Intussuscepted sigmoid colonic lipoma mimicking carcinoma.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Y W Choi.
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BACKGROUND: Extracellular newly identified RAGE-binding protein (EN-RAGE) is a ligand of the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) and has been termed S100A12. The ligation of EN-RAGE with RAGE on the endothelium, mononuclear phagocytes and lymphocytes triggers cellular activation with the generation of the key proinflammatory mediators interleukin (IL)-1beta and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of RAGE and EN-RAGE, their spatial localization and their coexpression in leprosy lesions. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry and confocal laser scanning microscopy were used to evaluate the expression of RAGE and EN-RAGE in leprosy. By enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, RAGE and EN-RAGE were detected in the serum. RESULTS: (1) In the multibacillary (MB) and paucibacillary (PB) groups, the level of RAGE production was significantly higher than in patients with atypical mycobacterial infection or sarcoidosis (P < 0.01). In the MB group, the production of RAGE was higher than in the PB group (P < 0.01), and it was higher in patients without the lepra reaction than in patients with the lepra reaction (P < 0.05). (2) In MB, PB and atypical mycobacterial infection, the level of EN-RAGE production was significantly higher than in sarcoidosis (P < 0.01). (3) In the confocal laser scanning microscopic examination, the RAGE and EN-RAGE proteins were detected in lepromatous leprosy. These proteins are spatially colocalized along the cell surface, which is in agreement with their receptor-ligand interaction. (4) A comparable amount of EN-RAGE was detected in the serum of the MB and PB groups. Patients with the reaction showed a higher level of EN-RAGE than patients without the reaction in leprosy. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that in leprosy, RAGE and EN-RAGE may be involved in the proinflammatory process rather than the antimycobacterial activity, especially during the lepra reaction. The blockade of the interaction of RAGE and EN-RAGE at the early stage of the inflammatory process may minimize the inflammatory response and consequent tissue damage or the sequelae of leprosy.
AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of electrochemically activated solution (ECASOL) in decontaminating Bacillus anthracis Ames and Vollum 1B spores, with and without changing the source water hardness and final ECASOL pH. METHODS AND RESULTS: Five different ECASOL formulations were generated, in which the source water hardness and final ECASOL pH were varied, resulting in cases where significant changes in free available chlorine (FAC) and oxidative-reduction potential (ORP) were observed. B. anthracis Ames and Vollum 1B spores were suspended in the various ECASOL formulations for 30 min, and decontamination efficacy was determined; calcium hypochlorite [5% high-test hypochlorite (HTH)] was used as a positive control. The five different ECASOL formulations yielded mean FAC levels ranging from 305 to 464 ppm, and mean ORP levels ranging from +826 to +1000 mV. Exposure to all the ECASOL formulations and 5% HTH resulted in >or=7.0 log reductions in both B. anthracis Ames and Vollum 1B spores. CONCLUSIONS: The present testing demonstrated that ECASOL with a minimum of c. 300-ppm FAC levels and +800-mV ORP inactivated the B. anthracis spores in suspension, similar to 5% HTH. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: These results provide information for decontaminating B. anthracis Ames and Vollum 1B spores in suspension using ECASOL.
