Biomedical subjects

J Kang

Publications and source records attributed to J Kang.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

Diagnosis of nonpsychotic patients in community clinics.

OBJECTIVE: Diagnosis-specific, proven efficacious treatments are a major recent advance in psychiatry. Appropriate use of such treatments presupposes patients who meet the diagnostic criteria and clinicians who have accurately diagnosed the target disorder and comorbid conditions. Since little is known about whether these prerequisites are commonly met, the authors conducted a study at two community treatment sites to determine the frequency of various axis I diagnoses and the concordance between the diagnoses recorded in patient charts and those obtained by a structured interview. Given that a DSM diagnosis may not be sufficient to understand a patient's problems, the authors also obtained ratings of interpersonal functioning. METHOD: The subjects were 164 nonpsychotic patients who were seen at a rural (N=114) or urban (N=50) community treatment facility. Raters trained to reliably use the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID) conducted diagnostic interviews. Clinical charts were reviewed to obtain clinical diagnoses. Patients completed questionnaires regarding interpersonal functioning. RESULTS: Most (N=145, 88%) of the patients met the SCID criteria for a current axis I diagnosis, and 53% (N=87) met the criteria for two or more disorders. Clinical and SCID diagnoses had poor agreement. Evidence was found for interpersonal dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients met the diagnostic criteria for conditions for which there are proven treatments; however, inaccurate diagnosis proved common. This barrier to optimal treatment could be ameliorated with the use of structured interviews for common diagnoses. Scores on social/interpersonal measures support the premise that DSM symptoms provide only part of the relevant information about patients' conditions.

Adjustment Disorders↗

PubMed2000

A pilot study of the effect of L-threodops on rehabilitation outcome of stroke patients.

We investigated whether L-threodops (L-DOPS), a norepinephrine precursor, improves rehabilitation outcome in patients with initial hemiparetic supratentorial ischemic stroke (2 months post stroke). Five patients who agreed to be treated with L-DOPS received 45-minute physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) for 2 months, 3 days a week, with an oral dose of 200 mg L-DOPS 2 hours before each session, followed by PT and OT without L-DOPS for 2 months (DOPS group). Eight patients who disagreed received PT and OT for 4 months (control). Each group demonstrated comparable age, sex, complications, Mini-Mental State Examination, and the baseline Functional Independence Measure (FIM, DOPS/control = 36/42), Fugl-Meyer (F-M) motor scale (30/27), and ambulation endurance (10/9 meters). DOPS group had significantly greater gain than control (p < 0.05, Mann-Whitney U test) in FIM score at 4 (51/45) and 6 months (57/49), ambulation at 4 (66/16) and 6 months (82/24), and F-M score at 4 months (40/29). There were no side effects that required discontinuation of the drug. These results suggest that L-DOPS treatment paired with PT and OT may be effective in improving functional outcome in stroke.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2000

Metabolic and cardiorespiratory responses to continuous box lifting and lowering in nonimpaired subjects.

STUDY DESIGN: A within-subject experimental design. OBJECTIVES: To compare the magnitude of metabolic and cardiorespiratory changes produced during box lifting and lowering among combinations of lift technique (leg lift and leg-torso lift) and lift weight (10.8 and 15.4 kg). BACKGROUND: Continuous box lifting and lowering can be used as an exercise in a low-back rehabilitation program. Awareness of the possible cardiovascular stress of this activity is important to the clinician because some patients may have existing cardiovascular pathologies or possess unknown risk factors for cardiovascular disease. METHODS AND MEASURES: A group of 17 nonimpaired men 26 +/- 8 years of age (mean +/- SD) performed the 4 experimental trials on different days in a counterbalanced order determined by a Latin Square design. Lifting and lowering was performed for 6 continuous minutes at a rate of 12 cycles per minute. Physiologic variables were oxygen uptake, minute ventilation, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, metabolic equivalent, and rate-pressure product. RESULTS: There were stepwise increases in the values for oxygen uptake, minute ventilation, heart rate, metabolic equivalent, and rate-pressure product from the leg-torso lift to the leg lift and from 10.8 to 15.4 kg of weight within each lift technique (with the exception that minute ventilation and heart rate did not differ between the leg-torso lift at 15.4 kg and the leg lift at 10.8 kg). For the 4 lifts, values (mean +/- SD) varied from 20.3 +/- 5.4 to 28.8 +/- 5.8 mL x kg x min(-1) for oxygen uptake, 42.2 +/- 11.1 to 66.4 +/- 15.2 L x min(-2) for minute ventilation,129 +/- 20.6 to 156 +/- 16.5 beats x min(-1) for heart rate, 5.8 +/- 1.6 to 8.2 +/- 1.6 for metabolic equivalent, and 197 +/- 49.4 to 245 +/- 41.2 for rate-pressure product (x10(-2)). CONCLUSION: The leg lift with the 15.4-kg weight produced the greatest physiologic stress. Because of the magnitude of the increase in the variables measured for all 4 types of lifts, clinicians should closely monitor patients' response to this type of exercise.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Changes in cytokine (IL-8, IL-6 and TNF-alpha) levels in the amniotic fluid and maternal serum in patients with premature rupture of the membranes.

