Leptin as a Potential Target for Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: Leptin is a potent adipokine that plays a significant role in tumor development and the progression of breast cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether leptin affects the response to tamoxifen treatment in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer cells. METHODS: Leptin, leptin receptor (Ob-R), and activation of signaling pathways were studied by Western immunoblotting. The effects of leptin on tamoxifen-dependent growth inhibition were studied in MCF-7 and T-47D cells. RESULTS: Leptin was expressed in MCF-7 and T-47D and had a proliferative effect on MCF-7 cells. Leptin significantly inhibited the antiestrogenic effect of tamoxifen in both cells only under beta-estradiol (E2) (20 nM) conditions. In MCF-7, the inhibitory effect against tamoxifen was a result from the activation of the ERK1/2 and STAT3 signal transduction pathway. CONCLUSION: Leptin interferes with the effects of tamoxifen under E2 stimulated conditions in ER-positive breast cancer cells. These results imply that inhibition of leptin is expected to enhance the response to tamoxifen in ER-positive breast cancer cells, and, therefore, could be a promising way to overcome endocrine resistance.

Detection of Rib Fractures in Minor Chest Injuries: a Comparison between Ultrasonography and Radiography Performed on the Same Day

PURPOSE: We wished to compare the ability of ultrasonography and radiography performed on the same day to detect rib fractures in minor chest injuries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and fifteen patients with minor chest injuries were selected. Radiography and ultrasonography were performed on the same day with these patients. Chest wall pain was the only presenting symptom. Two radiologists performed ultrasonography. Fractures were identified by a disruption of the anterior margin of the rib and costal cartilage. The incidence and location of fractures and complications revealed by radiography and ultrasonography were compared. RESULTS: Radiographs revealed the presence of 70 rib fractures in 50 (23%) of 215 patients and ultrasonography revealed the presence of 203 rib fractures in 133 (62%) of 215 patients. Ultrasonography uniquely identified 133 rib fractures in 83 patients. Ultrasonography identified a 2.9 fold increase in the number of fractures in a 2.6 fold number of subjects as compared to radiography. Of the 203 sonographically detected fractures, 201 were located in the rib, one was located at the costochondral junction, and one in the costal cartilage. There were no complications seen by either radiography or ultrasonography. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography reveals more fractures than those that may be overlooked on radiography for minor chest injuries.

Suggestians for Improving the Residency Program in Emergency Medicine

No abstract available.

A Case of Appendiceal Stump Ulceration and Bleeding One Year after Appendectomy / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Postappendectomy bleeding is a rare and occasionally catastrophic phenomenon. Bleed-ing in the gastrointestinal tract may occur early or late. The cause of late bleeding included ulceration, vascular malformation or granuloma. We experienced a case of delayed appen-diceal stump ulceration and bleeding who underwent an appendectomy 1 year ago. The patient was admitted due to melena. A colonoscopy showed a well-circumscribed deep ulcer containing of silk suture material at the base of appendiceal stump. Biopsy revealed only granulation tissue with nonspecific inflammation. The silk was removed by biopsy forcep and sulfasalazine was tried. A repeat colonoscopy showed the complete ulcer heal-ing 3 months later. We report this case with a review of literatures.