Identifying Polymorphisms in IL-31 and Their Association with Susceptibility to Asthma

BACKGROUND: Interleukin 31 (IL-31) is a T helper type 2 effector cytokine that plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atopic and allergic diseases. IL-31 may be involved in promoting allergic inflammation and in inducing airway epithelial responses such as allergic asthma. METHODS: Single-base extension analysis was used to detect the genotypes of IL-31 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and we compared the genotype and allele frequencies of the IL-31 SNPs between patients with asthma and healthy controls. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the genotype and allele frequencies of the IL-31 SNPs between patients with asthma and healthy controls. Furthermore we compared the genotype and allele frequencies of IL-31 SNPs between patients with atopic asthma, those with non-atopic asthma and healthy controls. This showed that the SNPs were not associated with the susceptibility to atopic asthma. There were no significant differences in the haplotype frequencies of IL-31 SNPs between patients with asthma and healthy controls. In patients with asthma, the IL-31 SNPs were significantly correlated with total serum levels of IgE (p=0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that, the IL-31 SNPs may be associated with IgE production in patients with asthma.

WHO Classification of Malignant Lymphomas in Korea: Report of the Third Nationwide Study

BACKGROUND: The aim of study was to determine the relative frequency of malignant lymphoma according to World Health Organization (WHO) classification in Korea. METHODS: A total of 3,998 cases diagnosed at 31 institutes between 2005 and 2006 were enrolled. Information including age, gender, pathologic diagnosis, site of involvement and immunophenotypes were obtained. RESULTS: The relative frequency of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) was 95.4% and 4.6%, respectively. B-cell lymphomas accounted for 77.6% of all NHL, while T/natural killer (T/NK)-cell lymphomas accounted for 22.4%. The most frequent subtypes of NHL were diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (42.7%), extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (MZBCL) of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (19.0%), NK/T-cell lymphoma (6.3%) and peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL), unspecified (6.3%), in decreasing order. The relative frequency of HL was nodular sclerosis (47.4%), mixed cellularity (30.6%), and nodular lymphocyte predominant (12.1%) subtypes. Compared with a previous study in 1998, increase in gastric MZBCL and nodular sclerosis HL, and slight decrease of follicular lymphoma, PTCL, and NK/T-cell lymphoma were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Korea had lower rates of HL and follicular lymphoma, and higher rates of extranodal NHL, extranodal MZBCL, and NK/T-cell lymphoma of nasal type compared with Western countries. Changes in the relative frequency of lymphoma subtypes are likely ascribed to refined diagnostic criteria and a change in national health care policy.

Korean Pediatric/Adolescent Lymphoma: Incidence and Pathologic Characteristics

BACKGROUND: The Hematopathology Study Group of the Korean Society of Pathologists conducted a nation-wide retrospective analysis of Korean pediatric lymphoma, to provide pathologic data on pediatric/adolescent lymphoma subtypes and features. METHODS: All lymphoma cases of all age groups were collected during a recent 2 year-period (2005-2006) from 32 institutes in Korea. Among 3,686 lymphoma patients, 142 who were age 18 or less were classified according to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification. RESULTS: Among 142 pediatric/adolescent lymphoma patients, Hodgkin lymphoma accounted for 21 (14.8%) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) for 121 (85.2%). Hodgkin lymphoma appears to be more common in the pediatric/adolescent age group than in the all-ages group (14.8% vs 4.4%). T- and natural killer cell-NHL was more common in the pediatric/adolescent age group than in the all ages group (46.3% vs 22%). The majority of Korean pediatric/adolescent NHL cases was composed of Burkitt lymphoma, T- or B-lymphoblastic lymphoma, anaplastic large-cell lymphoma, and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. For lymphoma patients under the age of 6 years, most had B-lymphoblastic or Burkitt lymphoma, which commonly presented at extranodal sites. CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of lymphoma subtypes in the pediatric/adolescent age group is quite different from the distribution of adults, but it was quite similar to distribution in Western countries.

A case of huge extrauterine endometrioid-type adenomyoma with cystic change: A case report and literature review / 대한산부인과학회지

Adenomyoma is a benign tumor composed of smooth muscle and benign endometrium. These tumors typically originate within the uterus. An extrauterine adenomyoma is a rare entity. Cystic degeneration of adenomyoma is also very rare case. We report a case of huge extrauterine endometrioid-type adenomyoma with cystic change with brief review of literature.

Laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy of adult granulosa cell tumor with endometrial carcinoma: A case report and literature review / 대한산부인과학회지

Granulosa cell tumors of ovary are rare neoplasms, which account for 2~5% of all ovarian malignancies. Ovarian granulosa cell tumors are often associated with endometrial hyperplasia or carcinoma. The endometrial carcinoma is thought to occur under the influence of the estrogen receptor pathway and is typically a low-grade endometrioid adenocarcinoma. We present a case of granulosa cell tumor of the ovary and synchronous endometrial carcinoma that were managed with laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, with brief review of literature.

Distribution of hepatitis B virus genotypes in Korea / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Considering the incidence of prevailing hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes in neighboring nations, the predominance of genotype C in Korea is exceptional and needs to be confirmed by nationwide investigation. METHODS: A total of 510 HBsAg (+) or HBeAg (+) serum samples was collected from subjects in several cities and harbors throughout the Korean peninsula for genotype (A-G)-specific multiplex PCR analysis. Another 40 serum samples from chronic HBV carriers from Iksan city were selected for sequencing of the entire HBV genome. Phylogenetic analysis was performed with 22 whole genomic sequences of Korean HBV strains enrolled in GenBank. RESULTS: An amplicon was found in 377 specimens and genotype C occupied 98.1% (370 cases); none of the other genotypes were found. A mixed pattern of genotypes B and C was seen in seven specimens (1.9%), of which five were tested using PCR targeting the X fragment; no genotype B bands were found. With the exception of 1 case, which was subgenotype A2, whole sequences of Korean HBV strains (n=62) belonged to subgenotype C2. CONCLUSIONS: The prevailing HBV genotype in Korea is C2; the other genotypes occur only rarely. Future studies should include confirmation of the detection of genotypes other than C.

A case of ovarian sclerosing stromal tumor with massive ascites and elevated CA 125 / 대한산부인과학회지

Sclerosing stromal tumor (SST) is an uncommon benign tumor of the ovary, representing 2~6% of all stromal ovarian tumors. It is a distinct benign neoplasm that differs from fibromas, thecomas, luteinized tumors and steroid cell tumors. It presents most often with non-specific symptoms and tumor markers usually remain normal. However massive ascites is a rare symptom. We report a case of sclerosing stromal tumor with massive ascites and elevated CA 125 with brief review of literature.

A case of ovarian sclerosing stromal tumor with massive ascites and elevated CA 125 / 대한산부인과학회지

Sclerosing stromal tumor (SST) is an uncommon benign tumor of the ovary, representing 2~6% of all stromal ovarian tumors. It is a distinct benign neoplasm that differs from fibromas, thecomas, luteinized tumors and steroid cell tumors. It presents most often with non-specific symptoms and tumor markers usually remain normal. However massive ascites is a rare symptom. We report a case of sclerosing stromal tumor with massive ascites and elevated CA 125 with brief review of literature.

Corrections: Distribution of hepatitis B virus genotypes in Korea / 대한간학회지

No abstract available.

A case of ovarian steroid cell tumor, not otherwise specified with hypertension, obesity, ascites and elevated CA 125 / 대한산부인과학회지

Steroid cell tumors, not otherwise specified (NOS), are infrequently encountered ovarian neoplasms. They constitute <0.1% of all ovarian tumors. They usually occur in younger individuals (mean age, 43 years) and, in contrast to other steroid cell tumors, occasionally occur before puberty. The majority of these tumors produce steroids with testosterone being the most common. Various virilizing symptoms such as hirsutism, temporal baldness, and amenorrhea are common in these patients; however massive ascites is an infrequent symptom. We report a case of steroid cell tumor, not otherwise specified, with hypertension, obesity, ascites and elevated CA 125 with brief review of literature.

Association of FOXJ1 polymorphisms with systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis in Korean population

The forkhead-box J1 (FOXJ1) transcription factor could suppress a spontaneous activation of T cells and B cells through an induction of IkappaBbeta that results in repression of NF-kappaB activity. In Foxj1 deficiency mice, systemic autoimmune inflammation is quite common symptom. Therefore, deregulated Foxj1 is supposed to be associated with autoimmune diseases and/or other inflammatory diseases. Previously, we identified that polymorphisms of human FOXJ1 gene (g.-460C>T, g.1805G>T and g.3375G>C) are associated with allergic rhinitis in a Korean population. In present study, we compared the genotype and allele frequencies of these SNPs between healthy controls and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. We also investigated the relationships between each genotype and the expression levels of anti-nuclear antibodies in SLE patients, and rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide in RA patients. The frequencies of haplotypes constructed by these FOXJ1 SNPs were compared between controls and SLE (or RA) patients. The results of genotype and allele analysis showed that the prevalence of polymorphism g.3375G>C was associated with the susceptibility of SLE (P = 0.0072 and 0.0042, respectively). But no significant association was found with RA. In the haplotype analysis, however, the main CGG showed a weak association between controls and RA patients (P = 0.048).

