Estrogenic Activity of Sanguiin H-6 through Activation of Estrogen Receptor α Coactivator-binding Site

A popular approach for the study of estrogen receptor α inhibition is to investigate the protein-protein interaction between the estrogen receptor (ER) and the coactivator surface. In our study, we investigated phytochemicals from Rubus coreanus that were able to disrupt ERα and coactivator interaction with an ERα antagonist. The E-screen assay and molecular docking analysis were performed to evaluate the effects of the estrogenic activity of R. coreanus extract and its constituents on the MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line. At 100 µg/mL, R. coreanus extract significantly stimulated cell proliferation (574.57 ± 8.56%). Sanguiin H6, which was isolated from R. coreanus, demonstrated the strongest affinity for the ERα coactivator-binding site in molecular docking analysis, with a binding energy of

Results of Revision Surgery in the Lumbar Spine / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: This report examined the surgical treatment results and suggests proper treatment guidelines for revision surgery in the lumbar spine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study examined 97 patients, who underwent revision surgery from 1996 to 2004 with a follow-up of at least 1 year. The causes of revision surgery, treatment modalities and results of treatment were analyzed. The clinical results were evaluated using the Kirkaldy-Willis criteria. RESULTS: In the ninety-seven patients, recurred disc herniation (37 cases, 35 cases: same level, 2 cases: different level) was the leading cause of revision surgery. The other causes were spinal stenosis (17 cases), epidural fibrosis (9 cases), pseudoarthrosis (9 cases), junctional stenosis (9 cases), infection (8 cases), segmental instability (4 cases), metal failure (2 cases) and cyst (2 cases). Spinal fusion was performed in 91 patients, and decompression only was performed in the remaining 6 patients. The clinical results according to reasons for failure were good in cases of recurrent disc herniation. The results of spinal fusion were more successful than that of decompression only (p= 0.002). The results of short segment fusion were more satisfactory than those of long segment fusion (p=0.043). In the final follow-up results, excellent and good results according to Kirkaldy-willis criteria were found in 62 cases. CONCLUSION: Spinal arthrodesis is an effective treatment modality for revision surgery in the lumbar spine. However, long segment arthrodesis should be considered carefully because of the high level of disappointing results. In addition, selective arthrodesis of the pathologic level is recommended in revision surgery of the lumbar spine.

The Long Term Surgical Outcome after Bilateral Medial Rectus Muscle Recession in Partially Accommodative Esotropia

PURPOSE: To study the correlation between the outcome of the early postoperative period and the long-term outcome after surgery for partially accommodative esotropia. METHODS: The medical records of total 85 patients with partially accommodative esotropia, who underwent bilateral medial rectus muscle recession, and were followed-up at least 6 months, were retrospectively reviewed. The results were analyzed at 1 month, and 1 and 4 years after surgery. RESULTS: Of the 85 patients, 67 (78.8%) revealed postoperative deviation of less than 10 PD, 11 (12.9%) and 7 (8.2%) esotropia and exotropia more than 11 PD, respecrively, 1 month after surgery. At 1year postoperatively, 59 (77.6%), 8 (10.5%) and 9 (11.8%) showed acceptable deviation, undercorrection, and overcorrection, respectively. 4 years after surgery, 26 (81.2%) and 3 (9.4%) each showed acceptable deviation, undercorrection, and overcorrection, respectively. The results showed a tendency to become exotropic during the 4 years after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: In partially accommodative esotropia, it is essential that orthotropia or minimal esotropia should be present in the early postoperative period in order to obtain a good binocular alignment as the long term result. It is recommended that overcorrection be avoided in early postoperative exotropia.

Central Serous Chorioretinopathy Occurring in Patients 50 years of Age and Older

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical characteristics of central serous chorioretinopathy in patients over 50 and be of help to diagnose it. METHODS: The medical records of 30 eyes of 24 patients diagnosed as central serous chorioretinopathy were reviewed retrospectively. We analyzed age, sex, visual acuity, and evaluated clinical features of fundus, characteristics of fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), optical coherence tomography (OCT). RESULTS: The mean age was 55.4 years (50-69 years). 18 were male and 6 were female. Of the 30 eyes, 8 eyes were identified as classic central serous chorioretinopathy and 22 eyes were identified as chronic. On ICGA, 16 patients (76.2%) showed transient multifocal choroidal hyperpermeability bilaterally and 19 patients (90.5%) showed dilated choroidal vasculature bilaterally. Late hypofluorescence due to severe atrophy, hypertrophy, pigmentation, or small detachment of retinal pigment epithelium was noted in 22 eyes. On fellow eyes, retinal pigment epithelial degeneration was found in 15 eyes (79%). On OCT, serous retinal pigment epithelial detachment was noted in 10 eyes, serous retinal detachment in 25 eyes, and foveal thickening in 19 eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Central serous chorioretinopathy in patients over 50 was often associated with more degeneration of retinal pigment epithelium. ICGA and OCT are useful in diagnosing central serous chorioretinopathy in old ages.

Comparison between the Exposure Rates of Tutoplast(R) and Vicryl Mesh Used as Wrapping Materials for Hydroxyapatite Orbital Implant

PURPOSE: To compare the exposure rates of two wrapping materials for hydroxyapatite (HA) ocular implants (Tutoplast(R) vs. vicryl mesh). METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 137 eyes of 137 patients who had received intraorbital HA implantation from March 1997 to March 2001. RESULTS: We used Tutoplast(R) in 72 patients and vicryl mesh in 65 patients. The mean follow-up period was 22.1 months. Implant exposure developed in four cases of eyes using vicryl mesh. No case of exposure occurred in eyes using Tutoplast(R). The mean period from operation and implant exposure was 3.5 weeks (1.5~5 weeks). CONCLUSIONS: When vicryl mesh was used as the wrapping material for HA intraorbital implant it is advisable to pay more attention to the possible postoperative implant exposure than when Tutoplast(R) was used.

Arsenic trioxide-induced apoptosis is independent of stress-responsive signaling pathways but sensitive to inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase in HepG2 cells

Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) has been found to be remarkably effective in the treatment of patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Although evidences for the proapoptotic activity of As2O3 have been suggested in leukemic and other solid cancer cells, the nature of intracellular mechanisms is far from clear. In the present study, we investigated As2O3 affect on the stress-responsive signaling pathways and pretreatment with antioxidants using HepG2 cells. When treated with micromolar concentrations of As2O3, HepG2 cells became highly apoptotic paralleled with activation of caspase-3 and members of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) but not p38 MAP kinase. However, inhibition of each kinase activity failed to inhibit apoptosis by As2O3. Addition of n-acetyl cysteine (NAC) or diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) effectively protected cells from apoptosis and significantly lowered As2O3-induced activation of caspase-3. However, neither NAC nor DPI was able to effect ERK or JNK activation induced by As2O3. Guanidinoethyldisulfide dihydrochloride (GED) and 2-ethyl- 2-thiopseudourea (ETU), known inhibitors of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), also suppressed the apoptotic activity of As2O3. These results suggest that As2O3 induces caspase-mediated apoptosis involving a mechanism generating oxidative stress. However, activation of some stress- responsive signaling pathways by As2O3 may not be the major determinant in the course of apoptotic processes.