Background: Acne is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit and usually affects adolescents when the peak concentrations of growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor 1, and androgen are demonstrated. The activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), which increases physiologically in growing children and adolescents, in the pilosebaceous unit has been reported. However, the correlation between the serum level of ALP and the number of acne lesions has not been studied. Objective: The present cross-sectional study was designed to evaluate the correlation between serum level of ALP and the numbers of non-inflammatory and inflammatory acne lesions in children and adolescents. Methods: For this study, 202 pediatric and adolescent patients clinically diagnosed with acne vulgaris were included. Age, sex, serum level of ALP, number of non-inflammatory acne lesions, number of inflammatory acne lesions, and number of total acne lesions were evaluated. Additionally, the serum level of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate was evaluated in 117 patients. Multiple regression analysis was performed. Multicollinearity was quantified using the variance inflation factor. Results: In the 202 patients, serum level of ALP was the only independent factor that significantly affected both the number of non-inflammatory acne lesions and of total acne lesions (regression coefficient=0.089 and 0.086, respectively, p＜ 0.001). Conclusion There was a significant correlation between serum level of ALP and the extent of acne (non-inflammatory acne lesions and total acne lesions).

PURPOSE: Pregnancy and hCG treatments are considered essential for inhibiting breast cancer. The effect of hCG is accompanied by the synthesis of inhibin, a transforming growth factor involved in cell differentiation and proliferation. Inhibin is considered a tumor suppressor, but its role in the breast is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and tissue distribution of the expressions of inhibin-alpha and beta-hCG in breast cancer, and their prognostic relevance with other biological parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 334 of formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded tissue blocks were selected, and then immunostained for inhibin-alpha and beta-hCG. The inhibin-alpha expression was compared with those of beta-hCG, ER, PR and HER-2/neu, as well as the tumor characteristics and recurrences. RESULTS: Inhibin-alpha and beta-hCG were expressed in 87 (26.0%) and 44 cases (13.2%), respectively. Inhibin-alpha was found in 25.1% of infiltrating ductal carcinomas (67/267), 26.7% of intraductal carcinomas (8/30), 33.3% of lobular tumors (3/9), 80.0% of apocrine carcinomas (4/5) and 21.7% of the other types (5/23). Inhibin-alpha was correlated with beta-hCG (p<0.0001), PR (p=0.010) and HER-2/ neu (p=0.021). HCG was focally expressed in the cytoplasm of the conventional types, but the apocrine type displayed diffusely intense cytoplasmic staining, which correlated with histological tumor types (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Inhibin was significantly correlated with the expressions of hCG, PR and HER-2/neu. Therefore, it might be a useful marker in the prevention and hormonal treatment of breast cancer, such as hCG and progesterone. HCG was expressed significantly higher in the apocrine type than the conventional types, suggesting it can be a useful adjunct in differentiating other cancer types.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Carcinoma, Ductal ; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating ; Cell Differentiation ; Chorion* ; Cytoplasm ; Humans* ; Inhibins* ; Paraffin ; Pregnancy ; Progesterone ; Recurrence ; Tissue Distribution ; Transforming Growth Factors

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disorder that predominantly affects women of reproductive age. Risk of SLE flare during pregnancy is dependent on disease activity of SLE and proteinuria at the time of conception, which affect pregnancy outcome. We report on three patients who developed renal flares during pregnancy after remission of lupus nephritis before pregnancy. Two patients were treated successfully, with pregnancy outcomes of live births however, another patient's pregnancy was terminated with induced abortion. For SLE patients, family planningis needed until disease activity of SLE has been stable for at least six months prior to the pregnancy. Nevertheless, flares of lupus could develop and influence maternal and fetal outcome. Therefore, renal flares during pregnancy should be recognized and treated immediately.
Abortion, Induced ; Female ; Fertilization ; Humans ; Live Birth ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Lupus Nephritis* ; Nephritis ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnant Women* ; Proteinuria

"Hyalinizing spindle cell tumor with giant rosettes" (HSCTGR) is a recently described tumor, which is regarded as an unusual variant of low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma. Proof of a metastatic potential was lacking. The patient in the report was a 35-yr-old woman who showed multiple bilateral pulmonary nodules with massive pleural effusion in the right side. She had a history of a mass excision in the right thigh 11 yrs ago at another hospital, which was reported as a "leiomyoma". Two years before this presentation, the patient received a routine chest radiograph which demonstrated bilateral multiple pulmonary nodules. A lobectomy of the left upper lung was performed. The histological findings revealed a well-circumscribed nodule that was characterized by a spindle-shaped fibrous to hyalinized stroma with criss-crossing short fascicles and giant collagen rosettes surrounded by a rim of spindle-shaped cells. Electron microscopy confirmed the fibroblastic nature of the tumor. This case, in addition to at least two other cases reported in the literature, demonstrates that the HSCTGR is a malignant neoplasm with the capacity to metastasize after a long hiatus.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Hyalin/metabolism ; Korea ; Lung Neoplasms/diagnosis/*pathology/*secondary/ultrastructure ; *Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pleural Effusion/pathology ; Sarcoma/diagnosis/*pathology/ultrastructure ; Thigh/pathology ; Time Factors

