Necleolar organizer regions(NORs) ARE LOOPS OF DNA which transcribe to ribosomal RNA by RNA polymerase I. Since NOR-associated proteins are argyrophilic, silver staining method has been used for demonstration of AgNORs. The numbers and/or configurations of NORs may reflect the activities of cells in hyperplastic and neoplastic conditions. To evaluated the applicability of AgNORs in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma, the author had performed silver staining on the routinely processed, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections of 14 cases of normal liver(control), 23 cirrhotic liver, and 21 hepatocellular carcinoma. The results are summarized as follows: 1) The mean number of AgNORs per nucleus(mAgNOR) of normal liver, cirrhotic liver and hepatocellular carcinoma was 1.45+/-0.07, 2.53+/-0.38 and 5.52+/-1.63, respectively. The difference of mAgNOR between normal and cirrhotic liver, and between cirrhotic liver and hepatocellular carcinoma was statistically significant, respectively(p<0.01). 2) The percentage of nuclei showing five or more AgNORs per nucleus(pAgNOR) was 0.07% in normal liver, 7.59% in cirrhotic liver, and 60.49% in hepatocellular carcinoma. 3) AgNORs in hepatocellular carcinoma were large, pleomorphic and irregularly clumped, in addition to increase of mAgNOR and high pAgNOR. In conclusion, the increase of mAgNOR, high pAgNOR and large, irregular AgNORs are regarded as an additional helpful finding for the histopathological diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular

No Abstract Available.
Depression* ; Primary Health Care*

No Abstract Available.
Depression* ; Primary Health Care*

The vagina is an infrequent site of primary sarcomas, which are less than 2% of all malignant vaginal neoplasm. The most common malignant mesenchymal tumor of the vagina is rhabdomyosarcoma, but leiomyosarcoma is rare type tumor of the vagina. Microscopically, spinle cells with pleomorphic nuclei and mitotic figures were frequently noted, but cross-striations were not found in the tissue. Alpha-smooth muscle actin and desmin were positive, but sarcomeric actin was negative in the tumor cells. The authors report a case of primary leiomyosarcoma of the vagina with brief literature review.
Actins ; Desmin ; Leiomyosarcoma* ; Rhabdomyosarcoma ; Sarcoma ; Vagina* ; Vaginal Neoplasms

BACKGROUND: The bcl-2 is a newly known oncogene involved in tumorigenisis by blocking apoptosis or programmed cell death. Overexpression of bcl-2 protein has been detected in a variety of human malignancies. However, recent studies of the expression of bcl-2 protein in human melanoma and melanocytic nevus have been controversial. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine whether there are any differences in the expression of bcl-2 protein between melanocytic nevus and rnalignant melanoma. METHODS: Immunohistochemical analysis of bcl-2 protein expression was performed on the formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections of 22 melanocytic nevus and 29 malignant melanomas (20 primary and 9 metastatic) using anti bcl-2 monoclonal antibody with an avidin-biotin peroxidase complex procedure. RESULTS: The results were as follows. 1. The positive rate for bcl-2 protein was observed in 95.4% (21/22) of melanocytic nevus and 95.0% (19/20) of primary malignant melanomas. Therefore, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the positive rate for bcl-2 prtoein. 2. The percentage of stained cells and the staining intensity of bcl-2 protein were significantly increased in melanocytic nevus compared to malignant melanoma (p<0.05). 3. The positive rate for bcl-2 expression of metastatic malignant melanoma [44.4% (4/9)] was significantly decreased compared to that of primary malignant melanoma [95.0%(19/20) ] (p<0. 05). But, there was no significant difference betweeen tumor thickness and histological type of malignant, melanoma in the expression of bcl-2 protein. 4. In melanocytic nevus, immunoreactivity of bcl-2 protein gradually diminished or even disappeared towards the deep dermis. CONCLUSION: the bcl-2 expression was decreased in malignant melanoma compared to melanocytic nevus. It. suggests that the loss of bcl-2 expression may play a significant role in the progression and metastasis of malignant melanoma.
Apoptosis ; Cell Death ; Dermis ; Humans ; Melanoma* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Nevus, Pigmented* ; Oncogenes ; Peroxidase

