BACKGROUND: The prognostic value of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in human renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remains unclear. The purposes of this study are to elucidate the clinical significance of COX-2 in clear cell RCC (CCRCC) and to assess the treatment effect of COX-2 inhibition on CCRCC cell lines. METHODS: Using tumor samples obtained from 137 patients who had undergone nephrectomy at Seoul National University Hospital, we evaluated COX-2 expression on immunohistochemistry. Moreover, we performed the cell proliferation assay using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and cell invasion assay. Thus, we evaluated the effect of meloxicam, an inhibitor of COX-2, in two human CCRCC cell lines. RESULTS: Cancer-specific survival (p=0.038) and progression-free survival (p=0.031) were shorter in the COX-2 high expression group. A multivariate logistic regression model showed that COX-2 expression was an independent risk factor for pTNM stage and Fuhrman nuclear grade. The MTT assay revealed that COX-2 inhibition led to the suppression of the proliferation of CCRCC cell lines. Moreover, it also reduced their invasion capacity. CONCLUSIONS: This study postulates that COX-2 is a poor prognostic indicator in human CCRCC, suggesting that COX-2 inhibition can be a potential therapy in CCRCC.
Humans ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: The prognostic value of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in human renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remains unclear. The purposes of this study are to elucidate the clinical significance of COX-2 in clear cell RCC (CCRCC) and to assess the treatment effect of COX-2 inhibition on CCRCC cell lines. METHODS: Using tumor samples obtained from 137 patients who had undergone nephrectomy at Seoul National University Hospital, we evaluated COX-2 expression on immunohistochemistry. Moreover, we performed the cell proliferation assay using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and cell invasion assay. Thus, we evaluated the effect of meloxicam, an inhibitor of COX-2, in two human CCRCC cell lines. RESULTS: Cancer-specific survival (p=0.038) and progression-free survival (p=0.031) were shorter in the COX-2 high expression group. A multivariate logistic regression model showed that COX-2 expression was an independent risk factor for pTNM stage and Fuhrman nuclear grade. The MTT assay revealed that COX-2 inhibition led to the suppression of the proliferation of CCRCC cell lines. Moreover, it also reduced their invasion capacity. CONCLUSIONS: This study postulates that COX-2 is a poor prognostic indicator in human CCRCC, suggesting that COX-2 inhibition can be a potential therapy in CCRCC.
Humans ; Risk Factors

Among the possible venous thromboembolic events in nephrotic syndrome, renal vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are common, while portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is rare. This report describes a 26-year-old man with histologically proven minimal change disease (MCD) complicated by PVT. The patient presented with epigastric pain and edema. He had been diagnosed with MCD five months earlier and achieved complete remission with corticosteroids, which were discontinued one month before the visit. Full-blown relapsing nephrotic syndrome was evident on laboratory and clinical findings, and an abdominal computed tomography revealed PVT. He immediately received immunosuppressants and anticoagulation therapy. An eight-week treatment resulted in complete remission, and a follow-up abdominal ultrasonography showed disappearance of PVT. In conclusion, PVT is rare and may not be easily diagnosed in patients with nephrotic syndrome suffering from abdominal pain. Early recognition of this rare complication and prompt immunosuppression and anticoagulation therapy are encouraged to avoid a fatal outcome.
Abdominal Pain ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Adult ; Anticoagulants ; Edema ; Fatal Outcome ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunosuppression ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Nephrosis, Lipoid* ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; Proteinuria ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Renal Veins ; Thrombosis ; Ultrasonography ; Venous Thrombosis*

OBJECTIVE: Nonstress test(NST) has become an important method of antepartum evaluation of fetal well-being. The fetal heart rate(FHR) testing is used frequently as a nonstress test(NST). However, NST highly depends on whom to interpret the result of FHR testing. Recently, for interpretation of FHR, objective decision methods using softwares have been introduced. In this study, we aim to analyse the correlation between each variable affecting FHR and fetal outcome using objective decision basis with principal component analysis and multiple regression analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical observation was made on 5,314 data from pregnant women who took a NST which had been collected from 1989 to 1997 at Hanyang University Hospital. For collection of data and values of each variable, we used our own FHR interpretation softwares, HYFM-I(DOS version, 1989) and HYFM-II(Window-version, 1998). Then, the principal component analysis is performed to find significant variable and multiple regression analysis using these variables. RESULTS: Each groups were divided and classified as followings ; 1 minute Apgar score-normal, 1 minute Apgar score-abnormal, 5 minute Apgar score-nomal, 5 minutes Apgar score-abnormal; there is significant difference between signal loss and 1 minute Apgar score only. And significant difference was shown between mean baseline FHR, FHR variability-amplitude, FHR variability-MMR, and fetal outcomes(body weight of newborn & Apgar score). The FHR variability-amplitude, FHR variability-MMR, and weight of baby were important values in predict of fetal well-being. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, there are close relation in each variable of FHRand fetal outcome. The result of this study would be useful background data in the development of objective and automated FHR analysis software, especially in the computerized FHR analysis system.
Apgar Score ; Female ; Fetal Heart* ; Heart Rate, Fetal* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Principal Component Analysis

