A 15-year-old castrated mixed breed dog presented due to a 5-month history of cough and difficulty in ambulation. Necropsy showed multiple periosteal and intramedullary infiltrative masses in the appendicular skeleton. In addition, single and multiple neoplastic nodules were observed in several organs, including the lungs, liver, kidney, and heart. Microscopically, several skeletal neoplastic masses and nodules in the parenchymal organs revealed similar changes. The neoplastic cells were spindle- to polygonal-shaped with prominent osteoid production and occasional cartilaginous and bone formation. Based on the gross findings and histopathology results, the case was diagnosed as multicentric osteosarcoma with systemic metastases.
Adolescent ; Animals ; Cough ; Dogs* ; Heart ; Humans ; Kidney ; Liver ; Lung ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Osteogenesis ; Osteosarcoma* ; Skeleton ; Walking

Anthriscus sylvestris (L.) Hoffm. is a perennial herb found widely distributed in various regions of Korea, Europe, and New Zealand. The root of A. sylvestris have been extensively used in the treatment for antitussive, antipyretic, cough remedy in Oriental medicine, but the physiologically active function of the leaf of A. sylvestris is as yet unknown. In this study, we investigated the anti-cancer activity and the mechanism of cell death of water extracts of leaf of Anthriscus sylvestris (WELAS), on human FaDu hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells. Our data showed that WELAS treatment inhibited cell viability in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. In addition, the treatment of WELAS markedly induced apoptosis in FaDu cells, as determined by the viability assay, DAPI stain and FACS analysis. WELAS also increased the proteolytic cleavage of procaspase-3, -9 and PARP (poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase). In addition, exposure to WELAS decreased the expression of Bcl-2 (an anti-apoptotic factor), but increased the expression of Bax (a pro-apoptotic factor), suggesting that mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathways are mediated in WELAS-induced apoptosis. Taken together, these results indicate that water extracts of leaf of A. sylvestris inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis via the mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathway in FaDu human hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells. Therefore, we propose that the water extracts of leaf of A. sylvestris is a novel chemotherapeutic drug, having growth inhibitory properties and induction of apoptosis in human oral cancer cells.
Apoptosis* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Caspase 3 ; Cell Death ; Cell Survival ; Cough ; Europe ; Humans* ; Hypopharynx* ; Korea ; Medicine, East Asian Traditional ; Mouth Neoplasms ; New Zealand ; Water*

Ficus carica L. (common fig), one of the first plants cultivated by humans, originated in the Mediterranean basin and currently grows worldwide, including southwest Asia and South Korea. It has been used as a traditional medicine for treatment of metabolic, cardiovascular, and respiratory diseases as well as hemorrhoids and skin infections. Its pharmacological properties have recently been studied in detail, but research on the anti-cancer effect of its latex has been only been studied on a limited basis on several cell lines, such prostate cancer, breast cancer, and leukemia. In this study, we investigated the anti-cancer activity of the latex of Ficus carica L.and its underlying mechanism in FaDu human hypopharynx squamous carcinoma cells. (See Ed. note above) We confirmed through SDS-PAGE analysis and gelatinolytic activity analysis that the latex of Ficus carica contains cysteine protease ficin. Our data showed that the latex inhibited cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the latex treatment markedly induced apoptosis in FaDu cells as determined by FACS analysis, elevated expression level of cleaved caspase-9, -3 and PARP (poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase), and. increased the expression of Bax (pro-apoptotic factor) while decreasing the expression of Bcl-2 (anti-apoptotic factor). Taken together, these results suggested that latex containing the ficin inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis by caspase and the Bcl-2 family signaling pathway in FaDu human hypopharynx squamous carcinoma cells. These findings point to the potential of latex of Ficus carica to provide a novel chemotherapeutic drug due to its growth inhibition effects and induction of apoptosis in human oral cancer cells.
Apoptosis* ; Asia ; Breast Neoplasms ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Carica* ; Caspase 9 ; Cell Line ; Cysteine Proteases ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Ficain ; Ficus* ; Hemorrhoids ; Humans ; Humans* ; Hypopharynx* ; Korea ; Latex* ; Leukemia ; Medicine, Traditional ; Mouth Neoplasms ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Skin