PURPOSE: We performed this study to evaluate the prognostic factors and the effect of induction chemotherapy in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was done for 130 patients with locally advanced NSCLC treated with curative radiotherapy alone or induction chemo-radiotherapy from January 1986 to October 1996. Eighty-five patients were treated with radiotherapy alone, forty-five with induction chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Age, sex, performance status, histopathologic type, and stage were evenly distributed in both groups. The patients were treated with 6 MV or 10 MV X-ray. Conventional fractionation with daily fraction size 1.8~2.0 Gy was done. Of the patients, 129 patients received total dose above 59.6 Gy (56~66 Gy, median 60 Gy). Induction chemotherapy regimen were CAP (Cyclophosphamide, Adriamycin, Cisplatin) in 6 patients, MVP (Mitomycin, Vinblastine, Cisplatin) in 9 patients, MIC (Mitomycin, Ifosfamide Cisplatin) in 13 patients, and EP (Etoposide, Cisplatin) in 17 patients. Chemotherapy was done in 2~5 cycles (median 2). RESULTS: Overall 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rate (YSR) for all patients were 41.5%, 13.7%, and 7%, respectively (median survival time 11 months). According to treatment modality, median survival time, overall 1-, 2-, and 3-YSR were 9 months, 32.9%, 10.5%, 6% for radiotherapy alone group, and 14 months, 57.8%, 20%, 7.6% for induction chemotherapy group, respectively (p=0.0005). Complete response (CR) to overall treatments was 25% (21/84) in radiotherapy alone and 40.5% (17/42) in induction chemotherapy group (p=0.09). The prognostic factors affecting overall survival were hemoglobin level (p=0.04), NSE (neuron-specific enolase) level (p=0.004), and response to overall treatment(p= 0.004). According to treatment modalities, NSE (neuron-specific enolase) (p=0.006) and response to overall treatment (p=0.003) were associated with overall survival in radiotherapy alone group, and response to overall treatment (p=0.007) in induction chemotherapy group. The failure pattern analysis revealed no significant difference between treatment modalities. But, in patients with CR to overall treatment, distant metastasis were found in 11/19 patients with radiotherapy alone, and 3/13 patients with induction chemotherapy and radiotherapy (p=0.07). Locoregional failure patterns were not different between two groups (10/19 vs 6/13). CONCLUSION: Induction chemotherapy and radiotherapy achieved increased 2YSR compared to radio therapy alone. At least in CR patients, there was decreased tendency in distant metastasis with induction chemotherapy. But, locoregional failures and long-term survival were not improved. Thus, there is need of more effort to increasing local control and further decreasing distant metastasis.
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* ; Doxorubicin ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Ifosfamide ; Induction Chemotherapy* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Radiotherapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Vinblastine

The pseudolymphoma syndrome that may mimic malignant lymphoma clinically and histopathologically has been described as a hypersensitivity reaction to anticonvulsant drugs. It consists of the triad of a fever, generalized rash and lyrnphadenopathy. In some cases, varying degrees of malaise, hepatosplenornegaly, abnormal liver function tests, arthralgias, eosinophilia and blood dyscriasias may also be present. We report a case of pseudolymphoma syndrome due to carbamazepine in a 47-year-old man. He had a diffuse edematous and erythematous patches, papules and vesicles associated with high fever, hepatosplenomegaly and lymphadenopathy. The histopathologic finding slowed a dense atypical mononuclear cell infiltrate of the upper dermis associated with Pautriers microabscess like structures and severe dermal edema. Laboratory findings revealed leukocytosis and an abnormal liver function test. Three weeks after the withdrawal of carbamazepine and treatment with oral prednisolone, his skin lesion and general condition markedly improved.
Anticonvulsants ; Arthralgia ; Carbamazepine* ; Dermis ; Edema ; Eosinophilia ; Exanthema ; Fever ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Leukocytosis ; Liver Function Tests ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Lymphoma ; Middle Aged ; Prednisolone ; Pseudolymphoma* ; Skin

