Global incidence of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) is rapidly increasing, but the diagnosis of these diseases at their early stage is challenging. Therefore, the availability of reproducible and reliable biomarkers to diagnose such diseases is more critical than ever. In addition, biomarkers could be used not only to diagnose diseases but also to monitor the development of disease therapeutics. Urine is an excellent biofluid that can be utilized as a source of biomarker to diagnose not only several renal diseases but also other diseases because of its abundance in invasive sampling. However, urine was conventionally regarded as inappropriate as a source of biomarker for neurodegenerative diseases because it is anatomically distant from the central nervous system (CNS), a major pathologic site of NDD, in comparison to other biofluids such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma. However, recent studies have suggested that urine could be utilized as a source of NDD biomarker if an appropriate marker is predetermined by metabolomic and proteomic approaches in urine and other samples. In this review, we summarize such studies related to NDD.

PURPOSE: Colorectal cancer (CRC) has a high risk for postoperative thromboembolic complications such as venous thromboembolism (VTE) compared to other surgical diseases, but the relationship between VTE and CRC in Asian patients remains poorly understood. The present study examined the incidence of symptomatic VTE in Korean patients who underwent surgery for CRC. We also identified risk factors, incidence and survival rate for VTE in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patients were identified from the CRC database treated from January 2011 to December 2012 in a single institution. These patients were classified into VTE and non-VTE groups, their demographic features were compared, and the factors which had significant effects on VTE and mortality between the two groups were analyzed. RESULTS: We analyzed retrospectively a total of 840 patients and the incidence of VTE was 3.7% (31 patients) during the follow-up period (mean, 17.2 months). Histologic subtype (mucinous adenocarcinoma) and previous history of VTE affected the incidence of VTE on multivariate analysis. There was a statistically significant difference in survival rate between the VTE and non-VTE group, but VTE wasn't the factor affecting survival rate on multivariate analysis. Comparing differences in survival rate for each pathologic stage, there was only a significant difference in stage II patients. CONCLUSION: Among CRC patients after surgery, the incidence of VTE was approximately 3% within 1 year and development of VTE wasn't a significant risk factor for death in our study but these findings are not conclusive due to our small sample size.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mortality ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prognosis* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sample Size ; Survival Rate ; Venous Thromboembolism*

PURPOSE: Carcinomas of the male breast constitutes only 1% of all breast cancer and less than 1.5% of all malignant tumors in men. The low incidence of this disease prevents therapeutic questions from being addressed in prospective randomized trials. Our aim was to cover the characteristics of the etiology, presentation and treatment of male breast cancer; and therefore provide an overview of knowledge in this area. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 16 male breast cancer patients, who had been treated between 1983 and 1992 at the Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, The Catholic university of Korea. RESULTS: The peak age of incidence was in the 7th and 8th decades. The most common symptom was a palpable mass in the breast (75.1%), and the duration of symptom varied between 3 days and 10 years. According to the TNM staging system, there were 18.8%, 31.3%, 18.8%, 12.5%, 6.3%, at stages 0, I, II, III and IV, respectively, and 12.5% with an unknown stage. A modified radical mastectomy was performed in 11 patients (68.8%) and postoperative adjuvant therapy in 12 patients (75.1%). The mean duration of following up was 41.2 months, during which time 2 patients were lost. CONCLUSION: Sixteen male breast cancer patients were encountered and men with breast cancer were observed to be older, have a longer duration of symptom, and more likely to have a familial tendency. However, our review revealed that male breast cancer was not as far advanced and had more chance of cure than initially thought. Therefore, the early detection and aggressive treatment of breast cancer are important for improving the survival.
Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Breast Neoplasms, Male* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Male ; Male* ; Mastectomy, Modified Radical ; Neoplasm Staging ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: To investigate the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of centipede bite injuries. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of clinical manifestations in patients who were identified between April 2005 to April 2007 as having suffered from centipede bites. Factors evaluated included sex, age, location and time of bite, part of body affected, clinical signs and symptoms, treatment modalities and complications. RESULTS: A total of 179 cases of centipede bite were identified. Centipede bites occurred between spring and autumn. 69.3% of bites happened at night. All patients were bitten on an exposed body parts, and the digit of both the handsand feet were the sites most often involved. Pain, swelling, erythema were the most frequent symptoms and signs. Most cases showed minor manifestations but, three patients needed to be admitted because of anaphylaxis. CONCLUSION: Centipede bites are relatively common in the summer season in rural and island areas, especially at night. Though the clinical symptoms of centipede bites are generally minor symptoms, emergency physicians need to possess accurate knowledge of the clinical manifestations in order to properly identify severe cases.
Anaphylaxis ; Arthropods ; Bites and Stings ; Emergencies ; Erythema ; Foot ; Human Body ; Humans ; Korea ; Retrospective Studies ; Seasons

