• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.8
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• pp.698-705
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• 2024

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) accounts for approximately 30% of new breast cancer diagnoses. However, our understanding of how normal breast tissue evolves into DCIS and invasive cancers remains insufficient. Further, conclusions regarding the mechanisms of disease progression in terms of histopathology, genetics, and radiology are often conflicting and have implications for treatment planning. Moreover, the increase in DCIS diagnoses since the adoption of organized breast cancer screening programs has raised concerns about overdiagnosis and subsequent overtreatment. Active monitoring, a nonsurgical management strategy for DCIS, avoids surgery in favor of close imaging follow-up to de-escalate therapy and provides more treatment options. However, the two major challenges in active monitoring are identifying occult invasive cancer and patients at risk of invasive cancer progression. Subsequently, four prospective active monitoring trials are ongoing to determine the feasibility of active monitoring and refine the patient eligibility criteria and follow-up intervals. Radiologists play a major role in determining eligibility for active monitoring and reviewing surveillance images for disease progression. Trial results published over the next few years would support a new era of multidisciplinary DCIS care.

• BMB Reports
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• v.46 no.7
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• pp.338-345
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• 2013

microRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression by targeting the 3'-untranslated region of multiple target genes. Pathogenesis results from defects in several gene sets; therefore, disease progression could be prevented using miRNAs targeting multiple genes. Moreover, recent studies suggest that miRNAs reflect the stage of the specific disease, such as carcinogenesis. Cystic diseases, including polycystic kidney disease, polycystic liver disease, pancreatic cystic disease, and ovarian cystic disease, have common processes of cyst formation in the specific organ. Specifically, epithelial cells initiate abnormal cell proliferation and apoptosis as a result of alterations to key genes. Cysts are caused by fluid accumulation in the lumen. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying cyst formation and progression remain unclear. This review aims to introduce the key miRNAs related to cyst formation, and we suggest that miRNAs could be useful biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets in several cystic diseases.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2023

Since its first identification in 1995, klotho (KL) has become the most promising gene to consider for suppressing aging and aging-related diseases. KL knockout mice exhibited similar phenotypes found in human with premature aging such as short lifespan, osteoporosis, arteriosclerosis and hearing loss. Genetically modified mice overexpressing KL prolonged lifespan more than 20%. Also, clinical reports have indicated decreased concentration of the circulating KL protein in blood, which is called soluble klotho (sKL), is closely related to development of senile diseases. The best way to discover significance of sKL on the development of the diseases might be comparison of sKL concentration between controls and patients. Here we analyzed published clinical reports identified sKL concentration in the cohorts. The sKL concentrations were displayed using heatmap for better comparison. In most of the senile diseases, disease progression was inversely related with sKL concentration. Hypertension was the only disease had no relationship, while schizophrenia was the only disease had direct proportion to the disease progression. Overall, sKL concentration in blood could be a marker to determine current severity of the senile diseases and even to estimate disease progression for the patients at the onset of their senile diseases.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.73 no.3
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• pp.162-168
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• 2012

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive disease. Effective treatment is not currently available and the prognosis is poor. The aim of our study was to identify clinical predictors of survival in patients with IPF. Methods: By using medical record database of a university hospital, we reviewed the records of patients who had been diagnosed as having IPF from January 1996 through December 2007. Results: Among 89 patients considered as having interstitial lung disease (ILD) on computed tomography (CT) of the chest, 22 were excluded because of the diagnosis of other ILDs or connective tissue disease, and finally, 67 met the criteria of IPF. The mean age at the diagnosis of IPF was 70 years (range, 41~87 years) and 43 (64%) were male. The mean survival time following the diagnosis of IPF was 40 months (range, 0~179 months). Among them, 28 cases were diagnosed as the progressive state of IPF on the follow-up CT examination, and the mean duration between diagnosis of IPF and progression was 31 months. Multivariate analysis using Cox regression model revealed that body mass index (BMI) less than 18.5 $kg/m^2$ (p=0.030; hazard ratio [HR], 12.085; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.277~114.331) and CT progression before 36 months from the diagnosis of IPF (p=0.042; HR, 13.564; 95% CI, 1.101~167.166) were independently associated with mortality. Conclusion: Since low BMI at the diagnosis of IPF and progression on follow-up CT were associated with poor prognosis, IPF patients with low BMI and/or progression before 36 months following the diagnosis should be closely monitored.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.8
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• pp.749-755
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• 2024