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of auditory and visual cues on gait in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD). METHOD: Patients were 16 persons with IPD, and controls were 14 age-matched healthy persons. Controls were allowed to walk at self-selected gait speed and patients walked at no, auditory and visual cues. Gait parameters were gained, and stride variability were measured at each gait trial. RESULTS: In patients, cadence at visual cues was decreased compared with that of controls, no and auditory cues in the statistics. Walking velocity was decreased in all patients than controls, but there was no difference in each cues. Stri-de length at visual cues was increased compared with that of no and auditory cues, and increased to that of controls. Stride variability was decreased at visual cues compared with that of no and auditory cues, and decreased to that of controls. CONCLUSION: With the use of visual cues in patients with IPD, the cadence was decreased but stride length was increased and stride variability was decreased to the level of controls. Thus, visual cues could be one of the useful method for gait training in patients with IPD.
Cues* ; Gait* ; Humans ; Parkinson Disease* ; Walking

We investigated the association between fast-food (FF) consumptions and the risk of overweight/obesity and dyslipidemia in Korean adults (20–39 years) based on the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013–2014). We also examined the effect of breakfast intake on the risk of overweight/obesity and dyslipidemia according to their frequencies of FF consumption. FF consumption was categorized into 3 groups: < 1 time/month (n = 79); 1–3 times/month (n = 1,173); and ≥ 1 time/week (n = 474). People consuming FF ≥ 1 time/week had unhealthy lifestyles, higher intake of total calorie, fat, and protein, and higher levels of blood pressure, total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol than those consuming FF < 1 time/month. Logistic regression analysis showed higher risk of overweight/obesity in people consuming FF 1–3 times/month (odds ratio [OR], 2.525; confidence intervals [CIs], 1.169–5.452; p = 0.018) and ≥ 1 time/week (OR, 2.646; CIs, 1.128–6.208; p = 0.025) than those consuming FF < 1 time/month after the adjustment. The risk of dyslipidemia was also higher in people consuming FF ≥ 1 time/week than those consuming FF < 1 time/month after the adjustment (OR, 2.444; CIs, 1.047–5.704; p = 0.039). Furthermore, among people consuming FF ≥ 1 time/week, irregular breakfast consumers (≤ 2 times/week, n = 215) had significantly higher levels of triglyceride, TC, and LDL-C than regular breakfast consumers (5–6 times/week, n=180). Irregular breakfast consumers also showed a higher risk of dyslipidemia than regular breakfast consumers after the adjustment (OR, 2.913; CIs, 1.463–5.801; p = 0.002). In conclusion, frequent FF consumption increases the risk of obesity and dyslipidemia in Korean adults aged 20–39 years. Particularly amongthe frequent FF consumers, irregular breakfast intake may contribute to the increased risk of dyslipidemia. It may provide an evidence for proper dietary education to reduce the risk of overweight/obesity and dyslipidemia in Koreans adults aged 20–39 years.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the clinical and imaging factors associated with hemorrhagic complications and patient discomfort following ultrasound (US)-guided breast biopsy. Materials and Methods: We prospectively enrolled 94 patients who were referred to our hospital between June 2022 and December 2022 for US-guided breast biopsy. After obtaining informed consent, two breast radiologists independently performed US-guided breast biopsy and evaluated the imaging findings. A hemorrhagic complication was defined as the presence of bleeding or hematoma on US. The patients rated symptoms of pain, febrile sensation, swelling at the biopsy site, and dyspnea immediately, 20 minutes, and 2 weeks after the procedure on a visual analog scale, with 0 for none and 10 for the most severe symptoms. Additional details recorded included those of nausea, vomiting, bleeding, bruising, and overall satisfaction score. We compared the clinical symptoms, imaging characteristics, and procedural features between patients with and those without hemorrhagic complications. Results: Of 94 patients, 7 (7%) developed hemorrhagic complications, while 87 (93%) did not. The complication resolved with 20 minutes of manual compression, and no further intervention was required. Vascularity on Doppler examination (P = 0.008), needle type (P = 0.043), and lesion location (P < 0.001) were significantly different between the groups. Patients with hemorrhagic complications reported more frequent nausea or vomiting than those without hemorrhagic complications (29% [2/7] vs. 2% [2/87], respectively; P= 0.027). The overall satisfaction scores did not differ between the two groups (P= 0.396). After 2 weeks, all symptoms subsided, except bruising (50% 2/4 in the complication group and 25% [16/65] in the no-complication group). Conclusion US-guided breast biopsy is a safe procedure with a low complication rate. Radiologists should be aware of hemorrhagic complications, patient discomfort, and overall satisfaction related to this procedure.

