• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.79-84
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• 2007

Sphenoid sinus aspergillosis is notorious for its serious complications, such as permanent cranial nerve deficits and possible death. The most common associated symptoms are headache, followed by visual changes, and cranial nerve palsies. Because of an insidious onset, frequently resulting in missed and delayed diagnosis, sphenoid sinus aspergillosis is a potentially lethal medical condition. We report a case of visual loss secondary to isolated sphenoid sinus aspergillosis. A 69-year-old man presented to our hospital with the complaint of headache. The headache started one year previously and was described as severe dull pain localized bilaterally to the temporo-orbital region. The patient took daily NSAIDs for the pain. The neurological examination was normal. The MRI of the brain showed a left sphenoid sinusitis. A transnasal endoscopic superior meatal sphenoidotomy was performed. Aspergillosis was confirmed after a surgical biopsy was obtained. The patient was discharged from hospital without antifungal therapy. One month later, the patient complained of headache and loss of vision bilaterally. The orbital MRI showed a left cavernous sinus and bilateral optic nerve invasion. The loss of visions was permanent. In our case, the diagnosis was delayed; antifungal agents were not administered after surgery and the patient lost his vision as a result. Therefore, early diagnosis and proper treatment are important. Although the treatment of an invasive type of aspergillus has not been established, surgical removal of a nidus and aggressive antifungal therapy are recommended.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제19권4호
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• pp.295-302
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• 2013

Some of the pituitary adenomas are invasive and spread into neighboring tissues. In previous studies, the invasion of pituitary adenomas is thought to be associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In addition to that, we thought that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exist in relevant microenvironment in pituitary adenoma. However, it has been little known about the existence of MSCs from pituitary adenoma. So we investigated whether mesenchymal stem-like cells (MSLCs) can be isolated from the pituitary adenoma specimen. We isolated and cultured candidate MSLCs from the fresh pituitary adenoma specimen with the same protocols used in culturing bone marrow derived MSCs (BM-MSCs). The cultured candidate MSLCs were analyzed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) for surface markers associated with MSCs. Candidate MSLCs were exposed to mesenchymal differentiation conditions to determine the mesenchymal differentiation potential of these cells. To evaluate the tumorigenesis of candidate MSLCs from pituitary adenoma, we implanted these cells into the brain of athymic nude mice. We isolated cells resembling BM-MSCs named pituitary adenoma stroma mesenchymal stem-like cells (PAS-MSLCs). PAS-MSLCs were spindle shaped and had adherent characteristics. FACS analysis identified that the PAS-MSLCs had a bit similar surface markers to BM-MSCs. Isolated cells expressed surface antigen, positive for CD105, CD75, and negative for CD45, NG2, and CD90. We found that these cells were capable of differentiation into adipocytes, osteocytes and chondrocytes. Tumor was not developed in the nude mice brains that were implanted with the PAS-MSLCs. In this study, we showed that MSLCs can be isolated from a pituitary adenoma specimen which is not tumorigenic.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.85-92
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• 2016

Purpose: PIK3CA is often mutated in a variety of malignancies, including colon, gastric, ovary, breast, and brain tumors. We investigated PIK3CA expression in gastric cancer and explored the relationships between the PIK3CA expression level and clinicopathological features as well as survival of the patients. Materials and Methods: We examined PIK3CA expression in a tissue microarray of 178 gastric adenocarcinomas by immunohistochemistry and reviewed patients' medical records. Results: In our study, 112 of the 178 gastric cancer patients displayed positive PIK3CA expression. Overexpression of PIK3CA was correlated with low grade differentiation (P=0.001), frequent lymphatic invasion (P=0.032), and high T stage (P=0.040). Patients with positive PIK3CA staining were more likely to display worse overall survival rate than those with negative PIK3CA staining, as determined by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with log-rank test (P=0.047) and a univariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazard model (hazard ratio=1.832, P=0.051). Conclusions: Elevated PIK3CA expression was significantly correlated with tumor invasiveness, tumor phenotypes, and poor patient survival.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제57권5호
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• pp.543-547
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• 2019

