ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) proteins are involved in epithelial keratinization. The major function of latent TGF-ß binding proteins (LTBPs) is modulating TGF-ß activity. However, whether LTBP-1 and LTBP-2 play roles in gingiva keratinization remains unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human keratinized gingiva and non-keratinized alveolar mucosa were processed for LTBP-1, LTBP-2, cytokeratin-1 (K1), cytokeratin-4 (K4), and TGF-ß immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. Porcine heterotopically transplanted connective tissues and newly grown epithelia were harvested for IHC staining. The expression levels of LTBP-1 and LTBP-2 were compared between differentiated and undifferentiated human normal oral keratinocytes (hNOK). The expression of LTBP-1 and LTBP-2 was knocked down in a cell line (OEC-M1) to evaluate the effects on the expression of K1, K4, and involucrin (INV). RESULTS: In human and porcine specimens, LTBP-2 expression patterns distinguished keratinized and non-keratinized oral epithelia. Western blotting results showed that K1, LTBP-1, and INV proteins were upregulated in differentiated hNOK. In OEC-M1 cells, LTBP-2 knockdown resulted in upregulated the expression of K1 and INV and downregulated the expression of K4. LTBP-1 knockdown resulted in opposite effects. CONCLUSION: The expression patterns of LTBP-2 differ in keratinized gingiva and non-keratinized mucosa. LTBP-1 and LTBP-2 are involved in the keratinization of oral epithelium; however, the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated.
Subject(s)
Gingiva/chemistry , Keratin-1/metabolism , Keratin-4/metabolism , Latent TGF-beta Binding Proteins/analysis , Protein Precursors/metabolism , Animals , Cell Differentiation , Cell Line , Gene Knockdown Techniques , Humans , Keratinocytes/metabolism , Latent TGF-beta Binding Proteins/genetics , Mouth Mucosa/chemistry , SwineABSTRACT
A 64 year-old male presented with a five month history of effort angina. Non-invasive studies demonstrated preserved left ventricular function and a modest stress-induced myocardial perfusion defect at the anterior wall. Coronary angiography revealed occlusion of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery with its distal segment well supplied by collaterals branching from a left circumflex-to-main pulmonary artery fistula. The occluded left anterior descending coronary artery was recanalised by percutaneous interventions, the collaterals vanished immediately, and the patient lived free of symptoms for the following five months.
Subject(s)
Arterio-Arterial Fistula , Coronary Angiography , Coronary Artery Disease , Coronary Vessels , Percutaneous Coronary Intervention , Pulmonary Artery , Arterio-Arterial Fistula/diagnostic imaging , Arterio-Arterial Fistula/physiopathology , Arterio-Arterial Fistula/surgery , Coronary Vessels/diagnostic imaging , Coronary Vessels/physiopathology , Coronary Vessels/surgery , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pulmonary Artery/diagnostic imaging , Pulmonary Artery/physiopathology , Pulmonary Artery/surgery , Ventricular Function, LeftABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlations of serum lipids, uric acid, and albumin, among mothers (n = 111), offspring (n = 208), and siblings (n = 57) in Taipei, Taiwan. Analytical items included serum triglyceride, serum total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, uric acid, and albumin. Statistical analysis was performed according to the SAS UNIVARIATE procedure; while regression coefficient, parent-offspring regressions, paired-comparison and heritability were estimated. These results show higher heritabilities of four types of serum lipids, uric acid and albumin between mothers and testers (bYX) or siblings (bZX) by parent-offspring regression analysis. Regression coefficients (bYX) of six characters were significantly different (p < 0.05-0.01). Regression coefficients (bZX) for total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, uric acid, and albumin were significantly different (p < 0.05-0.01), showing the result of genetic control, because their heritabilities were very high at 0.75-1.0, 0.77-1.0, 0.96-1.0, and 0.48-0.82, respectively. This study disclosed that the serum lipids of children in Taipei, Taiwan were significantly correlated with that of parents, which may be attributed to the result of genetic control.
Subject(s)
Family Health , Lipids/blood , Serum Albumin/analysis , Uric Acid/blood , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Lipids/genetics , Serum Albumin/genetics , TaiwanABSTRACT
Percutaneous nephrostomy is a safe and highly effective means of urinary diversion. We report a case of unusual complications: severe peritonitis and massive intraperitoneal dissemination of carcinoma.
Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma , Peritoneal Neoplasms , Punctures/adverse effects , Urinary Diversion/adverse effects , Adenocarcinoma/complications , Adenocarcinoma/pathology , Adult , Humans , Male , Neoplasm Invasiveness , Peritoneal Neoplasms/complications , Peritoneal Neoplasms/pathology , Peritonitis/etiologyABSTRACT
In recent years urinary diversion by means of the colon conduit has gained popularity because of the failure to exhibit reflux and the lower incidence of stomal stenosis. However, colon conduit diversion may be associated with adenocarcinoma, as is ureterosigmoidostomy. We report the first occurrence of adenocarcinoma in a colon conduit and, perhaps more important, in a colon conduit in which there had never been a fecal stream.
