The Effect of Eyebrow Asymmetry by Ptosis Correction Operation on Senile Upper Lid Ptosis Patients

Purpose@#To evaluate the effect of a ptosis correction operation on eyebrow position of senile upper lid ptosis patients. @*Methods@#A retrospective study of 140 eyes of 70 patients who had a ptosis correction operation between June 2011 and July 2018 was conducted. Marginal reflex distance 1 and brow height were measured preoperatively and at 1 month and 3 months postoperatively. Patients were divided into two groups, according to whether brow height asymmetry was symmetrized (≤1 mm) or not after the operation. @*Results@#The average brow height decreased after the operation (19.3-18.3 mm, p = 0.00), as did the brow height symmetricity (2.7-2.3 mm, p = 0.01). The symmetric group were older and had a higher female ratio than the asymmetric group, as well as a smaller preoperative brow symmetricity. @*Conclusions@#Brow height and brow asymmetry were reduced by ptosis correction of senile upper lid ptosis patients. The symmetrization rate was higher in patients who were older, female, and who had smaller preoperative brow symmetricity.

Long-term Outcome of Surgical Treatment with Various Reinforcement Material Grafts on Scleromalacia

Purpose@#To investigate the long-term efficacy and stability of the use of various reinforcement material grafts on scleromalacia. @*Methods@#This retrospective study was conducted on scleromalacia patients who underwent surgical treatment with reinforcement material grafts from January 2012 to March 2019. The choice of amniotic membrane, Tenon’s capsule, acellular sclera, or collagen matrix implanted in the area of scleromalacia was made based on disease severity. Amniotic membrane transplantation with a pedicular rotatory inferior conjunctival flap was performed to prevent having a bare sclera. The patient demographics, cause of scleromalacia, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), recurrence rate, postoperative complications, and restoration appearance were evaluated. @*Results@#A total of 58 patients (58 eyes) were enrolled in this study. The mean age of patients was 65.7 ± 9.6 years, and 32 patients (55.2%) were women. The mean follow-up period was 28.1 ± 17.3 months. The most common cause of scleromalacia was pterygium operation (53 patients, 91.4%). The reinforcement materials were mainly amniotic membrane (31 patients, 53.4%) and acellular sclera (15 patients, 25.7%). There was no recurrence of scleromalacia or structural instability during the follow-up period. The preoperative and postoperative mean BCVA values were 0.24 ± 0.24 and 0.21 ± 0.23 logMAR, respectively. Wound dehiscence (three patients, 5.2%) and conjunctival cyst (three patients, 5.2%) occurred with the highest frequency. @*Conclusions@#The use of the appropriate reinforcement material graft according to the severity of scleromalacia and amniotic membrane transplantation using a pedicular rotatory inferior conjunctival flap to prevent a bare sclera can be effective for treating scleromalacia, without long-term recurrence.

Histomorphometric Analysis of the Spine and Femur in Ovariectomized Rats Using Micro-Computed Tomographic Scan

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the different patterns of bone loss between the lumbar spine and the femur after ovariectomy in rats. METHODS: Twenty-four female Sprague-Dawley rats underwent a sham operation (the sham group) or bilateral ovariectomy (the ovariectomized group). Four and eight weeks after operation, six rats from each of the two groups were euthanized. Serum biochemical markers of bone turnover including osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), which are sensitive biochemical markers of bone formation, and the telopeptide fragment of type I collagen C-terminus (CTX), which is a sensitive biochemical marker of bone resorption, were analyzed. Bone histomorphometric parameters of the 4th lumbar vertebrae and femur were determined by micro-computed tomography. RESULTS: Ovariectomized rats were found to have higher osteocalcin, ALP and CTX levels than sham controls. Additionally, 8 weeks after ovariectomy in the OVX group, serum levels of osteocalcin, ALP and CTX were significantly higher than those of 4 weeks after ovariectomy. Bone loss after ovariectomy was more extensive in the 4th lumbar spine compared to the femur. Bone loss in the 4th lumbar spine was mainly caused by trabecular thinning, but in the femur, it was mainly caused by trabecular elimination. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates different patterns of bone loss between the 4th lumbar spine and the femur in ovariectomized rats. Therefore, when considering animal models of osteoporosis, it is important that bone sites should be taken into account.

