Resveratrol suppresses breast cancer cell invasion by inactivating a RhoA/YAP signaling axis

Hippo/YAP signaling is implicated in tumorigenesis and progression of various cancers. By inhibiting a plethora signaling cascades, resveratrol has strong anti-tumorigenic and anti-metastatic activity. In the present study, we demonstrate that resveratrol decreases the expression of YAP target genes. In addition, our data showed that resveratrol attenuates breast cancer cell invasion through the activation of Lats1 and consequent inactivation of YAP. Strikingly, we also demonstrate that resveratrol inactivates RhoA, leading to the activation of Lats1 and induction of YAP phosphorylation. Further, resveratrol in combination with other agents that inactivate RhoA or YAP showed more marked suppression of breast cancer cell invasion compared with single treatment. Collectively, these findings indicate the beneficial effects of resveratrol on breast cancer patients by suppressing the RhoA/Lats1/YAP signaling axis and subsequently inhibiting breast cancer cell invasion.

Clinicopathological Implications of Mitochondrial Genome Alterations in Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia

BACKGROUND: To the best of our knowledge, the association between pediatric AML and mitochondrial aberrations has not been studied. We investigated various mitochondrial aberrations in pediatric AML and evaluated their impact on clinical outcomes. METHODS: Sequencing, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number determination, mtDNA 4,977-bp large deletion assessments, and gene scan analyses were performed on the bone marrow mononuclear cells of 55 pediatric AML patients and on the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 55 normal controls. Changes in the mitochondrial mass, mitochondrial membrane potential, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were also examined. RESULTS: mtDNA copy numbers were about two-fold higher in pediatric AML cells than in controls (P<0.0001). Furthermore, a close relationship was found between mtDNA copy number tertiles and the risk of pediatric AML. Intracellular ROS levels, mitochondrial mass, and mitochondrial membrane potentials were all elevated in pediatric AML. The frequency of the mtDNA 4,977-bp large deletion was significantly higher (P< 0.01) in pediatric AML cells, and pediatric AML patients harboring high amount of mtDNA 4,977-bp deletions showed shorter overall survival and event-free survival rates, albeit without statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings demonstrate an association between mitochondrial genome alterations and the risk of pediatric AML.

A Case of Noonan Syndrome Presenting with Malignant Hypertension in an Adult / 대한내과학회지

Noonan syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by dysmorphic facial features, congenital heart defects and short stature. To date, renal artery stenosis has not been associated with Noonan syndrome. We report the case of a 27-year old male who presented with malignant hypertension associated with renal artery stenosis, dysmorphic facial features, pectus excavatum, pulmonary stenosis and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy who was diagnosed with Noonan syndrome.

Pheochromocytoma Presenting with Multiple Cardiovascular Manifestations / 이화의대지

A 56-year-old man presented with sudden onset of congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association class III to IV) after mild stress and developed various cardiovascular manifestations. At first visit, cardiac enzyme elevation, regional left ventricular (LV) wall motion abnormality and pulmonary edema were evident. However, coronary angiography was normal. LV function was totally recovered at discharge, suspicious of fulminant myocarditis. During the hospital stay, acute non-obstructive stroke without neurologic sequelae occurred. After 3 years, he re-admitted because ventricular tachycardia and severe LV systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction, 15%) were developed. After 3 days of applying percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass system, the patient was completely recovered. Suspicious of pheochromocytoma, we checked 24-hour urine catecholamines and metanephrines and abdomen computed tomography, which revealed pheochromocytoma. The patient underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy.

