Thyroid cancer that developed around the operative bed and subcutaneous tunnel after endoscopic thyroidectomy via a breast approach.

Endoscopic thyroidectomy is gaining greater acceptance because of its excellent cosmetic result. As the surgical skill and understanding of the endoscopic cervical anatomy has improved, the surgical indications for endoscopic thyroidectomy have recently expanded to small size thyroid cancer. Despite the many advantages of laparoscopic surgery, there have been incidental reports about recurrences at the site of insertion of the laparoscope or other instruments in other cancers.

Calbindin-D28K prevents drug-induced dopaminergic neuronal death by inhibiting caspase and calpain activity.

Calbindin-D28K protects against apoptotic and necrotic cell death; these effects have been attributed to its ability to buffer calcium. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effects of calbindin-D28K in staurosporine (STS)-induced apoptosis and 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+))-induced necrosis. Treatment of the dopaminergic neuronal cell line MN9D with STS or MPP(+) induced cell death that was associated with increased levels of free intracellular calcium.

Detection of human papillomavirus DNA by DNA chip in breast carcinomas of Korean women.

It remains unclear whether there is an association between human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and human breast cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of HPV DNA in breast carcinomas of Korean women and to examine the possible association between HPV and breast cancer development. For this purpose, HPV DNAs from 154 patients, including 123 patients with breast carcinoma and 31 with intraductal papilloma, and nipple tissue from 27 cancer patients were examined using the DNA chip method.

High mobility group box 1 protein binding to lipopolysaccharide facilitates transfer of lipopolysaccharide to CD14 and enhances lipopolysaccharide-mediated TNF-alpha production in human monocytes.

LPS-binding protein (LBP) is a central mediator that transfers LPS to CD14 to initiate TLR4-mediated proinflammatory response. However, a possibility of another LPS transfer molecule has been suggested because LBP-deficient mice showed almost normal inflammatory response after LPS injection. In this study, we describe the novel finding that high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) recently identified as a mediator of sepsis has a function of LPS transfer for a proinflammatory response.

Determination of three-dimensional structure and residues of the novel tumor suppressor AIMP3/p18 required for the interaction with ATM.

Although AIMP3/p18 is normally associated with the multi-tRNA synthetase complex via its specific interaction with methionyl-tRNA synthetase, it also works as a tumor suppressor by interacting with ATM, the upstream kinase of p53. To understand the molecular interactions of AIMP3 and the mechanisms involved, we determined the crystal structure of AIMP3 at 2.0-angstroms resolution and identified its potential sites of interaction with ATM.

Intrauterine device found in an ovarian carcinoma.

Displacement of an intrauterine device (IUD) through the perforation site is a rare but one of the major complications. Theoretically, an extrauterine IUD can be located anywhere in the abdominopelvic cavity. It may be asymptomatic or may cause serious complications, including infection, fistula, organ perforation, or bowel obstruction.

Gene expression profiling of a mouse model of pancreatic islet dysmorphogenesis.

Background: In the past decade, several transcription factors critical for pancreas organogenesis have been identified. Despite this success, many of the factors necessary for proper islet morphogenesis and function remain uncharacterized. Previous studies have shown that transgenic over-expression of the transcription factor Hnf6 specifically in the pancreatic endocrine cell lineage resulted in disruptions in islet morphogenesis, including dysfunctional endocrine cell sorting, increased individual islet size, increased number of peripheral endocrine cell types, and failure of islets to migrate away from the ductal epithelium.

Chronic tuberculous epididymo-orchitis manifesting as a non-tender scrotal swelling: magnetic resonance imaging-histological correlation.

Clinically, chronic tuberculous epididymo-orchitis often is nonspecific and subsequently is indistinguishable from other various scrotal lesions. Gray-scale and color Doppler ultrasound is most commonly used for distinguishing these conditions. However, there are few reports on the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of chronic tuberculous epididymo-orchitis.

Oxidative modification of peroxiredoxin is associated with drug-induced apoptotic signaling in experimental models of Parkinson disease.

The aim of this study was to investigate changes in protein profiles during the early phase of dopaminergic neuronal death using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis in conjunction with mass spectrometry. Several protein spots were identified whose expression was significantly altered following treatment of MN9D dopaminergic neuronal cells with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). In particular, we detected oxidative modification of thioredoxin-dependent peroxidases (peroxiredoxins; PRX) in treated MN9D cells.

Lipopolysaccharide induces hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha mRNA expression and activation via NADPH oxidase and Sp1-dependent pathway in BV2 murine microglial cells.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), the key transcription factor of hypoxia-inducible genes, is known to be involved in inflammation and immune response, but little is known about the regulation of HIF-1 during microglial activation. Thus, we examined effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on HIF-1 activation and its signaling mechanism in BV2 microglial cells. LPS induced HIF-1alpha mRNA and protein expression as well as HIF-1 transcriptional activation.

Expression and amplification of Her2, EGFR and cyclin D1 in breast cancer: immunohistochemistry and chromogenic in situ hybridization.

Determination of Her2, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and cyclin D1 status is now of major clinical importance due to the development of molecule-targeting drugs in anticancer therapy. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) are the most simple and convenient methods for evaluating gene alterations and their protein consequences. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the status of Her2, EGFR and cyclin D1 on both IHC and CISH in 95 primary breast carcinomas.

CT findings after nephron-sparing surgery of renal tumors.

Objective: The purpose of this article is to show the CT findings of the various postoperative changes, surgical complications, and tumor recurrence after nephron-sparing surgery for the treatment of renal tumors.

Conclusion: Familiarity with the various postoperative changes after nephron-sparing surgery may help radiologists in differentiating these changes from tumor recurrence or surgical complications.

