Waiting Time for Breast Cancer Treatment in Korea: A Nationwide Cohort Study / 한국유방암학회지

Purpose@#This study aimed to analyze the waiting time for initial treatment after breast cancer diagnosis and determine the factors influencing treatment delay in South Korea. @*Methods@#This nationwide retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Health Insurance Review and Assessment data. The participants were classified according to the regions where their biopsy and treatment were performed (Seoul-Seoul, Metro-Metro, OtherOther, Metro-Seoul, Other-Seoul). Waiting time was analyzed according to regional subgroup, year of diagnosis, and type of treatment. Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to identify the factors associated with treatment delay (after 30 days of diagnosis). @*Results@#A total of 133,514 participants newly diagnosed between January 2010 and December 2017 were included in the study. The median waiting time for initial treatment in the total population increased from 8 days, in 2010, to 14 days, in 2017. In the Seoul-Seoul group, the waiting time increased from 10 days, in 2010, to 16 days, in 2017. Although the median waiting time was approximately 10 days in the Metro-Metro and Other-Other groups, it was 27 and 24 days, in the Metro-Seoul and Other-Seoul group, respectively, in 2017. The proportion of delayed upfront surgery by more than 30 days was higher in the Metro-Seoul (odds ratio [OR], 8.088; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.357–8.893; p < 0.001) and OtherSeoul (OR, 6.210; 95% CI, 5.717–6.750; p < 0.001) groups than in the Metro-Metro (OR, 1.468; 95% CI, 1.352–1.594; p < 0.001) and Other-Other (reference) groups. Previous medical history and treatment at tertiary hospital were observed as factors related to delayed surgery. @*Conclusion@#Waiting times for breast cancer surgery have increased across all regions of Korea, with those traveling to Seoul experiencing particularly long wait times.

Promising Therapeutic Effectsof Embryonic Stem Cells-Origin Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Experimental Pulmonary Fibrosis Models: Immunomodulatory and Anti-Apoptotic Mechanisms

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) involves persistent inflammation and fibrosis, leading to respiratory failure and even death. Adult tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show potential in ILD therapeutics but obtaining an adequate quantity of cells for drug application is difficult. Daewoong Pharmaceutical’s MSCs (DW-MSCs) derived from embryonic stem cells sustain a high proliferative capacity following long-term culture and expansion. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic potential of DW-MSCs in experimental mouse models of ILD. DW-MSCs were expanded up to 12 passages for in vivo application in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis and collagen-induced connective tissue diseaseILD mouse models. We assessed lung inflammation and fibrosis, lung tissue immune cells, fibrosis-related gene/protein expression, apoptosis and mitochondrial function of alveolar epithelial cells, and mitochondrial transfer ability. Intravenous administration of DWMSCs consistently improved lung fibrosis and reduced inflammatory and fibrotic markers expression in both models across various disease stages. The therapeutic effect of DW-MSCs was comparable to that following daily oral administration of nintedanib or pirfenidone.Mechanistically, DW-MSCs exhibited immunomodulatory effects by reducing the number of B cells during the early phase and increasing the ratio of Tregs to Th17 cells during the late phase of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Furthermore, DW-MSCs exhibited antiapoptotic effects, increased cell viability, and improved mitochondrial respiration in alveolar epithelial cells by transferring their mitochondria to alveolar epithelial cells. Our findings indicate the strong potential of DW-MSCs in the treatment of ILD owing to their high efficacy and immunomodulatory and anti-apoptotic effects.

Recombinant Human Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 Priming of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Ameliorate Acute Lung Injury by Inducing Regulatory T Cells

Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) possess immunoregulatory properties and their regulatory functions represent a potential therapy for acute lung injury (ALI). However, uncertainties remain with respect to defining MSCs-derived immunomodulatory pathways.Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the mechanism underlying the enhanced effect of human recombinant bone morphogenic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) primed ES-MSCs (MSC BMP2 ) in promoting Tregs in ALI mice. MSC were preconditioned with 100 ng/ml rhBMP-2 for 24 h, and then administrated to mice by intravenous injection after intratracheal injection of 1 mg/kg LPS. Treating MSCs with rhBMP-2 significantly increased cellular proliferation and migration, and cytokines array reveled that cytokines release by MSC BMP2 were associated with migration and growth. MSC BMP2 ameliorated LPS induced lung injury and reduced myeloperoxidase activity and permeability in mice exposed to LPS. Levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase were decreased while levels of total glutathione and superoxide dismutase activity were further increased via inhibition of phosphorylated STAT1 in ALI mice treated with MSC BMP2 . MSC BMP2 treatment increased the protein level of IDO1, indicating an increase in Treg cells, and Foxp3 + CD25 + Treg of CD4 + cells were further increased in ALI mice treated with MSC BMP2 . In co-culture assays with MSCs and RAW264.7 cells, the protein level of IDO1 was further induced in MSC BMP2 . Additionally, cytokine release of IL-10 was enhanced while both IL-6 and TNF-α were further inhibited. In conclusion, these findings suggest that MSC BMP2 has therapeutic potential to reduce massive inflammation of respiratory diseases by promoting Treg cells.

Change in Estradiol Levels among Premenopausal Patients with Breast Cancer Treated Using Leuprolide Acetate 11.25 Milligrams 3-Month Depot and Tamoxifen / 한국유방암학회지

The combination of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogs (LHRHa) with tamoxifen is used as a standard postoperative adjuvant therapy in patients with hormone receptor-positive/premenopausal breast cancer. Long-acting LHRHa formulations offer advantages in terms of patient convenience. However, data on the effectiveness of the 3-month (3M) acting formulation are still insufficient. This study was performed on patients who received the 3M LHRHa after surgery. The serum estradiol (E2) and follicle-stimulating hormone levels were measured before surgery, and periodically after surgery. In total, 318 patients were included in the study and analyzed. The mean E2 level before surgery was 63.7 pg/mL, while the mean E2 level during the administration of 3M LHRHa was 4.9 pg/mL.None of the patients were menstruating and had E2 values above 30.0 pg/mL. It is thought that the 3M LHRHa formulation can suppress the ovarian function effectively and be safely used to improve compliance.

Change in Estradiol Levels among Premenopausal Patients with Breast Cancer Treated Using Leuprolide Acetate 11.25 Milligrams 3-Month Depot and Tamoxifen / 한국유방암학회지

The combination of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogs (LHRHa) with tamoxifen is used as a standard postoperative adjuvant therapy in patients with hormone receptor-positive/premenopausal breast cancer. Long-acting LHRHa formulations offer advantages in terms of patient convenience. However, data on the effectiveness of the 3-month (3M) acting formulation are still insufficient. This study was performed on patients who received the 3M LHRHa after surgery. The serum estradiol (E2) and follicle-stimulating hormone levels were measured before surgery, and periodically after surgery. In total, 318 patients were included in the study and analyzed. The mean E2 level before surgery was 63.7 pg/mL, while the mean E2 level during the administration of 3M LHRHa was 4.9 pg/mL.None of the patients were menstruating and had E2 values above 30.0 pg/mL. It is thought that the 3M LHRHa formulation can suppress the ovarian function effectively and be safely used to improve compliance.

Comparison of cobas EGFR Mutation Test v2 and PANAMutyper-R-EGFR for Detection and Semi-Quantification of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutations in Plasma and Pleural Effusion Supernatant

BACKGROUND: Plasma epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation tests are less invasive than tissue EGFR mutation tests. We determined which of two kits is more efficient: cobas EGFR Mutation test v2 (cobasv2; Roche Molecular Systems, Pleasanton, CA, USA) or PANAMutyper-R-EGFR (Mutyper; Panagene, Daejeon, Korea). We also evaluated whether pleural effusion supernatant (PE-SUP) samples are assayable, similar to plasma samples, using these two kits. METHODS: We analyzed 156 plasma and PE-SUP samples (31 paired samples) from 116 individuals. We compared the kits in terms of accuracy, assessed genotype concordance (weighted κ with 95% confidence intervals), and calculated Spearman's rho between semi-quantitatively measured EGFR-mutant levels (SQIs) measured by each kit. We also compared sensitivity using 47 EGFR-mutant harboring samples divided into more-dilute and less-dilute samples (dilution ratio: ≥ or <1:1,000). RESULTS: cobasv2 tended to have higher accuracy than Mutyper (73% vs 69%, P=0.53), and PE-SUP samples had significantly higher accuracy than plasma samples (97% vs 55–71%) for both kits. Genotype concordance was 98% (κ=0.92, 0.88–0.96). SQIs showed strong positive correlations (P<0.0001). In less-dilute samples, accuracy and sensitivity did not differ significantly between kits. In more-dilute samples, cobasv2 tended to have higher sensitivity than Mutyper (43% vs 20%, P=0.07). CONCLUSIONS: The kits have similar performance in terms of EGFR mutation detection and semi-quantification in plasma and PE-SUP samples. cobasv2 tends to outperform Mutyper in detecting less-abundant EGFR-mutants. PE-SUP samples are assayable using either kit.

