Malignant tumors of the breast which contain stromal osteoclast-like, multinucleated giant cells are a rare entity of yet unknown clinical significance. These benign multinucleated giant cells are known to occur mostly in areas of prominent angiogenesis and in close association with tumor cells. Supplementary immunohistochemical and electronmicroscopic examinations indicate that the multinucleated giant cells are of histiocytic origin. We report on a case of infiltrating ductal carcinoma with stromal osteoclast-like multinucleated giant cells occurring in the right breast of a 37 year-old woman. Grossly, the tumor was characterized by a well-circumscribed dark brown, solid firm mass. Microscopically, multinucleated giant cells were found in the stroma intermingled with malignant tumor cells. The stroma showed only a small amount of mononuclear cell infiltration and a moderate degree of vascular proliferation. Immunohistochemical stains revealed the tumor cells to be positive for carcinoembryonic antigen, epithelial membrane antigen and cytokeratin while the multinucleated giant cells were positive for vimentin, CD68 and negative for all other stains tested. Ultrastructurally the multinucleated giant cells differed from tumor cells by having abundant cytoplasmic organelles such as rough endoplasmic reticulum, lysosomes, ribosomes, and vesicles but lacking desmosomes or other types of intercellular junctions. Other characteristic features of multinucleated giant cells included, indented nuclei and prominent cytoplasmic process.
Female ; Humans

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a unique indolent B-cell leukemia which is rare in Korea. Many patients with early stage CLL do not require immediate treatment, while those with advanced stage or symptoms need systemic chemotherapy. As our understanding about the pathophysiology of CLL increases, significant advances have been achieved in the treatment of this disease. Modern molecular genetics have been revealing remarkable heterogeneity of various genetic alterations and the corresponding prognostic stratification in CLL. The treatment of CLL had been developed from nitrogen mustard alkylating agent like chlorambucil to combination therapy including purine analogues like pentostatin and fludarabine until early 2000s. Since the introduction of targeted agent like anti-CD20 and anti-CD52 monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of CLL, the treatment outcome of CLL has leaped further. In conclusion, one of the current standard regimens in patients with untreated CLL is the combination of rituximab, cyclophosphamide and fludarabine. We recently passed the entrance for the era of targeted therapy, and are exploring various new agents and their combinations.
Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived ; Chlorambucil ; Cyclophosphamide ; Humans ; Korea ; Leukemia, B-Cell ; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell ; Mechlorethamine ; Molecular Biology ; Pentostatin ; Population Characteristics ; Prognosis ; Purines ; Treatment Outcome ; Vidarabine ; Rituximab

BACKGROUND: Many investigators have advocated neural and especially regional sympathetic blockade for acute herpe. zoster pain. Some believe that nerve blocks not only relieve acute pain but also, if given early in the course of clinical disease, prevent progression to postherpetic neuralgia. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the preventive effect of sympathetic blockade on herpes zoster METHODS: Fifteen patients with herpes zoster were treated with sympathetic blocks according to the severity of pain. RESULTS: The total score of pain degree decreased from 3.4 to 1.1 with sympathetic blocks in 15 patients in 2 months. Sympathetic blocks prevented or relieved postherpetic neuralgia in more than 90% of patients treated within 2 weeks of the onset of the acute phase of the disease and in more than 85% of patients over 60. CONCLUSION: Sympathetic blocks are effective in preventing postherpetic neuralgia if applied soon after the onset of the acute phase of herpes zoster.
Acute Pain ; Herpes Zoster ; Humans ; Nerve Block ; Neuralgia, Postherpetic* ; Research Personnel

No abstract available.
Central Nervous System* ; Sjogren's Syndrome ; Tics*

Cartilage, Articular ; Cell Line ; Chondrocytes ; Electrophoresis ; Interleukin-2 ; Mass Screening ; Phosphotransferases ; Proteome ; Temporomandibular Joint ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

The history of human acute myeloid leukemia stem cells (AMLSCs) began in a seminal study performed by Lapidot and Dick, proving that only CD34+CD38- human primary acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells can repopulate in severe combined immunodeficient mice. The concept of leukemic stem cells (LSCs) has impeded a huge change in the treatment strategy against AML from killing proliferating leukemic cells to eradicating quiescent/dormant LSCs. As next-generation sequencing technologies have developed, multiple and recurrent genetic mutations have been discovered in large cohorts of patients with AML, and the updated understanding of leukemogenesis has improved the old concept of LSC to a revised version of a serial developmental model of LSC; that is, pre-LSCs are generated as seeds by the first hit on epigenetic regulators, and then, leukemia-initiating LSCs emerge from seeds by the second hits on genes involved in transcription and signaling. Dreams for universal and targetable AMLSC biomarker sparing healthy hematopoietic stem cells have weakened after the confrontation of significant heterogeneity of AMLSCs from genomic and immunophenotypic viewpoints. However, there is still hope for effective targets for AMLSCs since there is evidence that grouped gene signatures, such as 17-gene LSC score, and common epigenetic signatures, such as HOXA clusters, independent of various gene mutations, exist. Recently, the LSC niche in the bone marrow has been actively investigated and has expanded our knowledge of the physiology and vulnerability of AMLSCs. Presently, an applicable treatment that always works in AMLSCs is lacking. However, we will find a way, we always have.

