PURPOSE: Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is a novel tumor suppressor gene located at chromosome 10q23. Ki-67 antigen is a human nuclear protein that is expressed in all active parts of the cell cycle. We evaluated the significance of PTEN and Ki-67 expression in prostate cancer and investigated the relation of this expression with clinico-pathological factors in prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Initially, we did two kinds of immunohistochemical staining for PTEN and Ki-67. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on 75 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded cancer specimens. Staining on paraffin blocks from prostate carcinomas was compared with that for adjacent normal prostate. Stainings were considered positive if nuclear staining was seen. Positive stainings were analyzed with the patient's clinico-pathological findings. Statistical analysis was performed by using chi-square test with p<0.05 considered significant. RESULTS: PTEN was expressed in 65 (86.6%) of 75 specimens. Ki-67 was expressed in 63 (84.0%) of 75 specimens. The staining scores of the tumor cells for PTEN and Ki-67 were higher than those of the adjacent normal cells (p<0.05). The staining scores for PTEN were negatively correlated with the serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level and Gleason score, but this was not statistically significant (p>0.05). PTEN expression was negatively correlated with lymph node or distant metastases (p<0.05). Ki-67 was positively correlated with the serum PSA level, the Gleason score, and metastases (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: PTEN and Ki-67 staining correlated well with Gleason score and PSA level in prostate cancer. These could be a possible predictor of prostatic neoplasms.
Cell Cycle ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; Humans ; Ki-67 Antigen ; Lymph Nodes ; Microfilament Proteins ; Neoplasm Grading ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Nuclear Proteins ; Paraffin ; Prostate ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatic Neoplasms

Thymoma is the most common anterior mediastinal tumor in adults. Rarely, it is presented as the anterior neck mass, commonly located in the anterolateral aspect of the neck or adjacent to the thyroid. We experienced two cases of fine needle aspiration cytology of thymoma, mimicking thyroid mass. The first case was an ectopoic cervical thymoma in a 31-year-old female. The fine needle aspiration cytology was misinterpreted as reactive hyperplasia of lymph node. But the histologic diagnosis was thymoma, predominantly lymphocytic type. The second case was an invasive thymoma in a 66-year-old female, who complained a large anterior neck mass. The fine needle aspiration cytology revealed biphasic population of some clusters of epithelial cells and scattered lymphocytes. The cytologic diagnosis was thymoma and was confirmed as invasive thymoma after the biopsy. Therefore, when the cytologic feature of anterior neck mass shows the both lymphocyte and epithelial component, the differential diagnosis should include the possibility of thymoma.
Adult ; Aged ; Biopsy ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle* ; Diagnosis* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Epithelial Cells ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphocytes ; Neck ; Thymoma* ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Nodule*

Solitary fibrous tumor, a mesenchymal neoplasm that arises most commonly from the pleura of the lung, has been described in a variety of extrapleural sites including the abdominal cavity, soft tissue, upper respiratory tract and rarely in head and neck region. We present a rare case of solitary fibrous tumor that occurred in the sublingual gland. A 52-year old woman presented with a painless mass in the left side of the floor of mouth. The tumor was well-demarcated and easily dissected, and it showed highly cellular areas of spindle cells with pattern-less architecture alternating with hypocellular areas. The tumor cells were positive for CD34 but negative for cytokeratins and S-100 protein. During the 12 months of follow-up, there was no recurrence of tumor growth.
Abdominal Cavity ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head ; Humans ; Keratins ; Lung ; Mouth Floor ; Neck ; Pleura ; Recurrence ; Respiratory System ; S100 Proteins ; Salivary Glands ; Solitary Fibrous Tumors ; Sublingual Gland

Percutaneous device occlusion of secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) has become an accepted alternative to surgical repair. A variety of devices have been used successfully. However, all of them have limitations. We report our experience with two devices used to close multiple ASDs.
Cardiac Catheterization ; Heart Septal Defects ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial

Benign Schwannoma rarely involves the vertebral bodies extensively. Despite of huge amount of neoplastic mass and severe destructive bony changes, the neurologic deficits could not be discovered. The authors discussed the findings of plain X-rays, cervical CT, MRI, pathology as well as surgical procedure, and reviewed the literatures.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neurilemmoma* ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Pathology

Strongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal nematode that is able to infect the host tissue and persist for many years through autoinfection, and it causes life-threatening hyperinfection in immunocompromised hosts. We report here on two cases of strongyloidiasis that were diagnosed by colonoscopic biopsy. One case was a 73-year-old woman who was hospitalized with complaints of melena. She was being treated with corticosteroid due to her asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. The other case was a 63-year-old man who suffered with abdominal discomfort and severe loss of body weight (18 kg) for 2 months. In both cases, colonoscopic examination revealed polyps and petechiae at the entire colon. Microscopically, a small illdefined granuloma with a longitudinally sectioned parasite was seen on the colonoscopic biopsy. Endoscopic examination was done after suspecting parasitic infestation. The gastric and duodenal mucosa showed numerous cross sections of adult worms, eggs and larvae that were developing in crypts. Even if such a patient is in an asymptomatic state, this illness must be treated due to the potential for fatal autoinfection.
Adult ; Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Asthma ; Asymptomatic Diseases ; Biopsy* ; Body Weight ; Colon ; Colonoscopy ; Eggs ; Female ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Larva ; Melena ; Middle Aged ; Mucous Membrane ; Ovum ; Parasites ; Polyps ; Purpura ; Strongyloides stercoralis ; Strongyloidiasis*

