Ji Kwon Park

DHA and EPA Down-regulate COX-2 Expression through Suppression of NF-κB Activity in LPS-treated Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Inflammatory processes of vascular endothelial cells play a key role in the development ofatherosclerosis. We determined the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on LPS-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to evaluate their cardioprotective potential. Cells were pretreated with DHA, EPA, or troglitazone prior to activation with LPS. Expression of COX-2, prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) and IL-6 production, and NF-kappaB activity were measured by Western blot, ELISA, and luciferase activity, respectively. Results showed that EPA, DHA, or troglitazone significantly reduced COX-2 expression, NF-kappaB luciferase activity, and PGE(2) and IL-6 production in a dose-dependent fashion. Interestingly, low doses (10 microM) of DHA and EPA, but not troglitozone, significantly increased the activity of NF-kappaB in resting HUVECs. Our study suggests that while DHA, EPA, and troglitazone may be protective on HUVECs under inflammatory conditions in a dose-dependent manner. However there may be some negative effects when the concentrations are abnormally low, even in normal endothelium.

Failure of uterine artery embolization for controlling postpartum hemorrhage

Aim:  We evaluated the efficacy of uterine artery embolization (UAE) for controlling postpartum hemorrhage (PPH).

Torsion of a parasitic myoma that developed after abdominal myomectomy

Iatrogenic parasitic myomas are rare. The condition is defined by the presence of multiple smooth-muscle tumorous nodules in the peritoneal cavity. This may be attributable to seeding of myoma particles during uterine surgery. The clinical course is usually indolent. The disease is often asymptomatic and is usually discovered only incidentally. A 38-year-old woman who had undergone abdominal myomectomy 7 months prior presented with acute abdominal pain and a huge pelvic mass. We performed exploratory laparotomy. A parasitic mass 17 cm in diameter with a twisted omental pedicle was identified. En bloc excision of the mass and omentum was performed, followed by total abdominal hysterectomy. Histopathological examination of multiple sections revealed features compatible with an infarcted leiomyoma. Thus, we present a very rare case of an iatrogenic, rapidly growing parasitic myoma complicated by omental torsion (which caused the acute abdominal pain). We also offer a literature review.

Pseudoexstrophy of the bladder diagnosed prenatally

Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, JinJu, Korea Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, JinJu, Korea Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, JinJu, Korea Institute of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, JinJu, Korea *Correspondence to: Ji Kwon Park. E-mail: obgypjk@gnu.ac.kr

Molecular cytogenetic investigation of a balanced complex chromosomal rearrangement carrier ascertained through a neonate with partial trisomies of 13 and 22

Complex chromosomal rearrangement (CCR) is a structural abnormality of chromosomes that rarely appears in individuals with normal phenotypes. A CCR involving chromosomes 9, 13, and 22 was ascertained in a phenotypically normal woman through a neonate with multiple congenital malformations and partial trisomies of 13 and 22. We diagnosed the CCR using high‐resolution chromosome analysis and three‐color fluorescence in situ hybridization (three‐color FISH) analysis, and ascertained a balanced CCR without cryptic imbalances using array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) and FISH. In the present work, we report on the case together with a literature review.

O-linked N-acetylglucosamine transferase promotes cervical cancer tumorigenesis through human papillomaviruses E6 and E7 oncogenes.

