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Objectives Among the inflammatory mediators, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) is associated with the regulation of MUC5B expression in the airway epithelial cells. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the major component of green tea extract. The biological activity of EGCG includes reduction of cholesterol and antioxidant activity, as well as anti-inflammatory effect. However, the precise action mechanism of anti-inflammatory effect of EGCG in the airway epithelial cells has not been fully defined. This study investigates the effect and the brief signaling pathway of EGCG on PMA-induced MUC5B expression in the airway epithelial cells. Methods In NCI-H292 airway epithelial cells, the effect and signaling pathway of EGCG on MUC5B expression were investigated using real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis, enzyme immunoassay, immunohistochemical analysis, gelatin zymography assay, and immunoblot analysis. Results In NCI-H292 airway epithelial cells, PMA induced MUC5B expression, phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression and protein activity. EGCG significantly decreased PMA-induced MUC5B expression, phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, and MMP-9 expression and protein activity. SB203580 (p38 MAPK inhibitor) significantly decreased PMA-induced MMP-9 expression. In addition, SB203580 and MMP-9 I (MMP-9 inhibitor) significantly decreased PMA-induced MUC5B expression. Conclusion These results suggest that EGCG down-regulates PMA-induced MUC5B expression through the p38 MAPK dependent MMP-9 signaling pathway in human airway epithelial cells.

Results Regarding the location, Seoul (38), Gyeonggi (28), Busan (10) accounted for 70% of sites by western physicians, compared with 76% for the eastern physicians [Seoul (27), Gyeonggi (9), Busan (3)]. With respect to content, main content and Q/A were excellent in sites by eastern physicians whereas clinical schedule was excellent in those by western physicians. The mean informational value of the web sites was 5.17 for western physicians and 2.19 for eastern physicians (p

Received March 11, 2013 Revised April 18, 2013 Accepted April 21, 2013 Address for correspondence Yong-Dae Kim, MD, PhD Department of OtorhinolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, 170 Hyeonchung-ro, Nam-gu, Daegu 705-703, Korea Tel +82-53-620-3781 Fax +82-53-628-7884 E-mail ydkim@med.yu.ac.kr Background and ObjectivesZZNaringenin and delphinidin are types of anthocyanidin, which are flavonoids and thus have anti-inflammatory property. Moderate consumption of natural dietary naringenin and delphinidin is believed to do anti-inflammatory action, but the action mechanism is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of naringenin and delphinidin on interleukin-1β (IL-1β)and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced MUC5AC and MUC5B expressions in airway epithelial cells. Materials and MethodZZIn NCI-H292 cells and cultured nasal polyp epithelial cells, the effects of naringenin and delphinidin on IL-1βand LPS-induced MUC5AC and MUC5B expressions were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. ResultsZZDelphinidin attenuated IL-1βand LPS-induced MUC5AC and MUC5B mRNA and glycoprotein expression in a dose-dependent pattern in NCI-H292 cells and in cultured nasal polyp epithelial cells. Naringenin partially attenuated IL-1βand LPS-induced MUC5AC and MUC5B mRNA and glycoprotein expression at a high dose. ConclusionZZThese results suggest that delphinidin attenuates MUC5AC and MUC5B expressions in the airway epithelial cells. Between anthocyanidin and delphinidin, delphinidin exhibits greater potential as an ideal therapeutic agent for the control of mucus-hypersecretion in the treatment of airway inflammatory diseases. Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg 2013;56:291-6

Received June 18, 2013 Revised July 15, 2013 Accepted July 15, 2013 Address for correspondence Yong-Dae Kim, MD, PhD Department of OtorhinolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, 170 Hyeonchung-ro, Nam-gu, Daegu 705-703, Korea Tel +82-53-620-3781 Fax +82-53-628-7884 E-mail ydkim@med.yu.ac.kr Background and ObjectivesZZMucus hypersecretion in the airway may lead to increased frequency and duration of infection, declined lung function, and increased morbidity and mortality in inflammatory respiratory diseases. Udenafil, a phosphodiesterase (PDE) 5 inhibitor, is an oral medication for erectile dysfunction. Recent studies show that PDE5 inhibitor has various anti-inflammatory properties. However, the effect of udenafil on mucus secretion in human airway epithelial cells is unclear. Therefore, the effect and brief signaling pathway of udenafil on MUC5B expression were investigated in human airway epithelial cells. Materials and MethodZZWe analyzed the effects and brief signaling pathway of udenafil on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced MUC5B expression in mucin-producing NCI-H292 epithelial cells using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunoblot analysis. ResultsZZUdenafil attenuated the LPS-induced MUC5B mRNA expressions and glycoprotein production in NCI-H292 epithelial cells. It also attenuated LPS-induced toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) mRNA expression and phosphorylation of extracellular regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2) and p38 in NCI-H292 epithelial cells. ConclusionZZThese results suggest that udenafil attenuates the LPS induced MUC5B expression via TLR4, ERK1/2 and p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in human airway epithelial cells, and that it could be a novel therapeutic agent for controlling chronic airway disease. Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg 2013;56:501-5

