Anti-inflammatory activity of 4-methoxyhonokiol is a function of the inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 expression in RAW 264.7 macrophages via NF-kappaB, JNK and p38 MAPK inactivation.

The extracts or constituents from the bark of Magnolia (M.) obovata are known to have many pharmacological activities. 4-Methoxyhonokiol, a neolignan compound isolated from the stem bark of M.

Centrocestus formosanus (Digenea: Heterophyidae) encysted in the freshwater fish, Puntius brevis, from Lao PDR.

The metacercariae of Centrocestus formosanus, a minute intestinal trematode of mammals and birds, were detected in the freshwater fish, Puntius brevis, from Vientiane Municipality, Lao PDR. The metacercariae were experimentally fed to mice, and adult flukes were recovered in their small intestines 7 days later. The adult flukes were morphologically characterized by having 32 (rarely 34) circumoral spines arranged in 2 alternative rows, a large bipartite seminal vesicle, an oval-shaped ovary, and an X-shaped excretory bladder.

Putative association of the single nucleotide polymorphisms in RASSF1A promoter with Korean lung cancer.

The RASSF1 gene, a putative tumor suppressor gene located on human chromosome 3p21, has attracted a great deal of attention because of frequent allelic loss and gene silencing via promoter hypermethylation in a variety of human malignancies. To evaluate the role of RASSF1A gene in lung cancer risk, genotypes of the RASSF1A promoter region (-710 C>T and -392T>C) were determined in 410 lung cancer patients and 410 normal subjects. Furthermore, to examine potential effects of the common haplotypes (C-C, T-T and C-T haplotypes) on RASSF1A transcription, luciferase reporter assays were performed in H2009 and H358 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines.

A novel subtelomeric translocation t(5;9) and a deletion of the RB1 gene in a patient with acute myeloid leukemia (AML-M0).

No chromosomal rearrangements have been identified as specifically associated with minimally differentiated acute myeloid leukemia (AML-M0). Several research groups studied the cytogenetic features of AML-M0 and found that as much as 81% of patients with AML-M0 had chromosomal rearrangements; primarily -5/5q- and/or -7/7q- deletions or translocations involving 12p. A patient, who was diagnosed with AML-M0 eighteen months ago, was referred for cytogenetic evaluation for possible AML relapse.

EUS-guided portal vein catheterization: a promising novel approach for portal angiography and portal vein pressure measurements.

Background: Portal vein (PV) pressure measurements can provide valuable information for the management of patients with liver disease and portal hypertension.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and the safety of EUS-guided PV catheterization and pressure measurements in a porcine model.

Setting: Acute and survival experiments on five 50-kg pigs.

[A case of Cowden's disease associated with breast cancer].

Cowden's disease, also known as various hamartomatous malformations of multiple organs, is a rare autosomal dominant disorder. The most important feature of Cowden's disease is its frequent association with malignant neoplasm, particularly in the breast and thyroid gland. Cowden's disease with malignant neoplasms is quite rare in Korea so far.

Investigation of beta-lactamase-producing multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from non-tertiary care hospitals in Korea.

A total of 2,280 nonduplicate clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, obtained nationwide from Korean non-tertiary care hospitals from 2002 to 2005, were identified and their susceptibilities to aminoglycosides, antipseudomonal penicillins, carbapenems, cephalosporins, monobactams, and quinolones were studied, together with their production of beta- lactamases. Using disk diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration tests, it was found that 2.9% of isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR) P.

Molecular genetic evidence of Y chromosome loss in male patients with hematological disorders.

Background: There has been continuous debate as to whether Y chromosome loss is an age related phenomenon or a cytogenetic marker indicating a malignant change. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of Y chromosome loss in the specific patients in order to determine whether it is an age related phenomena or a cytogenetic marker indicating a malignant change.

Methods: Five hundred and ninety-two male patients with a median age of 59 years old (22 - 95 years) were included in this study.

