KRAS and PIK3CA mutations in colorectal adenocarcinomas correlate with aggressive histological features and behavior.

Tumor budding (TB) in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition and has been recently characterized as an indicator of poor prognosis along with lymphovascular tumor emboli, perineural invasion, and an infiltrative growth pattern. Mutations in the genes of the Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase pathways are associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition and an aggressive CRC phenotype and have been used in patient stratification for anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapies; however, the impact of these mutations on CRC morphology and behavior remains unclear. In this study, using a multigene panel, we detected KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA, TP53, and POLE mutations in 90 CRCs and investigated their associations with clinicopathological parameters, including TB.

A case report of spindle cell myoepithelioma with extensive lipomatous metaplasia and thick collagen bundles in the submandibular gland.

Spindle cell myoepithelioma with extensive lipomatous metaplasia and thick collagen bundles has not yet been described, and there are no published reports on its cytological appearance in fine-needle aspiration (FNA). A 49-year-old man presented with a painless mass in the right submandibular area that had been gradually enlarging for a period of 5 years. The cytologic smears showed fascicles of cohesive spindle cells as well as individual bland cells with bipolar naked nuclei in a fibrillary background.

Cribriform-morular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma: a study of 3 cases featuring the PIK3CA mutation.

The cribriform-morular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (CMV-PTC) is an unusual neoplasm with a considerably important association with familial adenomatous polyposis in young women, characterized by a peculiar histologic morphology with mixed cribriform, papillary, solid, tall columnar, and morular patterns. However, it can also occur sporadically. The molecular pathogenesis of sporadic CMV-PTC is not completely understood.

Low frequency of KRAS mutation in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas in Korean patients and its prognostic value.

Objectives: Low prevalence and prognostic relevance of KRAS mutations in Korean pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs) need to be validated with sensitive detection method.

Methods: Peptide nucleic acid (PNA)-mediated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) clamping was used to precisely detect KRAS mutation in 72 paraffinized tumor samples and was validated by pancreatic cell lines to compare the efficiency of direct sequencing.

Results: The PNA-mediated PCR clamping detected mutant allele proportions of as low as 0.

Comparison of HER2 gene amplification and KRAS alteration in eyelid sebaceous carcinomas with that in other eyelid tumors.

Eyelid sebaceous carcinoma (SC) represents a highly aggressive malignancy. Despite the poor prognosis, genetic alterations as potential molecular targets are not available. KRAS mutation and HER2 gene amplification may be candidates related to their genetic alterations.

Frequent hepatocyte growth factor overexpression and low frequency of c-Met gene amplification in human papillomavirus-negative tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma and their prognostic significances.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an important prognostic factor for tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). HPV-positive and HPV-negative TSCCs are considered distinct in terms of prognosis and sensitivity to chemo/radiotherapy. However, to date, no study has thoroughly evaluated the individual prognostic factors for these 2 disease subgroups.

Rabies post-exposure prophylaxis of overseas travelers in the international travel clinic of the national medical center from 2006 to 2012, Korea.

Background: Rabies is an acute fatal viral disease generally transmitted from infected animals to humans through bites. It is distributed worldwide. The number of Korean people traveling to rabies-endemic countries and being bitten by infected animals has been increasing recently.

P2X7 Receptor Expression in Coexistence of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.

Background: This study was aimed at investigating the relation of P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) expression with the clinicopathological features of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) coexisting with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT).

Methods: We examined 170 patients (84, PTC with HT; 86, PTC without HT). P2X7R expression was examined by immunohistochemical methods.

Histopathologic predictors of lymph node metastasis and prognosis in tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Risk factors for lymph node metastasis in tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) need to be established to determine the degree of surgery required to achieve high curative rates. However, little is known currently about the histopathological features predicting prognosis, specifically in TSCC.

Methods: This study included 53 patients who underwent surgical resection with neck dissection.

TWIST1 promoter methylation is associated with prognosis in tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma.

Tonsillar squamous cell carcinomas (TSCC) frequently present with locally advanced diseases and cervical metastases, which are associated with poor prognoses. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is critical for tumor invasiveness and metastatic potential. Recent studies have shown that TWIST1-inducing EMT is overexpressed and hypermethylated in several cancers, indicating disease progression.

Comparison of tissue microarray and full section in immunohistochemistry of gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

The aim of the present study was to compare the efficiency of tissue microarray (TMA) results using immunohistochemistry markers applied to a variety of core sizes and full sections of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) using performance measures such as core loss rate and concordance rate. Six primary antibody markers (c-Kit, CD34, smooth muscle actin (SMA), S-100, p53, and Ki-67) were used with the TMA technique to analyze 0.6 mm, 2 mm, and 3 mm punch cores of GIST samples from 67 patients.

E2F1 expression predicts outcome in Korean women who undergo surgery for breast carcinoma.

Background: The transcriptional factors E2F1 and E2F2 have been reported to be associated with improved chemosensitivity in various cancers. We aimed to investigate whether E2F1 and E2F2 can be used as predictors of chemosensitivity in hormone-receptor-negative breast cancers (HRNBCs), which are common in Korean women.

Methods: A total of 183 patients with primary breast cancer who had undergone surgical resection were evaluated on the basis of hormonal status, age, histological subtype and grade, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, and stage.

Bowel loop in an ovarian tumor: grossly visible, completely developed intestinal loop in mature cystic teratoma of malignant mixed germ cell tumor.

Although a gastrointestinal-type epithelium is observed in 7-13% of mature cystic teratoma cases, the occurrence of a grossly visible, organized gastrointestinal loop formation is very rare. Presented here is the case of a 14-year-old girl with malignant mixed germ cell tumor in the ovaries. In her left ovary a grossly visible, intestinal loop, 9 cm long, with hanging mesentery attached to the cystic wall of a mature cystic teratoma associated with a yolk sac tumor was observed, and in her right ovary another mature cystic teratoma was observed.

High mobility group HMGI(Y) protein expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Conclusion: We conclude that increased expression level of the high mobility group I (HMGI(Y)) is closely associated with malignant transformation in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs), and the measurement of HMGI(Y) levels in HNSCCs may be useful as a prognostic marker.

Objectives: To investigate whether HMGI overexpression is observed in HNSCCs, and its value as a prognostic marker in HNSCCs.

Materials And Methods: HMGI(Y) expression was determined at the protein level by immunohistochemisty using a HMGI(Y)-specific antibody and RT-PCR in 10 surgically resected specimens of non-neoplastic tissue (normal palatal tissue) and 40 HNSCCs.

Surface and chemical properties of surface-modified UHMWPE powder and mechanical and thermal properties of its impregnated PMMA bone cement, IV: effect of MMA/accelerator on the surface modification of UHMWPE powder.

In our previous study, we manufactured a reinforced poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) bone cement with 3 wt% of the surface-modified ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) powder to improve its poor mechanical and thermal properties resulting from unreacted methylmethacrylate (MMA), the generation of bubble and shrinkage, and high curing temperature. In the present study, the effect of ratios of MMA and N,N'-dimethyl-p-toluidine (DMPT) solutions in redox polymerization system was investigated for the surface modification of UHMWPE powder. We characterized physical and chemical properties of surface-modified UHMWPE powder and reinforced bone cements by a scanning electron microscope, ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and curing temperature (Tmax).

Imipenem-resistant Achromobacter xylosoxidans carrying blaVIM-2-containing class 1 integron.

We characterized seven isolates of imipenem-resistant Achromobacter xylosoxidans that were isolated from patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit at a tertiary hospital in Korea during 2001 to 2003. From the analysis with an isoelectric focusing, polymerase chain reaction, and sequencing methods, all isolates were found to produce VIM-2, OXA-30, and chromosomal AmpC beta-lactamase with a pI of 8.4.

Expression of maspin is associated with the intestinal type of gastric adenocarcinoma.

Purpose: Maspin is known as a tumor suppressor gene, but its significance has been questioned in various human cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression pattern of Maspin in human gastric adenocarcinomas and its possible correlation with clinicopathological findings.

Materials And Methods: The expression of Maspin mRNA was measured by nested RT-PCR using 60 frozen adenocarcinomas of the stomach and 31 noncancerous tissues from the proximal resection margin.

Expression profiles of p63, p53, survivin, and hTERT in skin tumors.

Background: p63 is a p53 homolog and a marker expressed in replicating keratinocytes. Survivin is a recently characterized inhibitor of apoptosis protein that is abundantly expressed in most solid and hematologic malignancies. Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) is the major determinant of human telomerase activity, and its expression is indicative of unlimited replication.

Unilateral, multicentric Warthin's tumor mimicking a tumor metastatic to a lymph node. A case report.

Background: Warthin's tumor may be associated with false positive diagnoses of malignancy on fine needle aspiration. The most common cause of error is markedly atypical squamous metaplasia mimicking metastatic cystic squamous carcinoma. The common location of Warthin's tumors within periparotid nodes may add to the clinical suspicion of metastasis.

Expression of osteoprotegerin and RANK ligand in breast cancer bone metastasis.

Bone destruction is primarily mediated by osteoclastic bone resorption, and cancer cells stimulate the formation and activation of osteoclasts next to metastatic foci. Accumulating evidences indicate that receptor activator of NF-kB ligand (RANKL) is the ultimate extracellular mediator that stimulates osteoclast differentiation into mature osteoclasts. In contrast, osteoprotegerin (OPG) inhibits osteoclast development.

Immunoreactivity of CD99 in stomach cancer.

CD99 is characteristically expressed in Ewing's sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor. Recently its immunoreactivity has also been reported in other tumors. However, the significance of CD99 isoforms expressed in these tumors has not been elucidated.

Expression of Cyclooxygenase-2 Protein in Gastric Carcinogenesis.

Purpose: The increased expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 has been implicated in the development and progression of human cancers. We investigated COX-2 expression in normal, gastric adenomas and adenocarcinomas.

Materials And Methods: COX-2 protein was assayed in gastrectomy and biopsy specimens, from 68 gastric adenocarcinomas, 40 gastric adenomas and 35 normal gastric tissues, by immunohistochemistry, and 32 specimens of normal and adenocarcinomas by western blot analysis.

Granular cell tumor of the parotid gland. A case report.

Background: Granular cell tumor (GCT) is a relatively uncommon soft tissue tumor of putative Schwann cell origin. This tumor can occur in multiple sites as a small, nontender nodule, but the parotid gland is unusual, and only several cases have been reported.

Case: A 46-year-old woman presented with a slowly growing mass in the left preauricular region for three years.

Coexpression of MUC1 with p53 or MUC2 correlates with lymph node metastasis in colorectal carcinomas.

The alteration of the mucin profile have been known to play a role in colorectal carcinogenesis. MUC1 is up-regulated and MUC2 is down-regulated in colorectalcarcinomas. Overexpression of p53 is frequently noted in colorectal carcinomas with deep invasion or lymph node metastasis.

Correlation of Mast Cell Densities, Angiogenesis and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Proper Muscle Gastric Carcinomas.

Purpose: There are increasing evidences that angiogenesis enhances tumor growth and biological aggressiveness in gastric carcinoma. Mast cells have been implicated in the angiogenic process, by secreting angiogenic factors including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), or enzymes that degrade extracellular matrices. However, the exact nature of mast cells in relation to cancer is contradictory so we conducted retrospective studies, to find the significance of mast cell densities, and microvessel counts in each clinicopathologic factors, including VEGF expression, in proper muscle (PM) gastric carcinoma.