Chigger-borne typhus 혹은 scrub typhus로 알려져 있는 츠츠가무시병은 털진드기(trombiculid mite)를 매개체로 하 여 Rickettsia tsutsugamushi가 인체에 감염되어 발생하는 급 성 발열질환으로, 원발 병변인 가피와 반점상 발진, 림프절 종 대가 특징이다. 감염 후 1~3주의 잠복기를 거쳐 갑작스러운 발 열과 오한, 두통, 피부발진 및 림프절 비대가 나타나며, 특히 늦가을에 발열이 있으면서 벌레에 물린 자국인 괴사딱지가 관찰되면 임상적으로 의심할 수 있다. 츠츠가무시병의 합병증 으로는 뇌막염과 급성 신부전, 간질성 폐렴 등이 있으며, 그 외 심근염과 심막삼출, 망막정맥 혈관염, 돌발성 난청이 있다. 현재 돌발성 난청의 병인으로 타당성 있게 인정되고 있는 바 이러스 감염설의 증거로는 혈청학적인 연구에서 항바이러스 항체가 돌발성 감각신경성난청 환자군에게 유의하게 높게 나 타나기 때문이며, 그 외 Mycoplasma와 Chlamydia 등에 의 한 세균 감염질환에서도 돌발성 난청이 발생된다고 보고되 고 있다. 하지만 현재까지 츠츠가무시병과 동반된 양측 돌 발성 난청에 대해 국내외적으로 보고된 예는 매우 적다. 이에 저자들은 64세 남자 환자에서 츠츠가무시병에 동반된 양측 돌발성 난청 1예를 경험하였기에 문헌고찰과 함께 보고 하는 바이다.

Pseudosarcomatous carcinoma is a kind of squamous cell carcinoma having biphasic pattern, with both squamous and spindle cell components. Pseudosarcomatous carcinoma of head and neck mucosa is a very rare high-grade malignancy that may cause diagnostic and therapeutic controversies. The tools used for diagnosing pseudosarcomatous carcinoma are histopathological analysis and immunohistochemical analysis. We experienced four cases, a 60year-old male patient with pseudosarcomatous carcinoma located at the left false vocal fold, a 68-year-old female patient with the same carcinoma located at both false vocal folds, 73-yearold male patient with the same carcinoma at the epiglottis, and a 69-year-old male patient with the same carcinoma at the left true vocal fold. We report these four cases with a brief review of literatures.� Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg 2012;55:440-3 Key WordsZZLarynx ㆍPseudosarcomatous carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) is widely used as a protein kinase C (PKC) activator, PKC is involved in the secretion of mucins. MUC16, one of the membrane-bound mucins, is produced in human airway epithelial cells. However, the effect and signaling pathway of PMA on MUC16 expression in human airway epithelial cells has not been reported. Therefore, the effect and brief signaling pathway of PMA on MUC16 expression were investigated in human airway epithelial cells in this study. METHODS: In the mucin-producing human NCI-H292 airway epithelial cells and the primary cultures of normal nasal epithelial cells, the effect and signaling pathway of PMA on MUC16 expression were investigated using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), real-time PCR, enzyme immunoassay, and immunoblot analysis with several specific inhibitors and small interfering RNA (siRNA) for p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). RESULTS: PMA increased MUC16 expression, and activated phosphorylation of p38 MAPK. However, it did not activate phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). SB203580 (p38 MAPK inhibitor) inhibited PMA-induced MUC16 expression, while U0126 (ERK1/2 inhibitor) did not. In addition, the knockdown of p38 MAPK by p38 MAPK siRNA significantly blocked PMA-induced MUC16 mRNA expression. Rottlerin (PKCδ inhibitor) inhibited PMA-induced MUC16 expression, and also inhibited the phosphorylation of activated p38 MAPK by PMA. CONCLUSION: These results show for the first time that PMA-induced MUC16 expression is regulated by activation of the PKCδ and p38 MAPK signaling pathway in human airway epithelial cells.

