• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.1135-1138
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• 2015

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate the MSCT characteristics of PTL in order to enhance the awareness of this uncommon entity among both clinicians and radiologists. Materials and Methods: The clinicopathological data and MSCT images of 27 patients with PTL were retrospectively reviewed. The MSCT appearances were classified into three types: type 1, solitary nodule surrounded by normal thyroid tissue; type 2, multiple nodules in the thyroid, and type 3, enlarged thyroid glands with a reduced attenuation with or without peripheral thin hyperattenuating thyroid tissue. Results: The patients were enrolled in the study with a mean age of 68 years (range, 51-86years) and compression symptoms or enlarged cervical lymph nodes at diagnosis. Hashimoto's thyroiditis was in 20 patients. All patients had non-Hodgkin lymphoma of B-cell in origin, including 22 cases of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and 5 of low-grade B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). For MSCT appearance, type 1 pattern was observed in 2 patients, type 2 in 8, and seventeen type 3 in 17. The lesions occurred in more than one lobe with a mean maximal transverse diameter of 6.9 cm and an ill-defined margin. Most tumors showed a homogeneous attenuation equal to that of surrounding muscles before contrast and obvious enhancement after contrast. Cervical lymph node involvement and invasion of the trahea and (or) esophagus were mainly observed in patients with DLBCL. Conclusions: PTL should be clinically considered in elder patients presenting with a history of Hashimoto's thyroiditis and cervical lymphadenopathy. The MSCT characteristics of PTL includes a mass diffusely affecting more than one thyroid lobe, isointense to muscle and obvious enhancement before and after contrast. DLBCL, the most common histological subtype of PTL, is associated with a higher invasive tendency.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.246-253
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate the molecular diversity of rhizobacteria associated with ginseng of varying age levels and their plant benefiting attributes. A total of 143 different isolates belonging to 15 different bacterial genera were recovered. Although variation was found in the rhizobacterial community due to age of the plant, majority of bacteria belong to Firmicutes (58%). In which, Bacillus was found to be the predominant genus irrespective of age of the ginseng. To assess the plant benefiting attributes, 30 representative isolates were selected. The results indicated that some of the isolates could exhibit multiple plant growth promoting traits like secretion of cell wall degrading enzymes, production of indole-3-acetic acid, synthesis of siderophores, solubilization of phosphates and soil pathogens inhibition. It can be suggested that strains of B. subtilis, B. amyloliquefaciens, B. velezensis, and B. licheniformis were positive for all the above traits, which have potential to be used as plant growth promoting inoculants to improve ginseng crop in the future.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.2083-2087
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• 2014

Colorectal cancers remain to be a common cause of cancer-related death. Early-onset cases as well as those of various ethnic origins have aggressive clinical features, the basis of which requires further exploration. The aim of this work was to examine the expression patterns of $p15^{INK4b}$ and SMAD4 in colorectal carcinoma of different ethnic origins. Fifty-five sporadic colorectal carcinoma of Egyptian origin, 25 of which were early onset, and 54 cancers of Finnish origin were immunohistochemically stained with antibodies against $p15^{INK4b}$ and SMAD4 proteins. Data were compared to the methylation status of the $p15^{INK4b}$ gene promotor. $p15^{INK4b}$ was totally lost or deficient (lost in ${\geq}50%$ of tumor cell) in 47/55 (85%) tumors of Egyptian origin as compared to 6/50 (12%) tumors of Finnish origin (p=7e-15). In the Egyptian cases with $p15^{INK4b}$ loss and available $p15^{INK4b}$ promotor methylation status, 89% of cases which lost $p15^{INK4b}$ expression were associated with $p15^{INK4b}$ gene promotor hypermethylation. SMAD4 was lost or deficient in 25/54 (46%) tumors of Egyptian origin and 28/48 (58%) tumors of Finnish origin. 22/54 (41%) Egyptian tumors showed combined loss/deficiency of both $p15^{INK4b}$ and SMAD4, while $p15^{INK4b}$ was selectively lost/deficient with positive SMAD4 expression in 24/54 (44%) tumors. Loss of $p15^{INK4b}$ was associated with older age at presentation (>50 years) in the Egyptian tumors (p=0.04). These data show for the first time that $p15^{INK4b}$ loss of expression marks a subset of colorectal cancers and ethnic origin may play a role in this selection. In a substantial number of cases, the loss was independent of SMAD4 but rather associated with $p15^{INK4b}$ gene promotor hypermethylation and old age which could be related to different environmental exposures.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.239-249
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• 2013

