Metastasis-associated protein 1 transgenic mice: a new model of spontaneous B-cell lymphomas.

Metastasis-associated protein 1 (MTA1), a component of the nuclear remodeling complex and the founding homologue of the MTA family, has been implicated in metastasis, but definitive causative evidence in an animal model system is currently lacking. Here, we show that MTA1 overexpression in transgenic mice is accompanied by a high incidence of spontaneous B cell lymphomas including diffuse large B cell lymphomas (DLBCL). Lymphocytes and lymphoma cells from MTA1-TG mice are hyperproliferative.

Effects of baicalin and wogonin on mucin release from cultured airway epithelial cells.

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi has been used for the treatment of diverse chronic inflammatory diseases including respiratory disease in oriental medicine and its major components - baicalin, baicalein and wogonin - were reported to have various biological effects. This study investigated whether baicalin, baicalein and wogonin affect basal and ATP-induced mucin release from cultured airway epithelial cells. Confluent primary hamster tracheal surface epithelial (HTSE) cells were metabolically radiolabeled using (3)H-glucosamine for 24 h and chased for 30 min in the presence of varying concentrations of each agent to assess the effects on (3)H-mucin release.

Comparison of sporadic sclerotic fibroma and solitary fibrous tumor in the oral cavity.

Sporadic sclerotic fibroma (SF) and solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) arising in the oral cavity are very rare. In this report, we describe two cases of oral pathology, one involving SF and the other involving SFT. Both cases presented with well- circumscribed, firm nodules with similar gross findings.

Clinicopathologic significance of BRAF V600E mutation in papillary carcinomas of the thyroid: a meta-analysis.

Background: Numerous studies have investigated the clinical significance of BRAF mutation in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). However, there have been conflicting data on the usefulness of BRAF mutation as a prognostic marker of PTC. To address this controversy, the frequency of the BRAF mutation and the associations between BRAF mutation and clinicopathologic parameters in PTC were evaluated by meta-analysis.

Growth and reproductive patterns of Undaria pinnatifida sporophytes in a cultivation farm in Busan, Korea.

Monthly growth and reproduction of Undaria pinnatifida sporophytes were examined over a period of 5 months in a cultivation farm in Korea. A total of 11 characters of Undaria were measured to determine a reliable morphological character representing its growth and reproduction. Plant weight of Undaria sporophytes increased steadily over the experimental period, but it increased in four different ways.

Carbenoxolone and triterpenoids inhibited mucin secretion from airway epithelial cells.

This study investigated whether carbenoxolone, oleanolic acid and ursolic acid affect ATP-induced mucin secretion from cultured airway epithelial cells. Confluent primary hamster tracheal surface epithelial (HTSE) cells were metabolically radiolabeled using (3)H-glucosamine for 24 h and chased for 30 min in the presence of varying concentrations of each agent to assess the effects on (3)H-mucin secretion. The possible cytotoxicity of each agent was investigated with a lactate dehydrogenase assay.

Expression of class II beta-tubulin in non-melanoma cutaneous tumors.

Background: Different combinations of beta-tubulin isotypes contribute to the diverse functions of microtubules (MTs). Class II beta-tubulin (class II tubulin) is up-regulated in differentiated keratinocytes. In contrast, the expression of class II tubulin in follicular differentiation and cutaneous tumors has not been studied.

Salt usage behaviors are related to urinary sodium excretion in normotensive Korean adults.

High sodium intake is considered to be the major risk factor for hypertension but studies about sodium intake on prevention and management of hypertension is limited due to the difficulties in assessment of sodium intake. Dietary sodium comes not only from naturally occurring sodium in foods but also from the added sodium during processing, cooking and at the table. Present study was conducted to identify salt usage behavior questions related to urinary sodium excretion among normotensive adult Koreans.

nm23-H1 protein expression and gene mutation in 150 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

The metastasis-suppressing role of the nm23 gene in the metastatic spread of malignant tumor is still debated. We examined the nm23-H1 protein expression and gene mutation in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas to compare with the clinicopathologic parameters. The expression of nm23-H1 protein was immunohistochemically examined in 150 cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas; 85 diffuse large B cell lymphomas (DL-BCL), 18 marginal zone B cell lymphomas (MZL), 3 mantle cell lymphomas, 25 peripheral T cell lymphomas, not otherwise specified (TCLNOS), and 19 NK/T cell lymphomas (NK/T).

