Lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE), a lyso-type metabolite of phosphatidylethanolamine, has been reported to be an intercellular signaling molecule. LPE mobilizes intracellular Ca²⁺ through G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) in some cells types. However, GPCRs for lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) were not implicated in the LPE-mediated activities in LPA GPCR overexpression systems or in SK-OV3 ovarian cancer cells. In the present study, in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, experiments with LPA₁ antagonists showed LPE induced intracellular Ca²⁺ increases in an LPA₁ GPCR-dependent manner. Furthermore, LPE increased intracellular Ca²⁺ through pertussis-sensitive G proteins, edelfosine-sensitive-phospholipase C, 2-APB-sensitive IP₃ receptors, Ca²⁺ release from intracellular Ca²⁺ stores, and subsequent Ca²⁺ influx across plasma membranes, and LPA acted on LPA₁ and LPA₂ receptors to induce Ca²⁺ response in a 2-APB-sensitive and insensitive manner. These findings suggest novel involvements for LPE and LPA in calcium signaling in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells.
Calcium Signaling* ; Calcium* ; Cell Membrane ; GTP-Binding Proteins ; Humans* ; Neuroblastoma* ; Ovarian Neoplasms

This retrospective study aimed to compare the clinical features of paramedullary lesions (PLs) and extramedullary lesions (ELs) of plasmacytomas at diagnosis, using positron emission tomography integrated with computed tomography, using glucose labeled with the positron-emitting radionuclide ¹⁸F (¹⁸F-FDG-PET/CT) in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM), and to address their prognostic impact. Sixty-four patients with NDMM presenting ELs (n=22) and/or PLs (n=42) were included. Patients with ELs at initial presentation had unfavorable laboratory parameters of calcium and lactate dehydrogenase, a higher percentage of bone marrow plasma cells, and showed a trend toward advanced international staging system (ISS), compared to patients with PLs. Using X-ray imaging, high bone disease (HBD) was observed in 50% and 71% of patients with ELs and PLs, respectively. After a median follow-up of 29.2 months (range, 3.4–76.5 months) in survivors, patients with ELs had a significantly lower overall survival (OS) (p=0.033) than patients with PLs did, whereas the progression-free survival (PFS) did not differ significantly (p=0.818). However, the PFS after 1(st) progression was significantly worse in patients with ELs than in those with PLs (p=0.017). In the multivariate analyses, the negative impact of initial ELs on OS (p=0.033) was sustained. Our results demonstrated the different clinical features and outcomes of ELs and PLs in NDMM. Patients with initial ELs showed a shorter PFS after 1(st) progression, which translated into poor OS, providing insight into the different biological effect of ELs.
Bone Diseases ; Bone Marrow ; Calcium ; Diagnosis ; Disease-Free Survival ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glucose ; Humans ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; Multiple Myeloma* ; Multivariate Analysis ; Plasma Cells ; Plasmacytoma ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Retrospective Studies ; Survivors

No abstract available.
Acne Vulgaris* ; Humans ; Pilot Projects* ; Skin*

Acute peripheral facial palsy usually manifests Bell's palsy of unknown cause, and rarely lacunar infarct which located in facial nucleus can mimic peripheral facial palsy. A 73 year-old man with isolated facial asymmetry diagnosed with lacunar infarction which selectively involve the facial fascicles which lie in inferolateral aspect of pons. Clinicians should take into account the possibility of central lesion and brain stem infarction, even when patients present with isolated peripheral type facial palsy.
Bell Palsy ; Brain Stem Infarctions ; Facial Asymmetry ; Facial Nucleus ; Facial Paralysis* ; Humans ; Pons ; Stroke, Lacunar

