What to do with troublesome hot flush? / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

Hot flush (hot flush or facial flush) is the most frequent symptom experienced by women of peri-menopausal age. It may appear on women or even men after surgery or chemotherapy. Hot flush is one of the biggest reason for women to undergo hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It also crucially affects various aspects of life quality such as occupation, social life, daily routine and health awareness. The most effective and fundamental remedy for hot flush is HRT. However, a few women is not responsive to HRT and investigation to elucidate other causes of hot flush is warranted, especially in elderly. The contraindications such as breast cancer mandates other modality of treatment. Variety of treatment for hot flush other than HRT will be discussed herein.

Oxidative stress and endometriosis / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent chronic inflammatory condition that affects women in their reproductive period and is associated with pelvic pain and infertility. Oxidative stress (OS) occurs when reactive oxygen stress (ROS) and anti-oxidants are in imbalance. OS is a potential factor involved in the pathophysiology of endometriosis. Iron-induced ROS may trigger a chain of events resulting in the development and progression of endometriosis. Endogenous ROS are correlated with increased cellular proliferation and ERK1/2 activation in human endometriotic cells. An oxidative environment leads to stimulation of the ERK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways that facilitate endometriotic lesion progression through adhesion, angiogenesis, and proliferation. OS is also known to be involved in epigenetic mechanisms in endometriosis. We summarize the recent knowledge in our understanding of the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.

Avoidance Behavior against Positive Allergens Detected with a Multiple Allergen Simultaneous Test Immunoblot Assay in Patients with Urticaria: Factors Associated with Avoidance Success/Failure

BACKGROUND: Avoidance behavior against positive allergens detected by using multiple allergen simultaneous test (MAST)-immunoblot assay in patients with urticaria has been rarely reported. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the avoidance behavior of patients with urticaria against positive allergens detected with a MAST. METHODS: One hundred and one urticaria patients who showed positivity to at least one allergen on a MAST completed a questionnaire regarding their test results. The avoidance behavior of the patients was evaluated, and relevant determining factors of avoidance success/failure were statistically assessed. RESULTS: We detected 144 different data (n=51, food allergens; n=17, pollen allergens; and n=76, aeroallergens) from 101 patients with urticaria. The avoidance failure rates were 33.3% for food allergens, 70.6% for pollen allergens, and 30.3% for aeroallergens. The pollen group showed a significantly higher avoidance failure rate than the food and aeroallergen groups (p<0.05). The patients with higher educational levels or more severe urticaria tended to successfully avoid allergens (p<0.05). The monthly household income level and patients' reliability to the test showed borderline correlations (p=0.057 and p=0.075, respectively). CONCLUSION: We believe that the results of this study could be helpful in predicting avoidance success or failure against allergens in patients with urticaria when clinicians conduct allergen-specific immunoglobulin E tests.

The Role of Vitamin D in Menopausal Medicine / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

Menopause is the time at which menstruation stops in women. After menopause, women are more susceptible to some diseases, especially osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. Vitamin D has a protective effect against osteoporosis by facilitating the absorption of calcium and affecting parathyroid hormone. Vitamin D also affects cardiovascular function by lowering the blood pressure, which affects the renin–angiotensin system and alters the low-density lipoprotein receptor activity. This paper discusses supplemental vitamin D in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.

Uterine cancer and ezrin expression / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

Today, almost 20% of female cancers are gynecological in nature. In particular, uterine cervical cancer and endometrial cancer (which have been intensively studied) seriously compromise female health. One of the ezrin-radixin-moesin (ERM) proteins, ezrin, has been associated with cancer in prior studies, including the two cancers mentioned above. Ezrin expression increases, as does the expression of other factors, in uterine cervical cancer; ezrin may promote cancer development by influencing the actions of the other factors. Also, an increase in ezrin level contributes to the development of diseases such as endometrial cancer.

Ovarian Cavernous Hemangioma Presenting as a Large Growing Mass in a Postmenopausal Woman: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Ovarian hemangiomas are usually of the cavernous type, and are rarely encountered. A 73-year-old woman presented with lower abdominal discomfort. Subsequent physical examination depicted a palpable mass in the lower abdomen. Abdominopelvic computed tomography (CT) revealed a well-circumscribed mass with thin septa measuring 12.1 x 9.0 cm in the right ovary. Levels of the tumor markers cancer antigen (CA)-125 and CA 19-9 were within the normal range. At laparoscopy, the tumor was found to be confined to the right ovary and to have a smooth surface. The final histopathological result was ovarian cavernous hemangioma. Microscopically, the mass consisted of multiple, dilated, blood-filled vascular channels separated by loose connective tissue, and all were lined by a single layer of flattened endothelium. The authors present a case of ovarian cavernous hemangioma presenting as a large growing mass in a postmenopausal woman and review previously published literature.

