The Analysis of the Cholesterol Contents of Intrahepatic Duct Stones in the West Gyeongnam Region

PURPOSE: Hepatolithiasis is a recurrent disease and common in Far East Asia. In Korea, almost all intrahepatic duct (IHD) stones were pigment stones 30~40 years ago. The nationwide cooperative study showed a higher cholesterol content of IHD stones compared to the previous data. Some reports have shown a close relationship between urbanization and the cholesterol content of stones. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cholesterol content of IHD stones in the West Gyeongnam region and evaluate the associated clinical and demographic variables. METHODS: The IHD stones were removed surgically from twenty patients who had hepatolithiasis between July 2005 and April 2007. The stones were grouped by their gross findings. The cholesterol contents were measured quantitatively by infrared spectrophotometry and compared with the clinical variables. RESULTS: Among twenty patients, 19 had pigment stones and only one had gross evidence of a cholesterol stone. The cholesterol content of the stones were 30%~50% in 13 patients, 50~70% in 6 patients and over 70% in one patient. In urban patients, the cholesterol contents of the IHD stones were higher (567.029 mg/g) than in rural patients (421.822 mg/g)(p<0.05). All stones in rural patients were pigment stones; the stones of urban patients consisted of 5 pigment, 6 mixed and 1 cholesterol stone (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The mean cholesterol content of the IHD stones was 508.946 mg/g; the content of the stone was significantly related to the residence of the patients. These results suggest that the cholesterol content of IHD stones are likely to increase in West Gyeongnam as urbanization increases.

Clinical Implication of Galectin-1 Expression in Human Breast Cancer / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: The role of different galectins in the pathogenesis of different types of malignancy is now being intensely investigated. In this study, authors investigated the level of galectin-1 expression in human breast cancer tissue to define its relationship to the tumor invasiveness and tumor progression. METHODS: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from 79 randomly selected breast cancer patients were used to perform immunohistochemical staining for galectin-1. The primary antibody was diluted mouse monoclonal antibody against galectin-1. The staining results were then interpreted by an experienced pathologist, and the results were compared between the groups having different pathologic variables. RESULTS: In breast cancer patients, galectin-1 was diversely expressed in the cancer tissue. Galectin-1 was expressed in both cancer cells and cancer-associated stromal cells. The levels of galectin-1 expression in cancer-associated stromal cells were higher in patients with invasive carcinoma (p = 0.001), in patients with advanced T stages (p = 0.007), and in patients with advanced TNM stages (p = 0.007). The galectin-1 expression in cancer-associated stromal cells was also higher in patients with lymph node metastasis and advanced N stages, but did not reach a statistically significant level. The galectin-1 expression in cancer cell did not have any correlation with pathologic variables. CONCLUSION: This is the first study that has demonstrated the relationship of galectin-1 expression with the tumor invasiveness and tumor progression in human breast cancer. Further large-scaled studies are needed to define the prognostic value of galectin-1 in breast cancer patients, and the exact role of galectin-1 should be investigated more thoroughly.

Clinical Implication of Galectin-1 Expression in Human Breast Cancer / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: The role of different galectins in the pathogenesis of different types of malignancy is now being intensely investigated. In this study, authors investigated the level of galectin-1 expression in human breast cancer tissue to define its relationship to the tumor invasiveness and tumor progression. METHODS: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from 79 randomly selected breast cancer patients were used to perform immunohistochemical staining for galectin-1. The primary antibody was diluted mouse monoclonal antibody against galectin-1. The staining results were then interpreted by an experienced pathologist, and the results were compared between the groups having different pathologic variables. RESULTS: In breast cancer patients, galectin-1 was diversely expressed in the cancer tissue. Galectin-1 was expressed in both cancer cells and cancer-associated stromal cells. The levels of galectin-1 expression in cancer-associated stromal cells were higher in patients with invasive carcinoma (p = 0.001), in patients with advanced T stages (p = 0.007), and in patients with advanced TNM stages (p = 0.007). The galectin-1 expression in cancer-associated stromal cells was also higher in patients with lymph node metastasis and advanced N stages, but did not reach a statistically significant level. The galectin-1 expression in cancer cell did not have any correlation with pathologic variables. CONCLUSION: This is the first study that has demonstrated the relationship of galectin-1 expression with the tumor invasiveness and tumor progression in human breast cancer. Further large-scaled studies are needed to define the prognostic value of galectin-1 in breast cancer patients, and the exact role of galectin-1 should be investigated more thoroughly.

Fournier's Gangrene: Clinical Analysis of 11 Patients

PURPOSE: Fournier's gangrene is a rare and rapidly progressive infection of the genitalia, perineum, and abdominal wall. The mortality rate from this infection ranges from 0 to 67 percent. One of the most important determinants of the overall outcome is early recognition and extensive surgical debridement combined with broad-spectrum antibiotics therapy. The objective of this study was to review the clinical outcomes of 11 consecutive patients who suffered with Fournier's gangrene and the related medical literature to highlight the current status of this disease. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 11 patients with the Fournier's gangrene who had been treated at Gyeongsang National University Hospital between March 1995 and March 2005. RESULTS: The mean age was 60 years (range: 38~82), and the male to female ratio was 8 : 3. The most common cause of Fournier's gangrene was perianal abscess (n=4, 36.3%) and the most common disease associated with Fournier's gangrene was diabetes mellitus (n=6, 54.5%). The most common cultured organisms were E. coli and K. pneumoniae. We performed aggressive surgical debridement combined with broad spectrum antibiotics therapy. The number of surgical procedures per patients ranged between 1 and 7 (mean: 2.63). Diverting colostomy was required in 36.3% (n=4) of the cases. Two cases received reconstructive plastic surgery. The mortality rate of 11 patients was 27.2% (n=3) and the cause of death was sepsis. CONCLUSION: Fournier's gangrene is a life-threatening disease, but the mortality rate can be diminished via early diagnosis, aggressive surgical intervention, and the use of broad- spectrum antibiotics.