BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that mast cells are involved in the tumor growth and progression by production of a variety of enzymes and growth factors. They were studied in the 10-dimethyl-1,2 benzanthracene (DMBA)-induced rat mammary tumors, and evaluated in relation with the production of tryptase, chymase, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9. METHODS: Preneoplastic and neoplastic breast tissues of Sprague-Dawley female rats were obtained every week after DMBA treatment for 12 weeks. Toluidine blue stain was used for the identification of mast cells. Mast cell tryptase was studied by immunohistochemistry, and chymase by esterase stain. MMP-2 and MMP-9 were measured by Western blotting. RESULTS: The numbers of mast cells in breast cancers were higher than in preneoplastic tissues, and there was a positive correlation between the numbers of tryptase-positive cells and the tumor size. MMP-9 quantity was correlated with the numbers of toluidine blue and chymase positive cells, but not with tryptase-positive cells and tumor size. Both active and inactive forms of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were identified in zymogram. CONCLUSIONS: The mast cells are increased in the DMBA-induced breast cancers, and their tryptase and chymase may play a role in tumor progression with or without participation of MMP-2 and MMP-9.
9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Breast ; Chymases ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Mast Cells* ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tolonium Chloride ; Tryptases

BACKGROUND: The colorectal adenoma-carcinoma sequence represents a well-known para-digm for the sequential development of cancer driven by the accumulation of genomic defects. Although the colorectal adenoma-carcinoma sequence has been well investigated, the studies about tumors of different dignity co-existent in the same patient are rare. K-ras mutation is an early genetic change in colon cancer. The genes involved in the cell cycle such as cyclin D1, p16, and p53 are important in the tumorigenesis of the colon. The aims of this study were to determine K-ras gene mutation and expression of K-ras, p16, cyclin D1 and p53 in synchronous lesions of the colon adenoma-carcinoma sequences and their possible relationship with K-ras mutation. METHODS: The materials included 45 colonic adenocarcinomas which were accompanied by adenoma (22 low grade and 26 high grade). By using polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP), we detected K-ras mutation of codon 12. An aberrant K-ras, p16, cyclin D1 and p53 expressions were stained using an immunohistochemical method. RESULTS: K-ras mutation was 52.4% (11/21) of high grade adenomas. K-ras expression was 65.4% (17/26) of high grade adenomas. p16 and cyclin D1 expressions were 50% (11/22) and 90.9% (20/22) of low grade adenomas, respectively. p53 expression was 75.6% (34/45) of adenocarcinomas. There were statistical correlations among K-ras, p16 and cyclin D1. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the ras gene mutation is an early event and the overexpressions of p16, cyclin D1 and p53 are associated with K-ras mutation and expression in adenoma-carcinoma sequences.
Adenocarcinoma ; Adenoma ; Carcinogenesis ; Cell Cycle ; Codon ; Colon* ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Cyclin D1* ; Cyclins* ; Genes, ras* ; Humans

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to understand the intellectual and psychological features of children with Moyamoya disease who were patients in the Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery of Severance Hospital. METHODS: From December 2010 through December 2012, 63 patients with diagnoses of Moyamoya disease and 59 children in a normal group were enrolled. This study was conducted using the Korean-Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Rey-Kim Memory Test for children, Korean Child Behavior Checklist and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory(TM)4.0. RESULTS: The results showed that the intellectual and psychological profiles of children with Moyamoya disease were lower than the average of the normal control group. The tested patients showed significantly lower scores for Performance Intelligence Quotient cognition level. Also, in terms of quality of life, children with Moyamoya disease had lower levels of physical and school functionality. The results were in line with those of previous studies involving psychological tests of children with chronic diseases. CONCLUSION: Considering the intellectual and psychological characteristics of children with Moyamoya disease, integrated psychological intervention plans including elements such as supportive therapy for patients and programs for parental education are required.
Checklist ; Child Behavior ; Child* ; Chronic Disease ; Cognition ; Diagnosis ; Education ; Humans ; Intelligence ; Memory ; Moyamoya Disease* ; Neurosurgery ; Parents ; Psychological Tests ; Quality of Life

