Protective effect of melittin against inflammation and apoptosis on Propionibacterium acnes-induced human THP-1 monocytic cell.

Melittin is a cationic, hemolytic peptide that is the main toxic component in the venom of the honey bee (Apis mellifera). It has been used in treatment of various chronic inflammatory diseases. However, the cellular mechanism and the anti-apoptotic effect of melittin in Propionibactierium acnes (P.

Fabrication and evaluation of poly(epsilon-caprolactone)/silk fibroin blend nanofibrous scaffold.

In this study we investigated the blend electrospinning of poly(ϵ-caprolactone) (PCL) and silk fibroin (SF) to improve the biodegradability and biocompatibility of PCL-based nanofibrous scaffolds. Optimal conditions to fabricate PCL/SF (50/50) blend nanofiber were established for electrospinning using formic acid as a cosolvent and three-dimensional (3D) PCL/SF blend nanofibrous scaffolds were prepared by a modified electrospinning process using methanol coagulation bath. The physical properties of 2D PCL/SF blend nanofiber mats and 3D highly porous blend nanofibrous scaffolds were measured and compared.

Folliculosebaceous cystic hamartoma in a patient with neurofibromatosis type I.

Folliculosebaceous cystic hamartoma (FSCH) is a rare cutaneous hamartoma composed of dilated folliculosebaceous units and mesenchymal elements. It presents as a papule or nodule usually on the face and scalp, rarely on the genital or trunk area. Histologically, FSCH shares several similar features to sebaceous trichofolliculoma.

Reduction of matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression by culture filtrate of Paecilomyces farinosus J3.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-tumor effects of a culture filtrate of Paecilomyces farinosus J3. Various anti-tumor assays using B16 melanoma cells were carried out. Paecilomyces farinosus J3 significantly decreased the wound healing capability, invasiveness and angiogenic activity, which was confirmed by wound healing, human umbilical vein endothelial cell and invasion assays.

Anti-asthmatic activities in mycelial extract and culture filtrate of Cordyceps sphecocephala J201.

This study investigated the effects of mycelial extract and culture filtrate of Cordyceps sphecocephala J201 on airway hyper-responsiveness, pulmonary immune cell infiltration, and Th2 cytokine expression in animal models of asthma. After Concanavalin A (Con A) activation of mouse primary spleen cells, the IL-4 and IL-13 cytokine expression were significantly decreased in the presence of the mycelial extract and culture filtrate of Cordyceps sphecocephala J201. The asthma model was induced by sensitization to ovalbumin by intraperitoneal (i.

The protective effect of bee venom against ethanol-induced hepatic injury via regulation of the mitochondria-related apoptotic pathway.

Alcohol consumption increases apoptosis of hepatocytes. Death of hepatocytes is a characteristic feature of chronic liver disease for various causes. Bee venom (Apis mellifera) has been traditionally used for the treatment of various chronic diseases, such as chronic inflammatory arthritis and chronic liver disease.

Papular acantholytic dyskeratosis of the vulva.

We describe a 63-year-old woman with an asymptomatic papular eruption on the vulva. Clinically, the lesions showed multiple pin-head-sized whitish papules on the labia major. Histologically, the biopsy specimen showed acantholysis throughout the epidermis with the presence of dyskeratotic cells resembling corps ronds and grains, hyperkeratosis and parakeratosis.

Glassy cell carcinoma predominantly commits to a squamous lineage and is strongly associated with high-risk type human papillomavirus infection.

Glassy cell carcinoma (GCC) has been believed to have originated from reserve or uncommitted cells as a poorly differentiated adenosquamous carcinoma. This study includes immunoprofiles of p63, cytokeratin 17 (CK17), and CD44 to clarify which lineage of GCC is committed to human papillomavirus (HPV) detection, and to verify whether or not HPV plays a role in GCC. Nine uterine GCCs showing overwhelmingly glassy features were evaluated by an HPV genotyping chip and by immunohistochemistry for E-cadherin, CD44, p63, CEA, erb-B2, cytokeratin 17, and p16.

Cytologic features of metastatic lymphoepithelial carcinoma in pleural fluid: a case report.

Background: Lymphoepithelial carcinoma of the salivary gland is a rare undifferentiated or poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma associated with abundant inmphocytes. Only a handful of reports descibe the cytologic features of fine needle aspiration in lymphoepithelial carcinoma of the salivary gland and lymph nodes.