Effect of Phellius linteus water extract on benign prostatic hyperplasia

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common diseases among elderly men. As the old-age population is increasing recently, it is to our interest to observe the growing BPH within them. In BPH, the dihydrotestosterone (DHT) acts as promotes prostate growth. It inhibits enzyme 5alpha-reductase that is involved in the conversion of testosterone to the DHT activity which reduces the excessive prostate growth. Through experiments, the effects of Phellius linteus water extract performed on the BPH rats were induced by testosterone treatments. For 12 weeks, Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with testosterone for the induction of BPH. Rats were divided into four experimental groups: the not treated group (N), the testosterone injection and D.W treatment group (TN), the testosterone injection and Phellinus linteus treatment group (TP) and testosterone injection and finasteride treatment group (TF). Prostate weight, volume and weight ratio in the TP group and the TF group were significantly lower than the TN group. Testosterone and DHT levels in the TN group were significantly higher than that of the N group. And the TP group was significantly decreased than that of the TN group. While prostates of control rats revealed severe acinar gland atrophy and stromal proliferation; the TP and TF groups showed trophic symptoms and were lined by flattened epithelial cells, thus, the stromal proliferation is relatively low as compared to the TN group. These suggest that Phellinus linteus water extracts may be an useful remedy for treating the benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Right Coronary Artery to Left Ventricular Fistula Associated with Infective Endocarditis of the Mitral Valve

A 27-year-old man with bacterial endocarditis of the mitral valve and embolic episodes was bound to have a large right coronary artery fistula communicating with the left ventricle, immediately inferior to the posterior mitral annulus. The perforation of the posterior leaflet and coronary arteriovenous fistula was identified using two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography. The diagnosis was confirmed by coronary angiography, and the patient underwent a successful operation.

Socioeconomic Indicators Associated with Initiation and Cessation of Smoking among Women in Seoul / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: While smoking prevalence in Korean men has been decreasing, it is increasing in Korean women. Little is known about women's smoking inequalities in Korea. This study was conducted to investigate the association of socioeconomic indicators with the initiation and cessation of smoking among Korean women. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study on 9,089 women aged 25-64 years from the 2008 Seoul Community Health Survey. The data on smoking and socioeconomic status were obtained through face-to-face interviews. Smoking initiation rate was defined as the proportion of the individuals who had started smoking at least one cigarette among all subjects. Smoking cessation rate was calculated by dividing the number of individuals who had quit smoking by the number of ever smokers. Education level, total family income and occupation were investigated as socioeconomic indicators. RESULTS: Education level was significantly associated with both initiation and cessation of smoking. Lower educated women had a higher likelihood of smoking initiation (odds ratio [OR], 1.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17 to 2.51) but lower likelihood of smoking cessation (OR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.22 to 0.66) than higher educated women. Smoking initiation rate was higher in manual workers (OR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.20 to 2.27) than in non-manual workers. However, there were no significant differences of both initiation and cessation of smoking according to total household income. CONCLUSION: This study shows that there are smoking inequalities among Korean women. It is thought that education level and occupation are important determinants of women's smoking status.

Obesity, Obesity Related Disease, and Disability / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Obesity increases the risk of many chronic diseases and contributes to functional disabilities. We assessed the relationship among obesity and obesity related chronic disease and disability in Korean adults. METHODS: This study used data from the 2005 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A total of 5,462 persons (2,325 men, 3,137 women) aged 20 years and older were included in this analysis. Obesity was measured by body mass index and abdominal obesity was by waist circumference. Information on the presence of chronic diseases was based on the self-report of having been diagnosed by physicians. Functional disability was assessed using the Korean activities of daily living (K-ADL) and the Korean instrumental ADL (K-IADL) scales. RESULTS: The relationship between obesity and prevalence of obesity-related chronic diseases was higher in the older aged group (>60 years for men, >70 years for women) than in the younger aged group. Waist circumference was more related to a higher prevalence of chronic diseases than body mass index in the younger aged group. Abdominal obesity increased the risk (odds ratio, 2.59; 95% confidence interval, 1.19 to 5.66) of having limitation in activities of daily living for the younger aged men after adjustments for age, smoking status, presence of chronic diseases, and body mass index. Body mass index was not associated with disability in either men or women. CONCLUSION: The association between obesity and prevalence of chronic disease differed depending on age and sex. It is important to control abdominal obesity to prevent disability in younger aged men.

