Search

We present a case of an undifferentiated subtype of non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma (NK-SCC) with sarcomatoid features in the nasopharynx in a 69-year-old man who was difficult to diagnose due to spindle-shaped malignant cells. He was admitted because of a right nasal obstruction and right headache, and imaging revealed a heterogeneously enhanced irregularly shaped mass at the nasopharynx. Histopathologically, the tumour was partially organised, and the tumour cells were epithelioid or spindle-shaped. Initially, we erroneously diagnosed the tumour as an angiosarcoma owing to its false-negative immunoreaction for cytokeratins and a mistaken interpretation for CD31. After in situ hybridization for Epstein-Barr virus was positive, a consultation and additional immunostaining (including re-staining for cytokeratin with varying dilutions) were performed, and the diagnosis was revised to NK-SCC with sarcomatoid features. We believe that sarcomatoid features may be observed in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and in this case, immunostaining using various epithelial markers is necessary and careful attention should be paid to the interpretation of immunostaining.

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) has been shown to have chondroprotective effects on arthritic diseases. We investigated the effects of ESWT on temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) using rat chondrocytes and TMJOA rat models.Cell viability and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, cartilage degradation, and apoptosis markers were measured in control, monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-treated and ESWT plus MIA-treated chondrocytes in vitro, and intra-articular MIA injection (TMJOA) and ESWT on TMJOA rats in vivo. In vivoESWT plus MIA-treated chondrocytes showed increased cell viability significantly (P = 0.007), while decreased genetic expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6); P 0.001 for each] and cartilage degradation markers [matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP3), matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP13), and bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7); P 0.001 for each], and number of apoptotic cells (P 0.001) compared to MIA-treated chondrocytes. Changes in cytochrome c and cleaved caspase-3 levels relative to procaspase-3 were decreased over MIA-treated chondrocytes. ESWT on TMJOA rat models was associated with a significant decrease in pro-inflammatory and cartilage degradation markers, as demonstrated by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry stains (P 0.001 for each). OnESWT was associated with a protective effect on cartilage and subchondral bone structures of TMJOA by reducing inflammation, cartilage degradation, and chondrocyte apoptosis.

We evaluated the effect of pre-operative serratus anterior plane block on postoperative pain and opioid consumption after thoracoscopic surgery. We randomly allocated 89 participants to block with 30 ml ropivacaine 0.375% (n = 44), or no block without placebo or sham procedure (n = 45). We analysed results from 42 participants in each group. Serratus anterior plane block reduced mean (SD) remifentanil dose during surgery, 0.12 (0.06) mg.h-1 vs. 0.16 (0.06) mg.h-1 , p = 0.016, and reduced mean (SD) fentanyl consumption in the first 24 postoperative hours, 3.8 (1.9) μg.kg-1 vs. 5.7 (1.6) μg.kg-1 , p = 0.000004. Block also reduced the worst median (IQR [range]) pain scores reported in the first 24 postoperative hours: 6 (5-7 [3-10]) vs. 7 (6-7 [3-10]), p = 0.027. Block decreased dissatisfaction with pain management, categorised as 'highly unsatisfactory', 'unsatisfactory', 'neutral', 'satisfactory' or 'highly satisfactory': 1/2/21/18/0 vs. 1/14/15/11/1, p = 0.0038. There were no differences in the rates of nausea, vomiting, dizziness or length of hospital stay. Serratus anterior plane block may be used to reduce pain and opioid use after thoracoscopic lung surgery.

Progressively transformed germinal centers (PTGC) is a benign process characterised by a morphological variant of reactive follicular hyperplasia in lymph nodes. It was recently shown that some cases of PTGC are associated with IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) or increased IgG4 plasma cells. Five years ago, a 57-year-old woman presented with enlargement of multiple lymph nodes in the left parotid, submandibular, and neck areas, pathologically diagnosed as PTGC after excisional biopsy. Since then, she has experienced numbness in her extremities, especially the left shoulder and arm, pruritus on the left side of the face and intermittent facial palsy, for which she has been receiving regular symptomatic treatment. Recently the patient developed diabetes mellitus (approximately seven months ago). In routine follow-up scans, a mass was detected in left kidney and magnetic resonance imaging of the abdomen prior to surgery revealed a slightly enhanced bulky mass replacing the pancreatic tail and uncinate process. The mass in left kidney was diagnosed as clear cell renal cell carcinoma, and the pathological features of the pancreatic lesion were those of IgG4-related chronic fibrosing pancreatitis. Retrograde examination of the neck lymph node diagnosed as PTGC showed increased deposition of IgG4-positive plasma cells.