EUS-guided portal vein carbon dioxide angiography: a pilot study in a porcine model.

Background: Direct portal vein (PV) angiography can provide valuable clinical information but is not performed due to the high risk of complications.

Objective: To assess the feasibility of EUS-guided PV angiography with a small-caliber FNA needle by using carbon dioxide (CO(2)) as a contrast agent in a porcine model.

Setting: Acute experiments with 50-kg pigs under general anesthesia.

Comparative study of endoscopic clips: duration of attachment at the site of clip application.

Background: Several designs of endoscopic clips are now commercially available, and the indications for endoclip application are rapidly expanding. However, very limited data have been published to aid in choosing between the different types of endoclips.

Objective: To compare the duration of clip attachment between all commercially available endoclips.

[A case of giant colonic lipoma showing spontaneous resolution after endoscopic partial resection].

Generally, colon lipoma is mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic. However, sometimes it may present with symptoms, such as pain, constipation, obstruction, or bleeding and may be the leading point for intussusception, particularly in large size (>20 mm). Giant colon lipoma may warrant the removal to exclude confusion with other lesions that have a malignant potential and to control symptoms.

Influence of the organic anion-transporting polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1) polymorphisms on irinotecan-pharmacokinetics and clinical outcome of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

To investigate whether the OATP1B1 polymorphisms affect irinotecan-pharmacokinetics and subsequent toxicity and tumor response of patients with advanced NSCLC. A total of 81 Korean NSCLC patients enrolled in a phase II study of irinotecan and cisplatin chemotherapy were genotyped for OATP1B1 -11187G>A, 388A>G and 521T>C variants. The 521TC or CC and -11187AA genotypes were associated with higher AUC(SN-38) (p=0.

EUS-guided angiography: a novel approach to diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in the vascular system.

Background: Indications for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures under EUS guidance continue to expand.

Objective: To assess the feasibility and safety of EUS-guided angiography in a live porcine model.

Setting: Five acute experiments under general anesthesia.

Anti-inflammatory activity of 21(alpha, beta)-methylmelianodiols, novel compounds from Poncirus trifoliata Rafinesque.

The fruits of Poncirus trifoliata (L.) are widely used in Oriental medicine as a remedy for allergic inflammation. As a part of our program to screen medicinal plants for potential anti-inflammatory compounds, 21alpha-methylmelianodiol (21alpha-MMD) and 21beta-methylmelianodiol (21beta-MMD), which are two isomers of 21-methylmelianodiol isolated from the fruits of P.

EUS-guided implantation of radiopaque marker into mediastinal and celiac lymph nodes is safe and effective.

Background: EUS is the preferred modality for local staging of esophageal cancer. The presence of a long-lasting fluoroscopically visible marker of malignant lymph nodes would facilitate subsequent radiation and surgical therapy.

Objective: To assess the feasibility of EUS-guided implantation of a radiopaque marker (tantalum) into mediastinal and celiac lymph nodes in a porcine model.

[Carcinoma with predominant lymphoid stroma in hepatobiliary system--report of 2 cases].

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) is an undifferentiated carcinoma with predominant lymphocytic infiltration, which is associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in variable proportions. We report two cases of carcinoma with predominant lymphoid stroma in hepatobiliary system. The first case was a lymphoepithelioma-like undifferentiated carcinoma with focal differentiation of cholangiocarcinoma (cytokeratin 19+) and hepatocellular carcinoma in light microscopy.

F2L, a peptide derived from heme-binding protein, inhibits formyl peptide receptor-mediated signaling.

F2L is an acetylated amino-terminal peptide derived from the cleavage of the human heme-binding protein. Very recently, F2L was identified as an endogenous chemoattractant peptide acting specifically through formyl peptide receptor-like (FPRL)2. In the present study, we report that F2L stimulates chemotactic migration in human neutrophils.

Apodemus agrarius as a new definitive host for Neodiplostomum seoulense.

