• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.184-188
• /
• 2005

IgE-dependent histamine-releasing factor (HRF) is found extracellularly to regulate the degranulation process of histamine in mast cells and basophils and known to play a predominant role in the pathogenesis of chronic allergic disease. HRF has been also identified in the intracellular region of the cell. Previously, we reported that HRF interacts with the 3rd cytoplasmic domain of the alpha subunit of Na,K ATPase and inhibits Na,K-ATPase activity. The predicated phosphorylation site in HRF by PKC was mapped to one serine residues (S98) by the computer analysis. In this study, we identified that S98 residue of HRF was phosphorylated using anti-HRFpS98 antibody which specifically recognizes the phosphorylated serine residue of HRF and HRFS98A mutant construct. We also performed $^{86}Rb^{+}-uptake$ assay to understand the role of HRF wild-type and HRFS98A mutants on the regulation of Na,K-ATPase activity. Dephosphorylation of HRF at serine 98 residue recovers slightly the inhibitory function of HRF, suggesting that phosphorylated HRF at serine 98 may not suppress the Na,K-hfpase activity.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.46-51
• /
• 1994

Fine needle aspiration cytologic features of a case of insular carcinoma of the thyroid in a 23-year-old woman who presented a palpable neck mass is described. The aspirate showed cellular smear arranged in trabeculae, solid or loose clusters, and microfillicles in necrotic background. The tumor cells had uniform, small round, hyperchromatic nuclei. The chromatin was finely granular, and nuclear membrane was smooth. Nucleoli were not discernible. Nuclear pleomorphism was minimal. The cytoplasm was usually scanty, pale, poorly outlined, and almostly amphophilic. Sometimes paranuclear cytoplasmic vacuoles were noted. final diagnosis was confirmed by total thyroidectomy as insular carcinoma.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.46-50
• /
• 2006

A micropapillary variant of urothelial carcinoma (MPC) is a distinct entity with an aggressive clinical course. It has a micropapillary configuration resembling that of ovarian papillary serous carcinoma. Its cytologic features have rarely been reported. We report a case of MPC detected by urine cytology. A woman aged 93 years presented with a chief complaint of macroscopic hematuria. Cytology of her voided urine showed clusters of malignant cells in a micropapillary configuration. Each tumor cell had a vacuolated cytoplasm, a high nuclear:cytoplasmic ratio, and irregular hyperchromatic nuclei. An ureteroscopic examination revealed exophytic sessile papillary masses extending from the left lateral wall to the anterolateral wall of the urinary bladder. A transurethral resection of the tumor was carried out. The tumor was characterized by delicate papillae with a thin, well-developed fibrovascular stromal core and numerous secondary micropapillae lined with small cuboidal cells containing uniform low- to intermediate-grade nuclei and occasional intracytoplasmic mucinous inclusions. These tumor cells infiltrated the muscle layers of the bladder, and lymphatic tumor emboli were frequently seen. Recognizing that the presence of MPC components in urinary cytology is important for distinguishing this lesion from low-grade papillary lesions and high-grade urothelial carcinomas can result in early detection and earlier treatment for an improved treatment outcome.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.78-83
• /
• 2002

We report the cytologic features of a case of primary small cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder with high grade transitional cell and signet ring cell carcinomatous components. A 64-year-old male presented with gross hematuria for one week. Computed tomography revealed an ill-defined mass in the left lateral wall of the urinary bladder. Urinary cytology showed hypercellularity with predominantly isolated single cells and clustered cells. They have scanty cytoplasm and naked hyperchromatic nuclei with finely granular nuclear chromatin and rare nucleoli. The tumor cells occurred predominantly singe cells, but a few in clusters. Nuclear molding was prominent. No glandular formation or nesting was noted. The second tumor cells had high nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio, irregular nuclear membrane, and coarse granular chromatin. The background was inflamed and necrotic. The histoiogic findings of transurethral resection were mainly composed of small cell carcinoma, and partly transitional cell and signet ring cell carcinomatous components. Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma have distinctive cytologic features to make a proper diagnosis.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.36-45
• /
• 2007

