Cell cycle arrest in endometrial carcinoma cells exposed to gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) has been shown to have an inhibitory effect on the growth of several hormone-dependent human tumors. We have treated a human endometrial cancer cell line which expresses GnRH receptor with GnRH analog, D-Trp6-LHRH, in order to study whether there are differences in cell cycle kinetic response. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that cultured carcinoma cells showed a cell cycle arrest at the G1-S transition after treatment with 10 microM D-Trp6-LHRH for 36 h.

Head and neck dermatitis: the role of Malassezia furfur, topical steroid use and environmental factors in its causation.

The aetiology of head and neck dermatitis (HND), one subgroup of postpubertal atopic dermatitis (AD), is still unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence on HND of common environmental factors, long-term topical steroid use, and the role of Malassezia furfur infection. Relevant information was obtained from 100 patients with HND attending our dermatology clinic by means of both physical examinations and questionnaires.

Monitoring antibody titers to recombinant Core-NS3 fusion polypeptide is useful for evaluating hepatitis C virus infection and responses to interferon-alpha therapy.

To evaluate the clinical feasibility of the antibody titer against a chimeric polypeptide (named Core 518), in which a domain of Core and NS3 of hepatitis C virus (HCV) was fused, ELISA was performed in a total of 76 serum samples. Each serum was serially diluted using two-fold dilution method with distilled water into 10 concentrations. They were all positive for second generation anti-HCV assay (HCV EIA II; Abbott Laboratories).

Degeneration and transdifferentiation of human lens epithelial cells in nuclear and anterior polar cataracts.

Purpose: To study the possible mechanisms of cataractogenesis by evaluating the characteristics of cataractous lens epithelial cells (LECs) in different types of human cataract.

Setting: Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.

CT features of systemic lupus erythematosus in patients with acute abdominal pain: emphasis on ischemic bowel disease.

Purpose: To evaluate the computed tomographic (CT) features of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in patients with acute abdominal pain. Special emphasis was placed on the analysis of ischemic bowel disease.

Materials And Methods: The authors retrospectively reviewed the images from 39 abdominal CT examinations performed in 33 patients with SLE and acute abdominal pain.

Two cases of common bile duct stone after liver transplantation.

Biliary complications after orthotopic liver transplants are a continuing cause of morbidity and mortality. Biliary stones and sludge are less well known complications of hepatic transplantation, although they have long been recognized. Recently we experienced two cases of biliary stones developed after liver transplantation.

A case of edematous striae distensae in lupus nephritis.

A 17-year-old girl with systemic lupus erythematosus presented with painful edematous abdominal striae. She had been treated with systemic steroid for the systemic lupus erythematosus. At the time of presentation, she had abruptly gained 10 kg due to combined lupus nephritis.

Telomerase activity in complete hydatidiform mole.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of telomerase activity in complete hydatidiform moles with subsequent development of persistent gestational trophoblastic tumor.

Study Design: By means of the standard telomerase repeat assay, we examined telomerase activity in 4 normal placentas, 31 complete hydatidiform moles (16 cases of uneventful regression, according to serum levels of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin, after evacuation and 15 cases in which persistent gestational trophoblastic disease developed after evacuation), 7 invasive moles, and 5 choriocarcinoma tissue samples.

Results: Telomerase activity was detected in 13 of 15 (86.

Telomerase is strongly activated in hepatocellular carcinoma but not in chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis.

Telomerase is highly activated in human immortal cell lines and tumor tissues, whereas it is not activated in primary cell strains and many tumor-adjacent tissues. It is suggested that telomerase activation is one of the critical steps in malignant transformation. In the present study, the telomerase activity was investigated in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and non-tumor liver tissues from Korean patients with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis.

Benign solitary fibrous tumour of the pre-sacral space: MRI findings.

Benign solitary fibrous tumour, a rare mesenchymal tumour of adults, usually arises from the pleura. Only a few cases have been reported in the retroperitoneum and, to our knowledge, there has been no report of its imaging features. We describe the MRI features of benign solitary fibrous tumour arising from the pre-sacral space.

Pneumothorax size: correlation of supine anteroposterior with erect posteroanterior chest radiographs.

Findings in 30 consecutive patients with pneumothorax were prospectively analyzed. All patients underwent supine anteroposterior (AP) and erect posteroanterior (PA) chest radiography. The interpleural distances were measured at three locations.

Cough during emergence from isoflurane anesthesia.

Unlabelled: We evaluated the effects of smoking history and albuterol treatment on the amplitude and frequency of cough during emergence from anesthesia. Before induction of anesthesia, 68 patients were randomized to receive two puffs of a placebo or two puffs of albuterol via a metered dose inhaler. Anesthesia was then induced with thiopental, fentanyl, and succinylcholine.

Solitary mastocytoma on the palm.