A case of clear cell carcinoma that is unrelated to diethystilbestrol of the uterine cervix / 대한산부인과학회지

Clear cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix is rare type of the uterine cervical adenocarcinoma. Although uterine cervical adenocarcinomas presently represent 20% to 30% of cervical cancers in the industrialized countries, the clear cell carcinoma of uterine cervix is very rare malignancy that accounts for 4% to 9% of the adenocarcinoma of uterine cervix. This malignancy occurs in two distinct age groups; those younger than 24 years and those older than 45 years. In younger patients, most of these malignancies are mainly related to prenatal diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure, but older patients are unrelated to in utero DES-exposure. We experienced a case of clear cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix of 34 years old housewife who was not related to prenatal DES-exposure. We presented a case with a brief review of related literatures.

Evaluation of a Quantitative RealArt HBV LC PCR Assay for Hepatitis B Virus by Real-time PCR / 대한임상미생물학회지

BACKGROUND: As oral antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis B increases, quantitation of viral load has become an essential test for HBV management, and assays using real-time PCR principles have been introduced recently. METHODS: We analysed the analytical performance (precision, linear range, and sensitivity) of RealArt HBV LC PCR Reagents (Artus GmbH, Hamburg, Germany), its correlation with COBAS AMPLICOR HBV MONITOR Test (Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany), and distribution of viral load in the patients' sera according to antiviral treatment and presence of HBeAg. RESULTS: Variation of intra-assay and inter-assay were 39.7% and 78.1% at 10(3) copies/mL of viral load, 18.1% and 73.2% at 10(4) copies/mL, and below 10% and below 15% between 10(5)~10(9) copies/mL. Linear range was with 5x10(3)~2.3x10(9) copies/mL. Correlation with Amplicor was y=0.9211x+0.607 (R(2)=0.7801, P<0.001) and the median concentration in the patients without any treatment was 6.3x10(7) copies/mL (HBeAg positive) and 3.1x10(3) copies/mL (HBeAg negative). CONCLUSION: RealArt reagent using principles of real-time PCR, would be an appropriate laboratory method for HBV management.

Expression of hepatitis C virus nonstructural 4B in transgenic mice

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a pathogen that is of great medical significance in chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. Although the HCV proteins have been intensively investigated over the past decade, the biochemical functions of the NS4B protein are still largely unknown. To investigate NS4B as a potential causative agent of liver disease, transgenic mice expressing the NS4B protein in liver tissue were produced. The transgenic animals were phenotypically similar to their normal littermates for up to 18 months of age. Our results suggest that the HCV NS4B protein is not directly cytopathic or oncogenic in our transgenic mice model.

Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor of the Retroperitoneum in Patient with Neurofibromatosis / 대한비뇨기과학회지

A malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST), also known as a malignant neurilemmoma or malignant schwannoma, is significantly associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF 1). NF 1 is characterized by multiple dermal neurofibromas, cafe-au-lait spots, MPNST and other abnormalities. MPNST is often metastatic, and is detected in the extremities, frequently in the head and neck, but rarely in the retroperitoneal and pelvic spaces. We experienced a case of MPNST in the retroperitoneal space of a 38-year-old male with NF 1, who also had metastatic lesions of the lung and liver.

A Case of Pure Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Ovary / 대한산부인과학회지

The squamous cell carcinoma of ovary is very rare in the ovarian malignancy. The majority of squamous cell carcinomas of ovary are considered to be associated with mature cystic teratoma, Brenner tumor and malignant degenerated endometriosis. Therefore, pure ovarian squamous cell carcinoma is extremely rare. The pathogenesis, prognosis and proper treatment guideline of this malignancy are still unknown, because of it's rarity. Recently we experienced a case of primary squamous cell carcinoma without previously commented disease condition. After nearby cytoreductive surgery, postoperative chemotherapy with radiotherapy has been undergoing. We report this malignancy with a brief review of literature.

