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Purpose: Breast conserving surgery (BCS) is generally not considered for breast cancer because of concerns about the poor prognosis of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). We assessed the outcomes of BCS and mastectomy for patients with stage II-IIIA TNBC.Methods: The data of 172 breast cancer patients diagnosed with stage II-IIIA TNBC who underwent treatment at Pusan National University Hospital and Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital from 2010 to 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into the following two groups: patients who underwent BCS (n=101) and those who underwent mastectomy (n=71). The Cox regression model was used to examine the outcomes of both treatments. The median follow-up period was 71 months in the BCS group, and 67 months in the mastectomy group.Results: The median age of the 172 patients was 51 years (range, 22-82 years). In the BCS group, radiation therapy and chemotherapy (p

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical characteristics and outcomes of hormone receptor-positive (HR+) human epidermal growth factor 2-negative (HER2–) breast cancer among elderly patients (over 65 years old) and younger patients.Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of 328 patients who were treated for breast cancer at Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital between January 2009 and December 2014. Tumor characteristics, surgical methods, and survival outcomes were compared between the two age groups (

Background This study aimed to describe the locations of local recurrences based on the mastectomy and reconstruction type in breast cancer patients. Methods In November 2020, a systematic literature review was performed through MEDLINE/PubMed and the Cochrane Centre Register of Controlled Trials. Publications that included skin-sparing or nipple-sparing mastectomy followed by breast reconstruction and described the location of local recurrences were analyzed. Exclusion criteria included salvage or prophylactic mastectomy, unclear distinction between local and regional recurrences, rare tumor types. Results From 19 publications, 272 local recurrences lesions were reported in a total of 4,787 patients. After autologous reconstruction (n=2,465), local recurrences were located in the skin in 45 (1.8%) patients, in the chest wall in 18 (0.7%), and in the nipple-areolar complex in 9 (0.4%). After implant reconstruction (n=1,917), local recurrences sites included the skin in 91 (4.7%) patients, chest wall in 8 (0.4%), and nipple-areolar complex in 8 (0.4%). Of the 70 lesions with reported in-breast location, 57 (81.4%) relapsed in the original tumor location. Discussion Although meta-analysis was not conducted, present analysis demonstrated that most local recurrences after skin-sparing or nipple-sparing mastectomy occurred within the skin or subcutaneous tissues. It was found that the original tumor location was the most frequent site of relapse. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the original tumor overlying the skin while planning postmastectomy radiation therapy.

In 30-40% of papillary thyroid cancer patients, central neck lymph node metastasis occurs. As a result, prophylactic central neck lymph node dissection is performed. The extent of lymph node dissection and prophylactic central neck lymph node dissection is still debatable. The incidence of central neck lymph node metastasis and related factors were investigated in this study, and also the necessity of both central neck lymph node dissections.Between December 2017 and December 2019, 482 patients had thyroidectomy at Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital. A retrospective study of 186 patients who had a thyroidectomy with bilateral central neck lymph node dissection for unilateral thyroid carcinoma was done.Ipsilateral and contralateral central neck lymph node metastasis were identified in 40.9% (76/186) and 19.3% (36/186), respectively. Male (p 0.001), tumor size1 cm (p = 0.047), extrathyroidal extension (p = 0.002), central neck lymph node metastases5 (p 0.001), lateral neck lymph node metastasis (p = 0.012), and ipsilateral central neck lymph node metastasis (p 0.001) were associated with the contralateral central neck lymph node metastasis in univariate analysis. In a multivariate analysis, extrathyroidal extension (OR, 3.664), more than 5 central neck lymph node metastases (OR, 29.667), ipsilateral central neck lymph node metastasis (OR, 3.911), and male (OR, 5.890) were related to contralateral central neck lymph node metastasis.Male, extrathyroidal extension, and ipsilateral central neck lymph node metastasis may be considered for contralateral prophylactic central neck lymph node dissection. In the future, it is thought that more research on the recurrence rate will be required.

