BACKGROUND: The generation of the invasiveness in transfromed cells represents an essential step of tumor progression. The primary cause of the scattering of the cells in invasive carcinoma is a loss of the integrity of the intercellular adherens junction often involving loss of a functional cell-cell adhesion molecule E-cadherin. Therefore, the perturbation of E-cadherin function causes diaggregation of tumor cells and may promote the invasion and metastases. OBJECTIVE: The reduction in E-cadherin activity seems to correlate with the infiltrative ability of tumor cells. The purpose of this study was to compare the E-cadherin expression among different cell lines which were normal to undifferentiated and to check the virtual relationaship between E-cadherin and invasiveness. METHODS: We used 5 cell lines, HaCaT, A431, C3, SiHa and HeLa cell. To check the expression patterns and amounts of E-cadherin in each cell line, immunofluorescence staining, Western blot anlysis and Northern blot analysis were done. An in vitro invasion assay using the collagen gel and MRC-5 fibroblast under the influence of HECD-1 antibody which block the E-cadherin function was done to measure the invasiveness of tumor cells. Collagenase activity in culture supernatants of each cell were analyzed by zymography. RESULTS: Immunofluorescence staining revealed a homogenously well preserved pattern in HaCat, A431, C3 cells. SiHa cells showed patch distribution but HeLa cells did not express the E-cadherin. Western blot analysis and Northern blot results largely corresponded with the immunofluorescence results. The in vitro invasion assay revealed invasion into the collagen matrix of the HeLa cells. When HECD-1 antibody was added to the medium, other cells showed partially disrupted stratification. The collagenolytic activity at 72 kDa sixe was detected in the HeLa cell line only. CONCLUSION: There is an inverse relationship between E-cadherin expression and tumor invasion. Therefore, through their regulation of cell adhesion and motility, cadherin plays a crucial role in the suppression of tumor invasion and metastasis.
Adherens Junctions ; Blotting, Northern ; Blotting, Western ; Cadherins* ; Cell Adhesion ; Cell Line* ; Collagen ; Collagenases ; Fibroblasts ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Neoplasm Metastasis

Constant exotropia is uncommon during the first year of life.We investigated characteristics, surgical outcome and associated ocular abnormalities in patients who had an exodeviation during the first year of life. The charts of 18 patients who were diagnosed as congenital exotropia before 1 year old were reviewed.We etrospectively analyzed 10 healthy patients who did not have associated systemic or ocular abnormalities and were followed for at least 3 months after surgery. The mean follow-up period was 1.2 years[range, 3 months to 3.5 years]and all of them had an exodeviation of 25 prism diopter[PD]or more[mean, 37.5PD, SD 10.6PD].Preoperative DVD and inferior oblique muscle overaction were found in 1 patient respectively. Surgery was performed in 9 cases and botulinum toxin was injected in 1 case.Seven patients[70%]showed stable alignment within 10PD with one operation and one patient required reoperation.Postoperative dissociated vertical deviation and inferior oblique muscle overaction were found in each 1 patients. Congenital exotropia has large deviation and may be associated with inferior oblique muscle overaction or dissociated vertical deviation as infantile esotropia and has stable alignment with single operation.But unlike infan-tile esotropia, nystagmus is extremely rare.
Botulinum Toxins ; Esotropia ; Exotropia* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the factors that may have a role in the development of postoperative exotropia with the angle of 20 prism diopters (PD) or more. The study group was subdivided into three groups depending on the amount of deviation for consecutive exotropia; group A is the angle of 20PD or more, group B is between 10PD and 18PD, and group C is orthophoria. Comparing group A with C, the presence of amblyopia(p<0.05), postoperative limitation on adduction(p<0.01), postoperative binocular vision(p<0.05) and postoperative A or V pattern(p<0.05) were statistically significant. Among the factors of group A and B, the presence of postoperative limitation on adduction(p<0.05) and refractive error of 3D or more(p<0.05) were signifi cant. We suggest that these factors may have a role to develop large consecutive exotropia, therefore close observation is necessary when these factors are found.
Esotropia* ; Exotropia* ; Refractive Errors ; Telescopes

