• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.153-157
• /
• 2013

Although culture is the gold standard method to identify mycobacteria, its use in tuberculous lymphadenitis (TBL) is limited due to formalin fixation of the submitted specimens. We evaluated the performance of quantitative real-time PCR (q-PCR) for Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (MTB) in granulomatous lymphadenitis using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. From 2000 to 2010, a total number of 117 cases of lymph node samples with granulomatous inflammation which were surgically removed and fixed in formalin were studied. Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E) and Ziehl-Neelsen-stained (ZN) slides were reviewed. qPCR using Real TB-Taq$^{(R)}$ was performed for all cases to identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Thirteen non-tuberculous lymphadenopathy cases were used as negative control. Cervical lymph nodes were more frequently affected (60%, 70/117) than other sites. ZN stain for acid fast bacilli was positive in 19 (16.24%) cases. qPCR for tuberculosis was positive in 92 (78.63%) cases. Caseous necrosis was found in 103 (88.03%) cases. While the ZN stain and qPCR were both negative in all control cases, the qPCR showed a significantly higher positive rate (78.63% vs. 16.24%) compared to ZN stain in histologically diagnosed TBL. Quantitative real-time PCR proves to be more sensitive than ZN stain for diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.33-40
• /
• 1995

Purpose : To assess the efficacy and toxicity of the preoperative radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer Methods : Forty three patients (clinically diagnosed stages above or equal to Astler-Coiler stage B2 without distant metastasis) were assigned to preoperative radiotherapy alone arm (n=16) or combined preoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy arm (n=27). Preoperative radiotherapy of 4500 cGy to whole pel-vis +/-540 cGy boost to primary site and concurrent chemotherapy of 2 cycles of 5-FU (500 mg/$m^2$) and leucovorin (20 mg/$m^2$) were used. Fifteen patients of preoperative radiotherapy alone arm and 19 of combined arm received surgical resection after preoperative treatment. Results : During the preoperative treatment, no significant complication was developed in both groups. Pathologic results were as follows; complete remission 1, Bl 1, B2 6, C1 2, C2, 5 in preoperative radiotherapy alone arm and complete remission 2, Bl 8, B2 4, C2 3, D 2 in combined arm. Postoperative complications were delayed perineal wound healing in three patients, intestinal obstruction in three patients (one managed by conservative medical treatment, two by surgical treatment). Conclusion : The combined preoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy arm was more effective in pathological response and lymph node negativity rate than the preoperative radiotherapy alone arm. Both the preoperative radiotherapy alone arm and the combined arm were generally well tolerated and did not result in an increased postoperative morbidity.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.140-148
• /
• 2012

Purpose: Among cell adhesion molecules, serum levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and E-selectin are known to be correlated with the metastatic potential of gastric cancer. In the present study, the authors investigated the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and E-selectin in gastric cancer tissues and cultured gastric cancer cells, and examined their clinical value in gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: The protein was extracted from gastric cancer tissues and cultured gastric cancer cells (MKN-28 and Kato-III) and the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and E-selectin was examined by western blotting. The clinical significance of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and E-selectin was explored, using immunohistochemical staining of specimens from 157 gastric cancer patients. Results: In western blot analysis, the expressions of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in gastric cancer tissues and cultured gastric cancer cells were increased, however, E-selectin in gastric cancer tissues and cells were not increased. Among 157 gastric cancer patients, 79 patients (50%) were intercellular adhesion molecule-1 positive and had larger tumor size, an increased depth of tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis and perineural invasion. The intercellular adhesion molecule-1 positive group showed a higher incidence of tumor recurrence (40.5%), and a poorer 3-year survival than the negative group (54.9 vs. 85.9%, respectively). Conclusions: Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 is overexpressed in gastric cancer tissues and cultured gastric cancer cells, whereas E-selectin is not overexpressed. Increased expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in gastric cancer could be related to the aggressive nature of the tumor, and has a poor prognostic effect on gastric cancer.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.118-121
• /
• 2012