Subclinical vitamin $B_{12}$ deficiency is common in the elderly worldwide. We investigated the change of serum vitamin $B_{12}$ concentration with aging and compared anthropometric data and clinical health indicators between normal (${\geq}$ 340 pg/mL) and low (< 340 pg/mL) serum vitamin $B_{12}$ groups in 470 Korean women aged 65 years and over living in a rural area. Serum vitamin $B_{12}$ concentration showed inverse correlation with age (r = -0.0992, p < 0.05). The normal $B_{12}$ group showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit compared to the low $B_{12}$ group, however, no difference in mean corpuscular volume was observed between the two groups. The normal $B_{12}$ group showed significantly lower serum homocysteine concentration (p < 0.01) and prevalence of vitamin D (p < 0.01) or folate deficiency (p < 0.001). Bone mineral density (T-score) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the normal $B_{12}$ group, compared with that in the low $B_{12}$ group, and showed positive correlation (r = 0.1490, p < 0.01) with serum vitamin $B_{12}$ concentration after adjusting for age, body weight, and body mass index. No differences in anthropometric data, physical activity, and smoking and drinking habits were observed between the two groups. In conclusion, it could be suggested that older female adults with normal serum vitamin $B_{12}$ level would be less anemic and osteoporotic and more resistant to hyperhomocysteinemia associated chronic diseases than those with low serum vitamin $B_{12}$ level.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.58 no.7
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• pp.239-244
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• 2015

The complement system is part of the innate immune response and as such defends against invading pathogens, removes immune complexes and damaged self-cells, aids organ regeneration, confers neuroprotection, and engages with the adaptive immune response via T and B cells. Complement activation can either benefit or harm the host organism; thus, the complement system must maintain a balance between activation on foreign or modified self surfaces and inhibition on intact host cells. Complement regulators are essential for maintaining this balance and are classified as soluble regulators, such as factor H, and membrane-bound regulators. Defective complement regulators can damage the host cell and result in the accumulation of immunological debris. Moreover, defective regulators are associated with several autoimmune diseases such as atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, dense deposit disease, age-related macular degeneration, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms by which the complement system is regulated is important for the development of novel therapies for complement-associated diseases.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.447-456
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• 2022

The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of Arctigenin on cell growth and the mechanism of cell death elicited by Arctigenin were examined in FaDu human pharyngeal carcinoma cells. To determine the apoptotic activity of Arctigenin in FaDu human pharyngeal carcinoma cells, cell viability assay, DAPI staining, caspase activation analysis, and immunoblotting were performed. Arctigenin inhibited the growth of cells in a dose-dependent manner and induced nuclear condensation and fragmentation. Arctigenin-treated cells showed caspase-3/7 activation and increased apoptosis versus control cells. FasL, a death ligand associated with extrinsic apoptotic signaling pathways, was up-regulated by Arctigenin treatment. Moreover, caspase-8, a part of the extrinsic apoptotic pathway, was activated by Arctigenin treatments. Expressions of anti-apoptotic factors such as Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, components of the mitochondria-dependent intrinsic apoptosis pathway, significantly decreased following Arctigenin treatment. The expressions of pro-apoptotic factors such as BAX, BAD and caspase-9, and tumor suppressor -53 increased by Arctigenin treatments. In addition, Arctigenin activated caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) induced cell death. Arctigenin also inhibited the proliferation of FaDu cells by the suppression of p38, NF-κB, and Akt signaling pathways. These results suggest that Arctigenin may inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptotic cell death in FaDu human pharyngeal carcinoma cells through both the mitochondria-mediated intrinsic pathway and the death receptor-mediated extrinsic pathway.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.64 no.6
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• pp.460-465
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• 2008

Incidences of pulmonary thromboembolism markedly increase with age. Risk factors of pulmonary thromboembolism are surgery, trauma, acute medical illness, immobilization, pregnancy, usage of hormone, and advanced age. In the cases of thrombomembolism occurred in young age, the possibility of thrombophilc state is needed to be investigated. Among many diseases or state associated thrombophilic state, homocyteinemia should be considered a cause of thromboembolism before fifth decade. Homocyteinemia is caused by deficiency of N-5-methyltetrahydrofolate, cystathionie ${\beta}$-synthase and vitamin B12. The presence of the mutation of 5,10-methyleneterahydrofolate lead to homocyteinemia by deficiency of N-5-methyltetrahydrofolate. Homocysteine is acknowledged the risk factor of cardiovascular event, and storke. Homocysteinemia can be the cause of thromboemboism via damaging endotheial cell. We present two cases of pulmonary thromboembolism in young age which seem to be associated with homocysteinemia precipitated by mutation of 5,10-methyleneterahydrofolate.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.85-94
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• 2023