The recent surge in the incidence of small papillary thyroid cancers (PTCs) has been linked to the widespread use of ultrasonography, thereby prompting concerns regarding overdiagnosis. Active surveillance (AS) has emerged as a less invasive alternative management strategy for low-risk PTCs, especially for PTCs measuring ≤1 cm in maximal diameter. Recent studies report low disease progression rates of low-risk PTCs ≤1 cm under AS. Ongoing research is currently exploring the feasibility of AS for larger PTCs (<20 mm). AS protocols include meticulous ultrasound assessment, emphasis on standardized techniques, and a multidisciplinary approach; they involve monitoring the nodules for size, growth, potential extrathyroidal extension, proximity to the trachea and recurrent laryngeal nerve, and potential cervical nodal metastases. The criteria for progression, often defined as an increase in the maximum diameter of the PTC, warrant a review of precision and ongoing examinations. Challenges exist regarding the reliability of volume measurements for defining PTC disease progression. Although ultrasonography plays a pivotal role, challenges in assessing progression and minor extrathyroidal extension underscore the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in disease management. This comprehensive overview highlights the evolving landscape of AS for PTCs, emphasizing the need for standardized protocols, meticulous assessments, and ongoing research to inform decision-making.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.291-300
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• 1998

Dementia is the neurodegenerative process that affects cognition, behavior and function and one of the most prominent diseases of dementia is Alzheimer's disease(AD). AD is a dementing illness characterized clinically by the progressive and irreversible deafferentation of the limbic system, association neocortex and basal forebrain. A number of conditions are known to be predisposing risk factors for AD. In several of these, initiation of glial-mediated inflammatory pathways as a mechanism of AD is getting a lot of attention. On the other hand, a biochemical marker for monitoring the onset and progression of the disease would be a valuable tool for disease management. Also such a marker might be used as an end point in clinical intervention protocols. This biochemical marker will have the potential for identifying subjects afflicted with the disease and possibly for monitoring the onset and longitudinal progression of the disease. Here we have reviewed the latest papers of different approaches to AD. Of course, there is a section of PET which is very useful clinically nowadays.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.333-344
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• 2023

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent malignant tumor with high fatality. It has yet to be reported whether circ-SNX27 can affect the progression of HCC. This study attempted to analyze circ-SNX27's precise role and underlying mechanisms in HCC. HCC cell lines and tumor specimens from HCC patients were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting to quantify the expressions of circ-SNX27, miR-375, and ribophorin I (RPN1). Cell invasion and cell counting kit 8 experiments were conducted for the evaluation of HCC cell invasion and proliferation. Caspase-3 Activity Assay Kit was utilized to gauge the caspase-3 activity. Luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation assays were executed to ascertain the relationships among miR-375, circ-SNX27, and RPN1. To determine how circ-SNX27 knockdown affects the growth of HCC xenografts in vivo, tumor-bearing mouse models were constructed. Elevated expressions of circ-SNX27 and RPN1 as well as a reduced miR-375 expression were observed among HCC cells and HCC patient tumor specimens. Knocking-down circ-SNX27 in HCC cells abated their proliferative and invasive abilities but raised their caspase-3 activity. Moreover, the poor levels of circ-SNX27 inhibited HCC tumor growth among the mice. Circ-SNX27 enhanced RPN1 by competitively binding with miR-375. Silencing miR-375 in HCC cells promoted their malignant phenotypes. Nonetheless, the promotive effect of miR375 silencing was reversible via the knockdown of circ-SNX27 or RPN1. This research demonstrated that circ-SNX27 accelerated the progression of HCC by modulating the miR-375/RPN1 axis. This is indicative of circ-SNX27's potential as a target for the treatment of HCC.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.102-105
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• 2019

