Cytologic Features of Fine Needle Aspirates of Hyalinizing Trabecular Adenoma with Occult Papillary Carcinoma of the Thyroid / 대한세포병리학회지

Hyalinizing trabecular adenoma of the thyroid gland is a rare benign neoplasm predominantly diagnosed in middle-aged women. Carney et al. first described this entity that may mimic paraganglioma, medullary carcinoma and papillary carcinoma in 1987. We describe cytologic and histopathologic features of a case of hyalinizing trabecular adenoma combined with occult papillary carcinoma in the opposite lobe. A 55-year-old woman presented with nontender palpable mass of the right neck for 6 months. The aspirate was cellular and contained small clusters and sheets of epithelial cells with abundant filamentous, vacuolated, and ill-defined cytoplasm. The nuclei were slightly pleomorphic and showed nuclear overlapping, nuclear grooves, and intranuclear cytoplasmic inclusions. Histologic examination showed hyalinizing trabecular adenoma in the right lobe and occult papillary carcinoma in the left lobe.

Expression of Hypoxia-inducible Factor-1 alpha Protein in Stages I and II Squamous Cell Carcinomas of the Uterine Cervix: Relationship with p53 Protein and VEGF Expressions

BACKGROUND: Under hypoxia, hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) is known to activate the expression of various genes, including angiogenesis-related genes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of HIF-1alpha protein and its relationship with p53 protein expression and angiogenesis in the squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the uterine cervix. METHODS: Using immunohistochemical methods, the expression of HIF-1alpha protein, p53 protein, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and microvessel count were evaluated in seventy cases of FIGO stages I and II SCC; and their results were compared with age, stage, and pelvic lymph node metastasis. RESULTS: Positive nuclear staining for HIF-1alpha protein was noted in 19 cases (27.1%). Carcinoma in situ or dysplastic lesions also revealed positive nuclear reaction along the lower part of the epithelium. The expression of HIF-1alpha protein was significantly related with those of p53 protein and VEGF (p<0.05), but not with other clinicopathologic parameters. The microvessel count showed a significant difference regarding stage and VEGF expression (pand<0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that HIF-1alpha expression in SCCs of the uterine cervix might be the early event of carcinogenesis and could be associated with p53 protein and VEGF expression. However, the prognostic significance of HIF-1alpha expression in stages I and II SCCs is undetermined.

Smad4 Expression in Gastric Adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND: The role of Smad4 in carcinogenesis is important, because of its function as a central mediator of TGF-beta signaling. In the present study we analyzed the expressions of Smad4 mRNA and protein in human gastric cancer cell lines and tissues and we also analyzed their clinicopathological significance. METHODS: We used semi-quantitative RT-PCR for Smad4 mRNA expression in 13 cases of fresh gastric cancer tissues and two gastric cancer cell lines (MKN-28, SNU-1). We also used immunohistochemistry for Smad4 protein expression in 88 cases of formalin fixed gastric cancers tissues. RESULTS: The mRNA level of Smad4 was higher in MKN-28 cell line (intestinal type) than in the SNU-1 cell line (diffuse type). Fresh frozen gastric cancer tissues showed that the intestinal type of gastric cancer had higher Smad4 mRNA expressions than the diffuse type of gastric cancer (p<0.05). Immunohistochemical staining for Smad4 revealed that cytoplasmic and nuclear expressions of Smad4 were significantly correlated with histologic types of gastric cancer (p<0.05). That is, the intestinal type of gastric cancer showed more cytoplasmic and nuclear smad4 expressions than did the diffuse type of gastric cancer. Reduced cytoplasmic expressions and positive nuclear expressions of Smad4 were more prominent in the advanced gastric cancer than in the early gastric cancer. CONCLUSION: Taken together, we suggest that loss of Smad4 expression might be associated with the intestinal type of gastric cancer. Also reduced cytoplasmic Smad4 expressions and increased nuclear Smad4 expressions may be associated with the advanced stage of gastric cancer.

