BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although LIN28A is known to potentially play a role in the oncogenesis of various cancers, whether LIN28A expression is a predictor of poor prognosis in patients with gastric cancer has not been fully explored. We sought to evaluate clinicopathological characteristics according to the expression of LIN28A in numerous gastric cancer tissue samples. METHODS: LIN28A expression was evaluated by immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis of a tissue microarray comprising 288 gastric cancer tissues and 288 adjacent normal tissues. Clinicopathological characteristics, including overall survival, were compared according to LIN28A expression. RESULTS: The IHC staining score was lower for the cancer tissues than the normal tissues (p<0.001). However, no significant differences were observed in the clinicopathological characteristics between the low and high LIN28A expression groups. In addition, the 5-year overall survival rate did not differ between the two groups: 75.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 69.3% to 81.7%) versus 71.6% (95% CI, 63.3% to 80.9%) for low versus high expression, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of LIN28A did not appear to play a distinct role in predicting the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with gastric cancer. In addition, LIN28A expression was not an independently associated factor for overall survival in patients with gastric cancer.
Carcinogenesis ; Humans ; Prognosis ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Survival Rate

PURPOSE: Patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease without esophagitis show varying responses to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). The aim of this study was to objectively evaluate the effect of a new PPI, ilaprazole, on patients with heartburn but without reflux esophagitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study was performed on 20 patients with heartburn but without reflux esophagitis. All patients underwent upper endoscopy and 24-hr combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH esophageal monitoring (MII-pH). They were then treated with ilaprazole (20 mg) once daily for 4 weeks. The GerdQ questionnaire, histologic findings, and inflammatory biomarkers were used for assessment before and after ilaprazole. RESULTS: Among the 20 patients, 13 (65%) showed GerdQ score ≥8. Based on MII-pH results, patients were classified as true nonerosive reflux disease (n=2), hypersensitive esophagus (n=10), and functional heartburn (n=8). After treatment, patients showed a statistically significant improvement in GerdQ score (p < 0.001). Among histopathologic findings, basal cell hyperplasia, papillary elongation, and infiltration of intraepithelial T lymphocytes improved significantly (p=0.008, p=0.021, and p=0.008; respectively). Expression of TNF-α, IL-8, TRPV1, and MCP-1 decreased marginally after treatment (p=0.049, p=0.046, p=0.045, and p=0.042; respectively). CONCLUSION: Daily ilaprazole (20 mg) is efficacious in improving symptom scores, histopathologic findings, and inflammatory biomarkers in patients with heartburn but no reflux esophagitis.
Arm* ; Biomarkers ; Electric Impedance ; Endoscopy ; Esophagitis ; Esophagitis, Peptic* ; Esophagus ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Heartburn* ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hyperplasia ; Interleukin-8 ; Prospective Studies* ; Proton Pump Inhibitors ; T-Lymphocytes

Recently, there have been considerable efforts to search for naturally occurring substances that can inhibit, reverse, or retard the multi-stage carcinogenesis. A wide array of phenolic substances derived from edible and medicinal plants have been reported to possess anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic activities and in many cases, the chemopreventive activities of phytochemicals are associated with their anti-inflammatory and/or antioxidative properties. Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer cultivated in Korea has been widely used in traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of various diseases. Certain fractions or purified ingredients of ginseng have been shown to exert anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic activities. Our previous studies have revealed that the methanol extract of heat-processed Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer attenuates the lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenates and is also capable of scavenging superoxide generated by xanthine- xanthine oxidase or by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in differentiated human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells. Topical application of the same extract onto shaven backs of female ICR mice also suppressed TPA-induced skin tumor promotion. Likewise, topical application of ginsenoside Rg3, one of the constituents of heat-treated ginseng, significantly inhibited TPA-induced mouse epidermal ornithine decarboxylase activity and skin tumor promotion. Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in TPA-stimulated mouse skin was markedly suppressed by Rg3 pretreatment. In addition, Rg3 inhibited TPA-stimulated activation of NF-kB and extracellular-regulated protein kinase (ERK), one of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase in mouse skin and also in cultured human breast epithelial cells (MCF-10A).
Animal ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/*therapeutic use ; Antioxidants ; Heating ; Human ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism ; Molecular Structure ; NF-kappa B/metabolism ; *Panax ; Plant Extracts/*therapeutic use