Toxoplasma gondii can infect humans worldwide, causing serious diseases in pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals. T. gondii rhoptry protein 13 (ROP13) is known as one of the key proteins involved in host cell invasion. In this study, we generated virus-like particles (VLPs) vaccine expressing T. gondii rhoptry ROP13 and investigated VLPs vaccine efficacy in mice. Mice immunized with ROP13 VLPs vaccine elicited significantly higher levels of T. gondii-specific IgG, IgG1, IgG2a, and IgA antibody responses following boost immunization and challenge infection, whereas antibody inductions were insignificant upon prime immunization. Differing immunization routes resulted in differing antibody induction, as intranasal immunization (IN) induced greater antibody responses than intramuscular immunization (IM) after boost and challenge infection. IN immunization induced significantly higher levels of IgG and IgA antibody responses from feces, antibody-secreting cells (ASCs), $CD4^+$ T, $CD8^+$ T cells and germinal center B cell responses in the spleen compared to IM immunization. Compared to IM immunization, IN immunization resulted in significantly reduced cyst counts in the brain as well as lesser body weight loss, which contributed to better protection. All of the mice immunized through either route survived, whereas all na?ve control mice perished. These results indicate that the ROP13 VLPs vaccine could be a potential vaccine candidate against T. gondii infection.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제21권6호
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• pp.88.1-88.13
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• 2020

Background: Listeria monocytogenes is a gram-positive bacterium that causes listeriosis mainly in immunocompromised hosts. It can also cause foodborne outbreaks and has the ability to adapt to various environments. Peptide uptake in gram-positive bacteria is enabled by oligopeptide permeases (Opp) in a process that depends on ATP hydrolysis by OppD and F. Previously a putative protein Lmo2193 was predicted to be OppD, but little is known about the role of OppD in major processes of L. monocytogenes, such as growth, virulence, and biofilm formation. Objectives: To determine whether the virulence traits of L. monocytogenes are related to OppD. Methods: In this study, Lmo2193 gene deletion and complementation strains of L. monocytogenes were generated and compared with a wild-type strain for the following: adhesiveness, invasion ability, intracellular survival, proliferation, 50% lethal dose (LD₅₀) to mice, and the amount bacteria in the mouse liver, spleen, and brain. Results: The results showed that virulence of the deletion strain was 1.34 and 0.5 orders of magnitude higher than that of the wild-type and complementation strains, respectively. The function of Lmo2193 was predicted and verified as OppD from the ATPase superfamily. Deletion of lmo2193 affected the normal growth of L. monocytogenes, reduced its virulence in cells and mice, and affected its ability to form biofilms. Conclusions: Deletion of the oligopeptide transporter Lmo2193 decreases the virulence of L. monocytogenes. These effects may be related to OppD's function, which provides a new perspective on the regulation of oligopeptide transporters in L. monocytogenes.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제25권10호
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• pp.1751-1760
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• 2015

Mucin2 (MUC2), an important regulatory factor in the immune system, plays an important role in the host defense system against bacterial translocation. Probiotics known to regulate MUC2 gene expression have been widely studied, but the interactions among probiotic, pathogens, and mucin gene are still not fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of MUC2 in blocking effects of probiotics on meningitic E. coli-induced pathogenicities. In this study, live combined probiotic tablets containing living Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and Streptococcus thermophilus were used. MUC2 expression was knocked down in Caco-2 cells by RNA interference. 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR), which enhances mucin-promoted probiotic effects through inducing production of Sadenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe), was used to up-regulate MUC2 expression in Caco-2 cells. The adhesion to and invasion of meningitic E. coli were detected by competition assays. Our studies showed that probiotic agents could block E. coli-caused intestinal colonization, bacteremia, and meningitis in a neonatal sepsis and meningitis rat model. MUC2 gene expression in the neonatal rats given probiotic agents was obviously higher than that of the infected and uninfected control groups without probiotic treatment. The prohibitive effects of probiotic agents on MUC2-knockdown Caco-2 cells infected with E44 were significantly reduced compared with nontransfected Caco-2 cells. Moreover, the results also showed that 5-Aza-CdR, a drug enhancing the production of SAMe that is a protective agent of probiotics, was able to significantly suppress adhesion and invasion of E44 to Caco-2 cells by upregulation of MUC2 expression. Taken together, our data suggest that probiotic agents can efficiently block meningitic E. coli-induced pathogenicities in a manner dependent on MUC2.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.92-100
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• 2000

