A Study on Apoptotic Signaling Pathway in HL-60 Cells Induced by Radiation / 대한방사선종양학회지

PURPOSE: The mechanical insights of death of cancer cells by ionizing radiation are not yet clearly defined. Recent evidences have demonstrated that radiation therapy may induce cell death via activation of signaling pathway for apoptosis in target cells. This study is designed whether ionizing radiation may activate the signaling cascades of apoptosis including caspase family cysteine proteases, Bcl2/Bax, cytochrome c and Fas/Fas-L in target cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HL-60 cells were irradiated in vitro with 6 MV X-ray at dose ranges from 2 Gy to 32 Gy. The cell viability was tested by MTT assay and the extent of apoptosis was determined using agarose gel electrophoresis. The activities of caspase proteases were measured by proteolytic cleavages of substrates. Western blot analysis was used to monitor PARP, Caspase-3, Cytochrome-c, Bcl-2, Bax, Fas and Fas-L. RESULTS: Ionizing radiation decreases the viability of HL-60 cells in a time and dose dependent manner. Ionizing radiation-induced death in HL-60 cells is an apoptotic death which is revealed as characteristic ladder-pattern fragmentation of genomic DNA over 16 Gy at 4 hours. Ionizing radiation induces the activation of caspase-2, 3, 6, 8 and 9 of HL-60 cells in a time-dependent manner. The activation of caspase-3 protease is also evidenced by the digestion of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase and procaspase- 3 with 16Gy ionizing irradiation. Anti-apoptotic Bcl2 expression is decreased but apoptotic Bax expression is increased with mitochondrial cytochrome c release in a time- dependent manner. In additon, expression of Fas and Fas-L is also increased in a time dependent manner. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that ionizing radiation-induced apoptosis is mediated by the activation of various signaling pathways including caspase family cysteine proteases, Bcl2/Bax, Fas and Fas-L in a time and dose dependent manner.

Thyroid Hormone Concentrations in Preterm Infants

PURPOSE: To establish reference ranges for thyroid hormone concentrations in premature infants, we measured T4 and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations and analyzed the relation to gestational age and birth weight. METHODS: Serum T4 and TSH concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay for 391 premature infants born in Sanggye Paik Hospital for two years and eight months. RESULTS: Gestational age of the subjects was 33.3 +/- 2.4 weeks (range : 26-37 weeks). Birth weight was 2,016 +/- 520g (range : 880-3,510g). Sampling date was 10.5 +/- 8.6 day (median value 8 day). Serum T4 concentrations for the gestational age 26 to 28, 29 to 31, 32 to 34 and 35 to 37 week groups were 4.8 +/- 3.6, 5.6 +/- 3.6, 6.4 +/- 4.4 and 7.0 +/- 4.6 microgram/dl, respectively. Serum T4 concentrations for the birth weight below 1,500, 1,500 to 1,999, 2,000 to 2,499 and above 2,500g groups were 5.7 +/- 3.8, 5.8 +/- 3.6, 6.4 +/- 4.6 and 8.1 +/- 5.1 microgram/dl, respectively. Serum TSH concentrations for the gestational age 26 to 28, 29 to 31, 32 to 34 and 35-37 week groups were 6.5 +/- 3.0, 7.2 +/- 6.1, 5.8 +/- 5.0 and 5.6 +/- 5.1 mIU/ml, respectively. Serum TSH concentrations (mean +/- SD) for the birth weight below 1,500, 1,500 to 1,999, 2,000 to 2,499, above 2,500g groups were 8.3 +/- 6.8, 5.7 +/- 4.3l, 5.5 +/- 5.1 and 5.6 +/- 5.2 mIU/ml, respectively. Serum T4 concentrations correlated positively with gestational age (y=0.31x-3.7, R2=0.03, P<0.05) and birth weight (y=0.001x+3.33, R2=0.33, P<0.05). Serum TSH concentrations correlated negatively with gestational age (y=-0.25x+16.1, R2=0.01) and birth weight (y= -0.001x+10.6, R2=0.01). CONCLUSION: Serum T4 concentration in premature infants positively correlated with gestational age and birth weight. Transient elevation of serum TSH concentration was normalized at follow- up test. We recommend that a reference value should be set according to gestational age and birth weight.

Effects of Parenteral Carnitine Supplemantation in Very Low Birth Weight Infants Receiving Totla Parentareal Nutrition / 대한주산의학회잡지

PURPOSE: Carnitine plays a key role in the oxidation of fatty acids by facilitating their transport. As very low birth weight(VLBW) infants receiving total parenteral nutrition(TPN) with limited oral intake are likely to be carnitine-deficient state, they require exogenous supplementation of carnitine, however, effects of it remains controversial. To demonstrate effects of parenteral camitine supplementation on fat metabolism, weight gain and clinical outcome. We analyzed plasma levels of biochemical markers, changes of weight, and incidence of complications in 23 VLBW infants receiving TPN. METHOD: We randomly assigned 23 VLBW infants(32.3umol/l) than control group(46.3umol/l->25.2umol/l)(p<0.05). Changes of FC and AC were similar in both groups. Levels of cholesterol and triglyreride were similar in both groups. Days of regaining birth weight were faster in carnitine group than control group(15.3+/-3.4 vs 20. 8+/-11.1 days)(p<0.05). Rate of weight gain for two weeks were significantly faster than carnitine group than control group(p<0.05). No significant differences in clinical outcome were found. CONCLUSIONS: Carnitine supplementation in VLBW infants receiving TPN has an supportive nutritional regimen in that it reduces decrement in carnitine level and facilitate weight gain.

A Case of Severe Pulmonary Complication and ARDS Secondary to Peanut Aspiration in 15 Month Old Male

Foreign body aspiration (especially peanut) is the leading cause of accidental death in children under 1 year of age and most cases of serious aspiration occur between the age of 1 and 3. We report a case of severe pulmonary complication and adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) secondary to peanut aspiration in 15 month old male in spite of all removal (9 pieces) by ventilating bronchoscope. Chest X-ray showed pulmonary interstitial emphysema, marked subcutaneous emphysema, pneumothorax and autopsy findings showed interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration with destruction of acinar septal architecture and formation of hyaline membranes. Chest X-ray and pathologic findings are compatible with the late ARDS. A brief review of related literature was made.

A Case of Chylous Ascites Secondary to Congenital Ileal Atresia / 대한주산의학회잡지

Chylous ascites in neonates is an unusual and etiologically poor understood entity. We report a male newborn who suffered from abdominal distension and respiratory distress after birth. Paracentesis was performed and ascitic fluid was obstained. Analysis of the fluid revealed cell count (RBC 10,000/mm3, WBC 800/mm3: segmented form-72%, lymphocyte form- 28%), protein 4,100 mg/dl, glucose 57 mg/dl, cholesterol 53 mg/dl, triglyceride 28 mg/dl. Culture of ascitic fluid grew no bacteria. A plain film of abdomen and abdominal sonogram showed massive ascites. On the 4th hospital day, gastrografin enema showed microcolon and ileal atresia. On the 6th hospital day, ileocolostomy has been performed and operative findings sho- wed blind pouch in terminal ileum, massive inflammation and extensive adhesion on peritoneum. After operation, he gained weight by continuous gavage feeding. He discharged on the 36th hospital day.