Differential Expression of Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1 alpha and Tumor Cell Proliferation Between Squamous Cell Carcinomas and Adenocarcinomas Among Operable Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinomas

This study aimed to evaluate whether the elevated level of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) correlated with histologic types, angiogenesis, tumor cell proliferation, and clinical parameters in common non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs). We performed immunohistochemical stains using paraffin-embedded tissue blocks from 84 cases of operable NSCLC [No. of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 45; No. of adenocarcinoma (AC), 39]. HIF-1 alpha expression was related with histologic types (66.7% in SCCs vs 20.5% in ACs, p0.05, respectively). As for the histologic types, MVD and PCNA index were significantly higher in SCCs than in ACs (p=0.009 and p=0.016, respectively). Among HIF-1 alpha positive carcinomas, MVD was significantly higher in HIF-1 alpha positive SCCs than in HIF-1 alpha positive ACs (p=0.023). The overall survival curves were not associated with HIF-1 alpha expression or any other histologic parameters (p>0.05). These findings suggest that HIF-1 alpha expression in NSCLCs may play a differential role according to histologic types, but its prognostic significance is indeterminate.

Expression of TGF-beta1 and TGF-betatype II Receptor in Chemically Induced Hepatocarcinogenesis of the Rat

BACKGROUND: Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 inhibits hepatocyte proliferation by inducing apoptosis. Expression of TGF-beta1 is tightly associated with the TGF-betatype II receptor (TGR2) expression level, and has been regarded as an important change of TGF-beta1 and TGR2 during hepatocarcinogenesis. We investigated the gene expressions and protein localizations of TGF-beta1 and TGR2 in chemical hepatocarcinogenesis. METHODS: Solt and Farber's method was used as the chemical hepatocarcinogenesis model of the rat. Northern blot analyses and immunohistochemistry for TGF-beta1 and TGR2 were performed to investigate the gene expressions and protein localizations, respectively. RESULTS: The Northern blot analyses showed a slight increase of TGF-beta1 transcripts one month after partial hepatectomy, which is more than in sham operated control liver, and a decrease of transcripts for TGR2 two months after partial hepatectomy. The number of TGF-beta-positive preneoplastic hepatocytes was increased and correlated with the increase of the number of TGR2 negative hepatocytes or reduction of expressions of TGR2 in preneoplastic lesions. HCC tissues showed an increase of TGF-beta1 protein expressions and a decrease of TGR2 compared to the adjacent liver parenchyme. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that down regulation of TGR2 in preneoplastic lesions and HCC might contribute to the resistance to the growth inhibitory effects of TGF-beta.

Expression and Localization of the Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type I receptor and Smads in Preneoplastic Lesions during Chemical Hepatocarcinogenesis in Rats

Little is known about the involvement of Smad-related molecules in the regulation of the Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)-beta signaling pathway during hepatocarcinogenesis, particularly with respect to preneoplastic lesions of a rat liver. The aims of this study were to investigate the localizations and temporal expressions of TGF-beta Receptor Type 1 (TGR1) and Smads during the promotion stage of chemical hepatocarcinogenesis in rats. We investigated expressions and localizations of TGR1, Smad2, Smad4, and Smad7 by using semi-quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry in preneoplastic lesions during rat chemical hepatocarcinogenesis induced by Solt and Farber's method. The down-regulation of TGR1, Sma-d2, and Smad4 was evident during the later steps of the promotion stage of chemical hepatocarcinogenesis. In contrast with other Smads, increased Smad7 expression was evident during the later steps of the promotion stage. Also immunohistochemistry revealed that the main site of TGR1, Smad2, Smad4, and Smad7 expression was mainly in hepatocytes of the preneoplastic lesions of a rat liver. Dysregulation of the downstream effectors of TGF-beta such as TGR1, Smad2, Smad4 and, Smad7 might contribute to the progression of preneoplastic lesions during chemical hepatocarcinogenesis in a rat.

Experimental Liver Disease Models of Rats: Morphological Characteristics

Experimental liver disease models of rats have many similarities with those of humans, especially in morphological characteristics. Rat liver disease models can be categorized as models of hepatic fibrosis, hepatic stem cell and hepatocarcinogenesis. The purpose of this article is to review experimental liver disease models, with a major emphasis on morphologic features, including routine morphological, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic features.

Analysis of Gene Expression in Renal Cell Carcinomas Using cDNA Microarray: Reduced Expression of Decorin in Renal Cell Carcinomas