Anthricin (Deoxypodophyllotoxin), a naturally occurring flavolignan, has well known anti-cancer properties in several cancer cells, such as prostate cancer, cervical carcinoma and pancreatic cancer. However, the effects of Anthricin are currently unknown in oral cancer. We examined the anti-cancer effect and mechanism of action of Anthricin in human FaDu hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells. Our data showed that Anthricin inhibits cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner (IC50 50 nM) in the MTT assay and Live & Dead assay. In addition, Anthricin treated FaDu cells showed marked apoptosis by DAPI stain and FACS. Furthermore, Anthricin activates anti-apoptotic factors such as caspase-3, -9 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), suggesting that caspase-mediated pathways are involved in Anthricin-induced apoptosis. Anthricin treatment also leads to accumulation of the pro-apoptotic factor Bax, followed by inhibition of cell growth. Taken together, these results indicate that Anthricn-induced cell death of human FaDu hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells is mediated by mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathway. In summary, our findings provide a framework for further exploration on Anthricin as a novel chemotherapeutic drug for human oral cancer.
Apoptosis* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Caspase 3 ; Cell Death ; Cell Survival ; Humans* ; Mouth Neoplasms ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; Prostatic Neoplasms

BACKGROUND: The utilization of a cone-beam computed tomography (CT)-assisted surgical template allows for predictable results because implant placement plans can be performed in the actual surgery. In order to assess the accuracy of the CT-guided surgery, angular errors and shoulder/apex distance errors were evaluated by data fusion from before and after the placement. METHODS: Computer-guided implant surgery was performed in five patients with 19 implants. In order to analyze differences of the implant fixture body between preoperative planned implant and postoperative placed implant, angular error and distance errors were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean angular errors between the preoperative planned and postoperative placed implant was 3.84°± 1.49°; the mean distance errors between the planned and placed implants were 0.45 ± 0.48 mm horizontally and 0.63 ± 0.51 mm vertically at the implant neck and 0.70 ± 0.63 mm horizontally and 0.64 ± 0.57 mm vertically at the implant apex for all 19 implants. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to be able to utilize these methods in actual clinical settings by improving the various problems, including the considerations of patient mouth opening limitations, surgical guide preparation, and fixation.
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Humans ; Mouth ; Neck ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted

Clinical factors such as tall stature, lean body mass, obstructive sleep apnea, alcohol or caffeine, smoking, endurance sports, and genetic factors are proposed as risk factors for lone atrial fibrillation (LAF). The KORAF (KORean Atrial Fibrillation) study is a retrospective multicenter registry that enrolled 3,570 consecutive atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. Data on risk factors were available for 2,133 patients, of whom 398 (18.7%) were identified as having LAF. In univariate analysis, patients with LAF were more likely to be men (82.4% vs 59.8%, P < 0.001) and current smokers (25.9% vs 15.6%, P < 0.01), alcohol drinkers (55.3% vs 31.2%, P < 0.01) and frequent consumers of caffeinated beverages (> 2 cups/day) (31.7% vs 19.3%, P < 0.01), and have a family history of AF (9.0% vs 2.6%, P < 0.001) than the non-LAF patients. Multivariate analysis showed that male gender (OR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.61-3.27, P < 0.01), family history of AF (OR, 3.12; 95% CI, 1.91-5.12, P < 0.01), current alcohol use (OR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.46-2.76, P < 0.01), and frequent caffeinated beverage consumption (OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.20-2.29, P < 0.01) were independently associated with LAF. In Korean patients, LAF is more closely associated with male gender, family history of AF, current alcohol and frequent caffeinated beverage consumption than non-LAF.
Aged ; Alcohol Drinking ; Atrial Fibrillation/*diagnosis/etiology ; Body Mass Index ; Caffeine ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Odds Ratio ; Registries ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sex Factors ; Smoking

Cardiac calcification usually occurs in patients with end-stage renal disease. However, rapid progression of cardiac calcification is rarely associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism of end-stage renal disease. We report a patient with end-stage renal disease who showed moderate left ventricular hypertrophy at the first echocardiography, and showed severe myocardial calcification and severe mitral valve stenosis 4 years later. We suspected a rapid progression 'porcelain heart' cardiomyopathy secondary to hyperparathyroidism of end-stage renal disease. The patient underwent parathyroidectomy, and considered mitral valve replacement.
Cardiomyopathies ; Dental Porcelain ; Echocardiography ; Humans ; Hyperparathyroidism ; Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Mitral Valve ; Mitral Valve Stenosis ; Parathyroidectomy ; Renal Dialysis