The Neuroprotective Effect of Treatment of Valproic Acid in Acute Spinal Cord Injury

OBJECTIVE: Valproic acid (VPA), as known as histone deacetylase inhibitor, has neuroprotective effects. This study investigated the histological changes and functional recovery from spinal cord injury (SCI) associated with VPA treatment in a rat model. METHODS: Locomotor function was assessed according to the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan scale for 2 weeks in rats after receiving twice daily intraperitoneal injections of 200 mg/kg VPA or the equivalent volume of normal saline for 7 days following SCI. The injured spinal cord was then examined histologically, including quantification of cavitation. RESULTS: Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan scale scores in rats receiving VPA were significantly higher than in the saline group (p<0.05). The cavity volume in the VPA group was significantly reduced compared with the control (saline-injected) group (p<0.05). The level of histone acetylation recovered in the VPA group, while it was significantly decreased in the control rats (p<0.05). The macrophage level was significantly decreased in the VPA group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: VPA influences the restoration of hyperacetylation and reduction of the inflammatory reaction resulting from SCI, and is effective for histology and motor function recovery.

The Neuroprotective Effect of Treatment of Valproic Acid in Acute Spinal Cord Injury

OBJECTIVE: Valproic acid (VPA), as known as histone deacetylase inhibitor, has neuroprotective effects. This study investigated the histological changes and functional recovery from spinal cord injury (SCI) associated with VPA treatment in a rat model. METHODS: Locomotor function was assessed according to the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan scale for 2 weeks in rats after receiving twice daily intraperitoneal injections of 200 mg/kg VPA or the equivalent volume of normal saline for 7 days following SCI. The injured spinal cord was then examined histologically, including quantification of cavitation. RESULTS: Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan scale scores in rats receiving VPA were significantly higher than in the saline group (p<0.05). The cavity volume in the VPA group was significantly reduced compared with the control (saline-injected) group (p<0.05). The level of histone acetylation recovered in the VPA group, while it was significantly decreased in the control rats (p<0.05). The macrophage level was significantly decreased in the VPA group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: VPA influences the restoration of hyperacetylation and reduction of the inflammatory reaction resulting from SCI, and is effective for histology and motor function recovery.

Effect of 5-FU and MTX on the Expression of Drug-resistance Related Cancer Stem Cell Markers in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Cells

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are often characterized by the elevated expression of drug-resistance related stem-cell surface markers, such as CD133 and ABCG2. Recently, we reported that CSCs have a high level of expression of the IL-6 receptor (IL-6R). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of anticancer drugs on the expression of the drug resistance-related cancer stem cell markers, ABCG2, IL-6R, and CD133 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines. A549, H460, and H23 NSCLC cell lines were treated with the anticancer drugs 5-fluorouracil (5-FU; 25 microg/ml) and methotrexate (MTX; 50 microg/ml), and the expression of putative CSC markers was analyzed by fluorescent activated cell sorter (FACS) and the gene expression level of abcg2, il-6r and cd133 by reverse transcriptasepolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We found that the fraction of ABCG2-positive(+) cells was significantly increased by treatment with both 5-FU and MTX in NSCLC cells, and the elevation of abcg2, il-6r and cd133 expressions in response to these drugs was also confirmed using RT-PCR. Also, the number of IL-6R(+) cells was increased by MTX in the 3 cell lines mentioned and increased by 5-FU in the H460 cell line. The number of CD133(+) cells was also significantly increased by both 5-FU and MTX treatment in all of the cell lines tested. These results indicate that 5-FU and MTX considerably enhance the expression of drug-resistance related CSC markers in NSCLC cell lines. Thus, we suggest that antimetabolite cancer drugs, such as 5-FU and MTX, can lead to the propagation of CSCs through altering the expression of CSC markers.