Association of Traumatic Events, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Sexual Autonomy among Female University Students of North Korean Defectors / 여성건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: To determine associations of traumatic events and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with sexual autonomy and identify factors influencing sexual autonomy among female university students of North Korean defectors. METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was performed with a total of 103 female students who completed a structured online self-report survey from January 7 to March 31, 2018. This study was conducted using questionnaires on interpersonal trauma scale, the Traumatic Scale for North Korean Refugees (TSNKR), and sexual autonomy measurement for college students. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple linear regression with SPSS WIN 23.0 program. RESULTS: Traumatic events, PTSD, and sexual autonomy scores were 3.96±3.07, 31.47±10.75, and 52.66±6.89, respectively. PTSD was positively correlated with traumatic events (r=.22, p=.030). Sexual autonomy was inversely correlated with PTSD (r=−.25, p=.010). Contraceptive use, PTSD, and voluntary sexual debut explained 26% of sexual autonomy of participants. CONCLUSION: To improve sexual autonomy of young women from North Korea, reproductive intervention programs including contraception, sexual assertiveness training, and psychoeducation to reduce PTSD need to be developed and implemented.

Electroencephalographic Changes Induced by a Neurofeedback Training : A Preliminary Study in Primary Insomniac Patients / 수면정신생리

OBJECTIVES: Insomnia is one of the most prevalent sleep disorders. Recent studies suggest that cognitive and physical arousal play an important role in the generation of primary insomnia. Studies have also shown that information processing disorders due to cortical hyperactivity might interfere with normal sleep onset and sleep continuity. Therefore, focusing on central nervous system arousal and normalizing the information process have become current topics of interest. It has been well known that neurofeedback can reduce the brain hyperarousal by modulating patients' brain waves during a sequence of behavior therapy. The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of neurofeedback therapy on electroencephalography (EEG) characteristics in patients with primary insomnia. METHODS: Thirteen subjects who met the criteria for an insomnia diagnosis and 14 control subjects who were matched on sex and age were included. Neurofeedback and sham treatments were performed in a random order for 30 minutes, respectively. EEG spectral power analyses were performed to quantify effects of the neurofeedback therapy on brain wave forms. RESULTS: In patients with primary insomnia, relative spectral theta and sigma power during a therapeutic neurofeedback session were significantly lower than during a sham session (13.9 ± 2.6 vs. 12.2 ± 3.8 and 3.6 ± 0.9 vs. 3.2 ± 1.0 in %, respectively; p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant changes in other EEG spectral bands. CONCLUSION: For the first time in Korea, EEG spectral power in the theta band was found to increase when a neurofeedback session was applied to patients with insomnia. This outcome might provide some insight into new interventions for improving sleep onset. However, the treatment response of insomniacs was not precisely evaluated due to limitations of the current pilot study, which requires follow-up studies with larger samples in the future.

Nurse's Perception of Cancer Treatment during Pregnancy

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to identify the nurses' perceptions of the anticipated problems (including concern, anxiety etc.) of pregnant women that are diagnosed or treated with cancer using the Korean version of the Cancer and Pregnancy Questionnaire (CPQ) tool. METHODS: Data were collected from 475 clinical nurses working in hospitals using a questionnaire that included 40 items (consisting of 5 subscales) of the Korean version of the CPQ and 2 items of nursing confidence. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0. The characteristics of the nurses were calculated as a percentage and mean with standard deviations. Pearson's correlation was used to analyze the correlation between the sub-domains of the Korean CPQ tool and the characteristics of the nurse. RESULTS: Nurses were most concerned about child health, cancer, and treatment of the women receiving cancer treatment during pregnancy; cancer treatment may be harmful to unborn child (6.20±1.00), will have a physical abnormality (6.08±1.06), have brain damaged or mental disability (6.07±1.04) and the extent of the physical exhaustion (6.12±0.88). CONCLUSION: Nurses need a more accurate understanding of the anxiety and stress of women about birth results and outcomes due to cancer treatment during pregnancy. They should be prepared to develop confidence in treatment for these patients.