BACKGROUND: Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4, also known as CD26) binds with adenosine deaminase (ADA) to activate T lymphocytes. Here, we investigated whether ADA activity is specifically affected by treatment with DPP-4 inhibitor (DPP4I) compared with other anti-diabetic agents. METHODS: Fasting ADA activity, in addition to various metabolic and biochemical parameters, were measured in 262 type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients taking various anti-diabetic agents and in 46 non-diabetic control subjects. RESULTS: ADA activity was increased in T2DM patients compared with that in non-diabetic control subjects (mean+/-standard error, 23.1+/-0.6 U/L vs. 18.6+/-0.8 U/L; P<0.05). ADA activity was correlated with fasting plasma glucose (r=0.258, P<0.05), HbA1c (r=0.208, P<0.05), aspartate aminotransferase (r=0.325, P<0.05), and alanine aminotransferase (r=0.248, P<0.05). Compared with the well-controlled T2DM patients (HbA1c<7%), the poorly controlled group (HbA1c>9%) showed significantly increased ADA activity (21.1+/-0.8 U/L vs. 25.4+/-1.6 U/L; P<0.05). The effect of DPP4I on ADA activity in T2DM patients did not differ from those of other oral anti-diabetic agents or insulin. T2DM patients on metformin monotherapy showed a lower ADA activity (20.9+/-1.0 U/L vs. 28.1+/-2.8 U/L; P<0.05) compared with that of those on sulfonylurea monotherapy. CONCLUSION: Our results show that ADA activity is increased in T2DM patients compared to that in non-diabetic patients, is positively correlated with blood glucose level, and that DPP4I has no additional specific effect on ADA activity, except for a glycemic control- or HbA1c-dependent effect.
Adenosine ; Adenosine Deaminase ; Alanine Transaminase ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Blood Glucose ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Humans ; Insulin ; Metformin ; Plasma ; T-Lymphocytes

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerotic plaques in the carotid artery have been considered a potential source of cerebrovas- cular events. Carotid plaques are associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke. We performed this study to evaluate the relationship between atherosclerotic carotid plaques and cardiac function measured by echocardiography in elderly patients with ischemic stroke. METHODS: A total of 415 patients aged >60 yrs with acute ischemic stroke were divided into two groups according to the presence(groups I, n=195, 140 males) or absence(group II, n=220, 112 males) of carotid plaques. We evaluated the asso ciation of the presence of plaques with age, sex, potential vascular risk factors, other carotid images, and cardiac function by echocardiography. RESULTS: Of the 415 patients, carotid plaques were found in 195 cases. Mean plaque size was 2.44+/-0.7mm on the right side and 2.32+/-0.75mm on the left. Plaques were located more frequently in the carotid bulb(68%) than in the common carotid artery(32%). 57% were calcified plaques and 72%, multiple plaques. Group I(with carotid plaques) had a significantly higher percentage of males(73.6%, p<0.001), hypertension(68.5%, p=0.043), diabetes(28.7%, p=0.029), and dyslipidemia(60.1%, p=0.008). In addition, group I had thicker carotid IMT than group II(Right: 0.86 vs. 0.70mm, p<0.001, Left: 0.90 vs. 0.73mm, p<0.001), lower common carotid artery end diastolic flow velocity(Right: 13.37 vs. 15.73m/s, p=0.002, Left: 14.46 vs.17.24m/s, p=0.004), and higher E/E'level(11.57 vs. 9.36, p=0.001). Old age, dyslipidemia, and diastolic dysfunction were independently associated with carotid plaques. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that old age, male gender, diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia are more com- mon in patients with carotid plaques than in those without. Old age, male gender, dyslipidemia, and diastolic dysfunc- tion are independent risk factors of carotid plaques in elderly patients with ischemic stroke. We further concluded that though left ventricle systolic function is not associated with carotid plaques in elderly patients with ischemic stroke, left ventricle diastolic dysfunction is.
Aged ; Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Artery, Common ; Dyslipidemias ; Echocardiography ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Male ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; Risk Factors ; Stroke

Antibiotic Prophylaxis ; Chronic Periodontitis ; Diagnosis ; Drug Users ; Endocarditis ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mortality ; Oral Health ; Rheumatic Heart Disease ; Tooth Extraction