Primary sarcomas of the liver are rare. A case of primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the liver is reported. A 55-year-old male was admitted with epigastric pain. An abdominal computed tomographic scan disclosed a 10cm, low-density area in the left lobe of the liver. Histological examination of the resected tumor showed bundles of spindle cells arranged in a storiform pattern. In some areas, many bizarre giant cells were scattered. Immunohistochemically, tumor cells were positive for alpha 1-antitrypsin and alpha 1-antichymotrypsin, and weakly positive for vimentin. The tumor cells did not express cytokeratin, desmin or alpha fetoprotein.
alpha 1-Antichymotrypsin ; alpha 1-Antitrypsin ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; Desmin ; Giant Cells ; Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous* ; Humans ; Keratins ; Liver* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sarcoma ; Vimentin

This study examined the expression of the bcl-2 protein in 59 cases of transitional cell carcinomas (TCCs) of the bladder and evaluated the relationship of bcl-2 and p53 with apoptosis. The cases were divided into 41 low-grade TCCs, 18 high-grade TCCs, 32 superficial TCCs, and 27 invasive TCCs. p53 and bcl-2 protein were detected by the immunohistochemical method and apoptosis was analysed by using hematoxylin-eosin stained slide. The results were as follows: bcl-2 protein was detected in 8 (14%) TCCs and all of these cases were low grade TCCs. Expression of bcl-2 protein was not correlated with clinical stage. There was no correlation between bcl-2 and p53 protein. According to the immunohistochemical results of bcl-2 and p53 protein, the cases were divided 4 groups. Apoptotic index (AI) was higher in p53 positive/ bcl-2 negative group than other groups but the significance was recognized only between p53 positive/bcl-2 negative group and p53 negative/bcl-2 negative group (p<0.05). p53 protein was detected in 20 (36%) TCCs and its expression was correlated positively with histologic grade and clinical stage (p<0.05). AI correlated positively with histologic grade and clinical stage (p<0.01). These data indicate that overexpression of bcl-2 protein is rare in TCC of the bladder and associated with low grade TCCs. Overexpression of p53 is associated with the tumor progression in the TCCs. AI correlates with p53 positivity but does not correlate with bcl-2 positivity.
Apoptosis* ; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell* ; Urinary Bladder*

We report two cases of hyalinizing trabecular carcinoma (HTC) of the thyroid gland. These two patients were euthyroid women aged 36 and 65 years of age. The tumors were encapsulated and measured 0.8 and 4.0 cm in diameter, respectively. Histologically, the tumors were composed of a compact proliferation of cells in a lobular and trabecular pattern with an intervening hyalinized, fibrotic vascular stroma. Occasionally the cells were arrayed in microfollicles. Multiple and serial sections showed cords of tumor cells invading into the capsule in both cases and vascular invasion in one case. These findings suggested that HTCs are a malignant counterpart of hyalinizing trabecular adenoma, similar to conventional follicular tumor. Positive immunostaining of tumor cells for thyroglobulin and negative staining for high molecular weight cytokeratin, cytokeratin 19, neuron specific enolase, chromogranin, and synaptophysin allowed distinction from medullary carcinoma. Even though HTCs are an heterogeneous group of tumors, the present two cases are probably variants of follicular carcinoma rather than papillary carcinoma.
Adenoma ; Carcinoma, Medullary ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Female ; Humans ; Hyalin* ; Keratin-19 ; Keratins ; Molecular Weight ; Negative Staining ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; Synaptophysin ; Thyroglobulin ; Thyroid Gland*

No abstract available.
Fallopian Tubes* ; Female ; Pregnancy*

OBJECTIVE: The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27kip1 protein is a negative regulator of the cell cycle, and its degradation is required for entry into the S phase. Loss of p27kip1 expression has been reported to be associated with aggressive behavior in a variety of tumors of epithelial and lymphoid origin. However, its association with various astrocytic tumors has not been clearly demonstrated. We studied to investigate the relationship of p27kip1 expression with the biological behavior of astrocytic tumors in addition to study on the role of p27kip1 in the tumorigenesis of these tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS:From 1990 to 1998, a total of 29 astrocytic tumor of all grades obtained by operative resection were included for evaluation. We studied the expression of p27kip1 protein immunohistochemical assay in astrocytic tumors and compared the findings with the clinicopathologic parameters. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method. According to WHO classification, all cases were divided into astrocytomas(4 cases), anaplastic astrocytomas(9 cases), and glioblastomas(16 cases) by 3 pathologists. Clinical information was obtained from medical records, and others such as location and size of tumors from imaging studies. RESULTS: Mean p27kip1 protein labeling indexes(LI, mean+/-standard deviation) of astrocytomas, anaplastic astrocytomas, and glioblastomas were 80.6+/-9.1, 63.6+/-21.0, and 28.9+/-18.7, respectively, and were inversely correlated with grade of glial tumors(p<0.0001). Mean p27kip1 protein LI in the recurrent group was lower than that in the non-recurrent group, but there was no significant difference statistically(p=0.464). Additionally, p27kip1 protein expression did not show any significant relationship to other prognostic factors such as age(p=0.1643), tumor size(p=0.8), or location(p=0.8). CONCLUSION: These results suggested that reduced expression of p27kip1 protein may play a important role in the malignant transformation process of astrocytic tumor cells.
Astrocytoma ; Carcinogenesis ; Cell Cycle ; Classification ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27* ; Glioblastoma ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Phosphotransferases ; S Phase