Neurologic and Histological Study of Clip Compression Model for Rat Thoracic Spinal Cord Injuries

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the time-response of clip compression model for the relationship between the duration of the injury on the rat thoracic spinal cord, and histological and functional outcome measures. METHODS: After laminectomy at T9 in Sprague-Dawley rats, a modified aneurysm clip with a closing force of 30-gram was applied extradurally around the spinal cord at T9, and then rapidly released with cord compression persisting for 1, 5, and 10 minutes, respectively. The locomotor function, according to the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) scale, was assessed weekly for 4 weeks after the injury. The injured spinal cord was then examined histologically including quantification of cavitation. RESULTS: Spinal cord injury by clip compression resulted in worsened BBB scale scores. However, there was spontaneous functional improvement in times for all 3 injury severities, with the greatest improvement in the 1-minute compression group. From 1 week after the injury, BBB scores in the 1-minute group were significantly higher than in the 5 or 10-minutes groups until the end of the follow-up period (p<0.05). For histological analysis, the cavitation area and cavity volume at 4 weeks was directly proportional to the severity of the injury. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that the rat thoracic cord clip compression model is a reliable and reproducible spinal cord injury model. The duration of clip compression injury in the rat thoracic cord has been correlated with both functional and histologic outcome measures.

Determination of Oxyclozanide in Beef and Milk using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography System with UV Detector / 한국실험동물학회지

This study was developed and validated for the determination of oxyclozanide residue concentrations in beef and commercial milk, using high-performance liquid chromatography system. Oxyclozanide was successfully separated on a reverse phase column (Xbridge-C18, 4.6x250 mm, 5 microm) with a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile and 0.1% phosphoric acid (60:40, v/v%). This analytical procedure involved a deproteinization process using acetonitrile for beef and 2% formic acid in acetonitrile for commercial milk, dehydration by adding sodium sulfate to the liquid analytical sample, and a defatting process using n-hexane; after these steps, the extract was exposed to a stream of nitrogen dryness. The final extracted sample was dissolved in the mobile phase and filtered using a 0.45 microm syringe filter. This method had good selectivity and recovery (70.70+/-7.90-110.79+/-14.95%) from the matrices. The LOQs ranged from 9.7 to 9.8 microg/kg for beef and commercial milk. The recoveries met the standards set by the CODEX guideline.

An unusual foreign body in the bladder 5 years after a laparoscopic burch colposuspension / 대한산부인과학회지

Stress urinary incontinence is the predominant symptom in young and middle-aged women. Stress urinary incontinence is not a life-threatening disease but can lead to discomfort, which can also limit the social and sexual activities of women. Lately TOT operation is performed in most cases of stress urinary incontinence. But Burch colposuspension had been one of successful operations for genuine stress incontinence until TOT procedure was performed. Burch colposuspension has significant morbidity such as bleeding, infection and wound hematoma, and subsequent complications including voiding difficulty, de novo detrusor instability, recurrent urinary tract infection and uterovaginal prolapse. In this case, Delayed migration of the suture and bolster after an endoscopic Burch colposuspension across tissue planes, with subsequent erosion into the bladder, is uncommon. We report an unusual complication 5 years after Burch operation. It was an intravesical foreign body granuloma caused by suture material.

Spatiotemporal regulation of fibroblast growth factor signal blocking for endoderm formation in Xenopus laevis

We have previously shown that the inhibition of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling induced endodermal gene expression in the animal cap and caused the expansion of the endodermal mass in Xenopus embryos. However, we still do not know whether or not the alteration of FGF signaling controls embryonic cell fate, or when FGF signal blocking is required for endoderm formation in Xenopus. Here, we show that FGF signal blocking in embryonic cells causes their descendants to move into the endodermal region and to express endodermal genes. It is also interesting that blocking FGF signaling between fertilization and embryonic stage 10.5 promotes endoderm formation, but persistent FGF signaling blocking after stage 10.5 restricts endoderm formation and differentiation.

Bioavailability of the amino acid-attached prodrug as a new anti-HIV agent in rats

