• Molecules and Cells
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• 제38권6호
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• pp.548-561
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• 2015

By combining conventional single cell analysis with flow cytometry and public database searches with bioinformatics tools, we extended the expression profiling of thymic stromal cotransporter (TSCOT), Slc46A2/Ly110, that was shown to be expressed in bipotent precursor and cortical thymic epithelial cells. Genome scale analysis verified TSCOT expression in thymic tissue- and cell type- specific fashion and is also expressed in some other epithelial tissues including skin and lung. Coexpression profiling with genes, Foxn1 and Hoxa3, revealed the role of TSCOT during the organogenesis. TSCOT expression was detected in all thymic epithelial cells (TECs), but not in the $CD31^+$endothelial cell lineage in fetal thymus. In addition, ABC transporter-dependent side population and Sca-$1^+$ fetal TEC populations both contain TSCOT-expressing cells, indicating TEC stem cells express TSCOT. TSCOT expression was identified as early as in differentiating embryonic stem cells. TSCOT expression is not under the control of Foxn1 since TSCOT is present in the thymic rudiment of nude mice. By searching variations in the expression levels, TSCOT is positively associated with Grhl3 and Irf6. Cytokines such as IL1b, IL22 and IL24 are the potential regulators of the TSCOT expression. Surprisingly, we found TSCOT expression in the lung is diminished in lung cancers, suggesting TSCOT may be involved in the suppression of lung tumor development. Based on these results, a model for TEC differentiation from the stem cells was proposed in context of multiple epithelial organ formation.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.98-104
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• 2010

원발성 전 종격동 종양은 종격동 종양의 반이상을 차지하고 그 종류도 다양하다. 흉선 상피 종양이 가장 흔하고 악성 흉선종은 드물다. 생식세포종은 두 번째로 흔한 전 종격동 종양으로 보다 어린나이에 발생하며 대부분 양성이다. 임파종은 대부분 전신성 질환의 흉부 침습 형태로 나타나나 원발성 흉부 임파종은 Hodgkin씨 병이 많다. 저자는 대표적인 전종격동 종양의 임상증상과 영상의학적 소견을 소개한다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권11호
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• pp.5581-5585
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• 2012

Objective: To explore the relationship between computed tomography (CT) manifestations of thymoma and its WHO pathological classification. Methods: One hundred and five histopathologically confirmed cases were collected for their pathological and CT characteristics and results were statistically compared between different pathological types of thymoma. Results: Tumor size, shape, necrosis or cystic change, capsule integrity, invasion to the adjacent tissue, lymphadenopathy, and the presence of pleural effusion were significantly different between different pathological types of thymomas (P<0.05). Type B2, B3 tumors and thymic carcinomas were greater in size than other types. More than 50% of type B3 tumors and thymic carcinomas had a tumor size greater than 10 cm. The shape of types A, AB, and B1 tumors were mostly round or oval, whereas 75% of type B3 tumors and 85% of thymic carcinomas were irregular in shape. Necrosis or cystic change occurred in 67% of type B3 thymomas and 57% of thymic carcinomas, respectively. The respective figures for capsule destruction were 83% and 100%. Increases in the degree of malignancy were associated with increases in the incidence of surrounding tissue invasion: 33%, 75%, and 81% in type B2, type B3, and thymic carcinomas, respectively. Pleural effusion occurred in 48% of thymic carcinomas, while calcification was observed mostly in type B thymomas. Conclusions: Different pathological types of thymic epithelial tumors have different CT manifestations. Distinctive CT features of thymomas may reflect their pathological types.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제27권6호
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• pp.497-501
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• 1994

We have experienced a case of primary thymic carcinoma. A 39 year old female patient admitted with incidentally detected mediastinal mass on chest film.The tumor showed invasion to surrounding tissues and the mediastinal lymphadenopathies were also noted. Invasion to contiguous mediastinal structures made complete surgical extirplation impossible and the biposy findings revealed primary thymic carcinoma. Primary thymic carcinoma is a rare neoplasm originating from the thymic epithelial cells. Clinical behavior of the thymic carcinoma is much different from it`s benign counterpart and several pathologic variants were reported.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권6호
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• pp.2745-2748
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• 2012

Aims: To study KIT (CD117) expression in thymic epithelial tumors in China, and investigate diagnostic and clinical significance. Material and Methods: Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) from 102 patients (3 type A, 29 type AB, 5 type B1, 22 type B2, 29 typeB3 and 16 thymic carcinomas) were examined. Immunohistochemical staining with an antic-kit monoclonal antibody was performed on a tissue microarray. Relationships between KIT positive expression and the TET clinical characteristics (WHO histologic classification and Masaoka stage system) were analysed. Results: The KIT positive expression rate was significantly higher in thymic carcinoma (60%, 9/16) than in thymoma (8%, 7/86), a strong correlation being found with the WHO classification, but not the Masaoka tumor stage. The overall survival for patients with KIT positive lesions was significantly worse. Conclusions: KIT is a good molecule marker to differentially diagnose thymic carcinoma from thymoma, while also serving as a predictor of prognosis for TETs. Further research into KIT mutations in Chinese TETs should be conducted to assess the efficacy of targeted therapy.

