Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-C in Breast Carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) is a novel growth factor that regulates lymphangiogenesis and/or angiogenesis via binding to the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) or VEGFR-2. Recent studies have suggested that VEGF-C may play a role in lymph node metastasis. This study was conducted to examine whether the expression of VEGF-C is associated with the clinicopathologic parameters, and especially lymph node metastasis, of invasive ductal carcinoma. METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining was performed for VEGF-C and CD31 in the surgically resected specimens from 83 patients with invasive breast carcinoma. RESULTS: Of the 83 breast carcinomas, 61 (74%) cases showed cytoplasmic VEGF-C imunoreactivity. VEGF-C expression was associated with lymph node metastasis (p=0.03), but it did not correlate with tumor size, the histologic grade, and the presence of estrogen receptor or progesteron receptor. The mean microvessel density in the cases without VEGF-C expression was 51.9+/-30.1 and it was 72.9+/-33.0 in the cases with 2+ expression for VEGF-C (p=0.07). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that VEGF-C expression may have an association with lymph node metastasis in the patients with breast carcinoma.

Effect of Visible Light Therapy in Stroke Patients

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study was to evaluate the effects of visible light therapy for the stroke patients. METHOD: Thirty stroke patients were enrolled and classified into two groups, experimental (n=19) and control group (n=11). Control group received conventional rehabilitation therapy. Experimental group received additional light therapy with red light (intensity 962 lux, wave length 620 nm) on wrist, elbow, and shoulder joint area (diameter 10 cm) at the same time, 3 times per day, 20 minutes per session, 5 days per week, for 2 weeks. All patients were assessed their paralytic upper extremity functions using manual muscle testing, two point discremination test (2-PD), Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test, and modified Ash-worth scale. To evaluate neurophysiological effects of light therapy, sympathetic skin response, thermography, and doppler ultrasound on radial artery were performed. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, the experimental group significantly improved in the 2-PD test, Semmes-Weistein monofilament test, and the hand grip power. Neurophysiologic parameters showed no significant difference between experimental and control groups. CONCLUSION: Visible light therapy maybe used as an effective therapeutic modality for improving hand function of stroke patients. Further studies are required to define the mechanism of effects on paralytic extremity of visible light.

Effect of Visible Light Therapy in Patients with Somatic Pain

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of visible light therapy for the management of somatic pain. METHOD: Subjects consisted of 42 patients with pain and were divided into two groups; control (n=22) and experimental (n=20) groups. Control group received conventional physical therapy only, while experimental group received additional light therapy with blue light (light intensity 4080 lux, wave length 581 nm, distance from lamp 5 cm). Intensity of pain was assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) and McGill pain questionnaire. Sympathetic skin response was measured to assess the status of autonomic nervous system. VAS and McGill pain questionnaire were administered before treatment and at 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 1 week, and 2 weeks after treatment. Sympathetic skin response were performed before and 2 weeks aftertreatment. RESULTS: 1) In both experimental and control groups, VAS became significantly lower at two weeks after treatment compared to pretreatment scale (p<0.05). 2) McGill pain questionnaire showed significantly lower scores two weeks after treatment compared to pretreatment score, only in experimental group (p<0.05). 3) Experimental group showed significantly lower McGill pain questionnaire score than control group at two weeks after treatment (p<0.05). 4) Latency and amplitude of sympathetic skin response showed no significant difference between experimental and control groups. CONCLUSION: Visible light therapy can be used as an effective therapeutic modality for the management of symptomatic pain in combination with conventional physical therapy.

Quantitative Analysis of Skin Temprature of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome in Stroke Patients

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to assess the changes of skin temperature quantitatively in the stroke patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSDS) using thermography according to their clinical phases as well as changes after treatment. METHOD: Patient group was consisted of 17 stroke patients with RSDS. Mean onset time of RSDS after stroke was 10.6 weeks. All patients were assessed by triphasic bone scan and clinically classified by phase I, II, and III. Control group was consisted of 9 stroke patients without RSDS. Temperature difference between affected side and unaffected side in wrist and hand regions were assessed in all subjects using Thermovision 570 (Agema Infrared Systems, USA) when initial clinical diagnosis was made. Seven patients were reassessed after high dose steroid and physical therapy. RESULTS: In patients with phase I RSDS, affected wrist and hand showed higher temperature distribution than the unaffected side. On the other hand, patients with phase II and III showed lower temperature in the affected side. The mean temperature difference in patients with phase I RSDS was significantly greater than control group. After treatment, skin temperature of affected side was decreased in phase I patients, but increased in phase II patients. Skin temperature difference tended to be normalized after successful treatment. CONCLUSION: Using thermography, temperature change of affected hand can be assessed quantitatively in stroke patients with RSDS. The thermography is considered to be a useful tool for evaluation of clinical phases and treatment effect in these patients.