• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.198-203
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• 2011

Background and Objectives : Distinguishing benign from malignant lesion in thyroid noddex is important but clinically difficult. FNAB is the first investigation of choice. However, cytologic results are often indeterminable. In those cases, additional molecular biologic tests are helpful. If serologic tests are available to predict malignancy, it can be useful to fortify accurate diagnosis. We analyzed whether TSH or FreeT4 level could be used as a predictor of malignancy. Materials and Methods : From January 2008 to March 2009, 540 patients received one of thyroidectomy in a single center. We only included 167 patients from 18 to 65 years old without cardiopulmonary or renal disorders. All the patients were in euthyroid state and took no medications, which affect the thyroid function. We reviewed charts retrospectively to find out differences in TSH level and FreeT4 level between the benign and malignant groups. Results : In this study, all the patients with malignancy had the papillary cancer. In benign group, average TSH level came out to be 1.48mU/L, whereas the average TSH level of malignant group was 1.98 mU/L. Moreover, the higher the cancer stage was, the higher the TSH level was. Although we have adjusted factors that can affect TSH level(age, sex, race, goiter type), we still received the same result. The risk of malignant cancer increased in proportion with TSH level within the normal range. In free T4 level, there was no difference between benign and malignant group. Conclusion : We propose that TSH level can play a role as one of the predictors for thyroid cancer. However, there is limitation because all the patients with malignancy in this study have papillary cancer. Thus, we can apply this result only in papillary cancer, and we need more study for other types of thyroid cancer.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.116-119
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• 2013

A burnt-out prostate cancer tumor is a very rare clinical entity. The term 'burnt-out' refers to a primary tumor that has spontaneously and nearly completely regressed without treatment. Since metastasis of prostate cancer is usually encountered in the presence of advanced disease, distant metastasis with an undetectable primary tumor is very rare. We report herein a case of a burnt-out prostate cancer tumor that metastasized to the thoracic (T) spine and caused cord compression. A 66-year-old man visited the Emergency Department due to weakness of both legs for the past two days. His blood and urine tests were normal at the time. His spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans looked like bone metastasis that involved the T-7 vertebral body and a posterior element, and caused spinal cord compression. Other images, including from the brain MRI, neck/chest/abdomino-pelvic computed tomography (CT) scan and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) and endoscopy, revealed no lesions that suggested malignancy. After total corpectomy T-7 and screw fixation/fusion at T5 to T10, the pathology report revealed a metastatic carcinoma that was strongly positive for prostate-specific antigen (PSA). The serum PSA value was 1.5 ng/mL. The transrectal 12-core prostate biopsy and ultrasonography showed no definitive hypoechoic lesion, but one specimen had slight (only 1%) adenocarcinoma with a Gleason score of 6 (3+3). The final diagnosis was burned-out prostate cancer with an initial normal PSA value. Although metastatic disease with an unknown primary origin was confirmed, a more aggressive approach in seeking the primary origin could provide a more specific treatment strategy and greater clinical benefit to patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.2753-2758
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• 2014

Background: GC-binding factor 2 (GCF2) is a transcriptional regulator that represses transcriptional activity of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) by binding to a specific GC-rich sequence in the EGFR gene promoter. In addition to this function, GCF2 has also been identified as a tumor-associated antigen and regarded as a potentially valuable serum biomarker for early human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) diagnosis. GCF2 is high expressed in most HCC tissues and cell lines including HepG2. This study focused on the influence of GCF2 on cell proliferation and apoptosis in HepG2 cells. Materials and Methods: GCF2 expression at both mRNA and protein levels in HepG2 cells was detected with reverse transcription (RT) PCR and Western blotting, respectively. RNA interference (RNAi) technology was used to knock down GCF2 mRNA and protein expression. Afterwards, cell viability was analyzed with a Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), and cell apoptosis and caspase 3 activity by flow cytometry and with a Caspase 3 Activity Kit, respectively. Results: Specific down-regulation of GCF2 expression caused cell growth inhibition, and increased apoptosis and caspase 3 activity in HepG2 cells. Conclusions: These primary results suggest that GCF2 may influence cell proliferation and apoptosis in HepG2 cells, and also provides a molecular basis for further investigation into the possible mechanism at proliferation and apoptosis in HCC.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.413-417
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• 2002