Alcoholic hydrogels containing prostaglandin E1 ethyl ester (PGE1-EE), a prodrug of PGE1 as a therapeutic agent for erectile dysfunction, were formulated. The prodrug was stable against chemical hydrolysis in aqueous solution (pH 7.4), devoid of esterase activities, but was hydrolyzed to the parent drug in rat skin homogenates within 240 min. In the rat skin penetration study for 24 h, the steady-state flux values (microg/cm2/h) of PGE1-EE and PGE, from alcoholic hydrogels having 20% ethanol content were 7.6 and 1.8, respectively. PGE1-EE was superior to PGE, from a skin penetration point of view due to its increased lipophilicity. The fastest skin penetration rate was obtained for PGE1-EE in 20% alcoholic hydrogel together with limonene or cineole. These formulations increased the flux of PGE1-EE up to about 4-fold compared to control hydrogel in the absence of penetration enhancers. In the pharmacodynamic study using a cat, alcoholic hydrogel with limonene or cineole showed a significant effect in terms of increasing intracavernosal pressure compared to control hydrogel. Therefore, the transdermal alcoholic hydrogel formulation of PGE1-EE with limonene or cineole can be a promising transdermal delivery system to overcome inconvenience associated with frequent intracavernosal injections for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
AIMS: To evaluate the decontamination of Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus subtilis, and Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores on indoor surface materials using hydrogen peroxide gas. METHODS AND RESULTS: Bacillus anthracis, B. subtilis, and G. stearothermophilus spores were dried on seven types of indoor surfaces and exposed to > or =1000 ppm hydrogen peroxide gas for 20 min. Hydrogen peroxide exposure significantly decreased viable B. anthracis, B. subtilis, and G. stearothermophilus spores on all test materials except G. stearothermophilus on industrial carpet. Significant differences were observed when comparing the reduction in viable spores of B. anthracis with both surrogates. The effectiveness of gaseous hydrogen peroxide on the growth of biological indicators and spore strips was evaluated in parallel as a qualitative assessment of decontamination. At 1 and 7 days postexposure, decontaminated biological indicators and spore strips exhibited no growth, while the nondecontaminated samples displayed growth. CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences in decontamination efficacy of hydrogen peroxide gas on porous and nonporous surfaces were observed when comparing the mean log reduction in B. anthracis spores with B. subtilis and G. stearothermophilus spores. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: These results provide comparative information for the decontamination of B. anthracis spores with surrogates on indoor surfaces using hydrogen peroxide gas.
The CT halo sign indicates ground glass attenuation surrounding a pulmonary nodule on CT. Although it was initially proposed as an early, specific finding of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, it can be caused by many other pathological conditions such as infection, neoplastic and inflammatory diseases. The halo of ground glass attenuation pathologically represents pulmonary haemorrhage, tumour infiltration, or non-haemorrhagic inflammatory processes. Although non-specific, this sign is important because the clinical setting and associated radiological features may give a clue to the differential diagnosis. In this review, we demonstrate the spectrum of pulmonary diseases showing the "CT halo sign" on thin-section CT and discuss their radiological and clinical features.
Desmosomes are major intercellular adhesion junctions that provide stable cell-cell contacts and mechanical strength to epithelial tissues by anchoring cytokeratin intermediate filaments of adjacent cells. Desmogleins (Dsg) are transmembrane core components of the desmosomes, and belong to the cadherin supergene family of calcium-dependent adhesion molecules. Currently, there are three known isoforms of Dsgs (Dsg1, Dsg2, and Dsg3), encoded by distinct genes that are differentially expressed to determine their tissue specificity and differentiation state of epithelial cells. In this study, we cloned a novel mouse desmoglein gene sharing high homology to both mouse and human Dsg1. We propose to designate the previously published mouse Dsg1 gene as Dsg1-alpha and the new gene as Dsg1-beta. Analysis of intron/exon organization of the Dsg1-alpha and Dsg1-beta genes revealed significant conservation. The full-length mouse Dsg1-beta cDNA contains an open reading frame of 3180 bp encoding a precursor protein of 1060 amino acids. Dsg1-beta protein shares 94% and 76% identity with mouse Dsg1-alpha and human DSG1, respectively. RT-PCR using a multitissue cDNA panel demonstrated that while Dsg1-alpha mRNA was expressed in 15- to 17-day-old embryos and adult spleen and testis, Dsg1-beta mRNA was detected in 17-day-old embryos only. To assess subcellular localization, a FLAG-tagged expression construct of Dsg1-beta was transiently expressed in epithelial HaCaT cells. Dsg1-beta-FLAG was found at the cell-cell border and was recognized by the anti-Dsg1/Dsg2 antibody DG3.10. In summary, we have cloned and characterized a novel member of the mouse desmoglein gene family, Dsg1-beta.
