Activation of K+ channel by 1-EBIO rescues the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells from Ca2+ ionophore-induced cell death

Ion channels in carcinoma and their roles in cell proliferation are drawing attention. Intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i)-dependent signaling affects the fate of cancer cells. Here we investigate the role of Ca(2+)-activated K+ channel (SK4) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells (HNSCCs) of different cell lines; SNU-1076, OSC-19 and HN5. Treatment with 1 microM ionomycin induced cell death in all the three cell lines. Whole-cell patch clamp study suggested common expressions of Ca(2+)-activated Cl- channels (Ano-1) and Ca(2+)-activated nonselective cation channels (CAN). 1-EBIO, an activator of SK4, induced outward K+ current (ISK4) in SNU-1076 and OSC-19. In HN5, ISK4 was not observed or negligible. The 1-EBIO-induced current was abolished by TRAM-34, a selective SK4 blocker. Interestingly, the ionomycin-induced cell death was effectively prevented by 1-EBIO in SNU-1076 and OSC-19, and the rescue effect was annihilated by combined TRAM-34. Consistent with the lower level of ISK4, the rescue by 1-EBIO was least effective in HN5. The results newly demonstrate the role of SK4 in the fate of HNSCCs under the Ca2+ overloaded condition. Pharmacological modulation of SK4 might provide an intriguing novel tool for the anti-cancer strategy in HNSCC.

Assessment of the erosive potential of carbonated waters / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to determine the erosive potential of several carbonated waters and to confirm the availability of a simple ISO protocol for screening the erosive potential of drinks. METHODS: A total of six carbonated waters were tested. Three products (Lemon-Sparkling water, Seagram, and Trevi) were domestic, and the other three (Perrier, San Pellegrino, and Rosbacher) were imported. Two kinds of carbonated drinks (Coca-Cola and Sprite) were used as controls. The erosive potential of each drink was assessed by measuring the initial pH (pH(I)), the final pH after degassing of carbon dioxide (pH(F)), and the titratable acidity to pH 5.5 (TA(5.5)) and 7.0 (TA(7.0)). The pH changes (DeltapH) caused by the addition of drinks to screening solutions were calculated according to the ISO protocol for evaluating the erosive potential of oral rinses. RESULTS: The overall erosive potential of the carbonated waters was lower than that of the control drinks. The pHI and pH(F) of the carbonated waters ranged from 3.94 to 5.84 and from 5.07 to 7.88, respectively. The Lemon-Sparkling water showed the highest erosive potential among the carbonated waters, having the lowest pH (3.94) and the highest TA(5.5) (1.67 ml). The DeltapH of all tested drinks ranged from -1.00 to 0.23. Also, the tendency of erosive potential measured by DeltapH was similar to that measured by TA(5.5). CONCLUSIONS: The carbonated waters tested in this study had a lower erosive potential than did the carbonated drinks. However, the erosive potential of domestic products was higher than that of imported products. The results of the ISO screening test could reflect the influence of the acid content as well as the pH of drinks. Therefore, this protocol could also be conveniently applied to evaluate the erosive potential of various drinks.

Enhanced Effect of Combinatorial Inhibition of Cyclooxygenase-2 and 5-Lipoxygenase on Head and Neck Cancer Cells / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: It has recently been found that arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase (5-lipoxygenase, 5-LO or ALOX5), another molecule capable of arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism, might promote cancer cell viability through unique mechanisms. Interestingly, 5-LO appears to have similar mechanisms to prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (cyclooxygenase-2, COX-2) in the regulation of cell viability, although it often utilizes different signaling pathways. We found that not only COX-2 expression but also the expression of 5-LO is up-regulated in some of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines. From these findings, we hypothesized that the combined inhibition of these pathways would be likely to be a more effective anti-cancer modality with less side-effect in HNSCC. MATERIALS AND METHOD: In HNSCC cell lines, we investigated the expression of COX-2 and 5-LO by western blotting and checked the levels of prostaglandin E2, leukotrien B4 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We performed MTT assay to analyze the growth-inhibitory effect of COX-2 and 5-LO inhibition. RESULTS: Actually, combined knock-down of COX-2 and 5-LO resulted in an enhanced inhibitory effect in cell proliferation of HNSCC than a single inhibition of COX-2. Furthermore, we observed that VEGF production was blocked more effectively by combined treatment of COX-2 and 5-LO small interfering RNA (siRNA) in all tested cell lines. CONCLUSION: Therefore, the combined inhibition of COX-2 and 5-LO may be one way to overcome low efficacy of single inhibition of COX-2 in cancer cells with both COX-2 and 5-LO overexpression.

A Case of Behcet Disease Manifested as Recurrent Arthritis / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

Behcet disease is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease involving mucous membranes, skin, eyes, gastrointestinal tract, joints, vessels, and neurologic systems. The disease usually manifests in early adulthood. Childhood onset is rare. We experienced a case of Behcet disease in a 11-year-old boy. He suffered from recurrent arthritis of the left knee joint which was managed under the impression of septic arthritis since he was seven years old. Behcet disease should be considered in case of recurrent arthritis mimicing septic arthritis in children.

A Case of Dieulafoy's Lesion Presenting Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding in a Child in the Acute Phase of Kawasaki Disease / 소아과

Dieulafoy's lesion is an unusual cause of massive gastrointestinal bleeding resulting from the erosion of an abnormally large submucosal artery. Recently, improvement of endoscopic techniques has made effective hemostasis possible in most cases of Dieulafoy's lesion. Aspirin, which is an anti-inflammatory agent, increases the incidence of major upper gastrointestinal complications. Gastroduodenal mucosal injury associated with aspirin therapy in patients in the acute phase of Kawasaki disease is a rare complication that may require urgent medical intervention. We experienced a rare case of active bleeding from Dieulafoy's lesion in the stomach who was treated with oral aspirin in the acute phase of Kawasaki disease. If there is massive hematemesis during the treatment of Kawasaki disease, Dieulafoy's lesion should be considered even though it is rare.