Gitelman's syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis, hypomagnesemia, and hypocalciuria that has recently been reported to be linked to thiazide- sensitive Na-Cl cotransporter gene mutation. In this study, we performed renal clearance studies to differentiate Gitelman's from Bartter's syndrome and to confirm the diagnosis in two patients clinically diagnosed with Gitelman's syndrome. Each patient was hydrated by 20 mL/kg body weight of oral water within 30 minutes, which was followed by intravenous half saline. When urinary flow reached 10 mL/min, samples of urine and serum were obtained to calculate the osmolar clearance, free water clearance, chloride clearance, and distal fractional chloride reabsorption. Subsequently, furosemide or hydrochlorothiazide was administered. Samples were collected and the same parameters were calculated. In our patients, chloride clearance was increased more than 10 times after furosemide administration(2.1 : 25.7 and 2.2 : 27.4 mL/min/100 mL GFR), but not increased after hydrochlorothiazide treatment(2.1 : 1.6 and 2.2 : 2.6 mL/min/100 mL GFR). And the distal fractional chloride reabsorption was significantly decreased by furosemide injection (73% : 15% and 75% : 4.6%), whereas hydrochlorothiazide had no effect on it(73% : 63% and 75% : 78%). These findings indicate that our patients have a defect in thiazide-sensitive Na-Cl cotransporter in the distal tubule, which is compatible with the pathophysiology of Gitelman's syndrome.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.465-468
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• 2006

A 3-year-old, spayed female Shih-tzu dog was presented due to acute vomiting, diarrhea, and generalized weakness. The dog had generalized weakness, increased respiratory rate, and respiratory muscle effect. Neurologic examination revealed appendicular muscular weakness and decreased in tone of the anal sphincter. Megaesophagus was confirmed by radiographic examinations. Other than type 2 fiber atrophy, no specific abnormalities were identified in histopathologic examinations of muscle biopsies from the left pelvic limb. Serum acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody titer was increased (0.78 nmol/L reference range, less than 0.6 nmol/L), confirming a diagnosis of acute fulminating myasthenia gravis. The dog dramatically responded to pyridostigmine bromide and had marked improvement in muscle strength, megaesophagus, and respiratory function. The dog has been successfully managed for 7 months after initial treatment.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.307-312
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• 2014

A 16-year-old female Shih-Tzu, weighing 5 kg, presented with clinical symptoms of abdominal distension and urinary and fecal incontinence. Abdominal palpation detected a large mass. According to the radiographic findings, the bladder had been moved to the umbilicus by the mass and a large abdominal mass was confirmed in the lower abdominal area. Ultrasonography indentified a large heterogeneous mass with heterogeneous parenchyma and a focal anechoic area in the lower abdominal area. The complete blood count abnormalities suggested thrombocytosis and mild neutrophilia, and the serum chemistry indicated an elevated alkaline phosphatase value. During laparotomy, a firm mass that measured $10.5{\times}9.6cm$ was found between the uterine cervix and urinary bladder. The urethra was embedded in the mass. A diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma was established based on histopathology and histochemistry. One week after surgery, urinary retention symptoms that did not appear to be related to mechanical obstruction presented suddenly, but they did not respond to several drug treatments, thus long-term conservative therapy was adopted. The urinary symptoms disappeared on day 27 and the patient started to void large quantities of urine in a smooth and frequent manner. This case report describes the serial changes in the patient's status and the response after surgical remove of the urethra embedding leiomyosarcoma.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.601-606
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• 2015