Objective : To identify key cytologic features for diagnosis of adenocarcinoma and morphologic differentiation from reactive/reparative respiratory epithelium. Study Design : The cytomorphologic features of 145 pulmonary cytology specimens (sputum and bronchial washing), which included 117 histologically proven adenocarcinomas and 28 non-neoplastic lesions, cytologically diagnosed as atypia and suspicious for malignancy (adenocarcinoma) were reviewed retrospectively. We analyzed 11 morphologic criteria in pulmonary cytologic specimens. Results: Over 110 of 117 cases of adenocarcinomas revealed nuclear membrane irregularities, non-cohesive cells, single atypical cells, moderate to markedly enlarged nuclei and an increased nuclear/cytoplasmic (N/C) ratio. Chromatin clearing, chromatin heterogeneity and hyperchromasia were seen in 102, 99 and 97 cases, respectively. All 28 cases involving non-neoplastic lesions revealed hyperplastic reactive pneumocytes, hyperplastic reactive bronchial epithelium, or degenerating macrophages. The non-neoplastic lesions revealed a small number of atypical cell clusters and paucity or absence of atypical single cells. Conclusion : The most important morphologic features for diagnosis of adenocarcinoma are nuclear membrane irregularities, non-cohesive cells, single atypical cell, moderate to markedly enlarged nuclei and increased N/C ratio. Chromatin clearing, chromatin heterogeneity and hyperchromasia were also helpful features, while pleomorphism and prominent nucleoli were less valuable.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.63-71
• /
• 1998

The spermatozoon of Squalidus gracilis majimae is approximately $36.6{\mu}m$ in length and is characterized by a spherical nucleils with the clear chromatin, a short midpiece containing the mitochondria, and a flagellum positioned tangentially to the nucleus. An acrosome is absent as in all teleost fishes. The nucleus is about $1.9{\mu}m$ in diameter and in its periphery contains the electron-lucent chromatin distinguished from the electron-dense chromatin occupying most of the nucleus. The shallow nuclear fossa contains the proximal centriole, instead of two centrioles in deep nuclear fossa in siluroids. The proximal and distal centrioles are oriented approximately $140^{\circ}$ to each other. The mitochondria of 10 or more in number are arranged in three layers and do not surround the axoneme. The asymmetrical distribution of the mitochondria and the eccentrical position of the nucleus with regard to the tail are the general pattern of the cyprinid spermatozoa. S. gracilis majimae spermatozoa have the most mitochondria and the deepest cytoplasmic canal among cyprinid species. The flagellum lacks the lateral fins.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.55-63
• /
• 2004

The hepatotherapeutic effect of the extract of Lycii fructus has been studied in rats against $CCl_4$ induced liver toxicity. The rats were orally treated with $CCl_4$ (corn oil/$CCl_4$ 1:1, $1m{\ell}/kg$) and then $CCl_4$ ($0.5m{\ell}/kg$) administered four times for 2 weeks. The extracts of L. fructus have been administered every day for 2 weeks after the last $CCl_4$ injection. The experimental groups consisted of negative control (G1), positive control ($CCl_4$ alone; G2), extract of L. fructus (50 mg/kg; G3, 100 mg/kg; G4, 200 mg/kg; G5), respectively. There was a significant decrement to G2 on the serum level of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase in G5. Also, the content of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, and phosphatidylcholine hydroperxidase, a marker of lipid peroxidation, in the liver were decreased significantly G5 and G4 compared with G2. Although, catalase or superoxide dismutase, antioxidant enzyme, in the liver were decreased significantly too, it would not be a good sign for the liver. In histopathological findings, such a hepatocellular vacuolar degeneration, lobular restructure, cellular infiltration, necrosis, and so on were shown severely in G2. However, G4 and G5 was shown a mild cytoplasmic vacuolation and inflammatory cell. In conclusion, as a protection against cell damage, lipid peroxidation and serum level, it suggested that the extract of Lycii fructus would have been a therapeutic effect of liver injury directly.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Applied Microbiology Conference
• /
• 2000.04a
• /
• pp.208-213
• /
• 2000