Effects of Water Extracts of Red Pepper Seeds Powder on Antioxidative Enzyme Activities and Oxidative Damage in Rats Fed High-Fat and High-Cholesterol Diets

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of water extracts from red pepper seeds powder on antioxidative enzyme activities and oxidative damage in groups of rrats fed high-fat and high-cholesterol diets group (HFC). The Rrats were divided into the following five experimental groups which are : composed ofa normal diet group, a high fat.high cholesterol diet group, and a high fat.high cholesterol diet group supplemented with different amounts contents (1%, 2% and 4%) of red pepper seeds powder water extracts supplemented groups (HFCW1, HFCW2 and HFCW4, respectively). Body weight gains and food intake were lower ofin the red pepper seed water extracts groups were lower than those inof the HFC group. Hepartic xanthine oxidase (XOD) activity was decreased in the HFCW2 and HFCW4 groups compared to the HFC group. Hepartic glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) activitiyactivity was increased in the HFCW4 group compared to the HFC group. Hepatic superoxide radicals within the mitochondria and microsomes of cells were significantly reduced in the HFCW2 and HFCW4 groups compared to the HFC group. Hepartic hydrogen peroxide in the cytosol was significantly reduced in the HFCW3 and HFCW4 groups compared to the HFC group. Hepatic carbonyl values in the microsomes and mitochondria were significantly reduced in the HFCW4 group compared to the HFC group. Hepartic thiobarbituric acid reaction substance (TBARS) activity was decreased in the HFCW2 group compared to the HFC group. These results suggest that water extracts of red pepper seeds powder may reduce oxidative damage by activation of antioxidative defense systems in rats fed high fat.high cholesterol diets.

A Study on the Quality of life of the Patients with Crohn's Disease / 기본간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the factors influencing the quality of life among the patients with Crohn's disease. METHOD: Data were collected from 97 Crohn's disease patients between September 17 and October 20 in 2009. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS program. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the participants' quality of life depending on their age, economic status, pain, diarrhea, weight loss, Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI), and use of medications such as antidiarrhotica, steroid, and analgesics. The results also showed the correlations between the participants' qualities of life and thier pain, CDAI, anxiety, depression, perceived health condition, and of body image. Finally, the factors affecting the quality of life in patients with Crohn's disease included anxiety, perceived health state, pain, and CDAI. The explanatory power of these factors was 79.5%. CONCLUSION: The results imply that controlling the patients' pain and providing emotional support for anxiety reduction are crucial. In a similar vein, tailored nursing interventions considering individual patients' conditions are believed to help the patients positively perceive their disease. A future research, can conduct further investigations of these factors from more diverse perspectives, which is expected to promote more effective nursing strategies for Crohn's disease patients.

Overexpression of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase in gastric cancer tissues and its potential post-translational modification

Gastric cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. The purpose of this study was to find out potential markers for gastric cancer. Tumor and normal tissues from 152 gastric cancer cases were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). The images of silver stained gels were analyzed and statistical analysis of spot intensities revealed that spot 4262 showed higher expression (5.7-fold increase) in cancer tissues than in normal tissues (P< 0.001). It was identified by peptide mass fingerprinting as nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT). A monoclonal antibody with a detection limit down to 10 ng was produced against NNMT in mouse. Using the prepared monoclonal antibody, western blot analysis of NNMT was performed for gastric tissues from 15 gastric cancer patients and two gastric ulcer patients. The results corroborated those of 2-DE experiments. A single spot was detected in gastric ulcer tissues while four to five spots were detected in gastric cancer tissues. In cancer tissues, two additional spots of acidic and basic form were mainly detected on 2-DE gels. This suggests that NNMT receives a post-translational modification in cancer- specific manner.