[A case of primary small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the liver].

Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma is a type of undifferentiated, malignant neuroendocrine tumor. Most of neuroendocrine tumors exhibit well-differentiated features and are classified as carcinoid tumors. However, carcinomas of the liver with anaplastic characters, which are classified as small-cell carcinomas are extremely rare and only few cases have been reported in the literature.

BRAF mutation and AKAP9 expression in sporadic papillary thyroid carcinomas.

Aim: We aimed to determine the BRAF mutation and AKAP9 expression in papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs).

Methods And Results: In this study, we analysed 100 sporadic PTC specimens and we detected mutation in 62.2% of the conventional type PTCs (51/82), in 50% of the follicular variant type PTCs (3/6), in 50% of the diffuse sclerosing variant type PTCs (1/2), and in 30% of the microcarcinomas (3/10).

An imbalance between matrix metalloproteinase-2 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-2 contributes to the development of early diabetic nephropathy.

Background: High glucose and angiotensin-II (Ang-II) levels are the known important mediators of diabetic nephropathy. However, the effects of these mediators on matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and on tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) in proximal tubule cells have yet to be fully examined within the context of early stage diabetic nephropathy.

Methods: In this study, we attempted to characterize changes in MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Clinicopathologic implications of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

The tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) is a stromal factor that promotes plasmablastic differentiation, and the survival of germinal center B-cells. The expression of TIMP-1 is known to be correlated with a subset of non-Hodgkin lymphoma at the mRNA level, and Epstein-Barr virus infection in vitro. To characterize TIMP-1(+) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, TIMP-1 expression was investigated in tissue microarrays from 182 cases of de novo diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and compared with prognostic factors, immunophenotypes, and Epstein-Barr virus infection status.

Spironolactone prevents diabetic nephropathy through an anti-inflammatory mechanism in type 2 diabetic rats.

Aldosterone induces myocardial fibrosis and vascular inflammation via proinflammatory and profibrotic cytokines. The effect of spironolactone on renal inflammation and renal function was investigated in type 2 diabetic rats. For define the molecular mechanism of spironolactone, the effect of spironolactone on the synthesis of monocyte chemotactic peptide-1 (MCP-1) and its upstream transcription factor, NF-kappaB, was evaluated in cultured mesangial cells and proximal tubular cells.

Calretinin, CD34, and alpha-smooth muscle actin in the identification of peritoneal invasive implants of serous borderline tumors of the ovary.

The correct identification of invasive implants in the peritoneum in serous borderline tumors (SBTs) of the ovary is an important determinant of diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Although the histologic criteria to distinguish noninvasive from invasive implants have been defined, the distinction can still be difficult. We examined the presence and distribution of mesothelial cells, stromal fibrocytes, and myofibroblasts in invasive and noninvasive peritoneal implants in 100 noninvasive, 100 invasive, and 100 metastatic nests/foci from 20 cases of SBTs with peritoneal implants, 10 serous carcinomas with peritoneal metastasis, and 10 cases of endosalpingiosis by immunostaining for calretinin, CD34, and alpha-SMA.

Shp-1 mediates the antiproliferative activity of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 in human microvascular endothelial cells.

The tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) regulate matrix metalloproteinase activity required for cell migration/invasion associated with cancer progression and angiogenesis. TIMPs also modulate cell proliferation in vitro and angiogenesis in vivo independent of their matrix metalloproteinase inhibitory activity. Here, we show that TIMP-2 mediates G1 growth arrest in human endothelial cells through de novo synthesis of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27Kip1.

Role of aldosterone in diabetic nephropathy.

In the last 10 years, many studies have focused on the non-classical action of aldosterone. One of the most important new aspects of aldosterone is its pathogenic role as proinflammatory and profibrotic molecules. It has been reported that aldosterone induces myocardial fibrosis and vascular inflammation through up-regulation of various proinflammatory and profibrotic cytokines.

Epstein-Barr virus infection in sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma tissues.