Ion channels regulate a large number of cellular functions and their functional role in many diseases makes them potential therapeutic targets. Given their diverse distribution across multiple organs, the roles of ion channels, particularly in age-associated transcriptomic changes in specific organs, are yet to be fully revealed. Using RNA-seq data, we investigated the rat transcriptomic profiles of ion channel genes across 11 organs/tissues and 4 developmental stages in both sexes of Fischer 344 rats and identify tissue-specific and age-dependent changes in ion channel gene expression. Organ-enriched ion channel genes were identified. In particular, the brain showed higher tissue-specificity of ion channel genes, including Gabrd, Gabra6, Gabrg2, Grin2a, and Grin2b. Notably, age-dependent changes in ion channel gene expression were prominently observed in the thymus, including in Aqp1, Clcn4, Hvcn1, Itpr1, Kcng2, Kcnj11, Kcnn3, and Trpm2. Our comprehensive study of ion channel gene expression will serve as a primary resource for biological studies of aging-related diseases caused by abnormal ion channel functions.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.18
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• pp.8227-8233
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• 2016

Background: To investigate polymorphisms in heat shock proteins A1B and A1L (HOM) and associated risk of oesophageal carcinoma in Northeast India. Materials and Methods: The study includes oesophageal cancer (ECA) patients attending general outpatient department (OPD) and endoscopic unit of Gauhati Medical College. Patients were diagnosed based on endoscopic and histopathological findings. Genomic DNA was typed for HSPA1B1267 and HSPA1L2437 SNPs using the polymerase chain reaction with restriction fragment length polymorphisms. Results: A total of 78 cases and 100 age-sex matched healthy controls were included in the study with a male: female ratio of 5:3 and a mean age of $61.4{\pm}8.5years$. Clinico-pathological evaluation showed 84% had squamous cell carcinoma and 16% were adenocarcinoma. Dysphagia grades 4 (43.5%) and 5 (37.1%) were observed by endoscopic and hispathological evaluation. The frequency of genomic variation of A1B from wild type A/A to heterozygous A/G and mutant G/G showed a positive association [chi sq=19.9, p=<0.05] and the allelic frequency also showed a significant correlation [chi sq=10.3, with cases vs. controls, OR=0.32, $p{\leq}0.05$]. The genomic variation of A1L from wild T/T to heterozygous T/C and mutant C/C were found positively associated [chi sq=7.02, p<0.05] with development of ECA. While analyzing the allelic frequency, there was no significant association [chi sq=3.19, OR=0.49, p=0.07]. Among all the risk factors, betel quid [OR=9.79, Chi square=35.0, p<0.05], tobacco [OR=2.95, chi square=10.6, p<0.05], smoking [OR=3.23, chi square=10.1, p<0.05] demonstrated significant differences between consumers vs. non consumers regarding EC development. Alcohol did not show any significant association [OR=1.34, chi square=0.69, p=0.4] independently. Conclusions: It can be concluded that the present study provides marked evidence that polymorphisms of HSP70 A1B and HSP70 A1L genes are associated with the development of ECA in a population in Northeast India, A1B having a stronger influence. Betel quid consumption was found to be a highly significant risk factor, followed by smoking and tobacco chewing. Although alcohol was not a potent risk factor independently, alcohol consumption along with tobacco, smoking and betel nut was found to contribute to development of ECA.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.319-327
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• 2023

Purpose: Patients with hematological malignancies are at an increased risk of severe infection with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, developing an adequate immune response after vaccination is difficult, especially in patients with lymphoid neoplasms. Since the long-term effects of the BNT162b2 vaccine are unclear, the humoral immune response 5 months after the two vaccinations in patients with hematological disorders was analyzed. Materials and Methods: Samples were collected from 96 patients vaccinated twice with BNT162b2 and treated with at least one line of an antitumor or immunosuppressive drug in our hospital from November 2021 to February 2022. Serum anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (anti-SARS-CoV-2) spike (S) antibody titers were analyzed. Patients were age- and sex-matched using propensity matching and compared with a healthy control group. Patients with serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 S antibodies were defined as 'responder' if >50 U/mL. The patients had B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL), multiple myeloma, chronic myeloid leukemia, etc. Results: Patients had significantly low antibody levels (median, 55.3 U/mL vs. 809.8 U/mL; p<0.001) and a significantly low response rate (p<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that patients with B-NHL, aged >72 years, were associated with a low response to vaccination. There were no significant differences between patients with chronic myeloid leukemia and healthy controls. Conclusion: Our study shows that patients with hematological disorders are at risk of developing severe COVID-19 infections because of low responsiveness to vaccination. Moreover, the rate of antibody positivity differed between the disease groups. Further studies are warranted to determine an appropriate preventive method for these patients, especially those with B-NHL.