Hong Chung

Does phosphorylation of cofilin affect the progression of human bladder cancer

BackgroundWe determined the differently expressed protein profiles and their functions in bladder cancer tissues with the aim of identifying possible target proteins and underlying molecular mechanisms for taking part in their progression.MethodsWe examined the expression of proteins by proteomic analysis and western blot in normal urothelium, non-muscle-invasive bladder cancers (NMIBCs), and muscle-invasive bladder cancers (MIBCs). The function of cofilin was analyzed using T24 human bladder cancer cells.ResultsThe expression levels of 12 proteins were altered between bladder cancers and normal bladder tissues. Of these proteins, 14-3-3σ was upregulated in both NMIBCs and MIBCs compared with controls. On the other hand, myosin regulatory light chain 2, galectin-1, lipid-binding AI, annexin V, transthyretin, CARD-inhibitor of NF-κB-activating ligand, and actin prepeptide were downregulated in cancer samples. Cofilin, an actin-depolymerizing factor, was prominent in both NMIBCs and MIBCs compared with normal bladder tissues. Furthermore, we confirmed that cofilin phosphorylation was more prominent in MIBCs than in NMIBCs using immunoblotting and immunohistochemcal analyses. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) increased the phosphorylation of cofilin and elevated the migration in T24 cells. Knockdown of cofilin expression with small interfering RNA attenuated the T24 cell migration in response to EGF.ConclusionsThese results demonstrate that the increased expression and phosphorylation of cofilin might play a role in the occurrence and invasiveness of bladder cancer. We suspected that changes in cofilin expression may participate in the progression of the bladder cancer.

Analysis of the midface, focusing on the nose : an anthropometric study in young Koreans

Abstract Improvements in both living standards and incomes have meant that many more people are now able to undergo elective plastic surgery for facial improvement. The nose and midface are the most frequent surgical target in Korea. However, the lack of reliable and precise anthropological data is a hindrance for effective surgical applications in this area. In the current study, 21 different lengths and angles of the midface and nose were measured in 2065 volunteers. The data were analyzed to establish sex and racial differences. Most of the measurements obtained from male volunteers were 5% to 10% greater than for the females, exceptions being the nasofrontal, nasolabial, and nasal tip angles. The biggest sex difference was found for depth of pupil, and the smallest difference was for intercanthal distance. For each measurement, the ratio of proportional differences was similar to that for whites. Many Koreans exhibited a columella protrusion of 4 to 5 mm; that parameter measures 2 to 3 mm in whites. The prevention of a hanging columella is important in nasal tip surgery. The intercanthal distance was also relatively large compared with the facial width. In females, the intercanthal distance was similar to the length of the nasal dorsum and the width of the nose. Surgeons may find this analysis useful for surgical planning. The present study provides basic clues for planning and practice in reconstructive and aesthetic facial surgery.

Isolation and Characterization of Smooth Muscle Cells from Rat Corpus Cavernosum Tissue for the Study of Erectile Dysfunction

Purpose Primary culture of the cavernous smooth muscle cells from corpus cavernous tissues is known to be difficult, mainly because of contamination with fibroblasts. We applied a new method for better isolation of rat penile smooth muscle cells (RPSMCs) from rat corpus cavernosum tissue for reliable ex vivo research on erectile dysfunction. Materials and Methods With the use of 8-week-old adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, ex vivo migrations of rat cavernous tissue were measured by penis and aortic ring assay by use of a Matrigel-based D-valine-modified culture method. The expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM)-1 in the RPSMCs was determined by standard immunofluorescent staining and immunoblotting. The expression patterns of phosphodiesterase (PDE) family mRNA in RPSMCs were compared with patterns in rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs) by use of quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results Immunocytochemical staining showed greater α-SMA-positive and PCAM-1-negative fluorescence. Moreover, whereas the expression of α-SMA was detected in the RPSMCs, that of PECAM-1 was not. The levels of PDE1A, PDE1B, PDE1C, PDE2A, PDE3A, PDE4A, PDE4B, PDE4C, PDE4D, and PDE5A mRNA in the RPSMCs were about 3.2-, 4.4-, 3.4-, 29.0-, 3.5-, 2.8-, 2.9-, 6.1-, 45.0-, and 6.0-fold the corresponding expression in RASMCs. Conclusions We developed a two-stage tissue culture method utilizing a Matrigel-based sprouting culture system to facilitate stromal cell sprouting and an adherent culture system using D-valine to eliminate the contamination of fibroblasts into the smooth muscle cells.

A Prospective Korean Multicenter Study for Infectious Complications in Patients Undergoing Prostate Surgery: Risk Factors and Efficacy of Antibiotic Prophylaxis

This multicenter study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis and identify the risk factors for infectious complications after prostate surgery in Korean patients. A total of 424 patients who underwent surgery of the prostate were reviewed. All patients underwent urinalysis and urine culture preoperatively and postoperatively. Efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis and risk factors for infectious complications were investigated. Infectious complications were observed in 34.9% of all patients. Factors independently associated with infectious complications were diabetes mellitus (adjusted OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.09-3.65, P=0.025) and operation time (adjusted OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.03-1.13, P=0.004). Clinicians should be aware of the high risk of infectious complications in patients with diabetes and those who undergo a prolonged operation time. Neither the type nor duration of prophylactic antibiotics resulted in differences in infectious complications. Graphical Abstract

Spontaneous uterine perforation of pyometra presented as an acute abdomen: A case report

