No abstract available.
Humans ; Infant, Newborn*

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the role of survivin, caspase 3, p53 and Ki-67 expression in the carcinogenesis of cervical carcinoma and aggressiveness of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). METHODS: The pathology specimens of 94 patients with a diagnosis of Low grade CIN (31 cases), High grade CINL (32 cases) and squamous cell carcinoma (31 cases) were evaluated immunohistochemically for the expression of survivin, caspase 3, p53 and Ki-67 in paraffin sections. RESULTS: Survivin, p53 and Ki-67 expressions were progressively increased in accordance with the increasing degree of malignancy, but caspase 3 immunoreactivity was higher in high grade CIN than in low grade CIN and invasive cervical cancers. There was no significant difference between Ki-67 index and survivin, caspase 3 and p53 expression with the increasing degree of malignancy. The Ki-67 index was closely related to p53 overexpression in invasive cervical carcinoma group. CONCLUSION: A sequential increase of survivin, p53, and Ki-67 was observed in paralleling the progression of grade of CIN and cervical cancer. In addition, caspase 3 expression increased proportionally to the low-grade CIN to high grade CIN.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Caspase 3 ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; Humans ; Paraffin ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

Rhabdomyolysis varies from transient elevation of muscular enzyme to reduction of circulating volume and development of acute kidney injury (AKI). The majority is related to trauma, excessive exercise, alcohol and seizure disorders. Systemic infections associated with salmonellosis were rarely reported. Most of Salmonella infections are caused by Salmonella Typhi. Most common manifestations are typhoid fever and gastroenteritis. Sometimes serious complications such as gastrointestinal bleeding, intestinal perforation, and encephalopathy occur. However, AKI-associated rhabdomyolysis is rarely reported in salmonellosis even though it is not considered to be a major complication. Unfortunately, the precise pathogenetic mechanisms responsible for rhabdomyolysis with Salmonella Enteritidis infection are poorly understood due to the rarity of reported cases. In this presentation, we describe a patient with Salmonella Enteritidis (serogroup D) bacteremia complicated by disseminated intravascular coagulation, rhabdomyolysis and AKI. The blood culture and stool culture from the patient yielded Salmonella Enteritidis. Rhabdomyolysis and AKI should be considered as potentially fatal complications in patients with Salmonella Enteritidis infection.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Bacteremia ; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation ; Epilepsy ; Gastroenteritis ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Intestinal Perforation ; Rhabdomyolysis ; Salmonella ; Salmonella enteritidis ; Salmonella Infections ; Salmonella typhi ; Typhoid Fever

We describe a rapid and efficient diagnostic method for sex determination and the dystrophin gene by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using archived cytogenetic slides. Archived cytogenetic slides stored for about 4 years at room temperature were used. To confirm whether DNA analysis is possible using the archived cytogenetic slides, we extracted the DNA from the slides and amplified the Y centromeric region (DYZ3), the X centromeric region (DXZ1) and the exon 46 of the dystrophin gene. Of the 50 cases, 24 were peripheral bloods, 13 were amniotic fluid cells, 5 were chorionic villus samplings and 8 were cord bloods. The PCR related sex determination in 22 females and 28 males, showed 100% concordance with the results of chromosome analysis, and all cases showed positive band for the exon 46 of the dystrophin gene. Of the 50 cases of the archived cytogenetic slides, we were fortunate enough to obtain the fresh blood sample from one fetus whose karyotype showed 45,X[34]/46,X,+mar[145] to compare the results of the gDNA with that from archived cytogenetic slide. To confirm whether the marker chromosome was derived from Y chromosome, we studied the six loci (PABY, SRY, RPS4Y (SY16, 17), ZFY, DYS14) on the short arm, one locus (DYZ3) on the centromere and one locus (DYZ1) on the long arm. Of the 8 loci studies, all PCR related Y chromosome showed positive band from both gDNA obtained from cord blood and archived cytogenetic slides. We could conclude from the above results that the marker chromosome was derived from the Y chromosome. We believe our experiment is rapid and efficient for studies of over 10 independent loci from a single slide which has been kept in storage for up to 4 years and that archival Giemsa-stained cytogenetic slide repositories represent valuable DNA resources for clinical and forensic studies.
DNA/genetics ; DNA/analysis* ; Dystrophin/genetics* ; Female ; Human ; Male ; Muscular Dystrophies/genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods* ; Sex Determination (Genetics)* ; Specimen Handling/methods* ; Time Factors

