Transcriptional profiling in human HaCaT keratinocytes in response to kaempferol and identification of potential transcription factors for regulating differential gene expression

Kaempferol is the major flavonol in green tea and exhibits many biomedically useful properties such as antioxidative, cytoprotective and anti-apoptotic activities. To elucidate its effects on the skin, we investigated the transcriptional profiles of kaempferol-treated HaCaT cells using cDNA microarray analysis and identified 147 transcripts that exhibited significant changes in expression. Of these, 18 were up-regulated and 129 were down-regulated. These transcripts were then classified into 12 categories according to their functional roles: cell adhesion/cytoskeleton, cell cycle, redox homeostasis, immune/defense responses, metabolism, protein biosynthesis/modification, intracellular transport, RNA processing, DNA modification/ replication, regulation of transcription, signal transduction and transport. We then analyzed the promoter sequences of differentially-regulated genes and identified over-represented regulatory sites and candidate transcription factors (TFs) for gene regulation by kaempferol. These included c-REL, SAP-1, Ahr-ARNT, Nrf-2, Elk-1, SPI-B, NF-kappaB and p65. In addition, we validated the microarray results and promoter analyses using conventional methods such as real-time PCR and ELISA-based transcription factor assay. Our microarray analysis has provided useful information for determining the genetic regulatory network affected by kaempferol, and this approach will be useful for elucidating gene-phytochemical interactions.

Effects of Levocetirizine on Quality of Life in the Patients with Allergic Rhinitis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Allergy is a chronic disorder with undesirable consequences on the quality of life (QoL). The first aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of allergy on the QoL and to show the correlation between symptoms and categories of the QoL. The second purpose is to determine whether treatment with levocetirizine improves the QoL among allergic rhinitis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 412 allergic patients answered the questionnaire and its sensitivity was checked to validate its usefulness in asthma and allergic rhinitis patients. To evaluate the effect of applying levocetirizine for 1 month on the QoL among allergic rhinitis patients, a total of 94 subjects were assessed with the questionnaire and analyzed (paired t-test). To evaluate its effect on the symptoms of allergic rhinitis for the duration of 2 and 4 weeks, a total of 100 subjects were analyzed (repeated ANOVA) with the symptom questionnaire. RESULTS: Besides the physical symptoms, patients suffered from activity restriction, emotional problems, difficulty in being examined, and dissatisfaction with health status. The correlation between the questionnaire and the QoL was statistically significant. After treatment, the QoL and symptoms, except nasal congestion, were significantly improved. CONCLUSION: The questionnaire can be beneficial in assessing the QoL among allergic patients. Treatment with levocetirizine provides improvement in the QoL and lowers the symptoms score among allergic rhinitis patients.

Two-Stage Reimplantation in Infected Total Knee Arthroplasty

PURPOSE: We evaluated the usefulness of two-stage revision knee arthroplasty for treatment of infected total knee arthroplasty(TKA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 13 cases treated by two-stage reimplantation among the 18 infected TKA cases from February 1993 to March 2003, which had been followed up for more than two years. We analyzed the results of treatment, knee society score before and after the two stage reimplantation, recurrence of infection, and other complications. RESULTS: The mean period between the time of primary TKA and that of diagnosis of deep infection was 1.7 years. The mean period from removal of infected primary prosthesis to the second stage reimplantation was 7.2 weeks. The mean range of motion increased from 60.3 degrees to 95.7 degrees after operation. The mean Knee Society Score increased from 50.2 points to 83.4 points. Infection recurred in two cases but immediately subsided by intravenous antibiotics therapy. One case with patella fracture was treated by total patellectomy. CONCLUSION: This procedure using antibiotics-impregnated cement spacer and complete debridement of necrotic tissues can control infection and improve functional results. The result of two-stage revision for deep infected total knee arthroplasty was satisfactory in view of eradication of infection and functional restoration of the knee.

A 6-year Observation of Multiple Spinal Schwannomas Before Excision: 1 Case Report / 대한척추외과학회지

Spinal schwannoma is a slow growing symptomatic tumor which is derived from Schwann cells of peripheral nerves. Most reported cases have been single lesion, while multiple schwannomas have invariably documented one manifestation of von Recklinghausen's disease. Nevertheless, we observed a case of independent, multiple, spinal schwannomas for 6 years before excision. We report the growing velocity and progression of neurologic symptoms and neurologic changes before excision and present a literature review.

Surgical Treatment of Childhood Intussusception: Differences between 1970s and 1990s

To evaluate the differences between current and past surgical treatment of intussusception, the medical records of 48 intussusception patients who underwent surgical treatment over 4 years (1975-1978, Group A) were reviewed and compared to the medical records of 75 intussusception patients who underwent surgical treatment over 4 years (1995-1998, Group B). Sex ratio is male predominant in both group (2.7:1 vs 1.6:1) and mean age of operation is 6.7+/-5.0 month (Group A) and 8.1+/-7.0 month (Group B). Major symptoms and signs of both groups are vomiting, hematochezia and irritability. White blood cell count of peripheral blood in both groups had no significant difference (12,417+/-4,446/mm3 vs 12,297+/-4,531/mm3). In operation methods, group A had significantly higher bowel resection rate over group B (31.3% vs 14.7%, p<0.05). In group A, 2 patients were died after operation, but group B have no operative mortality. Admission period after operation is significantly short in Group B (7.5+/-2.7 day vs 5.4+/-2.1 day, p<0.01). These results suggest there were no significant difference in characters of patients between Group A and B. But surgical treatment of intussusception in 1990s was more conservative than that in 1970s. We expect that recent surgical treatment lead early recovery from operation and early discharge from hospital.