Brain is a rich environment where neurons and glia interact with neighboring cells as well as extracellular matrix in three-dimensional (3D) space. Astrocytes, which are the most abundant cells in the mammalian brain, reside in 3D space and extend highly branched processes that form microdomains and contact synapses. It has been suggested that astrocytes cultured in 3D might be maintained in a less reactive state as compared to those growing in a traditional, two-dimensional (2D) monolayer culture. However, the functional characterization of the astrocytes in 3D culture has been lacking. Here we cocultured neurons and astrocytes in 3D and examined the morphological, molecular biological, and electrophysiological properties of the 3D-cultured hippocampal astrocytes. In our 3D neuron-astrocyte coculture, astrocytes showed a typical morphology of a small soma with many branches and exhibited a unique membrane property of passive conductance, more closely resembling their native in vivo counterparts. Moreover, we also induced reactive astrocytosis in culture by infecting with high-titer adenovirus to mimic pathophysiological conditions in vivo. Adenoviral infection induced morphological changes in astrocytes, increased passive conductance, and increased GABA content as well as tonic GABA release, which are characteristics of reactive gliosis. Together, our study presents a powerful in vitro model resembling both physiological and pathophysiological conditions in vivo, and thereby provides a versatile experimental tool for studying various neurological diseases that accompany reactive astrocytes.
Adenoviridae ; Astrocytes* ; Brain ; Carisoprodol ; Coculture Techniques ; Extracellular Matrix ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; Gliosis ; In Vitro Techniques ; Membranes ; Neuroglia ; Neurons ; Synapses

Preoperative radiotherapy may improve the resectability and subsequent local control of rectal cancers. However, the extent of radiation induced regression in these tumours varies widely between individuals. To date no reliable predictive marker of radiation sensitivity in rectal cancer has been identified. At the cellular level, radiation injury initiates a complex molecular network of DNA damage response (DDR) pathways that leads to cell cycle arrest, attempts at re-constituting the damaged DNA and should this fail, then apoptosis. This review presents the details which suggest the roles of DNA mismatch repair proteins, the lack of which define a distinct subset of colorectal cancers with microsatellite instability (MSI), in the DDR pathways. Hence routine assessment of the MSI status in rectal cancers may potentially serve as a predictor of radiotherapy response, thereby improving patient stratification in the administration of this otherwise toxic treatment.
Apoptosis ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; DNA ; DNA Damage ; DNA Mismatch Repair ; Humans ; Microsatellite Instability ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Proteins ; Radiation Injuries ; Radiation Tolerance ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Succinimides

Bisphenol A (BPA) has been reported to possess hepatic toxicity. We investigated the hypothesis that BPA, below the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL), can induce hepatic damage and mitochondrial dysfunction by increasing oxidative stress in the liver. Two doses of BPA, 0.05 and 1.2 mg/kg body weight/day, were administered intraperitoneally for 5 days to mice. Both treatments impaired the structure of the hepatic mitochondria, although oxygen consumption rate and expression of the respiratory complex decreased only at the higher dose. The hepatic levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), a naturally occurring product of lipid peroxidation, increased, while the expression of glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPx3) decreased, after BPA treatment. The expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) also increased. In HepG2 cells, 10 or 100 nM of BPA also decreased the oxygen consumption rate, ATP production, and the mitochondrial membrane potential. In conclusion, doses of BPA below the NOAEL induce mitochondrial dysfunction in the liver, and this is associated with an increase in oxidative stress and inflammation.
Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism ; Animals ; Glutathione Peroxidase/metabolism ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Inflammation/chemically induced/metabolism/pathology ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Interleukin-6/metabolism ; Lipid Peroxidation/drug effects ; Liver/*drug effects/metabolism/pathology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde/metabolism ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial/drug effects ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mitochondria/drug effects/*metabolism ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects ; Oxygen Consumption/drug effects ; Phenols/*toxicity ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism

Aberrant activation of hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) and its receptor, Met, is involved in the development and progression of many human cancers. In the cell-based screening assay, (-)epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) inhibited HGF/SF-Met signaling as indicated by its inhibitory activity on HGF/SF-induced cell scattering and uPA activation (IC50 = 15.8 microg/ml). Further analysis revealed that EGCG at low doses specifically inhibited HGF/SF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of Met but not epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced phosphorylation of EGF receptor (EGFR). On the other hand, high-dose EGCG decreased both Met and EGFR proteins. We also found that EGCG did not act on the intracellular portion of Met receptor tyrosine kinase, i.e., it inhibited InlB-dependent activation of Met but not NGF-induced activation of Trk-Met hybrid receptor. This inhibition decreased HGF-induced migration and invasion by parental or HGF/SF-transfected B16F10 melanoma cells in vitro in either a paracrine or autocrine manner. Furthermore, EGCG inhibited the invasion/metastasis of HGF/SF-transfected B16F10 melanoma cells in mice. Our data suggest the possible use of EGCG in human cancers associated with dysregulated paracrine or autocrine HGF/SF-Met signaling.
Animals ; Autocrine Communication/*drug effects ; Catechin/*analogs & derivatives/metabolism/pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement/drug effects ; Female ; *Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Neoplasms, Experimental/*metabolism/pathology ; Paracrine Communication/*drug effects ; Phosphorylation/drug effects ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met/antagonists & inhibitors/metabolism ; Receptors, Growth Factor/antagonists & inhibitors/metabolism ; Signal Transduction

Vivax malaria is a significant military and civilian health threat in the north of the Republic of Korea (ROK). The island of Baengnyeong-do is the westernmost point of the ROK and is located close to the southwestern coast of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Mosquitoes were collected using a black light trap on Baengnyeong-do, and Anopheles spp. were assayed by PCR, to identify the species, and screened for sporozoites of Plasmodium vivax. Of a subsample of 257 mosquitoes, Anopheles lesteri was the most frequently collected (49.8%), followed by Anopheles sinensis (22.6%), Anopheles pullus (18.7%), Anopheles kleini (7.8%), and Anopheles belenrae (1.2%). The overall sporozoite rate was 3.1%, with the highest rates observed in An. kleini (15.0%), An. sinensis (5.2%), and An. lesteri (1.6%). No sporozoite positive An. pullus or An. belenrae were observed. The results extend our knowledge of the distribution and potential role in malaria transmission of An. kleini, An. lesteri, and An. sinensis, for an area previously considered to be at a low risk for contracting vivax malaria.
Animals ; Anopheles/*classification/genetics/*parasitology ; Plasmodium vivax/genetics/*isolation & purification ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea

OBJECTIVE: Accelerometer is a convenient device that can easily measure human movement. The purpose of this study was to evaluate its usefulness in the assessment of hemiparetic gait after stroke. METHOD: Twenty hemiparetic stroke patients were enrolled in the study. A portable accelerometer was attached between L3,4 intervertebral area. Vertical and medio-lateral acceleration was measured while walking 10 m. Walking ability of each subject was classified by Functional Walking Category (FWC). RESULTS: Accelerometric parameters, such as walking speed, a mean amount of peak vertical acceleration in one gait cycle, mean peak value of unaffected side, peak vertical acceleration ratio, step time ratio were significantly higher in groups of FWC 4, 5, 6 than in groups of FWC 2, 3. In subjects using cane there was an extra peak other than peaks observed in non-users. Mean peak value, step length of unaffected side and cadence were significantly higher in non-users than in users. CONCLUSION: Trunk accelerometer can be used as an objective method to evaluate walking ability in hemiparetic patients after stroke.
Acceleration ; Accelerometry* ; Canes ; Gait ; Humans ; Stroke ; Walking*