We experienced an extremely rare case of lipoid pneumonia combined with empyema. A 53-year-old patient was admitted because of chilling sensation and blood tinged sputum. Simple X-ray and computered tomography(CT) showed a huge homogeneous opacification in the left lower lung field. This patient was diagnosed as endogenous type lipoid pneumonia by a computed tomography guided needle biopsy; decortication and left lower lobectomy are performed. We diagnosed it as endogenous type lipoid pneumonia because it revealed a foreign body reaction and lipid laden macrophage on the pathologic examination.
Biopsy, Needle ; Empyema ; Foreign-Body Reaction ; Humans ; Lung ; Macrophages ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonia* ; Sensation ; Sputum ; Tolnaftate

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the hospital stay and cost-effectiveness between treatment modalities in ectopic pregnancy for proper management. METHODS: In this study, the authors studied 121 cases retrospectively who had been admitted and treated at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Konyang University Hospital from February 1, 2000 to August 31, 2003. We analyzed clinical features, treatment modality, hospital stay and cost-effectiveness between each groups. One-way ANOVA test was used and p<0.05 was regarded as statistically significant. RESULTS: There was no difference in clinical features between treatment modalites. Of total 121 cases, operative procedures were done in 105 cases (explo-laparotomy in 58, laparoscopy in 43, dilatation and curettage in 4) and medical treatment in 16 cases (Multiple dose methotrexate protocol in 11, Single dose methotrexate protocol in 5). Average of length of hospital stay was 5.3 +/- 0.2 days in explo-laparotomy, 3.8 +/- 0.2 days in laparoscopy, 2.8 +/- 1.4 days in dilatation and curettage, 6.5 +/- 0.5 days in multiple dose methotrexate protocol, 2.4 +/- 0.4 days in single dose methotrexate protocol. According to treatment modality, there was significant difference in total cost and cost sharing. Total cost in explo-laparotomy (875,324 +/- 25,977 Won) was more expensive than that of laparoscopy (734,375 +/- 35,179 Won). But, cost sharing in explo-laparotomy (156,543 +/- 9,583 Won) was less expensive than laparoscopy (319,493 +/- 26,255 Won). Total cost and cost sharing in multiple dose methotrexate protocol (323,231 +/- 33,972 Won, 184,465 +/- 17,344 Won) was more expensive than that of Single methotrexate protocol (192,495 +/- 31,180 Won, 68,793 +/- 13,422 Won). CONCLUSION: Based on these results, it is very important that we should have an interest in ectopic pregnancy for early detection and proper management. Consequently, Achievement of precise decision and successful methotrexate treatment can be possible to decrease hospital stay and cost-effectiveness.
Cost Sharing ; Dilatation and Curettage ; Female ; Gynecology ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay* ; Methotrexate ; Obstetrics ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Ectopic* ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Procedures, Operative

BACKGROUND: Although the genetic determinants of most sporadic breast cancers remain unknown, the understanding of the molecular and genetic events that contribute to breast carcinogenesis has been significantly advanced. We investigated the clinicopathologic significance of allelic imbalance or mutation of both p53 and PTEN tumor suppressor genes in sporadic breast carcinomas. METHODS: Genomic DNA from 62 breast carcinoma cases was extracted from paraffin blocks, and PCR was performed to determine loss of heterozygosity (LOH) for DNA markers around the p53 and PTEN genes and to amplify exons 5, 6, 7, and 8 of p53 and all 9 coding axons of PTEN. RESULTS: Somatic p53 mutations were detected in 6 (9.7%) of the 62 cases. LOH for DNA markers surrounding p53 was observed in 18 (29.0%) of the 62 cases. LOH for DNA markers surrounding PTEN was detected in 29 (46.8%) of the 62 cases. Only one case (1.6%) showed somatic PTEN mutations. Tumors with LOH on 17p or p53 mutation were large in size and negative for ER, had a high Ki-67 index, and exhibited p53 immunoreactivity (p<0.05). Tumors with LOH on 10q23 were associated with c-erbB-2 positivity (p=0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that LOH at 17p and/or p53 mutation is significantly associated with the aggressive pathologic parameters of breast cancer.
Allelic Imbalance ; Axons ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Carcinogenesis ; Clinical Coding ; DNA ; Exons ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor* ; Genetic Markers ; Loss of Heterozygosity* ; Paraffin ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase

Research into adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs) has demonstrated the feasibility of their use in clinical applications due to their ease of isolation and abundance in adipose tissue. We isolated AD-MSCs from young and old dogs, and the cells were subjected to sequential sub-passaging from passage 1 (P1) to P7. Canine AD-MSCs (cAD-MSCs) were examined for proliferation kinetics, expression of molecules associated with self-renewal, expression of cell surface markers, and differentiation potentials at P3. Cumulative population doubling level was significantly higher in cAD-MSCs of young donors than in those of old donors. In addition, expressions of CD73, CD80, Oct3/4, Nanog, cell survival genes and differentiation potentials were significantly higher in young donors than in old donors. The present study suggests that donor age should be considered when developing cell-based therapies for clinical application of cAD-MSCs.
Adipose Tissue ; Animals ; Cell Survival ; Dogs ; Humans ; Kinetics ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells* ; Tissue Donors*

No abstract available.
Acellular Dermis* ; Animals ; Dogs* ; Transplants*

PURPOSE: Current management for patients with differentiated thyroid cancer includes near total thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine therapy followed by administration of supraphysiological doses of levothyroxine (L-T4). Although hyperthyroidism is a well known risk factor for osteoporosis, the effects of L-T4 treatment on bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with thyroid cancer do not appear to be as significant as with endogenous hyperthyroidism. In this study, we evaluated the impact of long-term suppressive therapy with L-T4 on BMD and bone turn over markers in Korean female patients receiving L-T4 suppressive therapy. METHODS: We enrolled 94 female subjects (mean age, 50.84 +/- 11.43 years) receiving L-T4 after total or near total thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine therapy for thyroid cancer (mean follow-up period, 12.17 +/- 4.27 years). The subjects were divided into three groups by thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level (group 1 with TSH level < or =0.001 microIU/mL, group 2 with TSH level between 0.001 and 0.17 microIU/mL, group 3 with TSH level >0.17 microIU/mL) and four groups by quartile of free T4 level. L-T4 dosage, BMD (examined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry), and bone turnover markers were evaluated according to TSH and free T4 levels. RESULTS: No significant decrease was detected in BMD or bone turnover markers according to TSH level or free T4 level. Also, the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia was not different among groups. CONCLUSION: Long-term L-T4 suppressive therapy after thyroid cancer management did not affect bone density or increase the prevalence of osteoporosis even though TSH levels were supraphysiologically suppressed.
Bone Density* ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; Iodine ; Osteoporosis ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms* ; Thyroidectomy ; Thyrotropin ; Thyroxine*

A pancreatic pseudocyst with a mediastinal extension is a rare clinical entity. Intrathoracic symptoms such as dysphagia or dyspnea due to compression or associated pleural effusions are quite common. The pseudocysts transverse the diaphragm via the esophageal hiatus or aortic hiatus or by eroding directly through the diaphragm. Here, we report a case of a pancreatic pseudocyst with a mediastinal extension presenting as dysphagia and dyspnea. The diagnosis was confirmed by computerized axial tomography of the chest and abdomen. Usually, the proper management of a larger pseducocyst includes percutaneous or surgical internal drainage, but in this case the mediastinal components disappeared with conservative medical treatment.
Abdomen ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 ; Deglutition Disorders ; Diagnosis ; Diaphragm ; Drainage ; Dyspnea ; Mediastinum ; Pancreatic Pseudocyst* ; Pleural Effusion ; Thorax