Immunogenicity of a bivalent killed thimerosal-free oral cholera vaccine, Euvichol, in an animal model

PURPOSE: An oral cholera vaccine (OCV), Euvichol, with thimerosal (TM) as preservative, was prequalified by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2015. In recent years, public health services and regulatory bodies recommended to eliminate TM in vaccines due to theoretical safety concerns. In this study, we examined whether TM-free Euvichol induces comparable immunogenicity to its TM-containing formulation in animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To evaluate and compare the immunogenicity of the two variations of OCV, mice were immunized with TM-free or TM-containing Euvichol twice at 2-week interval by intranasal or oral route. One week after the last immunization, mice were challenged with Vibrio cholerae O1 and daily monitored to examine the protective immunity against cholera infection. In addition, serum samples were obtained from mice to measure vibriocidal activity and vaccine-specific IgG, IgM, and IgA antibodies using vibriocidal assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. RESULTS: No significant difference in immunogenicity, including vibriocidal activity and vaccine-specific IgG, IgM, and IgA in serum, was observed between mice groups administered with TM-free and -containing Euvichol, regardless of immunization route. However, intranasally immunized mice elicited higher levels of serum antibodies than those immunized via oral route. Moreover, intranasal immunization completely protected mice against V. cholerae challenge but not oral immunization. There was no significant difference in protection between two Euvichol variations. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that TM-free Euvichol could provide comparable immunogenicity to the WHO prequalified Euvichol containing TM as it was later confirmed in a clinical study. The pulmonary mouse cholera model can be considered useful to examine in vivo the potency of OCVs.

A 4-Axis Technique for Three-Dimensional Printing of an Artificial Trachea

BACKGROUND: Several types of three-dimensional (3D)-printed tracheal scaffolds have been reported. Nonetheless, most of these studies concentrated only on application of the final product to an in vivo animal study and could not show the effects of various 3D printing methods, materials, or parameters for creation of an optimal 3D-printed tracheal scaffold. The purpose of this study was to characterize polycaprolactone (PCL) tracheal scaffolds 3D-printed by the 4-axis fused deposition modeling (FDM) method and determine the differences in the scaffold depending on the additive manufacturing method. METHODS: The standard 3D trachea model for FDM was applied to a 4-axis FDM scaffold and conventional FDM scaffold. The scaffold morphology, mechanical properties, porosity, and cytotoxicity were evaluated. Scaffolds were implanted into a 7 × 10-mm artificial tracheal defect in rabbits. Four and 8 weeks after the operation, the reconstructed sites were evaluated by bronchoscopic, radiological, and histological analyses. RESULTS: The 4-axis FDM provided greater dimensional accuracy and was significantly closer to CAD software-based designs with a predefined pore size and pore interconnectivity as compared to the conventional scaffold. The 4-axis tracheal scaffold showed superior mechanical properties. CONCLUSION: We suggest that the 4-axis FDM process is more suitable for the development of an accurate and mechanically superior trachea scaffold.

Trend Analysis of Research Articles Published in the Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing from 2013 to 2017

PURPOSE: To analyze articles published in the Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing from 2013 to 2017 to determine the latest research trends and understand how 2013 Korea Women's Health Statistics were reflected in journal articles. METHODS: A total of 130 studies were analyzed. Research design, types of research, research framework, research subjects, characteristics of quantitative research, characteristics of qualitative research, and keywords were analyzed using a structured analysis format. RESULTS: Quantitative and qualitative research accounted for 83.8% and 13% of these 130 studies analyzed, respectively. Non-experimental and experimental research accounted for 70.7% and 13.1% of these studies, respectively. The most frequent study subjects were childbearing women (62.8%), including college students, mothers, and adults. A total of 69.1% of non-experimental research and 88.2% of experimental research used convenience sampling. Questionnaires were most frequently used for data collection. The most frequent keyword domain involved health-related concepts (41%) among nine domains and the most frequently used keyword was “women.” CONCLUSION: This study suggest that further experimental research should be conducted in the future. Also, adolescent and the elderly women should be focused on as subjects in future studies based on results of 2013 Korean Women's Health Statistics.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia with the 11q23 Rearrangement in a Patient with Klinefelter Syndrome / 대한내과학회지