목적 :본 연구의 목적은 뇌 생식 세포종 환자들의 방사선치료 시 가장 적절한 조사 영역을 알아보고자 시행하였다. 대상 및 방법 : 1993년부터 1998년까지 뇌 생식세포종으로 진단되거나 또는 추정되어 감마 나이프를 시행 받은 환자 19 명을 대상으로 분석하였다. 송과선 9예, 안상(suprasellar) 1예, 그 외 2군데 이상 다발성 병소가 9예였다. 조직이 확인이 된 예는 7예이었고 배아종(germ ceil tumor)이 5명, 내배엽동종(endodermal sinus tumor)이 2명이었다. 종양의 부피는 2.4 cm$^{3}$부터 74 cm$^{3}$ 까지 이었다. 감마나이프 방사선 치료는 50% 등선량 곡선을 중심으로 10 Gy부터 20 Gy에 걸쳐 조사되었다. 추적 기간은 10개월에서부터 54개월까지였다. 결과 : 총 19명 중 14명(74%)에서 재발을 하였다. 완전 관해와 부분 관해는 각각 2명(11%), 10명(53%)이었다. 무반응은 7명(36%)이었다. 원발 병소가 있었던 자리에서 재발한 경우가 2예, 치료 조사영역을 벗어났으나 원발 병소와 연결되어서 그 주위로 재발한 경우가 6예 이었다. 원발 병소와 떨어져서 뇌실 재발이 된 경우 3예, 척수 전이가 된 경우가 4예 이었다. 종양의 부피가 20 cm$^{3}$ 이하인 경우는 8예이었으며 이중 2예는 치료 조사영역 내에서만 재발한 경우, 4예는 원발 병소와 연이어져서 치료 부위 주위로 재발한 경우, 1예는 척수 전이된 경우이었다. 종양의 부피가 20 cm$^{3}$ 보다 큰 경우는 6예 이었으며 그 중 원발 병소와 연이어져서 치료 부위 주위에 재발한 경우 1예, 원발 병소와 떨어져서 뇌실 전이가 된 경우가 2예, 척수 전이를 일으킨 경우가 3예였다. 재발을 하지 않은 5예는 종양의 부피가 20 cm$^{3}$ 이하인 경우이고 모두 단일 병소이며 종양기표가 모두 정상이었다. 척수 전이는 4예(21%)에서 발생하였으며 모두 뇌실 침범이 있는 경우에 발생하였다. 총 9명의 다발성 병소 중 국소 재발만을 한 경우는 3경우이었고 나머지는 모두 치료 조사영역을 벗어나 원발 병소와 떨어져서 재발하였다. 결론 : 감마 나이프 치료가 뇌 생식세포종에 대한 치료로서는 부적절한 치료이며 이것은 감마 나이프의 특성인 작은 치료 용적과 조사 선량의 부적절함에서 기인하는 것으로 판단된다. 뇌 생식 세포종에서 병소 부위 만을 치료하는 경은 종양의 부피와 다발성 병소의 뇌실 침범 유무가 치료 성공의 열쇠이다. 20 cm$^{3}$ 이하, 단일 병소, 뇌실 침범이 혀는 경우, 정상적인 종양지표, 등이 가장 이상적인 적응증이 될 수 있다. 다발성 병소에서 뇌실 침범이나 뇌실 병소가 있을 경우는 예방적 뇌 척수 조사를 고려해야 할 것으로 생각된다. 병소의 크기가 cm$^{3}$ 보다 클 경우 다발성 병소인 경우, 종양지표의 증가가 있는 경우에는 확정적인 제안을 하기는 어렵지만 전 뇌실 조사 또는 부분방사선 조사가 시도될 수 있을 것으로 생각되며 이 경우가 선행 화학 요법과 함께 치료할 수 있는 대상이며, 앞으로 이 부분에 대한 연구가 계속 이루어질 것으로 생각된다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.254-261
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• 2017

