The glucose uptake rate by Eurytrema pancreaticum was a mean value of 16.44 +/- 2.42 micro-mole/hr/g, and total CO(2) production rate by the fluke averaged 5.82 +/- 0.97 micro-mole/hr/g. The relative specific activity of respiratory CO(2) showed a mean value of 5.75 +/- 0.84 per cent. The rate of CO(2) production derived from medium C(14)-glucose was a mean of 0.33 +/- 0.10 micor-mole/hr/g. Therefore, the average value of 0.32 +/- 0.04 per cent of glucose utilized by the flukes from the medium C(14)-glucose was oxidized to respiratory CO(2). The tissue concentration of glycogen in E. pancreaticum was a mean of 45.50 +/- 2.18 mg/g or 4.55 +/- 0.22 %/g. But the turnover rate of glycogen pool was a mean of 0.027 +/- 0.003 %/hr or 0.009 +/- 0.002 mg/hr/g. The average value of 0.64 +/- 0.23 percent of glucose utilized by the flukes from the medium C(14)-glucose was incorporated into the glycogen. These data account for that only 1 per cent of the utilized glucose by the flukes participated in furnishing the oxidation into respiratory CO(2) and the synthetic process into glycogen.
parasitology-helminht-trematoda- Eurytrema pancreaticum ; glucose-biochemistry ; autoradiograhy ; glucose ; glycogen ; CO(2)

BACKGROUND: This study investigates the prevalance of HBV precore mutant in chronic B hepatitis patients and whether HBV precore mutants affect hepatic inflammation and response to interferon alfa. METHODS: HBV DNA in liver tissue from 48 chronic hepatitis patients was amplified by polymerase chain reaction. The HBV precore mutants were detected by direct sequencing of amplified PCR products. Thirty-three HBeAg-positive patients (Group 1: wild- type, Group 2: mixed) were received 3-6 MU INF three times a week for 4-6 months. We did follow-ups for at least six months(mean : Group 1-11.3, Group 2- 13.7 months). A complete responder was defined as persistent(>6 months) normalization of transaminase and loss of HBeAg and/or seroconversion. RESULTS: The HBV precore mutants were found in 15 cases(31.2%) among 48 patients: 7 cases(21.2%) in 33 HBeAg-positive patients and 8 cases(53.3%) in 15 HBeAg-negative patients. The HBV precore mutants were more frequently found in HBeAg-negative patients(p= 0.043). Differences in severity of hepatic pathology were not observed in the wild-type versus mutant-type chronic hepatitis B patients(p =1.00). Initial response rate was not significantly different between two Groups(p= 0.228), but complete response rate had a lower tendency in Group 2 (p=0.073). CONCLUSION: There is a tendency for HBV precore mutants to be less responsive to INF therapy than wild type. Therefore the patients with chronic hepatitis B should be treated as early as possible in natural history of their liver disease before the emergence of HBV precore mutants.
DNA ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis ; Hepatitis B e Antigens* ; Hepatitis B, Chronic* ; Hepatitis, Chronic* ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Interferon-alpha ; Interferons* ; Liver Diseases ; Liver* ; Natural History ; Pathology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

We report a rare case of esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis (EIPD) associated with esophageal web in a 67-year-old man presenting with dysphagia. EIPD is characterized by multiple tiny flask-shaped outpouchings of the mucosa that extend into the muscular layer on esophagography. EIPD commonly presents with stricture and less commonly with esophageal web. Although etiologies of both EIPD and esophageal web are unclear, a chronic inflammatory condition has been proposed. Treatment of EIPD is usually directed at the associated conditions rather than at the pseudodiverticulosis itself. In our case, dysphagial was successfully relieved by endoscopic dilatation with incision methods for the esophageal web.
Aged ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Deglutition Disorders ; Dilatation ; Humans ; Mucous Membrane