Background: Korean regression models for spirometric reference values are different from those of Americans. Using spirometry results of Korean adults, goodness-of-fits of the Korean and the USA Caucasian regression models for forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1) were compared. Methods: The number of study participants was 2,360 (1,124 males and 1,236 females). Spirometry was performed under the guidelines of the American Thoracic Society and the European Respiratory Society. After excluding unsuitable participants, spirometric data for 729 individuals (105 males and 624 females) was included in the statistical analysis. The estimated FVC and FEV 1 values were compared with those measured. Goodness-of-fits for Korean and USA Caucasian models were compared using an F-test. Results: In males, the expected values of FVC and FEV1 using the Korean model were 12.5% and 5.7% greater than those measured, respectively. The corresponding values for the USA Caucasian model were 3.5% and 0.6%. In females, the difference in FVC and FEV 1 were 13.5% and 7.7% for the Korean model, and 6.3% and 0.4% for the USA model, respectively. Goodness-of-fit for the Korean model regarding FVC was not good to the study population, but the Korean regression model for FEV 1, and the USA Caucasian models for FVC and FEV1 showed good fits to the measured data. Conclusion: These results suggest that the USA Caucasian model correlates better to the measured data than the Korean model. Using reference values derived from the Korean model can lead to an overestimation regarding the prevalence of abnormal lung function.

Received August 2, 2011 Revised September 20, 2011 Accepted October 6, 2011 Address for correspondence Yong-Dae Kim, MD, PhD Department of OtorhinolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, 317-1 Daemyeong-dong, Nam-gu, Daegu 705-717, Korea Tel +82-53-620-3781 Fax +82-53-628-7884 E-mail ydkim@med.yu.ac.kr Background and ObjectivesZZRecently, obesity has become one of the major health problems in our society. To overcome this problem, keeping a balance between food intake and energy expenditure is very important. Many natural substances including essential oils have been suggested for their potential effect on reducing weight. This study was performed to evaluate whether aroma inhalation of essential oil has a role in appetite regulation and works on the central nervous system through the olfactory stimulus. Materials and MethodZZFood intake was measured after 30 minutes of treatment with essential oil in overnight fasted Sprague-Dawley rats. In the control group, saline was used instead of essential oil. Changes in pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) mRNA expression levels in the hypothalamus were measured following 30 minutes of treatment with geranium essential oil using real-time polymerase chain reaction. ResultsZZOf the seven essential oils, geranium significantly decreased the amount of food intake compared to the control group. Geranium essential oil significantly increased POMC mRNA expression in the hypothalamus, but did not change the NPY mRNA expression. The increased POMC mRNA expression was reversed by treatment with xylocaine, which blocks the olfactory perception. ConclusionZZThese results suggest that geranium essential oil has anorexic effect through the activation of POMC neurons in the hypothalamus via olfactory stimulus. Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg 2011;54:766-70

Hamartoma is a tumor-like malformation in which the tissues are arranged haphazardly with an excess of one or more of its components, although the underlying reasons for the occurrence of hamartoma is not fully understood. Hamartoma commonly originates from the lung, kidney and intestine. However, hamartoma is very rare in the head and neck, especially in the palatine tonsil. Presenting symptoms of hamartoma are typically vague and nonspecific. Complete surgical removal of the hamartoma is the treatment of choice as incomplete treatment leaves the risk of recurrence. Recently, we have experienced a 22 year-old male patient who presented with a mass at the posterior pillar area of the right palatine tonsil of several years. The mass was resected completely and confirmed histologically as a hamartoma. There fore, we report this case with a brief literature review. � Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg 2011;54:731-3 Key WordsZZPalatine tonsil ㆍHamartoma.

Primary small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the nasal cavity is a very rare and aggressive neoplasm. This tumor is clinically characterized by a propensity for early widespread dissemination that accounts for the dismal prognosis. Although numerous aggressive treatment strategies for this tumor have been reported, optimal treatment has not yet been defined and successfully treated case has not been reported in Korea. Therefore, we report a case of small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the nasal septum, which was successfully treated by endoscopic wide resection combined with postoperative chemotherapy and radiotherapy. (Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg 2009;52:529-32)

Background and Objectives The influence of anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) loop on sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) remains controversial. The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the anatomical type of AICA loop and SSHL. Subjects and Method We reviewed the medical records of 69 ears from 60 patients with SSHL between January 2005 and April 2008, retrospectively. AICA loops were classified according to the Chavda classification method by magnetic resonance imaging. According to the extension depth of the loop in the internal auditory canal, it was classified as type I, II and III. The loop was classified as S (small diameter) and L (large diameter) by comparing the thickness of the loop with adjacent facial nerves. Results The predominant type of AICA loop was type I (68.1%) and type S (78.3%). There was no significant correlation between the pretreatment hearing level, extension depth and diameter. There was also no significant correlation between the rate of hearing recovery by Siegel's criteria and diameter. However, there was significant correlation between the rate of hearing recovery by Siegel's criteria and the types of the extension depth (p

Tumoral calcinosis is characterized by the deposition of calcium phosphate in periarticular soft tissues and mainly occurs around large joints of the hips, shoulders, and elbows. However, it oc-curs very rarely at the auricle. The etiology of tumoral calcinosis is unknown with a greater prev-alence among blacks. Tumoral calcinosis must be differentiated from other more common causes of calcification. The most effective treatment for a tumoral calcinosis is complete surgical exci-sion. Recently, we experienced a case of tumoral calcinosis at the right auricle in a 10 year-old male patient. So we report this case with the literature review.

In this work we demonstrated a tunable planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA) for the correction of impedance mismatch resulting from the resonant frequency shift in the usage of mobile phones due to human hand effects. The tunable PIFA has a tuning line with electrical path to the ground plate through an RF MEMS switch and loading capacitor. By changing the switch status, the resonant frequency of the PIFA can be tuned with the loading capacitance value. The characteristics of the tunable PIFA with different positions of tuning line and value of loading capacitance have been evaluated. A metal-to-metal direct-contact-type RF MEMS switch has been used for tuning the resonant frequency of the capacitor-loaded PIFA, which is piezoelectrically actuated with low actuation voltage. The insertion loss of the RF MEMS switch was measured to be −0.23 dB at 2 GHz with an applied DC bias of 2.5 V. The isolation of the switch was −42.5 dB at 2 GHz. The resonant frequency of the PIFA shifted from 842 to 762 MHz by turning the switch on. The characteristics of the tunable PIFA were measured in the presence of a phantom hand, to show the feasibility of correcting the resonant frequency shift by human hand effects. When the switch was on, the resonant frequency of the PIFA shifted from 762 to 690 MHz, and this was attributed to the phantom hand effect. Turning the switch off caused the PIFA to recover its original resonant frequency with the phantom hand. The measured resonant frequency of the PIFA with the switch off was 760 MHz with the phantom hand and the return loss at the resonant frequency was −22 dB.

Objective To investigate the expression and localization of neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin (NGAL), an antimicrobial peptide, in the normal nasal mucosa and human nasal polyps. Neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin has been identified as a key element in the innate host defense system. However, scant knowledge exists about the expression of NGAL in the human sinonasal tract. Design Prospective study. Setting Academic medical center. Patients Normal inferior turbinate mucosa was obtained from 10 patients who were undergoing augmentation rhinoplasty. The nasal polyps were obtained from 10 patients who were undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps. Interventions We performed semiquantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemical staining, and Western blot analysis. Main Outcome Measures We analyzed the expression of the NGAL messenger RNA (mRNA) and localization of the NGAL protein. Results The NGAL mRNA and NGAL protein were highly expressed in the nasal polyps. The ratio of NGAL mRNA to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase mRNA in the nasal polyps was greater compared with that in the normal turbinate mucosa ( P = .002). The NGAL protein was observed in the epithelium, the infiltrating inflammatory cells, and the submucosal gland of the nasal polyps, but it was very rarely detected in the normal nasal mucosa. Conclusion Expression of NGAL is upregulated in nasal polyps, and additional work is needed to reveal the possible role of NGAL in the defense systems of the nasal mucosa and the process of polyp formation.

This paper presents the electrical contact behaviors of gold-to-gold thin-film contacts under high current conditions and describes the major factors that influence these contact behaviors for radio frequency microelectromechanical system switches. The fundamental phenomena in the contact resistance versus contact force curve were investigated with a contact measurement setup, which we devised. Based on the experimental results, the contact resistance behavior with increasing contact force can be divided into three regions: first, an unstable contact regime before the minimum contact force is reached; second, a stable contact regime where the plastic deformation of the asperities explains the behavior and, finally, a saturated regime where the thickness effect of the film on a hard substrate becomes evident. The minimum contact force required for a stable contact depended on the roughness of the surface and the current flow through the contact. The smooth surface of the Au film and the metal softening caused by a high current flow of 100 mA had the effect of lowering the minimum contact force. After the minimum contact force is exceeded, the contact resistance initially follows the asperity plastic deformation behavior, where the contact resistance is related to the resistivity and hardness of the contact material. In the higher contact force regime, the decrease in the contact resistance becomes almost negligible. With increasing contact force, the effective contact area is limited by the effect of the film thickness on a hard substrate. From these results, we found the principal factors influencing the contact behaviors of the Au-to-Au contacts to be the resistivity, hardness and softening temperature of the contact materials and the design factors such as the surface roughness, the film thickness and the substrate.