PURPOSE: To study the changes in interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels in patients with premature rupture of the membranes (PROM). METHODS: A total of 46 normal term pregnant women served as controls and 46 women with PROM were enrolled for study. Maternal serum and amniotic fluid IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and a sensitive radioimmunoassay, respectively. RESULTS: The maternal serum IL-6 and IL-8 levels and amniotic fluid IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha levels were higher than those of controls, and the differences were significant between the two groups (p < 0.05). Although the levels of TNF-alpha in maternal serum were higher than that of controls, the difference was not significant. There were significant relationships between the levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha and the duration of PROM. The longer the duration of PROM, the higher the levels of maternal serum and amniotic fluid IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha were. There were 12 cases of clinical chorioamnionitis, and the levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha in the maternal and amniotic fluid were higher than that of those without chorioamnionitis (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Determining cytokines (IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha) is a valuable clinical method for identifying chorioamnionitis in patients with PROM.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

[MRSA infection control in the wards for progressive muscular dystrophy: the effects of encouraged handwashing].

There are currently 27 national hospitals with the wards for progressive muscular dystrophy (PMD) in Japan. Today, most patients in these wards are severely motor handicapped and complicated with respiratory and/or cardiac failure. Malnutrition, dysphagia, insufficient respiratory tract clearance are common problems that cause fragility to infection. Although progress in the treatment of infection have remarkably prolonged their life-span, frequent use of antibiotics is a major factor for occurrence of drug resistant bacteria. Since we had the first case of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in 1994 in our hospital, the number of MRSA carriers increased year by year. To prevent the spread of MRSA, we revised our infection precaution manual and surveyed its consequence. We encouraged handwashing of staffs, introduced green tea in cleansing genital region and abolished the use of a private room except a patient with severe seborrheic eczema. The revision of the manual resulted in decrease of MRSA carriers. The surveillance revealed that many patients had MRSA in genital regions, although there were no relationships between colonization of MRSA and severlity of disability or complications. It was strongly suggested that toilettary care by the hands of nursing staffs was a major factor of transferring MRSA. Our study revealed that encouragement of handwashing is more powerful in preventing the spreading MRSA, and more favorable for quality of lives of PMD patients than isolating the patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

[Electrolyte abnormalities and metabolic acidosis in two Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients with advanced congestive heart failure].

We experienced two Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients with advanced congestive heart failure, who showed abrupt severe hyponatremia, hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis. Two patients received respiratory management, parenteral nutrition, and drugs including angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI). The patient 1 who was 19 years old showed abdominal pain, hematuria, diarrhea and disorientation. Laboratory findings were as follows; Na 120 mEq/L, K 7.3 mEq/L, BUN > 140 mg/dl (scale over), ACTH 20.2 pg/ml, cortisol 25 micrograms/dl, renin 40.7 ng/ml/hr and aldosterone 203 ng/dl. Arterial blood gas analysis (ABG) showed metabolic acidosis (pH 7.232). Combination therapy with hydrocortisone, glucose-insulin therapy (GIT) and NaHCO3 successfully rescued this patient. The patient 2 (28 years of age) was admitted to our hospital because of congestive heart failure. Laboratory findings were as follows; Na 129 mEq/L, K 5.5 mEq/L, BUN 60 mg/dl, cortisol 21 micrograms/dl, renin 36 ng/ml/hr and aldosterone 47 ng/dl. He complained abdominal discomforts from the next day of admission. Ten days after the admission Na, K and BUN were 111 mEq/L, 6.2 mEq/L and 154 mg/dl, respectively. ABG showed compensated metabolic acidosis. He fell into shock during GIT therapy. Laboratory findings at that time were as follows; Na 108 mEq/L, K 3.2 mEq/L, ACTH 77.6 pg/ml, cortisol 24 micrograms/dl, renin 58 ng/ml/hr and aldosterone 24 ng/dl. Although hydrocortisone was introduced, he could not recover and died. There are some reports about life-threatening electrolyte abnormalities and metabolic acidosis in the patients receiving ACEI. These phenomena were more frequent in patients with renal dysfunction and/or congestive heart failure. Hyponatremia, hypovolemia, combination therapy with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and/or potassium sparing diuretics were reported as risk factors. We could not prove the correlation between the acute changes in our cases and ACEI. However ACEI is suspicious, because many of these risk factors were observed in our cases. Aldosterone was extremely elevated in the patient 1 when potassium was severely elevated. On the other hand, the patient 2 showed lower aldosterone level after correction of potassium than that on admission. Potassium is regarded as a major secretion factor of aldosterone for patients receiving ACEI. The fact the patient 2 fell into shock during GIT, tells us that we should use steroid simultaneously when we try to correct potassium quickly in severe cases, because acute reduction of potassium may decrease aldosterone. Today, ACEI is a common drug for CHF, so we should pay attentions that ACEI could cause such acute changes. To prevent such acute changes, excessive restriction of water and sodium intake should be avoided. If possible, NSAID and potassium sparing diuretics also should be avoided. Steroid therapy must be introduced rapidly when needed.

Acidosis↗

PubMed2000

[A case of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis showing various cerebral perfusion on 99mTc-ECD SPECT].

We reported serial neuroradiological findings of a 20-year-old male with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, who deteriorated from Jabbour stage 2 to stage 4 rapidly in spite of oral administration of inosine pranobex. At the stage 2, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) and [99mTc]-L, L-ethyl cysteinate dimer (99mTc-ECD) single photon emission computed tomography(SPECT) findings were normal. As the disease progressed, brain MRI and CT revealed diffuse cerebral white matter lesions as well as cerebral atrophy. 99mTc-ECD SPECT showed serially various perfusion of cerebrum. These findings in 99mTc-ECD SPECT may reflect the acute inflammatory process and consequent destruction of brain tissue.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

[A pilot study to establish a support system using SpO2 monitoring system and videoconference system for patients under home mechanical ventilation].

Development of portable ventilators has enabled patients suffering from respiratory failure to live outside hospitals. The number of patients with neuromuscular disorders receiving home mechanical ventilation (HMV) has been increasing year by year. However, Japanese social support services are not sufficient for these patients. Thus, we tried to establish a system to support patients under HMV using SpO2 monitoring system and videoconference system. Pulse oximeter was connected to a portable personal computer, which stores real-time data and send daily data to hospital. The computer in our hospital receives patient's data and prints out it as a trend-graph, which enables medical staffs to know patient's condition. When SpO2 deteriorates significantly, alarm system works automatically to warn patient's family. In case SpO2 worsens more severely, alarm also warns medical staffs in our hospital to call the patient to confirm patient's condition and to give advices. Videoconference system was also introduced to communicate quickly and correctly. Thirty-four patients with progressive muscular dystrophy attended this study after informed consents. They used these systems in the period between discharge and first visit to hospital. Videoconference system was utilized in only two patients, because it required a digital line. These systems were effective in decreasing anxieties of patients and their families about HMV. According to daily check, 16 of 34 patients showed temporary deterioration of respiratory condition, although all patients had been in good condition in hospital. Loosening of the belt of nasal mask, air leak from opened mouth were frequent causes for the deteriorations. These problems could be corrected smoothly after discussion and advices. Thus this system was very useful to establish good respiratory management in a short period. Monitoring system also detected troubles of ventilators. Two patients showed progressive worsening of SpO2 day by day, however we could not find any problems in their respiratory managements. When we checked the ventilator, there were lumps of dust at the upper-pressure limit valves, which caused air leak. It was revealed that 3 of 27 ventilators had the same troubles, which caused leaks more than 10% of the flow volume. This fact proved that this system was also effective to prevent severe troubles from unexpected problems about HMV. Videoconference system enabled us to communicate quickly and correctly. It was also convenient to give advices. It is quite difficult for ordinary people to explain and understand physical condition and methods to handle respirator with only oral communication. Visual communication solved these troubles almost completely. Although there are some problems about this system including high cost and quality of picture, it is undoubtedly powerful tool. It is natural for patients with respiratory failure to wish to stay their home, when they possessed portable respirators. So it is important to decrease the risk related to HMV. We verified that the combination of monitoring system and multimedia can produce effective support system. It is important to improve these systems and cut down the cost for popularization.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Stenting versus non-stenting after revascularization of chronic total coronary artery occlusion: short- and long-term clinical and angiographic results.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the short- and long-term clinician and angiographic outcome of stenting or angioplasty for chronic total coronary artery occlusion. METHODS: A total of 95 patients with successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) for total occlusion coronary artery were identified out of 358 patients undergoing PTCA for chronic total occlusion. Patients were classified into two groups: Group A had selective stenting after successful PTCA and Group B only had PTCA. Clinical cardiac events including acute myocardial infarction (AMI) angina, death, repeat revascularization and angiographic variables were followed and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 85 of 95 patients (89%) completed clinical and angiographic follow-up. In group A (n = 42), 1 patient experienced an AMI while in group B, 2 patients experienced AMI and 1 died. In group A, the restenosis rate was 29%, reocclusion rate was 12% and recanularization rate was 19%, as compared to 58%, 22% and 45% respectively in group B (P < 0.001, P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Selective stent improves short- and long-term clinical and angiographic outcomes and is recommended in cases of chronic total occlusion independent of the primary PTCA results.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

[Elevated substance P content in sputum and plasma in patients with COPD and its relationship with FEV1/FVC].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of substance P(SP) of the nonadrenergic system within airways in the pathogenesis of COPD, and analyze the relationship between level of SP and FEV1/FVC in COPD patients. METHOD: SP concentration in sputum and plasma in 20 patients with COPD and 20 normal volunteers was examined and was measured by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: The sputum SP concentration was significantly higher in patients with COPD (57.3 +/- 14.5) pmol/L than that in normal volunteers(5.9 +/- 2.6) pmol/L, P < 0.01, the plasma SP concentration was significantly higher in COPD patients (8.6 +/- 3.9) pmol/L than that in normal volunteers (3.8 +/- 2.0) pmol/L, P < 0.05. The plasma and sputum SP concentration correlated with FEV1/FVC in COPD patients (r = -0.591, r = -0.642, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that neurogenic inflammation may be involved in the airway inflammation process and subsequent airway narrowing in COPD.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

[The relationship of vasoactive intestinal peptide, other substances and the changes of nocturnal blood pressure in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the difference of plasma VIP, NO and ET concentrations in awake and in different sleep periods and the relationship between VIP, NO and ET values and the changes in nocturnal blood pressure in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome(OSAS). METHODS: Retaining manometric tube in radial artery and polysomnography(PSG) were done synchronously in 12 patients with OSAS whom was diagnosed by whole-night PSG. Blood specimens were collected before sleep, during NREM sleep and REM sleep and the next morning to detect the concentrations of VIP and ET by radioimmunoassay(RIA) and NO by nitrate reductase method. RESULTS: (1) Plasma NO values were significantly decreased in the morning than those before sleep (P = 0.014). There was no remarkable changes of VIP and ET values in different testing periods. (2) Plasma NO and ET values in the morning were correlated with hypoxia at night, but not with AHI (P > 0.05). (3) Plasma VIP values were significantly correlated with the baseline of SBP (r = 0.654, P < 0.05) and DBP (r = 0.706, P < 0.01) in NREM sleep and that of DBP (r = 0.613, P < 0.05) in REM sleep. There was no significant correlation between BP and plasma NO and ET values in different times. CONCLUSIONS: Endothelial dysfunction associated with NO reduction might be present and VIP might be involved in regulating BP changes in patients with OSAS.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

[Toxic effects of aluminum on human embryonic cerebral neurocytes in vitro studies].