We evaluated retrospectively the clinical characteristics of 10 esotropic patients following surgery for intermittent exotropia. The nonoperative group(NG) comprised of 5 patients with esodeviation under 16PD and the operative group(OG) of 5 patients with the angle of 18PD or more. The associated condition was one case of myopic anisometropia in the NG. In the OG, there were inferior oblique overactions in three cases and high myopia or amblyopia in two cases. The mean esodeviation at early stage was 11.8PD and 7.8PD at final stage in the NG. 4 of 5 patients showed good alignment within 10PD. In the OG, the mean early esodeviation and final deviation were 11.6PD and 19.2PD respectively. Three patients showed orthotropia in the early stage, and 2 patients revealed orthotropia in the final stage. There were no significant differences in achieving fusion and steropsis between the two groups. The results suggest that the degree of deviation and associated ocular conditions will influence the choice of therapy. We think that there will be no problem in the recovery of binocular visual function after surgery for consecutive esotropia.
Amblyopia ; Anisometropia ; Esotropia* ; Exotropia* ; Humans ; Myopia ; Retrospective Studies ; Telescopes

Purpose: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) using dual mobility components (DMC) is a reasonable surgical option for displaced femoral neck fractures in elderly patients, resulting in lower dislocation rates and improved stability. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical outcomes and risk factors responsible for mortality in elderly patients who were diagnosed with a displaced femoral neck fracture and had undergone DMC-THA. Materials and Methods: Out of 147 cases of THA from December 2018 to June 2020, a total of 79 cases were enrolled in this study, with the following characteristics: (1) Garden stage III or IV, (2) over 75 years of age, and (3) over 1 year of follow-up. All the patients received DMC-THA surgery using the anterolateral approach. Results: The mean follow-up period was 15.0±8.43 months and a total of one dislocation case was observed. The mortality rate was 17.7% (14/79), and it was especially higher in patients with a past medical history of malignancy (odds ratio [OR]=7.18, p=0.03) or a cognitive disorder such as dementia (OR=5.48, p=0.03). Preoperative low initial hemoglobin levels (OR=0.65, p=0.04) and low UCLA (Uni-versity of California at Los Angeles) score (OR=0.47, p=0.02) were also associated with mortality. Conclusion When considering THA as a treatment approach in elderly patients with a displaced femoral neck fracture, a high mortality rate is expected in patients with low preoperative hemoglobin levels or a history of malignancy or cognitive disorders. Hence, thorough monitoring and management should be undertaken before and after surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the clinical features of platinum compounds (cisplatin plus carboplatin) associated hypersensitivity reactions. METHODS: Medical records of 102 patients with gynecologic malignancy who received chemotherapy based on platinum at Center for Uterine Cancer from Jun. 2001 to Nov. 2002 were analyzed. Platinum hypersensitivity reaction was classified as acute and delayed reaction according to the time of onset, also mild and severe reaction according to the severity of symptoms and signs. RESULTS: Among the 102 patients treated with platinum compounds during this period, 20 (20%) developed hypersensitivity reaction. The median number of platinum courses for the first episode was 7 (range 4-9) and it concentrated at 7, 8, 9th cycles. Fourteen patients developed acute reaction and six patients experienced delayed reaction. Ten patients experienced severe symptoms including dyspnea. Acute reaction developed from a few minutes to 30 minutes after the initiation of the platinum infusion. Delayed reaction developed after discharge of patients with mild intensity. CONCLUSION: Platinum hypersensitivity reactions develop in patients who have been extensively pre- treated with these agents. As platinum compounds are increasingly used as neoadjuvant, initial, second-line chemotherapy of ovarian cancer and concurrent chemoradiation, palliative setting of cervical cancer, it can be anticipated that hypersensitivity reactions to these drugs will happen more frequently, at the same time it might be a important issue for clinicians engaged in chemotherapy.
Carboplatin* ; Cisplatin* ; Drug Therapy ; Dyspnea ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity* ; Medical Records ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Platinum ; Platinum Compounds ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; Uterine Neoplasms