OBJECTIVES Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and toluene have been reported to induce reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress. This study was performed to investigate the effects of low level exposure to PAHs or toluene on the lipid peroxidation level in elementary school children and the elderly in a rural area. METHODS Forty seven elementary school children and 40 elderly people who were living in a rural area and not occupationally exposed to PAH or toluene were the subjects of this study. Information about active or passive smoking and diet was obtained using a self-administered questionnaire. The urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP), 2-naphthol, hippuric acid and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) concentrations were measured, and these values were corrected with the urinary creatinine concentration. RESULTS In school children, the geometric means of the urinary 1-OHP, 2-naphthol, hippuric acid and TBARS levels were 0.02 micromol/mol creatinine, 0.47 micromol/mol creatinine, 0.14 g/g creatinine and 0.95 micromol/g creatinine, respectively. Those values for the elderly were 0.07 micromol/mol creatinine, 1.87 micromol/mol creatinine, 0.11 g/g creatinine and 1.18 micro mol/g creatinine, respectively. The mean levels of urinary 1-OHP, 2-naphthol and TBARS were significantly higher in the elderly subjects than in the children. The urinary TBARS level was not correlated with the urinary 1-OHP, 2-naphthol and hippuric acid, but they were correlated with the age of the subjects. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that low level inhalation exposure to PAH or toluene does not markedly increase lipid peroxidation, and age is a significant determinant of lipid peroxidation.

Purpose : Syncope is relatively common in children and adolescents. Among the etiologies of syncope, neurocardiogenical syncope is the most common, but it is often confounded with seizure. We investigated the clinical features of patients under the age of 15 with neurocardiogenical syncope, compared to patients with neurologic disorders including epilepsy. Methods : Among the children who visited the Department of Pediatrics at Cheongju St. Mary's Hospital and Chungbuk National University Hospital from March 2005 to February 2007, we retrospectively analyzed 69 patients whose chief complaint was syncope. We classified the patients by syncope etiology and made comparisons between the neurocardiogenical syncope (NCS) group and the neurological disorders (ND) group regarding to age; location; time and season in which syncope occurred; associated symptoms, including seizures, provocation factors; prodromes; duration of syncope; frequency of previous syncope; birth history; associated disease; past medical history; family history; neurological exam; physical exam; laboratory findings; electrocardiography; electroencephalography (EEG); head-up tilt test; brain CT; and MRI. Results : Among 69 syncope patients, 53 (76.8%) were in the NCS group and 11 (15.9%) were in the ND group. There were no statistically significant differences between the two study groups except for the presence of prodromes and EEG abnormalities. The presence of prodromes in the NCS group was more common than in the ND group [46.9% (23/49) vs. 9.1% (1/11), (P=0.038)]. The EEG abnormality in the ND group was more common than in the NCS group [90% (9/10) vs. 5.8% (3/52), (P

Angioleiomyoma of the sinonasal tract is a rare benign tumor. We report a case of angioleiomyoma of the nasal septum in a 51-year-old woman who complained of frequent epistaxis for 3 months. Surgicalexcision was performed. The excised specimen was in size, well circumscribed, grayish white, rubbery, and soft. Histological examination showed thick-walled blood vessels and smooth muscle cell proliferation. No nuclear atypia or mitoses were present.

We choose thermal treatment as part of a methodology to remove chemical residue on the surface of a mask. This new step of thermal treatment is inserted into our standard cleaning process for embedded attenuate phase shift masks (EAPSMs). The treatment is carried out in a modified hot plate system at various temperatures and times. After thermal treatment, ion chromatography measures the residual ions on a given surface. The thermal treatment is found to considerably reduce residual sulfate ions on the mask surface. The remaining sulfate ions on the mask are