Klinefelter syndrome is usually characterized by eunuchoidism, gynecomastia, small testes, infertility, elevated gonadotropins, mental retardation, and a constitutional extra X chromosome. Several reports have suggested an association between leukemia and Klinefelter syndrome, although two cohort studies failed to show a clear association between the two. We report the first Korean case of acute myeloid leukemia with the 11q23 rearrangement in a 27-year-old man with Klinefelter syndrome.

Short-Term Change of Handgrip Strength After Trigger Point Injection in Women With Muscular Pain in the Upper Extremities

OBJECTIVE: To determine overall handgrip strength (HGS), we assessed the short-term change of HGS after trigger point injection (TPI) in women with muscular pain in the upper extremities by comparison with established pain scales. METHODS: The study enrolled 50 female patients (FMS with MPS group: 29 patients with combined fibromyalgia [FMS] and myofascial pain syndrome [MPS]; MPS group: 21 patients with MPS) who presented with muscular pain in the upper extremities at Konyang University Hospital. In addition, a total of 9 healthy women (control group) were prospectively enrolled in the study. We surveyed the three groups using the following established pain scales: the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and the Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ). HGS was measured in both hands of study participants using a handgrip dynamometer. We performed TPI (0.5% lidocaine, total 10 mL, injected at the pain site of upper extremities). After 20 minutes, we remeasured the patient's HGS and MPQ score. RESULTS: ANOVA analysis was conducted among groups. Based on Tukey multiple comparison test, the majority of FIQ and SF-36 subscales, total FIQ and SF-36 scores, MPQ and HGS were significantly different between FMS with MPS and the other groups. There was no statistically significant difference between MPS and control groups. Higher HGS was positively associated with enhanced physical function, negatively associated with total FIQ and MPQ scores, and positively associated with the total SF-36 score calculated using Spearman correlation. Post-TPI MPQ decreased and HGS increased. In patient groups, a negative correlation was found between MPQ and HGS. CONCLUSION: The HGS test might potentially be a complementary tool in assessing the short-term treatment effects of women with muscular pain in the upper extremities.

Short-Term Change of Handgrip Strength After Trigger Point Injection in Women With Muscular Pain in the Upper Extremities

OBJECTIVE: To determine overall handgrip strength (HGS), we assessed the short-term change of HGS after trigger point injection (TPI) in women with muscular pain in the upper extremities by comparison with established pain scales. METHODS: The study enrolled 50 female patients (FMS with MPS group: 29 patients with combined fibromyalgia [FMS] and myofascial pain syndrome [MPS]; MPS group: 21 patients with MPS) who presented with muscular pain in the upper extremities at Konyang University Hospital. In addition, a total of 9 healthy women (control group) were prospectively enrolled in the study. We surveyed the three groups using the following established pain scales: the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and the Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ). HGS was measured in both hands of study participants using a handgrip dynamometer. We performed TPI (0.5% lidocaine, total 10 mL, injected at the pain site of upper extremities). After 20 minutes, we remeasured the patient's HGS and MPQ score. RESULTS: ANOVA analysis was conducted among groups. Based on Tukey multiple comparison test, the majority of FIQ and SF-36 subscales, total FIQ and SF-36 scores, MPQ and HGS were significantly different between FMS with MPS and the other groups. There was no statistically significant difference between MPS and control groups. Higher HGS was positively associated with enhanced physical function, negatively associated with total FIQ and MPQ scores, and positively associated with the total SF-36 score calculated using Spearman correlation. Post-TPI MPQ decreased and HGS increased. In patient groups, a negative correlation was found between MPQ and HGS. CONCLUSION: The HGS test might potentially be a complementary tool in assessing the short-term treatment effects of women with muscular pain in the upper extremities.

Clinical Characteristics of Vivax Malaria Outside Northern Gyeonggi Province Korea / 감염과화학요법

No abstract available.