Primary adenocarcinoma of the seminal vesicle is an extremely rare tumor, and its prognosis has been known to be poor. Herein, we report an adenocarcinoma of the seminal vesicle. The patient was a 50-year-old man who complained of a two-month history of terminal hematuria and lower abdominal discomfort. A pelvic magnetic resonance imaging study. Indicated a seminal vesicle cyst with focal intraluminal growth. Right seminal vesiculectomy was performed. Grossly, the seminal vesicle revealed a markedly cystic change with focal, friable, intraluminal papillary growth. The intraluminal mass showed a noninvasive adenocarcinoma with a tubular and tubulopapillary pattern, accompanied by necrosis. Immunohistochemically, the tumor was positive for cytokeratin and carcinoembryonic antigen and negative for prostate specific antigen and prostatic acid phosphatase.
Acid Phosphatase ; Adenocarcinoma* ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Keratins ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Necrosis ; Prognosis ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Seminal Vesicles*

Determining of HER-2/neu oncogene amplification has become clinically important for managing breast cancer. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) are currently regarded as the standard methods. Chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) was investigated as a new modification with an accurate, sensitive technique. From 1998 to 2002, using CISH and IHC, the amplification and protein expression of the HER-2/neu oncogene were examined using paraffin sections in 130 breast carcinomas and to determine the prognostic role of HER-2/neu for outcome after a follow-up of 24- 64 months. Amplifications by CISH and overexpression by IHC were observed in 28 (22%) and 27 cases (20.8%), respectively. Of the 104 patients, 20 patients (19.2%) with amplification had a shorter disease-free interval (34.9 months vs. 38.0 months in controls) (p=0.372). 15 patients (14.4%) had a disease recurrence, but there is no significant difference between 3 patients amplifying the oncogene and 12 patients without oncogene (20.6 months vs. 19.6 months) (p=0.862). 6 patients (5.8%) of these died. CISH is a useful alternative, particularly for confirming the IHC results. There is no relationship between the early recurrence and the HER-2/neu positive group, but lymph node status was statistically significant.
Adult ; Aged ; Breast Neoplasms/*genetics/metabolism/mortality ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Genes, erbB-2/*genetics ; Human ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; *Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Prognosis ; Protein Array Analysis ; Receptor, erbB-2/biosynthesis ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and deleted in breast cancer 1 (DBC1) are known as tumor suppressor or promoter genes. This may be due to their diverse functions and interaction with other proteins. Gastric adenocarcinoma is one of the most common malignancies, but little is known about its carcinogenesis. Therefore, we investigated the association of immunohistochemical expression of SIRT1, DBC1, p53, and beta-catenin and their variable clinicopathological characteristics. METHODS: We obtained samples from 452 patients who underwent gastrectomy. Tissue microarray blocks were constructed and immonohistochemical staining was performed. RESULTS: Expression of DBC1 and SIRT1 was associated with lower histologic grade, intestinal type of Lauren classification, and lower pT (p<0.001) and pN stage (DBC1, p=0.002; SIRT1, p<0.001). Association between absence of lymphatic invasion, and SIRT1 (p=0.001) and DBC1 (p=0.004) was observed. Cytoplasmic beta-catenin expression was associated with lower histologic grade, pT, pN, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, DBC1 (p<0.001), and SIRT1 (p=0.001). Expression of SIRT1 and DBC1 was not associated with p53 (p=0.063 and p=0.060). DBC1 was an independent good prognostic factor in multivariate analysis (p=0.012). CONCLUSIONS: SIRC1 and DBC1 can be considered to be good prognostic factors in gastric adenocarcinoma.
Adenocarcinoma ; beta Catenin ; Breast Neoplasms ; Cytoplasm ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Proteins ; Sirtuin 1 ; Stomach ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins

Minimal deviation adenocarcinoma is an extremely well differentiated variant of cervical adenocarcinoma, and is frequently misdiagnosed due to its benign-looking histopathological features. A 38-year-old woman was diagnosed as having had a minimal deviation adenocarcinoma in the cervix, metastasizing to the uterine body and bilateral adnexae. She had a history of right salpingo-oophorectomy 3 years ago, and was diagnosed as having a mucinous cystadenoma. Histologically, the tumor cells were so well-differentiated that they appeared to be almost the same as those of the non-neoplastic cervical glands. Similar glands were found in both ovaries and in the left fallopian tube. PAS staining showed a negative or apical positive pattern in the endocervical-like glands. Immunohistochemical studies for CEA, ER/PR, cytokeratin 20, and p53 were negative, but positive for cytokeratin 7. The HPV DNA microarray test was negative. Clinically, this proved to be an advanced, biologically aggressive disease.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous* ; Adult ; Cervix Uteri* ; Cystadenoma, Mucinous ; Fallopian Tubes ; Female ; Humans ; Keratin-20 ; Keratin-7 ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Ovary

PURPOSE: MUC1 is a large transmembrane glycoprotein, which is overexpressed in the majority of carcinomas. The high expression of MUC1 is associated with aggressive tumors, with the MUC1 antigen used as a marker to monitor disease progression in breast cancer patients. Although the MUC1 tumor marker is both sensitive and specific for predicting a relapse in breast cancer, it is not commonly used during the follow-up of breast cancer patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the differential patterns of MUC1 expression in different histological types of breast carcinoma could be used to distinguish tumors from benign lesions, and determine its prognostic relevance with other biological parameters. METHODS: 22 normal breast, 7 intraductal hyper-plasia (IDH) and 307 malignant lesions were selected and immunostained with MUC1. The patterns of reaction were classified as intraluminal border (ILB), cytoplasmic, intercellular membrane (ICM), intranuclear or mixed staining. RESULTS: All the normal breast samples showed weak cytoplasmic staining in the ducts and lobules. All the IDH samples showed moderate cytoplasmic and ILB staining. Of the 307 malignant lesions, only 2 (0.8%) showed negative staining; MUC1 positivity was observed in 4 (1.3%), with only ILB staining; 8 (2.6%) with weak cytoplasmic staining, 16 (5.2%) with weak cytoplasmic and intranuclear staining, 168 (54.7%) with moderate cytoplasmic and ILB staining, and 109 (35.5%) with strong cytoplasmic and ICM staining. MUC1 positivity with a moderate to strong staining intensity was observed in 90.6% of the infiltrating ductal carcinomas (221/244), 96.5% of the intraductal carcinomas (28/29), 87.5% of the infiltrating lobular carcinomas (7/8), 66.6% of the mucinous and secretory carcinomas (10/15), 100.0% of the apocrine carcinomas (5/5) and 100.0% of the medullary carcinomas (6/6). The expression of MUC1 was statistically significant between the histological tumor types (p = 0.034), tumor size (p = 0.046), and HER-2/neu (p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: These data suggest the expression of MUC1 was different in normal breast, IDH and malignant breast tumors, and was significantly correlated with the histological tumor types, tumor size and HER-2/neu oncogene.
Breast Neoplasms ; Breast* ; Carcinoma, Ductal ; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating ; Carcinoma, Lobular ; Carcinoma, Medullary ; Cytoplasm ; Disease Progression ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glycoproteins ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Membranes ; Mucins ; Negative Staining ; Oncogenes ; Prognosis ; Recurrence

BACKGROUND/AIMS: It has been shown that circulating tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) is elevated in end stage renal disease patients; however, the relationship between TNF-α and the development of infection in these patients is unknown. In this study, we investigated the association of plasma TNF-α and interleukin 6 (IL-6) with infection in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. We also evaluated the association of their plasma levels with the production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), and with various clinical parameters. METHODS: We enrolled 32 patients on maintenance PD and 10 healthy controls. Plasma and PBMC were isolated from blood. PBMC were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide in vitro. RESULTS: Mean follow-up duration was 775 days. Six patients developed organ infections (five pneumonia and one liver abscess), and six patients developed PD peritonitis and eight developed exit site infection. Plasma TNF-α and IL-6 levels were significantly elevated in organ infections but not in peritonitis or in exit site infection. Plasma TNF-α was the only significant risk factor for organ infections and pneumonia in multivariate regression analysis. Patients with high plasma TNF-α levels showed a significantly greater cumulative hazard rate for organ infections compared to those with low TNF-α levels. Plasma TNF-α levels correlated with TNF-α production by PBMC and showed an inverse association with Kt/V. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study showing that plasma TNF-α is a significant risk factor for infection in PD patients.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Interleukin-6 ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Liver ; Peritoneal Dialysis* ; Peritonitis ; Plasma ; Pneumonia ; Risk Factors* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha*