Despite improvements in vaccine coverage, a resurgence of measles has been reported, especially in the infant and adult populations in recent years. We conducted a systematic review of seroprevalence studies conducted in the Western Pacific Region (WPR) to provide insights into seropositivity trends in different countries. This systematic review aimed to collect data from all available measles seroprevalence studies to characterize the differences in population immunity against measles in different countries. We searched the online databases PubMed and Embase to identify: 1) observational studies that investigated seroprevalence in all age groups, and 2) results reported as antibody levels. The following variables were extracted from different study arms: paper identification (title, first author, publication year), inclusion and exclusion criteria, study site, age of subjects, number of subjects, country/area, population, methods, and seropositivity (%). The search yielded a total of 69 studies included in the review. Among the 1–6-year-old group, seropositivity remained relatively high, at 81–100% in China, 86–94% in Korea, and 77–91% in Australia. In adolescents aged 7–18-years old, seropositivity was relatively constant in China and Australia over time; however, a decreasing trend was noted in Korea in 2011 (66%), 2014 (69%), and 2014 (50%) in this age group. A similar downward trend was observed among Korean adults aged 19–39 years in 2011 (74%), 2019 (71%), and 2019 (64%). Children are likely to be protected by universal vaccination programs in WPR countries and regions. However, susceptible individuals with waned immunity may be present among the adult population.

Despite improvements in vaccine coverage, a resurgence of measles has been reported, especially in the infant and adult populations in recent years. We conducted a systematic review of seroprevalence studies conducted in the Western Pacific Region (WPR) to provide insights into seropositivity trends in different countries. This systematic review aimed to collect data from all available measles seroprevalence studies to characterize the differences in population immunity against measles in different countries. We searched the online databases PubMed and Embase to identify: 1) observational studies that investigated seroprevalence in all age groups, and 2) results reported as antibody levels. The following variables were extracted from different study arms: paper identification (title, first author, publication year), inclusion and exclusion criteria, study site, age of subjects, number of subjects, country/area, population, methods, and seropositivity (%). The search yielded a total of 69 studies included in the review. Among the 1–6-year-old group, seropositivity remained relatively high, at 81–100% in China, 86–94% in Korea, and 77–91% in Australia. In adolescents aged 7–18-years old, seropositivity was relatively constant in China and Australia over time; however, a decreasing trend was noted in Korea in 2011 (66%), 2014 (69%), and 2014 (50%) in this age group. A similar downward trend was observed among Korean adults aged 19–39 years in 2011 (74%), 2019 (71%), and 2019 (64%). Children are likely to be protected by universal vaccination programs in WPR countries and regions. However, susceptible individuals with waned immunity may be present among the adult population.

Despite improvements in vaccine coverage, a resurgence of measles has been reported, especially in the infant and adult populations in recent years. We conducted a systematic review of seroprevalence studies conducted in the Western Pacific Region (WPR) to provide insights into seropositivity trends in different countries. This systematic review aimed to collect data from all available measles seroprevalence studies to characterize the differences in population immunity against measles in different countries. We searched the online databases PubMed and Embase to identify: 1) observational studies that investigated seroprevalence in all age groups, and 2) results reported as antibody levels. The following variables were extracted from different study arms: paper identification (title, first author, publication year), inclusion and exclusion criteria, study site, age of subjects, number of subjects, country/area, population, methods, and seropositivity (%). The search yielded a total of 69 studies included in the review. Among the 1–6-year-old group, seropositivity remained relatively high, at 81–100% in China, 86–94% in Korea, and 77–91% in Australia. In adolescents aged 7–18-years old, seropositivity was relatively constant in China and Australia over time; however, a decreasing trend was noted in Korea in 2011 (66%), 2014 (69%), and 2014 (50%) in this age group. A similar downward trend was observed among Korean adults aged 19–39 years in 2011 (74%), 2019 (71%), and 2019 (64%). Children are likely to be protected by universal vaccination programs in WPR countries and regions. However, susceptible individuals with waned immunity may be present among the adult population.

No abstract available.
Child* ; Humans

PURPOSE: To report the findings of a six-year medial oudit performed at our mammographic screening centre, comparing those findings with the follow-up data stored at our hospital and at the Korea Central Cancer Registry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the findings of 32,289 mammographic examinations of 25,541 women performed at our screening center between 1994 and 1999. For follow-up and outcome monitoring, the guideline of the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (ACR BI-RADS) was used. All mammograms were categorized by means of BI-RADS, and cases in categories 0, 4, and 5 were followed up through a review of our hospital information system. To determine whether any cases were false negative, we compared breast cancer patients registered in our medical record department and in the Korean Central Cancer Registry during the study period, with women whose mammograms were interpreted as normal or benign at our screening center within a year prior to cancer diagnosis. RESULTS: The mean age of women enrolled in this study was 48.6 years, ten years less than reported in the West. The recall rate was 6.2%. Among 256 women whose final assessment category was 4 or 5, breast cancer was diagnosed in 51. The cancer detection rate was 2.0/1,000 women; positive predictive value 1 (PPV1: PPV, based on abnormal findings at screening examination) was 2.5% of cases and PPV2 (PPV when biopsy or surgical consultation was recommended) was 20%. The most common mammographic finding was microcalcifications only (45%). The rate of minimal breast cancer, including invasive cancer less than 1 cm in diameter and ductal carcinoma in situ, was 72.5%. Node positivity was 27%. Sensitivity was 85.0% based on the tumor registry of our institution's medical record department, and 78.5% based on the tumor registry of the Korea Central Cancer Registry. Specificity was 99.0%. CONCLUSION: In our study, the cancer detection rate at screening mammography was 2.0/1,000 women. The rate of minimal breast cancer (72.5%) was very high but measurable sensitivity was 78.5%, somewhat lower than the ACR guideline of 85%. To improve the performance of screening mammography, appropriate interpretation of mammography and constant, follow-up and outcome monitoring are important.
Biopsy ; Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating ; Diagnosis ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hospital Information Systems ; Humans ; Information Systems ; Korea ; Mammography ; Mass Screening* ; Medical Audit* ; Medical Records ; Sensitivity and Specificity

BACKGROUND: Insulin-like growth factor II mRNA-binding protein 3 (IMP3) has been reported as a prognostic biomarker in various cancers. To validate IMP3 as a prognostic biomarker in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), we investigated the expression of IMP3, p53, and Ki-67, and their associations with clinicopathologic outcomes. METHODS: We studied 148 clear cell RCCs (CCRCCs) from patients who underwent radical nephrectomy. The expression levels of IMP3, p53, and Ki-67 were assessed by immunohistochemical staining and the clinical and pathologic parameters were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Twenty-nine percent of CCRCCs expressed IMP3. Forty-one percent of IMP3-immunopositive tumors developed metastases, while only 11.4% of IMP3-negative tumors developed metastases (p<.001). A Kaplan-Meier curve showed that patients with IMP3-immunopositive tumors had lower metastasis-free survival and cancer-specific survival than did those with IMP3-immunonegative tumors (p<.001 and p<.001, respectively). Expression of high Ki-67 proliferation index was also associated with a higher metastatic rate. In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, pT stage and IMP3-positivity were independently associated with disease-specific survival. CONCLUSIONS: IMP3 is an independent prognostic biomarker for patients with CCRCC to predict metastasis and poor outcome.
Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor II ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Nephrectomy ; Retrospective Studies ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53

BACKGROUND: Recent reports have indicated that renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with rhabdoid features follows an aggressive clinical course. We investigated the prognostic significance and nature of the rhabdoid component. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the incidence and clinicopathologic characteristics of RCC with rhabdoid features in 174 radical nephrectomy cases. The specimens were examined histologically and immunohistochemically. RESULTS: Twelve of the 174 RCC cases (6.9%) showed rhabdoid features. Histologically, all the tumors with rhabdoid features were of the clear cell type. The presence of rhabdoid features was significantly associated with higher Fuhrman's nuclear grade and higher pathologic tumor stage at presentation. Among the 12 patients who showed the rhabdoid component, nine (75%) developed metastasis and seven (58.3%) died of disease-related causes. The presence of rhabdoid features was independently associated with metastasis and disease-related mortality. The rhabdoid cells were positive for vimentin; variably positive for pan-cytokeratin, epithelial membrane antigen, and CD10; and negative for cytokeratin 7, smooth muscle actin, desmin, E-cadherin, and c-Kit. No case showed loss of integrase interactor-1; one was p53 positive, and five were insulin-like growth factor mRNA binding protein 3 positive. The Ki-67 labeling index was 1-25% (mean, 5.5%). CONCLUSIONS: The rhabdoid component is an independent prognostic factor for metastasis of RCC; therefore, identification of this component is critical.
Actins ; Cadherins ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; Carrier Proteins ; Desmin ; Humans ; Incidence ; Integrases ; Keratin-7 ; Kidney ; Mucin-1 ; Muscle, Smooth ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Nephrectomy ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Rhabdoid Tumor ; RNA, Messenger

BACKGROUND: Activation of the c-Met pathway is involved in cancer progression and the prognosis. We aimed to identify any association of c-Met protein expression with a number of clinicopathologic variables including infection of human papillomavirus and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in head and neck carcinomas (HNCa). METHODS: Eighty-two cases were enrolled in this study. Expression of c-Met and p16 was investigated immunohistochemically. EBV was detected by in situ hybridization and amplification of the c-Met gene by fluorescence in situ hybridization. RESULTS: The c-Met protein was expressed in 41.5% (34/82), and gene amplification was found in 1.4% (1/71). High expression of c-Met was associated with the primary location of the tumor; the hypopharynx showed the highest expression, followed by the oral cavity, larynx, and nasal cavity. Squamous cell carcinoma expressed c-Met more frequently than undifferentiated carcinoma. Also, p16 immunoreactivity or EBV infection was associated with the tumor location and well-differentiated histologic type, but were not linked to c-Met expression. The patients with positive c-Met expression showed frequent lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: Activation of the c-Met pathway might be involved in a subset of HNCa. Cases showing positive c-Met expression should be carefully monitored because of the high probability of lymph node metastasis.
Carcinoma ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; Fluorescence ; Gene Amplification ; Head ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; Humans ; Hypopharynx ; In Situ Hybridization ; Larynx ; Lymph Nodes ; Mouth ; Nasal Cavity ; Neck ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met

No abstract available.

Trichophyton(T.) rubrum is known to be the most common causative agent of tinea cruris, tinea corporis, and tinea pedis, and hygiene, nutritional status, and high temperature/humidity are known to play an important role in pathogenesis. Although there has been a report on a case of co-infection in which tinea pedis subsequently developing tinea cruris with the foot lesion being a reservoir of the later lesion, there is of yet no report which confirmed co-infection of two different lesions through identification of definite causative organisms. This case concerns a 32 year-old patient who presented with erythematous annular scaly patches on the groin and axilla. Although no organism was identified on mycosel culture, DNA base sequence and RFLP analysis of the scales revealed T. rubrum in both of the lesions. Considering that this is a rare case of tinea cruris accompanied by tinea corporis in the axilla and groin confirmed by molecular biological techniques, the authors present it with review of literature.
Axilla ; Base Sequence ; Coinfection ; DNA ; Foot ; Groin ; Humans ; Hygiene ; Nutritional Status ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Tinea ; Tinea Pedis ; Weights and Measures