Effect of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) on Breast Cancer Cells / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

Today, many materials as drug are developed having various prominent function in order to treatment of disease or cancer. Among these materials, especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), main constituents of omega-3 fatty acid, has a lot of beneficial and natural effects, so it has been known as anticancer material especially breast cancer. Breast cancer is disease taking high occurrence level among feminine diseases. DHA has anticancer effects on breast cancer cell, representatively inducing apoptosis, inhibiting proliferation or metastasis. Main effect of DHA on breast cancer cell is apoptosis inducing, which has mechanism that treated DHA causes lipid peroxidation increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and it activates caspase 8 and caspase 9 so activated caspase occurs apoptosis. Cell lines of breast cancer are MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, SK-BR-3, T47D and ZR75. Especially this article uses the MCF-7 cell line at experiment of anti-proliferation by DHA, the MDA-MB-231 cell line at experiment of anti-metastasis by DHA, because that cell line has specialized metastasis activity. Therefore, this paper discusses the effects of natural material DHA as drug of breast cancer.

Effect of Glucagon-like Peptide-1 on the Differentiation of Adipose-derived Stem Cells into Osteoblasts and Adipocytes

OBJECTIVES: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an intestinally secreted hormone and it plays an important role in the regulation of glucose homeostasis. However, the possible role of GLP-1 in the differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) remains unknown. Therefore this study investigated the effect of GLP-1 on the differentiation of ADSCs into osteoblasts and adipocytes. METHODS: ADSCs were isolated from human adipose tissues of the abdomens, cultured and characterized by flow cytometry and multi-lineage potential assay. ADSCs were induced in osteogenic and adipogenic media treated with two different doses (10 and 100 nM) of GLP-1, and then the effect of GLP-1 on differentiation of ADSCs into osteoblast and adipocyte was examined. The signaling pathway involved in these processes was also examined. RESULTS: Isolated human ADSCs expressed mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) specific markers as well as GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) proteins. They also showed multiple-lineage potential of MSC. GLP-1 was upregulated the activity and mRNA expression of osteoblast-specific marker, alkaline phosphatase and the mineralization of calcium. In contrast, GLP-1 significantly suppressed the expression of adipocyte-specific markers, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma), lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and adipocyte protein 2 (AP2). This decreased expression of adipocyte specific markers caused by GLP-1 was significantly reversed by the treatment of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor, PD98059 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This result demonstrates that GLP-1 stimulates osteoblast differentiation in ADSCs, whereas it inhibits adipocyte differentiation. The ERK signaling pathway seems to be involved in these differentiation processes mediated by GLP-1.

A Case of Spitzoid Melanoma

Spitzoid melanoma is a subtype of melanoma that, clinically and histologically, resembles a Spitz nevus. Clinically, spitzoid melanomas usually evolve from amelanotic nodular lesions, growing to 1 cm or more in diameter. They often remain clinically undiagnosed because of their wide variety of clinical appearances and a lack of pigmentation. Distinguishing a Spitz nevus from a spitzoid melanoma can be extremely difficult. Features that favor the diagnosis of a spitzoid melanoma are asymmetrical shape, diameter greater than 1 cm, a lesion with a deep invasive component, and a high degree of cytologic atypia. There have been only rare reports in the literature of the presence of giant cells in malignant melanoma, and the presence of these cells may result in its misdiagnosis as a histiocytic tumor. We present a case of spitzoid melanoma on the right ankle of a 22-year-old-woman.

Do endometrial movements affect the achievement of pregnancy during intrauterine insemination?

This study was aimed to assess the effect of endometrial movements on pregnancy achievement in intrauterine insemination [IUI] cycles. The population of this observational study was composed of unexplained infertility couples undergoing first-time IUI with clomiphene citrate between September 2010 and October 2011. Not only endometrial movements, but also thickness, volume, pattern, and echogenic change of endometrium were analyzed prospectively in prediction of pregnancy. The total number of 241 cycles of IUI with 49 intrauterine pregnancies [20.3%] was analyzed. Pregnancy was not related to endometrial thickness and endometrial volume, but significantly related to endometrial movements associated with the number of contraction, strong movement, cervicofundal direction, and hyperechoic change [p<0.05]. Pregnant group showed higher cervicofundal movement rate [89.8 vs. 75.5%]. For IUI cycles stimulated by clomiphene citrate in unexplained infertility women, endometrial movements on the day of IUI could be a predictor of pregnancy