OBJECTIVE: Comprehensive poststroke rehabilitation includes continuum of care after discharge from hospital. Day hospital is a milieu-oriented outpatient rehabilitation program that offers continuous rehabilitation service to promote psychosocial adaptation and quality of life. This study is to evaluate long-term effects of day hospital program in stroke patients. METHOD: Forty-eight stroke patients who received day hospital program for 2 or more months after inpatient rehabilitation program and 42 control stroke patients, who received only inpatient rehabilitation program, responded telephone interview for the study. Outcome measurement included the Korean Activities of Daily Living (K-ADL), the Korean Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (K- IADL) and the Medical Outcome Study 8-item Short Form Survey (SF-8). RESULTS: There was no difference in many item scores of K-ADL between day hospital group and control group, but the item scores of dressing, washing face and hands were significantly higher in control group. Among the item scores of K-IADL, except managing money, most item scores of K-IADL were no significant difference between day hospital group and control group. All item scores of SF-8 were significantly higher in day hospital group than control group. CONCLUSION: Day hospital is an effective rehabilitation program to enhance health-related quality of life for stroke patients.
Activities of Daily Living ; Bandages ; Continuity of Patient Care ; Hand ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Interviews as Topic ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Outpatients ; Quality of Life ; Rehabilitation* ; Stroke*

Gastric metastasis of lung carcinoma is a rare entity which is detected mostly at autopsy. Patients diagnosed as having those on lifetime are extremely rare. In addition to our case, 54 cases of lung carcinoma metastasis to the gastro-intestinal tract have been reported in the literature since 1961. We report a case of gastric metastasis originated from small cell lung carcinoma. The patient was a 87-year-old man. He refused lung biopsy and further treatment and died 2 months after the diagnosis. This is the case of gastric metastsis originated from lung carcinoma, which was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Small Cell/diagnosis/*secondary ; English Abstract ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms/*pathology ; Male ; Stomach Neoplasms/diagnosis/*secondary

Metastatic brain tumors from gastric cancer are extremely rare. A 61-year-old Korean woman, initially presenting with polydipsia and polyuria, was found to have metastatic lesions in the brain by MRI. We performed several diagnostic procedures to determine the origin of the brain metastases. She was revealed to have a soft tissue mass of the right adrenal gland and fungating ulcers in the stomach. Histologic studies of both the adrenal gland mass and gastric tissues revealed malignant tumors composed of anaplastic cells. Based on the electron microscopy study, the malignant tumor of the right adrenal gland was a metastatic lesion from the anaplastic carcinoma of stomach. Therefore, the malignant tumors of the brain were assumed to have originated from the gastric cancer. This case report is presented to make clinicians aware of the possibility that diabetes insipidus (polydipsia) may present as an initial manifestation of brain metastases.
Adrenal Gland Neoplasms/diagnosis/*secondary ; Brain Neoplasms/diagnosis/*secondary ; Carcinoma/*diagnosis ; Diabetes Insipidus/*etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Stomach Neoplasms/*diagnosis

To report cases of metastasectomy for metastatic gynecologic malignancies, we reviewed the medical records of all patients who have undergone metastasectomy for metastatic gynecologic malignancies in Center for Uterine Cancer from June 2001 to October 2002. Six patients were identified with median age of 55 years (range 52-66 years). The metastatic sites and primary sites were as follows: 3 liver metastasis from ovary; 1 abdominal wall metastasis from uterus (endometrial cancer), 1 brain metastasis from ovary, 1 lung metastasis from uterus (sarcoma). The median disease free interval was 48 months (range 10 months-13 years). There was no perioperative mortality. Postoperative morbidity was tolerable with 1 case of bile leakage. In three patients with hepatectomy, one patient was dead of disease after 15 months, one patient is alive with disease at 20 months of follow up, one patient have no evidence of recurrence at 7 months follow up. The patient with brain metastasis was dead due to lung metastsis after 9 months later postoperatively. Remaining two patients with abdominal wall and lung metastasis have no evidence of tumor recurrence at 4, 7 months follow up respectively. Metastasectomy for metastatic gynecologic malignancies can be performed safely and may help prolong survival in carefully selected patients.
Abdominal Wall ; Bile ; Brain ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Liver ; Lung ; Medical Records ; Metastasectomy ; Mortality ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Ovary ; Recurrence ; Uterine Neoplasms ; Uterus