BACKGROUND: Identification of the genes expressed differentially in renal cell carcinoma (RCC)but not in the non-cancerous kidney is important for understanding the molecular basis ofrenal cell carcinoma and for defining possible prognostic value and therapeutic intervention.We investigated the changes in gene expression accompanying the development and progression of kidney cancer by cDNA microarrays. METHODS: To identify molecular alterations in renal cell carcinoma, we measured expression profiles for paired neoplastic and noncancerouskidney samples from an individual by means of a cDNA microarry representing 7, 500genes. Of the differentially expressed genes, we assessed the decorin gene at the proteinlevel using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The 60 genes were noted to have more than a fivefold change in expression (either increased or decreased) in RCC compared to the noncancerouskidney. The changed genes are those associated with signal transduction, metabolizingenzymes, the cytoskeleton, cell adhesion, cell cycle control, modulation of transcription, the tumor suppressor gene and tumor antigens. Under immunohistochemistry, the expressionof decorin was significantly decreased in the tumor than in the non-cancerous kidney.The expression rate of decorin was not associated with the patient's sex, age, histologic type, Fuhrmann nuclear grade and T stage. CONCLUSION: The author predicted that these geneexpression profiling experiments will lead to improvements in the basic understanding of renaltumor pathogenesis and will promote the discovery of novel molecular markers for renal tumordiagnosis and therapy.

Pleuropulmonary Blastoma in a Young Adult Presenting as a Ruptured Cystic Teratoma in Radiology

Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a rare malignant dysontogenetic neoplasm primarily affecting children and is characterized histologically by a variably mixed blastematous and sarcomatous patterns. We herein report a very exceptional adult case of PPB. A 21-yr-old male patient presented with a left chest pain of two weeks' duration. A computed tomography scan revealed a large, multicystic tumor occupying the left lower hemithorax, leading to the impression of a ruptured mediastinal cystic teratoma. A thoracotomy for resection of the tumor was performed. On histologic examination, the tumor consisted of cystic walls and associated solid lesions which showed undifferentiated blastemal tissues with focal fibrosarcomatous and rhabdoid features. Immunohistochemically the tumor cells only showed diffuse strong positivity for vimentin. The histologic findings corresponded to a type II PPB. The authors suggest that PPB, especially of type I or II, should be included in the radiologic differential diagnosis of mediastinal cystic neoplasms in a young adult.

Morphometric Analysis of Glomeruli in the Experimental Rat Models of Hyperglycemia and Hyperfiltration / 대한신장학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: Diabetic nephropathy and ablation nephropathy are characterized by sclerotic processes in the glomeruli. To elucidate the site, degree and time-honored changes of glomerular sclerosis, morphometric analysis was performed using the experimental animals models. METHODS: The animals used were male Sprague Dowley rats and separated into 4 groups as young normal control, old control, streptozotocin-injected group, and right nephrectomized group. Chronologically kidney specimens were obtained after each treatment and processed to evaluated histologic changes. To evaluated the glomerular area, interstitial fibrosis and glomerular tuft fibrosis, the kidney specimens were fixed in Buin's solution, paraffin-embedded and 2 micrometer sections were Sirius red stained. To study the mesangial area, mesangial matrix area, glomerular basement membrane, and tubu lar basement membrane, the specimens were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde, epon-embedded, double-stained and examined under the transmission electron microscope. All the specimens were analyzed morphometrically using the Image Pro Plus software. The obtained morphometric data were statistically analyzed to evaluate the differences of fibrotic processes and degree between experimental groups. RESULTS: Diabetic group revealed statistically significant increase of glomerular area from 8th week after streptozotocin injection to 24th week of experimental date. The parenchymal fibrosis and glomerular tuft fibrosis was prominent from the 2nd week of injection and steadily increased until the end of experimental date. The thickness of glomerular basement membrane was significantly increased even at the first week of injection and the tubular basement membrane also increased in thickness at the 3rd week of experiment. Ablation nephropathy model made by right nephrectomy showed increased glo merular area at the 7th week of ablation and the degree were intensified after 16th week of experimental date. The amount of stainable collagen in the renal parenchyme and glomerular tuft increased in the second week kidney sample and steadily increased thereafter until the end of experimental date. The increase of thickness of GBM and TBM also started to appear at the second week of operation. The old control also revealed fibrosis but the degree was less than the diabetic and ablation groups. Both diabetic and ablation nephropathy groups exhibited extensive increase of glomerular area, stainable colla gen, thickness of GBM and TBM at the end of experimental date and the ablation group revealed more extensive evidences of fibrosis without statistical significance. Comparison between the experimental groups were meaningless because the duration of the experimental manipulation was not the same. CONCLUSION: Glomerular and renal interstitial sclerosis and thickening of GBM and TBM are not the specific lesions of the diabetic glomerulopathy and are the common histologic changes occur in the kidney of partial parenchymal loss of any etiology. And it is suggested by this study that the common hemodynamic change involving the diabetic nephropathy, ablation nephropathy and physiologic aging is one of the important pathogenetic factors of glomerular sclerosis.

