungal infection has been re-evaluated since granulocyte colony-stimulating factor made effective collection of granulocyte possible. And Liposomal amphotericin appears to be an effective alternative to conventional amphotericin B with much less toxicity. A 34-year-old patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia developed invasive pulmonary aspergillosis during very early period of allogeneic hemopoietic stem cell transplantation. We treated the case successfully with liposomal amphotericin and granulocyte transfusion and surgery in spite of known high mortality of invasive aspergillosis in transplantation patients.
Adult ; Amphotericin B* ; Aspergillosis ; Bone Marrow ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Granulocytes* ; Humans ; Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis* ; Leukemia ; Mortality ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; Prognosis ; Stem Cell Transplantation* ; Stem Cells*

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the preventive effects of Camellia sinensis var. assamica (CSVA) on diabetic nephropathy in in vitro and in vivo models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MDCK cells were incubated with 1 mM of oxalate with or without different concentrations of CSVA, then MTT and malondialdehyde (MDA) assays were performed to investigate the preventive effects of CSVA on oxalate-induced cytotoxicity and oxidative stress. Thirty male db/db mice were divided into three groups. Group 1 were fed AIN-93G ad libitum; group 2 were fed AIN-93G mixed with 10% fermented CSVA ad libitum; group 3 were fed AIN-93G mixed with 10% non-fermented CSVA ad libitum. The mice were sacrificed 14 weeks later, and the serum glucose level, 24-hour urine chemistry, and morphological changes in the kidneys were examined. RESULTS: As CSVA concentrations increased, viable MDCK cells increased in concentration. MDA production decreased over time in the CSVA treated group. The creatinine clearance of group 3 was lower than those of groups 1 and 2. The amount of urine microalbumin and protein in group 1 were higher than those in groups 2 and 3. Also, more glomerulus basement membrane foot processes were preserved in groups 2 and 3. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, CSVA has beneficial preventive tendencies towards diabetic nephropathy in both in vitro and in vivo models.
Animals ; *Camellia sinensis/chemistry ; Cell Line ; Cell Survival/drug effects ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications ; Diabetic Nephropathies/*drug therapy/*prevention & control ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dogs ; Kidney/cytology/*drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Mutant Strains ; Plant Extracts/*pharmacology ; *Tea/chemistry

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Many surgical techniques are used for the treatment of nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (NAF). This study aimed to analyze the clinical features of NAF and treatment results according to the surgical modalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five patients with NAF treated at Seoul National University Hospital from January 1990 through December 2004, were analyzed retrospectively by treatment modalities. RESULTS: According to the Sesson staging system, there were 9 patients with type I, 14 with type II, and 2 with type III. Of the 24 patients treated with surgery, there were 7 cases with pure endoscopic surgery and 17 cases with external approaches including 3 transpalatal approach, 5 midfacial degloving approach, 7 transantral approach, and 2 Le Fort I approach. Endoscope-assisted surgery was performed in 6 out of 17 cases who were treated with external approaches. Until 1996, external approaches were conducted in 12 out of 13 cases. Since 1997, pure endoscopic surgery was the most common approach, with 7 out of 12 cases, and it was applied especially in cases below stage IIA. Endoscopeassisted surgery was adjunct to all external techniques since 1997, with 5 out of 5 cases, and it was even applied in advanced cases over stage IIB . All 25 cases were treated successfully without any recurrence or mortality with surgery or radiation therapy. CONCLUSION: Treatment outcomes of pure endoscopic surgery are acceptable compared to those of traditional external approaches with reduced invasiveness and morbidity if proper selection is made depending on the tumor extent. Endoscope-assisted surgery can be helpful in all external approaches to improve visualization, even in advanced lesions.
Angiofibroma* ; Endoscopes ; Humans ; Mortality ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Seoul

OBJECTIVE: Although the detection of crossed cerebellar diaschisis (CCD) by means of different imaging modalities is well described, little is known about its diagnosis by computed tomography perfusion (CTP) imaging. We investigated the detection rate of CCD by CTP imaging and the factors related to CCD on CTP images in patients with acute ischemic stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT perfusion maps of cerebral blood volume (CBV), cerebral blood flow (CBF), mean transit time (MTT), and time-to-peak (TTP) obtained from 81 consecutive patients affected by an acute ischemic stroke were retrospectively reviewed. Whole-brain perfusion maps were obtained with a multichannel CT scanner using the toggling-table technique. The criteria for CCD was a unilateral supratentorial ischemic lesion and an accompanying decrease in perfusion of the contralateral cerebellar hemisphere on the basis of CTP maps by visual inspection without a set threshold. Maps were quantitatively analyzed in CCD positive cases. RESULTS: The criteria for CCD were fulfilled in 25 of the 81 cases (31%). Detection rates per CTP map were as follows: MTT (31%) > TTP (21%) > CBF (9%) > CBV (6%). Supratentorial ischemic volume, degree of perfusion reduction, and infratentorial asymmetry index correlated strongly (R, 0.555-0.870) and significantly (p < 0.05) with each other in CCD-positive cases. CONCLUSION: It is possible to detect CCD on all four of the CTP-based maps. Of these maps, MTT is most sensitive in detecting CCD. Our data indicate that CTP imaging is a valid tool for the diagnosis of CCD in patients affected by an acute hemispheric stroke.
Aged ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Cerebellar Diseases/*radiography ; Cerebral Angiography/*methods ; Cerebrovascular Circulation ; Contrast Media/diagnostic use ; Female ; Humans ; Iohexol/diagnostic use ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; Retrospective Studies ; Stroke/*radiography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/*methods