Eccrine spiradenomas are clinically characterized by a solitary, tender mass and they are situated on the upper parts of the body, predominantly on the ventral aspect. We herein report two cases of eccrine spiradenoma in 35-year-old man and 53-year-old woman, which located on upper extremity and inguinal region. The masses are round, well circumscribed and measuring 0.7x0.5x0.5 cm, 5x4.5x3 cm in size, respectively. Histopathologically, the tumor consists of masses of two types of cells, intensely staining cells and pale staining cells, usually arranged in chains, cords and pseudoglands. Immunostainings for low molecular cytokeratin, high molecular cytokeratin, carcinoembryonic antigen, and S-100 protein show positivity in neoplastic cells. Electron microscopically, the tumor was composed of three types of cells, i. e. 1) round or ovoid tumor cells in shape with scanty cytoplasm and poorly developed intracytoplasmic orgenelles, 2) spindle shaped dark cells interconnected by desmosomes, 3) large epithelial cells with abundant cytoplasm and cytoplasmic intermediate filaments which formed glandular structures. The large epithelial cells joint each other by desmosomal attachments and luminal cells featured small numbers of microvilli, but either secretory granules nor ductal type granules were noticed.
Female ; Male ; Humans

PURPOSE: To understand the meaning of death seen by nursing students through art works. METHOD: The qualitative research method and the content analysis were used. The text were essays written by 42 senior nursing students about their impressions on death through art works. RESULT: Statements were classified into six categories and twenty six themes. The six categories include definitions of death, feelings about the death of a main character, responses to the death of the main character, feelings of significant others about the death of the main character, feelings of participants in this study, and oaths of the participants in this study. CONCLUSION: It is shown that participants recognize their position as nursing students, although they may not escape the fear of death, will learn to cope with death, and the dying in a suitably professional manner. In this respect, the study is considered to be helpful for the students in learning the knowledge and information which are needed for hospice nursing care more effectively.
Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing ; Humans ; Learning ; Nursing* ; Qualitative Research ; Students, Nursing* ; United Nations

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the level of knowledge and the attitudes of Korean adults toward sexuality of elderly people. METHODS: This was a descriptive study using a convenience sample of 241 adults. The questionnaire had 34 items for knowledge and 26 items for attitudes. RESULTS: The result showed that, related to sexuality of elderly people, the level of knowledge was average and attitudes were conservative. The level of knowledge was significantly higher in groups that were highly educated and of low economic status (p<.05). Attitudes toward sexuality of elderly people were significantly more conservative in female, older, less educated, and high economic status group. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest a need for more education for Korean adults regarding sexuality in elderly people.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Analysis of Variance ; Female ; *Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; *Intergenerational Relations/ethnology ; Korea ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Prejudice ; *Sexuality/ethnology ; Socioeconomic Factors

We report a case of dedifferentiated liposarcoma of retroperitoneum as a recurrent form in a 41 year old male. The patient received a extirpation for retroperitoneal mass and diagnosed as myxoid liosarcoma 4 years ago. The patient experienced 3 recurrences over a period of 4 years and diagnosed as myxoid liposarcoma in the second, third recurrence also. Histologically, the mass was composed of several clearly distinct elements : well differentiated liposarcoma, myxoid liposarcoma, myxoid malignant fibrous histiocytoma, poorly differntiated sarcoma, and fibrosarcoma. Immunohistochemically, S-100 protein was expressed in the area of spindle cell sarcoma, well differentiated liposarcoma, and malignant fibrous histiocytoma but alpha-1-antichymotrypsin was only expressed in the area of myxoid malignant fibrous histiocytoma.

No abstract available.
Rheumatic Fever*