• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.470-486
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• 1995

Mammary epithelial cells contain a subpopulation of cells with a large proliferativ potential which are responsible for the maintenance of glandular cellularity and are the progenitor cells of mammary cancer. These clonogens give rise to multicellular clonal alveolar or ductal units(AU or DU) on transplantation and hormonal stimulation. To isolate putative mammary clonogens, enzymatically monodispersed rat mammary epithelial cells from organoid cultures and from intact glands are sorted by flow cytometry according to their affinity for FITC labeled peanut lectin(PNA) and PE labeled anti-Thy-1.1 antibody(Thy-1.1) into four subpopulations : cells negative to both PNA and Thy-1.1(B-), PNA+cells, Thy-1.1+cells, and cells positive to both reagents(B+). The in vivo transplantation assays indicate that the clonogenic fractions of PNA+cells from out-growths of organoids in primary cultures for three days in complete hormone medium(CHM) are significantly higher than those of cells from other subpopulations derived from cultrues or from intact glands. Extracellular matrix(ECM) is a complex of several proteins that regulated cell function ; its role in cell growth and differentiation and tissue-specific gene expression. It can act as a positive as well as a negative regulator of cellular differentiation depending on the cell type and the genes studied. Regulation by ECM is closely interrelated with the action of other regulators of cellular function, such as growth factors and hormones. Matrigel supports the growth and development of several different multicellular colonies from mammary organoids and from monodispersed epithelial cells in culture. Several types of colonies are observed including stellate colonies, duct-like structures, two- and three-dimensional web structures, squamous organoids, and lobulo-duct colonies. Organoids have the greatest proliferative potential and formation of multi-cellular structures. Phase contrast micrographs demonstrate extensive intracellular lipid accumulation within the web structures and some of duct-like colonies. At the immunocytochemical and electron micrograph level, casein proteins are predominantly localized near the apical surface of the cells or in the lumen of duct-like or lobulo-duct colonies. Squamous colonies are comprised of several layers of squamous epithelium surrounding keratin pearls as is typical fo squamous metaplasia(SM). All-trans retinoic acid(RA) inhibits the growth of SM. The frequency of lobulo-ductal colony formation increased with the augmentation of RA concentration in these culture conditions. The current study models could provide powerful tools not only for understanding cell growth and differentiation of epithelial cells, but also for the isolation and characterization of mammary clonogenic stem cells.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.164-169
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• 1999

Background and Objectives : The intracordal cysts are more increasingly diagnosed and treated due to advanced laryngeal stroboscopy and laryngeal microsurgical technique. The intracordal cysts are frequently misdiagnosed as vocal polyp or nodule The purpose of this study is to evaluate clinical features of intracordal cysts. Materials and Methods : In the present series, 83 cases of the intracordal cysts treated with laryngeal microsurgery are reported. The intracordal cysts are diagnosed preoperatively with indirect laryngoscopy, laryngeal endoscopy, laryngeal stroboscopy and confirmed with laryngeal microsurgical findings and biopsies. Results : Intracordal cysts are 83 of 1900 patients treated with laryngeal microsurgery(4.4%)-ductal cysts are 56 cases and epidermoid cysts are 27 cases. Intracordal cysts are more frequent in women, forties and the frequent site is an anterior third of the true vocal cord. With the indirect laryngoscopic examination, the ductal cysts are frequently misdiagnosed as vocal polyps or nodules but the epidermoid cysts are relatively easily diagnosed. The etiologic factors of the intracordal cysts are suspected as voice abuse and upper respiratory infection. The degree of postoperative voice satisfaction is similar to that of the vocal polyps. Conclusion : Intracordal cysts are frequently misdiagnosed as polyps or nodules, therefore preoperative stroboscopic findings and laryngeal microsurgical findings is important. An ideal treatment is to enucleate the cysts avoiding rupture of cyst and injury of lamina propria of the vocal cord.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.12
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• pp.1777-1786
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• 2009

