Dong Hyung Lee

Comparison with human amniotic membrane- and adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have been considered as an ideal source of stem cells because of low immunogenicity and availability of autologous cells. Although it has been reported that amniotic membrane contains MSC, the difference between amniotic membrane–derived mesenchymal stem cells (AMSC) and MSC isolated from other tissues is still not clear. This study was designated to compare the characteristics and gene expression profi le of human AMSCs (hAMSC) and adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSC).

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the uterine cervix

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) of the uterine cervix is exceedingly uncommon. We herein report a rare case of cervical LELC. A 45-year-old woman was admitted to gynecology department with vaginal bleeding for one month. Liquid-based cytology revealed atypical endometrial cells, not otherwise specified on her cervix. On a hysteroscopy, an endocervical mass was identified and the pathologic result was consistent with poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography with 2-deoxy-2-[fluorine-18] fluoro-D-glucose integrated with computed tomography revealed a 3.1-cm endocervical mass without distant metastasis or enlarged lymph nodes. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage was IB1. A radical hysterectomy and bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection were performed. The pathologic diagnosis was a poorly differentiated carcinoma, showing features of LELC. She has been followed for 8 months without adjuvant treatment since the surgery, during which time there has been no evidence of tumor recurrence or metastasis.

Cosmetic outcomes of cesarean section scar; subcuticular suture versus intradermal buried suture

Objective The objective of the study was to compare cosmetic outcomes and overall satisfaction rate of cesarean section scar between conventional subcuticular suture and intradermal buried vertical mattress. Methods Patients were enrolled to the study by chart review. A scar assessment was obtained retrospectively through a telephone survey. The patient component of the patient and observer scar assessment scale (POSAS) was utilized along with the overall satisfaction of the patient regarding their cesarean section scar and their willingness to choose the same skin closure technique when anticipating their next cesarean section. Results A total of 303 cases of cesarean section was recruited, 102 finished telephone surveys were calculated for the analyses. Subcuticular suture was regarded as control group (n=52) and intradermal buried suture as test group (n=50). The PSAS score of the test group (mean, 21.8) was lower than that of the control group (mean, 28), with a statistical significance (P=0.02). Overall satisfaction rate did not differ between the two groups. Two parameters of the PSAS score and the level of overall satisfaction showed significant correlation (Pearsons r, −0.63; P<0.01). Conclusion We suggested the use of intradermal buried vertical mattress as a cosmetically superior skin closure method for application in cesarean sections over subcuticular stitch.

Leptin, leptin receptors and hypoxia-induced factor-1α expression in the placental bed of patients with and without preeclampsia during pregnancy

The mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE) has been previously investigated but remains to be elucidated. Among numerous biomarkers that are associated with the pathogenesis of PE, leptin is most frequently investigated. Although studies concerning the association between PE and the expression of leptin in the serum and placenta have been conducted, the results are conflicting and inconsistent. Furthermore, the expression of leptin and its receptors in the placental bed and their association with PE, to the best of our knowledge, has not been previously reported. Therefore, to determine the association between the expression of leptin and its receptor, and pathogenesis and onset period of PE, placental bed tissues were obtained from cesarean section deliveries. The mRNA and protein expression levels of leptin and its receptor were investigated in normal pregnancies (n=18), pregnancies complicated with early‑onset PE (n=9) and late‑onset PE (n=9) by reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, respectively. The results demonstrated that the mRNA and protein expression of leptin in the placental bed was significantly increased in the PE groups compared with normal controls and was associated with the onset period of PE. Furthermore, as evidenced by immunostaining, leptin was upregulated in endothelial cells of the placental bed in the PE groups, with a particularly strong upregulation in activated endothelial cells from patients with early‑onset PE. The results of the present study indicate that altered expression of leptin in the placental bed may contribute to the pathogenesis of PE.