Objective: To determine whether Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is related to renal cell carcinoma (RCC) tissues.

Materials And Methods: We investigated EBV infection and its genotypes in 73 cases of different types of RCC and 18 of non-neoplastic kidney. EBV infection and its genotypes were determined by EBV-encoded RNAs in situ hybridization (EBER-ISH) and polymerase chain reactions for EBV-encoded nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA-1) and EBNA-3C.

Occurrence of c-kit+ tumor cells in hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma.

Progenitor cells, termed oval cells, are involved in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in animal models. By immunolabeling for c-kit and CD34 in human hepatitis B virus-associated cirrhosis with HCC (50 cases) and those with cirrhosis alone (10 cases), we found c-kit+ tumor cells in tumor tissue in 40 of 50 HCCs. The proportion was less than 0.

Protective effect of astaxanthin on naproxen-induced gastric antral ulceration in rats.

Frequently used for humans as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, naproxen has been known to induce ulcerative gastric lesion. The present study investigated the in vivo protective effect of astaxanthin isolated from Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous against naproxen-induced gastric antral ulceration in rats. The oral administration of astaxanthin (1, 5, and 25 mg/kg of body weight) showed a significant protection against naproxen (80 mg/kg of body weight)-induced gastric antral ulcer and inhibited elevation of the lipid peroxide level in gastric mucosa.

A retrospective cohort study on obesity and hypertension risk among Korean adults.

A retrospective cohort of adult Korean males and females was conducted to evaluate the influence of obesity on the development of hypertension and to determine the level of the body mass index at which the risk of hypertension significantly increases. The subjects of this study were 1,467 men and 944 women aged 20 to 75 yr who were normotensive at the time of their initial examinations from 1990 to 1991, who had a follow-up examination at least 1 yr after their initial examinations, or whose blood pressure status could be confirmed by reviewing their medical records until June 2000. During an average follow-up period of 6.

Unusual recurrence in ureters and maxillary sinus of Langerhans cell histiocytosis involving mastoid bone.

We present a case of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) diagnosed in the mastoid bone. The tumor recurred in the ureter and maxillary sinus mucosa two years later. The diagnosis of LCH was based on morphology and immunohistochemistry.

The hypermethylation and protein expression of p16 INK4A and DNA repair gene O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase in various uterine cervical lesions.

Purpose: This study is aimed at investigating the significance of gene promoter methylation status and protein expression of p16 INK4A and O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) in the various uterine cervical lesions.

Materials And Methods: Methylation status by using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MS-PCR) and protein expression by using immunohistochemistry for p16 INK4A and MGMT genes were performed in cervical squamous intraepithelial neoplasms (CIN), invasive squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), adenocarcinomas and non-neoplastic cervices.

Results: None of 20 non-neoplastic cervices showed p16 INK4A and MGMT gene hypermethylation, whereas at least one of these genes was hypermethylated with 50.

Effect modification by vitamin C on the relation between gastric cancer and Helicobacter pylori.

A hospital-based case-control study of 295 cases with histologically confirmed gastric cancer and age and sex-matched controls was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary vitamin C intake upon the relation between Helicobacter pylori infection and gastric cancer in Korea in 1997-1998. Anti-H. pylori IgG was detected by ELISA.

Transforming growth factor-beta1 expression and the role of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor on perianastomotic intimal hyperplasia in polytetrafluoroethylene graft implanted in rabbit carotid artery.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between intimal hyperplasia and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) mRNA expression in synthetic arterial grafts and also to clarify the effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) on perianastomotic intimal hyperplasia and TGF-beta1 mRNA expression. Thirty New Zealand White rabbits were randomly divided into two groups (15 each); one group was administered Captopril 10 mg/kg/day per os as an ACE inhibitor, and the other group received on saline as a vehicle from 7 days prior to operation until the graft was harvest (1, 8, or 14 weeks). A 10-mm segment of an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene graft (3 mm in diameter) was implanted in the right common carotid artery of the rabbits; 15 rabbits had by-pass grafting alone (Graft Alone group) and the other 15 rabbits had by-pass graft along with the ACEI (Graft plus ACEI group).