A total of 1,496 rodents and insectivores were live-trapped at Yeoncheon-gun (n = 351), Paju-shi (804), and Pocheon-gun (343), Gyeonggi-do (Province), and examined for intestinal helminths, including Neodiplostomum seoulense, seasonally from December 2004 to September 2005. Six species of rodents, including Apodemus agrarius (1,366), Mus musculus (32), Micronytus fortis (28), Eothenomys regulus (9), Micronys minutus (6), and Cricetulus triton (3), and 1 species of insectivores Crocidura lasiura (54) were collected. A total of 321 adult N.

Plagiorchis muris infection in Apodemus agrarius from northern Gyeonggi-do (Province) near the demilitarized zone.

The small intestines of 6 species of rodents and 1 species of insectivore were examined seasonally for Plagiorchis muris infection in 3 different localities in northern Gyeonggi-do (Province), near the demilitarized zone (DMZ). A total of 1,496 animals, including 1,366 Apodemus agrarius, 54 Crocidura lasiura (insectivore), 32 Mus musculus, 28 Micronytus fortis, 9 Eothenomys regulus, 6 Micronys minutus, and 3 Cricetulus triton, were live-trapped at Yeoncheon-gun (n = 351), Paju-shi (804) and Pocheon-gun (343) at 3-mo intervals from December 2004 to September 2005. A total of 1,647 P.

Associations of ABCB1, ABCC2, and ABCG2 polymorphisms with irinotecan-pharmacokinetics and clinical outcome in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: The authors investigated whether ABCB1, ABCC2, and ABCG2 genetic polymorphisms affect pharmacokinetics (PK) of irinotecan and treatment outcome of patients with advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: Blood samples from 107 NSCLC patients treated with irinotecan and cisplatin chemotherapy were used for genotyping ABCB1 (1236C > T, 2677G > T/A, 3435C > T), ABCC2 (-24C > T, 1249G > A, 3972C > T), and ABCG2 (34G > A, 421C > A) polymorphisms. Genotypes were correlated with irinotecan-PK, toxicity, tumor response, and survival.

Molecular tweezer based on zinc porphyrin-substituted diarylethene.

A molecular tweezer, zinc porphyrin-dithienylethene-zinc porphyrin (ZnP-DTE-ZnP) triad, has been prepared. Triad ZnPor-DTE-ZnPor showed a little electronic communication among the chromophores judged from the comparison of the steady-state absorption and fluorescence spectra for triads and their component compounds. Irradiation of ZnPor-DTE-ZnPor with UV light converts dithienylethene moiety from open form to closed form.

Diversity of swine Bordetella bronchiseptica isolates evaluated by RAPD analysis and PFGE.

The degree of genetic diversity in 45 Bordetella (B.) bronchiseptica strains comprised of a vaccine strain (N = 1), reference strains (N = 3) and field isolates (N = 41) was evaluated using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Three candidate primers were selected for RAPD analysis after screening 20 random decamer oligonucleotides for their discriminatory abilities.

Isolation of Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Paratyphi B dT+, or Salmonella Java, from Indonesia and alteration of the d-tartrate fermentation phenotype by disrupting the ORF STM 3356.

Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Paratyphi B [O1,4,(5),12 : Hb : 1,2] can cause either an enteric fever (paratyphoid fever) or self-limiting gastroenteritis in humans. The d-tartrate non-fermenting variant S. enterica subsp.

Clusterin confers paclitaxel resistance in cervical cancer.

Objective: To measure clusterin expression in cervical cancer tissues and cell lines and to evaluate whether clusterin confers resistance to paclitaxel in cervical cancer cells.

Methods: Immunohistochemical staining for clusterin was performed on 15 normal cervical tissues and 32 primary cervical cancer tissues, and clusterin expression in cervical cancer cell lines was quantified by Western blotting. The correlation between clusterin expression level and paclitaxel IC50 in cervical cancer cell lines was evaluated.