Background: Computed tomography (CT) is commonly used to evaluate the degree of sinus involvement in cases of inverted papilloma (IP). However, CT cannot differentiate tumor from adjacent inflammatory mucosa or retained secretions. By contrast, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been reported to be useful in distinguishing IP from paranasal sinusitis. This study investigated whether preoperative assessment with MRI and CT accurately predict the extent of IP.1) Materials and methods: CT and MRI were retrospectively reviewed in 9 cases of IP. Patients were categorized into stages based on CT and MRI findings, according to the staging system proposed by Krouse. The involvement of IP in each sinus was also assessed. Results: Differentiation of IP from inflammatory disease may be more successful in routine cases where the inflammatory mucosa has low signal intensity on T1-weighted images and very high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. CT imaging could not differentiate tumor from adjacent inflammatory mucosa or retained secretions. Conclusion: Preoperative MRI of IP can predict the location and extent of the tumor involvement in the paranasal sinuses and sometimes predicts malignant changes.

AIM: This case-control study investigated the effects of kimchi, soybean paste, fresh vegetables, nonfermented alliums, nonfermented seafood, nonfermented soybean foods, and the genetic polymorphisms of some metabolic enzymes on the risk of gastric cancer in Koreans. METHODS: We studied 421 gastric cancer patients and 632 age- and sex-matched controls. Subjects completed a structured questionnaire regarding their food intake pattern. Polymorphisms of cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1), cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1), glutathione S-transferase mu 1 (GSTM1), glutathione S-transferase theta 1 (GSTT1) and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) were investigated. RESULTS: A decreased risk of gastric cancer was noted among people with high consumption of nonfermented alliums and nonfermented seafood. On the other hand, consumption of kimchi, and soybean pastes was associated with increased risk of gastric cancer. Individuals with the CYP1A1 Ile/Val or Val/Val genotype showed a significantly increased risk for gastric cancer. Increased intake of kimchi or soybean pastes was a significant risk factor for the CYP1A1 Ile/Ile, the CYP2E1 c1/c1, the GSTM1 non-null, the GSTT1 non-null, or the ALDH2 *1/*1 genotype. In addition, eating soybean pastes was associated with the increased risk of gastric cancer in individuals with the GSTM1 null type. Nonfermented alliums were significant in individuals with the CYP1A1 Ile/Ile, the CYP2E1 c1/c2 or c2/c2, the GSTT1 null, the GSTT1 non-null, or the ALDH2 *1/*2 or *2/*2 genotype, nonfermented seafood was those with the CYP1A1 Ile/Ile, the CYP2E1 c1/c1, the ALDH2 *1/*1 genotype or any type of GSTM1 or GSTT1. In homogeneity tests, the odds ratios of eating kimchi for gastric cancer according to the GSTM1 or GSTT1 genotype were not homogeneous. CONCLUSION: Kimchi, soybean pastes, and the CYP1A1 Ile/Val or Val/Val are risk factors, and nonfermented seafood and alliums are protective factors against gastric cancer in Koreans. Salt or some chemicals contained in kimchi and soybean pastes, which are increased by fermentation, would play important roles in the carcinogenesis of stomach cancer. Polymorphisms of the CYP1A1, CYP2E1, GSTM1, GSTT1, and ALDH2 genes could modify the effects of some environmental factors on the risk of gastric cancer.

In alcohol metabolism, acetaldehyde, a highly reactive intermediate that may cause cellular and DNA damages, is converted to acetate by mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase ALDH2. Although the majority of ingested alcohol is eliminated in the liver, the first-pass metabolism of ethanol in the upper digestive tract is also important for prevention and management of ethanol-related gastrointestinal diseases. However, the tissue-distribution of Aldh2 in mice has been poorly investigated. In this study, therefore, we investigated the tissue-distribution of Aldh2 as well as Aldh1, Cyp1a1, Cyp2e1, and Cyp4b1 in wild type and Aldh2-null mice by immuno-histochemical analysis. The human liver and esophageal tissues were also examined. In mice, the Aldh2 protein was detected in the liver, lung, heart, kidney, testis, esophagus, stomach, colon, and pancreas, suggesting that the tissue-distribution of Aldh2 in mice is similar to that in humans. Therefore, Aldh2-null mice may be useful model animals for the investigation of alcohol metabolism and related diseases. Compared with the wild type, the expression level of Cyp2e1 was increased in the liver from Aldh2-null mice based on Western blot analysis, whereas the levels of Aldh1, Cyp1a1, and Cyp4b1 were indistinguishable. This observation suggests that a metabolite(s) of Aldh2 might down-regulate the expression of Cyp2e1 gene.