• Applied Microscopy
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.31-46
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• 1997

Ultrastructure of mouse thymus was evaluated, following the administration of potassium dichromate and mercuric chloride, the heavy metals of evironmental pollutants. Potassium dichromate (20 mg/kg) or mercuric chloride solutions (10 mg/kg) were subcutanously injected to the mice. Six hours, three days and two weeks after the injections, animals were sacrificed. Thymic tissues were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde-1.5% paraformaldehyde solutions. The procedure was followed by the fixation in 1% osmium tetroxide solutions. Washed and dehydrated tissue-blocks were embedded in the araldite mixture. Ultra-thin sections were stained with uranyl acetate-lead citrate solutions. Results observed were as follows: 1. In electron microscopy, cortical population of thymocytes in the thymus of experimental groups were reduced. especially in the outer cortex. Subcapsular cortices of potassium dichromate treated mice were filled with many epithelial reticular cells, whereas the similar area of mercuric chloride-treated mice exhibited large intercellular spaces. 2. In the thymus of mercuric chloride treated group, large intercellular spaces were formed by shrinkage of epithelial reticular cells, and the space was invaded by numerous cytoplasmic projections of macrophages. Thymocytes nuded out from the shrunken cytoplasm of epithelial reticular cells, presented numerous microvilli. 3. In the thymus of potassium dicromate treated group, many activated macrophages and plasma cells migrated into thymic cortices. 4. In the perivascular spaces of thymic cortices of potassium dichromate- and mercuric chloride-treated mice, activated macrophages. plasma cells, collagen fibrils, and flocculent substance of exudated materials were exhibited. From the above findifgs, it was concluded that potassium dichromate or mercuric chloride could disturb the normal differentiation or 'education' of T cells in the thymic cortex. In turn, these heavy metals may hurt the immunological defense mechanism.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제37권8호
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• pp.684-690
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• 2004

배경: 원발성 흉선상피세포종(primary thymic epithelial neoplasm)은 다양한 생물학적 및 형태학적인 특성을 가진 종격동 종양이다. 이 연구에서는 59예의 흉선종 환자를 새로운 WHO분류에 따라 재분류하고, Masaoka 임상적 병기를 비롯한 여러 가지 임상적인 특성을 분석함으로써 예후에 영향을 미치는 인자를 알아보고 WHO 분류가 독립적인 예후인자가 될 수 있는지를 알아보고자 했다. 대상 및 방법: 1986년 12월부터 2003년 8월까지 계명대학교 동산의료원에서 흉선종으로 진단 받은 후 수술적 치료를 받은 59예를 대상으로 생존율에 영향을 미치는 예후인자를 흉선종의 조직학적 분류(WHO classification)와 임상적 병기(Masaoka's clinical stage) 및 환자의 특성(성별, 나이, 중증근무력증 유무, 종괴의 크기, 종괴의 침습 유무, 재발, 전이)에 따라 분석하였다. 그리고 조직학적 분류와 임상적 병기사이의 연관성을 분석하였다. 결과: 남자는 32예, 여자는 27예였으며 평균연령은 50.1$\pm$14.2세였다. 모든 흉선종은 WHO 분류에 따라 A부터 C까지 재분류하였다. WHO 분류에 따라 Type A는 6명(10.2%)이었고 AB는 7명(11.9%), B$_1$은 7명(11.9%), B$_2$는 10명(16.9%), B$_3$는 7명(11.9%), C는 22명(37.3%)으로 나타났다. 여러 가지 임상적 특성 가운데 다변수 분석을 통해 완전절제(p=0.033)와 주변조직으로의 저침습성(p=0.001)이 좋은 예후와 연관이 있는 것으로 나타났다. 전체 흉선종의 5년 생존율은 53%였으며 WHO 분류에 따른 5년 생존율은 Type A+AB가 92.3%, B$_1$+B$_2$가 70.2%, B$_3$+C가 26.1%로 나타났다. WHO 조직학적 분류와 생존율 사이의 상관관계분석에서 WHO 조직학적 분류는 예후와 통제적으로 유의하게 연관성이 있는 것으로 나타났다(p<0.001). WHO 분류에 따른 Masaoka 임상병기 분석에서도 두 변수가 통계적으로 유의하게 연관성을 가지는 것으로 나타났다(p<0.001). 결론: WHO 분류는 단순한 조직학적인 분류일 뿐만 아니라 흉선종의 생존율에 중요한 영향을 미치며 종양의 침습성을 잘 반영하는 예후인자임을 알 수 있었다.