Background: Prostate cancer is predominately a disease of older men, with a median age of diagnosis of 68 years and 71% of cancer deaths occurring in those over 75 years of age. While prostate cancer screening is not recommended for men >70 years, fit elderly men with controlled comorbidities may have a relatively long life expectancy. We compare the use of age related PSA with the detection of primary malignant circulating prostate cells mCPCs to detect clinically significant PC in this population. Materials and Methods: All men undergoing PC screening with a PSA >4.0ng/ml underwent TRUS 12 core prostate biopsy (PB). Age, PSA, PB results defined as cancer/no-cancer, Gleason, number of positive cores and percentage infiltration were registered. Men had an 8ml blood sample taken for mCPC detection; mononuclear cells were obtained using differential gel centrifugation and mCPCs were identified using immunocytochemistry with anti-PSA and anti-P504S. A mCPC was defined as a cell expressing PSA and P504S; a positive test as at least one mCPC detected/sample. Diagnostic yields for subgroups were calculated and the number of avoided PBs registered. Esptein criteria were used to define small grade tumours. Results: A total of 610 men underwent PB, 398 of whom were aged <70yrs. Men over 70 yrs had: a higher median PSA, 6.24ng/ml versus 5.59ng/ml (p=0.04); and a higher frequency of cancer detected 90/212 (43%) versus 134/398 (34%) (p=0.032). Some 34/134 cancers in men <70yrs versus 22/90 (24%) of men >70yrs complied with criteria for active surveillance. CPC detection: 154/398 (39%) men <70yrs were CPC (+), specificity for cancer 86%, sensitivity 88%, 14/16 with a false (-) result had a small low grade PC. In men >70 years, 88/212 (42%) were CPC (+); specificity 92%, sensitivity 87%, 10/12 with a false (-) had small low grade tumours. False (+) results were more common in younger men 36/154 versus 10/88 (p<0.02). With a PSA cutoff of 6.5ng/ml, in men <70yrs, 108 PB would be avoided, missing 56 cancers of which 48 were clinically significant. Using CPC detection, 124 biopsies would be avoided, missing only 2 clinically significant cancers. In men >70 yrs using a PSA >6.5ng/ml would have resulted in 108 PB with 34 PC detected, of which 14(41%) were small low grade tumours. Conclusions: The use of CPC detection in the fit elderly significantly decreases the number of PBs without missing clinically significant cancers, indicating superiority to the use of age-related PSA.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.155-160
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• 2001

Cryoglobulinemia is the presence of globulins in the serum that precipitate on exposure to cold temperatures(cryoglobulins). Pulmonary complications of cryoglobulinemia include interstial infiltration, impaired gas exchange, small airway disease and pleurisy. Only one other acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS) case has been described in patients with cryoglobulinemia. A 55-years old man was admitted with dyspnea. He had been diagnosed as being a hepatitis B virus antigen carrier 15 years ago. On the first admission, chest radiography showed a bilateral pleural effusion and a patchy infiltration on both lungs. On protein- and immuno-electrophoresis, cryoglobulinemia was confirmed. The patient was treated with corticosteroid and plasmapheresis. Forty-five days after the diagnosis, the patient complained of progressive dyspnea and showed a diffuse bilateral pulmonary infiltration on chest radiography. Despite intensive care with mechanical ventilation, the patient died as consequence of hypoxemia and multiple systemic organ failure. On a pathologic examination of the postmortem lung biopsy, multiple necrotizing vasculitis and increased infiltration of the lymphocytes and monocytes were observed. In conclusion, ARDS developed as a result of pulmonary hemorrhage due to cryoglobulinemia-associated vasculitis.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.21-34
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• 1976