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are a mesenchymal tumor of the digestive tract and they have various clinical characteristics. We report here on the largest extragastric pedunculated GIST of the stomach that has been seen in Korea. The patient was a 67-year-old man with a giant abdominal mass occupying the whole abdomen, and both leg showed swelling for the previous several months. On computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), this appeared as a septated cystic tumor with a solid component. Laparotomy revealed a giant extragastric tumor arising from the lesser curvature of the stomach that measured 47x34x23 cm and it weighed about 40 kg. Surgical treatment was performed to remove both the giant mass and the gastric wall where the tumor was attached to a 3-cm pedicle. On immunohistochemistry, the tumor was positive for myeloid stem cell antigen (CD34) and c-kit (CD117). The final diagnosis was a pedunculated extragastric type GIST arising from the stomach. The postoperative course was uneventful and the swelling in both legs resolved.
Abdomen ; Aged ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Korea ; Laparotomy ; Leg ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Myeloid Progenitor Cells ; Stomach

PURPOSE: To evaluate changes in tuberculous cavities, one of the major factors used to determine the activityof tubereulosis, by high-resolution CT(HRCT) in active pulmonary tuberculosis patients after antituberculoustherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The HRCT findings of 41 patients with active tuberculosis were analyzed withparticular emphasis on the appearance of tuberculous cavities before and after therapy. We measured the largestdiameter and maximal wall thickness of the cavities, as well as accompanying changes occurring during follow-up.The mean interval between initial and follow-up study was 8.7 months(minimum:4.1, maximum:33.2;S.D.: +/-5.0) andthe mean duration of antituberculous therapy was 7.5 months(minimum:4.7, maximum:14.8;S.D.: RESULTS: Among 41patients, 54 cavities were found on initial HRCT. Thirty one(57.4%) of these disappeared during follow up HRCTwith residual changes such as residual fibrotic scar(n=15), granuloma(10), paracicatrical emphysema(7),calcification(3), traction bronchiectasis(3), consolidation(3) and bullous emphysema(1). Twenty three of thecavities(42.6%) decreased in size and wall thickness, but did not disappear completely during follow-upexamination. Mean largest diameter and maximal thickness of 23 cavities were 32.0mm(+/-13.9) and 7.9mm(+/-4.8) oninitial HRCT, falling to 20.9mm(+/-12.5) and 4.1mm(+/-2.6), respectively, during follow-up HRCT. Among four patientswho underwent a second follow-up, the largest diameter and maximal thickness of the cavities decreasedcontinuously. In two patients, however, the cavities did not did not disappeas, though in the other two they haddisappeared by the time follow-up HRCT was performed a second time. CONCLUSION: During follow-up HRCT afterantituberculous therapy(mean duration of 7.5 months), 57.4%(31/54) of cavities were seen to have disappeared, withresidual changes such as fibrotic scars, granulomas, paracicatrical emphysema and calcification ; 42.6% of thecavitivies still remained, however, with retractive and fibrotic change. Such fibrotic and retractive changesshould not, therefore, be taken as indicative of active tuberculosis, especially in patients who have successfullycompleted their medication.
Cicatrix ; Emphysema ; Follow-Up Studies ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Lung ; Traction ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disorder in which lymphocytes infiltrate the exocrine glands, resulting in the development of sicca symptoms. Lymphocytes may also invade various other organs and cause diverse symptoms. Interstitial pneumonia has been observed frequently in SS patients. Typically, the pneumonia responds well to systemic steroids, and fatal cases are rare. We experienced a case of lymphocytic pneumonia accompanied by SS and treated with cyclophosphamide pulse therapy, and we present details of the case herein.
Adult ; Humans ; Lung/*pathology ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial/drug therapy/*pathology ; Lymphocytes/*pathology ; Male ; Plasma Cells/pathology ; Sjogren's Syndrome/*pathology

BACKGROUND: A short period of ischemia and reperfusion, called ischemic preconditioning, protects various tissues against subsequent sustained ischemic insult. Apoptosis of hepatocytes and sinusoidal endothelial cells are a critical mechanisms of injury in the ischemic liver. Because nuclear factor-B (NF-B) has a significant role in the cell survival, we hypothesized that ischemic preconditioning protects by inhibition of apoptosis through the expression of NF-B, induced by interleukin-1 (IL-1), which is known for enhancement of its transcription and activation. METHODS: We induced ischemia and reperfusion on rat liver, and performed in situ terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labelling assay and polymerase chain reaction for IL-1 mRNA and NF-B mRNA. RESULTS: Apoptosis of hepatocytes and sinusoidal endothelial cells, assessed by in situ TUNEL assay, was significantly reduced with preconditioning. The expression of IL-1 mRNA and NF-B mRNA are seen on discrete monoclonal bands around 344 and 356 base pairs, in comparison with normal rat liver, but, there was no significant difference between the ischemia-reperfusion group and the preconditioning group. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that ischemic preconditioning confers dramatic protection against prolonged ischemia via inhibition of apotosis through the expression of IL-1 inducing NF-B and its activation. However, we need further study in the activity of NF-B, such as nucleotide shift assay, because the activity of NF-B is regulated by binding of the inhibitory protein, IB.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Base Pairing ; Cell Survival ; Endothelial Cells ; Hepatocytes ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Interleukin-1* ; Ischemia ; Ischemic Preconditioning* ; Liver* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rats* ; Reperfusion ; RNA, Messenger