• 대한후두음성언어의학회지
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.133-136
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• 2015

Spindle epithelial tumor with thymus-like differentiation (SETTLE) is an extremely rare type of thyroid tumor, with spares reports on its clinical course. SETTLE is derived from branchial pouch or thymic remnants, and classified as a low grade, malignant neoplasm due to its indolent growth and tendency to develop delayed metastasis. Therefore, stringent initial workups and long-term follow-up are required to prevent misdiagnosis. We present a case of recurrent spindle epithelial tumor with thymus-like differentiation (SETTLE) in the glottis of 57 year-old male patient, who had a history of surgical excision for the SETTLE from the thyroid gland 5 years ago. Transoral CO2 laser surgery was performed to remove the glottic tumor and there was no evidence of local recurrence at 11 months postoperatively.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제46권5호
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• pp.718-722
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• 1999

14세 여자 환자에서 무증상의 전종격동 낭성 종괴가 있어 절제적 생검을 시행하여 고분화성 흉선암종의 광범위한 낭성 변화로 확진되어 제1기의 흉선종을 완전 적출 후 방사선 치료 혹은 병합화학요법 없이 추후 흉부전산화단층촬영 예정으로 외래에서 경과 관찰 중인 1예를 경험하여 문헌 고찰과 함께 보고하는 바이다.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제32권8호
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• pp.726-731
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• 1999

목적 및 배경: 세포사를 조절하는 암유전자 산물인 bcl-2 단백과 암억제유전자 산물인 p53 단백은 암의 발생 에 관여하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 최근 종양 조직내에서 bcl-2 단백 및 p53 단백의 발현과 종양의 악성도 및 예후와의 관련성에 대한 연구가 활발하게 진행되고 있으나 흉선종에서의 연구는 미흡한 실정이다. 대상 및 방법: 1984년부터 1997년까지 고신대학교 복음병원 흉부외과에서 수술 치험한 흉선상피종 중 병리 조직의 보관이 비교적 양호하고 병록 기록지가 충실한 30례를 대상으로 Rosai씨 분류법 및 Masaoka 병기와 중증근 무력증의 동반 여부에 따라 분류하고 종양조직을 이용하여 면역조직화학 검사를 시행하여 각 분류에 따른 bcl-2 단백과 p53 단백의 발현율, 그리고 bcl-2 단백과 p53 단백의 발현간에 상관관계를 조사하였다. 결과: bcl-2 단백은 비침습성 흉선종에는 발현된 경우가 없었고 침습성 흉선종 10례 중 3례(30%), 흉선암 11례 중 8 례(61.5%)에서 발현되어 악성도가 높을수록 발현율이 높게 나타났다(p=0.021). p53 단백은 비침습성 흉선종에 서 1례(14.3%), 침습성 흉선종 5례(50%), 흉선암 8례(61.5%)에서 발현되어 악성도가 높을수록 발현율이 높아 지는 경향을 보였으나 통계학적 유의성은 없었다(p=0.126). 17례의 흉선종의 Masaoka 병기(1기 5례, 2기 7례, 3기 2례, 4a기 3례)에 따른 bcl-2 단백은 1기와 4a기에서는 발현 예가 없었고, 2기 1례(14.3%), 3기 2례(100%) 에서 발현되어 병기가 진행할 수록 높은 발현율을 보였고(p=0.011), p53 단백은 1기 1례(20%), 2기 2례 (28.6%), 3기 2례(100%), 4a기 1례(33.3%) 발현되어 p53 단백 역시 병기가 진행할 수록 발현율이 높아지는 경 향을 보였으나 통계학적 유의성은 없었다(p=0.229). 중증근무력증의 동반 여부와 bcl-2단백, p53 단백의 발현 과는 무관하였다. bcl-2 단백과 p53 단백의 발현간의 상관관계는 bcl-2 단백과 p53 단백의 발현이 일치하는 경우가 23례(76.7%), 불일치하는 경우가 7례(23.3%)로 상관관계가 있는 것으로 나타났다(kappa치=0.525). 결 론: 흉선상피종 조직내 bcl-2 단백의 발현은 종양의 악성도를 반영하는 것으로 나타났고 p53 단백은 종양의 악성도와 관련이 없는 것으로 나타났다. 그럼에도 두 단백의 발현간에 상관관계가 있는 것으로 나타나 이의 규명을 위해서는 향후 p53 단백의 유전자 변이와 두 단백의 발현과 환자의 생존율과의 상관관계에 대한 연 구가 요할 것으로 사료된다.