The diagnosis of iron deficiency rests upon the correct evaluation of body iron stores. Morphological interpretation of blood film and the red cell indices are not reliable and often absent in mild iron deficiency. Serum iron levels and iron-binding capacity are more sensitive indices of iron deficiency, but they are often normal in iron depletion and mild iron deficiency anemia. They are also subject to many variables which may introduce substantial errors and influenced by many pathologic and physiologic states. Examination of the bone marrow aspirate for stainable iron has been regarded as one of the most sensitive and reliable diagnostic method for detecting iron deficiency, but this also has limitations. Thus, there is still need for a more practical, but sensitive and reliable substitute as a screening test of iron deficiency. Pollack et al. (1965) observed that the intestinal absorption of cobalt was raised in iron-deficient rats and Valberg et al. (1969) found that cobalt absorption was elevated in patients with iron deficiency. A direct correlation was demonstrated between the amounts of radioiron and radiocobalt absorbed. Unlike iron, excess cobalt was excreted by the kidney, the percentage of radioactivity in the urine being directly related to the percentage absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Recently a test based on the urinary excretion of an oral dose of $^{57}Co$ has been proposed as a method for detecting iron deficiency. To assess the diagnostic value of urinary cobalt excretion test cobaltous chloride labelled with $1{\mu}Ci\;of\;^{58}Co$ was given by mouth and the percentage of the test dose excreted in the urine was measured by a gamma counter. The mean 24 hour urinary cobalt excretion in control subjects with normal iron stores was 6.1% ($1.9{\sim}15.2%$). Cobalt excretion was markedly increased in patients with iron deficiency and excreted more than 29% of the dose. In contrast, patients with anemia due to causes other than iron deficiency excreted less than 27%. Hence, 24 hour urinary cobalt excretion of 27% or less in a patient with anemia suggets that the primary cause of the anemia is not iron deficiency. A value greater than 27% in an anemic subject suggests that the anemia is caused by iron deficiency. The cobalt excretion test is a simple, sensitive and accurate method for the assessment of body iron stores. It may be particularly valuable in the epidemiological studies of iron deficiency and repeated evaluations of the body iron stores.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.6391-6395
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• 2012

Background: Ovarian cancer is ranked as the fifth most common cause of cancer death in women. In Malaysia, it is the fourth most common cancer in females. CA125 has been the tumor marker of choice in ovarian cancer but its diagnostic specificity in early stages is only 50%. Hence, there is a critical need to identify an alternative tumor marker that is capable of detecting detect ovarian cancer at an early stage. HE4 is a new tumor marker proposed for the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer and disease recurrence. Currently, none of the normal ranges of HE4 quoted in the literature are based on data for a multiethnic Asian population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine reference intervals for HE4 in an Asian population presenting in University Malaya Medical Centre, a tertiary reference hospital. Materials and Methods: 300 healthy women were recruited comprising 150 premenopausal and 150 postmenopausal women, aged from 20-76 years. All women were subjected to a pelvic ultrasonograph and were confirmed to be free from ovarian pathology on recruitment. Serum HE4 levels were determined by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA, Abbott Architect). The reference intervals were determined following CLSI guidelines (C28-A2) using a non-parametric method. Results: The upper limits of the $95^{th}$ percentile reference interval (90%CI) for all the women collectively were 64.6 pmol/L, and 58.4 pmol/L for premenopausal) and 69.0 pmol/L for postmenopausal. The concentration of HE4 was noted to increase with age especially in women who were more than 50 years old. We also noted that our proposed reference limit was lower compared to the level given by manufacturer Abbott Architect HE4 kit insert (58.4 vs 70 pmol/L for premenopausal group and 69.0 vs 140 pmol/L in the postmenopausal group). The study also showed a significant difference in HE4 concentrations between ethnic groups (Malays and Indians). The levels of HE4 in Indians appeared higher than in Malays (p<0.05), while no significant differences were noted between the Malays and Chinese ethnic groups. Conclusions: More data are needed to establish a reference interval that will better represent the multiethnic Malaysian population. Probably a larger sampling size of equal representation of the Malay, Chinese, Indians as well as the other native ethnic communities will give us a greater confidence on whether genetics plays a role in reference interval determination.