OBJECTIVES: Many investigators have recommended adequate resection margin and lymphadenectomy for radical curative resection. The aim of this study is to evaluate clinical characteristics of positive resection margin (proximal or distal) of postgastrectomy in advanced gastric cancer. METHODS: We studied 17 patients with gastric cancer who were diagnosed positive resection margin by intraoperative frozen biopsy or permanent biopsy report from January 2005 to December 2007, retrospectively. Surgical margin monitored by endoscopy. RESULTS: Distal gastrectomy was performed in 13 patients and total gastrectomy in 4. Gastrectomy with combined resection including splenectomy was performed in 3, distal pancreatectomy in 2, transverse colon segmental resection in 1, and cholecystectomy in 2. Positive Proximal margin was found in 12, positive distal margin in 3, and both in 2. Palliative chemotherapy was performed in 8 patients. Postoperative follow up endoscopy was established in only 8 patients. Malignant results from endoscopic biopsy in gastroenteric or esophagoenteric anastomotic line were proven in 2 patients during follow up. 9 patients were not performed follow-up endoscopy. Among total 17 patients, 2 patients are alive. Fifteen patients died of aggravation of disease in 13 and postoperative complication in 2. CONCLUSIONS: Although positive surgical margin in far advanced gastric cancer were found, it can consider that does not further resection to obtain microscopic clear anastomotic margin.
Adenocarcinoma ; Biopsy ; Cholecystectomy ; Colon, Transverse ; Endoscopy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Pancreatectomy ; Postoperative Complications ; Research Personnel ; Retrospective Studies ; Splenectomy ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms

Objectives: The microRNAs (miRNAs) are known to be commonly expressed in papillary thyroid carcinoma. The BRAFV600Emutation is the most common genetic mutation in thyroid cancer. The main aim of this study was to determine the possible association between expression of the three miRNAs and that of BRAFV600E mutation and the clinicopathological features in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Methods: This study was conducted on 51 paraffin-embedded tissues (42 thyroid cancer, 9 benign tumor) obtained from patients undergoing thyroidectomy at the Endocrine Center of OOO University Hospital. Results: miRNAs expression was significantly high in patients with cervical lymph node metastasis and advanced TNM stage. In addition, miR-146b expression levels were significantly higher in papillary thyroid carcinoma patients with BRAFV600E mutation. The relative quantification (2-△△Ct) of miR-146b was also high among the miRNAs. Individually, the AUCs for miRNA-146b was 0.923 (cutoff value -1.97, sensitivity 88.9%, specificity 85.7%). Conclusions Especially, expression of miR-146b increased higher in PTC patients with BRAFV600Emutation. These findings showed a role of miR-146b as potential biomarkers in differentiating PTC from benign tumor and as a prognostic indicator of PTCs. Further investigation will need for the roles of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of papillary thyroid carcinomas.

Primary sclerosing mucoepidermoid carcinoma with eosinophilia (SMECE) of the thyroid gland is a very rare disease. We present the clinical and histopathologic findings of a 37-year-old woman recently diagnosed with SMECE of the thyroid gland. The patient, clinically euthyroid, who presented with a neck swelling since last 2 years along. Fine needle aspiration cytology suggested thyroid papillary carcinoma. Total thyroidectomy, central neck dissection and right selective neck dissection were performed. Although SMECE is considered to be a relatively slow growing and non-aggressive tumor, occasional metastasis does occur. We report an additional case of SMECE, with metastasis to regional lymph nodes. Physicians should be aware of extended operation, including total thyroidectomy and/or neck node dissection for metastatic lesion of the neck node. More standardized treatment is likely to evolve in the future.
Adult ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid* ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Eosinophilia* ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Neck ; Neck Dissection ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Rare Diseases ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroidectomy

PURPOSE: Recently, diagnosis of stage 1 gastric cancer has increased in number and prognosis is excellent when proper treatment is done. However, some patients have recurrence and their prognosis is poor. Thus, we investigated the risk factors of recurrence in stage 1 gastric cancer patients. METHODS: From January 2004 to December 2008, a total of 1,241 number patients were operated on for stage 1 gastric cancer at the Department of General Surgery, Kosin University Gospel Hospital. We reviewed the characteristics of all patients retrospectively and compared them to recurred group (n=24) and non-recurred group (n=1,114). We analyzed the risk factors associated with recurrence. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients with stage 1 gastric cancer were recurred after radical gastrectomy. Recurrence rate was 2.05%. The most common pattern of recurrence was hematogenous (41.7%), and lymphatic (20.8%), peritoneal seeding (16.7%), combined form (12.5%), and locoregional (8.3%). Five-year survival rate was 50.08% of recurrence group. Of clinicopathological factors, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, lymphatic involvement and tumor marker were statistically significant between recurred and other group. CONCLUSION: In this study, tumor marker, tumor depth, node status, lymphatic channel involvement were possible risk factors of recurrence for stage 1 gastric cancer. More intensive follow up and care is needed for those with such risk factors.
Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Seeds ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Survival Rate