Nitric oxide (NO) is a reactive free radical and a messenger molecule in many physiological functions. However, excessive NO is believed to be a mediator of neurotoxicity. The medicinal plant Coriolus versicolor is known to possess anti-tumor and immune-potentiating activities. In this study, we investigated whether Coriolus versicolor possesses a protective effect against NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced apoptosis in the human neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-MC. We utilized 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, flow cytometry, 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, DNA fragmentation assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot analysis, and caspase-3 enzyme activity assay in SK-N-MC cells. MTT assay showed that SNP treatment significantly reduces the viability of cells, and the viabilities of cells pre-treated with the aqueous extract of Coriolus versicolor cultivated in citrus extract (CVEcitrus) was increased. However, aqueous extract of Coriolus versicolor cultivated in synthetic medium (CVEsynthetic) showed no protective effect and aqueous citrus extract (CE) had a little protective effect. The cell treated with SNP exhibited several apoptotic features, while those pre-treated for 1 h with CVEcitrus prior to SNP expose showed reduced apoptotic features. The cells pre-treated for 1 h with CVEcitrus prior to SNP expose inhibited p53 and Bax expressions and caspase-3 enzyme activity up-regulated by SNP. We showed that CVEcitrus exerts a protective effect against SNP-induced apoptosis in SK-N-MC cells. Our study suggests that CVEcitrus has therapeutic value in the treatment of a variety of NO-induced brain diseases.
Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Brain Diseases ; Caspase 3 ; Cell Line ; Citrus ; DNA Fragmentation ; DNA Nucleotidylexotransferase ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Indoles ; Neuroblastoma ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitroprusside ; Plants, Medicinal ; Tetrazolium Salts ; Thiazoles ; Tissue Donors

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a rare coagulation disorder associated with recurrent arterial and venous thrombotic events. The hemostatic aspects of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) in patients requiring thrombectomy along with cardiopulmonary bypass present unique challenges to anesthesiologists.We present the case of a 36-year-old woman with thrombosis of the inferior vena cava as a result of APS with particular reference to the precautions that are necessary during the perioperative care.The particularly important things are the prevention of thrombotic or hemorrhagic complications, management of the associated thrombocytopenia and the laboratory methods of monitoring the perioperative anticoagulation in the setting of a prolonged clotting time.
Adult ; Antiphospholipid Syndrome ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Female ; Humans ; Thrombectomy ; Thrombocytopenia ; Thrombosis ; Vena Cava, Inferior

OBJECTIVES: Due to the heterogeneous receptor distribution and changes of receptor status over time, the biochemical measurement of estrogen receptor status of biopsy specimens is not sufficient to diagnose breast cancer. As a result, I-123 labeled estradiols have been applied for the diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to develop a suitable radioligand for imaging estrogen receptor-positive human breast tumors. METHODS: Among the various estradiol derivatives, 17alpha-[123I]iodovinyl estradiol ([123I]IVE) has been prepared from 17alpha-ethynyl estradiol. Labeling of E-17alpha-[123I]iodovinyl estradiol (E-[123I]IVE) was carried out using peracetic acid with [123I]NaI and Z-[123I]IVE labelling was archived using chloamine- T/HCl solution with [123I]NaI. Labeling yield was determined by silica thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and radiochemical purity was measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The biodistribution of E-[123I]IVE was measured in immature female rats at 60 min, 120 min and 300 min after injection. RESULTS: The labeling yield of two isomers was 92% and 94% (E-[123I]IVE and Z-[123I]IVE, respectively). The radiochemical purity was more than 98% after purification. The highest uptake was observed at 120 min in uterus (3.11% ID/g for E-[123I]IVE). CONCLUSION: These results suggest the possibility of using E-[123I]IVE as an imaging agent for the evaluation of the presence of estrogen receptor in patients with breast cancer.
Animals ; Biopsy ; Breast Neoplasms ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Chromatography, Thin Layer ; Diagnosis ; Estradiol* ; Estrogens ; Female ; Humans ; Peracetic Acid ; Rats ; Silicon Dioxide ; Uterus

No abstract available.
Cerebral Angiography*