• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.7
• /
• pp.3357-3362
• /
• 2016

Purpose: To correlate ultrasonographic (US) features of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) with preoperative and post-operative calcitonin levels. Materials and Methods: A total of 130 thyroid nodules diagnosed as MTC were evaluated. Two radiologists retrospectively evaluated preoperative US features according to size, shape, margin, echogenicity, type of calcification, and lymph node status. Postoperative clinical and imaging follow-up (mean duration $31.9 {\pm} 22.5$ months) was performed for detection of tumor recurrence. US features, presence of LN metastasis, and tumor recurrence were compared between MTC nodules with and without elevated preoperative calcitonin (>100 pg/mL). Those with normalized and non-normalized postoperative calcitonin levels groups were also compared. Results: Common US features of MTCs were solid internal content (90.8%), irregular shape (44.6%), circumscribed margin (46.2%), and hypoechogenicity (56.2%). Comparing MTC nodules with and without elevated preoperative calcitonin levels, the size and shape of MTC nodule and lymph node metastasis showed statistical significance (p<0.05). Postoperative calcitonin normalization correlated with US features of tumor size (p=0.002), margin (p=0.034), shape ($p{\leq}0.001$), and presence of calcification (p=0.046). Tumor recurrence and LN metastasis were more prevalent in patients without normalization of postoperative calcitonin than in those with normalization (p=0.001). Conclusions: Serum calcitonin measurement is helpful for early diagnosis and predicting prognosis. Postoperative calcitonin measurement is also important for postoperative US follow up, especially in cases with larger nodule size, presence of calcification, irregular shape, and irregular margin.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.45 no.3
• /
• pp.40.1-40.12
• /
• 2020

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of endodontic treatment on levels of substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the saliva of patients with symptomatic apical periodontitis. Materials and Methods: Twelve patients with mandibular molars with symptomatic apical periodontitis were enrolled in this study. An initial saliva sample was collected just before administration of anesthesia for root canal treatment, which was performed at the first visit. A second saliva sample was collected at a control visit 1 week after treatment. Salivary SP and CGRP levels were evaluated quantitatively using biochemical assays. The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis, the paired samples t-test, and the Mann-Whitney U test (p = 0.05). Results: The postoperative salivary level of SP was significantly lower than the preoperative level (p = 0.005). However, the postoperative salivary level of CGRP was similar to the preoperative level (p = 0.932). Visual analog scale (VAS) scores of patients' subjective pain were found to be positively correlated with salivary levels of SP (r = 0.421; p = 0.040). No statistically significant correlations were observed between salivary levels of CGRP and VAS scores for patients' subjective percussion tenderness (p = 0.533) or VAS scores for patients' subjective pain (p = 0.459). Conclusions: According to the results of the present study, salivary SP levels may be used as an objective indicator in the diagnosis and assessment of the degree of pain in endodontic diseases.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.25 no.8
• /
• pp.806-811
• /
• 1992

The primary neuroendocrine carcinomas[NEC] of the lung are relatively rare. There are classified histologically into the following groups. 1] bronchial carcinoid, 2] well differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma[WDNC], 3] intermediate cell neuroendocrine carci-noma[ICNC], 4] small cell neuroendocrie carcinoma[SCNC]. The NE cells can be found throughout the mucosa of the bronchial tree by the electron microscopy. By the immunocytochemistry, Neuron-specific enolase[NSE], serotonin, born-csin, and calcitonin are found in normal solitary NE cells and neuroepithelial bodies. The immunohistochemistry has the advantage that it can be applied on routine pathology specimens. The NSE was localized in all of the NE granule bearing tumors but also present in 57 per cent of the non NE carcinomas. Together the combination of chromogranin A, bombesin and NSE should provide an exellent signature for tumor cells expressing NE features, such as carcinoids and other NE carcinomas. We have experienced two cases of primary pulmonary NEC in 59 and 29 years old men. The former was admitted due to exertional dyspnea and left chest pain, the latter, newly developed mass on chest X-ray. They were treated by Lt pneumonectomy with LN dissection and RLL resection with LN dissection The postoperative diagnoses were could be confirmed by NSE study as NEC which were SCNEC and INEC in subgroups. The postoperative courses were uneventful.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.688-702
• /
• 1999

The purpose of this study was to investigate the revascularization and reinnervation of calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactive nerves in immediately replanted rat molars. First maxillary right molars in 56 rats(35days old) were extracted and immediately replanted. The rats were killed 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 28 and 42 days after replantation and revascularization of pulpal blood vessels were examined microangiogram with korean traditional ink and reinnervation of pulpal nerve were examined immunohistochemical method using calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP) antiserum. The results were as follows; 1. Revascularization and reinnervation of CGRP immunoreactive nerve fibers were observed mesial side whole pulp tissue of replanted teeth. Revascularization and reinnervation of CGRP immunoreactive fiber were made at 2days after replantation in entire pulp of replanted teeth and the distribution density of blood vessels were gradually increased according time elapsed, but did not achieve the density of control. 2. Postoperative dentin formation in replanted teeth revealed at 1week after replantaton and gradually increased according to time elapsed. 3. Revascularization and Reinnervation of CGRP immunoreactive nerve fibers were established at the same time and it seems to be closed relatationship between revascularization and reinnervation.

• Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.281-287
• /
• 2018

Objectives. Regenerative treatment using stem cells may serve as treatment option for empty nose syndrome (ENS), which is caused by the lack of turbinate tissue and deranged nervous system in the nasal cavity. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of the autologous stromal vascular fraction (SVF) in the treatment of ENS. Methods. In this prospective observational clinical study, we enrolled 10 ENS patients who volunteered to undergo treatment of ENS through the injection of autologous SVF. Data, including demographic data, pre- and postoperative Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-25 (SNOT-25) scores, overall patient satisfaction, and postoperative complications, were prospectively collected. Nasal secretion was assessed using the polyurethane foam absorption method, and the levels of biological markers were analyzed in both ENS group and control group using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The SVF extracted from abdominal fat was diluted and injected into both inferior turbinates. Results. Among the 10 initial patients, one was excluded from the study. Subjective satisfaction was rated as "much improved" in two and "no change" in seven. Among the improved patients, the mean preinjection SNOT-25 score was 55.0 and the score at 6 months after injection was 19.5. However, the average SNOT-25 score of nine participants at 6 months after injection (mean${\pm}$standard deviation, $62.4{\pm}35.8$) did not differ significantly from the baseline SNOT-25 score ($70.1{\pm}24.7$, P>0.05, respectively). Among the various inflammatory markers assessed, the levels of interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, IL-8, and calcitonin gene-related peptide were significantly higher in ENS patients. Compared with preinjection secretion level, the nasal secretions from SVF-treated patients showed decreased expressions of $IL-1{\beta}$ and IL-8 after injection. Conclusion. Although SVF treatment appears to decrease the inflammatory cytokine levels in the nasal mucosa, a single SVF injection was not effective in terms of symptom improvement and patient satisfaction. Further trials are needed to identify a more practical and useful regenerative treatment modality for patients with ENS.