Mutation of the p53 gene frequently results in overexpression of the p53 protein and loss of its tumor-suppressing properties. The overexpression of the p53 gene could be an indicator of rapid proliferation, poor differentiation, advanced stages, or poor prognosis. The prognostic value of the overexpression of the p53 gene in colorectal carcinoma is equivocal. The presence of DNA aneuploidy has been described as a powerful adverse prognostic indicator in relation to survival. To investigate the prognostic significance of p53 expression, and the relationship with DNA ploidy, 92 cases of colorectal carcinomas were analyzed. The overexpression of p53 gene product was present in 50(54.4%) of 92 cases. p53 expression only correlated with recurrence or metastasis during the follow-up periods (p=0.045). DNA aneuploidy was observed in 32(39.1%) of 82 cases. DNA ploidy was strongly associated with lymph node invasion(p=0.005), Dukes' stage(p=0.003), TNM classification (p=0.003), and recurrence or metastasis during the follow-up periods (p=0.045). The frequency of DNA aneuploidy was higher in the p53-positive colorectal carcinomas(58.3%) than in the p53-negative colorectal carcinomas (21.6%) (p=0.003). p53-positive colorectal carcinomas had a higher rate of cell proliferation than p53-negative cases(p<0.001). These results suggest that checking the p53 expression and DNA ploidy could be useful prognostic indicators of colorectal carcinoma.
Neoplasm Metastasis ; Genes, p53

Angiogenesis is essential for the growth of solid tumors. Microvessel counts, which represent a measure of tumor angiogenesis, have been correlated with the overall survival of patients with a variety of malignancies. However, the significance of angiogenesis in renal cell carcinoma remains controversial. To determine whether angiogenesis correlates with prognosis of patients with renal cell carcinoma, we counted the microvessels within the primary tumors and compared their numbers with patients' prognosis. Tumor specimens from 42 patients were investigated. Microvessels were stained with anti-CD34 and anti-factor VIII-related antigen monoclonal antibodies. Significant correlation between microvessel counts for two antibodies was observed (r=0.875, p<0.01), although microvessel counts for CD34 were approximately two times higher. Microvessel counts were higher in clear cell than in non-clear cell carcinoma (p<0.05). These results suggest that immunostaining with anti-CD34 antibody may provide a more sensitive and accurate measure of tumor angiogenesis. There was no correlation between microvessel counts and nuclear grade, or TNM stage. In univariate analyses, nuclear grade and TNM stage were significantly associated with patient survival (p<0.01). But further studies on tumor angiogenesis of renal cell carcinoma are needed before it can be adopted as a prognostic marker.
Antibodies ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Humans ; Microvessels ; Prognosis ; von Willebrand Factor

Angiogenesis is essential for the growth of solid tumors. Microvessel counts, which represent a measure of tumor angiogenesis, have been correlated with the overall survival of patients with a variety of malignancies. However, the significance of angiogenesis in renal cell carcinoma remains controversial. To determine whether angiogenesis correlates with prognosis of patients with renal cell carcinoma, we counted the microvessels within the primary tumors and compared their numbers with patients' prognosis. Tumor specimens from 42 patients were investigated. Microvessels were stained with anti-CD34 and anti-factor VIII-related antigen monoclonal antibodies. Significant correlation between microvessel counts for two antibodies was observed (r=0.875, p<0.01), although microvessel counts for CD34 were approximately two times higher. Microvessel counts were higher in clear cell than in non-clear cell carcinoma (p<0.05). These results suggest that immunostaining with anti-CD34 antibody may provide a more sensitive and accurate measure of tumor angiogenesis. There was no correlation between microvessel counts and nuclear grade, or TNM stage. In univariate analyses, nuclear grade and TNM stage were significantly associated with patient survival (p<0.01). But further studies on tumor angiogenesis of renal cell carcinoma are needed before it can be adopted as a prognostic marker.
Antibodies ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Humans ; Microvessels ; Prognosis ; von Willebrand Factor

Gastrointestinal cytomegalovirus(CMV) infection in adults is observed as a part of a generalized or localized infection in patients who are immunocompromized. We report a case of CMV infection of the small intestine. The patient is a 34 year-old woman who has complained of palpable purpura in the lower extremities and buttocks, and arthralgia of large joints. The skin biopsy showed fibrinoid necrosis and neutrophils with leukocytoclasis, which findings are compatible with hypersensitivity angiitis. The patient received steroid and cyclophosphamide. During the follow-up period, generalized edema and bloody stool were detected. Resected specimen of small bowel has multiple aphthous ulcer. Microscopically, cytomegalic cells are observed along the endothelial cells and mesenchymal cells. In situ hybridization using DNA probes against CMV revealed positive staining in the cytomegalic inclusions in vascular endothelial and mesenchymal cells.
Adult ; Male ; Female ; Humans ; Biopsy

We report a case of primary cutaneous cryptococcosis on the left knee of a 67 year-old woman. She had a large ulcerated and indurated plaque with yellowish purulent exudates on her left knee. A histopathological examination from the lesion showed numerous encapsulated, round spores. Cultures from the lesion showed the presence of Cryptococcus neoforrnans. This may have resulted from an immunosuppressive state due to long-term use of oral corticosteroids.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Cryptococcosis* ; Cryptococcus ; Exudates and Transudates ; Female ; Humans ; Knee ; Spores ; Ulcer

Immunohistochemical staining on paraffin sections for S-100 protein improved diagnostic accuracy for melanocytic tumor. But specificity of S-100 protein in the diagnosis of melanocytic tumor is very low, because S-100 protein was also expressed in neurogenic tumor and salivary gland tumor. To investigate a specific tumor marker for the malignant melanoma, immunohistochemical staining for HMB-45 and S-100 protein was performed on the paraffin sections of 25 cases of malignant melanoma and 46 cases of nevi. Positive reaction for HMB-45 and S-100 protein was diffusely identified in the cytoplasm of tumor cells. Positive ratio for HMB-45 was 100% in malignant melanoma, 92% in junctional component of compound nevus and 0% in intradermal nevus. Positive ratio for S-100 protein was 92% in malignant melanoma, 100% in compound nevus and 100% in intradermal nevus. The sensitivity and specificity for HMB-45 in malignant melanoma were 100%, but those for S-100 protein were 92% in sensitivity and 86.7% in specificity. These results indicate that HMB-45 has a high sensitivity and specificity for malignant melanoma cells and it can be quite useful for the histopathological diagnosis of malignant melanoma.
Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tumor Markers, Biological

No abstract available.
Female ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Ectopic*

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in thickness of each macular retinal layer, the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and central macular thickness (CMT) after 577-nm pattern scanning laser (PASCAL) photocoagulation in patients with diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: This retrospective study included 33 eyes with diabetic retinopathy that underwent 577-nm PASCAL photocoagulation. Each retinal layer thickness, peripapillary RNFL thickness, and CMT were measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography before 577-nm PASCAL photocoagulation, as well as at 1, 6, and 12 months after 577-nm PASCAL photocoagulation. Computerized intraretinal segmentation of optical coherence tomography was performed to identify the thickness of each retinal layer. RESULTS: The average thickness of the RNFL, ganglion cell layer, inner plexiform layer, inner nuclear layer, inner retinal layer, and CMT at each follow-up increased significantly from baseline (p < 0.001), whereas that of the retinal pigment epithelium at each follow-up decreased significantly from baseline (p < 0.001). The average thickness of the peripapillary RNFL increased significantly at one month (p < 0.001). This thickness subsequently recovered to 7.48 µm, and there were no significant changes at six or 12 months compared to baseline (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Each macular retinal layer and CMT had a tendency to increase for one year after 577-nm PASCAL photocoagulation, whereas the average thickness of retinal pigment epithelium decreased at one-year follow-up compared to the baseline. Although an increase in peripapillary RNFL thickness was observed one month after 577-nm PASCAL photocoagulation, there were no significant changes at the one-year follow-up compared to the baseline.
Diabetic Retinopathy* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Ganglion Cysts ; Humans ; Light Coagulation ; Nerve Fibers* ; Retinal Pigment Epithelium ; Retinaldehyde* ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, Optical Coherence

No abstract available.
Cervix Uteri* ; Female ; Lymph Nodes* ; Neoplasm Metastasis*

The determination of proliferative activity in the colorectal mucosa has been used for different purposes as the estimation of cancer risk and the assessment of disease activity in ulcerative colitis. But the prognostic significance of proliferative activity in colorectal carcinomas remains controversial. To investigate the prognostic significance of proliferative activity in colorectal carcinomas, the author estimated the proliferative activity immunohisto chemically using the monoclonal antibody PCNA and compared with clinicopathological data in 62 colorectal carcinomas. The results were as follows: 1) The reactivity of PCNA was more pronounced at the infiltrative margins of the tumors and tumor cells within the vascular or lymphatic channels. 2) The mean PCNA index of colorectal carcinomas was 40.5?0.4%. PCNA indices had positive correlations with lymph node invasion(p<0.05), liver, metastasis(p<0.05), Dukes' stage(p<0.01) and TNM classification(p<0.01), and didn't correlated with location of tumor, size of tumor, histological type and lymphtic or vascular invasion. 3) The patients with high PCNA index(more than 45%) represented higher recurrence or metastasis rate(37.5%) than those with low PCNA index (less than 45%)(19.3%) in Dukes B or C colorectal carcinomas during the follow-up periods, but not significant statistically. These results suggested that the reactivity of PCNA may be a useful prognostic factors in colorectal carcinomas.
Neoplasm Metastasis