OBJECTIVE: To study the toxic effect of aluminum on human embryonic cerebral neurocytes in vitro studies. METHODS: Human embryonic cerebral neurocytes were divided into three groups (control, low Al and high Al groups). The growth, development and morphology of neurocytes were observed by light and electron microscopy. The protein, DNA, lipid peroxide (LPO) contents and the activity of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and cholinesterase (CHE) of neurocytes were detected. RESULTS: The number of viable cells in high Al group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The number of swelling, degenerated and necrotic cells was significantly increased in high Al group. The DNA content and the activity of NSE and CHE of neurocytes were significantly decreased with the increase of Al concentrations (P < 0.05). The LPO content of neurocytes in the high Al group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between the Al dose and LPO content of neurocytes (P < 0.05). The electron microscopy study showed that the membrane structure of cell was damaged in the high Al group and the arrangement of microtubules in the processes was disordered. CONCLUSIONS: The growth, development and function of human embryonic cerebral neurocytes was inhibited in the high Al group. The neurotoxicity of Al may be caused by lipid peroxidation and the damage of cell membrane.

Aluminum↗

PubMed1999

Fast repair of hydroxy radical purine deoxynucleotide adducts by phenylpropanoid glycosides and their derivatives from Chinese herbs.

DNA damaged by oxygen radicals has been implicated as a causative event in a number of degenerative diseases, including cancer and aging. So it is very significant to look for ways in which either oxygen radicals are scavenged prior to DNA damage or damaged DNA is repaired to supplement the cells' inadequate repair capacity. The repair activities and reaction mechanism of phenylpropanoid glycosides (PPGs) and their derivatives, isolated from Chinese folk medicinal herbs, towards both dGMP-OH* adducts and dAMP-OH* adducts were studied with the pulse radiolytic technique. On pulse irradiation of nitrous oxide saturated 2 mM dGMP or dAMP aqueous solution containing one of the PPGs or their derivatives, the transient absorption spectra of the hydroxyl adduct of dGMP or dAMP decayed with the formation of that of phenoxyl radicals of PPGs or their derivatives within several decades of microseconds after electron pulse irradiation. The result indicated that dGMP or dAMP hydroxyl adducts can be repaired by PPGs or their derivatives. The rate constants of the repair reactions were deduced to be 0.641-1.28 x 10(9) M(-1) s(-1) for dGMP-OH* and 0.2-0.491 x 10(9) M(-1) s(-1) for dAMP-OH*, which positively correlated to the number of phenolic hydroxyl groups in the glycoside structure. A deeper understanding of this new repair mechanism may help researchers to design strategies to prevent and/or intervene more effectively in free radical related diseases.

DNA Adducts↗

PubMed1999

Fast repair of deoxynucleotide radical cations by phenylpropanoid glycosides (PPGs) and their analogs.

The repair effects on deoxynucleotide radical cations of phenylpropanoid glycosides (PPGs) and their analogs, isolated from a Chinese folk medicinal herb, were studied using the pulse radiolysis technique. The radical cations of deoxynucleotides were formed by the reaction of SO4*- with deoxynucleotides. On pulse irradiation of a nitrogen saturated deoxynucleotide aqueous solution containing 20 mM K2S2O8, 200 mM t-BuOH and one of the PPGs or their analogs, the transient absorption spectra of the radical cations of nucleotide decayed with the formation of those of the radical cation of PPGs or their analogs within several tens of microseconds after electron pulse irradiation. The result indicates that deoxynucleotide radical cations can be repaired by PPGs or their analogs. The rate constants of the repair reactions were determined to be 0.48-1.1 x 10(9), 0.64-1.80 x 10(9) and 2.12-4.4 x 10(9) M(-1) s(-1) for dAMP, dGMP and dCMP radical cations respectively. It is obvious that the rate constants of the repair reaction depend on the number of phenolic hydroxyl groups contained in the PPGs and their analogs. A deeper understanding of this new repair mechanism will undoubtedly help researchers design strategies to prevent and/or intervene more effective in free radical related diseases.

Cations↗

PubMed1999

Defective development of gamma/delta T cells in interleukin 7 receptor-deficient mice is due to impaired expression of T cell receptor gamma genes.