Three Cases of Lichen Nitidus Associated with Various Cutaneous Diseases

Lichen nitidus (LN) is an uncommon, usually asymptomatic cutaneous eruption characterized by the presence of multiple, small, flesh-colored papules. The epidemiologic and pathophysiologic characteristics of LN have not yet been defined. Furthermore, LN has rarely been described in association with other cutaneous diseases. We herein report 3 cases of LN associated with various cutaneous diseases, including lichen striatus, oral lichen planus, and psoriasis vulgaris.

Effect on Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Invasive Cervical Cancer Patients with Radical Operation and CCRT / 대한골다공증학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effect on bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal invasive cervical cancer patients treated with radical operation and concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). METHODS: We analyzed the BMD of spinal bone and the femur in 48 invasive cervical cancer patients treated with CCRT after radical operation. All BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. For comparison with control women, 96 patients without gynecological disease whose age and body mass index are consistent with the case group were selected. The measurement interval was 1 year. All of the patients and control women had reached their menopause. RESULTS: Age, height, body weight and body mass index were not significantly different between the two groups. The serum levels of calcium and phosphate were not significantly different between the patients with cervical cancer and control women before and after treatment. On the other hands, the concentrations of total alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin of patients with invasive cervical cancer were significantly lower (P<0.05) than those of control women after treatment. BMD showed inconsistent outcomes, but there is a trend of decrease after operation and CCRT in invasive cervical cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that invasive cervical cancer patients treated with radical operation and CCRT have a lower BMD, resulting in an increased risk of osteoporosis.

A Retrospective Study of Bone Mineral Density in Patients with Endometrial Cancer without Bone Metastases / 대한골다공증학회지

OBJECTIVES: This retrospective study evaluated bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal endometrial cancer patients without bone metastases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the BMD of spinal bone and the femur in 26 endometrial cancer patients and 32 control women. All of the patients and control women had reached their menopause. The control group was treated with benign uterine myoma whose age and body mass index are consistent with the case group. All BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Primary extraskeletal mesenchymal chondrosarcoma of the vulva

Extraskeletal chondrosarcoma is rare, making up only 1% of reported chondrosarcoma. We experienced 3 cases of extraskeletal chondrosarcoma, especially in vulva. They were suspected as lipoma of the vulva. The patients had noticed a small but growing mass on their vulva which had been palpated earlier. The masses were excised with a 2 cm resection margin. The final pathological reports confirmed extraskeletal mesenchymal chondrosarcoma (EMC) of the vulva revealing no microscopic lesions on the resection margins. After 24 months of following from the initial diagnosis, the patients remain without evidence of any recurrent. Management of EMC is not well studied due to the rare and variable nature of the disease. However, the surgery, such as we had, is the mainstay of local treatment with studies showing better survival in patients who undergo wide surgical resection. The establishment of adjuvant systemic pharmacotherapy could be expected in the future.

Synchronous occurrence of primary malignant mixed mullerian tumor in ovary and uterus

Malignant mixed mullerian tumor (MMMT) arising from female internal genitalia is rare with the uterine corpus being the most prevalently affected site. It is even more rare when it occurs on both uterus and ovary at the same time. We describe a case of synchronized occurrence of MMMT on ovary and uterine adenosarcoma with review of literature.

Comparative Study of an Ondansetron and a Ramosetron an Aprepitant in the Control of Nausea and Vomiting in Gynecologinc Cancer Patient with Chemotherapy / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

OBJECTIVES: Chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting is most distressing adversed effects in gynecologic cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. we compared effectiveness of ondansetron and ramosetron and aprepitant for optimal antiemetic treatment in gynecologic cancer patient receiving chemotherapy. METHODS: The study was performed retrospective on 189 patients who was diagnosed initially the gynecological cancer during chemotherapy at Kosin university hospital between January 2008 and December 2010. The efficacy of controlling acute/delayed nausea and vomiting were analyzed by counting numbers of nausea and vomiting reported in medical records of 189 patient receiving cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Statistical analysis was performed using the ANOVA and Fisher's exact chi-square test. RESULTS: The efficacy of controlling nausea with an ondansetron regimen and a ramosetron regimen and an aprepitant regimen was 85.29%, 78.26%, 80% in acute periods (P-value = 0.037) and 88.23%, 98.26%, 87.5% in delayed periods (P-value = 0.000), respectively. The efficacy of controlling vomiting with an ondansetron regimen and a ramosetron regimen and an aprepitant regimen and an ondansetron regimen was 82.35%, 97.3%, 90% in acute periods (P-value=0.002) and 82.35%, 100%, 95% in delayed periods (P-value = 0.000), respectively. The common adverse effects in each groups were not significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Appropriate to each patient's symptoms, the choice of drugs will be needed since each of the drugs have different effects on vomiting. Even though the each antiemetic drug has good efficacy, the effect of the drug is not complete. Therefore the use of additional drugs are also needed.