Glioblastomas (GBM) are very difficult to treat and their aggressiveness is one of the main reasons for this as well as for the frequent recurrences. MicroRNAs post-transcriptionally regulate their target genes through interaction between their seed sequence and 3'UTR of the target mRNAs. We previously reported that miR-296-3p is regulated by neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) and enhances the invasiveness of GBM cells via SOCS2/STAT3. In this study, we investigated whether miR-296-5p, which originates from the same precursor miRNA as miR-296-3p, can increase the invasiveness of GBM cells. It was observed that miR-296-5p potentiated the invasion of various GBM cells including LN229, T98G, and U87MG. Through bioinformatics approaches, two genes were identified as miR-296-5p targets: caspase-8 (CASP8) and nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR). From results obtained from Ago2 immunoprecipitation and luciferase assays, we found that miR-296-5p downregulates CASP8 and NGFR through direct interaction between seed sequence of the miRNA and 3'UTR of the target mRNA. Knockdown of CASP8 or NGFR also increased the invasive ability of GBM cells, indicating that CASP8 and NGFR are involved in potentiation of invasiveness by miR-296-5p. Consistent with our findings, CASP8 was downregulated in brain metastatic lung cancer cells, which have a high level of miR-296-5p, compared to parental cells, suggesting that miR-296-5p may be generally associated with the acquisition of invasiveness. Collectively, our results implicate miR-296-5p as a potential cause of invasiveness in cancer and suggest it as a promising therapeutic target for GBM.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제30권8호
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• pp.1037-1041
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• 2001

결합조직형성 섬유종은 드문 골종양으로 조직학적으로는 양성이나 국소적으로 빨리 자라는 질환이다. 두개골에 발생한 결합조직형성 섬유종은 지금까지 9례가 보고되고 있으며, 이 중 8명은 여자에서 발생하다. 이 논문은 남자에서 발생한 두개골 결합조직형성 섬유종을 보고하며, 문헌을 검토하여, 이 질환의 임상양상 및 조직학적소견, 그리고 치료방법등을 보고하고자 한다. 환자는 21세 남자로 두통을 호소하으며, 두부 전산화 단층 촬상 뇌을 침습한 소견이 없는 단일 골용해성 부위가 관찰되었으며, 조직학적 검사상 결합조직형성 섬유종으로 밝혀졌다. 면역조직화학적 염색상, 종양의 에스트로겐과 프로게스테론 수용기는 음성이었다. 정상골을 포함한 종양을 전적출하으며, 35개월간 추적관찰결과 재발소견은 없었다. 다른 부위의 결합조직형성 섬유종과 비교했을 때, 종양의 정상골을 포함한 전적출이 두개골에서 가능하므로, 재발이 없는 것으로 생각되며, 남자에서 발생한 결합조직형성 섬유종을 치험하기에 문헌검토와 함께 보고하는 바이다.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제47권1호
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• pp.11-16
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• 2010

Objective: Abnormalities of the bone are frequently encountered in patients with meningioma, and hyperostosis and endostosis are common bone alterations in these tumors. Extensive bony destruction is very unusual in patients with meningioma. We report six cases of intracranial meningioma associated with an osteolytic lesion of the skull and discuss the underlying mechanisms that may be responsible for bone destruction in patients with meningioma. Methods: Six patients were classified into three groups, severe, moderate and mild, according to the degree of osteolytic bony destruction. The tumor was classified as intracranial or extracranial, depending on its location. We investigated the potential role of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) in meningioma-associated osteolysis. The levels of MMP expression were determined by gelatin zymography, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR analysis (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemical analysis. Results: Complete surgical removal of the lesion was performed in each patient. Histological examination revealed benign meningioma in four cases, and two cases of atypical meningioma. Patients did not have a poor prognosis except one case of recurred atypical meningioma. Gelatin zymography and RT-PCR detected high levels of MMP-2 in almost all extracranial masses in comparison with the intracranial masses and MMP9 in two. There was no difference in the severity of bone destruction. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed MMP-2 expression in the vicinity of the bone destruction, and a few MMP-9-positive stainings were observed. Conclusion: Osteolysis of the skull in patients with meningiomas might not be indicative of malignant pathological features and poor prognosis. Invasion to the extracranial portion and osteolysis might be associated with MMP-2 expression in meningioma.