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been known to be associated with a wide variety of neoplastic conditions including nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Hodgkin's disease, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Recent studies reveal the presence of EBV in certain subtypes of gastric carcinoma in which EBV appears to be pathogenetically related. To evaluate the relationship between EBV and gastric adenocarcinoma, we examined EBV DNA using direct in situ polymerase chain reaction, and expression of p53 protein and bcl-2 protein using immunohistochemical staining method on paraffin embedded tissues. The materials consisted of one hundred twenty-eight gastric adenocarcinomas and twenty benign peptic ulcers. EBV DNA was detected in 14 of 128 gastric adenocarcinomas (10.9%). p53 protein was positive in 10 of 14 EBV positive adenocarcinomas (71.4%) and in 61 of 114 EBV negative adenocarcinomas (53.5%). Bcl-2 protein was positive in 2 of 14 EBV positive adenocarcinomas (14.3%) and in 19 of 114 EBV negative adenocarcinomas (16.7%). The above results indicate that EBV is associated with gastric adenocarcinoma, and p53 protein may play a role in carcinogenesis of EBV in gastric adenocarcinoma.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Carcinogenesis ; DNA ; Herpesvirus 4, Human* ; Hodgkin Disease ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; Paraffin ; Peptic Ulcer ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate survival, failure patterns, and prognositc factors of MMR patients after radiation therapy. We also discussed the need for chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was done for 23 patients with MMR who were treated with radiation therapy form June 1985 to November 1992. There were 19 male and 4 female patients. The patients' age ranged from 17 to 71 years(median 39 years). Systemic symptoms including fever, weight loss, or malaise were found in 30% of the patients. He nasal cavity was most frequently involved. No patients had nodal involvement at diagnosis. There were 2 patients with distant metastasis at presentation. Radiation therapy was delivered five times a week, 1.8 Gy daily, total 45~54 Gy(median 50.4 Gy) using 6 MV X-ray. No patients received chemotherapy as initial treatment. RESULTS: Overall 5-year and 10-yar survival rates were 52.4% and 44.1%, respectively. Seventy percent(12/17) of the patients achieved complete response to radiotherapy., and 29.4%(5/17) achieved partial response. The patients with complete response showed a better 5-year survival rate than those with partial response (66.9% vs. 20%, p-0.004). Symptom duration before diagnosis, the presence of systemic symptom, ad the number of primary sites had no influence on survival. The patterns of failure were as flows: local failure(1), failure in adjacent site(1), local and distant failure(1), distant metastasis(2), and conversion to malignant lymphoma(1). W could not find factors associated with the patterns of failure. CONCLUSION: The most important factor associated with survival was the response to radiotherapy. Seventeen percent of the patients had distant metastasis, and the salvage after distant metastasis was not successful. However, about 50% of the patients could achieve long-term survival with local radiation therapy alone. Therefore, chemotherapy of MMR should be done after a prospective randomized study for the factors associated with distant metastasis.
Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Fever ; Humans ; Male ; Nasal Cavity ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Radiotherapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Weight Loss

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-beta ) on the viability of human periodontal ligament cells, in-vitro and on the experimental tooth movement in rat, in-vivo. Human periodontal ligaments were cultured from the first premolar tooth extracted for the purpose of the orthodontic treatment. 0.1, 1, 5 and 10ng/ml of TGF-beta was given to the cultured wells, respectively and the viability was evaluated by MTT assay. Twenty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 experimental groups(4 rats in each) where 100g of force was applied from helical spring across the maxillary incisors. TGF- beta was injected via Hamilton syringe into the periodontal ligament at the mesial and the distal surface of a maxillary incisor of 2 rats in each experimental group. Phosphate buffer saline(PBS) was injected in 2 other rats as controls. Experimental groups were sacrificed at 1, 3. 7. 14 and 28 days after force application, respectively. The obtained tissues were evaluated histologically. The obtained results were as follows: 1.The viability of periodontal ligament cells in 0.1ng/ml of TGF-beta was not significantly different from that of control at 1-, 2- and 3-day of cultivation. 2.The viability of periodontal ligament cells was significantly increased at 3-day in 1ng/ml or 5ng/ml of TGF-beta, and at 2-, 3-day in 10ng/ml of of TGF-beta. 3. The zone of hyalinization in periodontal ligament in pressure side was smaller in TGF-beta injection group than that in control group at 3-day after the application of experimental force in rat. But no difference was seen after 7-day. 4.Osteoclastic activity and capillary prolieferation in pressure side were, greater in TGF-beta injection group than that in control group at 3-day to 7-day. 5.0steoblastic activity and new bone fomation in tension side were greater in TGF-beta injection group than that in control group at 3-day to 14-day.
Animals ; Bicuspid ; Capillaries ; Humans* ; Hyalin ; Incisor ; Osteoblasts ; Osteoclasts ; Periodontal Ligament* ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Syringes ; Tooth Movement* ; Tooth* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta