Aurora Kinase A Is a Prognostic Marker in Colorectal Adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND: Aurora kinase A (AURKA), or STK15/BTAK, is a member of the serine/threonine kinase family and plays important roles in mitosis and chromosome stability. This study investigated the clinical significance of AURKA expression in colorectal cancer patients in Korea. METHODS: AURKA protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 151 patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma using tissue microarray blocks. We analyzed the relationship between clinicopathological characteristics and AURKA expression. In addition, the prognostic significance of various clinicopathological data for progression-free survival (PFS) was assessed. Also we evaluated copy number variations by array comparative genomic hybridization and AURKA gene amplification using fluorescence in situ hybridization in colorectal carcinoma tissues. RESULTS: AURKA gene amplification was found more frequently in the 20q13.2–13.33 gain-positive group than the group with no significant gain on the AURKA-containing locus. AURKA protein expression was detected in 45% of the cases (68/151). Positive staining for AURKA was observed more often in male patients (p = .035) and distally located tumors (p = .021). PFS was shorter in patients with AURKA expression compared to those with low-level AURKA expression (p < .001). Univariate analysis revealed that AURKA expression (p = .001), age (p = .034), lymphatic invasion (p = .001), perineural invasion (p = .002), and TNM stage (p = .013) significantly affected PFS. In a multivariate analysis of PFS, a Cox proportional hazard model confirmed that AURKA expression was an independent and significant prognostic factor in colorectal adenocarcinoma (hazard ratio, 3.944; p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: AURKA could serve as an independent factor to predict a poor prognosis in Korean colorectal adenocarcinoma patients.

Type and Incidence of Soft Tissue Sarcomas in Korea: 2001-2007

BACKGROUND: The Korean Bone and Soft Tissue Pathology Study Group of the Korean Society of Pathologists conducted a nationwide retrospective analysis of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) to provide the clinicopathologic characteristics of STS within the population of the Republic of Korea. METHODS: The cases of STS were collected during a 7-year period (2001-2007) from 19 institutes in Korea. All cases were classified according to the histologic criteria proposed by the World Health Organization. Clinicopathologic data were reviewed. RESULTS: Data from 722 patients (median age, 50 years) were collected. Data showed a slight male predominance. The most frequent types of STS in decreasing order were liposarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, leiomyosarcoma, and synovial sarcoma. STS occurred throughout the body, although approximately half (47.8%) were located in the extremities. The majority of STS was histologically classified as high grade with a large tumor size (>5 cm). The overall survival rate for the patients was 76.3% (median follow-up time, 26 months; range, 1 to 89 months). Histologic grade, tumor size, American Joint Committee on Cancer stage, tumor site, and resection status were prognostic. Significant independent adverse prognostic factors were large tumor size (>5 cm) and tumor site other than extremities. CONCLUSIONS: We reported the distribution and characteristics of STS in the Republic of Korea.

The hypermethylation of E-cadherin gene in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Loss of E-cadherin (E-cad) expression has been found in multiple cancers and is postulated to facilitate tumor cell dissociation and metastais. Promotor methylation may provides an alternative pathway for loss of gene function. This study evaluated the role of hypermethylation in the down-regulation of E-cad in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). We examined the E-cad expression by immunohistochemical staining and detected methylation status by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) in 20 OSCC tissues. Overally, 12 (60 %) cases of hypermethylation of E-cad were detected and we found there were no correlation between methylation and age, histologic grade, lympn node metastasis, tumor size and clinical stage. However, Eleven (73.3 %) of 15 samples which was negative for E-cad staining showed hypermethylation of E-cad promotor region. On the other hand, only one (20 %) of 5 E-cad positive sample was observed with methylated status. The underexpression of E-cad was found to be related to promotor hypermethylation (p=0.035). In conclusion, we suggest that hypermethylation play a role in inactivation of E-cad gene and may be a appreciable biomarker for diagnosis and treatment of OSCC.

The hypermethylation of E-cadherin gene in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Loss of E-cadherin (E-cad) expression has been found in multiple cancers and is postulated to facilitate tumor cell dissociation and metastais. Promotor methylation may provides an alternative pathway for loss of gene function. This study evaluated the role of hypermethylation in the down-regulation of E-cad in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). We examined the E-cad expression by immunohistochemical staining and detected methylation status by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) in 20 OSCC tissues. Overally, 12 (60 %) cases of hypermethylation of E-cad were detected and we found there were no correlation between methylation and age, histologic grade, lympn node metastasis, tumor size and clinical stage. However, Eleven (73.3 %) of 15 samples which was negative for E-cad staining showed hypermethylation of E-cad promotor region. On the other hand, only one (20 %) of 5 E-cad positive sample was observed with methylated status. The underexpression of E-cad was found to be related to promotor hypermethylation (p=0.035). In conclusion, we suggest that hypermethylation play a role in inactivation of E-cad gene and may be a appreciable biomarker for diagnosis and treatment of OSCC.

Expression of e-cadherin and beta-catenin in relation to clinicopathologic features in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Expression of e-cadherin with correlation to clinicopathologic parameters in oral squamous cell carcinoma

It becomes more concerned that the cell adhesion molecule plays an important role in the process of malignant transformation and tumor behaviors including invasive growth and metastasis. It is postulated if the expression of adhesion molecule is reduced in tumor tissue, the tumor cell will be undifferentiated and lose their cell adhesion ability and polarity. So the tumor cells lost the adhesion of cell to cell and to basement membrane that they became more aggressive. Reduced cadherin expression enhances invasiveness through infiltrative growth and metastasis of tumor cells is well known and mostly accepted in many epithelia tumors. We explored the expression of E-cadherin by immunohistochemical staining in 50 oral squamous cell carcinomas and investigated the correlation between the expression of E-cadherin and clinicopathologic parameters and prognosis. The expression of E-cadherin was reduced in 40/50(80%) of primary tumors, and 21/22(95.5%) of lymph nodes. The reduced expression of the E-cadherin was associated with lymph node metastasis(P=0.029), invasive mode(P=0.030) and marginal status(P=0.038). Survival analysis showed that predictive period of E-cadherin reduced group(37 months) was lower than that of E-cadherin preserved group(60 months), but there was no statistical significant difference.

The effect of BCG treatment on the remodelling in the House Dust Mite-induced allergic asthma in mice / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Airway remodelling has been linked to the development of airway hyperresponsiveness. However, current treatments have little control the airway remodelling in asthmatic patients. Recently BCG immunization induce immunomodulation that was attributed to the ability of helper T cell type 1 (TH1) immune response. In order to investigate the effect of BCG on the remodelling in the Houst Dust Mite (HDM) induced allergic asthma in mice, we observed the change of airway remodelling, allergic inflammatory responses and airway hyperresponsiveness in the asthmatic mice on going allergic responses after BCG via subcutaneous injection. METHODS: 4-6-week-old female BALB/c mice were divided into three groups; mice in BCG group received 2 X 10(4) colony-forming units/100 micro L of BCG subcutaneously on days 14, 21 and 28, whereas mice in asthma group received phosphate buffer saline (PBS). Subsequently, mice in asthma and BCG groups were immunization and intranasal challenge with HDM for 9 weeks. On days 60, 61 and 62, two groups received an intranasal dose of 10 micro gram HDM and then enhanced pause was monitored. The mice were examined for the extent of the goblet cell hyperplasia, the thickness of subepithelial fibrosis and peribronchial smooth muscle. Analyses of immunoglobuline E (IgE) response, HDM- specific IgG1 and IgG2a responses in serum, cytokine pattern and eosinophilia in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were carried out. RESULTS: Control group did not show goblet cell hyperplasia, but asthma group showed a significant increase in the extent of goblet cell hyperplasia. There was a significant increase in the thickness of subepithelial fibrosis and peribronchial smooth muscle in the asthma group in comparing with the control group (p<0.01). Comparison of BCG and asthma groups showed statistically significant differences in goblet cell numbers, thickness of peribronchial smooth muscle (p<0.01). BCG group were most significantly protected from airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine, BAL eosinophilia (p<0.01), BAL fluid IL-4 levels (p<0.01), serum total IgE (p<0.01) and HDM-specific IgG1 (p<0.01). No changes were observed IL-10, IL-13, interferon-gamma and Transforming growth factor-beta levels in the BAL fluid and the thickness of subepithelial fibrosis. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that BCG could be effective in the treatment of the chronic changes of airways due to asthma and associated with the induction of TH1 immune response.

Superficial Thrombophlebitis of the Dorsal Vein of the Penis (Penile Mondor's Disease) / 대한비뇨기과학회지

Herein, two cases of penile Mondor's disease are described. The first was a 45-year-old man who complained of a small subcutaneous induration, with localized discomfort at the distal rim of the coronal sulcus of the penis. The other was a 46-year-old man who complained of similar symptoms of penile induration. The lesions were surgically removed under local anesthesia, and found to be thromboses of the penile superficial dorsal vein. As a result, the diagnoses of Mondor's disease of the penis were confirmed.

Expression of CD44, MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in tongue squmous cell carcinoma

A Case of Multiple Eccrine Spiradenoma associated with Multiple Trichoepithelioma / 대한피부과학회지

Eccrine spiradenoma is a benign adnexal tumor which is differentiated into the direction of eccrine gland. Occasionally, eccrine spiradenoma is associated with other skin tumors, especially cylindroma or trichoepithelioma. A 55-year-old woman with multiple trichoepithelioma on the face presented with paroxysmally painful three papules on the face and the right arm for 5 months. On low magnification, the tumor was a sharply demarcated lobule surrounded by a fibrous capsule in the dermis. On higher magnification, the lobule is composed of basophilic cells arranged in characteristic small rosettes, two cell types of which are large central cells of pale nuclei and small peripheral cells of dark nuclei. We, herein, report an unusual case of multiple eccrine spiradenoma associated with multiple trichoepithelioma.

The Expression Of Mmp-2, Mmp-3, Mmp-10, Mmp-13 In Squamous Cell Carcinoma Of The Tongue

Matrix metalloproteinase(MMP) is the proteolytic enzyme of the extracellular matrix. MMPs play a role in the invasion and metastasis of malignant tumor, but it is not known whether the expression of MMPs in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue is related to the prognostic factors of this tumor. In this study, 32 paraffin-embedded tumor specimens were examined immunohistochemically using monoclonal antibodies of MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-10 and MMP-13. The possible relationships between the expressions of the MMPs and TNM staging, the differentiation of tumor cells, size of tumor mass and lymph node metastasis were anlaysed statistically. The results were as follows. 1. The expression of MMP-2 increased according to TNM staging (P < 0.05) and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05) and the expression of MMP-2 was not affected by the differentiation of tumor cells or tumor size. 2. The expression of MMP-3 increased with increasing tumor size (P < 0.05). However it was not related to TNM staging, the differentiation of tumor cells or lymph node metastasis. 3. The expression of MMP-10 was unrelated to TNM staging, differentiation of tumor cells, lymph node metastasis or tumor size. 4. The expression of MMP-13 increased as tumor size increased (P < 0.05). However it was not related to TNM staging, the differentiation of tumor cells or lymph node metastasis. We concluded that the expression patterns of MMP-2, MMP-3, and MMP-13 may play a role in the diagnosis, treatment plan and prognostic evaluation of malignant tumors of the tongue.

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Pulmonary Hamartoma: A Report of Two Cases / 대한세포병리학회지

Pulmonary hamartoma is an uncommon benign tumor consisting of a mixture of loose fibromyxoid tissue, cartilage, fat, and cleft-like spaces lined by cuboidal or ciliated epithelium. Cytologically, the presence of a mesenchymal component is essential for the diagnosis of pulmonary hamartoma. We report the fine needle aspiration cytologic findings of two cases of pulmonary hamartoma. Case 1 was a 71-year-old woman with a mass, measuring 1.8X1.5 cm in the upper lobe of the right lung. Case 2 was a 51-year-old woman with a mass, measuring 2.3 x 2.0 cm in the lower lobe of the right lung. Fine needle aspiration cytology of both pulmonary masses revealed several sheets of loose fibromyxoid tissue fragments with focal cartilaginous differentiation and a few clusters of bland cuboidal epithelial cells on the bloody background. The diagnosis was histologically confirmed by needle biopsy.

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Solid Type Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of Buccal Mucosa: A Case Report / 대한세포병리학회지

Adenoid cystic carcinoma constitutes 4 percent of all benign and malignant epithelial salivary gland tumors and is a highly malignant tumor of the salivary glands. The cytologic presentation in aspirates is usually characteristic with spherical clusters(balls) of small tumor cells filled with hyaline material. But in case of the poorly differentiated variety(solid type), it is difficult to differentiate from other tumors because sheets of small, fairly monotonous malignant cells, with somewhat larger and more conspicuous nuclei are only seen. The cytologic findings of fine needle aspiration of solid type adenoid cystic carcinoma of buccal mucosa in a 51-year-old man are presented. On cytologic findings, solid sheets of monotonous tumor cells with focal necrosis was noted on a hemorrhagic background and the characteristic cytologic features of adenoid cystic carcinoma was absent.

Tissue Adhesive Vasal Anastomosis Compared to Conventional Sutured and Contact Neodymium: Yttrium Aluminum Garnet(Nd:YAG) Laser Vasovasostomy in Rats / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: Conventional suture anastomosis using fine non-absorbable suture material is the most commonly used vasovasostomy procedure. But it needs experienced microsurgical skills and prolonged operative time and sometimes it causes local injury to the vas to prevent healing of anastomosis. Recent advances of tissue-welding laser technology in vasovasostomy have resulted in reduced requirement of microsurgical skills, less trauma of anastomotic site and less operative time. Its pitfalls are, however, the difficulty in transfering equal laser energy to anastomotic site and weakness in tensile strength of anastomosis. We conducted this study to determine whether a tissue adhesive which is widely used in clinical field recently could solve the problems of the conventional suture anastomosis and laser technology as mentioned above. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 42 male Sprague-Dawley rats initially underwent midline scrotal exploration and transection of their vas deferens bilaterally followed by immediate microsurgical vasovasostomy by one of the three experimental methods. All groups initially had the vas ends coapted by two full layered sutured sutures of 10-0 nylon under an operating microscope. The conventionally sutured group had an additional four to six 10-0 nylon sutures. The Nd:YAG laser-assisted group underwent laser welding with denaturation of the serosa to seal the anastomosis. A fibrin glue was placed topically over the coapted vas ends in tissue adhesive group. RESULTS: 1. There were statistically significant differences in operative time among the conventionally sutured (31.5 minutes) group, the laser-assisted (19.4 minutes) group and the tissue adhesive group (14.4 minutes)(p0.05). 3. The patency degree of the vas, measured by the flow rate of saline, was 1.40 ml/min, 1.76 ml/min, and 2.17 ml/min respectively in the conventionally sutured group, the laser-assisted group and the tissue adhesive group and there was statistically significant difference between the conventionally sutured group and the tissue adhesive group(p<0.05). 4. The tensile strength of the anastomosed vas was 112.9 g, 100.2 g, and 124.8 g respectly in the conventionally sutured group, the laser-assisted group and the tissue adhesive group and there was statistically significant difference between the laser-assisted group and the tissue adhesive group(p<0.05). 5. Histological findings showed relatively thick fibrotic scar on the anastomotic plain of the conventional suture group and limited scar formation on that of the laser-assisted group and the tissue adhesive group. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that vasovasostomy using fibrin glue tissue adhesive does not need expert microsurgical skill, requires less operative time and would give more favorable postoperative results than conventionally sutured or laser-assisted vasovasostomy.

Expression of bcl-2 Protein in Gastric Adenoma and Adenocarcinoma

The bcl-2 oncoprotein confers a survival advantage to cells by blocking programmed cell death. Overexpression of bcl-2 probably plays a role in tumorigenesis, and the expression of the bcl-2 protein has been investigated in many kinds of tumors. However, there have been only a few reports on expression of bcl-2 in human gastric adenocarcinoma. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the expression of bcl-2 protein and several clinical and pathological parameters such as age, tumor site, size, histological type, depth of invasion, Lauren's classification, and grade. Immunohistochemical staining using monoclonal bcl-2 protein antibody, clone 124, was performed on paraffin embedded specimens from 23 gastric adenomas and from 45 gastric adenocarcinomas. The results are as follows. 1. Variable intensity of epithelial staining was noted from case to case, although the lymphocytic component showed similar intensity in all examples. The staining was located at the gland and mucous neck region of non-neoplastic epithelium. 2. The more differentiated type of gastric adenocarcinoma showed the higher expression rate and intensity. 3. The relationship between the expression rates of bcl-2 protein and tumor grade (adenoma early gastric adenocarcinoma advanced gastric adenocarcinoma) was statistically significant. The reactivity in adenoma was somewhat stronger with a uniform pattern, while in adenocarcinoma it was much weaker with a heterogenous pattern. 4. Intestinal type carcinomas by Lauren's criteria showed a higher expression rate and intensity than diffuse type. These results suggest that the bcl-2 expression would be found in the early phase of gastric tumorigenesis, and the expression rate and intensity would decrease according to the tumor progression.

Pulmonary Pseudallescheriasis: A case report and Histopathologic Comparision with Pulmonary Aspergillosis

Infection by pseudallescheria boydii is an occasional cause of mycetoma, corneal ulcers, endophthalitis, sinusitis, pneumonia, endocarditis, meningitis, arthritis, and osteomyelitis. But, it also causes serious disseminated or localized infection in immunocompromised patients. We report a case of pulmonary pseudallescheriasis developed in a 32-year-old man who has been a sofa manufacturer for several years. He presented with a cystic mass in the lung, 5cm in the largest dimension. Dark green necrotic material was evacuated from the cavity. Microscopically, the cystic wall and adjacent lung parenchyme were infiltrated by histiocytes rather than eosinophils and there was little fibrosis in the wall. The P. boydii was isolated from the cystic contents, which revealed white floccose colonies in Sabouraud dextrose agar and revealed single or multiple-celled oval conidia being produced on short hyalinated hyphae and on the elongated annellides in the slide culture. The differential findings with aspergillosis are discussed.

Desmoplastic Trichoepithelioma: A case report

Desmoplastic trichoepithelioma is a solitary tumor of the hair follicle with female preponderance, most commonly located on the face. Clinically, the lesions appear annular and firm with a raised border and a depressed nonulcerated center, but the appearance is not so distinctive to hair follicle tumors that definite diagnosis is established by the histopathologic findings. We report a case of desmoplastic trichoepithelioma in a 67-year-old woman who had an asymptomatic, hard, annular lesion measuring 0.8 cm in diameter, with a raised border and a depressed center on the right cheek. Histopathologic findings showed narrow strands of basaloid cells, horny cysts, and desmoplastic stroma, with the features corresponding to the desmoplastic trichoepithelioma.

Congenital Intracranial Teratoma with Extension into Oral Cavity: An autopsy case

Intracranial teratomas which were first described by Maier in 1861 are uncommon. Those presenting at birth are very rare and in our knowledge no case has been reported in Korea. In November, 1988, we experience a case of congenital intracrainal teratoma which replaced almost all cerebral tissue, filled out the oral cavity, and was protruded from the mouth. A female fetus was artificially delivered by a 25-year-old primigravida at 22 weeks of gestation, because of marked hydramnios and fetal hydrocephalus which were detected by prenatal ultrasonography. Microscopically, tissues from all three germ layers, including a lot of neuroepithelim and primitive mesenchymal tissue, were shown. A brief review of the literature was done.