PURPOSE: Endoscopic thyroidectomy has not become a widespread procedure because of limited advantages to its use. We have performed endoscopic thyroidectomies by use of the axillary approach. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of this surgical procedure. METHODS: Between June of 2002 and December of 2002, 17 patients underwent an endoscopic thyroidectomy by use of the axillary approach while 11 patients underwent a conventional thyroidectomy. Each procedure was performed by one surgeon under general anesthesia. Patients with thyroid carcinoma at the preoperative diagnosis or who received a bilateral thyroidectomy were excluded. We compared the age, size of the tumor, postoperative pain (48 hours after surgery), surgical time, cosmetic result, length of hospital stay, and paresthesia. Statistical analysis was determined by use of the Mann-Whitney test and the chi-square test using SPSS software. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 46.6 years who received a conventional thyroiodectomy and 32.9 years who underwent the axillary approach. The size of the tumor was 3.1 cm for patients who received conventional thyroiodectomy and 3.3 cm for patients who underwent the axillary approach. The operation time was 80.91±16.1 (65~100) minutes for the conventional thyroiodectomy and 135.3± 34.6 (80~210) minutes for the axillary approach. The difference between the two approaches in regards to parameters such as postoperative pain, parethesia, and total hospital days was negligible. The degree of satisfaction was 2.7±0.8 for the conventional thyroiodectomy and 1.1±0.3 for the axillary approach. CONCLUSION: While conventional thyroidectomy still offers an advantage in terms of surgical time, performance of endoscopic thyroidectomy by the axillary approach has an advantage in producing better cosmetic results. Although a multitude of patients will be necessary to follow in further studies, the use of endoscopic thyroidectomy by the axillary approach could become the procedure of choice by offering better cosmetic results to young patients who present with thyroid nodules.
Anesthesia, General ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Operative Time ; Pain, Postoperative ; Paresthesia ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Thyroid Nodule ; Thyroidectomy*

PURPOSE: Although the role of the estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha, previously called the estrogen receptor) in breast cancer is well established, that of the second human estrogen receptor (ER), estrogen receptor beta (ER beta), remains uncertain. The expression of cyclooxygenase II (COX II) could also be regulated by sex steroids such as estrogen and progesterone. To investigate whether the expressions of the ER beta, ER alpha, and COX II are elevated in more aggressive breast cancers, the expression of the ER beta was studied by immunohistochemical staining in 20 primary breast cancer and original breast cancer tissues from 20 recurrent cancer patients, and its associations with ER alpha and cyclooxygenase (COX) II were evaluated. METHODS: Paraffin tissue sections from 40 breast cancers, surgically excised at the Department of Surgery, the Catholic University of Korea. were obtained. The immunohistochemical analysis was conducted on 20 non-recurrent, and 20 recurrent primary breast cancer tissues, using polyclonal antibodies to ER beta, ER alpha, and the corresponding monoclonal antibodies to COX II. RESULTS: Of the 40 patients, 15 (37.5%) were ER beta-positive, 30 (75%) were ER alpha-positive, and 24 (60%) were COX II-positive. The ER bata status was not related to the tumor size or menopausal status, but was related to the nodal status. The stati of ER alpha and COX II were not related to other clinico-pathological factors. The ER beta positivity was significantly more frequent in the study than the control group. (ER beta, p = 0.0222; ER alpha p = 0.1441; COX II, p = 1.00) The presence of ER beta was significantly related to the expression of ER alpha and COX II (p = 0.0455, p = 0.0381, respectively). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the expression of ER beta is associated with early recurrence in breast cancer and the expression of COX II in the presence of ER beta implies the possibility of prognostic significance.
Antibodies ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Estrogen Receptor alpha* ; Estrogen Receptor beta* ; Estrogens* ; Humans ; Korea ; Paraffin ; Progesterone ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases* ; Recurrence ; Steroids