Background: Nasopharyngeal cancer is a rare disease with a relatively poor prognosis because it tends to be diagnosed at an advanced stage. The aim of this study was to establish the clinical characteristics of nasopharyngeal cancer. Materials and Methods: The medical records of 54 patients with nasopharyngeal cancer from January 1993 to December 2002 were reviewed retrospectively. Forty one cases were male (75.9%) and thirteen were female (24.1%). The average age was of 46.9 (range 16 to 78 years) years. The majority of patients (79.6%) were diagnosed in the advanced stage. The most common complaints were a neck mass (55.5%) and the WHO type III (53.7%) was the most frequent histological type. Results: The cumulative survival rate for a 5-year period was 46.5% and the T stage, N stage, pathologic type, and clinical stage were not significantly related to the survival rate. Sixteen of 54 (31.5%) cases presented with a distant metastasis of the bone, lung, brain, spine, and liver, and six cases (11.1%) presented with a locoregional recurrence. Conclusion: TNM staging is not appropriate for predicting survival rate of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients. Therefore, a newer staging system, which includes new factors, is needed to predict the prognosis.

Background: Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors are family of molecules that regulate the cell cycle. The CDKN2, a CDK4 inhibitor, also called p16, has been implicated in human tumorigenesis. The CDKN2 inhibits the cyclin/CDK complexes which regulate the transition from G1 to S phase of cell cycle. There is a previous report that homozygous deletion of CDKN2 region on chromosome 9p21 was detected frequently in astrocytoma, glioma and osteosarcoma, less frequently in lung cancer, leukemia and ovarian cancer, but not detected in colon cancer and neuroblastoma. However, little is known about the relationship between CDKN2 and laryngeal cancer. Therefore this study was initiated to investigate the role of CDKN2 in human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma development.1) Materials and methods: We used 5 human laryngeal carcinoma cell lines whether they have deletions or losses of CDKN2 gene expression by DNA-PCR or RT-PCR, respectively. We examined 8 fresh frozen human laryngeal cancer tissues to detect the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of CDKN2. PCR was performed by using microsatellite markers of short arm of human chromosome 9 (D9S126, D9S144, D9S156, D9S161, D9S162, D9S166, D9S171, D9S200 and D9SIFNA). For informative cases, allelic loss was scored if the signal of one allele was significantly decreased in tumor DNA when compared to the same allele in normal DNA. Results: The CDKN2 DNA deletion was observed in 3 cell lines. The CDKN2 mRNA expression was observed in only one cell line, which was very weak. LOH was detected in 7 cases (87.5%). Conclusion: These results suggest that CDKN2 plays a role in the carcinogenesis of human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Sinonasal Undifferentiated Carcinoma (SNUC) is a very rare, highly aggressive malignant tumor of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. SNUC tends to present with advanced-stage disease, often with intracranial invasion. It requires an aggressive multimodality therapy that includes surgical resection. A cure rate of less than 20% is generally reported in the literature, with most patients dying within 1 year of onset of the disease. Three patients diagnosed as SNUC were treated at the Yeungnam University Medical Center between the years 2000 and 2003 were analyzed retrospectively. All patients presented with the disease very advanced. The three cases were given chemotherapy or chemotherapy with radiotherapy. Two patients died of the disease, surviving only 6 and 11 months following treatment, respectively. We did a follow-up on just the one remaining case with incomplete controlled disease for 27 months. The overall prognosis of SNUC is very poor. We consider that more intensive multimodality therapies are recommended for all patients with SNUC.

The use of PCs can cause health problems, including musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) of the upper limbs. This study was performed to investigate whether using PCs in PC game rooms may induce MSDs of the upper limbs. 284 young male Koreans were included. A self-administered, structured questionnaire was used to gather information about game room use, perceived subjective stress, and the symptoms related to MSDs. Urinary concentrations of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine were measured in spot urine. The symptom prevalence of MSDs of the upper limbs increased according to the increase of the duration of game room use. The intensity of perceived subjective stress showed a significant dose-response relationship with the frequency of MSDs symptoms in neck and shoulder areas. However, the urinary level of catecholamines was not significantly correlated with the symptom prevalence of MSDs in the upper limbs. These findings suggest that using PCs in game rooms produce physical stress on the upper limbs, strong enough to induce MSDs.