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), although uncommon, is illustrated as a dramatic clinical presentation of multi-systemic inflammation due to the impaired activity of cytotoxic T-cell and NK cell. Etoposide, an important component of the HLH treatment, is thought to have a leukemogenic potential. Furthermore, it has been suggested that the underlying immunologic dysfunction in HLH might be involved in the occurrence of secondary leukemia. Only a few cases of secondary ALLs after HLH have been reported. We report herein a case of secondary precursor B-cell ALL which occurred after the treatment of HLH.
Etoposide ; Inflammation ; Killer Cells, Natural ; Leukemia ; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; Precursor Cells, B-Lymphoid ; T-Lymphocytes

Particulate matter (PM) is a ubiquitous air pollutant that is a growing public health concern. Previous studies have suggested that PM is associated with asthma development and exacerbation of asthma symptoms. Although several studies have suggested increased risks of atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and allergic sensitization in relation to PM exposure, the evidence remains inconsistent. The plausible mechanisms underlying these effects are related to oxidative stress, enhancement of sensitization to allergens, inflammatory and immunological responses, and epigenetics. This review discusses the effect of PM on childhood allergic diseases, along with plausible mechanisms. Further studies are required to understand the role of PM exposure on childhood allergic diseases, to reduce these diseases in children.
Allergens ; Asthma ; Child ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Epigenomics ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Oxidative Stress ; Particulate Matter* ; Public Health ; Rhinitis, Allergic

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and safety of intracorporeal anastomosis in laparoscopic colectomy for benign and malignant tumor diseases in actual clinical settings. Methods: From January 2016 to June 2021, a total of 114 cases were selected for laparoscopic colectomy for benign or malignant tumor diseases. Seventeen cases that underwent simultaneous combined laparoscopic procedures were excluded from the study. The remaining patients were separated into 48 cases in the intracorporeal group and 49 cases in the extracorporeal group. Medical records were reviewed retrospec tively. Results: Patients in the intracorporeal group were older than those in the extracorporeal group (62.6 years vs. 54.9 years, p = 0.001). Body mass index, American Society of Anestheologists physical status classifica tion, comorbidity, smoking, and laparotomy history did not differ significantly between groups. Surgeries for malignancy were performed in 35 (72.9%) and 32 cases (65.3%) in the respective intracorporeal and extracorporeal groups. Right hemicolectomy was performed in 39 (81.3%) and 45 cases (91.8%) in the intracorporeal and extracorporeal groups, respectively, and postoperative hospital stays were 9.8 and 8.9 days (p = 0.081). Operation time (216.9 minutes vs. 203.5 minutes, p = 0.212) and intraoperative blood loss (72.7 mL vs. 75.7 mL, p = 0.700) were not significantly different. Anastomotic leakage was observed in one case in each group. Conclusion In laparoscopic colectomy, intracorporeal anastomosis could be considered as a safe and feasible technique for benign and malignant tumor diseases.

Purpose: Acute asthma exacerbations in children have seasonal variations and occur frequently in fall. Respiratory viral infections and environmental allergens are associated with asthma exacerbation. This study aimed to identify seasonal trends of asthma exacerbation and the effects of respiratory viral infection and allergen sensitization on the seasonality of asthma exacerbation in children. Methods: Children under the age of 18 years who visited to the Emergency Department or hospitalized for acute asthma exacerbations from 2011 to 2019 were included. We reviewed medical records, including demographics, date of asthma exacerbation, results of respiratory virus and allergen sensitization, and they were analyzed to identify the seasonal trends of asthma exacerbation. Results: A total of 320 asthma exacerbations were included, with the highest frequency in fall. Human rhinovirus was positive in 64.7% and 60.0% in fall and spring exacerbations, respectively. House dust mite sensitization was highest in fall at 78.5%, while food sensitization was highest in spring at 76.9%. In patients who were sensitized to house dust mites or food allergens, respiratory viral infections further increased asthma exacerbation in fall and spring, respectively. Conclusion Respiratory virus may be associated with asthma exacerbation in fall and spring. House dust mite and food sensitizations may be associated with fall and spring asthma exacerbations by worsening the severity of asthma symptoms caused by respiratory viral infections. In childhood asthmatic patients with allergen sensitization, avoidance of sensitized allergens, prevention of viral infection, and more active treatment of viral infection may help prevent acute asthma exacerbations.

Recent studies have suggested a close association between prenatal maternal distress and allergic diseases in the offspring. We selected relevant birth-cohort or national registry studies using a keyword search of the PubMed database and summarized current evidence on the impact of prenatal maternal distress on the development of offspring's allergic diseases. Moreover, we postulated possible pathways linking prenatal distress and allergic diseases based on relevant human and animal studies. Both dysregulated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and increased oxidative stress may cause structural (altered brain/lung development) and functional (skewed immune development) changes, which may predispose the fetus to developing allergic diseases during childhood. Although many facts are yet to be discovered, changes in the placental response and epigenetic modification are presumed to mediate the whole process from maternal distress to allergic diseases. Maternal prenatal distress can also interact with other physical or environmental factors, including familial or physical factors, indoor and outdoor pollutants, and early childhood psychological distress. The gut-microbiome-brain axis and the role of the microbiome as an immune modulator should be considered when investigating the stress-allergy relationship and exploring potential intervention modalities. Further research is needed, and particular attention should be given to defining the most vulnerable subjects and critical time periods. To this end, studies exploring relevant biomarkers are warranted, which can enable us to explore adequate intervention strategies.
Animals ; Asthma ; Biomarkers ; Epigenomics ; Fetus ; Humans ; Microbiota ; Oxidative Stress ; Placenta