Metastasis to breast from ovarian cancer is very rare, and it is very difficult to distinguish the primary breast cancer from the secondary one. In our case, a 61-year-old woman presented to the hospital with complaints of lower abdominal pain and distention. Abdominal-pelvic computed tomography (CT) imaging revealed a solid ovarian cystic tumor with numerable ascites in the abdominal cavity and disseminated peritoneal carcinomatosis. To confirm the presence of metastasis in other organs, a preoperative imaging studies including chest CT was performed. Chest CT imaging revealed an enlargement of both the axillary lymph nodes (r/o metastatic lymphadenopathy) and breast imaging studies (breast sonography and mammography) revealed masses penetrated the pectoralis major muscle in the left breast and metastatic lymphadenopathy in Lt axilla. The core needle biopsy result of breast lesion showed unknown origin carcinoma with micropapillary features and no psammoma bodies. So, we could not distinguish primary breast cancer and breast metastasis from ovarian cancer because breast metastasis from ovary could be contained psammoma bodies, generally. Although the possibility of primary breast cancer could not be ruled out absolutely, the neoadjuvant chemotherapy included Paclitaxel and Carboplatin is known to be effective for both breast and ovarian cancer. So after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, mastectomy concurrently with ovarian cancer surgery was performed. The histopathologic features of the ovaries and breast were similar and psammoma bodies also could be observed, which were not detected in previous core needle biopsied specimen. And lymph nodes from the breast and the ovaries also showed consistent findings. Combined with histopathologic report and medical records, the final diagnosis confirmed as a metastasis of ovarian cancer to breast. After surgery, the patient has continued with metastatic ovarian cancer specific treatment. Breast metastatic tumors must be distinguished from primary breast tumors to avoid any unnecessary surgery. It might be difficult to diagnosis precisely by using only core needle biopsy because of inadequate specimen volume. Although surgical resection may be effective for both diagnosis and palliative treatment, further studies focused on less invasive biopsy are needed for exact histopathological diagnosis.

Seasonal variation in resting energy expenditure (REE) is still under debate. This study investigated seasonal changes in REE and relevant factors among Korean adults. A total of 867 healthy volunteers (385 men and 482 women) aged 20-69 years were divided into four seasonal groups and subgroups based on age, body mass index (BMI), and percent body fat (PBF) quartiles. REE, body composition, glucose metabolism, thyroid hormones, and catecholamines were measured. The seasonal factor contributed to REE independent of anthropometric indices, with additional variation decreasing from 6% to 2% among younger and older persons, respectively. The adjusted REE in the winter was 5.4-13.9%, 7.8-14.3%, and 8.6-11.9% higher than that in the summer in the age, BMI, and PBF subgroups, respectively. T3 and log-transformed norepinephrine (NElog) were higher, whereas log-transformed epinephrine (EPIlog) was lower in the winter compared to the summer. The magnitude of the winter-summer difference in REE and T3 and of the summer-winter difference in EPIlog were reduced three-fold between the lowest and highest intervals of age and PBF, whereas the difference in NElog was constant across all age and PBF intervals. There was no obvious change in seasonal differences in REE or its relevant biomarkers across BMI intervals. In summary, season is an independent predictor of REE and its effect is attenuated by the increment of age and PBF but not BMI.

This study aimed to examine the impact of chronic (30 days) exposure to polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) of different sizes (50 nm and 2 µm) and at different concentrations (0.5 μg/L and 100 mg/L) to marine copepod Tigriopus japonicus. Polystyrene microplastics affected survival rates in size- and concentration-dependent manners. The LC

Background: To assess the prognostic capability of the maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) measured in the primary tumor and axillary lymph nodes (ALNs) by pretreatment fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography and analyze outcomes according to the molecular breast cancer subtypes. Methods: The databases were systematically searched using keywords for breast cancer, positron emission tomography/computed tomography, and SUVmax; the extracted studies reported at least 1 form of survival data, event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival. Comparative analyses of the pooled hazard ratios (HRs) for EFS and overall survival were performed to assess their correlations with SUVmax. The pooled HR was estimated using random-effects model according to the results of heterogeneity. Results: Thirteen eligible studies comprising 3040 patients with breast cancer were included. The pooled HRs of high SUVmax in the primary tumor and ALN were 3.01 (95% CI 1.83–4.97, P