Uterine stromal tumors with features of ovarian sex-cord differentiation are relatively rare. The neoplasms composed of sex cord-like components in more than 50% of the tumor are classified as group II. We report the cytologic findings of a case of uterine tumor resembling ovarian sex-cord tumor. The cervical smears of a 62-year-old woman with submucosal tumor showed loose aggregates of spindle cells as well as glandular or tubular structures of round cells with a distinct cell membrane and a prominent small nucleolus. Because uterine stromal tumor can have sex cord differentiation, its possibility should be considered in the interpretation of cervical smears.
Cell Membrane ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Uterus ; Vaginal Smears

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to clearly classify the roles of Physician assistants and to identify obstacle factors and necessary factors for the operation of the system when they are performing the roles of Physician assistants. Methods: This is a descriptive research study to analyze the roles of Physician assistants and to understand the expected roles of Physician assistants according to each medical personnel (doctor, nurse, Physician assistants). Results: The obstacles to work are the lack of legal protection, and unclear work guidelines, and the matter necessary for the operation of the system is the legal protection. There were statistically significant differences in health collection ability, physical examination, drug response monitoring, and reporting in terms of the differences in role expectations considered by medical professionals regarding the roles of Physician assistants. Conclusion Physician assistants need to develop various educational programs and materials, cultivate the ability to perform Physician assistants, and develop an advisory role through effective problem-solving between departments and increase the quality and satisfaction of Nursing care.

We report here on the multiple genital tract neoplasms in a 41-yr-old Korean woman with Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome (PJS). The patient presented with lower abdominal pain. Her previous medical history was PJS and breast cancer. Pelvic ultrasound showed a multilocular cyst at the right adnexal region, diagnosed as bilateral ovarian mucinous borderline tumors. An ovarian sex cord tumor with annular tubules was incidentally diagnosed together with a minimal deviation adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix and mucinous metaplasia of both the Fallopian tubal mucosa and the endometrium. Although the cases of multiple genital tract tumors with PJS has rarely been reported, the present case appears to be the first in Korea in which the PJS syndrome was complicated by multiple genital tract tumors and infiltrating carcinoma of the breast. The clinical significance of the multiple genital tract tumors and breast cancer associated with PJS is reviewed.
Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/complications/*pathology ; Sex Cord-Gonadal Stromal Tumors/complications/pathology ; Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome/complications/*pathology ; Ovarian Neoplasms/complications/*pathology ; Metaplasia ; Korea ; Humans ; Female ; Fallopian Tubes/pathology ; Endometrium/pathology ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/complications/pathology ; Breast Neoplasms/complications/*pathology ; Adult ; Adenocarcinoma/complications/pathology

PURPOSE: In squamous cell carcinomas of the lung, the angiogenesis and the expression rates of metalloproteinase were measured to examine whether they can be useful as prognostic markers and therapeutic potentials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The angiogenesis and the expression rates of metalloproteinase were analyzed by counting the number of microvessels and immunohistochemically positive cells of MMP-1 and MMP-2 in 54 squamous cell carcinoma, respectively. RESULTS: Lymph node meatastasis group showed higher angiogenesis than non-metastasis one (p=0.008). Angiogenesis were elevated with increasing clinical stage. However, MMP-1 and MMP-2 expression rate as the presence or absence of lymph node metastasis and the clinical stages were statistically insignificant, respectively. Angiogenesis failed to demonstrate any significant correlation with the expression rates of MMPs. CONCLUSION: Our results suggests that angiogenesis level may provide informaton relevant to prognosis as well as treatment decisions.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lung* ; Lymph Nodes ; Matrix Metalloproteinases ; Microvessels ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis