It has been recognized that angiogenesis has a profound effect on growth of tumors in various animal models. Recently, it was suggested that tumor microvessel density may be an independent prognostic factor in breast cancer and other human tumors. This study was designed to define the correlation between tumor microvessel density and survival in breast cancer. Pathological parameters of 60 patients with breast cancer were analyzed: stage, nodal status, histologic grade, vascular invasion, and p53 expression. Tumor microvessels were stained by the immunohistochemical method in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues by using the anti-CD31 monoclonal antibody (JC/70A, DAKO) and were counted with in a 10 objective field (about 0.74 mm2) in the area of the most intense neovascularization. The microvessel density (MVD) of the tumor was compared with other prognostic factors and 5-year survival rate. The mean MVD of the 60 breast cancers was 36.5 15.3 (range: 17~112). The MVD did not correlate with the stage, the node metastasis, the histologic grade, the vascular invasion, or the p53 expression. The MVD was graded by the number of microvessels as grade 1 (MVD 17~32), grade 2 (MVD 33~48), and grade 3 (MVD>49). The 5-year survival rate of patients with MVD grade 1 was 69.0%, and those of grades 2 and 3 were 58.2% and 29.6%, respectively, which was statistically significant (p=0.004). By univariate analysis, the stage (p<0.001), the axillary nodal status (p<0.001), the MVD (p=0.004), and the p53 expression (p=0.041) had a significant correlation with survival. In 25 patients with node-negative breast cancer, the MVD was the single significant prognostic factor (p=0.047). These results suggest that tumor microvessel density is a significant prognostic factor in invasive breast cancer and that it may be a prognostic factor in node-negative breast cancer.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Humans ; Microvessels* ; Models, Animal ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis* ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the viability and the characteristics of shed endometrial tissues obtained from menstrual fluid during in-vitro culture. METHODS: The menstrual fluids were collected using Wallace catheter from uterine cavity in 10 women with regular menstruation. The menstrual fluids were washed twice, and the pellets, containing blood cells and shed endometrium, were collected and diluted fivefold with Ham's F-10 medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum. The cell suspension was placed on culture dishes, and cultured for 7 days in an incubator. To evaluate the characteristics of the cultured endometrial cells, immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was performed using anti-cytokeratin and anti-vimentin antibody. RESULTS: The mean volume of menstrual fluids and pellets were 0.7ml and 0.3ml, respectively. Only 15% of the shed endometrial tissues were attached and proliferated in culture dishes, which was considered to have viability. Initially, endometrial epithelial cells and fibroblasts were attached and proliferated, and the area of these cells was increased according to prolong the culture time. Stromal cell colonys were located and proliferated on the epithelial cells. IHC staining showed strongly positive for cytokeratin in epithelial cells and for vimentin in stromal cells. In the confocal microscopic observation of 3-dimensional structure of cultured endometrium, cytokeratin-positive cells (epithelial cells) were located in the pheriphery and cytokeratin-negative cells (stromal cells) inside of the structure. CONCLUSION: From our study, shed endometrial tissues in menstrual fluid showed meaningful viability and closed relationship between epithelial cells and stromal cells during in-vitro culture. Thus, we suggest that the in-vitro culture system of shed endometrium is a suitable model for researches of endometriosis.
Blood Cells ; Catheters ; Endometriosis ; Endometrium ; Epithelial Cells ; Female ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; Incubators ; Keratins ; Menstruation ; Stromal Cells ; Vimentin

No abstract available.
Teratoma*

Sebaceous carcinoma is a particularly common malignant tumor of the eyelid. Therefore, this lesion is important to ophthalmologist. Recently, there appears to have been an increased incidence or recognition of sebaceous carcinomas of the eyelid, which had been previously believed to be very rare. Frequently mistaken for a recurrent chalazion, invasion by sebaceous carcinoma is frequently enhanced by repeat curettage and forms of therapy that obscure the true diagnosis. This tumor is difficult to completely resect due to intraepithelial widespread, so its prognosis is poor. The authors experienced two cases of sebaceous carcinoma of the eyelid. One was a 57 year old female patient who was treated with surgical resection and the other was a 71 year old male with cervical lymph node metastasis. He was treated with surgical resection, but he rejected radiotherapy.
Aged ; Chalazion ; Curettage ; Diagnosis ; Eyelids* ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lymph Nodes ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Radiotherapy

No abstract available.
Diarrhea* ; Korea*

The interaction between succinylcholine (SCC) and anticholinegterase drugs is illustrated by the inhibition of acetylcholine hydrolysis or a decrease in pseudocholinesterase activity- The present study was performed in order to estimate the action duration of SCC and pseu- docholinesterase activity following the administeration of neostigmine or pyridostigmine. Thirty-two healthy adult patients under general inhalation anesthesia with either halothane or enflurane were given two 1 mg/kg doses of SCC intravenously. The first dose was givenimmediatelr before intubation while the tole second dose was administered when recovery to the single twitch response was at 75% following a 0.035 mg/kg dose of neostigmine (group l) or a 0.175 mg/kg dose of pyridostigmine (group ll). Delete this phase or explain it better , Electromrographic monitoring(with Relaxograph, ABM , Datex) was employed for the duration of the SCC-induced block. Pseudocholinesterase activity was measured immediately before the first dose of SCC, at the 75% twitch recovery after reversal, and at the 75% twitch recovery after the second dome of SCC. The duration of the second dose or SCC in groups l and ll, 31.62+/-5.91 and 29.94+/-6.91 min.. repectively, was significantly prolonged from that of the first dose(groups l and ll , 18.38+/-8.85 and 18.24+/-6.47 min., respectively, but there was no significant difference between the two groues, Train-of-four ratio following the second dose of SCC was found to be 74.44+/-19.12 and 51. 73+/-18.80 per cent in groups l and ll, respectively, and there was no difference between the two groups. The recovery of 75% single twitch from the second dose of SCC was observed, while pseudocholinesterase activity remained suppressed at 50.8 and 44.3 per cent in groups l and ll, respectively. It is suggested that the SCC-induced block following administration of anticholinesterase drugs such as neostigmine or pyridostigmine may be prolonged due to decreased pseudocho-linesterase activity and that the mode of action may be transformed to a phase ll block.
Acetylcholine ; Adult ; Anesthesia, Inhalation ; Cholinesterase Inhibitors* ; Enflurane ; Halothane ; Humans ; Hydrolysis ; Intubation ; Neostigmine ; Neuromuscular Blockade* ; Pseudocholinesterase ; Pyridostigmine Bromide ; Succinylcholine