The Aberrant Expression of FHIT Transcripts in Uterine Cervical Cancer using Laser-capture Microdissection / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to determine the exact pattern of FHIT expression of the cervical carcinoma cell per se by microdissection and to investigate the clinical significance of the FHIT alteration in cervical cancer. METHODS: RT-PCR for FHIT transcript was performed in 18 cervical cancer tissues. Microdissection was performed using laser capture microdissection device and RNA was extracted by RT-nested PCR. PCR products were compared with known aberrant FHIT transcripts. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to evaluate correlation between the altered expression of FHIT protein and clinical parameters. RESULTS: Six different size of aberrant FHIT transcripts were observed in cervical cancer tissues. Six of 18 (33.3%) cervical cancer sections exhibited full-length normal FHIT transcript only. Aberrant FHIT transcripts with normal one were observed in 9 (50%) and only aberrant transcripts in 3 (16.7%) frozen sections. Five normal cervical tissues expressed only a normal FHIT transcript. The sequences of the 6 different sizes of aberrant FHIT transcripts showed (1) deletion of exons 4-8, (2) deletion of exons 4-7, (3) deletion of exons 5-8, (4) deletion of exons 5-7, (5) deletion of exons 5-7 and insertion of intronic sequences, 153 bp, (6) deletion of exons 5-7 and insertion of intronic sequences, 84 bp. Microdissection of paired cervical tumor and normal stroma showed expression of aberrant FHIT transcripts only in tumor tissues. CONCLUSION: Aberrant FHIT expression was observed frequently in cervical carcinoma and they were observed mainly in cervical cancer cells by microdissection, but not in normal stromal cells. However, absence of FHIT expression did not correlate with clinical prognostic factors in cervical carcinoma.

Fibroadenoma of the Vulva: A Case Report / 대한산부인과학회지

Fibroadenoma is a rare lesion of the vulva. It has been proposed that the origin of the tissue is either ectopic breast tissue or vulvar mammary-like glands (MLG). We report a case of vulvar fibroadenoma in a 33-year-old woman with a right vulvar mass presenting clinically as vulvar cyst. The cut surface of the tumor showed a white and homogenous appearance that was 2.5 cm in maximum dimension. Microscopically, the lesion was well-circumscribed but non-encapsulated. It revealed nodular, glandular and stromal proliferation, consistent with fibroadenoma of breast. Immunohistochemical staining for the estrogen receptor and progesteron receptor revealed nuclear positivity in the epithelium. Smooth muscle actin confirmed the presence of a myoepithelial cell layer. Staining for pancytokeratin showed epithelial cytoplasmic positivity.

Transgenic expression of Korean type hepatitis C virus core protein and related mutants in mice

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major causative agent in liver disease. In order to investigate if Korean type HCV core protein and its related mutants, S99Q and S116I, are cytopathic to liver, three types of transgenic mice were established. The expression of transgenes was confirmed by HCV specific RT-PCR and Western immunoblotting. The livers of all wild type core and S116I transgenic lineages remained largely histologically normal. However, the livers of the S99Q transgenic mice showed significant high level of cell dysplasia associated with the transgene expression in hepatocytes largely located around the central veins by in situ hybridization analysis. In conclusion, the mutant HCV core protein at S99Q may contribute to the progress of HCV induced liver disease.

Intratumoral Injection of (188)Re labeled Cationic Polyethylenimine Conjugates: A Preliminary Report

(188)Re(Rhenium) is easily obtained from an in-house (188)W/(188)Re generator that is similar to the current (99)Mo/(99m)Tc generator, making it very convenient for clinical use. This characteristic makes this radionuclide a promising candidate as a therapeutic agent. Polyethylenimine (PEI) is a cationic polymer and has been used as a gene delivery vector. Positively charged materials interact with cellular blood components, vascular endothelium, and plasma proteins. In this study, the authors investigated whether intratumoral injection of (188)Re labeled transferrin (Tf)-PEI conjugates exert the effect of radionuclide therapy against the tumor cells. When the diameters of the Ramos lymphoma (human Burkitt's lymphoma) xenografted tumors reached approximately 1 cm, 3 kinds of (188)Re bound compounds (HYNIC-PEI-Tf, HYNIC-PEI, (188)Re perrhenate) were injected directly into the tumors. There were increases in the retention of (188)Re inside the tumor when PEI was incorporated with (188)Re compared to the use of free 188Re. The (188)Re HYNIC-Tf-PEI showed the most retention inside the tumor (retention rate=approximately 97%). H&E stain of isolated tumor tissues showed that (188)Re labeled HYNIC-PEI-Tf caused extensive tumor necrosis. These results support (188)Re HYNIC-PEI-Tf as being a useful radiopharmaceutical agent to treat tumors when delievered by intratumoral injection.