Recurrent Cerebral Infarction Caused by Mobile Aortic Arch Thrombus Refractory to Warfarin Therapy

The mobile thrombus in the aortic arch is a rare condition, which becomes rarer when associated with cerebral infarction, resulting in disabling complications. Transesophageal echocardiography is useful for detecting the source of thrombi in the heart and aortic arch. Here, we report a case of a patient who suffered from recurrent cerebral infarction four times during the previous 18 months due to mobile thrombus in the aortic arch despite anticoagulant therapy. The thrombus with rocking motion (9.6 and 8 mm) was laid in the top of the aortic arch, and surgical resection was not allowed due to the location. We began anticoagulation therapy initially with heparin followed by a combination of warfarin, aspirin, and atorvastatin with an international normalized ratio between 2 and 3. The size of the aortic thrombi was significantly decreased by 3 mm and stabilized after 18 months.

Evaluation of ExiPrep16 Automated System for the Extraction of Nucleic Acids from Nasopharyngeal Swabs for the Detection of Respiratory Viruses

BACKGROUND: Automated nucleic acid extraction offers a standardized sample treatment method, low error rate, and avoids sample nucleic acid contamination for use in molecular diagnostics. Here, we evaluated the performance of automated ExiPrep16 system (Bioneer Co.) in comparison with the manual Viral Gene-spin Viral DNA/RNA Extraction kit (VGspin; iNtRON Biotechnology Inc.) for the detection of respiratory viruses from nasopharyngeal flocked swabs. METHODS: To compare the agreement rate and analytical sensitivity between ExiPrep16 and VGspin, previously collected 78 patient samples and 11 pooled samples of each respiratory viruses and their serially diluted samples (until 1/10(8)), were tested by multiplex reverse-transcriptase PCR (Seeplex RV 12 ACE Detection kit; SeeGene Inc.). In addition, we repeatedly analyzed the threshold cycle of the pooled and 1/10(3) dilution of adenovirus (ADV) and influenza virus A (Flu-A) by using real-time PCR to evaluate the precision and crossover of the ExiPrep16 system. RESULTS: The analytical sensitivity of the ExiPrep16 was comparable to that of VGspin, and the highest detectable dilution varied in the range of 1/10 to 1/10(6) depending on the viruses. The total, overall positive and negative percent agreements of ExiPrep16 in comparison with VGspin were 95.7%, 96.2%, and 95.2%, respectively. The mean (CV%) of pooled and 1/10(3) dilution of ADV were, respectively, 19.2 cycle (2.1%) and 31.6 cycle (4.3%) and those for Flu-A were 22.6 cycle (3.1%) and 35.5 cycle (2.6%). No carryover was detected. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the manual VGspin, ExiPrep16 ensured nucleic acid extraction for efficient detection of respiratory viruses.

Association between Elevated Pleural Interleukin-33 Levels and Tuberculous Pleurisy

BACKGROUND: Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) plays a crucial role in Mycobacterium tuberculosis induced pleural responses. Interleukin (IL)-33 up-regulates the production of IFN-gamma. We aimed to identify whether an association between pleural IL-33 levels and tuberculous pleurisy exists and determine its diagnostic value. METHODS: Pleural IL-33, ST2 (a receptor of IL-33), adenosine deaminase (ADA), and IFN-gamma, as well as serum IL-33 and ST2 were measured in 220 patients with pleural effusions (PEs). Patients with malignant (MPEs), parapneumonic (PPEs), tuberculous (TPEs), and cardiogenic (CPEs) pleural effusions were included. RESULTS: Pleural and serum IL-33 levels were highest or tended to be higher in patients with TPEs than in those with other types of PEs. The median pleural fluid-to-serum IL-33 ratio was higher in TPE cases (> or = 0.91) than in other PE cases (< or = 0.56). Pleural IL-33 levels correlated with those of pleural ADA and IFN-gamma. However, the diagnostic accuracies of pleural IL-33 (0.74) and pleural fluid-to-serum IL-33 ratio (0.75) were lower than that of ADA (0.95) or IFN-gamma (0.97). Pleural ST2 levels in patients with MPEs were higher than in patients with TPEs. Serum ST2 levels did not differ among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: We identified an association between elevated pleural IL-33 levels and tuberculous pleurisy. However, we recommend conventional pleural markers (ADA or IFN-gamma) as diagnostic markers of TPE.

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.