Backgrounds : To evaluated the use of FDG PET/CT for the identification of extracapsular spread(ECS) with histologic correlation in laryngeal cancer. Methods : We reviewed 79 medical records of patients who underwent of FDG PET/CT for laryngeal cancer before surgery. Results : ECS was present in 41.9%(18/43) dissected necks and in 34.5%(20/58) dissected cervical levels. There was a significant difference in the SUVmax between cervical lymph nodes with ECS and without ECS($6.39{\pm}4.53$ vs. $1.19{\pm}1.64$, p<0.001). The cut-off value for the SUVmax for differentiating with ECS from without ECS was 2.8 with the sensitivity of 85.7% and the specificity of 85.6%. Conclusion : The median SUVmax cut-off values of FDG PET/CT higher than 2.8 was associated with greater risk cervical lymph node metastasis with ECS in patients with laryngeal cancer.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.13-18
• /
• 1976

The rabbit anti-rat brain associated ${\theta}(RBA{\theta})$ serum wich was obtained by immunization of rabbit with DA rat brain tested against rat lymphoid tissues for cytotoxicity, indirect immunofluorescent staining and ability to inhibit a graft-vs-host reaction. It was founded that the antiserum was a potent anti-${\theta}$ like antiserum, and rat brain associated ${\theta}$ antigen was cross-reactive with mouse thymocytes and brain antigen. Using the RBA ${\theta}$ sera, distribution of ${\theta}$-bearing lymphocytes in rat lymphoid tissues was detected. And it was found that approximately 98% of thymocytes, 70-76% of lymph node lymphocytes, 72% of peripheral blood lymphocytes, 36-44% of spleen lymphocytes, and 4% of bone marrow were ${\theta}$-bearing.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.32-42
• /
• 1996

This study was desinged to evaluate the effect of radioactive iodine-131 therapy in differentiated thyroid carcinoma treated at the Presbyterian Medical Center, Chonju during the 20-year period from 1975 to 1994. The authors reviewed 246 patients who received radioactive iodine-131. An analysis of the therapeutic response and survival rates of the 246 patients has been carried out. The male to female ratio was 1 : 3.6. The peak incidence was in the 4th and 6th decades. The histologic findings in the 246 patients were papillary adenocarcinoma in 200 cases, follicular adenocarcinoma in 29 cases, mixed type in 14 cases, and others in 3 cases. Combined treatment modalities of 246 patients consisted of sugery and radioiodine in 222 cases, surgery with radioiodine and external irradiation in 11 cases, and surgery with radioiodine, external irradiation and chemotherapy in 5 cases. 42 of the 246 cases showed recurrence and the commonest type of combined treatment for recurrent case was surgery followed by radioiodine-131. The highest accumulated total dosage of radioiodine-131 was 480mCi in that case femoral metastasis was noticed. The most common locoregional metastatic site was ipsilateral cervical node, and neighbouring muscle, vessel, trachea, recurrent layngeal nerve, in order of frequency. The determinate 10-year survival rate was 91.8% in the group receiving surgery followed by radioiodine-13l and 71.4% in patients receiving surgery, radioiodine-13l with XRT. The determinate 10-year survival rate was better for patients under 40 years of age who received radioiodine as compared to patients over 40 year of age(85.7% vs. 33.3%). The most usual primary therapeutic dosage in the group of cervical lesion was 90$\sim$120mCi after surgery.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.187-195
• /
• 2014

Purpose: Laparoscopic gastrectomy in obese patients has been investigated in several studies, but its feasibility has rarely been examined in morbidly obese patients, such as in those with a body mass index (BMI) of ${\geq}30kg/m^2$. The present study aimed to evaluate the technical feasibility and safety of laparoscopic gastrectomy in morbidly obese patients with gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: A total of 1,512 gastric cancer patients who underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG) were divided into three groups: normal (BMI< $25kg/m^2$, n=996), obese (BMI $25{\sim}30kg/m^2$, n=471), and morbidly obese ($BMI{\geq}30kg/m^2$, n=45). Short-term surgical outcomes, including the course of hospitalization and postoperative complications, were compared between the three groups. Results: The morbidly obese group had a significantly longer operating time (240 minutes vs. 204 minutes, P=0.010) than the normal group, but no significant differences were found between the groups with respect to intraoperative blood loss or other complications. In the morbidly obese group, the postoperative morbidity and mortality rates were 13.3% and 0%, respectively, and the mean length of hospital stay was 8.2 days, which were not significantly different from those in the normal group. Subgroup analysis showed that postoperative complication rates were not high in morbidly obese patients, independent of the type of anastomosis technique used and level of lymph node dissection. Conclusions: LDG is technically feasible and safe in morbidly obese patients with a BMI of ${\geq}30kg/m^2$ and early gastric carcinoma. Except for a longer operating time, LDG might represent a reasonable treatment option in these patients.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.137-145
• /
• 2015