PURPOSE: The status of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and HER2 is critical in patients undergoing breast cancer treatment. We performed this study to evaluate the QuantiGene Reagent System as a clinical test for detecting ER, PR, and HER2 RNA levels in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue. METHODS: The RNA levels of ER, PR and HER2 were measured using the QuantiGene2.0 assay in FFPE tissue from breast cancer patients (n=40) and compared with ER and PR immunohistochemistry results and HER2 fluorescence in situ bybridization (FISH) results. RESULTS: When the cut-off values for ER, PR, and HER2 RNA levels were 5.0, 7.2, and 50, respectively, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value of the QuantiGene 2.0 Assay were 96.6%, 90%, 96.7%, and 90%, for ER; 89.7%, 81.8%, 92.9%, and 75% for PR; and 83.3%, 96.4%, 90.9%, and 93.1% for HER2, respectively. The Allred scores for ER and PR as well as the HER2 FISH ratio were correlated with RNA levels (p=0.046, r=0.32; p<0.001, r=0.61; p<0.001, r=0.75, respectively). CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that the ER, PR, and HER2 RNA levels as measured by the QuantiGene 2.0 assay were reproducible and correlated well with immunohistochemistry and FISH results. Measuring ER, PR, and HER2 RNA levels from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue using the QuantiGene 2.0 assay, which was a relatively simple technique easily performed in a usual laboratory, appeared to a helpful adjunct in determining the status of ER, PR, and HER2 in breast cancer.
Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Estrogens ; Fluorescence ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Receptor, erbB-2 ; Receptors, Estrogen ; Receptors, Progesterone ; RNA ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the extrahepatic bile duct presenting as obstructive jaundice is extremely rare. A 60-year-old man was admitted due to suddenly developed jaundice. Computerized tomography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography showed a tumor at the proximal common hepatic duct. These clinical and radiologic findings resembled those of Klatskin tumor. The resection of the common hepatic duct tumor, lymph node dissection, and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy were carried out. There was no regional lymph node metastasis and no residual tumor at the resection margins. Histology and immunohistochemistry of the resected specimen confirmed a diffuse large B-cell malignant lymphoma involving the common hepatic duct. The patient is scheduled to receive adjuvant chemotherapy. In summary, primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the extrahepatic bile duct, despite its rarity, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of causes for obstructive jaundice. An accurate histopathologic diagnosis and surgical resection combined with chemotherapy may be the approach to offer a chance for cure.
Antigens, CD20/metabolism ; Bile Duct Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology/surgery ; Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Klatskin's Tumor/diagnosis ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/*diagnosis/pathology/surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: We want to validate the use of the silver-enhanced in situ hybridization (SISH) technique as comparised with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique for assessing the HER2 gene amplification of breast carcinoma. METHODS: Tissue microarray (TMA) blocks from 58 breast cancer specimens were prepared and the concordance between HER2 gene amplification in breast cancer was determined by the FISH (PathVysion(R), Abbott/Vysis) technique and the automated silver in situ hybridization (SISH, INFORMtrade mark, Ventana) technique. For comparison, all the specimens were stained by immunohistochemistry (Ventana-PATHWAY(R)4B5). Evaluation was performed by two pathologists and with following the instructions of the manufacturers and the guidelines of the American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists. RESULTS: The results of SISH and FISH were identical in all 58 cases; 17 cases showed HER2 amplification, and on the other hand, 41 cases didn't show HER2 amplification. Five weakly positive (2+) cases in immunohistochemistry staining revealed one HER2 amplification and four no HER2 amplification on both SISH and FISH. The SISH results of the HER2/CEP17 ratio were well correlated with the FISH results of the HER2/CEP17 ratio (correlation coefficient r=0.745, Linear regression r2=0.555, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of the SISH technique for assessing the HER2 status of excised breast carcinoma is comparable to the result obtained by FISH. However, SISH has the advantage of having permanent end result that can be visualized by an ordinary light microscope and less laborious preparation and time is needed than is required by FISH. SISH seems to be more feasible than FISH for assessing HER2 amplification of breast cancer.
Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Fluorescence ; Genes, erbB-2 ; Hand ; Imidazoles ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization ; Light ; Linear Models ; Nitro Compounds ; Silver

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the association between meteorological factors and the number of patients who visited an emergency department after suicide attempts daily. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis study of 359 patients who visited an emergency department after suicide attempts from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2016. We used the Poisson regression model to analyze the association. Results: Three hundred and fifty-nine patients were enrolled in this study. According to the Poisson regression analysis, the average temperature on the day of visit (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.038; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.018-1.058), relative humidity (aOR, 0.987; 95% CI, 0.976-0.997), and solar radiation (aOR, 0.965; 95% CI, 0.939-0.993) were meteorological factors associated with the daily number of patients in the non-violent suicidal attempt group. Conclusion This study showed that meteorological factors are associated with the number of patients who visited an emergency department after suicide attempts daily.

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the association between meteorological factors and the number of patients who visited an emergency department after suicide attempts daily. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis study of 359 patients who visited an emergency department after suicide attempts from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2016. We used the Poisson regression model to analyze the association. Results: Three hundred and fifty-nine patients were enrolled in this study. According to the Poisson regression analysis, the average temperature on the day of visit (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.038; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.018-1.058), relative humidity (aOR, 0.987; 95% CI, 0.976-0.997), and solar radiation (aOR, 0.965; 95% CI, 0.939-0.993) were meteorological factors associated with the daily number of patients in the non-violent suicidal attempt group. Conclusion This study showed that meteorological factors are associated with the number of patients who visited an emergency department after suicide attempts daily.

Congenital Abnormalities ; Extremities ; Gigantism ; Hemangioma ; Humans ; Hyperostosis ; Hyperplasia ; Lipoma ; Lymphangioma ; Macrocephaly ; Male ; Mouth ; Nevus ; Osteotomy ; Proteus ; Proteus Syndrome