O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) transferase (OGT) increases O-GlcNAc modification (O-GlcNAcylation), and transcriptional co-regulator host cell factor 1 (HCF-1) is one of OGT targets. High-risk Human Papillomaviruses (HPVs) encode E6 and E7 oncoproteins, which promote cervical cancer. Here, we tested whether O-GlcNAc modification of HCF-1 affects HPV E6 and E7 expressions and tumorigenesis of cervical cancer. We found that depleting OGT with OGT-specific shRNA significantly decreased levels of E6 and E7 oncoproteins, and cervical cancer tumorigenesis, while OGT overexpression greatly increased levels of E6 and E7 oncoproteins. Notably, OGT overexpression caused dose-dependent increases in the transcriptional activity of E6 and E7, and this activity was decreased when HCF-1 was depleted with HCF-1-specific siRNA. Moreover, OGT depletion reduced proliferation, invasion, and metastasis in cervical cancer cells. Further, high glucose enhanced the interaction between OGT and HCF-1, paralleling increased levels of E6 and E7 in cervical cancer cells. Most importantly, we found that reducing OGT in HeLa cells caused decreased tumor growth in vivo. These findings identify OGT as a novel cellular factor involved in E6 and E7 expressions and cervical cancer tumorigenesis, suggesting that targeting OGT in cervical cancer may have potential therapeutic benefit.

Efficacy of array comparative genomic hybridization in a fetus with an inherited apparently balanced translocation: A case report.

When one parent is discovered to have the same apparently balanced genetic rearrangement as that identified at prenatal diagnosis, many couples are advised to seek a more precise prenatal diagnosis for reassurance. A 25‐year‐old translocation carrier, who carried a fetus with partial trisomy 3q and partial monosomy 9p with omphalocele in a previous pregnancy, showed the same apparently balanced translocation at chorionic villus sampling. A truly balanced translocation without cryptic imbalances for the fetus was detected using array comparative genomic hybridization. For cryptic unbalanced defects, in which an apparently balanced translocation has been transmitted from a normal parent to a child with a phenotypic abnormality, the use of array comparative genomic hybridization to assess the presence of cryptic aberrations in the fetus combines the speed of DNA analysis with a comprehensive scan for submicroscopic genomic abnormalities.

A CASE OF TERMINAL DELETION OF CHROMOSOME 10P

Chromosome 10p deletion (partial monosomy 10p) is rare chromosomal disorder. It was first reported in 1970. Since then, as far as we know, about 45 patients have been described. The main feature of this syndrome are craniofacial dysmorphism, congenital heart disease, vesicoureteral abnormalities, and developmental delay. We have experienced a prenatal case of Chromosome 10p terminal deletion by doing cytogenetic study due to high Down syndrome risk on quadruple test and cleft lip on prenatal ultrasonography. Conventional cytogenetic result from cord blood was 46,XY,del(10)(p13), molecular cytogenetic techniques using bacterial artifi cial chromosome array comparative genomic hybridization and fl uorescence in situ hybridization analysis result was 46,XY,del(10)(p14)(NEBL-). To our knowledge, this karyotype may be the first report in Korea. We present this case with brief review of literature.

Endometrial carcinoma in a patient having 45,X Turner syndrome with gonadal mosaicism

Only three cases of endometrial carcinoma in women with possibly pure 45,X Turner syndrome without previous unopposed estrogen therapy have been reported. A 46‐year‐old single nulligravid woman with Turner syndrome phenotype, spontaneous menstruation, and well‐differentiated adenocarcinoma of the endometrium was diagnosed as having the 45,X karyotype from peripheral blood, skin, buccal cells, and endometrium, which was confirmed using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Analysis of the ovarian tissue using FISH confirmed 45,X/46,XX mosaicism. Gonadal mosaicism may help to interpret spontaneous menstruation and endometrial carcinoma in possibly pure 45,X Turner syndrome. We conclude that a molecular analysis of lymphocytes and various tissues is necessary for detecting low‐level mosaicism in apparently homogeneous 45,X women.

Split hand/foot malformation with long-bone deficiency and BHLHA9 duplication: A prenatal diagnosis report

1. Case description A 23-year-old nulliparous woman was referred for fetal level II sonography owing to abnormal ultrasound findings, including skeletal anomalies and oligohydramnios at 20 weeks of gestation. Detailed evaluation of the fetus was difficult due to the absence of amniotic fluid. Thus, we infused normal saline into the amniotic cavity after amniocentesis for fetal karyotyping and further genetic examination. Ultrasonography Split hand/foot malformation with long-bone deficiency and BHLHA9 duplication: A prenatal diagnosis report