Thymosin ${\beta}4$, a small protein containing 43 amino acids, has multi-functional roles in cell physiology. It was first identified as a thymic maturation factor and recently has been shown to accelerate wound healing, hair growth, angiogenesis, tumor growth, and metastasis. It was also reported to play a key role in developing organs, including the nervous system and heart. Thymosin ${\beta}4$ induces the expression of vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF), laminin-5, and other important biologically active genes. Using tissue microarray analysis, we investigated the expression patterns of thymosin ${\beta}4$ and VEGF in various normal human adult tissues. Thymosin ${\beta}4$ was highly expressed in the liver, pancreas, ductal epithelium of the salivary gland, and heart, and moderately expressed in the skin, lung, spleen, lymph node, thymus, ureter, and blood endothelial cells in both the lung and adrenal gland. The expression of VEGF generally co-localized with thymosin ${\beta}4$ and VEGF was highly expressed in the pancreas, ureter, mammary gland, liver, esophagus, and blood endothelial cells in both the lung and adrenal gland. These results suggest that thymosin ${\beta}4$ plays an important role in the function of various organs and since the expression pattern of thymosin ${\beta}4$ co-localized with VEGF, part of that function may be to induce or maintain angiogenesis.

• Journal of Breast Cancer
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.406-414
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• 2018

Purpose: T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing molecule 3 (TIM-3) is an emerging immune response molecule related to T-cell anergy. There has been tremendous interest in breast cancer targeting immune checkpoint molecules, especially in the triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). This study was designed to investigate TIM-3 expression on tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), its relationships with clinicopathological parameters and expression of programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1)/programmed death receptor ligand 1 (PD-L1), and its prognostic role. Methods: Immunohistochemistry on tissue microarray blocks produced from 109 samples of invasive ductal carcinoma type TNBC was performed with antibodies toward TIM-3, PD-1, PD-L1 and breast cancer-related molecular markers. Associations between their expression and clinicopathological parameters as well as survival analyses were performed. Results: TIM-3 was expressed in TILs from all 109 TNBCs, consisting of 17 cases (<5%), 31 cases (6%-25%), 48 cases (26%-50%), and 13 cases (>51%). High TIM-3 was significantly correlated with younger patients (p=0.0101), high TILs (p=0.0029), high tumor stage (p=0.0018), high PD-1 (p=0.0001) and high PD-L1 (p=0.0019), and tended to be associated with higher histologic grade, absence of extensive in situ components and microcalcification. High TIM-3 expression was significantly associated with a combinational immunophenotype group of high PD-L1 and high PD-1 (p<0.0001). High TIM-3 demonstrated a significantly better disease-free survival (DFS) (p<0.0001) and longer overall survival (OS) (p=0.0001), together with high TILs and high PD-1. In univariate survival analysis, high TIM-3 showed reduced relapse risk (p<0.0001) and longer OS (p=0.0003), together with high PD-1 expression. In multivariate analysis, high TIM-3 was statistically significant in predicting prognosis, showing better DFS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.0994; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.0296-0.3337; p=0.0002) and longer OS (HR, 0.1109; 95% CI, 0.0314-0.3912; p=0.0006). Conclusion: In this study, we demonstrate that TIM-3 expression is an independent positive prognostic factor in TNBC, despite its association with poor clinical and pathologic features.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2006

Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common benign tumor in salivary glands, and occurred in frequency of 60% in parotid gland tumors, and 50% in submandibular gland tumors, and 25% in sublingual gland tumors. Histopathologically, pleomorphic adenoma is composed of epithelial cells and mesenchymal tissues, and called 'mixed tumor' because of morphological divergency. The cell structures of luminal area are composed of polyhedral and cuboidal secretory epithelial cells and modified myoepithelial cells around it, and mesenchymal tissue is composed of some myoepithelial cells and stromal tissue. In stromal tissue, myxoid change, chondroid change, or hyalinization can be seen even if bone tissue. In many studies, tumor cells of pleomorphic adenoma containing modified myoepithelial cell participate in synthesis of glycosaminoglycans. In this study, tissue sample of pleomorphic adenoma of human salivary gland were obtained from 20 surgical specimens, and all specimens were routinely fixed in 10% formalin and embedded. Serial 4-8${\mu}m$ thick sections were cut from paraffin blocks. The histopathologic evaluation was done with light microscopy. And, with immunohistochemical staining, characteristics of glycosaminoglycan were observed. And, for biochemical analysis of glycosaminoglycan, isolation of crude glycosaminoglycan from tumor tissue and immuno-blot analysis were carried out. With transmission electromicroscopy, tumor cells and biologic behavior of pleomorphic adenoma were observed with distribution and expression of glycosaminoglycan in tumor cells, The results were obtained as follows: 1. In immunohistochemical study, chondroitin 4-sulfate is highly postively stained in myxoid stromal tissue, and chondroitin 6-sulfate is highly positively stained in chondroid mesenchymal tissue, both glycosaminoglycans are positively stained in non-luminal cell of ductal area. 2. Dermatan sulfate and keratan sulfate is positively stained in periductal non-luminal tumor cells. 3. In immunohistochemical study, heparan sulfate is weakly stained in luminal cells and non-luminal cells around duct, and chondroid mesenchymal tissue. 4. In transmission electromicroscopic view, the tumor cells are composed of modified myoepithelial cells, and contain many microfilaments and well developed rough endoplasmic reticulum. 5. In Immuno-Blot analysis, the expression of glycosaminoglycans is expressed mostly in chondroitin 6-sulfate and chondroitin 4-sulfate. From the results obtained in this study, tumor cells of pleomorphic adenoma are composed of modified myoepithelial cells, and glycosaminoglycans of chondroitin 4-sulfate and chondroitin 6-sulfate mostly participate in the development of pleomorphic adenoma, but dermatan sulfate, keratan sulfate and heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans were expressed variably.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.173-186
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• 2021

Purpose: Biliary atresia (BA) is a disease that manifests as jaundice after birth and leads to progressive destruction of the ductal system in the liver. The aim of this study was to investigate histopathological changes and immunohistochemically examine the expression of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), synaptophysin, and S-100 protein in the gallbladder of BA patients. Methods: The study included a BA group of 29 patients and a control group of 41 children with cholecystectomy. Gallbladder tissue removed during surgery was obtained and examined immunohistochemically and histopathologically. Tissue samples of both groups were immunohistochemically assessed in terms of GDNF, S-100 protein, and synaptophysin expression. Expression was classified as present or absent. Inflammatory activity assessment with hematoxylin and eosin staining and fibrosis assessment with Masson's trichrome staining were performed for tissue sample sections of both groups. Results: Ganglion cells were not present in gallbladder tissue samples of the BA group. Immunohistochemically, GDNF, synaptophysin, and S-100 expression was not detected in the BA group. Histopathological examination revealed more frequent fibrosis and slightly higher inflammatory activity in the BA than in the control group. Conclusion: We speculate that GDNF expression will no longer continue in this region, when the damage caused by inflammation of the extrahepatic bile ducts reaches a critical threshold. The study's findings may represent a missing link in the chain of events forming the etiology of BA and may be helpful in its diagnosis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.5599-5603
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• 2012

Background: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment; however, its use does not lead to a marked clinical response. Studies of non-small cell lung cancer and colorectal cancer showed that mutations of genes in the PIK3CA/AKT and RAS/RAF/MEK pathways, two major signalling cascades downstream of EGFR, might predict resistance to EGFR-targeted agents. Therefore, we examined the frequencies of mutations in these key EGFR pathway genes in Chinese breast cancer patients. Methods: We used a high-throughput mass-spectrometric based cancer gene mutation profiling platform to detect 22 mutations of the PIK3CA, AKT1, BRAF, EGFR, HRAS, and KRAS genes in 120 Chinese women with breast cancer. Results: Thirteen mutations were detected in 12 (10%) of the samples, all of which were invasive ductal carcinomas (two stage I, six stage II, three stage III, and one stage IV). These included one mutation (0.83%) in the EGFR gene (rs121913445-rs121913432), three (2.50%) in the KRAS gene (rs121913530, rs112445441), and nine (7.50%) in the PIK3CA gene (rs121913273, rs104886003, and rs121913279). No mutations were found in the AKT1, BRAF, and HRAS genes. Six (27.27%) of the 22 genotyping assays called mutations in at least one sample and three (50%) of the six assays queried were found to be mutated more than once. Conclusions: Mutations in the EGFR pathway occurred in a small fraction of Chinese breast cancers. However, therapeutics targeting these potential predictive markers should be investigated in depth, especially in Oriental populations.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.97-101
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• 2003

The salivary glands produce 1.5L of fluid per day. As in other exocrine organs, the general mechanism in the salivary glands is that water movement occurs secondary to osmotic driving forces created by active salt transport. Therefore, high water permeability in the salivary glands is expected to have a variety of aquaporin (AQP), a water channel. Although some AQPs have been known to be present in the salivary glands, roles of parasympathetic nerve in AQP expression have not yet been examined. This study was designed to examine the changes of AQPs and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in the submandibular glands after parasympathetic denervation. Right chorda-lingual nerve was cut, and each right (experiment) and left (control) submandibular gland was excised at 1, 3, 7, 14, 30 days after denervation. The denervated right submandibular glands were resulted in weight loss and morphologic changes, including cell loss and atrophy, as the time elapsed after parasympathetic denervation increased, whereas there were no histologic alteration in control side. AQP5 which is known to reside in apical membrane and secretory caraliculi of the submandibular acini were gradually underexpressed according, as the time after denervation increased. Expression of AQP4 in submandibular ductal epithelium was down-regulated after denervation. Besides, AQP3 and 8, which is known to be present in basolateral membrane of the glandular acini, were gradually underexpressed after denervation, similar to the pattern of other types. Expression of ERK, a mitogen-activated protein kinase, was downregulated after parasympathetic denervation in the submandibular gland. These results suggest that parasympathetic nervous system regulates the expression of AQPs in salivary glands, and is in part mediated by ERK pathway.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.112-118
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• 2004

Cowden syndrome is very rare clinical condition with characteristic mucocutaneous lesions associated with abnormalities of the breast, thyroid, and gastrointestinal tract. Here, the case of a 16-year-old girl with diverse gastrointestinal polyposis with breast and thyroid lesions is reported as a definite case of Cowden syndrome. During follow up for 4 years, changes in the characteristic lesions were observed; Esophageal acanthosis and oropharyngeal polyps were newly developed. Gastric, duodenal, rectal and ileal polyps were noted at the first visit when she was 12 years of age and revealed histologically hyperplastic polyps. Mucocutaneous lesions, the pathognomonic finding of Cowden syndrome, were not noted at the first visit or during the follow up period. Breast and thyroid masses were noted at the first visit. Breast aspiration showed highly cellular ductal epithelial fragments and fibroblastic stromal cell fragments, and a thyroid biopsy shows proliferation of irregular sized follicles, with variable colloid contents. Macrocephaly was also noted at the first visit. The characteristic lesions of Cowden syndrome change with the patient's age, and the long-term follow up is recommended in cases suspected with this syndrome.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.18-26
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• 1995

In order to compare cytologic findings ol breast carcinoma in fine needle aspiration cytology (FANC) with histologic findings and prognostic factors including histologic grading, lymph node metastasis and stage, 79 cases of infiltrating ductal carcinoma diagnosed by FANC and confirmed by histology were analysed. We especially attempted to col relate nuclear grade, cellularity and smear pattern with histologic grade, type, status of lymph node metastasis and stage. The results are as fellows. 1. High nuclear grade was correlated with high histologic grade, lymph node metastasis and advanced stage. 2. Individual cell pattern was more frequently identified in high histologic grade and scirrhous or solid-tubular type than in low histolgic grade and papillotubular type. 3. Cellularity increased with higher histologic grade and lymph node metastsis. However cellularity was low in scirrhous type. 4. There is no relationship between nuclear grade and histologic type, between smear pattern and lymph node metastasis or stage, and between cellularity and stage. These results suggest that cytologic findings of breast carcinoma such as nuclear grade, cellularity and smear pattern are indicative of histologic findings in relation to histolgic grade and type. Especially, nuclear grade of FANC may yield valuable prognostic information.