The primary objective of this study was to compare thepharmacokinetics of a new anti-human immunodeficiencyvirus agent 1-(2-amino-pyridin-4-ylmethyl)-6-(3,5-dimethyl-benzoyl)-5-isopropyl-1H-pyrimidine-2,4-dione (VP-0502)with its amino acid prodrug alanine amide of VP-0502(VP-0502AL), following intravenous and oral administrationsto rats. The plasma concentrations of both analytes wereanalyzed via high-performance liquid chromatographycoupled with photodiode-array detection (HPLC-DAD).When VP-0502 was intravenously administered at 20mg/kg, the analyte appeared in low levels with an AUC of 0.3microg.h/ml, and C0 of 0.2microg/ml in plasma. However, boththe prodrug VP-0502AL and its metabolite VP-0502 appearedat comparatively higher levels following intravenousinjection of VP-0502AL at the same dose. VP-0502AL'spharmacokinetic parameters were Vd: 4.6 l/kg; AUC:3microg.h/ml; t1/2: 0.5h; C0: 6microg/ml; CLtot: 7l/h/kg; andMRT: 0.6h. Following oral administration of VP-0502(100mg/kg), it was not detectable in plasma (<50ng/ml),while after the oral administration of VP-0502AL, VP-0502 was quantitatively detected as an active metabolite forthe first 7h, with a maximum plasma concentration(Cmax) of 0.8microg/ml, and an area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of 2microg.h/ml. The oral pharmacokineticparameters of VP-0502AL were calculated to be: maximumconcentration time (tmax) 2.7h; Cmax 0.2microg/ml; eliminationhalf-life (t1/2): 0.8h; and AUC 0.5microg.h/ml. Overall thefindings indicate that VP-0502AL has a favorable pharmaco-kinetic profile as a prodrug with rapid transformationinto the active metabolite, and that the attachment of theamino acid alanine to VP-0502 is an effective approach toimprove its oral bioavailability. VP-0502AL is predictedto become a new highly bioavailable anti-AIDS drugcandidate and/or lead compound.

Comparison of Efficacy of Human Papilloma Virus Genotyping Assays using Restriction Fragment Mass Polymorphism and DNA Chip Analysis in Patients with Abnormal Pap Smear and Uterine Cervical Cancer

BACKGROUND: High-risk human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is the primary cause of cervical cancer; there is a need for more sensitive and reliable methods for HPV genotyping to use as screening tools for early detection and intervention. METHODS: A novel MALDI-TOF MSbased assay, termed Restriction Fragment Mass Polymorphism (RFMP) was developed for multiple HPV genotyping. Its performance was compared with DNA chip technology. The study was based on 164 cases classified as normal (n=40), ASCUS (n=53) and invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC, n=71) by a PAP smear and/or cervical colposcopic biopsy. RESULTS: High-risk genotypes were detected in 7.5%, 47.2% and 97.2% in normal, ASCUS and SCC groups by RFMP, and in 20.0%, 41.5% and 90.1% using DNA chip technology, respectively. The results showed substantial concordance, with a kappa coefficient of 0.688, between the methods. Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for cervical cancer were found to be 97.2% and 92.2% with RFMP and 90.1% and 80.0% using DNA chip microarrays. CONCLUSIONS: RFMP and DNA chip technologies were shown to be reliable methods for HPV genotyping with a high concordance. The improved sensitivity and specificity should make RFMP a viable option for the management of women with cervical neoplastic lesions.

The diagnostic value of saline infusion sonohysterography in evaluation of patients with abnormal uterine bleeding / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate saline infusion sonohysterography (SIS) as an investigative modality in abnormal uterine bleeding of premenopausal and postmenopausal women. METHODS: Eighty eight patients, 74 premenopausal women and 14 postmenopausal women, with abnormal uterine bleeding were selected. After complete work-up, transvaginal examination were performed followed by SIS. The final surgical-pathologic findings were compared with the results obtained from transvaginal sonography (TVS) and SIS. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value were calculated for each procedure. RESULTS: The SIS was perfomed in 85 cases. It couldn't be done in one premenopausal woman and two postmenopausal women. The uterine cavity was normal in 28 women, 57 cases displayed abnormalities. Seventeen had endometrial polyp, 17 had submucosal myoma, 23 had irregular endometrium. We found that SIS missed five endometrial polyp and mislabeled 14 (38.9%) false positive endometrial growth. On comparing SIS, transvaginal sonography missed nine endometrial polyp and mislabeled 22 (55%) false positive endometrial growth. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of TVS were 72.9%, 45%, 61.4% and 58.1%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of SIS were 87.8%, 61.1%, 75.4% and 78.6%, respectively. Sensitivtity and negative predictive value were significantly higher with SIS than TVS. CONCLUSION: The SIS is a safe, convenient, time conserving, cost effective, easily accessible and acceptable investigative modality. It definitely enhance the diagnostic potential of TVS in accessment of endometrium and intracavitary pathologies in women with abnormal uterine bleeding.