No abstract available.
Child* ; Humans

OBJECTIVES: The most common chromosomal abnormality contributing to recurrent abortion is the balanced chromosomal translocation. However the exact incidence of fetal losses are still unknown. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the incidence of fetal chromosomal abnormalities and outcome of pregnancy in recurrent miscarriage couples with balanced translocation. DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of recurrent spontaneous abortion patients with balanced chromosomal translocation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cytogenetic analysis was performed in 56 couples with history of recurrent abortions from 1995 to 1999. The use of high resolution banding technique and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) in the chromosomal analysis has made the precise evaluation of chromosome aberrations. RESULTS: Among 56 couples, 42 patients had reciprocal translocation and 14 had Robertsonian translocation. Chromosomal aberrations were more frequent in women (36 cases) than in men (20 cases). Prenatal cytogenetic analyses were carried out in 14 subsequent pregnancies for carrier couples with balanced translocation. The fetal karyotypes showed that 5 cases (35.7%) was normal, 8 (57.1%) were balanced translocation, and 1 (7.1%) was unbalanced translocations. And cytogenetic analyses were done on 15 subsequent chorionic villi samples of abortuses for carrier couples with balanced translocations. Fourteen of fifteen abortuses (93.3%) were abnormal karyotype. CONCLUSIONS: Although the incidence of chromosomal imbalance in the fetuses was relatively low in prenatal cytogenetic analysis, individuals with balanced translocations are predisposed to giving birth to malformed offsprings with chromosomal imbalance (partial trisomy or monosomy). Therefore we recommend preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for recurrent abortions with balanced translocation and preventing the birth of offspring with chromosomal abnormalities.
Abnormal Karyotype ; Abortion, Habitual* ; Abortion, Spontaneous ; Chorionic Villi ; Chromosome Aberrations* ; Cytogenetic Analysis ; Family Characteristics* ; Female ; Fetus ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Incidence* ; Karyotype ; Male ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Preimplantation Diagnosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Translocation, Genetic ; Trisomy

OBJECTIVE: This prospective study was done to find out common symptoms and beneficial physical examinations, and to evaluate relations among symptom, pain severity, physical examination method and width of symphysis pubis of symptom-giving pelvic girdle relaxation (PGR) in pregnant women. METHODS: Four hundreds sixty-five pregnant women who complained pelvic pain were asked to fill out a questionnaire. Ninety-six pregnant women were diagnosed as PGR and were examined physically and took the sonogram. Statistical correlation was evaluated among symptoms, pain severity (visual analog scale: VAS), physical examination method and sonogram. RESULTS: The most common complain was difficulty of rolling in bed (100%). The most frequent positive diagnostic physical method was posterior pelvic pain provocative test (PPPT) (85.4%). There was correlation between VAS and symptoms (r= 0.340, P=0.001) but no correlations between VAS or symptoms and numbers of positive physical examination (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: It is suggested that PPPT was most beneficial diagnostic methods of PGR in pregnancy.
Female ; Humans ; Pelvic Pain ; Physical Examination* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women* ; Prospective Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaire ; Relaxation*

Purpose: Herein is reported our initial experience of the CyberKnife to show its safety and feasibility as a treatment modality for non-metastatic prostate cancer. Materials and Methods: Twenty patients, with biopsy-proven prostate cancers, were recruited into a phase I clinical trial using the CyberKnife. The distribution of clinical risks, as assessed using the ASTRO criteria, was as follows: low (4), intermediate (5) and high (11). The mean age and follow up of the patients were 71.4 years and 15 months, respectively. The patients received 7.5-9Gy of radiation in a single fraction for 4-5 days. The total radiation dose to the prostate was 34-37.5Gy, which approximates to 86.4Gy in 2Gy fractions. The rectal and bladder acute toxicities were graded using the criteria of the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG). The results of acute toxicities were compared to those of the historical control, which had been treated with conventional four field box techniques (received median dose 70.2Gy). The prostate-specific antigen (PSA)- based short-term efficacy was described. Results: The acute rectal toxicity scores were 0, 1 and 2 in 13, 5, and 2 patients, respectively. The acute bladder toxicity scores were 0, 1 and 2 in 16, 3 and 1 patient, respectively. No grade 3 or 4 acute toxicity was noted. These figures contrast sharply with those found for the historical control. All toxicities spontaneously subsided within 3 months after treatment. Continuous PSA reduction was noted in all patients, and no PSA failure was noted during the follow up period. Conclusions: Our data show the feasibility of the CyberKnife in terms of its efficacy and acute toxicity. Moreover, the capability of using a hypo-fractionation schedule lead to marked improvement in patient convenience, with substantial resource savings.
Appointments and Schedules ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Income ; Prostate* ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatic Neoplasms* ; Urinary Bladder