BackgroundTriple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has higher loco-regional recurrence and visceral metastasis compared to other breast cancer subtypes; however, little is known about the molecular pathogenesis and therapeutic targets of TNBC. Therefore, we compared the mutation profiles of early TNBC with those of hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2) breast cancer using a customized next-generation sequencing capture panel.MethodsDNA was obtained from the primary tumor tissues of 34 patients diagnosed with pT2N0-1M0 HR+/HER2 breast cancer or TNBC. To enrich the 48 breast cancer-associated genes, 21,192 probes were designed using the SureSelect design tool. After library preparation using the SureSelect XT kit (Agilent), paired-end DNA sequencing was performed on a HiSeq platform (Illumina). The mean depth of the target regions was 1,766 (×). The subsequent output containing genetic variation was analyzed using a pipeline of bioinformatics tools. Significant mutations with allele frequencies of more than 30% were checked for their germline counterparts in the peripheral blood. Circulating cell-free nucleic acids were extracted and analyzed with a therascreen® PIK3CA RGQ PCR kit (QIAGEN).ResultsSignificant mutations were found in TP53, PIK3CA, AR, BRCA1, PTEN, BRCA2, BRIP2, KIT, MET, AKT1, ALK, BARD1, BRAF, CD274, ERBB2, FGFR1, IDH2, NOTCH1, RET, and STK11 (in descending order of occurrence). TP53 mutations were identified in the TNBC group more frequently than in the HR+/HER2 group (p=0.003). The presence of TP53 mutations was associated with a higher tumor grade (p=0.008), p53 positivity (pp=0.004). PIK3CA was the most frequently mutated gene in HR+/HER2 breast cancer (8/22, 36.4%), but not in TNBC (1/12, 8.3%). However, circulating cell-free PIK3CA mutations were not detected in either group. ConclusionsThe TP53 mutation is associated with higher tumor grade and Ki-67 expression in both groups, and with larger tumor size in TNBC, but not in HR+/HER2– breast cancer. In the foundation of TP53 mutation, concomitant mutation numbers are proportional to tumor size, reflecting clonal progression. Breast cancer-associated mutations such as those in TP53 and PIK3CA have different biological implications for the proliferation and clonal diversification of these two distinct groups of breast cancer.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has higher loco-regional recurrence and visceral metastasis compared to other breast cancer subtypes; however, little is known about the molecular pathogenesis of TNBC. Therefore, we compared the mutation profiles of early TNBC with those of hormone receptor-positive (HR+) and/or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) breast cancer using a customized next-generation sequencing capture panel. DNA was obtained from the primary tumor tissues of 34 patients diagnosed with pT2N0-1M0 HR+/HER2- breast cancer or TNBC. Using SureSelectXT kit (Agilent), next-generation sequencing for 48 breast cancer-associated genes was performed on HiSeq platform (Illumina) with germline confirmation. Also, plasma was collected from 24 patients before surgery, cell-free nucleic acids were extracted, and performed therascreen PIK3CA RGQ PCR assay. Significant mutations were found in TP53, PIK3CA, AR, BRCA1, PTEN, BRCA2, BRIP2, KIT, MET, AKT1, ALK, BARD1, BRAF, CD274, ERBB2, FGFR1, IDH2, NOTCH1, RET, and STK11 (in descending order of occurrence). TP53 mutations were identified in the TNBC group more frequently than in the HR+/HER2- group (P = 0.003). The presence of TP53 mutations was associated with a higher tumor grade (P = 0.008), p53 positivity (P0.0001), and a higher Ki-67 index (P = 0.004). PIK3CA was the most frequently mutated gene in HR+/HER2- breast cancer (8/22, 36.4%), but not in TNBC (1/12, 8.3%). The TP53 mutation is associated with higher tumor grade and Ki-67 expression in both groups, and with larger tumor size in TNBC, but not in HR+/HER2- breast cancer. In the foundation of TP53 mutation, concomitant mutation numbers are proportional to tumor size, reflecting clonal progression.

Background Reduction mammoplasty or mastopexy is performed as an additional balancing procedure in patients with large or ptotic breasts who undergo breast-conserving surgery (BCS). Radiation therapy on breasts that have undergone surgery may result in changes in the volume. This study presents a comparative analysis of patients who received post-BCS balancing procedures to determine whether volume changes were larger in breasts that received radiation therapy than on the contralateral side. Methods Thirty-six participants were selected among patients who received BCS using the inverted-T scar technique between September 2012 and July 2017, were followed up for 2 or more years, and had pre-radiation therapy computed tomography images and post-radiation therapy images taken between 12 and 18 months after completion. The average age of the participants was 53.5 years, their average body mass index was 26.62 kg/m2. Results The pre- and post-radiation therapy volumes of the breasts receiving BCS were 666.08±147.48 mL and 649.33±130.35 mL, respectively. In the contralateral breasts, the volume before radiation therapy was 637.69±145.72 mL, which decreased to 628.14±166.41 mL after therapy. The volume ratio of the affected to the contralateral breasts was 1.05±0.10 before radiation therapy and 1.06±0.12 after radiation therapy. Conclusions The ratio of the volume between the two breasts immediately after surgery and at roughly 18 months postoperatively was not significantly different (P=0.98). For these reasons, we recommend a simultaneous single-stage balancing procedure as a reasonable option for patients who require radiation therapy after BCS without concerns regarding volume change.

The increasing global contamination of plastics in marine environments is raising public concerns about the potential hazards of microplastics to environmental and human health. Microplastics formed by the breakdown of larger plastics are typically irregular in shape. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of spherical or irregular shapes of microplastics on changes in organ distribution, swimming behaviors, gene expression, and enzyme activities in sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus). Both types of microplastics accumulated in the digestive system, causing intestinal distention. However, when compared to spherical microplastics, irregular microplastics decreased swimming behavior (i.e., total distance travelled and maximum velocity) of sheepshead minnow. Both microplastics generated cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), while ROS-related molecular changes (i.e., transcriptional and enzymatic characteristics) differed. This study provides toxicological insights into the impacts of environmentally relevant (fragmented) microplastics on fish and improves our understanding of the environmental effects of microplastics in the ecosystem.

The syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) is the most common cause of euvolemic hyponatremia, and many medications have been associated with SIADH. Pregabalin is a drug used for the treatment of neuropathic pain, though common adverse effects include central nervous system disturbance, peripheral edema, and weight gain. However, hyponatremia caused by pregabalin has been rarely reported. Here we report a patient with pregabalin-induced hyponatremia who met the criteria for SIADH; after discontinuation of the drug, his condition rapidly improved. This case can help clinicians diagnose and treat new-onset hyponatremia in patients who recently initiated pregabalin therapy.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the volume reduction of latissimus dorsi muscle in patients who underwent immediate breast reconstruction using extended latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous (eLDMC) flap with implant after skin/nipple sparing mastectomy (SSM/NSM) and postoperative chemotherapy (POCTx). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed clinical records of 19 patients who underwent this surgery with POCTx, and checked chest computer tomography (CT) at 7–10 days after surgery and 6–14 months after the end of chemotherapy, from May 2015 to October 2016. The motor nerve to latissimus dorsi muscle was severed in all patient. One plastic surgeon intervened and the follow up period was at least 18 months. Author obtained the area of latissimus dorsi muscle using the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) in the axial view of the chest CT and it was verified by the experienced radiologist. The statistical test was performed (P

Purpose: Quality of sleep (QoS), anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QoL) are common issues among breast cancer patients. Prospective longitudinal studies of QoS, anxiety, depression, and QoL in breast cancer patients are lacking. The aim of this study was to find out whether there is a proper treatment point associated with QoS, anxiety, depression, and QoL during early treatment of breast cancer patients. Methods: We used 4 self-report questionnaires about QoS, anxiety, depression, and QoL. QoS was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, anxiety was measured with the Beck Anxiety Inventory, depression was measured with the Beck Depression Inventory, and QoL was measured with the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form. Patients were assessed at the time of surgery, at the beginning of chemotherapy, and at the end of chemotherapy. Clinicopathological information was collected for analysis. Results: Fifty-two patients were enrolled in this study, and 29 completed 3 self-report questionnaires. QoS, anxiety, and depression showed no differences during the early treatment period. However, QoL changed during that period (p = 0.004). Type of breast surgery (total mastectomy vs. breast-conserving surgery) showed a relationship with QoS during the entire treatment period, but with anxiety only at the time of surgery (p = 0.002). Although the sample size was too small, the total mastectomy group showed better results. Conclusion: Breast cancer patients experience sleep disturbance, anxiety, depression, and loss of QoL. During the period of treatment, these do not change significantly, but these symptoms are often overlooked. Providing sufficient explanations about the treatment and prognosis of breast cancer and mental support for breast cancer patients prior to treatment will help to improve patients’ QoS, anxiety, depression, and QoL.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are effective for overweight diabetic patients through the induction of glucosuria. However, SGLT2 inhibitors are not recommended for patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) because they may aggravate renal function and thus become less effective in controlling blood glucose in this patient population. We suggest that adequate hydration would be helpful to prevent the side effects of SGLT2 inhibitors in diabetic patients with advanced CKD. In this study, we review five cases of SGLT2 inhibitor therapy, specifically with dapagliflozin, for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in patients with advanced CKD. The patients experienced dramatic weight reduction, improved glucose control, and further benefits without aggravation of renal function.

The study of the bioconcentration of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is important to fully understand their hazard potential in the aquatic environment. We synthesized AgNPs radiolabeled with silver isotopes (110mAg) to quantify the bioconcentration of AgNPs coated with citrate (AgNPs-CIT) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (AgNPs-PVP) in Japanese medaka, and to investigate the biodistribution of silver in organs, which were compared with 110mAgNO3. BCF values were determined to be 39.8 ± 7.4, 42.5 ± 5.1 and 116.4 ± 6.1 L kg−1 for AgNPs-CIT, AgNPs-PVP and AgNO3, respectively. The release of more silver ions in AgNPs-PVP contributed to a different kinetic uptake pattern with AgNPs-CIT, which was similar to that of AgNO3. Bioconcentrated AgNPs in medaka were not observed to be eliminated, independent of surface coating differences, similarly to AgNO3. There was no difference in biodistribution in each organ before and after depuration in two types of AgNPs and AgNO3, all of which were mainly concentrated in the liver. This study quantified the bioconcentration and distribution of AgNPs and AgNO3 more precisely by utilizing a silver isotope, which is helpful in monitoring the toxicity of AgNPs to Japanese medaka.

Purpose Core needle biopsy (CNB) is a widely used procedure for breast cancer diagnosis and analyzing results of immunohistochemistry (IHC). Several studies have shown concordance or discordance in IHC results between CNB and surgical specimens (SS). A double-check (CNB and SS) is inefficient and costly to perform a double-check on all patients. Therefore, it is important to determine which patients would benefit from a double-check. Methods We collected the medical records of patients who underwent breast cancer surgery at Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital between April 2009 and June 2018 (n = 620). Molecular subtypes were classified as follows by hormone receptors (HR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2): HR+/HER2+, HR+/HER2−, HR−/HER2+, HR−/HER2−. Clinicopathological factors including age, obesity, histological grade, preoperative CEA, CA15-3, T stage, N stage, and menopausal status were assessed to determine whether they were associated with subtype change. Results Increasing histological grade (P < 0.001; odds ratio [OR], 3.693; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.941–7.025), preoperative CEA ≥ 5 ng/mL (P =0.042; OR, 2.399; 95% CI, 1.009–5.707) and higher T stage (P = 0.015; OR, 2.241; 95% CI, 1.152–4.357) were significantly associated with subtype change. On multivariable analyses, subtype changes were more common in high-grade breast cancer (P < 0.001; OR, 1.077; 95% CI, 1.031–1.113) and CEA ≥ 5 (P = 0.032; OR, 2.658; 95% CI, 1.088–6.490). Conclusion Patients with moderate- to high-grade tumors or CEA ≥ 5 ng/mL are required a double-check to determine the molecular subtype of breast cancer.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is usually an idiopathic disease with a poor prognosis. Hypocalcemia is a rare and reversible cause of DCM. Here, we report a 50-year-old female with DCM, induced by idiopathic hypoparathyroidism, that improved after treatment with calcium.

Objective: Preclinical studies have proved that beta-blocking agents inhibit several pathways for breast cancer progression and metastasis. We aimed to evaluate the association between beta-blocker use and prognosis of breast cancer. Methods: A systematic search for studies from MEDLINE and EMBASE (inception to March 2014) was performed using the keywords “breast cancer” and “beta-blocker.” In 2 groups of breast cancer patients (beta-blocker users and non-beta-blocker users), overall deaths (ODs), cancer-specific deaths (CSDs), and recurrences were compared. Results: Six studies including 18,118 patients were eligible for this analysis. Two studies with 3,139 patients were included in the analysis of ODs. The random-effects model showed no significant difference in ODs between beta-blocker users and non-beta-blocker users (odds ratio [OR] 0.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.50-1.52, p = 0.49). Four studies with 13,782 patients were included in the measurement of CSDs. The difference in CSDs between beta-blocker users and non-beta-blocker users was not significant using the fixed-effect model (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.82-1.06, p = 0.29). Three studies with 3,923 patients were included in the calculation of recurrences. Overall, beta-blockers did not affect the incidence of recurrence (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.25-1.95, p = 0.49). Conclusion: Beta-blockers were not beneficial regarding ODs, CSDs, or recurrences. Further studies are needed to evaluate the associations between the effects of beta-blockers and subtypes of breast cancer.

Purpose: 18 F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography( 18 F-FDG PET/CT) has been recommended as a diagnostic modality for preoperative staging of breast cancer. But, the information for FDG uptake on axillary lymph node(ALN) is not sufficient. Authors investigated the FDG uptake on ALN in preoperative 18 F-FDG PET/CT and tumor characteristics to figure out association and its clinical significance. Materials and Methods: From Jan. to Dec. 2007, 176 patients had been performed preoperative 18 F-FDG PET/CT. Only sixty-five cases were confirmed as ALN metastasis in pathologic report. Thirty-one patients with high FDG uptake of ALN (SUVmax>1.0) and thirty-four with low FDG uptake (SUVmax≤1.0) in 18 F-FDG PET/CT were classified as group A and B, respectively. Results: The FDG uptake of ALN showed significant relationship with poor prognostic factors of primary tumor(worse histologic grade, negativity of estrogen and progesterone receptor, positivity of p53 and c-erbB2 gene, tumor necrosis, lymphovascular invasion) and ALN metastasis. In multivariate analysis, FDG uptake of ALN showed larger tumor size(p=0.001), higher Ki-67 (p=0.004), bigger and more metastatic ALN(p=0.017, 18 F-FDG PET/CT and the sentinel lymph node biopsy might be skipped if metastasis is confirmed on biopsy.

We compared maximal diameters of ipsilateral (IMA) and contralateral (IMA) internal mammary arteries in patients with unilateral breast cancer and analyze the implications of enlargements of ipsilateral or contralateral IMAs in relation to histopathologic factors. Of 568 women who underwent breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations from January 2009 to May 2012, 196 had unilateral, histologically proven breast cancer. In 156 women, maximal IMA diameters in the second intercostal space were measured by two blinded radiologists in left and right sides using nonenhanced axial T2-weighted turbo spin-echo sequence images. In the 156 study patients, mean maximal diameter of ipsilateral IMAs (2.37 ± 0.60 mm) was significantly larger than that of contralateral IMAs (2.03 ± 0.58 mm) (p = 0.00). Ipsilateral IMA enlargement was present in 66.7 % of the patients (104 of 156). Furthermore, ipsilateral IMA enlargement was found to be significantly associated with human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) expression (p = 0.039). Maximal IMA diameter was significantly greater in ipsilateral sides in breast cancer patients. Findings suggest ipsilateral IMA enlargement detected by MRI might be a useful additional predictor of HER-2 expression in unilateral breast cancer.

Purpose: Stereotactic vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VAB) has been established as a standard method for histological diagnosis of microcalcification or nonpalpable breast lesions on mammography. Generally, the procedure has been done under the prone position or upright sitting position. We herein attempt to evaluate clinical utility of Stereotactic VAB under lateral decubitus position. Methods: One hundred six women (mean age, 51.2 years) with mammographically detected microcalcification underwent lateral decubitus positioning VAB using the 8G probe. In all cases, we obtained mammography specimens for identification of microcalcification and postprocedure mammography. We reviewed mean procedure time, pieces of specimen, pathology and follow-up mammography. Results: The procedure took approximately 20 minutes (range, 15–24 minutes). Average number of obtained specimens was 8.5 pieces (range, 6–12 pieces). Microcalcifications were confirmed in both specimen mammography and microscopic slides. Of 106 cases, 10 cases were diagnosed as ductal carcinoma in situ. Additional surgical management was performed. Atypical ductal hyperplasias were found in 8 cases, and fibrocystic changes in 88 cases. Conclusion: Stereotactic VAB using the 8G probe under lateral decubitus position does not need a dedicated table, and is easier to maintain the position. Also, this procedure is accurate and safe. Thus, stereotactic VAB using the 8G probe under lateral decubitus position will be a useful method for diagnosis of microcalcification or nonpalpable breast lesions on mammography.

A group of naturally occurring isoquinoline alkaloids have been detected in certain regions of mammalian brain. One such compound is salsolinol (SAL; 1-methyl-6, 7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline). This endogenous isoquinoline derivative has been considered to be implicated in the pathophysiology of chronic alcoholism and Parkinsonism. The present study deals with the DNA strand scission induced by SAL in the presence of iron. Incubation of phiX174 DNA with SAL and ferric ion led to conversion of the supercoiled DNA to open circular and linear forms, which was inhibited by the iron chelator deferoxamine, catalase, and scavengers of reactive oxygen species. SAL in combination with Fe(III) also produced 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine in calf thymus DNA. Exposure of PC12 cells to SAL produced concentration-dependent reduction in viability, which was exacerbated by iron and ameliorated by deferoxamine.