Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the potential role of copine-1 (CPNE1), a calcium-dependent membrane-binding protein encoded by the CPNE1 gene, in colorectal cancer (CRC). Despite previous research on the involvement of copine family members in various solid tumors, the specific role of CPNE1 in CRC remains poorly understood. Methods: We conducted clinicopathological analysis and functional studies to explore the impact of CPNE1 in human CRC.We examined the expression levels of CPNE1 in CRC patients and correlated it with invasive depth, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, lymphatic invasion, and TNM stage. Additionally, we performed experiments to assess the functional consequences of CPNE1 knockdown in CRC cells, including proliferation, colony formation, migration, invasion, and the expression of key regulators involved in the cell cycle and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Furthermore, we evaluated the effects of CPNE1 knockdown on tumor growth using a xenograft mouse model. Results: High expression of CPNE1 was significantly associated with advanced tumor features in CRC patients. CPNE1 knockdown in CRC cells led to impaired abilities in proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion. Furthermore, CPNE1 silencing resulted in the suppression of protein expression related to the cell cycle and EMT. In the xenograft mouse model, CPNE1 knockdown inhibited tumor growth. Conclusion CPNE1 plays a crucial role in promoting tumorigenesis and metastasis in human CRC. By regulating the cell cycle and EMT, CPNE1 influences critical cellular processes at the membrane-cytoplasm interface. These results provide valuable insights into the potential development of novel therapeutic strategies for CRC targeting CPNE1.

PURPOSE: As emergency ultrasound (EUS) can improve the management of emergency department patients, education in EUS has become an essential part of emergency medicine resident training. This study examined the efficacy of pediatric EUS education for resident physicians 6 months after training. METHODS: A survey was conducted on emergency medicine resident physicians who participated in the Pediatric Emergency Ultrasound Course in November 2014, which is a training program of pediatric EUS generated by Korean Society of Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Society of Emergency and Critical Care Imaging. The instructor checked the list to evaluate attendee after the course. After the course, resident physicians have been encouraged to use EUS at the patient's bedside, and the same list was checked 6 months after the course. At the same time, a survey of the number of experience of EUS during the 6 months was performed. RESULTS: Ten emergency resident physicians of Seoul National University of Hospital participated in the course and all attendees were re-evaluated 6 months after the course. The mean initial score immediately after the course and that at the 6 months follow-up was 28.6±3.13 and 20.8±3.79, respectively (p < 0.05). No significant relationship was observed between the difference score and the EUS experience number, including the observations of the other physician's EUS (p=0.603) and hands-on by themselves (p=0.771). CONCLUSION: Although a EUS education program could improve the resident physician's ability, the effect decreased with time. Hence, the resident physician's EUS ability cannot be maintained via simple emergency department duty. Therefore, the education program should be repeated regularly.
Critical Care ; Education* ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Medicine* ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Seoul ; Ultrasonography*

OBJECTIVE: Resveratrol is well-known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant effects on several diseases. We investigated whether dietary supplementation with resveratrol may suppress joint inflammation and destruction in a mouse model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). METHODS: Mice were randomly divided into two groups; CIA mice with normal diet-fed and CIA mice fed a 0.05% resveratrol diet. The effect of resveratrol on arthritis was assessed by clinical scoring system. The plain radiographs of paws were obtained to evaluate the effects on preventing bone destruction. Joint inflammation, cartilage damage, and osteoclastic bone resorption were checked by staining with H&E, Safranin-O, and tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP). Levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were checked by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The level of expression of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB was measured by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). RESULTS: Dietary supplementation with resveratrol led to mitigated severity of arthritis compared to the normal diet group (6.7+/-0.8 vs. 2.7+/-0.6, p<0.01). Resveratrol-fed mice showed decreased bone destruction on radiograph (3.4+/-0.3 vs. 2.0+/-0.2, p<0.01), and showed significantly inhibited pathological changes (inflammation 2.0+/-0.3 vs.3.2+/-0.2, p<0.01; cartilage damage 1.5+/-0.3 vs. 3.2+/-0.2, p<0.01; pannus formation 1.4+/-0.3 vs. 3.0+/-0.3, p<0.01; erosion; 1.4+/-0.2 vs. 3.3+/-0.3, p<0.01). Generation of TRAP-positive osteoclasts was inhibited in the resveratrol-fed mice (55.3+/-12.7 vs. 3.27+/-0.8, p<0.01). Resveratrol-fed mice showed decreased levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6,monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, and the soluble receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand in joint tissues and sera. Expression of NF-kappaB, measured by EMSA, was decreased in resveratrol-fed mice. CONCLUSION: Dietary supplementation with resveratrol mitigates inflammation and bone destruction in CIA mice.
Acid Phosphatase ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; Arthritis ; Arthritis, Experimental* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Bone Resorption ; Cartilage ; Cytokines ; Diet ; Dietary Supplements* ; Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Inflammation ; Interleukins ; Joints ; Mice ; NF-kappa B ; Osteoclasts ; Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

BACKGROUND: Although there have been many studies about onychomycosis, no study about Koreans in onychomycosis has been reported in Korea. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the onychomycosis in Koreans. METHODS: From April, 2009, to March, 2010, 1,893 patients with onychomycosis who visited the department of dermatology at 10 university hospitals were evaluated. RESULTS: Of 1,893 patients with onychomycosis, 93.8% were toenail onychomycosis, 2.2% fingernail onychomycosis, and 4.0% onychomycosis in both toenails and fingernails. Among the age groups, the incidence rate was highest over the sixties (35.6%). The ratio of male to female patients was 1.3:1. Distal and lateral subungual onychomycosis (80.3%) was the most common clinical type of onychomycosis. Combination therapy of oral terbinafine or itraconazole and topical amorolfine nail lacquer was most common in the treatment of onychomycosis. The most common reasons for combination therapy in onychomycosis were higher cure rate due to synergistic activity (40.2%), followed by shortened treatment duration (12.8%), patient compliance (12.3%), and prevention of recurrence and reinfection (1.7%). CONCLUSION: Because of the increase in onychomycosis, we suggest the need of standard treatment guidelines for Korean patients with onychomycosis.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Dermatology ; Female ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Incidence ; Itraconazole ; Lacquer ; Male ; Morpholines ; Nails ; Naphthalenes ; Onychomycosis ; Patient Compliance ; Recurrence

BACKGROUND: Firemen are directly exposed to various harmful chemicals, physical factors and mental stress during rescue and fire-fighting. In fire extinguishing, unstable posture, poisonous gas, dust, high temperature and weighty equipments are possible hazardous factors. The alertness for emergency, shift work, job strain and stress are also possibly hazardous. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of musculo-skeletal symptoms and job stress and to determine risk factors in firemen. METHODS: This study was carried out in a group of 226 firemen in Busan, Korea. Standardized Nordic Questionnaire was used to investigate the prevalence of musculo-skeletal symptoms and Psycho-social Well-being Index (abbreviated PWI) was used to investigate the prevalence of job stress. General and occupational characteristics included education, marital status, alcohol and smoking history, working duration, and work shift system. Body mass index (BMI) scores were calculated by physical examination including height and weight. RESULTS: Concerning musculo-skeletal complaints, the commonest site was neck, and shoulder, lower back, upper back were the next. Complaint site above one area of body was about 80%. From multiple logistic regression analysis, working duration was significant variable in musculo-skeletal symptoms. Odds ratio were 15.4 in working duration. About 16.8% was high risk stress group. From multiple logistic regression analysis, shift work and alcohol drinking were significant variables in PWI scores. Odds ratios were 2.25 in shift work. CONCLUSION: Accordingly, interventions are needed for health promotion of long term and shift worker.
Alcohol Drinking ; Body Mass Index ; Busan ; Dust ; Education ; Emergencies ; Firefighters ; Fires ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Marital Status ; Neck ; Odds Ratio ; Physical Examination ; Posture ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Shoulder ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Firemen are directly exposed to various harmful chemicals, physical factors and mental stress during rescue and fire-fighting. In fire extinguishing, unstable posture, poisonous gas, dust, high temperature and weighty equipments are possible hazardous factors. The alertness for emergency, shift work, job strain and stress are also possibly hazardous. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of musculo-skeletal symptoms and job stress and to determine risk factors in firemen. METHODS: This study was carried out in a group of 226 firemen in Busan, Korea. Standardized Nordic Questionnaire was used to investigate the prevalence of musculo-skeletal symptoms and Psycho-social Well-being Index (abbreviated PWI) was used to investigate the prevalence of job stress. General and occupational characteristics included education, marital status, alcohol and smoking history, working duration, and work shift system. Body mass index (BMI) scores were calculated by physical examination including height and weight. RESULTS: Concerning musculo-skeletal complaints, the commonest site was neck, and shoulder, lower back, upper back were the next. Complaint site above one area of body was about 80%. From multiple logistic regression analysis, working duration was significant variable in musculo-skeletal symptoms. Odds ratio were 15.4 in working duration. About 16.8% was high risk stress group. From multiple logistic regression analysis, shift work and alcohol drinking were significant variables in PWI scores. Odds ratios were 2.25 in shift work. CONCLUSION: Accordingly, interventions are needed for health promotion of long term and shift worker.
Alcohol Drinking ; Body Mass Index ; Busan ; Dust ; Education ; Emergencies ; Firefighters ; Fires ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Marital Status ; Neck ; Odds Ratio ; Physical Examination ; Posture ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Shoulder ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical efficacy of simple total laparoscopic hysterectomy in the aspect of operation indication, operation time, hospitalization day, blood loss, and postoperative complications. METHODS: A retrospective evaluation for 312 women who undergone simplified total laparoscopic hysterectomy from January, 2002 to June, 2003 was done. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 45.2 years, mean parity was 2.2, and mean uterine weight was 272.3 gm. The most common surgical indication was uterine myoma in 136 cases (43.5%), followed by adenomyosis in 90 cases (28.8%), myoma combined with adenomyosis in 52 cases (16.6%), uterine prolapse in 15 cases (4.8%), and HSIL 19 cases (6%) respectively. The most common concomitant operation was salpingooophorectomy in 53 cases (16.9%), followed by adhesiolysis in 40 cases (12.8%), colporraphy in 14 cases (4.4%), electrocauterization (ovary) in 4 cases (1.3%), pelvic floor suspension in 4 cases (1.3%), and TVT in 1 case (0.3%). The mean operation time was 107 minutes, and the average hospital day was 5.2 days. The preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin difference was 1.2 gm/dL. The complications of STLH were ureteral injury in 2 cases, intestinal injury in 1 case, and stump bleeding in 1 case. CONCLUSION: The most important factors for successful STLH were sufficiently trained laparoscopic team and the degree of pelvic adhesion. The most potential advantages of STLH are shorter duration of operation time, hospitalization, and less postoperative complications and more cost effectiveness. Therefore, STLH can be a new alternative option for hysterectomy and may replace the other methods of hysterectomy such as abdominal, vaginal and laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH).
Adenomyosis ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hysterectomy* ; Hysterectomy, Vaginal ; Leiomyoma ; Myoma ; Parity ; Pelvic Floor ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Ureter ; Uterine Prolapse

BACKGROUND: Although in managing childhood onychomycosis, it is reported that continuous therapy of itraconazole is effective and safe, pulse therapy seems to be preferred to enhance patient's compliance and tolerability. Still, there is a relatively limited data regarding clinical characteristics and efficacy of itraconazole pulse therapy in childhood onychomycosis. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics of childhood onychomycosis and efficacy of itraconazole pulse therapy in childhood onychomycosis. METHODS: The study has been processed from 1999 August to 2003 April regarding total 28 patients, age under 14 years old. Clinical evaluation was performed on the bases of age, sex, site, clinical type, risk factors and existence of other concomitant fungal infections. Diagnosis was confirmed by KOH mount and fungal culture. Fungal slide culture was performed to identify the causative organism. Itraconazole was administered 5mg/weight (kg) 2 pulses for finger nail infection and 3 pulses for toe nail infection. Then the follow up was done as scheduled, and we evaluated clinical improvement and adverse effect regularly at every visit. RESULTS: Twenty five patients (male 16, female 9; mean age 8.7 years) completed the follow-ups. 6 patients (24%) had lesions on the finger nail and 19 patients (76%) on the toe nail. Studied clinical type were distolateral subungual onychomycosis (DLSO) and whitish superficial onychomycosis (WSO), but predominantly DLSO; 3 patients on the finger nail and 18 on the toe nail, 21 (84%) totally presenting the most commonly involved. Tinea unguium and tinea pedis-related family history was found in 18 patients (72%). Other concomitant fungal infections were found in 21 patients (84%). As causative organism, only Trichophyton (T.) rubrum was identified in 17 patients (68%). Clinical cure rate was 84%, while treatment failure was 16%. CONCLUSION: Childhood onychomycosis showed similar clinical chracteristics with adulthood and itraconazole pulse therapy was effective for childhood onychomycosis.
Adolescent ; Compliance ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Fingers ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Itraconazole* ; Onychomycosis* ; Risk Factors ; Tinea ; Toes ; Treatment Failure ; Trichophyton

OBJECT: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of fungal infection and ulcer on the feet of diabetic patients and the existence of correlation between ulcer and fungal infection. METHODS: A total of 21, 693 outpatients diagnosed as diabetes mellitus at the department of endocrinology of 32 hospitals were examined. The diabetic patients with foot problems were consulted to the department of dermatology. Physical examination and KOH preparation were performed. RESULTS: 13, 271 patients had certain kinds of foot problem, accounting for 61.2% of 21, 693 diabetics examined. Of these, fungal foot disease were found in 10, 403 that constituted 78.4% (48.0% of the entire diabetic population). Tinea pedis was the diagnosis in 6, 496 (29.9%), onychomycosis in 7, 783 (35.9%), and coexistence was in 3, 883 (17.9%). Foot deformity was in 1, 346 (6.2% of diabetics; 10.1% of foot disease), non-palpable pulse in 1, 051 (4.8% ; 7.9%), and foot ulcer was in 425 (2.0% ; 3.2%), following in a descending order of frequency. Odds ratios for diabetic foot ulcer were 2.5 in patients with the foot deformity, 1.6 with fungal foot disease and 2.2 with non-palpable pulse. Conversely, Odds ratios for fungal foot disease were 2.5 with foot deformity, and 1.6 with foot ulcer. A total of 5, 486 patients paid a visit to the department of dermatology. Of these, 4, 519 patients were diagnosed with fungal infection through physical examination and KOH smear by dermatologists. The population comprised of 2, 272 males and 2, 247 females, showing similar prevalence between sexes. However, age did have positive correlation regarding prevalence of fungal foot disease. The number of diabetic patients with toenail problems was 3, 847 patients (70%) and onychomycosis was proven mycologically in 3, 276. Onychomycosis of distal subungal type was the most common clinical finding, most frequently involving the great toenails. Abnormal skin findings of the foot were seen in 3, 885(70.8%) and tinea pedis was found in 3, 209 (58.5%), most commonly involving the soles. CONCLUSION: This study showed that fungal infection might be regarded as a risk factor of foot ulcer. Treatment of fungal infection in diabetic patients might prevent diabetic foot disease such as ulcer and reduce the disability, morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients.
Dermatology ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetic Foot ; Diagnosis ; Endocrinology ; Female ; Foot Deformities ; Foot Diseases ; Foot Ulcer ; Foot* ; Humans ; Male ; Mortality ; Nails ; Odds Ratio ; Onychomycosis ; Outpatients ; Physical Examination ; Prevalence* ; Risk Factors ; Skin ; Tinea Pedis ; Ulcer*

BACKGROUND: The relative frequency and clinicopathologic characteristics of lymphomas vary according to geography and race. Data on the features of cutaneous lymphoma in Korea are limited. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to document the relative occurrence, the clinical and histopathological features of cutaneous lymphomas in Korea. METHODS: The Korean Dermatopathology Research Group conducted a review of nationwide collection of 80 cutaneous lymphomas, diagnosed at 23 institutes over recent 3-year period. Clinical records and pathology slides of the patients were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Korea has a higher rate of T-cell lymphoma and NK/T cell lymphoma and a much lower rate of cutaneous B cell lymphoma. The relative frequency of the major diagnostic group according to WHO classification was as follows: mycosis fungoides/Sezary syndrome, 42.5%; anaplastic large cell lymphoma, 19%; nasal and nasal type NK/T cell lymphoma, 15%; subcutaneous panniculitis-like T cell lymphoma, 11%; peripheral T cell lymphoma, unspecified, 7.5%; follicular lymphoma, 3%; marginal zone lymphoma, 1%; angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy, 1%. Compared with Western countries, the rate of nasal and nasal-type NK/T cell lymphoma and subcutaneous panniculitis-like T cell lymphoma were much higher. Therefore, The EORTC classification is not effective in dealing with Korean cases of cutaneous lymphoma. We consider the principles of the WHO classification are applicable to the Korean cases of cutaneous lymphoma.
Academies and Institutes ; Classification ; Continental Population Groups ; Geography ; Humans ; Immunoblastic Lymphadenopathy ; Korea* ; Lymphoma* ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; Lymphoma, Follicular ; Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic ; Lymphoma, T-Cell ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral ; Pathology ; Retrospective Studies