PURPOSE: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is known to be produced by various malignant tumors and thought to be involved in microvascular permeability and angiogenesis. However, the clinicopathologic significance of the expression of VEGF in gastric cancer remains unclear. METHODS: To examine the relationship between VEGF expression in gastric cancer and clinicopathologic factors or patient survival, tumor VEGF expression was assessed by immunohistochemical study in 144 gastric cancer patients. In addition, serum VEGF (S-VEGF) level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 116 patients and in 32 healthy controls. RESULTS: Positive staining for VEGF was observed in 68.8% (99 out of 144) of gastric cancers, and its expression was observed more frequently in patients with intestinal type and serosal invasion tumors. However, there was no significant correlation between the patients' survival and VEGF positivity. Significant differences in preoperative S-VEGF level were found between healthy controls and patients with gastric cancer (P=0.014), whereas there was no significant difference in the S-VEGF level between control and curative resection group. When S-VEGF levels were compared between groups categorized by different clinicopathologic vari-ables, a significant correlation was found between a high S-VEGF level and a tumor size greater than 5 cm, serosal invasion, lymph node and distant metastasis. Moreover, postoperative S-VEGF levels were significantly elevated as compared to preoperative levels (P=0.000). When the median S-VEGF level was used as a cutoff level, the survival rate of patients with elevated S-VEGF levels was significantly lower than that of patients with low levels (P=0.001). CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that a high preoperative S-VEGF level is associated with tumor progression, metastasis and a poor outcome in patients with gastric cancer. Further studies are warranted to determine the clinical value of S-VEGF as an tumor marker and an indicator of tumor angiogenesis in gastric cancer.
Capillary Permeability ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis* ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Survival Rate ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*

PURPOSE: We investigated the effect of location changes in the inferior border of the belly board (BB) aperture by adding a bladder compression device (BCD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We respectively reviewed data from 10 rectal cancer patients with a median age 64 years (range, 45~75) and who underwent computed tomography (CT) simulation with the use of BB to receive pelvic radiotherapy between May and September 2010. A CT simulation was again performed with the addition of BCD since small bowel (SB) within the irradiated volume limited boost irradiation of 5.4 Gy using the cone down technique after 45 Gy. The addition of BCD made the inferior border of BB move from symphysis pubis to the lumbosacral junction (LSJ). RESULTS: Following the addition of BCD, the irradiated volumes of SB and the abdominopelvic cavity (APC) significantly decreased (174.3+/-89.5 mL vs. 373.3+/-145.0 mL, p=0.001, 1282.6+/-218.7 mL vs. 1571.9+/-158 mL, p<0.001, respectively). Bladder volume within the treated volume increased with BCD (222.9+/-117.9 mL vs. 153.7+/-95.5 mL, p<0.001). The ratio of irradiated bladder volume to APC volume with BCD (33.5+/-14.7%) increased considerably compared to patients without a BCD (27.5+/-13.1%) (p<0.001), and the ratio of irradiated SB to APC volume decreased significantly with BCD (13.9+/-7.6% vs. 24.2+/-10.2%, p<0.001). The ratios of the irradiated SB volumeand irradiated bladder volume to APC volume negatively correlated (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the addition of BCD, which made the inferior border of BB move up to the LSJ, increased the ratio of the bladder to APC volume and as a result, decreased the irradiated volume of SB.
Humans ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Urinary Bladder

BACKGROUND: There are several reports on outbreaks of V. paraphaemolyticus enteritis, however, these are only complicated cases or microbiologic surveillance in marine environment. We experienced an outbreak associated with eating flavored crabs and investigated the magnitude of the outbreak on a large scale located in Inchon. METHOD: We took medical history and stool cultures from patients with diarrhea, visited the Inha University Hospital from September 14 to September 30, 1998. Pulsed-field gel electrophereis of isolates from stool culture performed to identify the relation. We counted the number of diarrheal patients visited the emergency rooms of 5 other general hospitals and 9 private clinics in Inchon from August 16 to September 30, 1998. We bought 6 crabs and 2 flavored crabs at a nearby market and cooked 6 crabs flavored at our hospital. Cultures from the flavored crabs stored at a refrigerator were done daily for consecutive 5 days. RESULTS: The outbreak began on September 5 and ended on September 29, 1998. The numbers of patients visiting ERs of 6 general hospitals and private clinics during outbreak were estimated 1,033 and 4,530, respectively. All 8 crabs revealed Vibrio spp., but identification up to species level was not possible. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of 12 isolates showed different patterns and suggested different sources. CONCLUSION: In 1998, an outbreak estimated more than 5,000 patients of V. parahaemolyticus enteritis occurred in Inchon, Korea. Because the magnitude of food-associated enteritis is enormous, that surpass the number which we assumed from clinical practice, early report and prompt investigation of such cases are necessary.
Diarrhea ; Disease Outbreaks ; Eating ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Enteritis* ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Incheon* ; Korea* ; Vibrio parahaemolyticus* ; Vibrio*