고름자궁은 화농물질이 자궁강에 축적되어 발병하며, 발생률은 부인과 환자에서 0.01%-0.5%이지만 노인환자에서는 13.6%까지 높아 진다. 고름자궁의 가장 흔한 원인은 생식관의 악성 질환과 방사선 치료 결과 자궁경관이 폐쇄되어 발생한다. 다른 원인은 자궁근종, 자궁 내막 폴립, 노인성 자궁경부염, 수술 후 자궁경부 폐쇄, 산욕기 감염, 선천적 자궁경부 이상 등이 있다. 고름자궁 환자에서 자발적인 자궁 천공으로 인한 범복막염은 매우 드물지만, 심각한 합병증과 사망률 증가를 초래한다. 복막염의 가장 흔한 원인은 위장관천공이므로 수술 전에 진단되는 경우는 드물며, 대부분 개복수술 후 진단된다. 이에 본 저자는 급성 복증을 주소로 내원한 78세 여자 환자가 자발적인 고 름자궁천공이 의심되어 개복술을 시행하였다. 자궁천공으로 자궁절제술 및 양측 부속기절제술 후 조직검사 결과 자궁경부암이 확진된 드 문 예를 경험하여 보고하는 바이다.

Laparoscopic Management of Complicated Urachal Remnant in a Child

A few cases of laparoscopic surgery for urachal remnant in children has been reported in English literature. With recent developments in minimal invasive surgery, laparoscopic approach for urachal remnant in adulthood is recommended by some laparoscopic surgeons because of its technical feasibility and safety as well as cosmesis. Recently we experienced a case of complicated urachal remnant in a 14-month-old girl, who was managed by laparoscopic approach. At presentation, she complained of high fever and lower urinary tract symptoms. After 6 weeks of antibiotics therapy, laparoscopic surgery was performed transperitoneally via 3 ports. Our experience suggests that laparoscopic excision of urachal remnant can be performed easily and safely in children.

Annexin A2 participates in human skin keloid formation by inhibiting fibroblast proliferation

Abstract Abnormal scarring results from the expression and composition of extracellular matrix molecules. The transcription and translation of collagens I and III, fibronectin, laminin, periostin, and tenascin are all increased in raised dermal scar tissue. However, human keloid development is not fully defined. In this study, we identified proteins expressed differentially between normal skin and keloid scar tissues and examined their function in keloid formation using fibroblasts. Skin specimens from normal volunteers and patients with keloids were obtained by skin biopsy. Whole proteins were isolated by two-dimensional electrophoresis, and differentially expressed proteins were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight/time of flight mass spectrometry. Protein function was determined by proliferation assay using annexin A2-overexpressing keloid fibroblasts. The expression of 11 protein spots was altered by at least 1.5-fold in patients with keloids than in normal volunteers. Of these proteins, annexin A2, a pre-serum amyloid P component, serum albumin precursor, and tryptase-I, were down-regulated in keloid tissue compared to normal skin. Collagen alpha 1(V) chain precursor, collagen alpha 1(I) chain precursor, ferritin light subunit, alpha 1(III) collagen, 6-phosphogluconolactonase, and calponin 2 were up-regulated. Diminished expression of annexin A2 was confirmed by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Treatment with the recombinant human epidermal growth factor increased proliferation of keloid fibroblasts, which was more inhibited in annexin A2-overexpressing fibroblasts than in non-transfected control cells. These results imply that annexin A2 may participate in keloid formation by inhibiting keloid fibroblast proliferation. Therefore, it is concluded that annexin A2 may be a valuable therapeutic target for keloid lesions.

Effect of Intravesical Prostatic Protrusion on the Characteristics of Lower Urinary Tract Symptom Change after 12-Week Drug Medication: A Prospective Analysis

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify whether intravesical prostatic protrusion (IPP) is related to the characteristics of voiding symptoms improvement after drug treatment in benign prostatic hyperplasia patients.

Recurrent Guillain-Barré Syndrome Following Urinary Tract Infection by Escherichia coli

Recurrent Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare, immune-mediated disease of the peripheral nervous system. It has been reported to occur at intervals ranging from four months to 10 years; published case studies suggest that 1%–6% of patients who have had GBS will experience recurrent attacks. The most commonly identified infections coinciding with GBS are Campylobacter jejuni, Haemophilus influenzae, Mycoplasma pneumonia, and cytomegalovirus, while an antecedent infection with Escherichia coli is very uncommon. In this case report, we present a rare episode of recurrent GBS, which followed a urinary tract infection (UTI) by E. coli, and an accompanying literature review. A 75-year-old woman with a prior history of acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN), a subtype of GBS, presented with subsequent weakness of limbs and areflexia following 10 days of fever, frequency, and dysuria. Base on nerve conduction studies, cerebrospinal fluid analysis and other clinical investigation, we diagnosed the patient with recurrent GBS caused by E. coli. The patient recovered with mild subjective weakness following treatment of intravenous immunoglobulin with ceftriaxone. We suggest that E. coli causes UTI could be one of the diverse trigger factors involved in recurrent GBS.

Local Excision for the Treatment of Penile Verrucous Carcinoma

Penile verrucous carcinoma is known for its favorable biologic behavior and lack of metastatic potential. For preservation of function, treatment has been focused on partial penectomy. Despite partial penectomy for preservation of minimal functional and aesthetic aspects, patients have experienced psychosexual problems. A 73-year-old man had a cauliflower-like verrucous carcinoma on the penile glans and coronary sulcus diagnosed by using excisional biopsy. He underwent degloving excision to save the penile shaft and glans penis. Surgical margin was 3 mm. He had been tumor-free at the 2-year follow-up. For maximum preservation of the functional and aesthetic aspects, we recommend degloving excision.