A Case of Alobar Holoprosencephaly with Cyclopia and Proboscis in Prematurity

Holoprosencephaly is a developmental malformation complex of forebrain and midface which arises from incomplete cleavage of the embryonic forebrain. It is subdivided into alobar, semilobar and lobar types based on the degree of growth disturbance within the anterior wall of the telencephalon, particularly in the midline. Cyclopia is the most severe form of alobar holoprosencephaly presenting a single median eye and a blind-ending proboscis usually located above the eye. We report a case of alobar holoprosencephaly with cyclopia and proboscis in premature infant.

Characteristics of Children Whose First Seizure Attack Presented as Status Epilepticus / 대한소아신경학회지

PURPOSE: Status epilepticus(SE) is a pediatric and neurologic emergency associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Prompt recognition and management are needed for successful outcomes. We evaluated, clinical manifestations, treatment and prognosis of the patients whose first seizure attacks were presented as SE. METHODS: According to the department of pediatrics and the emergency room in Inha University Medical Center, there were a total of 25 children between 1 month and 5 years old who were diagnosed as status epilepticus from July 1996 to June 2002. Also, their medical records were reviewed and analyzed interms of age distribution, accompaning diseases, the types and duration of convulsion, medications, EEG and MRI findings and prognosis. RESULTS: Twenty-five cases were studied. The mean age at the time of the diagnosis was 20+/-1.6 months and 80% of the patients were less than 3 years old. The most common type of the status epilepticus was generalized tonic clonic seizure comprising 15 cases(60%). 64% of the patients were symptomatic:fever(40%), CNS infection(20%), ischemic injury(4%) while 36% were idiopathic. Seizure attacks were terminated within an hour in seventeen patients(68%) and they controlled by one antiepileptic drug in thirteen patients(52%). Of the 20 EEGs, abnormal findings were shown in 13 cases(65%); namely, electrical seizure(30%), abnormal background(30%), and focal epileptiform discharge(5%). Of the 19 brain MRIs, abnormal findings were shown in 9 cases(47%). CONCLUSION: The children whose first seizure attack were presented as SE were less than 3 years old. The prognosis is good in that most of the seizure attacks were terminated within an hour and controlled by one epileptic drug. However those seizure attacks with longer duration, multiple antiepileptic druge and underlying causeare had poor prognosis.

Treatment Results of Pediatric Nonorbital Head and Neck Rhabdomyosarcoma and Related Prognostic Factors / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The survival rate for rhabdomyosarcoma has been improved much after introduction of multimodality treatment. We reviewed the treatment results and investigated the related prognostic factors of pediatric nonorbital head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Medical records of 27 children treated for nonorbital head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma from January 1986 to December 2000 were analyzed. Patients' ages at diagnosis ranged from 1 to 169 months (mean: 75 months). The pathologic subtypes were predominantly embryonal with 23 patients (85%), followed by alveolar subtype with 1 (4%), and uncertain one with 3 (11%). RESULTS: The overall 5-year survival rate was 69%. Of 27 patients, 20 had parameningeal and 7 had nonparameningeal tumors. Eleven (41%) had cranial nerve involvement with frequent abducens nerve and facial nerve involvement. Ten (37%) had skull base or brain invasion. The 5-year survival of patients with skull base or brain invasion was 40% and without skull base or brain invasion was 88%. Parameningeal site (68% vs 71%) and cranial nerve involvement (64% vs 73%) were not significant prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: Skull base or brain invasion was an important prognostic factor. There is no indication of initial aggressive surgical resection for the tumors located in the parameningeal site, which is difficult to access.

Frequency and Distribution of Lymphocytes Related to Innate Immunity in Palatine Tonsils and Adenoids / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Palatine tonsils and adenoids protect the human body from various pathogens entering through the pharyngeal mucosa. Many studies have been performed for the specific immunity, but the innate immunity related to cell-mediated immunity has been rarely studied. Natural killer (NK) cells, CD5+ B lymphocytes, and gamma sigma T lymphocytes are the key mediators of natural immunity. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of lymphocytes related to the innate immunity property in these lymphoid tissues by examinig the frequency and distribution of these cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Palatine tonsils and adenoids were obtained from 12 children and 5 adults with idiopathic tonsillar hypertrophy. Immunohistochemisty was performed to examine the distribution of the CD5+ B lymphocytes, gamma sigma T lymphocytes and NK cells, and the flow cytometry was performed for the frequency of these cells compared with that of the patient's blood. RESULTS: On immunohistochemistry, CD5+ B cells were strongly stained mainly on the interfollicular and subepithelial areas of both the palatine tonsil and adenoid. But, gamma sigma T lymphocytes, and CD56+ cells were weakly stained on the interfollicular, epithelial, and subepithelial areas of both lymphoid tissues. Flow cytometry showed no difference in the frequency of CD5+CD19+ B cells and CD3+ gamma sigma T lymphocytes in these tissues compared to that of the blood. The frequency of NK cells of these tissues was much lower than that of the blood. And the frequency of CD3+ gamma sigma T lymphocytes of adults was lower than that of children in both the palatine tonsils and blood. CONCLUSION: In the palatine tonsils and adenoids, there were no active immune cells related to innate immunity, except for the CD5+ B lymphocytes in the non-stimulating state. And the innate immunity of the lymphoid tissues has possibility of association with the changing activity according to age.