Lymph node (LN) metastasis of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is associated with survival outcomes. However, the relationship between different metastatic nodal factors and treatment outcomes requires further elucidation. This study examined nodal factors predictive of recurrence and survival in patients with OSCC.This prospective observational study included 157 patients with OSCC who underwent surgery between 2010 and 2015. Clinicopathological and follow-up information were recorded. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were performed to identify factors associated with recurrence-free survival, disease-specific survival and overall survival.Sixty-five of 157 patients (41.4%) had neck metastasis. During a median follow-up of 46 months, any recurrences and all deaths occurred in 43 (27.4%) and 43 (27.4%) of cases, respectively. All nodal factors (LN classification, size, number and ratio) and extra-nodal extension were significantly associated with all survival outcomes (P .001). Multivariate analyses indicated that a tumour size2 cm and LN ratio were independently associated with all survival (P .05). Patients with LN ratio0.05 had sixfold higher recurrence and mortality rates than other patients (P .001).Lymph node ratio is an independent and predictive determinant of post-treatment recurrence and survival.

The purpose of this study was to estimate genetic parameters of ultrasound measurements for longissimus dorsi muscle area (LMA), backfat thickness (BFT), and marbling score (MS) in Hanwoo cows (N = 3,062) at the ages between 18 and 42 months. Data were collected from 100 Hanwoo breeding farms in Gyeongbuk province, Korea, in 2007 and 2008. The cows were classified into four different age groups, i.e. 18 to 22 months (the first pregnancy period), 23 to 27 (the first parturition), 28 to 32 (the second pregnancy), and 33 to 42 (the second parturition), respectively. For each age group, a multi-trait animal model was used to estimate variance components and heritabilities of the three traits. The averages of LMA, BFT, and MS measurements across the cows of all age groups were 50.1 cm(2), 4.62 mm, and 3.04, respectively and heritability estimates were 0.09, 0.10, and 0.08 for the respective traits. However, when the data were analyzed in different age groups, heritability estimates of LMA and BFT were 0.24 and 0.47, respectively, for the cows of 18 to 22 months of age, and 0.21 for MS in the 28 to 32 months old cows. When the cows of all age groups were used, the estimates of genetic (phenotypic) correlations were 0.43 (0.35), -0.06 (0.34) and 0.21 (0.32) between LMA and BFT, LMA and MS, and BFT and MS, respectively. However, in the cow age group between 28 and 32 (18 and 22) months, the estimates of genetic (phenotypic) correlations were 0.05 (0.29), -0.15 (0.24) and 0.38 (0.24), for the respective pairs of traits. These results suggest that genetic, environmental, and phenotypic variations differ depending on cow age, such that care must be taken when ultrasound measurements are applied to selection of cows for meat quality.

The objective of this study was to estimate the parameters of Gompertz growth curves with the measurements of body conformation, real-time ultrasound longissimus dorsi muscle area (LMA) and backfat thickness (BFT) in Hanwoo cows. The Hanwoo cows (n = 3,373) were born in 97 Hanwoo commercial farms in the 17 cities or counties of Gyeongbuk province, Korea, between 2000 and 2007. A total of 5,504 ultrasound measurements were collected for the cows at the age of 13 to 165 months in 2007 and 2008. Wither height (HW), rump height (HR), the horizontal distance between the top of the hips (WH), and girth of chest (GC) were also measured. Analysis of variance was conducted to investigate variables affecting LMA and BFT. The effect of farm nested in location was included in the statistical model, as well as the effects of NW, HR, WH, and GC as covariates. All of the effects were significant in the analysis of variance for LMA and BFT (p

sp EL-2 was cultivated to produce poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) [P(3HB-co-3HV)] from a structurally unrelated carbon source, glucose, by a fed-batch culture technique. Variation of the carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio of the medium produced optimal P(3HB-co-3HV) production at a C/N ratio of 95. Production of P(3HB-co-3HV) was favored by a dissolved oxygen tension of 40%. A maximum biomass concentration of 38 g L−1 containing 53% P(3HB-co-3HV) was achieved after 45 h of cultivation. This corresponds to a volumetric productivity of 0.84 g L−1 h−1. The copolymer contained 7.5 mol% 3-hydroxyvalerate. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2000) 24, 36–40.

Bispectral index (BIS) values derived from the left and right forehead are usually the same. We report on two patients with unilateral carotid artery stenosis in whom we observed differences between the BIS values obtained from sensors placed on each side of the forehead. During surgery, the BIS values of the diseased side decreased more than those of the opposite side when the mean arterial pressure decreased below 70 mmHg. BIS monitors should be used with caution in patients with unilateral carotid artery and cerebrovascular disease.

The aim of this study was to establish the guidelines for detecting early recurrences of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer by use of the CA-125 level.Eighty-five of the patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in this study. The authors examined 25 incremental changes of CA125 from one to 25 IU/ml, and compared the CA-125 value with other prognostic factors. Increases in the CA-125 level from the nadir level were expressed as CA-125- increments.Among the 25 increments, a CA-125-8 (eight IU/ml) was selected as the predictor that was the most efficient and time-effective. CA-125-8 had a sensitivity of 91.5%, a specificity of 84.6%, a positive predictive value of 93.1%, a negative predictive value of 81.5%, an efficiency of 89.4%. and a median lead-time of 68.5 days (p0.0001).The authors suggest the incremented CA-125-8 as a predictor of recurrent advanced ovarian cancer.

2,7-Diazabicyclo[3.3.0]octan-4-ol (1) and 2,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.0]oct-4-ene (2) are synthesized by the desulfonylation using Mg-HgCl2(cat.) of β-hydroxy sulfone derivatives which have been prepared via cyclization of sulfone ester derivative.

Novel 5-functionalized-2,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.0]octane derivatives have been synthesized via intramolecular anionic cyclization reaction. Dedicated to Centennial Prof. Koji Nakanishi on the occasion of his 70th birthday

Oxazolidinones have been synthesized from the reaction of N-Boc derivatives of β-amino alcohols with TsCl or MsCl. Basic reaction condition is not necessary to the formation of oxazolidinone from the tosylated intermediate. On the other hand, oxazolidinone was produced from N-Boc derivative of β-amino alcohol under NaH.

Novel 5-functionalized-2,8-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]nonane derivatives 5 were synthesized from epoxide 1 through 4 steps in 46.7∼52.6% yield.

Both colorectal neoplasm and coronary artery disease are prevalent diseases worldwide and share several risk factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between coronary artery calcification and prevalence of colorectal adenoma.We retrospectively evaluated 3,092 subjects who underwent colonoscopy and coronary artery calcium computed tomography (CT) on the same day or within a 3-month interval, during routine check-ups between January 2006 and June 2009 at the Center for Health Promotion of the Samsung Medical Center. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (ORs).Colorectal adenomas were detected in 1,067 (34.5%) of the 3,092 subjects, including 536 (41.0%) individuals with and 531 (29.7%) without coronary calcification (p0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of coronary artery calcification (OR=1.346; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.122-1.614), age ≥50 years (OR=1.516; 95% CI=1.256-1.829), waist circumference of 90-99cm (OR=1.364; 95% CI=1.008-1.844) and current smoker (OR=1.266; 95% CI=1.045-1.534) were associated with the prevalence of colorectal adenoma.The prevalence of colorectal adenoma is significantly higher in patients with coronary artery calcification. Our results support positive relationship between coronary artery disease and colorectal adenoma.

Novel 5-functionalized-2,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.0]octane derivatives have been synthesized via intramolecular anionic cyclization reaction. Dedicated to Centennial Prof. Koji Nakanishi on the occasion of his 70th birthday

Oxazolidinones have been synthesized from the reaction of N-Boc derivatives of β-amino alcohols with TsCl or MsCl. Basic reaction condition is not necessary to the formation of oxazolidinone from the tosylated intermediate. On the other hand, oxazolidinone was produced from N-Boc derivative of β-amino alcohol under NaH.

2,7-Diazabicyclo[3.3.0]octan-4-ol (1) and 2,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.0]oct-4-ene (2) are synthesized by the desulfonylation using Mg-HgCl2(cat.) of β-hydroxy sulfone derivatives which have been prepared via cyclization of sulfone ester derivative.

Background: Although endoscopy is recommended for patients with iron deficiency anaemia, there is, currently, no consensus on the role of endoscopy for iron-deficient patients without anaemia. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of serious gastrointestinal (GI) lesions, identified by endoscopy in patients with iron deficiency and anaemia compared with patients with iron deficiency without anaemia. Methods: One thousand five hundred and eighteen patients with a ferritin value of ≤50 ng/mL and a total iron-binding capacity ≥300 mg/dL were retrospectively investigated using oesophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy between January 2005 and September 2006. The lesions identified were classified as clinically important according to standard predetermined criteria. Results: Among the 1518 cases, 749 patients had anaemia and 769 had normal haemoglobin levels. Clinically important lesions were identified in 24.6% of the patients with anaemia and in 22.8% of the patients without anaemia (P > 0.05). The frequency of lower GI tract lesions (13.6 vs 11.4%, P > 0.05) and upper GI tract lesions (11.9 vs 12.5%, P > 0.05) was similar in the comparisons between the two groups. However, the frequency of malignant GI lesions was higher in the patients with anaemia (5.1 vs 0.7%, P

Bispectral index (BIS) values derived from the left and right forehead are usually the same. We report on two patients with unilateral carotid artery stenosis in whom we observed differences between the BIS values obtained from sensors placed on each side of the forehead. During surgery, the BIS values of the diseased side decreased more than those of the opposite side when the mean arterial pressure decreased below 70 mmHg. BIS monitors should be used with caution in patients with unilateral carotid artery and cerebrovascular disease.