1q21.1 microdeletion identified by chromosomal microarray in a newborn with upper airway obstruction

heart defects, mullerian aplasia, autism, and schizophrenia have also been reported [2-5]. However, no studies have investigated the relationship between upper airway obstruction and 1q21.1 microdeletions. Because of the variability in phenotypic features, a 1q21.1 microdeletion is diagnosed based on chromosomal microarray analysis [6]. Here, we report a rare case of 1q21.1 microdeletion identified by chromosomal microarray from paternal inheritance with upper airway obstruction. 1q21.1 microdeletion identified by chromosomal microarray in a newborn with upper airway obstruction

Peptide YY producing strumal carcinoid tumor of the ovary in a postmenopausal woman: a rare cause of chronic constipation

Strumal carcinoid tumor of the ovary is a rare subtype of ovarian carcinoid tumors; it is characterized by an intimate mixture of thyroid and carcinoid tissues. We present a case of a 64-year-old woman who presented with the chief complaint of persistent, severe constipation for over 5 years; she was later found to have an ovarian strumal carcinoid tumor. Computed tomography showed a well-defined solid mass measuring 6.4 cm at the right adnexa. The patient underwent right salpingo-oophorectomy and was histopathologically diagnosed as having a strumal carcinoid tumor. Immunohistochemical examination showed immunoreactivity for peptide YY (PYY), which exerts an inhibitory effect on the peristaltic actions of the distal intestine. After surgery, the patients constipation resolved rapidly, suggesting a correlation between PYY producing ovarian carcinoid tumor and constipation. This is the first case report of PYY producing primary strumal carcinoid tumor of the ovary associated with persistent, severe constipation from Korea.

Prognostic value of preoperative lymphocyte-monocyte ratio in elderly patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer

Objective To investigate the prognostic significance of preoperative lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR) in elderly patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) receiving primary cytoreductive surgery and adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy. Methods A total of 42 elderly patients (≥65 years) diagnosed with EOC who are receiving primary cytoreductive surgery and adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy from 2009 to 2012 was included. LMR was calculated from complete blood cell count sampled before operation. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to calculate optimal cut-off values for LMR. Prognostic significance with respect to overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were determined using log-rank test and Cox regression analysis. Results The optimized LMR cut-off value determined by ROC curve analysis was 3.63 for PFS and OS. The high LMR group (LMR ≥3.63) was found to be significantly more associated with optimal debulking (P=0.045) and platinum response (P=0.018) than the low LMR group. In addition, Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed the LMR-high group was significantly more associated with high PFS and OS rates (P=0.023 and P=0.033, respectively), and univariate analysis revealed that a high LMR, histology type, and optimal debulking and platinum responses were significantly associated with prolonged PFS and OS. However, subsequent Cox multivariate analysis showed only optimal debulking and platinum response were independent prognostic factors of PFS or OS. Conclusion This study suggests that LMR might be associated with treatment and survival outcomes in elderly patients with EOC receiving standard oncology treatment.

The Role of Sirtuin-2 in Tubular Forming Activity of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Sirtuin proteins have emerged as important modulators of several age-associated diseases. These include cancer and diabetes, as well as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Among the sirtuin family members, SIRT2 mRNA is strongly expressed. To investigate the pathophysiological significance of SIRT2 as a primary regulator of angiogenesis, we focused on the biological role of SIRT2 under hypoxic conditions, examining the gene expression pattern of sirtuin family members in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). SIRT2 was expressed primarily in the cytoplasm, but it was dynamically trans-localized in the nuclear by hypoxia stimuli. Interestingly, both SIRT2 and the pro-angiogenic factor, VEGF, were up- regulated by hypoxia. A Matrigel assay demonstrated that the HUVECs formed a tube-like structure under hypoxia. The SIRT2 inhibitor, AK-1, significantly decreased the tube-forming activity of the HUVECs under either normoxia or hypoxia conditions. These findings suggest that SIRT2 might be a key regulator of angiogenesis.

Apoptotic effect of NV-196, an isofl avone derivative, in epithelial ovarian cancer cells

Received: 2010.11.22. Revised: 2011. 1.20. Accepted: 2011. 1.31. Corresponding author: Ki Hyung Kim, MD Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, 305 Gudeok-ro, Seo-gu, Busan 602-739, Korea Tel: +82-51-240-7287 Fax: +82-51-248-2384 E-mail: ghkim@pusan.ac.kr * Th is study was supported by a grant of the Korea Healthcare technology R&D Project, Ministry for Health, Welfare & Family Aff airs, Republic of Korea (A091177).