Investigation of the estrogenic activities of pesticides from Pal-dang reservoir by in vitro assay.

Endocrine disruptors, when absorbed into the body, interfere with the normal function by mimicking or blocking the hormone system. To investigate compounds mimicking estrogen in the drinking water source of the residence of Seoul, the Pal-dang reservoir was monitored over a period of 5 years, between 2000 and 2004. Nine kinds of pesticide (carbaryl, DBCP, diazinon, fenitrothion, fenobucarb, flutolanil, iprobenphos, isoprothiolane and parathion) were found to exist in the river water sample.

Expression of excision repair cross-complementation group 1 protein predicts poor outcome in patients with small cell lung cancer.

Background: Alterations in apoptosis-related proteins and DNA damage repair proteins are associated with resistance to chemotherapy or radiotherapy, which is the most important cause of treatment failure in small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

Patients And Methods: Pretreatment tumor biopsy specimens from 77 patients with SCLC (limited stage: 40, extensive stage: 37) were analyzed for p53, bcl-2, bax and ERCC1 expression by immunohistochemistry. All patients were treated with platinum-based doublets.

[Telomerase expression in colorectal tubular adenoma determined by immunohistochemical staining].

Background/aims: Telomeres are simple repeat elements located at each chromosome end of eukaryotic cells. The main function of telomeres is to cap the chromosome end and protect it from enzymatic attack. Telomerase that facilitates the synthesis of telomere has been detected in not only cancer but also precancerous lesion.

Traumatic tricuspid regurgitation following cardiac massage.

We report a 66-yr-old male patient who developed tricuspid regurgitation secondary to internal cardiac massage. After uneventful off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery, the subject experienced cardiac arrest in the intensive care unit. External cardiac massage was initiated and internal cardiac massage was performed eventually.

Low expression of Bax predicts poor prognosis in patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy.

Purpose: The present study evaluated the prognostic significance of apoptosis-related proteins, p53, Bcl-2, Bax, and galectin-3 in patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy.

Experimental Design: A total of 63 patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer (squamous cell carcinoma: 62; adenocarcinoma: 1; stages II-IV) were treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy using 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin combined with radiotherapy. Pretreatment tumor biopsy specimens were analyzed for p53, Bcl-2, Bax, and galectin-3 expression by immunohistochemistry.

Minocycline alleviates death of oligodendrocytes by inhibiting pro-nerve growth factor production in microglia after spinal cord injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes a permanent neurological disability, and no satisfactory treatment is currently available. After SCI, pro-nerve growth factor (proNGF) is known to play a pivotal role in apoptosis of oligodendrocytes, but the cell types producing proNGF and the signaling pathways involved in proNGF production are primarily unknown. Here, we show that minocycline improves functional recovery after SCI in part by reducing apoptosis of oligodendrocytes via inhibition of proNGF production in microglia.

Diffuse sclerosing variant of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid: imaging and cytologic findings.

Diffuse sclerosing variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (DSPC) is a rare variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma, for which the imaging and cytologic features have not been reported. The aim of this study is to gain better insight into the characteristic imaging and cytologic features of DSPC and to suggest treatment guidelines. We retrospectively analyzed the ultrasonographic and computed tomographic (CT) features in eight patients diagnosed with pathologically proven DSPC between 1996 and 2006.

Effects of preoperative aspirin and clopidogrel therapy on perioperative blood loss and blood transfusion requirements in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Objective: Preoperative exposure to clopidogrel and aspirin significantly increases postoperative bleeding in patients undergoing on-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Off-pump coronary bypass grafting has been proposed as an alternative technique to attenuate postoperative bleeding associated with clopidogrel. This study aimed to determine the effects of aspirin and clopidogrel therapy on perioperative blood loss and blood transfusion requirements in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

Giant multilocular prostatic cystadenoma presenting with obstructive aspermia.

Giant multilocular prostatic cystadenoma (GMPC) is a rare benign tumor involving the prostate gland. Microscopically, it masquerades phyllodes tumor or transitional zone hyperplasia. We report one case of GMPC arising from the prostate central zone (CZ), presenting with long-standing aspermia associated with seminal vesicle fibrous obliteration.

Genome-wide array-based comparative genomic hybridization of ocular marginal zone B cell lymphoma: comparison with pulmonary and nodal marginal zone B cell lymphoma.

The genetic changes in marginal zone B cell lymphomas (MZBCL) vary according to the anatomical region. This study aimed to investigate genomic aberrations in ocular MZBCL and to compare them with those of tumors from other anatomical sites. The study population comprised 24 cases of primary ocular MZBCL, 11 pulmonary MZBCL, and seven nodal MZBCL.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: four cases.

The role of the da Vinci robot is being defined in minimally invasive urologic surgery. Robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (rLRP) has emerged as a feasible treatment option for patients with organ-confined prostate cancer. We performed the first four rLRPs on four prostate cancer patients in the Republic of Korea.

Deubiquitination of Chfr, a checkpoint protein, by USP7/HAUSP regulates its stability and activity.

Chfr, a mitotic stress checkpoint, plays an important role in cell cycle progression, tumor suppression and the processes that require the E3 ubiquitin ligase activity mediated by the RING finger domain. Chfr stimulates the formation of polyubiquitin chains by ub-conjugating enzymes, and induces the proteasome-dependent degradation of a number of cellular proteins including Plk1 and Aurora A. In this study, we identified USP7 (also known as HAUSP), which is a member of a family of proteins that cleave polyubiquitin chains and/or ubiquitin precursors, as an interacting protein with Chfr by immunoaffinity purification and mass spectrometry, and their interaction greatly increases the stability of Chfr.