Inhibitory Effect of D-chiro-inositol on Both Growth and Recurrence of Breast Tumor from MDA-MB-231 Cancer Cells

D-chiro-inositol (DCI) is a secondary messenger in insulin signal transduction. It is produced in vivo from myo-inositol via action of epimerase. In this study, we evaluated antitumor activity of DCI against human breast cancer both in vitro and in vivo. In order to determine the inhibitory effects of DCI on growth of human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231), two different assessment methods were implemented: MTT assay and mouse xenograft assay. MTT assay demonstrated downturn in cell proliferation by DCI treatment (1, 5, 10, 20 and 40 mM) groups by 18.3% (p<0.05), 17.2% (p<0.05), 17.5% (p<0.05), 18.4% (p<0.05), and 24.9% (p<0.01), respectively. Also, inhibition of tumor growth was investigated in mouse xenograft model. DCI was administered orally at the dose of 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg body weight to treat nude mouse for 45 consecutive days. On the 45th day, tumor growth of DCI (500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg) groups was suppressed by 22.1% and 67.6% as mean tumor volumes were 9313.8 ± 474.1 mm³ and 3879.1 ± 1044.1 mm³, respectively. Furthermore, breast cancer stem cell (fCSC) phenotype (CD44⁺/CD24⁻) was measured using flow cytometry. On the 46th day, CSC ratios of DCI (500 mg/kg) and co-treatment with doxorubicin (4 mg/kg) and DCI (500 mg/kg) group decreased by 24.7% and 53.9% (p<0.01), respectively. Finally, from tumor recurrence assay, delay of 5 days in the co-treatment group compared to doxorubicin (4 mg/kg) alone group was observed. Based on these findings, we propose that DCI holds potential as an anti-cancer drug for treatment of breast cancer.

Differentiation between Benign and Malignant Solid Thyroid Nodules Using an US Classification System

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a new ultrasound (US) classification system for differentiating between benign and malignant solid thyroid nodules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we enrolled 191 consecutive patients who received real-time US and subsequent US diagnoses for solid thyroid nodules, and underwent US-guided fine-needle aspiration. Each thyroid nodule was prospectively classified into 1 of 5 diagnostic categories by real-time US: "malignant," "suspicious for malignancy," "borderline," "probably benign," and "benign". We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of thyroid US and the cut-off US criteria by comparing the US diagnoses of thyroid nodules with cytopathologic results. RESULTS: Of the 191 solid nodules, 103 were subjected to thyroid surgery. US categories for these 191 nodules were malignant (n = 52), suspicious for malignancy (n = 16), borderline (n = 23), probably benign (n = 18), and benign (n = 82). A receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the US diagnosis for solid thyroid nodules using the 5-category US classification system was very good. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy of US diagnosis were 86%, 95%, 91%, 92%, and 92%, respectively, when benign, probably benign, and borderline categories were collectively classified as benign (negative). CONCLUSION: The diagnostic accuracy of thyroid US for solid thyroid nodules is high when the above-mentioned US classification system is applied.

Cowper's Syringocele in an Adult / 대한남성과학회지

Cowper's syringocele is cystic dilatation of the main duct of Cowper's glands. Cowper's syringocele is usually diagnosed in male infants and children and is rarely found in adults. We present a case of Cowper's syringocele causing lower abdominal discomfort in an adult male.

Ultrasound Spectrum of Papillary Breast Neoplasms

Papillary breast neoplasms show a wide spectrum of pathologic changes, and the hallmark of these tumors is the presence of a fibrovascular core. Histologically, papillary breast neoplasms can be broadly divided into benign papillomas, atypical papillomas, and malignant papillary lesions. The papillary breast neoplasms have been described as having a varied appearance, but review of the imaging spectrum is limited. The purpose of this article is to review the characteristic sonographic features of the broad spectrum of papillary breast neoplasms from benign papillomas to malignant papillary lesions.

Carcinoma Mixed within Milk of Calcium in a Breast: a Case Report

Milk of calcium located in the breast is typically a benign entity. However, carcinoma may incidentally arise adjacent to or even within milk of calcium. Consequently, the characteristics of all observed calcific particles should be carefully analyzed. In this study, we report a case of carcinoma presented as malignant microcalcifications mixed within milk of calcium in a breast.

Long-term Follow-up Sonography of Benign Cystic Thyroid Nodules after a Percutaneous Ethanol Injection: The Incidence of Malignancy-mimicking Nodules

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence of malignancy-mimicking sclerosed thyroid nodules, from long-term follow-up ultrasonography (US) after an US-guided percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined 86 benign cystic thyroid nodules from 80 patients. The nodules were classified into two groups based on whether an aspiration (Group A, n=26) or non-aspiration (Group B, n=60) of infused ethanol was performed. The final follow-up US over 12 months was performed in all patients. RESULTS: Of the 86 nodules, the cystic portion of 82 (95.3%) cases, from 76 patients, completely disappeared subsequent to the first follow-up US (Group A, n=24, Group B, n=58) (Chi-square test, p>0.05). Moreover, 46 sclerosed thyroid nodules showed two or more of the 'five sonographic criteria' upon a follow-up US (Group A, n=13, 50.0%, Group B, n=32, 53.3%). A higher ratio of the cystic portion of the nodules was associated with a higher incidence of the 'five sonographic criteria' for malignancies detected via a follow-up US (p<0.01; Student's t-test). CONCLUSION: For the long-term follow-up US, the 'five sonographic criteria' were observed in half the patients who received US-guided PEI. Also, by acknowledging the possibility that sonographic findings mimic a malignancy, since the sclerosed thyroid nodule, patients may avoid an unnecessary biopsy.

Erosion of an Inflatable Penile Prosthesis Reservoir into the Bladder, Presenting Bladder Calculi / 대한비뇨기과학회지

Complications of penile prosthesis include malfunction, infection and patient dissatisfaction. Herein, a rare complication of a retained reservoir having eroded into the bladder after the removal of the penile components of a three-piece penile prosthesis, is reported. A 39-year-old man complained of irritative voiding symptoms. The symptoms had developed 4 years after the removal of the penile components of the prosthesis. The erosion of the reservoir into the bladder was discovered incidentally during the treatment of bladder calculi. The reservoir was removed by an open vesicolithotomy.