Effects of mineral-rich salt intake on the serum and blood pressure of Dahl salt-sensitive rats / 동물의과학연구지

This study was conducted in order to determine the functionality of mineral-rich salt with lower NaCl and higher mineral contents on blood pressure and lipid metabolism in Dahl salt-sensitive rats. A 1% salt solution was administered to five-week-old male Dahl rats- one normal and three salt groups (Purified salt, sun-dried salt, and bamboo salt) for 15 weeks. On the basis of the salt production process, the sun-dried group was classified into two subgroups: SS1 (2-year) and SS2 (>5-year) depending on the storage period of the mineral-rich salt. The relationships between salt intake and changes in blood pressure, serum lipids, and serum mineral concentrations were then examined. The results showed that intake of SS2, which is stored for five years, and BS (bamboo salt) resulted in continuous delay of the increase in blood pressure and inhibited angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity. In addition, a significant decrease in the triglyceride level in serum lipids of approximately 30% was observed in the SS2 group compared to the PS (purified salt) group. However, all salt intake groups showed an increase in total cholesterol levels compared to the normal group. The results demonstrate that intake of mineral-rich salt is beneficial for the human body and results in reduced blood pressure and triglyceride levels in serum lipids, however, conduct of more research will be needed in order to explore other functions.

Poland's Syndrome: Report of a Case / 한국유방암학회지

Poland's syndrome is characterized by hypoplasia or absence of the breast of nipple, hypoplasia of subcutaneous tissue, absence of the costosternal portion of the pectoralis major muscle, absence of the pectoralis minor muscle, and absence of costal cartilage or ribs. The syndrome involves a spectrum of conditions ranging from simple absence of pectoralis major muscle and breast to the defects noted by Poland as well as brachysyndactyly, ectromelia. Furthermore, there have been reports of Poland's syndrome associated with malignancies such as leukemia, malignant lymphoma,(1) and leiomyosarcoma.(2) We have experienced a 22-year-old woman presenting with asymmetric breast and abnormal position of nipple and accessory breast suggested Poland's syndrome. Treatment consisted of tissue expansion of hypoplastic breast and free nipple graft and excision of accessory breast. The purpose of the study was to review the present knowledge of Poland's syndrome and literature.

Parathyroid Cyst

Parathyroid cysts are an uncommon cause of neck masses, which are rarely suspected before surgery. Although several theories of their origin have been proposed, none has been proven satisfactorily to the exclusion of the others. We experienced a 33-year-old euthyroid woman presenting with a mass on the jugular notch. She complained of throat discomfort. An ultrasound of the mass in the neek suggested a thyroglossal duct cyst. Treatment consisted of a neck exploration and the removal of a 4x3x3 cm cystic mass. The cystic mass contained a clear fluid with a high level of parathyroid hormones in excess of 11.4 ng/ml. The pathological diagnosis revealed a benign parathyroid cyst. This report reviews current knowledge of parathyroid cysts as well as the relevant literature.

Sarcomatoid Hepatocelluar Carcinoma

We recently experienced a case of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma. A 56 years old male was admitted complaining of several days of epigastric pain. Upon admission, the patient demonstrated a positive HCV Ab, and negative HBs Ag. Relevant laboratory findings included; AST 39 IU/L, ALT 29 IU/L, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) 3.2 ng/ml, and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) 4.5 ng/ml. With the clinical impression of hepatocellular carcinoma, CT (computerised tomography) angiography and hepatic angiography were performed and demonstrated a 5 cm sized round mass, with mild heterogenous enhancement on CT hepatic arteriography (CTHA) and a defect on CT arterial portography (CTAP) along with intense tumor staining on hepatic arteriography in the lateral segment of the left lobe. A segmental resection (S3 region) was done. The intraoperative findings revealed a bulging tumor with gall bladder and peritoneal invasion. Microscopically, the tumor was composed of pleomorphic spindle cells with prominent nucleoli and frequent mitosis, and it showed a sinusoidal infiltrative growth pattern at the tumor-non tumor boundary. The tumor cells reacted positively with cytokeratin, vimentin, fibrinogen and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and reacted negatively with cytokeratin19, cytokeratin7, cytokeratin20, CEA, AFP and CD34. The spindle-shaped tumor cells were considered to be sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma with a malignant fibrous histiocytoma-like area.

Diagnostic Efficacy of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology, Mammography, and Ultrasonography for a Palpable Breast Mass

PURPOSE: This study was done to determine the diagnostic efficacy of clinical examination, fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology, mammography, and ultrasonography in palpable breast mass. METHODS: We performed 248 FNA cytologies for a palpable breast mass, among which 106 cases were histologically examined during the period from Jan. 1994 to Dec. 1997 at the Department of Surgery, Chonbuk National University Hospital. Among the 106 patients, mammography was done for 96 patients, and ultrasono graphy for 73 patients. RESULTS: The main clinical symptom was a palpable mass in the breast at the time of visitation. Clinical diagnosis based on symptoms and physical examination had a sensitivity of 96.9% and a specificity of 57.5%. Based on a definite histologic diagnosis, the sensitivity of FNA cytology was 96.9%, its specificity was 91.7%, and its diagnostic accuracy 93.5%. 86.1% of the cytologically malignant cases proved to be malignant histologically, and 100% of the cytologically benign cases turned out histologically benign. Mammography had a sensitivity of 89.3%, a specificity of 84%, and a diagnostic accuracy of 86.8%. Ultrasonography showed a 93.5% sensitivity, a 51.4% specificity, and a 74.6% diagnostic accuracy. CONCLUSION: FNA cytology was a reliable and safe diagnostic method compared to physical examination, mammography, and ultrasonography. FNA cytology of a palpable breast mass should be the diagnostic procedure of choice for those patients classified clinically as probably benign or malignant.