Penicillium fellutanum produces a phosphorylated, choline-containing extracellular peptido-polysaccharide, peptidophosphogalactomannan (pPxGM) (8). The $\^$13/C-methyl labeled pPxGM ([methyl-$\^$13/C]pPxGM) was prepared from the cultures supplemented with L-[methyl-$\^$13/C]methionine or [2-$\^$13/C]glycine and was used as a probe to monitor the fate of phosphocholine in this polymer. Addition of purified [methyl-$\^$l3/C]pPxGM to growing cultures in low phosphate medium resulted in the disappearance of [methyl-$\^$13/C]phosphocholine and -N,N'-dimethyl-phosphoethanolamine from the added [methyl-$\^$13/C]pPxGM. Two $\^$l3/C-methyl-enriched cytoplasmic solutes, choline-O-sulfate and glycine betaine, were found in mycelial extracts, suggesting that phosphocholine-containing extracellular pPxGM of P.fellutanum is a precursor of intracellular choline-O-sulfate and glycine betaine and thus of phosphatydilcholine (l0). $\^$13/C-Methyl-labeled cells grown in 3 M NaCl-containing medium showed 2.6- and 22-fold more accumulation of $\^$13/C-methyl labeled choline-O-sulfate and glycine betaine, respectively, originated from the extracellular [$\^$13/C-methyl]pPxGM than those grown without added NaCl. The results suggest that, in addition to glycerol and erythritol, glycine betaine and choline-O-sulfate and thus choline are also osmoprotectants and hence that pPxGM is involved in osmotolerance of this fungus (11). Taken collectively, the $\^$l3/C- and $\^$31/P-NMR analyses of cytosolic solute pools and structural modulation of extracellular pPxGM corresponding to environmental stimuli in P. fellutanum, provided evidence that pPxGM is involved in cellular choline metabolism, osmotolerance, and recycling of metabolites.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.70-77
• /
• 2006

Platelets are anucleate cytoplasmic fragments derived from bone marrow megakaryocytes, and endothelial cells constitute the barrier between bloodstream and adjacent tissues. Although platelets are thought to regulate the biological functions of endothelial cells, the molecular mechanisms involved are poorly understood. With human umbilical vein endothelial cells and freshly isolated platelets, we established an in vitro model of platelet-induced endothelial cell proliferation. Platelets stimulated endothelial cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner and transwell experiments with semi-permeable membranes suggested that direct cell-to-cell contacts were required. We developed mAbs against platelets and selected a mAb that blocks their proliferative effect. We purified the antigen by immunoprecipitation and identified it by Q-TOF MS analysis as the tetraspanin CD9. Since both platelets and endothelial cells expressed CD9 strongly on their surfaces we carried out a pre-treatment experiment that showed that CD9 molecules on the endothelial cells participate in the mitogenic effect of the platelets. The inhibitory effect of our mAb was comparable to that of a well-known functional anti-CD9 mAb. These results suggest that the tetraspanin CD9 plays an important role in endothelial regeneration.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.522-526
• /
• 1999

Bactericidal effects of chitosans with varying molecular weight $(10,000{\sim}170,000)$ were investigated for Streptococcus mutans, a primary causative bacterium of dental caries. The molecular weight of chitosan was a significant contributor to the bactericidal effect, and a chitosan having approximately 30,000 of molecular weight exhibited the highest bactericidal effects on S. mutans. Treatment of chitosan resulted in leaking intracellular protein and nucleic acid out of S. mutans cells. In addition, the divalent cations such as $Ca^{2+}\;and\;Mg^{2+}$ were also significantly released out of the cell. Visible damage of chitosan treated cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), in which the cell wall was notably distorted and cytoplasmic membrane was separated from the cell wall. The results suggested that the bactericidal effect of chitosan on S. mutans was attributable to both leakage of intracellular materials and structural disintegration of cell wall.