PURPOSE: Although the role of the estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha, previously called the estrogen receptor) in breast cancer is well established, that of the second human estrogen receptor (ER), estrogen receptor beta (ER beta), remains uncertain. The expression of cyclooxygenase II (COX II) could also be regulated by sex steroids such as estrogen and progesterone. To investigate whether the expressions of the ER beta, ER alpha, and COX II are elevated in more aggressive breast cancers, the expression of the ER beta was studied by immunohistochemical staining in 20 primary breast cancer and original breast cancer tissues from 20 recurrent cancer patients, and its associations with ER alpha and cyclooxygenase (COX) II were evaluated. METHODS: Paraffin tissue sections from 40 breast cancers, surgically excised at the Department of Surgery, the Catholic University of Korea. were obtained. The immunohistochemical analysis was conducted on 20 non-recurrent, and 20 recurrent primary breast cancer tissues, using polyclonal antibodies to ER beta, ER alpha, and the corresponding monoclonal antibodies to COX II. RESULTS: Of the 40 patients, 15 (37.5%) were ER beta-positive, 30 (75%) were ER alpha-positive, and 24 (60%) were COX II-positive. The ER bata status was not related to the tumor size or menopausal status, but was related to the nodal status. The stati of ER alpha and COX II were not related to other clinico-pathological factors. The ER beta positivity was significantly more frequent in the study than the control group. (ER beta, p = 0.0222; ER alpha p = 0.1441; COX II, p = 1.00) The presence of ER beta was significantly related to the expression of ER alpha and COX II (p = 0.0455, p = 0.0381, respectively). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the expression of ER beta is associated with early recurrence in breast cancer and the expression of COX II in the presence of ER beta implies the possibility of prognostic significance.
Antibodies ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Estrogen Receptor alpha* ; Estrogen Receptor beta* ; Estrogens* ; Humans ; Korea ; Paraffin ; Progesterone ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases* ; Recurrence ; Steroids

Background: The gut–brain axis (GBA) in Parkinson’s disease (PD) has only been investigated in limited mice models despite dysbiosis of the gut microbiota being considered one of the major treatment targets for neurodegenerative disease. Therefore, this study examined the compositional changes of fecal microbiota in novel transgenic (Tg) mice overexpressing human α-synuclein (hαSyn) proteins under the neuron-specific enolase (NSE) to analyze the potential as GBA model. Results: The expression level of the αSyn proteins was significantly higher in the substantia nigra and striatum of NSEhαSyn Tg mice than the Non-Tg mice, while those of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) were decreased in the same group. In addition, a decrease of 72.7% in the fall times and a 3.8-fold increase in the fall number was detected in NSE-hαSyn Tg mice. The villus thickness and crypt length on the histological structure of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract decreased in NSE-hαSyn Tg mice. Furthermore, the NSE-hαSyn Tg mice exhibited a significant increase in 11 genera, including Scatolibacter, Clostridium, Feifania, Lachnoclostridium, and Acetatifactor population, and a decrease in only two genera in Ligilactobacillus and Sangeribacter population during enhancement of microbiota richness and diversity. Conclusions The motor coordination and balance dysfunction of NSE-hαSyn Tg mice may be associated with compositional changes in gut microbiota. In addition, these mice have potential as a GBA model.