Nitrotyrosine was found to be dependent on the severity of myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). However, a correlation of serum nitrotyrosine concentration in dogs with MMVD and the progression of the disease has not been investigated. This study compared changes in serum nitrotyrosine concentration with the progression of MMVD. Nine client-owned dogs were recruited for the study. Dogs were classified by measuring the amount of regurgitation using echocardiography into mild, moderate, or severe MMVD groups. Serum nitrotyrosine concentration was measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test. Serum nitrotyrosine concentration was significantly higher at 180 days than at 0 day (P < 0.05). However, serum nitrotyrosine concentration at 360 days was lower than that at 180 days (P < 0.05). Serum nitrotyrosine concentration at 540 days was lower than at 180 days (P < 0.05). There was no correlation between serum nitrotyrosine and left atrial to aortic root diameter ratio (LA/Ao ratio) (n = 33, $R^2=0.003$, P = 0.759). Also, there was no correlation between serum nitrotyrosine and vertebral heart score (VHS) (n = 33, $R^2=0.026$, P = 0.368) and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, normalized for body weight by the formula (LVEDDN) (n = 33, $R^2=0.053$, P = 0.196). The results of the study suggest that the progression of MMVD is correlated with changes in serum nitrotyrosine concentration, which shows potential for use as a cardiac biomarker which can be used to analyze the progression of disease in MMVD.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.83-91
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• 2020

Objective: The study aimed to develop a functional performance index that evaluates the functional performance of Parkinson's patients, i.e., to integrate biomechanical measurements of walking, balance, muscle strength and tremor, and to use multiple linear regression with stepwise methods to identify the most suitable predictors for the progression of disease. Method: A total of 60 subjects were tested for sub-variables of four factors: walking, balance, isometric strength and hand tremors. Potential independet variables were extracted through correlation analysis of the sub-variables and dependent variables, Hoehn & Yahr scale. And then, a stepwise multiple regression analysis using the potential independent variables was performed to identify predictor of Hoehn & Yahr scale. Results: First, the results of the study showed that physical composition and gait had a relatively more correlated with the progression of the disease, compared to balance and hand tremor. Second, Parkinson's functional performance is characterized by dynamic pattern of walking, such as foot clearance and turning angle (TA) of walking, and a high-explained regression model is completed. Conclusion: The study emphasized the importance of walking variables and body composition in minor pathological features compared to Parkinson's patient's balancing ability and hand tremor. Specifically, it revealed that dynamic walking patterns functionally characterize patients. The results are worth considering when assessing functional performance related to the progression of the disease at the site.

• Laboraroty Animal Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.133-139
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• 2018

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is becoming common chronic liver disease because of the increasing global prevalence of obesity and consequently Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the mechanism for progression of NAFLD to NASH and then cirrhosis is not completely understood, yet. The triggering of these hepatic diseases is thought from hepatocyte injury caused by over-accumulated lipid toxicity. Injured hepatocytes release damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), which can stimulate the Kupffer cells (KCs), liver-resident macrophages, to release pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and recruit monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs). The increased activation of KCs and recruitment of MDMs accelerate the progression of NAFLD to NASH and cirrhosis. Therefore, characterization for activation of hepatic macrophages, both KCs and MDMs, is a baseline to figure out the progression of hepatic diseases. The purpose of this review is to discuss the current understanding of mechanisms of NAFLD and NASH, mainly focusing on characterization and function of hepatic macrophages and suggests the regulators of hepatic macrophages as the therapeutic target in hepatic diseases.