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Western surveillance strategies cannot be directly adapted to the Korean population. The aim of this study was to estimate the risk of metachronous neoplasia and the optimal surveillance interval in the Korean population. METHODS: Clinical and pathological data from index colonoscopy performed between June 2006 and July 2008 and who had surveillance colonoscopies up to May 2015 were compared between low- and high-risk adenoma (LRA and HRA) groups. The 3- and 5-year cumulative risk of metachronous colorectal neoplasia in both groups were compared. RESULTS: Among 895 eligible patients, surveillance colonoscopy was performed in 399 (44.6%). Most (83.3%) patients with LRA had a surveillance colonoscopy within 5 years and 70.2% of patients with HRA had a surveillance colonoscopy within 3 years. The cumulative risk of metachronous advanced adenoma was 3.2% within 5 years in the LRA group and only 1.7% within 3 years in the HRA group. The risk of metachronous neoplasia was similar between the surveillance interval of <5 and ≥5 years in the LRA group; however, it was slightly higher at surveillance interval of ≥3 than <3 years in the HRA group (9.4% vs. 2.4%). In multivariate analysis, age and the ≥3-year surveillance interval were significant independent risk factors for metachronous advanced adenoma (P=0.024 and P=0.030, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Patients had a surveillance colonoscopy before the recommended guidelines despite a low risk of metachronous neoplasia. However, the risk of metachronous advanced adenoma was increased in elderly patients and those with a ≥3-year surveillance interval.
Adenoma ; Aged ; Colonoscopy ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: Tigecycline resistance has emerged recently and has shown diverse mechanisms. The aim of this study was to assess the role of efflux activity in tigecycline resistance in 120 clinical isolates of A. baumannii using two methods: the H33342 accumulation assay and adeB real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. In addition, we analyzed the correlation between the expression level of adeB and H33342 accumulation level. METHODS: A. baumannii clinical isolates was divided into tigecycline-resistant (49 strains), intermediate (40 strains), and susceptible (31 strains) groups. The H33342 accumulation was measured in the absence or presence of the efflux pump inhibitor carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP). Real-time RT-PCR was performed to determine the relative expression of the adeB gene in A. baumannii clinical isolates. RESULTS: The level of H33342 accumulation in the resistant group was relatively lower than those in the other groups. The addition of CCCP caused a significantly increased fold change in H33342 accumulation in the tigecycline-resistant group. Significant difference in the fold change level in H33342 accumulation was found between tigecycline-susceptible and resistant isolates. Those findings support the role of efflux pumps of which substrates are H33342 in the resistance of tigecycline. Significant differences in the relative expression levels of adeB were shown between tigecycline-susceptible and resistant groups also. CONCLUSION: The results showed that several efflux pumps of which substrates were H33342 can contribute to tigecycline resistance. The adeB overexpression can also contribute to tigecycline resistance. It is possible that efflux pumps other than adeB efflux pumps contribute to tigecycline resistance because there was no correlation between fold change level in H33342 accumulation and adeB expression level.
Acinetobacter baumannii* ; Acinetobacter* ; Carbonyl Cyanide m-Chlorophenyl Hydrazone ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Carnosol is a phenolic antioxidant present in rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis). It is known for anti-inflammatory effects, analgesic activity and anti-cancer effects. However, no study has been dedicated yet to its effect on atopic dermatitis (AD). Here, we show that carnosol effectively inhibited LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) generation and expression of inflammatory marker proteins (iNOS and COX-2) in RAW 264.7 cells. In addition, carnosol effectively inhibits the phosphorylation of STAT3 and DNA binding activity in RAW 264.7 cells. Pull down assay and docking model analysis showed that carnosol directly binds to the DNA binding domain (DBD) of STAT3. We next examined the anti-atopic activity of carnosol (0.05 μg/cm²) using 5% Phthalic anhydride (PA)-induced AD model in HR1 mice. Carnosol treatment significantly reduced 5% PA-induced AD like skin inflammation in skin tissues compared with control mice. Moreover, carnosol treatment inhibits the expression of iNOS and COX-2 in skin tissue. In addition, the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and Immunoglobulin-E in blood serum was significantly decreased in carnosol treated mice compared with those of 5% PA treated group. Furthermore, the activation of STAT3 in skin tissue was decreased in carnosol treated mice compared with control mice. In conclusion, these findings suggest that carnosol exhibited a potential anti-AD activity by inhibiting pro-inflammatory mediators through suppression of STAT3 activation via direct binding to DBD of STAT3.
Animals ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; DNA ; Inflammation ; Mice ; Nitric Oxide ; Phenol ; Phosphorylation ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Serum ; Skin

When attempting to restore the oral function of a partially edentulous patient, there are a number of prosthetic treatment options available, depending on the structure of remaining teeth. For example, when only one set of maxillary and mandibular teeth are diagonally in place across from each other, it is difficult to gain stable occlusion. In this case, implants can be put in place at the corresponding edentulous area to achieve balance. By doing so, a stable occlusion can be achieved. For this case report, a patient with crossed occlusion after extraction was treated with maxillary RDP (removable dental prosthesis) and mandibular implant-supported RDP (removable dental prosthesis). Moreover, an implant fixture was placed under the posterior molar of the distal extension base diagonally across from the remaining maxillary teeth. Then, magnetic attachment was implemented. According to the patient who received the treatment, the result was functionally and aesthetically satisfactory.
Dental Prosthesis* ; Humans ; Molar ; Tooth

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The inflammatory bowel disease disability index (IBD-DI) was recently developed for IBD to assess the functional consequences and disease burden. We applied the IBD-DI to a Korean population and identified predictive factors influencing IBD-related disability. METHODS: Between March and August 2015, 322 consecutive patients with IBD were prospectively recruited. Patients completed the IBD-DI questionnaire and Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis Questionnaire (CUCQ-8) for assessing quality of life. We examined the relationships between IBD-DI and disease activity or quality of life and analyzed predictive factors in Korean IBD patients. RESULTS: Enrolled patients completed both questionnaires. Total IBD-DI was correlated with CUCQ-8 scores in both ulcerative colitis (r=0.636, p<0.001) and Crohn’s disease (r=0.711, p<0.001). Total IBD-DI was also correlated with disease activity in both ulcerative colitis (r= −0.224, p=0.003) and Crohn’s disease (r= −0.307, p<0.001). Better drug compliance was associated with lower disability (p=0.001) and higher quality of life (p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Disability from IBD was correlated with disease activity and poor quality of life. Better drug compliance was associated with lower disability and higher quality of life. Our findings indicate that physicians should emphasize the importance of medication compliance for IBD patients.
Colitis, Ulcerative ; Compliance* ; Crohn Disease ; Humans ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases* ; Medication Adherence ; Prospective Studies ; Quality of Life*