Objective: The present study aimed to analyze the correlation between platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and platelet-to-neutrophil ratio (PNR) with prognosis of patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy (MT). Methods: A total of 432 patients was included, PLR and PNR were calculated from laboratory data on admission. Prognosis was evaluated with a modified Rankin Scale at 3 months after MT. Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, optimal cutoff values of PLR and PNR were identified to predict the prognosis after MT. Multivariate analyses were performed to identify the relationship of PLR and PLR with prognosis of MT. Results: Patients with favorable outcomes had a lower mean PLR (135.0, standard deviation [SD] 120.3) with a higher mean PNR (47.1 [SD] 24.6) compared with patients with unfavorable outcomes (167.6 [SD] 139.3 and 35.4 [SD] 22.4) (p<0.001 and <0.001, respectively). In ROC analyses, the optimal cutoff value of PLR and PNR to predict the 3 months prognosis were 145 and 41, respectively (p=<0.001 and p=0.006). In multivariate analysis, PLR less than 145 (odds ratio [OR] 1.29, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06–2.06; p=0.016) and PNR greater than 41 (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.10–1.62; p=0.022) were predictors of favorable outcome at 3 months. Conclusions In patients with MT, PLR and PNR on admission could be predictive factors of prognosis and mortality at 3 months. Decreased PLR and increased PNR were associated with favorable clinical outcome 3 months after MT.

BACKGROUND: Adequate evaluation and monitoring for pre-eclamptic paturient and capable assistance before induction for anesthesiologist, must be taken to avoid sudden severe maternal hypertension with intubation during a Rapid Sequence intravenous induction. Such event predispose the paturient to intracranial hemorrhage and pulmonary hypertension with pulmonary edema. To diminish danger of hypertension that can be developed during general anesthesia and facilitate control of blood pressure, 24 women presenting for cesarean section were studied. METHODS: All received 17.9+/-2.6ml of 0.5% bupivacaine, including 3ml of test dose, through the epidural catheter inserted in T12-L1 interspace using 18 gauge Tuohy needle to the patients with a lateral decubitus position. We measured blood pressure and heart rate in 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, and 60 minutes after injection of 0.5% bupivacaine and 15 minutes after transferred to recovery room. RESULTS: The blood pressure of the patients started to decrease in 5 minutes and most decreased in 20 minutes after injection, the heart rate had little change but decreased significantly in 45 minutes. Apgar Scores of the neonates at 1 and 5 minutes were 7.3+/-2.0 and 9.2+/-1.5. The patients used ephedrine and crystalloid solution for correction of hypotension were 6 of 24 women and had no any systemic toxicity or neurologic symptoms by local anesthetics(bupivacaine). CONCLUSION: Continuous epidural anesthesia for cesarean section in preeclamptic patients is recommended for safe anesthesia.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Epidural* ; Anesthesia, General ; Blood Pressure ; Bupivacaine ; Catheters ; Cesarean Section* ; Ephedrine ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Hypotension ; Infant, Newborn ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Intubation ; Needles ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Pregnancy ; Pulmonary Edema ; Recovery Room

Rupture of the trachea as a result of external trauma is well documented. But, rupture of the membranous trachea following tracheal intubation has been infrequently noted. Risk factors associated with tracheobronchial rupture include inexperienced endoscopists, intubating stylets, multiple vigorous attempts at intubation, tracheal abnormalities, overdistension of tracheal or bronchial cuff with high pressure, low volume cuffs, and old age. We report a case of tracheal rupture occurred during one lung ventilation using Robertshaw double-lumen endotracheal tube for right upper lobe lobectomy. The etiology and treatment are discussed and the recent literature is reviewed.
Intubation ; One-Lung Ventilation* ; Risk Factors ; Rupture* ; Trachea

PURPOSE: To assess the relationship between low signal intensity lesions, as seen on gradient-echo MR, andclinical factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 269 patients with cerebral ischemic symptoms, we analysed the resultsof gradient-echo MR. One hundred and thirty-nine of the patients were male and 130 were female;their ages rangedfrom 40 to 88(mean, 64) years. Low signal intensity lesions were analyzed according to the dominant location;superficial (cortex and subcortical white matter) or deep (basal ganglia, thalamus, periventricular white matter,and cerebellum). We analyzed the relationship between low signal intensity lesions and clinical factors includinghypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), and spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). RESULTS: Low signalintensity lesions were found in 66 of 269 patients(25%); hypertension was present in 57 of the 66(86%, p< 0.05),DM in nine(14%, p > 0.05), and spontaneous ICH in 26 (39%, p< 0.05). The dominant location of these lesions wassuperficial (n=19), deep (n=45), or both (n=2). Hypertension was present in 13 (68%) of the patients in whom thelesion was superficial, and in 42 (93%) of those in whom it was deep. Hypertension was not present in nine of 66patients(14%) with low signal intensity lesions; in six of these(66%), low signal intensity lesions were presentmainly in the subcortical white matter or cortex and in four of the six, such lesions were found only insubcortical white matter or cortex. CONCLUSION: Cerebral low signal intensity lesions, as seen on gradient-echo MRimaging were associated with clinical factors such as hypertension and spontaneous ICH, and hypertension was morefrequently found in patients in whom the location of low signal intensity lesions was deep.
Brain ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Ganglia ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Male ; Thalamus