Morphometric Analysis of Glomeruli in the Experimental Rat Models of Hyperglycemia and Hyperfiltration / 대한신장학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: Diabetic nephropathy and ablation nephropathy are characterized by sclerotic processes in the glomeruli. To elucidate the site, degree and time-honored changes of glomerular sclerosis, morphometric analysis was performed using the experimental animals models. METHODS: The animals used were male Sprague Dowley rats and separated into 4 groups as young normal control, old control, streptozotocin-injected group, and right nephrectomized group. Chronologically kidney specimens were obtained after each treatment and processed to evaluated histologic changes. To evaluated the glomerular area, interstitial fibrosis and glomerular tuft fibrosis, the kidney specimens were fixed in Buin's solution, paraffin-embedded and 2 micrometer sections were Sirius red stained. To study the mesangial area, mesangial matrix area, glomerular basement membrane, and tubu lar basement membrane, the specimens were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde, epon-embedded, double-stained and examined under the transmission electron microscope. All the specimens were analyzed morphometrically using the Image Pro Plus software. The obtained morphometric data were statistically analyzed to evaluate the differences of fibrotic processes and degree between experimental groups. RESULTS: Diabetic group revealed statistically significant increase of glomerular area from 8th week after streptozotocin injection to 24th week of experimental date. The parenchymal fibrosis and glomerular tuft fibrosis was prominent from the 2nd week of injection and steadily increased until the end of experimental date. The thickness of glomerular basement membrane was significantly increased even at the first week of injection and the tubular basement membrane also increased in thickness at the 3rd week of experiment. Ablation nephropathy model made by right nephrectomy showed increased glo merular area at the 7th week of ablation and the degree were intensified after 16th week of experimental date. The amount of stainable collagen in the renal parenchyme and glomerular tuft increased in the second week kidney sample and steadily increased thereafter until the end of experimental date. The increase of thickness of GBM and TBM also started to appear at the second week of operation. The old control also revealed fibrosis but the degree was less than the diabetic and ablation groups. Both diabetic and ablation nephropathy groups exhibited extensive increase of glomerular area, stainable colla gen, thickness of GBM and TBM at the end of experimental date and the ablation group revealed more extensive evidences of fibrosis without statistical significance. Comparison between the experimental groups were meaningless because the duration of the experimental manipulation was not the same. CONCLUSION: Glomerular and renal interstitial sclerosis and thickening of GBM and TBM are not the specific lesions of the diabetic glomerulopathy and are the common histologic changes occur in the kidney of partial parenchymal loss of any etiology. And it is suggested by this study that the common hemodynamic change involving the diabetic nephropathy, ablation nephropathy and physiologic aging is one of the important pathogenetic factors of glomerular sclerosis.

Primary Extragastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (EGIST) of the Greater Omentum

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) were recently defined as spindle cell, epithelioid, or occasionally, pleomorphic mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract that express the CD117 (proto-oncogene c-kit protein, stem cell factor receptor), as detected using immunohistochemistry. And they show a new tendency to include the CD117-positive mesenchymal spindle cell or epithelioid neoplasms primary in the omentum and mesentery, and is so termed extragastrointestinal stromal tumors (EGISTs). Omental EGISTs are very rare and similar to their gastrointestinal counterpart. We present a case of primary EGIST of the greater omentum in a 58-year-old man. The resected tumor mass measured 20X15X5 cm and weighed 1,150 g. The cut surface displayed a central cystic change and partial mural nodules. Microscopically, most parts of the tumor were composed of round or polygonal cells, with many of them containing perinuclear vacuoles. The mitotic count was less than one per 50 high-power-fields. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were diffusely positive for CD117 and vimentin, and focally for smooth muscle actin and CD34. Ultrastructurally, partially smooth muscle differentiation was confirmed in this case.

Protective Effect of Pentoxifylline and Ciprofloxacin on Dimethylnitrosamine-induced Hepatic Fibrosis in Rats / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatic fibrosis is known to be a predisposing condition of cirrhosis for which there is no proven effective therapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pentoxifylline and ciprofloxacin on biochemical and histological features of rat hepatic fibrosis induced by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN). METHODS: Seventy male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups including control (n = 10), DMN (n = 20), DMN plus pentoxifylline (n = 20) and DMN plus ciprofloxacin (n = 20). The rats were injected intraperitoneally with normal saline in the control group and the aforementioned chemicals in the study groups three times a week for 3 weeks. Two rats of the control group, and fives of each study group were sacrificed weekly after the beginning of experiment. From sacrified rats the following parameters of hepatic fibrosis were determined: AST, ALT, cytokines IL-1beta, TNF-alpha and INF-gamma, and histological features of hepatic tissue. RESULT: Rat weight, serological and histological findings were distinctively improved in two treated groups compared with untreated DMN group(p<0.05), The antifibrogenic activity between treated groups was rather better in the group treated with pentoxifylline than in the group treated with ciprofloxacin. During the first and second weeks after experiment the distribution of hepatic stellate cells in treated groups was limited, whereas DMN group showed their diffuse distribution. At the third week DMN group displayed micronodular cirrhosis, but treated groups showed only mild centrilobular fibrotic areas without developing cirrhosis. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that pentoxifylline and cirprofloxacin may be protective against DMN induced rat hepatic fibrogenesis, while accompanying the inhibition of hepatic stellate cells during the early stage of hepatic fibrogenesis.

Expression of Fas/Fas Ligand and Its Relationship with Apoptosis in Chemically Induced Preneoplastic Lesions in Rat Liver

BACKGROUND: Apoptosis of hepatocytes plays a major role in experimental hepatocarcinogenesis of rats. But sequential change and localization of Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) in preneoplastic lesions and the relationship with apoptosis are not clearly elucidated. METHODS: We investigated sequential change and localization of Fas/FasL and its relationship to apoptosis in preneoplastic lesions of chemical hepatocarcinogenesis in rats using northern blot analysis, immunohistochemistry and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase end labeling (TUNEL) assay. RESULTS: We found that mRNA of Fas and Fas ligand increased for up to 42 days and 14 days after partial hepatectomy, respectively, and thereafter decreased with time. Fas protein was localized on the cytoplasm of hepatocytes of preneoplastic lesions, as well as on the cytoplasmic membrane of the adjacent liver parenchyme. Fas negative preneoplastic lesions were evident at 42 days after partial hepatectomy. FasL protein was found only in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes of preneoplastic lesions, instead of in the adjacent liver parenchyme. FasL-positive hepatocytes increased with time for up to 14 days after partial hepatectomy and therafter decreased. Also, TUNEL-positive apoptotic cells increased with time and were more numerous in the adjacent liver parenchyme than in the preneoplastic lesions. CONCLUSIONS: It was suggested that Fas/FasL-mediated apoptosis might be one of the major mechanisms for controlling apoptotic cell death in the promotion stage of chemical hepatocarcinogenesis.

VEGF Expression and Angiogenesis in Uterine Cervical Carcinomas

Angiogenesis is a critical factor in the progression of solid tumors, including cervical cancers. The mechanisms responsible for angiogenesis in uterine cervical neoplasia are not well defined. To determine the relationship between angiogenesis and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the cervical neoplasia, the author studied 63 cases of the cervical neoplasia diagnosed between the years 1993 to 1997 at Pusan National University Hospital. The expression of VEGF was semiquantitatively analyzed in paraffin sections by immunohistochemical method. Histologic sections immunostained for factor VIII-related antigen were evaluated for microvessel density. Increased expression of VEGF and microvessel counts was significantly correlated with depth of invasion. Increased microvessel counts were also significantly associated with increased VEGF expression. These results suggest that VEGF is an important angiogenic factor and associated with progression of the cervical neoplasia.

Angiogenesis and Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen Index in Non-small Cell Lung Carcinomas / 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the relationship between angiogenesis and tumor cell proliferation evaluated by proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs) and to investigate the prognostic significance of the factors in them. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining for factor VIII related antigen, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and PCNA was performed using paraffin embedded blocks of 57 NSCLC cases. The results were correlated with some clinicopathologic parameters, including age, sex, TNM-T status, TNM-N status, stage, and histologic type. RESULTS: Microvessel count (MC) was higher in squamous cell carcinoma group than in non-squamous cell carcinoma one (18.4+/-7.3 vs 14.6+/-9.9, p=0.043). PCNA index was higher in lymph node metastasis group than in non-metastasis one (42.1+/-8.9% vs 36.4+/- 14.6%, p=0.043). But the factors were not correlated with other clinicopathologic parameters. The relationship between VEGF expression and MC was significantly recognized (p=0.02), but that between VEGF expression and PCNA index was not. MC was positively correlated with PCNA index (r=0.547, p=0.005). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that both MC and PCNA index can be acted as useful indicators of prognosis in NSCLC, but tumor cell proliferation in NSCLC may be more concerned with any growth factor other than VEGF.