An ion selective electrode (ISE) for determining Cr(VI) using supported liquid membranes (SLMs) containing trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) was investigated in this study. TOPO, as a carrier, had a high selectivity for Cr(VI) against interfering ions such as sulfate, nitrate, nitrite, and chloride. The composition of the SLM was optimized as 0.193 g TOPO/1 mL NPOE (o-nitrophenyl octyl ether)/0.5 g poly (vinyl chloride) for detection of Cr(VI). The Cr(VI) concentration was measured in the range of 1 x 10(-3) to 1 x 10(-6) M with the SLM prepared in the study. It seemed that Cr(VI) was transported in the SLM as a triply charged ion indicated by the slope of the emf response. Selectivity coefficients and detection limits of Cr(VI) in the presence of interfering ions were determined experimentally using the fixed interference method.
Prurigo pigmentosa is a recurrent inflammatory dermatosis characterized by pruritic erythematous papules and reticulate hyperpigmentation that occurs most frequently in spring and summer. The etiology of prurigo pigmentosa remains unknown. Numerous authors have suggested that various contact allergens may be pathogenic or triggering factors, but nearly all attempts to identify an allergen have been unsuccessful. We report a case of prurigo pigmentosa induced by contact allergy to chrome in detergent, supporting the conclusion that contact allergens such as chrome may play a rôle in inducing prurigo pigmentosa.
PURPOSE: To determine if daclizumab, an interleukin-2 antagonist, reduced the severity of reperfusion edema in lung transplant recipients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-five patients who were to undergo 86 consecutive lung transplants were included; 43 (50%) received daclizumab in addition to conventional immunosuppression. Patients were assigned to one of the following groups: control, right allograft; control, left allograft; daclizumab treated, right allograft; daclizumab treated, left allograft. Radiographs obtained in the first 5 postoperative days were evaluated for degree of edema. Mean daily edema scores and curves for control and daclizumab-treated groups were compared. Differences in survival at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after transplantation, days of mechanical ventilation, and the ratio of arterial oxygenation to inspired oxygen level at 1, 3, and 5 days after transplantation were also compared. RESULTS: Mean daily edema scores, edema curves, survival, days of mechanical ventilation, and ratio of arterial oxygenation to inspired oxygen level at 1 and 3 days after transplantation did not significantly differ between daclizumab-treated and control groups. A trend toward improved survival in the daclizumab-treated group was noted. CONCLUSION: Daclizumab had no effect on the radiographic or immediate clinical manifestations of reperfusion edema in lung transplant recipients. Additional follow-up is needed to determine if daclizumab offers any long-term benefit in terms of reduced rejection rates or survival.
OBJECTIVE: We performed this study to describe the CT features of idiopathic multilocular thymic cysts with clinical and histopathologic correlation. CONCLUSION: Multilocular thymic cysts typically manifest on CT as unilocular or multilocular cystic thymic masses, often with soft-tissue attenuation components. CT cannot be used to distinguish neoplastic from nonneoplastic soft-tissue components.
We investigated the expression of MAGE-1, -2, and -3 genes in tissues of 51 gastric carcinomas from Korean patients and in 11 gastric cancer cell lines established in Korea using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction along with immunohistochemical analyses and DNA sequencing. Among the 51 gastric carcinomas, MAGE-1, -2, and -3 genes were expressed in 16 (31%), 22 (43%), and 17 (33%), respectively, and 31 (60%) expressed at least one of the three genes. In contrast, none of the three MAGE genes were expressed in normal sites of gastric tissue from each cancer patient. Out of 11 gastric cancer cell lines, MAGE-1, -2, and -3 genes were expressed in two (18%), five (46%), and four (36%), respectively. According to the clinicopathological analysis, the expression of any of the three MAGE genes was not significantly correlated with several clinicopathological factors except histologic types (p= 0.067). Immunohistochemical analyses identified positive staining with monoclonal antibodies 77B and 57B specifically against MAGE-1 and -3 proteins, respectively, in nuclei and cytoplasms of cells in mRNA-positive tumor tissue. These findings suggest the possibility as a target for tumor-specific immunotherapy for Korean patients.
To demonstrate the effect of formulation conditions on the controlled release of protein from poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres for use as a parenteral drug carrier, ovalbumin (OVA) microspheres were prepared using the W/O/W multiple emulsion solvent evaporation and extraction method. Methylene chloride or ethyl acetate was applied as an organic phase and poly(vinyl alcohol) as a secondary emulsion stabilizer. Low loading efficiencies of less than 20% were observed and the in vitro release of OVA showed a burst effect in all batches of different microspheres, followed by a gradual release over the next 6 weeks. Formulation processes affected the size and morphology, drug content, and the controlled release of OVA from PLGA microspheres.
PURPOSE: To develop a non-viral gene delivery system in the form of an oil-in-water (o/w) lipid emulsion. METHOD: Cationic lipid emulsions were formulated with soybean oil, 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-trimethylammonium-propane (DOTAP) as a cationic emulsifier and other co-emulsifiers. The physical characteristics of the lipid emulsion and the emulsion/DNA complex were determined. The in vitro transfection efficiency of the emulsion/DNA complex was determined in the presence of up to 90% serum. RESULTS: The average droplet size and zeta potential of emulsions were ca. 180 nm and ca. +50 mV, respectively. Among the emulsions, a stable formulation was selected to form a complex with a plasmid DNA encoding chloramphenicol acetyltransferase. By increasing the ratio of emulsion to DNA. zeta-potential of the emulsion/DNA complex increased monotonously from negative to positive without any changes in the complex size. The complex was stable against DNase I digestion and an anionic poly-L-aspartic acid (PLAA). The complex delivered DNA into the cells successfully, and the transfection efficiency was not affected by complex formation time from 20 min to 2 h. More importantly, the cationic lipid emulsion facilitated the transfer of DNA in the presence of up to 90% serum. CONCLUSIONS: The cationic lipid emulsion/DNA complex has physical stability and serum resistant properties for gene transfer.
Beta-catenin plays important roles in both intercellular adhesion and signal transduction. Mutations in the beta-catenin or adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene can alter the degradation of beta-catenin and cause aberrant accumulation of beta-catenin result in increased transcription of target genes. The dysregulated APC/beta-catenin pathway has been recently discovered as an important mechanism of tumorigenesis in various cancers, but its role in esophageal adenocarcinomas is not clear. Therefore, we studied the beta-catenin gene mutation, allelic loss of chromosome 5q, and APC gene mutation in esophageal and esophagogastric junction adenocarcinomas. Two (2%) somatic mutations in exon 3 of the beta-catenin gene, encompassing the region for glycogen synthase kinase-3beta phosphorylation, were detected from 109 adenocarcinomas. Chromosomal allelic loss on 5q was frequent in 45.3% (44/97) of tumors. Only one missense mutation in the mutation cluster region of the APC gene was detected from 38 esophageal and esophagogastric junction adenocarcinomas with the 5q allelic loss. Our results based on partial screening mutational analyses indicate that mutations of APC/beta-catenin pathway, unlike in colorectal carcinoma, involve only a small subset of esophageal and esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma.
OBJECTIVE. We recently observed patients in whom the superior pericardial recess extended cephalad ("high-riding") into the right paratracheal region. In these patients, differentiation from mediastinal lymphadenopathy or mass was difficult. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and CT features of the high-riding superior pericardial recess. CONCLUSION. Narrow-collimation CT with multiplanar reformations was useful for confidently diagnosing a high-riding superior pericardial recess and for distinguishing it from pathologic lesions.
Esophageal tubular duplication is a rare congenital anomaly. We experienced a patient with esophageal tubular duplication who presented with a swallowing difficulty which was aggravated after a gastrofiberscopic examination. Preoperative diagnosis was intramural hematoma of the esophagus due to trauma caused by endoscopy. Surgical specimen revealed that hematoma was located within a duplicated lumen of the esophagus. The radiologic and endoscopic findings are discussed in correlation with its pathology.