Learning Styles in Medical School / 한국의학교육

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the learning styles of students at Kyungpook National University(KNU) School of Medicine and to assess its implications on teaching-learning methods in medical school. METHODS: 571 students in all years of medical school were invited to complete a questionnaire via online. For this study, Felder's Index of Learning Styles(ILS) was used, which included 49 items. Felder's ILS measures the learner's relative preference for each of the five dichotomous learning style dimensions. RESULTS: 242(42.3%) students completed the questionnaire. More than 80% preferred sensitive information and more than 60% preferentially took in visual information. Both males and females preferred sensing and visual learning materials. On average, The students at KNU school of Medicine were reflective, sensing, visual, global and inductive. CONCLUSION: From these results, we suggested some effective methods of teaching-learning based on the students' preferences and some perspectives for future works.

A new scoring system for differentiation between benign and malignant ovarian masses / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to design a new scoring system for differentiation between benign and malignant ovarian masses and to assess effectiveness of new scoring system comparing other scoring systems. METHODS: This study was based on 199 women who visited Soonchunhyang Hospital for surgery of ovarian mass. Ultrasonography and scoring system based on De Priest, Sassone, Ferrazi and Alcazar was performed the day before operation. Pathologic diagnosis after operation was directly compared with diagnosis of scoring system. The cut-off level of the new index is 11 points. This study was evaluated by sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV). RESULTS: Parameters of new scoring system were wall thickness, number of septum, volume of mass, irregularity, vascularity and echogenicity. The new scoring system had sensitivity 73.9%, specificity 97.7% and negative and positive predictive values of 96.6% and 80.9% respectively. CONCLUSION: Sensitivity of new scoring system was similar to previous ones but specificity of that is higher. Our new scoring system shows better to differentiate benign from malignant ovarian mass than four other scoring systems.

Overexpression of p16(INK4A) as a biomarker for ASCUS in ThinPrep(TM) smear / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: The overexpression of p16(INK4A) is induced by human papillomavirus (HPV) and associated with the carcinogenesis of cervical epithelia. So, immunostaining of p16(INK4A) may be useful biomarker in detecting CIN of cervix uteri in abnormal cervical lesions. The potential of p16(INK4A) as a biomarker for Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) examined in liquid-based specimens. METHODS: We collected samples 30 cases of ASCUS in Thinprep(TM) smears between March 2003 and August 2003. 23 control Thinprep(TM) cases were included; 10 negative for intraepithelial lesions, 13 cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions. p16(INK4A) immunochemial staining was performed on 53samples. At the same time, we tested another cervical swabs of patients by the Hybrid Capture II(TM) test. The cut off value was scored positive if it contained above 5 abnormal cells with nuclear and cytoplasmic immunostaining. RESULTS: The results of p16(INK4A) immunochemial staining comparing with one of HC II(TM) showed negative results with low kappa coefficient of 0.034. The sensitivity of p16(INK4A) immunochemial staining were 30.8% and the specificity were 82.4% respectively (p<0.01). p16(INK4A) is a useful marker for the detection of the cervical intraepithelial neoplasia but is not ASCUS. CONCLUSION: Immunostaining of p16(INK4A) is not useful triage test in detecting abnormal lesion of ASCUS in liquid-based specimens.

Factors Predicting Maternal Conflict in Mothers of Toddlers / 아동간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was done to identify degrees of maternal conflict, differences, and factors predicting conflict in mothers of toddlers. METHOD: A convenience sample of 300 mothers living in G city, Kyounggi-do whose child was between 12 to 36 months old was used. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey and analyzed using SPSS WIN 10.0. RESULTS: The average score for maternal conflict was 67.35 (SD=10.18), somewhat lower than moderate in level. 'I as a human being' was the area of the 6-sub areas with the most conflict. Mothers experiencing higher maternal conflict were those who were less satisfied with marriage, quality of life, and maternal role, and whose child was stubborn and hard to please, who were unsatisfied with baby sitters or who had to rush their sick child to hospital. Factors that were significant in predicting maternal conflict were low satisfaction with maternal role and marriage, and a child who was difficult to care for. These factors accounted for 22% of explained variance. CONCLUSION: Nurses should help mothers resolve maternal conflict through education and counseling on the maternal role, but at the same time nurses should consider relationship of the mother with her husband and also special characteristics of her child.