Endoscopic resection may safely and effectively remove early colorectal cancers. However, additional surgical treatment is needed in cases with metastatic lymph nodes for curative treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between lymph node metastasis and various pathological parameters in early colorectal cancers.The clinicopathological records of 3,557 colorectal adenocarcinoma patients who underwent surgical resection at the Samsung Medical Center from August 1995 to June 2005 were reviewed. One hundred forty seven tissue samples with early colorectal cancer were used in this study. Various parameters were studied including gender, location, macroscopic appearance, differentiation, lymphatic tumor emboli, and the depth of tumor invasion.Twenty five patients (17.0%) had lymph node metastasis. Male gender, left colon, macroscopically depressed lesions, moderately or poorly differentiated carcinoma, depth of tumor invasion (Sm2 or Sm3), and presence of lymphatic tumor emboli were the risk factors for lymph node metastasis.Early colorectal cancers with male gender, location in the left colon, macroscopically depressed lesion, moderate or poor differentiation, depth in Sm2 or Sm3, and the presence of lymphatic tumor emboli have higher risk of lymph node metastasis than those without. The early colorectal cancers with these risk factors should have surgical resection.

Hyperthermal neutral beams have a great potential for material processes, especially for etching and thin film deposition for semiconductor and display fabrication as well as deposition for various thin film applications. Plasma-induced damage during plasma etching is a serious problem for manufacturing deep submicron semiconductor devices and is expected to be a problem for future nanoscale devices. Thermal and plasma-induced damage is also problematic for thin film depositions such as transparent conductive oxide films on organic light emitting diodes or flexible displays due to high temperature processes in plasma environments. These problems can be overcome by damage-free and low-temperature processes with hyperthermal neutral beams. We will present the status of the hyperthermal neutral beam development and the applications, especially, in semiconductor and display fabrication and introduce potential applications of thin film growing for optoelectronic devices such as light emitting diodes.

Although the aetiology of globus (the sensation of a lump in the throat) remains unclear, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is associated with globus. A short-term trial with a high-dose proton pump inhibitor has been shown to be a sensitive tool for diagnosing gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.To see whether patients with globus symptom responded to short-term high-dose rabeprazole trial and assess predictors of symptom response.Sixty-four patients with globus symptom were analysed. Patients received rabeprazole 20 mg b.d. for 14 days. Patients completed a daily diary assessing the severity and frequency of globus.Forty-one patients (64%) were diagnosed clinically with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Based on the pH testing and endoscopy, the prevalence of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease was 22% (14 of 64). The globus symptom score was significantly higher in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease compared with patients without gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (P = 0.004). Two patients (3%) had complete resolution and 22 (34%) had more than a 50% improvement in the globus symptom score. Endoscopic findings (P = 0.714), pathological acid exposure on pH testing (P = 0.741) or baseline gastro-oesophageal reflux disease symptoms (P = 0.606) were not associated with improvement of globus symptom.While gastro-oesophageal reflux disease may be an aggravating factor in patients with globus, it does not appear to be the sole cause of globus symptom.

To study the correlation between lymph node metastatic disease and various pathological parameters. Lymph node metastasis is the most important factor in determining the prognosis of patients with early gastric cancer and is significantly associated with the submucosal invasion of neoplastic cells. However, the depth of submucosal layer as well as the depth of submucosal tumour invasion varies among different cases.We studied various pathological parameters including the macroscopic appearance, location, size, area, differentiation, invasion depth, vascularity and fibrosis of submucosal gastric carcinomas (SMGC), using 248 age- and sex-matched tissue samples. The presence of lymphatic emboli, a larger area, greater size, a non-flat gross type and an increased vascularity of the tumour were significantly associated with node-positive SMGC. Among the three depth-related parameters, the ocular scale measurement, the sm3 method and the sm2 method, only the ocular scale measurement showed a significant correlation with node-positive SMGC. Using multivariate analysis, the incidence of lymph node metastasis increased in the lymphatic tumour emboli and in the tumours that invaded more than half of the submucosal layer.These histological indicators seem to be a feasible and easy way to predict lymph node metastatic disease from limited surgery specimens. Pathologists should carefully investigate the lymphatic invasion of tumour cells and measure the invasion depth of the tumour.