BACKGROUND: Cheilitis is a common problem, the cause of which is often obscure. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the frequency of allergic contact cheilitis and irritant contact cheilitis among 23 eczematous cheilitis patients via patch testing and assessment of past medical history. METHODS: This study consisted of 23 patients with eczematous cheilitis who had visited the Department of Dermatology, two University Hospital in Incheon, between January 2005 and August 2006. Of the 23 patients, 20 were female, and the age range was 15 to 70 years. We analyzed the clinical characteristics (age, gender, duration, atopic or allergic disease, lip licking) of the patients. All patients were patch-tested with the Korean standard series, 9 patients with the Cosmetic series and 5 patients with as is test. We then analyzed the results of the patch tests and evaluated the relevance of any positive results. RESULTS: Of the cases, 34.78% were identified as irritant contact dermatitis (ICD), and 30.43% as allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). Furthermore, of the 23 patients, 11 were positive to one or more antigen and 7 of these had a clinical relevance for positive antigen. The substances causing a positive reaction, triggering ACD were identified as medicaments applied to the lip, lipstick ingredients and toothpaste. CONCLUSION: The most common cause of cheilitis was irritation, frequently caused by lip licking. But, almost one third was caused by ACD. Patients with chronic eczematous cheilitis should be patch-tested to identify the materials causing ACD.
Cheilitis* ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Dermatology ; Female ; Humans ; Incheon ; Lip ; Lip Diseases ; Patch Tests* ; Toothpastes

An umbilical omphalomesenteric duct polyp arises from remnants of the omphalomesenteric duct, which connects the midgut to the Yolk sac of the embryo and is closed completely at 7 weeks. Persistence of the omphalomesenteric duct shows various clinical manifestations of embryologic anomalies such as umbilical enteric fistula, Meckel's diverticulum or vitelline cysts. In particular, the umbilical omphalomesenteric duct polyp should be clinically discerned from persistent granulation tissue or pyogenic granuloma and attention should be given to external openings with discharge, which can be suggestive of underlying anomalies. We herein report an case of an umbilical omphalomesenteric duct polyp in a 10-year-old male who had no underlying anomalies.
Child ; Embryonic Structures ; Fistula ; Granulation Tissue ; Granuloma, Pyogenic ; Humans ; Male ; Meckel Diverticulum ; Polyps* ; Vitelline Duct* ; Vitellins ; Yolk Sac

Background: Nickel is a leading cause of allergic contact dermatitis. Patients with nickel allergy may suffer from persistent dermatitis not only through contact with nickel-plated items but also through ingestion of nickel-containing food. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the current nickel content in Korean food products and provide more up-to-date Korean nickel-restricted diets that would increase patient compliance. Methods: The most frequently consumed food items were selected with replicates. Food samples were prepared according to the practices of normal consumers. The solid specimens were finely ground, and the liquid specimens were homogenized using a sterilized mixer. Tea bags were brewed in 100 mL of distilled water at 100 °C for 5 minutes. Solid (0.5 g) and liquid (2 g) specimens were subjected to microwave-assisted nitric acid digestion using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Results: In total, 147 samples were collected from different food categories, including plant-based products, animal-based products, packaged foods, and drinks. Cocoa powder had the highest concentration of nickel (1.56 mg/kg), which is consistent with the results of previous studies. Soy products such as fermented soybean paste (Doenjang) (1.16 mg/kg), fermented soybean with red chili paste (Ssamjang) (0.67 mg/kg), and tofu (0.37 mg/kg) had elevated concentration of nickel. Moreover, nut-derived products such as chocolate (1.10 mg/kg), ground coffee (0.86 mg/kg), almond (0.84 mg/kg), and peanuts (0.64 mg/kg) contained elevated nickel concentration. Conclusion The nickel content in food constantly changes depending on the food processing procedures and place of origin. Therefore, revising the nickel-restricted diet is necessary to enhance patients’ understanding of it and help reduce dietary nickel intake.

Nivolumab is a checkpoint inhibitor monoclonal antibody, designed to interact with the programmed death cell receptor-1, preventing the inhibitory signaling on cytotoxic T cells. Immune checkpoint inhibitors can lead to severe cutaneous immune-related adverse events (irAEs). A 54-year-old female with a breast cancer metastasis was referred to our clinic due to diffuse cutaneous lesions of crusted erythematous patches and multiple blisters for 2 weeks. Five months before presentation, she started nivolumab/eribulin immunotherapy. Skin biopsy showed subepidermal blistering with perivascular lymphohistiocytic infiltration with eosinophils. Direct immunofluorescence showed linear deposition of immunoglobulin G and C3 along the dermoepidermal junction, consistent with bullous pemphigoid.Temporal relationship between initiation of nivolumab and skin lesion suggested the diagnosis of nivolumab-induced bullous pemphigoid. Dermatologic toxicity is the most common irAEs associated with nivolumab, but nivolumab-induced bullous pemphigoid is rare. Given the widespread use of immunotherapy, it is important to document this case to develop proper management strategies.