We report a solitary mastocytoma with a recurrent tense bulla on the palm of a 4-month-old male infant. Histologically there were numerous mast cells infiltrating the dermis. The bulla subsided without treatment in 2 weeks, remaining an oval reddish patch.

Nonossifying fibroma: characteristics at MR imaging with pathologic correlation.

Purpose: To correlate the findings of nonossifying fibroma at magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with those at pathologic examination.

Materials And Methods: In 19 patients (age range, 8-25 years; mean age, 14 years) with pathologically proved nonossifying fibroma, MR images were analyzed for signal intensity and patterns of contrast enhancement. Findings at MR imaging and biopsy were correlated.

Clinical course of cytomegalovirus (CMV) viremia with and without ganciclovir treatment in CMV-seropositive kidney transplant recipients. Longitudinal follow-up of CMV pp65 antigenemia assay.

This study was designed to evaluate the longitudinal history of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and to test the capacity of ganciclovir as effective therapy in CMV-seropositive renal transplant recipients. The CMV viremia was detected with CMV pp65 antigenemia assay in 153 renal transplants. The recipients were classified as having low-grade and high-grade CMV infections according to the severity of CMV infection.

Perioperative specific management of blood volume loss in craniosynostosis surgery.

Accurate assessment and replacement of blood loss and fluid-electrolyte deficit during craniosynostosis repair is difficult owing to patient size and the diversity of surgical technique. Forty-three patients undergoing primary craniosynostosis repair over a 10-year period were studied retrospectively to determine blood loss and fluid deficit and to assess blood transfusion practices during both intraoperative and postoperative periods. Blood loss was calculated on the basis of estimated red cell mass (ERCM) and fluid-electrolyte imbalance was investigated with blood samplings.

Absence of p15INK4B and p16INK4A gene alterations in primary cervical carcinoma tissues and cell lines with human papillomavirus infection.

Objective: Alterations of the p15INK4B and p16INK4A gene which are separated by 25 kb on chromosome 9p21 have been reported in various tumor-derived cell lines and primary tumors, but the role of these genes in cervical cancer is unknown. To determine the frequency of deletions and point mutations of these genes in human cervical cancer, we examined for alterations of the p15INK4B and p16INK4A genes in cervical carcinomas.

Methods: We examined 57 primary tumors and matched normal tissues and 3 cervical cancer-derived cell lines.

Inhibition of calbindin D28K expression by cyclosporin A in rat kidney: the possible pathogenesis of cyclosporin A-induced hypercalciuria.

A recent study by Steiner et al. (Biochem Pharmacol 51: 253-258, 1996) demonstrated a decreased calbindin D28K expression in the kidneys of cyclosporin A (CsA)-treated rats. To evaluate the association of renal calcium handling with calbindin D28K expression in CsA-treated rats, two separate experiments (vehicle [VH] versus CsA groups, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [VitD] versus VitD + CsA groups) were done simultaneously.

Rotational autokeratoplasty in advanced lipid keratopathy.

1. Autokeratoplasty (AKP) has many advantages, such as having no immune reaction, providing easy postoperative care in younger patients, having susceptibility to amblyopia without delay, and demonstrating no vascularization of the autograft. 2.

Clinical results of 24 pituitary macroadenomas with linac-based stereotactic radiosurgery.

Purpose: To determine the impact of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) on the clinical course, hormonal status, and follow-up CT/MRI scan of pituitary macroadenomas.

Methods And Materials: From July 1988 to March 1996, 24 pituitary macroadenomas had been treated using 6 MV linear accelerator based SRS. They consisted of 11 (45.

Transforming growth factor-beta 1 induces apoptosis through down-regulation of c-myc gene and overexpression of p27Kip1 protein in cervical carcinoma.

Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) is known to be a potent growth inhibitor for many cell types, including most epithelial cells. In skin keratinocytes, TGF-beta 1 has been shown to inhibit growth and to rapidly reduce c-myc expression. However, the molecular mechanism of TGF-beta 1 action on cell growth of cervical carcinoma has not yet been elucidated.

Evaluation of the effects of high dose irradiation on canine thigh muscle by follow-up magnetic resonance imaging and phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Rationale And Objectives: The authors investigate alterations of proton T1 and T2 relaxation times and phosphorus metabolites of canine thigh muscle tissue after high dose x-ray irradiation by follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and phosphorus-31 (31P) magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS).

Methods: A group of 20 dogs was used for MRI and in vivo 31P MRS. Single doses of 5,000 and 10,000 cGy were delivered to the right thigh muscle of groups of 10 dogs each.

Acridine orange staining for rapid diagnosis of Acanthamoeba keratitis.

Acanthamoeba keratitis is uncommon, but one of the most severe infectious diseases of the cornea. Delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis as bacterial or herpes simplex keratitis leads to extensive corneal inflammation and profound visual loss. Therefore, accurate and rapid diagnosis of Acanthamoeba keratitis is essential for successful treatment and good prognosis.