Background: Chronic paranasal sinusitis is one of the most common disease in the otorhinolaryngologic field. Endoscopic sinus surgery is treatment of choice in chronic paranasal sinusitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate objective and subjective treatment outcomes of endoscopic sinus surgery in adult chronic paranasal sinusitis with or without polyp. Materials and Methods: We reviewed 84 adult patients underwent endoscopic sinus surgery by one surgeon from June 1999 to June 2000, prospectively. We analyzed preoperative and postoperative subjective symptom scores and acoustic rhinometric results. Results: Fifty cases were male and thirty four cases female. The average age was of 33 year-old (range: 17 to 66 years). There was significantly improvement of symptom scores in postoperative 3 months and 6 months compared with preoperative symptom scores. There was significantly increased postoperative total volume of nasal cavity. When we compared high score group with low score group, there was statistically significant improvement of symptom scores between preoperative stage and postoperative 3 months in radiologic grading group. Conclusions: Endoscopic sinus surgery is considered to be effective for the treatment of chronic paranasal sinusitis. It seems to be helpful to employ subjective symptom score system and objective total volume change of nasal cavity through acoustic rhinometric test to analyze effectiveness of endoscopic sinus surgery. In this study, the most important preoperative factor of sinus surgery outcomes is radiologic grading system.

Interleukin 1beta(IL-1beta), a proinflammatory cytokine, is related with inflammatory diseases and it up-regulates MUC2 gene expression and mucin secretion. This study was designed to investigate the signal transduction pathway of the IL-1beta-mediated MUC2 gene expression and mucin secretion in human airway epithelial cells. In cultured human airway NCI-H292 epithelial cells, the steady state of the mRNA level of MUC2 gene expression and mucin secretion induced by IL-1beta were determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), enzyme immunoassay, and immunoblot analysis. To observe the signal pathway of the IL-1beta-mediated MUC2 gene expression and mucin secretion, we used several specific inhibitors. PD98059 (MEK/ERK inhibitor) suppressed IL-1beta-mediated MUC2 gene expression and mucin secretion, while SB203580 (p38 inhibitor) did not. Ro31-8220 (PKC inhibitor) inhibited IL-1beta-mediated MUC2 gene expression and mucin secretion. It inhibited ERK phosphorylation, but did not inhibit p38 phosphorylation. LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor) also suppressed MUC2 expression, but did not inhibit any MAPKs phosphorylation. These results suggest that the IL-1beta-mediated MUC2 gene expression and mucin secretion in NCI-H292 cells are regulated through activation of the PKC-MEK/ERK pathway, and that PI3K is also involved in the IL-1beta-mediated MUC2 gene expression and mucin secretion.

Background: Septoplasty with turbinate surgery is common surgical treatment in patients with septal deviation and chronic hypertrophic rhinitis. The aim of this study was to evaluation objective outcomes of septoplasty with turbinate surgery by analysis of subjective symptom score with objective acoustic rhinometric test before and after surgery, prospectively. Materials and Methods: We reviewed 45 adult patients which were done septoplasty with bilateral turbinectomy or turbinoplasty and followed up at least 3 months by one rhinologist from November 1999 to April 2000, prospectively. We analyzed subjective symptom score, minimal cross-sectional area (MCA), C-notch cross-sectional area, and total volume of both nasal cavity before and after surgery. Correlation test was studied between symptom improvement and acoustic rhinometric results. Results: Twenty nine cases were male and sixteen cases female. The average age was 26.9 year-old (range: 17 to 57 years). There was significantly improvement of symptom score in postoperative 3 months (p

Different techniques for culturing respiratory epithelial cells have been developed to overcome the limitations of studies on in vivo and on bioptic material. Traditionally, culture systems are divided into organ cultures, explant cultures and dissociated cell cultures. The first two contain both epithelial and non-epithelial cells. However, in monolayer cultures of dissociated cells only epithelial cells are present, the effects observed are caused by a pure epithelial responses. The purpose of this study is to establish primary culture method of human nasal epithelium (HNEC) by monolayer culture of dissociated cells to evaluate the role of the epithelial cells in the allergic and non-allergic nasal inflammatory reactions. HNEC was prepared by primary culture method of monolayer culture of dissociated cells from human inferior nasal turbinate mucosa of septal deviation patients. Primary cultured cells were characterized by indirect immunofluorescence assay and transmission electron microscopy. The immunoreactivities of cytokeratin-pan and cytokeratin No. 8 were observed in cultured HNEC. However, the immnoreactivities of vimentin and von Willebrand factor were not observed in cultured HNEC. The tonofilaments and desmosome were observed in cultured HNEC. The cultured epithelial cells were identified to be pure nasal epithelial cells. The monolayer culture of dissociated cells could successfully be employed for further study to investigate the role of the epithelial cells in allergic or non-allergic nasal inflammatory diseases.