Purpose: To investigate correlations of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2) statuses with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features and clinicohistological characteristics in patients with invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC). Materials and Methods: Data from 64 histologically confirmed ILCs were analyzed retrospectively. Preoperative breast MRI was reviewed for morphology and dynamic contrast-enhanced kinetics of the tumor. Pathologic reports were reviewed for ER, PR, and HER2 positivity, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, and the number of metastatic lymph nodes. Furthermore, there was an investigation of the MRI features and clinicohistologic characteristics, according to the ER, PR, and HER2 statuses. Results: A significant difference in MRI features and clinicohistological tumor characteristics were observed only in relation to PR status. Of the 64 ILCs, 10 (15.6%) were PR negative. PR negative cancers, compared with PR positive cancers, were more likely to present as non-mass enhancement (P = 0.027); have a significantly larger mean tumor size ($5.00{\pm}1.05cm$ vs. $2.57{\pm}0.21cm$, P = 0.021); and have significantly more metastatic lymph nodes (P = 0.010). Conclusion: PR negative ILC presented more frequently as non-mass enhancement on MRI, with larger tumors and increased numbers of metastatic lymph nodes. Therefore, the PR status plays an important role in determining MRI features and clinicohistological characteristics of ILC.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.59 no.8
• /
• pp.328-334
• /
• 2016

Purpose: Although a significant number of reports on new therapeutic options for refractory Kawasaki disease (KD) such as steroid, infliximab, or repeated intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) are available, their effectiveness in reducing the prevalence of coronary artery lesions (CAL) remains controversial. This study aimed to define the clinical characteristics of patients with refractory KD and to assess the effects of adjuvant therapy on patient outcomes. Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 38 refractory KD patients from January 2012 to March 2015. We divided these patients into 2 groups: group 1 received more than 3 IVIG administration+steroid therapy, (n=7, 18.4%), and group 2 patients were unresponsive to initial IVIG and required steroid therapy or second IVIG (n=31, 81.6%). We compared the clinical manifestations, laboratory results, and echocardiographic findings between the groups and examined the clinical utility of additional therapies in both groups. Results: A significant difference was found in the total duration of fever between the groups ($13.0{\pm}4.04days$ in group 1 vs. $8.87{\pm}2.30days$ in group 2; P=0.035). At the end of the follow-up, all cases in group 1 showed suppressed CAL. In group 2, coronary artery aneurysm occurred in 2 patients (6.4%). All the patients treated with intravenous corticosteroids without additional IVIG developed CALs including coronary artery aneurysms. Conclusion: No statistical difference was found in the development of CAL between the groups. Prospective, randomized, clinical studies are needed to elucidate the effects of adjunctive therapy in refractory KD patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.1489-1492
• /
• 2016

Background: Although there are no biomarkers that are routinely used in endometrial cancer (EC) management, many studies have found that serum human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) is superior to cancer antigen 125 (CA125) in the detection of EC. The correlation of HE4 with two prognostic factors for EC, primary tumor diameter (PTD) and depth of myometrial invasion (DMI) may be useful in identifying EC patients at high risk of lymphatic dissemination. Objective: To evaluate the correlation of serum HE4 with PTD and DMI in patients with EC. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 70 EC patients who were scheduled for elective surgery at Rajavithi Hospital between 1st September 2013 and 30th May 2014. Preoperative serum levels of HE4 and CA125 were investigated, and then gross measurement of PTD was taken and postoperative pathologic slides were reviewed for DMI including histologic types, grading and staging. Results: Preoperative serum HE4 levels were strongly correlated with PTD (r=0.65, p<0.001) and moderately correlated with DMI (r=0.46, p<0.001). Moreover, serum HE4 levels were significantly elevated in EC patients with PTD >2 cm (p<0.001) and DMI > 50% (p=0.004). The performance of serum HE4 in identifying EC patients at low risk and high risk of lymph node metastasis was significantly better than that of CA125 (AUC 0.88 vs. 0.65, p=0.003). At an optimal cut-off value of 70 pM/L, serum HE4 had a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 80.0%. Conclusions: In EC patients, preoperative serum HE4 is significantly correlated with PTD and DMI. Serum HE4 levels could be useful in identifying endometrial cancer patients at high risk of lymphatic spread who would benefit from systemic lymphadenectomy at the cut-off value of 70 pM/L.