Case: A 29-year-old man presented with a painless mass in his right parotid gland.

Symplastic glomus tumor: a case report.

Symplastic glomus tumors are defined as glomus tumors with a high-grade nuclear pleomorphism in the absence of any other malignant features, such as large size, deep location, infiltrative growth, mitotic activity, or necrosis. Only 11 cases have been reported so far in the English literature. It could be a challenge for pathologists who have no experience with it because the tumor can show marked nuclear atypia and pleomorphism.

Laparoscopic enucleation of a nonfunctioning neuroendocrine tumor of the pancreas.

Laparoscopic approaches are increasingly used in pancreatic surgery. In the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) of the pancreas, enucleation is one of the recommended surgery. Although many clinical experiences have reported the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic enucleation of functioning NETs, such as insulinomas, few reports have explored such treatment for non-functioning NETs.

[Utility of in-house PCR for HLA-B27 typing: comparison of concordance rate between PCR kit and in-house PCR].

Background: Commercial kits of PCR method are widely used in HLA-B27 typing; however, their cost is relatively high. In this study, we evaluated the utility of an in-house PCR method by comparing it with that of a commercial kit.

Methods: HLA-B27 typing was done in 188 patients by using two PCR methods, Absolute HLAB27 PCR kit (Biosewoom, Korea) and an in-house PCR method.

Prominent Langerhans' cell migration in the arthropod bite reactions simulating Langerhans' cell histiocytosis.

Background: Epidermal Langerhans' cells (LCs) play pivotal roles in cutaneous immune responses. An encounter with antigens or other stimuli causes the mobilization and migration of LCs. Therefore, some dermatoses, which originated from antigenic stimuli or trauma, can show LC migration.

Antifibrotic effect via the regulation of transcription factor Sp1 in lung fibrosis.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the antifibrotic effect of ring-type Sp1 decoy oligonucleotides (ODNs) through blocking the transcription of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 and its downstream target genes. In this experiment, the expression of TGF-beta1, metalloproteinase (MMP)-13, and fibronectin was decreased in the group with the treatment of the ring-type Sp1 decoy ODNs. Also, alpha-smooth muscle actin positive bronchial lining cells and alveolar epithelial cells were observed, especially around the lesions of extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition.

Cytologic characteristics of subependymal giant cell astrocytoma in squash smears: morphometric comparisons with gemistocytic astrocytoma and giant cell glioblastoma.

Objective: To evaluate the squash smear features of subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) in comparison with gemistocytic astrocytoma and giant cell glioblastoma.

Study Design: We compared the squash smear features of 3 cases of SEGA, 9 cases of gemistocytic astrocytoma and 3 cases of giant cell glioblastoma with the morphometric findings.

Results: SEGA had, on average, a 15.

Polymorphisms in the DNA repair gene XRCC1 associated with basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin in a Korean population.

DNA in most cells is regularly damaged by endogenous and exogenous mutagens. Unrepaired damage can result in apoptosis or may lead to unregulated cell growth and cancer. Inheritance of genetic variants at one or more loci results in reduced DNA repair capacity.

Human papillomavirus type 59 identified in a verrucous cyst of the flank.

The verrucous cyst is a non-plantar epidermoid cyst with histopathological features of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, including papillomatosis and hypergranulosis of the cyst lining. We report the first case of a verrucous cyst demonstrating not only the histopathological and immunohistochemical features of HPV infection, but also homology with HPV type 59 on HPV genotyping. A 28-year-old male developed a palpable mass in his right flank.

Basal cell carcinoma with matrical differentiation.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) may exhibit diverse differentiation. In BCC with matrical differentiation, islands of shadow cells, which are characteristic of a pilomatricoma, are located within the tumor. This is an extremely rare variant and to our knowledge, only two review articles and one case report have been published.

Prognostic value of vascular endothelial growth factor in Stage IB carcinoma of the uterine cervix.

Purpose: To clarify the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression as an independent prognostic factor in Stage IB cervical cancer.

Methods And Materials: A total of 117 patients with Stage IB cervical cancer who had undergone radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection with complete histopathologic examination were included. Eighty-eight (75.