We demonstrated that a mineral aqueous solution (MAS) administered to mice functionally and histologically protected against cisplatin-induced acute renal failure (ARF) and CCl4-induced acute liver failure (ALF). In ARF model, 0.4 and 0.2% MAS decreased mortality and the serum concentrations of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatine in mice. Additionally, 0.4 and 0.2% MAS reduced contraction of distal convoluted tubules and suppressed expression of the proinflammatory cytokines interlukein-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) in the kidney. In ALF model, 0.4 and 0.2% MAS decreased serum concentrations of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in mice. Additionally, 0.4 and 0.2% MAS reduced necrotic areas and suppressed expression of IL-6 and TNF-alpha in the liver. These results indicate that a MAS might have protective effects against ARF and ALF.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Alanine Transaminase ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Contracts ; Creatine ; Cytokines ; Interleukin-6 ; Kidney* ; Liver Failure, Acute ; Liver* ; Mice* ; Mortality ; Silicon ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

PURPOSE: To evaluate CT and MR findings of the intracranial schwannomas arising from variable cranial nerves. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors retrospectively analyzed CT (n=21) and MR(n=15) findings of 24 cases in 23 patients(M : 7, F : 16) who had suffered from surgically-proven intracranial schwannomas over the previous fiveyears. RESULTS: Schwannomas arose from the acoustic nerve(n=18), the trigeminal nerve(n=2), the glossopha-ryngeal-vagal-accessory nerve complex (n=2), and the olfactory nerve(n=1). Intracranial schwannomas were welldefined, lobulated and inhomogeneously or homogeneously enhancing masses on CT and MR, and were located along the course of the specific cranial nerve. Acoustic schwannomas involved both the internal auditory canal(IAC) and the cerebellopontine angle(CPA) in 14 cases, the IAC in three, and the CPA in two. Two trigeminal schwannomas involved both middle and posterior cranial fossa and were in the shape of a dumbbell. One of the two schwannomas that invelved lower cranial nerve complex(9-11th) was located in the medullary cistern and jugular foramen ; the other was located in the central posterior cranial fossa. A case of olfactory schwannoma was located in the right cribriform plate. The precontrast CT scan showed low density in 13 cases(62%), isodensity in seven(33%) and highdensity in one(5%). On postcontrast CT scan, enhancement was seen in 20 cases(95%). Of the 15 cases with MR, 12had low signal intensity on T1 weighted image and 14 had high signal intensity on T2 weighted image. MR imaging after Gd-DTPA infusion showed enhancement in 14 cases. Enhancement was inhomogeneous in 14 cases on CT and in 13 on MR. Of 24 cases, intratumoral necrosis was seen in 19, ring enhancement in five and severe cystic change inone. Other findings were intratumoral calcification(21%), hemorrhage(8%), pressure bony erosion(70.8%), midline shift(58%), peritumoral edema(29%) and hydrocephalus(33%). On MR, there was in all 15 cases a peritumoral lowsignal intensity rim on T1- and T2-weighted images and on a T1 weighted image following gadolium infusion. A caseof olfactory groove schwannoma was associated with neurofibromatosis type I and a case of bilateral acoustic schwannoma with neurofibromatosis II. CONCLUSION: Schwannomas can be easily diagnosed when a well defined, lobulated and inhomogeneously enhancing mass with intratumoral necrosis, cystic change, calcification orhemorrhage is seen along the course of a cranial nerve. Peritumoral low signal intensity rim on MR may be helpful in differentiating intracranial schwannomas from other tumors.
Acoustics ; Cranial Fossa, Posterior ; Cranial Nerves ; Gadolinium DTPA ; Necrosis ; Neurilemmoma* ; Neurofibromatosis 1 ; Neurofibromatosis 2 ; Neuroma, Acoustic ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Pseudoaneurysm due to cancer is uncommon generally and is extremely rare in lung cancer. We report two cases of false aneurysms due to lung cancer that spontaneously regressed upon chemotherapy without intervention. Both patients had squamous cell carcinoma of the lung and the diagnosis of a pseudoaneurysm was made using computed tomography. There was no evidence of severe bronchial hemorrhage and the psuedoaneurysms were small and well-encased. Chemotherapy was performed and the pseudoaneurysms resolved.
Aneurysm ; Aneurysm, False ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Lung ; Lung Neoplasms

Purpose: To investigate the value of MR textural analysis, including use of diffusionweighted imaging (DWI) to differentiate malignant from benign soft-tissue tumors on 3T MRI. Materials and Methods: We enrolled 69 patients (25 men, 44 women, ages 18 to 84 years) with pathologically confirmed soft-tissue tumors (29 benign, 40 malignant) who underwent pre-treatment 3T-MRI. We calculated MR texture, including mean, standard deviation (SD), skewness, kurtosis, mean of positive pixels (MPP), and entropy, according to different spatial-scale factors (SSF, 0, 2, 4, 6) on axial T1-and T2-weighted images (T1WI, T2WI), contrast-enhanced T1WI (CE-T1WI), high b-value DWI (800 sec/mm2 ), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map. We used the Mann-Whitney U test, logistic regression, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for statistical analysis. Results: Malignant soft-tissue tumors had significantly lower mean values of DWI, ADC, T2WI and CE-T1WI, MPP of ADC, and CE-T1WI, but significantly higher kurtosis of DWI, T1WI, and CE-T1WI, and entropy of DWI, ADC, and T2WI than did benign tumors (P < 0.050). In multivariate logistic regression, the mean ADC value (SSF, 6) and kurtosis of CE-T1WI (SSF, 4) were independently associated with malignancy (P ≤ 0.009). A multivariate model of MR features worked well for diagnosis of malignant soft-tissue tumors (AUC, 0.909). Conclusion Accurate diagnosis could be obtained using MR textural analysis with DWI and CE-T1WI in differentiating benign from malignant soft-tissue tumors.

Purpose: To investigate the value of MR textural analysis, including use of diffusionweighted imaging (DWI) to differentiate malignant from benign soft-tissue tumors on 3T MRI. Materials and Methods: We enrolled 69 patients (25 men, 44 women, ages 18 to 84 years) with pathologically confirmed soft-tissue tumors (29 benign, 40 malignant) who underwent pre-treatment 3T-MRI. We calculated MR texture, including mean, standard deviation (SD), skewness, kurtosis, mean of positive pixels (MPP), and entropy, according to different spatial-scale factors (SSF, 0, 2, 4, 6) on axial T1-and T2-weighted images (T1WI, T2WI), contrast-enhanced T1WI (CE-T1WI), high b-value DWI (800 sec/mm2 ), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map. We used the Mann-Whitney U test, logistic regression, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for statistical analysis. Results: Malignant soft-tissue tumors had significantly lower mean values of DWI, ADC, T2WI and CE-T1WI, MPP of ADC, and CE-T1WI, but significantly higher kurtosis of DWI, T1WI, and CE-T1WI, and entropy of DWI, ADC, and T2WI than did benign tumors (P < 0.050). In multivariate logistic regression, the mean ADC value (SSF, 6) and kurtosis of CE-T1WI (SSF, 4) were independently associated with malignancy (P ≤ 0.009). A multivariate model of MR features worked well for diagnosis of malignant soft-tissue tumors (AUC, 0.909). Conclusion Accurate diagnosis could be obtained using MR textural analysis with DWI and CE-T1WI in differentiating benign from malignant soft-tissue tumors.

BACKGROUND: Biomarkers for cancer have several potential clinical uses, including the following: early cancer detection, monitoring for recurrence prognostication, and risk stratification. However, no biomarker has been shown to have adequate sensitivity and specificity. Many investigators have tried to validate biomarkers for the early detection and recurrence of lung cancer. To evaluate plasma G-CSF as such a biomarker, protein levels were measured and were found to correlate with the clinicopathological features of primary lung tumors. METHODS: Between December 2006 and May 2008, 100 patients with histologically-validated primary lung cancer were enrolled into this study. To serve as controls, 127 healthy volunteers were enrolled into this study. Plasma G-CSF levels were measured in lung cancer patients using the sandwich ELISA system (R & D inc.) prior to treatment. RESULTS: The mean plasma G-CSF levels were 12.2+/-0.3 pg/mL and 46.0+/-3.8 pg/mL (mean+/-SE) in the normal and in the cancer groups, respectively. In addition, plasma G-CSF levels were higher in patients with early lung cancer than in healthy volunteers (p<.001). Plasma G-CSF levels were higher in patients who were under 65 years old or smokers. Within the cancer group, plasma G-CSF levels were higher in patients with non small cell lung cancer than in patients with small cell lung cancer (p<.05). Overall, plasma G-CSF levels were shown to increase dependent upon the type of lung cancer diagnsosed. In the order from highest to lowest, the levels of plasma G-CSF tended to decrease in the following order: large cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and bronchioloalveolar carcinoma. Plasma G-CSF levels tended to be higher in patients with advanced TNM stage than in localized TNM stage (I, II Adenocarcinoma ; Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar ; Adrenal Glands ; Biomarkers ; Carcinoma, Large Cell ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Humans ; Lung ; Lung Neoplasms ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Plasma ; Recurrence ; Research Personnel ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma