NELL2 gene as regulator of cell cycle in neuron differentiation / 소아과

PURPOSE: Because NELL2 expression is strictly restricted only in neurons in developing and post- differentiated neural tissues, it is thought to be involved in the neuronal differentiation during development and in the maintenance of neuronal physiology in the post-differentiated neurons. In this study, we examined whether NELL2 is involved in the regulation of cell cycle and apoptosis in the hippocampal neuroprogenitor HiB5 cells. METHODS: Effects of NELL2 on the cultured HiB5 cell numbers, DNA fragmentation, and proteins involved in the regulation of the cell cycle were measured. RESULTS: NELL2 induced a decrease in cell numbers and an increase in G1 phase arrest. Moreover, transfection of NELL2 resulted in an increase of DNA fragmentation that shows an evidence of apoptosis. Contents of proteins involved in the regulation of cell cycle were also changed by transfection of NELL2 expression vectors. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that NELL2 plays an important role in the regulation of cell cycle and apoptosis of neurons.

A Case of Kawasaki Disease Resembling as Peritonsillar Abscess

Kawasaki disease is an acute febrile mucocutanenous syndrome associated with multisystemic vasculitis. The etiology of Kawasaki disease is still unknown therefore this disease can be diagnosed only based upon clinician's recognition of a symptom pattern which includes high fever, oral cavity changes, polymorphous skin rash, conjuctival injections, cervical lymphadenopathy, and swelling of peripheral extremities. Early diagnosis and treatment of Kawasaki disease is critical to reduce the risk of cardiac complications such as coronary aneurysm. However there is no specific diagnostic tools for Kawasaki disease, unusual clinical manifestation resembling infectious disease involving cervical lesion often leads to delay in appropriate diagnosis and treatment of Kawasaki disease. We report a ten-year-old girl with Kawasaki disease whose initial presentation mimicking peritonsillar abscess.

A Case of Henoch-Schonlein Purpura with Hemorrhagic Bullae in a Child

Henoch-Schonlein purpura(HSP) is a systemic small vessel vasculitis characterized by cutaneous purpura, arthritis, abdominal pain and nephritis. The characteristic rash of HSP consists of palpable purpura on the buttocks and lower extremities. Bullous lesions often appear in adults with HSP, whereas they are very rare in children with HSP. In this case report, the patient presented with arthralgia and abdominal pain and had hemorrhagic bullae as a prominent manifestation of the disease. The skin biopsy of the patient revealed typical leukocytoclastic vasculitis of dermal vessels and prominent IgA and fibrinogen deposits on capillary walls by direct immunofluorescence. We confirmed the diagnosis of HSP and observed improvement of clinical symptoms and signs within a few days after corticosteroid treatment. We therefore report a case with a review of the literature.