This study describes the synthesis, in vitro evaluation and molecular modeling study of novel compounds for the inhibition of TNF-alpha production. Among these compounds, 2-[3-(cyclopentyloxy)-4-methoxyphenyl]-1-isoindolinone (9) was selected as a lead compound and its pyridine derivative 10 was more potent in activity and safer than rolipram.

Recently, the importance of toxoplasmosis is raised as a complication in immunosuppressed or AIDS patients. Our study focused on the identification of a variety of Toxoplasma antigens by immunoblotting. Rabbits and BALB/c mice were immunized with Toxoplasma lysate (RH strain), frozen tachyzoites (RH strain) or cysts (Beverly and Fukaya strain). Blood were collected from ear vein, heart or orbital plexus for detecting the serum antibody levels. For excretory-secretory (E.S) antigens, T. gondii (RH) tachyzoite were cultured in CHL (Chinese hamster lung) cells with MEM containing of 5% FCS. After 72 hrs, culture supernatant was collected. BALB/c mice were inoculated with RH tachyzoite intraperitoneally and peritoneal fluids were extracted three days later. E.S antigens were detected in culture supernatant and infected mouse peritoneal fluid by EITB. Serum IgG levels in rabbit were 1:512 of 10 days after primary immunization, 1:2,048 of 10 days after secondary immunization, 1:1,024 of 20 days after secondary immunization by IFAT, respectively. Serum IgG levels of immunized mice were 1:128 after 7 weeks. Tachyzoite antigens of the RH strain were detected 25 protein bands ranging 10 kDa-220 kDa of molecular weights with Coomassie blue stain. Toxoplasma major antigens corresponding to MW of 24 kDa, 27 kDa, 30 kDa, 35 kDa, 38 kDa were recognized by IgG and IgM antibodies. Excretory-secretory antigens present in culture supernatant with M. W. of 20, 30 kDa and in infected mouse peritoneal fluid with M.W. of 33 (P30), 45 kDa. When RH tachyzoite antigen was probed with different mice sera immunized with 2 strains of T. gondii, the IgG antibody band of Fukaya and Beverly strain (8 week-serum) is identical to those of RH strain. It is considered that the 30 kDa polypeptide detected in excretory-secretory materials and lysate was important major antigen of T. gondii (RH).

Hyperthermal neutral beams have a great potential for material processes, especially for etching and thin film deposition for semiconductor and display fabrication as well as deposition for various thin film applications. Plasma-induced damage during plasma etching is a serious problem for manufacturing deep submicron semiconductor devices and is expected to be a problem for future nanoscale devices. Thermal and plasma-induced damage is also problematic for thin film depositions such as transparent conductive oxide films on organic light emitting diodes or flexible displays due to high temperature processes in plasma environments. These problems can be overcome by damage-free and low-temperature processes with hyperthermal neutral beams. We will present the status of the hyperthermal neutral beam development and the applications, especially, in semiconductor and display fabrication and introduce potential applications of thin film growing for optoelectronic devices such as light emitting diodes.

Insertional mutagenesis represents a promising approach to the identification of new genes involved in mammalian development. In this paper, we have presented a brief review of the literature on the analysis of mutations caused by DNA and retroviral insertion into the mouse genome. We have discussed several methods that we and others have used to identify recessive insertional mutations among transgenic mouse lines. Finally, we have summarized the results of our studies to date on three recessive prenatal lethal mutations that we have identified.

Sleep was measured in two inbred rat strains (Lewis and Brown Norway) and their F1 hybrids to investigate patterns of inheritance and to provide a starting point for future studies of F2 and recombinant rats. Recordings from chronically implanted electrodes were quantified and scored by a computerized system; results were evaluated by an analysis of variance with pairwise comparisons by the Tukey HSD test. Brown Norway rats had the highest paradoxical sleep (PS) percentages; Lewis rats had the lowest. Hybrid rats had PS percentages intermediate between parent strains and significantly different from both. These results suggest codominance or multigenic transmission of PS amounts. There were no group differences of number of PS bouts; Brown Norway and hybrid rats had longer bouts than Lewis rats. Lewis and hybrid rats had similar amplitudes of the diurnal rhythm of PS, which were higher than those of Brown Norway rats; single gene transmission remains possible for diurnal rhythm amplitude. Thus, inheritance of PS percentage and rhythm amplitude appear independent. No group differences in PS latency were found.