Mice lacking the interleukin 7 receptor (IL-7R) generate alpha/beta T cells at a detectable but greatly reduced rate, but gamma/delta T cells are completely absent. The special role of IL-7R signaling in gamma/delta T cell development has remained unclear. IL-7Ralpha(-/-) mice exhibit a paucity of gamma gene rearrangements. This striking observation can be explained by a defect in T cell receptor (TCR)-gamma gene rearrangement, a defect in TCR-gamma gene transcription leading to death of gamma/delta lineage cells, and/or a requirement for IL-7R in commitment of cells to the gamma/delta lineage. To determine the role of IL-7R signaling in gamma/delta T cell development, we examined transcription of a prerearranged TCR-gamma transgene in IL-7Ralpha(-/-) mice, as well as the effects of IL-7 on transcription of endogenous, rearranged TCR-gamma genes in alpha/beta lineage cells. The results demonstrate that IL-7R-mediated signals are necessary for the normal expression of rearranged TCR-gamma genes. Equally significant, the results show that the poor expression of TCR-gamma genes in IL-7Ralpha(-/-) mice is responsible for the selective deficit in gamma/delta cells in these mice, since a high copy TCR-gamma transgene exhibited sufficient residual expression in IL-7Ralpha(-/-) mice to drive gamma/delta cell development. The results indicate that the absence of gamma/delta T cells in IL-7Ralpha(-/-) mice is due to insufficient TCR-gamma gene expression.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

A novel element upstream of the Vgamma2 gene in the murine T cell receptor gamma locus cooperates with the 3' enhancer to act as a locus control region.

Transgenic expression constructs were employed to identify a cis-acting transcription element in the T cell receptor (TCR)-gamma locus, called HsA, between the Vgamma5 and Vgamma2 genes. In constructs lacking the previously defined enhancer (3'E(Cgamma1)), HsA supports transcription in mature but not immature T cells in a largely position-independent fashion. 3'E(Cgamma1), without HsA, supports transcription in immature and mature T cells but is subject to severe position effects. Together, the two elements support expression in immature and mature T cells in a copy number-dependent, position-independent fashion. Furthermore, HsA was necessary for consistent rearrangement of transgenic recombination substrates. These data suggest that HsA provides chromatin-opening activity and, together with 3'E(Cgamma1), constitutes a T cell-specific locus control region for the TCR-gamma locus.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Identification of a cell protein (FIP-3) as a modulator of NF-kappaB activity and as a target of an adenovirus inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced apoptosis.

FIP-3 (14.7K interacting protein) was discovered during a search for cell proteins that could interact with an adenovirus protein (Ad E3-14.7K) that had been shown to prevent tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-induced cytolysis. FIP-3, which contains leucine zippers and a zinc finger domain, inhibits both basal and induced transcriptional activity of NF-kappaB and causes a late-appearing apoptosis with unique morphologic manifestations. Ad E3-14.7K can partially reverse apoptotic death induced by FIP-3. FIP-3 also was shown to bind to other cell proteins, RIP and NIK, which previously had been described as essential components of TNF-alpha-induced NF-kappaB activation. In addition, FIP-3 inhibited activation of NF-kappaB induced by TNF-alpha, the TNFR-1 receptor, RIP, NIK, and IKKbeta, as well as basal levels of endogenous NF-kappaB in 293 cells. Because the activation of NF-kappaB has been shown to inhibit apoptosis, FIP-3 appears both to activate a cell-death pathway and to inhibit an NF-kappaB-dependent survival mechanism.

Adenoviridae↗

PubMed1999

Leiomyosarcoma of the parotid gland: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: A primary leiomyosarcoma of the parotid gland has been reported only three times in the English literature. This type of tumor represents an extremely rare group of salivary gland neoplasm. METHODS: A 44 year old man was initially seen with a 5 cm right parotid mass which was resected with a total parotidectomy, preserving the facial nerve. The patient had no palpable cervical lymph nodes. RESULTS: The majority of the specimen was made up of a relatively well demarcated tumor 5 cm in diameter. The tumor was noted to contain moderate to poorly differentiated primary leiomyosarcoma of the parotid. CONCLUSIONS: A primary leiomyosarcoma of the parotid gland is an extremely rare existing entity. A review of the literature reveals that primary leiomyosarcoma and other sarcomas of the major salivary glands may share similar histogenesis and biologic behavior with their soft tissue counterparts.

Adult↗