Tracheopathia osteoplastica is a rare benign disorder of the trachea and major bronchi. It is characterized by multiple cartilaginous or osseous submucosal nodules that project into the tracheobronchial lumen. Awareness of the condition is important to avoid unnecessary surgery. We report here on the CT and bronchoscopic findings of tracheopathia osteoplastica associated with anthracofibrosis in a 67-year old woman, and we will then discuss our findings.
Aged ; Bronchi ; Female ; Humans ; Trachea ; Unnecessary Procedures

PURPOSE: The AT-rich interactive domain 1A (ARID1A) gene encodes BRG1-associated factor 250a, a component of the SWItch/Sucrose NonFermentable chromatin remodeling complex, which is considered a tumor suppressor in many tumors. We aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of ARID1A expression in gastric cancers and explore its relationship with clinicopathologic parameters such as mismatch repair protein expression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four tissue microarrays were constructed from 191 resected specimens obtained at Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital from 2006 to 2008. Nuclear expression of ARID1A was semiquantitatively assessed and binarized into retained and lost expression. RESULTS: Loss of ARID1A expression was observed in 62 cases (32.5%). This was associated with more frequent vascular invasion (P=0.019) and location in the upper third of the stomach (P=0.001), and trended toward more poorly differentiated subtypes (P=0.054). ARID1A loss was significantly associated with the mismatch repair-deficient phenotype (P=0.003). ARID1A loss showed a statistically significant correlation with loss of MLH1 (P=0.001) but not MSH2 expression (P=1.000). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed no statistically significant difference in overall survival; however, patients with retained ARID1A expression tended to have better overall survival than those with loss of ARID1A expression (P=0.053). In both mismatch repair-deficient and mismatch repair-proficient groups, survival analysis showed no differences related to ARID1A expression status. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that loss of ARID1A expression is closely associated with the mismatch repair-deficient phenotype, especially in sporadic microsatellite instability-high gastric cancers.
Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly ; Chungcheongnam-do ; DNA Mismatch Repair* ; Humans ; Microsatellite Instability ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Phenotype ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms*

BACKGROUND: Recently, an elevated serum homocysteine level has been reported to be associated with increased fracture risk and reduced bone mineral density (BMD). So far, little research has been done to evaluate such association in Korean population. Therefore, we investigated the association between serum homocysteine levels and BMD in Korean adults. METHODS: The subjects consisted of 2,750 adults who visited a health promotion center at a university hospital from January 2005 to March 2006. Self-administered questionnaires provided information about lifestyle and medical history. Fasting plasma samples were collected and BMD of the lumbar spine and femoral neck were obtained by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. To adjust for menopausal state, the female subjects were divided into three groups according to age (< or =45 yrs, 46~55 yrs, 55 yrs <). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between serum homocysteine levels and BMD in each gender and age group. RESULTS: The results adjusted for alcohol and smoking history showed significant association between serum homocysteine levels and BMD in women (Lumbar spine: beta=-0.006, P=0.015, Femoral neck: beta=-0.065, P=0.012) but not in men (Lumbar spine: beta=0.001, P=0.240, Femoral neck: beta=0.001, P=0.242). With analyses by three age groups, plasma homocysteine level was associated with both lumbar and femoral BMD in age 46~55 women (Lumbar spine: beta=-0.014, P=0.024, Femoral neck: beta= -0.007, P=0.019). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that increased serum homocysteine level is an independent risk factor for low BMD among women, especially perimenopausal women. Further studies about the sexual differences and the mechanisms linking serum homocysteine level to BMD are needed.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Adult ; Bone Density ; Fasting ; Female ; Femur Neck ; Health Promotion ; Homocysteine ; Humans ; Life Style ; Linear Models ; Male ; Osteoporosis ; Plasma ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Spine ; Surveys and Questionnaires