Expression of p53 Protein and Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen in Epstein - Barr Virus-associated Gastric Adenocarcinoma / 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: Recently, it has been reported that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with some gastric cancers. But EBVs role in EBV-associated gastric carcinomas (EBVaGCs) has not been fully elucidated. This study was undertaken to evaluate the characteristics of EBVaGCs and to compare those with non-EBVaGCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: EBV infection was studied using paraffin-embedded tissue blocks of 119 cases of gastric adenocarcinomas by in situ hybridization for EBV-encoded small RNAs (EBERs). In EBVaGCs and non-EBVaGCs, molecular characteristics were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining for latent membrane protein (LMP)-1, p53 protein, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). RESULTS: EBERs were detected in 12 cases (10.1%) of 119 gastric adenocarcinomas. LMP-1 was negative in all carcinomas tested, p53 protein was positive in 7 cases (58.3%) of 12 EBVaGCs and in 51 (47.7%) of 107 non-EBVaGCs, the difference between two groups being not significant. Mean PCNA index was 38.2+-26.1% in EBVaGCs and 22.8 +- 20.0% in non-EBVaGCs. The index was significantly higher in the former than in the latter. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that neoplastic progression in EBVaGCs was implicated with high expression of PCNA, but not consistently with overexpression of p53 protein or LMP-1.

Transforming growth factor-beta1 protein, proliferation and apoptosis of oval cells in acetylaminofluorene-induced rat liver regeneration

Administering of 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) before a two-thirds partial hepatectomy (PHx) results in suppression of hepatocyte proliferation and stimulation of oval cell proliferation. The objectives of this study was to examine the oval cell behaviour and associated transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) protein expression by combining 2-AAF with selective hepatic damage caused by PHx. We also studied the temporal relationship between TGF-beta1 expression, and proliferation and apoptosis of oval cells. Oval cells emerged from the portal areas and became more numerous with time fanning out into the periportal and midzonal hepatic parenchyma. Both smooth muscle actin (SMA) and TGF-beta1 immunostain revealed that TGF-beta1-positive cells were SMA-positive hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Coinciding with the proliferation of oval cells, an increase expression of TGF-beta1 produced by SMA-positive HSCs was observed, thereafter apoptosis of oval cells reached its peak. This result implicated that TGF-beta1 produced by HSCs is intimately associated with proliferation and apoptosis of oval cells, and plays a role in the cessation of oval cell activation and remodeling of liver parenchyma in 2-AAF induced liver regeneration.

A Case of Type A Niemann-Pick Disease

Niemann-Pick disease is a storage disease characterized by accumulation of sphingomyelin and other lipids, mainly in the reticuloendothelial system. We experienced a case of type A Niemann-Pick disease in a 18-month-old male infant. He showed dyspnea, marked hepatosplenomegaly and developmental retardation. Fundoscopic examination revealed cherry red spots in both macula. Bone marrow aspirates showed characteristic foam cells. Autopsy finding revealed that liver, spleen, lung, lymph node and brain were involved. Reticular infiltration was shown on chest X-ray. We reported a case of type A Niemann-Pick disease with a brief review of the related literature.

Cytologic Features and Distribution of Primary Sites of Malignant Cells in Body Cavity Fluids / 대한세포병리학회지

The authors reviewed 167 malignant effusions from 110 patients, of which the primary site was established on the basis of either biopsy or surgical resection of the primary neoplasm. Main factors analysed were the distribution of primary organs and the cytohistologic correlation of body cavity effusions. The 167 fluid specimens from 110 patients consisted of 90 cases(53.9%) of pleural, 68(40.7%) of peritoneal, and 9(5.4%) of pericardial origins. Histologically they consisted of 82 cases(74.5%) of adenocarcinoma, 8(7.3%) of malignant lymphoma, 6(5.5%) of squamous cell carcinoma, and 3(2.7%) of small cell carcinoma. The most common site among the primary lesions was the stomach in 25 cases(22.7%) followed by the lung in 21 (19.1%), ovary in 17(15.5%), and breast in 7(6.4%). As for the distribution of primary tumors in adenocarcinoma, the most common site was lung in 16 cases (48.5%) in pleural fluid and stomach in 22(48.9%) in peritoneal fluid. In pericardial effusions, all 5 cases were from the lung. As a whole, the cytologic findings of malignant effusion were fairly representative of histologic characteristics of primary lesions. Thus, when the primary lesion is unknown, careful evaluation of effusion cytology is presumed to be a helpful tool for tracing the primary tumor.