Usefulness of Melasma Quality of Life Scale (MELASQOL) When Evaluating the Quality of Life in Korean Melasma Patients / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Melasma has been shown to have a significant emotional and psychological effect on affected patients. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of the Melasma Quality of Life Scale (MELASQOL) as compared to Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). METHODS: A total of 74 female patients of melasma were asked to complete a questionnaire of MELASQOL, DLQI, and additional demographic data. The degree of melasma was determined on the basis of clinical photos by the investigator using the Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI). RESULTS: The mean age of these patients was 46.3+/-8.5 years. The mean MELASQOL score was 39.8+/-16.03 and the mean DLQI score 6.7+/-4.41. The MASI and MELASQOL scores showed statistically significant correlations (p0.05, Pearson correlation=0.129). Also, multiple linear regression model shows that the correlation of MASI and MELASQOL (standardized coefficient=0.367, p0.05). CONCLUSION: We suggest that the MELASQOL could be more relevant and useful than DLQI when evaluating the quality of life for melasma patients. It is presumed that the MELASQOL might be helpful in guiding the patient to appropriate treatment methods and in tracking patient's satisfaction levels.

Association between Serum Homocysteine Concentrations and Bone Mineral Density in Middle Aged Women / 대한폐경학회지

OBJECTIVES: Hyperhomocysteinemia is known to be related with the early onset of osteoporosis. This study was to examine the association between serem homocysteine levels and bone mineral density (BMD) in middle aged women. METHODS: The study included 409 women who underwent bone density tests in the health screening centers from January 2009 to october 2010. Serum homocysteine levels and BMD were measured. RESULTS: Postmenopause group (n = 109) showed significantly lower BMD score in lumbar spine and femoral neck and significantly higher serum homocysteine concentration compared to premenopause group (n = 300). However, after adjusting for age, body mass index, and the menopausal condition in total 409 women, there were no significant correlations between serum homocysteine levels and BMD. CONCLUSION: Measurement of serum homocysteine levels may not be useful, but adjunctive for the risk assessment of osteoporosis in middle aged women.

Nutritional Treatment: New Strategy for Management of Chronic Pelvic Pain / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

Chronic pelvic pain is a common condition in women of reproductive age and can be described as chronic nociceptive, inflammatory and neuropathic pain characterized by spontaneous pain or a response to various stimuli. Oxidative stress is a component of the inflammatory reaction associated with pain processes. Iron and NF-kappaB are well-known inducers of oxidative stress, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are associated with chronic pelvic pain and play an important role in the regulation of genes expressing immunoregulators, cytokines, and other molecules. Chronic pelvic pain treatment is often unsatisfactory and limited to symptom control. However, dietary treatment with antioxidants can improve the function of the immune system and overcome free radical damage. Therefore, dietary supplementation is suggested as a means to treat some chronic medical conditions that respond poorly to medication. In summary, dietary treatment with antioxidants could be considered for new strategy for treatment of chronic pelvic pain and may be better tolerated by patients than current treatments.

The Association Between Serum GGT Level and Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify the relationship between serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women. METHODS: We evaluated 200 postmenopausal women who were visiting a health promotion center at a university hospital from January 2009 to December 2011. Their current medical diseases and medication history were collected through medical records. Basic physical examinations and laboratory tests were performed on all subjects. RESULTS: The levels of serum GGT within their normal range were positively correlated with waist circumference (P = 0.01), triglycerides (P <0.001), alkaline phosphatase (P = 0.009), and uric acid (P = 0.01). The serum GGT within their normal range were negatively associated with the femur neck BMD (P = 0.002). In adjusted analysis including age and body mass index, the BMD of the femur neck was more strongly associated with a high-normal serum GGT level among the postmenopausal women as compared with those with a low-normal serum GGT level (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Serum GGT within its normal range is negatively correlated with the BMD in the femur neck among postmenopausal women. It can be useful for selecting a group that is at high risk for the bone fracture regardless of the underlying mechanism.