Blockade of p38 Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Pathway Inhibits Interleukin-6 Release and Expression in Primary Neonatal Cardiomyocytes

The induction of interleukin-6 (IL-6) using combined proinflammatory agents (LPS/IFN-gamma or TNF-alpha/IFN-gamma) was studied in relation to p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and NF-kappaB transcriptional factor in primary neonatal cardiomyocytes. When added to cultures of cardiomyocytes, the combined agents (LPS/IFN-gamma or TNF-alpha/IFN-gamma) had stimulatory effect on the production of IL-6 and the elevation was significantly reduced by SB203580, a specific p38 MAPK inhibitor. SB203580 inhibited protein production and gene expression of IL-6 in a concentration-dependent manner. In this study, IFN-gamma enhancement of TNF-alpha-induced NF-kappaB binding affinity as well as p38 MAP kinase activation was observed. However, a specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK, SB203580, had no effect on TNF-alpha/IFN-gamma or LPS/IFN-gamma-induced NF-kappaB activation. This study strongly suggests that these pathways about TNF-alpha/IFN-gamma or LPS/IFN-gamma-activated IL-6 release can be primarily dissociated in primary neonatal cardiomyocytes.

Plasma Paraquat Concentration in Acute Paraquat Poisoning

BACKGROUND: Paraquat is a bipyridyl compound, and when ingested, concentrated paraquat can cause either rapid death from multisystem failure and cardiovascular shock or delayed death from progressive pulmonary fibrosis. Paraquat is poorly absorbed by inhalation, but when ingested orally, severe illness can occur. Death usually occurs within 2 days if more than 50mg/kg of paraquat is ingested. The most important prognostic indicator is the quantity of paraquat absorbed, as shown by the plasma paraquat concentration. However, in Korea, there are few, if any, institutes that can measure the plasma paraquat concentration, and the prognostic indication depends mostly on the description given by the patients and their families about the amount of paraquat ingested, which is often underestimated or overestimated. For these reasons, we tried to compare the plasma paraquat concentrations with amount of paraquat described by patients or their families. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 59 patients with acute paraquat poisoning from February 1998 through February 1999. The paraquat concentrations in plasma were measured at Presbyterian Medical Center by using high performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: There was a striking discrepancy between the plasma paraquat concentration and the ingested amount described by the patients or their families. CONCLUSION: We recommend that the plasma paraquat concentration be measured in patients being treated for acute paraquat poisoning.

Clinicopathologic Significance of Multidrug Resistance Protein Expression in Patients with Stage III Gastric Adendegrees Carcinoma / 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: We wanted to determine the prognostic significance of P-glycoprotein (Pgp) and multi drug resistance-assdegrees Ciated protein (MRP) in stage III gastric adendegrees Carcinoma by evaluating whe ther the Pgp and/or MRP expression correlate with various clinicopathological parameters and survival rates. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The expression of Pgp and/or MRP were studied immunohistdegrees Chemi cally by ABC method with paraffin-embedded tissue specimens which were surgically obtained from 64 cases of stage III gastric adendegrees Carcinomas at the Department of Surgery, Presbyterian Medical Center from 1991 to 1992. Statistical differences of both expression in various factors including survival rates and clinicopatholgical parameters were sought. RESULTS: Expression rates of Pgp and MRP group were 50.0% and 43.7% respectively. There was no significant correlation between expression of two proteins and various clinicopathological variables such as age, sex, stage, tumor depth, number of metastatic node, tumor size, site and method of operation. However, in case of the degree of differenciation, the expression of Pgp and/or MRP was significantly greater in well differenciated adendegrees Carcinoma than in poorly dif ferenciated adendegrees Carcinoma (p=0.001, p=0.012). Statistically, no significant correlations between the expression of Pgp and/or MRP and overall survival rates were found. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the Pgp and/or MRP expression in patients with stage III gastric adendegrees Carcinomas are not useful in determining postoperative chemotherapy and as an independent predictor of survival.

A Case of Abdominal Actinomycosis / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Actinomycosis is a chronic suppurative and granulomatous disease caused by actinomyces species and caracterized by sulfur granule formation which frequently discharged via draining sinus. Actinomyces can affect cervicofacial, pulmonary, abdominal and pelvic area. Most of abdominal actinomycosis is developed after abdominal operation, trauma or inflammatory bowel disease and it must be differentiated from colon cancer, amaeboma, chronic appendicitis or intestinal tuberculosis. We report a case of abdominal actinomycosis, preoperatively impressed as colon carcinoma, which was diagnosed by histological study of the operative specimen. Adequate surgical excision and drainage procedure followed by administration of massive dose of penicilline for weeks. In this case we noted secondary abscess formation after surgery of primary disease. Herein we present our experience with reviewed literatures.

A Case of Primary Angiosarcoma of the Liver / 대한간학회지

In spite of its rarity, hepatic angiosarcoma is of special interest because specific risk factors such as thorium dioxide, arsenic, and vinyl chloride have been identified. We report a case of histopathologically confirmed primary angiosarcoma of the liver which was found in a farmer. In this case, 73-ear old man was presented with right upper abdominal pain and fatigue. Abdominal ultrasonography, CT scan and MRI revealed a mass occupying broad area of the right lobe of the liver. Histopathologic diagnosis of angiosarcoma was made by percutaneous needle biopsy.