The Achievement of Medical Students Admitted after Baccalaureate Level / 한국의학교육

PURPOSE: Kyungpook National University School of Medicine initiated a pilot project to admit small number of qualified students who received BS degree or above in the field of sciences in 1996. This study was conducted to evaluate effectiveness of the pilot project. METHODS: Students' academic grades, outcome of their opinion surveys on adaptability to the school life, difficulties and problems from the classes of 1996 to 2001 were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 57 students were admitted to this program over the past 7-year period, 54.8% of them from natural science major and 36.8% from engineering. Students admitted with BS degree were performing above average in the class by % rank. There was no significant difference in academic performance between the natural science and the engineering major. Of 20 graduated, only one took career in basic medical science (physiology). The students thought undergraduate education was helpful in maturing personal characters than in knowledge or skill attainment. CONCLUSION: The achievement of medical students admitted after baccalaureate level was comparable to that of students with two years of premedical education.

Activation of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases in the Rat Dorsal Root Ganglia Following Peripheral Tissue Inflammation or Nerve Injuries / 대한해부학회지

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family has three members: the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38 MAPK and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). There is substantial evidence indicating that the MAPK cascade plays a pivotal role in transducing extracellular stimuli into intracellular responses in all cells. The ERK is activated in response to growth factors, oxidative stress, increases in intracellular calcium levels, or glutamate receptor stimulation. The p38 MAPK and JNK are activated by stress signals such as inflammtory cytokines, heat shock, ultraviolet light, and ischemia. It has been shown that cytokines, growth factors, or other agents released and are retrograde-transported to the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) as a result of peripheral tissue inflammation or the degeneration of axons following peripheral nerve injuries which cause hyperalgesia. In the present study, we investigated the activation of MAPKs in rat DRG by means of immunohistochemistry following peripheral inflammation or nerve injuries. The results obtained were as follows; 1. Peripheral tissue inflammation induced significant increase in the percentage of phosphorylated (P)-ERK, P-p38 or P-JNK immunoreactive neurons in the ipsilateral L5 DRG. 2. Following axotomy, the percentage of P-ERK or P-p38 MAPK immunoreactive neurons decreased significantly and that of P-JNK showed significant increase in the ipsilateral side. 3. Chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve (CCI) induced similar changes with those following peripheral inflammation in the activation of MAPKs in the DRG neurons. 4. The activation of ERK, p38 MAPK and JNK following inflammation and CCI was observed primarily in small neurons, while that of JNK following axotomy was found in neurons of all sizes. These results suggest that cytokines or growth factors released as a result of peripheral inflammation or CCI of the sciatic nerve may modulate expression of P-ERK, P-p38 MAPK and P-JNK in the DRG and that MAPKs may play an important roles in pain hypersensitivity.

The Effect of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha to Glomerular Epithelial Cells in Glomerular Permeability / 대한해부학회지

Minimal Change Disease (MCD) is the most common primary nephrotic syndrome in children. Some suggested that tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) are involved in the pathogenesis of MCD. This study was done to see changes of plasma and urinary TNF-alpha, and its effect on determination of permeability of glomerular basement membrane (BM) contributed by heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG). Study patients consisted of 19 biopsy-proven MCD children aged 2-15 years old. Both plasma and urinary TNF-alpha were measured. Employing the Millicell system, TNF-alpha was screened for the permeability factors. We examined whether TNF-alpha regulated BM HSPG gene expression and HS synthesis in the glomerular epithelial cells (GECs). Urinary TNF-alpha during relapse was also significantly increased (364.4+/-51.2 vs 155.3+/-20.8, 36.0+/-4.5 ng/mg.cr) (p<0.05). However, the negative results were obtained in the permeability assay using the Millicell system. No difference was seen in BM HSPG gene expression and HS synthesis in the GECs. Therefore, it seems that TNF-alpha may not play a disease-specific role in the pathogenesis of MCD.